Кармілла
Her Habits — A Saunter
Then,disengaginghisfiddle,hebegantoscrapealivelyairtowhichhesangwithamerrydiscord,dancingwithludicrousairsandactivity,thatmademelaugh,inspiteofthedog’showling.
Thenheadvancedtothewindowwithmanysmilesandsalutations,andhishatinhislefthand,hisfiddleunderhisarm,andwithafluencythatnevertookbreath,hegabbledalongadvertisementofallhisaccomplishments,andtheresourcesofthevariousartswhichheplacedatourservice,andthecuriositiesandentertainmentswhichitwasinhispower,atourbidding,todisplay.
"Willyourladyshipsbepleasedtobuyanamuletagainsttheoupire,whichisgoinglikethewolf,Ihear,throughthesewoods,"hesaiddroppinghishatonthepavement."Theyaredyingofitrightandleftandhereisacharmthatneverfails;onlypinnedtothepillow,andyoumaylaughinhisface."
Thesecharmsconsistedofoblongslipsofvellum,withcabalisticciphersanddiagramsuponthem.
Carmillainstantlypurchasedone,andsodidI.
Hewaslookingup,andweweresmilingdownuponhim,amused;atleast,Icananswerformyself.Hispiercingblackeye,ashelookedupinourfaces,seemedtodetectsomethingthatfixedforamomenthiscuriosity.Inaninstantheunrolledaleathercase,fullofallmannerofoddlittlesteelinstruments.
"Seehere,mylady,"hesaid,displayingit,andaddressingme,"Iprofess,amongotherthingslessuseful,theartofdentistry.Plaguetakethedog!"heinterpolated.
