That evening, Barnabas Collins, the original Barnabas Collins, with silver wolf-head cane in tow, marched to the main house to socialize with his relatives. Two weeks ago, he murdered Maggie Evans after she rejected his efforts to brainwash her into becoming his long-lost fiancée Josette DuPres Collins. Maggie's death was a crime of passion though. He wanted her for her strong resemblance to Josette. Yet, he underestimated her will to remain Maggie Evans, and she paid a horrible price for it. The three others, including the Collins' gardener, met their fatalities at his hands as well. The papers call their murders "tragedies"; Barnabas called it "survival." He had no illusion about who he was at all. He was one of the undead, a vampire, a loathsome creature that consumed blood from human beings. As for his young cousin, David Collins, Barnabas felt little remorse for the boy. Inwardly, he regretted having to turn on his own relative, especially a child, but his secret must remain secure. David was told many times to not go around the Old House, but the boy would not listen. Barnabas even warned him, but the boy somehow got into the house, without Willie Loomis knowing it (and paying for that lack of knowledge with a beating), and found his coffin. Then, the boy tried to kill him, but his father prevented it, and sent him away to Barnabas' satisfaction.

But now, Barnabas has chosen the next "Josette": Victoria Winters. Unlike Maggie, Vicki embraced Josette's legacy. Barnabas relished the evening hours when he and Vicki would discuss the revered ancestor. He cherished her presence at the Old House, where she would spend countless hours (ever since David was sent away) wearing her perfume, and playing her music box, and admiring Josette's former room, which Willie Loomis, under Barnabas' supervision, restored to its antiquated luster, despite the bathroom built in it. One evening, during a storm, Vicki decided to stay over for the evening to Barnabas' delight, but he couldn't take advantage of her the way he did with Maggie since Burke Devlin, a businessman in Collinsport whom Vicki was dating, had took her back to the main house in his car. Oh, how he resented that man! The same man who, by sheer coincidence, resembled his most-despised uncle, Jeremiah Collins. But Barnabas was determined that this "Jeremiah" would not steal away his "Josette" again, even if it meant eliminating the man for good.

However, Barnabas had to focus on this gathering that he was attending. As he approached the house, Barnabas knew that he would be gently chastised by Elizabeth for missing another family dinner, and severely chewed out by Roger. Ever since he met his modern cousins, Barnabas developed a fondness for Elizabeth and contempt for Roger. There was definitely no love-loss between the men. Barnabas was naturally wary of Roger for his indignant treatment of his "English cousin". Luckily for him, he was able to avoid exposure by David's "madness" and expulsion to a nice sanitarium, one hundred miles away, where the doctors could treat him for his…"mental illness". And if Roger ever discovered his secret, he would have to be next, despite his affections for Elizabeth. Another annoyance that Barnabas must contend with is being introduced to an outsider whom Elizabeth had told him of before Julia's arrival. The only contact that he would prefer with one was when he needed to feed. However, Elizabeth sent an invitation to him, via Willie, and he was obligated to meet this friend of hers: a lady doctor. Despite his feelings for Liz, Barnabas held on to the antiquated belief that women belonged in the home to manage it in their husbands' absences and to see to their family's comforts. But Barnabas was a stranger in this new twentieth-century world, and he must adjust to it in order to blend in. He hopes that this meeting would be worth his time.

"Barnabas! You must really adjust your priorities for your family. Dinner was served over an hour ago," said Elizabeth, playfully chastising him. She allowed him to enter the foyer, and took his coat and cane.

"I'm terribly sorry, Elizabeth, but it was exasperating for my lawyer in England to contact the law office in Bangor. You may be glad to know that my business will come to a close shortly."

"That's marvelous! Come into the drawing room. I'll fix you a drink. What would you like?"

"A brandy will due."

"Very well. I will join everyone shortly."

"Is Vicki here this evening?" he asked, hoping for the positive.

"No, Barnabas. She is out with Burke. They had dinner with us before they left," replied Elizabeth.

"Oh," said Barnabas, disappointed.

When Barnabas entered the drawing room, he saw Roger sitting on the arm of the sofa, having probably his third scotch, and a lively conversation with a woman with shapely, unstocking legs. He noticed that some women wore these new kinds of stockings called pantyhose, which Elizabeth obviously wears, but Vicki doesn't (which he excuses), and other women, like this one, whom he encountered. Because Roger blocked his view, Barnabas couldn't see her, but he surmised that it was the widowed "lady doctor." Do widows freely advertise their legs now and days? And why would Roger callously consort with someone who recently lost her husband? She must be loose, for why would any widow allow for such behavior?

Barnabas walked further into the room and saw why Roger would not respect "decorum." Despite her age, she was a strikingly beautiful woman. Barnabas could imagine that she was twice as beautiful in her youth. She had red hair that rested on her shoulders, curled inward, seductive, doe-like hazel eyes, a wide mouth with dazzling teeth, and wore a green dress suit with a gold broach. Barnabas, questioning her attire, was intrigued by her laugh and smile. There was something mischievous about her smile that attracted him. Usually, he would never take a second look at someone like her, but he was hopelessly captivated.

Because Julia and Roger were engrossed in their conversation, Barnabas had to make his presence known.

"Good evening," he said, observing the two.

Roger and Julia turned to Barnabas, finally acknowledging his presence. Julia's heart stopped for a moment. It was him! Yes, anyone can look like an ancestor, but this was the exact man from the portrait. The same dark, sinister, disapproving eyes, the same full lips, the same, proud, haughty exterior. She was amazed that she was looking at a real-life vampire! Such a shame that Eliot couldn't be there to marvel at this wonder of wonders. Yet, Roger was not awed at his cousin's presence.

"Barnabas," Roger said, dispassionately, "you're late for dinner. Again."

Barnabas swallowed his annoyance. "It was business as usual, Roger. You understand that, do you? Being co-owner of the Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery? Unless Elizabeth is more of the owner in name and deed."

Roger jumped up, pointing the drink in Barnabas' direction. "Now see here, you limey bastard!"

"Gentlemen!" shouted Elizabeth, glaring at both brother and cousin, entering the drawing room. "In case the both of you have forgotten, we do have a guest in our midst. At least while she is here, try to act like you have breeding and class."

"I'm sorry, Liz," said Roger, ashamed for his behavior in front of Julia.

"I apologize as well, Elizabeth, and most certainly to Collinwood's extraordinary guest," said Barnabas, approaching Julia.

He gently took her hand from her lap and kissed it, stirring something in Julia. "I am Barnabas Collins, madam. I assume that you are the "lady doctor" that Elizabeth had spoken of so fondly?"

Julia hated the term "lady doctor," but she excused it for this evening. "Yes, I am, Mr. Collins. I am Doctor Julia Hoffman. How do you do?"

"I am well, thank you," he said. Once Elizabeth served him his drink and took her seat in the chair near the sofa, Barnabas sat next to Julia. Julia was becoming weary with sitting in between two feuding Collinses.

"Elizabeth informed me that you practice at the sanitarium where young David currently resides," said Barnabas.

Thanks to you, of course, thought Julia. "Yes. Unfortunately, I was still on sabbatical when he was admitted. I had pledged my assistance to both Liz and Roger if they need it."

"That's very kind of you, doctor," replied Barnabas. "I find it fascinating that women are taking professional roles in our society in this day and age. I suppose that your male peers found you all capable of practicing at their sides like with Elizabeth."

He is annoying for a vampire. "Well, some accept my and others' presence in the medical and business worlds, but, as women, we must have a thick skin to rise in the ranks, so to speak."

"No doubt at all," agreed Barnabas. When Julia mentioned "skin", he found himself thinking of that young "hippie" girl whose lifeblood he drained before meeting Maggie at the diner that night. "How long do you intend to stay?"

"Well, a few months of rest and relaxation will help in starting my life over. Although I just arrived, I already feel the stresses in my like depleting," she said, exaggerating. One of her biggest stresses was sitting next to her, unbeknownst to Barnabas.

"I give my condolences for your loss. I understand that it has been six months since your husband's death?"

Roger got up to pour himself another scotch. If he has to sit in that room and listen to Barnabas' voice, he may as well be settled by booze.

Julia nodded, unsettled that this monster was interested in her life. "Yes. He died while gathering sources for his research in voodoo in the Caribbean."

Barnabas' eyebrow rose. "The Caribbean? Which island?"

"Martinique. Have you been there, Mr. Collins?"

Oh, yes, he been there, but he would not admit it. Martinique was the last place that Barnabas wanted to hear of ever again. That was where his most dreaded Mistake lived, who followed him to Maine 172 years before, and destroyed his family and his life.

"No," he lied, shifting uncomfortably in his seat and looking away from Julia, "I haven't been there."

Julia noted Barnabas' reaction. He's been there. And whatever happened there had led to him becoming a vampire. Nicholas told her that Barnabas' actions in Martinique had led to his downfall. She understood perfectly well why he wouldn't want to admit to his being there.

"It's a beautiful island paradise," she replied, reminiscing. "I was glad that Eliot was able to…well, in such a lovely environment. Perhaps I should go back there one day."

"Perhaps," said Barnabas, quietly. He decided to change the subject. "Your husband, Dr. Hoffman. How did he feel about your profession?"

Here we go again. "Eliot respected my profession, Mr. Collins. He respected my aspirations long before we married."

"Yes, Barnabas," interjected Roger, a little influenced, "unlike in whatever world you came from, there are those amongst our male population who are intrigued by the professional woman. The late and most esteemed Professor T. Eliot Stokes was one of them."

Barnabas' eyes widened. "Stokes?" He turned to Julia. "Your husband's surname was 'Stokes'?"

Julia mentally rolled her eyes. "Yes, and he respected my decision to keep my maiden name, Mr. Collins."

"Actually, I was thinking of a servant whom my namesake was close to in 1795. His name was Ben Stokes. It would be an excellent coincidence if your late husband was his descendant."

"He was."

The Collins family looked at Julia, surprised.

"Julia, you never told me that our families were closer than we imagined, even if we were separated by class," remarked Elizabeth, astonished.

"Well, it really wasn't much to bring up, really. Especially since Eliot was a descendant of your family's servant. This was known for years in the Stokes household, but I think that no one had wanted to make that connection with the richest family in Collinsport. I suppose Eliot feared being discriminated against by all of you," explained Julia.

"Nonsense! That was the past. We are all equal now, aren't we?" drawled Roger.

Elizabeth shook her head in embarrassment. Her brother has reached his legal limit for the evening.

"Perhaps to you and Elizabeth, Roger, but not to everyone. What do you think, Mr. Collins?"

"It doesn't bother me at all," he answered. "The past is the past, but how much did Professor Stokes know of his ancestor?"

Now they have reached that bridge to cross. Julia didn't want to give herself away since Eliot had no idea whether or not his ancestor knew of Barnabas' vampirism. But she knew since she not only read of it in Ben Stokes' diary, but Nicholas told her all about him.

"Only that Ben Stokes had done well in his lifetime for himself and his family after being freed from servitude," replied Julia.

Barnabas agreed, relieved that that was all the Stokes household knew. "Yes, after my namesake departed for England."

Julia nodded. "What else do you know of him, Mr. Collins? I understand that you have a vast knowledge of the American Collins' legacy."

"It was passed down through the generations so that we would not forget our origins," he said. "I remember being told that Ben was my namesake's most loyal of servants, and that he taught Ben how to read and write."

"Your namesake sounded like a kind master," remarked Julia, locking eye contact with Barnabas.

"He was…he was. Well, I must be going."

Barnabas stood up, along with Julia and Elizabeth. Roger elected to stay seated.

"Of course, Barnabas. I am glad that you still came tonight," said Elizabeth. "Hopefully, you will stop by for lunch since your business is nearly complete?"

"We'll see, Elizabeth," he said.

While Elizabeth went to get his coat and cane, Barnabas turned to Julia. "It was a pleasure to meet you, doctor. Perhaps we could discuss more of the Stokes ancestry in the future?"

Julia forced a smile. "I don't see why not. Perhaps I could join in on your conversations with you and Vicki?"

Barnabas did not want that to happen. "Well, I-"

"I don't see why not, Barnabas," slurred Roger from the sofa. "I'm sure that Vicki is getting bored with the lovely and departed Josette. I think that a history buff like Vicki should also learn about the servants as well, and how even they could come up in the world."

Julia and Barnabas both glared at Roger for different reasons, but Roger instantly fell asleep, his head reclined.

"I heard, and I apologize for Roger's inebriated state. I've warned him about this before, and in front of company, too!" said Liz, contrite, handing Barnabas his belongings.

"That's quite all right, Elizabeth," said Barnabas, putting on his coat. The women walked with him to the door.

"Well," he said turning to them, taking both of their hands to kiss. "Good night, ladies."

"Good night, Barnabas."

"Good night, Mr. Collins. I do look forward to those conversations."

"Likewise, doctor."

Once he left, Elizabeth and Julia retired to their bedrooms, leaving Roger to sleep it off on the sofa. They supposed that Mrs. Johnson will wake him and direct him to his room.

As he walked back to the Old House, Barnabas thought a lot about Doctor Hoffman. She was an extraordinary woman, but he sensed that she was more intelligent than she seemed. He did right by Ben in the past, but he never expected that the Stokes family would ever return to Collinwood. The late Professor Stokes obviously did not want to visit here. Why would his widow? And the way she observed him when he denied ever visiting Martinique? It was discomforting for him. This woman knows something about him. He doesn't believe that she was merely a visiting guest of Elizabeth's. He will need to find out more about this "lady doctor," and whether or not she was in fact married to Ben's descendant. If she wasn't, then Wyndcliffe Sanitarium will either have a new patient, or mourn for another esteemed member of Collinsport elite community.