dance round and round, and roar aloud. When I went out, and saw

the busy crowds hurrying about the streets; or to the theatre, and

heard the sound of music, and beheld the people dancing, I felt such

glee, that I could have rushed among them, and torn them to pieces

limb from limb, and howled in transport. But I ground my teeth, and

struck my feet upon the floor, and drove my sharp nails into my

hands. I kept it down; and no one knew I was a madman yet.

I remember - though it's one of the last things I can remember: for

now I mix up realities with my dreams, and having so much to do,

and being always hurried here, have no time to separate the two, from

some strange confusion in which they get involved - I remember how I

let it out at last. Ha! ha! I think I see their frightened looks now, and

feel the ease with which I flung them from me, and dashed my

clenched fist into their white faces, and then flew like the wind, and

left them screaming and shouting far behind. The strength of a giant

comes upon me when I think of it. There - see how this iron bar bends

beneath my furious wrench. I could snap it like a twig, only there are

long galleries here with many doors - I don't think I could find my way

along them; and even if I could, I know there are iron gates below

which they keep locked and barred. They know what a clever madman

I have been, and they are proud to have me here, to show.

'Let me see: yes, I had been out. It was late at night when I reached

home, and found the proudest of the three proud brothers waiting to

see me - urgent business he said: I recollect it well. I hated that man

with all a madman's hate. Many and many a time had my fingers

longed to tear him. They told me he was there. I ran swiftly upstairs.

He had a word to say to me. I dismissed the servants. It was late, and

we were alone together - for the first time.

I kept my eyes carefully from him at first, for I knew what he little

thought - and I gloried in the knowledge - that the light of madness

gleamed from them like fire. We sat in silence for a few minutes. He

spoke at last. My recent dissipation, and strange remarks, made so

soon after his sister's death, were an insult to her memory. Coupling

together many circumstances which had at first escaped his

observation, he thought I had not treated her well. He wished to know

whether he was right in inferring that I meant to cast a reproach upon

her memory, and a disrespect upon her family. It was due to the

uniform he wore, to demand this explanation.

'This man had a commission in the army - a commission, purchased

with my money, and his sister's misery! This was the man who had

been foremost in the plot to ensnare me, and grasp my wealth. This

was the man who had been the main instrument in forcing his sister

to wed me; well knowing that her heart was given to that puling boy.

The Pickwick Papers