TheFamilyoftheVourdalak

byAlexeiTolstoy(/author/alexeitolstoy/biobooksstories)

TheFamilyoftheVourdalakwasoriginallywrittenin1839butwasnotpublisheduntil1884.Theoriginaltextisin
French(http://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/La_Famille_du_Vourdalak).

ThetextpresentedhereisusedwiththekindpermissionofNinaZumel(http://multoghost.wordpress.com/about/),
whomadeandpostedanEnglishtranslationatherblogMulto(Ghost)
(http://multoghost.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/thefamilyofavourdalak/)wheresheprovidesexcellentbackgroundon
thestoryandtheauthor.

TranslatedbyNinaZumel(http://multoghost.wordpress.com/about/)

Intheyear1815allthegreatheadsofEuropeweregatheredinVienna:thecontinent'sbrightestmindsandmost
brilliantdiplomats.OurtalebeginstowardstheconclusionofthishistoricCongress.[1]

Theroyalistemigreswerepreparingtoreturntotheirchateaus,andtheRussianwarriorstoreturntotheirforsaken
homes.AfewdisgruntledPoleshopedtosheltertheirdesireforfreedomunderthedubiousindependencegrantedto
KrakowbyPrinceMetternich,PrinceHardenbergandCountNesselrode.[2]

Itwaslikethewaninghoursofalivelyball.Theoncevibrantcrowdsthatfilledthestreetsandestablishmentsofthe
cityhaddwindledtoasmallnumberofpeoplestillseekingdiversion,stillfascinatedbythecharmsoftheAustrian
ladies,reluctanttopackupandgotheirseparateways.

Thispleasantcompany,ofwhichIwaspart,wouldmeettwiceaweekinthecastleoftheDowagerPrincessof
Schwarzenberg,afewmilesfromthecity,beyondasmallvillagenamedHitzing.Ourhostess'aristocraticmanner,her
graciouskindness,andthenobilityofherspiritandofherintellect,madeoursoujournstohercastlequiteagreeable
indeed.

Ourmorningswerespentonpleasantramblesintheafternoonwedinedtogetherinthecastleorwithinitsenvirons.
Intheevenings,sittingbyagoodfire,weamusedourselvesinconversationandstorytelling.Discussionofpolitics
wasstrictlyforbiddeneveryonehadhadenough.Thestorieswetoldwereborrowedfromthelegendsofour
respectivecountries,orfromourownmemories.

Oneeveningeveryonehadbeentellingghoststories,andourmindswereinarestless,uneasystatethatwas
increasedbytheevening'sdarknessandsilence.TheMarquisd'Urf,anoldemigrewhomwealllovedforhis
youthfulgaiety,andforthecolorfulstorieshetoldofhisadventuresandvariouschangesoffortune,tookadvantageof
amomentofsilenceandspoke:

"Yourstories,gentlemen,"hesaid,"arenodoubtamazing,butinmyopiniontheylackanessentialqualityImean
thatofauthenticity.Idon'tthinkthatanyofyouhaveseenwithhisowneyesthewonderfulthingsthatyounarrate,nor
canyouatttesttotheirtruthwithyourwordasgentlemen."

Thiswewereobligedtoadmit,andtheoldmancontinued,straighteninghiscravat:
"Asforme,gentlemen,Ihavehadbutasingleadventureofthiskindbutitissostrange,sohorrible,andyes
true,thatitwillstriketerrorineventhemostincredulousamongyou.Iwasunfortunatelybothwitnessandactor,andI
thoughInormallydon'tliketorememberit,Iwouldbehappytotellyouthestory,ifitpleasestheladiestoallowme."

Theapprovalwasunanimous.Afewofusglancednervouslyaroundatthemoonlittilesoftheparquetfloor,andour
circledrewclosertolistentotheMarquis'tale.M.d'Urftookapinchofsnuff,sniffedandslowlybeganwiththese
words:

"Firstofall,mesdames,IbegyourpardonifImentiontheaffairsofmyheartmoreofteninmystorythanamanmy
ageshould,buttheromanceisanessentialpartofthenarrative.Besides,oldagehasitsmomentsofforgetfulness
andit'syourfault,mesdames,thatyouareallsobeautifulthatIforgetthatI'mnolongerayoungman.Soletme
begin.

"In1759,IwasmadlyinlovewiththebeautifulDuchessdeGramont.Thispassion,whichseemedsodeepand
enduringatthetime,gavemenorestdayornight,andthewaythattheDuchessplayedthecoquetteasmany
beautifulwomendoonlyaddedtomytorment.Finally,inamomentofdespair,Isoughtoutandobtaineda
diplomaticmissiontotheGospodar[Lord]ofMoldavia,whowasinnegotiationswithVersaillesoverbusinessthatit
wouldboreyoutohearabout.Ontheeveofmydeparture,IpresentedmyselftotheDuchess.Shereceivedmeless
teasinglythanusual,andsaidtome,withsomeemotion:

"'D'Urf,youarecommittingagreatfolly.ButIknowyouandIknowyou'llneverchangeyourmind.SoIaskyouonly
onething:pleaseacceptthissmallcrossasatokenofmyfriendship,andcarryitwithyouuntilyoureturn.It'safamily
relicthatwevaluehighly.'

"Withagallantrythatwasperhapsmisplacedatsuchamoment,Ikissednottherelic,butthecharminghandthatshe
gaveme,andIpassedthecrossaroundmyneck,andhaveworniteversince.

"Iwon'tboreyou,mesdames,withthedetailsofmytrip,orwithmyobservationsoftheHungariansandSerbs,those
poorbutbraveandhonestpeople.EvenenslavedbytheTurks,theyneverforgottheirdignityortheirformer
independence.SufficeittosaythathavinglearnedalittlePolishduringavisitImadetoWarsaw,Iwasalsoableto
acquireabitofSerbian,asthesetwolanguages(andRussianandBohemianaswell)are,asyouprobablyknow,so
manybranchesofasinglelanguagecalledSlavonic.

"AndsoIknewenoughofthelanguagetomakemyselfunderstood,whenonedayIarrivedinavillagewhosename
willnotinterestyoumuch.IarrivedonaSunday,adaywhichtheSerbianpeoplegenerallydevotetoamusements
likedancing,sharpshooting,wrestling,andsoon.SoyoucanimaginemysurprisewhenIreachedthehousewhereI
plannedtostay,andfoundtheinhabitantsinanextremelyanxiousstate.Guessingthatthesituationwasduetosome
recentmisfortune,Istartedtowithdrawfromthehousewhenamanofaboutthirty,atallandimposingfigure,
approachedmeandtookmebythehand.

"Enter,stranger,please,comein,"hesaid."Don'tbealarmedatoursorrowyou'llunderstandwhenyouknowthe
cause."

"Hethentoldmethat,onrisingonemorningseveraldaysbefore,hiselderlyfather,Gorcha,arestlessandstubborn
man,hadtakenfromthewallalongTurkishmusket.

"'Children,'hesaidtohistwosons,onenamedDorde,theotherPetar,[3]'I'mgoinguptothemountainstojointhe
bravemenwhoarechasingthisdogAlibek(thiswasaTurkishrobberwhohadbeenravagingthecountrysidefor
sometime).Waitformefortendays,andifIdon'treturnbythetenth,haveaMasssaidformysoul,becauseI'llbe
dead.'
"ThenoldGorchaadded,inadeadlyserioustone,'ButifGodforbidIcomebackaftertendays,foryourown
sakesdonotletmein.Ifthishappens,IcommandyoutoforgetthatIwasyourfather,nomatterwhatIsayordo,and
toimpalemyheartwithanaspenstake,becauseIwillbeacursedVourdalakreturningtosuckyourblood.'

"Ishouldexplaintoyou,mesdames,thatvourdalaks,astheSlavicpeoplescallvampires,arebelievedinthose
countriestobedeadbodiesthatcomeoutoftheirgravestosuckthebloodoftheliving.Theirhabitsaresimilarto
thoseofallvampires,fromanycountry,buttheyhaveonecharacteristicthatmakesthemevenmoredreadful.The
vourdalaks,mesdames,prefertosuckthebloodoftheirclosestrelativesanddearestfriendswho,oncedead,
becomevampiresinturn.TheyclaimthatinBosniaandHungaryentirevillageshavebecomevourdalaks.Father
AugustinCalmet,inhiscuriousbookonghostsandapparitions,citesmanyfrighteningexamples.Severaltimes,the
EmperorsofGermanyhaveappointedcommissionstoinvestigateoutbreaksofvampirism.Thecommissionerstellof
exhumingbodiesengorgedwithblood,whichtheystakeintheheartandthenburninthevillagesquares.The
magistrateswhowerepresentattheseexecutionsattestwithoathsandsignedstatementsthattheyheardthe
deadhowlatthemomentthatthestakewasplungedintotheirhearts.

"Knowingthis,itwillbeeasytounderstand,mesdames,theeffectthatoldGorcha'swordshadonhissons.Theyboth
threwthemselvesathisfeetandbeggedhimtoletthemgoinhisplace.Inreply,heturnedhisbackandleft,humming
therefrainofanoldwarsong.ThedayIarrivedinthevillagewaspreciselytheendofthetendays,whichofcourse
explainedhisfamily'sconcern.

"Theywereagoodandhonestfamily.Dorde,theeldestsonofthetwo,seemedaseriousandresoluteman.Hewas
marriedwithtwochildren.HisbrotherPetar,ahandsomeyoungmanofeighteenyears,hadafacefullofgentleness
andcourage,andwasevidentlythefavoriteoftheiryoungersister,Sdenka,aclassicSlavicbeauty.Iwasstrucknot
onlybySdenka'sundeniableloveliness,butalsobyacertainresemblanceshehadtotheDuchessdeGramont.They
bothhadadelicatelineontheirforeheads,[4]acharacteristicthatI'veonlyevernoticedonthesetwowomen.This
featuremaynotseemveryappealingatfirst,butthemoreyounoticedit,themoreirresistibleitbecame.

"PerhapsitwasbecauseIwassoyoungthen,butthisresemblance,combinedwithSdenka'scharmingandnaiveair,
wastrulyirresistible.IhadonlyknownSdenkafortwominutes,butalreadyIfeltasympathyforherthatthreatenedto
becomeamoretenderemotionifIlingeredtoolonginthevillage.

"Wewereallgatheredinfrontofthehouse,aroundatabletoppedwithcheeseandbowlsofmilk.Sdenkaspun,her
sisterinlawwaspreparingsupper,thechildrenwereplayinginthesand.Petarwhistlednonchalantlyashecleaned
hisyatagan,orTurkishlongknife.Dordesatsilentlywithhiselbowsonthetableandhisheadinhishands.Hiseyes
devouredthehighway.

"Ifeltovercomebythegeneralmelancholy,andcouldonlywatchsadlyastheeveningcloudsframedthegolden
backgroundoftheskyandthesilhouetteofamonastery[5]halfhiddenbytheblackpineforest.

"Thismonastery,asIlearnedlater,hadoncebeenfamousforamiraculousimageoftheVirgin,whichaccordingto
legend,wasbroughtbyangelsandplacedonanoak.ButwhentheTurksinvadedthecountryatthebeginningofthe
lastcentury,theyslaughteredthemonksandransackedthemonastery.Allthatwasleftwerethewalls,andachapel
servedbyamysterioushermit.Hegavetoursoftheruinstothecurious,andshelteredpilgrimswho,astheytraveled
onfootfromoneholysitetoanother,likedtostopattheShrineofOurLadyoftheOak.AsIsaid,Ilearnedthisall
muchlaterthatnightIhadotherthingsonmymindbesidesSerbianarcheology.Asoftenhappenswhenyouletyour
mindwander,Ithoughtbacktotimespast,tomychildhood,tothebeautifulFrancethatIhadleftbehindforthis
remote,wildcountry.

"IthoughtoftheDuchessdeGramont,andwhynotadmitit?Ialsothoughtofotherladies,contemporariesof
yourgrandmothers,whoseimages,withoutmyknowledge,hadcreptintomyheart,followingtheimageofthelovely
Duchess.
"SoonIhadforgottenmyhostsandtheirworries.

"SuddenlyDordebrokethesilence.

"'Woman,'heaskedhiswife,'whattimedidtheoldmanleave?'

"'Ateighto'clock,'hiswifeanswered.'Iheardthemonasterybell.'

"'Good,'saidDorde,'itcan'tbelaterthanhalfpastseven.'Andhefellsilent,fixinghiseyesagainonthehighway
whichdisappearedintotheforest.

"Iforgottotellyou,mesdames,thatwhentheSerbssuspectsomeoneofvampirism,theyavoidcallinghimbyname
orreferringtohimdirectly,forfearitwillsummonhimfromthegrave.Soforsometime,whenspeakingofhisfather,
Dordehadonlycalledhimtheoldman.

"Afewmomentsofsilencepassed.SuddenlyoneofthechildrentuggedonSdenka'sapron.

"'Auntie,whenisGrandpacominghome?'

"AblowfromDordewastheanswertothisuntimelyquestion.

"Thechildbegantocry,buthisbrothersaid,withanexpressionofsurpriseandfear:

"'Father,whycan'tweaskaboutGrandpa?'

"Anotherblowsilencedthechild.Thetwochildrenbegantobawl,andtherestofthefamilycrossedthemselves.

"Atthispoint,Iheardthemonasteryclockbeginslowlytostrikeeight.Hardlyhadthefirstchimesoundedinourears
thanwesawahumanformemergefromthewoodsandadvancetowardsus.

"'That'shim!Godbepraised!'criedSdenka,Petar,andtheirsisterinlawatonce.

"'Godkeepus!'Dordesaidsolemnly.'Howdoweknowifthetendayshavepassedornot?'

"Everyonelookedathimfearfully.Stillthefigureadvancedtowardsus.Hewasatalloldmanwithasilvermustache,
andapale,sternface,limpingpainfullyalongwithastick.Asheapproached,Dorde'sfacebecamedarker.Whenthe
newcomerwasnearus,hestoppedandsurveyedhisfamilywitheyesthatseemedtolookrightthroughthem,they
weresodullandsunkenintheirsockets.

"'Well,'hesaidinahollowvoice,'noonestandsuptogreetme?Whatisthissilence?Don'tyouseethatI'mhurt?'

"Ithennoticedthatthetheoldman'sleftsidewasbloodied.

"'Helpyourfather,'IsaidtoDorde,'andyouSdenka,bringhimsomespirits,he'sabouttofaint!'

"Father,'Dordesaid,asheapproachedGorcha,'showmeyourinjury,Iwilltrytohelpyou'

"HetriedtoopenGorcha'scoat,buttheoldmanpushedDordeawayroughly,holdingbothhandsoverhisside.

"'Clumsyoaf,'hesaid,'you'rehurtingme!'

"'You'vebeenwoundedneartheheart!'criedDorde,hisfacepale.'Takeoffyourcoat,now,youmust,Itellyou!'

"Theoldmanstoodupstraightandstiff.

"'Watchyourself,'hesaidinalowvoice.'Ifyoutouchme,you'llregretit!'

"PetargotbetweenDordeandhisfather.

"'Lethimbe,'hesaid.'Can'tyouseehe'sinpain?'
"'Don'tdefyhim,'saidDorde'swife.'Youknowhewon'ttoleratethat!'

"Atthatmomentwesawacloudofdust:itwastheherdreturninghomefromtheirgrazing.Perhapsthedogthat
accompaniedthemdidn'trecognizeheroldmaster,ormaybeshewasagitatedforotherreasons,butassoonasshe
sawGorchashestopped,hairbristling,andbegantogrowlasifshesawsomethinguncanny.

"'Whatiswrongwiththatdog?'saidtheoldman,lookingmoreandmoreannoyed.'Whatdoesallthismean?HaveI
becomeastrangerinmyownhome?Havetendaysinthemountainschangedmesomuchthatmyowndogsdon't
recognizeme?'

"'Doyouhear?'Dordesaidtohiswife.

"'What?'

"'Headmitsthatthetendayshavepassed!'

"'Butdidn'thereturnattheappointedtime?'

"'Yes,well,Iknowwhathastobedone.'

"Thedamneddogisstillbarking!Killit!'criedGorcha.'Well,didyouhearme?'

"Dordedidnotmove,butPetarstoodupwithtearsinhiseyes,andseizingthemusketfromhisfather,heshotthe
dog,whofell,rollinginthedust.

"'Shewasmyfavoritedog,'Petarwhispered.'Idon'tknowwhyFatherwantedherkilled!

"'Becausethat'swhatshedeserved.'saidGorcha.'It'sgettingcold,Iwanttogoinside!'

"Whilethiswasgoingonoutside,Sdenkahadpreparedfortheoldmanadrinkmadefrompears,honeyandraisins,
butherfatherrefuseditindisgust.HeshowedthesameaversiontoamuttonricedishthatDordeofferedhim,and
wenttositbythehearth,mutteringbetweenhisteethunintelligibly.

"Apinefirecrackledinthefireplace,castingitsflickeringlightonthefigureoftheoldman,whowassopalethat
withoutthefire'sglow,hecouldhavebeentakenfordead.Sdenkasatdownbesidehim.

"'Father,'shesaid,'youdon'twantanythingtoeat,andyoudon'twanttorest.Perhapsyoucantellusyour
adventuresinthemountains?'

"Thegirlknewthatshecouldgetonhisgoodsidebyaskingthat,becausetheoldmanlikedtotalkabouthisbattles
andexploits.Akindofsmileappearedonhiscolorlesslips,thoughwithoutreachinghiseyes.Heranhishand
throughherbeautifulblondhair.

"'Yes,mydaughter,yes,Sdenka.Iwilltellyouwhathappenedtomeinthemountains,butsomeothertime,because
I'mtiredtoday.ButIwilltellyouthatAlibekisnomoreandthatitwasbymyhandheperished.Ifanyonedoubtsthis,'
continuedtheoldman,lookingaroundathisfamily,'hereistheproof!'

"Heopenedabagthathungbehindthetwoofthem,andpulledoutahead,paleandbloodythoughnotquiteas
paleashisown.Weturnedawayinhorror,butGorchahandedittoPetar.

"'Here,'hesaid,'hangitoverthedoor,sothateveryonewhopasseswillknowthatAlibekisdeadandtheroadsare
purgedofrobbersexceptofcourse,theSultan'sJanissaries!'[6]

"Petarobeyed,pickinguptheheadwithrevulsion.

"'NowIunderstand,'hesaid.'ThepoordogthatIkilledwasupsetbecauseshesmelleddeadflesh!'
"'Yes,shesmelleddeadflesh.'repliedDordegloomily.Hehadslippedawaywithoutanyonenoticing,andnowhe
enteredthehouse,holdinginhishandanobjectthatheplacedinacornerandwhichlookedtomelikeastake.

"Dorde,'hiswifesaidinalowvoice,'youdon'tintend,Ihope'

"'Mybrother,'saidhissister,'whatareyouplanningtodo?Butno,youwon'tdoanything,willyou?'

"'Letmebe,'saidDorde,'IknowwhatIhavetodo,andIwon'tdoanythingthatisn'tnecessary.'

"Whennightfell,thefamilywenttobed.Thepartofthehousewheretheysleptwasseparatedfrommyroombya
verythinwall.IconfessthatwhatI'dobservedthateveninghadaffectedmyimagination.Withthelightsout,thefull
moonshoneintotheroomthroughasmalllowwindowclosetomybed,castingapaleglowonthefloorandwalls
muchasitdoesnow,mesdames,inthisroomwherewesit.Itriedtosleep,butcouldn't.Iattributedmyinsomniato
themoonlight,andIlookedforsomethingtoserveasacurtainoverthewindow,butIfoundnothing.Then,hearing
muffledvoicesbehindthewall,Ibegantolisten.

"'Gotobed,woman,'saidDorde.'AndPetarandSdenka,youtoo.Don'tworryaboutanything,I'llkeepwatch."

"'No,Dorde,'saidhiswife.'Ishouldwatchyouworkeduntillatelastnight,andyoumustbetired.Besides,Ihaveto
watchouroldest.Youknowhe'sbeenillsinceyesterday!'

"'Bequietandgotobed,'saidDorde.'I'llkeepwatchforbothofus!'

"'Butbrother,'said,Sdenkainhersoftestvoice.'There'snoneedtowatch.Fatherisalreadyasleepseehowcalm
andpeacefulhelooks!'

"'Youdon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,eitherofyou,'Dordesaidinatonethatbrookednoargument.'Itoldyouto
gotobedandletmewatch!'

"Therefellaprofoundsilence.SoonIfeltmyeyelidsdroopandsleepovercameme.

"IthoughtIsawmydooropenslowly,andoldGorchaappearonthethreshold.Itwasverydarkinthatcornerofthe
roomIcouldn'treallyseehim,butonlysuspectedthatthefigurewashis.Hiseyesfollowedthemovementofmy
breath,andseemedtobetryingtoguessmythoughts.Cautiously,hecrepttowardsme,ontiptoe.Suddenlyhe
loomedaboveme,atthesideofmybed.Ifeltaninexpressiblefear,butsomeinvisibleforceheldmethere,immobile.
Theoldmanleanedoverme,hislividfacesoclosetominethatIthoughtIcouldfeelhiscadaverousbreath.Witha
supremeeffort,Iforcedmyselfawake,bathedinsweat.Therewasnooneinmyroombutglancingoutthewindow,I
clearlybeheldoldGorchawithhisfaceagainstthepane,staringatmewithdreadfuleyes.

Ihadthestrengthtosuppressascream,andthepresenceofmindtoliecalmly,asifIhadnotseenanything.
However,itseemedtheoldmanonlywantedtomakesurethatIwasasleep,becausehemadenoattempttogetin,
butwalkedawayfromthewindowafterscrutinizingme.Iheardfootstepsinthenextroom.Dordewasasleep,snoring
toshakethewalls.ThechildcoughedatthatmomentandIcouldmakeoutGorcha'svoice.

"'You'renotsleeping,littleone?'hesaid.

"'No,Grandpa,'saidthechild,'andIwanttotalktoyou!'

"'Andwhatshallwetalkabout?'

"''IwantyoutotellmehowyoufoughttheTurks.IwanttogofighttheTurks,too!'

"'Yes,Ithoughtso,child,andIbroughtyoualittleyataganthatI'llgiveyoutomorrow.'

"'Oh,Grandpa,giveittomenow!'
"'Butwhy,mylittleone,didyounottalktomewhenitwasdaylight?'

"'BecauseFatherwouldn'tletme!'

"'He'scautious,yourfather.Soyouwanttohaveyourlittleyatagan?'

"'Ohyes,Iwould!Butnothere,incasefatherwakesup.'

"'Butwherethen?'

"'Ifwegooutside,Ipromisetobecarefulandnotmakeanynoise!'

"IseemedtohearGorchachuckle,asthechildgotoutofbed.Ididnotbelieveinvampires,butmynightmarehad
frayedmynerveswantingnothingtoreproachmyselfforlater,Igotupandslammedmyfistagainstthewallbetween
myselfandtheroomwheretheotherswere.

ThenoiseshouldhavebeenenoughtowaketheSevenSleepers,[7]butIheardnoresponse.Irushedforthedoor,
determinedtosavethechild,butIdiscoveredthatitwasclosedandlocked,andwouldnotyieldtomyeffortstoopen
it.AsItriedinvaintoescape,Icouldseetheoldmanthroughmywindow,leavingwiththeboyinhisarms.

"'Getup,getup!'Ishoutedwithallmystrength,poundingthewall,whichshookwiththeforceofmyblows.Onlythen
didDordewakeup.

"'Where'stheoldman?'hecalled.

"'Quickly!'Ishoutedathim,'hejusttookyourson!'

"WithakickDordeburstopenthefrontdoor,which,likemine,hadbeenbarredfromtheoutside,andraninthe
directionofthewoods.IfinallymanagedtowakeupPetarandSdenka.Wegatheredinfrontofthehouse,andaftera
fewminutes'wait,wesawDordereturn,carryinghisson.He'dfoundtheboyunconsciousbythesideoftheroad.The
childsoonrecovered,andseemednoworsefortheexperience.Toourquestions,hesaidthathisgrandfatherhad
donehimnoharmtheyhadgoneoutsidetogethertobemoreatease.Onceoutside,hehadlostconsciousness,
withoutrememberinghow.AsforGorcha,hewasgone.

"Therestofthenight,asyoumightimagine,passedwithoutsleep.

"ThenextdayIlearnedthattheDanube,whichcutthemainroadamilefromthevillage,hadbeguntofreezeover,
whichalwayshappensinthatregioninthelatefallandearlyspring.Thispreventedtravelforafewdays,andIhadto
delaymyplanneddeparture.Yet,evenifIcouldhaveleft,curiosity,combinedwithamorepowerfulattraction,would
havekeptmethere.ThemoreIsawSdenka,themoreIlovedher.Iamnotoneofthoseromantics,mesdames,who
believeinthesuddenandirresistiblepassionthatwereadaboutinnovels,butIthinktherearecaseswherelove
blossomsmorequicklythanusual.SdenkasoremarkablyremindedmeoftheDuchessdeGramont,withthatfaint
linetracedonherforeheadthesamelinethat,inFrance,hadmademesuicidalwithlonging.I'dfledParisto
escapeher,andyethereshewasagain,inpicturesquecostumeandspeakingaharmoniousforeigntongue.Itwas
thisresemblance,togetherwiththestrangenessofmysituationandthemysteriesthatsurroundedme,thatkindledin
meadesirethat,inothercircumstances,wouldhavebeenvagueandfleeting.

"InthecourseofthedayIoverheardSdenkatalkingtoheryoungerbrother.

"'Whatdoyouthinkofallthis?'sheaskedhim.'Doyoualsosuspectourfather?'

"'Idarenotsuspecthim,'repliedPetar,'especiallysincetheboysaidthathewasn'thurt.AsforFather's
disappearance,youknowthathenevertellsusofhiscomingsandgoings.'

"'Iknow,'Sdenkasaid,'butsomethingmustbedone,becauseyouknowDorde'
"'Yes,Iknow.Itwouldbeuselesstotryandtalkhimoutofit,butifwehidethestake,hecan'tgetanotherone,
becausethere'snotasingleaspenonthissideofthemountains!'

"'Yes,let'shidethestake,butdon'ttellthechildrenbecausetheymighttellDorde!'

"'We'llkeepittoourselves,'saidPetar.Andtheyparted.

"NightcamestillnonewsofoldGorcha.Ilayawake,sprawledoutonmybed,watchingthemoonshiningbrightlyinto
myroom.Assleepbegantoblurmythoughts,Isuddenlyfelt,asifbyinstinct,theoldman'sapproach.Iopenedmy
eyesandsawhisghastlyfacepressedagainstmywindow.

"ThistimeItriedtogetup,butitwasimpossible.Itseemedasifallmylimbswereparalyzed.Afterwatchingme
carefully,theoldmanslippedaway.Iheardhimgoaroundthehouseandgentlytapatthewindowoftheroomwhere
Dordeandhiswifeslept.Thechildrolledoverinhisbedandmoanedinhissleep.Afewminutesofsilencepassed,
thenagainIheardaknockatthewindow.Thechildmoanedagainandwokeup...

"'Isthatyou,Grandpa?'heasked.

"'It'sme',alowvoicereplied.'I'vebroughtyourlittleyatagan.'

"'ButIdaren'tgooutFather'sforbiddenmeto!'

"'Youneedn'tgoout,justopenthewindowsoyoucancomekissme!'

"'ThechildgotupandIheardhimopenthewindow.Callinguponallmyenergytobreakmyparalysis,Ijumpedoutof
bedandpoundedonthewall.InaminuteDordewasawake.Iheardhimswearhiswifeshrieked.Soonthewhole
housewasgatheredaroundtheunconsciouschild.Gorchahaddisappearedagain.Ourministrationsmanagedto
revivethechild,buthewasweakandcouldhardlybreathe.Thepoorboydidnotknowwhyhehadfainted.His
motherandSdenkablameditonthefearofbeingcaughttalkingtohisgrandfather.Isaidnothing.Afterthechildgrew
quiet,everyoneexceptDordewentbacktobed.

"TowarddawnIheardhimwakehiswifethetwotalkedquietly.SdenkajoinedthemandIheardthetwowomen
sobbing.

"Thechildwasdead.

"Ineedn'tspeakofthefamily'sdespair.NooneyetattributedthedeathtooldGorcha.Atleast,noonespokeofit
openly.

"Dordewassilent,buthisstill,darkexpressionhadtakenonaterriblequality.Fortwodays,theoldmandidnot
reappear.Onthenightafterthethirdday(thedayofthechild'sfuneral)IthoughtIheardfootstepsaroundthehouse,
andavoiceofanoldmanwhocalledouttothedeceasedboy'syoungerbrother.Foramoment,Iseemedtosee
Gorcha'sfigureoutlinedagainstmywindow,butIcouldnottellifitwasrealityormyimagination,becausethatnight,
themoonwascoveredbyclouds.Inanycase,IthoughtitmydutytotellDorde.Heaskedtheboy,whorepliedthat,
yes,hehadheardhisgrandfathercallinghim,andhadseenhimlookingthroughthewindow.Dordesternlyordered
hissontowakehimiftheoldmanappearedagain.

"'EvenallthesecircumstancesdidnotstopmyloveforSdenkafromgrowingevenmore.

"Intheday,Icouldn'tspeakwithherwithouttheothersoverhearing.Whennightcame,thethoughtofmyimminent
departurepiercedmyheart.Sdenka'sroomwasseparatedfromminebyapassagethatoverlookedthestreetonone
sideandthecourtyardontheother.

"Oneevening,asthehouseholdretiredfortheevening,Idecidedtotakeawalkinthecountrysidetodistractmyself
beforesleeping.AsIpassedthroughthepassagefrommyroom,IsawthatSdenka'sdoorwasajar.
"Istoppedinvoluntarily.Thefamiliarrustlingofherdressmademyheartpound.Iheardwordssunginawhisper.It
wasthesongofaSerbiankingabouttoleaveforbattle,biddinghisbelovedfarewell.

'Oh,myyoungpoplar,'saidtheoldking,

'I'mofftowarandyouwillforgetme!'

'Yourwaistismorelissomthantheslenderyoungtrees

thatgrowatthefootofthemountain.

'Yourlipsareredderthanrowanberries.

'AndI,I'mlikeanoldoakstrippedofleaves

mybeardiswhiterthanthefoamoftheDanube!

'Youwillforgetme,Omysoul,andIshalldieofgrief,

fortheenemywillnotdaretokilltheoldking!'

Andthebeautifulmaidreplied:

'Isweartobefaithfultoyouandtoneverforgetyou.

'AndifIbreakmyoath,mayyouwakefromthedead

tosuckallthebloodfrommyheart!'

AndtheoldKingsaid:'Sobeit!'

Andhewenttowar.Andhowsoonhisloverforgothim!...

HereSdenkastopped,asifshewereafraidtofinishthesong.Icouldn'tcontainmyselfanylonger.Hervoice,so
sweet,soexpressive,wasthevoiceoftheDuchessdeGramont...Impulsively,Ipushedopenthedoorandentered.
Sdenkahadremovedheroverblousesheworenothingbutachemiseembroideredingoldandredsilkthatclungto
herwaist,andasimplecheckeredskirt.Herbeautifulblondetresseswereunbraided,andherundressmadeher
appearevenmoreravishing.Insteadofbeingirritatedatmysuddenentrance,sheseemedconfusedandblushed
slightly.

"'Whatareyoudoinghere?Whatwilltheythinkiftheycatchus?'

"'Sdenka,mysoul,'Isaid,'don'tworry,everyoneisasleep,onlythecricketsinthegrassandthebeetlesintheaircan
hearus.'

"'Oh,myfriend,fly,fly!Ifmybrothercatchesus,I'mlost!'

"'Sdenka,I'llgowhenyoupromisetolovemeforever,likethebeautifulmaidenpromisedherkingintheballad.I'm
leavingsoon,Sdenka,whoknowswhenweshallmeetagain!Iloveyoumorethanmysoul,morethanmysalvation...
mylifeandmybloodareyours...can'tyougivemeonehourinexchange?'

"'Manythingscanhappeninanhour,'Sdenkasaid,thoughtfully,butsheleftherhandinmine.'Youdon'tknowmy
brother,'shecontinuedwithashudder,'Ihaveafeelinghe'llfindus.'

"'Calmyourself,mySdenka,'Itoldher.'Yourbrotheristiredfromhisday'swork,hesitsdrowsingtothesoundofthe
windplayinginthetreeshissleepisdeep,thenightislong,andIonlyaskyouforasinglehour!Andthen,farewell...
perhapsforever!'
"'Oh,no,notforever!'Sdenkacried,thenrecoiledasifafraidofherownvoice.

"'Oh,Sdenka,'Icried,'whenIseeyou,whenIhearyou,Ican'tcontrolmyselfIobeyasuperiorforce.Forgiveme,
Sdenka!'AndlikeafoolIpressedhertomyheart.

"'Oh,you'renotmyfriend!'shesaid,breakingfreeofmyarmsandescapingdeeperintoherroom.Idon'tknowhowI
repliedtoher,becauseIwasconfusedbymyaudacitynotthatsometimes,onsimilaroccasions,ithasn'tworked
formebutdespitemypassion,IstillhadasincererespectforSdenka'sinnocence.

"'Infact,Istartedtoregaleherwiththosedashingphrasesthathadalwaysworkedsowellformewithbeautifulladies,
butthen,ashamedofmyself,Istopped.Thegirl'ssimplicitykeptherfromunderstandingwhatIhintedat,thoughallof
youladies,asIseebyyoursmiles,haveeasilyguessed.

"SoIstoodtherebeforeher,unsurewhattosay,whensuddenlyIsawherflinchandstareatthewindowwithalookof
terror.IfollowedthedirectionofhereyesanddistinctlysawthemotionlessfigureofGorcha,watchingusfrom
outside.

"Atthatmoment,Ifeltaheavyhandonmyshoulder.Iturned.ItwasDorde.

"'Whatareyoudoinghere?'heasked.

"Rattledbyhisbrusquequestion,Ipointedtohisfatherpeeringinatusthroughthewindow.Gorchadisappearedas
soonasDordesawhim.

"'IheardtheoldmanandIcametowarnyoursister,'Isaid.

"Dorde'sstareboredthroughmeasifhewerereadingthedepthsofmysoul.Hetookmebythearmandledmeto
myroom,thenleftwithoutaword.

"Thenextday,thefamilywasgatheredinfrontofthehousearoundatableladenwithmilkandcheese.

"'Whereistheboy?'askedDorde.

"'Inthecourtyard,saidhismother.'PlayinghisfavoritegameoffightingtheTurks.'

"HardlyhadsheutteredthesewordswhentoourgreatsurprisewesawGorcha'simposingform,comingfromthe
bottomofthewoodsandwalkingslowlytowardsus.HesatdownatthetableashehaddoneonthethedaythatI
arrived.

"'Father,welcome,'murmuredhisdaughterinlawinabarelyaudiblevoice.

"'Welcome,father,'repeatedSdenkaandPetarquietly.

"'Father,"Dordesaidinafirmvoice,thoughhisfacehadlostitscolor,'we'dlikeyoutosaygrace.'

"Theoldmanturnedaway,frowning.

"'Saygracethisinstant!'repeatedDorde,'andmaketheSignoftheCross,orbySt.George'

"Sdenkaandhersisterinlawleanedtowardtheoldmanandbeggedhimtosaytheprayers.

"'No,no,no!'saidtheoldman.'Hehasnorighttoordermearound,andifheinsists,thenIcursehim!'

"Dordegotupandranintothehouse.Soonhereturnedwithfuryinhiseyes.

"'Whereisthestake?'hecried,'wheredidyouhidethestake?'

"SdenkaandPetarexchangedglances.
"''Youdeadthing!'Dordesaidtotheoldman,'Whathaveyoudonewithmyeldestboy?Whydidyoukillmychild?
Givemebackmyson,youcorpse!'

"Andashespoke,hebecameincreasinglypale,andhiseyesblazed.Theoldmanglaredathim,motionless.

"'Thestake,whereisthestake!'criedDorde.'Mayallourmisfortunefallontheheadofwhoeverhidit!'

"Atthatmomentweheardthemerrylaughteroftheyoungestchildandwesawhimcometowardsus,ridingthebig
stakelikeahorseandraisinghislittlevoiceinthebattlecryoftheSerbs.

"Dorde'seyeslitup.Hesnatchedthestakefromthechildandrushedtowardshisfather.Thecreaturescreamedand
raninthedirectionofthewoodwithaspeedpracticallysupernaturalforhisage.

"Dordechasedhimthroughthefieldsandwesoonlostsightofthem.

"ThesunhadsetbythetimeDordecamehome,deathlypale,withhishairdisheveled.Ashesatbythefire,Iseemed
tohearhisteethchattering.Nobodydaredquestionhim.Bythehourwhenthefamilywasaccustomedtoretireforthe
evening,heseemedtorecoverhisenergy.Takingmeaside,hesaidinthemostnaturalway:

"'Mydearsir,Ihavejustseentheriver.Theicehascleared,thereisnothingtopreventyourdeparture.There'sno
need,'headded,glancingatSdenka,'tosaygoodbyetomyfamily.OntheirbehalfIwishyouallthehappinessinthe
world,andIhopethatyoualsorememberusfondly.Tomorrow,atdaybreak,youwillfindyourhorsesaddledand
readytofollowyourlead.Farewell,rememberyourhostsometimes,andforgivehimifyourstayherehasnotbeenas
troublefreeashewouldhaveliked.'

"'Atthatmoment,thehardlinesofDorde'sfacetookonanalmostcordialexpression.Heescortedmetomyroomand
shookmyhandonelasttime.Thenheshivered,andhisteethchatteredasiffromthecold.

"Leftalone,Iwastoopreoccupiedtosleep,asyoucanimagine.Ihadlovedmanywomeninmylife.Ihad
experiencedtenderness,andspite,andjealousybutnever,notevenwhenleavingtheDuchessdeGramont,hadI
felttheintensesadnessthattoremyheartatthatmoment.Beforethesunhadappeared,Iputonmytraveling
clothes,hopingforonelastconversationwithSdenka.ButDordewaswaitingformeinthehallway.Anychanceto
sayfarewelltoherwasgone.

"Ijumpedonmyhorseandrodeaway,promisingmyselfthatIwouldreturntothevillageonmywaybackfrom
Jassy[8].Myanticipationforthefutureasdistantasitwasgraduallydroveawaymyworries.Iimaginedmy
returnwithsatisfaction,picturingallthedetailsofafuturemeetingwithSdenka.Suddenlymyhorsestarted,almost
throwingmeoutofthesaddle.Thebeaststoppedshort,itsforelegsbraced,andsnortedinalarm,asifdangerwere
nearby.Lookingaround,Isawawolfaboutahundredpacesinfrontofme,diggingintheearth.Hearingme,itfled.
Spurringmyhorseforwardtothespotthatthewolfhadabandoned,Isawafreshgrave.IthoughtIcoulddistinguish
thetipofastake,protrudingafewinchesabovetheearththatthewolfhaddisturbed.Ididn'tstaytomakesure,but
quicklyrodeaway."

Here,theMarquispaused,andtookapinchofsnuff.

"Isthatall?"askedtheladies.

"Unfortunately,no!"repliedM.d'Urfe."TherestofthestoryisapainfulmemoryformeoneIwouldgivemuchtobe
freeof."

"ThebusinessthatbroughtmetoJassykeptmetherelongerthanIhadexpected:afullsixmonths.WhatcanIsay?
ItisasadtruthtoadmitbutatruthnonethelessthattherearefewlastingemotionsonthisEarth.Thesuccessof
mynegotiations,theencouragementIreceivedfromthecabinetofVersaillesinaword,alltheunpleasantpolitics
thathaveannoyedussomuchoflateinallofthismymemoryofSdenkasoonbegantofade.Andthentherewas
thewifeoftheGospodar,averybeautifulwomanwhospeaksourlanguageperfectly,andwhohadhonoredmeon
myarrivalbysinglingmeoutfromalltheotheryoungforeignerswhowerestayinginJassy.AssteepedasIaminthe
principlesofFrenchgallantry,myGallicbloodwouldhaverevoltedattheideaofrepayingthekindnesssheshowed
mewithingratitude.SoIrespondedobliginglytoheradvances,andtoputmyselfinapositiontoadvancethe
interestsandrightsofFranceIdevotedmyselftoherasattentivelyasifIweretheGospodarhimself.

"WhenIwasrecalledtoFrance,ItookthesameroutebackthathadledmetoJassy.

"IwasnotthinkingofSdenkaorherfamilywhenonenight,ridingthroughthecountryside,Iheardachurchbellstrike
eight.Thesoundseemedfamiliar,andmyguidetoldmetherewasamonasterynearby.Iaskedhimthename,and
hetoldmethatitwasTheVirginoftheOak.Iurgedmyhorseon,andsoonwewereknockingatthedoorofthe
monastery.Thehermitopenedthedoorandledustotheguesthouse.ItwassofullofpilgrimsthatIhadnourgeto
spendthenightthere,soIaskedifIcouldfindahouseinthevillage.

"'Youcanfindmorethanone,'thehermitrepliedwithadeepsigh.'ThankstothatinfidelGorchathereisnoshortage
ofemptyhouses!'

"'Whatdoesthatmean?'Idemandedofhim.'IsGorchastillalive?'

"'Oh,nohe'swellandtrulyburied,withastakethroughhisheart!ButhesuckedthebloodofDorde'sson.Thechild
camebackonenight,cryingatthedoor,sayinghewascoldandwantedtocomein.Hisfoolishmother,althoughshe
hadseenhimburiedwithherowneyes,didn'thavethecouragetosendhimbacktothecemetery,andopenedthe
door.Theboythrewhimselfonheranddrainedherblooduntilshedied.Theyburiedheraswell,butshereturnedto
suckthebloodofheryoungerson,andthenherhusband,andthenthatofhisbrother.Allaredead.'

"'AndSdenka?'Isaid.

"'Shewentmadwithgrief,poorchild.Let'snotspeakofher!"

"Thehermit'sanswerwasnotencouragingandIdidn'thavethecouragetorepeatmyquestion.

"'Vampirismiscontagious,'continuedthehermit,crossinghimself.'Manyfamiliesinthevillagehavebeenaffected,
manyfamilieshavebeencompletelykilledoff,andifyouwantmyadvice,you'llstaythenightinthemonastery.For
thoughinthevillageyoumaynotbedevouredbyvourdalaks,thedreadwillbeenoughtoturnyourhairwhitebeforeI
finishringingthecalltotheMorningMass.

"'I'mjustapoorhermit,'hecontinued,'butthegenerosityoftravelershasenabledmetoprovidefortheirneeds.I
haveexquisitecheeses,raisinsthatwillmakeyourmouthwaterjustjusttolookatthem,andafewbottlesofTokayas
fineasthewineofHisHolinessthePatriarch!'

"Itseemedtomeatthispointthatthehermithadturnedintoaninnkeeper.Isuspectedthathewaspurposelytelling
mefairytalestoconvincemetostay,andtomakemyselfagreeabletoheavenbyimitatingthegenerosityofthose
travelerswhoenabledtheholymantomeettheirneeds.

"Buttheword'fear'hasalwaysaffectedmelikeabugleaffectsawarhorse.IwouldhavebeenashamedofmyselfifI
hadnotleftforthevillageimmediately.Myguide,trembling,askedpermissiontostayatthemonastery,whichI
willinglygranted.

"Ittookmeabouthalfanhourtoreachthevillage.Ifounditdeserted.Notalightshoneinanyofthewindows,nota
soundorasongcouldbeheard.Ipassedinsilencebeforeallthesehouses,mostofwhichIrecognized,andfinally
arrivedatDorde'shome.Whetherfromsentimentalmemoryorfromtherecklessnessofyouth,Idecidedtospendthe
nightthere.
"Idismountedandknockedatthegate.Nobodyanswered.Ipushedonthegateitopened,creakingonitshinges.I
enteredtheyard.

"Itiedmyhorse,stillsaddled,inashed,whereIfoundasufficientsupplyofoatsforonenight,thenIwalked
resolutelytowardsthehouse.

"Allthedoorswereopen,yetalltheroomsseemeduninhabited.Sdenka'sroomlookedasifithadbeenabandoned
onlythedaybefore.Someofherclotheswerestilllyingonthebed.Onatable,IsawsomejewelrythatIhadgiven
her,shininginthemoonlight.IrecognizedasmallenamelcrossthatIhadboughtinBudapest.Icouldnotdenyto
myself,thoughmyheartsankatthethought,thatmyloveforherwasathingofthepast.Still,Iwrappedmyselfinmy
coatandlayonherbed.Soonsleepovercameme.

"Idon'trememberthedetailsofmydream,butIknowthatIsawSdenka,asbeautiful,innocent,andlovingasbefore.
Iblamedmyselfformyselfishnessandfickleness.IwonderedhowIcouldhaveabandonedthispoorchildwholoved
me,howIcouldhaveforgottenher.Inmydream,herimagemergedwiththeDuchessdeGramontuntilIsawthetwo
ofthemasoneandthesameperson.Ithrewmyselfatherfeetandbeggedherforgiveness.Allofmybeing,allofmy
soul,wasfilledwithanineffablefeeling,amixtureofmelancholyandhappiness.

"Iwasdeepinmydream,whenIwashalfawakenedbyamelodioussound,liketherustlingofawheatfieldinthe
breeze.Therustlingwheatseemedtominglewithbirdsong,witharollingwaterfall,withwhisperingtrees.Thenall
theseconfusedsoundsresolvedthemselvesintotherustleofawoman'sskirtand,asthatthoughtcametome,I
awoke.IopenedmyeyesandsawSdenkanearmybed.ThemoonshonesobrightlythatIcouldseeeverydetail:
adorabletraitsthatwereoncesodeartome,andwhichinmydreamIhadprizedevenmore.Sdenkaseemedmore
beautifulandalluringthanIremembered.Sheworethesameattireasbefore:thesimplechemiseembroideredwith
goldandsilkthread,andaskirtthatwrappedtightlyaroundherhips.

"'Sdenka!'Isaid,asIsatupinthebed,'isitreallyyou,Sdenka?'

"'Yes,it'sme,'sherepliedinasoft,sadvoice.'It'syourSdenkawhomyouhadforgotten.Oh,whydidn'tyoucome
sooner?It'stoolatenow,youmustgo,amomentlongerandyou'relost!Farewell,myfriend,goodbyeforever!'

"'Sdenka,'Isaid,'somuchhashappened,I'vebeentoldofyourtragedies.Come,let'stalktogetherletmecomfort
you.'

"'Oh,myfriend,'shesaid,'don'tbelieveeverythingtheysayaboutus,butgo,goasquicklyaspossible,becauseif
youstayhere,yourdoomiscertain.'

"'ButSdenka,whatdangerthreatensme?Can'tyougivemeanhour,justonehour,tospendwithme?'

"'Sdenkastarted,andastrangechangecameoverherfeatures.

"'Yes,'shesaid,'anhour,anhour,justlikewhenIsangtheballadoftheoldkingandyouwalkedintothisroom!Isthat
whatyoumean?Ohyes,Iwillgiveyouanhour!Butno'shesaid,recoveringhimself,'go,goaway!Go,whydon't
you?Itellyou,runaway!...fleewhileyoucan!'

"Awildenergyanimatedherfeatures.

"Ididn'tunderstandthereasonforherwordstome,butshewassobeautifulthatIdecidedtostayinspiteofwhatshe
said.Finally,yieldingtomyentreaties,shesatdownnexttome,recallingoldtimes,andblushinglytellingmethatshe
hadlovedmefromthedaythatIarrived.Gradually,though,Inoticedachangeinher.Herformerreservehadgiven
waytoastrangerecklessness.Hereyes,oncesoshy,werenowratherbold.Atlast,Irealizedwithsurprisethather
mannertowardsmewasfarfromtheladylikemodestyofthepast.
"Isitpossible,Ithought,thatSdenkawasnotthepureandinnocentyounggirlsheseemedtobesixmonthsago?[9]
Hadsheonlywornthatguisebecauseshewasafraidofherbrother?CouldIhavebeensogrosslydeceived?But
thenwhydidshebegmetogo?Wasthisjustamoresubtleformofcoquetry?Iwondered,butitdidn'tmatter.If
Sdenkawasn'ttheDianathatIthoughtshewas,well,Iwouldcomparehertoanothergoddess,onenolesscharming,
thankGod!AndIpreferredtheroleofAdonistoActeon[10].

"Iftheseclassicalreferencesseemoldfashioned,mesdames,pleaserememberthatwhatIhavethehonortotellyou
happenedintheyearofOurLord1758.Mythologywasthenalltherage,andIpridedmyselfonbeingwiththetimes.
Thingshavechangedsincethen,anditwasnotsolongagothattheRevolutionoverthrewtherelicsofpaganism,
alongwiththeChristianreligion,puttingthetheGoddessofReasonintheirplace.Thisgoddess,mesdames,was
nevermymistresswhenIfoundmyselfinyourpresence,andatthetimeofwhichIspeak,Iwasevenlessinclinedto
offerhersacrifices.IsurrenderedwithouthesitationtomydesireforSdenkaandwentjoyouslyintoherarms.

"Sometimehadpassedinsweetintimacywhen,amusingmyselfbyadorningSdenkawithallherjewelry,Itriedtoput
thesmallenamelcrossthatIhadgivenheraroundherneck.WhenImovedtodoso,Sdenkarecoiledwithashudder.

"'Enoughofthatchildishness,myfriend,'shesaid.'Letthosetrinketsaloneandtellmeaboutwhathasbeen
happeningwithyou.'

"Herreactionstartedmethinking.Lookingathermorecarefully,Irealizedthatshenolongerworearoundherneck,
asshehadinthepast,thenumerouslittleicons,relics,andsachetsofincensethattheSerbswearfromchildhoodto
thegrave.

"'Sdenka,'Isaid,'wherearetheiconsaroundyourneck?'

"'I'velostthem,'sherepliedimpatiently,andimmediatelychangedthesubject.

"Avagueforeboding,ofIknewnotwhat,dawnedonme.Iwantedtoleave,butSdenkastoppedme.

"'Whatisthis?'shedemanded.'Youaskedmeforanhour,andnowyou'releavingafteronlyafewminutes!

"'Sdenka,'Isaid,'youwererighttoaskmetoleave.IthoughtIheardanoise,andI'mafraidthatsomeonewillcatch
us!'

"'Don'tworry,myfriend,everyoneissleepingonlythecricketsinthegrassandthebeetlesintheaircanhearus!'

"'No,Sdenka,Imustleave!'

"'Stop,stop,'Sdenkasaid.'Iloveyoumorethanmysoul,morethanmysalvation,youtoldmethatyourlifeandyour
bloodweremine!'

"'Butyourbrother,yourbrother,Sdenka!Whatifhecatchesus?'

"'Calmyourself,mysoulmybrotherisdrowsingtothesoundofthewindplayinginthetrees.Hissleepisdeep,the
nightislongandIonlyaskyouforanhour!'

"Asshesaidthat,Sdenkalookedsobeautifulthatthevagueterrorthathadbeenagitatingmebegantogivewayto
mydesiretostaywithher.Amixtureoffearandindescribablepleasurefilledmywholebeing.AsIfaltered,Sdenka's
mannerbecameevenmoretenderIgavein,promisingmyselfallthewhiletobeonmyguard.ButasIsaidearlier,
I'veneverbeengoodatdoingthingsbyhalves,andwhenSdenka,noticingmyreserve,suggestedthatwechase
awaythechilloftheeveningwithafewgenerousglassesofwinethatshetoldmeshehadgottenfromthegood
hermit,Iacceptedherofferwithaneagernessthatmadehersmile.Thewinehaditseffect.Bythesecondglass,the
badfeelingIhadoverthecrossandthemissingiconshadvanishedcompletely.Sdenka,halfdressed,withherhair
unbraidedandherjewelryglitteringinthemoonlight,seemedirresistible.Unabletocontainmyself,Itookherintomy
arms.

"Andthen,mesdames,thereoccurredoneofthosemysteriousmiraclesthatIcannotexplain,butwhoseexistencemy
experienceshaveforcedmetobelievein,asmuchasIhatetoadmitit.

"TheforcewithwhichI'dembracedSdenkadrovethepointofthecrossIwaswearingtheonethattheDuchessde
Gramonthadgivenmeintomychest.Thesharppainwentthroughmelikeaboltoflightning.IlookedatSdenka
andsawthatherfeatures,thoughstillbeautiful,wereasstiffasdeath,thathereyesseemednottoseeme,andthat
hersmilewasconvulsedlikethegrinofacorpse.Atthesametime,Inoticedintheroomanauseatingstench,like
thatofapoorlysealedcrypt.Theawfultruthstoodbeforemeinallitsugliness,andIrememberedtoolatethehermit's
warnings.

"Irealized,too,howprecariousmypositionwaseverythingdependedonmycourageandcomposure.Iturnedaway
fromSdenkatoconcealthehorroronmyface.Myeyesfellonthewindow,andIsawtheinfamousGorcha,leaning
onabloodiedstakeandstaringatmewiththeeyesofahyena.AttheotherwindowIsawDorde'spaleface,bearing
atthatmomentafrighteningresemblancetohisfather.BothofthemwerewatchingmymovementsandIhadno
doubtthattheywouldattackmeifImadetheslightestattempttoescape.Ipretendednottoseethem,andmakinga
violenteffort,Icontinuedyes,mesdamesIcontinuedtocaressSdenkajustasIhadbeenbeforemyterrible
discovery.Meanwhile,Ianxiouslyplannedmyescape.InoticedthatGorchaandDordeexchangedimpatientglances
withSdenka.Fromoutside,Iheardthevoiceofawomanandthecriesofchildren,frightfulhowlslikethoseof
wildcats.

"'It'stimetogo,'Ithought,'andthesoonerthebetter!'

"IsaidtoSdenka,inavoiceloudenoughforherhideouskintohear:

"'I'mquitetired,mychild.I'dliketoliedownandsleepforafewhours,butfirstIshouldmakesurethatmyhorsehas
beenfed.Stayhereandwaitforme.'

"Ikissedhercoldpalelipsandwentout.Intheshed,Ifoundmyhorseagitatedandcoveredwithfoam.Hehadnot
touchedhisoats,buthisneighingashesawmecomingmademeafraidthathemightgivemyaway.Luckilythe
vampireshadheardmyconversationwithSdenka,andweren'talarmed.Icheckedthatthegatewasopen,sprang
intothesaddle,anddugmyspursintotheflanksofmyhorse.

"AsIpassedoutthegate,Ihadtimetoseethelargebandgatheredaroundthehousewiththeirfacespressed
againstthewindows.Thesuddenessofmyexitmusthavekeptthemfromnoticingrightaway,becauseforsometime
allIcouldhearinthesilenceofthenightwasthesteadygallopofmyhorse.Iwascongratulatingmyselfonmy
escapewhenIheardasoundbehindme,likeastormbeatingagainstthemountains.Athousandconfusedvoices
shouted,screamedandseemedtoarguewitheachother.Theneverythingfellsilentallatonce,andIhearda
tramplingbehindmelikeatroopofinfantryapproachingatarun.

"Iurgedmymounton,myspurstearingintohisflanks.Myheartbeat,andIburnedasifwithfever,desperatelytrying
tokeepmypresenceofmind.Behindme,Iheardavoicecallingout:

"'Stop,stop,myfriend!Iloveyoumorethanmysoul,Iloveyoumorethanmysalvation!Stop,stop,yourbloodis
mine!'

"Atthesametime,acoldbreathbrushedmyearandIfeltSdenkathrowherselfontomyhorse,behindme.

"'Myheart,mysoul!'shesaidtome,'WhenIseeyou,whenIhearyou,Ican'tcontrolmyself.Iobeyasuperiorforce.
Forgiveme,myfriend,forgiveme!'
"Andwrappingherarmsaroundme,shetriedtopullmetoherandbitemeinthethroat.Aterriblestruggleensued
betweenus.FinallyImanagedtograbSdenkabyherbraidsinonehand,withmyotherarmaroundherwaist.
Bracingmyselfonmystirrups,Ithrewherdown!

"Immediatelymystrengthleftmeanddeliriumseizedme.Athousandinsane,terrible,grimacingimagespursuedme.
FirstDordeandhisbrotherPetarskimmedtheroadandtriedtobarmyway.Theyfailed,andrejoicing,Iturnedand
sawoldGorcha,hurtlingdowntheroad,usinghisstakeliketheTyroleanmountaineersusepolestopropel
themselvesacrosschasms.Him,too,Ileftinthedust.

"Thenhisdaughterinlaw,whodraggedherchildrenafterher,threwoneofherboysontothepointofhisstake.Using
thestakeasathrowingstick,Gorchaflungthechildatmewithallhisstrength.Iavoidedgettinghit,butwithtruly
bulldoglikeinstinct,thelittletoadclampedhisjawsontotheneckofmyhorseIpulledhimoffwithdifficulty.Theother
boywashurledatmethesameway,buthefellbeyondthehorseandwascrushedunderitshooves.Idon't
rememberanythingelse,orhowIsurvivedbutwhenIcameto,itwasbroaddaylightandIfoundmyselflyingonthe
roadnexttomydyingsteed.

"Andsoended,mesdames,aloveaffairthatshouldhavecuredmeforeverofthedesireforromance.Someofthe
contemporariesofyourgrandmotherscouldtellyouwhetherIwasanywiserinthefuture.

"IstillshuddertothinkthatifIhadsuccumbedtomyenemies,Iwouldhavebecomeavampireaswell.Butheaven
didnotallowthattohappen,andfarfromthirstingforyourblood,mesdames,Iasknothingbetterthanthat,oldasI
am,Ishouldstillshedmineinyourdefense!"

Footnotes

[1]"AsagreedatthefirstTreatyofParisin1814,acongressoftheGreatPowersofEuropemetatViennatosettle
thefutureboundariesofthecontinent.AlmosteverystateinEuropewasrepresented.TheemperorsofAustriaand
Russia,thekingsofPrussia,Denmark,BavariaandWrttembergandmanyGermanprincesincludingtheElectorof
Hesse,theGrandDukeofBadenandthedukesofSaxeWeimar,BrunswickandCoburg,attendedinperson."

MarjieBloy,"TheCongressofVienna,1November18148June1815"

(http://www.victorianweb.org/history/forpol/vienna.html)

[2]TheFreeCityofKrakworRepublicofKrakwwasacitystatecreatedbytheCongressofViennain1815,and
controlledbyitsthreeneighbours(Russia,Prussia,andAustria).Itwasacenterofagitationforanindependent
Poland.In1846,intheaftermathoftheunsuccessfulKrakwUprisingitwasannexedbytheAustrianEmpire.
(Wikipedia)

[3]InFrench,thebrothersarenamedGeorgesandPierre.InFedorNikanov's1969translation,theyareGeorgeand
Peter(andtheirsisterisnamedZdenka).IdecidedtousemoreSerbianrenderings:DordeandPetar.

[4]TheFrenchversionsayshere"untraitcaractristiqueaufront".IfollowedNikanov's1969translationandrendered
thisas"adelicatelineontheirforeheads."

[5]TheFrenchtermusedhereis"couvent"convent.Buttheresidentsofthe"couvent"arereferredtoasmonks,not
nuns,soIfollowedNikanovandusedtheword"monastery"instead.

[6]TheJanissaries(fromOttomanTurkishyenierimeaning"newsoldier")wereeliteinfantryunitsthatformedthe
OttomanSultan'shouseholdtroopsandbodyguards.SultanMuradIcreatedtheforcein1383.Itwasabolishedby
SultanMahmudIIin1826.(Wikipedia)
[7]TheSevenSleepers,commonlycalledthe"SevenSleepersofEphesus",referstoagroupofChristianyouthswho
hidinsideacaveoutsidethecityofEphesusaround250AD,toescapeapersecutionofChristiansbeingconducted
duringthereignoftheRomanemperorDecius.AnotherversionisthatDeciusorderedthemimprisonedinaclosed
cavetodiethereaspunishmentforbeingChristians.Havingfallenasleepinsidethecave,theypurportedlyawoke
approximately180yearslaterduringthereignofTheodosiusII,followingwhichtheywerereportedlyseenbythe
peopleofthenowChristiancitybeforedying.(Wikipedia)

[8]Iai(alsoreferredtoasJassyorIassy)isoneofthelargestcitiesandmunicipalitiesinRomania,andtraditionally
oneoftheleadingcentersofRomaniansocial,cultural,academicandartisticlife.Thecitywasthecapitalofthe
PrincipalityofMoldaviafrom1564to1859,thenoftheUnitedPrincipalitiesfrom1859to1862,andthecapitalof
Romaniafrom1916to1918.(Wikipedia)

[9]IntheFrench,itsays"twoyearsago."ButM.d'UrfwasonlyinJassyforsixmonths,sothisisTolstoy'serrorin
thetext.

[10]AdoniswasabeautifulyoungmanoverwhomAphroditeandPersephonefought.TosettlethedisputeZeusorderedhimtospend

athirdoftheyearwithPersephone,athirdwithAphrodite,andathirdwhereverhechose.Hechosetospendtwothirdsoftheyearwith

Aphrodite.ActeonwasahunterwhoaccidentallysawDiananakedasshebathed.Dianaturnedhimintoastagaspunishment,andhe

wastorntodeathbyhisownhounds.

TheFamilyoftheVourdalakwasfeaturedasTheShortStoryoftheDay(/shortstoryoftheday)onWed,Oct07,2015

Readersofthegothic/ghost/vampiregenreshouldbesuretovisitNina'sblog,Multo(Ghost)(http://multoghost.wordpress.com/)

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