SECTION V.—THE DASH.
The Dash is mostly used to denote an unexpected or emphatic pause, of variable length; but sometimes it is a sign of faltering, or of the irregular stops of one who hesitates in speaking: as, "Then, after many pauses, and inarticulate sounds, he said: 'He was very sorry for it, was extremely concerned it should happen so—but—a—it was necessary—a—' Here lord E——— stopped him short, and bluntly demanded, if his post were destined for an other."—See Churchill's Gram., p. 170.
RULE I.—ABRUPT PAUSES.
A sudden interruption, break, or transition, should be marked with the dash; as, 1. "'I must inquire into the affair; and if'—'And if!' interrupted the farmer." 2. "Whom I—But first 't is fit the billows to restrain."—Dryd. Virg. 3. "HERE LIES THE GREAT—False marble! where? Nothing but sordid dust lies here."—Young.
RULE II.—EMPHATIC PAUSES.
To mark a considerable pause, greater than the structure or the sentence or the points inserted would seem to require, the dash may be employed; as, 1. "I pause for a reply.—None?—Then none have I offended.—I have done no more to Cæsar, than you should do to Brutus."—SHAKSPEARE: Enfields Speaker, p. 182.
2. "Tarry a little. There is something else.—
This bond—doth give thee here—no jot of blood."
—ID.: Burgh's Sp., p. 167.
3. "It thunders;—but it thunders to preserve."—Young.
4. "Behold the picture!—Is it like?—Like whom?"—Cowper.