I felt, too,
that I lay upon some hard substance, and by something similar my sides
were, also, closely compressed. So far, I had not ventured to stir any
of my limbs- but now I violently threw up my arms, which had been
lying at length, with the wrists crossed. They struck a solid wooden
substance, which extended above my person at an elevation of not
more than six inches from my face. I could no longer doubt that I
reposed within a coffin at last.
And now, amid all my infinite miseries, came sweetly the cherub
Hope- for I thought of my precautions. I writhed, and made spasmodic
exertions to force open the lid: it would not move. I felt my wrists
for the bell-rope: it was not to be found. And now the Comforter
fled for ever, and a still sterner Despair reigned triumphant; for I
could not help perceiving the absence of the paddings which I had so
carefully prepared- and then, too, there came suddenly to my
nostrils the strong peculiar odor of moist earth. The conclusion was
irresistible. I was not within the vault. I had fallen into a trance
while absent from home-while among strangers- when, or how, I could
not remember- and it was they who had buried me as a dog- nailed up in
some common coffin- and thrust deep, deep, and for ever, into some
ordinary and nameless grave.
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