"And then Death went his way without a word. He's killed a thousand in the present plague."

This excerpt provides an example of which of the following?

AThe author's use of verbal irony to illicit a feeling of dread.

BThe author's use of simile to create imagery and establish tone.

CThe author's ability to create suspense to advance the plot.

DThe author's ability to relate a literary work to an historical context.