While the classic victim for the vampire was a young girl, it is evident that men were at risk too. When Aubrey heard the scream, and went to investigate, he was attacked. At first ‘…he felt himself grappled by one whose strength seemed superhuman’ (Polidori 12) and continued to scuffle with the unknown being before they were scared off. This was no doubt Lord Ruthven attacking Aubrey after killing Ianthe. After this encounter, Aubrey was ‘...seized with a most violent fever, and was often delirious’ (Polidori 13). This is no doubt the work of a vampire, and Aubrey knows it. Sadly, due to his delirious state no one would believe him when he would speak of vampires and Lord Ruthven. The latter did come to check on his friend/victim. When he heard of Aubrey’s ill health, he readily understood himself to be the cause of it: but when he learned that he was deemed insane, his exultation and pleasure could hardly be concealed from those among whom he had gained this information (Polidori 21). Lord Ruthven knew at this point there was no reason for anyone to blame him for Aubrey’s state. He would be able to slip away without any repercussions and take Aubrey’s sister with him. Polidori truly changed the Gothic villain persona by giving the vampire the