Varney the Vampire; Or, the Feast of Blood Read online

  Produced by Charles Franks, Debra Storr, Sandra Brown and the PGOnline Distributed Proofreading Team.

  [Transcriber's note: This book was originally published in "pennydreadful" form. This edition does not include the entire 109episodes, which were published in three volumes. Authorship hasalso been ascribed to James Malcolm Rymer.

  The Table of Contents was added by the transcriber.]

  No. 1.) Nos. 2, 3 and 4 are Presented, Gratis, with this No. |Price 1d.

  VARNEY THE VAMPIRE

  OR THE

  FEAST OF BLOOD

  A ROMANCE OF EXCITING INTEREST

  BY THE AUTHOR OF

  "GRACE RIVERS, OR, THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER."

  LONDON E. LLOYD, SALISBURY SQUARE, AND ALL BOOKSELLERS]

  VARNEY, THE VAMPYRE:

  OR,

  THE FEAST OF BLOOD.

  A Romance.

  "Art thou a spirit of health or goblin damned?"

  LONDON:

  PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY E. LLOYD, 12, SALISBURY-SQUARE, FLEET-STREET.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER I.--MIDNIGHT.--THE HAIL-STORM.--THE DREADFUL VISITOR.--THEVAMPYRE.

  CHAPTER II.--THE ALARM.--THE PISTOL SHOT.--THE PURSUIT AND ITSCONSEQUENCES.

  CHAPTER III.--THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE BODY.--FLORA'S RECOVERY ANDMADNESS.--THE OFFER OF ASSISTANCE FROM SIR FRANCIS VARNEY.

  CHAPTER IV.--THE MORNING.--THE CONSULTATION.--THE FEARFUL SUGGESTION.

  CHAPTER V.--THE NIGHT WATCH.--THE PROPOSAL.--THE MOONLIGHT.--THEFEARFUL ADVENTURE.

  CHAPTER VI.--A GLANCE AT THE BANNERWORTH FAMILY.--THE PROBABLECONSEQUENCES OF THE MYSTERIOUS APPARITION'S APPEARANCE.

  CHAPTER VII.--THE VISIT TO THE VAULT OF THE BANNERWORTHS, AND ITSUNPLEASANT RESULT.--THE MYSTERY.

  CHAPTER VIII.--THE COFFIN.--THE ABSENCE OF THE DEAD.--THE MYSTERIOUSCIRCUMSTANCE, AND THE CONSTERNATION OF GEORGE.

  CHAPTER IX.--THE OCCURRENCES OF THE NIGHT AT THE HALL.--THE SECONDAPPEARANCE OF THE VAMPYRE, AND THE PISTOL-SHOT.

  CHAPTER X.--THE RETURN FROM THE VAULT.--THE ALARM, AND THE SEARCHAROUND THE HALL.

  CHAPTER XI.--THE COMMUNICATIONS TO THE LOVER.--THE HEART'S DESPAIR.

  CHAPTER XII.--CHARLES HOLLAND'S SAD FEELINGS.--THE PORTRAIT.--THEOCCURRENCE OF THE NIGHT AT THE HALL.

  CHAPTER XIII.--THE OFFER FOR THE HALL.--THE VISIT TO SIR FRANCISVARNEY.--THE STRANGE RESEMBLANCE.--A DREADFUL SUGGESTION.

  CHAPTER XIV.--HENRY'S AGREEMENT WITH SIR FRANCIS VARNEY.--THE SUDDENARRIVAL AT THE HALL.--FLORA'S ALARM.

  CHAPTER XV.--THE OLD ADMIRAL AND HIS SERVANT.--THE COMMUNICATION FROMTHE LANDLORD OF THE NELSON'S ARMS.

  CHAPTER XVI.--THE MEETING OF THE LOVERS IN THE GARDEN.--AN AFFECTINGSCENE.--THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY.

  CHAPTER XVII.--THE EXPLANATION.--THE ARRIVAL OF THE ADMIRAL AT THEHOUSE.--A SCENE OF CONFUSION, AND SOME OF ITS RESULTS.

  CHAPTER XVIII.--THE ADMIRAL'S ADVICE.--THE CHALLENGE TO THEVAMPYRE.--THE NEW SERVANT AT THE HALL.

  CHAPTER XIX.--FLORA IN HER CHAMBER.--HER FEARS.--THE MANUSCRIPT.--ANADVENTURE.

  CHAPTER XX.--THE DREADFUL MISTAKE.--THE TERRIFIC INTERVIEW IN THECHAMBER.--THE ATTACK OF THE VAMPYRE.

  CHAPTER XXI.--THE CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE UNCLE AND NEPHEW, AND THEALARM.

  CHAPTER XXII.--THE CONSULTATION.--THE DETERMINATION TO LEAVE THE HALL.

  CHAPTER XXIII.--THE ADMIRAL'S ADVICE TO CHARLES HOLLAND.--THE CHALLENGETO THE VAMPYRE.

  CHAPTER XXIV.--THE LETTER TO CHARLES.--THE QUARREL.--THE ADMIRAL'SNARRATIVE.--THE MIDNIGHT MEETING.

  CHAPTER XXV.--THE ADMIRAL'S OPINION.--THE REQUEST OF CHARLES.

  CHAPTER XXVI.--THE MEETING BY MOONLIGHT IN THE PARK.--THE TURRET WINDOWIN THE HALL.--THE LETTERS.

  CHAPTER XXVII.--THE NOBLE CONFIDENCE OF FLORA BANNERWORTH IN HERLOVER.--HER OPINION OF THE THREE LETTERS.--THE ADMIRAL'S ADMIRATION.

  CHAPTER XXVIII.--MR. MARCHDALE'S EXCULPATION OF HIMSELF.--THE SEARCHTHROUGH THE GARDENS.--THE SPOT OF THE DEADLY STRUGGLE.--THE MYSTERIOUSPAPER.

  CHAPTER XXIX.--A PEEP THROUGH AN IRON GRATING.--THE LONELY PRISONER INHIS DUNGEON.--THE MYSTERY.

  CHAPTER XXX.--THE VISIT OF FLORA TO THE VAMPYRE.--THE OFFER.--THESOLEMN ASSEVERATION.

  CHAPTER XXXI.--SIR FRANCIS VARNEY AND HIS MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.--THESTRANGE CONFERENCE.

  CHAPTER XXXII.--THE THOUSAND POUNDS.--THE STRANGER'S PRECAUTIONS.

  CHAPTER XXXIII.--THE STRANGE INTERVIEW.--THE CHASE THROUGH THE HALL.

  CHAPTER XXXIV.--THE THREAT.--ITS CONSEQUENCES.--THE RESCUE, AND SIRFRANCIS VARNEY'S DANGER.

  CHAPTER XXXV.--THE EXPLANATION.--MARCHDALE'S ADVICE.--THE PROJECTEDREMOVAL, AND THE ADMIRAL'S ANGER.

  CHAPTER XXXVI.--THE CONSULTATION.--THE DUEL AND ITS RESULTS.

  CHAPTER XXXVII.--SIR FRANCIS VARNEY'S SEPARATE OPPONENTS.--THEINTERPOSITION OF FLORA.

  CHAPTER XXXVIII.--MARCHDALE'S OFFER.--THE CONSULTATION AT BANNERWORTHHALL.--THE MORNING OF THE DUEL.

  CHAPTER XXXIX.--THE STORM AND THE FIGHT.-THE ADMIRAL'S REPUDIATION OFHIS PRINCIPAL.

  CHAPTER XL.--THE POPULAR RIOT.--SIR FRANCIS VARNEY'S DANGER.--THESUGGESTION AND ITS RESULTS.

  CHAPTER XLIV.--VARNEY'S DANGER, AND HIS RESCUE.--THE PRISONER AGAIN,AND THE SUBTERRANEAN VAULT.

  CHAPTER XLV.--THE OPEN GRAVES.--THE DEAD BODIES.--A SCENE OF TERROR.

  CHAPTER XLVI.--THE PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING BANNERWORTH HALL, AND THEMYSTERIOUS CONDUCT OF THE ADMIRAL AND MR. CHILLINGWORTH.

  CHAPTER XLVII.--THE REMOVAL FROM THE HALL.--THE NIGHT WATCH, AND THEALARM.

  CHAPTER XLVIII--THE STAKE AND THE DEAD BODY.

  CHAPTER XLIX--THE MOB'S ARRIVAL AT SIR FRANCIS VARNEY'S.--THE ATTEMPTTO GAIN ADMISSION.

  CHAPTER L.--THE MOB'S ARRIVAL AT SIR FRANCIS VARNEY'S.--THE ATTEMPT TOGAIN ADMISSION.

  CHAPTER LI.--THE ATTACK UPON THE VAMPYRE'S HOUSE.--THE STORY OF THEATTACK.--THE FORCING OF THE DOORS, AND THE STRUGGLE.

  CHAPTER LII.--THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE MOB AND SIR FRANCISVARNEY.--THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.--THE WINE CELLARS.

  CHAPTER LIII.--THE DESTRUCTION OF SIR FRANCIS VARNEY'S HOUSE BYFIRE.--THE ARRIVAL OF THE MILITARY, AND A SECOND MOB.

  CHAPTER LIV.--THE BURNING OF VARNEY'S HOUSE.--A NIGHT SCENE.--POPULARSUPERSTITION.

  CHAPTER LV.--THE RETURN OF THE MOB AND MILITARY TO THE TOWN.--THEMADNESS OF THE MOB.--THE GROCER'S REVENGE.

  CHAPTER LVI.--THE DEPARTURE OF THE BANNERWORTHS FROM THE HALL.--THE NEWABODE.--JACK PRINGLE, PILOT.

  CHAPTER LVII.--THE LONELY WATCH, AND THE ADVENTURE IN THE DESERTEDHOUSE.

  CHAPTER LVIII.--THE ARRIVAL OF JACK PRINGLE.--MIDNIGHT AND THEVAMPYRE.--THE MYSTERIOUS HAT.

  CHAPTER LIX.--THE WARNING.--THE NEW PLAN OF OPERATION.--THE INSULTINGMESSAGE FROM VARNEY.

  CHAPTER LX.--THE INTERRUPTED BREAKFAST AT SIR FRANCIS VARNEY'S.

  CHAPTER LXI.--THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER.--THE PARTICULARS OF THE SUICIDEAT BANNERWORTH HALL.

  CHAPTER LXII.--THE MYSTERIOUS MEETING IN THE RUIN AGAIN.--THE VAMPYRE'SATTACK UPON THE CONSTABLE.

  CHAPTER LXIII.--THE GUESTS AT THE INN, AND THE STORY OF THE DEAD UNCLE.

  CHAPTER LXIV.--THE VAMPIRE IN THE MOONLIGHT.--THE FALSE FRIEND.

  CHAPTER LXV.--VARNEY'S VISIT TO THE DUNGEON OF THE LONELY PRISONER INTHE RUINS.

  CHAPTER LXVI.--FLORA BANNERWORTH'S APPARENT INCONSISTENCY.--THEADMIRAL'S CIRCUMSTANCES AND ADVICE.--MR. CHILLINGWORTH'S MYSTERIOUSABSENCE.

  CHAPTER LXVII.--THE ADMIRAL'S STORY OF THE BEAUTIFUL BELINDA.

  CHAPTER LXVIII.--MARCHDALE'S ATTEMPTED VILLANY, AND THE RESULT.

  CHAPTER LXIX.--FLORA BANNERWORTH AND HER MOTHER.--THE EPISODE OFCHIVALRY.

  CHAPTER LXX.--THE FUNERAL OF THE STRANGER OF THE INN.--THE POPULARCOMMOTION, AND MRS. CHILLING
WORTH'S APPEAL TO THE MOB.--THE NEWRIOT.--THE HALL IN DANGER.

  CHAPTER LXXI.--THE STRANGE MEETING AT THE HALL BETWEEN MR.CHILLINGWORTH AND THE MYSTERIOUS FRIEND OF VARNEY.

  CHAPTER LXXII.--THE STRANGE STORY.--THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOB AT THE HALL,AND THEIR DISPERSION.

  CHAPTER LXXIII.--THE VISIT OF THE VAMPIRE.--THE GENERAL MEETING.

  CHAPTER LXXIV.--THE MEETING OF CHARLES AND FLORA.

  CHAPTER LXXV.--MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS, AND THE VISIT TO THE RUINS.

  CHAPTER LXXVI.--THE SECOND NIGHT-WATCH OF MR. CHILLINGWORTH AT THEHALL.

  CHAPTER LXXVII.--VARNEY IN THE GARDEN.--THE COMMUNICATION OF DR.CHILLINGWORTH TO THE ADMIRAL AND HENRY.

  CHAPTER LXXVIII.--THE ALTERCATION BETWEEN VARNEY AND THE EXECUTIONER INTHE HALL.--THE MUTUAL AGREEMENT.

  CHAPTER LXXIX.--THE VAMPYRE'S DANGER.--THE LAST REFUGE.--THE RUSE OFHENRY BANNERWORTH.

  CHAPTER LXXX.--THE DISCOVERY OF THE BODY OF MARCHDALE IN THE RUINS BYTHE MOB.--THE BURNING OF THE CORPSE.--THE MURDER OF THE HANGMAN.

  CHAPTER LXXXI.--THE VAMPYRE'S FLIGHT.--HIS DANGER, AND THE LAST PLACEOF REFUGE.

  CHAPTER LXXXII.--CHARLES HOLLAND'S PURSUIT OF THE VAMPYRE.--THEDANGEROUS INTERVIEW.

  CHAPTER LXXXIII.--THE MYSTERIOUS ARRIVAL AT THE INN.--THE HUNGARIANNOBLEMAN.--THE LETTER TO VARNEY.

  CHAPTER LXXXIV.--THE EXCITED POPULACE.--VARNEY HUNTED.--THE PLACE OFREFUGE.

  CHAPTER LXXXV.--THE HUNGARIAN NOBLEMAN GETS INTO DANGER.--HE IS FIREDAT, AND SHOWS SOME OF HIS QUALITY.

  CHAPTER LXXXVI.--THE DISCOVERY OF THE POCKET BOOK OF MARMADUKEBANNERWORTH.--ITS MYSTERIOUS CONTENTS.

  CHAPTER LXXXVII.--THE HUNT FOR VARNEY.--THE HOUSE-TOPS.--THE MIRACULOUSESCAPE.--THE LAST PLACE OF REFUGE.--THE COTTAGE.

  CHAPTER LXXXVIII.--THE RECEPTION OF THE VAMPYRE BY FLORA.--VARNEYSUBDUED.

  CHAPTER LXXXIX.--TELLS WHAT BECAME OF THE SECOND VAMPYRE WHO SOUGHTVARNEY.

  CHAPTER XC.--DR. CHILLINGWORTH AT THE HALL.--THE ENCOUNTER OFMYSTERY.--THE CONFLICT.--THE RESCUE, AND THE PICTURE.

  CHAPTER XCI.--THE GRAND CONSULTATION BROKEN UP BY MRS. CHILLINGWORTH,AND THE DISAPPEARANCE OF VARNEY.

  CHAPTER XCII.--THE MISADVENTURE OF THE DOCTOR WITH THE PICTURE.

  CHAPTER XCIII.--THE ALARM AT ANDERBURY.--THE SUSPICIONS OF THEBANNERWORTH FAMILY, AND THE MYSTERIOUS COMMUNICATION.

  CHAPTER XCIV.--THE VISITOR, AND THE DEATH IN THE SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGE.

  CHAPTER XCV.--THE MARRIAGE IN THE BANNERWORTH FAMILY ARRANGED.

  CHAPTER XCVI.--THE BARON TAKES ANDERBURY HOUSE, AND DECIDES UPON GIVINGA GRAND ENTERTAINMENT.