Колодець і маятник

           Ihaveobservedthat,althoughtheoutlinesofthefiguresuponthewallsweresufficientlydistinct,yetthecolorsseemedblurredandindefinite. Thesecolorshadnowassumed,andweremomentarilyassuming,astartlingandmostintensebrilliancy,thatgavetothespectralandfiendishportraituresanaspectthatmighthavethrilledevenfirmernervesthanmyown. Demoneyes,ofawildandghastlyvivacity,glareduponmeinathousanddirections,wherenonehadbeenvisiblebefore,andgleamedwiththeluridlustreofafirethatIcouldnotforcemyimaginationtoregardasunreal. 

           Unreal! —EvenwhileIbreathedtherecametomynostrilsthebreathofthevapourofheatediron! Asuffocatingodourpervadedtheprison! Adeeperglowsettledeachmomentintheeyesthatglaredatmyagonies! Arichertintofcrimsondiffuseditselfoverthepicturedhorrorsofblood. Ipanted!Igaspedforbreath! Therecouldbenodoubtofthedesignofmytormentors—oh!mostunrelenting!oh!mostdemoniacofmen! Ishrankfromtheglowingmetaltothecentreofthecell. Amidthethoughtofthefierydestructionthatimpended,theideaofthecoolnessofthewellcameovermysoullikebalm. Irushedtoitsdeadlybrink. Ithrewmystrainingvisionbelow. Theglarefromtheenkindledroofillumineditsinmostrecesses. Yet,forawildmoment,didmyspiritrefusetocomprehendthemeaningofwhatIsaw. Atlengthitforced—itwrestleditswayintomysoul—itburneditselfinuponmyshudderingreason.