They sat, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things.
But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone.
My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted.
The ringing became 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---and yet the officeres heard it not.
I talked more quickly---more vehenently; 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 could they not be gone?
I paced the floor to the fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the obsevations 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 lourder---louder---luoder!
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 decision!
I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer!
I felt that I must scream or die! and now---again!---hark! louder! louder! louder!
"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemle no more! I admit the deed!---tear up the planks! here, here!---It is the beating of his hideous heart!"