Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
"There
is truth and reason," said Mr. Marchdale, stepping forward, "in what
Flora says."
"Only
let me come across him, that's all," said Admiral Bell, "and I'll
soon find out what he is. I suppose he's some long slab of a lubber after all,
ain't he, with no strength."
"His
strength is immense," said Marchdale. "I tried to seize him, and I
fell beneath his arm as if I had been struck by the hammer of a Cyclops."
"A
what?" cried the admiral.
"A
Cyclops."
"D—n
me, I served aboard the Cyclops eleven years, and never saw a very big hammer
aboard of her."
"What
on earth is to be done?" said Henry.
"Oh,"
chimed in the admiral, "there's always a bother about what's to be done on
earth. Now, at sea, I could soon tell you what was to be done."
"We
must hold a solemn consultation over this matter," said Henry. "You
are safe now, Flora."
"Oh,
be ruled by me. Give up the Hall."
"You
tremble."
"I
do tremble, brother, for what may yet ensue. I implore you to give up the Hall.
It is but a terror to us now—give it up. Have no more to do with it. Let us
make terms with Sir Francis Varney. Remember, we dare not kill him."
"He
ought to be smothered," said the admiral.
"It
is true," remarked Henry, "we dare not, even holding all the terrible
suspicions we do, take his life."
"By
foul means certainly not," said Charles, "were he ten times a
vampyre. I cannot, however, believe that he is so invulnerable as he is
represented."
"No
one represents him here," said Marchdale. "I speak, sir, because I
saw you glance at me. I only know that, having made two unsuccessful attempts
to seize him, he eluded me, once by leaving in my grasp a piece of his coat,
and the next time he struck me down, and I feel yet the effects of the terrific
blow."
"You
hear?" said Flora.
"Yes,
I hear," said Charles.
"For
some reason," added Marchdale, in a tone of emotion, "what I say
seems to fall always badly upon Mr. Holland's ear. I know not why; but if it
will give him any satisfaction, I will leave Bannerworth Hall to-night."
"No,
no, no," said Henry; "for the love of Heaven, do not let us
quarrel."
"Hear,
hear," cried the admiral. "We can never fight the enemy well if the
ship's crew are on bad terms. Come now, you Charles, this appears to be an
honest, gentlemanly fellow—give him your hand."
"If
Mr. Charles Holland," said Marchdale, "knows aught to my prejudice in
any way, however slight, I here beg of him to declare it at once, and
openly."
"I
cannot assert that I do," said Charles.
"Then
what the deuce do you make yourself so disagreeable for, eh?" cried the
admiral.
"One
cannot help one's impression and feelings," said Charles; "but I am
willing to take Mr. Marchdale's hand."
"And
I yours, young sir," said Marchdale, "in all sincerity of spirit, and
with good will towards you."
They
shook hands; but it required no conjuror to perceive that it was not done
willingly or cordially. It was a handshaking of that character which seemed to
imply on each side, "I don't like you, but I don't know positively any
harm of you."
"There
now," said the admiral, "that's better."
"Now,
let us hold counsel about this Varney," said Henry. "Come to the
parlour all of you, and we will endeavour to come to some decided
arrangement."
"Do
not weep, mother," said Flora. "All may yet be well. We will leave
this place."
"We
will consider that question, Flora," said Henry; "and believe me your
wishes will go a long way with all of us, as you may well suppose they always
would."
They
left Mrs. Bannerworth with Flora, and proceeded to the small oaken parlour, in
which were the elaborate and beautiful carvings which have been before
mentioned.
Henry's
countenance, perhaps, wore the most determined expression of all. He appeared
now as if he had thoroughly made up his mind to do something which should have
a decided tendency to put a stop to the terrible scenes which were now day by
day taking place beneath that roof.
Charles
Holland looked serious and thoughtful, as if he were revolving some course of
action in his mind concerning which he was not quite clear.
Mr.
Marchdale was more sad and depressed, to all appearance, than any of them.
As
for the admiral, he was evidently in a state of amazement, and knew not what to
think. He was anxious to do something, and yet what that was to be he had not
the most remote idea, any more than as if he was not at all cognisant of any of
those circumstances, every one of which was so completely out of the line of
his former life and experience.
George
had gone to call on Mr. Chillingworth, so he was not present at the first part
of this serious council of war.
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 vampyre. The absolute
necessity for doing something of a decisive character was abundantly apparent,
and when Henry promised Flora that her earnest wish to leave the house should
not be forgotten as an element in the discussion which was about to ensue, it
was with a rapidly growing feeling on his own part, to the effect that that
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 a 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 instalments upon family debts incurred by his father. And
the creditors took great credit to themselves that they allowed of 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 this fully 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 the small
oaken parlour 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 knew, 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 for 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
neighbour as Sir 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 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 he may be?"
"Dare
we longer doubt it?" cried Henry, in a tone of excitement. "He is the
vampyre."
"I'll
be hanged if I believe it," said Admiral Bell! "Stuff and nonsense!
Vampyre, indeed! Bother the vampyre."
"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 could 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 there are such fish?" said the admiral.
"We
think so."
"Well,
I'm d——d! I have heard all sorts of yarns about what fellows have seen in one
ocean and another; but this does beat them all to nothing."
"It
is monstrous," exclaimed Charles.
There
was a pause of some few moments' duration, and then Mr. Marchdale said, in a
low voice,—
"Perhaps
I ought not to propose any course of action until you, Henry, have yourself
done so; but even at the risk of being presumptuous, I will say that I am
firmly of opinion 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 Varney?"
"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 seconds' 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 responsibility 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 me 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, that 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 any
one else."
"Charles,
Charles," said Henry, despondingly; "only consider for a moment into
what new misery you may plunge poor Flora, who is, 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 at 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 do 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 any one present, but from some other most
special reason."
"Charles,
I forbear 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 among 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 much honour," said the doctor.
"None
at all, none at all; I suppose you know all about this infernal odd vampyre
business?"
"I
believe I do, sir."
"And
what do you think of it?"
"I
think time will develop the circumstances sufficiently to convince us all that
such things cannot be."
"D—n
me, you are the most sensible fellow, then, that I have yet met with since I
have been in this neighbourhood; for everybody else is so convinced about the
vampyre, 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 vampyres."
"Why,"
said the doctor, "when Mr. George says 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 whatever to do with the fact, or one fact of there being
vampyres."
"Let
us hear it," said Henry.
"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 incautiously loading some fire-arms, and
discharged a pistol so close to me that the 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 serious
injury. As it was, the wound was but trifling.
"He
had evidently been attempting to dress it himself, but finding some
considerable inflammation, he 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 an
opportunity," said Henry, "of a close examination of him?"
"Why,
there is certainly 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?"