"God of Heaven!" cried the latter, "what has happened?"
"I know not," said Henry; "as God is my judge, I know not. Flora, Flora, speak to us! Flora! Flora!"
"She has fainted!" cried Charles. "Some water may restore her. Oh, Henry, Henry, is not this horrible?"
"Courage! courage!" said Henry although his voice betrayed what a terrible state of anxiety he was himself in; "you will find water in that decanter, Charles. Here is my mother, too! Another visit! God help us!"
Mrs. Bannerworth sat down on the edge of the sofa which was in the room, and could only wring her hands and weep.
"Avast!" cried the admiral, making his appearance. "Where's the enemy, lads?"
"Uncle," said Charles, "uncle, uncle, the vampyre has been here again—the dreadful vampyre!"
"D—n me, and he's gone, too, and carried half the window with him. Look there!"
It was literally true; the window, which was a long latticed one, was smashed through.
"Help! oh, help!" said Flora, as the water that was dashed in her face began to recover her.