The death of a beautiful woman, is unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world.

No murmur arose from its bed, and so gently it wandered along, that the pearly pebbles upon which we loved to gaze, far down within its bosom, stirred not at all, but lay in a motionless content, each in its own old station, shining on gloriously forever.

[E]very plot, worth the name, must be elaborated to its dénouement before anything be attempted with the pen. It is only with the dénouement constantly in view that we can plot its indispensable air of consequence, or causation, by making the incidents, and especially the tone at all points tend to the development of the intention.

I fashion the expression of my face, as accurately as possible, in accordance with the expression of his, and then wait to see what thoughts or sentiments arise in my mind or heart, as if to match or correspond with the expression.

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

It may be roundly asserted that human ingenuity cannot concoct a cipher which human ingenuity cannot resolve.

You will observe that the stories told are all about money-seekers, not about money-finders.