Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
`
` "Lay your poor head here and rest it. All will yet be well, dear! God `
` will protect us if He so will it in His good intent." The poor fellow `
` groaned. There was no place for words in his sublime misery. `
` `
` We had a sort of perfunctory supper together, and I think it cheered `
` us all up somewhat. It was, perhaps, the mere animal heat of food to `
` hungry people, for none of us had eaten anything since breakfast, or `
` the sense of companionship may have helped us, but anyhow we were all `
` less miserable, and saw the morrow as not altogether without hope. `
` `
` True to our promise, we told Mrs. Harker everything which had passed. `
` And although she grew snowy white at times when danger had seemed to `
` threaten her husband, and red at others when his devotion to her was `
` manifested, she listened bravely and with calmness. When we came to `
` the part where Harker had rushed at the Count so recklessly, she clung `
` to her husband's arm, and held it tight as though her clinging could `
` protect him from any harm that might come. She said nothing, however, `
` till the narration was all done, and matters had been brought up to `
` the present time. `
` `
` Then without letting go her husband's hand she stood up amongst us and `
` spoke. Oh, that I could give any idea of the scene. Of that sweet, `
` sweet, good, good woman in all the radiant beauty of her youth and `
` animation, with the red scar on her forehead, of which she was `
` conscious, and which we saw with grinding of our teeth, remembering `
` whence and how it came. Her loving kindness against our grim hate. `
` Her tender faith against all our fears and doubting. And we, knowing `
` that so far as symbols went, she with all her goodness and purity and `
` faith, was outcast from God. `
` `
` "Jonathan," she said, and the word sounded like music on her lips it `
` was so full of love and tenderness, "Jonathan dear, and you all my `
` true, true friends, I want you to bear something in mind through all `
` this dreadful time. I know that you must fight. That you must `
` destroy even as you destroyed the false Lucy so that the true Lucy `
` might live hereafter. But it is not a work of hate. That poor soul `
` who has wrought all this misery is the saddest case of all. Just `
` think what will be his joy when he, too, is destroyed in his worser `
` part that his better part may have spiritual immortality. You must be `
` pitiful to him, too, though it may not hold your hands from his `
` destruction." `
` `
` As she spoke I could see her husband's face darken and draw together, `
` as though the passion in him were shriveling his being to its core. `
` Instinctively the clasp on his wife's hand grew closer, till his `
` knuckles looked white. She did not flinch from the pain which I knew `
` she must have suffered, but looked at him with eyes that were more `
` appealing than ever. `
` `
` As she stopped speaking he leaped to his feet, almost tearing his hand `
` from hers as he spoke. `
` `
` "May God give him into my hand just for long enough to destroy that `
` earthly life of him which we are aiming at. If beyond it I could send `
` his soul forever and ever to burning hell I would do it!" `
` `
` "Oh, hush! Oh, hush in the name of the good God. Don't say such `
` things, Jonathan, my husband, or you will crush me with fear and `
` horror. Just think, my dear . . . I have been thinking all this long, `
` long day of it . . . that . . . perhaps . . . some day . . . I, too, may `
` need such pity, and that some other like you, and with equal cause for `
` anger, may deny it to me! Oh, my husband! My husband, indeed I would `
` have spared you such a thought had there been another way. But I pray `
` that God may not have treasured your wild words, except as the `
` heart-broken wail of a very loving and sorely stricken man. Oh, God, `
` let these poor white hairs go in evidence of what he has suffered, who `
` all his life has done no wrong, and on whom so many sorrows have `
` come." `
` `
` We men were all in tears now. There was no resisting them, and we `
` wept openly. She wept, too, to see that her sweeter counsels had `
` prevailed. Her husband flung himself on his knees beside her, and `
` putting his arms round her, hid his face in the folds of her dress. `
` Van Helsing beckoned to us and we stole out of the room, leaving the `
` two loving hearts alone with their God. `
` `
` Before they retired the Professor fixed up the room against any coming `
` of the Vampire, and assured Mrs. Harker that she might rest in peace. `
` She tried to school herself to the belief, and manifestly for her `
` husband's sake, tried to seem content. It was a brave struggle, and `
` was, I think and believe, not without its reward. Van Helsing had `
` placed at hand a bell which either of them was to sound in case of any `
` emergency. When they had retired, Quincey, Godalming, and I arranged `
` that we should sit up, dividing the night between us, and watch over `
` the safety of the poor stricken lady. The first watch falls to `
` Quincey, so the rest of us shall be off to bed as soon as we can. `
` `
` Godalming has already turned in, for his is the second watch. Now `
` that my work is done I, too, shall go to bed. `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 3-4 October, close to midnight.--I thought yesterday would never end. `
` There was over me a yearning for sleep, in some sort of blind belief `
` that to wake would be to find things changed, and that any change must `
` now be for the better. Before we parted, we discussed what our next `
` step was to be, but we could arrive at no result. All we knew was `
` that one earth box remained, and that the Count alone knew where it `
` was. If he chooses to lie hidden, he may baffle us for years. And in `
` the meantime, the thought is too horrible, I dare not think of it even `
` now. This I know, that if ever there was a woman who was all `
` perfection, that one is my poor wronged darling. I loved her a `
` thousand times more for her sweet pity of last night, a pity that made `
` my own hate of the monster seem despicable. Surely God will not `
` permit the world to be the poorer by the loss of such a creature. This `
` is hope to me. We are all drifting reefwards now, and faith is our `
` only anchor. Thank God! Mina is sleeping, and sleeping without `
` dreams. I fear what her dreams might be like, with such terrible `
` memories to ground them in. She has not been so calm, within my `
` seeing, since the sunset. Then, for a while, there came over her face `
` a repose which was like spring after the blasts of March. I thought `
` at the time that it was the softness of the red sunset on her face, `
` but somehow now I think it has a deeper meaning. I am not sleepy `
` myself, though I am weary . . . weary to death. However, I must try `
` to sleep. For there is tomorrow to think of, and there is no rest for `
` me until . . . `
` `
` `
` Later--I must have fallen asleep, for I was awakened by Mina, who was `
` sitting up in bed, with a startled look on her face. I could see `
` easily, for we did not leave the room in darkness. She had placed a `
` warning hand over my mouth, and now she whispered in my ear, "Hush! `
` There is someone in the corridor!" I got up softly, and crossing the `
` room, gently opened the door. `
` `
` Just outside, stretched on a mattress, lay Mr. Morris, wide awake. He `
` raised a warning hand for silence as he whispered to me, "Hush! Go `
` back to bed. It is all right. One of us will be here all night. We `
` don't mean to take any chances!" `
` `
` His look and gesture forbade discussion, so I came back and told Mina. `
` She sighed and positively a shadow of a smile stole over her poor, `
` pale face as she put her arms round me and said softly, "Oh, thank God `
` for good brave men!" With a sigh she sank back again to sleep. I `
` write this now as I am not sleepy, though I must try again. `
` `
` `
` 4 October, morning.--Once again during the night I was wakened by `
` Mina. This time we had all had a good sleep, for the grey of the `
` coming dawn was making the windows into sharp oblongs, and the gas `
` flame was like a speck rather than a disc of light. `
` `
` She said to me hurriedly, "Go, call the Professor. I want to see him `
` at once." `
` `
` "Why?" I asked. `
` `
` "I have an idea. I suppose it must have come in the night, and `
` matured without my knowing it. He must hypnotize me before the dawn, `
` and then I shall be able to speak. Go quick, dearest, the time is `
` getting close." `
` `
` I went to the door. Dr. Seward was resting on the mattress, and `
` seeing me, he sprang to his feet. `
` `
` "Is anything wrong?" he asked, in alarm. `
` `
` "No," I replied. "But Mina wants to see Dr. Van Helsing at once." `
` `
` "I will go," he said, and hurried into the Professor's room. `
` `
` Two or three minutes later Van Helsing was in the room in his dressing `
` gown, and Mr. Morris and Lord Godalming were with Dr. Seward at the `
` door asking questions. When the Professor saw Mina a smile, a `
` positive smile ousted the anxiety of his face. `
` `
` He rubbed his hands as he said, "Oh, my dear Madam Mina, this is `
` indeed a change. See! Friend Jonathan, we have got our dear Madam `
` Mina, as of old, back to us today!" Then turning to her, he said `
` cheerfully, "And what am I to do for you? For at this hour you do not `
` want me for nothing." `
` `
` "I want you to hypnotize me!" she said. "Do it before the dawn, for I `
` feel that then I can speak, and speak freely. Be quick, for the time `
` is short!" Without a word he motioned her to sit up in bed. `
` `
` Looking fixedly at her, he commenced to make passes in front of her, `
` from over the top of her head downward, with each hand in turn. Mina `
` gazed at him fixedly for a few minutes, during which my own heart beat `
` like a trip hammer, for I felt that some crisis was at hand. `
` Gradually her eyes closed, and she sat, stock still. Only by the `
` gentle heaving of her bosom could one know that she was alive. The `
` Professor made a few more passes and then stopped, and I could see `
` that his forehead was covered with great beads of perspiration. Mina `
` opened her eyes, but she did not seem the same woman. There was a `
` far-away look in her eyes, and her voice had a sad dreaminess which `
` was new to me. Raising his hand to impose silence, the Professor `
` motioned to me to bring the others in. They came on tiptoe, closing `
` the door behind them, and stood at the foot of the bed, looking on. `
` Mina appeared not to see them. The stillness was broken by Van `
` Helsing's voice speaking in a low level tone which would not break the `
` current of her thoughts. `
` `
` "Where are you?" The answer came in a neutral way. `
` `
` "I do not know. Sleep has no place it can call its own." For several `
` minutes there was silence. Mina sat rigid, and the Professor stood `
` staring at her fixedly. `
`
` "Lay your poor head here and rest it. All will yet be well, dear! God `
` will protect us if He so will it in His good intent." The poor fellow `
` groaned. There was no place for words in his sublime misery. `
` `
` We had a sort of perfunctory supper together, and I think it cheered `
` us all up somewhat. It was, perhaps, the mere animal heat of food to `
` hungry people, for none of us had eaten anything since breakfast, or `
` the sense of companionship may have helped us, but anyhow we were all `
` less miserable, and saw the morrow as not altogether without hope. `
` `
` True to our promise, we told Mrs. Harker everything which had passed. `
` And although she grew snowy white at times when danger had seemed to `
` threaten her husband, and red at others when his devotion to her was `
` manifested, she listened bravely and with calmness. When we came to `
` the part where Harker had rushed at the Count so recklessly, she clung `
` to her husband's arm, and held it tight as though her clinging could `
` protect him from any harm that might come. She said nothing, however, `
` till the narration was all done, and matters had been brought up to `
` the present time. `
` `
` Then without letting go her husband's hand she stood up amongst us and `
` spoke. Oh, that I could give any idea of the scene. Of that sweet, `
` sweet, good, good woman in all the radiant beauty of her youth and `
` animation, with the red scar on her forehead, of which she was `
` conscious, and which we saw with grinding of our teeth, remembering `
` whence and how it came. Her loving kindness against our grim hate. `
` Her tender faith against all our fears and doubting. And we, knowing `
` that so far as symbols went, she with all her goodness and purity and `
` faith, was outcast from God. `
` `
` "Jonathan," she said, and the word sounded like music on her lips it `
` was so full of love and tenderness, "Jonathan dear, and you all my `
` true, true friends, I want you to bear something in mind through all `
` this dreadful time. I know that you must fight. That you must `
` destroy even as you destroyed the false Lucy so that the true Lucy `
` might live hereafter. But it is not a work of hate. That poor soul `
` who has wrought all this misery is the saddest case of all. Just `
` think what will be his joy when he, too, is destroyed in his worser `
` part that his better part may have spiritual immortality. You must be `
` pitiful to him, too, though it may not hold your hands from his `
` destruction." `
` `
` As she spoke I could see her husband's face darken and draw together, `
` as though the passion in him were shriveling his being to its core. `
` Instinctively the clasp on his wife's hand grew closer, till his `
` knuckles looked white. She did not flinch from the pain which I knew `
` she must have suffered, but looked at him with eyes that were more `
` appealing than ever. `
` `
` As she stopped speaking he leaped to his feet, almost tearing his hand `
` from hers as he spoke. `
` `
` "May God give him into my hand just for long enough to destroy that `
` earthly life of him which we are aiming at. If beyond it I could send `
` his soul forever and ever to burning hell I would do it!" `
` `
` "Oh, hush! Oh, hush in the name of the good God. Don't say such `
` things, Jonathan, my husband, or you will crush me with fear and `
` horror. Just think, my dear . . . I have been thinking all this long, `
` long day of it . . . that . . . perhaps . . . some day . . . I, too, may `
` need such pity, and that some other like you, and with equal cause for `
` anger, may deny it to me! Oh, my husband! My husband, indeed I would `
` have spared you such a thought had there been another way. But I pray `
` that God may not have treasured your wild words, except as the `
` heart-broken wail of a very loving and sorely stricken man. Oh, God, `
` let these poor white hairs go in evidence of what he has suffered, who `
` all his life has done no wrong, and on whom so many sorrows have `
` come." `
` `
` We men were all in tears now. There was no resisting them, and we `
` wept openly. She wept, too, to see that her sweeter counsels had `
` prevailed. Her husband flung himself on his knees beside her, and `
` putting his arms round her, hid his face in the folds of her dress. `
` Van Helsing beckoned to us and we stole out of the room, leaving the `
` two loving hearts alone with their God. `
` `
` Before they retired the Professor fixed up the room against any coming `
` of the Vampire, and assured Mrs. Harker that she might rest in peace. `
` She tried to school herself to the belief, and manifestly for her `
` husband's sake, tried to seem content. It was a brave struggle, and `
` was, I think and believe, not without its reward. Van Helsing had `
` placed at hand a bell which either of them was to sound in case of any `
` emergency. When they had retired, Quincey, Godalming, and I arranged `
` that we should sit up, dividing the night between us, and watch over `
` the safety of the poor stricken lady. The first watch falls to `
` Quincey, so the rest of us shall be off to bed as soon as we can. `
` `
` Godalming has already turned in, for his is the second watch. Now `
` that my work is done I, too, shall go to bed. `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 3-4 October, close to midnight.--I thought yesterday would never end. `
` There was over me a yearning for sleep, in some sort of blind belief `
` that to wake would be to find things changed, and that any change must `
` now be for the better. Before we parted, we discussed what our next `
` step was to be, but we could arrive at no result. All we knew was `
` that one earth box remained, and that the Count alone knew where it `
` was. If he chooses to lie hidden, he may baffle us for years. And in `
` the meantime, the thought is too horrible, I dare not think of it even `
` now. This I know, that if ever there was a woman who was all `
` perfection, that one is my poor wronged darling. I loved her a `
` thousand times more for her sweet pity of last night, a pity that made `
` my own hate of the monster seem despicable. Surely God will not `
` permit the world to be the poorer by the loss of such a creature. This `
` is hope to me. We are all drifting reefwards now, and faith is our `
` only anchor. Thank God! Mina is sleeping, and sleeping without `
` dreams. I fear what her dreams might be like, with such terrible `
` memories to ground them in. She has not been so calm, within my `
` seeing, since the sunset. Then, for a while, there came over her face `
` a repose which was like spring after the blasts of March. I thought `
` at the time that it was the softness of the red sunset on her face, `
` but somehow now I think it has a deeper meaning. I am not sleepy `
` myself, though I am weary . . . weary to death. However, I must try `
` to sleep. For there is tomorrow to think of, and there is no rest for `
` me until . . . `
` `
` `
` Later--I must have fallen asleep, for I was awakened by Mina, who was `
` sitting up in bed, with a startled look on her face. I could see `
` easily, for we did not leave the room in darkness. She had placed a `
` warning hand over my mouth, and now she whispered in my ear, "Hush! `
` There is someone in the corridor!" I got up softly, and crossing the `
` room, gently opened the door. `
` `
` Just outside, stretched on a mattress, lay Mr. Morris, wide awake. He `
` raised a warning hand for silence as he whispered to me, "Hush! Go `
` back to bed. It is all right. One of us will be here all night. We `
` don't mean to take any chances!" `
` `
` His look and gesture forbade discussion, so I came back and told Mina. `
` She sighed and positively a shadow of a smile stole over her poor, `
` pale face as she put her arms round me and said softly, "Oh, thank God `
` for good brave men!" With a sigh she sank back again to sleep. I `
` write this now as I am not sleepy, though I must try again. `
` `
` `
` 4 October, morning.--Once again during the night I was wakened by `
` Mina. This time we had all had a good sleep, for the grey of the `
` coming dawn was making the windows into sharp oblongs, and the gas `
` flame was like a speck rather than a disc of light. `
` `
` She said to me hurriedly, "Go, call the Professor. I want to see him `
` at once." `
` `
` "Why?" I asked. `
` `
` "I have an idea. I suppose it must have come in the night, and `
` matured without my knowing it. He must hypnotize me before the dawn, `
` and then I shall be able to speak. Go quick, dearest, the time is `
` getting close." `
` `
` I went to the door. Dr. Seward was resting on the mattress, and `
` seeing me, he sprang to his feet. `
` `
` "Is anything wrong?" he asked, in alarm. `
` `
` "No," I replied. "But Mina wants to see Dr. Van Helsing at once." `
` `
` "I will go," he said, and hurried into the Professor's room. `
` `
` Two or three minutes later Van Helsing was in the room in his dressing `
` gown, and Mr. Morris and Lord Godalming were with Dr. Seward at the `
` door asking questions. When the Professor saw Mina a smile, a `
` positive smile ousted the anxiety of his face. `
` `
` He rubbed his hands as he said, "Oh, my dear Madam Mina, this is `
` indeed a change. See! Friend Jonathan, we have got our dear Madam `
` Mina, as of old, back to us today!" Then turning to her, he said `
` cheerfully, "And what am I to do for you? For at this hour you do not `
` want me for nothing." `
` `
` "I want you to hypnotize me!" she said. "Do it before the dawn, for I `
` feel that then I can speak, and speak freely. Be quick, for the time `
` is short!" Without a word he motioned her to sit up in bed. `
` `
` Looking fixedly at her, he commenced to make passes in front of her, `
` from over the top of her head downward, with each hand in turn. Mina `
` gazed at him fixedly for a few minutes, during which my own heart beat `
` like a trip hammer, for I felt that some crisis was at hand. `
` Gradually her eyes closed, and she sat, stock still. Only by the `
` gentle heaving of her bosom could one know that she was alive. The `
` Professor made a few more passes and then stopped, and I could see `
` that his forehead was covered with great beads of perspiration. Mina `
` opened her eyes, but she did not seem the same woman. There was a `
` far-away look in her eyes, and her voice had a sad dreaminess which `
` was new to me. Raising his hand to impose silence, the Professor `
` motioned to me to bring the others in. They came on tiptoe, closing `
` the door behind them, and stood at the foot of the bed, looking on. `
` Mina appeared not to see them. The stillness was broken by Van `
` Helsing's voice speaking in a low level tone which would not break the `
` current of her thoughts. `
` `
` "Where are you?" The answer came in a neutral way. `
` `
` "I do not know. Sleep has no place it can call its own." For several `
` minutes there was silence. Mina sat rigid, and the Professor stood `
` staring at her fixedly. `
`