The poor man's breathing came in uncertain gasps.

Each instant he seemed as though he would open his eyes and speak, but then would follow a prolonged stertorous breath, and he would relapse into a more fixed insensibility.

Inured as I was to sick beds and death, this suspense grew and grew upon me.

I could almost hear the beating of my own heart, and the blood surging through my temples sounded like blows from a hammer.

The silence finally became agonizing.