Each man and woman was dressed like a terrible dream. And in and out of the rooms thesr dreams walked and danced, their clothes changing colour each time they entered a different room. But no one was brave enough now to enter the black room. As the night passed and the fires burned brighter, the colors and shapes in this room because more horrible than ever. The black carp and walls seemed full of gloom, and the deep chimes of the black clock sounded ever more frightening.
But the other six room were full of life and pleasure. People were dancing and singing, talking and laughing, and the wild noise of a thousand happy men and women rang through the castle. Then came the house of midnight, andonce again dancers and musicians became sill and silent, as the clock slowly rang the twelve long chimes of midnight. And because the twelve chimes took a long time to ring, each person had more time to think, and feel uncomfortable.