They kept referring to it as "declining," even though she herself was fascinated by it, the changes it was going through, following the rules of its nature day by day, independent of her will.
Continuavano a chiamarlo "in declino". Anche se lei stessa  ne era affascinata, dai cambiamenti che accadevano, seguendo le regole della propria natura giorno dopo giorno, senza la sua volontà.