VARNEY, THE VAMPYRE; OR, THE FEAST OF BLOOD. CHAPTER CLXIV [sic] [Chapter 172] THE COUNT POLLIDORI'S RECOVERY. -- THE INTERVIEW WITH THE SIGNORA ISABELLA. -- THE CONSENT. A few days' confinement placed the count beyond the reach of danger. His wound healed rapidly and favourably, but which was more than anticipated by the cautious leech, who abstained from saying so, but took his daily seat beside his patient's bed, and, with his prosy and imperturbable gravity, he continued to give his advice. "Count," he said, " your wound is healing." "I feel it is so," said the count. "But you must be cautious. I would not have you be too sanguine, or trust your feelings too much." "I do not; but I may take wine?" "Indeed, I would recommend you not to do so; for wine is inflammatory, and you are likely to suffer for it." "And yet I took a bottle last evening." "Last evening, count?" said the physician. "Yes; I speak truly." "I doubt it not; but it was very imprudent-- very imprudent, indeed; for, though half a bottle may do no hurt to a man in full health, yet a whole can do him no good, even if it do him no harm; but, in your case, it is dangerous." "It might be; but surely the danger is past now?" "If you have taken it over twelve hours-- though four-and-twenty would be better." "It is over twelve hours." "'Tis well; but it was hazardous; you are fast getting well, and, as it happens, you have no fever, or other evil changes about you; therefore, you may continue your wine, but not in such quantities." "I will be more cautious; but, Pilletto, what is your opinion of my guest?" "Your preserver?" "Yes; the same." "He is one of the most learned men I ever met with; even professed scholars have not been found so full of knowledge." "That speaks something for his youth." "Most undoubtedly." "But what think you of him as a man of the world?" "I think he has a vast fund of information; he has had an enlarged experience of society, and has visited, I think, all the continent of Europe; he understands their languages and manners, too, and has the appearance of a traveller, and a man used to the best and most distinguished society." "That is just my opinion of him." "I understand he is from France." "Yes." "A refugee, in point of fact, I suppose, without means." "No, he appears to have means, and hopes that times my so alter to permit his return, and the resumption of his former fortune." "I understand as much, and he has spoken of people whom I know well in France, that would not associate with any beneath their degree; and he has told me things they would have divulged to none, save their equals and families." "It is my opinion of him." * * * * * The doctor took his leave, and the count was again left to himself, and he began evidently to ponder over something in his mind, which appeared to demand his attention, and he, for some time, sat immoveable. "My daughter," he murmured, "is a rich reward even for such a deed. I do not pit my life against her's; no, no; she is by far the most valuable; she I love more than life, and would provide for her in a manner that shall procure her future happiness, rather than her immediate approval. "The dear girl does not well understand these matters; she does not know that present pleasure may be followed by future pain. She knows not that we should forgo the present, to ensure future happiness." He paused a moment, and then he continued, -- "But I cannot be mistaken in this man. No, he has done a deed, which, though I value it not at so high a price, yet gratitude impose upon me the necessity of showing the highest consideration. She is fancy free; and I do not see there will be any difficulty in the way whatever." At tha moment the door opened, and Signora Isabella entered, and advanced towards the couch on which he lay. "My father!" "Ah, Isabella, I was but then thinking of you." "Of me, father? I come to see how you are. Our good guest and preserver had been telling me he is quite sure you are much better than Doctor Pilletto will admit; for he is slow and cautious to a degree." "My dear, he is quite right-- I feel it." "Oh, how joyful I am!" "What think you of our guest, Isabella? Do you not think him a man well worthy of our warmest esteem and gratitude?" "Indeed he is, father-- he is noble." "I think so-- the true nobility of soul can be seen in him; to such a man as the chevalier, would I see my Isabella united; to such a man could I confide my daughter's happiness, for he would secure it." "What mean you, father?" "That the strnager, of whom you speak so highly, is to be your future husband; the preserver of the father will not act unkindly by the child." "My father, I am stunned." "Yes, my dear daughter, I have fully settled this matter in my own mind; he has asked your hand-- go see him-- you have my blessing. I am sure he will be happy. Isabella, you never disobeyed your father; such an act would be the cruelest stab that ever was planted in my bosom." "But when," said Isabella, almost trembling; "but when will this be? When am I to be given away, father, as you would a present of flowers?" "Isabella, when have I deserved, when have I had such an answer from thee? Let me have no more of this." "But when have you fixed as a time upon which I am to be sent away from home to strangers?" "You will not leave this palace, Isabella; you and your husband will always be here, and I shall have the satisfaction of seeing the happiness I have planned and made. He will be a father to the child, as well as a husband." "I do not wish for any such change. I am happy, but shall be otherwise, if I am compelled to wed." "Compelled, Isabella, compelled! Do you speak of being forced, when I wish it? Now that I have settled it in my own mind, love and duty to me, and gratitude to this gentleman, all conspire to point out how you should act." "But when, father, when?" "To-morrow." "To-morrow!" repeated Isabella, in mornful accents. "Yes, my child; 'tis better done at once-- 'twill, at all events, save any of those unnecessary thoughts that might disturb you." "My father! my father!" said the young lady, as she sunk upon her knees before him. "Well, my child?" "Pardon me for once begging a favour of you." "What mean you by such words?" "I wish a longer interval to be allowed me before I am-- I am----" "Married," said her father. "Yes, father; that is the dreadful word." "Isabella, mind, my love, what my wishes are." "I have heard them, father; but give me a week-- indeed, you cannot decently bring this matter to a conclusion before the end of that time. I have had no previous warning fom you, or this stranger, that such a thing was in contemplation." "If I grant it you, my Isabella, I must be obeyed." "You shall be obeyed, father," said Isabella, with an effort, "if it cost me my life, and it will be near it; but let me keep my room until that period is up, and then do with me what you will." "Be it so, Isabella; though it will look ungracious to our guest, yet I will endeavour to excuse you with the best grace I can." The Lady Isabella was deathly pale, and, as she rose, she staggered, and could scarce support herself out of the apartment. -+- Next Time: The Wedding Morning. -- The New Arrival. -- The Disapperance of the Vampyre Bridegroom. +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+ | This Varney the Vampyre e-text was entered by members of the | | Science Fiction Round Table #1 (SFRT1) on the Genie online | | service. | | The Varney Project, a reincarnation of this "penny dreadful" bit | | of fiction, was begun in November of 1993 by James Macdonald and | | should take about four years for re-serialization. | | These chapters are being posted once a week to the Round Table | | Bulletin Board and are also being placed in the Round Table File | | Library. | | For further information concerning Varney e-texts, please send | | email to: | | h.liu@juno.com | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+ ============================================================================== The Varney Project Chapter 172 Ver 1.00 04/13/1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ General notes on this chapter Source: H.Liu entry from the Arno edition, 1970, text is reprint of 1847 edition Drop capital: No Figures in source: 0 Page numbers in source: 718-719 Sections: 2 Approximate number of characters: Number of paragraphs: Comments: Chapter appears mis-numbered as CLXIV. The Count Polidori recovers from his wounds in the succeeding few days. During a discussion with the doctor, the subject of the stranger comes up, and both of the men have high opinions of his knowledge, experience and stature in society. When the doctor leaves Isabella visits her father, and he tells her that after much consideration he has decided to wed her to the stranger. At first he says that the marriage is to be the next day, but at Isabella's pleading, he consents to allow her a week of isolation and solitude before the ceremony. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Modification History Version Date Who What changes made -------- -------- ------------- ---------------------------------- 1.00 04/13/1997 H.Liu Initial gold version, rough proof read. ==================================End of File=================================