Колодець і маятник

           Isawclearlythedoomwhichhadbeenpreparedforme,andcongratulatedmyselfuponthetimelyaccidentbywhichIhadescaped. Anotherstepbeforemyfall,andtheworldhadseenmenomore. Andthedeathjustavoided,wasofthatverycharacterwhichIhadregardedasfabulousandfrivolousinthetalesrespectingtheInquisition. Tothevictimsofitstyranny,therewasthechoiceofdeathwithitsdirestphysicalagonies,ordeathwithitsmosthideousmoralhorrors. Ihadbeenreservedforthelatter. Bylongsufferingmynerveshadbeenunstrung,untilItrembledatthesoundofmyownvoice,andhadbecomeineveryrespectafittingsubjectforthespeciesoftorturewhichawaitedme. 

           Shakingineverylimb,Igropedmywaybacktothewall;resolvingtheretoperishratherthanrisktheterrorsofthewells,ofwhichmyimaginationnowpicturedmanyinvariouspositionsaboutthedungeon. InotherconditionsofmindImighthavehadcouragetoendmymiseryatoncebyaplungeintooneoftheseabysses;butnowIwastheveriestofcowards. NeithercouldIforgetwhatIhadreadofthesepits—thatthesuddenextinctionoflifeformednopartoftheirmosthorribleplan. 

           Agitationofspiritkeptmeawakeformanylonghours;butatlengthIagainslumbered. Uponarousing,Ifoundbymyside,asbefore,aloafandapitcherofwater. Aburningthirstconsumedme,andIemptiedthevesselatadraught. Itmusthavebeendrugged;forscarcelyhadIdrunk,beforeIbecameirresistiblydrowsy.