Кармілла
A Guest
Justbeforeyoureachthecastledrawbridge,ontheroutetheywerecoming,therestandsbytheroadsideamagnificentlimetree,ontheotherstandsanancientstonecross,atsightofwhichthehorses,nowgoingatapacethatwasperfectlyfrightful,swervedsoastobringthewheelovertheprojectingrootsofthetree.
Iknewwhatwascoming.Icoveredmyeyes,unabletoseeitout,andturnedmyheadaway;atthesamemomentIheardacryfrommyladyfriends,whohadgoneonalittle.
Curiosityopenedmyeyes,andIsawasceneofutterconfusion.Twoofthehorseswereontheground,thecarriagelayuponitssidewithtwowheelsintheair;themenwerebusyremovingthetraces,andalady,withacommandingairandfigurehadgotout,andstoodwithclaspedhands,raisingthehandkerchiefthatwasinthemeverynowandthentohereyes.
Throughthecarriagedoorwasnowliftedayounglady,whoappearedtobelifeless.Mydearoldfatherwasalreadybesidetheelderlady,withhishatinhishand,evidentlytenderinghisaidandtheresourcesofhisschloss.Theladydidnotappeartohearhim,ortohaveeyesforanythingbuttheslendergirlwhowasbeingplacedagainsttheslopeofthebank.
Iapproached;theyoungladywasapparentlystunned,butshewascertainlynotdead.Myfather,whopiquedhimselfonbeingsomethingofaphysician,hadjusthadhisfingersonherwristandassuredthelady,whodeclaredherselfhermother,thatherpulse,thoughfaintandirregular,wasundoubtedlystilldistinguishable.
