I persisted; but it was not merely on this account.

I cannot delineate the motives that led me on.

I now speak as if no remnant of doubt existed in my mind as to the supernal origin of these sounds; but this is owing to the imperfection of my language, for I only mean that the belief was more permanent, and visited more frequently my sober meditations than its opposite.

The immediate effects served only to undermine the foundations of my judgment and precipitate my resolutions.
I must either advance or return.

I chose the former, and began to ascend the stairs.