Кармилла
Descending
Irememberspringingfrommybed,andmynextrecollectionisthatofstandingonthelobby,cryingforhelp.
MadameandMademoisellecamescurryingoutoftheirroomsinalarm;alampburnedalwaysonthelobby,andseeingme,theysoonlearnedthecauseofmyterror.
IinsistedonourknockingatCarmilla’sdoor.Ourknockingwasunanswered.
Itsoonbecameapoundingandanuproar.Weshriekedhername,butallwasvain.
Weallgrewfrightened,forthedoorwaslocked.Wehurriedback,inpanic,tomyroom.Therewerangthebelllongandfuriously.Ifmyfather’sroomhadbeenatthatsideofthehouse,wewouldhavecalledhimupatoncetoouraid.But,alas!hewasquiteoutofhearing,andtoreachhiminvolvedanexcursionforwhichwenoneofushadcourage.
Servants,however,sooncamerunningupthestairs;Ihadgotonmydressinggownandslippersmeanwhile,andmycompanionswerealreadysimilarlyfurnished.Recognizingthevoicesoftheservantsonthelobby,wesalliedouttogether;andhavingrenewed,asfruitlessly,oursummonsatCarmilla’sdoor,Iorderedthementoforcethelock.Theydidso,andwestood,holdingourlightsaloft,inthedoorway,andsostaredintotheroom.
Wecalledherbyname;buttherewasstillnoreply.Welookedroundtheroom.Everythingwasundisturbed.ItwasexactlyinthestateinwhichIhadleftitonbiddinghergoodnight.ButCarmillawasgone.
