Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
staring at her fixedly. `
` `
` The rest of us hardly dared to breathe. The room was growing lighter. `
` Without taking his eyes from Mina's face, Dr. Van Helsing motioned me `
` to pull up the blind. I did so, and the day seemed just upon us. A `
` red streak shot up, and a rosy light seemed to diffuse itself through `
` the room. On the instant the Professor spoke again. `
` `
` "Where are you now?" `
` `
` The answer came dreamily, but with intention. It were as though she `
` were interpreting something. I have heard her use the same tone when `
` reading her shorthand notes. `
` `
` "I do not know. It is all strange to me!" `
` `
` "What do you see?" `
` `
` "I can see nothing. It is all dark." `
` `
` "What do you hear?" I could detect the strain in the Professor's `
` patient voice. `
` `
` "The lapping of water. It is gurgling by, and little waves leap. I `
` can hear them on the outside." `
` `
` "Then you are on a ship?'" `
` `
` We all looked at each other, trying to glean something each from the `
` other. We were afraid to think. `
` `
` The answer came quick, "Oh, yes!" `
` `
` "What else do you hear?" `
` `
` "The sound of men stamping overhead as they run about. There is the `
` creaking of a chain, and the loud tinkle as the check of the capstan `
` falls into the ratchet." `
` `
` "What are you doing?" `
` `
` "I am still, oh so still. It is like death!" The voice faded away `
` into a deep breath as of one sleeping, and the open eyes closed again. `
` `
` By this time the sun had risen, and we were all in the full light of `
` day. Dr. Van Helsing placed his hands on Mina's shoulders, and laid `
` her head down softly on her pillow. She lay like a sleeping child for `
` a few moments, and then, with a long sigh, awoke and stared in wonder `
` to see us all around her. `
` `
` "Have I been talking in my sleep?" was all she said. She seemed, `
` however, to know the situation without telling, though she was eager `
` to know what she had told. The Professor repeated the conversation, `
` and she said, "Then there is not a moment to lose. It may not be yet `
` too late!" `
` `
` Mr. Morris and Lord Godalming started for the door but the Professor's `
` calm voice called them back. `
` `
` "Stay, my friends. That ship, wherever it was, was weighing anchor at `
` the moment in your so great Port of London. Which of them is it that `
` you seek? God be thanked that we have once again a clue, though `
` whither it may lead us we know not. We have been blind somewhat. `
` Blind after the manner of men, since we can look back we see what we `
` might have seen looking forward if we had been able to see what we `
` might have seen! Alas, but that sentence is a puddle, is it not? We `
` can know now what was in the Count's mind, when he seize that money, `
` though Jonathan's so fierce knife put him in the danger that even he `
` dread. He meant escape. Hear me, ESCAPE! He saw that with but one `
` earth box left, and a pack of men following like dogs after a fox, `
` this London was no place for him. He have take his last earth box on `
` board a ship, and he leave the land. He think to escape, but no! We `
` follow him. Tally Ho! As friend Arthur would say when he put on his `
` red frock! Our old fox is wily. Oh! So wily, and we must follow `
` with wile. I, too, am wily and I think his mind in a little while. `
` In meantime we may rest and in peace, for there are between us which `
` he do not want to pass, and which he could not if he would. Unless `
` the ship were to touch the land, and then only at full or slack tide. `
` See, and the sun is just rose, and all day to sunset is us. Let us `
` take bath, and dress, and have breakfast which we all need, and which `
` we can eat comfortably since he be not in the same land with us." `
` `
` Mina looked at him appealingly as she asked, "But why need we seek him `
` further, when he is gone away from us?" `
` `
` He took her hand and patted it as he replied, "Ask me nothing as yet. `
` When we have breakfast, then I answer all questions." He would say no `
` more, and we separated to dress. `
` `
` After breakfast Mina repeated her question. He looked at her gravely `
` for a minute and then said sorrowfully, "Because my dear, dear Madam `
` Mina, now more than ever must we find him even if we have to follow `
` him to the jaws of Hell!" `
` `
` She grew paler as she asked faintly, "Why?" `
` `
` "Because," he answered solemnly, "he can live for centuries, and you `
` are but mortal woman. Time is now to be dreaded, since once he put `
` that mark upon your throat." `
` `
` I was just in time to catch her as she fell forward in a faint. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 24 `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S PHONOGRAPH DIARY `
` `
` SPOKEN BY VAN HELSING `
` `
` This to Jonathan Harker. `
` `
` You are to stay with your dear Madam Mina. We shall go to make our `
` search, if I can call it so, for it is not search but knowing, and we `
` seek confirmation only. But do you stay and take care of her today. `
` This is your best and most holiest office. This day nothing can find `
` him here. `
` `
` Let me tell you that so you will know what we four know already, for I `
` have tell them. He, our enemy, have gone away. He have gone back to `
` his Castle in Transylvania. I know it so well, as if a great hand of `
` fire wrote it on the wall. He have prepare for this in some way, and `
` that last earth box was ready to ship somewheres. For this he took `
` the money. For this he hurry at the last, lest we catch him before `
` the sun go down. It was his last hope, save that he might hide in the `
` tomb that he think poor Miss Lucy, being as he thought like him, keep `
` open to him. But there was not of time. When that fail he make `
` straight for his last resource, his last earth-work I might say did I `
` wish double entente. He is clever, oh so clever! He know that his `
` game here was finish. And so he decide he go back home. He find ship `
` going by the route he came, and he go in it. `
` `
` We go off now to find what ship, and whither bound. When we have `
` discover that, we come back and tell you all. Then we will comfort `
` you and poor Madam Mina with new hope. For it will be hope when you `
` think it over, that all is not lost. This very creature that we `
` pursue, he take hundreds of years to get so far as London. And yet in `
` one day, when we know of the disposal of him we drive him out. He is `
` finite, though he is powerful to do much harm and suffers not as we `
` do. But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all more `
` strong together. Take heart afresh, dear husband of Madam Mina. This `
` battle is but begun and in the end we shall win. So sure as that God `
` sits on high to watch over His children. Therefore be of much comfort `
` till we return. `
` `
` VAN HELSING. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 4 October.--When I read to Mina, Van Helsing's message in the `
` phonograph, the poor girl brightened up considerably. Already the `
` certainty that the Count is out of the country has given her comfort. `
` And comfort is strength to her. For my own part, now that his `
` horrible danger is not face to face with us, it seems almost `
` impossible to believe in it. Even my own terrible experiences in `
` Castle Dracula seem like a long forgotten dream. Here in the crisp `
` autumn air in the bright sunlight. `
` `
` Alas! How can I disbelieve! In the midst of my thought my eye fell `
` on the red scar on my poor darling's white forehead. Whilst that `
` lasts, there can be no disbelief. Mina and I fear to be idle, so we `
` have been over all the diaries again and again. Somehow, although the `
` reality seem greater each time, the pain and the fear seem less. There `
` is something of a guiding purpose manifest throughout, which is `
` comforting. Mina says that perhaps we are the instruments of ultimate `
` good. It may be! I shall try to think as she does. We have never `
` spoken to each other yet of the future. It is better to wait till we `
` see the Professor and the others after their investigations. `
` `
` The day is running by more quickly than I ever thought a day could run `
` for me again. It is now three o'clock. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 5 October, 5 P.M.--Our meeting for report. Present: Professor Van `
` Helsing, Lord Godalming, Dr. Seward, Mr. Quincey Morris, Jonathan `
` Harker, Mina Harker. `
` `
` Dr. Van Helsing described what steps were taken during the day to `
` discover on what boat and whither bound Count Dracula made his escape. `
` `
` "As I knew that he wanted to get back to Transylvania, I felt sure `
` that he must go by the Danube mouth, or by somewhere in the Black Sea, `
` since by that way he come. It was a dreary blank that was before us. `
` Omme ignotum pro magnifico, and so with heavy hearts we start to find `
` what ships leave for the Black Sea last night. He was in sailing `
` ship, since Madam Mina tell of sails being set. These not so `
` important as to go in your list of the shipping in the Times, and so `
` we go, by suggestion of Lord Godalming, to your Lloyd's, where are `
` note of all ships that sail, however so small. There we find that `
` only one Black Sea bound ship go out with the tide. She is the `
`
` `
` The rest of us hardly dared to breathe. The room was growing lighter. `
` Without taking his eyes from Mina's face, Dr. Van Helsing motioned me `
` to pull up the blind. I did so, and the day seemed just upon us. A `
` red streak shot up, and a rosy light seemed to diffuse itself through `
` the room. On the instant the Professor spoke again. `
` `
` "Where are you now?" `
` `
` The answer came dreamily, but with intention. It were as though she `
` were interpreting something. I have heard her use the same tone when `
` reading her shorthand notes. `
` `
` "I do not know. It is all strange to me!" `
` `
` "What do you see?" `
` `
` "I can see nothing. It is all dark." `
` `
` "What do you hear?" I could detect the strain in the Professor's `
` patient voice. `
` `
` "The lapping of water. It is gurgling by, and little waves leap. I `
` can hear them on the outside." `
` `
` "Then you are on a ship?'" `
` `
` We all looked at each other, trying to glean something each from the `
` other. We were afraid to think. `
` `
` The answer came quick, "Oh, yes!" `
` `
` "What else do you hear?" `
` `
` "The sound of men stamping overhead as they run about. There is the `
` creaking of a chain, and the loud tinkle as the check of the capstan `
` falls into the ratchet." `
` `
` "What are you doing?" `
` `
` "I am still, oh so still. It is like death!" The voice faded away `
` into a deep breath as of one sleeping, and the open eyes closed again. `
` `
` By this time the sun had risen, and we were all in the full light of `
` day. Dr. Van Helsing placed his hands on Mina's shoulders, and laid `
` her head down softly on her pillow. She lay like a sleeping child for `
` a few moments, and then, with a long sigh, awoke and stared in wonder `
` to see us all around her. `
` `
` "Have I been talking in my sleep?" was all she said. She seemed, `
` however, to know the situation without telling, though she was eager `
` to know what she had told. The Professor repeated the conversation, `
` and she said, "Then there is not a moment to lose. It may not be yet `
` too late!" `
` `
` Mr. Morris and Lord Godalming started for the door but the Professor's `
` calm voice called them back. `
` `
` "Stay, my friends. That ship, wherever it was, was weighing anchor at `
` the moment in your so great Port of London. Which of them is it that `
` you seek? God be thanked that we have once again a clue, though `
` whither it may lead us we know not. We have been blind somewhat. `
` Blind after the manner of men, since we can look back we see what we `
` might have seen looking forward if we had been able to see what we `
` might have seen! Alas, but that sentence is a puddle, is it not? We `
` can know now what was in the Count's mind, when he seize that money, `
` though Jonathan's so fierce knife put him in the danger that even he `
` dread. He meant escape. Hear me, ESCAPE! He saw that with but one `
` earth box left, and a pack of men following like dogs after a fox, `
` this London was no place for him. He have take his last earth box on `
` board a ship, and he leave the land. He think to escape, but no! We `
` follow him. Tally Ho! As friend Arthur would say when he put on his `
` red frock! Our old fox is wily. Oh! So wily, and we must follow `
` with wile. I, too, am wily and I think his mind in a little while. `
` In meantime we may rest and in peace, for there are between us which `
` he do not want to pass, and which he could not if he would. Unless `
` the ship were to touch the land, and then only at full or slack tide. `
` See, and the sun is just rose, and all day to sunset is us. Let us `
` take bath, and dress, and have breakfast which we all need, and which `
` we can eat comfortably since he be not in the same land with us." `
` `
` Mina looked at him appealingly as she asked, "But why need we seek him `
` further, when he is gone away from us?" `
` `
` He took her hand and patted it as he replied, "Ask me nothing as yet. `
` When we have breakfast, then I answer all questions." He would say no `
` more, and we separated to dress. `
` `
` After breakfast Mina repeated her question. He looked at her gravely `
` for a minute and then said sorrowfully, "Because my dear, dear Madam `
` Mina, now more than ever must we find him even if we have to follow `
` him to the jaws of Hell!" `
` `
` She grew paler as she asked faintly, "Why?" `
` `
` "Because," he answered solemnly, "he can live for centuries, and you `
` are but mortal woman. Time is now to be dreaded, since once he put `
` that mark upon your throat." `
` `
` I was just in time to catch her as she fell forward in a faint. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 24 `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S PHONOGRAPH DIARY `
` `
` SPOKEN BY VAN HELSING `
` `
` This to Jonathan Harker. `
` `
` You are to stay with your dear Madam Mina. We shall go to make our `
` search, if I can call it so, for it is not search but knowing, and we `
` seek confirmation only. But do you stay and take care of her today. `
` This is your best and most holiest office. This day nothing can find `
` him here. `
` `
` Let me tell you that so you will know what we four know already, for I `
` have tell them. He, our enemy, have gone away. He have gone back to `
` his Castle in Transylvania. I know it so well, as if a great hand of `
` fire wrote it on the wall. He have prepare for this in some way, and `
` that last earth box was ready to ship somewheres. For this he took `
` the money. For this he hurry at the last, lest we catch him before `
` the sun go down. It was his last hope, save that he might hide in the `
` tomb that he think poor Miss Lucy, being as he thought like him, keep `
` open to him. But there was not of time. When that fail he make `
` straight for his last resource, his last earth-work I might say did I `
` wish double entente. He is clever, oh so clever! He know that his `
` game here was finish. And so he decide he go back home. He find ship `
` going by the route he came, and he go in it. `
` `
` We go off now to find what ship, and whither bound. When we have `
` discover that, we come back and tell you all. Then we will comfort `
` you and poor Madam Mina with new hope. For it will be hope when you `
` think it over, that all is not lost. This very creature that we `
` pursue, he take hundreds of years to get so far as London. And yet in `
` one day, when we know of the disposal of him we drive him out. He is `
` finite, though he is powerful to do much harm and suffers not as we `
` do. But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all more `
` strong together. Take heart afresh, dear husband of Madam Mina. This `
` battle is but begun and in the end we shall win. So sure as that God `
` sits on high to watch over His children. Therefore be of much comfort `
` till we return. `
` `
` VAN HELSING. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 4 October.--When I read to Mina, Van Helsing's message in the `
` phonograph, the poor girl brightened up considerably. Already the `
` certainty that the Count is out of the country has given her comfort. `
` And comfort is strength to her. For my own part, now that his `
` horrible danger is not face to face with us, it seems almost `
` impossible to believe in it. Even my own terrible experiences in `
` Castle Dracula seem like a long forgotten dream. Here in the crisp `
` autumn air in the bright sunlight. `
` `
` Alas! How can I disbelieve! In the midst of my thought my eye fell `
` on the red scar on my poor darling's white forehead. Whilst that `
` lasts, there can be no disbelief. Mina and I fear to be idle, so we `
` have been over all the diaries again and again. Somehow, although the `
` reality seem greater each time, the pain and the fear seem less. There `
` is something of a guiding purpose manifest throughout, which is `
` comforting. Mina says that perhaps we are the instruments of ultimate `
` good. It may be! I shall try to think as she does. We have never `
` spoken to each other yet of the future. It is better to wait till we `
` see the Professor and the others after their investigations. `
` `
` The day is running by more quickly than I ever thought a day could run `
` for me again. It is now three o'clock. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 5 October, 5 P.M.--Our meeting for report. Present: Professor Van `
` Helsing, Lord Godalming, Dr. Seward, Mr. Quincey Morris, Jonathan `
` Harker, Mina Harker. `
` `
` Dr. Van Helsing described what steps were taken during the day to `
` discover on what boat and whither bound Count Dracula made his escape. `
` `
` "As I knew that he wanted to get back to Transylvania, I felt sure `
` that he must go by the Danube mouth, or by somewhere in the Black Sea, `
` since by that way he come. It was a dreary blank that was before us. `
` Omme ignotum pro magnifico, and so with heavy hearts we start to find `
` what ships leave for the Black Sea last night. He was in sailing `
` ship, since Madam Mina tell of sails being set. These not so `
` important as to go in your list of the shipping in the Times, and so `
` we go, by suggestion of Lord Godalming, to your Lloyd's, where are `
` note of all ships that sail, however so small. There we find that `
` only one Black Sea bound ship go out with the tide. She is the `
`