Complete Works of Bram Stoker (493 page)
Read Complete Works of Bram Stoker Online
Authors: Bram Stoker
Lord Ruthven had called the morning after the drawing-room, and had been refused with every one else. When he heard of Aubrey’s ill health, he readily understood himself to be the cause of it; but when he learned that he was deemed insane, his exultation and pleasure could hardly be concealed from those among whom he had gained this information. He hastened to the house of his former companion, and, by constant attendance, and the pretence of great affection for the brother and interest in his fate, he gradually won the ear of Miss Aubrey. Who could resist his power? His tongue had dangers and toils to recount — could speak of himself as of an individual having no sympathy with any being on the crowded earth, save with her to whom he addressed himself; — could tell how, since he knew her, his existence, had begun to seem worthy of preservation, if it were merely that he might listen to her soothing accents; — in fine, he knew so well how to use the serpent’s art, or such was the will of fate, that he gained her affections. The title of the elder branch falling at length to him, lie obtained an important embassy, which served as an excuse for hastening the marriage, (in spite of her brother’s deranged state,) which was to take place the very day before his departure for the continent.
Aubrey, when he was left by the physician and his guardians, attempted to bribe the servants, but in vain. He asked for pen and paper; it was given him; he wrote a letter to his sister, conjuring her, as she valued her own happiness, her own honour, and the honour of those now in the grave, who once held her in their arms as their hope and the hope of their house, to delay but for a few hours that marriage, on which he denounced the most heavy curses. The servants promised they would deliver it; but giving it to the physician, he thought it better not to harass any more the mind of Miss Aubrey by, what he considered, the ravings of a maniac. Night passed on without rest to the busy inmates of the house; and Aubrey heard, with a horror that may more easily be conceived than described, the notes of busy preparation. Morning came, and the sound of carriages broke upon his ear. Aubrey grew almost frantic. The curiosity of the servants at last overcame their vigilance, they gradually stole away, leaving him in the custody of an helpless old woman. He seized the opportunity, with one bound was out of the room, and in a moment found himself in the apartment where all were nearly assembled. Lord Ruthven was the first to perceive him: lie immediately approached, and, taking his arm by force, hurried him from the room, speechless with rage. When on the staircase, Lord Ruthven whispered in his ear — ”Remember your oath, and know, if not my bride to day, your sister is dishonoured. Women are frail!” So saying, he pushed him towards his attendants, who, roused by the old woman, had come in search of him. Aubrey could no longer support himself; his rage not finding vent, had broken a blood-vessel, and he was conveyed to bed. This was not mentioned to his sister, who was not present when he entered, as the physician was afraid of agitating her. The marriage was solemnized, and the bride and bridegroom left London.
Aubrey’s weakness increased; the effusion of blood produced symptoms of the near approach of death. He desired his sister’s guardians might be called, and when the midnight hour had struck, he related composedly what the reader has perused — he died immediately after.
The guardians hastened to protect Miss Aubrey; but when they arrived, it was too late. Lord Ruthven had disappeared, and Aubrey’s sister had glutted the thirst of a VAMPYRE!
THE END
VARNEY THE VAMPIRE by James Malcolm Rymer
This Victorian gothic novel was serialised in 1845–47 as a series of cheap pamphlets known as ‘penny dreadfuls’. The work is of epic length, containing nearly 667,000 words.
Varney the Vampire
introduced many vampire features that later inspired Stoker’s
Dracula
and are well-known to modern readers now. The story has a confused setting, claiming to be set in the early eighteenth century, while making references to the Napoleonic Wars and other events of the nineteenth century.
The cover of the first Penny Dreadful instalment
CONTENTS
MIDNIGHT. — THE HAIL-STORM. — THE DREADFUL VISITOR. — THE VAMPYRE.
THE ALARM. — THE PISTOL SHOT. — THE PURSUIT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
THE MORNING. — THE CONSULTATION. — THE FEARFUL SUGGESTION.
THE NIGHT WATCH. — THE PROPOSAL. — THE MOONLIGHT. — THE FEARFUL ADVENTURE.
THE VISIT TO THE VAULT OF THE BANNERWORTHS, AND ITS UNPLEASANT RESULT. — THE MYSTERY.
THE RETURN FROM THE VAULT. — THE ALARM, AND THE SEARCH AROUND THE HALL.
THE COMMUNICATIONS TO THE LOVER. — THE HEART’S DESPAIR.
CHARLES HOLLAND’S SAD FEELINGS. — THE PORTRAIT. — THE OCCURRENCE OF THE NIGHT AT THE HALL.
HENRY’S AGREEMENT WITH SIR FRANCIS VARNEY. — THE SUDDEN ARRIVAL AT THE HALL. — FLORA’S ALARM.
THE OLD ADMIRAL AND HIS SERVANT. — THE COMMUNICATION FROM THE LANDLORD OF THE NELSON’S ARMS.
THE ADMIRAL’S ADVICE. — THE CHALLENGE TO THE VAMPYRE. — THE NEW SERVANT AT THE HALL.
FLORA IN HER CHAMBER. — HER FEARS. — THE MANUSCRIPT. — AN ADVENTURE.
THE DREADFUL MISTAKE. — THE TERRIFIC INTERVIEW IN THE CHAMBER. — THE ATTACK OF THE VAMPYRE.
THE CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE UNCLE AND NEPHEW, AND THE ALARM.
THE CONSULTATION. — THE DETERMINATION TO LEAVE THE HALL.
THE ADMIRAL’S ADVICE TO CHARLES HOLLAND. — THE CHALLENGE TO THE VAMPYRE.
THE LETTER TO CHARLES. — THE QUARREL. — THE ADMIRAL’S NARRATIVE. — THE MIDNIGHT MEETING.
THE ADMIRAL’S OPINION. — THE REQUEST OF CHARLES.
THE MEETING BY MOONLIGHT IN THE PARK. — THE TURRET WINDOW IN THE HALL. — THE LETTERS.
A PEEP THROUGH AN IRON GRATING. — THE LONELY PRISONER IN HIS DUNGEON. — THE MYSTERY.
THE VISIT OF FLORA TO THE VAMPYRE. — THE OFFER. — THE SOLEMN ASSEVERATION.
SIR FRANCIS VARNEY AND HIS MYSTERIOUS VISITOR. — THE STRANGE CONFERENCE.
THE THOUSAND POUNDS. — THE STRANGER’S PRECAUTIONS.
THE STRANGE INTERVIEW. — THE CHASE THROUGH THE HALL.
THE THREAT. — ITS CONSEQUENCES. — THE RESCUE, AND SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S DANGER.
THE EXPLANATION. — MARCHDALE’S ADVICE. — THE PROJECTED REMOVAL, AND THE ADMIRAL’S ANGER.
THE CONSULTATION. — THE DUEL AND ITS RESULTS.
SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S SEPARATE OPPONENTS. — THE INTERPOSITION OF FLORA.
MARCHDALE’S OFFER. — THE CONSULTATION AT BANNERWORTH HALL. — THE MORNING OF THE DUEL.
THE STORM AND THE FIGHT.-THE ADMIRAL’S REPUDIATION OF HIS PRINCIPAL.
THE POPULAR RIOT. — SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S DANGER. — THE SUGGESTION AND ITS RESULTS.
VARNEY’S DANGER, AND HIS RESCUE. — THE PRISONER AGAIN, AND THE SUBTERRANEAN VAULT.
THE OPEN GRAVES. — THE DEAD BODIES. — A SCENE OF TERROR.
THE REMOVAL FROM THE HALL. — THE NIGHT WATCH, AND THE ALARM.
THE MOB’S ARRIVAL AT SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S. — THE ATTEMPT TO GAIN ADMISSION.
THE MOB’S ARRIVAL AT SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S. — THE ATTEMPT TO GAIN ADMISSION.
THE BURNING OF VARNEY’S HOUSE. — A NIGHT SCENE. — POPULAR SUPERSTITION.
THE RETURN OF THE MOB AND MILITARY TO THE TOWN. — THE MADNESS OF THE MOB. — THE GROCER’S REVENGE.
THE DEPARTURE OF THE BANNERWORTHS FROM THE HALL. — THE NEW ABODE. — JACK PRINGLE, PILOT.
THE LONELY WATCH, AND THE ADVENTURE IN THE DESERTED HOUSE.
THE ARRIVAL OF JACK PRINGLE. — MIDNIGHT AND THE VAMPYRE. — THE MYSTERIOUS HAT.
THE WARNING. — THE NEW PLAN OF OPERATION. — THE INSULTING MESSAGE FROM VARNEY.
THE INTERRUPTED BREAKFAST AT SIR FRANCIS VARNEY’S.
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. — THE PARTICULARS OF THE SUICIDE AT BANNERWORTH HALL.
THE MYSTERIOUS MEETING IN THE RUIN AGAIN. — THE VAMPYRE’S ATTACK UPON THE CONSTABLE.
THE GUESTS AT THE INN, AND THE STORY OF THE DEAD UNCLE.
THE VAMPIRE IN THE MOONLIGHT. — THE FALSE FRIEND.
VARNEY’S VISIT TO THE DUNGEON OF THE LONELY PRISONER IN THE RUINS.
THE ADMIRAL’S STORY OF THE BEAUTIFUL BELINDA.
MARCHDALE’S ATTEMPTED VILLANY, AND THE RESULT.
FLORA BANNERWORTH AND HER MOTHER. — THE EPISODE OF CHIVALRY.
THE STRANGE MEETING AT THE HALL BETWEEN MR. CHILLINGWORTH AND THE MYSTERIOUS FRIEND OF VARNEY.
THE STRANGE STORY. — THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOB AT THE HALL, AND THEIR DISPERSION.
THE VISIT OF THE VAMPIRE. — THE GENERAL MEETING.