Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
like the shape of a flame of fire. And then He moved the mist to the `
` right and left, and I could see that there were thousands of rats with `
` their eyes blazing red, like His only smaller. He held up his hand, `
` and they all stopped, and I thought he seemed to be saying, 'All these `
` lives will I give you, ay, and many more and greater, through `
` countless ages, if you will fall down and worship me!' And then a red `
` cloud, like the colour of blood, seemed to close over my eyes, and `
` before I knew what I was doing, I found myself opening the sash and `
` saying to Him, 'Come in, Lord and Master!' The rats were all gone, but `
` He slid into the room through the sash, though it was only open an `
` inch wide, just as the Moon herself has often come in through the `
` tiniest crack and has stood before me in all her size and splendour." `
` `
` His voice was weaker, so I moistened his lips with the brandy again, `
` and he continued, but it seemed as though his memory had gone on `
` working in the interval for his story was further advanced. I was `
` about to call him back to the point, but Van Helsing whispered to me, `
` "Let him go on. Do not interrupt him. He cannot go back, and maybe `
` could not proceed at all if once he lost the thread of his thought." `
` `
` He proceeded, "All day I waited to hear from him, but he did not send `
` me anything, not even a blowfly, and when the moon got up I was pretty `
` angry with him. When he did slide in through the window, though it `
` was shut, and did not even knock, I got mad with him. He sneered at `
` me, and his white face looked out of the mist with his red eyes `
` gleaming, and he went on as though he owned the whole place, and I was `
` no one. He didn't even smell the same as he went by me. I couldn't `
` hold him. I thought that, somehow, Mrs. Harker had come into the `
` room." `
` `
` The two men sitting on the bed stood up and came over, standing behind `
` him so that he could not see them, but where they could hear better. `
` They were both silent, but the Professor started and quivered. His `
` face, however, grew grimmer and sterner still. Renfield went on `
` without noticing, "When Mrs. Harker came in to see me this afternoon `
` she wasn't the same. It was like tea after the teapot has been `
` watered." Here we all moved, but no one said a word. `
` `
` He went on, "I didn't know that she was here till she spoke, and she `
` didn't look the same. I don't care for the pale people. I like them `
` with lots of blood in them, and hers all seemed to have run out. I `
` didn't think of it at the time, but when she went away I began to `
` think, and it made me mad to know that He had been taking the life out `
` of her." I could feel that the rest quivered, as I did; but we `
` remained otherwise still. "So when He came tonight I was ready for `
` Him. I saw the mist stealing in, and I grabbed it tight. I had heard `
` that madmen have unnatural strength. And as I knew I was a madman, at `
` times anyhow, I resolved to use my power. Ay, and He felt it too, for `
` He had to come out of the mist to struggle with me. I held tight, and `
` I thought I was going to win, for I didn't mean Him to take any more `
` of her life, till I saw His eyes. They burned into me, and my `
` strength became like water. He slipped through it, and when I tried `
` to cling to Him, He raised me up and flung me down. There was a red `
` cloud before me, and a noise like thunder, and the mist seemed to `
` steal away under the door." `
` `
` His voice was becoming fainter and his breath more stertorous. Van `
` Helsing stood up instinctively. `
` `
` "We know the worst now," he said. "He is here, and we know his `
` purpose. It may not be too late. Let us be armed, the same as we `
` were the other night, but lose no time, there is not an instant to `
` spare." `
` `
` There was no need to put our fear, nay our conviction, into words, we `
` shared them in common. We all hurried and took from our rooms the `
` same things that we had when we entered the Count's house. The `
` Professor had his ready, and as we met in the corridor he pointed to `
` them significantly as he said, "They never leave me, and they shall `
` not till this unhappy business is over. Be wise also, my friends. It `
` is no common enemy that we deal with Alas! Alas! That dear Madam `
` Mina should suffer!" He stopped, his voice was breaking, and I do not `
` know if rage or terror predominated in my own heart. `
` `
` Outside the Harkers' door we paused. Art and Quincey held back, and `
` the latter said, "Should we disturb her?" `
` `
` "We must," said Van Helsing grimly. "If the door be locked, I shall `
` break it in." `
` `
` "May it not frighten her terribly? It is unusual to break into a `
` lady's room!" `
` `
` Van Helsing said solemnly, "You are always right. But this is life `
` and death. All chambers are alike to the doctor. And even were they `
` not they are all as one to me tonight. Friend John, when I turn the `
` handle, if the door does not open, do you put your shoulder down and `
` shove; and you too, my friends. Now!" `
` `
` He turned the handle as he spoke, but the door did not yield. We `
` threw ourselves against it. With a crash it burst open, and we almost `
` fell headlong into the room. The Professor did actually fall, and I `
` saw across him as he gathered himself up from hands and knees. What I `
` saw appalled me. I felt my hair rise like bristles on the back of my `
` neck, and my heart seemed to stand still. `
` `
` The moonlight was so bright that through the thick yellow blind the `
` room was light enough to see. On the bed beside the window lay `
` Jonathan Harker, his face flushed and breathing heavily as though in a `
` stupor. Kneeling on the near edge of the bed facing outwards was the `
` white-clad figure of his wife. By her side stood a tall, thin man, `
` clad in black. His face was turned from us, but the instant we saw we `
` all recognized the Count, in every way, even to the scar on his `
` forehead. With his left hand he held both Mrs. Harker's hands, `
` keeping them away with her arms at full tension. His right hand `
` gripped her by the back of the neck, forcing her face down on his `
` bosom. Her white nightdress was smeared with blood, and a thin stream `
` trickled down the man's bare chest which was shown by his torn-open `
` dress. The attitude of the two had a terrible resemblance to a child `
` forcing a kitten's nose into a saucer of milk to compel it to drink. `
` As we burst into the room, the Count turned his face, and the hellish `
` look that I had heard described seemed to leap into it. His eyes `
` flamed red with devilish passion. The great nostrils of the white `
` aquiline nose opened wide and quivered at the edge, and the white `
` sharp teeth, behind the full lips of the blood dripping mouth, clamped `
` together like those of a wild beast. With a wrench, which threw his `
` victim back upon the bed as though hurled from a height, he turned and `
` sprang at us. But by this time the Professor had gained his feet, and `
` was holding towards him the envelope which contained the Sacred Wafer. `
` The Count suddenly stopped, just as poor Lucy had done outside the `
` tomb, and cowered back. Further and further back he cowered, as we, `
` lifting our crucifixes, advanced. The moonlight suddenly failed, as a `
` great black cloud sailed across the sky. And when the gaslight sprang `
` up under Quincey's match, we saw nothing but a faint vapour. This, as `
` we looked, trailed under the door, which with the recoil from its `
` bursting open, had swung back to its old position. Van Helsing, Art, `
` and I moved forward to Mrs. Harker, who by this time had drawn her `
` breath and with it had given a scream so wild, so ear-piercing, so `
` despairing that it seems to me now that it will ring in my ears till `
` my dying day. For a few seconds she lay in her helpless attitude and `
` disarray. Her face was ghastly, with a pallor which was accentuated `
` by the blood which smeared her lips and cheeks and chin. From her `
` throat trickled a thin stream of blood. Her eyes were mad with `
` terror. Then she put before her face her poor crushed hands, which `
` bore on their whiteness the red mark of the Count's terrible grip, and `
` from behind them came a low desolate wail which made the terrible `
` scream seem only the quick expression of an endless grief. Van `
` Helsing stepped forward and drew the coverlet gently over her body, `
` whilst Art, after looking at her face for an instant despairingly, ran `
` out of the room. `
` `
` Van Helsing whispered to me, "Jonathan is in a stupor such as we know `
` the Vampire can produce. We can do nothing with poor Madam Mina for a `
` few moments till she recovers herself. I must wake him!" `
` `
` He dipped the end of a towel in cold water and with it began to flick `
` him on the face, his wife all the while holding her face between her `
` hands and sobbing in a way that was heart breaking to hear. I raised `
` the blind, and looked out of the window. There was much moonshine, `
` and as I looked I could see Quincey Morris run across the lawn and `
` hide himself in the shadow of a great yew tree. It puzzled me to `
` think why he was doing this. But at the instant I heard Harker's `
` quick exclamation as he woke to partial consciousness, and turned to `
` the bed. On his face, as there might well be, was a look of wild `
` amazement. He seemed dazed for a few seconds, and then full `
` consciousness seemed to burst upon him all at once, and he started up. `
` `
` His wife was aroused by the quick movement, and turned to him with her `
` arms stretched out, as though to embrace him. Instantly, however, she `
` drew them in again, and putting her elbows together, held her hands `
` before her face, and shuddered till the bed beneath her shook. `
` `
` "In God's name what does this mean?" Harker cried out. "Dr. Seward, `
` Dr. Van Helsing, what is it? What has happened? What is wrong? Mina, `
` dear what is it? What does that blood mean? My God, my God! Has it `
` come to this!" And, raising himself to his knees, he beat his hands `
` wildly together. "Good God help us! Help her! Oh, help her!" `
` `
` With a quick movement he jumped from bed, and began to pull on his `
` clothes, all the man in him awake at the need for instant exertion. `
` "What has happened? Tell me all about it!" he cried without pausing. `
` "Dr. Van Helsing, you love Mina, I know. Oh, do something to save her. `
` It cannot have gone too far yet. Guard her while I look for him!" `
` `
` His wife, through her terror and horror and distress, saw some sure `
` danger to him. Instantly forgetting her own grief, she seized hold of `
` him and cried out. `
` `
` "No! No! Jonathan, you must not leave me. I have suffered enough `
` tonight, God knows, without the dread of his harming you. You must `
` stay with me. Stay with these friends who will watch over you!" Her `
` expression became frantic as she spoke. And, he yielding to her, she `
` pulled him down sitting on the bedside, and clung to him fiercely. `
` `
` Van Helsing and I tried to calm them both. The Professor held up his `
` golden crucifix, and said with wonderful calmness, "Do not fear, my `
` dear. We are here, and whilst this is close to you no foul thing can `
` approach. You are safe for tonight, and we must be calm and take `
` counsel together." `
` `
` She shuddered and was silent, holding down her head on her husband's `
` breast. When she raised it, his white nightrobe was stained with `
` blood where her lips had touched, and where the thin open wound in the `
` neck had sent forth drops. The instant she saw it she drew back, with `
` a low wail, and whispered, amidst choking sobs. `
` `
` "Unclean, unclean! I must touch him or kiss him no more. Oh, that it `
` should be that it is I who am now his worst enemy, and whom he may `
` have most cause to fear." `
` `
` To this he spoke out resolutely, "Nonsense, Mina. It is a shame to me `
`
` right and left, and I could see that there were thousands of rats with `
` their eyes blazing red, like His only smaller. He held up his hand, `
` and they all stopped, and I thought he seemed to be saying, 'All these `
` lives will I give you, ay, and many more and greater, through `
` countless ages, if you will fall down and worship me!' And then a red `
` cloud, like the colour of blood, seemed to close over my eyes, and `
` before I knew what I was doing, I found myself opening the sash and `
` saying to Him, 'Come in, Lord and Master!' The rats were all gone, but `
` He slid into the room through the sash, though it was only open an `
` inch wide, just as the Moon herself has often come in through the `
` tiniest crack and has stood before me in all her size and splendour." `
` `
` His voice was weaker, so I moistened his lips with the brandy again, `
` and he continued, but it seemed as though his memory had gone on `
` working in the interval for his story was further advanced. I was `
` about to call him back to the point, but Van Helsing whispered to me, `
` "Let him go on. Do not interrupt him. He cannot go back, and maybe `
` could not proceed at all if once he lost the thread of his thought." `
` `
` He proceeded, "All day I waited to hear from him, but he did not send `
` me anything, not even a blowfly, and when the moon got up I was pretty `
` angry with him. When he did slide in through the window, though it `
` was shut, and did not even knock, I got mad with him. He sneered at `
` me, and his white face looked out of the mist with his red eyes `
` gleaming, and he went on as though he owned the whole place, and I was `
` no one. He didn't even smell the same as he went by me. I couldn't `
` hold him. I thought that, somehow, Mrs. Harker had come into the `
` room." `
` `
` The two men sitting on the bed stood up and came over, standing behind `
` him so that he could not see them, but where they could hear better. `
` They were both silent, but the Professor started and quivered. His `
` face, however, grew grimmer and sterner still. Renfield went on `
` without noticing, "When Mrs. Harker came in to see me this afternoon `
` she wasn't the same. It was like tea after the teapot has been `
` watered." Here we all moved, but no one said a word. `
` `
` He went on, "I didn't know that she was here till she spoke, and she `
` didn't look the same. I don't care for the pale people. I like them `
` with lots of blood in them, and hers all seemed to have run out. I `
` didn't think of it at the time, but when she went away I began to `
` think, and it made me mad to know that He had been taking the life out `
` of her." I could feel that the rest quivered, as I did; but we `
` remained otherwise still. "So when He came tonight I was ready for `
` Him. I saw the mist stealing in, and I grabbed it tight. I had heard `
` that madmen have unnatural strength. And as I knew I was a madman, at `
` times anyhow, I resolved to use my power. Ay, and He felt it too, for `
` He had to come out of the mist to struggle with me. I held tight, and `
` I thought I was going to win, for I didn't mean Him to take any more `
` of her life, till I saw His eyes. They burned into me, and my `
` strength became like water. He slipped through it, and when I tried `
` to cling to Him, He raised me up and flung me down. There was a red `
` cloud before me, and a noise like thunder, and the mist seemed to `
` steal away under the door." `
` `
` His voice was becoming fainter and his breath more stertorous. Van `
` Helsing stood up instinctively. `
` `
` "We know the worst now," he said. "He is here, and we know his `
` purpose. It may not be too late. Let us be armed, the same as we `
` were the other night, but lose no time, there is not an instant to `
` spare." `
` `
` There was no need to put our fear, nay our conviction, into words, we `
` shared them in common. We all hurried and took from our rooms the `
` same things that we had when we entered the Count's house. The `
` Professor had his ready, and as we met in the corridor he pointed to `
` them significantly as he said, "They never leave me, and they shall `
` not till this unhappy business is over. Be wise also, my friends. It `
` is no common enemy that we deal with Alas! Alas! That dear Madam `
` Mina should suffer!" He stopped, his voice was breaking, and I do not `
` know if rage or terror predominated in my own heart. `
` `
` Outside the Harkers' door we paused. Art and Quincey held back, and `
` the latter said, "Should we disturb her?" `
` `
` "We must," said Van Helsing grimly. "If the door be locked, I shall `
` break it in." `
` `
` "May it not frighten her terribly? It is unusual to break into a `
` lady's room!" `
` `
` Van Helsing said solemnly, "You are always right. But this is life `
` and death. All chambers are alike to the doctor. And even were they `
` not they are all as one to me tonight. Friend John, when I turn the `
` handle, if the door does not open, do you put your shoulder down and `
` shove; and you too, my friends. Now!" `
` `
` He turned the handle as he spoke, but the door did not yield. We `
` threw ourselves against it. With a crash it burst open, and we almost `
` fell headlong into the room. The Professor did actually fall, and I `
` saw across him as he gathered himself up from hands and knees. What I `
` saw appalled me. I felt my hair rise like bristles on the back of my `
` neck, and my heart seemed to stand still. `
` `
` The moonlight was so bright that through the thick yellow blind the `
` room was light enough to see. On the bed beside the window lay `
` Jonathan Harker, his face flushed and breathing heavily as though in a `
` stupor. Kneeling on the near edge of the bed facing outwards was the `
` white-clad figure of his wife. By her side stood a tall, thin man, `
` clad in black. His face was turned from us, but the instant we saw we `
` all recognized the Count, in every way, even to the scar on his `
` forehead. With his left hand he held both Mrs. Harker's hands, `
` keeping them away with her arms at full tension. His right hand `
` gripped her by the back of the neck, forcing her face down on his `
` bosom. Her white nightdress was smeared with blood, and a thin stream `
` trickled down the man's bare chest which was shown by his torn-open `
` dress. The attitude of the two had a terrible resemblance to a child `
` forcing a kitten's nose into a saucer of milk to compel it to drink. `
` As we burst into the room, the Count turned his face, and the hellish `
` look that I had heard described seemed to leap into it. His eyes `
` flamed red with devilish passion. The great nostrils of the white `
` aquiline nose opened wide and quivered at the edge, and the white `
` sharp teeth, behind the full lips of the blood dripping mouth, clamped `
` together like those of a wild beast. With a wrench, which threw his `
` victim back upon the bed as though hurled from a height, he turned and `
` sprang at us. But by this time the Professor had gained his feet, and `
` was holding towards him the envelope which contained the Sacred Wafer. `
` The Count suddenly stopped, just as poor Lucy had done outside the `
` tomb, and cowered back. Further and further back he cowered, as we, `
` lifting our crucifixes, advanced. The moonlight suddenly failed, as a `
` great black cloud sailed across the sky. And when the gaslight sprang `
` up under Quincey's match, we saw nothing but a faint vapour. This, as `
` we looked, trailed under the door, which with the recoil from its `
` bursting open, had swung back to its old position. Van Helsing, Art, `
` and I moved forward to Mrs. Harker, who by this time had drawn her `
` breath and with it had given a scream so wild, so ear-piercing, so `
` despairing that it seems to me now that it will ring in my ears till `
` my dying day. For a few seconds she lay in her helpless attitude and `
` disarray. Her face was ghastly, with a pallor which was accentuated `
` by the blood which smeared her lips and cheeks and chin. From her `
` throat trickled a thin stream of blood. Her eyes were mad with `
` terror. Then she put before her face her poor crushed hands, which `
` bore on their whiteness the red mark of the Count's terrible grip, and `
` from behind them came a low desolate wail which made the terrible `
` scream seem only the quick expression of an endless grief. Van `
` Helsing stepped forward and drew the coverlet gently over her body, `
` whilst Art, after looking at her face for an instant despairingly, ran `
` out of the room. `
` `
` Van Helsing whispered to me, "Jonathan is in a stupor such as we know `
` the Vampire can produce. We can do nothing with poor Madam Mina for a `
` few moments till she recovers herself. I must wake him!" `
` `
` He dipped the end of a towel in cold water and with it began to flick `
` him on the face, his wife all the while holding her face between her `
` hands and sobbing in a way that was heart breaking to hear. I raised `
` the blind, and looked out of the window. There was much moonshine, `
` and as I looked I could see Quincey Morris run across the lawn and `
` hide himself in the shadow of a great yew tree. It puzzled me to `
` think why he was doing this. But at the instant I heard Harker's `
` quick exclamation as he woke to partial consciousness, and turned to `
` the bed. On his face, as there might well be, was a look of wild `
` amazement. He seemed dazed for a few seconds, and then full `
` consciousness seemed to burst upon him all at once, and he started up. `
` `
` His wife was aroused by the quick movement, and turned to him with her `
` arms stretched out, as though to embrace him. Instantly, however, she `
` drew them in again, and putting her elbows together, held her hands `
` before her face, and shuddered till the bed beneath her shook. `
` `
` "In God's name what does this mean?" Harker cried out. "Dr. Seward, `
` Dr. Van Helsing, what is it? What has happened? What is wrong? Mina, `
` dear what is it? What does that blood mean? My God, my God! Has it `
` come to this!" And, raising himself to his knees, he beat his hands `
` wildly together. "Good God help us! Help her! Oh, help her!" `
` `
` With a quick movement he jumped from bed, and began to pull on his `
` clothes, all the man in him awake at the need for instant exertion. `
` "What has happened? Tell me all about it!" he cried without pausing. `
` "Dr. Van Helsing, you love Mina, I know. Oh, do something to save her. `
` It cannot have gone too far yet. Guard her while I look for him!" `
` `
` His wife, through her terror and horror and distress, saw some sure `
` danger to him. Instantly forgetting her own grief, she seized hold of `
` him and cried out. `
` `
` "No! No! Jonathan, you must not leave me. I have suffered enough `
` tonight, God knows, without the dread of his harming you. You must `
` stay with me. Stay with these friends who will watch over you!" Her `
` expression became frantic as she spoke. And, he yielding to her, she `
` pulled him down sitting on the bedside, and clung to him fiercely. `
` `
` Van Helsing and I tried to calm them both. The Professor held up his `
` golden crucifix, and said with wonderful calmness, "Do not fear, my `
` dear. We are here, and whilst this is close to you no foul thing can `
` approach. You are safe for tonight, and we must be calm and take `
` counsel together." `
` `
` She shuddered and was silent, holding down her head on her husband's `
` breast. When she raised it, his white nightrobe was stained with `
` blood where her lips had touched, and where the thin open wound in the `
` neck had sent forth drops. The instant she saw it she drew back, with `
` a low wail, and whispered, amidst choking sobs. `
` `
` "Unclean, unclean! I must touch him or kiss him no more. Oh, that it `
` should be that it is I who am now his worst enemy, and whom he may `
` have most cause to fear." `
` `
` To this he spoke out resolutely, "Nonsense, Mina. It is a shame to me `
`