The narrator sees the Moon shining through the suddenly widened crack in the mansion.
The Illumination of the Mansion's Demise
As the narrator flees in terror from the collapsing mansion, a sudden, powerful light catches his attention. This illumination is not from within the decaying structure, nor is it artificial. It is, in fact, the Moon itself.
A Glimpse of the End
The sequence of events leading to this final vision is dramatic and unfolds rapidly:
- The narrator, overwhelmed by the horror of the mansion's final moments, runs frantically from the crumbling edifice.
- While escaping, he perceives a flash of moonlight behind him.
- He turns back, drawn by the eerie glow, just in time to witness the Moon vividly shining through a newly formed, significantly widened fissure in the very fabric of the house.
This final, stark image of natural light piercing the decaying structure underscores the mansion's ultimate and complete destruction, offering a poignant and unforgettable conclusion to its downfall.