Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.1-12
on the ground beside me as I stood close to a great door, old and `
` studded with large iron nails, and set in a projecting doorway of `
` massive stone. I could see even in the dim light that the stone was `
` massively carved, but that the carving had been much worn by time and `
` weather. As I stood, the driver jumped again into his seat and shook `
` the reins. The horses started forward, and trap and all disappeared `
` down one of the dark openings. `
` `
` I stood in silence where I was, for I did not know what to do. Of `
` bell or knocker there was no sign. Through these frowning walls and `
` dark window openings it was not likely that my voice could penetrate. `
` The time I waited seemed endless, and I felt doubts and fears crowding `
` upon me. What sort of place had I come to, and among what kind of `
` people? What sort of grim adventure was it on which I had embarked? `
` Was this a customary incident in the life of a solicitor's clerk sent `
` out to explain the purchase of a London estate to a foreigner? `
` Solicitor's clerk! Mina would not like that. Solicitor, for just `
` before leaving London I got word that my examination was successful, `
` and I am now a full-blown solicitor! I began to rub my eyes and pinch `
` myself to see if I were awake. It all seemed like a horrible `
` nightmare to me, and I expected that I should suddenly awake, and find `
` myself at home, with the dawn struggling in through the windows, as I `
` had now and again felt in the morning after a day of overwork. But my `
` flesh answered the pinching test, and my eyes were not to be `
` deceived. I was indeed awake and among the Carpathians. All I could `
` do now was to be patient, and to wait the coming of morning. `
` `
` Just as I had come to this conclusion I heard a heavy step approaching `
` behind the great door, and saw through the chinks the gleam of a `
` coming light. Then there was the sound of rattling chains and the `
` clanking of massive bolts drawn back. A key was turned with the loud `
` grating noise of long disuse, and the great door swung back. `
` `
` Within, stood a tall old man, clean shaven save for a long white `
` moustache, and clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck `
` of colour about him anywhere. He held in his hand an antique silver `
` lamp, in which the flame burned without a chimney or globe of any `
` kind, throwing long quivering shadows as it flickered in the draught `
` of the open door. The old man motioned me in with his right hand with `
` a courtly gesture, saying in excellent English, but with a strange `
` intonation. `
` `
` "Welcome to my house! Enter freely and of your own free will!" He `
` made no motion of stepping to meet me, but stood like a statue, as `
` though his gesture of welcome had fixed him into stone. The instant, `
` however, that I had stepped over the threshold, he moved impulsively `
` forward, and holding out his hand grasped mine with a strength which `
` made me wince, an effect which was not lessened by the fact that it `
` seemed cold as ice, more like the hand of a dead than a living man. `
` Again he said, `
` `
` "Welcome to my house! Enter freely. Go safely, and leave something `
` of the happiness you bring!" The strength of the handshake was so `
` much akin to that which I had noticed in the driver, whose face I had `
` not seen, that for a moment I doubted if it were not the same person `
` to whom I was speaking. So to make sure, I said interrogatively, `
` "Count Dracula?" `
` `
` He bowed in a courtly way as he replied, "I am Dracula, and I bid you `
` welcome, Mr. Harker, to my house. Come in, the night air is chill, `
` and you must need to eat and rest." As he was speaking, he put the lamp `
` on a bracket on the wall, and stepping out, took my luggage. He had `
` carried it in before I could forestall him. I protested, but he `
` insisted. `
` `
` "Nay, sir, you are my guest. It is late, and my people are not `
` available. Let me see to your comfort myself." He insisted on carrying `
` my traps along the passage, and then up a great winding stair, and `
` along another great passage, on whose stone floor our steps rang `
` heavily. At the end of this he threw open a heavy door, and I `
` rejoiced to see within a well-lit room in which a table was spread for `
` supper, and on whose mighty hearth a great fire of logs, freshly `
` replenished, flamed and flared. `
` `
` The Count halted, putting down my bags, closed the door, and crossing `
` the room, opened another door, which led into a small octagonal room `
` lit by a single lamp, and seemingly without a window of any sort. `
` Passing through this, he opened another door, and motioned me to `
` enter. It was a welcome sight. For here was a great bedroom well `
` lighted and warmed with another log fire, also added to but lately, `
` for the top logs were fresh, which sent a hollow roar up the wide `
` chimney. The Count himself left my luggage inside and withdrew, `
` saying, before he closed the door. `
` `
` "You will need, after your journey, to refresh yourself by making your `
` toilet. I trust you will find all you wish. When you are ready, come `
` into the other room, where you will find your supper prepared." `
` `
` The light and warmth and the Count's courteous welcome seemed to have `
` dissipated all my doubts and fears. Having then reached my normal `
` state, I discovered that I was half famished with hunger. So making a `
` hasty toilet, I went into the other room. `
` `
` I found supper already laid out. My host, who stood on one side of `
` the great fireplace, leaning against the stonework, made a graceful `
` wave of his hand to the table, and said, `
` `
` "I pray you, be seated and sup how you please. You will I trust, `
` excuse me that I do not join you, but I have dined already, and I do `
` not sup." `
` `
` I handed to him the sealed letter which Mr. Hawkins had entrusted to `
` me. He opened it and read it gravely. Then, with a charming smile, `
` he handed it to me to read. One passage of it, at least, gave me a `
` thrill of pleasure. `
` `
` "I must regret that an attack of gout, from which malady I am a `
` constant sufferer, forbids absolutely any travelling on my part for `
` some time to come. But I am happy to say I can send a sufficient `
` substitute, one in whom I have every possible confidence. He is a `
` young man, full of energy and talent in his own way, and of a very `
` faithful disposition. He is discreet and silent, and has grown into `
` manhood in my service. He shall be ready to attend on you when you `
` will during his stay, and shall take your instructions in all `
` matters." `
` `
` The count himself came forward and took off the cover of a dish, and I `
` fell to at once on an excellent roast chicken. This, with some cheese `
` and a salad and a bottle of old tokay, of which I had two glasses, was `
` my supper. During the time I was eating it the Count asked me many `
` questions as to my journey, and I told him by degrees all I had `
` experienced. `
` `
` By this time I had finished my supper, and by my host's desire had `
` drawn up a chair by the fire and begun to smoke a cigar which he `
` offered me, at the same time excusing himself that he did not smoke. `
` I had now an opportunity of observing him, and found him of a very `
` marked physiognomy. `
` `
` His face was a strong, a very strong, aquiline, with high bridge of `
` the thin nose and peculiarly arched nostrils, with lofty domed `
` forehead, and hair growing scantily round the temples but profusely `
` elsewhere. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the `
` nose, and with bushy hair that seemed to curl in its own profusion. `
` The mouth, so far as I could see it under the heavy moustache, was `
` fixed and rather cruel-looking, with peculiarly sharp white teeth. `
` These protruded over the lips, whose remarkable ruddiness showed `
` astonishing vitality in a man of his years. For the rest, his ears `
` were pale, and at the tops extremely pointed. The chin was broad and `
` strong, and the cheeks firm though thin. The general effect was one `
` of extraordinary pallor. `
` `
` Hitherto I had noticed the backs of his hands as they lay on his knees `
` in the firelight, and they had seemed rather white and fine. But `
` seeing them now close to me, I could not but notice that they were `
` rather coarse, broad, with squat fingers. Strange to say, there were `
` hairs in the centre of the palm. The nails were long and fine, and `
` cut to a sharp point. As the Count leaned over me and his hands `
` touched me, I could not repress a shudder. It may have been that his `
` breath was rank, but a horrible feeling of nausea came over me, which, `
` do what I would, I could not conceal. `
` `
` The Count, evidently noticing it, drew back. And with a grim sort of `
` smile, which showed more than he had yet done his protruberant teeth, `
` sat himself down again on his own side of the fireplace. We were both `
` silent for a while, and as I looked towards the window I saw the first `
` dim streak of the coming dawn. There seemed a strange stillness over `
` everything. But as I listened, I heard as if from down below in the `
` valley the howling of many wolves. The Count's eyes gleamed, and he `
` said. `
` `
` "Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!" `
` Seeing, I suppose, some expression in my face strange to him, he `
` added, "Ah, sir, you dwellers in the city cannot enter into the `
` feelings of the hunter." Then he rose and said. `
` `
` "But you must be tired. Your bedroom is all ready, and tomorrow you `
` shall sleep as late as you will. I have to be away till the `
` afternoon, so sleep well and dream well!" With a courteous bow, he `
` opened for me himself the door to the octagonal room, and I entered my `
` bedroom. `
` `
` I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt. I fear. I think strange `
` things, which I dare not confess to my own soul. God keep me, if only `
` for the sake of those dear to me! `
` `
` `
` 7 May.--It is again early morning, but I have rested and enjoyed the `
` last twenty-four hours. I slept till late in the day, and awoke of my `
` own accord. When I had dressed myself I went into the room where we `
` had supped, and found a cold breakfast laid out, with coffee kept hot `
` by the pot being placed on the hearth. There was a card on the table, `
` on which was written--"I have to be absent for a while. Do not wait `
` for me. D." I set to and enjoyed a hearty meal. When I had done, I `
` looked for a bell, so that I might let the servants know I had `
` finished, but I could not find one. There are certainly odd `
` deficiencies in the house, considering the extraordinary evidences of `
` wealth which are round me. The table service is of gold, and so `
` beautifully wrought that it must be of immense value. The curtains `
` and upholstery of the chairs and sofas and the hangings of my bed are `
` of the costliest and most beautiful fabrics, and must have been of `
` fabulous value when they were made, for they are centuries old, though `
` in excellent order. I saw something like them in Hampton Court, but `
` they were worn and frayed and moth-eaten. But still in none of the `
` rooms is there a mirror. There is not even a toilet glass on my `
` table, and I had to get the little shaving glass from my bag before I `
` could either shave or brush my hair. I have not yet seen a servant `
` anywhere, or heard a sound near the castle except the howling of `
` wolves. Some time after I had finished my meal, I do not know whether `
` to call it breakfast or dinner, for it was between five and six `
` o'clock when I had it, I looked about for something to read, for I did `
`
` studded with large iron nails, and set in a projecting doorway of `
` massive stone. I could see even in the dim light that the stone was `
` massively carved, but that the carving had been much worn by time and `
` weather. As I stood, the driver jumped again into his seat and shook `
` the reins. The horses started forward, and trap and all disappeared `
` down one of the dark openings. `
` `
` I stood in silence where I was, for I did not know what to do. Of `
` bell or knocker there was no sign. Through these frowning walls and `
` dark window openings it was not likely that my voice could penetrate. `
` The time I waited seemed endless, and I felt doubts and fears crowding `
` upon me. What sort of place had I come to, and among what kind of `
` people? What sort of grim adventure was it on which I had embarked? `
` Was this a customary incident in the life of a solicitor's clerk sent `
` out to explain the purchase of a London estate to a foreigner? `
` Solicitor's clerk! Mina would not like that. Solicitor, for just `
` before leaving London I got word that my examination was successful, `
` and I am now a full-blown solicitor! I began to rub my eyes and pinch `
` myself to see if I were awake. It all seemed like a horrible `
` nightmare to me, and I expected that I should suddenly awake, and find `
` myself at home, with the dawn struggling in through the windows, as I `
` had now and again felt in the morning after a day of overwork. But my `
` flesh answered the pinching test, and my eyes were not to be `
` deceived. I was indeed awake and among the Carpathians. All I could `
` do now was to be patient, and to wait the coming of morning. `
` `
` Just as I had come to this conclusion I heard a heavy step approaching `
` behind the great door, and saw through the chinks the gleam of a `
` coming light. Then there was the sound of rattling chains and the `
` clanking of massive bolts drawn back. A key was turned with the loud `
` grating noise of long disuse, and the great door swung back. `
` `
` Within, stood a tall old man, clean shaven save for a long white `
` moustache, and clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck `
` of colour about him anywhere. He held in his hand an antique silver `
` lamp, in which the flame burned without a chimney or globe of any `
` kind, throwing long quivering shadows as it flickered in the draught `
` of the open door. The old man motioned me in with his right hand with `
` a courtly gesture, saying in excellent English, but with a strange `
` intonation. `
` `
` "Welcome to my house! Enter freely and of your own free will!" He `
` made no motion of stepping to meet me, but stood like a statue, as `
` though his gesture of welcome had fixed him into stone. The instant, `
` however, that I had stepped over the threshold, he moved impulsively `
` forward, and holding out his hand grasped mine with a strength which `
` made me wince, an effect which was not lessened by the fact that it `
` seemed cold as ice, more like the hand of a dead than a living man. `
` Again he said, `
` `
` "Welcome to my house! Enter freely. Go safely, and leave something `
` of the happiness you bring!" The strength of the handshake was so `
` much akin to that which I had noticed in the driver, whose face I had `
` not seen, that for a moment I doubted if it were not the same person `
` to whom I was speaking. So to make sure, I said interrogatively, `
` "Count Dracula?" `
` `
` He bowed in a courtly way as he replied, "I am Dracula, and I bid you `
` welcome, Mr. Harker, to my house. Come in, the night air is chill, `
` and you must need to eat and rest." As he was speaking, he put the lamp `
` on a bracket on the wall, and stepping out, took my luggage. He had `
` carried it in before I could forestall him. I protested, but he `
` insisted. `
` `
` "Nay, sir, you are my guest. It is late, and my people are not `
` available. Let me see to your comfort myself." He insisted on carrying `
` my traps along the passage, and then up a great winding stair, and `
` along another great passage, on whose stone floor our steps rang `
` heavily. At the end of this he threw open a heavy door, and I `
` rejoiced to see within a well-lit room in which a table was spread for `
` supper, and on whose mighty hearth a great fire of logs, freshly `
` replenished, flamed and flared. `
` `
` The Count halted, putting down my bags, closed the door, and crossing `
` the room, opened another door, which led into a small octagonal room `
` lit by a single lamp, and seemingly without a window of any sort. `
` Passing through this, he opened another door, and motioned me to `
` enter. It was a welcome sight. For here was a great bedroom well `
` lighted and warmed with another log fire, also added to but lately, `
` for the top logs were fresh, which sent a hollow roar up the wide `
` chimney. The Count himself left my luggage inside and withdrew, `
` saying, before he closed the door. `
` `
` "You will need, after your journey, to refresh yourself by making your `
` toilet. I trust you will find all you wish. When you are ready, come `
` into the other room, where you will find your supper prepared." `
` `
` The light and warmth and the Count's courteous welcome seemed to have `
` dissipated all my doubts and fears. Having then reached my normal `
` state, I discovered that I was half famished with hunger. So making a `
` hasty toilet, I went into the other room. `
` `
` I found supper already laid out. My host, who stood on one side of `
` the great fireplace, leaning against the stonework, made a graceful `
` wave of his hand to the table, and said, `
` `
` "I pray you, be seated and sup how you please. You will I trust, `
` excuse me that I do not join you, but I have dined already, and I do `
` not sup." `
` `
` I handed to him the sealed letter which Mr. Hawkins had entrusted to `
` me. He opened it and read it gravely. Then, with a charming smile, `
` he handed it to me to read. One passage of it, at least, gave me a `
` thrill of pleasure. `
` `
` "I must regret that an attack of gout, from which malady I am a `
` constant sufferer, forbids absolutely any travelling on my part for `
` some time to come. But I am happy to say I can send a sufficient `
` substitute, one in whom I have every possible confidence. He is a `
` young man, full of energy and talent in his own way, and of a very `
` faithful disposition. He is discreet and silent, and has grown into `
` manhood in my service. He shall be ready to attend on you when you `
` will during his stay, and shall take your instructions in all `
` matters." `
` `
` The count himself came forward and took off the cover of a dish, and I `
` fell to at once on an excellent roast chicken. This, with some cheese `
` and a salad and a bottle of old tokay, of which I had two glasses, was `
` my supper. During the time I was eating it the Count asked me many `
` questions as to my journey, and I told him by degrees all I had `
` experienced. `
` `
` By this time I had finished my supper, and by my host's desire had `
` drawn up a chair by the fire and begun to smoke a cigar which he `
` offered me, at the same time excusing himself that he did not smoke. `
` I had now an opportunity of observing him, and found him of a very `
` marked physiognomy. `
` `
` His face was a strong, a very strong, aquiline, with high bridge of `
` the thin nose and peculiarly arched nostrils, with lofty domed `
` forehead, and hair growing scantily round the temples but profusely `
` elsewhere. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the `
` nose, and with bushy hair that seemed to curl in its own profusion. `
` The mouth, so far as I could see it under the heavy moustache, was `
` fixed and rather cruel-looking, with peculiarly sharp white teeth. `
` These protruded over the lips, whose remarkable ruddiness showed `
` astonishing vitality in a man of his years. For the rest, his ears `
` were pale, and at the tops extremely pointed. The chin was broad and `
` strong, and the cheeks firm though thin. The general effect was one `
` of extraordinary pallor. `
` `
` Hitherto I had noticed the backs of his hands as they lay on his knees `
` in the firelight, and they had seemed rather white and fine. But `
` seeing them now close to me, I could not but notice that they were `
` rather coarse, broad, with squat fingers. Strange to say, there were `
` hairs in the centre of the palm. The nails were long and fine, and `
` cut to a sharp point. As the Count leaned over me and his hands `
` touched me, I could not repress a shudder. It may have been that his `
` breath was rank, but a horrible feeling of nausea came over me, which, `
` do what I would, I could not conceal. `
` `
` The Count, evidently noticing it, drew back. And with a grim sort of `
` smile, which showed more than he had yet done his protruberant teeth, `
` sat himself down again on his own side of the fireplace. We were both `
` silent for a while, and as I looked towards the window I saw the first `
` dim streak of the coming dawn. There seemed a strange stillness over `
` everything. But as I listened, I heard as if from down below in the `
` valley the howling of many wolves. The Count's eyes gleamed, and he `
` said. `
` `
` "Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!" `
` Seeing, I suppose, some expression in my face strange to him, he `
` added, "Ah, sir, you dwellers in the city cannot enter into the `
` feelings of the hunter." Then he rose and said. `
` `
` "But you must be tired. Your bedroom is all ready, and tomorrow you `
` shall sleep as late as you will. I have to be away till the `
` afternoon, so sleep well and dream well!" With a courteous bow, he `
` opened for me himself the door to the octagonal room, and I entered my `
` bedroom. `
` `
` I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt. I fear. I think strange `
` things, which I dare not confess to my own soul. God keep me, if only `
` for the sake of those dear to me! `
` `
` `
` 7 May.--It is again early morning, but I have rested and enjoyed the `
` last twenty-four hours. I slept till late in the day, and awoke of my `
` own accord. When I had dressed myself I went into the room where we `
` had supped, and found a cold breakfast laid out, with coffee kept hot `
` by the pot being placed on the hearth. There was a card on the table, `
` on which was written--"I have to be absent for a while. Do not wait `
` for me. D." I set to and enjoyed a hearty meal. When I had done, I `
` looked for a bell, so that I might let the servants know I had `
` finished, but I could not find one. There are certainly odd `
` deficiencies in the house, considering the extraordinary evidences of `
` wealth which are round me. The table service is of gold, and so `
` beautifully wrought that it must be of immense value. The curtains `
` and upholstery of the chairs and sofas and the hangings of my bed are `
` of the costliest and most beautiful fabrics, and must have been of `
` fabulous value when they were made, for they are centuries old, though `
` in excellent order. I saw something like them in Hampton Court, but `
` they were worn and frayed and moth-eaten. But still in none of the `
` rooms is there a mirror. There is not even a toilet glass on my `
` table, and I had to get the little shaving glass from my bag before I `
` could either shave or brush my hair. I have not yet seen a servant `
` anywhere, or heard a sound near the castle except the howling of `
` wolves. Some time after I had finished my meal, I do not know whether `
` to call it breakfast or dinner, for it was between five and six `
` o'clock when I had it, I looked about for something to read, for I did `
`