Which excerpt best exemplifies the gothic literary style?
he approached the temple. as he went forward the light retired, and, when he put his feet within the apartment, utterly vanished. the suddenness of this transition increased the darkness that succeeded in a tenfold degree. fear and wonder rendered him powerless. an occurrence like this, in a place assigned to devotion, was adapted to intimidate the stoutest heart.
(from wieland by charles brockden brown)

in good health, the air is a cordial of incredible virtue. crossing a bare common, in snow puddles, at twilight, under a clouded sky, without having in my thoughts any occurrence of special good fortune, i have enjoyed a perfect exhilaration. i am glad to the brink of fear. in the woods too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough, and at what period so ever of life, is always a child. in the woods, is perpetual youth.
(from "nature" by ralph waldo emerson)

lives of great men all remind us
we can make our lives sublime,
and, departing, leave behind us
footprints on the sands of time;
(from "a psalm of life" by henry wadsworth longfellow)

darsie was the second daughter in a family of six, and by reason of her upsetting nature had won for herself that privilege of priority which by all approved traditions should have belonged to clemence, the elder sister.
(from a college girl by mrs. george de horne vaizey)