The Vampire Lovers

I place this memoriam card

in the pages of my history.

And the book is closed, I pray, forever.

I have written in full

of how my sister died.

How I, the Baron Hartog,

avenged her death.

The enemies I sought were

no ordinary mortals.

They were murderers

from beyond the grave.

For this ruined castle, where I lay in wait,

had once been the home

of the Karnstein family

and at certain times,

their evil spirits thrust out

from their moldering tombs

and took a kind of human shape

to roam the countryside

and seek for victims to satisfy their need,

their passion, their thirst for blood.

Sometimes, to court its victim,

savoring its enjoyment.

At other times, to strangle

and exhaust at a single feast.

I knew the specter, when satiated,

would return to its grave.

I also knew that without the shroud,

in which it was interred

to cloak its festering body,

there could be no night of rest

for any vampire.

My heart pounded with apprehension

as I watched the creature

search around its grave.

My limbs would scarcely obey

but I challenged the monster out there,

whatever it might be,

to reclaim its shroud.

A vampire can be destroyed

only by a stake through the heart

or decapitation.

I waited, sword in hand.

- Miss Emma, do you have to leave?

- I'm afraid so.

There'll be another time. Mr. Morton.

- General. Delightful party.

- So glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you, Laura. It was a lovely party.

And I think Carl's very handsome.

Must you go? It's so early.

We have a long journey home.

Very happy birthday. And remember,

you're coming to stay very soon.

I'm looking forward to it.

General.

Goodbye.

Excuse me.

My dear Countess, I am honored.

General Spielsdorf,

so charming of you to invite us.

May I... May I present

my daughter, Marcilla.

- Who is that?

- They've just moved about 5km away.

Where the old baroness used to live.

Well, we must love

our neighbors, Kurt.

- Will you dance, Countess?

- Enchanted.

- Carl, I do love you.

- What?

Every other young man is staring

at that girl over there except you.

I do believe she'd like

to take you away from me.

She keeps staring at you.

Nonsense. She's looking at you.

Excuse me, General.

Bad news?

- A dear friend of mine is dying.

- I am so very sorry.

You will forgive me,

leaving you like this?

Is there anything I can do?

Well, I hardly dare to ask you

but my daughter, Marcilla.

It is a long journey.

We must ride all night.

My dear Countess, I assure you

it would be my pleasure to look after

your daughter, if you so wish.

And she'll be good company for Laura.

- General, you are too kind.

- Not at all.

I must tell Marcilla.

- I'm so sorry.

- Goodbye and a safe journey.

Would you like her to stay with us?

- Yes, of course, Uncle.

- Good.

Where is she?

You did frighten us last night.

I went for a walk.

Your uncle's estate is so big,

I lost myself.

For hours.

Everyone was looking for you.

And then you just suddenly appeared,

as if by magic.

You must not worry about me.

I like to wander off

on my own sometimes.

Dear Laura, I do feel

we'll be such good friends.

We already are.

- How beautiful you are.

- Now you're just teasing me,

like Carl always does.

What is it? There.

It was... It was a cat.

A huge cat.

It was choking me.

There, now. You were having

a nightmare, that's all.

Now, you settle down

and have a nice sleep.

That's right.

There we are.

I'm sorry.

That's all right.

You gave us all quite a fright, though.

Thought it was some prowler.

You try and get some rest.

Good night, darling.

You'll be all right now.

All right, thank you.

Such screams.

It's enough to wake the dead.

It must have frightened

poor Marcilla to death.

- Better see how she is.

- Yes.

- Let her sleep.

- All right.

- Good night.

- Good night, sir.

It troubles me, Doctor. The child seems

to get weaker and weaker.

Anemia. They don't eat,

only think of their figures.

Common with young girls, sir,

I assure you. And a few old ones, too.

But these dreadful nightmares

she keeps having.

Body weakens, mind gets active.

Needs some iron, that's all.

Greenstuffs, red meat.

Put some blood back into her.

A drop of port, perhaps, at night.

I'm glad you don't regard it

as too serious.

She'll be all right.

- I'll ride over again in a day or two.

- I'd be very grateful.

Goodbye, Doctor. Thank you.

Marcilla, you're so kind to me.

I swear I shall die when you leave.

I shall never leave you,

my dearest Laura.

I've been to the Wollheimers' farm,

the new barn's ready.

Good.

How is Laura, sir? May I see her?

No. I don't understand her.

She doesn't want to see anyone except...

Yes.

Laura seems devoted to her.

Nevertheless, I shall be glad

when the Countess comes back for her.

No, please, no.

No, no, go away.

No more, go.

No, please, no.

Doctor.

Doctor, you must come at once.

Fetch her.

She'll be here very soon.

Where the devil is she?

I don't know, sir, her room is empty. I...

I am here.

I could not sleep.

I went to the chapel

to pray.

You may open the curtains.

It is daylight now.

She is dead.

No.

Doctor, please, hurry.

No.

Poor Laura.

And the General?

The General has gone away, sir,

to visit a friend, the Baron Hartog.

Yes, he wouldn't want to stay

in that house. I understand that.

Mademoiselle Perrodot

will look after her.

- You all right?

- Yeah.

- Anyone hurt?

- Steady. Steady, boy.

My niece.

My house is nearby.

You must rest awhile.

No, my journey is imperative.

- Quick, quick. Fool.

- Father.

She's very shocked.

We must take her home with us.

I cannot. My brother is dying.

I cannot delay.

My name is Morton.

If I may be allowed to suggest

your niece...

Carmilla.

Carmilla would be

welcome to stay with us

- while you continue your journey.

- No, it is impossible!

My daughter

would be grateful for the company.

You are too kind.

You're to stay with us!

I can't say it.

The eyebrow.

German is so difficult.

- But you must try.

- I'll try tomorrow.

All right. Get ready for dinner.

- Your father will be home soon.

- Yes.

- Who is it?

- It's me, Emma.

Oh, do come in!

Those dresses, aren't they beautiful!

- You may wear one if you want to.

- May I really?

Emma, hand me

that towel over there please.

Yes.

Thank you.

Your dress is very pretty

but it's for a country girl.

In town you must be more sophisticated.

You must take everything off!

Try it once.

- All right.

- You can't put it over a bodice,

it ruins the shape.

I've never worn anything like this.

I feel so daring.

What would my father say?

He will appreciate it, like all men.

- But I think it will be too big.

- It's not, I'm sure it's not.

I'll show you.

Look, Carmilla.

What did I tell you?

- Take the other dress I have.

- No!

It's too small for me.

Yes, you must.

Take the other dress!

- I want you to.

- No!

- I say, take the other dress!

- No!

- Yes!

- No!

- Good evening, Mr. Morton.

- Good evening.

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