Whilst the menfolk are on their errand, Flora and her mother wait at home. They're in a breakfast nook, Flora having decided not to chance sleeping until her brothers' return.
She's trying to game the rules of vampirism; since the vampire didn't show up until after midnight the last time, perhaps its activities are confined to the wee hours.
However, around ten o' clock (the fellows having left at nine)just as Mrs. Bannerworth is assuring Flora that Henry will make sense of this matter...somehow, Flora heas a slight sound outside the window.
Mrs. Bannerworth worries that Flora's imagination may have become inflamed. "No, no, my darling, do not think." Mrs. Bannerworth even goes so far as to consider calling a servant for company, but Flora calms down. Perhaps it was just her nerves.
Except that now there's a distinctly audible scratching noise at the shutters. Mrs. Bannerworth is frozen in fear for long moments as the sound continues. When it ceases, there's the space of a breath, then the bar holding the shutters closed from the inside falls to the floor for no visible reason.
Mrs. Bannerworth faints and Flora herself is not feeling too good. She sits, unable to move, as the scratching noise returns. She thinks she hears doors slamming and shouting elsewhere in the house, but cannot turn her head or cry for help.
Then one of the shutters swings open, and Flora sees something through the window. Hard to make out at first, it resolves itself into...the vampire! No mistaking that face. It's apparently saying something to her, but Flora can't hear any words.
Flora picks up a pistol and shoots the vampire, which screams in pain. This she can hear! Flora then empties the other pistol into the intruder, which flees.
So, Crowning Moment Of Awesome? Have we seen the birth of Flora the Vampire Slayer? Sadly, no. The narration quickly assures us that Flora's actions were merely mechanical reactions and that she had no intent involved whatsoever. She tosses the pistol away and runs for the door. As she opens it, someone catches her around the waist, and the poor girl passes out.
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Short chapter!
The good: This chapter is effectively creepy and menacing.
The bad: The author almost gets Flora out of the Distressed Damsel cliche, but slams her right back in.
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