La morte amoureuse et autres nouvelles

In a chiselled urn upon the table there was a faded white rose, whose leaves - excepting one that still held - had all fallen, like odorous tears, to the foot of the vase. A broken black mask, a fan, and disguises of every variety, which were lying on the armchairs, bore witness that death had entered suddenly and unannounced into that sumptuous dwelling.