Reminder: A setting may help establish the mood and atmosphere of a narrative.

In the first three sentences of the passage ("He found . . . Malétroits"), the details Denis observes upon entering the Sire de Malétroit’s residence combine to create a sense of

a.luxury appropriate to Malétroit’s privileged class
b.barrenness to spotlight Malétroit himself
c.darkness as a metaphor for Malétroit’s personality
d.strangeness akin to Denis’ own discomfort
e.poverty at odds with the family coat of arms