I smiled, — for what had I to fear? I bade
the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was
my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was
absent in the country. I took my visitors all
over the house. I bade them search — search
well. I led them, at length, to his chamber.
I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed.
In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs
into the room, and desired them here to rest from
their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity
of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the
very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the
victim.
The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced
them. I was singularly at ease. 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 officers heard
it not. 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!”
