Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
`
` When we were alone and had heard the last of the footsteps die out up `
` the road, we silently, and as if by ordered intention, followed the `
` Professor to the tomb. He unlocked the door, and we entered, closing `
` it behind us. Then he took from his bag the lantern, which he lit, `
` and also two wax candles, which, when lighted, he stuck by melting `
` their own ends, on other coffins, so that they might give light `
` sufficient to work by. When he again lifted the lid off Lucy's coffin `
` we all looked, Arthur trembling like an aspen, and saw that the corpse `
` lay there in all its death beauty. But there was no love in my own `
` heart, nothing but loathing for the foul Thing which had taken Lucy's `
` shape without her soul. I could see even Arthur's face grow hard as `
` he looked. Presently he said to Van Helsing, "Is this really Lucy's `
` body, or only a demon in her shape?" `
` `
` "It is her body, and yet not it. But wait a while, and you shall see `
` her as she was, and is." `
` `
` She seemed like a nightmare of Lucy as she lay there, the pointed `
` teeth, the blood stained, voluptuous mouth, which made one shudder to `
` see, the whole carnal and unspirited appearance, seeming like a `
` devilish mockery of Lucy's sweet purity. Van Helsing, with his usual `
` methodicalness, began taking the various contents from his bag and `
` placing them ready for use. First he took out a soldering iron and `
` some plumbing solder, and then small oil lamp, which gave out, when `
` lit in a corner of the tomb, gas which burned at a fierce heat with a `
` blue flame, then his operating knives, which he placed to hand, and `
` last a round wooden stake, some two and a half or three inches thick `
` and about three feet long. One end of it was hardened by charring in `
` the fire, and was sharpened to a fine point. With this stake came a `
` heavy hammer, such as in households is used in the coal cellar for `
` breaking the lumps. To me, a doctor's preparations for work of any `
` kind are stimulating and bracing, but the effect of these things on `
` both Arthur and Quincey was to cause them a sort of consternation. `
` They both, however, kept their courage, and remained silent and quiet. `
` `
` When all was ready, Van Helsing said, "Before we do anything, let me `
` tell you this. It is out of the lore and experience of the ancients `
` and of all those who have studied the powers of the UnDead. When they `
` become such, there comes with the change the curse of immortality. `
` They cannot die, but must go on age after age adding new victims and `
` multiplying the evils of the world. For all that die from the preying `
` of the Undead become themselves Undead, and prey on their kind. And `
` so the circle goes on ever widening, like as the ripples from a stone `
` thrown in the water. Friend Arthur, if you had met that kiss which `
` you know of before poor Lucy die, or again, last night when you open `
` your arms to her, you would in time, when you had died, have become `
` nosferatu, as they call it in Eastern Europe, and would for all time `
` make more of those Un-Deads that so have filled us with horror. The `
` career of this so unhappy dear lady is but just begun. Those children `
` whose blood she sucked are not as yet so much the worse, but if she `
` lives on, UnDead, more and more they lose their blood and by her power `
` over them they come to her, and so she draw their blood with that so `
` wicked mouth. But if she die in truth, then all cease. The tiny `
` wounds of the throats disappear, and they go back to their play `
` unknowing ever of what has been. But of the most blessed of all, when `
` this now UnDead be made to rest as true dead, then the soul of the `
` poor lady whom we love shall again be free. Instead of working `
` wickedness by night and growing more debased in the assimilating of it `
` by day, she shall take her place with the other Angels. So that, my `
` friend, it will be a blessed hand for her that shall strike the blow `
` that sets her free. To this I am willing, but is there none amongst `
` us who has a better right? Will it be no joy to think of hereafter in `
` the silence of the night when sleep is not, 'It was my hand that sent `
` her to the stars. It was the hand of him that loved her best, the `
` hand that of all she would herself have chosen, had it been to her to `
` choose?' Tell me if there be such a one amongst us?" `
` `
` We all looked at Arthur. He saw too, what we all did, the infinite `
` kindness which suggested that his should be the hand which would `
` restore Lucy to us as a holy, and not an unholy, memory. He stepped `
` forward and said bravely, though his hand trembled, and his face was `
` as pale as snow, "My true friend, from the bottom of my broken heart I `
` thank you. Tell me what I am to do, and I shall not falter!" `
` `
` Van Helsing laid a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Brave lad! A `
` moment's courage, and it is done. This stake must be driven through `
` her. It well be a fearful ordeal, be not deceived in that, but it `
` will be only a short time, and you will then rejoice more than your `
` pain was great. From this grim tomb you will emerge as though you `
` tread on air. But you must not falter when once you have begun. Only `
` think that we, your true friends, are round you, and that we pray for `
` you all the time." `
` `
` "Go on," said Arthur hoarsely. "Tell me what I am to do." `
` `
` "Take this stake in your left hand, ready to place to the point over `
` the heart, and the hammer in your right. Then when we begin our `
` prayer for the dead, I shall read him, I have here the book, and the `
` others shall follow, strike in God's name, that so all may be well `
` with the dead that we love and that the UnDead pass away." `
` `
` Arthur took the stake and the hammer, and when once his mind was set `
` on action his hands never trembled nor even quivered. Van Helsing `
` opened his missal and began to read, and Quincey and I followed as `
` well as we could. `
` `
` Arthur placed the point over the heart, and as I looked I could see its `
` dint in the white flesh. Then he struck with all his might. `
` `
` The thing in the coffin writhed, and a hideous, blood-curdling screech `
` came from the opened red lips. The body shook and quivered and `
` twisted in wild contortions. The sharp white teeth champed together till `
` the lips were cut, and the mouth was smeared with a crimson foam. But `
` Arthur never faltered. He looked like a figure of Thor as his `
` untrembling arm rose and fell, driving deeper and deeper the `
` mercy-bearing stake, whilst the blood from the pierced heart welled `
` and spurted up around it. His face was set, and high duty seemed to `
` shine through it. The sight of it gave us courage so that our voices `
` seemed to ring through the little vault. `
` `
` And then the writhing and quivering of the body became less, and the `
` teeth seemed to champ, and the face to quiver. Finally it lay still. `
` The terrible task was over. `
` `
` The hammer fell from Arthur's hand. He reeled and would have fallen `
` had we not caught him. The great drops of sweat sprang from his `
` forehead, and his breath came in broken gasps. It had indeed been an `
` awful strain on him, and had he not been forced to his task by more `
` than human considerations he could never have gone through with it. `
` For a few minutes we were so taken up with him that we did not look `
` towards the coffin. When we did, however, a murmur of startled `
` surprise ran from one to the other of us. We gazed so eagerly that `
` Arthur rose, for he had been seated on the ground, and came and looked `
` too, and then a glad strange light broke over his face and dispelled `
` altogether the gloom of horror that lay upon it. `
` `
` There, in the coffin lay no longer the foul Thing that we had so `
` dreaded and grown to hate that the work of her destruction was yielded `
` as a privilege to the one best entitled to it, but Lucy as we had seen `
` her in life, with her face of unequalled sweetness and purity. True `
` that there were there, as we had seen them in life, the traces of care `
` and pain and waste. But these were all dear to us, for they marked `
` her truth to what we knew. One and all we felt that the holy calm `
` that lay like sunshine over the wasted face and form was only an `
` `
` earthly token and symbol of the calm that was to reign for ever. `
` `
` Van Helsing came and laid his hand on Arthur's shoulder, and said to `
` him, "And now, Arthur my friend, dear lad, am I not forgiven?" `
` `
` The reaction of the terrible strain came as he took the old man's hand `
` in his, and raising it to his lips, pressed it, and said, "Forgiven! `
` God bless you that you have given my dear one her soul again, and me `
` peace." He put his hands on the Professor's shoulder, and laying his `
` head on his breast, cried for a while silently, whilst we stood `
` unmoving. `
` `
` When he raised his head Van Helsing said to him, "And now, my child, `
` you may kiss her. Kiss her dead lips if you will, as she would have `
` you to, if for her to choose. For she is not a grinning devil now, `
` not any more a foul Thing for all eternity. No longer she is the `
` devil's UnDead. She is God's true dead, whose soul is with Him!" `
` `
` Arthur bent and kissed her, and then we sent him and Quincey out of the `
` tomb. The Professor and I sawed the top off the stake, leaving the `
` point of it in the body. Then we cut off the head and filled the `
` mouth with garlic. We soldered up the leaden coffin, screwed on the `
` coffin lid, and gathering up our belongings, came away. When the `
` Professor locked the door he gave the key to Arthur. `
` `
` Outside the air was sweet, the sun shone, and the birds sang, and it `
` seemed as if all nature were tuned to a different pitch. There was `
` gladness and mirth and peace everywhere, for we were at rest ourselves `
` on one account, and we were glad, though it was with a tempered joy. `
` `
` Before we moved away Van Helsing said, "Now, my friends, one step of `
` our work is done, one the most harrowing to ourselves. But there `
` remains a greater task: to find out the author of all this our sorrow `
` and to stamp him out. I have clues which we can follow, but it is a `
` long task, and a difficult one, and there is danger in it, and pain. `
` Shall you not all help me? We have learned to believe, all of us, is `
` it not so? And since so, do we not see our duty? Yes! And do we not `
` promise to go on to the bitter end?" `
` `
` Each in turn, we took his hand, and the promise was made. Then said `
` the Professor as we moved off, "Two nights hence you shall meet with `
` me and dine together at seven of the clock with friend John. I shall `
` entreat two others, two that you know not as yet, and I shall be ready `
` to all our work show and our plans unfold. Friend John, you come with `
` me home, for I have much to consult you about, and you can help me. `
` Tonight I leave for Amsterdam, but shall return tomorrow night. And `
` then begins our great quest. But first I shall have much to say, so `
` that you may know what to do and to dread. Then our promise shall be `
` made to each other anew. For there is a terrible task before us, and `
` once our feet are on the ploughshare we must not draw back." `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 17 `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY-cont. `
` `
` When we arrived at the Berkely Hotel, Van Helsing found a telegram `
` waiting for him. `
` `
` "Am coming up by train. Jonathan at Whitby. Important news. Mina `
` Harker." `
` `
`
` When we were alone and had heard the last of the footsteps die out up `
` the road, we silently, and as if by ordered intention, followed the `
` Professor to the tomb. He unlocked the door, and we entered, closing `
` it behind us. Then he took from his bag the lantern, which he lit, `
` and also two wax candles, which, when lighted, he stuck by melting `
` their own ends, on other coffins, so that they might give light `
` sufficient to work by. When he again lifted the lid off Lucy's coffin `
` we all looked, Arthur trembling like an aspen, and saw that the corpse `
` lay there in all its death beauty. But there was no love in my own `
` heart, nothing but loathing for the foul Thing which had taken Lucy's `
` shape without her soul. I could see even Arthur's face grow hard as `
` he looked. Presently he said to Van Helsing, "Is this really Lucy's `
` body, or only a demon in her shape?" `
` `
` "It is her body, and yet not it. But wait a while, and you shall see `
` her as she was, and is." `
` `
` She seemed like a nightmare of Lucy as she lay there, the pointed `
` teeth, the blood stained, voluptuous mouth, which made one shudder to `
` see, the whole carnal and unspirited appearance, seeming like a `
` devilish mockery of Lucy's sweet purity. Van Helsing, with his usual `
` methodicalness, began taking the various contents from his bag and `
` placing them ready for use. First he took out a soldering iron and `
` some plumbing solder, and then small oil lamp, which gave out, when `
` lit in a corner of the tomb, gas which burned at a fierce heat with a `
` blue flame, then his operating knives, which he placed to hand, and `
` last a round wooden stake, some two and a half or three inches thick `
` and about three feet long. One end of it was hardened by charring in `
` the fire, and was sharpened to a fine point. With this stake came a `
` heavy hammer, such as in households is used in the coal cellar for `
` breaking the lumps. To me, a doctor's preparations for work of any `
` kind are stimulating and bracing, but the effect of these things on `
` both Arthur and Quincey was to cause them a sort of consternation. `
` They both, however, kept their courage, and remained silent and quiet. `
` `
` When all was ready, Van Helsing said, "Before we do anything, let me `
` tell you this. It is out of the lore and experience of the ancients `
` and of all those who have studied the powers of the UnDead. When they `
` become such, there comes with the change the curse of immortality. `
` They cannot die, but must go on age after age adding new victims and `
` multiplying the evils of the world. For all that die from the preying `
` of the Undead become themselves Undead, and prey on their kind. And `
` so the circle goes on ever widening, like as the ripples from a stone `
` thrown in the water. Friend Arthur, if you had met that kiss which `
` you know of before poor Lucy die, or again, last night when you open `
` your arms to her, you would in time, when you had died, have become `
` nosferatu, as they call it in Eastern Europe, and would for all time `
` make more of those Un-Deads that so have filled us with horror. The `
` career of this so unhappy dear lady is but just begun. Those children `
` whose blood she sucked are not as yet so much the worse, but if she `
` lives on, UnDead, more and more they lose their blood and by her power `
` over them they come to her, and so she draw their blood with that so `
` wicked mouth. But if she die in truth, then all cease. The tiny `
` wounds of the throats disappear, and they go back to their play `
` unknowing ever of what has been. But of the most blessed of all, when `
` this now UnDead be made to rest as true dead, then the soul of the `
` poor lady whom we love shall again be free. Instead of working `
` wickedness by night and growing more debased in the assimilating of it `
` by day, she shall take her place with the other Angels. So that, my `
` friend, it will be a blessed hand for her that shall strike the blow `
` that sets her free. To this I am willing, but is there none amongst `
` us who has a better right? Will it be no joy to think of hereafter in `
` the silence of the night when sleep is not, 'It was my hand that sent `
` her to the stars. It was the hand of him that loved her best, the `
` hand that of all she would herself have chosen, had it been to her to `
` choose?' Tell me if there be such a one amongst us?" `
` `
` We all looked at Arthur. He saw too, what we all did, the infinite `
` kindness which suggested that his should be the hand which would `
` restore Lucy to us as a holy, and not an unholy, memory. He stepped `
` forward and said bravely, though his hand trembled, and his face was `
` as pale as snow, "My true friend, from the bottom of my broken heart I `
` thank you. Tell me what I am to do, and I shall not falter!" `
` `
` Van Helsing laid a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Brave lad! A `
` moment's courage, and it is done. This stake must be driven through `
` her. It well be a fearful ordeal, be not deceived in that, but it `
` will be only a short time, and you will then rejoice more than your `
` pain was great. From this grim tomb you will emerge as though you `
` tread on air. But you must not falter when once you have begun. Only `
` think that we, your true friends, are round you, and that we pray for `
` you all the time." `
` `
` "Go on," said Arthur hoarsely. "Tell me what I am to do." `
` `
` "Take this stake in your left hand, ready to place to the point over `
` the heart, and the hammer in your right. Then when we begin our `
` prayer for the dead, I shall read him, I have here the book, and the `
` others shall follow, strike in God's name, that so all may be well `
` with the dead that we love and that the UnDead pass away." `
` `
` Arthur took the stake and the hammer, and when once his mind was set `
` on action his hands never trembled nor even quivered. Van Helsing `
` opened his missal and began to read, and Quincey and I followed as `
` well as we could. `
` `
` Arthur placed the point over the heart, and as I looked I could see its `
` dint in the white flesh. Then he struck with all his might. `
` `
` The thing in the coffin writhed, and a hideous, blood-curdling screech `
` came from the opened red lips. The body shook and quivered and `
` twisted in wild contortions. The sharp white teeth champed together till `
` the lips were cut, and the mouth was smeared with a crimson foam. But `
` Arthur never faltered. He looked like a figure of Thor as his `
` untrembling arm rose and fell, driving deeper and deeper the `
` mercy-bearing stake, whilst the blood from the pierced heart welled `
` and spurted up around it. His face was set, and high duty seemed to `
` shine through it. The sight of it gave us courage so that our voices `
` seemed to ring through the little vault. `
` `
` And then the writhing and quivering of the body became less, and the `
` teeth seemed to champ, and the face to quiver. Finally it lay still. `
` The terrible task was over. `
` `
` The hammer fell from Arthur's hand. He reeled and would have fallen `
` had we not caught him. The great drops of sweat sprang from his `
` forehead, and his breath came in broken gasps. It had indeed been an `
` awful strain on him, and had he not been forced to his task by more `
` than human considerations he could never have gone through with it. `
` For a few minutes we were so taken up with him that we did not look `
` towards the coffin. When we did, however, a murmur of startled `
` surprise ran from one to the other of us. We gazed so eagerly that `
` Arthur rose, for he had been seated on the ground, and came and looked `
` too, and then a glad strange light broke over his face and dispelled `
` altogether the gloom of horror that lay upon it. `
` `
` There, in the coffin lay no longer the foul Thing that we had so `
` dreaded and grown to hate that the work of her destruction was yielded `
` as a privilege to the one best entitled to it, but Lucy as we had seen `
` her in life, with her face of unequalled sweetness and purity. True `
` that there were there, as we had seen them in life, the traces of care `
` and pain and waste. But these were all dear to us, for they marked `
` her truth to what we knew. One and all we felt that the holy calm `
` that lay like sunshine over the wasted face and form was only an `
` `
` earthly token and symbol of the calm that was to reign for ever. `
` `
` Van Helsing came and laid his hand on Arthur's shoulder, and said to `
` him, "And now, Arthur my friend, dear lad, am I not forgiven?" `
` `
` The reaction of the terrible strain came as he took the old man's hand `
` in his, and raising it to his lips, pressed it, and said, "Forgiven! `
` God bless you that you have given my dear one her soul again, and me `
` peace." He put his hands on the Professor's shoulder, and laying his `
` head on his breast, cried for a while silently, whilst we stood `
` unmoving. `
` `
` When he raised his head Van Helsing said to him, "And now, my child, `
` you may kiss her. Kiss her dead lips if you will, as she would have `
` you to, if for her to choose. For she is not a grinning devil now, `
` not any more a foul Thing for all eternity. No longer she is the `
` devil's UnDead. She is God's true dead, whose soul is with Him!" `
` `
` Arthur bent and kissed her, and then we sent him and Quincey out of the `
` tomb. The Professor and I sawed the top off the stake, leaving the `
` point of it in the body. Then we cut off the head and filled the `
` mouth with garlic. We soldered up the leaden coffin, screwed on the `
` coffin lid, and gathering up our belongings, came away. When the `
` Professor locked the door he gave the key to Arthur. `
` `
` Outside the air was sweet, the sun shone, and the birds sang, and it `
` seemed as if all nature were tuned to a different pitch. There was `
` gladness and mirth and peace everywhere, for we were at rest ourselves `
` on one account, and we were glad, though it was with a tempered joy. `
` `
` Before we moved away Van Helsing said, "Now, my friends, one step of `
` our work is done, one the most harrowing to ourselves. But there `
` remains a greater task: to find out the author of all this our sorrow `
` and to stamp him out. I have clues which we can follow, but it is a `
` long task, and a difficult one, and there is danger in it, and pain. `
` Shall you not all help me? We have learned to believe, all of us, is `
` it not so? And since so, do we not see our duty? Yes! And do we not `
` promise to go on to the bitter end?" `
` `
` Each in turn, we took his hand, and the promise was made. Then said `
` the Professor as we moved off, "Two nights hence you shall meet with `
` me and dine together at seven of the clock with friend John. I shall `
` entreat two others, two that you know not as yet, and I shall be ready `
` to all our work show and our plans unfold. Friend John, you come with `
` me home, for I have much to consult you about, and you can help me. `
` Tonight I leave for Amsterdam, but shall return tomorrow night. And `
` then begins our great quest. But first I shall have much to say, so `
` that you may know what to do and to dread. Then our promise shall be `
` made to each other anew. For there is a terrible task before us, and `
` once our feet are on the ploughshare we must not draw back." `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 17 `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY-cont. `
` `
` When we arrived at the Berkely Hotel, Van Helsing found a telegram `
` waiting for him. `
` `
` "Am coming up by train. Jonathan at Whitby. Important news. Mina `
` Harker." `
` `
`