Падение дома Ашеров

           Overpoweredbyanintensesentimentofhorror,unaccountableyetunendurable,Ithrewonmyclotheswithhaste(forIfeltthatIshouldsleepnomoreduringthenight),andendeavoredtoarousemyselffromthepitiableconditionintowhichIhadfallen,bypacingrapidlytoandfrothroughtheapartment. 

           Ihadtakenbutfewturnsinthismanner,whenalightsteponanadjoiningstaircasearrestedmyattention. IpresentlyrecognizeditasthatofUsher. Inaninstantafterwardherapped,withagentletouch,atmydoor,andentered,bearingalamp. Hiscountenancewas,asusual,cadaverouslywan—but,moreover,therewasaspeciesofmadhilarityinhiseyes—anevidentlyrestrainedhysteriainhiswholedemeanor. Hisairappalledme—butanythingwaspreferabletothesolitudewhichIhadsolongendured,andIevenwelcomedhispresenceasarelief. 

           “Andyouhavenotseenit?”hesaidabruptly,afterhavingstaredabouthimforsomemomentsinsilence—“youhavenotthenseenit?—but,stay!youshall.” Thusspeaking,andhavingcarefullyshadedhislamp,hehurriedtooneofthecasements,andthrewitfreelyopentothestorm. 

           Theimpetuousfuryoftheenteringgustnearlyliftedusfromourfeet. Itwas,indeed,atempestuousyetsternlybeautifulnight,andonewildlysingularinitsterroranditsbeauty.