Carmilla

It seemed to be the traveling carriage of a person of rank; and we were

all immediately absorbed in watching that very unusual spectacle. It

became, in a few moments, greatly more interesting, for just as the

carriage had passed the summit of the steep bridge, one of the leaders,

taking fright, communicated his panic to the rest, and after a plunge or

two, the whole team broke into a wild gallop together, and dashing

between the horsemen who rode in front, came thundering along the road

towards us with the speed of a hurricane.

The excitement of the scene was made more painful by the clear,

long-drawn screams of a female voice from the carriage window.

We all advanced in curiosity and horror; me rather in silence, the rest

with various ejaculations of terror.

Our suspense did not last long. Just before you reach the castle

drawbridge, on the route they were coming, there stands by the roadside

a magnificent lime tree, on the other stands an ancient stone cross, at

sight of which the horses, now going at a pace that was perfectly

frightful, swerved so as to bring the wheel over the projecting roots

of the tree.

I knew what was coming. I covered my eyes, unable to see it out, and

turned my head away; at the same moment I heard a cry from my lady

friends, who had gone on a little.

Curiosity opened my eyes, and I saw a scene of utter confusion. Two of

the horses were on the ground, the carriage lay upon its side with two

wheels in the air; the men were busy removing the traces, and a lady

with a commanding air and figure had got out, and stood with clasped

hands, raising the handkerchief that was in them every now and then

to her eyes.

Through the carriage door was now lifted a young lady, who appeared to

be lifeless. My dear old father was already beside the elder lady, with

his hat in his hand, evidently tendering his aid and the resources of

his schloss. The lady did not appear to hear him, or to have eyes for

anything but the slender girl who was being placed against the slope

of the bank.

I approached; the young lady was apparently stunned, but she was

certainly not dead. My father, who piqued himself on being something of

a physician, had just had his fingers on her wrist and assured the lady,

who declared herself her mother, that her pulse, though faint and

irregular, was undoubtedly still distinguishable. The lady clasped her

hands and looked upward, as if in a momentary transport of gratitude;

but immediately she broke out again in that theatrical way which is, I

believe, natural to some people.

She was what is called a fine looking woman for her time of life, and

must have been handsome; she was tall, but not thin, and dressed in

black velvet, and looked rather pale, but with a proud and commanding

countenance, though now agitated strangely.