THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER

Son coeur est un luth suspendu; Sitt qu'on le touche il rsonne.. _ e !"r#n$er_.

urin$ the %hole o& # dull' d#r(' #nd soundless d#) in the #utu*n o& the )e#r' %hen the clouds hun$ oppressi+el) lo% in the he#+ens' , h#d -een p#ssin$ #lone' on horse-#c(' throu$h # sin$ul#rl) dre#r) tr#ct o& countr); #nd #t len$th &ound *)sel&' #s the sh#des o& the e+enin$ dre% on' %ithin +ie% o& the *el#nchol) House o& Usher. , (no% not ho% it %#s.-ut' %ith the &irst $li*pse o& the -uildin$' # sense o& insu&&er#-le $loo* per+#ded *) spirit. , s#) insu&&er#-le; &or the &eelin$ %#s unrelie+ed -) #n) o& th#t h#l&/ple#sur#-le' -ec#use poetic' senti*ent' %ith %hich the *ind usu#ll) recei+es e+en the sternest n#tur#l i*#$es o& the desol#te or terri-le. , loo(ed upon the scene -e&ore *e.upon the *ere house' #nd the si*ple l#ndsc#pe &e#tures o& the do*#in.upon the -le#( %#lls.upon the +#c#nt e)e/ li(e %indo%s.upon # &e% r#n( sed$es.#nd upon # &e% %hite trun(s o& dec#)ed trees.%ith #n utter depression o& soul %hich , c#n co*p#re to no e#rthl) sens#tion *ore properl) th#n to the #&ter/dre#* o& the re+eller upon opiu* .the -itter l#pse into e+er)d#) li&e.the hideous droppin$ o&& o& the +eil. There %#s #n iciness' # sin(in$' # sic(enin$ o& the he#rt.#n unredee*ed dre#riness o& thou$ht %hich no $o#din$ o& the i*#$in#tion could torture into #u$ht o& the su-li*e. 0h#t %#s it., p#used to thin(.%h#t %#s it th#t so unner+ed *e in the conte*pl#tion o& the House o& Usher1 ,t %#s # *)ster) #ll insolu-le; nor could , $r#pple %ith the sh#do%) &#ncies th#t cro%ded upon *e #s , pondered. , %#s &orced to &#ll -#c( upon the uns#tis&#ctor) conclusion' th#t %hile' -e)ond dou-t' there #re co*-in#tions o& +er) si*ple n#tur#l o-2ects %hich h#+e the po%er o& thus #&&ectin$ us' still the #n#l)sis o& this po%er lies #*on$ consider#tions -e)ond our depth. ,t %#s possi-le' , re&lected' th#t # *ere di&&erent #rr#n$e*ent o& the p#rticul#rs o& the scene' o& the det#ils o& the picture' %ould -e su&&icient to *odi&)' or perh#ps to #nnihil#te its c#p#cit) &or sorro%&ul i*pression; #nd' #ctin$ upon this ide#' , reined *) horse to the precipitous -rin( o& # -l#c( #nd lurid t#rn th#t l#) in unru&&led lustre -) the d%ellin$' #nd $#3ed do%n.-ut %ith # shudder e+en *ore thrillin$ th#n -e&ore.upon the re*odelled #nd in+erted i*#$es o& the $r#) sed$e' #nd the $h#stl) tree/ste*s' #nd the +#c#nt #nd e)e/li(e %indo%s. 4e+ertheless' in this *#nsion o& $loo* , no% proposed to *)sel& # so2ourn o& so*e %ee(s. ,ts proprietor' Roderic( Usher' h#d -een one o& *) -oon co*p#nions in -o)hood; -ut *#n) )e#rs h#d el#psed since our l#st *eetin$. A letter' ho%e+er' h#d l#tel) re#ched *e in # dist#nt p#rt o& the countr). # letter &ro* hi*.%hich' in its %ildl) i*portun#te n#ture' h#d #d*itted o& no other th#n # person#l repl). The 5S. $#+e e+idence o& ner+ous #$it#tion. The %riter spo(e o& #cute -odil) illness.o& # *ent#l disorder %hich oppressed hi*.#nd o& #n e#rnest desire to see *e' #s his -est' #nd indeed his onl) person#l &riend' %ith # +ie% o& #tte*ptin$' -) the cheer&ulness o& *) societ)' so*e #lle+i#tion o& his *#l#d). ,t %#s the *#nner in %hich #ll this' #nd *uch *ore' %#s s#id.it %#s the #pp#rent he#rt th#t %ent %ith his request.%hich #llo%ed *e no roo* &or hesit#tion; #nd , #ccordin$l) o-e)ed &orth%ith %h#t , still considered # +er) sin$ul#r su**ons.

Althou$h' #s -o)s' %e h#d -een e+en inti*#te #ssoci#tes' )et , re#ll) (ne% little o& *) &riend. His reser+e h#d -een #l%#)s e6cessi+e #nd h#-itu#l. , %#s #%#re' ho%e+er' th#t his +er) #ncient &#*il) h#d -een noted' ti*e out o& *ind' &or # peculi#r sensi-ilit) o& te*per#*ent' displ#)in$ itsel&' throu$h lon$ #$es' in *#n) %or(s o& e6#lted #rt' #nd *#ni&ested' o& l#te' in repe#ted deeds o& *uni&icent )et uno-trusi+e ch#rit)' #s %ell #s in # p#ssion#te de+otion to the intric#cies' perh#ps e+en *ore th#n to the orthodo6 #nd e#sil) reco$nis#-le -e#uties' o& *usic#l science. , h#d le#rned' too' the +er) re*#r(#-le &#ct' th#t the ste* o& the Usher r#ce' #ll ti*e/honored #s it %#s' h#d put &orth' #t no period' #n) endurin$ -r#nch; in other %ords' th#t the entire &#*il) l#) in the direct line o& descent' #nd h#d #l%#)s' %ith +er) tri&lin$ #nd +er) te*por#r) +#ri#tion' so l#in. ,t %#s this de&icienc)' , considered' %hile runnin$ o+er in thou$ht the per&ect (eepin$ o& the ch#r#cter o& the pre*ises %ith the #ccredited ch#r#cter o& the people' #nd %hile specul#tin$ upon the possi-le in&luence %hich the one' in the lon$ l#pse o& centuries' *i$ht h#+e e6ercised upon the other.it %#s this de&icienc)' perh#ps' o& coll#ter#l issue' #nd the consequent unde+i#tin$ tr#ns*ission' &ro* sire to son' o& the p#tri*on) %ith the n#*e' %hich h#d' #t len$th' so identi&ied the t%o #s to *er$e the ori$in#l title o& the est#te in the qu#int #nd equi+oc#l #ppell#tion o& the 7House o& Usher8.#n #ppell#tion %hich see*ed to include' in the *inds o& the pe#s#ntr) %ho used it' -oth the &#*il) #nd the &#*il) *#nsion. , h#+e s#id th#t the sole e&&ect o& *) so*e%h#t childish e6peri*ent.th#t o& loo(in$ do%n %ithin the t#rn.h#d -een to deepen the &irst sin$ul#r i*pression. There c#n -e no dou-t th#t the consciousness o& the r#pid incre#se o& *) superstition.&or %h) should , not so ter* it1.ser+ed *#inl) to #cceler#te the incre#se itsel&. Such' , h#+e lon$ (no%n' is the p#r#do6ic#l l#% o& #ll senti*ents h#+in$ terror #s # -#sis. And it *i$ht h#+e -een &or this re#son onl)' th#t' %hen , #$#in upli&ted *) e)es to the house itsel&' &ro* its i*#$e in the pool' there $re% in *) *ind # str#n$e &#nc).# &#nc) so ridiculous' indeed' th#t , -ut *ention it to sho% the +i+id &orce o& the sens#tions %hich oppressed *e. , h#d so %or(ed upon *) i*#$in#tion #s re#ll) to -elie+e th#t #-out the %hole *#nsion #nd do*#in there hun$ #n #t*osphere peculi#r to the*sel+es #nd their i**edi#te +icinit).#n #t*osphere %hich h#d no #&&init) %ith the #ir o& he#+en' -ut %hich h#d ree(ed up &ro* the dec#)ed trees' #nd the $r#) %#ll' #nd the silent t#rn.# pestilent #nd *)stic +#por' dull' slu$$ish' &#intl) discerni-le' #nd le#den/hued. Sh#(in$ o&& &ro* *) spirit %h#t *ust h#+e -een # dre#*' , sc#nned *ore n#rro%l) the re#l #spect o& the -uildin$. ,ts princip#l &e#ture see*ed to -e th#t o& #n e6cessi+e #ntiquit). The discolor#tion o& #$es h#d -een $re#t. 5inute &un$i o+erspre#d the %hole e6terior' h#n$in$ in # &ine t#n$led %e-/%or( &ro* the e#+es. 9et #ll this %#s #p#rt &ro* #n) e6tr#ordin#r) dil#pid#tion. 4o portion o& the *#sonr) h#d &#llen; #nd there #ppe#red to -e # %ild inconsistenc) -et%een its still per&ect #d#pt#tion o& p#rts' #nd the cru*-lin$ condition o& the indi+idu#l stones. ,n this there %#s *uch th#t re*inded *e o& the specious tot#lit) o& old %ood/%or( %hich h#s rotted &or lon$ )e#rs in so*e ne$lected +#ult' %ith no distur-#nce &ro* the -re#th o& the e6tern#l #ir. !e)ond this indic#tion o& e6tensi+e dec#)' ho%e+er' the &#-ric $#+e little to(en o& inst#-ilit). :erh#ps the e)e o& # scrutini3in$ o-ser+er *i$ht h#+e disco+ered # -#rel) percepti-le &issure' %hich' e6tendin$ &ro* the roo& o& the -uildin$ in &ront' *#de its %#) do%n the %#ll in # 3i$3#$ direction' until it -ec#*e lost in the sullen %#ters o& the t#rn. 4oticin$ these thin$s' , rode o+er # short c#use%#) to the house. A ser+#nt in

%#itin$ too( *) horse' #nd , entered the ;othic #rch%#) o& the h#ll. A +#let' o& ste#lth) step' thence conducted *e' in silence' throu$h *#n) d#r( #nd intric#te p#ss#$es in *) pro$ress to the studio o& his *#ster. 5uch th#t , encountered on the %#) contri-uted' , (no% not ho%' to hei$hten the +#$ue senti*ents o& %hich , h#+e #lre#d) spo(en. 0hile the o-2ects #round *e.%hile the c#r+in$s o& the ceilin$s' the so*-re t#pestries o& the %#lls' the e-on -l#c(ness o& the &loors' #nd the ph#nt#s*#$oric #r*ori#l trophies %hich r#ttled #s , strode' %ere -ut *#tters to %hich' or to such #s %hich' , h#d -een #ccusto*ed &ro* *) in&#nc).%hile , hesit#ted not to #c(no%led$e ho% &#*ili#r %#s #ll this., still %ondered to &ind ho% un&#*ili#r %ere the &#ncies %hich ordin#r) i*#$es %ere stirrin$ up. On one o& the st#irc#ses' , *et the ph)sici#n o& the &#*il). His counten#nce' , thou$ht' %ore # *in$led e6pression o& lo% cunnin$ #nd perple6it). He #ccosted *e %ith trepid#tion #nd p#ssed on. The +#let no% thre% open # door #nd ushered *e into the presence o& his *#ster. The roo* in %hich , &ound *)sel& %#s +er) l#r$e #nd lo&t). The %indo%s %ere lon$' n#rro%' #nd pointed' #nd #t so +#st # dist#nce &ro* the -l#c( o#(en &loor #s to -e #lto$ether in#ccessi-le &ro* %ithin. Fee-le $le#*s o& encri*soned li$ht *#de their %#) throu$h the trellissed p#nes' #nd ser+ed to render su&&icientl) distinct the *ore pro*inent o-2ects #round; the e)e' ho%e+er' stru$$led in +#in to re#ch the re*oter #n$les o& the ch#*-er' or the recesses o& the +#ulted #nd &retted ceilin$. #r( dr#peries hun$ upon the %#lls. The $ener#l &urniture %#s pro&use' co*&ortless' #ntique' #nd t#ttered. 5#n) -oo(s #nd *usic#l instru*ents l#) sc#ttered #-out' -ut &#iled to $i+e #n) +it#lit) to the scene. , &elt th#t , -re#thed #n #t*osphere o& sorro%. An #ir o& stern' deep' #nd irredee*#-le $loo* hun$ o+er #nd per+#ded #ll. Upon *) entr#nce' Usher #rose &ro* # so&# on %hich he h#d -een l)in$ #t &ull len$th' #nd $reeted *e %ith # +i+#cious %#r*th %hich h#d *uch in it' , #t &irst thou$ht' o& #n o+erdone cordi#lit).o& the constr#ined e&&ort o& the ennu); *#n o& the %orld. A $l#nce' ho%e+er' #t his counten#nce' con+inced *e o& his per&ect sincerit). 0e s#t do%n; #nd &or so*e *o*ents' %hile he spo(e not' , $#3ed upon hi* %ith # &eelin$ h#l& o& pit)' h#l& o& #%e. Surel)' *#n h#d ne+er -e&ore so terri-l) #ltered' in so -rie& # period' #s h#d Roderic( Usher< ,t %#s %ith di&&icult) th#t , could -rin$ *)sel& to #d*it the identit) o& the %#n -ein$ -e&ore *e %ith the co*p#nion o& *) e#rl) -o)hood. 9et the ch#r#cter o& his &#ce h#d -een #t #ll ti*es re*#r(#-le. A c#d#+erousness o& co*ple6ion; #n e)e l#r$e' liquid' #nd lu*inous -e)ond co*p#rison; lips so*e%h#t thin #nd +er) p#llid' -ut o& # surp#ssin$l) -e#uti&ul cur+e; # nose o& # delic#te He-re% *odel' -ut %ith # -re#dth o& nostril unusu#l in si*il#r &or*#tions; # &inel) *oulded chin' spe#(in$' in its %#nt o& pro*inence' o& # %#nt o& *or#l ener$); h#ir o& # *ore th#n %e-/li(e so&tness #nd tenuit); these &e#tures' %ith #n inordin#te e6p#nsion #-o+e the re$ions o& the te*ple' *#de up #lto$ether # counten#nce not e#sil) to -e &or$otten. And no% in the *ere e6#$$er#tion o& the pre+#ilin$ ch#r#cter o& these &e#tures' #nd o& the e6pression the) %ere %ont to con+e)' l#) so *uch o& ch#n$e th#t , dou-ted to %ho* , spo(e. The no% $h#stl) p#llor o& the s(in' #nd the no% *ir#culous lustre o& the e)e' #-o+e #ll thin$s st#rtled #nd e+en #%ed *e. The sil(en h#ir' too' h#d -een su&&ered to $ro% #ll unheeded' #nd #s' in its %ild $oss#*er te6ture' it &lo#ted r#ther th#n &ell #-out the &#ce' , could not' e+en %ith e&&ort' connect its Ar#-esque e6pression %ith #n) ide# o& si*ple hu*#nit). ,n the *#nner o& *) &riend , %#s #t once struc( %ith #n incoherence.#n inconsistenc); #nd , soon &ound this to #rise &ro* # series o& &ee-le #nd

&utile stru$$les to o+erco*e #n h#-itu#l trepid#nc).#n e6cessi+e ner+ous #$it#tion. For so*ethin$ o& this n#ture , h#d indeed -een prep#red' no less -) his letter' th#n -) re*iniscences o& cert#in -o)ish tr#its' #nd -) conclusions deduced &ro* his peculi#r ph)sic#l con&or*#tion #nd te*per#*ent. His #ction %#s #ltern#tel) +i+#cious #nd sullen. His +oice +#ried r#pidl) &ro* # tre*ulous indecision =%hen the #ni*#l spirits see*ed utterl) in #-e)#nce> to th#t species o& ener$etic concision.th#t #-rupt' %ei$ht)' unhurried' #nd hollo%/soundin$ enunci#tion.th#t le#den' sel&/ -#l#nced #nd per&ectl) *odul#ted $uttur#l utter#nce' %hich *#) -e o-ser+ed in the lost drun(#rd' or the irrecl#i*#-le e#ter o& opiu*' durin$ the periods o& his *ost intense e6cite*ent. ,t %#s thus th#t he spo(e o& the o-2ect o& *) +isit' o& his e#rnest desire to see *e' #nd o& the sol#ce he e6pected *e to #&&ord hi*. He entered' #t so*e len$th' into %h#t he concei+ed to -e the n#ture o& his *#l#d). ,t %#s' he s#id' # constitution#l #nd # &#*il) e+il' #nd one &or %hich he desp#ired to &ind # re*ed).# *ere ner+ous #&&ection' he i**edi#tel) #dded' %hich %ould undou-tedl) soon p#ss o&&. ,t displ#)ed itsel& in # host o& unn#tur#l sens#tions. So*e o& these' #s he det#iled the*' interested #nd -e%ildered *e; #lthou$h' perh#ps' the ter*s' #nd the $ener#l *#nner o& the n#rr#tion h#d their %ei$ht. He su&&ered *uch &ro* # *or-id #cuteness o& the senses; the *ost insipid &ood %#s #lone endur#-le; he could %e#r onl) $#r*ents o& cert#in te6ture; the odors o& #ll &lo%ers %ere oppressi+e; his e)es %ere tortured -) e+en # &#int li$ht; #nd there %ere -ut peculi#r sounds' #nd these &ro* strin$ed instru*ents' %hich did not inspire hi* %ith horror. To #n #no*#lous species o& terror , &ound hi* # -ounden sl#+e. 7, sh#ll perish'8 s#id he' 7, *ust perish in this deplor#-le &oll). Thus' thus' #nd not other%ise' sh#ll , -e lost. , dre#d the e+ents o& the &uture' not in the*sel+es' -ut in their results. , shudder #t the thou$ht o& #n)' e+en the *ost tri+i#l' incident' %hich *#) oper#te upon this intoler#-le #$it#tion o& soul. , h#+e' indeed' no #-horrence o& d#n$er' e6cept in its #-solute e&&ect.in terror. ,n this unner+ed.in this piti#-le condition., &eel th#t the period %ill sooner or l#ter #rri+e %hen , *ust #-#ndon li&e #nd re#son to$ether' in so*e stru$$le %ith the $ri* ph#nt#s*' FEAR.8 , le#rned' *oreo+er' #t inter+#ls' #nd throu$h -ro(en #nd equi+oc#l hints' #nother sin$ul#r &e#ture o& his *ent#l condition. He %#s ench#ined -) cert#in superstitious i*pressions in re$#rd to the d%ellin$ %hich he ten#nted' #nd %hence' &or *#n) )e#rs' he h#d ne+er +entured &orth.in re$#rd to #n in&luence %hose supposititious &orce %#s con+e)ed in ter*s too sh#do%) here to -e re/st#ted.#n in&luence %hich so*e peculi#rities in the *ere &or* #nd su-st#nce o& his &#*il) *#nsion' h#d' -) dint o& lon$ su&&er#nce' he s#id' o-t#ined o+er his spirit.#n e&&ect %hich the ph)sique o& the $r#) %#lls #nd turrets' #nd o& the di* t#rn into %hich the) #ll loo(ed do%n' h#d' #t len$th' -rou$ht #-out upon the *or#le o& his e6istence. He #d*itted' ho%e+er' #lthou$h %ith hesit#tion' th#t *uch o& the peculi#r $loo* %hich thus #&&licted hi* could -e tr#ced to # *ore n#tur#l #nd &#r *ore p#lp#-le ori$in.to the se+ere #nd lon$/continued illness.indeed to the e+identl) #ppro#chin$ dissolution.o& # tenderl) -elo+ed sister.his sole co*p#nion &or lon$ )e#rs.his l#st #nd onl) rel#ti+e on e#rth. 7Her dece#se'8 he s#id' %ith # -itterness %hich , c#n ne+er &or$et' 7%ould le#+e hi* =hi* the hopeless #nd the &r#il> the l#st o& the #ncient r#ce o& the Ushers.8 0hile he spo(e' the l#d) 5#deline =&or so %#s she c#lled> p#ssed slo%l) throu$h # re*ote portion o& the #p#rt*ent' #nd' %ithout h#+in$ noticed *) presence' dis#ppe#red. , re$#rded her %ith #n utter #stonish*ent not un*in$led %ith dre#d.#nd )et , &ound it i*possi-le to #ccount &or such &eelin$s. A sens#tion o& stupor

oppressed *e' #s *) e)es &ollo%ed her retre#tin$ steps. 0hen # door' #t len$th' closed upon her' *) $l#nce sou$ht instincti+el) #nd e#$erl) the counten#nce o& the -rother.-ut he h#d -uried his &#ce in his h#nds' #nd , could onl) percei+e th#t # &#r *ore th#n ordin#r) %#nness h#d o+erspre#d the e*#ci#ted &in$ers throu$h %hich tric(led *#n) p#ssion#te te#rs. The dise#se o& the l#d) 5#deline h#d lon$ -#&&led the s(ill o& her ph)sici#ns. A settled #p#th)' # $r#du#l %#stin$ #%#) o& the person' #nd &requent #lthou$h tr#nsient #&&ections o& # p#rti#ll) c#t#leptic#l ch#r#cter' %ere the unusu#l di#$nosis. Hitherto she h#d ste#dil) -orne up #$#inst the pressure o& her *#l#d)' #nd h#d not -et#(en hersel& &in#ll) to -ed; -ut' on the closin$ in o& the e+enin$ o& *) #rri+#l #t the house' she succu*-ed =#s her -rother told *e #t ni$ht %ith ine6pressi-le #$it#tion> to the prostr#tin$ po%er o& the destro)er; #nd , le#rned th#t the $li*pse , h#d o-t#ined o& her person %ould thus pro-#-l) -e the l#st , should o-t#in.th#t the l#d)' #t le#st %hile li+in$' %ould -e seen -) *e no *ore. For se+er#l d#)s ensuin$' her n#*e %#s un*entioned -) either Usher or *)sel&? #nd durin$ this period , %#s -usied in e#rnest ende#+ors to #lle+i#te the *el#nchol) o& *) &riend. 0e p#inted #nd re#d to$ether; or , listened' #s i& in # dre#*' to the %ild i*pro+is#tions o& his spe#(in$ $uit#r. And thus' #s # closer #nd still closer inti*#c) #d*itted *e *ore unreser+edl) into the recesses o& his spirit' the *ore -itterl) did , percei+e the &utilit) o& #ll #tte*pt #t cheerin$ # *ind &ro* %hich d#r(ness' #s i& #n inherent positi+e qu#lit)' poured &orth upon #ll o-2ects o& the *or#l #nd ph)sic#l uni+erse' in one unce#sin$ r#di#tion o& $loo*. , sh#ll e+er -e#r #-out *e # *e*or) o& the *#n) sole*n hours , thus spent #lone %ith the *#ster o& the House o& Usher. 9et , should &#il in #n) #tte*pt to con+e) #n ide# o& the e6#ct ch#r#cter o& the studies' or o& the occup#tions' in %hich he in+ol+ed *e' or led *e the %#). An e6cited #nd hi$hl) diste*pered ide#lit) thre% # sulphureous lustre o+er #ll. His lon$ i*pro+ised dir$es %ill rin$ &ore+er in *) e#rs. A*on$ other thin$s' , hold p#in&ull) in *ind # cert#in sin$ul#r per+ersion #nd #*pli&ic#tion o& the %ild #ir o& the l#st %#lt3 o& @on 0e-er. Fro* the p#intin$s o+er %hich his el#-or#te &#nc) -rooded' #nd %hich $re%' touch -) touch' into +#$uenesses #t %hich , shuddered the *ore thrillin$l)' -ec#use , shuddered (no%in$ not %h);.&ro* these p#intin$s =+i+id #s their i*#$es no% #re -e&ore *e> , %ould in +#in ende#+or to educe *ore th#n # s*#ll portion %hich should lie %ithin the co*p#ss o& *erel) %ritten %ords. !) the utter si*plicit)' -) the n#(edness o& his desi$ns' he #rrested #nd o+er#%ed #ttention. ,& e+er *ort#l p#inted #n ide#' th#t *ort#l %#s Roderic( Usher. For *e #t le#st.in the circu*st#nces then surroundin$ *e.there #rose out o& the pure #-str#ctions %hich the h)pochondri#c contri+ed to thro% upon his c#n+#ss' #n intensit) o& intoler#-le #%e' no sh#do% o& %hich &elt , e+er )et in the conte*pl#tion o& the cert#inl) $lo%in$ )et too concrete re+eries o& Fuseli. One o& the ph#nt#s*#$oric conceptions o& *) &riend' p#rt#(in$ not so ri$idl) o& the spirit o& #-str#ction' *#) -e sh#do%ed &orth' #lthou$h &ee-l)' in %ords. A s*#ll picture presented the interior o& #n i**ensel) lon$ #nd rect#n$ul#r +#ult or tunnel' %ith lo% %#lls' s*ooth' %hite' #nd %ithout interruption or de+ice. Aert#in #ccessor) points o& the desi$n ser+ed %ell to con+e) the ide# th#t this e6c#+#tion l#) #t #n e6ceedin$ depth -elo% the sur&#ce o& the e#rth. 4o outlet %#s o-ser+ed in #n) portion o& its +#st e6tent' #nd no torch' or other #rti&ici#l source o&

li$ht %#s discerni-le; )et # &lood o& intense r#)s rolled throu$hout' #nd -#thed the %hole in # $h#stl) #nd in#ppropri#te splendor. , h#+e 2ust spo(en o& th#t *or-id condition o& the #uditor) ner+e %hich rendered #ll *usic intoler#-le to the su&&erer' %ith the e6ception o& cert#in e&&ects o& strin$ed instru*ents. ,t %#s' perh#ps' the n#rro% li*its to %hich he thus con&ined hi*sel& upon the $uit#r' %hich $#+e -irth' in $re#t *e#sure' to the &#nt#stic ch#r#cter o& his per&or*#nces. !ut the &er+id &#cilit) o& his i*pro*ptus could not -e so #ccounted &or. The) *ust h#+e -een' #nd %ere' in the notes' #s %ell #s in the %ords o& his %ild &#nt#si#s =&or he not un&requentl) #cco*p#nied hi*sel& %ith rh)*ed +er-#l i*pro+is#tions>' the result o& th#t intense *ent#l collectedness #nd concentr#tion to %hich , h#+e pre+iousl) #lluded #s o-ser+#-le onl) in p#rticul#r *o*ents o& the hi$hest #rti&ici#l e6cite*ent. The %ords o& one o& these rh#psodies , h#+e e#sil) re*e*-ered. , %#s' perh#ps' the *ore &orci-l) i*pressed %ith it' #s he $#+e it' -ec#use' in the under or *)stic current o& its *e#nin$' , &#ncied th#t , percei+ed' #nd &or the &irst ti*e' # &ull consciousness on the p#rt o& Usher' o& the totterin$ o& his lo&t) re#son upon her throne. The +erses' %hich %ere entitled 7The H#unted :#l#ce'8 r#n +er) ne#rl)' i& not #ccur#tel)' thus? ,. ,n the $reenest o& our +#lle)s' !) $ood #n$els ten#nted' Once # &#ir #nd st#tel) p#l#ce. R#di#nt p#l#ce.re#red its he#d. ,n the *on#rch Thou$htBs do*inion.,t stood there< 4e+er ser#ph spre#d # pinion O+er &#-ric h#l& so &#ir. ,,. !#nners )ello%' $lorious' $olden' On its roo& did &lo#t #nd &lo%; =This.#ll this.%#s in the olden Ti*e lon$ #$o> And e+er) $entle #ir th#t d#llied' ,n th#t s%eet d#)' Alon$ the r#*p#rts plu*ed #nd p#llid'

A %in$ed odor %ent #%#). ,,,. 0#nderers in th#t h#pp) +#lle) Throu$h t%o lu*inous %indo%s s#% Spirits *o+in$ *usic#ll) To # luteBs %ell/tund l#%' Round #-out # throne' %here sittin$ =:orph)ro$ene<> ,n st#te his $lor) %ell -e&ittin$' The ruler o& the re#l* %#s seen. ,@. And #ll %ith pe#rl #nd ru-) $lo%in$ 0#s the &#ir p#l#ce door' Throu$h %hich c#*e &lo%in$' &lo%in$' &lo%in$' And sp#r(lin$ e+er*ore' A troop o& Echoes %hose s%eet dut) 0#s -ut to sin$' ,n +oices o& surp#ssin$ -e#ut)' The %it #nd %isdo* o& their (in$. @. !ut e+il thin$s' in ro-es o& sorro%' Ass#iled the *on#rchBs hi$h est#te; =Ah' let us *ourn' &or ne+er *orro% Sh#ll d#%n upon hi*' desol#te<> And' round #-out his ho*e' the $lor) Th#t -lushed #nd -loo*ed ,s -ut # di*/re*e*-ered stor) O& the old ti*e ento*-ed.

@,. And tr#+ellers no% %ithin th#t +#lle)' Throu$h the red/litten %indo%s' see @#st &or*s th#t *o+e &#nt#stic#ll) To # discord#nt *elod); 0hile' li(e # r#pid $h#stl) ri+er' Throu$h the p#le door' A hideous thron$ rush out &ore+er' And l#u$h.-ut s*ile no *ore. , %ell re*e*-er th#t su$$estions #risin$ &ro* this -#ll#d' led us into # tr#in o& thou$ht %herein there -ec#*e *#ni&est #n opinion o& UsherBs %hich , *ention not so *uch on #ccount o& its no+elt)' =&or other *en h#+e thou$ht thus'> #s on #ccount o& the pertin#cit) %ith %hich he *#int#ined it. This opinion' in its $ener#l &or*' %#s th#t o& the sentience o& #ll +e$et#-le thin$s. !ut' in his disordered &#nc)' the ide# h#d #ssu*ed # *ore d#rin$ ch#r#cter' #nd tresp#ssed' under cert#in conditions' upon the (in$do* o& inor$#ni3#tion. , l#c( %ords to e6press the &ull e6tent' or the e#rnest #-#ndon o& his persu#sion. The -elie&' ho%e+er' %#s connected =#s , h#+e pre+iousl) hinted> %ith the $r#) stones o& the ho*e o& his &ore&#thers. The conditions o& the sentience h#d -een here' he i*#$ined' &ul&illed in the *ethod o& colloc#tion o& these stones.in the order o& their #rr#n$e*ent' #s %ell #s in th#t o& the *#n) &un$i %hich o+erspre#d the*' #nd o& the dec#)ed trees %hich stood #round.#-o+e #ll' in the lon$ undistur-ed endur#nce o& this #rr#n$e*ent' #nd in its reduplic#tion in the still %#ters o& the t#rn. ,ts e+idence.the e+idence o& the sentience.%#s to -e seen' he s#id' =#nd , here st#rted #s he spo(e'> in the $r#du#l )et cert#in condens#tion o& #n #t*osphere o& their o%n #-out the %#ters #nd the %#lls. The result %#s disco+er#-le' he #dded' in th#t silent' )et i*portun#te #nd terri-le in&luence %hich &or centuries h#d *oulded the destinies o& his &#*il)' #nd %hich *#de hi* %h#t , no% s#% hi*.%h#t he %#s. Such opinions need no co**ent' #nd , %ill *#(e none. 0#tson' r. :erci+#l' Sp#ll#n3#ni' #nd especi#ll) the !ishop o& L#nd#&&..See 7Ahe*ic#l Ess#)s'8 +ol +. Our -oo(s.the -oo(s %hich' &or )e#rs' h#d &or*ed no s*#ll portion o& the *ent#l e6istence o& the in+#lid.%ere' #s *i$ht -e supposed' in strict (eepin$ %ith this ch#r#cter o& ph#nt#s*. 0e pored to$ether o+er such %or(s #s the @er+ert et Ah#rtreuse o& ;resset; the !elphe$or o& 5#chi#+elli; the He#+en #nd Hell o& S%eden-or$; the Su-terr#ne#n @o)#$e o& 4ichol#s Cli** -) Hol-er$; the Ahiro*#nc) o& Ro-ert Flud' o& De#n B,nd#$in' #nd o& e l# Ah#*-re; the Dourne) into the !lue ist#nce o& Tiec(; #nd the Ait) o& the Sun o& A#*p#nell#. One &#+orite +olu*e %#s # s*#ll oct#+o edition o& the irectoriu* ,nquisitoriu*' -) the o*inic#n E)*eric de ;ironne; #nd there %ere p#ss#$es in :o*ponius 5el#' #-out the old A&ric#n S#t)rs #nd E$ip#ns' o+er %hich Usher %ould sit dre#*in$ &or hours. His chie& deli$ht' ho%e+er' %#s &ound in the perus#l o& #n e6ceedin$l) r#re #nd curious -oo( in qu#rto ;othic.the *#nu#l o& #

&or$otten church.the @i$ili#e 5ortuoru* secundu* Ahoru* Ecclesi#e 5#$untin#e. , could not help thin(in$ o& the %ild ritu#l o& this %or(' #nd o& its pro-#-le in&luence upon the h)pochondri#c' %hen' one e+enin$' h#+in$ in&or*ed *e #-ruptl) th#t the l#d) 5#deline %#s no *ore' he st#ted his intention o& preser+in$ her corpse &or # &ortni$ht' =pre+iousl) to its &in#l inter*ent'> in one o& the nu*erous +#ults %ithin the *#in %#lls o& the -uildin$. The %orldl) re#son' ho%e+er' #ssi$ned &or this sin$ul#r proceedin$' %#s one %hich , did not &eel #t li-ert) to dispute. The -rother h#d -een led to his resolution =so he told *e> -) consider#tion o& the unusu#l ch#r#cter o& the *#l#d) o& the dece#sed' o& cert#in o-trusi+e #nd e#$er inquiries on the p#rt o& her *edic#l *en' #nd o& the re*ote #nd e6posed situ#tion o& the -uri#l/$round o& the &#*il). , %ill not den) th#t %hen , c#lled to *ind the sinister counten#nce o& the person %ho* , *et upon the st#irc#se' on the d#) o& *) #rri+#l #t the house' , h#d no desire to oppose %h#t , re$#rded #s #t -est -ut # h#r*less' #nd -) no *e#ns #n unn#tur#l' prec#ution. At the request o& Usher' , person#ll) #ided hi* in the #rr#n$e*ents &or the te*por#r) ento*-*ent. The -od) h#+in$ -een enco&&ined' %e t%o #lone -ore it to its rest. The +#ult in %hich %e pl#ced it =#nd %hich h#d -een so lon$ unopened th#t our torches' h#l& s*othered in its oppressi+e #t*osphere' $#+e us little opportunit) &or in+esti$#tion> %#s s*#ll' d#*p' #nd entirel) %ithout *e#ns o& #d*ission &or li$ht; l)in$' #t $re#t depth' i**edi#tel) -ene#th th#t portion o& the -uildin$ in %hich %#s *) o%n sleepin$ #p#rt*ent. ,t h#d -een used' #pp#rentl)' in re*ote &eud#l ti*es' &or the %orst purposes o& # don2on/(eep' #nd' in l#ter d#)s' #s # pl#ce o& deposit &or po%der' or so*e other hi$hl) co*-usti-le su-st#nce' #s # portion o& its &loor' #nd the %hole interior o& # lon$ #rch%#) throu$h %hich %e re#ched it' %ere c#re&ull) she#thed %ith copper. The door' o& *#ssi+e iron' h#d -een' #lso' si*il#rl) protected. ,ts i**ense %ei$ht c#used #n unusu#ll) sh#rp $r#tin$ sound' #s it *o+ed upon its hin$es. H#+in$ deposited our *ourn&ul -urden upon tressels %ithin this re$ion o& horror' %e p#rti#ll) turned #side the )et unscre%ed lid o& the co&&in' #nd loo(ed upon the &#ce o& the ten#nt. A stri(in$ si*ilitude -et%een the -rother #nd sister no% &irst #rrested *) #ttention; #nd Usher' di+inin$' perh#ps' *) thou$hts' *ur*ured out so*e &e% %ords &ro* %hich , le#rned th#t the dece#sed #nd hi*sel& h#d -een t%ins' #nd th#t s)*p#thies o& # sc#rcel) intelli$i-le n#ture h#d #l%#)s e6isted -et%een the*. Our $l#nces' ho%e+er' rested not lon$ upon the de#d.&or %e could not re$#rd her un#%ed. The dise#se %hich h#d thus ento*-ed the l#d) in the *#turit) o& )outh' h#d le&t' #s usu#l in #ll *#l#dies o& # strictl) c#t#leptic#l ch#r#cter' the *oc(er) o& # &#int -lush upon the -oso* #nd the &#ce' #nd th#t suspiciousl) lin$erin$ s*ile upon the lip %hich is so terri-le in de#th. 0e repl#ced #nd scre%ed do%n the lid' #nd' h#+in$ secured the door o& iron' *#de our %#)' %ith toil' into the sc#rcel) less $loo*) #p#rt*ents o& the upper portion o& the house. And no%' so*e d#)s o& -itter $rie& h#+in$ el#psed' #n o-ser+#-le ch#n$e c#*e o+er the &e#tures o& the *ent#l disorder o& *) &riend. His ordin#r) *#nner h#d +#nished. His ordin#r) occup#tions %ere ne$lected or &or$otten. He ro#*ed &ro* ch#*-er to ch#*-er %ith hurried' unequ#l' #nd o-2ectless step. The p#llor o& his counten#nce h#d #ssu*ed' i& possi-le' # *ore $h#stl) hue.-ut the lu*inousness o& his e)e h#d utterl) $one out. The once occ#sion#l hus(iness o& his tone %#s he#rd no *ore; #nd # tre*ulous qu#+er' #s i& o& e6tre*e terror' h#-itu#ll) ch#r#cteri3ed his utter#nce. There %ere ti*es' indeed' %hen , thou$ht his

unce#sin$l) #$it#ted *ind %#s l#-orin$ %ith so*e oppressi+e secret' to di+ul$e %hich he stru$$led &or the necess#r) cour#$e. At ti*es' #$#in' , %#s o-li$ed to resol+e #ll into the *ere ine6plic#-le +#$#ries o& *#dness' &or , -eheld hi* $#3in$ upon +#c#nc) &or lon$ hours' in #n #ttitude o& the pro&oundest #ttention' #s i& listenin$ to so*e i*#$in#r) sound. ,t %#s no %onder th#t his condition terri&ied.th#t it in&ected *e. , &elt creepin$ upon *e' -) slo% )et cert#in de$rees' the %ild in&luences o& his o%n &#nt#stic )et i*pressi+e superstitions. ,t %#s' especi#ll)' upon retirin$ to -ed l#te in the ni$ht o& the se+enth or ei$hth d#) #&ter the pl#cin$ o& the l#d) 5#deline %ithin the don2on' th#t , e6perienced the &ull po%er o& such &eelin$s. Sleep c#*e not ne#r *) couch.%hile the hours %#ned #nd %#ned #%#). , stru$$led to re#son o&& the ner+ousness %hich h#d do*inion o+er *e. , ende#+ored to -elie+e th#t *uch' i& not #ll o& %h#t , &elt' %#s due to the -e%ilderin$ in&luence o& the $loo*) &urniture o& the roo*.o& the d#r( #nd t#ttered dr#peries' %hich' tortured into *otion -) the -re#th o& # risin$ te*pest' s%#)ed &it&ull) to #nd &ro upon the %#lls' #nd rustled une#sil) #-out the decor#tions o& the -ed. !ut *) e&&orts %ere &ruitless. An irrepressi-le tre*or $r#du#ll) per+#ded *) &r#*e; #nd' #t len$th' there s#t upon *) +er) he#rt #n incu-us o& utterl) c#useless #l#r*. Sh#(in$ this o&& %ith # $#sp #nd # stru$$le' , upli&ted *)sel& upon the pillo%s' #nd' peerin$ e#rnestl) %ithin the intense d#r(ness o& the ch#*-er' h#r(ened., (no% not %h)' e6cept th#t #n instincti+e spirit pro*pted *e.to cert#in lo% #nd inde&inite sounds %hich c#*e' throu$h the p#uses o& the stor*' #t lon$ inter+#ls' , (ne% not %hence. O+erpo%ered -) #n intense senti*ent o& horror' un#ccount#-le )et unendur#-le' , thre% on *) clothes %ith h#ste =&or , &elt th#t , should sleep no *ore durin$ the ni$ht>' #nd ende#+ored to #rouse *)sel& &ro* the piti#-le condition into %hich , h#d &#llen' -) p#cin$ r#pidl) to #nd &ro throu$h the #p#rt*ent. , h#d t#(en -ut &e% turns in this *#nner' %hen # li$ht step on #n #d2oinin$ st#irc#se #rrested *) #ttention. , presentl) reco$nised it #s th#t o& Usher. ,n #n inst#nt #&ter%#rd he r#pped' %ith # $entle touch' #t *) door' #nd entered' -e#rin$ # l#*p. His counten#nce %#s' #s usu#l' c#d#+erousl) %#n.-ut' *oreo+er' there %#s # species o& *#d hil#rit) in his e)es.#n e+identl) restr#ined h)steri# in his %hole de*e#nor. His #ir #pp#lled *e.-ut #n)thin$ %#s pre&er#-le to the solitude %hich , h#d so lon$ endured' #nd , e+en %elco*ed his presence #s # relie&. 7And )ou h#+e not seen it18 he s#id #-ruptl)' #&ter h#+in$ st#red #-out hi* &or so*e *o*ents in silence.7)ou h#+e not then seen it1.-ut' st#)< )ou sh#ll.8 Thus spe#(in$' #nd h#+in$ c#re&ull) sh#ded his l#*p' he hurried to one o& the c#se*ents' #nd thre% it &reel) open to the stor*. The i*petuous &ur) o& the enterin$ $ust ne#rl) li&ted us &ro* our &eet. ,t %#s' indeed' # te*pestuous )et sternl) -e#uti&ul ni$ht' #nd one %ildl) sin$ul#r in its terror #nd its -e#ut). A %hirl%ind h#d #pp#rentl) collected its &orce in our +icinit); &or there %ere &requent #nd +iolent #lter#tions in the direction o& the %ind; #nd the e6ceedin$ densit) o& the clouds =%hich hun$ so lo% #s to press upon the turrets o& the house> did not pre+ent our percei+in$ the li&e/li(e +elocit) %ith %hich the) &le% c#reerin$ &ro* #ll points #$#inst e#ch other' %ithout p#ssin$ #%#) into the dist#nce. , s#) th#t e+en their e6ceedin$ densit) did not pre+ent our percei+in$ this.)et %e h#d no $li*pse o& the *oon or st#rs.nor %#s there #n) &l#shin$ &orth o& the li$htnin$. !ut the under sur&#ces o& the hu$e

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*#sses o& #$it#ted +#por' #s %ell #s #ll terrestri#l o-2ects i**edi#tel) #round us' %ere $lo%in$ in the unn#tur#l li$ht o& # &#intl) lu*inous #nd distinctl) +isi-le $#seous e6h#l#tion %hich hun$ #-out #nd enshrouded the *#nsion. 79ou *ust not.)ou sh#ll not -ehold this<8 s#id ,' shudderin$l)' to Usher' #s , led hi*' %ith # $entle +iolence' &ro* the %indo% to # se#t. 7These #ppe#r#nces' %hich -e%ilder )ou' #re *erel) electric#l pheno*en# not unco**on.or it *#) -e th#t the) h#+e their $h#stl) ori$in in the r#n( *i#s*# o& the t#rn. Let us close this c#se*ent;.the #ir is chillin$ #nd d#n$erous to )our &r#*e. Here is one o& )our &#+orite ro*#nces. , %ill re#d' #nd )ou sh#ll listen;.#nd so %e %ill p#ss #%#) this terri-le ni$ht to$ether.8 The #ntique +olu*e %hich , h#d t#(en up %#s the 75#d Trist8 o& Sir L#uncelot A#nnin$; -ut , h#d c#lled it # &#+orite o& UsherBs *ore in s#d 2est th#n in e#rnest; &or' in truth' there is little in its uncouth #nd uni*#$in#ti+e proli6it) %hich could h#+e h#d interest &or the lo&t) #nd spiritu#l ide#lit) o& *) &riend. ,t %#s' ho%e+er' the onl) -oo( i**edi#tel) #t h#nd; #nd , indul$ed # +#$ue hope th#t the e6cite*ent %hich no% #$it#ted the h)pochondri#c' *i$ht &ind relie& =&or the histor) o& *ent#l disorder is &ull o& si*il#r #no*#lies> e+en in the e6tre*eness o& the &oll) %hich , should re#d. Aould , h#+e 2ud$ed' indeed' -) the %ild o+erstr#ined #ir o& +i+#cit) %ith %hich he h#r(ened' or #pp#rentl) h#r(ened' to the %ords o& the t#le' , *i$ht %ell h#+e con$r#tul#ted *)sel& upon the success o& *) desi$n. , h#d #rri+ed #t th#t %ell/(no%n hero o& the Trist' h#+in$ sou$ht d%ellin$ o& the her*it' proceeds it %ill -e re*e*-ered' the %ords portion o& the stor) %here Ethelred' the in +#in &or pe#ce#-le #d*ission into the to *#(e $ood #n entr#nce -) &orce. Here' o& the n#rr#ti+e run thus?

7And Ethelred' %ho %#s -) n#ture o& # dou$ht) he#rt' #nd %ho %#s no% *i$ht) %ith#l' on #ccount o& the po%er&ulness o& the %ine %hich he h#d drun(en' %#ited no lon$er to hold p#rle) %ith the her*it' %ho' in sooth' %#s o& #n o-stin#te #nd *#lice&ul turn' -ut' &eelin$ the r#in upon his shoulders' #nd &e#rin$ the risin$ o& the te*pest' upli&ted his *#ce outri$ht' #nd' %ith -lo%s' *#de quic(l) roo* in the pl#n(in$s o& the door &or his $#untleted h#nd; #nd no% pullin$ there%ith sturdil)' he so cr#c(ed' #nd ripped' #nd tore #ll #sunder' th#t the noise o& the dr) #nd hollo%/soundin$ %ood #l#ru**ed #nd re+er-er#ted throu$hout the &orest.8 At the ter*in#tion o& this sentence , st#rted' #nd &or # *o*ent' p#used; &or it #ppe#red to *e =#lthou$h , #t once concluded th#t *) e6cited &#nc) h#d decei+ed *e>.it #ppe#red to *e th#t' &ro* so*e +er) re*ote portion o& the *#nsion' there c#*e' indistinctl)' to *) e#rs' %h#t *i$ht h#+e -een' in its e6#ct si*il#rit) o& ch#r#cter' the echo =-ut # sti&led #nd dull one cert#inl)> o& the +er) cr#c(in$ #nd rippin$ sound %hich Sir L#uncelot h#d so p#rticul#rl) descri-ed. ,t %#s' -e)ond dou-t' the coincidence #lone %hich h#d #rrested *) #ttention; &or' #*id the r#ttlin$ o& the s#shes o& the c#se*ents' #nd the ordin#r) co**in$led noises o& the still incre#sin$ stor*' the sound' in itsel&' h#d nothin$' surel)' %hich should h#+e interested or distur-ed *e. , continued the stor)? 7!ut the $ood ch#*pion Ethelred' no% enterin$ %ithin the door' %#s sore enr#$ed #nd #*#3ed to percei+e no si$n#l o& the *#lice&ul her*it; -ut' in

11

the ste#d thereo&' # dr#$on o& # sc#l) #nd prodi$ious de*e#nor' #nd o& # &ier) ton$ue' %hich s#te in $u#rd -e&ore # p#l#ce o& $old' %ith # &loor o& sil+er; #nd upon the %#ll there hun$ # shield o& shinin$ -r#ss %ith this le$end en%ritten.0ho entereth herein' # conqueror h#th -in; 0ho sl#)eth the dr#$on' the shield he sh#ll %in; And Ethelred upli&ted his *#ce' #nd struc( upon the he#d o& the dr#$on' %hich &ell -e&ore hi*' #nd $#+e up his pest) -re#th' %ith # shrie( so horrid #nd h#rsh' #nd %ith#l so piercin$' th#t Ethelred h#d &#in to close his e#rs %ith his h#nds #$#inst the dre#d&ul noise o& it' the li(e %hereo& %#s ne+er -e&ore he#rd.8 Here #$#in , p#used #-ruptl)' #nd no% %ith # &eelin$ o& %ild #*#3e*ent.&or there could -e no dou-t %h#te+er th#t' in this inst#nce' , did #ctu#ll) he#r =#lthou$h &ro* %h#t direction it proceeded , &ound it i*possi-le to s#)> # lo% #nd #pp#rentl) dist#nt' -ut h#rsh' protr#cted' #nd *ost unusu#l scre#*in$ or $r#tin$ sound.the e6#ct counterp#rt o& %h#t *) &#nc) h#d #lre#d) con2ured up &or the dr#$onBs unn#tur#l shrie( #s descri-ed -) the ro*#ncer. Oppressed' #s , cert#inl) %#s' upon the occurrence o& this second #nd *ost e6tr#ordin#r) coincidence' -) # thous#nd con&lictin$ sens#tions' in %hich %onder #nd e6tre*e terror %ere predo*in#nt' , still ret#ined su&&icient presence o& *ind to #+oid e6citin$' -) #n) o-ser+#tion' the sensiti+e ner+ousness o& *) co*p#nion. , %#s -) no *e#ns cert#in th#t he h#d noticed the sounds in question; #lthou$h' #ssuredl)' # str#n$e #lter#tion h#d' durin$ the l#st &e% *inutes' t#(en pl#ce in his de*e#nor. Fro* # position &rontin$ *) o%n' he h#d $r#du#ll) -rou$ht round his ch#ir' so #s to sit %ith his &#ce to the door o& the ch#*-er; #nd thus , could -ut p#rti#ll) percei+e his &e#tures' #lthou$h , s#% th#t his lips tre*-led #s i& he %ere *ur*urin$ in#udi-l). His he#d h#d dropped upon his -re#st.)et , (ne% th#t he %#s not #sleep' &ro* the %ide #nd ri$id openin$ o& the e)e #s , c#u$ht # $l#nce o& it in pro&ile. The *otion o& his -od)' too' %#s #t +#ri#nce %ith this ide#.&or he roc(ed &ro* side to side %ith # $entle )et const#nt #nd uni&or* s%#). H#+in$ r#pidl) t#(en notice o& #ll this' , resu*ed the n#rr#ti+e o& Sir L#uncelot' %hich thus proceeded? 7And no%' the ch#*pion' h#+in$ esc#ped &ro* the terri-le &ur) o& the dr#$on' -ethin(in$ hi*sel& o& the -r#3en shield' #nd o& the -re#(in$ up o& the ench#nt*ent %hich %#s upon it' re*o+ed the c#rc#ss &ro* out o& the %#) -e&ore hi*' #nd #ppro#ched +#lorousl) o+er the sil+er p#+e*ent o& the c#stle to %here the shield %#s upon the %#ll; %hich in sooth t#rried not &or his &ull co*in$' -ut &ell do%n #t his &eet upon the sil+er &loor' %ith # *i$ht) $re#t #nd terri-le rin$in$ sound.8 4o sooner h#d these s)ll#-les p#ssed *) lips' th#n.#s i& # shield o& -r#ss h#d indeed' #t the *o*ent' &#llen he#+il) upon # &loor o& sil+er., -ec#*e #%#re o& # distinct' hollo%' *et#llic' #nd cl#n$orous' )et #pp#rentl) *u&&led re+er-er#tion. Ao*pletel) unner+ed' , le#ped to *) &eet; -ut the *e#sured roc(in$ *o+e*ent o& Usher %#s undistur-ed. , rushed to the ch#ir in %hich he s#t. His e)es %ere -ent &i6edl) -e&ore hi*' #nd throu$hout his %hole counten#nce there rei$ned # ston) ri$idit). !ut' #s , pl#ced *) h#nd upon his shoulder' there c#*e # stron$ shudder o+er his %hole person; # sic(l) s*ile qui+ered #-out his lips; #nd , s#% th#t he spo(e in # lo%' hurried' #nd $i--erin$ *ur*ur' #s i& unconscious o& *) presence. !endin$ closel) o+er hi*' , #t len$th dr#n( in the hideous i*port o& his %ords. 74ot he#r it1.)es' , he#r it' #nd h#+e he#rd it. Lon$.lon$.lon$.*#n) *inutes' *#n) hours' *#n) d#)s' h#+e , he#rd it.)et , d#red not.oh' pit) *e' *iser#-le %retch th#t , #*<., d#red not., d#red not spe#(< 0e h#+e put her li+in$ in the to*-< S#id , not th#t *) senses %ere #cute1 , no% tell

12

)ou th#t , he#rd her &irst &ee-le *o+e*ents in the hollo% co&&in. , he#rd the*.*#n)' *#n) d#)s #$o.)et , d#red not., d#red not spe#(< And no%.to/ ni$ht.Ethelred.h#< h#<.the -re#(in$ o& the her*itBs door' #nd the de#th/ cr) o& the dr#$on' #nd the cl#n$or o& the shield<.s#)' r#ther' the rendin$ o& her co&&in' #nd the $r#tin$ o& the iron hin$es o& her prison' #nd her stru$$les %ithin the coppered #rch%#) o& the +#ult< Oh %hither sh#ll , &l)1 0ill she not -e here #non1 ,s she not hurr)in$ to up-r#id *e &or *) h#ste1 H#+e , not he#rd her &ootstep on the st#ir1 o , not distin$uish th#t he#+) #nd horri-le -e#tin$ o& her he#rt1 5#d*#n<8.here he spr#n$ &uriousl) to his &eet' #nd shrie(ed out his s)ll#-les' #s i& in the e&&ort he %ere $i+in$ up his soul.75#d*#n< , tell )ou th#t she no% st#nds %ithout the door<8 As i& in the superhu*#n ener$) o& his utter#nce there h#d -een &ound the potenc) o& # spell.the hu$e #ntique p#nnels to %hich the spe#(er pointed' thre% slo%l) -#c(' upon the inst#nt' their ponderous #nd e-on) 2#%s. ,t %#s the %or( o& the rushin$ $ust.-ut then %ithout those doors there did st#nd the lo&t) #nd enshrouded &i$ure o& the l#d) 5#deline o& Usher. There %#s -lood upon her %hite ro-es' #nd the e+idence o& so*e -itter stru$$le upon e+er) portion o& her e*#ci#ted &r#*e. For # *o*ent she re*#ined tre*-lin$ #nd reelin$ to #nd &ro upon the threshold.then' %ith # lo% *o#nin$ cr)' &ell he#+il) in%#rd upon the person o& her -rother' #nd in her +iolent #nd no% &in#l de#th/#$onies' -ore hi* to the &loor # corpse' #nd # +icti* to the terrors he h#d #nticip#ted. Fro* th#t ch#*-er' #nd &ro* th#t *#nsion' , &led #$h#st. The stor* %#s still #-ro#d in #ll its %r#th #s , &ound *)sel& crossin$ the old c#use%#). Suddenl) there shot #lon$ the p#th # %ild li$ht' #nd , turned to see %hence # $le#* so unusu#l could h#+e issued; &or the +#st house #nd its sh#do%s %ere #lone -ehind *e. The r#di#nce %#s th#t o& the &ull' settin$' #nd -lood/red *oon' %hich no% shone +i+idl) throu$h th#t once -#rel)/ discerni-le &issure' o& %hich , h#+e -e&ore spo(en #s e6tendin$ &ro* the roo& o& the -uildin$' in # 3i$3#$ direction' to the -#se. 0hile , $#3ed' this &issure r#pidl) %idened.there c#*e # &ierce -re#th o& the %hirl%ind. the entire or- o& the s#tellite -urst #t once upon *) si$ht.*) -r#in reeled #s , s#% the *i$ht) %#lls rushin$ #sunder.there %#s # lon$ tu*ultuous shoutin$ sound li(e the +oice o& # thous#nd %#ters.#nd the deep #nd d#n( t#rn #t *) &eet closed sullenl) #nd silentl) o+er the &r#$*ents o& the 7House o& Usher.8

13

THE :,T A4

THE :E4 ULU5

,*pi# tortoru* lon$os hic tur-# &urores S#n$uinis innocui' non s#ti#t#' #luit. Sospite nunc p#tri# &r#cto nunc &uneris #ntro' 5ors u-i dir# &uit +it# s#lusque p#tent.

, 0AS sic(' sic( unto de#th' %ith th#t lon$ #$on)' #nd %hen the) #t len$th un-ound *e' #nd , %#s per*itted to sit' , &elt th#t *) senses %ere le#+in$ *e. The sentence' the dre#d sentence o& de#th' %#s the l#st o& distinct #ccentu#tion %hich re#ched *) e#rs. A&ter th#t' the sound o& the inquisitori#l +oices see*ed *er$ed in one dre#*) indeter*in#te hu*. ,t con+e)ed to *) soul the ide# o& RE@OLUT,O4' perh#ps &ro* its #ssoci#tion in &#nc) %ith the -urr o& # *ill/%heel. This onl) &or # -rie& period' &or presentl) , he#rd no *ore. 9et' &or # %hile' , s#%' -ut %ith ho% terri-le #n e6#$$er#tion< , s#% the lips o& the -l#c(/ro-ed 2ud$es. The) #ppe#red to *e %hite F %hiter th#n the sheet upon %hich , tr#ce these %ords F #nd thin e+en to $rotesqueness; thin %ith the intensit) o& their e6pression o& &ir*ness' o& i**o+#-le resolution' o& stern conte*pt o& hu*#n torture. , s#% th#t the decrees o& %h#t to *e %#s &#te %ere still issuin$ &ro* those lips. , s#% the* %rithe %ith # de#dl) locution. , s#% the* &#shion the s)ll#-les o& *) n#*e' #nd , shuddered' -ec#use no sound succeeded. , s#%' too' &or # &e% *o*ents o& delirious horror' the so&t #nd ne#rl) i*percepti-le %#+in$ o& the s#-le dr#peries %hich en%r#pped the %#lls o& the #p#rt*ent; #nd then *) +ision &ell upon the se+en t#ll c#ndles upon the t#-le. At &irst the) %ore the #spect o& ch#rit)' #nd see*ed %hite slender #n$els %ho %ould s#+e *e? -ut then #ll #t once there c#*e # *ost de#dl) n#use# o+er *) spirit' #nd , &elt e+er) &i-re in *) &r#*e thrill' #s i& , h#d touched the %ire o& # $#l+#nic -#tter)' %hile the #n$el &or*s -ec#*e *e#nin$less spectres' %ith he#ds o& &l#*e' #nd , s#% th#t &ro* the* there %ould -e no help. And then there stole into *) &#nc)' li(e # rich *usic#l note' the thou$ht o& %h#t s%eet rest there *ust -e in the $r#+e. The thou$ht c#*e $entl) #nd ste#lthil)' #nd it see*ed lon$ -e&ore it #tt#ined &ull #ppreci#tion; -ut 2ust #s *) spirit c#*e #t len$th properl) to &eel #nd entert#in it' the &i$ures o& the 2ud$es +#nished' #s i& *#$ic#ll)' &ro* -e&ore *e; the t#ll c#ndles s#n( into nothin$ness; their &l#*es %ent out utterl); the -l#c(ness o& d#r(ness superened ; #ll sens#tions #ppe#red s%#llo%ed up in # *#d rushin$ descent #s o& the soul into H#des. Then silence' #nd stillness' #nd ni$ht %ere the uni+erse. , h#d s%ooned; -ut still %ill not s#) th#t #ll o& consciousness %#s lost. 0h#t o& it there re*#ined , %ill not #tte*pt to de&ine' or e+en to descri-e; )et #ll %#s not lost. ,n the deepest slu*-er F no< ,n deliriu* F no< ,n # s%oon F no< ,n de#th F no< E+en in the $r#+e #ll %#s not lost. Else there is no i**ort#lit) &or *#n. Arousin$ &ro* the *ost pro&ound o& slu*-ers' %e -re#( the $oss#*er %e- o& so*e dre#*. 9et in # second #&ter%#rds =so &r#il *#) th#t %e- h#+e -een> %e re*e*-er not th#t %e h#+e dre#*ed. ,n the return to li&e &ro* the s%oon there #re t%o st#$es; &irst' th#t o& the sense o& *ent#l or spiritu#l; secondl)' th#t o& the sense o& ph)sic#l e6istence. ,t see*s pro-#-le th#t i&' upon re#chin$ the second st#$e' %e could rec#ll the i*pressions o& the &irst' %e should &ind these i*pressions eloquent in *e*ories o& the $ul& -e)ond. And th#t $ul& is' %h#t1 Ho% #t le#st sh#ll %e distin$uish its sh#do%s &ro* those o& the to*-1 !ut i& the i*pressions o& %h#t , h#+e ter*ed the &irst st#$e #re not #t %ill rec#lled' )et' #&ter lon$ inter+#l' do the) not co*e un-idden' %hile %e *#r+el %hence the) co*e1 He %ho h#s ne+er s%ooned is not he %ho

14

&inds str#n$e p#l#ces #nd %ildl) &#*ili#r &#ces in co#ls th#t $lo%; is not he %ho -eholds &lo#tin$ in *id/#ir the s#d +isions th#t the *#n) *#) not +ie%; is not he %ho ponders o+er the per&u*e o& so*e no+el &lo%er; is not he %hose -r#in $ro%s -e%ildered %ith the *e#nin$ o& so*e *usic#l c#dence %hich h#s ne+er -e&ore #rrested his #ttention. A*id &requent #nd thou$ht&ul ende#+ours to re*e*-er ' #*id e#rnest stru$$les to re$#ther so*e to(en o& the st#te o& see*in$ nothin$ness into %hich *) soul h#d l#psed' there h#+e -een *o*ents %hen , h#+e dre#*ed o& success; there h#+e -een -rie&' +er) -rie& periods %hen , h#+e con2ured up re*e*-r#nces %hich the lucid re#son o& # l#ter epoch #ssures *e could h#+e h#d re&erence onl) to th#t condition o& see*in$ unconsciousness. These sh#do%s o& *e*or) tell indistinctl) o& t#ll &i$ures th#t li&ted #nd -ore *e in silence do%n F do%n F still do%n F till # hideous di33iness oppressed *e #t the *ere ide# o& the inter*in#-leness o& the descent. The) tell #lso o& # +#$ue horror #t *) he#rt on #ccount o& th#t he#rt's unn#tur#l stillness. Then co*es # sense o& sudden *otionlessness throu$hout #ll thin$s; #s i& those %ho -ore *e =# $h#stl) tr#in<> h#d outrun' in their descent' the li*its o& the li*itless ' #nd p#used &ro* the %e#riso*eness o& their toil. A&ter this , c#ll to *ind &l#tness #nd d#*pness; #nd then #ll is 5A 4ESS F the *#dness o& # *e*or) %hich -usies itsel& #*on$ &or-idden thin$s. @er) suddenl) there c#*e -#c( to *) soul *otion #nd sound F the tu*ultuous *otion o& the he#rt' #nd in *) e#rs the sound o& its -e#tin$. Then # p#use in %hich #ll is -l#n(. Then #$#in sound' #nd *otion' #nd touch' # tin$lin$ sens#tion per+#din$ *) &r#*e. Then the *ere consciousness o& e6istence' %ithout thou$ht' # condition %hich l#sted lon$. Then' +er) suddenl)' THOU;HT' #nd shudderin$ terror' #nd e#rnest ende#+our to co*prehend *) true st#te. Then # stron$ desire to l#pse into insensi-ilit). Then # rushin$ re+i+#l o& soul #nd # success&ul e&&ort to *o+e. And no% # &ull *e*or) o& the tri#l' o& the 2ud$es' o& the s#-le dr#peries' o& the sentence' o& the sic(ness' o& the s%oon. Then entire &or$et&ulness o& #ll th#t &ollo%ed; o& #ll th#t # l#ter d#) #nd *uch e#rnestness o& ende#+our h#+e en#-led *e +#$uel) to rec#ll. So &#r , h#d not opened *) e)es. , &elt th#t , l#) upon *) -#c( un-ound. , re#ched out *) h#nd' #nd it &ell he#+il) upon so*ethin$ d#*p #nd h#rd. There , su&&ered it to re*#in &or *#n) *inutes' %hile , stro+e to i*#$ine %here #nd %h#t , could -e. , lon$ed' )et d#red not' to e*plo) *) +ision. , dre#ded the &irst $l#nce #t o-2ects #round *e. ,t %#s not th#t , &e#red to loo( upon thin$s horri-le' -ut th#t , $re% #$h#st lest there should -e 4OTH,4; to see. At len$th' %ith # %ild desper#tion #t he#rt' , quic(l) unclosed *) e)es. 5) %orst thou$hts' then' %ere con&ir*ed. The -l#c(ness o& etern#l ni$ht enco*p#ssed *e. , stru$$led &or -re#th. The intensit) o& the d#r(ness see*ed to oppress #nd sti&le *e. The #t*osphere %#s intoler#-l) close. , still l#) quietl)' #nd *#de e&&ort to e6ercise *) re#son. , -rou$ht to *ind the inquisitori#l proceedin$s' #nd #tte*pted &ro* th#t point to deduce *) re#l condition. The sentence h#d p#ssed' #nd it #ppe#red to *e th#t # +er) lon$ inter+#l o& ti*e h#d since el#psed. 9et not &or # *o*ent did , suppose *)sel& #ctu#ll) de#d. Such # supposition' not%ithst#ndin$ %h#t %e re#d in &iction ' is #lto$ether inconsistent %ith re#l e6istence; F -ut %here #nd in %h#t st#te %#s ,1 The conde*ned to de#th' , (ne%' perished usu#ll) #t the #uto/d#/&es' #nd one o& these h#d -een held on the +er) ni$ht o& the d#) o& *) tri#l. H#d , -een re*#nded to *) dun$eon' to #%#it the ne6t s#cri&ice' %hich %ould not t#(e pl#ce &or

15

*#n) *onths1 This , #t once s#% could not -e. @icti*s h#d -een in i**edi#te de*#nd. 5oreo+er *) dun$eon' #s %ell #s #ll the conde*ned cells #t Toledo' h#d stone &loors' #nd li$ht %#s not #lto$ether e6cluded. A &e#r&ul ide# no% suddenl) dro+e the -lood in torrents upon *) he#rt' #nd &or # -rie& period , once *ore rel#psed into insensi-ilit). Upon reco+erin$' , #t once st#rted to *) &eet' tre*-lin$ con+ulsi+el) in e+er) &i-re. , thrust *) #r*s %ildl) #-o+e #nd #round *e in #ll directions. , &elt nothin$; )et dre#ded to *o+e # step' lest , should -e i*peded -) the %#lls o& # TO5!. :erspir#tion -urst &ro* e+er) pore' #nd stood in cold -i$ -e#ds upon *) &orehe#d. The #$on) o& suspense $re% #t len$th intoler#-le' #nd , c#utiousl) *o+ed &or%#rd' %ith *) #r*s e6tended ' #nd *) e)es str#inin$ &ro* their soc(ets' in the hope o& c#tchin$ so*e &#int r#) o& li$ht. , proceeded &or *#n) p#ces' -ut still #ll %#s -l#c(ness #nd +#c#nc). , -re#thed *ore &reel). ,t see*ed e+ident th#t *ine %#s not' #t le#st' the *ost hideous o& &#tes. And no%' #s , still continued to step c#utiousl) on%#rd' there c#*e thron$in$ upon *) recollection # thous#nd +#$ue ru*ours o& the horrors o& Toledo. O& the dun$eons there h#d -een str#n$e thin$s n#rr#ted F &#-les , h#d #l%#)s dee*ed the* F -ut )et str#n$e' #nd too $h#stl) to repe#t' s#+e in # %hisper. 0#s , le&t to perish o& st#r+#tion in this su-terr#ne#n %orld o& d#r(ness; or %h#t &#te perh#ps e+en *ore &e#r&ul #%#ited *e1 Th#t the result %ould -e de#th' #nd # de#th o& *ore th#n custo*#r) -itterness' , (ne% too %ell the ch#r#cter o& *) 2ud$es to dou-t. The *ode #nd the hour %ere #ll th#t occupied or distr#cted *e. 5) outstretched h#nds #t len$th encountered so*e solid o-struction. ,t %#s # %#ll' see*in$l) o& stone *#sonr) F +er) s*ooth' sli*)' #nd cold. , &ollo%ed it up; steppin$ %ith #ll the c#re&ul distrust %ith %hich cert#in #ntique n#rr#ti+es h#d inspired *e. This process' ho%e+er' #&&orded *e no *e#ns o& #scert#inin$ the di*ensions o& *) dun$eon; #s , *i$ht *#(e its circuit' #nd return to the point %hence , set out' %ithout -ein$ #%#re o& the &#ct' so per&ectl) uni&or* see*ed the %#ll. , there&ore sou$ht the (ni&e %hich h#d -een in *) poc(et %hen led into the inquisitori#l ch#*-er' -ut it %#s $one; *) clothes h#d -een e6ch#n$ed &or # %r#pper o& co#rse ser$e. , h#d thou$ht o& &orcin$ the -l#de in so*e *inute cre+ice o& the *#sonr)' so #s to identi&) *) point o& dep#rture. The di&&icult)' ne+ertheless' %#s -ut tri+i#l' #lthou$h' in the disorder o& *) &#nc)' it see*ed #t &irst insuper#-le. , tore # p#rt o& the he* &ro* the ro-e' #nd pl#ced the &r#$*ent #t &ull len$th' #nd #t ri$ht #n$les to the %#ll. ,n $ropin$ *) %#) #round the prison' , could not &#il to encounter this r#$ upon co*pletin$ the circuit. So' #t le#st' , thou$ht' -ut , h#d not counted upon the e6tent o& the dun$eon' or upon *) o%n %e#(ness. The $round %#s *oist #nd slipper). , st#$$ered on%#rd &or so*e ti*e' %hen , stu*-led #nd &ell. 5) e6cessi+e &#ti$ue induced *e to re*#in prostr#te' #nd sleep soon o+ertoo( *e #s , l#). Upon #%#(in$' #nd stretchin$ &orth #n #r*' , &ound -eside *e # lo#& #nd # pitcher %ith %#ter. , %#s too *uch e6h#usted to re&lect upon this circu*st#nce ' -ut #te #nd dr#n( %ith #+idit). Shortl) #&ter%#rds , resu*ed *) tour #round the prison' #nd %ith *uch toil c#*e #t l#st upon the &r#$*ent o& the ser$e. Up to the period %hen , &ell , h#d counted &i&t)/t%o p#ces' #nd upon resu*in$ *) %#l( , h#d counted &ort)/ei$ht *ore' %hen , #rri+ed #t the r#$. There %ere in #ll' then' # hundred p#ces; #nd' #d*ittin$ t%o p#ces to the )#rd' , presu*ed the dun$eon to -e &i&t) )#rds

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in circuit. , h#d *et' ho%e+er' %ith *#n) #n$les in the %#ll' #nd thus , could &or* no $uess #t the sh#pe o& the +#ult' &or +#ult , could not help supposin$ it to -e. , h#d little o-2ect F cert#inl) no hope F in these rese#rches' -ut # +#$ue curiosit) pro*pted *e to continue the*. Guittin$ the %#ll' , resol+ed to cross the #re# o& the enclosure. At &irst , proceeded %ith e6tre*e c#ution' &or the &loor #lthou$h see*in$l) o& solid *#teri#l %#s tre#cherous %ith sli*e. At len$th' ho%e+er' , too( cour#$e #nd did not hesit#te to step &ir*l) F ende#+ourin$ to cross in #s direct # line #s possi-le. , h#d #d+#nced so*e ten or t%el+e p#ces in this *#nner' %hen the re*n#nt o& the torn he* o& *) ro-e -ec#*e ent#n$led -et%een *) le$s. , stepped on it' #nd &ell +iolentl) on *) &#ce. ,n the con&usion #ttendin$ *) &#ll' , did not i**edi#tel) #pprehend # so*e%h#t st#rtlin$ circu*st#nce ' %hich )et' in # &e% seconds #&ter%#rd' #nd %hile , still l#) prostr#te' #rrested *) #ttention. ,t %#s this? *) chin rested upon the &loor o& the prison' -ut *) lips' #nd the upper portion o& *) he#d' #lthou$h see*in$l) #t # less ele+#tion th#n the chin' touched nothin$. At the s#*e ti*e' *) &orehe#d see*ed -#thed in # cl#**) +#pour' #nd the peculi#r s*ell o& dec#)ed &un$us #rose to *) nostrils. , put &or%#rd *) #r*' #nd shuddered to &ind th#t , h#d &#llen #t the +er) -rin( o& # circul#r pit' %hose e6tent o& course , h#d no *e#ns o& #scert#inin$ #t the *o*ent. ;ropin$ #-out the *#sonr) 2ust -elo% the *#r$in' , succeeded in dislod$in$ # s*#ll &r#$*ent' #nd let it &#ll into the #-)ss. For *#n) seconds , he#r(ened to its re+er-er#tions #s it d#shed #$#inst the sides o& the ch#s* in its descent ; #t len$th there %#s # sullen plun$e into %#ter' succeeded -) loud echoes. At the s#*e *o*ent there c#*e # sound rese*-lin$ the quic( openin$' #nd #s r#pid closin$ o& # door o+erhe#d' %hile # &#int $le#* o& li$ht &l#shed suddenl) throu$h the $loo*' #nd #s suddenl) &#ded #%#). , s#% cle#rl) the doo* %hich h#d -een prep#red &or *e' #nd con$r#tul#ted *)sel& upon the ti*el) #ccident -) %hich , h#d esc#ped. Another step -e&ore *) &#ll' #nd the %orld h#d seen *e no *ore #nd the de#th 2ust #+oided %#s o& th#t +er) ch#r#cter %hich , h#d re$#rded #s &#-ulous #nd &ri+olous in the t#les respectin$ the ,nquisition. To the +icti*s o& its t)r#nn)' there %#s the choice o& de#th %ith its direst ph)sic#l #$onies' or de#th %ith its *ost hideous *or#l horrors. , h#d -een reser+ed &or the l#tter. !) lon$ su&&erin$ *) ner+es h#d -een unstrun$' until , tre*-led #t the sound o& *) o%n +oice' #nd h#d -eco*e in e+er) respect # &ittin$ su-2ect &or the species o& torture %hich #%#ited *e. Sh#(in$ in e+er) li*-' , $roped *) %#) -#c( to the %#ll F resol+in$ there to perish r#ther th#n ris( the terrors o& the %ells' o& %hich *) i*#$in#tion no% pictured *#n) in +#rious positions #-out the dun$eon. ,n other conditions o& *ind , *i$ht h#+e h#d cour#$e to end *) *iser) #t once -) # plun$e into one o& these #-)sses; -ut no% , %#s the +eriest o& co%#rds. 4either could , &or$et %h#t , h#d re#d o& these pits F th#t the SU E4 e6tinction o& li&e &or*ed no p#rt o& their *ost horri-le pl#n. A$it#tion o& spirit (ept *e #%#(e &or *#n) lon$ hours; -ut #t len$th , #$#in slu*-ered. Upon #rousin$' , &ound -) *) side' #s -e&ore' # lo#& #nd # pitcher o& %#ter. A -urnin$ thirst consu*ed *e' #nd , e*ptied the +essel #t # dr#u$ht. ,t *ust h#+e -een dru$$ed' &or sc#rcel) h#d , drun( -e&ore ,

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-ec#*e irresisti-l) dro%s). A deep sleep &ell upon *e F # sleep li(e th#t o& de#th. Ho% lon$ it l#sted o& course , (no% not; -ut %hen once #$#in , unclosed *) e)es the o-2ects #round *e %ere +isi-le. !) # %ild sulphurous lustre' the ori$in o& %hich , could not #t &irst deter*ine' , %#s en#-led to see the e6tent #nd #spect o& the prison. ,n its si3e , h#d -een $re#tl) *ist#(en. The %hole circuit o& its %#lls did not e6ceed t%ent)/&i+e )#rds. For so*e *inutes this &#ct occ#sioned *e # %orld o& +#in trou-le; +#in indeed F &or %h#t could -e o& less i*port#nce' under the terri-le circu*st#nces %hich en+ironed *e th#n the *ere di*ensions o& *) dun$eon1 !ut *) soul too( # %ild interest in tri&les' #nd , -usied *)sel& in ende#+ours to #ccount &or the error , h#d co**itted in *) *e#sure*ent. The truth #t len$th &l#shed upon *e. ,n *) &irst #tte*pt #t e6plor#tion , h#d counted &i&t)/t%o p#ces up to the period %hen , &ell; , *ust then h#+e -een %ithin # p#ce or t%o o& the &r#$*ent o& ser$e; in &#ct , h#d ne#rl) per&or*ed the circuit o& the +#ult. , then slept' #nd upon #%#(in$' , *ust h#+e returned upon *) steps' thus supposin$ the circuit ne#rl) dou-le %h#t it #ctu#ll) %#s. 5) con&usion o& *ind pre+ented *e &ro* o-ser+in$ th#t , -e$#n *) tour %ith the %#ll to the le&t' #nd ended it %ith the %#ll to the ri$ht. , h#d -een decei+ed too in respect to the sh#pe o& the enclosure. ,n &eelin$ *) %#) , h#d &ound *#n) #n$les' #nd thus deduced #n ide# o& $re#t irre$ul#rit)' so potent is the e&&ect o& tot#l d#r(ness upon one #rousin$ &ro* leth#r$) or sleep< The #n$les %ere si*pl) those o& # &e% sli$ht depressions or niches #t odd inter+#ls. The $ener#l sh#pe o& the prison %#s squ#re. 0h#t , h#d t#(en &or *#sonr) see*ed no% to -e iron' or so*e other *et#l in hu$e pl#tes' %hose sutures or 2oints occ#sioned the depression. The entire sur&#ce o& this *et#llic enclosure %#s rudel) d#u-ed in #ll the hideous #nd repulsi+e de+ices to %hich the ch#rnel superstition o& the *on(s h#s $i+en rise. The &i$ures o& &iends in #spects o& *en#ce' %ith s(eleton &or*s #nd other *ore re#ll) &e#r&ul i*#$es' o+erspre#d #nd dis&i$ured the %#lls. , o-ser+ed th#t the outlines o& these *onstrosities %ere su&&icientl) distinct' -ut th#t the colours see*ed &#ded #nd -lurred' #s i& &ro* the e&&ects o& # d#*p #t*osphere. , no% noticed the &loor' too' %hich %#s o& stone. ,n the centre )#%ned the circul#r pit &ro* %hose 2#%s , h#d esc#ped ; -ut it %#s the onl) one in the dun$eon. All this , s#% indistinctl) #nd -) *uch e&&ort' &or *) person#l condition h#d -een $re#tl) ch#n$ed durin$ slu*-er. , no% l#) upon *) -#c(' #nd #t &ull len$th' on # species o& lo% &r#*e%or( o& %ood. To this , %#s securel) -ound -) # lon$ str#p rese*-lin$ # surcin$le. ,t p#ssed in *#n) con+olutions #-out *) li*-s #nd -od)' le#+in$ #t li-ert) onl) *) he#d' #nd *) le&t #r* to such e6tent th#t , could -) dint o& *uch e6ertion suppl) *)sel& %ith &ood &ro* #n e#rthen dish %hich l#) -) *) side on the &loor. , s#% to *) horror th#t the pitcher h#d -een re*o+ed . , s#) to *) horror' &or , %#s consu*ed %ith intoler#-le thirst. This thirst it #ppe#red to -e the desi$n o& *) persecutors to sti*ul#te' &or the &ood in the dish %#s *e#t pun$entl) se#soned. Loo(in$ up%#rd' , sur+e)ed the ceilin$ o& *) prison. ,t %#s so*e thirt) or &ort) &eet o+erhe#d' #nd constructed *uch #s the side %#lls. ,n one o& its p#nels # +er) sin$ul#r &i$ure ri+eted *) %hole #ttention . ,t %#s the p#inted &i$ure o& Ti*e #s he is co**onl) represented' s#+e th#t in lieu o& # sc)the he held %h#t #t # c#su#l $l#nce , supposed to -e the pictured

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i*#$e o& # hu$e pendulu*' such #s %e see on #ntique cloc(s. There %#s so*ethin$' ho%e+er' in the #ppe#r#nce o& this *#chine %hich c#used *e to re$#rd it *ore #ttenti+el). 0hile , $#3ed directl) up%#rd #t it =&or its position %#s i**edi#tel) o+er *) o%n>' , &#ncied th#t , s#% it in *otion. ,n #n inst#nt #&ter%#rd the &#nc) %#s con&ir*ed. ,ts s%eep %#s -rie&' #nd o& course slo%. , %#tched it &or so*e *inutes' so*e%h#t in &e#r -ut *ore in %onder. 0e#ried #t len$th %ith o-ser+in$ its dull *o+e*ent' , turned *) e)es upon the other o-2ects in the cell. A sli$ht noise #ttr#cted *) notice' #nd loo(in$ to the &loor' , s#% se+er#l enor*ous r#ts tr#+ersin$ it. The) h#d issued &ro* the %ell %hich l#) 2ust %ithin +ie% to *) ri$ht. E+en then %hile , $#3ed' the) c#*e up in troops hurriedl)' %ith r#+enous e)es' #llured -) the scent o& the *e#t. Fro* this it required *uch e&&ort #nd #ttention to sc#re the* #%#). ,t *i$ht h#+e -een h#l&/#n/hour' perh#ps e+en #n hour =&or , could t#(e -ut i*per&ect note o& ti*e> -e&ore , #$#in c#st *) e)es up%#rd. 0h#t , then s#% con&ounded #nd #*#3ed *e. The s%eep o& the pendulu* h#d incre#sed in e6tent -) ne#rl) # )#rd. As # n#tur#l consequence' its +elocit) %#s #lso *uch $re#ter. !ut %h#t *#inl) distur-ed *e %#s the ide# th#t it h#d percepti-l) ESAE4 E . , no% o-ser+ed' %ith %h#t horror it is needless to s#)' th#t its nether e6tre*it) %#s &or*ed o& # crescent o& $litterin$ steel' #-out # &oot in len$th &ro* horn to horn; the horns up%#rd' #nd the under ed$e e+identl) #s (een #s th#t o& # r#3or. Li(e # r#3or #lso it see*ed *#ss) #nd he#+)' t#perin$ &ro* the ed$e into # solid #nd -ro#d structure #-o+e. ,t %#s #ppended to # %ei$ht) rod o& -r#ss' #nd the %hole H,SSE #s it s%un$ throu$h the #ir. , could no lon$er dou-t the doo* prep#red &or *e -) *on(ish in$enuit) in torture. 5) co$nis#nce o& the pit h#d -eco*e (no%n to the inquisitori#l #$ents F THE :,T' %hose horrors h#d -een destined &or so -old # recus#nt #s *)sel&' THE :,T' t)pic#l o& hell' #nd re$#rded -) ru*our #s the Ulti*# Thule o& #ll their punish*ents. The plun$e into this pit , h#d #+oided -) the *erest o& #ccidents' #nd , (ne% th#t surprise or entr#p*ent into tor*ent &or*ed #n i*port#nt portion o& #ll the $rotesquerie o& these dun$eon de#ths. H#+in$ &#iled to &#ll' it %#s no p#rt o& the de*on pl#n to hurl *e into the #-)ss' #nd thus =there -ein$ no #ltern#ti+e> # di&&erent #nd # *ilder destruction #%#ited *e. 5ilder< , h#l& s*iled in *) #$on) #s , thou$ht o& such #pplic#tion o& such # ter*. 0h#t -oots it to tell o& the lon$' lon$ hours o& horror *ore th#n *ort#l' durin$ %hich , counted the rushin$ oscill#tions o& the steel< ,nch -) inch F line -) line F %ith # descent onl) #ppreci#-le #t inter+#ls th#t see*ed #$es F do%n #nd still do%n it c#*e< #)s p#ssed F it *i$ht h#+e -een th#t *#n) d#)s p#ssed F ere it s%ept so closel) o+er *e #s to &#n *e %ith its #crid -re#th. The odour o& the sh#rp steel &orced itsel& into *) nostrils. , pr#)ed F , %e#ried he#+en %ith *) pr#)er &or its *ore speed) descent. , $re% &r#ntic#ll) *#d' #nd stru$$led to &orce *)sel& up%#rd #$#inst the s%eep o& the &e#r&ul sci*it#r. And then , &ell suddenl) c#l* #nd l#) s*ilin$ #t the $litterin$ de#th #s # child #t so*e r#re -#u-le. There %#s #nother inter+#l o& utter insensi-ilit); it %#s -rie&' &or upon #$#in l#psin$ into li&e there h#d -een no percepti-le descent in the pendulu*. !ut it *i$ht h#+e -een lon$ F &or , (ne% there %ere de*ons %ho too( note o& *) s%oon' #nd %ho could h#+e #rrested the +i-r#tion #t

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ple#sure. Upon *) reco+er)' too' , &elt +er) F oh< ine6pressi-l) F sic( #nd %e#(' #s i& throu$h lon$ in#nition. E+en #*id the #$onies o& th#t period the hu*#n n#ture cr#+ed &ood. 0ith p#in&ul e&&ort , outstretched *) le&t #r* #s &#r #s *) -onds per*itted' #nd too( possession o& the s*#ll re*n#nt %hich h#d -een sp#red *e -) the r#ts. As , put # portion o& it %ithin *) lips there rushed to *) *ind # h#l&/&or*ed thou$ht o& 2o) F o& hope. 9et %h#t -usiness h#d , %ith hope1 ,t %#s' #s , s#)' # h#l&/&or*ed thou$ht F *#n h#s *#n) such' %hich #re ne+er co*pleted. , &elt th#t it %#s o& 2o) F o& hope; -ut , &elt #lso th#t it h#d perished in its &or*#tion. ,n +#in , stru$$led to per&ect F to re$#in it. Lon$ su&&erin$ h#d ne#rl) #nnihil#ted #ll *) ordin#r) po%ers o& *ind. , %#s #n i*-ecile F #n idiot. The +i-r#tion o& the pendulu* %#s #t ri$ht #n$les to *) len$th. , s#% th#t the crescent %#s desi$ned to cross the re$ion o& the he#rt. ,t %ould &r#) the ser$e o& *) ro-e; it %ould return #nd repe#t its oper#tions F #$#in F #nd #$#in. 4ot%ithst#ndin$ its terri&ic#ll) %ide s%eep =so*e thirt) &eet or *ore> #nd the hissin$ +i$our o& its descent' su&&icient to sunder these +er) %#lls o& iron' still the &r#)in$ o& *) ro-e %ould -e #ll th#t' &or se+er#l *inutes' it %ould #cco*plish; #nd #t this thou$ht , p#used. , d#red not $o &#rther th#n this re&lection. , d%elt upon it %ith # pertin#cit) o& #ttention F #s i&' in so d%ellin$' , could #rrest HERE the descent o& the steel. , &orced *)sel& to ponder upon the sound o& the crescent #s it should p#ss #cross the $#r*ent F upon the peculi#r thrillin$ sens#tion %hich the &riction o& cloth produces on the ner+es. , pondered upon #ll this &ri+olit) until *) teeth %ere on ed$e. o%n F ste#dil) do%n it crept. , too( # &ren3ied ple#sure in contr#stin$ its do%n%#rd %ith its l#ter#l +elocit). To the ri$ht F to the le&t F &#r #nd %ide F %ith the shrie( o& # d#*ned spirit< to *) he#rt %ith the ste#lth) p#ce o& the ti$er< , #ltern#tel) l#u$hed #nd ho%led' #s the one or the other ide# $re% predo*in#nt. o%n F cert#inl)' relentlessl) do%n< ,t +i-r#ted %ithin three inches o& *) -oso*< , stru$$led +iolentl) F &uriousl) F to &ree *) le&t #r*. This %#s &ree onl) &ro* the el-o% to the h#nd. , could re#ch the l#tter' &ro* the pl#tter -eside *e to *) *outh %ith $re#t e&&ort' -ut no &#rther. Aould , h#+e -ro(en the &#stenin$s #-o+e the el-o%' , %ould h#+e sei3ed #nd #tte*pted to #rrest the pendulu*. , *i$ht #s %ell h#+e #tte*pted to #rrest #n #+#l#nche< o%n F still unce#sin$l) F still ine+it#-l) do%n< , $#sped #nd stru$$led #t e#ch +i-r#tion. , shrun( con+ulsi+el) #t its +er) s%eep. 5) e)es &ollo%ed its out%#rd or up%#rd %hirls %ith the e#$erness o& the *ost un*e#nin$ desp#ir; the) closed the*sel+es sp#s*odic#ll) #t the descent' #lthou$h de#th %ould h#+e -een # relie&' O' ho% unspe#(#-le< Still , qui+ered in e+er) ner+e to thin( ho% sli$ht # sin(in$ o& the *#chiner) %ould precipit#te th#t (een $listenin$ #6e upon *) -oso*. ,t %#s hope th#t pro*pted the ner+e to qui+er F the &r#*e to shrin(. ,t %#s HO:E F the hope th#t triu*phs on the r#c( F th#t %hispers to the de#th/conde*ned e+en in the dun$eons o& the ,nquisition. , s#% th#t so*e ten or t%el+e +i-r#tions %ould -rin$ the steel cont#ct %ith *) ro-e' #nd %ith this o-ser+#tion there suddenl) *) spirit #ll the (een' collected c#l*ness o& desp#ir. For the durin$ *#n) hours' or perh#ps d#)s' , THOU;HT. ,t no% occurred in #ctu#l c#*e o+er &irst ti*e to *e th#t

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the -#nd#$e or surcin$le %hich en+eloped *e %#s U4,GUE. , %#s tied -) no sep#r#te cord. The &irst stro(e o& the r#3or/li(e crescent #th%#rt #n) portion o& the -#nd %ould so det#ch it th#t it *i$ht -e un%ound &ro* *) person -) *e#ns o& *) le&t h#nd. !ut ho% &e#r&ul' in th#t c#se' the pro6i*it) o& the steel< The result o& the sli$htest stru$$le' ho% de#dl)< 0#s it li(el)' *oreo+er' th#t the *inions o& the torturer h#d not &oreseen #nd pro+ided &or this possi-ilit)< 0#s it pro-#-le th#t the -#nd#$e crossed *) -oso* in the tr#c( o& the pendulu*1 re#din$ to &ind *) &#int' #nd' #s it see*ed' *) l#st hope &rustr#ted' , so &#r ele+#ted *) he#d #s to o-t#in # distinct +ie% o& *) -re#st. The surcin$le en+eloped *) li*-s #nd -od) close in #ll directions s#+e SA@E ,4 THE :ATH OF THE ESTRO9,4; ARESAE4T. Sc#rcel) h#d , dropped *) he#d -#c( into its ori$in#l position %hen there &l#shed upon *) *ind %h#t , c#nnot -etter descri-e th#n #s the un&or*ed h#l& o& th#t ide# o& deli+er#nce to %hich , h#+e pre+iousl) #lluded' #nd o& %hich # *oiet) onl) &lo#ted indeter*in#tel) throu$h *) -r#in %hen , r#ised &ood to *) -urnin$ lips. The %hole thou$ht %#s no% present F &ee-le' sc#rcel) s#ne' sc#rcel) de&inite' -ut still entire. , proceeded #t once' %ith the ner+ous ener$) o& desp#ir' to #tte*pt its e6ecution. For *#n) hours the i**edi#te +icinit) o& the lo% &r#*e%or( upon %hich , l#) h#d -een liter#ll) s%#r*in$ %ith r#ts. The) %ere %ild' -old' r#+enous ' their red e)es $l#rin$ upon *e #s i& the) %#ited -ut &or *otionlessness on *) p#rt to *#(e *e their pre). 7To %h#t &ood'8 , thou$ht' 7h#+e the) -een #ccusto*ed in the %ell18 The) h#d de+oured' in spite o& #ll *) e&&orts to pre+ent the*' #ll -ut # s*#ll re*n#nt o& the contents o& the dish. , h#d &#llen into #n h#-itu#l see/s#% or %#+e o& the h#nd #-out the pl#tter; #nd #t len$th the unconscious uni&or*it) o& the *o+e*ent depri+ed it o& e&&ect. ,n their +or#cit) the +er*in &requentl) &#stened their sh#rp &#n$s in *) &in$ers. 0ith the p#rticles o& the oil) #nd spic) +i#nd %hich no% re*#ined' , thorou$hl) ru--ed the -#nd#$e %here+er , could re#ch it; then' r#isin$ *) h#nd &ro* the &loor' , l#) -re#thlessl) still. At &irst the r#+enous #ni*#ls %ere st#rtled #nd terri&ied #t the ch#n$e F #t the cess#tion o& *o+e*ent . The) shr#n( #l#r*edl) -#c(; *#n) sou$ht the %ell. !ut this %#s onl) &or # *o*ent. , h#d not counted in +#in upon their +or#cit). O-ser+in$ th#t , re*#ined %ithout *otion' one or t%o o& the -oldest le#ped upon the &r#*e/%or( #nd s*elt #t the surcin$le. This see*ed the si$n#l &or # $ener#l rush. Forth &ro* the %ell the) hurried in &resh troops. The) clun$ to the %ood' the) o+err#n it' #nd le#ped in hundreds upon *) person. The *e#sured *o+e*ent o& the pendulu* distur-ed the* not #t #ll. A+oidin$ its stro(es' the) -usied the*sel+es %ith the #nnointed -#nd#$e. The) pressed' the) s%#r*ed upon *e in e+er #ccu*ul#tin$ he#ps. The) %rithed upon *) thro#t; their cold lips sou$ht *) o%n; , %#s h#l& sti&led -) their thron$in$ pressure; dis$ust' &or %hich the %orld h#s no n#*e' s%elled *) -oso*' #nd chilled %ith he#+) cl#**iness *) he#rt. 9et one *inute #nd , &elt th#t the stru$$le %ould -e o+er. :l#inl) , percei+ed the loosenin$ o& the -#nd#$e. , (ne% th#t in *ore th#n one pl#ce it *ust -e #lre#d) se+ered. 0ith # *ore th#n hu*#n resolution , l#) ST,LL. 4or h#d , erred in *) c#lcul#tions' nor h#d , endured in +#in. , #t len$th &elt th#t , %#s FREE. The surcin$le hun$ in ri-#nds &ro* *) -od). !ut the

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stro(e o& the pendulu* #lre#d) pressed upon *) -oso*. ,t h#d di+ided the ser$e o& the ro-e. ,t h#d cut throu$h the linen -ene#th. T%ice #$#in it s%un$' #nd # sh#rp sense o& p#in shot throu$h e+er) ner+e. !ut the *o*ent o& esc#pe h#d #rri+ed. At # %#+e o& *) h#nd *) deli+erers hurried tu*ultousl) #%#). 0ith # ste#d) *o+e*ent' c#utious' sidelon$' shrin(in$' #nd slo%' , slid &ro* the e*-r#ce o& the -#nd#$e #nd -e)ond the re#ch o& the sci*it#r. For the *o*ent' #t le#st , 0AS FREE. Free< #nd in the $r#sp o& the ,nquisition< , h#d sc#rcel) stepped &ro* *) %ooden -ed o& horror upon the stone &loor o& the prison' %hen the *otion o& the hellish *#chine ce#sed #nd , -eheld it dr#%n up -) so*e in+isi-le &orce throu$h the ceilin$. This %#s # lesson %hich , too( desper#tel) to he#rt. 5) e+er) *otion %#s undou-tedl) %#tched. Free< , h#d -ut esc#ped de#th in one &or* o& #$on) to -e deli+ered unto %orse th#n de#th in so*e other. 0ith th#t thou$ht , rolled *) e)es ner+ousl) #round on the -#rriers o& iron th#t he**ed *e in. So*ethin$ unusu#l F so*e ch#n$e %hich #t &irst , could not #ppreci#te distinctl) F it %#s o-+ious h#d t#(en pl#ce in the #p#rt*ent. For *#n) *inutes o& # dre#*) #nd tre*-lin$ #-str#ction , -usied *)sel& in +#in' unconnected con2ecture. urin$ this period , -ec#*e #%#re' &or the &irst ti*e' o& the ori$in o& the sulphurous li$ht %hich illu*ined the cell. ,t proceeded &ro* # &issure #-out h#l&/#n/inch in %idth e6tendin$ entirel) #round the prison #t the -#se o& the %#lls %hich thus #ppe#red' #nd %ere co*pletel) sep#r#ted &ro* the &loor. , ende#+oured' -ut o& course in +#in' to loo( throu$h the #perture. As , #rose &ro* the #tte*pt' the *)ster) o& the #lter#tion in the ch#*-er -ro(e #t once upon *) underst#ndin$. , h#+e o-ser+ed th#t #lthou$h the outlines o& the &i$ures upon the %#lls %ere su&&icientl) distinct' )et the colours see*ed -lurred #nd inde&inite . These colours h#d no% #ssu*ed' #nd %ere *o*ent#ril) #ssu*in$' # st#rtlin$ #nd *ost intense -rilli#nc)' th#t $i+e to the spectr#l #nd &iendish portr#itures #n #spect th#t *i$ht h#+e thrilled e+en &ir*er ner+es th#n *) o%n. e*on e)es' o& # %ild #nd $h#stl) +i+#cit)' $l#red upon *e in # thous#nd directions %here none h#d -een +isi-le -e&ore' #nd $le#*ed %ith the lurid lustre o& # &ire th#t , could not &orce *) i*#$in#tion to re$#rd #s unre#l. U4REAL< F E+en %hile , -re#thed there c#*e to *) nostrils the -re#th o& the +#pour o& he#ted iron< A su&&oc#tin$ odour per+#ded the prison< A deeper $lo% settled e#ch *o*ent in the e)es th#t $l#red #t *) #$onies< A richer tint o& cri*son di&&used itsel& o+er the pictured horrors o& -lood. , p#nted ' , $#sped &or -re#th< There could -e no dou-t o& the desi$n o& *) tor*entors F oh *ost unrelentin$< oh' *ost de*oni#c o& *en< , shr#n( &ro* the $lo%in$ *et#l to the centre o& the cell. A*id the thou$ht o& the &ier) destruction th#t i*pended' the ide# o& the coolness o& the %ell c#*e o+er *) soul li(e -#l*. , rushed to its de#dl) -rin(. , thre% *) str#inin$ +ision -elo%. The $l#re &ro* the en(indled roo& illu*ined its in*ost recesses. 9et' &or # %ild *o*ent' did *) spirit re&use to co*prehend the *e#nin$ o& %h#t , s#%. At len$th it &orced F it %restled its %#) into *) soul F it -urned itsel& in upon *) shudderin$ re#son. O &or # +oice to spe#(< F oh' horror< F oh' #n) horror -ut this< 0ith # shrie( , rushed &ro* the *#r$in #nd -uried *) &#ce in *) h#nds F %eepin$ -itterl). The he#t r#pidl) incre#sed' #nd once #$#in , loo(ed up' shudderin$ #s i& %ith # &it o& the #$ue. There h#d -een # second ch#n$e in the cell F #nd no% the ch#n$e %#s o-+iousl) in the FOR5. As -e&ore ' it %#s in +#in th#t , #t &irst ende#+oured to #ppreci#te or underst#nd %h#t %#s t#(in$ pl#ce.

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!ut not lon$ %#s , le&t in dou-t. The inquisitori#l +en$e#nce h#d -een hurried -) *) t%o/&old esc#pe' #nd there %#s to -e no *ore d#ll)in$ %ith the Cin$ o& Terrors. The roo* h#d -een squ#re. , s#% th#t t%o o& its iron #n$les %ere no% #cute F t%o consequentl)' o-tuse. The &e#r&ul di&&erence quic(l) incre#sed %ith # lo% ru*-lin$ or *o#nin$ sound. ,n #n inst#nt the #p#rt*ent h#d shi&ted its &or* into th#t o& # lo3en$e. !ut the #lter#tion stopped not here F , neither hoped nor desired it to stop. , could h#+e cl#sped the red %#lls to *) -oso* #s # $#r*ent o& etern#l pe#ce. 7 e#th'8 , s#id 7#n) de#th -ut th#t o& the pit<8 Fool< *i$ht , not h#+e (no%n th#t ,4TO THE :,T it %#s the o-2ect o& the -urnin$ iron to ur$e *e1 Aould , resist its $lo%1 or i& e+en th#t' could , %ithst#nd its pressure 1 And no%' &l#tter #nd &l#tter $re% the lo3en$e' %ith # r#pidit) th#t le&t *e no ti*e &or conte*pl#/ tion. ,ts centre' #nd o& course' its $re#test %idth' c#*e 2ust o+er the )#%nin$ $ul&. , shr#n( -#c( F -ut the closin$ %#lls pressed *e resistlessl) on%#rd . At len$th &or *) se#red #nd %rithin$ -od) there %#s no lon$er #n inch o& &oothold on the &ir* &loor o& the prison. , stru$$led no *ore' -ut the #$on) o& *) soul &ound +ent in one loud' lon$' #nd &in#l scre#* o& desp#ir. , &elt th#t , tottered upon the -rin( F , #+erted *) e)es F There %#s # discord#nt hu* o& hu*#n +oices< There %#s # loud -l#st #s o& *#n) tru*pets< There %#s # h#rsh $r#tin$ #s o& # thous#nd thunders< The &ier) %#lls rushed -#c(< An outstretched #r* c#u$ht *) o%n #s , &ell &#intin$ into the #-)ss. ,t %#s th#t o& ;ener#l L#s#lle. The French #r*) h#d entered Toledo. The ,nquisition %#s in the h#nds o& its ene*ies.

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