Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
"And now for you, Madam Mina, this night is the end until all be well. `
` You are too precious to us to have such risk. When we part tonight, `
` you no more must question. We shall tell you all in good time. We `
` are men and are able to bear, but you must be our star and our hope, `
` and we shall act all the more free that you are not in the danger, `
` such as we are." `
` `
` All the men, even Jonathan, seemed relieved, but it did not seem to me `
` good that they should brave danger and, perhaps lessen their safety, `
` strength being the best safety, through care of me, but their minds `
` were made up, and though it was a bitter pill for me to swallow, I `
` could say nothing, save to accept their chivalrous care of me. `
` `
` Mr. Morris resumed the discussion, "As there is no time to lose, I `
` vote we have a look at his house right now. Time is everything with `
` him, and swift action on our part may save another victim." `
` `
` I own that my heart began to fail me when the time for action came so `
` close, but I did not say anything, for I had a greater fear that if I `
` appeared as a drag or a hindrance to their work, they might even leave `
` me out of their counsels altogether. They have now gone off to `
` Carfax, with means to get into the house. `
` `
` Manlike, they had told me to go to bed and sleep, as if a woman can `
` sleep when those she loves are in danger! I shall lie down, and `
` pretend to sleep, lest Jonathan have added anxiety about me when he `
` returns. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 1 October, 4 A.M.--Just as we were about to leave the house, an urgent `
` message was brought to me from Renfield to know if I would see him at `
` once, as he had something of the utmost importance to say to me. I `
` told the messenger to say that I would attend to his wishes in the `
` morning, I was busy just at the moment. `
` `
` The attendant added, "He seems very importunate, sir. I have never `
` seen him so eager. I don't know but what, if you don't see him soon, `
` he will have one of his violent fits." I knew the man would not have `
` said this without some cause, so I said, "All right, I'll go now," and `
` I asked the others to wait a few minutes for me, as I had to go and `
` see my patient. `
` `
` "Take me with you, friend John," said the Professor. "His case in your `
` diary interest me much, and it had bearing, too, now and again on our `
` case. I should much like to see him, and especial when his mind is `
` disturbed." `
` `
` "May I come also?" asked Lord Godalming. `
` `
` "Me too?" said Quincey Morris. "May I come?" said Harker. I nodded, `
` and we all went down the passage together. `
` `
` We found him in a state of considerable excitement, but far more `
` rational in his speech and manner than I had ever seen him. There was `
` an unusual understanding of himself, which was unlike anything I had `
` ever met with in a lunatic, and he took it for granted that his `
` reasons would prevail with others entirely sane. We all five went `
` into the room, but none of the others at first said anything. His `
` request was that I would at once release him from the asylum and send `
` him home. This he backed up with arguments regarding his complete `
` recovery, and adduced his own existing sanity. `
` `
` "I appeal to your friends," he said, "they will, perhaps, not mind `
` sitting in judgement on my case. By the way, you have not introduced `
` me." `
` `
` I was so much astonished, that the oddness of introducing a madman in `
` an asylum did not strike me at the moment, and besides, there was a `
` certain dignity in the man's manner, so much of the habit of equality, `
` that I at once made the introduction, "Lord Godalming, Professor Van `
` Helsing, Mr. Quincey Morris, of Texas, Mr. Jonathan Harker, Mr. `
` Renfield." `
` `
` He shook hands with each of them, saying in turn, "Lord Godalming, I `
` had the honour of seconding your father at the Windham; I grieve to `
` know, by your holding the title, that he is no more. He was a man `
` loved and honoured by all who knew him, and in his youth was, I have `
` heard, the inventor of a burnt rum punch, much patronized on Derby `
` night. Mr. Morris, you should be proud of your great state. Its `
` reception into the Union was a precedent which may have far-reaching `
` effects hereafter, when the Pole and the Tropics may hold alliance to `
` the Stars and Stripes. The power of Treaty may yet prove a vast `
` engine of enlargement, when the Monroe doctrine takes its true place `
` as a political fable. What shall any man say of his pleasure at `
` meeting Van Helsing? Sir, I make no apology for dropping all forms of `
` conventional prefix. When an individual has revolutionized `
` therapeutics by his discovery of the continuous evolution of brain `
` matter, conventional forms are unfitting, since they would seem to `
` limit him to one of a class. You, gentlemen, who by nationality, by `
` heredity, or by the possession of natural gifts, are fitted to hold `
` your respective places in the moving world, I take to witness that I `
` am as sane as at least the majority of men who are in full possession `
` of their liberties. And I am sure that you, Dr. Seward, humanitarian `
` and medico-jurist as well as scientist, will deem it a moral duty to `
` deal with me as one to be considered as under exceptional `
` circumstances." He made this last appeal with a courtly air of `
` conviction which was not without its own charm. `
` `
` I think we were all staggered. For my own part, I was under the `
` conviction, despite my knowledge of the man's character and history, `
` that his reason had been restored, and I felt under a strong impulse `
` to tell him that I was satisfied as to his sanity, and would see about `
` the necessary formalities for his release in the morning. I thought `
` it better to wait, however, before making so grave a statement, for of `
` old I knew the sudden changes to which this particular patient was `
` liable. So I contented myself with making a general statement that he `
` appeared to be improving very rapidly, that I would have a longer chat `
` with him in the morning, and would then see what I could do in the `
` direction of meeting his wishes. `
` `
` This did not at all satisfy him, for he said quickly, "But I fear, Dr. `
` Seward, that you hardly apprehend my wish. I desire to go at once, `
` here, now, this very hour, this very moment, if I may. Time presses, `
` and in our implied agreement with the old scytheman it is of the `
` essence of the contract. I am sure it is only necessary to put before `
` so admirable a practitioner as Dr. Seward so simple, yet so momentous `
` a wish, to ensure its fulfilment." `
` `
` He looked at me keenly, and seeing the negative in my face, turned to `
` the others, and scrutinized them closely. Not meeting any sufficient `
` response, he went on, "Is it possible that I have erred in my `
` supposition?" `
` `
` "You have," I said frankly, but at the same time, as I felt, brutally. `
` `
` There was a considerable pause, and then he said slowly, "Then I `
` suppose I must only shift my ground of request. Let me ask for this `
` concession, boon, privilege, what you will. I am content to implore `
` in such a case, not on personal grounds, but for the sake of others. I `
` am not at liberty to give you the whole of my reasons, but you may, I `
` assure you, take it from me that they are good ones, sound and `
` unselfish, and spring from the highest sense of duty. `
` `
` "Could you look, sir, into my heart, you would approve to the full the `
` sentiments which animate me. Nay, more, you would count me amongst `
` the best and truest of your friends." `
` `
` Again he looked at us all keenly. I had a growing conviction that `
` this sudden change of his entire intellectual method was but yet `
` another phase of his madness, and so determined to let him go on a `
` little longer, knowing from experience that he would, like all `
` lunatics, give himself away in the end. Van Helsing was gazing at him `
` with a look of utmost intensity, his bushy eyebrows almost meeting `
` with the fixed concentration of his look. He said to Renfield in a `
` tone which did not surprise me at the time, but only when I thought of `
` it afterwards, for it was as of one addressing an equal, "Can you not `
` tell frankly your real reason for wishing to be free tonight? I will `
` undertake that if you will satisfy even me, a stranger, without `
` prejudice, and with the habit of keeping an open mind, Dr. Seward will `
` give you, at his own risk and on his own responsibility, the privilege `
` you seek." `
` `
` He shook his head sadly, and with a look of poignant regret on his `
` face. The Professor went on, "Come, sir, bethink yourself. You claim `
` the privilege of reason in the highest degree, since you seek to `
` impress us with your complete reasonableness. You do this, whose `
` sanity we have reason to doubt, since you are not yet released from `
` medical treatment for this very defect. If you will not help us in `
` our effort to choose the wisest course, how can we perform the duty `
` which you yourself put upon us? Be wise, and help us, and if we can `
` we shall aid you to achieve your wish." `
` `
` He still shook his head as he said, "Dr. Van Helsing, I have nothing to `
` say. Your argument is complete, and if I were free to speak I should `
` not hesitate a moment, but I am not my own master in the matter. I `
` can only ask you to trust me. If I am refused, the responsibility `
` does not rest with me." `
` `
` I thought it was now time to end the scene, which was becoming too `
` comically grave, so I went towards the door, simply saying, "Come, my `
` friends, we have work to do. Goodnight." `
` `
` As, however, I got near the door, a new change came over the patient. `
` He moved towards me so quickly that for the moment I feared that he `
` was about to make another homicidal attack. My fears, however, were `
` groundless, for he held up his two hands imploringly, and made his `
` petition in a moving manner. As he saw that the very excess of his `
` emotion was militating against him, by restoring us more to our old `
` relations, he became still more demonstrative. I glanced at Van `
` Helsing, and saw my conviction reflected in his eyes, so I became a `
` little more fixed in my manner, if not more stern, and motioned to him `
` that his efforts were unavailing. I had previously seen something of `
` the same constantly growing excitement in him when he had to make some `
` request of which at the time he had thought much, such for instance, `
` as when he wanted a cat, and I was prepared to see the collapse into `
` the same sullen acquiescence on this occasion. `
` `
` My expectation was not realized, for when he found that his appeal `
` would not be successful, he got into quite a frantic condition. He `
` threw himself on his knees, and held up his hands, wringing them in `
` plaintive supplication, and poured forth a torrent of entreaty, with `
` the tears rolling down his cheeks, and his whole face and form `
` expressive of the deepest emotion. `
` `
` "Let me entreat you, Dr. Seward, oh, let me implore you, to let me out `
` of this house at once. Send me away how you will and where you will, `
` send keepers with me with whips and chains, let them take me in a `
`
` You are too precious to us to have such risk. When we part tonight, `
` you no more must question. We shall tell you all in good time. We `
` are men and are able to bear, but you must be our star and our hope, `
` and we shall act all the more free that you are not in the danger, `
` such as we are." `
` `
` All the men, even Jonathan, seemed relieved, but it did not seem to me `
` good that they should brave danger and, perhaps lessen their safety, `
` strength being the best safety, through care of me, but their minds `
` were made up, and though it was a bitter pill for me to swallow, I `
` could say nothing, save to accept their chivalrous care of me. `
` `
` Mr. Morris resumed the discussion, "As there is no time to lose, I `
` vote we have a look at his house right now. Time is everything with `
` him, and swift action on our part may save another victim." `
` `
` I own that my heart began to fail me when the time for action came so `
` close, but I did not say anything, for I had a greater fear that if I `
` appeared as a drag or a hindrance to their work, they might even leave `
` me out of their counsels altogether. They have now gone off to `
` Carfax, with means to get into the house. `
` `
` Manlike, they had told me to go to bed and sleep, as if a woman can `
` sleep when those she loves are in danger! I shall lie down, and `
` pretend to sleep, lest Jonathan have added anxiety about me when he `
` returns. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 1 October, 4 A.M.--Just as we were about to leave the house, an urgent `
` message was brought to me from Renfield to know if I would see him at `
` once, as he had something of the utmost importance to say to me. I `
` told the messenger to say that I would attend to his wishes in the `
` morning, I was busy just at the moment. `
` `
` The attendant added, "He seems very importunate, sir. I have never `
` seen him so eager. I don't know but what, if you don't see him soon, `
` he will have one of his violent fits." I knew the man would not have `
` said this without some cause, so I said, "All right, I'll go now," and `
` I asked the others to wait a few minutes for me, as I had to go and `
` see my patient. `
` `
` "Take me with you, friend John," said the Professor. "His case in your `
` diary interest me much, and it had bearing, too, now and again on our `
` case. I should much like to see him, and especial when his mind is `
` disturbed." `
` `
` "May I come also?" asked Lord Godalming. `
` `
` "Me too?" said Quincey Morris. "May I come?" said Harker. I nodded, `
` and we all went down the passage together. `
` `
` We found him in a state of considerable excitement, but far more `
` rational in his speech and manner than I had ever seen him. There was `
` an unusual understanding of himself, which was unlike anything I had `
` ever met with in a lunatic, and he took it for granted that his `
` reasons would prevail with others entirely sane. We all five went `
` into the room, but none of the others at first said anything. His `
` request was that I would at once release him from the asylum and send `
` him home. This he backed up with arguments regarding his complete `
` recovery, and adduced his own existing sanity. `
` `
` "I appeal to your friends," he said, "they will, perhaps, not mind `
` sitting in judgement on my case. By the way, you have not introduced `
` me." `
` `
` I was so much astonished, that the oddness of introducing a madman in `
` an asylum did not strike me at the moment, and besides, there was a `
` certain dignity in the man's manner, so much of the habit of equality, `
` that I at once made the introduction, "Lord Godalming, Professor Van `
` Helsing, Mr. Quincey Morris, of Texas, Mr. Jonathan Harker, Mr. `
` Renfield." `
` `
` He shook hands with each of them, saying in turn, "Lord Godalming, I `
` had the honour of seconding your father at the Windham; I grieve to `
` know, by your holding the title, that he is no more. He was a man `
` loved and honoured by all who knew him, and in his youth was, I have `
` heard, the inventor of a burnt rum punch, much patronized on Derby `
` night. Mr. Morris, you should be proud of your great state. Its `
` reception into the Union was a precedent which may have far-reaching `
` effects hereafter, when the Pole and the Tropics may hold alliance to `
` the Stars and Stripes. The power of Treaty may yet prove a vast `
` engine of enlargement, when the Monroe doctrine takes its true place `
` as a political fable. What shall any man say of his pleasure at `
` meeting Van Helsing? Sir, I make no apology for dropping all forms of `
` conventional prefix. When an individual has revolutionized `
` therapeutics by his discovery of the continuous evolution of brain `
` matter, conventional forms are unfitting, since they would seem to `
` limit him to one of a class. You, gentlemen, who by nationality, by `
` heredity, or by the possession of natural gifts, are fitted to hold `
` your respective places in the moving world, I take to witness that I `
` am as sane as at least the majority of men who are in full possession `
` of their liberties. And I am sure that you, Dr. Seward, humanitarian `
` and medico-jurist as well as scientist, will deem it a moral duty to `
` deal with me as one to be considered as under exceptional `
` circumstances." He made this last appeal with a courtly air of `
` conviction which was not without its own charm. `
` `
` I think we were all staggered. For my own part, I was under the `
` conviction, despite my knowledge of the man's character and history, `
` that his reason had been restored, and I felt under a strong impulse `
` to tell him that I was satisfied as to his sanity, and would see about `
` the necessary formalities for his release in the morning. I thought `
` it better to wait, however, before making so grave a statement, for of `
` old I knew the sudden changes to which this particular patient was `
` liable. So I contented myself with making a general statement that he `
` appeared to be improving very rapidly, that I would have a longer chat `
` with him in the morning, and would then see what I could do in the `
` direction of meeting his wishes. `
` `
` This did not at all satisfy him, for he said quickly, "But I fear, Dr. `
` Seward, that you hardly apprehend my wish. I desire to go at once, `
` here, now, this very hour, this very moment, if I may. Time presses, `
` and in our implied agreement with the old scytheman it is of the `
` essence of the contract. I am sure it is only necessary to put before `
` so admirable a practitioner as Dr. Seward so simple, yet so momentous `
` a wish, to ensure its fulfilment." `
` `
` He looked at me keenly, and seeing the negative in my face, turned to `
` the others, and scrutinized them closely. Not meeting any sufficient `
` response, he went on, "Is it possible that I have erred in my `
` supposition?" `
` `
` "You have," I said frankly, but at the same time, as I felt, brutally. `
` `
` There was a considerable pause, and then he said slowly, "Then I `
` suppose I must only shift my ground of request. Let me ask for this `
` concession, boon, privilege, what you will. I am content to implore `
` in such a case, not on personal grounds, but for the sake of others. I `
` am not at liberty to give you the whole of my reasons, but you may, I `
` assure you, take it from me that they are good ones, sound and `
` unselfish, and spring from the highest sense of duty. `
` `
` "Could you look, sir, into my heart, you would approve to the full the `
` sentiments which animate me. Nay, more, you would count me amongst `
` the best and truest of your friends." `
` `
` Again he looked at us all keenly. I had a growing conviction that `
` this sudden change of his entire intellectual method was but yet `
` another phase of his madness, and so determined to let him go on a `
` little longer, knowing from experience that he would, like all `
` lunatics, give himself away in the end. Van Helsing was gazing at him `
` with a look of utmost intensity, his bushy eyebrows almost meeting `
` with the fixed concentration of his look. He said to Renfield in a `
` tone which did not surprise me at the time, but only when I thought of `
` it afterwards, for it was as of one addressing an equal, "Can you not `
` tell frankly your real reason for wishing to be free tonight? I will `
` undertake that if you will satisfy even me, a stranger, without `
` prejudice, and with the habit of keeping an open mind, Dr. Seward will `
` give you, at his own risk and on his own responsibility, the privilege `
` you seek." `
` `
` He shook his head sadly, and with a look of poignant regret on his `
` face. The Professor went on, "Come, sir, bethink yourself. You claim `
` the privilege of reason in the highest degree, since you seek to `
` impress us with your complete reasonableness. You do this, whose `
` sanity we have reason to doubt, since you are not yet released from `
` medical treatment for this very defect. If you will not help us in `
` our effort to choose the wisest course, how can we perform the duty `
` which you yourself put upon us? Be wise, and help us, and if we can `
` we shall aid you to achieve your wish." `
` `
` He still shook his head as he said, "Dr. Van Helsing, I have nothing to `
` say. Your argument is complete, and if I were free to speak I should `
` not hesitate a moment, but I am not my own master in the matter. I `
` can only ask you to trust me. If I am refused, the responsibility `
` does not rest with me." `
` `
` I thought it was now time to end the scene, which was becoming too `
` comically grave, so I went towards the door, simply saying, "Come, my `
` friends, we have work to do. Goodnight." `
` `
` As, however, I got near the door, a new change came over the patient. `
` He moved towards me so quickly that for the moment I feared that he `
` was about to make another homicidal attack. My fears, however, were `
` groundless, for he held up his two hands imploringly, and made his `
` petition in a moving manner. As he saw that the very excess of his `
` emotion was militating against him, by restoring us more to our old `
` relations, he became still more demonstrative. I glanced at Van `
` Helsing, and saw my conviction reflected in his eyes, so I became a `
` little more fixed in my manner, if not more stern, and motioned to him `
` that his efforts were unavailing. I had previously seen something of `
` the same constantly growing excitement in him when he had to make some `
` request of which at the time he had thought much, such for instance, `
` as when he wanted a cat, and I was prepared to see the collapse into `
` the same sullen acquiescence on this occasion. `
` `
` My expectation was not realized, for when he found that his appeal `
` would not be successful, he got into quite a frantic condition. He `
` threw himself on his knees, and held up his hands, wringing them in `
` plaintive supplication, and poured forth a torrent of entreaty, with `
` the tears rolling down his cheeks, and his whole face and form `
` expressive of the deepest emotion. `
` `
` "Let me entreat you, Dr. Seward, oh, let me implore you, to let me out `
` of this house at once. Send me away how you will and where you will, `
` send keepers with me with whips and chains, let them take me in a `
`