The Vampire Maid by Hume Nisbet

“The Vampire Maid” by Hume Nisbet, printed in 1900, is a charming gothic horror story that explores themes of seduction, thriller, and supernatural hazard. The story follows a weary traveler who seeks relaxation and respite in a secluded countryside cottage. There, he meets a strikingly lovely and enigmatic younger girl named Ariadne Brunnell. Because the traveler turns into more and more enchanted by Ariadne, he begins to note unusual and disturbing modifications in his personal well being and vitality. The narrative regularly reveals Ariadne’s true nature as a vampire who sustains herself by draining the life power of those that fall below her spell.

The Vampire Maid by Hume Nisbet (1900) 

It was the precise type of abode that I had been taking care of for weeks, for I used to be in that situation of thoughts when absolute renunciation of society was a necessity. I had turn out to be diffident of myself, and wearied of my type. A wierd unrest was in my blood; a barren dearth in my brains. Acquainted objects and faces had grown distasteful to me. I wished to be alone. That is the temper which comes upon each delicate and creative thoughts when the possessor has been overworked or dwelling too lengthy in a single groove. It’s Nature’s trace for him to hunt pastures new; the signal {that a} retreat has turn out to be needful.

If he doesn’t yield, he breaks down and turns into whimsical and hypochondriacal, in addition to hypercritical. It’s all the time a nasty signal when a person turns into over-critical and censorious about his personal or different individuals’s work, for it means that he’s dropping the very important parts of labor, freshness and enthusiasm.

Earlier than I arrived on the dismal stage of criticism I swiftly packed up my knapsack, and taking the practice to Westmorland, I started my tramp seeking solitude, bracing air and romantic environment.

Many locations I came across throughout that early summer season wandering that appeared to have nearly the required circumstances, but some petty disadvantage prevented me from deciding. Generally it was the surroundings that I didn’t take kindly to. At different locations I took sudden antipathies to the landlady or landlord, and felt I’d abhor them earlier than every week was spent below their cost. Different locations which could have suited me I couldn’t have, as they didn’t need a lodger. Destiny was driving me to this Cottage on the Moor, and nobody can resist future.

Sooner or later I discovered myself on a large and pathless moor close to the ocean. I had slept the night time earlier than at a small hamlet, however that was already eight miles in my rear, and since I had turned my again upon it I had not seen any indicators of humanity; I used to be alone with a good sky above me, a balmy ozone-filled wind blowing over the stony and heather-clad mounds, and nothing to disturb my meditations.

How far the moor stretched I had no data; I solely knew that by retaining in a straight line I’d come to the ocean cliffs, then maybe after a time arrive at some fishing village.

I had provisions in my knapsack, and being younger didn’t concern an evening below the celebrities. I used to be inhaling the scrumptious summer season air and as soon as extra getting again the vigour and happiness I had misplaced; my city-dried brains had been once more turning into juicy.

Thus hour after hour slid previous me, with the paces, till I had lined about fifteen miles since morning, once I noticed earlier than me within the distance a solitary stone-built cottage with roughly slated roof. ‘I’ll camp there if potential,’ I mentioned to myself as I quickened my steps in the direction of it.

To 1 seeking a quiet, free life, nothing may have probably been extra appropriate than this cottage. It stood on the sting of lofty cliffs, with its entrance door going through the moor and the back-yard wall overlooking the ocean. The sound of the dancing waves struck upon my ears like a lullaby as I drew close to; how they’d thunder when the autumn gales got here on and the seabirds fled shrieking to the shelter of the sedges.

A small backyard unfold in entrance, surrounded by a dry-stone wall simply excessive sufficient for one to lean lazily upon when inclined. This backyard was a flame of color, scarlet predominating, with these different tender shades that cultivated poppies tackle of their blooming, for this was all that the backyard grew.

As I approached, taking discover of this singular assortment of poppies, and the orderly cleanness of the home windows, the entrance door opened and a lady appeared who impressed me directly favourably as she leisurely got here alongside the pathway to the gate, and drew it again as if to welcome me.

She was of center age, and when younger will need to have been remarkably handsome. She was tall and nonetheless shapely, with easy clear pores and skin, common options and a peaceful expression that directly gave me a sensation of relaxation.

To my inquiries she mentioned that she may give me each a sitting and bed room, and invited me inside to see them. As I checked out her easy black hair, and funky brown eyes, I felt that I’d not be too specific concerning the accomodation. With such a landlady, I used to be positive to seek out what I used to be after right here.

The rooms surpassed my expectation, dainty white curtains and bedding with the fragrance of lavender about them, a sitting-room homely but cosy with out being crowded. With a sigh of infinite reduction I flung down my knapsack and clinched the cut price.

She was a widow with one daughter, whom I didn’t see the primary day, as she was unwell and confined to her personal room, however on the subsequent day she was considerably higher, after which we met.

The fare was easy, but it suited me precisely for the time, scrumptious milk and butter with home-made scones, contemporary eggs and bacon; after a hearty tea I went early to mattress in a situation of excellent content material with my quarters.

But comfortable and drained out as I used to be I had in no way a snug night time. This I put all the way down to the unusual mattress. I slept definitely, however my sleep was stuffed with goals in order that I woke late and unrefreshed; stroll on the moor, nevertheless, restored me, and I returned with a superb urge for food for breakfast.

Sure circumstances of thoughts, with aggravating circumstances, are required earlier than even a younger man can fall in love at first sight, as Shakespeare has proven in his Romeo and Juliet. Within the metropolis, the place many honest faces handed me each hour, I had remained like a stoic, but no sooner did I enter the cottage after that morning stroll than I succumbed immediately earlier than the bizarre charms of my landlady’s daughter, Ariadne Brunnell.

She was considerably higher this morning and in a position to meet me at breakfast, for we had our meals collectively whereas I used to be their lodger. Ariadne was not lovely within the strictly classical sense, her complexion being too lividly white and her expression too set to be fairly nice at first sight; but, as her mom had knowledgeable me, she had been sick for a while, which accounted for that defect. Her options weren’t common, her hair and eyes appeared too black with that surprisingly white pores and skin, and her lips too crimson for any besides the decadent harmonies of an Aubrey Beardsley.

But my improbable goals of the previous night time, with my morning stroll, had ready me to be enthralled by this contemporary poster-like invalid.

The loneliness of the moor,w ith the singing of the ocean, had gripped my coronary heart with a wistful longing. The incongruity of these flaunting and evanescent poppy flowers, dashing the giddy tints within the face of that sober heath, touched me with a shiver as I approached the cottage, and lastly that bizarre embodiment of startling contrasts accomplished my subjugation.

She rose from her chair as her mom launched her, and smiled whereas she held out her hand. I clasped that tender snowflake, and as I did so a faint thrill tingled over me and rested on my coronary heart, stopping for the second its beating.

This contact appeared additionally to have affected her because it did me; a transparent flush, like a white flame, lighted up her face, in order that it glowed as if an alabaster lamp had been lit; her black eyes grew to become softer and extra humid as our glances crossed, and her scarlet lips grew moist. She was a dwelling girl now, whereas earlier than she had appeared half a corpse.

She permitted her white slender hand to stay in mine longer than most individuals do at an introduction, after which she slowly withdrew it, nonetheless relating to me with steadfast eyes for a second or two afterwards.

Fathomless velvety eyes these had been, but earlier than they had been shifted from mine they appeared to have absorbed all my willpower and made me her abject slave. They seemed like deep darkish swimming pools of clear water, but they stuffed me with fireplace and disadvantaged me of energy. I sank into my chair nearly as languidly as I had risen from my mattress that morning.

But I made breakfast, and though she hardly tasted something, this unusual woman rose a lot refreshed and with a slight glow of color on her cheeks, which improved her so significantly that she appeared youthful and nearly lovely.

I had come right here looking for solitude, however since I had seen Ariadne it appeared as if I had come for her solely. She was not very energetic; certainly, considering again, I can’t recall any spontaneous comment of hers; she answered my questions by monosyllables and left me to guide in phrases; but she was insinuating and appeared to guide my ideas in her course and communicate to me along with her eyes. I can’t describe her minutely, I solely know that from the primary look and contact she gave me I used to be bewitched and will consider nothing else.

It was a fast, distracting, and devouring infatuation that possessed me; all day lengthy I adopted her about like a canine, each night time I dreamed of that white glowing face, these steadfast black eyes, these moist scarlet lips, and every morning I rose extra languid than I had been the day earlier than. Generally I dreamt that she was kissing me with these crimson lips, whereas I shivered on the contact of her silky black tresses as they lined my throat; generally that we had been floating within the air, her arms about me and her lengthy hair enveloping us each like an inky cloud, whereas I lay supine and helpless.

She went with me after breakfast on that first day to the moor, and earlier than we got here again I had spoken my love and obtained her assent. I held her in my arms and had taken her kisses in reply to mine, nor did I feel it unusual that each one this had occurred so rapidly. She was mine, or somewhat I used to be hers, with no pause. I instructed her it was destiny that had despatched me to her, for I had no doubts about my love, and she or he replied that I had restored her to life.

Appearing upon Ariadne’s recommendation, and in addition from a pure shyness, I didn’t inform her mom how rapidly issues had progressed between us, but though we each acted as circumspectly as potential, I had little question Mrs Brunnell may see how engrossed we had been in one another. Lovers are usually not in contrast to ostriches of their modes of concealment. I used to be not afraid of asking Mrs Brunnell for her daughter, for she already confirmed her partiality in the direction of me, and had bestowed upon me some confidences relating to her personal place in life, and I due to this fact knew that, as far as social place was involved, there may very well be no actual objection to our marriage. They lived on this lonely spot for the sake of their well being, and saved no servant as a result of they may not get any to take service so distant from different humanity. My coming had been opportune and welcome to each mom and daughter.

For the sake of decorum, nevertheless, I resolved to delay my confession for every week or two and belief to some beneficial alternative of doing it discreetly.

Meantime Ariadne and I handed our time in a totally idle and lotus-eating type. Every night time I retired to mattress meditating beginning work subsequent day, every morning I rose languid from these disturbing goals with no thought for something outdoors my love. She grew stronger every single day, whereas I gave the impression to be taking her place because the invalid, but I used to be extra frantically in love than ever, and solely comfortable when along with her. She was my lone-star, my solely pleasure – my life.

We didn’t go nice distances, for I preferred greatest to lie on the dry heath and watch her glowing face and intsense eyes whereas I listened to the surging of the distant waves. It was love made me lazy, I assumed, for until a person has all he longs for beside him, he’s apt to repeat the home cat and bask within the sunshine.

I had been enchanted rapidly. My disenchantment got here as quickly, though it was lengthy earlier than the poison left my blood.

One night time, about a few weeks after my coming to the cottage, I had returned after a scrumptious moonlight stroll with Ariadne. The night time was heat and the moon on the full, due to this fact I left my bed room window open to let in what little air there was.

I used to be greater than often fagged out, in order that I had solely energy sufficient to take away my boots and coat earlier than I flung myself wearily on the coverlet and fell nearly immediately asleep with out tasting the nightcap draught that was always positioned on the desk, and which I had all the time drained thirstily.

I had a ghastly dream this night time. I assumed I noticed a monster bat, with the face and tresses of Ariadne, fly into the open window and fasten its white enamel and scarlet lips on my arm. I attempted to beat the horror away, however couldn’t, for I appeared chained down and thralled additionally with drowsy delight because the beast sucked my blood with a ugly rapture.

I seemed out dreamily and noticed a line of useless our bodies of younger males mendacity on the ground, every with a crimson mark on their arms, on the identical half the place the vampire was then sucking me, and I remembered having seen and puzzled at such a mark by myself arm for the previous fortnight. In a flash I understood the rationale for my unusual weak spot, and on the identical second a sudden prick of ache roused me from my dreamy pleasure.

The vampire in her eagerness had bitten somewhat too deeply that night time, unaware that I had not tasted the drugged draught. As I woke I noticed her absolutely revealed by the midnight moon, along with her black tresses flowing loosely, and along with her crimson lips glued to my arm. With a shriek of horror I dashed her backwards, getting one final glimpse of her savage eyes, glowing white face and blood-stained crimson lips; then I rushed out to the night time, moved on by my concern and hatred, nor did I pause in my mad flight till I had left miles between me and that accursed Cottage on the Moor.

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