"I am not one disposed to do so; nor am I prepared to deny that such dreadful beings may exist as vampyres. However, whether or not you belong to so frightful a class of creatures, I do not intend to leave here; but, I will make an agreement with you."
Varney was silent; and after a few moments' pause, the other exclaimed,—
"There are people, even now, watching the place, and no doubt you have been seen coming into it."
"No, no, I was satisfied no one was here but you."
"Then you are wrong. A Doctor Chillingworth, of whom you know something, is here; and him, you have said, you would do no harm to, even to save your life."
"I do know him. You told me that it was to him that I was mainly indebted for my mere existence; and although I do not consider human life to be a great boon, I cannot bring myself to raise my hand against the man who, whatever might have been the motives for the deed, at all events, did snatch me from the grave."
"Upon my word," whispered the admiral, "there is something about that fellow that I like, after all."
"Hush!" said Henry, "listen to them. This would all have been unintelligible to us, if you had not related to us what you have."
"I have just told you in time," said Chillingworth, "it seems."
"Will you, then," said the hangman, "listen to proposals?"