第5章

Thenshebegantolaugh。Itseemedalittleuncannytome，andIlistenedtoherbreathlessly。Ididnotquitelikeit，andthoughtitbetternottokeephermindonthesubject，sowedriftedontoanothersubject，andLucywaslikeheroldselfagain。

Whenwegothomethefreshbreezehadbracedherup，andherpalecheekswerereallymorerosy。Hermotherrejoicedwhenshesawher，andweallspentaveryhappyeveningtogether。

19August——Joy，joy，joy！Althoughnotalljoy。Atlast，newsofJonathan。

Thedearfellowhasbeenill，thatiswhyhedidnotwrite。

Iamnotafraidtothinkitortosayit，nowthatIknow。

Mr。Hawkinssentmeontheletter，andwrotehimself，ohsokindly。

IamtoleaveinthemorningandgoovertoJonathan，andtohelptonursehimifnecessary，andtobringhimhome。Mr。Hawkinssaysitwouldnotbeabadthingifweweretobemarriedoutthere。

IhavecriedoverthegoodSister\'slettertillIcanfeelitwetagainstmybosom，whereitlies。ItisofJonathan，andmustbenearmyheart，forheisinmyheart。Myjourneyisallmappedout，andmyluggageready。

Iamonlytakingonechangeofdress。LucywillbringmytrunktoLondonandkeepittillIsendforit，foritmaybethat……Imustwritenomore。ImustkeepittosaytoJonathan，myhusband。

Theletterthathehasseenandtouchedmustcomfortmetillwemeet。

LETTER，SISTERAGATHA，HOSPITALOFST。JOSEPHANDSTE。

MARYBUDA-PESTH，TOMISSWILLHELMINAMURRAY

12August，“DearMadam。

“IwritebydesireofMr。JonathanHarker，whoishimselfnotstrongenoughtowrite，thoughprogressingwell，thankstoGodandSt。JosephandSte。Mary。Hehasbeenunderourcarefornearlysixweeks，sufferingfromaviolentbrainfever。

Hewishesmetoconveyhislove，andtosaythatbythispostIwriteforhimtoMr。PeterHawkins，Exeter，tosay，withhisdutifulrespects，thatheissorryforhisdelay，andthatallofhisworkiscompleted。Hewillrequiresomefewweeks\'

restinoursanatoriuminthehills，butwillthenreturn。

Hewishesmetosaythathehasnotsufficientmoneywithhim，andthathewouldliketopayforhisstayinghere，sothatotherswhoneedshallnotbewantingforbelp。

Believeme，Yours，withsympathyandallblessings。SisterAgatha“

“P。S——Mypatientbeingasleep，Iopenthistoletyouknowsomethingmore。

Hehastoldmeallaboutyou，andthatyouareshortlytobehiswife。

Allblessingstoyouboth！Hehashadsomefearfulshock，sosaysourdoctor，andinhisdeliriumhisravingshavebeendreadful，ofwolvesandpoisonandblood，ofghostsanddemons，andIfeartosayofwhat。Becarefulofhimalwaysthattheremaybenothingtoexcitehimofthiskindforalongtimetocome。Thetracesofsuchanillnessashisdonotlightlydieaway。

Weshouldhavewrittenlongago，butweknewnothingofhisfriends，andtherewasnothingonhim，nothingthatanyonecouldunderstand。

HecameinthetrainfromKlausenburg，andtheguardwastoldbythestationmastertherethatherushedintothestationshoutingforaticketforhome。

SeeingfromhisviolentdemeanorthathewasEnglish，theygavehimaticketforthefurtheststationonthewaythitherthatthetrainreached。

“Beassuredthatheiswellcaredfor。Hehaswonallheartsbyhissweetnessandgentleness。Heistrulygettingonwell，andIhavenodoubtwillinafewweeksbeallhimself。

Butbecarefulofhimforsafety\'ssake。Thereare，IprayGodandSt。JosephandSte。Mary，many，many，happyyearsforyouboth。“

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

19Agust——StrangeandsuddenchangeinRenfieldlastnight。

Abouteighto\'clockhebegantogetexcitedandsniffaboutasadogdoeswhensetting。Theattendantwasstruckbyhismanner，andknowingmyinterestinhim，encouragedhimtotalk。

Heisusuallyrespectfultotheattendantandattimesservile，buttonight，themantellsme，hewasquitehaughty。

Wouldnotcondescendtotalkwithhimatall。

Allhewouldsaywas，“Idon\'twanttotalktoyou。Youdon\'tcountnow。

Themasterisathand。“

Theattendantthinksitissomesuddenformofreligiousmaniawhichhasseizedhim。Ifso，wemustlookoutforsqualls，forastrongmanwithhomicidalandreligiousmaniaatoncemightbedangerous。

Thecombinationisadreadfulone。

AtNineo\'clockIvisitedhimmyself。Hisattitudetomewasthesameasthattotheattendant。Inhissublimeself-feelingthedifferencebetweenmyselfandtheattendantseemedtohimasnothing。Itlookslikereligiousmania，andhewillsoonthinkthathehimselfisGod。

TheseinfinitesimaldistinctionsbetweenmanandmanaretoopaltryforanOmnipotentBeing。Howthesemadmengivethemselvesaway！

TherealGodtakethheedlestasparrowfall。ButtheGodcreatedfromhumanvanityseesnodifferencebetweenaneagleandasparrow。

Oh，ifmenonlyknew！

ForhalfanhourormoreRenfieldkeptgettingexcitedingreaterandgreaterdegree。Ididnotpretendtobewatchinghim，butIkeptstrictobservationallthesame。Allatoncethatshiftylookcameintohiseyeswhichwealwaysseewhenamadmanhasseizedanidea，andwithittheshiftymovementoftheheadandbackwhichasylumattendantscometoknowsowell。

Hebecamequitequiet，andwentandsatontheedgeofhisbedresignedly，andlookedintospacewithlack-lustereyes。

IthoughtIwouldfindoutifhisapathywererealoronlyassumed，andtriedtoleadhimtotalkofhispets，athemewhichhadneverfailedtoexcitehisattention。

Atfirsthemadenoreply，butatlengthsaidtestily，“Botherthemall！

Idon\'tcareapinaboutthem。“

“What“Isaid。“Youdon\'tmeantotellmeyoudon\'tcareaboutspiders？”

(Spidersatpresentarehishobbyandthenotebookisfillingupwithcolumnsofsmallfigures。)

Tothisheansweredenigmatically，“TheBridemaidensrejoicetheeyesthatwaitthecomingofthebride。Butwhenthebridedrawethnigh，thenthemaidensshinenottotheeyesthatarefilled。“

Hewouldnotexplainhimself，butremainedobstinatelyseatedonhisbedallthetimeIremainedwithhim。

Iamwearytonightandlowinspirits。IcannotbutthinkofLucy，andhowdifferentthingsmighthavebeen。

IfIdon\'tsleepatonce，chloral，themodernMorpheus！

Imustbecarefulnottoletitgrowintoahabit。

No，Ishalltakenonetonight！IhavethoughtofLucy，andIshallnotdishonourherbymixingthetwo。Ifneedby，tonightshallbesleepless。

Later——GladImadetheresolution，gladderthatIkepttoit。

Ihadlaintossingabout，andhadheardtheclockstrikeonlytwice，whenthenightwatchmancametome，sentupfromtheward，tosaythatRenfieldhadescaped。Ithrewonmyclothesandrandownatonce。

Mypatientistoodangerousapersontoberoamingabout。

Thoseideasofhismightworkoutdangerouslywithstrangers。

Theattendantwaswaitingforme。Hesaidhehadseenhimnottenminutesbefore，seeminglyasleepinhisbed，whenhehadlookedthroughtheobservationtrapinthedoor。Hisattentionwascalledbythesoundofthewindowbeingwrenchedout。

Heranbackandsawhisfeetdisappearthroughthewindow，andhadatoncesentupforme。Hewasonlyinhisnightgear，andcannotbefaroff。

Theattendantthoughtitwouldbemoreusefultowatchwhereheshouldgothantofollowhim，ashemightlosesightofhimwhilstgettingoutofthebuildingbythedoor。

Heisabulkyman，andcouldn\'tgetthroughthewindow。

Iamthin，so，withhisaid，Igotout，butfeetforemost，andaswewereonlyafewfeetabovegroundlandedunhurt。

Theattendanttoldmethepatienthadgonetotheleft，andhadtakenastraightline，soIranasquicklyasIcould。

AsIgotthroughthebeltoftreesIsawawhitefigurescalethehighwallwhichseparatesourgroundsfromthoseofthedesertedhouse。

Iranbackatonce，toldthewatchmantogetthreeorfourmenimmediatelyandfollowmeintothegroundsofCarfax，incaseourfriendmightbedangerous。

Igotaladdermyself，andcrossingthewall，droppeddownontheotherside。

IcouldseeRenfield\'sfigurejustdisappearingbehindtheangleofthehouse，soIranafterhim。OnthefarsideofthehouseIfoundhimpressedcloseagainsttheoldiron-boundoakdoorofthechapel。

Hewastalking，apparentlytosomeone，butIwasafraidtogonearenoughtohearwhathewassaying，lestImightfrightenhim，andheshouldrunoff。

Chasinganerrantswarmofbeesisnothingtofollowinganakedlunatic，whenthefitofescapingisuponhim！

Afterafewminutes，however，Icouldseethathedidnottakenoteofanythingaroundhim，andsoventuredtodrawnearertohim，themoresoasmymenhadnowcrossedthewallandwereclosinghimin。

Iheardhimsay……

“Iamheretodoyourbidding，Master。Iamyourslave，andyouwillrewardme，forIshallbefaithful。Ihaveworshippedyoulongandafaroff。

Nowthatyouarenear，Iawaityourcommands，andyouwillnotpassmeby，willyou，dearMaster，inyourdistributionofgoodthings？”

Heisaselfisholdbeggaranyhow。HethinksoftheloavesandfishesevenwhenhebelieveshisisinarealPresence。

Hismaniasmakeastartlingcombination。Whenweclosedinonhimhefoughtlikeatiger。Heisimmenselystrong，forhewasmorelikeawildbeastthanaman。

Ineversawalunaticinsuchaparoxysmofragebefore，andIhopeIshallnotagain。Itisamercythatwehavefoundouthisstrengthandhisdangeringoodtime。

Withstrengthanddeterminationlikehis，hemighthavedonewildworkbeforehewascaged。

Heissafenow，atanyrate。JackSheppardhimselfcouldn\'tgetfreefromthestraitwaistcoatthatkeepshimrestrained，andhe\'schainedtothewallinthepaddedroom。

Hiscriesareattimesawful，butthesilencesthatfollowaremoredeadlystill，forhemeansmurderineveryturnandmovement。

Justnowhespokecoherentwordsforthefirsttime。

“Ishallbepatient，Master。Itiscoming，coming，coming！”

SoItookthehint，andcametoo。Iwastooexcitedtosleep，butthisdiaryhasquietedme，andIfeelIshallgetsomesleeptonight。

CHAPTER9

LETTER，MINAHARKERTOLUCYWESTENRA

Buda-Pesth，24August。

“MydearestLucy，“IknowyouwillbeanxioustohearallthathashappenedsincewepartedattherailwaystationatWhitby。

“Well，mydear，IgottoHullallright，andcaughttheboattoHamburg，andthenthetrainonhere。IfeelthatIcanhardlyrecallanythingofthejourney，exceptthatIknewIwascomingtoJonathan，andthatasIshouldhavetodosomenursing，IhadbettergetallthesleepIcould。

Ifoundmydearone，oh，sothinandpaleandweak-looking。Alltheresolutionhasgoneoutofhisdeareyes，andthatquietdignitywhichItoldyouwasinhisfacehasvanished。

Heisonlyawreckofhimself，andhedoesnotrememberanythingthathashappenedtohimforalongtimepast。

Atleast，hewantsmetobelieveso，andIshallneverask。

“Hehashadsometerribleshock，andIfearitmighttaxhispoorbrainifheweretotrytorecallit。

SisterAgatha，whoisagoodcreatureandabornnurse，tellsmethathewantedhertotellmewhattheywere，butshewouldonlycrossherself，andsayshewouldnevertell。

ThattheravingsofthesickwerethesecretsofGod，andthatifanursethroughhervocationshouldhearthem，sheshouldrespecthertrust……

“Sheisasweet，goodsoul，andthenextday，whenshesawIwastroubled，sheopenedupthesubjectmypoordearravedabout，added，`Icantellyouthismuch，mydear。

Thatitwasnotaboutanythingwhichhehasdonewronghimself，andyou，ashiswifetobe，havenocausetobeconcerned。

Hehasnotforgottenyouorwhatheowestoyou。

Hisfearwasofgreatandterriblethings，whichnomortalcantreatof。\'

“IdobelievethedearsoulthoughtImightbejealouslestmypoordearshouldhavefalleninlovewithanyothergirl。

TheideaofmybeingjealousaboutJonathan！Andyet，mydear，letmewhisper，IfeltathrillofjoythroughmewhenIknewthatnootherwomanwasacausefortrouble。Iamnowsittingbyhisbedside，whereIcanseehisfacewhilehesleeps。

Heiswaking！

“Whenhewokeheaskedmeforhiscoat，ashewantedtogetsomethingfromthepocket。IaskedSisterAgatha，andshebroughtallhisthings。

Isawamongstthemwashisnotebook，andwaswasgoingtoaskhimtoletmelookatit，forIknewthatImightfindsomecluetohistrouble，butIsupposehemusthaveseenmywishinmyeyes，forhesentmeovertothewindow，sayinghewantedtobequitealoneforamoment。

“Thenhecalledmeback，andhesaidtomeverysolemnly，`Wilhelmina\'，Iknewthenthathewasindeadlyearnest，forhehasnevercalledmebythatnamesinceheaskedmetomarryhim，`Youknow，dear，myideasofthetrustbetweenhusbandandwife。

Thereshouldbenosecret，noconcealment。Ihavehadagreatshock，andwhenItrytothinkofwhatitisIfeelmyheadspinround，andIdonotknowifitwasrealofthedreamingofamadman。

YouknowIhadbrainfever，andthatistobemad。

Thesecretishere，andIdonotwanttoknowit。

Iwanttotakeupmylifehere，withourmarriage。\'For，mydear，wehaddecidedtobemarriedassoonastheformalitiesarecomplete。

`Areyouwilling，Wilhelmina，tosharemyignorance？

Hereisthebook。Takeitandkeepit，readitifyouwill，butneverletmeknowunless，indeed，somesolemndutyshouldcomeuponmetogobacktothebitterhours，asleeporawake，saneormad，recordedhere。\'Hefellbackexhausted，andIputthebookunderhispillow，andkissedhim。

haveaskedSisterAgathatobegtheSuperiortoletourweddingbethisafternoon，andamwaitingherreply……“

“ShehascomeandtoldmethattheChaplainoftheEnglishmissionchurchhasbeensentfor。Wearetobemarriedinanhour，orassoonafterasJonathanawakes。“

“Lucy，thetimehascomeandgone。Ifeelverysolemn，butvery，veryhappy。Jonathanwokealittleafterthehour，andallwasready，andhesatupinbed，proppedupwithpillows。

Heansweredhis`Iwill\'firmlyandstrong。Icouldhardlyspeak。

Myheartwassofullthateventhosewordsseemedtochokeme。

“Thedearsistersweresokind。Please，God，Ishallnever，neverforgetthem，northegraveandsweetresponsibilitiesI

havetakenuponme。Imusttellyouofmyweddingpresent。

Whenthechaplainandthesistershadleftmealonewithmyhusband——

oh，Lucy，itisthefirsttimeIhavewrittenthewords`myhusband\'——

leftmealonewithmyhusband，Itookthebookfromunderhispillow，andwrappeditupinwhitepaper，andtieditwithalittlebitofpaleblueribbonwhichwasroundmyneck，andsealeditovertheknotwithsealingwax，andformysealIusedmyweddingring。

ThenIkisseditandshowedittomyhusband，andtoldhimthatIwouldkeepitso，andthenitwouldbeanoutwardandvisiblesignforusallourlivesthatwetrustedeachother，thatIwouldneveropenitunlessitwereforhisowndearsakeorforthesakeofsomesternduty。Thenhetookmyhandinhis，andoh，Lucy，itwasthefirsttimehetookhiswifes\'hand，andsaidthatitwasthedearestthinginallthewideworld，andthathewouldgothroughallthepastagaintowinit，ifneedbe。

Thepoordearmeanttohavesaidapartofthepast，buthecannotthinkoftimeyet，andIshallnotwonderifatfirsthemixesupnotonlythemonth，buttheyear。

“Well，mydear，couldIsay？IcouldonlytellhimthatIwasthehappiestwomaninallthewideworld，andthatIhadnothingtogivehimexceptmyself，mylife，andmytrust，andthatwiththesewentmyloveanddutyforallthedaysofmylife。And，mydear，whenhekissedme，anddrewmetohimwithhispoorweakhands，itwaslikeasolemnpledgebetweenus。

“Lucydear，doyouknowwhyItellyouallthis？Itisnotonlybecauseitisallsweettome，butbecauseyouhavebeen，andare，verydeartome。

Itwasmyprivilegetobeyourfriendandguidewhenyoucamefromtheschoolroomtopreparefortheworldoflife。Iwantyoutoseenow，andwiththeeyesofaveryhappywife，whitherdutyhasledme，sothatinyourownmarriedlifeyoutoomaybeallhappy，asIam。

Mydear，pleaseAlmightyGod，yourlifemaybeallitpromises，alongdayofsunshine，withnoharshwind，noforgettingduty，nodistrust。

Imustnotwishyounopain，forthatcanneverbe，butIdohopeyouwillbealwaysashappyasIamnow。Goodbye，mydear。

Ishallpostthisatonce，andperhaps，writeyouverysoonagain。

Imuststop，forJonathaniswaking。Imustattendmyhusband！

“Yourever-loving“MinaHarker。“

LETTER，LUCYWESTENRATOMINAHARKER。

Whitby，30August。

“MydearestMina，“Oceansofloveandmillionsofkisses，andmayyousoonbeinyourownhomewithyourhusband。Iwishyouwerecominghomesoonenoughtostaywithushere。ThestrongairwouldsoonrestoreJonathan。Ithasquiterestoredme。Ihaveanappetitelikeacormorant，amfulloflife，andsleepwell。YouwillbegladtoknowthatIhavequitegivenupwalkinginmysleep。

IthinkIhavenotstirredoutofmybedforaweek，thatiswhenIoncegotintoitatnight。ArthursaysIamgettingfat。

Bytheway，IforgottotellyouthatArthurishere。

Wehavesuchwalksanddrives，andrides，androwing，andtennis，andfishingtogether，andIlovehimmorethanever。

Hetellsmethathelovesmemore，butIdoubtthat，foratfirsthetoldmethathecouldn\'tlovememorethanhedidthen。

Butthisisnonsense。Thereheis，callingtome。

Sonomorejustatpresentfromyourloving，“Lucy。

“P。S——Mothersendsherlove。Sheseemsbetter，poordear。

“P。P。S——Wearetobemarriedon28September。“

DR。SEWARDSDIARY

20August——ThecaseofRenfieldgrowsevenmoreinteresting。

Hehasnowsofarquietedthattherearespellsofcessationfromhispassion。Forthefirstweekafterhisattackhewasperpetuallyviolent。Thenonenight，justasthemoonrose，hegrewquiet，andkeptmurmuringtohimself。“NowIcanwait。

NowIcanwait。“

Theattendantcametotellme，soIrandownatoncetohavealookathim。

Hewasstillinthestraitwaistcoatandinthepaddedroom，butthesuffusedlookhadgonefromhisface，andhiseyeshadsomethingoftheiroldpleading。Imightalmostsay，cringing，softness。Iwassatisfiedwithhispresentcondition，anddirectedhimtoberelieved。

Theattendantshesitated，butfinallycarriedoutmywisheswithoutprotest。

Itwasastrangethingthatthepatienthadhumourenoughtoseetheirdistrust，for，comingclosetome，hesaidinawhisper，allthewhilelookingfurtivelyatthem，“TheythinkIcouldhurtyou！

Fancymehurtingyou！Thefools！”

Itwassoothing，somehow，tothefeelingstofindmyselfdisassociatedeveninthemindofthispoormadmanfromtheothers，butallthesameIdonotfollowhisthought。

AmItotakeitthatIhaveanythingincommonwithhim，sothatweare，asitwere，tostandtogether。OrhashetogainfrommesomegoodsostupendousthatmywellbeingisneedfultoHim？

Imustfindoutlateron。Tonighthewillnotspeak。

Eventheofferofakittenorevenafull-growncatwillnottempthim。

Hewillonlysay，“Idon\'ttakeanystockincats。

Ihavemoretothinkofnow，andIcanwait。Icanwait。“

AfterawhileIlefthim。Theattendanttellsmethathewasquietuntiljustbeforedawn，andthatthenhebegantogetuneasy，andatlengthviolent，untilatlasthefellintoaparoxysmwhichexhaustedhimsothatheswoonedintoasortofcoma……Threenightshasthesamethinghappened，violentalldaythenquietfrommoonrisetosunrise。IwishIcouldgetsomecluetothecause。

Itwouldalmostseemasiftherewassomeinfluencewhichcameandwent。

Happythought！Weshalltonightplaysanewitsagainstmadones。

Heescapedbeforewithoutourhelp。Tonightheshallescapewithit。

Weshallgivehimachance，andhavethemenreadytofollowincasetheyarerequired。

23August——“Theexpectedalwayshappens。“HowwellDisraeliknewlife。

Ourbirdwhenhefoundthecageopenwouldnotfly，soalloursubtlearrangementswerefornought。Atanyrate，wehaveprovedonething，thatthespellsofquietnesslastareasonabletime。

Weshallinfuturebeabletoeasehisbondsforafewhourseachday。

Ihavegivenorderstothenightattendantmerelytoshuthiminthepaddedroom，whenonceheisquiet，untilthehourbeforesunrise。

Thepoorsoul\'sbodywillenjoythereliefevenifhismindcannotappreciateit。Hark！Theunexpectedagain！Iamcalled。

Thepatienthasoncemoreescaped。

Later——Anothernightadventure。Renfieldartfullywaiteduntiltheattendantwasenteringtheroomtoinspect。

Thenhedashedoutpasthimandflewdownthepassage。

Isentwordfortheattendantstofollow。Againhewentintothegroundsofthedesertedhouse，andwefoundhiminthesameplace，pressedagainsttheoldchapeldoor。

Whenhesawmehebecamefurious，andhadnottheattendantsseizedhimintime，hewouldhavetriedtokillme。

Aswesereholdinghimastrangethinghappened。

Hesuddenlyredoubledhisefforts，andthenassuddenlygrewcalm。

Ilookedroundinstinctively，butcouldseenothing。

ThenIcaughtthepatient\'seyeandfollowedit，butcouldtracenothingasitlookedintothemoonlightsky，exceptabigbat，whichwasflappingitssilentandghostlywaytothewest。

Batsusuallywheelabout，butthisoneseemedtogostraighton，asifitknewwhereitwasboundfororhadsomeintentionofitsown。

Thepatientgrewcalmereveryinstant，andpresentlysaid，“Youneedn\'ttieme。Ishallgoquietly！”Withouttrouble，wecamebacktothehouse。Ifeelthereissomethingominousinhiscalm，andshallnotforgetthisnight。

LUCYWESTENRA\'SDIARY

Hillingham，24August——ImustimitateMina，andkeepwritingthingsdown。

Thenwecanhavelongtalkswhenwedomeet。Iwonderwhenitwillbe。Iwishshewerewithmeagain，forIfeelsounhappy。

LastnightIseemedtobedreamingagainjustasIwasatWhitby。

Perhapsitisthechangeofair，orgettinghomeagain。

Itisalldarkandhorridtome，forIcanremembernothing。

ButIamfullofvaguefear，andIfeelsoweakandwornout。

WhenArthurcametolunchhelookedquitegrievedwhenhesawme，andIhadn\'tthespirittotrytobecheerful。IwonderifIcouldsleepinmother\'sroomtonight。Ishallmakeanexcusetotry。

25August——Anotherbadnight。Motherdidnotseemtotaketomyproposal。

Sheseemsnottoowellherself，anddoubtlessshefearstoworryme。

Itriedtokeepawake，andsucceededforawhile，butwhentheclockstrucktwelveitwakedmefromadoze，soImusthavebeenfallingasleep。

Therewasasortofscratchingorflappingatthewindow，butIdidnotmindit，andasIremembernomore，IsupposeImusthavefallenasleep。

Morebaddreams。IwishIcouldrememberthem。ThismorningIamhorriblyweak。Myfaceisghastlypale，andmythroatpainsme。

Itmustbesomethingwrongwithmylungs，forIdon\'tseemtobegettingairenough。IshalltrytocheerupwhenArthurcomes，orelseIknowhewillbemiserabletoseemeso。

LETTER，ARTHURTODR。SEWARD

“AlbemarleHotel，31August“MydearJack，“Iwantyoutodomeafavour。Lucyisill，thatisshehasnospecialdisease，butshelooksawful，andisgettingworseeveryday。Ihaveaskedherifthereisanycause，Inotdaretoaskhermother，fortodisturbthepoorlady\'smindaboutherdaughterinherpresentstateofhealthwouldbefatal。

Mrs。Westenrahasconfidedtomethatherdoomisspoken，diseaseoftheheart，thoughpoorLucydoesnotknowityet。

Iamsurethatthereissomethingpreyingonmydeargirl\'smind。

IamalmostdistractedwhenIthinkofher。Tolookathergivesmeapang。ItoldherIshouldaskyoutoseeher，andthoughshedemurredatfirst，Iknowwhy，oldfellow，shefinallyconsented。

Itwillbeapainfultaskforyou，Iknow，oldfriend，butitisforhersake，andImustnothesitatetoask，oryoutoact。

YouaretocometolunchatHillinghamtomorrow，twoo\'clock，soasnottoarouseanysuspicioninMrs。Westenra，andafterlunchLucywilltakeanopportunityofbeingalonewithyou。

Iamfilledwithanxiety，andwanttoconsultwithyoualoneassoonasIcanafteryouhaveseenher。Donotfail！

“Arthur。“

TELEGRAM，ARTHURHOLMWOODTOSEWARD

1September“Amsummonedtoseemyfather，whoisworse。Amwriting。

Writemefullybytonight\'sposttoRing。Wiremeifnecessary。“

LETTERFROMDR。SEWARDTOARTHURHOLMWOOD

2September“Mydearoldfellow，“WithregardtoMissWestenra\'shealthIhastentoletyouknowatoncethatinmyopinionthereisnotanyfunctaldisturbanceoranymaladythatIknowof。Atthesametime，Iamnotbyanymeanssatisfiedwithherappearance。

SheiswoefullydifferentfromwhatshewaswhenIsawherlast。

OfcourseyoumustbearinmindthatIdidnothavefullopportunityofexaminationsuchasIshouldwish。Ourveryfriendshipmakesalittledifficultywhichnotevenmedicalscienceorcustomcanbridgeover。Ihadbettertellyouexactlywhathappened，leavingyoutodraw，inameasure，yourownconclusions。

IshallthensaywhatIhavedoneandproposedoing。

“IfoundMissWestenrainseeminglygayspirits。Hermotherwaspresent，andinafewsecondsImadeupmymindthatshewastryingallsheknewtomisleadhermotherandpreventherfrombeinganxious。

Ihavenodoubtsheguesses，ifshedoesnotknow，whatneedofcautionthereis。

“Welunchedalone，andasweallexertedourselvestobecheerful，wegot，assomekindofrewardforourlabours，somerealcheerfulnessamongstus。

ThenMrs。Westenrawenttoliedown，andLucywasleftwithme。

Wewentintoherboudoir，andtillwegottherehergaietyremained，fortheservantswerecomingandgoing。

“Assoonasthedoorwasclosed，however，themaskfellfromherface，andshesankdownintoachairwithagreatsigh，andhidhereyeswithherhand。

WhenIsawthatherhighspiritshadfailed，Iatoncetookadvantageofherreactiontomakeadiagnosis。

“Shesaidtomeverysweetly，`IcannottellyouhowIloathetalkingaboutmyself。\'Iremindedherthatadoctor\'sconfidencewassacred，butthatyouweregrievouslyanxiousabouther。

Shecaughtontomymeaningatonce，andsettledthatmatterinaword。

`TellArthureverythingyouchoose。Idonotcareformyself，butforhim！\'SoIamquitefree。

“Icouldeasilyseethatshewassomewhatbloodless，butIcouldnotseetheusualanemicsigns，andbythechance，Iwasabletotesttheactualqualityofherblood，forinopeningawindowwhichwasstiffacordgaveway，andshecutherhandslightlywithbrokenglass。

Itwasaslightmatterinitself，butitgavemeanevidentchance，andIsecuredafewdropsofthebloodandhaveanalysedthem。

“Thequalitativeanalysisgiveaquitenormalcondition，andshows，Ishouldinfer，initselfavigorousstateofhealth。

InotherphysicalmattersIwasquitesatisfiedthatthereisnoneedforanxiety，butastheremustbeacausesomewhere，Ihavecometotheconclusionthatitmustbesomethingmental。

“Shecomplainsofdifficultybreathingsatisfactorilyattimes，andofheavy，lethargicsleep，withdreamsthatfrightenher，butregardingwhichshecanremembernothing。Shesaysthatasachild，sheusedtowalkinhersleep，andthatwheninWhitbythehabitcameback，andthatonceshewalkedoutinthenightandwenttoEastCliff，whereMissMurrayfoundher。

Butsheassuresmethatoflatethehabithasnotreturned。

“Iamindoubt，andsohavedonethebestthingIknowof。

Ihavewrittentomyoldfriendandmaster，ProfessorVanHelsing，ofAmsterdam，whoknowsasmuchaboutobscurediseasesasanyoneintheworld。Ihaveaskedhimtocomeover，andasyoutoldmethatallthingsweretobeatyourcharge，IhavementionedtohimwhoyouareandyourrelationstoMissWestenra。

This，mydearfellow，isinobediencetoyourwishes，forI

amonlytooproudandhappytodoanythingIcanforher。

“VanHelsingwould，Iknow，doanythingformeforapersonalreason，sonomatteronwhatgroundhecomes，wemustaccepthiswishes。

Heisaseeminglyarbitraryman，thisisbecauseheknowswhatheistalkingaboutbetterthananyoneelse。Heisaphilosopherandametaphysician，andoneofthemostadvancedscientistsofhisday，andhehas，Ibelieve，anabsolutelyopenmind。This，withanironnerve，atemperoftheice-brook，andindomitableresolution，self-command，andtolerationexaltedfromvirtuestoblessings，andthekindliestandtruestheartthatbeats，theseformhisequipmentforthenobleworkthatheisdoingformankind，workbothintheoryandpractice，forhisviewsareaswideashisall-embracingsympathy。

ItellyouthesefactsthatyoumayknowwhyIhavesuchconfidenceinhim。

Ihaveaskedhimtocomeatonce。IshallseeMissWestenratomorrowagain。

SheistomeetmeattheStores，sothatImaynotalarmhermotherbytooearlyarepetitionofmycall。

“Yoursalways。“

JohnSewardLETTER，ABRAHAMVANHELSING，MD，DPh，D。LiT，ETC，ETC，TODR。SEWARD

2September。

“MygoodFriend，“WhenIreceivedyourletterIamalreadycomingtoyou。BygoodfortuneI

canleavejustatonce，withoutwrongtoanyofthosewhohavetrustedme。

Werefortuneother，thenitwerebadforthosewhohavetrusted，forIcometomyfriendwhenhecallmetoaidthoseheholdsdear。

Tellyourfriendthatwhenthattimeyousuckfrommywoundsoswiftlythepoisonofthegangrenefromthatknifethatourotherfriend，toonervous，letslip，youdidmoreforhimwhenhewantsmyaidsandyoucallforthemthanallhisgreatfortunecoulddo。Butitispleasureaddedtodoforhim，yourfriend，itistoyouthatIcome。Havenearathand，andpleaseitsoarrangethatwemayseetheyoungladynottoolateontomorrow，foritislikelythatImayhavetoreturnherethatnight。

ButifneedbeIshallcomeagaininthreedays，andstaylongerifitmust。

Tillthengoodbye，myfriendJohn。

“VanHelsing。“

LETTER，DR。SEWARDTOHON。ARTHURHOLMWOOD

3September“MydearArt，“VanHelsinghascomeandgone。HecameonwithmetoHillingham，andfoundthat，byLucy\'sdiscretion，hermotherwaslunchingout，sothatwewerealonewithher。

“VanHelsingmadeaverycarefulexaminationofthepatient。

Heistoreporttome，andIshalladviseyou，forofcourseIwasnotpresentallthetime。Heis，Ifear，muchconcerned，butsayshemustthink。WhenItoldhimofourfriendshipandhowyoutrusttomeinthematter，hesaid，`Youmusttellhimallyouthink。

TellhimhimwhatIthink，ifyoucanguessit，ifyouwill。Nay，Iamnotjesting。Thisisnojest，butlifeanddeath，perhapsmore。\'

Iaskedwhathemeantbythat，forhewasveryserious。

Thiswaswhenwehadcomebacktotown，andhewashavingacupofteabeforestartingonhisreturntoAmsterdam。Hewouldnotgivemeanyfurtherclue。Youmustnotbeangrywithme，Art，becausehisveryreticencemeansthatallhisbrainsareworkingforhergood。

Hewillspeakplainlyenoughwhenthetimecomes，besure。

SoItoldhimIwouldsimplywriteanaccountofourvisit，justasifI

weredoingadescriptivespecialarticleforTHEDAILYTELEGRAPH。

Heseemednottonotice，butremarkedthatthesmutsofLondonwerenotquitesobadastheyusedtobewhenhewasastudenthere。

Iamtogethisreporttomorrowifhecanpossiblymakeit。

InanycaseIamtohavealetter。

“Well，astothevisit，LucywasmorecheerfulthanonthedayIfirstsawher，andcertainlylookedbetter。

Shehadlostsomethingoftheghastlylookthatsoupsetyou，andherbreathingwasnormal。ShewasverysweettotheProfessor(asshealwaysis)，andtriedtomakehimfeelatease，thoughI

couldseethepoorgirlwasmakingahardstruggleforit。

“IbelieveVanHelsingsawit，too，forIsawthequicklookunderhisbushybrowsthatIknewofold。ThenhebegantochatofallthingsexceptourselvesanddiseasesandwithsuchaninfinitegenialitythatIcouldseepoorLucy\'spretenseofanimationmergeintoreality。

Then，withoutanyseemingchange，hebroughttheconversationgentlyroundtohisvisit，andsauvelysaid，“`Mydearyoungmiss，Ihavethesogreatpleasurebecauseyouaresomuchbeloved。Thatismuch，mydear，evenweretherethatwhichI

donotsee。Theytoldmeyouweredowninthespirit，andthatyouwereofaghastlypale。TothemIsay“Pouf！”\'Andhesnappedhisfingersatmeandwenton。`ButyouandIshallshowthemhowwrongtheyare。

Howcanhe\'，andhepointedatmewiththesamelookandgestureasthatwithwhichhepointedmeoutinhisclass，on，orratherafter，aparticularoccasionwhichheneverfailstoremindmeof，`knowanythingofayoungladies？Hehashismadmentoplaywith，andtobringthembacktohappiness，andtothosethatlovethem。

Itismuchtodo，and，oh，buttherearerewardsinthatwecanbestowsuchhappiness。Buttheyoungladies！Hehasnowifenordaughter，andtheyoungdonottellthemselvestotheyoung，buttotheold，likeme，whohaveknownsomanysorrowsandthecausesofthem。

So，mydear，wewillsendhimawaytosmokethecigaretteinthegarden，whilesyouandIhavelittletalkalltoourselves。\'

Itookthehint，andstrolledabout，andpresentlytheprofessorcametothewindowandcalledmein。Helookedgrave，butsaid，`Ihavemadecarefulexamination，butthereisnofunctionalcause。

WithyouIagreethattherehasbeenmuchbloodlost，ithasbeenbutisnot。Buttheconditionsofherareinnowayanemic。

Ihaveaskedhertosendmehermaid，thatImayaskjustoneortwoquestions，thatsoImaynotchancetomissnothing。

Iknowwellwhatshewillsay。Andyetthereiscause。

Thereisalwayscauseforeverything。Imustgobackhomeandthink。

Youmustsendmethetelegrameveryday，andiftherebecauseI

shallcomeagain。Thedisease，fornottobewellisadisease，interestme，andthesweet，youngdear，sheinterestmetoo。

Shecharmme，andforher，ifnotforyouordisease，Icome。\'

“AsItellyou，hewouldnotsayawordmore，evenwhenwewerealone。

Andsonow，Art，youknowallIknow。Ishallkeepsternwatch。

Itrustyourpoorfatherisrallying。Itmustbeaterriblethingtoyou，mydearoldfellow，tobeplacedinsuchapositionbetweentwopeoplewhoarebothsodeartoyou。Iknowyourideaofdutytoyourfather，andyouarerighttosticktoit。

Butifneedbe，IshallsendyouwordtocomeatoncetoLucy，sodonotbeover-anxiousunlessyouhearfromme。“

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

4September——Zoophagouspatientstillkeepsupourinterestinhim。

Hehadonlyoneoutburstandthatwasyesterdayatanunusualtime。

Justbeforethestrokeofnoonhebegantogrowrestless。

Theattendantknewthesymptoms，andatoncesummonedaid。

Fortunatelythemencameatarun，andwerejustintime，foratthestrokeofnoonhebecamesoviolentthatittookalltheirstrengthtoholdhim。

Inaboutfiveminutes，however，hebegantogetmorequiet，andfinallysankintoasortofmelancholy，inwhichstatehehasremaineduptonow。Theattendanttellsmethathisscreamswhilstintheparoxysmwerereallyappalling。IfoundmyhandsfullwhenIgotin，attendingtosomeoftheotherpatientswhowerefrightenedbyhim。Indeed，Icanquiteunderstandtheeffect，forthesoundsdisturbedevenme，thoughIwassomedistanceaway。

Itisnowafterthedinnerhouroftheasylum，andasyetmypatientsitsinacornerbrooding，withadull，sullen，woe-begonelookinhisface，whichseemsrathertoindicatethantoshowsomethingdirectly。

Icannotquiteunderstandit。

Later——Anotherchangeinmypatient。Atfiveo\'clockIlookedinonhim，andfoundhimseeminglyashappyandcontentedasheusedtobe。

Hewascatchingfliesandeatingthem，andwaskeepingnoteofhiscapturebymakingnailmarksontheedgeofthedoorbetweentheridgesofpadding。

Whenhesawme，hecameoverandapologizedforhisbadconduct，andaskedmeinaveryhumble，cringingwaytobeledbacktohisownroom，andtohavehisnotebookagain。Ithoughtitwelltohumourhim，soheisbackinhisroomwiththewindowopen。Hehasthesugarofhisteaspreadoutonthewindowsill，andisreapingquiteaharvestofflies。

Heisnotnoweatingthem，butputtingthemintoabox，asofold，andisalreadyexaminingthecornersofhisroomtofindaspider。

Itriedtogethimtotalkaboutthepastfewdays，foranycluetohisthoughtswouldbeofimmensehelptome，buthewouldnotrise。

Foramomentortwohelookedverysad，andsaidinasortoffarawayvoice，asthoughsayingitrathertohimselfthantome。

“Allover！Allover！Hehasdesertedme。NohopeformenowunlessI

doitmyself！”Thensuddenlyturningtomeinaresoluteway，hesaid，“Doctor，won\'tyoubeverygoodtomeandletmehavealittlemoresugar？

Ithinkitwouldbeverygoodforme。“

“Andtheflies？”Isaid。

“Yes！Theflieslikeit，too，andIliketheflies，thereforeIlikeit。“Andtherearepeoplewhoknowsolittleastothinkthatmadmendonotargue。

Iprocuredhimadoublesupply，andlefthimashappyamanas，Isuppose，anyintheworld。IwishIcouldfathomhismind。

Midnight——Anotherchangeinhim。IhadbeentoseeMissWestenra，whomIfoundmuchbetter，andhadjustreturned，andwasstandingatourowngatelookingatthesunset，whenoncemoreIheardhimyelling。

Ashisroomisonthissideofthehouse，Icouldhearitbetterthaninthemorning。ItwasashocktometoturnfromthewonderfulsmokybeautyofasunsetoverLondon，withitsluridlightsandinkyshadowsandallthemarvelloustintsthatcomeonfoulcloudsevenasonfoulwater，andtorealizeallthegrimsternnessofmyowncoldstonebuilding，withitswealthofbreathingmisery，andmyowndesolatehearttoendureitall。Ireachedhimjustasthesunwasgoingdown，andfromhiswindowsawthereddiscsink。

Asitsankhebecamelessandlessfrenzied，andjustasitdippedheslidfromthehandsthatheldhim，aninertmass，onthefloor。

Itiswonderful，however，whatintellectualrecuperativepowerlunaticshave，forwithinafewminuteshestoodupquitecalmlyandlookedaroundhim。Isignalledtotheattendantsnottoholdhim，forIwasanxioustoseewhathewoulddo。

Hewentstraightovertothewindowandbrushedoutthecrumbsofsugar。

Thenhetookhisflybox，andemptieditoutside，andthrewawaythebox。

Thenheshutthewindow，andcrossingover，satdownonhisbed。

Allthissurprisedme，soIaskedhim，“Areyougoingtokeepfliesanymore？”

“No，“saidhe。“Iamsickofallthatrubbish！”

Hecertainlyisawonderfullyinterestingstudy。

IwishIcouldgetsomeglimpseofhismindorofthecauseofhissuddenpassion。Stop。Theremaybeaclueafterall，ifwecanfindwhytodayhisparoxysmscameonathighnoonandatsunset。

Canitbethatthereisamaligninfluenceofthesunatperiodswhichaffectscertainnatures，asattimesthemoondoesothers？

Weshallsee。

TELEGRAM。SEWARD，LONDON，TOVANHELSING，AMSTERDAM

“4September——Patientstillbettertoday。“

TELEGRAM，SEWARD，LONDON，TOVANHELSING，AMSTERDAM

“5September——Patientgreatlyimproved。Goodappetite，sleepsnaturally，goodspirits，colorcomingback。“

TELEGRAM，SEWARD，LONDON，TOVANHELSING，AMSTERDAM

“6September——Terriblechangefortheworse。Comeatonce。

Donotloseanhour。IholdovertelegramtoHolmwoodtillhaveseenyou。“

CHAPTER10

LETTER，DR。SEWARDTOHON。ARTHURHOLMWOOD

6September“MydearArt，“Mynewstodayisnotsogood。Lucythismorninghadgonebackabit。

Thereis，however，onegoodthingwhichhasarisenfromit。

Mrs。WestenrawasnaturallyanxiousconcerningLucy，andhasconsultedmeprofessionallyabouther。Itookadvantageoftheopportunity，andtoldherthatmyoldmaster，VanHelsing，thegreatspecialist，wascomingtostaywithme，andthatIwouldputherinhischargeconjointlywithmyself。Sonowwecancomeandgowithoutalarmingherunduly，forashocktoherwouldmeansuddendeath，andthis，inLucy\'sweakcondition，mightbedisastroustoher。

Wearehedgedinwithdifficulties，allofus，mypoorfellow，but，pleaseGod，weshallcomethroughthemallright。

IfanyneedIshallwrite，sothat，ifyoudonothearfromme，takeitforgrantedthatIamsimplywaitingfornews，Inhaste，“Yoursever，“

JohnSewardDR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

7September——ThefirstthingVanHelsingsaidtomewhenwemetatLiverpoolStreetwas，“Haveyousaidanythingtoouryoungfriend，toloverofher？”

“No，“Isaid。“IwaitedtillIhadseenyou，asIsaidinmytelegram。

Iwrotehimalettersimplytellinghimthatyouwerecoming，asMissWestenrawasnotsowell，andthatIshouldlethimknowifneedbe。“

“Right，myfriend，“hesaid。“Quiteright！Betterhenotknowasyet。

Perhapshewillneverknow。Iprayso，butifitbeneeded，thenheshallknowall。And，mygoodfriendJohn，letmecautionyou。

Youdealwiththemadmen。Allmenaremadinsomewayortheother，andinasmuchasyoudealdiscreetlywithyourmadmen，sodealwithGod\'smadmentoo，therestoftheworld。

Youtellnotyourmadmenwhatyoudonorwhyyoudoit。Youtellthemnotwhatyouthink。Soyoushallkeepknowledgeinitsplace，whereitmayrest，whereitmaygatheritskindarounditandbreed。

YouandIshallkeepasyetwhatweknowhere，andhere。“

Hetouchedmeontheheartandontheforehead，andthentouchedhimselfthesameway。“Ihaveformyselfthoughtsatthepresent。

LaterIshallunfoldtoyou。“

“Whynotnow？”Iasked。“Itmaydosomegood。

Wemayarriveatsomedecision。“Helookedatmeandsaid，“MyfriendJohn，whenthecornisgrown，evenbeforeithasripened，whilethemilkofitsmotherearthisinhim，andthesunshinehasnotyetbeguntopainthimwithhisgold，thehusbandmanhepulltheearandrubhimbetweenhisroughhands，andblowawaythegreenchaff，andsaytoyou，\'Look！

He\'sgoodcorn，hewillmakeagoodcropwhenthetimecomes。\'

“

Ididnotseetheapplicationandtoldhimso。Forreplyhereachedoverandtookmyearinhishandandpulleditplayfully，asheusedlongagotodoatlectures，andsaid，“Thegoodhusbandmantellyousothenbecauseheknows，butnottillthen。

Butyoudonotfindthegoodhusbandmandiguphisplantedcorntoseeifhegrow。Thatisforthechildrenwhoplayathusbandry，andnotforthosewhotakeitasoftheworkoftheirlife。

Seeyounow，friendJohn？Ihavesownmycorn，andNaturehasherworktodoinmakingitsprout，ifhesproutatall，there\'ssomepromise，andIwaittilltheearbeginstoswell。“

Hebrokeoff，forheevidentlysawthatIunderstood。

Thenhewentongravely，“Youwerealwaysacarefulstudent，andyourcasebookwasevermorefullthantherest。

AndItrustthatgoodhabithavenotfail。Remember，myfriend，thatknowledgeisstrongerthanmemory，andweshouldnottrusttheweaker。Evenifyouhavenotkeptthegoodpractice，letmetellyouthatthiscaseofourdearmissisonethatmaybe，mind，Isaymaybe，ofsuchinteresttousandothersthatalltherestmaynotmakehimkickthebeam，asyourpeoplesay。

Takethengoodnoteofit。Nothingistoosmall。

Icounselyou，putdowninrecordevenyourdoubtsandsurmises。

Hereafteritmaybeofinteresttoyoutoseehowtrueyouguess。

Welearnfromfailure，notfromsuccess！”

WhenIdescribedLucy\'ssymptoms，thesameasbefore，butinfinitelymoremarked，helookedverygrave，butsaidnothing。

Hetookwithhimabaginwhichweremanyinstrumentsanddrugs，“theghastlyparaphernaliaofourbeneficialtrade，“

asheoncecalled，inoneofhislectures，theequipmentofaprofessorofthehealingcraft。

Whenwewereshownin，Mrs。Westenrametus。Shewasalarmed，butnotnearlysomuchasIexpectedtofindher。Natureinoneofherbeneficientmoodshasordainedthatevendeathhassomeantidotetoitsownterrors。Here，inacasewhereanyshockmayprovefatal，mattersaresoorderedthat，fromsomecauseorother，thethingsnotpersonal，eventheterriblechangeinherdaughtertowhomsheissoattached，donotseemtoreachher。

ItissomethinglikethewaydameNaturegathersroundaforeignbodyanenvelopeofsomeinsensitivetissuewhichcanprotectfromevilthatwhichitwouldotherwiseharmbycontact。

Ifthisbeanorderedselfishness，thenweshouldpausebeforewecondemnanyonefortheviceofegoism，fortheremaybedeeperrootforitscausesthanwehaveknowledgeof。

Iusedmyknowledgeofthisphaseofspiritualpathology，andsetdownarulethatsheshouldnotbepresentwithLucy，orthinkofherillnessmorethanwasabsolutelyrequired。

Sheassentedreadily，soreadilythatIsawagainthehandofNaturefightingforlife。VanHelsingandIwereshownuptoLucy\'sroom。IfIwasshockedwhenIsawheryesterday，IwashorrifiedwhenIsawhertoday。

Shewasghastly，chalkilypale。Theredseemedtohavegoneevenfromherlipsandgums，andthebonesofherfacestoodoutprominently。

Herbreathingwaspainfultoseeorhear。VanHelsing\'sfacegrewsetasmarble，andhiseyebrowsconvergedtilltheyalmosttouchedoverhisnose。

Lucylaymotionless，anddidnotseemtohavestrengthtospeak，soforawhilewewereallsilent。ThenVanHelsingbeckonedtome，andwewentgentlyoutoftheroom。Theinstantwehadclosedthedoorhesteppedquicklyalongthepassagetothenextdoor，whichwasopen。

Thenhepulledmequicklyinwithhimandclosedthedoor。

“Mygod！”hesaid。“Thisisdreadful。Thereisnottimetobelost。

Shewilldieforsheerwantofbloodtokeeptheheart\'sactionasitshouldbe。Theremustbeatransfusionofbloodatonce。

Isityouorme？”

“Iamyoungerandstronger，Professor。Itmustbeme。“

“Thengetreadyatonce。Iwillbringupmybag。

Iamprepared。“

Iwentdownstairswithhim，andasweweregoingtherewasaknockatthehalldoor。Whenwereachedthehall，themaidhadjustopenedthedoor，andArthurwassteppingquicklyin。

Herusheduptome，sayinginaneagerwhisper，“Jack，Iwassoanxious。Ireadbetweenthelinesofyourletter，andhavebeeninanagony。Thedadwasbetter，soIrandownheretoseeformyself。IsnotthatgentlemanDr。VanHelsing？

Iamsothankfultoyou，sir，forcoming。“

WhenfirsttheProfessor\'seyehadlituponhim，hehadbeenangryathisinterruptionatsuchatime，butnow，ashetookinhisstalwartproportionsandrecognizedthestrongyoungmanhoodwhichseemedtoemanatefromhim，hiseyesgleamed。

Withoutapausehesaidtohimasheheldouthishand，“Sir，youhavecomeintime。Youaretheloverofourdearmiss。

Sheisbad，very，verybad。Nay，mychild，donotgolikethat。“Forhesuddenlygrewpaleandsatdowninachairalmostfainting。

“Youaretohelpher。Youcandomorethananythatlive，andyourcourageisyourbesthelp。“

“WhatcanIdo？”askedArthurhoarsely。“Tellme，andIshalldoit。

Mylifeishers\'andIwouldgivethelastdropofbloodinmybodyforher。“

TheProfessorhasastronglyhumorousside，andIcouldfromoldknowledgedetectatraceofitsorigininhisanswer。

“Myyoungsir，Idonotasksomuchasthat，notthelast！”

“WhatshallIdo？”Therewasfireinhiseyes，andhisopennostrilsquiveredwithintent。VanHelsingslappedhimontheshoulder。

“Come！”hesaid。“Youareaman，anditisamanwewant。

Youarebetterthanme，betterthanmyfriendJohn。“

Arthurlookedbewildered，andtheProfessorwentonbyexplaininginakindlyway。

“Youngmissisbad，verybad。Shewantsblood，andbloodshemusthaveordie。MyfriendJohnandIhaveconsulted，andweareabouttoperformwhatwecalltransfusionofblood，totransferfromfullveinsofonetotheemptyveinswhichpineforhim。

Johnwastogivehisblood，asheisthemoreyoungandstrongthanme。“——HereArthurtookmyhandandwrungithardinsilence——“Butnowyouarehere，youaremoregoodthanus，oldoryoung，whotoilmuchintheworldofthought。

Ournervesarenotsocalmandourbloodsobrightthanyours！”

Arthurturnedtohimandsaid，“IfyouonlyknewhowgladlyIwoulddieforheryouwouldunderstand……“Hestoppedwithasortofchokeinhisvoice。

“Goodboy！”saidVanHelsing。“Inthenot-so-far-offyouwillbehappythatyouhavedoneallforheryoulove。

Comenowandbesilent。Youshallkissheroncebeforeitisdone，butthenyoumustgo，andyoumustleaveatmysign。

SaynowordtoMadame。Youknowhowitiswithher。

Theremustbenoshock，anyknowledgeofthiswouldbeone。Come！”

WeallwentuptoLucy\'sroom。Arthurbydirectionremainedoutside。

Lucyturnedherheadandlookedatus，butsaidnothing。

Shewasnotasleep，butshewassimplytooweaktomaketheeffort。

Hereyesspoketous，thatwasall。

VanHelsingtooksomethingsfromhisbagandlaidthemonalittletableoutofsight。Thenhemixedanarcotic，andcomingovertothebed，saidcheerily，“Now，littlemiss，hereisyourmedicine。

Drinkitoff，likeagoodchild。See，Iliftyousothattoswallowiseasy。Yes。“Shehadmadetheeffortwithsuccess。

Itastonishedmehowlongthedrugtooktoact。

This，infact，markedtheextentofherweakness。Thetimeseemedendlessuntilsleepbegantoflickerinhereyelids。

Atlast，however，thenarcoticbegantomanifestitspotency，andshefellintoadeepsleep。WhentheProfessorwassatisfied，hecalledArthurintotheroom，andbadehimstripoffhiscoat。

Thenheadded，“YoumaytakethatonelittlekisswhilesIbringoverthetable。FriendJohn，helptome！”

Soneitherofuslookedwhilsthebentoverher。

VanHelsing，turningtome，said，“Heissoyoungandstrong，andofbloodsopurethatweneednotdefibrinateit。“

Thenwithswiftness，butwithabsolutemethod，VanHelsingperformedtheoperation。Asthetransfusionwenton，somethinglikelifeseemedtocomebacktopoorLucy\'scheeks，andthroughArthur\'sgrowingpallorthejoyofhisfaceseemedabsolutelytoshine。

AfterabitIbegantogrowanxious，forthelossofbloodwastellingonArthur，strongmanashewas。ItgavemeanideaofwhataterriblestrainLucy\'ssystemmusthaveundergonethatwhatweakenedArthuronlypartiallyrestoredher。

ButtheProfessor\'sfacewasset，andhestoodwatchinhand，andwithhiseyesfixednowonthepatientandnowonArthur。

Icouldhearmyownheartbeat。Presently，hesaidinasoftvoice，“Donotstiraninstant。Itisenough。Youattendhim。

Iwilllooktoher。“