Кармілла

           Whatwasitthat,asIreachedthebedsideandhadjustbegunmylittlegreeting,struckmedumbinamoment,andmademerecoilasteportwofrombeforeher?Iwilltellyou.

           Isawtheveryfacewhichhadvisitedmeinmychildhoodatnight,whichremainedsofixedinmymemory,andonwhichIhadforsomanyyearssooftenruminatedwithhorror,whennoonesuspectedofwhatIwasthinking.

           Itwaspretty,evenbeautiful;andwhenIfirstbeheldit,worethesamemelancholyexpression.

           Butthisalmostinstantlylightedintoastrangefixedsmileofrecognition.

           Therewasasilenceoffullyaminute,andthenatlengthshespoke;Icouldnot.

           "Howwonderful!"sheexclaimed."Twelveyearsago,Isawyourfaceinadream,andithashauntedmeeversince."

           "Wonderfulindeed!"Irepeated,overcomingwithaneffortthehorrorthathadforatimesuspendedmyutterances."Twelveyearsago,invisionorreality,Icertainlysawyou.Icouldnotforgetyourface.Ithasremainedbeforemyeyeseversince."

           Hersmilehadsoftened.WhateverIhadfanciedstrangeinit,wasgone,anditandherdimplingcheekswerenowdelightfullyprettyandintelligent.

           Ifeltreassured,andcontinuedmoreintheveinwhichhospitalityindicated,tobidherwelcome,andtotellherhowmuchpleasureheraccidentalarrivalhadgivenusall,andespeciallywhatahappinessitwastome.

           ItookherhandasIspoke.Iwasalittleshy,aslonelypeopleare,butthesituationmademeeloquent,andevenbold.