Amy and Robert

“One evening I was at a spring ball dancing with all who requested the honor and attempting to decide who would become my husband when I saw a strangely beautiful man standing apart from the crowd. He was tall and well dressed and had dark wavy hair. He was the most handsome man I've ever seen. He was watching me. When my dance partner returned me to my seat by my mother, he approached and introduced himself to us in such a smooth and lovely voice. The sound of which caused a very calming yet exciting feeling throughout my entire being. His name was Robert. My mother questioned him relentlessly, which I found quite embarrassing and feared her protective diligence would deter his interest in me, but he didn’t seem to mind and politely answered all of her questions. He said he was in town on business and the man he had come to see had invited him along to the ball. Finally, my mother allowed him to be my dance partner. Ruthie, I had never felt that way about any man as I felt for Robert. He led me to the dance floor and his touch was like the thrill of heat lightening coursing through my veins and when his dark eyes looked into mine it was like the stars shining in the deep black sky of a hot summer night. I could barely keep from gasping in pleasure and surprise.  When our eyes met as we faced each other on the dance floor it seemed as though in that instant our very souls became one and we were joined for life. His attire and his manner proved to me that he came from a respectable family and his dancing was flawless, masterful yet smooth. I trembled and thought I might faint with excitement as he led me around the floor, I was so taken by him as he held me so tight.”

In Chapter 3 Amy describes to Ruthie how she first met Robert and experienced love at first sight. The scene is a familiar and common one in many 18th and 19th century novels. Chaste matrons, usually mothers or relatives, escort their expensively attired virgins to the ball to display to eligible suitors who survey the available ladies in hope of finding an attractive wife with a wealthy father. The matronly escorts supervise the dance to ensure the young ladies return home with their virtue intact. I often wondered why these men at the balls didn't just knock the old gals out of the way and ruin the helpless virgins out on the veranda or in a secluded room. It doesn't seem as though a middle-aged woman would be much of a shield against a horny young man and a beautiful young lady in an era when young ladies were primarily sex objects. Of course, gentlemen were hopefully raised with some respect for women and if not, the fear of the father's retaliation may have served as a deterrent.

Much of Amy's attraction to Robert may have been his mesmerizing vampire charms but I like to think that it was purely physical attraction. I wanted their passion to rival that of Emily Bronte's Heathcliff and Cathy of Wuthering Heights. First love is powerful in itself, but more so for Amy who is totally inexperienced and completely innocent. As we learn later in the story, Robert had the same reaction as Amy even though he is older and assumably more experienced. When two souls become joined as one nothing, not even death (or "undeath") can keep them apart.