Swanhilde von Steinheim, being three hundred years of age, fair of complexion, and charmingly slim o
Swanhilde von Steinheim, being three hundred years of age, fair of complexion, and charmingly slim of form, could complain only of one thing: that she could see none of these assets in the mirror, and that to arrange her copious fair hair she must needs rely upon a series of maids drawn from the village girls, who, it seemed, were becoming steadily less skilled over the centuries. It was a shame, as well, that the closest peer of her acquaintance was Count von Dracula, who was wed, or so he claimed, to three Brides of unknown extraction, who were, themselves, quite miserable conversationalists. Her own future being, through her immortality, assured, however, these circumstances were disappointing but immaterial. “The Count has invited you to dine with him,” said the latest serving girl, whose name was Greta. “At your convenience. He has a visitor from England!” Privately, Swanhilde was uninterested in anyone who was so dull as to visit the Count, but he would, at least, provide some diversion, and perhaps a new flavor in her existence. -- source link