Varney the Vampire; Or, the Feast of Blood

“although an American would always rather lose a drop of blood than a dollar, they keep a pretty sharp look out upon both.””

— Thomas Peckett Prest

“Could I desert her – could I say to her, ‘My dear girl, when you were full of health and beauty, I loved you, but now that sadness is at your heart I leave you?’ Could I tell her that, uncle, and yet call myself a man?” “No!””

— Thomas Peckett Prest

“But damne, I want to know about the mermaid.” “The vampyre, you mean, sir.” “Well, well, the vampyre.” “Then,””

— Thomas Peckett Prest

“My dear uncle, you will recollect that Miss Bannerworth is quite a young lady.” “I suppose she is.” “Well, then, for God’s sake, don’t attempt to kiss her.” “Not kiss her! damne, they like it. Not kiss her, because she’s a young lady! Damne, do you think I’d kiss a corporal of marines?” “No, uncle; but you know young ladies are very delicate.” “And ain’t I delicate – shiver my timbers, ain’t I delicate? Where is she?””

— Thomas Peckett Prest

“Bah!” “Really, uncle, if you say ‘Bah!’ to everything, I cannot go on.” “And what the deuce difference, sir, does it make to you, whether I say ‘Bah!’ or not?” “Well,””

— Thomas Peckett Prest

“must have a quid for my quo, as the parsons say.””

— Thomas Peckett Prest

“It is,” said Henry, “the portrait of Sir Runnagate Bannerworth, an ancestor of ours, who first, by his vices, gave the great blow to the family prosperity.””

— Thomas Peckett Prest

“How different was the funeral of one who had friends. He was alone; none followed, save the undertaker and his attendants, all of whom looked solemn from habit and professional motives. Even the jocose man was a supernaturally solemn as could be well imagined; indeed, nobody knew he was the same man.””

— Thomas Peckett Prest

“Tis strange what a change comes over masses of men as they gaze upon a dead body. It may be that they all know that to that complexion they must come at last. This may be the secret of the respect offered to the dead.””

— Thomas Peckett Prest