"What ails thee—what ails thee? Tell me what caused you to scream out in such a manner?"
"I—I—that is I, father, thought—but no, I am sure it was reality. Where is the stranger?"
"A light—a light!" shouted the fisherman.
In another moment a light was brought him, and he discovered the stranger reclining in his bed, but awake, and looking around him, as if in the utmost amazement.
"What has happened?" he said—"what has happened?"
"That is more than I know as yet," the man replied. "Come, Fanny," he added, "tell me what it is you fear. What caused you to scream out in that dreadful manner?"
"Oh, father—the vampyre!"
"Great God! what do you mean, Fanny, by that?"
"I hardly know, father. I was fast asleep, when I thought I felt something at my throat; but being very sound asleep, I did not immediately awake. Presently I felt the sharp pang of teeth being driven into the flesh of my neck—I awoke, and found the vampyre at his repast. Oh, God! oh, God! what shall I do?"
"Stay, my child, let us examine the wound," said the fisherman, and he held the candle to the spot where the vampyre's teeth had been applied. There, sure enough, were teeth marks, such as a human being's would make were they applied, but no blood had been drawn therefrom.