Кармилла

           "Tryme,"saidmyfather;"Iamnotsuchadogmatistasyousuppose.Besideswhich,Iverywellknowthatyougenerallyrequireproofforwhatyoubelieve,andam,therefore,verystronglypredisposedtorespectyourconclusions."

           "YouarerightinsupposingthatIhavenotbeenledlightlyintoabeliefinthemarvelous—forwhatIhaveexperiencedismarvelous—andIhavebeenforcedbyextraordinaryevidencetocreditthatwhichrancounter,diametrically,toallmytheories.Ihavebeenmadethedupeofapreternaturalconspiracy."

           NotwithstandinghisprofessionsofconfidenceintheGeneral’spenetration,Isawmyfather,atthispoint,glanceattheGeneral,with,asIthought,amarkedsuspicionofhissanity.

           TheGeneraldidnotseeit,luckily.Hewaslookinggloomilyandcuriouslyintothegladesandvistasofthewoodsthatwereopeningbeforeus.

           "YouaregoingtotheRuinsofKarnstein?"hesaid."Yes,itisaluckycoincidence;doyouknowIwasgoingtoaskyoutobringmetheretoinspectthem.Ihaveaspecialobjectinexploring.Thereisaruinedchapel,ain’tthere,withagreatmanytombsofthatextinctfamily?"

           "Sothereare—highlyinteresting,"saidmyfather."Ihopeyouarethinkingofclaimingthetitleandestates?"

           Myfathersaidthisgaily,buttheGeneraldidnotrecollectthelaugh,oreventhesmile,whichcourtesyexactsforafriend’sjoke;onthecontrary,helookedgraveandevenfierce,ruminatingonamatterthatstirredhisangerandhorror.