Read this passage from Part 1 of “The Purloined Letter.”

“And what, after all, is the matter on hand?” I asked.

“Why, I will tell you,” replied the Prefect, as he gave a long, steady, and contemplative puff, and settled himself in his chair. “I will tell you in a few words; but, before I begin, let me caution you that this is an affair demanding the greatest secrecy, and that I should most probably lose the position I now hold, were it known that I confided it to any one.

“Proceed,” said I.

What is the most likely reason Poe uses a slow pace in this part of the scene?

The Purloined Letter, Part 1

to provide foreshadowing of the story

to reduce the tension in the story

to summarize the story that is about to be told

to increase suspense about the story to come