Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.1-12
go, and you must leave at my sign. Say no word to Madame. You know `
` how it is with her. There must be no shock, any knowledge of this `
` would be one. Come!" `
` `
` We all went up to Lucy's room. Arthur by direction remained outside. `
` Lucy turned her head and looked at us, but said nothing. She was not `
` asleep, but she was simply too weak to make the effort. Her eyes `
` spoke to us, that was all. `
` `
` Van Helsing took some things from his bag and laid them on a little `
` table out of sight. Then he mixed a narcotic, and coming over to the `
` bed, said cheerily, "Now, little miss, here is your medicine. Drink `
` it off, like a good child. See, I lift you so that to swallow is `
` easy. Yes." She had made the effort with success. `
` `
` It astonished me how long the drug took to act. This, in fact, marked `
` the extent of her weakness. The time seemed endless until sleep began `
` to flicker in her eyelids. At last, however, the narcotic began to `
` manifest its potency, and she fell into a deep sleep. When the `
` Professor was satisfied, he called Arthur into the room, and bade him `
` strip off his coat. Then he added, "You may take that one little kiss `
` whiles I bring over the table. Friend John, help to me!" So neither `
` of us looked whilst he bent over her. `
` `
` Van Helsing, turning to me, said, "He is so young and strong, and of `
` blood so pure that we need not defibrinate it." `
` `
` Then with swiftness, but with absolute method, Van Helsing performed `
` the operation. As the transfusion went on, something like life seemed `
` to come back to poor Lucy's cheeks, and through Arthur's growing `
` pallor the joy of his face seemed absolutely to shine. After a bit I `
` began to grow anxious, for the loss of blood was telling on Arthur, `
` strong man as he was. It gave me an idea of what a terrible strain `
` Lucy's system must have undergone that what weakened Arthur only `
` partially restored her. `
` `
` But the Professor's face was set, and he stood watch in hand, and with `
` his eyes fixed now on the patient and now on Arthur. I could hear my `
` own heart beat. Presently, he said in a soft voice, "Do not stir an `
` instant. It is enough. You attend him. I will look to her." `
` `
` When all was over, I could see how much Arthur was weakened. I `
` dressed the wound and took his arm to bring him away, when Van Helsing `
` spoke without turning round, the man seems to have eyes in the back of `
` his head, "The brave lover, I think, deserve another kiss, which he `
` shall have presently." And as he had now finished his operation, he `
` adjusted the pillow to the patient's head. As he did so the narrow `
` black velvet band which she seems always to wear round her throat, `
` buckled with an old diamond buckle which her lover had given her, was `
` dragged a little up, and showed a red mark on her throat. `
` `
` Arthur did not notice it, but I could hear the deep hiss of indrawn `
` breath which is one of Van Helsing's ways of betraying emotion. He `
` said nothing at the moment, but turned to me, saying, "Now take down `
` our brave young lover, give him of the port wine, and let him lie down `
` a while. He must then go home and rest, sleep much and eat much, that `
` he may be recruited of what he has so given to his love. He must not `
` stay here. Hold a moment! I may take it, sir, that you are anxious `
` of result. Then bring it with you, that in all ways the operation is `
` successful. You have saved her life this time, and you can go home `
` and rest easy in mind that all that can be is. I shall tell her all `
` when she is well. She shall love you none the less for what you have `
` done. Goodbye." `
` `
` When Arthur had gone I went back to the room. Lucy was sleeping `
` gently, but her breathing was stronger. I could see the counterpane `
` move as her breast heaved. By the bedside sat Van Helsing, looking at `
` her intently. The velvet band again covered the red mark. I asked `
` the Professor in a whisper, "What do you make of that mark on her `
` throat?" `
` `
` "What do you make of it?" `
` `
` "I have not examined it yet," I answered, and then and there proceeded `
` to loose the band. Just over the external jugular vein there were two `
` punctures, not large, but not wholesome looking. There was no sign of `
` disease, but the edges were white and worn looking, as if by some `
` trituration. It at once occurred to me that that this wound, or `
` whatever it was, might be the means of that manifest loss of blood. `
` But I abandoned the idea as soon as it formed, for such a thing could `
` not be. The whole bed would have been drenched to a scarlet with the `
` blood which the girl must have lost to leave such a pallor as she had `
` before the transfusion. `
` `
` "Well?" said Van Helsing. `
` `
` "Well," said I. "I can make nothing of it." `
` `
` The Professor stood up. "I must go back to Amsterdam tonight," he `
` said "There are books and things there which I want. You must remain `
` here all night, and you must not let your sight pass from her." `
` `
` "Shall I have a nurse?" I asked. `
` `
` "We are the best nurses, you and I. You keep watch all night. See `
` that she is well fed, and that nothing disturbs her. You must not `
` sleep all the night. Later on we can sleep, you and I. I shall be `
` back as soon as possible. And then we may begin." `
` `
` "May begin?" I said. "What on earth do you mean?" `
` `
` "We shall see!" he answered, as he hurried out. He came back a moment `
` later and put his head inside the door and said with a warning finger `
` held up, "Remember, she is your charge. If you leave her, and harm `
` befall, you shall not sleep easy hereafter!" `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY--CONTINUED `
` `
` 8 September.--I sat up all night with Lucy. The opiate worked itself `
` off towards dusk, and she waked naturally. She looked a different `
` being from what she had been before the operation. Her spirits even `
` were good, and she was full of a happy vivacity, but I could see `
` evidences of the absolute prostration which she had undergone. When I `
` told Mrs. Westenra that Dr. Van Helsing had directed that I should sit `
` up with her, she almost pooh-poohed the idea, pointing out her `
` daughter's renewed strength and excellent spirits. I was firm, `
` however, and made preparations for my long vigil. When her maid had `
` prepared her for the night I came in, having in the meantime had `
` supper, and took a seat by the bedside. `
` `
` She did not in any way make objection, but looked at me gratefully `
` whenever I caught her eye. After a long spell she seemed sinking off `
` to sleep, but with an effort seemed to pull herself together and shook `
` it off. It was apparent that she did not want to sleep, so I tackled `
` the subject at once. `
` `
` "You do not want to sleep?" `
` `
` "No. I am afraid." `
` `
` "Afraid to go to sleep! Why so? It is the boon we all crave for." `
` `
` "Ah, not if you were like me, if sleep was to you a presage of `
` horror!" `
` `
` "A presage of horror! What on earth do you mean?" `
` `
` "I don't know. Oh, I don't know. And that is what is so terrible. `
` All this weakness comes to me in sleep, until I dread the very `
` thought." `
` `
` "But, my dear girl, you may sleep tonight. I am here watching you, `
` and I can promise that nothing will happen." `
` `
` "Ah, I can trust you!" she said. `
` `
` I seized the opportunity, and said, "I promise that if I see any `
` evidence of bad dreams I will wake you at once." `
` `
` "You will? Oh, will you really? How good you are to me. Then I will `
` sleep!" And almost at the word she gave a deep sigh of relief, and `
` sank back, asleep. `
` `
` All night long I watched by her. She never stirred, but slept on and `
` on in a deep, tranquil, life-giving, health-giving sleep. Her lips `
` were slightly parted, and her breast rose and fell with the regularity `
` of a pendulum. There was a smile on her face, and it was evident that `
` no bad dreams had come to disturb her peace of mind. `
` `
` In the early morning her maid came, and I left her in her care and took `
` myself back home, for I was anxious about many things. I sent a short `
` wire to Van Helsing and to Arthur, telling them of the excellent `
` result of the operation. My own work, with its manifold arrears, took `
` me all day to clear off. It was dark when I was able to inquire about `
` my zoophagous patient. The report was good. He had been quite quiet `
` for the past day and night. A telegram came from Van Helsing at `
` Amsterdam whilst I was at dinner, suggesting that I should be at `
` Hillingham tonight, as it might be well to be at hand, and stating `
` that he was leaving by the night mail and would join me early in the `
` morning. `
` `
` `
` 9 September.--I was pretty tired and worn out when I got to `
` Hillingham. For two nights I had hardly had a wink of sleep, and my `
` brain was beginning to feel that numbness which marks cerebral `
` exhaustion. Lucy was up and in cheerful spirits. When she shook `
` hands with me she looked sharply in my face and said, `
` `
` "No sitting up tonight for you. You are worn out. I am quite well `
` again. Indeed, I am, and if there is to be any sitting up, it is I `
` who will sit up with you." `
` `
` I would not argue the point, but went and had my supper. Lucy came `
` with me, and, enlivened by her charming presence, I made an excellent `
` meal, and had a couple of glasses of the more than excellent port. `
` Then Lucy took me upstairs, and showed me a room next her own, where a `
` cozy fire was burning. `
` `
` "Now," she said. "You must stay here. I shall leave this door open `
` and my door too. You can lie on the sofa for I know that nothing `
` would induce any of you doctors to go to bed whilst there is a patient `
` above the horizon. If I want anything I shall call out, and you can `
` come to me at once." `
` `
` I could not but acquiesce, for I was dog tired, and could not have sat `
` up had I tried. So, on her renewing her promise to call me if she `
` should want anything, I lay on the sofa, and forgot all about `
` everything. `
` `
`
` how it is with her. There must be no shock, any knowledge of this `
` would be one. Come!" `
` `
` We all went up to Lucy's room. Arthur by direction remained outside. `
` Lucy turned her head and looked at us, but said nothing. She was not `
` asleep, but she was simply too weak to make the effort. Her eyes `
` spoke to us, that was all. `
` `
` Van Helsing took some things from his bag and laid them on a little `
` table out of sight. Then he mixed a narcotic, and coming over to the `
` bed, said cheerily, "Now, little miss, here is your medicine. Drink `
` it off, like a good child. See, I lift you so that to swallow is `
` easy. Yes." She had made the effort with success. `
` `
` It astonished me how long the drug took to act. This, in fact, marked `
` the extent of her weakness. The time seemed endless until sleep began `
` to flicker in her eyelids. At last, however, the narcotic began to `
` manifest its potency, and she fell into a deep sleep. When the `
` Professor was satisfied, he called Arthur into the room, and bade him `
` strip off his coat. Then he added, "You may take that one little kiss `
` whiles I bring over the table. Friend John, help to me!" So neither `
` of us looked whilst he bent over her. `
` `
` Van Helsing, turning to me, said, "He is so young and strong, and of `
` blood so pure that we need not defibrinate it." `
` `
` Then with swiftness, but with absolute method, Van Helsing performed `
` the operation. As the transfusion went on, something like life seemed `
` to come back to poor Lucy's cheeks, and through Arthur's growing `
` pallor the joy of his face seemed absolutely to shine. After a bit I `
` began to grow anxious, for the loss of blood was telling on Arthur, `
` strong man as he was. It gave me an idea of what a terrible strain `
` Lucy's system must have undergone that what weakened Arthur only `
` partially restored her. `
` `
` But the Professor's face was set, and he stood watch in hand, and with `
` his eyes fixed now on the patient and now on Arthur. I could hear my `
` own heart beat. Presently, he said in a soft voice, "Do not stir an `
` instant. It is enough. You attend him. I will look to her." `
` `
` When all was over, I could see how much Arthur was weakened. I `
` dressed the wound and took his arm to bring him away, when Van Helsing `
` spoke without turning round, the man seems to have eyes in the back of `
` his head, "The brave lover, I think, deserve another kiss, which he `
` shall have presently." And as he had now finished his operation, he `
` adjusted the pillow to the patient's head. As he did so the narrow `
` black velvet band which she seems always to wear round her throat, `
` buckled with an old diamond buckle which her lover had given her, was `
` dragged a little up, and showed a red mark on her throat. `
` `
` Arthur did not notice it, but I could hear the deep hiss of indrawn `
` breath which is one of Van Helsing's ways of betraying emotion. He `
` said nothing at the moment, but turned to me, saying, "Now take down `
` our brave young lover, give him of the port wine, and let him lie down `
` a while. He must then go home and rest, sleep much and eat much, that `
` he may be recruited of what he has so given to his love. He must not `
` stay here. Hold a moment! I may take it, sir, that you are anxious `
` of result. Then bring it with you, that in all ways the operation is `
` successful. You have saved her life this time, and you can go home `
` and rest easy in mind that all that can be is. I shall tell her all `
` when she is well. She shall love you none the less for what you have `
` done. Goodbye." `
` `
` When Arthur had gone I went back to the room. Lucy was sleeping `
` gently, but her breathing was stronger. I could see the counterpane `
` move as her breast heaved. By the bedside sat Van Helsing, looking at `
` her intently. The velvet band again covered the red mark. I asked `
` the Professor in a whisper, "What do you make of that mark on her `
` throat?" `
` `
` "What do you make of it?" `
` `
` "I have not examined it yet," I answered, and then and there proceeded `
` to loose the band. Just over the external jugular vein there were two `
` punctures, not large, but not wholesome looking. There was no sign of `
` disease, but the edges were white and worn looking, as if by some `
` trituration. It at once occurred to me that that this wound, or `
` whatever it was, might be the means of that manifest loss of blood. `
` But I abandoned the idea as soon as it formed, for such a thing could `
` not be. The whole bed would have been drenched to a scarlet with the `
` blood which the girl must have lost to leave such a pallor as she had `
` before the transfusion. `
` `
` "Well?" said Van Helsing. `
` `
` "Well," said I. "I can make nothing of it." `
` `
` The Professor stood up. "I must go back to Amsterdam tonight," he `
` said "There are books and things there which I want. You must remain `
` here all night, and you must not let your sight pass from her." `
` `
` "Shall I have a nurse?" I asked. `
` `
` "We are the best nurses, you and I. You keep watch all night. See `
` that she is well fed, and that nothing disturbs her. You must not `
` sleep all the night. Later on we can sleep, you and I. I shall be `
` back as soon as possible. And then we may begin." `
` `
` "May begin?" I said. "What on earth do you mean?" `
` `
` "We shall see!" he answered, as he hurried out. He came back a moment `
` later and put his head inside the door and said with a warning finger `
` held up, "Remember, she is your charge. If you leave her, and harm `
` befall, you shall not sleep easy hereafter!" `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY--CONTINUED `
` `
` 8 September.--I sat up all night with Lucy. The opiate worked itself `
` off towards dusk, and she waked naturally. She looked a different `
` being from what she had been before the operation. Her spirits even `
` were good, and she was full of a happy vivacity, but I could see `
` evidences of the absolute prostration which she had undergone. When I `
` told Mrs. Westenra that Dr. Van Helsing had directed that I should sit `
` up with her, she almost pooh-poohed the idea, pointing out her `
` daughter's renewed strength and excellent spirits. I was firm, `
` however, and made preparations for my long vigil. When her maid had `
` prepared her for the night I came in, having in the meantime had `
` supper, and took a seat by the bedside. `
` `
` She did not in any way make objection, but looked at me gratefully `
` whenever I caught her eye. After a long spell she seemed sinking off `
` to sleep, but with an effort seemed to pull herself together and shook `
` it off. It was apparent that she did not want to sleep, so I tackled `
` the subject at once. `
` `
` "You do not want to sleep?" `
` `
` "No. I am afraid." `
` `
` "Afraid to go to sleep! Why so? It is the boon we all crave for." `
` `
` "Ah, not if you were like me, if sleep was to you a presage of `
` horror!" `
` `
` "A presage of horror! What on earth do you mean?" `
` `
` "I don't know. Oh, I don't know. And that is what is so terrible. `
` All this weakness comes to me in sleep, until I dread the very `
` thought." `
` `
` "But, my dear girl, you may sleep tonight. I am here watching you, `
` and I can promise that nothing will happen." `
` `
` "Ah, I can trust you!" she said. `
` `
` I seized the opportunity, and said, "I promise that if I see any `
` evidence of bad dreams I will wake you at once." `
` `
` "You will? Oh, will you really? How good you are to me. Then I will `
` sleep!" And almost at the word she gave a deep sigh of relief, and `
` sank back, asleep. `
` `
` All night long I watched by her. She never stirred, but slept on and `
` on in a deep, tranquil, life-giving, health-giving sleep. Her lips `
` were slightly parted, and her breast rose and fell with the regularity `
` of a pendulum. There was a smile on her face, and it was evident that `
` no bad dreams had come to disturb her peace of mind. `
` `
` In the early morning her maid came, and I left her in her care and took `
` myself back home, for I was anxious about many things. I sent a short `
` wire to Van Helsing and to Arthur, telling them of the excellent `
` result of the operation. My own work, with its manifold arrears, took `
` me all day to clear off. It was dark when I was able to inquire about `
` my zoophagous patient. The report was good. He had been quite quiet `
` for the past day and night. A telegram came from Van Helsing at `
` Amsterdam whilst I was at dinner, suggesting that I should be at `
` Hillingham tonight, as it might be well to be at hand, and stating `
` that he was leaving by the night mail and would join me early in the `
` morning. `
` `
` `
` 9 September.--I was pretty tired and worn out when I got to `
` Hillingham. For two nights I had hardly had a wink of sleep, and my `
` brain was beginning to feel that numbness which marks cerebral `
` exhaustion. Lucy was up and in cheerful spirits. When she shook `
` hands with me she looked sharply in my face and said, `
` `
` "No sitting up tonight for you. You are worn out. I am quite well `
` again. Indeed, I am, and if there is to be any sitting up, it is I `
` who will sit up with you." `
` `
` I would not argue the point, but went and had my supper. Lucy came `
` with me, and, enlivened by her charming presence, I made an excellent `
` meal, and had a couple of glasses of the more than excellent port. `
` Then Lucy took me upstairs, and showed me a room next her own, where a `
` cozy fire was burning. `
` `
` "Now," she said. "You must stay here. I shall leave this door open `
` and my door too. You can lie on the sofa for I know that nothing `
` would induce any of you doctors to go to bed whilst there is a patient `
` above the horizon. If I want anything I shall call out, and you can `
` come to me at once." `
` `
` I could not but acquiesce, for I was dog tired, and could not have sat `
` up had I tried. So, on her renewing her promise to call me if she `
` should want anything, I lay on the sofa, and forgot all about `
` everything. `
` `
`