Vintage Vampire Stories Read Online Free PDF Page B

poison.”
    The old gentleman spoke in tones of deep feeling, and I could not help feeling sorry for him at the bottom of my very heart.
    â€œIf you will confide in me, my dear sir,” I said, “believe that I will prove a friend as faithful and discreet as you could wish.”
    He pressed my hand, turned away for a moment to collect his agitated feelings and then he spoke again.
    â€œI shall not attempt to hide my name from you, sir, though I have hitherto carefully concealed it, I am the Duke de Rohan, and circumstances, which it is impossible for me to relate to you, have driven me to England to keep watch and ward over my sister’s daughter, the Princess d’Alberville. It is for this young lady I wish your attendance, her health is rapidly failing within the last week.”
    â€œNothing can be more simple,” I observed, eagerly, “I can go with you at once—this very moment.”
    â€œDear Doctor, it is unfortunately far from being as simple a matter as you think,” he replied, solemnly, “for my wretched niece is mad.”
    â€œMad!”
    â€œAlas! yes, frightfully—horribly mad!” and he shuddered as if a cold wind had penetrated his bones.
    â€œHas this unhappy state of mind been of long duration?” I questioned.
    â€œGod knows; the first intimation her friends had of it was about two years ago, when it culminated in such a fearful event that horrified them. I cannot explain it to you, however, for the honour of a noble house is deeply concerned; and even the very existence of the unfortunate being I beg of you to keep a secret forever.”
    â€œYou must at any rate tell me what you wish me to do,” I observed “and give me as much information as you can to guide me, or I shall be powerless.”
    â€œThe sight of one colour has such an effect on the miserable girl that we have found out, by bitter experience, the only way to avoid a repetition of the most fearful tragedies is to keep every hue or shade away from her vision; for, although it is only one colour that affects her, any of the others seems to suggest that one to her mind and produce uncontrollable agitation in consequence of this she is virtually imprisoned within the grounds of the house I have provided for her; and every object that meets her eye is white, even the ground, and the very roof of the mansion.”
    â€œHow very strange!”
    â€œIt will be necessary for you, my dear sir,” the Duke continued, “to attire yourself in a suit of white. I have brought one in the carriage for your use, and if you will now accompany me I shall be grateful.”
    Of course I was only too glad to avail myself of the unexpected opportunity of getting into the singular household, and becoming acquainted with the lunatic princess; and in a few moments we were being whirled on our way toward Kensington.
    On stopping at the gate of the Duke’s residence, I myself became an actor in the scene which had so puzzled me on two previous occasions. My companion produced two suits of white, and proceeded to turn the vehicle into a dressing-room, though not without many apologies for the necessity. I followed his example, and in a few moments we stood inside the gate, and I had an opportunity of more closely surveying the disagreeable enclosure I had seen from the church belfry. And a most disagreeable survey it was; the sun shining brilliantly, rendered the unavoidable contact with the white glare, absolutely painful to the eye; nor was it any escape to stand in the lofty vestibule, save that there the absence of sunshine made the uniformity more bearable.
    My companion led the way up a broad staircase covered with white cloth, and balustraded with carved rails, the effect of which was totally destroyed by their covering of white paint. The very stair-rods were of white enamel, and the corners and landing places served as room for more marble statues, that held enamelled