“Has it gone?” “Yes, yes, dear,” said Charles. “Look around you; here are none but true friends.” “And tried friends, my dear,” said Admiral Bell, “excepting me; and whenever you like to try me, afloat or ashore, d—n me, shew me Old Nick himself, and I won’t shrink—yard arm and yard arm—grapnel to grapnel—pitch pots and grenades!” “This is my uncle, Flora,” said Charles. “I thank you, sir,” said Flora, faintly. “All right!” whispered the admiral to Charles; “what a figure-head, to be sure! Poll at Swansea would have made just about four of her, but she wasn’t so delicate, d—n me!” “I should think not.” “You are right for once in a way, Charley.” “What was it that alarmed you?” said Charles, tenderly, as he now took one of Flora’s hands in his. “Varney—Varney, the vampyre.” “Varney!” exclaimed Henry; “Varney here!” “Yes, he came in at that door; and when I screamed, I suppose—for I hardly was conscious—he darted out through the window.” “This,” said Henry, “is beyond all human patience. By Heaven! I cannot and will not endure it.” “It shall be my quarrel,” said Charles; “I shall go at once and defy him. He shall meet me.” “Oh, no, no, no,” said Flora, as she clung convulsively to Charles. “No, no; there is a better way.” “What way?” “The place has become full of terrors. Let us leave it. Let him, as he wishes, have it.” “Let _him_ have it?” “Yes, yes. God knows, if it purchase an immunity from these visits, we may well be overjoyed. Remember that we have ample reason to believe him more than human. Why should you allow yourselves to risk a personal encounter with such a man, who might be glad to kill you that he might have an opportunity of replenishing his own hideous existence from your best heart’s blood?” The young men looked aghast. “Besides,” added Flora, “you cannot tell what dreadful powers of mischief he may have, against which human courage might be of no avail.” “There is truth and reason,” said Mr. Marchdale, stepping forward, “in what Flora says.” “Only let me come across him, that’s all,” said Admiral Bell, “and I’ll soon find out what he is. I suppose he’s some long slab of a lubber after all, ain’t he, with no strength.” “His strength is immense,” said Marchdale. “I tried to seize him, and I fell beneath his arm as if I had been struck by the hammer of a Cyclops.” “A what?” cried the admiral. “A Cyclops.” “D—n me, I served aboard the Cyclops eleven years, and never saw a very big hammer aboard of her.” “What on earth is to be done?” said Henry. “Oh,” chimed in the admiral, “there’s always a bother about what’s to be done on earth. Now, at sea, I could soon tell you what was to be done.” “We must hold a solemn consultation over this matter,” said Henry. “You are safe now, Flora.” “Oh, be ruled by me. Give up the Hall.” “You tremble.”