Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
become foul things of the night like him, without heart or conscience, `
` preying on the bodies and the souls of those we love best. To us `
` forever are the gates of heaven shut, for who shall open them to us `
` again? We go on for all time abhorred by all, a blot on the face of `
` God's sunshine, an arrow in the side of Him who died for man. But we `
` are face to face with duty, and in such case must we shrink? For me, `
` I say no, but then I am old, and life, with his sunshine, his fair `
` places, his song of birds, his music and his love, lie far behind. You `
` others are young. Some have seen sorrow, but there are fair days yet `
` in store. What say you?" `
` `
` Whilst he was speaking, Jonathan had taken my hand. I feared, oh so `
` much, that the appalling nature of our danger was overcoming him when `
` I saw his hand stretch out, but it was life to me to feel its touch, `
` so strong, so self reliant, so resolute. A brave man's hand can speak `
` for itself, it does not even need a woman's love to hear its music. `
` `
` When the Professor had done speaking my husband looked in my eyes, and `
` I in his, there was no need for speaking between us. `
` `
` "I answer for Mina and myself," he said. `
` `
` "Count me in, Professor," said Mr. Quincey Morris, laconically as `
` usual. `
` `
` "I am with you," said Lord Godalming, "for Lucy's sake, if for no `
` other reason." `
` `
` Dr. Seward simply nodded. `
` `
` The Professor stood up and, after laying his golden crucifix on the `
` table, held out his hand on either side. I took his right hand, and `
` Lord Godalming his left, Jonathan held my right with his left and `
` stretched across to Mr. Morris. So as we all took hands our solemn `
` compact was made. I felt my heart icy cold, but it did not even occur `
` to me to draw back. We resumed our places, and Dr. Van Helsing went `
` on with a sort of cheerfulness which showed that the serious work had `
` begun. It was to be taken as gravely, and in as businesslike a way, `
` as any other transaction of life. `
` `
` "Well, you know what we have to contend against, but we too, are not `
` without strength. We have on our side power of combination, a power `
` denied to the vampire kind, we have sources of science, we are free to `
` act and think, and the hours of the day and the night are ours `
` equally. In fact, so far as our powers extend, they are unfettered, `
` and we are free to use them. We have self devotion in a cause and an `
` end to achieve which is not a selfish one. These things are much. `
` `
` "Now let us see how far the general powers arrayed against us are `
` restrict, and how the individual cannot. In fine, let us consider the `
` limitations of the vampire in general, and of this one in particular. `
` `
` "All we have to go upon are traditions and superstitions. These do `
` not at the first appear much, when the matter is one of life and `
` death, nay of more than either life or death. Yet must we be `
` satisfied, in the first place because we have to be, no other means is `
` at our control, and secondly, because, after all these things, `
` tradition and superstition, are everything. Does not the belief in `
` vampires rest for others, though not, alas! for us, on them? A year `
` ago which of us would have received such a possibility, in the midst `
` of our scientific, sceptical, matter-of-fact nineteenth century? We `
` even scouted a belief that we saw justified under our very eyes. Take `
` it, then, that the vampire, and the belief in his limitations and his `
` cure, rest for the moment on the same base. For, let me tell you, he `
` is known everywhere that men have been. In old Greece, in old Rome, `
` he flourish in Germany all over, in France, in India, even in the `
` Chermosese, and in China, so far from us in all ways, there even is `
` he, and the peoples for him at this day. He have follow the wake of `
` the berserker Icelander, the devil-begotten Hun, the Slav, the Saxon, `
` the Magyar. `
` `
` "So far, then, we have all we may act upon, and let me tell you that `
` very much of the beliefs are justified by what we have seen in our own `
` so unhappy experience. The vampire live on, and cannot die by mere `
` passing of the time, he can flourish when that he can fatten on the `
` blood of the living. Even more, we have seen amongst us that he can `
` even grow younger, that his vital faculties grow strenuous, and seem `
` as though they refresh themselves when his special pabulum is plenty. `
` `
` "But he cannot flourish without this diet, he eat not as others. Even `
` friend Jonathan, who lived with him for weeks, did never see him eat, `
` never! He throws no shadow, he make in the mirror no reflect, as `
` again Jonathan observe. He has the strength of many of his hand, `
` witness again Jonathan when he shut the door against the wolves, and `
` when he help him from the diligence too. He can transform himself to `
` wolf, as we gather from the ship arrival in Whitby, when he tear open `
` the dog, he can be as bat, as Madam Mina saw him on the window at `
` Whitby, and as friend John saw him fly from this so near house, and as `
` my friend Quincey saw him at the window of Miss Lucy. `
` `
` "He can come in mist which he create, that noble ship's captain proved `
` him of this, but, from what we know, the distance he can make this `
` mist is limited, and it can only be round himself. `
` `
` "He come on moonlight rays as elemental dust, as again Jonathan saw `
` those sisters in the castle of Dracula. He become so small, we `
` ourselves saw Miss Lucy, ere she was at peace, slip through a `
` hairbreadth space at the tomb door. He can, when once he find his `
` way, come out from anything or into anything, no matter how close it `
` be bound or even fused up with fire, solder you call it. He can see `
` in the dark, no small power this, in a world which is one half shut `
` from the light. Ah, but hear me through. `
` `
` "He can do all these things, yet he is not free. Nay, he is even more `
` prisoner than the slave of the galley, than the madman in his cell. `
` He cannot go where he lists, he who is not of nature has yet to obey `
` some of nature's laws, why we know not. He may not enter anywhere at `
` the first, unless there be some one of the household who bid him to `
` come, though afterwards he can come as he please. His power ceases, `
` as does that of all evil things, at the coming of the day. `
` `
` "Only at certain times can he have limited freedom. If he be not at `
` the place whither he is bound, he can only change himself at noon or `
` at exact sunrise or sunset. These things we are told, and in this `
` record of ours we have proof by inference. Thus, whereas he can do as `
` he will within his limit, when he have his earth-home, his `
` coffin-home, his hell-home, the place unhallowed, as we saw when he `
` went to the grave of the suicide at Whitby, still at other time he can `
` only change when the time come. It is said, too, that he can only `
` pass running water at the slack or the flood of the tide. Then there `
` are things which so afflict him that he has no power, as the garlic `
` that we know of, and as for things sacred, as this symbol, my `
` crucifix, that was amongst us even now when we resolve, to them he is `
` nothing, but in their presence he take his place far off and silent `
` with respect. There are others, too, which I shall tell you of, lest `
` in our seeking we may need them. `
` `
` "The branch of wild rose on his coffin keep him that he move not from `
` it, a sacred bullet fired into the coffin kill him so that he be true `
` dead, and as for the stake through him, we know already of its peace, `
` or the cut off head that giveth rest. We have seen it with our eyes. `
` `
` "Thus when we find the habitation of this man-that-was, we can confine `
` him to his coffin and destroy him, if we obey what we know. But he is `
` clever. I have asked my friend Arminius, of Buda-Pesth University, to `
` make his record, and from all the means that are, he tell me of what `
` he has been. He must, indeed, have been that Voivode Dracula who won `
` his name against the Turk, over the great river on the very frontier `
` of Turkeyland. If it be so, then was he no common man, for in that `
` time, and for centuries after, he was spoken of as the cleverest and `
` the most cunning, as well as the bravest of the sons of the 'land `
` beyond the forest.' That mighty brain and that iron resolution went `
` with him to his grave, and are even now arrayed against us. The `
` Draculas were, says Arminius, a great and noble race, though now and `
` again were scions who were held by their coevals to have had dealings `
` with the Evil One. They learned his secrets in the Scholomance, `
` amongst the mountains over Lake Hermanstadt, where the devil claims `
` the tenth scholar as his due. In the records are such words as `
` 'stregoica' witch, 'ordog' and 'pokol' Satan and hell, and in one `
` manuscript this very Dracula is spoken of as 'wampyr,' which we all `
` understand too well. There have been from the loins of this very one `
` great men and good women, and their graves make sacred the earth where `
` alone this foulness can dwell. For it is not the least of its terrors `
` that this evil thing is rooted deep in all good, in soil barren of `
` holy memories it cannot rest." `
` `
` Whilst they were talking Mr. Morris was looking steadily at the `
` window, and he now got up quietly, and went out of the room. There `
` was a little pause, and then the Professor went on. `
` `
` "And now we must settle what we do. We have here much data, and we `
` must proceed to lay out our campaign. We know from the inquiry of `
` Jonathan that from the castle to Whitby came fifty boxes of earth, all `
` of which were delivered at Carfax, we also know that at least some of `
` these boxes have been removed. It seems to me, that our first step `
` should be to ascertain whether all the rest remain in the house beyond `
` that wall where we look today, or whether any more have been removed. `
` If the latter, we must trace . . ." `
` `
` Here we were interrupted in a very startling way. Outside the house `
` came the sound of a pistol shot, the glass of the window was shattered `
` with a bullet, which ricochetting from the top of the embrasure, `
` struck the far wall of the room. I am afraid I am at heart a coward, `
` for I shrieked out. The men all jumped to their feet, Lord Godalming `
` flew over to the window and threw up the sash. As he did so we heard `
` Mr. Morris' voice without, "Sorry! I fear I have alarmed you. I `
` shall come in and tell you about it." `
` `
` A minute later he came in and said, "It was an idiotic thing of me to `
` do, and I ask your pardon, Mrs. Harker, most sincerely, I fear I must `
` have frightened you terribly. But the fact is that whilst the `
` Professor was talking there came a big bat and sat on the window sill. `
` I have got such a horror of the damned brutes from recent events that `
` I cannot stand them, and I went out to have a shot, as I have been `
` doing of late of evenings, whenever I have seen one. You used to `
` laugh at me for it then, Art." `
` `
` "Did you hit it?" asked Dr. Van Helsing. `
` `
` "I don't know, I fancy not, for it flew away into the wood." Without `
` saying any more he took his seat, and the Professor began to resume `
` his statement. `
` `
` "We must trace each of these boxes, and when we are ready, we must `
` either capture or kill this monster in his lair, or we must, so to `
` speak, sterilize the earth, so that no more he can seek safety in it. `
` Thus in the end we may find him in his form of man between the hours `
` of noon and sunset, and so engage with him when he is at his most `
` weak. `
` `
` "And now for you, Madam Mina, this night is the end until all be well. `
`
` preying on the bodies and the souls of those we love best. To us `
` forever are the gates of heaven shut, for who shall open them to us `
` again? We go on for all time abhorred by all, a blot on the face of `
` God's sunshine, an arrow in the side of Him who died for man. But we `
` are face to face with duty, and in such case must we shrink? For me, `
` I say no, but then I am old, and life, with his sunshine, his fair `
` places, his song of birds, his music and his love, lie far behind. You `
` others are young. Some have seen sorrow, but there are fair days yet `
` in store. What say you?" `
` `
` Whilst he was speaking, Jonathan had taken my hand. I feared, oh so `
` much, that the appalling nature of our danger was overcoming him when `
` I saw his hand stretch out, but it was life to me to feel its touch, `
` so strong, so self reliant, so resolute. A brave man's hand can speak `
` for itself, it does not even need a woman's love to hear its music. `
` `
` When the Professor had done speaking my husband looked in my eyes, and `
` I in his, there was no need for speaking between us. `
` `
` "I answer for Mina and myself," he said. `
` `
` "Count me in, Professor," said Mr. Quincey Morris, laconically as `
` usual. `
` `
` "I am with you," said Lord Godalming, "for Lucy's sake, if for no `
` other reason." `
` `
` Dr. Seward simply nodded. `
` `
` The Professor stood up and, after laying his golden crucifix on the `
` table, held out his hand on either side. I took his right hand, and `
` Lord Godalming his left, Jonathan held my right with his left and `
` stretched across to Mr. Morris. So as we all took hands our solemn `
` compact was made. I felt my heart icy cold, but it did not even occur `
` to me to draw back. We resumed our places, and Dr. Van Helsing went `
` on with a sort of cheerfulness which showed that the serious work had `
` begun. It was to be taken as gravely, and in as businesslike a way, `
` as any other transaction of life. `
` `
` "Well, you know what we have to contend against, but we too, are not `
` without strength. We have on our side power of combination, a power `
` denied to the vampire kind, we have sources of science, we are free to `
` act and think, and the hours of the day and the night are ours `
` equally. In fact, so far as our powers extend, they are unfettered, `
` and we are free to use them. We have self devotion in a cause and an `
` end to achieve which is not a selfish one. These things are much. `
` `
` "Now let us see how far the general powers arrayed against us are `
` restrict, and how the individual cannot. In fine, let us consider the `
` limitations of the vampire in general, and of this one in particular. `
` `
` "All we have to go upon are traditions and superstitions. These do `
` not at the first appear much, when the matter is one of life and `
` death, nay of more than either life or death. Yet must we be `
` satisfied, in the first place because we have to be, no other means is `
` at our control, and secondly, because, after all these things, `
` tradition and superstition, are everything. Does not the belief in `
` vampires rest for others, though not, alas! for us, on them? A year `
` ago which of us would have received such a possibility, in the midst `
` of our scientific, sceptical, matter-of-fact nineteenth century? We `
` even scouted a belief that we saw justified under our very eyes. Take `
` it, then, that the vampire, and the belief in his limitations and his `
` cure, rest for the moment on the same base. For, let me tell you, he `
` is known everywhere that men have been. In old Greece, in old Rome, `
` he flourish in Germany all over, in France, in India, even in the `
` Chermosese, and in China, so far from us in all ways, there even is `
` he, and the peoples for him at this day. He have follow the wake of `
` the berserker Icelander, the devil-begotten Hun, the Slav, the Saxon, `
` the Magyar. `
` `
` "So far, then, we have all we may act upon, and let me tell you that `
` very much of the beliefs are justified by what we have seen in our own `
` so unhappy experience. The vampire live on, and cannot die by mere `
` passing of the time, he can flourish when that he can fatten on the `
` blood of the living. Even more, we have seen amongst us that he can `
` even grow younger, that his vital faculties grow strenuous, and seem `
` as though they refresh themselves when his special pabulum is plenty. `
` `
` "But he cannot flourish without this diet, he eat not as others. Even `
` friend Jonathan, who lived with him for weeks, did never see him eat, `
` never! He throws no shadow, he make in the mirror no reflect, as `
` again Jonathan observe. He has the strength of many of his hand, `
` witness again Jonathan when he shut the door against the wolves, and `
` when he help him from the diligence too. He can transform himself to `
` wolf, as we gather from the ship arrival in Whitby, when he tear open `
` the dog, he can be as bat, as Madam Mina saw him on the window at `
` Whitby, and as friend John saw him fly from this so near house, and as `
` my friend Quincey saw him at the window of Miss Lucy. `
` `
` "He can come in mist which he create, that noble ship's captain proved `
` him of this, but, from what we know, the distance he can make this `
` mist is limited, and it can only be round himself. `
` `
` "He come on moonlight rays as elemental dust, as again Jonathan saw `
` those sisters in the castle of Dracula. He become so small, we `
` ourselves saw Miss Lucy, ere she was at peace, slip through a `
` hairbreadth space at the tomb door. He can, when once he find his `
` way, come out from anything or into anything, no matter how close it `
` be bound or even fused up with fire, solder you call it. He can see `
` in the dark, no small power this, in a world which is one half shut `
` from the light. Ah, but hear me through. `
` `
` "He can do all these things, yet he is not free. Nay, he is even more `
` prisoner than the slave of the galley, than the madman in his cell. `
` He cannot go where he lists, he who is not of nature has yet to obey `
` some of nature's laws, why we know not. He may not enter anywhere at `
` the first, unless there be some one of the household who bid him to `
` come, though afterwards he can come as he please. His power ceases, `
` as does that of all evil things, at the coming of the day. `
` `
` "Only at certain times can he have limited freedom. If he be not at `
` the place whither he is bound, he can only change himself at noon or `
` at exact sunrise or sunset. These things we are told, and in this `
` record of ours we have proof by inference. Thus, whereas he can do as `
` he will within his limit, when he have his earth-home, his `
` coffin-home, his hell-home, the place unhallowed, as we saw when he `
` went to the grave of the suicide at Whitby, still at other time he can `
` only change when the time come. It is said, too, that he can only `
` pass running water at the slack or the flood of the tide. Then there `
` are things which so afflict him that he has no power, as the garlic `
` that we know of, and as for things sacred, as this symbol, my `
` crucifix, that was amongst us even now when we resolve, to them he is `
` nothing, but in their presence he take his place far off and silent `
` with respect. There are others, too, which I shall tell you of, lest `
` in our seeking we may need them. `
` `
` "The branch of wild rose on his coffin keep him that he move not from `
` it, a sacred bullet fired into the coffin kill him so that he be true `
` dead, and as for the stake through him, we know already of its peace, `
` or the cut off head that giveth rest. We have seen it with our eyes. `
` `
` "Thus when we find the habitation of this man-that-was, we can confine `
` him to his coffin and destroy him, if we obey what we know. But he is `
` clever. I have asked my friend Arminius, of Buda-Pesth University, to `
` make his record, and from all the means that are, he tell me of what `
` he has been. He must, indeed, have been that Voivode Dracula who won `
` his name against the Turk, over the great river on the very frontier `
` of Turkeyland. If it be so, then was he no common man, for in that `
` time, and for centuries after, he was spoken of as the cleverest and `
` the most cunning, as well as the bravest of the sons of the 'land `
` beyond the forest.' That mighty brain and that iron resolution went `
` with him to his grave, and are even now arrayed against us. The `
` Draculas were, says Arminius, a great and noble race, though now and `
` again were scions who were held by their coevals to have had dealings `
` with the Evil One. They learned his secrets in the Scholomance, `
` amongst the mountains over Lake Hermanstadt, where the devil claims `
` the tenth scholar as his due. In the records are such words as `
` 'stregoica' witch, 'ordog' and 'pokol' Satan and hell, and in one `
` manuscript this very Dracula is spoken of as 'wampyr,' which we all `
` understand too well. There have been from the loins of this very one `
` great men and good women, and their graves make sacred the earth where `
` alone this foulness can dwell. For it is not the least of its terrors `
` that this evil thing is rooted deep in all good, in soil barren of `
` holy memories it cannot rest." `
` `
` Whilst they were talking Mr. Morris was looking steadily at the `
` window, and he now got up quietly, and went out of the room. There `
` was a little pause, and then the Professor went on. `
` `
` "And now we must settle what we do. We have here much data, and we `
` must proceed to lay out our campaign. We know from the inquiry of `
` Jonathan that from the castle to Whitby came fifty boxes of earth, all `
` of which were delivered at Carfax, we also know that at least some of `
` these boxes have been removed. It seems to me, that our first step `
` should be to ascertain whether all the rest remain in the house beyond `
` that wall where we look today, or whether any more have been removed. `
` If the latter, we must trace . . ." `
` `
` Here we were interrupted in a very startling way. Outside the house `
` came the sound of a pistol shot, the glass of the window was shattered `
` with a bullet, which ricochetting from the top of the embrasure, `
` struck the far wall of the room. I am afraid I am at heart a coward, `
` for I shrieked out. The men all jumped to their feet, Lord Godalming `
` flew over to the window and threw up the sash. As he did so we heard `
` Mr. Morris' voice without, "Sorry! I fear I have alarmed you. I `
` shall come in and tell you about it." `
` `
` A minute later he came in and said, "It was an idiotic thing of me to `
` do, and I ask your pardon, Mrs. Harker, most sincerely, I fear I must `
` have frightened you terribly. But the fact is that whilst the `
` Professor was talking there came a big bat and sat on the window sill. `
` I have got such a horror of the damned brutes from recent events that `
` I cannot stand them, and I went out to have a shot, as I have been `
` doing of late of evenings, whenever I have seen one. You used to `
` laugh at me for it then, Art." `
` `
` "Did you hit it?" asked Dr. Van Helsing. `
` `
` "I don't know, I fancy not, for it flew away into the wood." Without `
` saying any more he took his seat, and the Professor began to resume `
` his statement. `
` `
` "We must trace each of these boxes, and when we are ready, we must `
` either capture or kill this monster in his lair, or we must, so to `
` speak, sterilize the earth, so that no more he can seek safety in it. `
` Thus in the end we may find him in his form of man between the hours `
` of noon and sunset, and so engage with him when he is at his most `
` weak. `
` `
` "And now for you, Madam Mina, this night is the end until all be well. `
`