How does Gore Vidal use imagery in Burr?

Imagery:

"As I grew older, I realized that my family admired Burr more than not and that my mother was pleased when he took a fancy to me, gave me books to read, encouraged me to attend Columbia College and take up the law. But my first glimpse of him at a table close to the pump-room fire was the devil himself, and I half-expected him to leave not by way of the door but up the chimney with the flames."