Падение дома Ашеров

           Awhirlwindhadapparentlycollecteditsforceinourvicinity;fortherewerefrequentandviolentalterationsinthedirectionofthewind;andtheexceedingdensityoftheclouds(whichhungsolowastopressupontheturretsofthehouse)didnotpreventourperceivingthelife-likevelocitywithwhichtheyflewcareeringfromallpointsagainsteachother,withoutpassingawayintothedistance. Isaythateventheirexceedingdensitydidnotpreventourperceivingthis—yetwehadnoglimpseofthemoonorstars,norwasthereanyflashingforthofthelightning. Buttheundersurfacesofthehugemassesofagitatedvapor,aswellasallterrestrialobjectsimmediatelyaroundus,wereglowingintheunnaturallightofafaintlyluminousanddistinctlyvisiblegaseousexhalationwhichhungaboutandenshroudedthemansion. 

           “Youmustnot—youshallnotbeholdthis!”saidI,shuddering,toUsher,asIledhim,withagentleviolence,fromthewindowtoaseat. “Theseappearances,whichbewilderyou,aremerelyelectricalphenomenanotuncommon—oritmaybethattheyhavetheirghastlyoriginintherankmiasmaofthetarn. Letusclosethiscasement;—theairischillinganddangeroustoyourframe. Hereisoneofyourfavoriteromances. Iwillread,andyoushalllisten:—andsowewillpassawaythisterriblenighttogether.”