 Chapter number 22 of Varney the Vampire. 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 Lisa Ash, Volley Beach, South Carolina. Varney the Vampire, Volume 1 by Thomas Prescott-Prest. Chapter 22, The Consultation, The Determination to Leave the Hall. This was certainly the most seriously reasonable meeting which had been held at Bannerworth Hall on the subject of the much-dreaded vampire. The absolute necessity for doing something of a decisive character was abundantly apparent when Henry promised Flora that her earnest wish to leave the house should not be forgotten as an element in their discussion which was about to ensue. It was with a rapidly growing feeling on his own part to the effect that the house associated, even as it was with many endearing recollections, was no home for him. Hence he was the more inclined to propose a departure from the hall if it could possibly be arranged satisfactorily in a pecuniary point of view. The pecuniary point of view, however, in which Henry was compelled to look at the subject, was an important and troublesome one. We have already hinted at the very peculiar state of the finances of the family and, in fact, although the income derivable from various sources ought to have been amply sufficient to provide Henry and those who were dependent upon him with a respectable livelihood, yet it was nearly all swallowed up by the payment of regular installments upon family debts incurred by his father. And the creditors took great credit to themselves that they allowed such an arrangement instead of sweeping off all before them and leaving the family to starve. The question, therefore, or at all events one of the questions now was how far would a departure from the hall of him, Henry, and the other branches of the family act upon that arrangement? During a very few minutes' consideration, Henry, with the frank and candid disposition which was so strong a characteristic of his character, made up his mind to explain all to the family, to Charles Holland and his uncle. When once he formed such a determination, he was not likely to be slow in carrying it into effect, and no sooner then were the whole of them seated in that small oaken parlor than he made an explicit statement of his circumstances. But, said Mr. Marchdale, when he had done, I cannot see what right your creditors have to complain of, where you live so long as you perform your contract to them. True, but they always expected me, I know, to remain at the hall, and if they chose why, of course, at any time they could sell off the whole property for what it would fetch and pay themselves as far as the proceeds would go. At all events I am quite certain there could be nothing at all left from me. I cannot imagine, added Mr. Marchdale, that any men could be so unreasonable. It is scarcely to be borne remarked, Charles Holland, with more impatience than he usually displayed, that a whole family are to be put to the necessity of leaving their home for no other reason than the being pestered by such a neighbor as Mr. Francis Varney. It makes one impatient and angry to reflect upon such a state of things. And yet they are lamentably true, said Henry, what can we do? Surely there must be some sort of remedy. There is but one that I can imagine, and that is one that we all alike revolt from. We might kill him. That is out of the question. Of course, my impression is that he bears the same name really as myself, and that he is my ancestor from whom was painted the portrait on the panel. Have circumstances really so far pressed upon you, said Charles Holland, as at length to convince you that this man is really the horrible creature we surmise him to be? Dare we longer doubt it? cried Henry in a tone of excitement. He is the vampire. I'll be hanged if I believe it, said Admiral Bell. Stuff and nonsense, vampire indeed, bother the vampire. Sir, said Henry, you have not had brought before you painfully as we have all the circumstances upon which we in a manner feel compelled to found this horrible belief. At first incredulity was a natural thing. We had no idea that ever we would be brought to believe in such a thing. That is the case, added Marchdale, but step by step, we have been driven from utter disbelief in this phenomenon to a trembling conviction that it must be true. Unless we admit that simultaneously, the senses of a number of persons have been deceived, that is scarcely possible. Then, do you mean really to say that there are such fish, said the Admiral? We think so. Well, I'm damned. I've heard all sorts of yarns about what fellows have seen in one ocean or another, but this does beat them all to nothing. It is monstrous, exclaimed Charles. There was a pause for some moment's duration, and then Mr. Marchdale sailed in a low voice. Perhaps I ought not to propose any course of action until you, Henry, have yourself done so. Even at the risk of being presumptuous, I will say that I am firmly of the opinion that you ought to leave the hall. I am inclined to think so too, said Henry. But the creditors interposed Charles. I think they might be consulted on the matter beforehand, added Marchdale, when no doubt they would acquiesce in an arrangement which could do them no harm. Certainly no harm, said Henry, for I cannot take the estate with me as they well know. Precisely. If you do not like to sell it, you can let it. To whom? Why, under the existing circumstances, it is not likely you would get any tenant for it than the one who has offered himself. Sir Francis Barney? Yes. It seems to be a great object with him to live here, and it appears to me that notwithstanding all that has occurred, it is most decidedly the best policy to let him. Nobody could really deny the reasonableness of this advice, although it seemed strange and was repugnant to the feelings of them all as they heard it. There was a pause of some second duration, and then Henry said, It does indeed seem singular to surrender one's house to such a being. Especially, said Charles, after what has occurred. True. Well, said Mr. Marchdale, if any better plan of proceeding, taking the whole case into consideration, can be devised, I shall be most happy. Will you consent to put off all proceedings for three days? said Charles Holland suddenly. Have you any plan, my dear sir? said Mr. Marchdale. I have, but it is one which I would rather say nothing about for the present. I have no objection, said Henry. I do not know that three days can make any difference in the state of affairs. Let it be so, if you wish, Charles. Then I am satisfied, said Charles. I cannot but feel that, situated as I am regarding Flora, this is almost more my affair than even yours, Henry. I cannot see that, said Henry. Why should you take upon yourself more of the responsibilities of these affairs than I, Charles? You induce in my mind a suspicion that you have some desperate project in your imagination, which by such a proposition you would seek to reconcile us to. Charles was silent, and Henry then added, now Charles, I am quite convinced that what I have hinted at is the fact. You have conceived some scheme which you fancy would be much opposed by us. I will not deny that I have, said Charles. It is one, however, which you must allow me for the present to keep locked in my own breast. Why will you not trust us, for two reasons. Indeed, the one is I have not yet thoroughly determined upon the course I project, and the other is that it is one in which I am not justified in involving anyone else. Charles, Charles, said Henry despondently, only consider for a moment into what new misery you may plunge poor Flora, who heaven knows, already sufficiently afflicted by attempting an enterprise which even we who are your friends may unwittingly cross you in the performance of. This is one in which I fear no such result. It cannot so happen. Do not urge me. Can't you say it once? What you think of doing? said the old admiral. What do you mean by turning your sails in all sorts of directions so oddly? You sneak. Why don't you be what you call it? Explicit. I cannot, uncle. What are you tongue tied? All here know well, said Charles, that if I do not unfold my mind fully, it is not that I fear to trust anyone present, but from some other more special reason. Charles, I forbid to urge you further, said Henry, and only implore you to be careful. At this moment, the room door opened, and George Bannerworth, accompanied by Mr. Chillingworth, came in. Do not let me intrude, said the surgeon. I fear, as I see you seated, gentlemen, that my presence must be a rudeness and a disturbance to some family consultation amongst yourselves. Not at all, Mr. Chillingworth, said Henry. Pray be seated. We are very glad indeed to see you. Admiral Bell, this is a friend on whom we can rely, Mr. Chillingworth. And one of the right sort I can see, said the admiral, as he shook Mr. Chillingworth by the hand. Sir, you do me such honor, said the doctor. None at all, none at all. I suppose you know all about this infernal odd vampire business. I believe I do, sir. And what do you think of it? I think time will develop the circumstance sufficiently to convince us all that such things cannot be. Damn me, you are the most sensible fellow, then, that I have yet met with, since I have been in this neighborhood, for everybody else is so convinced about the vampire that they are ready to swear by him. It would take much more to convince me. I was coming over here when I met Mr. George Bannerworth coming to my house. Yes, said George, and Mr. Chillingworth has something to tell us of a nature confirmatory of our own suspicions. It is strange, said Henry, but any piece of news, come it from what quarter it may, seems to be confirmatory in some degree or another of that dreadful belief in vampires. Well, I said the doctor, when Mr. George said that my news is of such a character, I think he goes a little too far. What I have to tell you, I do not conceive has anything what to do with the fact, or one fact, of there being vampires. Let us hear it, said George. It is simply this, that I was sent for by Sir Francis Varney myself. You sent for? Yes, he sent for me by a special messenger to come to him, and when I went, which, under the circumstances you may well guess, I did with all the celerity possible, I found it was to consult me about a flesh wound in his arm, which was showing some angry symptoms. Indeed. Yes, it was so. When I was introduced to him, I found him lying on a couch and looking pale and unwell. In the most respectful manner, he asked me to be seated, and when I had taken a chair, he added, Mr. Chillingworth, I have sent for you in consequence of a slight accident which has happened to my arm. I was unconsciously loading some firearms and discharged a pistol so close to me that a bullet inflicted a wound on my arm. If you will allow me, said I, to see the wound, I will give you my opinion. He then showed me a jagged wound which had evidently been caused by the passage of a bullet, which had it gone a little deeper, must have inflicted a serious injury. As it was, the wound was trifling. He had evidently been attempting to dress it himself, but finding some considerable inflammation, he had very likely got a little alarmed. You dressed the wound? I did. And what do you think of Sir Francis Varney now that you have had so capital and opportunities at Henry of a close observation of him? Why, there's a certain something odd about him which I cannot well define, but take him altogether. He can be a very gentlemanly man indeed. So he can. His manners are easy and polished. He has evidently mixed in good society, and I never in all my life heard such a sweet, soft, winning voice. That is strictly him. You noticed, I presume, his great likeness to the portrait on the panel. I did. At some moments, and viewing his face in some particular light, it showed much more strongly than others. My impression was that he could, when he liked, look much more like the portrait on the panel than when he allowed his face to assume its ordinary appearance. Probably such an impression would be produced upon your mind, said Charles, by some accidental expression of the continents which even he was not aware of and which often occurs in families. It may be so. Of course, you did not hint, Sir, at what had passed here with regard to him, said Henry. I did not. Being, you see, called in professionally, I had no right to take advantage of that circumstance to make any remarks to him about his private affairs. Certainly not. It was all one to me, whether he was a vampire or not, professionally, and, however deeply, I might feel personally interested in the matter. I said nothing to him about it, because, you see, if I had, he would have had the fair opportunity of saying it once, pray, sir, what is it to you? And I should have been at a loss, what to reply? Can we doubt, said Henry, but that this very wound has been inflicted upon Sir Francis Varney by the pistol bullet which was discharged at him by Flora? Everything leads to such an assumption, certainly, said Charles Holland. And yet you cannot even deduce from that the absolute fact of Sir Francis Varney being a vampire. I do not think, Mr. Chillingworth, said Marchdale, anything would convince you but a visit from him and an actual attempt to fasten upon some of your own veins. That would not convince me, said Chillingworth. Then you will not be convinced. I certainly will not. I mean to hold out to the last. I said at the first, and I say so still, that I never will give way to this most outrageous superstition. I wish I could think with you, said Marchdale, with a shutter, but there may be something in the very atmosphere of this house which has been rendered hideous by the awful visits that have been made to it which forbids me to disbelieve in those things which others more happily situated can hold at arm's length and utterly repudiate. There may be, said Henry, but as to that I think after the very strongly expressed wish of Flora, I will decide upon leaving the house. Will you sell it or let it? The latter, I should much prefer, was the reply. But who will take it now except Sir Francis Varney? Why not at once let him have it? I am well aware that this does sound odd advice, but remember we are all the creatures of circumstance and that in some cases we're released like it. We must swim with the stream. That you will not decide upon however at present, said Charles Harland as he rose. Certainly not. A few days can make no difference. None for the worse certainly and possibly much for the better. Be it so, we will wait. Uncle, said Charles, will you spare me half an hour of your company? An hour, my boy, if you want it, said the admiral rising from his chair. Then this consultation is over, said Henry, and we quite understand that to leave the hall is a matter of determined on and that in a few days a decision shall come as to whether Varney the Vampire shall be its tenant or not. End of Chapter 22. Recording by Lisa Esch, Bali Beach, South Carolina. Chapter 23 of Varney the Vampire. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Varney the Vampire. Volume 1 by Thomas Prescott Prest. Chapter 23. The Admiral's Advice to Charles Harland. The Challenge to the Vampire. When Charles Harland got his uncle into a room by themselves, he said, Uncle, you are a seaman, and accustomed to decide upon matters of honour. I look upon myself as having been most grievously insulted by this Sir Francis Varney. All accounts agree in representing him as a gentleman. He goes openly by a title which, if it were not his, could easily be contradicted, and therefore on the score of position in life there is no fault to find with him. What would you do if you were insulted by this gentleman? The old Admiral's eyes sparkled, and he looked comically in the face of Charles as he said, I now know where you are steering. What would you do, Uncle? Fight him. I knew you'd say so, and that's just what I want to do as regards to Francis Varney. Well, my boy, I don't know that you could do better. He must be a thundering rascal, whether he's a vampire or not. So if you feel that he has insulted you, fight him by all means, Charles. I am much pleased, Uncle, to find that you take my view of the subject, said Charles. I knew that if I mentioned such a thing to the Bannerworths, they would endeavour all in their power to persuade me against it. Yes, no doubt, because they're all impressed with the strange fear of this pharaoh's vampire powers. Besides, if a man is going to fight, the fewer people he mentions it to, the most decidedly the better, Charles. I believe that is the fact, Uncle. Should I overcome Varney, there will most likely be at once an end to the numerous and uncomfortable perplexities of the Bannerworths as regards him, and if he overcome me, why then at all events I shall have made an effort to rescue Flora from the dread of this man? And then he shall fight me, added the Admiral, so he shall have two chances at all events, Charles. Nay, Uncle, that would you know scarcely be fair. Besides, if I should fall, I solemnly bequeath Flora Bannerworth to your good offices. I much fear that the pecuniary affairs of poor Henry, from no fault of his heaven knows, are in a very bad state, and that Flora might yet live to want some kind and able friend. Never fear, Charles, the young creature shall never want while the old Admiral has got a shot in the locker. Thank you, Uncle, thank you. I have ample cause to know, and to be able to rely upon your kind and generous nature. And now, about the challenge? You write it, boy, and I'll take it. Will you second me, Uncle? To be sure I will. I wouldn't trust anybody else to do so on any account. You leave all the arrangements with me, and I'll second you as you ought to be seconded. Then I will write it at once. For I have received injuries at the hands of that man, or devil, be he what he may, that I cannot put up with. His visit to the chamber of her whom I love would alone constitute ample ground of action. I should say it rather would, my boy. And after this corroborative story of the wound, I cannot for a moment doubt that Sir Francis Varney is the Vampire, or the Personifier of the Vampire. That's clear enough, Charles. Come, just draw you right your challenge, my boy, at once. Let me have it. I will, Uncle. Charles was a little astonished, although pleased, at his uncle's ready acquiescence in his fighting of Vampire, but that circumstance he ascribed to the old man's habits of life, which made him so familiar with strife and personal contentions of all sorts, that he did not ascribe to it that amount of importance which more peaceable people did. Had he, while he was writing the note to Sir Francis Varney, seen the old Admiral's face and the exceedingly cunning look it wore, he might have suspected that the acquiescence in the duel was but a seeming acquiescence. This, however, escaped him, and in a few moments he read to his uncle the following note. To Sir Francis Varney. Sir. The expressions made you soft wards me by you, as well as general circumstances which I need not further allude to here, induce me to demand of you that satisfaction due from one gentleman to another. My uncle, Admiral Bell, is the bearer of this note, and will arrange preliminaries with any friend you may choose to appoint to act in your behalf. I am, Sir, yours, etc. Charles Holland. Will that do? said Charles. Capital, said the Admiral. I am glad you like it. Oh, I could not help liking it. The least said and the most of the purpose always pleases me best, and this explains nothing and demands all you want, which is a fight, so it's all right, you see, and nothing can possibly be better. Charles did glance in his uncle's face for he suspected, from the manner in which these words were uttered, that the old man was amusing himself a little at his expense. The Admiral, however, looked so supernaturally serious that Charles was foiled. I repeat, it's a capital letter, he said. Yes, you said so. Well, what are you staring at? Oh, nothing. Do you doubt my word? Not at all, uncle. Only I thought there was a degree of irony in the manner in which you spoke. Not at all, my boy. I was never more serious in all my life. Very good. Then you will remember that I leave my honour in this affair completely in your hands. Depend on me, my boy. I will, and do. I'll be off. See the fellow at once. The Admiral bustled out of the room, and in a few moments Charles heard him calling loudly, Jack! Jack Pringle, you lover, where are you? Jack Pringle, I say. Aye-aye, sir, said Jack, emerging from the kitchen, where he had been making himself generally useful in assisting Mrs. Bannerworth, there being no servant in the house, to cook some dinner for the family. Come on, you rascal. We're going for a walk. The rations will be served out soon, growl, Jack. We shall be back in time, you cormorant, never fear. You are always thinking of eating and drinking, you are, Jack, and I'll be hanged if I think you ever think of anything else. Come on, will you. I'm going on rather a particular cruise, just now, so mind what you're about. Aye-aye, sir, said the tar, and these two originals, who so perfectly understood each other, walked away, conversing as they went, and their different voices coming upon the ear of Charles, until distance obliterated all impression of the sound. Charles paced to and fro in the room where he had held this brief and conclusive conversation with his uncle. He was thoughtful, as any one might well be, who knew not but that the next four and twenty hours would be the limit of his sojourn in this world. Oh, flora, flora here, Lenk said! How happy we might have been! But all is past now, and there seems nothing left us, and that is in my killing this fearful man, who is invested with so dreadful an existence. And if I do kill him, in fare and in open fight, I will take care that his mortal frame has no power again to revisit the glimpses of the moon. It was strange to imagine that such was the force of many concurrent circumstances. The young man, like Charles Holland, of first rate abilities in education, should find it necessary to give in so far to a belief which was repugnant to all his best feelings and habits of thought, as to be reasoning with himself upon the best means of preventing the resuscitation of the corpse of a vampire. But so it was. His imagination had yielded to a succession of events which very few persons indeed could have held out against. I have heard and read, he said, as he continued his agitated and uneasy walk, of how these dreadful beings are to be kept in their graves. I've heard of stakes being driven through the body, so as to pin it to the earth until the gradual progress of decay has rendered its revivication a thing of utter and total impossibility. Then again, he added, after a slight pause, I have heard of their being burned, and the ashes scattered to the winds of heaven to prevent them from ever again uniting or assuming human form. These were disagreeable and strange fancies, and he shuddered while he indulged in them. He felt a kind of trembling horror come over him, even at the thought of engaging in conflict with a being who perhaps had lived more than a hundred years. That portrait, he thought, on the panel, is the portrait of a man in the prime of life. If it be the portrait of Sir Francis Varney, by the date which the family has scribed to it, he must be nearly one hundred and fifty years of age now. This was a supposition which carried the imagination to a vast amount of strange conjectures. What changes he must have witnessed about him in that time, thought Charles? How he must have seen kingdoms totter and fall, and how many changes of habits, of manners, and of custom must he have become a spectator of? Renewing to, ever and unknown, his fearful existence by such fearful means. This was a wide field of conjecture for a fertile information, and now that he was on the eve of engaging with such a being in mortal combat, on behalf of her he loved, the thoughts it gave rise to came more strongly and thickly upon him than ever they had done before. But I will fight him, he suddenly said, for Flora's sake, were he a hundred times more hideous a being than so many evidences tend to prove him. I will fight with him, and it may be my fate to rid the world of such a monster in human form. Charles worked himself up to a kind of enthusiasm, by which he almost succeeded in convincing himself that, in attempting the destruction of Sir Francis Varney, he was the champion of human nature. It would be aside from the object of these pages, which is to record facts as they occurred, to enter into the metaphysical course of reasoning which came across Charles' mind, suffice it to say that he felt nothing shaken as regarded his resolve to meet Varney, the vampire, and that he made up his mind the conflict should be one of life and death. It must be so, he said, it must be so, either he or I must fall in the fight which shall surely be. He now sought Flora, for how soon might he now be torn from her forever by the irresistible hand of death. He felt that, during the few brief hours, which now would only elapse previous to his meeting with Sir Francis Varney, he could not enjoy too much of the society of her who reigned supreme in his heart, and held in her own keeping his best affections. But, while Charles is thus employed, let us follow his uncle and Jack Pringle to the residence of Varney, which, as the reader is aware, was so near at hand that it required not many minutes sharp walking to reach it. The admiral knew well he could trust Jack with any secret, for long habits of discipline and deference to the orders of superiors takes off the propensity to blabbering which, among civilians who are not accustomed to discipline, is so very prevalent. The old man therefore explained to Jack what he meant to do, and it received Jack's full approval, but, as in the enforced detail of other matters it must come out, we will not hear prematurely enter into the admiral's plans. When they reached the residence of Sir Francis Varney, they were received, courteously enough, and the admiral desired Jack to wait for him in the handsome hall of the house, while he was shown upstairs to the private room of the vampire. Confunder fellow! muttered the old admiral. He's well lodged all events. I should say he was not one of those vampires who have nowhere to go but their own coffins when the evening comes. The room into which the admiral was shown had green blinds to it, and they were all drawn down. It is true that the sun was shining brightly outside, although transiently, but still a strange green tinge was thrown over everything in the room, and more particularly did it appear to fall upon the face of Varney, converting his usually sallow countenance into a still more hideous and strange colour. He was sitting upon a couch, and when the admiral came in he rose and said, in a deep-toned voice, extremely different to that he usually spoke in. My humble home is much honoured, sir, by your presence in it. Good morning, said the admiral. I've come to speak to you, sir, rather seriously. However abrupt this announcement may sound to me, said Varney, I am quite sure I shall always hear with the most profound respect whatever Admiral Bell might have to say. There's no respect required, said the admiral, but only a little attention. Sir Francis bowed in a stately manner, saying, I shall be quite unhappy if you will not be seated, Admiral Bell. Oh, never mind that, sir Francis Varney. If you be, sir Francis Varney, if you may be the devil himself, for all I know, my nephew Charles Holland considers that one way and another he has a very tolerable quarrel with you. I much grieve to hear it. Do you? Believe me I do. I am most scrupulous in what I say, and an assertion that I am grieved you may thoroughly and entirely depend upon. Well, well, never mind that. Charles Holland is a young man just entering into life. He loves a girl who is, I think, every way worthy of him. Oh, what a felicitous prospect. Just hear me out, if you please. With pleasure, sir, with pleasure. Well, then, when a young, hot-headed fellow thinks he has a good ground of quarrel with anybody, you'll not be surprised at his wanting to fight it out. Not at all. Well, then, to come to the point, my nephew Charles Holland has a fancy for fighting with you. Ah! You take it damned easy. My dear sir, why should I be uneasy? He's not my nephew, you know. I shall have no particular cause beyond those feelings of common compassion which I hope inhabit my breast, as well as everyone else's. What do you mean? Why, he is a young man, just, as you say, entering into life, and I cannot help thinking it would be a pity to cut him off like a flower in the bud so very soon. Oh! You make quite sure, then, of settling him, do you? Oh, my dear sir, only consider. He might be very troublesome indeed. You know young men are hot-headed and troublesome. Even if I were only to maim him, he might be a continual and never-ceasing annoyance to me. I think I should be absolutely, in a manner of speaking, compelled to cut him off. The devil you do! As you say, sir. Damn your assurance, Mr. Vampar, or whatever odd fish you may be! Admiral Bell. I never called upon you, and received a courteous reception, and then insulted you. Then why do you talk of cutting off a better man than yourself? Damn it! What would you say to him cutting you off? Oh! as for me, my good sir, that's quite another thing. Cutting me off is very doubtful. Sir Francis Varney gave a strange smile as he spoke, and shook his head as if some most extraordinary and extravagant proposition had been mooted, which it was scarcely worth the while of anybody possessed of common sense to set about expecting. Admiral Bell felt strongly inclined to get into a rage, but he repressed the idea as much as he could. Although, but for the curious faint green light that came through the lines, his heightened colour would have sufficiently proclaimed what state of mind he was in. Mr. Varney, he said, all this is quite beside the question, but at all events, if it have any weight at all, it could to have considerable influence in deciding you to accept the terms I propose. What are they, sir? Why, that you permit me to espouse my nephew Charles's quarrel and meet you instead of him. You meet me? I've met a better man more than once before. It can make no difference to you. I don't know that, Admiral Bell. One generally likes, in a duel, to face him with whom one has had the misunderstanding, beyond what grounds it may. There's some reason I know in what you say, but surely if I'm willing you need not object. And is your nephew willing, thus, to shift the danger and the job of resenting his own quarrels onto your shoulders? No. He knows nothing about it. He's written you a challenge of which I am the bearer, but I, voluntarily and of my own accord, wish to meet you instead. This is a strange mode of proceeding. If you will not accede to it, and fight him first in any harm, comes to him you shall fight me afterwards. Indeed. Yes, indeed you shall, however surprised you may look. As this appears to be a family affair, then, said Sir Francis Vanny, it certainly does appear immaterial which of you I fight with first. Quite so. Now, you take a sensible view of the question. Will you meet me? I have no particular objection. Have you settled all your affairs and made your will? What's that to you? Oh, I only asked, because there is generally so much food for litigation if a man dies in test-date, and it's worth any money. You make devilish sure, said the Admiral, of being the victor. Have you made your will? Oh, my will, smiled Sir Francis, that. My good sir is quite an indifferent fare. Well, make it or not as you like. I'm old, I know, but I can pull a trigger as well as any one. Do what? Pull a trigger. Why, you don't suppose I resort to any such barbarous modes of fighting? Barbarous? Why, how do you fight, then? As a gentleman, with my sword. Sword? Oh, nonsense! Nobody fights with swords nowadays. That's all exploded. I cling to the customs and fashions of my youth, said Vanny. I have been years ago accustomed always to wear a sword, and to be without one now vexes me. Pray, how many years ago? I am older than I look, but that is not the question. I am willing to meet you with swords, if you like. You are no doubt aware that, as the challenged party, I am entitled to the choice of weapons. I am? Then you cannot object to my availing myself of the one in the use of which I am perfectly unequal. Indeed. Yes. I am, I think, the first swordsman in Europe. I have had immense practice. Well, sir, you've certainly made a most unexpected choice of weapons. I can use a sword still, but am by no means a master of fencing. However, it shall not be said that I went back from my word, and let the chances be as desperate as they may, I will meet you. Very good. With swords? With swords, but I must have everything properly arranged, so that no blame can rest on me, you know. As you will be killed, you are safe from all consequences, but I shall be in a very different position. So if you please, I must have this meeting got up in such a manner as shall enable me to prove to whoever may question me on the subject that you had fair play. Oh, never fear that! But I do fear it. The world, my good sir, is sensorious, and you cannot stop people from saying extremely ill-natured things. What is it that you require, then? I require that you send me a friend with a formal challenge. Well, then I shall refer him to a friend of mine, and they too must settle everything between them. Is that all? Not quite. I will have a surgeon on the ground, in case, when I pick you, there shall be a chance of saving your life. It always looks humane. When you pick me? Precisely. Upon my word you take these affairs easy. I suppose you have had a few of them? Oh, a good number. People like yourself worry me into them. I don't like the trouble, I assure you. It is no amusement to me. I would rather, by a great deal, make some concession than fight, because I will fight with swords, and the result is then so certain that there is no danger in the matter to me. How cute, Sir Francis Varney! You're either a very clever actor, or a man as you say of such skill with your sword, that you can make sure of the result of a duel. You know, therefore, that it is not fair play on your part to fight a duel with that weapon. Oh! I beg your pardon, there. I never challenge anybody. And when foolish people call me out, contrary to my inclination, I think I am bound to take what care of myself I can. Damn me! There's some reason in that too, said the Admiral. But why do you insult people? People insult me first. Oh, nonsense! How should you like to be called a vampire, and stare at as if you were some hideous natural phenomenon? Well, but— I say, Admiral Bell, how should you like it? I am a harmless country gentleman, and because in the heated imagination of some member of a crack-brained family some house-breaker has been converted into a vampire, I am to be pitched upon as the man, and insulted and persecuted accordingly. But you forget the proofs. What proofs? The portrait for one. What? Because there is an accidental likeness between me and an old picture. Am I to be set down as a vampire? Why? When I was in Austria last I saw an old portrait of a celebrated court fool, and you so strongly resemble it that I was quite struck when I first saw you with the likeness. But I was not so unpolite as to tell you that I considered you were the court fool, turned vampire. Damn your assurance! And damn yours if you come to that! The Admiral was fairly beaten. General Francis Varnier was by far too long-headed and witty for him, and now, in vain endeavouring to find something to say, the old man buttoned up his coat in a great passion and looking fiercely at Varnier, he said, I don't pretend to have the gift of the gab. Damn me, it ain't one of my peculiarities, but though you may talk me down you shan't keep me down. Very good, sir. It is not very good. You shall hear from me. I don't care whether you're willing or not. You shall find that once I begin to tackle an enemy I don't so easily leave him. One or both of us, sir, is sure to sink. Agreed. So say I. You shall find that I'm atar for all weathers, and if you were a hundred and fifty vampires all rolled into one I tackle you somehow. The Admiral walked to the door in high dudgeon. When he was near to it, Varnier said, in some of his most winning and gentle accents, Will you not take some refreshment, sir, before you go from my humble house? No! roared the Admiral. Something cooling? No. Very good, sir. A hospitable host can do no more than offer to entertain his guests. Admiral Bell turned at the door and said with some degree of intense bitterness, You look rather poorly. I suppose to-night you will go and suck somebody's bloody shark. You can find it vampire. You ought to be made to swallow a red-hot brick, and then let dance about till it digests. Varnier smiled as he rang the bell and said to a servant, Show my very excellent friend Admiral Bell out. He will not take any refreshments. The servant bowed and preceded the Admiral down the staircase, But to his great surprise, instead of a compliment in the shape of a shilling or a half a cry for his pains, He received a tremendous kick behind with a request to go and take it to his master with his compliments. The fume that the old Admiral was in beggars all description. He walked to Bannerworth Hall at such a rapid pace that Jack Pringle had the greatest difficulty in the world to keep up with him so as to be at all within speaking distance. Hello, Jack! cried the old man when they were close to the hall. Did you see me kick that fellow? Aye, aye, sir. Well, that's some consolation at any rate, if somebody saw it. It ought to have been his master, that's all I can say to it, and I wish it had. Have you settled it, sir? Settle what? The fight, sir. Damn me, Jack! I haven't settled it at all. That's bad, sir. I know it is. But it shall be settled for all that I can tell him, Let him vapor as much as he may about pinking me and one thing and another. Pinking you, sir? Yes. He wanted to fight with cutleresses or toasting forks. Damn me, I don't know exactly which. But then he must have a surgeon on the ground for fear when he pinks me. I shouldn't slip my cable in a regular way, and he should be blamed. Jack gave a long whistle, as he replied. Can I do it, sir? I don't know what I'm going to do. Mind, Jack, mum's the word. Aye, aye, sir. I'll turn the matter over in my mind, then decide upon what is best to be done. If he pinks me, I'll take damn good care he don't pink Charles. No, sir. Don't let him do that. Vampire, sir, ain't no good opponent to any one. I never seed one or four, but he strikes me as the best way to settle him. I'll be to shut him up in some little bit of a cabin, and then smoke him with brimstone, sir. Well, well, I'll consider, Jack. I'll consider. Something must be done, and that quickly, too. Sounds. He is Charles. What a deuce shall I say to him by way of an excuse, I wonder, for not arranging his affair with Varney. Hang me, if I ain't taken aback now, and don't know where to place a hand. End of chapter 23. It was Charles Holland who now advanced hurriedly to meet the Admiral. The young man's manner was anxious. It was evidently most intent upon knowing what answer could be sent by Sir Francis Varney to his challenge. Uncle, he said, tell me at once, will they meet me? You can talk of particulars afterwards, but now tell me at once if he will meet me. Um, why, as to that, said the Admiral, with a great deal of fidgety hesitation, you see, I can't exactly say. Not say? No, he's a very odd fish. Don't you think he's a very odd fish, Jack Pringle? Aye, aye, sir. There, you hear, Charles, that Jack is of my opinion that your opponent is an odd fish. But, uncle, why trifle with my impatience thus? Have you seen Sir Francis Varney? Seen him? Oh, yes. And what did he say? Why, to tell you the truth, my lad, I advise you not to fight with him at all. Uncle, is this like you? This advice from you to compromise my honour after sending a man a challenge? Damn it all, Jack. I don't know how to get out of it, said the Admiral. I tell you what it is, Charles. He wants to fight with sorts, and what on earth is the use of your engaging with a fellow who has been practicing at his weapon for more than a hundred years? Well, uncle, if anyone had told me that you would be terrified by this Sir Francis Varney to advise me not to fight, I should have had no hesitation in whatever and saying such a thing was impossible. I terrified? Why, you advise me not to meet this man even after I've challenged him? Jack, said the Admiral, I can't carry it on, you see. I never could go on with anything that was not as plain as an anchor, and quite straightforward. I must just tell all that has occurred. Aye aye, sir, the best way. You think so, Jack? I know it is, sir, always asking pardon for having an opinion at all, excepting when it happens to be the same as you're in, sir. Hold your tongue, you libelous villain. Now listen to me, Charles, I got up a scheme of my own. Charles gave a groan for yet a very tolerable appreciation of his uncle's amount of skill in getting up a scheme of any kind of description. Now here am I, continued the Admiral, an old hulk, and not fit for use anymore. What's the use of me, I should like to know. Well, that's settled, but you are young and hearty, and have a long life before you. Why should you throw away your life upon a loverly vampire? I begin to perceive now, uncle, said Charles reproachfully. Why you, with such apparent readiness, agreed to this duel taking place. Well, I intended to fight the fellow myself. That's the long and short of it, boy. How could you treat me so? No nonsense, Charles. I tell you, it was all in the family. I intended to fight him myself. What was the odds whether I slipped my cable with his assistants or in the regular course a little after this? That's the way to argue the subject. So, as I tell you, I made up my mind to fight him myself. Charles looked despairingly, but said, What was the result? Oh, the result? Damn me, I suppose that's to come. The vagabond won't fight like a Christian. He says he's quite willing to fight anyone that calls him out, provided it's all regular. Well, well, and he, being the party challenged, for he says he never himself challenges anyone, as he is quite tired of it, must have his choice of weapons. He is entitled to that, but it is generally understood nowadays that pistols are the weapons and use among gentlemen for such purposes. Ah, but he won't understand any such thing, I tell you. He will fight with swords. I suppose he is, then, an adept at the use of the sword? He says he is. No doubt, no doubt. I cannot blame a man for choosing, when he has the liberty of choice, that weapon in the use of which he most particularly from practice excels. Yes, but if he be one half the swordsman he has had time enough, according to all accounts to be, what sort of chance have you with him? Do I hear you reasoning thus? Yes, to be sure you do. I have turned wonderfully prudent, you see, so I mean to fight him myself, and mind now you have nothing whatever to do with it. An effort of prudence, that certainly. Well, didn't I? Come, come, uncle, this won't do. I have challenged Sir Francis Varney, and I must meet him with any weapon he may, as the challenged party, choose to select. Besides, you are not, I daresay, aware that I am a very good fencer, and probably stand as fair a chance as Varney in a contest with swords. Indeed. Yes, uncle, I could not be so long on the continent as I have been without picking up a good knowledge of the sword, which is so popular all over Germany. But only consider this damned fellow is no less than a hundred and fifty years old. I care not. Yes, but I do. Uncle, uncle, I tell you I will fight with him, and if you do not arrange matters for me so I can have the meeting with this man, which I have myself sought, and cannot, even if I wished, now received from with honour, I must seek some other less scrupulous friend to do so. Give me an hour or two to find out. Give me an hour or two to think of it, Charles, said the emerald. Don't speak to anyone else, but give me a little time. You shall have no cause of complaint. Your honour cannot suffer in my hands. I will wait, your leisure, uncle, but remember that such affairs as these, when once broached, had always better be concluded with all convenient dispatch. I know that, boy, I know that! The emerald walked away, and Charles, who really felt much fretted at the delay which had taken place, returned to the house. He had not been there long, when a lad who had been temporarily hired during the morning by Henry to answer the gate, brought him a note, saying, A servant, sir, left this for you just now. For me, said Charles, as he glanced at the direction, this is strange, for I have no acquaintance about here. Does anyone wait? No, sir. The note was properly directed to him, therefore Charles Holland at once opened it. A glance at the bottom of the page told him that it came from the enemy Sir Francis Varney, and then he read it with much eagerness. It ran thus. Sir, your uncle, as he stated himself to be, Admiral Bell was the bearer to me, as I understood him this day, of a challenge from you. Owing to some unaccountable hallucination of intellect, he seemed to imagine that I intended to set myself up as a sort of animated target for anyone to shoot at who might have a fancy to do so. According to this eccentric view of the case, the Admiral had the kindness to offer to fight me first. When, should he not have the good fortune to put me out of the world, you were to try your skill doubtless. I need scarcely say that I object to these family arrangements. You have challenged me, and fancying the offense sufficient, you defy me to mortal combat. If, therefore, I fight with anyone at all, it must be with you. You will clearly understand me, sir, that I do not accuse you of being at all privy to this freak of intellect of your uncles. He, no doubt, alone conceived it with a laudable desire on his part of serving you. If, however, you have any inclination to meet me, do so tonight, in the middle of the park surrounding your own friend's estate. There is a pollard oak grown close to a small pool. You, no doubt, have noticed that spot often. Meet me there, if you please, and any satisfaction you like, I will give you, at twelve o'clock this night. Come alone, or you will not see me. It shall be at your own option entirely to convert the meeting to a hostile one, or not. You need send me no answer to this. If you are at the place I mention at the time I have named Well and Good, if you are not, I can only, if I please, imagine that you shrink from a meeting with Francis Varney. Charles Holland read this letter twice over carefully, and then folding it up and placing it in his pocket he said, Yes, I will meet him. He may be assured that I do not shrink from Francis Varney. In the name of honour, love, virtue, and heaven I will meet this man, and it shall go hard with me, but I will this night ring from him the secret of what he really is, for the sake of her who is so dear to me. For her sake I will meet this man, or monster be he what he may. It would have been far more prudent had Charles informed Henry Bannerworth or George of his determination to meet the vampire that evening, but he did not do so. Somehow he fancied it would be some reproach against his courage if he did not go and go alone, too, for it could not help suspecting that from the conduct of his uncle, so Francis Varney might have got up an opinion inimical to his courage. With all the eager excitement of youth there was nothing that arrayed itself to his mind in such melancholy and uncomfortable colours as an imputation upon his courage. I will show this vampire, if he be such, he said, that I am not afraid to meet him, and alone, too, at his own hour, at midnight, even when, if his preternatural powers be of more avail to him than at any other time, he can attempt, if he dare, to use them. Charles resolved upon going armed, and with the greatest care he loaded his pistols and placed them aside ready for action, when the time should come to set out to meet the vampire at the spot in the park which he had particularly alluded to in his letter. This spot was perfectly well known to Charles. Indeed, no one could be a single day at Bennerworth Hall without noticing it, so prominent an object that was that polaroid oak standing, as it did, alone, with the beautiful green sword all around it. Near it was the pool which had been mentioned, which was, in reality, a fish pond, and some little distance off commenced the thick plantation, among the intricacies of which Sir Francis Varney, or the vampire, had been supposed to disappear after the revivification of his body at the full of the moon. This spot was in view of several of the windows of the house, that if the night should happen to be a very light one, and any of the inhabitants of the hall should happen to have the curiosity to look from those particular windows, no doubt the meeting between Charles Holland and the vampire would be seen. This, however, was a contingency which was nothing to Charles, whatever it might be to Sir Francis Varney, and he scarcely at all considered it was worth consideration. He felt more happy and comfortable now that everything seemed to be definitely arranged by which he could come to some sort of explanation with that mysterious being, who had so effectually, as yet, succeeded in destroying his peace of mind and his prospects of happiness. I will this night force him to declare himself thought, Charles. He shall tell me who and what he really is, and by some means I will endeavour to put an end to those frightful persecutions which Flora has suffered. This was a thought which considerably raised Charles' spirits, and when he saw Flora again, which he now did, she was surprised to see him so much more easy and composed in his mind, which was sufficiently shown by his manner than he had been but so a short time before. Charles, she said, what has happened to give such an impetus to your spirits? Nothing, dear Flora, nothing. But I have been endeavouring to throw from my mind all gloomy thoughts, and to convince myself that in the future you and I, dearest, may yet be very happy. Oh, Charles, if I could but think so. Endeavour, Flora, to think so. Remember how much our happiness is always in our own power, Flora, and that let fate do her worst, so long as we are true to each other we have a recompense for every ill. Oh, indeed, Charles, that is a dear recompense. And it is well that no force of circumstances, short of death itself, can divide us. True, Charles, true, and I am more than ever now bound to look upon you with a loving heart, for have you not clung to me generously under circumstances which, if any at all, could have mystified you in rending asunder every tie which bound us together, surely would have done so most fully. It is misfortune and distress that tries love, said Charles. It is thus that the touchstone is applied to see if it be current gold indeed, or some base metal by which a superficial glitter imitates it. And your love is indeed true gold. I am unworthy of one glance from those dear eyes if it were not. Oh, if we could but go from here, I think then we might be happy. A strong impression is upon my mind and has been so for some time that these persecutions to which I have been subjected are peculiar to this house. Think you so? I do indeed. It may be so, Flora. You are aware that your brother has made up his mind that he will leave the hall? Yes, yes. And that only in deference to an expressed wish of mine he put off the carrying of such a resolve into effect for a few days? He said so much. Do not, however, imagine, dearest Flora, that those few days will be idly spent. Nay, Charles, I could not imagine so. Believe me, I have some hope that in that short space of time I shall be able to accomplish yet something which shall have a material effect upon the present posture of affairs. Do not run into danger, Charles. I will not. Believe me, Flora, I have too much appreciation of the value of an existence which is blessed by your love to counter any needless risks. You say needless. Why do you not confide in me and tell me if the object you have in view to accomplish in the few days delay is a dangerous one at all? Will you forgive me, Flora, if for once I keep a secret from you? Then, Charles, along with the forgiveness I must conjure up with a host of apprehensions. Nay, why so? You would tell me if there were no circumstances that you feared would fear and not your judgment condemn me. Surely you cannot think me so utterly heedless as to court danger for danger's sake. No, not so. You pause. And yet you have a sense of what you call honor which I fear would lead you into much risk. I have a sense of honor but not that foolish one which hangs far more upon the opinions of others than my own. If I thought a course of honor lay before me and all the world in a wrong, I would follow it. You are right, Charles. You are right. Let me pray of you to be careful, and at all events to interpose no more delay to our leaving this house, then you shall feel convinced is absolutely necessary for some object of real and permanent importance. Charles promised Flora Bannerworth that for her sake, as well as his own, he would be most specially careful of his safety. And then in such endearing conversation as may well be supposed to be dictated by such hearts their happy hour was passed away. They pictured to themselves the scene where first they met, and with a world of interest hanging on every word they uttered, they told each other the first delightful donnings of that affection which had sprung up between them, and which they fondly believed neither time nor circumstance would have the power to change or subvert. In the meantime the old Admiral was surprised that Charles was so patient and had not been to him to demand the result of his deliberation, but he thought that time flies when in the presence of those whom we love what was an actual hour was about a fleeting minute to Charles Holland as he sat with Flora's hand clasped in his and looking at her sweet face. At length the clock striking reminded him of his engagement with his uncle and he reluctantly rose. Dear Flora, he said, I'm going to sit up to watch tonight so be under no sort of apprehension. I will feel doubly safe, she said. I have now something to talk to and must leave you. Flora smiled and held out her hand to him. He pressed it to his heart. He knew not what impulse came over him, but for the first time he kissed the cheek of the beautiful girl. With a heightened color she gently repulsed him. He took a long lingering look at her as he passed out of the room and when the door was closed between them the sensation he experienced was as if some sudden cloud had swept across the face of the sun, dimming to a vast extent its precious luster. A strange heaviness came across his spirits, which before had been so unaccountably raised, he felt as if the shadow of some coming evil was resting on his soul, as if some momentous calamity was preparing for him, which would almost be enough to drive him to madness and irredeemable despair. What can this be, he exclaimed, that thus oppressed me? What feeling is this that seems to tell me I shall never again see Flora Bannerworth? Unconsciously he uttered these words, which betrayed the nature of his worst forebodings. Oh, this is weakness, he then added. I must fight out against this. It is mere nervousness. I must not endure it. I will not suffer myself thus to become the sport of imagination. Courage! Courage, Charles Haaland! There are real evils enough without you are adding to them by those of a disordered fancy. Courage! Courage! Courage! End of Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Charles then sought the admiral, whom he found with his hands behind him, pacing to and fro in one of the long walks of the garden, evidently in a very unsettled state of mind. When Charles appeared he quickened his pace and looked in such a state of unusual perplexity that it was quite ridiculous to observe him. I suppose, Uncle, you have made up your mind thoroughly by this time? Well, I don't know that. Why, you have had long enough surely to think over it. I've not troubled you soon. Well, I cannot exactly say you have, but somehow or another I don't think very fast. And I have an unfortunate propensity after a time of coming exactly round to where I began. Then to tell the truth, Uncle, you can come to no sort of conclusion. Only one. And what may that be? Why, that you are right in one thing, Charles, which is that having set a challenge to this fellow of a vampire, you must fight him. I suspect that that is a conclusion you had from the first, Uncle. Why so? Because it is an obvious and natural one. All your doubts and trouble and perplexities have been to try and find some excuse for not entertaining that opinion. And now that you really find it in vain to make it, I trust that you will cede as you first promise to do and not seek by any means to thwart me. I will not thwart you, my boy, although in my opinion you ought not fight with a vampire. Never mind that. We cannot urge that as a valid excuse so long as he chooses to deny being one. And after all, if you be really wrongfully suspected, you must admit that he is a very injured man. Injured? Nonsense. If he is not a vampire, some other out-of-the-way sort of fish, you may depend. He is the oddest-looking fellow ever I came across in all my born days a shore or a float. Is he? Yes, he is. And yet when I come to look at the thing again, in my mind, some drool sights that I have seen come across my memory. The sea is a place for wonders and for mysteries. I see more in a day and a night there than you, landsmen, could contrive to make a whole twelve months wonder of. But you never saw a vampire, Uncle? Well, I don't know that. I didn't know anything about vampires till I came here, but that was my ignorance, you know. There might have been lots of vampires where I've been for all I know. Oh, certainly, but as regards this duel, will you wait now until tomorrow morning before you take any further steps in the matter? Till tomorrow morning? Why, only a little while ago you were all eagerness to have something done offhand. Just so, but now I have a particular reason for waiting until tomorrow morning. Have you? Well, as you please, boy, as you please, have everything your own way. You're very kind, Uncle. And now I have another favor to ask of you. What is it? Why, you know that Henry Bannerworth receives but a very small sum out of the whole proceeds of the estate here, which ought but for his father's extravagance to be wholly at his disposal. And so I've heard. I'm certain he is at present distressed for money, and I have not much. Will you lend me fifty pounds, Uncle, until my own affairs are sufficiently arranged to enable you to pay yourself again? Will I? Of course I will. I wish to offer that sum as an accommodation to Henry. From me I dare say he will receive it freely because he must be convinced how freely it is offered. And besides they look upon me now almost as a member of the family in consequence of my engagement with Flora. Certainly, and quite correct, too. There's a fifty pound note, my boy. Take it and do what you like with it. And when you want any more, come to me for it. I know I could trespass thus far on your kindness, Uncle. Trespass? It is no trespass at all. Well, we will not fall out about the terms in which I cannot help expressing my gratitude to you for many favors. Tomorrow you will arrange the duel for me. As you please. I don't altogether like going to that fellow's house again. Well, then we can manage. I dare say by note. Very good. Do so. He puts me in mind altogether of a circumstance that happened a good while ago when I was at sea, and not so old a man as I am now. Puts you in mind of a circumstance, Uncle? Yes, he's something like a fellow that figured in an affair I know a great deal about. Only I do think as my chap is more mysterious by a damned sight than this one. Indeed? Oh, dear yes. When anything happens in an odd way at sea, it is as odd again as anything that occurs on land, my boy. You may depend. Oh, you only fancy that, Uncle, because you have spent so long a time at sea. No, I don't imagine it you rascal. What can you have on shore equal to what we have at sea? Why, the sights that come before us would make you landsmen's hair stand up on end and never come down again. In the ocean do you mean that you see these sights, Uncle? To be sure. I was once in the southern ocean in a small frigate looking out for a seventy-four we were to join company with, when a man at the mast had sung out that he saw her on the land-board bow. Well, he thought it all right enough and made away that quarter when what do you think it turned out to be? I really cannot say. The head of a fish. A fish? Yes, a damned deal bigger than his vessel. He was swimming along with his head just what I dare say he considered as shaving or so out of the water. But where were the sails, Uncle? The sails? Yes, your man at the mast had must have been a poor seaman not to have missed the sails. Ah, that's one of your sure-going ideas now. You know nothing whatever about it. I'll tell you where the sails were Master Charlie. Well, I should like to know. The spray, then, that he dashed up the fins that were close to his head was in such a quantity and so white they looked just like sails. Oh! You may say, oh, but we all saw him. The whole ship's crew and we sailed alongside of him for some time till he got tired of us and suddenly dived down making such a vortex in the water that the ship shook again and seemed for about a minute as if she was inclined to follow him to the bottom of the sea. And what do you suppose it was, Uncle? How should I know? Did you ever see it again? Never. Though others have caught a glimpse of him now and then in the same ocean, but never came so near him as we did that ever I heard of it all events. They may have done so. It is singular! Singular or not it's a fool to what I can tell you. Why, I've seen things that if I were to set about describing them to you would say I was making up a romance. Oh, now! It's quite impossible, Uncle, anyone could ever suspect you of such a thing. You'd believe me, would you? Of course I would. Then here goes. I'll just tell you now of a circumstance that I haven't like to mention to anybody yet. Indeed, why so? Because I didn't want to be continually fighting people for not believing it, but here you have it. We were outward bound. A good ship, a good captain and good messmates. You know, go far toward making a prosperous voyage a pleasant and happy one, and on this occasion we had every reasonable prospect of a good sail. Our hands were all tried men. They'd been sailors from infancy. None of your French craft that serve an apprenticeship and then become land-lovers again. Oh, no! They were staunch and true and loved to see as the sluggered loves his bed or the lover is mistress. I, and for the matter of that, the love was more enduring and a more healthy love for it increased with years and made men love one another. They would stand by each other while they had a limb to life. While they were able to chew a quid they'd leave alone wag a pigtail. We were outward bound for Salon with cargo and were to bring spices and other matters home from the Indian market. The ship was new and good, a pretty craft. She sat like a duck upon the water and a stiff breeze carried her along the surface of the waves without your rocking and pitching and tossing like an old wash tub at a mealtail as I have had the misfortune to sail on more than once before. No, no, we were well laden and well pleased and wayed anchor with light hearts and a hearty cheer. Away we went down the river and soon rounded the North Foreland and stood out in the channel. The breeze was a steady and stiff one and carried us through the waters though it had been made for us. Jack said aye to a mess made of mine as he stood looking at the skies, the night the sails, and finally at the water with a graver air than I thought was at all consistent with the occasional circumstances. Well, he replied, what ails you? You seem as melancholy as if we were about to cast lots who should be eaten first. I am hearty enough, thank heaven, he said, but I don't like this breeze. Don't like the breeze, said I. Why made it as good and kind of breeze as ever filled a sail? What would you have, a gale? No, no, I fear that. With such a ship and such a set of hearty able seamen I think we could manage to weather out the stiffest gale that ever whistled through a yard. That may be. I hope it is, and I really believe in think so. Then what makes you so infernally mope-ish and melancholy? I don't know, but I can't help it. It seems to me as though there was something hanging over us, and I can't tell what. Yes, there are the colours, Jack, at the mast-head, they are flying over us with a hearty breeze. Ah! Ah! said Jack, looking up at the colours, and then went away without saying anything more for he had some piece of duty to perform. I thought my mess made it something on his mind that caused him to feel sad and uncomfortable, and I took no more notice of it. Indeed, in the course of a day or two he was as merry as any of the rest, and had no more melancholy than I could perceive but was as comfortable as anybody. We had a gale off the coast of Biscay, and rode it out without the loss of a spiral or a yard, indeed without the slightest accident or rent of any kind. Now, Jack, what do you think of her vessel, said I? She's like a duck upon water, rises and falls with the waves, and doesn't tumble up and down the loop over stones. No, no, she goes smoothly and sweetly. She is a gallant craft, and this is her first voyage, and I predict a prosperous one. I hope so, he said. Well, we went on prosperously enough for about three weeks. The ocean was as calm and as smooth as a meadow, the breeze light but good, and we stemmed along majestically over the deep blue waters, and passed coast after coast, though all around was nothing but another sailor I never stepped into, said the captain one day. It would be a pleasure to live and die in such a vessel. Well, as I said, we had been three weeks or thereabouts, when one morning, after the sun was up and the decks washed, we saw a strange man sitting on one of the water casks that were on deck. For being full, we were compelled to stow some of them on deck. You may guess, those on deck did a little more than stare at the strange and unexpected apparition. By jingo I never saw men open their eyes from what was I any exception to the rule. I stared, as well I might, but we said nothing for some minutes and the stranger looked calmly on us and then cocked his eye with an article air up at the sky as if he expected to receive a two-penny post-letter from St. Michael or a beledu from the Virgin Mary. Where has he come from? said one of the men in a low tone to his companion who was standing by him at that moment. How can I tell? replied his companion. From the clouds he seems to be examining the road. Perhaps he's going back. The stranger said all this time at the most extreme and provoking coolness and unconcern. He dained us but a passing notice but it was very slight. He was a tall, spare man, what is termed long and lathe, but he was evidently a powerful man. He had a broad chest and long sinewy arms, a hooked nose and a black eagle eye. His hair was curly but frosted by age. It seemed as though it had been tinged with white at the extremities but he was hail and active otherwise to judge from appearances. Notwithstanding all of this there was a singular repulsiveness about him that I could not imagine the cause or describe. At the same time there was an air of determination in his wild and singular looking eyes and over their whole there was decidedly an air and an appearance so sinister as to be positively disagreeable. Well, said I we had stood some minutes where did you come from, shipmate? He looked at me and then up at the sky in a knowing manner. Come, come, that won't do. You have none of Peter Wilkins' wings and couldn't come on the aerial dodge. It won't do, how did you get here? He gave me an awful wink and made a sort of involuntary movement which jumped him up a few inches and he bumped down again on the water-cask. That's as much as to say thawed I that he sat himself on it. I'll go and inform the captain, says I, of this affair. He'll hardly believe me when I tell him, I'm sure. So, saying, I left the deck and went to the cabin where the captain was at breakfast and related to him what I had seen respecting the stranger. The captain looked at me with an air of disbelief and said, What? Do you mean to say there's a man on board we haven't seen before? Yes, I do, captain. I never saw him before and he's sitting beating his heels on the water-cask on deck. The devil! He is, I assure you, sir, and he won't answer any questions. I'll see to that. I'll see if I can't make the lubber say something providing his tongues not cut out. But how come he on board? Confounded, he can't be the devil and dropped from the moon. Don't know, captain, said I. He's evil-looking enough to my mind to be the father of evil, but it's ill-bespeaking attentions from that quarter at any time. Go on that. I'll come up after you. I left the captain and I heard the captain coming up after me. When I got on deck I saw he had not moved from the place where I left him. There was a general commotion among the crew when they heard of the occurrence and all crowded round him, saved the man at the helm who had to remain at his post. The captain now came forward and the men fell a little back as he approached. For a moment the captain stood silent, attentively examining the stranger who was excessively cool and stood the scrutiny with the same unconcern that the captain had been looking at his watch. Well, my man, said the captain, how did you come here? I'm part of the cargo, he said, with an indescribable leer. Part of the cargo be damned, said the captain and said in rage, for he thought the stranger was coming as jokes too strong. I know you are not in the bills of lading. I'm contraband, replied the stranger, and my uncle's a great cham of targary. The captain stared as well as he might for some minutes all the while the stranger kept kicking his heels against the water casks and squinting up at the skies. It made us feel very queer. Well, I must confess you are not in the regular way of trading. Oh no, said the stranger, I'm contraband, entirely contraband. And how did you come on board? At this question the stranger again looked curiously up at the skies and continued to do so for more than a minute. He then turned his gaze upon the captain. No, no, said the captain, eloquent dumb show won't do with me. You didn't come like mother shipped in upon a birch broom. How did you come on board my vessel? I walked on board, said the stranger. You walked on board, and where did you conceal yourself? Below. Very good, and why didn't you stay below altogether? Because I wanted fresh air. I'm in a delicate state of health, you see. It doesn't do to stay in a confined place too long. Confound the binocle, said the captain. It was his usual oath when anything bothered him and he could not make it out. Confound the binocle. What a delicate looking animal you are. I wish you had stayed where you were. Your delicacy would have been all the same to me. Delicate indeed. Yes, very, said the stranger Cooley. There was something so comic in the assertion of his delicateness of health that we should have all laughed, but we were somewhat scared and had not the inclination. You lived since you came on board, inquired the captain. Very indifferently. But how? What have you eaten and what have you drank? Nothing, I assure you. All I did while I was below was what? Why, I sucked my thumbs like a polar bear in its winter quarters. And as he spoke, the stranger put his two thumbs in his mouth and the extraordinary thumbs they were to for each would have filled an ordinary man's mouth. These, the stranger pulling them out and gazing at them wistfully, and with a deep sigh, he continued. These were thumbs at one time, but they are nothing now to what they were. Confound the binoculars! muttered the captain to himself, and then he added aloud, It's cheap living, however, but where are you going to and why did you come aboard? I wanted a cheap cruise, and I'm going there and back. Why, that's where we are going, said the captain. Then we are brothers, exclaimed the stranger, hopping off the water-casts like a kangaroo, and bounding toward the captain, holding out his hand as though he would have shaken hands with him. No, no, said the captain, I can't do it. Can't do it, exclaimed the stranger angrily. What do you mean? That I can't have anything to do with contraband articles. I am a fair trader, and do all aboveboard. I have in a chaplain on board, or we should offer up prayers for your preservation and the recovery of your health, which seems so delicate. What that be? The stranger didn't finish the sentence. He merely screwed his mouth up into an incomprehensible shape and puffed out a lot of breath, with some force, and which sounded very much like a whistle. But, oh, what thick breath he had! It was as much like smoke as anything I ever saw. And so my shipmates said. I say, captain, said the stranger as he saws on pacing the deck. Well, just send me up some beef and biscuit and be sure it's royal, do you hear, because I'm partial to Brandy. It's the only good thing there is on Earth. I shall not easily forget the captain's look as he turned toward the stranger and gave his huge shoulders a shrug as much as to say, well, I can't help it now. He's here and I can't throw him overboard. The coffee, beef, and biscuit were sent him, and the stranger seemed to eat them with great goop, and drank the coffee with much relish and returned the thing saying, look, give him my compliments. I thought the captain would think that was but a left-handed compliment and look more angry than pleased, but no notice was taken of it. It was strange, but this man had impressed upon all in the vessel some singular notion of his being more than he should be, more than a mere mortal, and not one endeavored to interfere with him. The captain was a stout and daredevil of fellows you would well meet with, yet he seemed tacitly to acknowledge any further notice of the stranger, nor he of him. They'd barely any conversation, simply a civil word when they first met and so forth, but there was little nor conversation of any kind between them. The stranger slept upon deck and lived upon deck entirely. He never once went below after we saw him, and his only count of being below so long. This was very well, but the night watch did not enjoy society and would have willingly dispensed with it at that hour so particularly lonely and dejected upon the broad ocean and perhaps a thousand miles away from the nearest point of land. At this dread and lonely hour, when no sound reaches the ear and disturbs the rapt stillness of the night, save the whistling of the wind through the cordage, or an occasional dash of water against the vessel's side, the thoughts of the sailor are fixed on far distant objects, his own native land and the friends and loved ones he has left behind him. He then thinks of the wilderness before, behind, and around him, of the immense body of water almost in places bottomless, upon such a scene and with thoughts as strange and indefinite as the very boundless expanse before him, there's no wonder if he should become superstitious. The time in place would indeed unbidden conjure up thoughts and feelings of a fearful character and intensity. The stranger at such times would occupy his favorite seat upon the water-cask and looking up the sky and then on the ocean and between wiles he would whistle a strange, wild, unknown melody. The flesh of the sailors used to creep up knots and bumps when they heard it. The wind used to whistle as an accompaniment and pronounce fearful sounds to their ears. The wind had been highly favorable from the first and since the stranger had been discovered it had blown fresh and we went along at a rapid rate stemming the water and dashing the spray off from the boughs and cutting the water like a shark. This was very singular to us, we couldn't understand it neither could the captain and we looked very suspiciously at the stranger and wished him at the bottom for the freshness of the wind now became a gale and yet came through the water steadily and away we went before the wind as if the devil drove us and mind I don't mean to say he didn't. The gale increased to a hurricane and though we had not a stitch of canvas out yet we drove before the gales if we had been shot at the mouth of a gun. The stranger still sat on the water casks and all night long he kept up his infernal whistle. Now sailors don't like to hear anyone whistle when there's such a gale blowing over their heads it's like asking for more but he would persist and louder and stronger the wind blew the louder he whistled. At length there came a storm of rain lightning and wind. We were tossed mountains high and the foam rose over the vessel often entirely over our heads and the men relashed to their posts to prevent being washed away but the stranger still lay on the water casks kicking his heels and whistling his infernal tune always the same he wasn't washed away nor moved by the action of the water indeed we hardly hoped and expected to see both him and the water cask floated overboard at every minute but as the captain said confound the binocle the old water tub seems as if it was screwed on the deck and won't move off and he's on top of it there was a strong inclination to throw him overboard and the men conversed in low whispers and came around the captain saying we have come captain to ask you what you think of this strange man who has come so mysteriously on board I can't tell you what to think lads he's past thinking about he's something above my comprehension altogether I promise you well then we are thinking much of the same thing captain what do you mean that he ain't exactly one of our sort no he's no sailor certainly and yet for a landlubber he's about as rum of customers as for I've met with so he is sir he stands salt water well and I must say that I couldn't lay atop of those water casks in that style very well nor anybody among us sir well then he's in nobody's way is he nobody wants to take his birth I suppose the men looked at each other somewhat blank they didn't understand the meaning at all far from it and the idea of anyone's wanting to take the strangest place in the water casks was so outrageously ludicrous that at any other time they would have considered it a definitely good joke and have never ceased laughing at it he paused some minutes and then one of them said it isn't that we envy him the earth captain because no one else could live out there for a moment anyone among us that had been there would have been washed overboard a thousand times over so they would sit the captain well sir he's more than us very likely but how can I help that we think he's the main cause of all this racket in the heavens the storm and the hurricane and that in short if he remains much longer we shall all sink I'm sorry for it I don't think we're in any danger and had the strange being any power to prevent it he would assuredly do so lest he got drowned but we think if he were thrown overboard all would be well indeed yes captain you may depend on it he's the cause of all mischief throw him overboard and that's all we want I shall not throw him overboard even if I could do such a thing and I'm by no means sure of anything of the kind we do not ask it sir what do you desire leave to throw him overboard it is to save our own lives I can't let you do any such thing he's in nobody's way but he's always a whistling only hark now and in such a hurricane as this it is dreadful to think of it what else can we do sir he's not human at this moment the strangers whistling came clear upon their ears there was the same wild unearthly notes as before but the cadences were stronger there was a supernatural clearness in all the tones now said another he's kicking the water casks with his heels confound the binocle said the captain it sounds like short peels of thunder go and talk to him lads and if that won't do sir may we don't ask me any questions I don't think a score of the best men that ever were born could move him I don't mind trying said one upon this the whole of the men moved to the spot where the water casks were standing in the stranger lay there he was whistling like fury and at the same time beating his heels to the tune against the empty casks we came up to him and he took no notice of us at all but kept on in the same way hello ha shouted one hello ha shouted another no notice however was taken of us and one of our number a big herculean fellow an Irishman seized him by the leg either to make him get up or as we thought to give him a lift over our heads into the sea however he had scarcely got his fingers around the leg when the stranger pinched his legs so tight against the water casks that he could not move and was as affectionately pinned as if he had been nailed there the stranger after he had finished a bar of the music rose gradually to a sitting posture and without the aid of his hands and looking the unlucky fellow in the face he said well what do you want my hand said the fellow take it then he said he did take it we saw there was blood on it the stranger stretched out his left hand and taken to the sea he lifted him without any effort upon the water cask beside him we all stared at this and couldn't help it and we were quite convinced we could not throw him overboard but he would probably have no difficulty in throwing us overboard well what do you want he again exclaimed to us all we looked at one another and had scarce courage to speak at length I said we wish you to leave off whistling leave off whistling he said and why should I do anything of the kind because it brings the wind ha ha that's the very reason I am whistling to bring the wind but we don't want so much fo fo you don't know what's good for you it's a beautiful breeze and not a bit too stiff it's a hurricane nonsense but it is now you see how I'll prove you're wrong in a minute you see my hair don't you he said after he took off his cap very well look now he got up on the water cask and stood bolt upright and running his fingers through his air made it all stand straight on end confound the binocle said the captain if ever I saw the like there said the stranger triumphantly don't tell me there's any wind to signify don't you see it doesn't even move one of my gray hairs and if it blew as hard as you say I'm certain it would move a hair confound the binocle muttered the captain as he walked away damn the caboose if he ain't older than I am he's too many for me and everybody else are you satisfied what could we say we turned away and left the place and stood at our quarters there was no help for it we were compelled to grin and imbite by it as soon as we had left the place he put his cap on again and sat down on the water casks and then took leave of his prisoner whom he set free and there lay it full length on his back with his legs hanging down once more he began to whistle most furiously and beat time with his feet for full three weeks did he continue at this game night and day without any interruption save such as he required to consume enough coffee royal junk and biscuit as would have served three hearty men well about that time one night the whistling ceased and he began to sing oh it was singing such a voice Gog and Magog and Guildhall London when they spoke were nothing to him it was awful but the wind calmed down to a fresh and stiff breeze he continued at this game for three whole days and nights and on the fourth it ceased and we went to take his coffee royal to him he was gone we hunted about everywhere but he was entirely gone and in three weeks after we safely cast anchor having performed our voyage in a good month under the usual time and had it been an old vessel she would have leaked and started like a tub from the straining however we were glad enough to get in and were curiously inquisitive as to what was put on her vessel to come back with for as the captain said confound the binocle have no more contraband articles if I can help it end of chapter 25 recording by West Kingston chapter 26 of verney the vampire this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information are to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by LibriVox.org verney the vampire volume 1 by Thomas Prescott Press chapter 26 chapter 26 the meeting at the moonlight in the park the tight window in the hall the letters the old admiral showed such a strong disposition to take offense at trust if we should presume for a moment to doubt the truth of the narrative then was just communicated to him that the letter would not anger him by so doing but confine his observation upon it to saying that he considered it was very wonderful and very extraordinary and so on which very well satisfied the old man the day was now however getting far advanced and Charles Holland began to think of his engagement with the vampire he read and read the letter over and over again but it could not come to a correct conclusion as to whether it intended to imply that he Sir Francis verney would wish to fight him at the hour and place mentioned or merely give him a meeting as a preliminary step he was rather on the wall inclined to think that some explanation would be offered by verney but at all events he persevered in his determination of going well armed lest anything in the shape of treachery should be intended as nothing of any importance occurred now in the interval of time till nearly midnight we will at one step to that time and our readers will suppose it to be a quarter to 12 o'clock at night and young Charles Holland on the point of leaving the house to keep his appointment by the polar orc with the mysterious Sir Francis verney he placed his loaded pistols conveniently in his pocket so that at the moment's notice he could lay hands on them and then wrapping himself up in a traveling cloak he had brought with him to Bennerworth Hall he prepared to leave his chamber the moon still shone a though now somewhat on the vain and although there were certainly main clouds in the sky they were but of a light-flicy character and very little interrupted the rays of light that came from the nearly visible disk of the moon from his window he could not perceive the spot in the park where he was to meet verney because the room in which he was occupied not a sufficiently high place in the house to enable him to look over a belt of trees that stopped the view from almost any of the upper windows the polar orc could be seen it so happened now that the admiral had been in a room immediately above the one occupied by his nephew and as his mind was full of how he should manage with regard to arranging the preliminaries of the deal between Charles and verney on the morrow he found it difficult to sleep and after remaining in bed about 20 minutes and finding that each moment he was only getting more and more restless he adopted a curse which he always did under such circumstances he rose and dressed in self-gain intending to sit up for an hour and then turn into bed and try a second time to get to sleep but he had no means of getting a light so he drew the heavy curtain from before the window and let in as much of the moonlight as he could this window commanded a most beautiful and extensive view from from the eye could carry completely over the tops of the tallest trees so that there was no interruption whatever to the prospect which was as extensive as it was delightful even the admiral who never would confess to see much beauty in scenery where water-former not a large portion of it could not resist opening his window looking out with a considerable degree of admiration upon wood and ale as they were illuminated by the moon's rays softened and rendered if anything more beautiful by the light vapours though which they had to struggle to make their way Chas Holland in order to avoid a likelihood of meeting with anyone who would question him as to where he was going determined upon leaving his room by the balcony which as we are aware presented ample facilities for his so doing he cast a glance at the portrait in the panel before he left the apartment and then saying for you dear Flora for you I say this meeting with the fearful original of that portrait he immediately opened his window and stepped out on the balcony young and active as was Chas Holland to descend from that balcony presented to him not difficulty whatever and he was in a very few moments safe in the garden of Bannerworth old he never thought for a moment to look up or he would in an instant have seen the wide head of his old uncle as it was projected over the seal of the window of his chamber to drop over Chas from the balcony of his window just made sufficient noise to attract the admiral's attention and then before he could think of making any alarm he saw Chas walking astray across a grass plot which was sufficiently in the light of the moon to enable the admiral at once to recognize him and leave no sort of doubt as to his positive identity of course upon discovering that he was Chas the necessity for making an alarm no longer existed and indeed not knowing what it was that had induced him to leave his chamber a moment's reflection suggested to him the propriety of not even calling to Chas less he should feed some discovery which he might be about to make he has heard something or seen something so the admiral and is going to find out what it is I only wish I was with him but up here I can do nothing at all that's quite clear Chas is so worth very rapidly like a man who has some fixed destination which wishes to reach as quickly as possible when he dived among the trees which skirted on the side of the flower gardens the admiral was more puzzled than ever and he said now where not is he off to he is fully dressed and has his cloak about him after a few moments reflection he decided that having seen something suspicious Chas must have got up and dressed himself to fathom it the moment this idea became really impressed upon his mind he left his bedroom and descended to where one of the brothers in you was sitting up keeping watch during the night it was Henry who was so on guard and when the admiral came into the room it uttered an expression of surprise to find him a hop for it was now some time past 12 o'clock I have come to tell you Chas has left the house said the admiral left the house yes I saw him just now go across the garden and you are sure it was he quite sure I saw him but the moonlight crossed the green plot then you may depend he has seen or heard something and gone along to find out what it is rated then give any alarm that is just what I think it must be so I will follow him if you can show me exactly which way he went that I can easily and in case I should have made a mistake which it is not all likely we can go to his room first and see if it is empty a good thought certainly that we let once put an end to all doubt upon the question they both immediately proceeded to Chas' room and then the admiral's occurrence of the defecation of his nephew was immediately probed by finding that Chas was not there and that the window was wide open you see I am right said the admiral you are a criteria but what are we here where? here on the dressing table here are no less than three letters all led as if on purpose to catch the eye of the first one who might enter the room indeed you perceive them Henry held them to delight and after a moment suspected them he said in a voice of much surprise good God what is the meaning of this? the meaning of what? the letters are addressed to the parties parties in the house here do you not see? to whom? one to admiral bell the dearest another to me and a third to my sister Flora there is some new mystery here the admiral looked at the superscription of one of the letters which was ended to him inside the amazement then he cried and let us read them Henry did so and then they simultaneously opened the episties which were severely addressed to them there was a silence as of the very grave for some moments and then the old admiral staggered to a seat as he exclaimed am I dreaming? am I dreaming? is this possible? he said Henry in a voice of deep motion as he allowed the note addressed to him to drop on to the floor then it what does yours say? cried the old admiral in a louder tone read it what says yours? read it I am amazed the letters were exchanged and read by each with the same breathless attention which was stored upon their own after which they both looked at each other in silence pictures of amazement and the most absolute state of bewilderment not to keep our dis in suspense we at once transcribe each of the letters the one to the admiral contained these words my dear ankle of course I perceive the prudence of keeping this letter to yourself but the fact is I have now made up my mind to leave Beneworth whole Flora Beneworth is not now the person she was when first I knew her and loved her such being the case and she having altered not I she cannot accuse me of fickleness Beneworth I first knew but I cannot make my wife one with subject to the visitations of a vampire I have remained here long enough now to satisfy myself that this vampire business is no delusion I am quite convinced that it is a positive fact and that after death Flora will herself become one of the horrible existences that that name I will communicate to you from the first large city on the continent why there I am going at which I make an stay and in the meantime make what excuses you like at the Beneworth whole which I advise you to leave as quicky as you can and believe me to be my dear uncle just to lie Charles Holland Harry's letter was this my dear sir if you calmly and dispassionately consider the painful and distressed circumstances in which your family are placed I am sure that far from blaming me for the step which this note will announce to you I have taken you will be the first to give me credit for acting with an amount of prudence and foresight which was highly necessarily under the circumstances if the supposed visit of the vampire to your sister Flora I turned out as at first I hoped they would a delusion and being in any satisfactory manner explain away I should certainly have felt pride and pleasure in fulfilling my engagement to that young lady you must however yourself feel that the amount of evidence in favor of a belief that an actual vampire at visit flora enforces a conviction of its truth I cannot therefore make her my wife under such very singular circumstances perhaps you may blame me for not taking at once advantage of the permission given me to forego my engagement I came to your house but the fact is I did not then in the least believe in the existence of the vampire but since a positive conviction of that most painful fact as now first itself upon me I beg to decline the honor of an alliance which I had at one time look forward to with the most considerable satisfaction I shall be on the continent as fast as conveniences can take me therefore should you entertain a romantic notion of calling me to an account for a curse of proceeding I think perfectly and fully justifiable you will not find me I set my assurances of my respect of yourself and pity for your sister and believe me to be my dear sir your sincere friend Charles Holland these two letters might well make the admiral stare at Harry Bennerworth and Harry stare at him an occurrence of utterly and entirely unexpected by both of them was enough to make them dubbed the evidence of their own senses but there were the letters as a damning evidence of the outrageous fact and Charles Holland was gone it was the admiral who first recovered from the stunning effect of the epistles and he would adjust to a perfect fury exclaimed the scoundrel the cold blooded the lane I renounced him forever he is known if you are mine he is some damned imposter nobody with a dash of my family blood in his veins would have acted so to save myself from a thousand deaths who shall we trust now said Harry when those whom we take to our inmost hearts deceived us thus this is the greatest shock I have yet received if there be a pen greater than another surely it is to be found in the faithlessness and heartlessness of one we loved and trusted he is a scoundrel rural admiral damn him he will die on a down hill and there is too good a place for him I cast him off I'll find him out and old as I am I'll find him I'll ring his neck the rascal and there's four poor dear Miss Flora God bless her I'll marry her myself and make her an admiral I'll marry her myself or that I should be ankle to such a rascal come yourself said Harry no one can blame you yes you can I had no right to be his uncle and it was an old fool to love him the old man sat down and his voice become broken with emotion as I said sir I tell you I shall death die willingly rather than this should ever happen this will kill me now I shall die now of shame and grief tears gushed from the admiral's eyes and the sight of the noble old man's emotion did much to calm the anger of Harry which although he say but little was boiling at his heart like a volcano the admiral bell he said you have nothing to do with this business we cannot blame you for the earthlessness of another I have but one favor to ask of you what what can I do say no more about him at all I can't help saying something about him you have to turn me out of the house heaven forbid what for because I'm his ankle he's them old fool of an ankle that has always taught so much of him no my good sir that was a fault on the right side and cannot describe it to you I thought him the most perfect of human beings who if I could but have guessed this it was impossible such a duplicity never was equaled in this word it was impossible to foresee it hold hold did he give you 50 pounds what did he give you 50 pounds give me 50 pounds most decidedly not what made you think of such a thing because today about the 50 pounds of me he said I learned to you I never heard of the transaction until this moment the villain no doubt sir he wanted that amount to expedite his progressive road well now damn if an angel had come to me and said hello Admiral Bell your nephew Charles Orland is a thundering rogue I should have said this is fighting against Vax my dear sir he is gone mention him no more forget him as I shall endeavor myself to do and persuade my poor sister to do poor girl what can we say to her nothing but give her all the letters and let her be at once satisfied of the wordlessness of him she loved the best way a woman's pride will then come to her help I hope to will she is of an honorable race and I am sure she will not condescend to shed a tear for such a man as Charles Orland as proud himself to be damn him I'll find him out and make him fight you it shall give you satisfaction no no but it shall I cannot fight with him you cannot? certainly not he is too far beneath me now I cannot fight an honorable terms with one who I despise as too dishonorable to contend with I have nothing now but silence and contempt I have thought for I'll break his neck when I see him or you shall break mine I am a shaman to stay here my young friend how mistaken of you you take of this matter my dear sir as admiral bell a gentleman a brave officer and a man of the purest and most unblemished honor you come through a distinction upon us by your presence here the admiral rang every by the hand as he said wait until tomorrow we'll talk over this matter tomorrow I cannot tonight I am not patient but tomorrow my dear boy we'll let it all out God bless you good night