more distinct: --It continued
and became more distinct: I
talked more freely to get rid
of the feeling: but it
continued
and
gained
definiteness
--until,
at
length, I found that the
noise was not within my
ears.
No doubt I now grew very
pale; --but I talked more
fluently,
and
with
a
heightened voice. Yet the
sound increased --and what
could I do? It was a low,
dull, quick sound --much
such a sound as a watch
makes when enveloped in
cotton. I gasped for breath
I talked more quickly --more vehemently; but the noise steadily
increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with
violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why would
they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides,
as if excited to fury by the observations of the men --but the noise
steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do? I foamed --I raved
--I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and
grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and
continually increased. It grew louder --louder --louder! And still
the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard
not? Almighty God! --no, no! They heard! --they suspected! --they
knew! --they were making a mockery of my horror!-this I thought,
and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything
was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those
hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! and
now --again! --hark! louder! louder! louder! Louder!
"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed! --tear
up the planks! here, here! --It is the beating of his hideous heart!"
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