Her voice was more resolute when she spoke again.

It rang.
Moreover, there was in it a joyous note, as of one who feels new hope: "But do you know what men say?
Some of them, that I am dead and buried; others, that I am not only dead and buried, but that I am one of those unhappy beings that may not die the common death of man.

Who live on a fearful life-in-death, whereby they are harmful to all.

Those unhappy Un-dead whom men call Vampires--who live on the blood of the living, and bring eternal damnation as well as death with the poison of their dreadful kisses! "I know what men say sometimes," I answered.

"But I know also what my own heart says; and I rather choose to obey its calling than all the voices of the living or the dead.