Come with me." Without being allowed time or power to deliberate, I found myself in the same breath convoyed along as in a species of whirlwind, up-stairs, up two pair of stairs, nay, actually up three (for this fiery little man seemed as by instinct to know his way everywhere); to the solitary and lofty attic was I borne, put in and locked in, the key being, in the door, and that key he took with him and vanished.
The attic was no pleasant place: I believe he did not know how unpleasant it was, or he never would have locked me in with so little ceremony.

In this summer weather, it was hot as Africa; as in winter, it was always cold as Greenland.

Boxes and lumber filled it; old dresses draped its unstained wall--cobwebs its unswept ceiling.

Well was it known to be tenanted by rats, by black beetles, and by cockroaches--nay, rumour affirmed that the ghostly Nun of the garden had once been seen here.

A partial darkness obscured one end, across which, as for deeper mystery, an old russet curtain was drawn, by way of screen to a sombre band of winter cloaks, pendent each from its pin, like a malefactor from his gibbet.