The Vampyre

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"The Vampyre" is the first vampire story in English prose, significantly shaping the modern image of the vampire as an aristocratic seducer. The narrative follows Aubrey, a young Englishman who befriends the enigmatic Lord Ruthven, a newcomer to London society. After accompanying Ruthven to Rome, Aubrey parts ways when Ruthven seduces a mutual acquaintance's daughter. In Greece, Aubrey meets Ianthe, an innkeeper's daughter who shares local vampire legends. Soon after, Ianthe is killed by a vampire, yet Aubrey fails to link her death to Ruthven. When Ruthven is mortally wounded during a bandit attack, he compels Aubrey to swear an oath to remain silent about his death for a year and a day. Aubrey later realizes that Ruthven's acquaintances suffer misfortunes. To his shock, Ruthven reappears in London, reminding Aubrey of his oath. As Ruthven begins to seduce Aubrey's sister, Aubrey suffers a nervous breakdown, powerless to intervene. On the day of their wedding, Aubrey's warning letter arrives too late, and Ruthven marries his sister. Tragically, she is found dead on their wedding night, drained of blood, while Ruthven has mysteriously vanished.