 Chapter 233 of Varney the Vampire, Volume 3. The Night Attack, The Horrible Conclusion I paused yet a moment, for there came across me even then after I had gone so far, a horrible dread of what I was about to do, and a feeling that there might be consequences arising from it that would jeopardize me greatly. Perhaps even then if a great accession of strength had come to my aid, mere bodily aid, I mean, I should have hesitated, and the victim would have escaped. But as if to mark me there came that frightful feeling of exhaustion which felt so like the prelude to another death. I no longer hesitated. I turned the lock of the door and I thought that I must be discovered. I left it open about an inch and then flew back to my own chamber. I listened attentively. There was no alarm, no movement in any of the rooms. The same death-like stillness pervaded the house, and I felt that I was still safe. A soft gleam of yellow-looking light had come through the crevice of the door when I had opened it. It mingled strangely with the moonlight, and I concluded correctly enough, as I found afterwards, that a light was burning in the chamber. It was at least another ten minutes before I could sufficiently reassure myself to glide from my own room and approach that of the faded sleeper, but at length I told myself that I might safely do so, and the night was waning fast, and if anything was to be accomplished it must be done at once before the first beings of early dawn should chase away the spirits of the night, and perhaps should leave me no power to act. What shall I be, I asked myself, after another four and twenty hours of exhaustion? Shall I have power then to make the election of what I will do, or what I will not? No, I may suffer the pangs of death again and the scarcely less pangs of another revival. This reasoning, if it may be called reasoning, decided me, and with cautious and cat-like footsteps I again approached the bedroom door which I had opened. I no longer hesitated, but at once crossed the threshold and looked around me. It was the chamber of the youngest of my landlady's daughters who, as far as I could judge, seemed to be about sixteen years of age. But they had evidently been so struck with my horrible appearance that they had placed themselves as little as possible in my way so that I could not be said to be a very good judge of their ages or their looks. I only knew she was the youngest because she wore her hair long and wore it in ringlets that were loose and streaming over the pillow in which she slept, while her sister, I remarked, wore her hair plaited up and completely off her neck and shoulders. I stood by the bedside and looked upon this beautiful girl and all the pride of her young beauty so gently and quietly slumbering. Her lips were parted as though some pleasant images were passing in her mind and induced a smile even in her sleep. She murmured twice too, a word which I thought was the name of someone perchance the idle of her young heart. But it was too indistinct for me to catch it, nor did I care to hear that which was perhaps a very cherished secret indeed mattered not to me. I made no pretensions to her affections, however strongly in a short time I might stand in her abhorrence. One of her arms which was squizzedly rounded lay upon the coverlet. A neck too, as white as alabaster, was partially exposed to my gaze. But I had no passions. It was food I wanted. I sprang upon her. There was a shriek. But not before I had secured a draft of life-blood from her neck. It was enough. I felt it dart through my veins like fire, and I was restored. From that moment I found out what was to be my sustenance. It was blood, the blood of the young and the beautiful. The house was thoroughly alarmed, but not before I had retired to my own chamber. I was but partially dressed, and those few clothes I threw off me and getting into my bed I feigned to be asleep, so that when a gentleman who slept likewise in the house, but of whose presence I knew nothing, knocked hardly at my door, I affected to awaken in a fright and called out, What is it? What is it? For God's sake, tell me if it is a fire. No, no, but get up, sir, get up. There's someone in the place, an attempted murder, I think, sir. I arose and opened the door. So by the light he carried, he saw that I had to dress myself. He was but half a tired himself, and he carried his sword beneath his arm. It is a strange thing, he said, but I have heard a shriek of alarm. And I likewise said I, but I thought it was a dream. Help, help, help! cried the widow who had risen, but stood upon the threshold of her own chamber. Thieves! Thieves! By this time I had got on sufficient of my apparel, that I could make an appearance, and likewise with my sword in my hand I sallied out into the corridor. Oh, gentlemen, gentlemen, cried the landlady, did you hear anything? A shriek, madam, said my fellow lodger, have you looked into your daughter's chambers? The room of the youngest daughter was the nearest, and into that she went at once. In another moment she appeared on the threshold again, with a face as white as a sheet, then she wrung her hands and said, Murder, murder, my child is murdered, my child is murdered, Master Harding, which I found was the name of my fellow lodger. Fling opened one of the windows and called for the watch, he said to me, and I will search the room, and woe be to any one that I may find within its walls unauthorized. I did as he desired, and called the watch, but the watch came not, and then upon a second visit to her daughter the landlady found she had only fainted, and that she had been deceived in thinking she was murdered by the sudden sight of the blood upon her neck. So the house was restored to something like quiet again, and the morning began now near at hand. Mr. Harding retired to his chamber, an eye to mind, leaving the landlady and her eldest daughter assiduous in their attentions to the younger. How wonderfully revived I felt! I was quite a new creature when the sunlight came dancing into my apartment. I dressed and was about to leave the house, when Mr. Harding came out of one of the lower rooms and intercepted me. Sir, he said, I have not the pleasure of knowing you, but I have no doubt that an ordinary feeling of chivalry will prompt you to do all in your power to obviate the dread of such another night as the past. Dread, sir, said I, the dread of what? A very proper question, he said, but one I can hardly answer. The girl states she was awakened by someone biting her neck, and in proof of the story she actually exhibits the marks of teeth, and so terrified is she that she declares that she shall never be able to sleep again. You astonish me! Oh, no doubt, it is sufficiently astonishing to excuse even doubts. But if you and I, who are both inmates of the house, were to keep watch tonight in the corridor, it might have the effect of completely quieting the imagination of the young girl, and perhaps result in the discovery of this nocturnal disturber of the peace. Certainly, said I, command me in any way, I shall have great pleasure. Shall it be understood, then, that we meet at eleven in your apartment or in mine? Whichever you may please to consider the most convenient, sir. I mentioned my own, then, which is the furthest door in the corridor, and where I shall be happy to see you at eleven o'clock. There was something about this young man's manner which I did not altogether like, and yet I could not come to any positive conclusion, as to whether he suspected me, and therefore I thought it would be premature to fly, when perhaps there would be really no occasion for doing so. On the contrary, I made up my mind to wait the result of the evening, which might or might not be disastrous to me. At all events, I considered that I was fully equal to taking my own part, and if by the decrees of destiny I was really to be, as it were, repudiated from society, and made to endure a new, strange, and horrible existence, I did not see that I was called upon to be particular how I rescued myself from difficulties that might arise. Relying, then, upon my own strength, and my own unscrupulous use of it, I awaited, with tolerable composure, the coming of night. During the day I amused myself by walking about, and noting the remarkable changes which so short a period as two years had made in London, that these happened to be two years most abundantly prolific in change. The feelings and habits of people seem to have undergone a thorough revolution, which I was more surprised at when I learned by what thorough treachery the restoration of the exiled family was affected. The day wore on. I felt no need of refreshment, and I began to feel my own proper position, and to feel that occasionally a draught of delicious life blood, such as I had quaffed the night before, was fresh marrow to my bones. I could see when I entered the house where I had made my temporary home, that not withstanding that I considered my appearance wonderfully improved that feeling was not shared in by others, for the whole family shrunk from me, as though there had been a most frightful contamination in my touch, and as though the very air I had breathed was hateful and deleterious. I felt convinced that there had been some conversation concerning me, and that I was rather more than suspected. I certainly then could have left the place easily and quietly, but I had a feeling of defiance which did not enable me to do so. I felt as if I were an injured being, and ought to resist a something that looked like oppression. Why, I said to myself, have I been rescued from the tomb to be made the sport of a malignant destiny? My crime was a great one. But surely I suffered enough when I suffered death as an expiation of it, and I might have been left to repose in the grave. The feelings that have since come over me held no place in my imagination, but with a kind of defiant desperation I felt as if I should like to defeat the plan by which I was attempted to be punished, and even in the face of providence itself to show that it was a failure entailing far worse consequences upon others than upon me. This was my impression, so I would not play the coward and fly into the first flash of danger. I sat in my own room until the hour came for my appointment with Mr. Harding, and then I walked along the corridor with a confidence step, and let the hilt end of my scabbard clank along the floor. I knocked boldly at the door, and I thought there was a little hesitation in his voice as he bade me walk in, but this might have been only my imagination. He was seated at a table fully dressed, and in addition to his sword there was lying upon the table before him a large holster pistol, nearly half the size of a carbine. You are well prepared, said I, as I pointed to it. Yes, he said, and I mean to use it. What do they want now, I said. What do who want? I don't know, I said, but I thought I heard someone call you by name from below. Indeed. Excuse me a moment, perhaps they have made some discovery. There was wine upon the table. While he was gone I poured a glass of good-rinnish down the barrel of the pistol. I wiped it carefully with the cuff of my coat, so there was no appearance upon the barrel of anything of the sort, and when he came back he looked at me very suspiciously, as he said, nobody called me. How could you say I was called? Because I thought I heard you called. I suppose it is allowable for human nature to be fallible now and again. Yes, but then I am so surprised how you could make such a mistake. So am I. It was rather a difficult thing to answer this, and looking at me very steadily he took up the pistol and examined the priming. Of course that was all right, and he appeared to be perfectly satisfied. There will be two chairs on the table, he said, placed in the corridor, so that we can sit in perfect ease. I will not anticipate that anything will happen, but if it should I can only say that I will not be backward in the use of my weapons. I don't doubt it, said I, and commend you accordingly. That pistol must be a most formidable weapon. Does it ever misfire? Not that I know of, he said. I have loaded it with such extraordinary care that it amounts to almost an impossibility that it should. Will you take some wine? At this moment there came a loud knocking at the door of the house. I saw an expression of satisfaction come over his face, and he sprang to his feet, holding the pistol in his grasp. Do you know the meaning of that knocking, said I, at such an hour? And at the same time, with a sweep of my arm, I threw his sword off the table and beyond his reach. Yes, he said rather excitedly, you are my prisoner. It was you who caused the mischief and confusion last night. The girl is ready to swear to you, and if you attempt to escape, I'll blow your brains out. Fire at me, said I, and take the consequences. But the threat is sufficient, and you shall die for your temerity. I drew my sword, and he evidently thought his danger imminent, for he at once snapped the pistol in my face. Of course, it only flashed in the pan. But in one moment my sword went through him like a flash of light. It was a good blade the Jew had sold me. The hill struck against his breastbone, and he shrieked. Bang, bang, bang, came again at the outer door of the house. I withdrew the reeking blade, dashed it into the scabbard, just in time to prevent my landlady from opening the door, which she was almost in the act of duly. I seized her by the back of the neck and hurled her to a considerable distance, and then opening the door myself I stood behind it and let three men rush into the house, after which I quickly left it and was free. End of Chapter 233. Chapter 234 of Varney, the Vampire, Volume 3. The clergyman was perfectly amazed, as well he might be, at these revelations of the vampire. He looked up from the manuscript that Varney had left him, with a far more bewildered look than he had ever worn when studying the most abstruse sciences or difficult languages. Can I, he said, ought I to believe it? This was a question more easily asked than answered, and after pacing a little room for a time he thought he had better finish the papers of the vampire before he tortured his mind with any more suppositions upon the subject. The papers continued thus, and the clergyman was soon completely absorbed in the great interest of the strange recital they contained. I cared nothing as regarded my last adventure, so that it had one termination which was of any importance to me, namely, that termination which ensured my safety. When I got into the street I walked hurriedly on, never once looking behind me, until I was far enough off and I felt assured all pursuit was out of the question. I then began to rethink me what I had next to do. I was much revived by the draft of blood I had already had, but as yet I was sufficiently new to my vampire-like existence not to know how long such a renewal of my life and strength would last me. I certainly felt vigorous, but it was a strange, unearthly sort of vigor. Having no sort of resemblance whatever to the strength which persons in an ordinary state of existence may be supposed to feel, when the faculties are all full of life and acting together harmoniously and well. When I paused I found myself in Pelmel and not far off from the palace of St. James, which of late had seen so many changes and been the witness of such remarkable mutations in the affair of monarchs that its real chronicles would even then have afforded an instructive volume. I wandered right up to the gates of the royal pile, and then, as I was about to enter the quadrangle called the Color Court, I was rudely repulsed by a sentinel. It was not so in the time of Cromwell, but at the moment I had quite forgotten all that was so completely changed. I always bow to authority when I cannot help it, so I turned aside at once without making any remark, but as I did so I saw a small door open, not far from where I was, and two figures emerged, muffled up in brown cloaks. They looked nothing peculiar at the first glance, but when you came to examine the form and features, and to observe the manners of those two men, you could not but come to a conclusion that they were what the world would estimate as something great. Adventure to me was life itself, now that I had so strangely shuffled off all other ties that bound me to the world, and I had a reckless disregard of danger which arose naturally enough from my most singular and horrible tenure of existence. I resolved to follow these two men closely enough, and yet, if possible, without exciting their observation. "'Shall we have some sport?' said one. "'I trust that the ladies,' replied the other, will afford a sum. "'And yet they were rather coy, do you not think, on our last meeting Rochester, at your Majesty Hush, man Hush. Why are you so impudent as to Majesty me in the streets? Here would be a court scandal if any eavesdropper had heard you. You were wont to be much more careful than that.' "'I spoke,' said the other, to recall your Majesty to care. The name of Rochester, which you pronounced, is just as likely in the streets at such a time to create court scandal as that of Hush, Hush. Did I say Rochester?' "'Well—well, man, hold your peace, if I did, and come on quickly. If we can persuade them to come out, we can take them into the garden of the palace. I have the key of that most handy little door in the wall, which has served us more than once.' Of course, after this I had no difficulty in knowing that the one speaker was the restored monarch, Charles II, and the other was his favorite and dissolute companion, Rochester, of whom I had heard something, although I had been far too short a time in the land of the living again, to have any opportunity of seeing either of them before. But since they had now confessed themselves to be what they were, I could have no sort of difficulty in their recognition at any other time.' I had carefully kept out of sight while the little dialogue I have just recorded took place, so that although they more than once glanced around them suspiciously and keenly, they saw me not, and having quite satisfied them that their imprudent speech had done them no harm, they walked unhurriedly in the direction of Pimlico. Little did Charles and his companion guess how horrible a being was following close upon their track. If they had done so, they might have paused, aghast, and pursued another course to that which was occupying their attention, I had a difficult part to play in following them. For although the king was incautious enough to have been safely and easily followed by any one, Rochester was not, but kept a wary eye around him, so that I was really more than once upon the point of being detected, and yet by dent of good management I did escape. Pimlico at that time was rather a miserable neighborhood, and far, very far indeed from being what it is now. But both the king and Rochester appeared to be well acquainted with it, and they went on for a considerable distance until they came to a turning of a narrow, dismal-looking character bounded on each side, not by houses, but by garden-walls of houses, and to judge from the solidity of the height of those walls the houses should have been houses of some importance. Bravo! Bravissimo! said the king. We are thus far into the enemy territory without observation. So it seems, replied Rochester, and now think you we can find the particular wall again. Of a surety yes. Did I not ask them to hang out a handkerchief or some other signal, at which we might be this night guided in our search? And there it flutters. The king pointed to the top of the wall, where a handkerchief waved, and something, certainly in the shape of a human head, appeared against the night sky, and a sweeter voice as ever I heard in my life said, Gentlemen, I pray you go away. What? said the king. Go away, just as the sun has risen. Nay, but gentlemen, said the boys. We are afraid we are watched. We, said Rochester, you say we, and yet your fair companion is not visible. Fair sir, said the lady. It is not the easiest task in the world for one of us to stand upon a ladder. It certainly will not hold two. A fair lady, said the king. And if you can but manage to come over the wall, we will all four take one of the pleasantest strolls in the world. A friend of mine, who is a captain in the Royal Guard, will at my request allow us to walk in the private garden of St. James's Palace. Indeed! Yes, fair one, that garden of which you may have heard as the favorite resort of the gay Charles. But we are afraid, said the lady, our uncle may come home. It's very improper indeed, very indiscreet. We ought not to think of such a thing for a moment. In fact, it's decidedly wrong, gentlemen. But how are we to get over the wall? The party all laughed out together. CHAPTER 235 OF VARNEY THE VAMPIRE VOLUME 3 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Mary Herndon Bell. VARNEY THE VAMPIRE VOLUME 3 By Thomas Prescott Prest CHAPTER 235 THE PALACE GARDEN IN ST. JAMES'S It was certainly a very ingenious speech which the lady on the wall had given utterance to, and sufficiently exemplified how inclination was struggling with prudence. It was just the sort of speech which suited those to whom it was addressed. After the laughter had subsided a little, Charles spoke. By the help of the latter we have, he said, you can easily leave where you are and as easily return. But I perceive you lack the strength to lift it over this side so as to descend. Just so, said the lady in a low voice. Well, I think that by the aid of my friend Smith here I can get up to the top of the wall and assist you. Charles, by the aid of Rochester, contrived to scramble to the top of the wall, to the assistance of the two damsels who were so fearful and yet so willing to risk a little danger to their reputations for the purpose of enjoying a walk in the King's Garden at St. James's. The idea came across me of doing some mischief. But I did not just then interfere, as I wanted to see the result of the affair. The latter was duly pulled over by the monarch after both the ladies had got to the top of the wall. And while Rochester steadied it below, they descended in perfect safety and the party walked hastily from the place in the direction of St. James's. I followed them with great caution after having removed the latter to the wall of a garden several doors from the proper one. They went on talking and laughing in the gayest manner possible until they reached Buckingham House. And then they took a secluded path that led them close to the gardens of St. James's. Some overhanging trees shed such an impervious shadow upon all objects that I found I might as well be quite near to the party as far off. So I approached boldly and heard that the ladies were beginning to get a little alarmed at the secret and strictly private mode of entrance to the garden. "'Gentlemen,' said one, "'but don't go into the garden if you have no proper leave to do so.' "'Oh, but we have,' said the king. "'Lately I have had proper leave, I assure you. It did happen that for some time the leave was taken away. But I have it again, along with a few other little privileges that I wanted much.' "'You need fear nothing,' said Rochester. They all four stood in a group by the little door, while the king fumbled about with a key for some minutes before he could open the lock. At length, however, he succeeded in doing so, and the door swung open. The king dropped the key, and was unable to find it again. So leaving the door as close as they could, the party passed onwards, and I soon followed in their footsteps. The place was profoundly dark. I could feel the soft grating of fine gravel under my feet, and feeling that such a sand might betray me. I stepped aside until I trod upon a border, as I found it to be a velvet turf. The odor of sweet flowers came upon my senses, and occasionally as the night winds swept among the trees there would be a pleasant murmuring sound, quite musical, in its effect. The soft soil, effectually, prevented my footsteps from being heard. And I soon stood quite close to the parties, and found that they were at the entrance of a little gaudy pavilion, from a small painted window in which streamed a light. The ladies seemed to be rather in a flurry of apprehension. And yet the whole affair, no doubt to them, presented itself in the shape of such a charming and romantic adventure that I very much doubt if they would have gone back now had they had all the opportunity in the world so to do. Finally they all went into the pavilion. I then advanced, and finding a window that commanded a good view of the interior, I looked in, and was very much amazed at what passed. Place was decorated in a tasteful manner, although a little approaching to the gaudy, and the pictures painted in fresco up on the walls were not precisely what the strictest prudery would have considered correct, while at the same time there was nothing positively offensive in them. A table stood in the center, and was covered with rich confectionery and wine, while the lamp that had sent the stream of light through the painted window was depended from the ceiling by three massive gilt chains. Take it for all in all, it certainly was a handsome place. The king and Rochester were urging the ladies to drink wine, and now for the first time I had an opportunity of seeing the countenances of the different persons whom I had followed so far. I confess that I looked upon them with much curiosity. The ladies were decidedly handsome, and the youngest who had fallen to the lot of the king was very pretty indeed, and had a look of great innocence and sweetness upon her face. I pitied her. The king was a small, dark, sharp-featured man, and I thought that there was an obliquity in his vision. As for Rochester, he was decidedly ugly. His face was rather flat, and of a universal dirty looking white color. He certainly was not calculated to win a lady's favor. But then, for all I knew, he might have a tongue to win an angel out of heaven. Such a capacity goes much further with a woman who has any mind than all the physical graces, and women of no mind are not worth the winning. End of CHAPTER 235 CHAPTER 236 Nay, I heard the king say. They ought, and no doubt do, keep choice wine here. Drink, fair one. The young girl shook her head. Nay, now, said Charles, with a laugh, as he finished off himself, the glass that the young girl took so small a sip of. I will convince you that I think it good. The lady with whom Rochester was conversing in a low tone had no such scribbles, for she tossed off a couple of glasses as fast as they were tended to her, and talked quite at her ease, admiring the pavilion, the pictures, the hangings and furniture, and wondering whether the king ever came here himself. Rochester began mystifying her, talking to her in a low tone, while I turned my attention to the king, and the younger and certainly more estimable female of the two. The king had been talking to her in a low tone when she suddenly started to her feet, her face flushed with anger and alarm. Louisa, she said, I claim your protection. You were left in care of me. Take me home, or I will tell my uncle how you basely betrayed your trust, by persuading me there was no harm in meeting those gentlemen. Foe, the child's mad, said Louisa. Quite mad, said the king, as he advanced towards her again, she fled to the door of the pavilion. I knew not what impulse it was that urged me on, but I left the window hastily and met her. She fell into my arms, and the light fell strongly upon me as I confronted the king. The guard, the guard, he shouted. Louisa pretended to faint, and the young girl clung to me as her only protector, exclaiming, Save me, save me, oh, save me! The garden door was open. I whispered to her, follow me quickly, not a moment is to be lost. We both fled together. I was about to pass through the doorway when a shot from one of the guards struck me, and I fell to the ground as if the hand of a giant had struck me down. There was a rush of blood from my heart to my head, a burning sensation of pain for a moment or two that was most horrible, and then a sea of yellow light seemed to be all around me. I remembered no more. It was afterwards that I found this was my second death, and that the favourite, Rochester, had actually directed that I should be shot rather than permitted to escape, for he dreaded more than the monarch did, the exposure of his vices. I do not think that Charles, in like manner, had he been at hand, would have had my life taken, although it is hard to say what kings will do or what they will not when they are thwarted. CHAPTER 237 The total destruction of Varney the Vampire and Conclusion The manuscript which the clergyman had read with so much interest here abruptly terminated. He was left to conclude that Varney after that had been resuscitated, and he was more perplexed than ever to come to any opinion concerning the truth of the narration which he had now concluded. It was one week after he had finished the parousal of Varney's papers that the clergyman read in an English newspaper the following end. We extract from the Algomynet Zeitung the following most curious story, the accuracy of which, of course, we cannot vouch for, but still there is a sufficient air of probability about it to induce us to present it to our readers. Late in the evening, about four days since, a tall and melancholy-looking stranger arrived and put up at one of the principal hotels at Naples. He was a most peculiar looking man, and considered by the persons of the establishment as about the ugliest guest they had ever had within the walls of their place. In a short time he summoned the landlord, and the following conversation ensued between him and the strange guest. I want, said the stranger, to see all the curiosities of Naples, and among the rest, Mantvisuvius. Is there any difficulty? None, replied the landlord, with a proper guide. A guide was soon secured, who set out with the adventurous Englishman to make the ascent of the burning mountain. They went on then until the guide did not think it quite prudent to go any further, as there was a great fissure in the side of the mountain, out of which a stream of lava was slowly issuing and spreading itself in rather an alarming manner. The ugly Englishman, however, pointed to a secure mode of getting higher still, and they proceeded until they were very near the edge of the crater itself. The stranger then took his purse from his pocket, and flung it to the guide, saying, You can keep that for your pains and for coming into some danger with me. But the fact was that I wanted a witness to an act which I have set my mind upon performing. The guide says that these words were spoken with so much calmness that he verily believed that the act mentioned as about to be done was some scientific experiment of which he knew that the English were very fond, and he replied, Sir, I am only too proud to serve so generous and so distinguished a gentleman. In what way can I be useful? You will make what haste you can, said the stranger, from the mountain inasmuch as it is covered with sulfurous vapours, inimical to human life, and when you reach the city you will cause to be published in account of my proceedings and what I say. You will say that you accompanied Varni the Vampire to the crater of Mount Visuvius, and that, tired and disgusted with a life of horror, he flung himself in to prevent the possibility of a reanimation of his remains. Before then the guide could utter anything but a shriek, Varni took one tremendous leap and disappeared into the burning mouth of the mountain. End of chapter 237 and end of volume 3 of 3 of Varni the Vampire The Feast of Blood by Thomas Prescott Prest