Brood of the Witch-Queen · Chapter
IX: The Polish Jewess explained
Lord Lashmore reveals the history of the Dhoon family curse, tracing it back to Mirza, a Polish Jewess and sorceress who became a vampire after death.
What happens
Lord Lashmore reveals the history of the Dhoon family curse, tracing it back to Mirza, a Polish Jewess and sorceress who became a vampire after death. Dr. Cairn explains that her spirit remains earthbound and may be controlled by unholy means. He plans to visit Dhoon Castle to investigate further. Later, Robert Cairn informs his father that he saw Antony Ferrara with Lady Lashmore, and Dr. Cairn warns him to be cautious, noting that Ferrara is a menace who cannot be touched by modern law.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Robert Cairn’s inte…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Hereditary Curse and Taint
The Dhoon family curse is traced to Mirza, the Polish Jewess, and her vampiric legacy.
- The Occult and Ancient Egypt
Discussion of ancient ceremonial practices to control spirits, linking to broader occult themes.
- Possession and Identity
Dr. Cairn explains how Mirza's spirit seeks incarnation in a human body, posing a danger of possession.
Characters to notice
- Lord Lashmore
Reveals the history of the Dhoon family curse and the vampire Mirza.
- Dr. Bruce Cairn
Explains the nature of the vampire spirit and plans to visit Dhoon Castle.
- Robert Cairn
Reports seeing Antony Ferrara with Lady Lashmore and discusses Ferrara's menace.
- Antony Ferrara
Seen in Regent Street with Lady Lashmore; suspected of fortune-hunting.
- Myra Duquesne
Mentioned as a possible target of Ferrara's attention.
Key passages
“The body, which despite twelve months in the tomb, looked as it had looked in life, was carried to the dungeon... and was submitted to the ancient process for slaying a vampire.”
The corpse, preserved as if alive after a year, was taken to a dungeon and subjected to the traditional vampire-killing ritual.
Describes the method used to destroy the vampire son of Mirza.
“I mean that the spirit of Mirza is to this day loose upon the world, and is forced, by a deathless, unnatural longing to seek incarnation in a human body.”
Mirza's spirit remains active, compelled by an undying urge to inhabit a living person.
Dr. Cairn explains the ongoing threat of Mirza's vampire soul.
“It is tragically funny to think that in our new wisdom we have abolished the only laws that could have touched him!”
It's ironic that modern society has eliminated the legal means that could have stopped Ferrara.
Robert Cairn laments that Ferrara cannot be prosecuted under contemporary law.
