The cask of amontillado short story

Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. He had a weak point - this Fortunato - although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation. It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. At length I would be avenged this was a point definitively settled - but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.

The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge.