1705036824
The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. 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 gained definitiveness—until at length I found that the noise was not within my ears.
1705036825
1705036826
No doubt I 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 officers heard it not. I talked more quickly—more vehemently; 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. O 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?
1705036827
1705036828
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 I louder! louder! louder! louder!
1705036829
1705036830
“Villains!” I shrieked, “dissemble no more! I admit the deed—tear up the planks! here! here! it is the beating of his hideous heart!”
1705036831
1705036832
Notes
1705036833
1705036834
healthily, sanely, not madly; like a sane, healthy person.
1705036835
1705036836
haunted, remained with me to bother me.
1705036837
1705036838
object, ulterior motive for killing the old man; something that he had hoped to get from the killing of the old man.
1705036839
1705036840
passion, strong emotion, like an outburst of anger, or hatred.
1705036841
1705036842
gold, money or riches.
1705036843
1705036844
vulture, large bird allied to hawks, eagles, falcons, but having weaker claws, and the head usually naked. Vultures live largely on carrion, the dead or putrefying body or flesh of animals.
1705036845
1705036846
film, dull, transparent layer or cover.
1705036847
1705036848
my blood ran cold, within me was the feeling of fear.
1705036849
1705036850
take the llfe, killed.
1705036851
1705036852
caution, care; watchfulness.
1705036853
1705036854
foresight, prudent care for the future, looking ahead.
1705036855
1705036856
dissimulation, hiding of his true feelings under a false front; feigning.
1705036857
1705036858
latch, the catch which holds the door closed; the moveable piece which holds the door in place, though it be not bolted.
1705036859
1705036860
cautiously, guardedly, carefully so as to avoid danger.
1705036861
1705036862
hinges, the joint on which the door turns or swings.
1705036863
1705036864
creaked, make a sharp, prolonged squeaking sound.
1705036865
1705036866
chuckled, laughed in a suppressed manner, as from inward satisfaction.
1705036867
1705036868
startled, moved suddenly as in surprise, fear, or alarm.
1705036869
1705036870
black as pitch . Pitch, which occurs naturally as asphalt, is a black, thick, sticky substance.
1705036871
1705036872
shutters, the moveable covers or screens of windows.
1705036873
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