Падение дома Ашеров

           Onefavoritevolumewasasmalloctavoeditionofthe“DirectoriumInquisitorium,”bytheDominicanEymericdeGironne; andtherewerepassagesinPomponiusMela,abouttheoldAfricanSatyrsandŒgipans,overwhichUsherwouldsitdreamingforhours. Hischiefdelight,however,wasfoundintheperusalofanexceedinglyrareandcuriousbookinquartoGothic—themanualofaforgottenchurch—theVigiliæMortuorumSecundumChorumEcclesiaeMaguntinae. 

           Icouldnothelpthinkingofthewildritualofthiswork,andofitsprobableinfluenceuponthehypochondriac,when,oneevening,havinginformedmeabruptlythattheladyMadelinewasnomore,hestatedhisintentionofpreservinghercorpseforafortnight(previouslytoitsfinalinterment),inoneofthenumerousvaultswithinthemainwallsofthebuilding. Theworldlyreason,however,assignedforthissingularproceeding,wasonewhichIdidnotfeelatlibertytodispute. Thebrotherhadbeenledtohisresolution(sohetoldme)byconsiderationoftheunusualcharacterofthemaladyofthedeceased,ofcertainobtrusiveandeagerinquiriesonthepartofhermedicalmen,andoftheremoteandexposedsituationoftheburial-groundofthefamily. IwillnotdenythatwhenIcalledtomindthesinistercountenanceofthepersonwhomImetuponthestaircase,onthedayofmyarrivalatthehouse,IhadnodesiretoopposewhatIregardedasatbestbutaharmless,andbynomeansanunnatural,precaution. 

           AttherequestofUsher,Ipersonallyaidedhiminthearrangementsforthetemporaryentombment.