one o'clock
Then came my trump card : I have spent my last penny ; while I stay , I 'm a beggar . The remainder of this extraordinary scene I have no power to describe : how the _ bonhomme _ , touched , inflamed , inspired , by the thought of my destitution , and at the same time annoyed , perplexed , bewildered at having to commit himself to doing anything for me , worked himself into a nervous frenzy which deprived him of a clear sense of the value of his words and his actions ; how I , prompted by the irresistible spirit of my desire to leap astride of his weakness and ride it hard to the goal of my dreams , cunningly contrived to keep his spirit at the fever-point , so that strength and reason and resistance should burn themselves out . I shall probably never again have such a sensation as I enjoyed to-night -- actually feel a heated human heart throbbing and turning and struggling in my grasp ; know its pants , its spasms , its convulsions , and its final senseless quiescence . At half-past one o'clock Mr. Sloane got out of his chair , went to his secretary , opened a private drawer , and took out a folded paper . `` This is my will , '' he said , `` made some seven weeks ago . If you will stay with me I will destroy it . '' `` Really , Mr. Sloane , '' I said , `` if you think my purpose is to exert any pressure upon your testamentary inclinations -- '' `` I will tear it in pieces , '' he cried ; `` I will burn it up !