The Vampire Lovers

I place this memoriam card in the pages of my history...

...and the book is closed I pray forever.

I have written in full of how my sister died.

How I, the Baron Hartog, avenged her death.

The enemies I sought were no ordinary mortals.

They were murderers from beyond the grave.

For this ruined castle, where I lay in wait,

had once been the home of the Karnstein family,

and at certain times their evil spirits...

...thrust out from their mouldering tombs...

...and took a kind of human shape...

...to roam the countryside...

...and seek for victims to satisfy their need,

their passion, their thirst... for blood!

Sometimes to court its victim, savouring its enjoyment,

at other times, to strangle and exhaust as a single feast.

I knew the Spectre, when satiated, would return to its grave.

I also knew that without the shroud, in which it was interred,

to cloak its festering body,

there could be no night of rest... for any vampire.

My heart pounded with apprehension...

...as I watched the creature search around its grave.

My limbs would scarcely obey...

...but I challenged the monster out there,

whatever it might be, to reclaim its shroud!

A vampire can be destroyed...

...only by a stake through the heart or decapitation.

I waited, sword in hand.

Miss Emma, do you have to leave us so soon?

I'm afraid so.

Never mind, there'll be another time.

- Mr. Morton. - General.

- Delightful party. - So glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you Laura, it was a lovely party.

And I think Carl is very handsome.

Must you go, Emma? It's so early.

We have a long journey home.

Very happy birthday!

And remember, you're coming to stay with Emma very soon.

I'm looking forward to it, Mr. Morton.

- General. - Auf Wiedersehen!

Good bye.

Excuse me.

My dear Countess...

...I am honoured.

General Spielsdorf, so charming of you to invite us.

May I... May I present my... daughter?

Marcilla.

Who's that?

They've just moved into a place about 5km away.

You know, where the old Baroness used to live.

Well, we must love our neighbours, Kurt.

- Will you dance, Countess? - Oh, enchanted.

- Carl, I do love you. - What?

Every other young man in the room is staring at that girl over there,

except you.

I do believe she'd like to take you away from me.

She keeps staring at you.

Nonsense! She's looking at you.

Excuse me, General.

Bad news?

A dear friend of mine is dying.

I am so very sorry.

You will forgive me, leaving you like this?

Is there anything I can do?

Well, I... Oh, I hardly dare to ask you...

...but my daughter, Marcilla...

It is a long journey.

We must ride all night.

My dear Countess, I assure you it'd be my pleasure...

...to look after your daughter, if you so wish.

And she'll be good company for Laura.

- General, you are too kind. - Not at all.

I must tell Marcilla.

- I'm so sorry. - Goodbye...

...and a safe journey.

Would you like her to stay with us, Laura?

- Yes, of course, Uncle. - Good.

But where is she?

You did frighten us last night.

I went for a walk.

Your uncle's estate is so big. I lost myself.

For hours! Everyone was looking for you.

And then you just suddenly appeared, as if by magic.

You must not worry about me.

I like to wander off on my own sometimes.

Dear Laura,

I do feel we'll be such good friends.

We already are.

How beautiful you are.

Now you're just teasing me. Like Carl always does.

Laura!

What is it?

There! There, there!

It was... It was a cat!

A huge cat!

It was choking me!

There now, you were having a nightmare, that's all.

Now you settle down and have a nice sleep.

That's right.

I'm sorry.

That's all right. You gave us all quite a fright there.

Thought it was some prowler.

You try and get some rest.

Goodnight, darling.

You'll be all right now.

All right, then.

Such screams!

Oh, it's enough to wake the dead.

It must have frightened poor Marcilla to death!

Better see how she is.

Yes.

Marcilla?

- Let her sleep. - All right.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, sir.

It troubles me, Doctor. The child seems to get weaker and weaker.

Anaemia! They don't eat, only think of their figures.

Common with young girls, sir, I assure you.

And a few old ones, too.

But these dreadful nightmares she keeps having?

Body weakens, mind gets active.

Needs some iron, that's all.

Green stuffs, red meat. Put some blood back into her.

A drop of port, perhaps, at night.

I'm glad you don't regard it as too serious a matter.

She'll be all right.

- I'll ride over again in a day or two. - I'd be very grateful.

Goodbye, Doctor. Thank you.

Ah, Marcilla, you're so kind to me.

I swear I shall die when you leave.

I shall never leave you...

...my dearest Laura.

I've been to the Vollheimers' farm, sir. The new barn is ready for use.

Good, good.

How is Laura, sir? May I see her?

No. I don't understand her.

She doesn't really want to see anyone except...

- Marcilla. - Yes.

Laura seems devoted to her.

Nevertheless, I shall be glad when the Countess comes back for her.

No, please, no! No!

No, go away!

No more!

No! Stop! No!

Doctor!

Doctor! You must come at once!

Marcilla?

Marcilla?

Fetch her!

Marcilla?

- Marcilla? - She'll be here very soon.

Where the devil is she?

I don't know, sir. Her room is empty. I...

I am here.

I could not sleep.

I went to the chapel...

...to pray.

You may open the curtains.

It is daylight now.

She is dead.

No! Laura!

Laura! Laura!

Laura! Laura!

Doctor, please! Hurry!

No!

Marcilla?

Marcilla?

Marcilla!

Marcilla!

Marcilla!

Marcilla!

Marcilla!

Poor Laura.

And the General?

The General has gone away, sir.

To visit a friend, Baron Hartog.

Yes, he wouldn't want to stay in that house. I understand that.

Mademoiselle Perrodot will look after her.

- You all right? - Yes.

Anyone hurt?

- My niece! - Emma!

My house is nearby. You must rest a while.

Oh, no, no! My journey is imperative!

Quick, quick!

- Father! - Yes?

She's very shocked. We must take her home with us.

Oh, no, no, I cannot. My brother is dying. I cannot delay.

My name is Morton.

If I may be allowed to suggest, your niece...

Carmilla.

...Carmilla, will be more than welcome to stay with us...

...while you continue your journey.

Oh, no, no. It is impossible!

My daughter would be grateful for the company.

You are too kind.

You're to stay with us!

Der Mund...

Die Augen.

Die Augenbraue?

Die Augen...