What wad believed to have happened to Lady Madeline?

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001

Answers

According to Poe's story "The Fall of the House of Usher," the Lady Madeline suffered from catalepsy, a condition causing her to lapse into a death-like comatose state. At the time of her burial she apparently was in such a state and was presumed dead. Fear of premature burial was fairly prevalent among 19th century Americans. In the story the Lady Madeline regained consciousness, clawed her way out of the coffin, staggered upstairs, and fell onto the terrified form of her brother, Roderick. Apparently they were both dead by the time they hit the floor, and seconds later, the mansion collapsed on top of them.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 2001