He went to and fro continually , and his feet sounded upon the floor . In each member of that frenzied company whose own burning thoughts had become their exclusive world he sought an auditor for the story of his individual wrong , and interpreted their laughter and tears as his reward of scorn or pity . He spoke of woman 's perfidy , of a wife who had broken her holiest vows , of a home and heart made desolate . Even as he went on , the shout , the laugh , the shriek , the sob , rose up in unison , till they changed into the hollow , fitful and uneven sound of the wind as it fought among the pine trees on those three lonely hills . The lady looked up , and there was the withered woman smiling in her face . `` Couldst thou have thought there were such merry times in a mad-house ? '' inquired the latter . `` True , true ! '' said the lady to herself ; `` there is mirth within its walls , but misery , misery without . '' `` Wouldst thou hear more ? '' demanded the old woman . `` There is one other voice I would fain listen to again , '' replied the lady , faintly . `` Then lay down thy head speedily upon my knees , that thou mayst get thee hence before the hour be past . '' The golden skirts of day were yet lingering upon the hills , but deep shades obscured the hollow and the pool , as if sombre night wore rising thence to overspread the world . Again that evil woman began to weave her spell . Long did it proceed unanswered , till the knolling of a bell stole in among the intervals of her words like a clang that had travelled far over valley and rising ground and was just ready to die in the air . The lady shook upon her companion 's knees as she heard that boding sound . Stronger it grew , and sadder , and deepened into the tone of a death-bell , knolling dolefully from some ivy-mantled tower and bearing tidings of mortality and woe to the cottage , to the hall and to the solitary wayfarer , that all might weep for the doom appointed in turn to them . Then came a measured tread , passing slowly , slowly on , as of mourners with a coffin , their garments trailing on the ground , so that the ear could measure the length of their melancholy array . Before them went the priest , reading the burial-service , while the leaves of his book were rustling in the breeze .
And though no voice but his was heard to speak aloud , still there were revilings and anathemas , whispered but distinct , from women and XXXXX men , breathed against the daughter who had wrung the aged hearts of her parents , the wife who had betrayed the trusting fondness of her husband , the mother who had sinned against natural affection and left her child to die .
Before as for from in that till upon while without