There were arabesque figures with unsuited limbs and appointments.

And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death.

And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall.

And the life of the ebony clock went out with that of the last of the gay.

And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all.

There were sharp pains, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution.

It was in this apartment, also, that there stood against the western wall, a gigantic clock of ebony.

And the rumor of this new presence having spread itself whisperingly around, there arose at length from the whole company a buzz, or murmur, expressive of disapprobation and surprise.

The Masque of the Red Death