Carmilla

Gu

re all your faith in my veracity to believe my story. It is not on

imes did, to take a little ramble with him along that beautiful fo

us so soon as I had hoped," said

eldt, whom I had never seen, but whom I had heard described as a very charming girl, and in whose society I had promised myself many happy days. I was more disappointed than

n does he co

ay," he answered. "And I am very glad now, dea

ked, both morti

uite forgot I had not told you, but you were not in the

tter, six or seven weeks before, that she was not so well as he would wis

. "I am afraid he is in great affliction; the letter appe

the steep old bridge I have mentioned, wound through many a group of noble trees, almost at our feet, reflecting in its current the fading crimson of the sky. General Spielsdorf's letter was so extraordinary, s

such I loved her. During the last days of dear

and in the glorious hope of a blessed futurity. The fiend who betrayed our infatuated hospitality has done it all. I though

h my righteous and merciful purpose. At present there is scarcely a gleam of light to guide me. I curse my conceited incredulity, my despicable affectation of superiority, my blindness, my obstinacy--all--too late. I cannot write or talk collectedly now. I am distracted. So soon as I shall have a little rec

en Bertha Rheinfeldt my eyes filled with tears at the sudden in

ilight by the time I had returned

reading. We had nearly a mile to walk before reaching the road that passes the schloss in front, and by that time the moon was shining brilliantly.

s we approached. We joined them at the drawbridge, an

ight amid the thickening forest. At the right the same road crosses the steep and picturesque bridge, near which stands a ruined tower which onc

ke smoke, marking the distances with a transparent veil; and here

d made it melancholy; but nothing could disturb its character of pro

ver the expanse beneath us. The two good governesses, standing a little w

wn that it indicated a special spiritual activity. The effect of the full moon in such a state of brilliancy was manifold. It acted on dreams, it acted on lunacy, it acted on nervous people, it had marvelous physical influences connected with life. Mademoiselle related that her cousin, who was mate of

you look behind you at the front of the schloss how all its windows flash and twinkle with

lk ourselves, the talk of others is pleasant to our listless ears;

ather, after a silence, and quoting Shakespeare, whom, by w

know not wh

e: you say i

got it--ca

rtune were hanging over us. I suppose the poor Genera

f carriage wheels and many hoofs up

d very soon the equipage emerged from that point. Two horsemen first crossed

re interesting, for just as the carriage had passed the summit of the steep bridge, one of the leaders, taking fright, communicated his panic to the rest, and after a plunge or

painful by the clear, long-drawn screams o

ror; me rather in silence, the rest

s by the roadside a magnificent lime tree, on the other stands an ancient stone cross, at sight of which the horses, no

it out, and turned my head away; at the same moment I h

pon its side with two wheels in the air; the men were busy removing the traces, and a lady with a commanding air and fig

the elder lady, with his hat in his hand, evidently tendering his aid and the resources of his schloss. The lady did not

s on her wrist and assured the lady, who declared herself her mother, that her pulse, though faint and irregular, was undoubtedly still distinguishable. The lady clasped her

n handsome; she was tall, but not thin, and dressed in black velvet, and looked rat

n hour is possibly to lose all. My child will not have recovered sufficiently to resume her route for who can say how long. I must leave her: I cannot, dare not, delay

estly in his ear: "Oh! papa, pray ask her to let he

and permit her to remain as our guest, under my charge, until her return, it will confer a distinction and a

o task your kindness and chivalry too

ppiness. If you confide this young lady to our care it will be her best consolation. The nearest village on your route is distant, and affords no such inn as you could think of placing your daughter at; you cannot allow her to conti

imposing, and in her manner so engaging, as to impress one, quite apart from the

in its upright position, and the horses

m the beginning of the scene; then she beckoned slightly to my father, and withdrew two or three steps with him out of

hange, and also unspeakably curious to learn what it could be that she

Madame supposed, a little benediction in her ear; then hastily kissing her she stepped into her carriage, the door was closed, the footmen in stately liveries jumped up behind, the outriders spurred on, the postilions c