The Vampire Lovers Page #2

You look quite lovely.

Thank you.

- Red or white, miss?

- Red, please.

Emma, dear, what is it?

What's the matter?

- I must have dreamed.

- Dreamed what?

A great cat, it was there.

It was a nightmare.

No! My eyes were open,

I swear I saw it.

It was gray and big as a wolf.

It had enormous eyes.

All the better to see you with.

Don't laugh at me.

I'm sorry.

I was only joking to make you feel better.

But you must be rational.

Either you had a nightmare

or you were awake and saw a cat.

A big cat! Gray!

It's all right. Look, it's only Gustav.

You're very bad, Gustav.

Emma was terrified of you.

But Mademoiselle Perrodot,

it wasn't Gustav.

It was a big cat! Gray!

Shall I make Gustav

big and gray for you?

There you are. You see?

Don't let your imagination

get the better of you.

I'm sorry.

- Will you sleep now?

- I'll try.

Good.

Trouble with this part of the world is

they have too many fairy tales.

I've let Emma sleep on.

She had a bad nightmare again.

It's beginning to worry me.

She has them every night now.

She's so pale and listless.

I think she must be fretting over Laura.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

I wish it weren't necessary for me

to go to Vienna today

but you'll let me know how she is?

Naturally.

Why don't you call in the doctor?

A tonic would do her good.

I'm sure it's just nerves.

- I can leave her safely with you.

- Of course.

I will take care of Emma.

As though she were my own sister.

I'll see how she is before I go.

I'll come with you.

No, thank you. I'm not hungry.

Good to see you, sir.

How's Emma?

Not too well, just recently.

A bit upset, I think, about Laura.

I'm just off on a business trip to Vienna.

Would you be able to go and see her while

I'm away?

Yes, of course, sir. If I can.

I know you're busy but do try.

Sometime this week.

- I will, sir.

- I must get on.

She has a young friend staying with her.

So there you are, two pretty girls to visit.

Perhaps you'll feel stronger soon.

I hope I shall be recovered

when my father gets back.

Of course you will.

It's nothing, you mustn't worry about it.

I try not to

but I keep having these awful dreams.

It happened again last night.

I saw...

Now, Emma,

you mustn't allow yourself to be terrorized

by your own imagination.

I suppose it was the cat again.

Yes.

But Mademoiselle Perrodot,

I must tell you,

if I don't see these things,

then I'm going mad!

You mustn't talk like that.

It was probably only poor Gustav again.

Yes, it's just my imagination.

Of course it is.

Now, sit still and get some rest.

It's just that your mind is overactive, that's

all.

"Pulling her gently towards him,

"he showered her sweet, upturned face

with manly kisses."

This is a silly book.

But it's a lovely story.

Wouldn't you like to meet

a handsome young man?

No. Neither do you, I hope.

I'd like to see one.

I wish Carl would come again.

- He is very handsome.

- Who?

Carl Ebhardt.

He manages General Spielsdorf's estate.

- Do you know the General?

- No.

His niece was my best friend.

And then she died.

You chat on

like an old peasant woman sometimes!

Always of death and tragedy.

Carmilla, you are unkind.

You know how it upsets me.

I'm sorry.

- Forgive me?

- No. Forgive me.

I shouldn't snap at you like that.

You're so sensitive.

Only about some things.

- And about you.

- Silly! Why about me?

Because I love you!

I don't want anyone

taking you away from me.

Taking me away?

Who do you mean?

You know we'll always be friends.

Surely you don't mean

my handsome young man?

I do believe you're jealous!

Why should I not be?

Why? Because it's not the same thing.

It's different.

I want you to love me for all your life!

Come along.

That's enough chatter for tonight.

Good night, Emma.

Good night, Mademoiselle Perrodot.

You are so kind.

Carmilla,

why do you always sit in the shade?

The sun is too bright for me.

It hurts my eyes.

Then close them. It's glorious.

You can feel the warmth penetrating.

It's like life.

You talk such nonsense sometimes.

Stop it! Stop it!

What is it?

Nothing. Only that dreadful noise.

The funeral?

But it's the woodman's daughter!

I hate funerals. Hate them!

I thought it rather sad

and yet beautiful.

You must die! Everybody must die!

But she was so young.

There's been so much tragedy

in the village recently.

The blacksmith's young wife

died only last week.

My father said...

You really are upset.

And I've been saying

all these foolish things.

Come on, let's go home.

Hold me.

I beg you, hold me tight.

"He enfolded her in his arms

"and there was rapture

in their wild embrace."

There.

Do let's have another chapter.

You read so beautifully.

Tomorrow.

You're not going.

I must.

I'm sorry.

You've read too much, I've tired you.

Perhaps.

I wish I felt tired.

I never do, not at night.

- Just sort of excited.

- Do you?

Yes, and I don't sleep,

at least not for ages.

And then I feel so wretched and tired

during the day.

- And do you dream?

- You know I do.

Horrid dreams,

and so strange and lifelike.

Tell me.

I haven't told anyone. Not everything.

I can't.

Tell me!

A cat comes

and sits at the foot of my bed, staring.

Then it reaches out towards me.

And I try to scream.

But my throat is strangled.

And it lies across me,

warm and heavy,

and I feel its fur in my mouth.

And I retch with fear!

And then...

And then?

It turns into you.

Me!

And then you embrace me

and kiss me.

And suddenly everything's all right

and I'm so happy.

But even as you're holding me close,

I feel a pain,

sharp as needles, dragging at me.

I feel the life running out of me,

as though my blood were being drawn.

And...

I wake, and scream.

My poor darling.

You know you'll always be safe

as long as you're with me?

Mademoiselle Perrodot, it was there!

It bit me! Look!

It was my fault.

A brooch I gave her.

I told her to be careful.

No! No, it was the cat!

Go to sleep.

Everything is all right now.

Go to sleep.

I have one, too.

Do you see how sharp the pins are?

Yes.

- Let me give it to you.

- No, I couldn't.

Please, I want you to have it.

She'll be quiet now.

Turn down the lamp.

Good morning, Mr. Ebhardt.

Good morning, Mademoiselle.

Mr. Morton asked me to call in

and see Emma.

When?

When he left for Vienna.

Emma is not here. She has gone

for a picnic. She'll be out all day.

- With her friend.

- What friend?

Mr. Morton said she had a friend

staying with her.

No, not any longer.

I'll call back later perhaps. Tomorrow?

We shall be busy tomorrow.

Call next week, Mr. Ebhardt.

Mr. Renton, it's Miss Emma.

She looks so ill!

Does Mademoiselle Perrodot know?

I don't know, sir. I suppose so.

She asked me to fetch her up a tray.

Very well, Gretchin.

- Excuse me, Mademoiselle.

- Yes, Renton, what is it?

It's Miss Emma.

If I may be so bold,

I think she should see the doctor.

I shall send for the doctor

should I think it necessary.

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