The Vampyre (Polidori)
Short Summary
London, early 19th century. A mysterious nobleman appeared in high society, drawing attention with his peculiar appearance and behavior.
A young man became fascinated with the nobleman's mysterious nature and joined him on his travels through Europe.
During their journey, Aubrey discovered Lord Ruthven's true nature - he deliberately ruined people through gambling and corrupted virtuous women. In Greece, Aubrey fell in love with an innocent girl, Ianthe, who warned him about vampires. Shortly after, she was found dead, drained of blood. Aubrey fell ill, and Lord Ruthven became his caretaker. When mortally wounded by bandits, Lord Ruthven made Aubrey swear an oath to keep his death and crimes secret for a year and a day. After Lord Ruthven's apparent death, his body mysteriously disappeared.
Upon returning to London, Aubrey was horrified to find Lord Ruthven alive and courting his sister. Bound by his oath and driven to madness by his inability to warn anyone, Aubrey was confined to his room. As the wedding day approached, he attempted to prevent the marriage but failed. On the day his oath expired,
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 VAMPYRE!
Aubrey died immediately after revealing the truth, becoming one of the first victims in English literature to fall prey to a vampire's machinations.
Detailed Summary
Division of the summary into chapters is editorial.
A Mysterious Nobleman Enters London Society
During a London winter, a peculiar nobleman appeared in high society's gatherings. His presence created an inexplicable sensation of dread among the attendees, particularly when his dead grey eyes fell upon them. Despite his deathly pale complexion that never showed emotion, he became the center of attention at every social event.
His peculiarities caused him to be invited to every house; all wished to see him, and those who had been accustomed to violent excitement, and now felt the weight of ennui, were pleased.
Many women attempted to gain his attention, including Lady Mercer, who made herself ridiculous in her pursuit. However, while he seemed indifferent to such advances, he had a reputation for a winning tongue and often found himself among virtuous women.
Around this time, a young man named Aubrey entered society. An orphan of considerable wealth, he had been raised by guardians who cared more for his fortune than his character. His romantic nature and naive worldview made him an easy target for manipulation.
Fascinated by Lord Ruthven's mysterious character, Aubrey began to observe him closely. When he learned that Ruthven planned to travel, he convinced his guardians to let him undertake the traditional grand tour. Lord Ruthven proposed they travel together, and Aubrey eagerly accepted.
Dark Revelations Across Europe
During their travels, Aubrey observed Lord Ruthven's disturbing behavior. The nobleman gave generous charity to the corrupt and vicious while spurning the virtuous poor.
All those upon whom it was bestowed, inevitably found that there was a curse upon it, for they were all either led to the scaffold, or sunk to the lowest and the most abject misery.
At gambling tables, Ruthven won from experienced cheats but lost to young novices, driving them to ruin. In Rome, while Aubrey explored ancient ruins, Ruthven pursued the daughter of an Italian countess. When Aubrey discovered this plot and confronted him, Ruthven merely laughed at the suggestion of marriage.
Horrified, Aubrey warned the girl's mother and ended his association with Ruthven. He then traveled to Greece, where he met a beautiful young girl named Ianthe. She told him tales of vampires, describing creatures that matched Ruthven's appearance, though Aubrey dismissed her fears as superstition.
One evening, despite warnings about traveling after dark, Aubrey became delayed in his research. While riding through a storm, he heard terrible screams from a nearby hut. Inside, he found himself in a struggle with a powerful attacker who fled when others approached. To his horror, they discovered Ianthe's lifeless body with marks of a vampire's bite on her throat.
Aubrey fell into a severe fever, during which Lord Ruthven mysteriously reappeared and became his caretaker. When Aubrey recovered, they resumed traveling together until they were attacked by bandits. Ruthven was mortally wounded and, before dying, made Aubrey swear an oath not to speak of his death or crimes for a year and a day. Aubrey agreed, but when he returned to bury the body, it had vanished.
Return to London and a Haunting Presence
Returning to England, Aubrey discovered his sister was entering society. Though he preferred solitude, he attended social functions to protect her. At a royal drawing room, he was shocked to hear a familiar voice whisper 'Remember your oath' and see Lord Ruthven very much alive.
Remember your oath! He had hardly courage to turn, fearful of seeing a spectre that would blast him, when he perceived, at a little distance, the same figure which had attracted his notice.
Bound by his oath and tormented by his knowledge, Aubrey began to lose his grip on sanity. He tried to watch over his sister while maintaining his silence, but his erratic behavior led his guardians to believe he was mad. They confined him to his room under a physician's care.
A Fatal Wedding and Final Tragedy
Meanwhile, Lord Ruthven, now holding an important title, had been courting Miss Aubrey. Using his supernatural powers of seduction, he gained her affection and arranged a hasty marriage before his supposed departure for the continent.
He had, however, the reputation of a winning tongue; and whether it was that it even overcame the dread of his singular character, or that they were moved by his apparent hatred of vice.
The day before the wedding, Aubrey learned of the impending marriage. In his desperation to prevent it, he broke free from his confinement and burst into the wedding preparations. Lord Ruthven intercepted him and whispered a threat: if the marriage didn't proceed that day, Miss Aubrey would be dishonored.
Women are frail! So saying, he pushed him towards his attendants, who, roused by the old woman, had come in search of him. Aubrey could no longer support himself.
The strain proved too much for Aubrey, who suffered a burst blood vessel. As he lay dying, he managed to tell his story to his sister's guardians, but it was too late. Lord Ruthven had disappeared with his bride, and Miss Aubrey became the victim of a vampire. Aubrey died immediately after revealing the truth, his warning coming too late to save his beloved sister.