CHAPTER XXV 359
" Fearful and ghastly to me -- oh , sir , I never saw a face like it ! It was a discoloured face -- it was a savage face . I wish I could forget the roll of the red eyes and the fearful blackened inflation of the lineaments !"
" Ghosts are usually pale , Jane ."
" This , sir , was purple : the lips were swelled and dark ; the brow furrowed : the black eyebrows widely raised over the bloodshot eyes . Shall I tell you of what it reminded me ?"
" You may ." " Of the foul German spectre -- the Vampyre ." " Ah ! -- what did it do ?"
" Sir , it removed my veil from its gaunt head , rent it in two parts , and flinging both on the floor , trampled on them ."
" Afterwards ?"
" It drew aside the window-curtain and looked out ; perhaps it saw dawn approaching , for , taking the candle , it retreated to the door . Just at my bedside , the figure stopped : the fiery eyes glared upon me -- she thrust up her candle close to my face , and extinguished it under my eyes . I was aware her lurid visage flamed over mine , and I lost consciousness : for the second time in my life -- only the second time -- I became insensible from terror ."
" Who was with you when you revived ?"
" No one , sir , but the broad day . I rose , bathed my head and face in water , drank a long draught ; felt that though enfeebled I was not ill , and determined that to none but you would I impart this vision . Now , sir , tell me who and what that woman was ?"