The most prominent object was a long table with a tablecloth spread on an epergne or centre-piece of some kind was in the middle of this cloth: it was so heavily overhung with cobwebs that its form was quite "what do you think that is? she asked me, again pointing with her stick; "that, where those cobwebs are? " "it's great cake. a bride-cake. mine! "

what does the cake most likely symbolize?
a . hunger
b. lost love
c. great joy
d. romance

B. Lost love

Explanation:

The fact that the centre-piece was a bride-cake tells us it is related to love. A marriage symbolizes the peak of love that a couple feels. In other words, the couple wants to see that love materialized in someway, the tradition is a marriage. As the cake is overhung with cobwebs we can infere that the wedding never took place, it's purpose was never achieved. The cobwebs represent all the time that has passed since the marriage was supposed to be realized. All the time the bride has been waiting, the hope that someday love will return to her life. We can say this because the cake is still in the middle of the table, it is a centre-piece, meaning it is still very important.

imparadis't in one anothers arms  

the happier eden, shall enjoy their fill  

of bliss on bliss, while i to hell am thrust,  

where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,  

among our other torments not the least,  

still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines;  

yet let me not forget what i have gain'd  

from their own mouths; all is not theirs it seems:  

one fatal tree there stands of knowledge call'd,  

forbidden them to taste: knowledge forbidd'n?  

suspicious, reasonless. why should their lord  

envie them that? can it be sin to know,