第10章

Butthesewerealldeartous，fortheymarkedhertruthtowhatweknew。

Oneandallwefeltthattheholycalmthatlaylikesunshineoverthewastedfaceandformwasonlyanearthlytokenandsymbolofthecalmthatwastoreignforever。

VanHelsingcameandlaidhishandonArthur\'sshoulder，andsaidtohim，“Andnow，Arthurmyfriend，dearlad，amInotforgiven？”

Thereactionoftheterriblestraincameashetooktheoldman\'shandinhis，andraisingittohislips，pressedit，andsaid，“Forgiven！

Godblessyouthatyouhavegivenmydearonehersoulagain，andmepeace。“

HeputhishandsontheProfessor\'sshoulder，andlayinghisheadonhisbreast，criedforawhilesilently，whilstwestoodunmoving。

WhenheraisedhisheadVanHelsingsaidtohim，“Andnow，mychild，youmaykissher。Kissherdeadlipsifyouwill，asshewouldhaveyouto，ifforhertochoose。

Forsheisnotagrinningdevilnow，notanymoreafoulThingforalleternity。Nolongersheisthedevil\'sUnDead。

SheisGod\'struedead，whosesouliswithHim！”

Arthurbentandkissedher，andthenwesenthimandQuinceyoutofthetomb。

TheProfessorandIsawedthetopoffthestake，leavingthepointofitinthebody。Thenwecutofftheheadandfilledthemouthwithgarlic。

Wesoldereduptheleadencoffin，screwedonthecoffinlid，andgatheringupourbelongings，cameaway。WhentheProfessorlockedthedoorhegavethekeytoArthur。

Outsidetheairwassweet，thesunshone，andthebirdssang，anditseemedasifallnatureweretunedtoadifferentpitch。

Therewasgladnessandmirthandpeaceeverywhere，forwewereatrestourselvesononeaccount，andwewereglad，thoughitwaswithatemperedjoy。

BeforewemovedawayVanHelsingsaid，“Now，myfriends，onesteporourworkisdone，onethemostharrowingtoourselves。

Butthereremainsagreatertask，tofindouttheauthorofallthisorsorrowandtostamphimout。Ihaveclueswhichwecanfollow，butitisalongtask，andadifficultone，andthereisdangerinit，andpain。Shallyounotallhelpme？

Wehavelearnedtobelieve，allofus，isitnotso？

Andsinceso，dowenotseeourduty？Yes！Anddowenotpromisetogoontothebitterend？”

Eachinturn，wetookhishand，andthepromisewasmade。

ThensaidtheProfessoraswemovedoff，“TwonightshenceyoushallmeetwithmeanddinetogetheratsevenoftheclockwithfriendJohn。Ishallentreattwoothers，twothatyouknownotasyet，andIshallbereadytoallourworkshowandourplansunfold。FriendJohn，youcomewithmehome，forIhavemuchtoconsultyouabout，andyoucanhelpme。

TonightIleaveforAmsterdam，butshallreturntomorrownight。

Andthenbeginsourgreatquest。ButfirstIshallhavemuchtosay，sothatyoumayknowwhattodoandtodread。

Thenourpromiseshallbemadetoeachotheranew。

Forthereisaterribletaskbeforeus，andonceourfeetareontheploughsharewemustnotdrawback。“

CHAPTER17

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY-cont。

WhenwearrivedattheBerkelyHotel，VanHelsingfoundatelegramwaitingforhim。

“Amcomingupbytrain。JonathanatWhitby。Importantnews。

MinaHarker。“

TheProfessorwasdelighted。“Ah，thatwonderfulMadamMina，“

hesaid，“pearlamongwomen！Shearrive，butIcannotstay。

Shemustgotoyourhouse，friendJohn。Youmustmeetheratthestation。

Telegraphherenroutesothatshemaybeprepared。“

Whenthewirewasdispatchedhehadacupoftea。

OverithetoldmeofadiarykeptbyJonathanHarkerwhenabroad，andgavemeatypewrittencopyofit，asalsoofMrs。Harker\'sdiaryatWhitby。“Takethese，“hesaid，“andstudythemwell。

WhenIhavereturnedyouwillbemasterofallthefacts，andwecanthenbetterenteronourinquisition。

Keepthemsafe，forthereisinthemmuchoftreasure。

Youwillneedallyourfaith，evenyouwhohavehadsuchanexperienceasthatoftoday。Whatisheretold，“helaidhishandheavilyandgravelyonthepacketofpapersashespoke，“maybethebeginningoftheendtoyouandmeandmanyanother，oritmaysoundtheknelloftheUnDeadwhowalktheearth。

Readall，Iprayyou，withtheopenmind，andifyoucanaddinanywaytothestoryheretolddoso，foritisallimportant。

Youhavekeptadiaryofallthesesostrangethings，isitnotso？Yes！Thenweshallgothroughallthesetogetherwhenwemeet。“HethenmadereadyforhisdepartureandshortlydroveofftoLiverpoolStreet。ItookmywaytoPaddington，whereIarrivedaboutfifteenminutesbeforethetraincamein。

Thecrowdmeltedaway，afterthebustlingfashioncommontoarrivalplatforms，andIwasbeginningtofeeluneasy，lestImightmissmyguest，whenasweet-faced，daintylookinggirlsteppeduptome，andafteraquickglancesaid，“Dr。Seward，isitnot？”

“AndyouareMrs。Harker！”Iansweredatonce，whereuponsheheldoutherhand。

“IknewyoufromthedescriptionofpoordearLucy，but……“Shestoppedsuddenly，andaquickblushoverspreadherface。

Theblushthatrosetomyowncheekssomehowsetusbothatease，foritwasatacitanswertoherown。Igotherluggage，whichincludedatypewriter，andwetooktheUndergroundtoFenchurchStreet，afterIhadsentawiretomyhousekeepertohaveasittingroomandabedroompreparedatonceforMrs。Harker。

Induetimewearrived。Sheknew，ofcourse，thattheplacewasalunaticasylum，butIcouldseethatshewasunabletorepressashudderwhenweentered。

Shetoldmethat，ifshemight，shewouldcomepresentlytomystudy，asshehadmuchtosay。SohereIamfinishingmyentryinmyphonographdiarywhilstIawaither。

AsyetIhavenothadthechanceoflookingatthepaperswhichVanHelsingleftwithme，thoughtheylieopenbeforeme。

Imustgetherinterestedinsomething，sothatImayhaveanopportunityofreadingthem。Shedoesnotknowhowprecioustimeis，orwhatataskwehaveinhand。

Imustbecarefulnottofrightenher。Heresheis！

MINAHARKER\'SJOURNAL

29September——AfterIhadtidiedmyself，IwentdowntoDr。Seward\'sstudy。

AtthedoorIpausedamoment，forIthoughtIheardhimtalkingwithsomeone。As，however，hehadpressedmetobequick，Iknockedatthedoor，andonhiscallingout，“Comein，“Ientered。

Tomyintensesurprise，therewasnoonewithhim。

Hewasquitealone，andonthetableoppositehimwaswhatI

knewatoncefromthedescriptiontobeaphonograph。

Ihadneverseenone，andwasmuchinterested。

“IhopeIdidnotkeepyouwaiting，“Isaid，“butIstayedatthedoorasIheardyoutalking，andthoughttherewassomeonewithyou。“

“Oh，“herepliedwithasmile，“Iwasonlyenteringmydiary。“

“Yourdiary？”Iaskedhiminsurprise。

“Yes，“heanswered。“Ikeepitinthis。“Ashespokehelaidhishandonthephonograph。Ifeltquiteexcitedoverit，andblurtedout，“Why，thisbeatsevenshorthand！

MayIhearitsaysomething？”

“Certainly，“herepliedwithalacrity，andstooduptoputitintrainforspeaking。Thenhepaused，andatroubledlookoverspreadhisface。

“Thefactis，“hebeganawkwardly。“Ionlykeepmydiaryinit，andasitisentirely，almostentirely，aboutmycasesitmaybeawkward，thatis，Imean……“Hestopped，andItriedtohelphimoutofhisembarrassment。

“YouhelpedtoattenddearLucyattheend。Letmehearhowshedied，forallthatIknowofher，Ishallbeverygrateful。

Shewasvery，verydeartome。“

Tomysurprise，heanswered，withahorrorstrucklookinhisface，“Tellyouofherdeath？Notforthewideworld！”

“Whynot？”Iasked，forsomegrave，terriblefeelingwascomingoverme。

Againhepaused，andIcouldseethathewastryingtoinventanexcuse。

Atlength，hestammeredout，“Yousee，Idonotknowhowtopickoutanyparticularpartofthediary。“

Evenwhilehewasspeakinganideadawneduponhim，andhesaidwithunconscioussimplicity，inadifferentvoice，andwiththenaiveteofachild，“that\'squitetrue，uponmyhonor。HonestIndian！”

Icouldnotbutsmile，atwhichhegrimaced。“Igavemyselfawaythattime！”hesaid。“Butdoyouknowthat，althoughI

havekeptthediaryformonthspast，itneveroncestruckmehowIwasgoingtofindanyparticularpartofitincaseI

wantedtolookitup？”

BythistimemymindwasmadeupthatthediaryofadoctorwhoattendedLucymighthavesomethingtoaddtothesumofourknowledgeofthatterribleBeing，andIsaidboldly，“Then，Dr。Seward，youhadbetterletmecopyitoutforyouonmytypewriter。“

Hegrewtoapositivelydeathlypallorashesaid，“No！No！No！Foralltheworld。Iwouldn\'tletyouknowthatterriblestory。！”

Thenitwasterrible。Myintuitionwasright！Foramoment，Ithought，andasmyeyesrangedtheroom，unconsciouslylookingforsomethingorsomeopportunitytoaidme，theylitonagreatbatchoftypewritingonthetable。Hiseyescaughtthelookinmine，andwithouthisthinking，followedtheirdirection。

Astheysawtheparcelherealizedmymeaning。

“Youdonotknowme，“Isaid。“Whenyouhavereadthosepapers，myowndiaryandmyhusband\'salso，whichIhavetyped，youwillknowmebetter。

Ihavenotfalteredingivingeverythoughtofmyownheartinthiscause。

But，ofcourse，youdonotknowme，yet，andImustnotexpectyoutotrustmesofar。“

Heiscertainlyamanofnoblenature。PoordearLucywasrightabouthim。

Hestoodupandopenedalargedrawer，inwhichwerearrangedinorderanumberofhollowcylindersofmetalcoveredwithdarkwax，andsaid，“Youarequiteright。IdidnottrustyoubecauseIdidnotknowyou。ButIknowyounow，andletmesaythatIshouldhaveknownyoulongago。IknowthatLucytoldyouofme。

Shetoldmeofyoutoo。MayImaketheonlyatonementinmypower？

Takethecylindersandhearthem。Thefirsthalf-dozenofthemarepersonaltome，andtheywillnothorrifyyou。

Thenyouwillknowmebetter。Dinnerwillbythenbeready。

InthemeantimeIshallreadoversomeofthesedocuments，andshallbebetterabletounderstandcertainthings。“

Hecarriedthephonographhimselfuptomysittingroomandadjusteditforme。NowIshalllearnsomethingpleasant，Iamsure。

ForitwilltellmetheothersideofatrueloveepisodeofwhichI

knowonesidealready。

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

29September——IwassoabsorbedinthatwonderfuldiaryofJonathanHarkerandthatotherofhiswifethatIletthetimerunonwithoutthinking。Mrs。Harkerwasnotdownwhenthemaidcametoannouncedinner，soIsaid，“Sheispossiblytired。

Letdinnerwaitanhour，“andIwentonwithmywork。

IhadjustfinishedMrs。Harker\'sdiary，whenshecamein。

Shelookedsweetlypretty，butverysad，andhereyeswereflushedwithcrying。Thissomehowmovedmemuch。

OflateIhavehadcausefortears，Godknows！Butthereliefofthemwasdeniedme，andnowthesightofthosesweeteyes，brightenedbyrecenttears，wentstraighttomyheart。

SoIsaidasgentlyasIcould，“IgreatlyfearI

havedistressedyou。“

“Oh，no，notdistressedme，“shereplied。“ButI

havebeenmoretouchedthanIcansaybyyourgrief。

Thatisawonderfulmachine，butitiscruellytrue。

Ittoldme，initsverytones，theanguishofyourheart。

ItwaslikeasoulcryingouttoAlmightyGod。Noonemusthearthemspokeneveragain！See，Ihavetriedtobeuseful。

Ihavecopiedoutthewordsonmytypewriter，andnoneotherneednowhearyourheartbeat，asIdid。“

“Nooneneedeverknow，shalleverknow，“Isaidinalowvoice。

Shelaidherhandonmineandsaidverygravely，“Ah，buttheymust！”

“Must！butwhy？”Iasked。

“Becauseitisapartoftheterriblestory，apartofpoorLucy\'sdeathandallthatledtoit。Becauseinthestrugglewhichwehavebeforeustoridtheearthofthisterriblemonsterwemusthavealltheknowledgeandallthehelpwhichwecanget。

Ithinkthatthecylinderswhichyougavemecontainedmorethanyouintendedmetoknow。ButIcanseethatthereareinyourrecordmanylightstothisdarkmystery。Youwillletmehelp，willyounot？

Iknowalluptoacertainpoint，andIseealready，thoughyourdiaryonlytookmeto7September，howpoorLucywasbeset，andhowherterribledoomwasbeingwroughtout。JonathanandI

havebeenworkingdayandnightsinceProfessorVanHelsingsawus。

HeisgonetoWhitbytogetmoreinformation，andhewillbeheretomorrowtohelpus。Weneedhavenosecretsamongstus。

Workingtogetherandwithabsolutetrust，wecansurelybestrongerthanifsomeofuswereinthedark。“

Shelookedatmesoappealingly，andatthesametimemanifestedsuchcourageandresolutioninherbearing，thatIgaveinatoncetoherwishes。“Youshall，“Isaid，“doasyoulikeinthematter。

GodforgivemeifIdowrong！Thereareterriblethingsyettolearnof。

ButifyouhavesofartraveledontheroadtopoorLucy\'sdeath，youwillnotbecontent，Iknow，toremaininthedark。Nay，theend，theveryend，maygiveyouagleamofpeace。Come，thereisdinner。

Wemustkeeponeanotherstrongforwhatisbeforeus。Wehaveacruelanddreadfultask。Whenyouhaveeatenyoushalllearntherest，andIshallansweranyquestionsyouask，iftherebeanythingwhichyoudonotunderstand，thoughitwasapparenttouswhowerepresent。“

MINAHARKER\'SJOURNAL

29September——AfterdinnerIcamewithDr。Sewardtohisstudy。

Hebroughtbackthephonographfrommyroom，andItookachair，andarrangedthephonographsothatIcouldtouchitwithoutgettingup，andshowedmehowtostopitincaseIshouldwanttopause。

Thenheverythoughtfullytookachair，withhisbacktome，sothatImightbeasfreeaspossible，andbegantoread。

Iputtheforkedmetaltomyearsandlistened。

WhentheterriblestoryofLucy\'sdeath，andallthatfollowed，wasdone，Ilaybackinmychairpowerless。FortunatelyIamnotofafaintingdisposition。WhenDr。Sewardsawmehejumpedupwithahorrifiedexclamation，andhurriedlytakingacasebottlefromthecupboard，gavemesomebrandy，whichinafewminutessomewhatrestoredme。Mybrainwasallinawhirl，andonlythattherecamethroughallthemultitudeofhorrors，theholyrayoflightthatmydearLucywasatlastatpeace，IdonotthinkIcouldhaveborneitwithoutmakingascene。

Itisallsowildandmysterious，andstrangethatifI

hadnotknownJonathan\'sexperienceinTransylvaniaIcouldnothavebelieved。Asitwas，Ididn\'tknowwhattobelieve，andsogotoutofmydifficultybyattendingtosomethingelse。

Itookthecoveroffmytypewriter，andsaidtoDr。Seward，“Letmewritethisalloutnow。WemustbereadyforDr。VanHelsingwhenhecomes。IhavesentatelegramtoJonathantocomeonherewhenhearrivesinLondonfromWhitby。

Inthismatterdatesareeverything，andIthinkthatifwegetallofourmaterialready，andhaveeveryitemputinchronologicalorder，weshallhavedonemuch。

“YoutellmethatLordGodalmingandMr。Morrisarecomingtoo。

Letusbeabletotellthemwhentheycome。“

Heaccordinglysetthephonographataslowpace，andIbegantotypewritefromthebeginningoftheseventeenthcylinder。Iusedmanifold，andsotookthreecopiesofthediary，justasIhaddonewiththerest。

ItwaslatewhenIgotthrough，butDr。Sewardwentabouthisworkofgoinghisroundofthepatients。Whenhehadfinishedhecamebackandsatnearme，reading，sothatIdidnotfeeltoolonelywhilstIworked。

Howgoodandthoughtfulheis。Theworldseemsfullofgoodmen，eveniftherearemonstersinit。

BeforeIlefthimIrememberedwhatJonathanputinhisdiaryoftheProfessor\'sperturbationatreadingsomethinginaneveningpaperatthestationatExeter，so，seeingthatDr。Sewardkeepshisnewspapers，Iborrowedthefilesof`TheWestminsterGazette\'

and`ThePallMallGazette\'andtookthemtomyroom。

Irememberhowmuchthe`Dailygraph\'and`TheWhitbyGazette\'，ofwhichIhadmadecuttings，hadhelpedustounderstandtheterribleeventsatWhitbywhenCountDraculalanded，soIshalllookthroughtheeveningpaperssincethen，andperhapsIshallgetsomenewlight。Iamnotsleepy，andtheworkwillhelptokeepmequiet。

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

30September——Mr。Harkerarrivedatnineo\'clock。Hegothiswife\'swirejustbeforestarting。Heisuncommonlyclever，ifonecanjudgefromhisface，andfullofenergy。Ifthisjournalbetrue，andjudgingbyone\'sownwonderfulexperiences，itmustbe，heisalsoamanofgreatnerve。

Thatgoingdowntothevaultasecondtimewasaremarkablepieceofdaring。

AfterreadinghisaccountofitIwaspreparedtomeetagoodspecimenofmanhood，buthardlythequiet，businesslikegentlemanwhocameheretoday。

LATER——AfterlunchHarkerandhiswifewentbacktotheirownroom，andasIpassedawhileagoIheardtheclickofthetypewriter。

Theyarehardatit。Mrs。Harkersaysthatknittingtogetherinchronologicalordereveryscrapofevidencetheyhave。

HarkerhasgotthelettersbetweentheconsigneeoftheboxesatWhitbyandthecarriersinLondonwhotookchargeofthem。

Heisnowreadinghiswife\'stranscriptofmydiary。

Iwonderwhattheymakeoutofit。Hereitis……

StrangethatitneverstruckmethattheverynexthousemightbetheCount\'shidingplace！GoodnessknowsthatwehadenoughcluesfromtheconductofthepatientRenfield！

Thebundleoflettersrelatingtothepurchaseofthehousewerewiththetranscript。Oh，ifwehadonlyhadthemearlierwemighthavesavedpoorLucy！Stop！Thatwaymadnesslies！

Harkerhasgoneback，andisagaincollectingmaterial。

Hesaysthatbydinnertimetheywillbeabletoshowawholeconnectednarrative。HethinksthatinthemeantimeIshouldseeRenfield，ashithertohehasbeenasortofindextothecomingandgoingoftheCount。Ihardlyseethisyet，butwhenIgetatthedatesIsupposeIshall。

WhatagoodthingthatMrs。Harkerputmycylindersintotype！

Wenevercouldhavefoundthedatesotherwise。

IfoundRenfieldsittingplacidlyinhisroomwithhishandsfolded，smilingbenignly。AtthemomentheseemedassaneasanyoneIeversaw。

Isatdownandtalkedwithhimonalotofsubjects，allofwhichhetreatednaturally。Hethen，ofhisownaccord，spokeofgoinghome，asubjecthehasnevermentionedtomyknowledgeduringhissojournhere。

Infact，hespokequiteconfidentlyofgettinghisdischargeatonce。

Ibelievethat，hadInothadthechatwithHarkerandreadthelettersandthedatesofhisoutbursts，Ishouldhavebeenpreparedtosignforhimafterabrieftimeofobservation。Asitis，Iamdarklysuspicious。

Allthoseout-breakswereinsomewaylinkedwiththeproximityoftheCount。

Whatthendoesthisabsolutecontentmean？Canitbethathisinstinctissatisfiedastothevampire\'sultimatetriumph？Stay。Heishimselfzoophagous，andinhiswildravingsoutsidethechapeldoorofthedesertedhousehealwaysspokeof`master\'。Thisallseemsconfirmationofouridea。However，afterawhileIcameaway。

Myfriendisjustalittletoosaneatpresenttomakeitsafetoprobehimtoodeepwithquestions。Hemightbegintothink，andthen……SoIcameaway。Imistrustthesequietmoodsofofhis，soIhavegiventheattendantahinttolookcloselyafterhim，andtohaveastraitwaistcoatreadyincaseofneed。

JOHNATHANHARKER\'SJOURNAL

29September，intraintoLondon——WhenIreceivedMr。Billington\'scourteousmessagethathewouldgivemeanyinformationinhispowerIthoughtitbesttogodowntoWhitbyandmake，onthespot，suchinquiriesasIwanted。

ItwasnowmyobjecttotracethathorridcargooftheCount\'stoitsplaceinLondon。Later，wemaybeabletodealwithit。

Billingtonjunior，anicelad，metmeatthestation，andbroughtmetohisfather\'shouse，wheretheyhaddecidedthatImustspendthenight。Theyarehospitable，withtrueYorkshirehospitality，giveaguesteverythingandleavehimtodoashelikes。

TheyallknewthatIwasbusy，andthatmystaywasshort，andMr。Billingtonhadreadyinhisofficeallthepapersconcerningtheconsignmentofboxes。ItgavemealmostaturntoseeagainoneoftheletterswhichIhadseenontheCount\'stablebeforeIknewofhisdiabolicalplans。Everythinghadbeencarefullythoughtout，anddonesystematicallyandwithprecision。

Heseemedtohavebeenpreparedforeveryobstaclewhichmightbeplacedbyaccidentinthewayofhisintentionsbeingcarriedout。TouseandAmericanism，hehad`takennochances\'，andtheabsoluteaccuracywithwhichhisinstructionswerefulfilledwassimplythelogicalresultofhiscare。

Isawtheinvoice，andtooknoteofit。`Fiftycasesofcommonearth，tobeusedforexperimentalpurposes\'。AlsothecopyofthelettertoCarterPaterson，andtheirreply。

OfboththeseIgotcopies。ThiswasalltheinformationMr。Billingtoncouldgiveme，soIwentdowntotheportandsawthecoastguards，theCustomsOfficersandtheharbormaster，whokindlyputmeincommunicationwiththemenwhohadactuallyreceivedtheboxes。Theirtallywasexactwiththelist，andtheyhadnothingtoaddtothesimpledescription`fiftycasesofcommonearth\'，exceptthattheboxeswere`mainandmortalheavy\'，andthatshiftingthemwasdrywork。

Oneofthemaddedthatitwashardlinesthattherewasn\'tanygentleman`suchlikeaslikeyourself，squire\'，toshowsomesortofappreciationoftheireffortsinaliquidform。

Anotherputinariderthatthethirstthengeneratedwassuchthateventhetimewhichhadelapsedhadnotcompletelyallayedit。

Needlesstoadd，Itookcarebeforeleavingtolift，foreverandadequately，thissourceofreproach。

30September——ThestationmasterwasgoodenoughtogivemealinetohisoldcompanionthestationmasteratKing\'sCross，sothatwhenIarrivedthereinthemorningIwasabletoaskhimaboutthearrivaloftheboxes。

He，tooputmeatonceincommunicationwiththeproperofficials，andIsawthattheirtallywascorrectwiththeoriginalinvoice。

Theopportunitiesofacquiringanabnormalthirsthadbeenherelimited。

Anobleuseofthemhad，however，beenmade，andagainIwascompelledtodealwiththeresultinexpostfactomanner。

FromthenceIwenttoCarterPaterson\'scentraloffice，whereImetwiththeutmostcourtesy。Theylookedupthetransactionintheirdaybookandletterbook，andatoncetelephonedtotheirKing\'sCrossofficeformoredetails。

Bygoodfortune，themenwhodidtheteamingwerewaitingforwork，andtheofficialatoncesentthemover，sendingalsobyoneofthemtheway-billandallthepapersconnectedwiththedeliveryoftheboxesatCarfax。

HereagainIfoundthetallyagreeingexactly。Thecarriers\'

menwereabletosupplementthepaucityofthewrittenwordswithafewmoredetails。Thesewere，Ishortlyfound，connectedalmostsolelywiththedustynatureofthejob，andtheconsequentthirstengenderedintheoperators。

Onmyaffordinganopportunity，throughthemediumofthecurrencyoftherealm，oftheallaying，atalaterperiod，thisbeneficialevil，oneofthemenremarked，“That`ere`ouse，guv\'nor，istherummiestIeverwasin。Blyme！Butitain\'tbeentouchedsenceahundredyears。

Therewasdustthatthickintheplacethatyoumighthaveslep\'

onitwithout`urtin\'ofyerbones。An\'theplacewasthatneglectedthatyermight`avesmelledoleJerusaleminit。

Buttheoldchapel，thattookthecike，thatdid！

Meandmymate，wethortwewouldn\'tnevergitoutquickenough。

Lor\'，Iwouldn\'ttakelessnoraquidamomenttostaytherearterdark。“

Havingbeeninthehouse，Icouldwellbelievehim，butifheknewwhatIknow，hewould，Ithinkhaveraisedhisterms。

OfonethingIamnowsatisfied。ThatallthoseboxeswhicharrivedatWhitbyfromVarnaintheDemeterweresafelydepositedintheoldchapelatCarfax。

Thereshouldbefiftyofthemthere，unlessanyhavesincebeenremoved，asfromDr。Seward\'sdiaryIfear。

Later——MinaandIhaveworkedallday，andwehaveputallthepapersintoorder。

MINAHARKER\'SJOURNAL

30September——IamsogladthatIhardlyknowhowtocontainmyself。

Itis，Isuppose，thereactionfromthehauntingfearwhichIhavehad，thatthisterribleaffairandthereopeningofhisoldwoundmightactdetrimentallyonJonathan。IsawhimleaveforWhitbywithasbraveafaceascould，butIwassickwithapprehension。

Theefforthas，however，donehimgood。Hewasneversoresolute，neversostrong，neversofullofvolcanicenergy，asatpresent。

Itisjustasthatdear，goodProfessorVanHelsingsaid，heistruegrit，andheimprovesunderstrainthatwouldkillaweakernature。Hecamebackfulloflifeandhopeanddetermination。Wehavegoteverythinginorderfortonight。Ifeelmyselfquitewildwithexcitement。

IsupposeoneoughttopityanythingsohuntedastheCount。

Thatisjustit。Thisthingisnothuman，notevenabeast。

ToreadDr。Seward\'saccountofpoorLucy\'sdeath，andwhatfollowed，isenoughtodryupthespringsofpityinone\'sheart。

Later——LordGodalmingandMr。Morrisarrivedearlierthanweexpected。

Dr。Sewardwasoutonbusiness，andhadtakenJonathanwithhim，soIhadtoseethem。Itwastomeapainfulmeeting，foritbroughtbackallpoordearLucy\'shopesofonlyafewmonthsago。

OfcoursetheyhadheardLucyspeakofme，anditseemedthatDr。VanHelsing，too，hadbeenquite`blowingmytrumpet\'，asMr。Morrisexpressedit。Poorfellows，neitherofthemisawarethatIknowallabouttheproposalstheymadetoLucy。Theydidnotquiteknowwhattosayordo，astheywereignorantoftheamountofmyknowledge。

Sotheyhadtokeeponneutralsubjects。However，Ithoughtthematterover，andcametotheconclusionthatthebestthingIcoulddowouldbetopostthemonaffairsrightuptodate。

IknewfromDr。Seward\'sdiarythattheyhadbeenatLucy\'sdeath，herrealdeath，andthatIneednotfeartobetrayanysecretbeforethetime。SoItoldthem，aswellasIcould，thatI

hadreadallthepapersanddiaries，andthatmyhusbandandI，havingtypewrittenthem，hadjustfinishedputtingtheminorder。

Igavethemeachacopytoreadinthelibrary。WhenLordGodalminggothisandturneditover，itdoesmakeaprettygoodpile，hesaid，“Didyouwriteallthis，Mrs。Harker？”

Inodded，andhewenton。

“Idon\'tquiteseethedriftofit，butyoupeopleareallsogoodandkind，andhavebeenworkingsoearnestlyandsoenergetically，thatallIcandoistoacceptyourideasblindfoldandtrytohelpyou。

Ihavehadonelessonalreadyinacceptingfactsthatshouldmakeamanhumbletothelasthourofhislife。Besides，IknowyoulovedmyLucy……“

Hereheturnedawayandcoveredhisfacewithhishands。

Icouldhearthetearsinhisvoice。Mr。Morris，withinstinctivedelicacy，justlaidahandforamomentonhisshoulder，andthenwalkedquietlyoutoftheroom。

Isupposethereissomethinginawoman\'snaturethatmakesamanfreetobreakdownbeforeherandexpresshisfeelingsonthetenderoremotionalsidewithoutfeelingitderogatorytohismanhood。ForwhenLordGodalmingfoundhimselfalonewithmehesatdownonthesofaandgavewayutterlyandopenly。

Isatdownbesidehimandtookhishand。Ihopehedidn\'tthinkitforwardofme，andthatifhereverthinksofitafterwardsheneverwillhavesuchathought。ThereIwronghim。

Iknowheneverwill。Heistootrueagentleman。

Isaidtohim，forIcouldseethathisheartwasbreaking，“IloveddearLucy，andIknowwhatshewastoyou，andwhatyouweretoher。SheandIwerelikesisters，andnowsheisgone，willyounotletmebelikeasistertoyouinyourtrouble？

Iknowwhatsorrowsyouhavehad，thoughIcannotmeasurethedepthofthem。Ifsympathyandpitycanhelpinyouraffliction，won\'tyouletmebeofsomelittleservice，forLucy\'ssake？”

Inaninstantthepoordearfellowwasoverwhelmedwithgrief。

Itseemedtomethatallthathehadoflatebeensufferinginsilencefoundaventatonce。Hegrewquitehysterical，andraisinghisopenhands，beathispalmstogetherinaperfectagonyofgrief。

Hestoodupandthensatdownagain，andthetearsraineddownhischeeks。

Ifeltaninfinitepityforhim，andopenedmyarmsunthinkingly。

Withasobhelaidhisheadonmyshoulderandcriedlikeaweariedchild，whilstheshookwithemotion。

Wewomenhavesomethingofthemotherinusthatmakesusriseabovesmallermatterswhenthemotherspiritisinvoked。

Ifeltthisbigsorrowingman\'sheadrestingonme，asthoughitwerethatofababythatsomedaymaylieonmybosom，andIstrokedhishairasthoughheweremyownchild。

Ineverthoughtatthetimehowstrangeitallwas。

Afteralittlebithissobsceased，andheraisedhimselfwithanapology，thoughhemadenodisguiseofhisemotion。Hetoldmethatfordaysandnightspast，wearydaysandsleeplessnights，hehadbeenunabletospeakwithanyone，asamanmustspeakinhistimeofsorrow。

Therewasnowomanwhosesympathycouldbegiventohim，orwithwhom，owingtotheterriblecircumstancewithwhichhissorrowwassurrounded，hecouldspeakfreely。

“IknownowhowIsuffered，“hesaid，ashedriedhiseyes，“butIdonotknowevenyet，andnoneothercaneverknow，howmuchyoursweetsympathyhasbeentometoday。

Ishallknowbetterintime，andbelievemethat，thoughIamnotungratefulnow，mygratitudewillgrowwithmyunderstanding。

Youwillletmebelikeabrother，willyounot，forallourlives，fordearLucy\'ssake？”

“FordearLucy\'ssake，“Isaidasweclaspedhands。“Ay，andforyourownsake，“headded，“forifaman\'sesteemandgratitudeareeverworththewinning，youhavewonminetoday。

Ifeverthefutureshouldbringtoyouatimewhenyouneedaman\'shelp，believeme，youwillnotcallinvain。

Godgrantthatnosuchtimemayevercometoyoutobreakthesunshineofyourlife，butifitshouldevercome，promisemethatyouwillletmeknow。“

Hewassoearnest，andhissorrowwassofresh，thatIfeltitwouldcomforthim，soIsaid，“Ipromise。“

AsIcamealongthecorridorIsayMr。Morrislookingoutofawindow。

Heturnedasheheardmyfootsteps。“HowisArt？”hesaid。Thennoticingmyredeyes，hewenton，“Ah，Iseeyouhavebeencomfortinghim。

Pooroldfellow！Heneedsit。Noonebutawomancanhelpamanwhenheisintroubleoftheheart，andhehadnoonetocomforthim。“

Heborehisowntroublesobravelythatmyheartbledforhim。

Isawthemanuscriptinhishand，andIknewthatwhenhereadithewouldrealizehowmuchIknew，soIsaidtohim，“IwishI

couldcomfortallwhosufferfromtheheart。Willyouletmebeyourfriend，andwillyoucometomeforcomfortifyouneedit？

YouwillknowlaterwhyIspeak。“

HesawthatIwasinearnest，andstooping，tookmyhand，andraisingittohislips，kissedit。Itseemedbutpoorcomforttosobraveandunselfishasoul，andimpulsivelyIbentoverandkissedhim。

Thetearsroseinhiseyes，andtherewasamomentarychokinginhisthroat。Hesaidquitecalmly，“Littlegirl，youwillneverforgetthattrueheartedkindness，solongaseveryoulive！”

Thenhewentintothestudytohisfriend。

“Littlegirl！”TheverywordshehadusedtoLucy，and，oh，butheprovedhimselfafriend。

CHAPTER18

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

30September——Igothomeatfiveo\'clock，andfoundthatGodalmingandMorrishadnotonlyarrived，buthadalreadystudiedthetranscriptofthevariousdiariesandletterswhichHarkerhadnotyetreturnedfromhisvisittothecarriers\'men，ofwhomDr。Hennesseyhadwrittentome。

Mrs。Harkergaveusacupoftea，andIcanhonestlysaythat，forthefirsttimesinceIhavelivedinit，thisoldhouseseemedlikehome。

Whenwehadfinished，Mrs。Harkersaid，“Dr。Seward，mayIaskafavor？Iwanttoseeyourpatient，Mr。Renfield。

Doletmeseehim。Whatyouhavesaidofhiminyourdiaryinterestsmesomuch！”

ShelookedsoappealingandsoprettythatIcouldnotrefuseher，andtherewasnopossiblereasonwhyIshould，soItookherwithme。

WhenIwentintotheroom，Itoldthemanthataladywouldliketoseehim，towhichhesimplyanswered，“Why？”

“Sheisgoingthroughthehouse，andwantstoseeeveryoneinit，“Ianswered。

“Oh，verywell，“hesaid，“lethercomein，byallmeans，butjustwaitaminutetillItidyuptheplace。“

Hismethodoftidyingwaspeculiar，hesimplyswallowedallthefliesandspidersintheboxesbeforeIcouldstophim。

Itwasquiteevidentthathefeared，orwasjealousof，someinterference。Whenhehadgotthroughhisdisgustingtask，hesaidcheerfully，“Lettheladycomein，“andsatdownontheedgeofhisbedwithhisheaddown，butwithhiseyelidsraisedsothathecouldseeherassheentered。

ForamomentIthoughtthathemighthavesomehomicidalintent。

Irememberedhowquiethehadbeenjustbeforeheattackedmeinmyownstudy，andItookcaretostandwhereIcouldseizehimatonceifheattemptedtomakeaspringather。

Shecameintotheroomwithaneasygracefulnesswhichwouldatoncecommandtherespectofanylunatic，foreasinessisoneofthequalitiesmadpeoplemostrespect。Shewalkedovertohim，smilingpleasantly，andheldoutherhand。

“Goodevening，Mr。Renfield，“saidshe。“Yousee，Iknowyou，forDr。Sewardhastoldmeofyou。“Hemadenoimmediatereply，buteyedheralloverintentlywithasetfrownonhisface。

Thislookgavewaytooneofwonder，whichmergedindoubt，thentomyintenseastonishmenthesaid，“You\'renotthegirlthedoctorwantedtomarry，areyou？Youcan\'tbe，youknow，forshe\'sdead。“

Mrs。Harkersmiledsweetlyasshereplied，“Ohno！Ihaveahusbandofmyown，towhomIwasmarriedbeforeIeversawDr。Seward，orheme。

IamMrs。Harker。“

“Thenwhatareyoudoinghere？”

“MyhusbandandIarestayingonavisitwithDr。Seward。“

“Thendon\'tstay。“

“Butwhynot？”

IthoughtthatthisstyleofconversationmightnotbepleasanttoMrs。Harker，anymorethanitwastome，soIjoinedin，“HowdidyouknowIwantedtomarryanyone？”

Hisreplywassimplycontemptuous，giveninapauseinwhichheturnedhiseyesfromMrs。Harkertome，instantlyturningthembackagain，“Whatanasininequestion！”

“Idon\'tseethatatall，Mr。Renfield，“saidMrs。Harker，atoncechampioningme。

Herepliedtoherwithasmuchcourtesyandrespectashehadshowncontempttome，“Youwill，ofcourse，understand，Mrs。Harker，thatwhenamanissolovedandhonoredasourhostis，everythingregardinghimisofinterestinourlittlecommunity。

Dr。Sewardislovednotonlybyhishouseholdandhisfriends，butevenbyhispatients，who，beingsomeofthemhardlyinmentalequilibrium，areapttodistortcausesandeffects。

SinceImyselfhavebeenaninmateofalunaticasylum，Icannotbutnoticethatthesophistictendenciesofsomeofitsinmatesleantowardstheerrorsofnoncausaandignoratioelenche。“

Ipositivelyopenedmyeyesatthisnewdevelopment。

Herewasmyownpetlunatic，themostpronouncedofhistypethatIhadevermetwith，talkingelementalphilosophy，andwiththemannerofapolishedgentleman。IwonderifitwasMrs。Harker\'spresencewhichhadtouchedsomechordinhismemory。

Ifthisnewphasewasspontaneous，orinanywayduetoherunconsciousinfluence，shemusthavesomeraregiftorpower。

Wecontinuedtotalkforsometime，andseeingthathewasseeminglyquitereasonable，sheventured，lookingatmequestioninglyasshebegan，toleadhimtohisfavoritetopic。Iwasagainastonished，forheaddressedhimselftothequestionwiththeimpartialityofthecompletestsanity。

Heeventookhimselfasanexamplewhenhementionedcertainthings。

“Why，Imyselfamaninstanceofamanwhohadastrangebelief。

Indeed，itwasnowonderthatmyfriendswerealarmed，andinsistedonmybeingputundercontrol。Iusedtofancythatlifewasapositiveandperpetualentity，andthatbyconsumingamultitudeoflivethings，nomatterhowlowinthescaleofcreation，onemightindefinitelyprolonglife。

AttimesIheldthebeliefsostronglythatIactuallytriedtotakehumanlife。ThedoctorherewillbearmeoutthatononeoccasionItriedtokillhimforthepurposeofstrengtheningmyvitalpowersbytheassimilationwithmyownbodyofhislifethroughthemediumofhisblood，relyingofcourse，upontheScripturalphrase，`Forthebloodisthelife。\'Though，indeed，thevendorofacertainnostrumhasvulgarizedthetruismtotheverypointofcontempt。

Isn\'tthattrue，doctor？”

Inoddedassent，forIwassoamazedthatIhardlyknewwhattoeitherthinkorsay，itwashardtoimaginethatIhadseenhimeatuphisspidersandfliesnotfiveminutesbefore。

Lookingatmywatch，IsawthatIshouldgotothestationtomeetVanHelsing，soItoldMrs。Harkerthatitwastimetoleave。

Shecameatonce，aftersayingpleasantlytoMr。Renfield，“Goodbye，andIhopeImayseeyouoften，underauspicespleasantertoyourself。“

Towhich，tomyastonishment，hereplied，“Goodbye，mydear。

IprayGodImayneverseeyoursweetfaceagain。

MayHeblessandkeepyou！”

WhenIwenttothestationtomeetVanHelsingIlefttheboysbehindme。

PoorArtseemedmorecheerfulthanhehasbeensinceLucyfirsttookill，andQuinceyismorelikehisownbrightselfthanhehasbeenformanyalongday。

VanHelsingsteppedfromthecarriagewiththeeagernimblenessofaboy。

Hesawmeatonce，andrusheduptome，saying，“Ah，friendJohn，howgoesall？Well？So！Ihavebeenbusy，forIcomeheretostayifneedbe。Allaffairsaresettledwithme，andIhavemuchtotell。

MadamMinaiswithyou？Yes。Andhersofinehusband？AndArthurandmyfriendQuincey，theyarewithyou，too？Good！”

AsIdrovetothehouseItoldhimofwhathadpassed，andofhowmyowndiaryhadcometobeofsomeusethroughMrs。Harker\'ssuggestion，atwhichtheProfessorinterruptedme。

“Ah，thatwonderfulMadamMina！Shehasman\'sbrain，abrainthatamanshouldhavewerehemuchgifted，andawoman\'sheart。

ThegoodGodfashionedherforapurpose，believeme，whenHemadethatsogoodcombination。FriendJohn，uptonowfortunehasmadethatwomanofhelptous，aftertonightshemustnothavetodowiththissoterribleaffair。Itisnotgoodthatsherunarisksogreat。

Wemenaredetermined，nay，arewenotpledged，todestroythismonster？

Butitisnopartforawoman。Evenifshebenotharmed，herheartmayfailherinsomuchandsomanyhorrorsandhereaftershemaysuffer，bothinwaking，fromhernerves，andinsleep，fromherdreams。

And，besides，sheisyoungwomanandnotsolongmarried，theremaybeotherthingstothinkofsometime，ifnotnow。

Youtellmeshehaswroteall，thenshemustconsultwithus，buttomorrowshesaygoodbyetothiswork，andwegoalone。“

Iagreedheartilywithhim，andthenItoldhimwhatwehadfoundinhisabsence，thatthehousewhichDraculahadboughtwastheverynextonetomyown。Hewasamazed，andagreatconcernseemedtocomeonhim。

“Ohthatwehadknownitbefore！”hesaid，“forthenwemighthavereachedhimintimetosavepoorLucy。However，`themilkthatisspiltcriesnotoutafterwards，\'asyousay。Weshallnotthinkofthat，butgoonourwaytotheend。“Thenhefellintoasilencethatlastedtillweenteredmyowngateway。

BeforewewenttopreparefordinnerhesaidtoMrs。Harker，“Iamtold，MadamMina，bymyfriendJohnthatyouandyourhusbandhaveputupinexactorderallthingsthathavebeen，uptothismoment。“

“Notuptothismoment，Professor，“shesaidimpulsively，“butuptothismorning。“

“Butwhynotuptonow？Wehaveseenhithertohowgoodlightallthelittlethingshavemade。Wehavetoldoursecrets，andyetnoonewhohastoldistheworseforit。“

Mrs。Harkerbegantoblush，andtakingapaperfromherpockets，shesaid，“Dr。VanHelsing，willyoureadthis，andtellmeifitmustgoin。Itismyrecordoftoday。

Itoohaveseentheneedofputtingdownatpresenteverything，howevertrivial，butthereislittleinthisexceptwhatispersonal。

Mustitgoin？”

TheProfessorreaditovergravely，andhandeditback，saying，“Itneednotgoinifyoudonotwishit，butIpraythatitmay。

Itcanbutmakeyourhusbandloveyouthemore，andallus，yourfriends，morehonoryou，aswellasmoreesteemandlove。“

Shetookitbackwithanotherblushandabrightsmile。

Andsonow，uptothisveryhour，alltherecordswehavearecompleteandinorder。TheProfessortookawayonecopytostudyafterdinner，andbeforeourmeeting，whichisfixedfornineo\'clock。Therestofushavealreadyreadeverything，sowhenwemeetinthestudyweshallallbeinformedastofacts，andcanarrangeourplanofbattlewiththisterribleandmysteriousenemy。

MINAHARKER\'SJOURNAL

30September——WhenwemetinDr。Seward\'sstudytwohoursafterdinner，whichhadbeenatsixo\'clock，weunconsciouslyformedasortofboardorcommittee。ProfessorVanHelsingtooktheheadofthetable，towhichDr。Sewardmotionedhimashecameintotheroom。

Hemademesitnexttohimonhisright，andaskedmetoactassecretary。

Jonathansatnexttome。OppositeuswereLordGodalming，Dr。Seward，andMr。Morris，LordGodalmingbeingnexttheProfessor，andDr。Sewardinthecenter。

TheProfessorsaid，“Imay，Isuppose，takeitthatweareallacquaintedwiththefactsthatareinthesepapers。“

Weallexpressedassent，andhewenton，“Thenitwere，Ithink，goodthatItellyousomethingofthekindofenemywithwhichwehavetodeal。Ishallthenmakeknowntoyousomethingofthehistoryofthisman，whichhasbeenascertainedforme。

Sowethencandiscusshowweshallact，andcantakeourmeasureaccording。

“Therearesuchbeingsasvampires，someofushaveevidencethattheyexist。Evenhadwenottheproofofourownunhappyexperience，theteachingsandtherecordsofthepastgiveproofenoughforsanepeoples。IadmitthatatthefirstIwassceptic。

WereitnotthatthroughlongyearsIhavetrainedmyselftokeepanopenmind，Icouldnothavebelieveduntilsuchtimeasthatfactthunderonmyear。`See！See！

Iprove，Iprove。\'Alas！HadIknownatfirstwhatnowIknow，nay，hadIevenguessathim，onesopreciouslifehadbeensparedtomanyofuswhodidloveher。

Butthatisgone，andwemustsowork，thatotherpoorsoulsperishnot，whilstwecansave。Thenosferatudonotdielikethebeewhenhestingonce。Heisonlystronger，andbeingstronger，haveyetmorepowertoworkevil。

Thisvampirewhichisamongstusisofhimselfsostronginpersonastwentymen，heisofcunningmorethanmortal，forhiscunningbethegrowthofages，hehavestilltheaidsofnecromancy，whichis，ashisetymologyimply，thedivinationbythedead，andallthedeadthathecancomenightoareforhimatcommand，heisbrute，andmorethanbrute，heisdevilincallous，andtheheartofhimisnot，hecan，withinhisrange，directtheelements，thestorm，thefog，thethunder，hecancommandallthemeanerthings，therat，andtheowl，andthebat，themoth，andthefox，andthewolf，hecangrowandbecomesmall，andhecanattimesvanishandcomeunknown。

Howthenarewetobeginourstriketodestroyhim？Howshallwefindhiswhere，andhavingfoundit，howcanwedestroy？

Myfriends，thisismuch，itisaterribletaskthatweundertake，andtheremaybeconsequencetomakethebraveshudder。

Forifwefailinthisourfighthemustsurelywin，andthenwhereendwe？Lifeisnothings，Iheedhimnot。

Buttofailhere，isnotmerelifeordeath。Itisthatwebecomeashim，thatwehenceforwardbecomefoulthingsofthenightlikehim，withoutheartorconscience，preyingonthebodiesandthesoulsofthosewelovebest。Tousforeverarethegatesofheavenshut，forwhoshallopenthemtousagain？

Wegoonforalltimeabhorredbyall，ablotonthefaceofGod\'ssunshine，anarrowinthesideofHimwhodiedforman。

Butwearefacetofacewithduty，andinsuchcasemustweshrink？Forme，Isayno，butthenIamold，andlife，withhissunshine，hisfairplaces，hissongofbirds，hismusicandhislove，liefarbehind。Youothersareyoung。

Somehaveseensorrow，buttherearefairdaysyetinstore。

Whatsayyou？”

Whilsthewasspeaking，Jonathanhadtakenmyhand。Ifeared，ohsomuch，thattheappallingnatureofourdangerwasovercominghimwhenIsawhishandstretchout，butitwaslifetometofeelitstouch，sostrong，soselfreliant，soresolute。

Abraveman\'shandcanspeakforitself，itdoesnotevenneedawoman\'slovetohearitsmusic。

WhentheProfessorhaddonespeakingmyhusbandlookedinmyeyes，andIinhis，therewasnoneedforspeakingbetweenus。

“IanswerforMinaandmyself，“hesaid。

“Countmein，Professor，“saidMr。QuinceyMorris，laconicallyasusual。

“Iamwithyou，“saidLordGodalming，“forLucy\'ssake，iffornootherreason。“

Dr。Sewardsimplynodded。

TheProfessorstoodupand，afterlayinghisgoldencrucifixonthetable，heldouthishandoneitherside。

Itookhisrighthand，andLordGodalminghisleft，JonathanheldmyrightwithhisleftandstretchedacrosstoMr。Morris。

Soaswealltookhandsoursolemncompactwasmade。Ifeltmyhearticycold，butitdidnotevenoccurtometodrawback。

Weresumedourplaces，andDr。VanHelsingwentonwithasortofcheerfulnesswhichshowedthattheseriousworkhadbegun。

Itwastobetakenasgravely，andinasbusinesslikeaway，asanyothertransactionoflife。

“Well，youknowwhatwehavetocontendagainst，butwetoo，arenotwithoutstrength。Wehaveonoursidepowerofcombination，apowerdeniedtothevampirekind，wehavesourcesofscience，wearefreetoactandthink，andthehoursofthedayandthenightareoursequally。

Infact，sofarasourpowersextend，theyareunfettered，andwearefreetousethem。Wehaveselfdevotioninacauseandanendtoachievewhichisnotaselfishone。

Thesethingsaremuch。

“Nowletusseehowfarthegeneralpowersarrayedagainstusarerestrict，andhowtheindividualcannot。Infine，letusconsiderthelimitationsofthevampireingeneral，andofthisoneinparticular。

“Allwehavetogouponaretraditionsandsuperstitions。

Thesedonotatthefirstappearmuch，whenthematterisoneoflifeanddeath，nayofmorethaneitherlifeordeath。

Yetmustwebesatisfied，inthefirstplacebecausewehavetobe，noothermeansisatourcontrol，andsecondly，because，afterallthesethings，traditionandsuperstition，areeverything。Doesnotthebeliefinvampiresrestforothers，thoughnot，alas！forus，onthem！Ayearagowhichofuswouldhavereceivedsuchapossibility，inthemidstofourscientific，sceptical，matter-of-factnineteenthcentury？

Weevenscoutedabeliefthatwesawjustifiedunderourveryeyes。

Takeit，then，thatthevampire，andthebeliefinhislimitationsandhiscure，restforthemomentonthesamebase。

For，letmetellyou，heisknowneverywherethatmenhavebeen。

InoldGreece，inoldRome，heflourishinGermanyallover，inFrance，inIndia，evenintheChermosese，andinChina，sofarfromusinallways，thereevenishe，andthepeoplesforhimatthisday。HehavefollowthewakeoftheberserkerIcelander，thedevil-begottenHun，theSlav，theSaxon，theMagyar。

“Sofar，then，wehaveallwemayactupon，andletmetellyouthatverymuchofthebeliefsarejustifiedbywhatwehaveseeninourownsounhappyexperience。

Thevampireliveon，andcannotdiebymerepassingofthetime，hecanflourishwhenthathecanfattenonthebloodoftheliving。

Evenmore，wehaveseenamongstusthathecanevengrowyounger，thathisvitalfacultiesgrowstrenuous，andseemasthoughtheyrefreshthemselveswhenhisspecialpabulumisplenty。

“Buthecannotflourishwithoutthisdiet，heeatnotasothers。

EvenfriendJonathan，wholivedwithhimforweeks，didneverseehimeat，never！Hethrowsnoshadow，hemakeinthemirrornoreflect，asagainJonathanobserve。Hehasthestrengthofmanyofhishand，witnessagainJonathanwhenheshutthedooragainstthewolves，andwhenhehelphimfromthediligencetoo。Hecantransformhimselftowolf，aswegatherfromtheshiparrivalinWhitby，whenhetearopenthedog，hecanbeasbat，asMadamMinasawhimonthewindowatWhitby，andasfriendJohnsawhimflyfromthissonearhouse，andasmyfriendQuinceysawhimatthewindowofMissLucy。

“Hecancomeinmistwhichhecreate，thatnobleship\'scaptainprovedhimofthis，but，fromwhatweknow，thedistancehecanmakethismistislimited，anditcanonlyberoundhimself。

“Hecomeonmoonlightraysaselementaldust，asagainJonathansawthosesistersinthecastleofDracula。