Question

which excerpt best shows how irving creates suspense through the quickening of the pace? \the disordered taper emitted a broad flaring flame, and threw a strong light on a painting over the fire - place, which i had not hitherto observed.\ \i determined to shake off these vapors of the mind; rose from my chair, and walked about the room; snapped my fingers; rallied myself; laughed aloud. it was a forced laugh, and the echo of it in the old chamber jarred upon my ear.\ \the old portraits turned paler and paler, and blacker and blacker; the streaks of light and shadow thrown among the quaint old articles of furniture, gave them singular shapes and characters.\ \pish, said i, it can be no such thing. how could my worthy host imagine that i, or any man, would be so worried by a mere picture? it is my own diseased imagination that torments me.\

Explanation:

The second excerpt shows a series of quick - paced actions like rising, walking, snapping fingers, and laughing. This sequence of rapid actions quickens the pace and builds suspense. The other excerpts focus more on descriptions of objects or self - reassurance without the same sense of quickening pace.

Answer:

"I determined to shake off these vapors of the mind; rose from my chair, and walked about the room; snapped my fingers; rallied myself; laughed aloud. It was a forced laugh, and the echo of it in the old chamber jarred upon my ear."