Varney the Vampire 1(138)

 

"I know not what you mean," said Flora.

 

"To be more explicit, then, do you remember the day on which your father breathed his last?"

 

"Too well--too well."

 

"Did you see him or converse with him shortly before that desperate act was committed?"

 

"No; he shut himself up for some time in a solitary chamber."

 

"Ha! what chamber?"

 

"The one in which I slept myself on the night--"

 

"Yes, yes; the one with the portrait--that speaking portrait--the eyes of which seem to challenge an intruder as he enters the apartment."

 

"The same."

 

"For hours shut up there!" added Varney, musingly; "and from thence he wandered to the garden, where, in this summer-house, he breathed his last?"

 

"It was so."

 

"Then, Flora, ere I bid you adieu--"

 

These words were scarcely uttered, when there was a quick, hasty footstep, and Henry Bannerworth appeared behind Varney, in the very entrance of the summer-house.

 

"Now," he cried, "for revenge! Now, foul being, blot upon the earth's surface, horrible imitation of humanity, if mortal arm can do aught against you, you shall die!"

 

A shriek came from the lips of Flora, and flinging herself past Varney, who stepped aside, she clung to her brother, who made an unavailing pass with his sword at the vampyre. It was a critical moment; and had the presence of mind of Varney deserted him in the least, unarmed as he was, he must have fallen beneath the weapon of Henry. To spring, however, up the seat which Flora had vacated, and to dash out some of the flimsy and rotten wood-work at the back of the summer-house by the propulsive power of his whole frame, was the work of a moment; and before Henry could free himself from the clinging embrace of Flora, Varney, the vampyre was gone, and there was no greater chance of his capture than on a former occasion, when he was pursued in vain from the Hall to the wood, in the intricacies of which he was so entirely lost.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER XXXV.

 

 

THE EXPLANATION.--MARCHDALE'S ADVICE.--THE PROJECTED REMOVAL, AND THE ADMIRAL'S ANGER.

 

[Illustration]

 

This extremely sudden movement on the part of Varney was certainly as unexpected as it was decisive. Henry had imagined, that by taking possession of the only entrance to the summer-house, he must come into personal conflict with the being who had worked so much evil for him and his; and that he should so suddenly have created for himself another mode of exit, certainly never occurred to him.

 

"For Heaven's sake, Flora," he said, "unhand me; this is a time for action."

 

"But, Henry, Henry, hear me."

 

"Presently, presently, dear Flora; I will yet make another effort to arrest the headlong flight of Varney."

 

He shook her off, perhaps with not more roughness than was necessary to induce her to forego her grasp of him, but in a manner that fully showed he intended to be free; and then he sprang through the same aperture whence Varney had disappeared, just as George and Mr. Marchdale arrived at the door of the summer-house.

 

It was nearly morning, so that the fields were brightening up with the faint radiance of the coming day; and when Henry reached a point which he knew commanded an extensive view, he paused, and ran his eye eagerly along the landscape, with a hope of discovering some trace of the fugitive.

 

Such, however, was not the case; he saw nothing, heard nothing of Sir Francis Varney; and then he turned, and called loudly to George to join him, and was immediately replied to by his brother's presence, accompanied by Marchdale.

 

Before, however, they could exchange a word, a rattling discharge of fire-arms took place from one of the windows, and they heard the admiral, in a loud voice, shouting,--

 

"Broadside to broadside! Give it them again, Jack! Hit them between wind and water!"

 

Then there was another rattling discharge, and Henry exclaimed,--

 

"What is the meaning of that firing?"

 

"It comes from the admiral's room," said Marchdale. "On my life, I think the old man must be mad. He has some six or eight pistols ranged in a row along the window-sill, and all loaded, so that by the aid of a match they can be pretty well discharged as a volley, which he considers the only proper means of firing upon the vampyre."

 

"It is so," replied George; "and, no doubt, hearing an alarm, he has commenced operations by firing into the enemy."

 

"Well, well," said Henry; "he must have his way. I have pursued Varney thus far, and that he has again retreated to the wood, I cannot doubt. Between this and the full light of day, let us at least make an effort to discover his place of retreat. We know the locality as well as he can possibly, and I propose now that we commence an active search."