Кармілла
A Petition
"Now,initsfullforce,Irecognizedanewfollyinmyhavingundertakenthechargeofayoungladywithoutsomuchasknowinghername;andfetteredasIwasbypromises,ofthereasonsforimposingwhichIknewnothing,IcouldnotevenpointmyinquiriesbysayingthatthemissingyoungladywasthedaughteroftheCountesswhohadtakenherdepartureafewhoursbefore.
"Morningbroke.ItwascleardaylightbeforeIgaveupmysearch.Itwasnottillneartwoo’clocknextdaythatweheardanythingofmymissingcharge.
"Ataboutthattimeaservantknockedatmyniece’sdoor,tosaythathehadbeenearnestlyrequestedbyayounglady,whoappearedtobeingreatdistress,tomakeoutwhereshecouldfindtheGeneralBaronSpielsdorfandtheyoungladyhisdaughter,inwhosechargeshehadbeenleftbyhermother.
"Therecouldbenodoubt,notwithstandingtheslightinaccuracy,thatouryoungfriendhadturnedup;andsoshehad.Wouldtoheavenwehadlosther!
"Shetoldmypoorchildastorytoaccountforherhavingfailedtorecoverusforsolong.Verylate,shesaid,shehadgottothehousekeeper’sbedroomindespairoffindingus,andhadthenfallenintoadeepsleepwhich,longasitwas,hadhardlysufficedtorecruitherstrengthafterthefatiguesoftheball.
"ThatdayMillarcacamehomewithus.Iwasonlytoohappy,afterall,tohavesecuredsocharmingacompanionformydeargirl."
