Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/146

128 This fresh allusion to Byron struck Franz; for if anything was likely to induce belief in the existence of vampires, it was this man.

"I must positively find out who and what he is," said Franz, rising from his seat.

"No, no!" cried the countess, "you must not leave me. I depend upon you to escort me home. Oh, indeed, I cannot permit you to go."

"Is it possible," whispered Franz, "that you entertain any fear?"

"I'll tell you," answered the countess. "Byron had the most perfect belief in the existence of vampires, and even assured me he had seen some. He described their looks. Oh! Exactly the same! the coal-black hair, large bright glittering eyes, in which a wild fire seems burning, the same ghastly paleness. Then observe, too, that the very girl he has with him is altogether unlike all others. She is a foreigner a stranger; a dealer in magical arts, like himself. I entreat of you not to go near him. To-morrow pursue your researches if you will; but to-night, I mean to keep you." Franz insisted.

"Listen to me," said the countess; "I am going home. I have a party at my house to-night, and therefore cannot possibly remain till the conclusion of the opera. Are you so devoid of gallantry as to refuse me your escort!"

There was nothing else left for Franz to do but to take up his hat, open the door of the box, and offer the countess his arm.

It was quite evident that her uneasiness was not feigned; and Franz himself could not resist a species of superstitious dread so much the more natural in him, as it arose from recollection, while the terror of the countess sprang from an instinctive feeling.

Franz could even feel her arm tremble as he assisted her into the carriage. Franz escorted her home. There was no company; on the contrary, she was not expected so soon.

"Excuse me," said the countess, in reply to her companion's half-reproachful observation, "but that man had made me feel quite ill, and I longed to be alone."

Franz essayed to smile.

"Nay," said she, "smile not. It springs not from your heart. How ever, promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"Promise me, I say."

"I will do anything you desire, except relinquish my determination of finding out who this man is. I have more reasons than you can imagine for desiring to know who he is, from whence he came, and whither he is going."