Its pendulum swung swing to and fro with a dull , heavy , monotonous clang clang ; and when the minute-hand made make the circuit of the face , and the hour was to be stricken , there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical , but of so peculiar a note and emphasis that , at each lapse of an hour , the musicians of the orchestra were constrained constrain to pause pause , momentarily , in their performance performance , to harken harken to the sound sound ; and thus the waltzers perforce ceased cease their evolutions evolution ; and there was a brief disconcert disconcert of the whole gay company ; and , while the chimes of the clock yet rang rang , it was observed observe that the giddiest grew pale pale , and the more aged and sedate passed pass their hands over their brows as if in confused revery or meditation .

What possessed her to indulge in such a performance performance in the sight of the sparrows , blackbirds , and unperceived farmer who were alone its spectators , -- whether the smile smile began as a factitious one , to test her capacity in that art , -- nobody knows ; it ended certainly in a real smile smile .

Gabriel , perhaps a little piqued by the comely traveller 's indifference indifference , glanced glance back to where he had witnessed witness her performance performance over the hedge , and said say , " Vanity . "

To be sure , it was an unwonted performance performance : but he had learned to trust in men he knew , and to give them credit for a wisdom that outreached his own .