Кармилла

           Madame,assheafterwardstoldme,wasafraidthedoctorapprehendedasuddenseizure,andthat,withoutpromptassistance,Imighteitherlosemylifeinafit,oratleastbeseriouslyhurt.

           Theinterpretationdidnotstrikeme;andIfancied,perhapsluckilyformynerves,thatthearrangementwasprescribedsimplytosecureacompanion,whowouldpreventmytakingtoomuchexercise,oreatingunripefruit,ordoinganyofthefiftyfoolishthingstowhichyoungpeoplearesupposedtobeprone.

           Abouthalfanhouraftermyfathercamein—hehadaletterinhishand—andsaid:

           "Thisletterhadbeendelayed;itisfromGeneralSpielsdorf.Hemighthavebeenhereyesterday,hemaynotcometilltomorroworhemaybeheretoday."

           Heputtheopenletterintomyhand;buthedidnotlookpleased,asheusedwhenaguest,especiallyonesomuchlovedastheGeneral,wascoming.

           Onthecontrary,helookedasifhewishedhimatthebottomoftheRedSea.Therewasplainlysomethingonhismindwhichhedidnotchoosetodivulge.

           "Papa,darling,willyoutellmethis?"saidI,suddenlylayingmyhandonhisarm,andlooking,Iamsure,imploringlyinhisface.

           "Perhaps,"heanswered,smoothingmyhaircaressinglyovermyeyes.

           "Doesthedoctorthinkmeveryill?"

           "No,dear;hethinks,ifrightstepsaretaken,youwillbequitewellagain,atleast,onthehighroadtoacompleterecovery,inadayortwo,"heanswered,alittledryly.