Create a surreal gothic illustration featuring a young woman in a black lace dress, crouching elegantly before a warm, glowing fireplace. Employ intricate cross-hatching techniques to render the delicate lace and satin textures of her attire. Capture the interplay of light and shadow, allowing the firelight to cast soft highlights along her figure and deepen the surrounding shadows, creating a sense of depth and mystery. Her expression should remain neutral, exuding a calm detachment and subtle intrigue, characteristic of Edward Gorey’s emotionally distant characters. Incorporate symbolic motifs subtly--such as a small, ornate clock nestled above the fireplace and hints of animal figures hidden within the floral wallpaper--hinting at the passage of time and themes of concealed emotion. Keep the background minimal yet atmospheric, emphasizing the tension between light and darkness, with sparse decorative elements hinting at hidden stories beyond the frame.