CZM Book Club: Part Two of "The Vampyre" by John Polidori

The vampire story that's old enough, you know eighteen nineteen that it's the vampire not a vampire, or like Lord Ruthven, the Destroyer of all innocence aka Lord Byron, who I may or may not be sleeping with and am jealous of the ways that he lives his life, or Lord Byron's an absolute terrible monster. I don't know whatever he's certainly being presented this one. It's hard to know because

of the mists of time. But when we last left, our hero Aubrey had been traveling with Lord Ruthven and then was like, you know what, this is no good for me. You're kind of a terrible person. And so then he's in Greece and like he's you know, interested in this lady and she's like, I'm afraid of vampires. And he's like, don't be silly, I'm going to go

out a night into the vampire lands. And then he comes across her being killed by a vampire, and he's very nearly killed himself when he's saved by the people who are out looking for aante. His his dead love interest. That's where we left it. Oh, and he has a dagger that he found of peculiar construction. Aubrey, being put to bed, was seized with the most violent fever and was often delirious. In these intervals, he would call upon

Lord Ruthven and upon Ayonte. By some unaccountable combination, he seemed to beg of his former companion to spare the being he loved. At other times he would imprecate maledictions upon his head and curse him as her destroyer. Lord Ruthven chanced at this time to arrive at Athens, and, from whatever motive, upon hearing of the state of Aubrey, immediately placed himself in the same house and became his

constant attendant. When the latter recovered from his delirium, he was horrified and startled at the sight of him, whose image he had now combined with that of a vampire. But Lord Ruthven, by his kind words, implying almost repentance for the fault that had caused their separation, and still more by the attention, anxiety and care which he showed, soon reconciled him to his presence. His lordship seemed quite changed. He no longer appeared that apathetic being who had so

astonished Aubrey. But as soon as his convalescences began to be rapid, he again gradually retired into the same state of mind, and Aubrey perceived no difference from the former man, except that at times he was surprised to meet his gaze fixed intently upon him, with a smile of malicious exultation played upon his lips. He knew not why, but

this smile haunted him. During the last stage of the invalid's recovery, Lord Ruthven was apparently engaged in watching the tideless waves raised by the cooling breeze, or in marking the progress of those orbs circling like our world the moveless sun. Indeed, he appeared to wish to avoid the eyes of all. Aubrey's mind by this shock was much weakened, and that elasticity of spirit, which had once so distinguished him,

now seemed to have fled forever. He was now as much a lover of solitude and silence as Lord Ruthven. But much as he wished for solitude, his mind could not find it in the neighborhood of Athens. If he sought it amidst the ruins he had formerly frequented Ayanthe's form stood by his side. If he sought it in the woods, her light step would appear, wandering amidst the underwood in quest of the modest violet, and suddenly, turning round, would show to his wild imagination her pale face and

wounded throat, with a smile upon her lips. He determined to fly scenes, every feature of which created such bitter associations in his mind. He proposed to Lord Ruthven, to whom he held himself bound by the tender care he had taken of him during his illness, that they should visit those parts of Greece neither had yet seen. They traveled in every direction, and soon sought every spot to

which a recollection could be attached. But though that they had hastened from place to place, yet they seemed not to heed what they gazed upon, they heard much of robbers, but they gradually began to slight those reports, which they imagined were only the invention of individuals whose interest was to excite the generosity of those whom they defended from pretended dangers. In consequence of thus neglecting the advice the inhabitants, on one occasion, they traveled with only a few guards,

more to serve as guides than as defense. Upon entering, however, a narrow defile at the bottom of which was the beda a torrent, with large masses of rocks brought down from the neighboring precipices, they had a reason to repent their negligence, for scarcely were the whole of the party engaged in the narrow paths when they were startled by the whistling of bullets close to their heads and by

the echoed report of several guns. In an instant, their guards had left them, and, placing themselves behind rocks, had begun to fire in the direction. Whence the report came.

Lord Ruthven and Aubrey, imitating their example, retired for a moment behind the sheltering turn of the defile, but ashamed of being thus detained by a foe, who, with insulting shouts bade them advance, and being exposed to unresisting slaughter if any of the robbers should climb above and take them in their rear, they determined at once to rush

forward in search of the enemy. Hardly had they lost the shelter of the rock when Lord Ruthven received a shot in the shoulder which brought him to the ground. Aubrey hastened to his assistants, and, no longer heeding the contest or his own pairs, girl was soon surprised by seeing the robbers faces around him. His guards, having upon Lord Ruthven's being wounded, immediately thrown up their arms and

surrendered by promises of great reward. Aubrey soon induced them to convey his wounded friend to a neighboring cabin, and, having agreed upon a ransom, he was no more disturbed by their presence, they being content merely to guard the entrance till their comrade should return with the promised sum for which he had an order. Lord Ruthven's strength rapidly decreased. In two days, mortification ensued, and death seemed advancing. With

hasty steps. His conduct and appearance had not changed. He seemed as unconscious of pain as he had been of the objects about him. But towards the close of the last evening his mind became apparently uneasy, and his eye often fixed upon Aubrey, who was induced to offer his assistance with more than usual earnestness. Assist me. You may save me. You may do more than that. I mean not my life, the death of my existence, as little as that of the passing day. But you may save

my honor, your friend's honor. How tell me how I would do anything, replied Aubrey. I need but little my life, ebbs apace. I cannot explain the whole. But if you would conceal all you know of me, my honor were free from stain in the world's mouth. And if my death were unknown for some time in England, I I but life it shall not be known. Swear, cried the dying man, raising himself with exultant violence. Swear by all

your soul, revers by all your nature fears. Swear that for a year and a day you will not impart your knowledge of my crimes or death to any living being in any way whatever may happen, or whatever you may see, his eyes seem bursting from their sockets, I swear, said Aubrey. He sunk, laughing upon his pillar, and breathed no more. Aubrey retired to rest, but did not sleep. The many circumstances attending his acquaintance with this man rose

upon his mind, and he knew not why. When he remembered his oath, a cold shivering came over him, as

if from the presentiment of something horrible awaiting him. Rising early in the morning, he was about to enter the hovel in which he had left the corpse, when a robber met him and informed him that it was no longer there, having been conveyed by himself and comrades upon his retiring to the pinnacle of a neighboring mount, according to a promise they had given his lordship that it should be exposed to the first cold ray of the

moon that rose after his death. Aubrey, astonished, and taking several of the men, determined to go and bury it upon the spot where it lay. But when they had mounted to the summit, he found no trace of either the corpse or the clothes. Though the robbers swore they pointed out the identical rock upon which they had laid the body. For a time his mind was bewildered in conjectures, but at last he returned convinced that they had buried

the corpse for the sake of the clothes. And if you want to buy new clothes, buy them from our sponsors whatever else is being advertised to, just ask them for clothes. Be like, but do you sell clothes and buy clothes from them? There's those ads for clothing, And

we're back. Weary of a country in which he had met with such terrible misfortunes, and which all apparently conspired to heighten that superstitious melancholy that had seized upon his mind, he resolved to leave it, and soon arrived at Smyrna. While waiting for a vessel to convey him to Ontronto or to Naples, he occupied himself in arranging those effects

he had with him belonging to Lord Ruthven. Amongst other things, there was a case containing several weapons of offense, more or less adapted to ensure the death of the victim. There were several daggers and attigans. An atagan as a Southwest Asian sword whilst turning them over and examining their curious forms. What was his surprise at finding a sheath apparently ornamented in the same style as the dagger discovered in the Fatal Hut. He shuddered, hastening to gain further proof.

He found the weapon, and his horror may be imagined when he discovered that it fitted, though peculiarly shaped, the sheath he held in his hand. His eyes seemed to need no further certainty. They seemed gazing to be bound to the dagger. Yet still he wished to disbelieve. But the particular form, the same varying tints upon the haft and sheath were alike in splendor on both and left no room for doubt. There were also drops of blood

on each. He left Smyrna, and on his way home at Rome, his first inquiries were concerning the lady he had attempted to snatch from Lord Ruthven's seductive arts. Her parents were in distress, their fortune ruined, and she had not been heard of since the departure of his lordship. Aubrey's mind became almost broken under so many repeated horrors. He was afraid that this lady had fallen a victim

to the destroyer of Eanthe. He became morose and silent, and his only occupation consisted in urging the speed of his postilions, as if he were going to save the life of someone he held dear. He arrived in Calais. A breeze which seemed obedient to his will, soon wafted him to the English shores, and he hastened to the mansion of his father's, and there, for a moment appeared to lose in the embraces and caresses of his sister

all memory of the past. If she before, by her infantine caresses had gained his affection, now that the woman began to appear, she was still more attaching. As a companion. Miss Aubrey had not that winning grace which gains the grays and applause of the drawing room assemblies. There was none of that light brilliancy which only exists in the heated atmosphere of a crowded apartment. Her blue eye was never lit up by the levity of the mind beneath.

There was a melancholy charm about it, which did not seem to arise from misfortune, but from some feeling within that appeared to indicate a sole conscious of a brighter realm. Her step was not that light footing which strays where'er a butterfly or a color may attract. It was sedate and pensive when alone, Her face was never brighted by

the smile of joy. But when her brother breathed to her his affection, and would, in her presence forget those griefs she knew destroyed his rest, who would have exchanged her smile for that of a voluptuary. It seemed as if those eyes that face were then playing in the light of their own native sphere. She was yet only eighteen,

and had not been presented to the world. It having been thought by her guardians more or fit that her presentation should be delayed until her brother's return from the continent, when he might be her protector. It was now therefore resolved that the next drawing room, which was fast approaching, should be the epoch of her entry into the busy scene. Aubrey would rather have remained in the mansion of his

father's and fed upon the melancholy which overpowered him. He could not feel interest about the friviolities of fashionable strangers when his mind had been so torn by the events he had witnessed, but he determined to sacrifice his own comfort for the protection of his sister. They soon arrived in town and prepared for the next day, which had been announced as a drawing room. The crowd was excessive, a drawing room had not been held for a long time, and all who were anxious to bask in the smile

of royalty hastened thither. Aubrey was there with his sister. While he was standing in a corner by himself, heedless of all around him, engaged in the remembrance of the first time he had seen Lord Ruthven was in that very place, he felt himself suddenly seized by the arm and a voice he recognized too well sounded in his ear. Remember your oath. He had hardly courage to turn, fearful

of seeing a specter that would blast him. When he perceived, at a little distance the same figure which had attracted his notice on this spot upon his first entry into society, he gazed till his limbs almost refused to bear their weight. He was obliged to take the arm of a friend, and forcing a passage through the crowd, he threw himself into his carriage and was driven home. He paced the room with hurried steps and fixed his hands upon his head,

as if he were afraid. His thoughts were bursting from his brain. Lord Ruthven again before him. Circumstance started up in dreadful array, the dagger his oath. He roused himself. He could not believe it possible the dead rise again. He thought his imagination had conjured up the image his mind was resting upon. It was impossible that it could be real. He determined therefore to go again into society.

For though he attempted to ask concerning Lord Ruthven, the name hung upon his lips and he could not succeed in gaining information. He went a few nights after his sister to the assembly of a near relation, leaving her under the protection of a matron. He retired into a recess and there gave himself up to his own devouring thoughts. Perceiving at last that many were leaving, he roused himself, and, entering another room, found his sister surrounded by several apparently

in earnest conversation. He attempted to pass and get near her, when one whom he had requested to move, turned round, and revealed to him those features he most abhorred. He sprang forward, seized his sister's arm, and with hurried step, forced her towards the street. At the door, he found himself impeded by a crowd of servants who were waiting for their lords. And while he was engaged in passing them, he again heard the voice whisper close to him, Remember

your oath. He did not dare to turn, but, hurrying to his sister, soon reached home. Aubrey became almost distracted. If before his mind had been absorbed by one subject, how much more completely it was engrossed now that the certainty of the monster's living again pressed upon his thoughts. His sister's attentions were now unheeded, and it was in vain that she entreated him to explain to her what had caused his abrupt conduct. He only uttered a few words,

and those terrified her. The more he thought, the more he was bewildered. His oath startled him. Was he then to allow this monster to roam bearing ruin upon his breath amidst all he held dear, and not avert its progress. His very sister might have been touched by him. But even if he were to break his oath and disclose his suspicions, who would believe him. He soon thought of employing his own hand to free the world from such a wretch. But death, he remembered, had already been mocked.

For days, he remembered, in his state, shut up in his room, he saw no one, and ate only when his sister came, who, with eyes streaming from her tears, besought him for her sake to support nature. At last, no longer capable of bearing stillness and solitude, he left his house roamed from street to street, anxious to fly that image which haunted him. His dress became neglected, and he wandered oz as often exposed to the noonday sun as to the midnight damps, he was no longer to

be recognized. At first He returned with the evening to the house, but at last he laid him down to rest wherever fatigue overtook him. His sister, anxious for his safety, employed people to follow him, but they were soon distanced by him, who fled from a pursuer swifter than any From thought. His conduct, however, soon suddenly changed, struck with the idea that he had left by his absence the whole of his friends, with a fiend amongst them, of

whose presence they were unconscious. He determined to enter again into society to watch him closely, anxious to forewarn, in spite of his oath, all all whom Lord Ruthven approached with intimacy. But when he entered into a room, his haggard and suspicious looks were so striking, his inward shuddering so visible, that his sister was at last obliged to beg of him to abstain from seeking, for her sake

a society which affected him so strongly. When, however, remonstrance proved unavailing, the guardians thought proper to interpose, and, fearing that his mind was becoming alienated, they thought it high time to resume again that trust which had been before imposed upon them by Aubrey's parents. It's also high time

that you hear from today's sponsors and Rebecca. Desirous of saving him from the injuries and sufferings he had daily encountered in his wanderings, and preventing him from exposing to the general eye those marks of what they considered folly, they engaged a physician to reside in the house and take constant care of him. He hardly appeared to notice it, so completely was his mind absorbed by one terrible subject. His incoherence became at last so great that he was

confined to his chamber. There he would often lie for days, incapable of being roused. He had become emaciated, his eyes had attained a glassy luster. The only sign of affection and recollection remaining displayed itself upon the entry of his sister. Then he would sometimes start and seizing her hands with looks that severely afflicted her. He would desire her not to touch him. Oh, do not touch him. If your

love for me is aught, do not go near him. When, however, she inquired to whom he referred, his only answer was true, true, And again he sank into a state whence not even she could him. This lasted many months. Gradually, however, as the year was passing, his incoherences became less frequent, and his mind threw off a portion of its gloom. Whilst his guardians observed that several times in the day he would count upon his fingers a definite number, then smile.

The time had nearly elapsed. Then, when, upon the last day of the year, one of his guardians, entering his room, began to converse with his physician upon the melancholy circumstances of Aubrey's being in so awful a situation when his sister was going next day to be married. Instantly Aubrey's attention was attracted. He asked anxiously to whom glad of this mark of returning intellect, of which they feared he

had been deprived. They mentioned the name of the Earl of Marsden, thinking this was a young earl whom he had met with in society. Aubrey seemed pleased, and astonished them still more by his expressing his attention to be present of the nuptials and desiring to see his sister. They answered not, But in a few minutes his sister was with him. He was apparently again incapable of being affected by the influence of a loving smile, for he

pressed her to his breast and kissed her cheek. Wet with tears flowing at the thought of her brother's being once more alive to the feelings of affection. He began to speak with all his wonted warmth, and to congratulate her upon her marriage with a person so distinguished for rank and every accomplishment. When he suddenly perceived a locket upon her breast, opening it, what was his surprise at beholding the features of the monster who had so long

influenced his life. He seized the portrait in a paroxym of rage and trampled it under foot. Upon her asking him why he thus destroyed the resemblance of her future husband, He looked as if he did not understand her. Then, seizing her hands, gazing on her with a frantic expression of countenance, he bade her swear that she would never wed this monster for he. But he could not advance. It seemed as if the voice again bade him remember his oath. He turned suddenly round, thinking Lord Ruthven was

near him, but saw no one. In the meantime, the guardians and physician, who had heard the whole and thought this was but a return of his disorder, entered and forcing him, for Miss Aubrey desired her to leave him. He fell upon his knees to them, he implored, He begged of them to delay, but for one day. They, attributing this to the insanity, they imagined had taken possession of his mind, endeavored to pacify him, and retired. Lord Ruthven had called the morning after the drawing room, and

had been refused with everyone else. When he heard of Aubrey's ill health, he readily understood himself to be the cause of it. But when he learned that he was deemed insane, his exultation and pleasure could hardly be concealed

from those among whom he had gained this information. He hastened to the house of his former companion, and, by constant attendants and pretense of great affection for his brother and interest in his fate, he gradually won the ear of Miss Aubrey, who could resist his power, his tongue at dangers and toils to recount, could speak of himself as an individual, having no sympathy with any being on the crowded earth, save with her, to whom he addressed himself,

could tell how, since he knew her, his existence had begun to seem worthy of preservation, if it were merely that he might listen to her soothing accents. In fine, he knew so well how to use the serpent's act, or such was the will of fate that he gained her affections, the title of the elder branch falling at length to him. He obtained an important embassy, which served as an excuse for hastening the marriage in spite of her brother's deranged state, which was to take place the

very day before his departure for the continent. Aubrey, when he was left by the physician and his guardians, attempted to bribe the servants, but in vain he asked for pen and paper. It was given him a letter to his sister, conjuring her, as she valued her own happiness, her own honor, and the honor of those now in the grave who once held her in their arms, and the hope of their house, to delay but for a few hours that marriage, on which he denounced the most

heavy curses. The servants promised they would deliver it, but giving it to the physician, he thought it better not to harass any more the mind of miss Aubrey by what he considered the ravings of a maniac. Night passed on without rest to the busy inmates of the house, and Aubrey heard with a horror that may more easily be convinced than described the notes of busy preparation. Morning came and the sound of carriages broke upon his ear. Aubrey grew almost frantic the curiosity of the servants. At

last overcame their vigilance. They gradually stole away, leaving him in the custody of a helpless old woman. He seized the opportunity. With one bound, he was out of the room in a moment. He found himself in the apartment where all were nearly assembled. Lord Ruthven was the first to perceive him. He immediately approached, and taking his arm by force, hurried him from the room, speechless with rage.

When on the staircase, Lord Ruthven whispered in his ear, remember your oath, and know if not my bride to day, your sister is dishonored. Women are frail, so saying, he pushed himself towards his attendants, who, roused by the old woman, had come in search of him. Aubrey could no longer support himself. His rage, not finding vent, had broken a

blood vessel, and he was conveyed to bed. This was not mentioned to his sister, who was not present when he entered, as the physician was afraid of agitating her. The marriage was solemnized and the bride and bridegroom left London. Aubrey's weakness increased, the effusion of blood produced symptoms of the near approach of death. He desired his sister's guardians might be called, and when the midnight hour had struck he related composedly what the reader has perused. He died

immediately after. The guardians hastened to protect miss Aubrey, but when they arrived it was too late. Lord Ruthven had disappeared, and Aubrey's sister had glutted the thirst of a vampire. In case anyone's curious, vampires in all caps in that last line, that's the end of the story. That's the first vampire story. There's other vampire stories that come before, but this is the first that is recognizably the aristocratic vampire.

I already told you all of this at the beginning, and I would also say, I guess it's a lesson to all of us. Don't sign nine non disclosure agreements or exclusivity clauses. I mean, I don't know. Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. Maybe there's a vampire I'm not telling you about. Maybe that Vampire works for cool Zone Media, but I can't say channel. It could Happen here as

a production of cool Zone Media. For more podcasts from cool Zone Media, visit our website coolzonemedia dot com or check us out on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can find sources for It could Happen Here, updated monthly at coolzonemedia dot com slash sources. Thanks for listening.