He admitted, however, although with hesitation, that much of the
peculiar gloom which thus afflicted him could be traced to a more
natural and far more palpable origin --to the severe and
long-continued illness --indeed to the evidently approaching
dissolution-of a tenderly beloved sister --his sole companion for long
years --his last and only relative on earth. "Her decease," he said,
with a bitterness which I can never forget, "would leave him (him
the hopeless and the frail) the last of the ancient race of the
Ushers." While he spoke, the lady Madeline (for so was she called)
passed slowly through a remote portion of the apartment, and,
without having noticed my presence, disappeared. I regarded her with
an utter astonishment not unmingled with dread --and yet I found it
impossible to account for such feelings. A sensation of stupor
oppressed me, as my eyes followed her retreating steps. When a door,
at length, closed upon her, my glance sought instinctively and eagerly
the countenance of the brother --but he had buried his face in his
hands, and I could only perceive that a far more than ordinary wanness
had overspread the emaciated fingers through which trickled many
passionate tears.
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