The Vampyre
Complete textAubrey, a young man drawn to imaginative ideals, becomes fascinated by the aloof Lord Ruthven in fashionable London society. Traveling in his company exposes a troubling difference between the nobleman's social attraction and the effects of his conduct on other people.
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Ruthven's power develops through secrecy, reputation and the reluctance of others to name what they suspect. Aubrey's imagination initially makes him receptive to mystery rather than alert to danger. The story uses promises and social obligations to turn private knowledge into a burden, asking what prevents a witness from acting on what he believes.
Reading focus
Watch how fascination, social reputation and binding promises interfere with Aubrey's ability to respond to danger.
This reading edition contains 8,201 words in 1 original section. Read the text online with adjustable type and three colour themes, or keep a printable PDF.
Author: John Polidori. Language: English. Reading edition: 28 October 2026.
Opening excerpt
IT happened that in the midst of the dissipations attendant upon a London winter, there appeared at the various parties of the leaders of the ton a nobleman, more remarkable for his singularities, than his rank. He gazed upon the mirth around him, as if he could not participate therein. Apparently, the light laughter of the fair only attracted his attention, that he might by a look quell it, and throw fear into those breasts where thoughtlessness reigned. Those who felt this sensation of awe, could not explain whence it arose: some attributed it to the dead grey eye, which, fixing upon the object's face, did not seem to penetrate, and at one glance to pierce through to the inward workings…
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This edition contains the complete English literary text, with 1 section and 8,201 words. This reading edition preserves the checked English text and its section order. No study notes have been added.
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