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?

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.

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.

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.