"Not at all, Mr. Chillingworth," said Henry. "Pray be seated; we are very glad indeed to see you. Admiral Bell, this is a friend on whom we can rely—Mr. Chillingworth."
"And one of the right sort, I can see," said the admiral, as he shook Mr. Chillingworth by the hand.
"Sir, you do me much honour," said the doctor.
"None at all, none at all; I suppose you know all about this infernal odd vampyre business?"
"I believe I do, sir."
"And what do you think of it?"
"I think time will develop the circumstances sufficiently to convince us all that such things cannot be."
"D—n me, you are the most sensible fellow, then, that I have yet met with since I have been in this neighbourhood; for everybody else is so convinced about the vampyre, that they are ready to swear by him."
"It would take much more to convince me. I was coming over here when I met Mr. George Bannerworth coming to my house."
"Yes," said George, "and Mr. Chillingworth has something to tell us of a nature confirmatory of our own suspicions."