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"Yes, yes, of course, only let them bring me some warm wine," he replied. "I need it. "
"Please, how could I be so inconsiderate?" I replied.
We were now facing each other, and the fire had begun with a riot of deep good fragrance coming from the burning oak, and a warmth that I even enjoyed, I had to admit it.
One of the boys had brought Raymond a red velvet dressing gown, and once he was clothed in this, and settled in his chair, he did not seem so fragile. His face was radiant after all, his cheeks actually rosy, and I could easily see the young man in him that I had once known.
"My friend, should anything come between us," he said, "let me give you to know that she still travels in her old way, rapidly through many European cities. Never to England, for I don't think they want to cross the water, though no doubt they can, contrary to folklore. "
I laughed. "Is that the folklore? That we can't cross water? It's nonsense," I said. I would have said more, but I wondered if it were wise.
He apparently took no note of my hesitation. He plunged on:
"She has for the last few decades traveled under the name of the Marquis a De Malvrier, and her companion the Marquis of the same name, though it is she who goes to Court more often than he does. They're seen in Russia, in Bavaria, in Saxony¡ªin countries in which old ceremony is honored, seeming from time to time to need the courtly balls and the immense Roman church ceremonies. But understand, I have gleaned my account of this from many different reports. I'm sure of nothing. "
The warm wine was being set upon a small stand beside him. He took the cup in his hands. His hands were shaking. He drank from the wine.
"But how do such reports come to you?" I asked. I was fascinated. There was no doubt he was telling me the truth. As for the rest of the house, I could hear its many inhabitants all around us, waiting in silence it seemed for some kind of summons.
"Forget them," he said. "What can they learn from this audience?" he asked. "They are all faithful members. To answer your questions, we go out sometimes in the guise of priests seeking information about those whom we call vampires. We inquire as to mysterious deaths. And so we gather information which is m
eaningful to us when it may not be meaningful to others. "
"Ah, of course. And you take note of the name when it is mentioned in Russia or Saxony or Bavaria. "
"Exactly. I tell you it is De Malvrier. They have a liking for it. And I shall tell you something else. "
"Please, you must. "
"Several times we have found upon the wall of a church inscribed the name, Pandora. "
"Ah, she's done this," I said, desperately trying to conceal my emotion.
"She wants to be discovered by me. " I paused. "This is painful for me," I said. "I wonder if the one who travels with her even knows her by that name. Ah, this is painful, but why do you assist me?"
"By my very life, I don't know," he said, "except somehow I believe in you. "
"What do you mean believe, believe that I'm a wonder? That I'm a demon? Believe what, Raymond, tell me? Oh, never mind, it doesn't matter, does it? We do things because our hearts impel us. "
"Marius, my friend," he said, leaning forward and touching my knee with his right hand, "long ago in Venice when I spied upon you, you know that I spoke to you with the purity of my mind. I read your thoughts also. I knew that you slew only those who were the degraded killers of their own sisters or brothers. "
"That's true, Raymond, and it was that way with Pandora. But is it now?"
"Yes, I think so," he said, "for every ghastly crime imputed to the vampires whom these creatures may in fact be is connected to one who was known to be guilty of many murders. So you see it's not difficult for me to help you. "
"Ah, so she is true to our vow," I whispered. "I didn't think so, not when I heard of her harsh companion. "
I looked intently at Raymond, seeing with every passing moment more of the young man I had once known so briefly. It was saddening to me. It was dreadful. And the more I felt it, the more I tried to conceal it.
What was my suffering to this, the slow triumph of old age? Nothing.
"Where was she seen last?" I asked.
"On that point," he said, "allow me to give you my interpretation of her behavior. She and her companion follow a pattern in their roamings. They go in rude circles, returning over and over again to one city. Once they have been some time in that city they begin their circles once more until they have gone as far afield as Russia. The central city of which I speak is Dresden. "
"Dresden!" I said. "I don't know the place. I've never been there. "
"Oh, it cannot rival your gorgeous Italian cities. It cannot equal Paris or London. But it is the capital of Saxony and it lies on the Elbe River. It has been much adorned by the various Dukes who have ruled there. And invariably, I say invariably, these creatures¡ªPandora and her companion¡ªreturn to Dresden. It may not be for twenty years, but they come back to Dresden. "
