Кармілла
Conclusion
Ifhehadintendedanyfurtheractioninthismatter,deathpreventedhim;andthehandofaremotedescendanthas,toolateformany,directedthepursuittothelairofthebeast."
Wetalkedalittlemore,andamongotherthingshesaidwasthis:
"Onesignofthevampireisthepowerofthehand.TheslenderhandofMircallaclosedlikeaviceofsteelontheGeneral’swristwhenheraisedthehatchettostrike.Butitspowerisnotconfinedtoitsgrasp;itleavesanumbnessinthelimbitseizes,whichisslowly,ifever,recoveredfrom."
ThefollowingSpringmyfathertookmeatourthroughItaly.Weremainedawayformorethanayear.Itwaslongbeforetheterrorofrecenteventssubsided;andtothishourtheimageofCarmillareturnstomemorywithambiguousalternations—sometimestheplayful,languid,beautifulgirl;sometimesthewrithingfiendIsawintheruinedchurch;andoftenfromareverieIhavestarted,fancyingIheardthelightstepofCarmillaatthedrawingroomdoor.
