Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
oath. I followed, myself. `
` `
` Then her husband turned to her wan-eyed and with a greenish pallor `
` which subdued the snowy whiteness of his hair, and asked, "And must I, `
` too, make such a promise, oh, my wife?" `
` `
` "You too, my dearest," she said, with infinite yearning of pity in her `
` voice and eyes. "You must not shrink. You are nearest and dearest `
` and all the world to me. Our souls are knit into one, for all life `
` and all time. Think, dear, that there have been times when brave men `
` have killed their wives and their womenkind, to keep them from falling `
` into the hands of the enemy. Their hands did not falter any the more `
` because those that they loved implored them to slay them. It is men's `
` duty towards those whom they love, in such times of sore trial! And `
` oh, my dear, if it is to be that I must meet death at any hand, let it `
` be at the hand of him that loves me best. Dr. Van Helsing, I have not `
` forgotten your mercy in poor Lucy's case to him who loved." She `
` stopped with a flying blush, and changed her phrase, "to him who had `
` best right to give her peace. If that time shall come again, I look `
` to you to make it a happy memory of my husband's life that it was his `
` loving hand which set me free from the awful thrall upon me." `
` `
` "Again I swear!" came the Professor's resonant voice. `
` `
` Mrs. Harker smiled, positively smiled, as with a sigh of relief she `
` leaned back and said, "And now one word of warning, a warning which `
` you must never forget. This time, if it ever come, may come quickly `
` and unexpectedly, and in such case you must lose no time in using your `
` opportunity. At such a time I myself might be . . . nay! If the time `
` ever come, shall be, leagued with your enemy against you. `
` `
` "One more request," she became very solemn as she said this, "it is `
` not vital and necessary like the other, but I want you to do one thing `
` for me, if you will." `
` `
` We all acquiesced, but no one spoke. There was no need to speak. `
` `
` "I want you to read the Burial Service." She was interrupted by a `
` deep groan from her husband. Taking his hand in hers, she held it `
` over her heart, and continued. "You must read it over me some day. `
` Whatever may be the issue of all this fearful state of things, it will `
` be a sweet thought to all or some of us. You, my dearest, will I hope `
` read it, for then it will be in your voice in my memory forever, come `
` what may!" `
` `
` "But oh, my dear one," he pleaded, "death is afar off from you." `
` `
` "Nay," she said, holding up a warning hand. "I am deeper in death at `
` this moment than if the weight of an earthly grave lay heavy upon me!" `
` `
` "Oh, my wife, must I read it?" he said, before he began. `
` `
` "It would comfort me, my husband!" was all she said, and he began to `
` read when she had got the book ready. `
` `
` How can I, how could anyone, tell of that strange scene, its `
` solemnity, its gloom, its sadness, its horror, and withal, its `
` sweetness. Even a sceptic, who can see nothing but a travesty of `
` bitter truth in anything holy or emotional, would have been melted to `
` the heart had he seen that little group of loving and devoted friends `
` kneeling round that stricken and sorrowing lady; or heard the tender `
` passion of her husband's voice, as in tones so broken and emotional `
` that often he had to pause, he read the simple and beautiful service `
` from the Burial of the Dead. I cannot go on . . . words . . . and `
` v-voices . . . f-fail m-me! `
` `
` She was right in her instinct. Strange as it was, bizarre as it may `
` hereafter seem even to us who felt its potent influence at the time, `
` it comforted us much. And the silence, which showed Mrs. Harker's `
` coming relapse from her freedom of soul, did not seem so full of `
` despair to any of us as we had dreaded. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 15 October, Varna.--We left Charing Cross on the morning of the 12th, `
` got to Paris the same night, and took the places secured for us in the `
` Orient Express. We traveled night and day, arriving here at about `
` five o'clock. Lord Godalming went to the Consulate to see if any `
` telegram had arrived for him, whilst the rest of us came on to this `
` hotel, "the Odessus." The journey may have had incidents. I was, `
` however, too eager to get on, to care for them. Until the Czarina `
` Catherine comes into port there will be no interest for me in anything `
` in the wide world. Thank God! Mina is well, and looks to be getting `
` stronger. Her colour is coming back. She sleeps a great deal. `
` Throughout the journey she slept nearly all the time. Before sunrise `
` and sunset, however, she is very wakeful and alert. And it has become `
` a habit for Van Helsing to hypnotize her at such times. At first, `
` some effort was needed, and he had to make many passes. But now, she `
` seems to yield at once, as if by habit, and scarcely any action is `
` needed. He seems to have power at these particular moments to simply `
` will, and her thoughts obey him. He always asks her what she can see `
` and hear. `
` `
` She answers to the first, "Nothing, all is dark." `
` `
` And to the second, "I can hear the waves lapping against the ship, and `
` the water rushing by. Canvas and cordage strain and masts and yards `
` creak. The wind is high . . . I can hear it in the shrouds, and the `
` bow throws back the foam." `
` `
` It is evident that the Czarina Catherine is still at sea, hastening on `
` her way to Varna. Lord Godalming has just returned. He had four `
` telegrams, one each day since we started, and all to the same effect. `
` That the Czarina Catherine had not been reported to Lloyd's from `
` anywhere. He had arranged before leaving London that his agent should `
` send him every day a telegram saying if the ship had been reported. `
` He was to have a message even if she were not reported, so that he `
` might be sure that there was a watch being kept at the other end of `
` the wire. `
` `
` We had dinner and went to bed early. Tomorrow we are to see the Vice `
` Consul, and to arrange, if we can, about getting on board the ship as `
` soon as she arrives. Van Helsing says that our chance will be to get `
` on the boat between sunrise and sunset. The Count, even if he takes `
` the form of a bat, cannot cross the running water of his own volition, `
` and so cannot leave the ship. As he dare not change to man's form `
` without suspicion, which he evidently wishes to avoid, he must remain `
` in the box. If, then, we can come on board after sunrise, he is at `
` our mercy, for we can open the box and make sure of him, as we did of `
` poor Lucy, before he wakes. What mercy he shall get from us all will `
` not count for much. We think that we shall not have much trouble with `
` officials or the seamen. Thank God! This is the country where `
` bribery can do anything, and we are well supplied with money. We have `
` only to make sure that the ship cannot come into port between sunset `
` and sunrise without our being warned, and we shall be safe. Judge `
` Moneybag will settle this case, I think! `
` `
` `
` 16 October.--Mina's report still the same. Lapping waves and rushing `
` water, darkness and favouring winds. We are evidently in good time, `
` and when we hear of the Czarina Catherine we shall be ready. As she `
` must pass the Dardanelles we are sure to have some report. `
` `
` `
` 17 October.--Everything is pretty well fixed now, I think, to welcome `
` the Count on his return from his tour. Godalming told the shippers `
` that he fancied that the box sent aboard might contain something `
` stolen from a friend of his, and got a half consent that he might open `
` it at his own risk. The owner gave him a paper telling the Captain to `
` give him every facility in doing whatever he chose on board the ship, `
` and also a similar authorization to his agent at Varna. We have seen `
` the agent, who was much impressed with Godalming's kindly manner to `
` him, and we are all satisfied that whatever he can do to aid our `
` wishes will be done. `
` `
` We have already arranged what to do in case we get the box open. If `
` the Count is there, Van Helsing and Seward will cut off his head at `
` once and drive a stake through his heart. Morris and Godalming and I `
` shall prevent interference, even if we have to use the arms which we `
` shall have ready. The Professor says that if we can so treat the `
` Count's body, it will soon after fall into dust. In such case there `
` would be no evidence against us, in case any suspicion of murder were `
` aroused. But even if it were not, we should stand or fall by our act, `
` and perhaps some day this very script may be evidence to come between `
` some of us and a rope. For myself, I should take the chance only too `
` thankfully if it were to come. We mean to leave no stone unturned to `
` carry out our intent. We have arranged with certain officials that `
` the instant the Czarina Catherine is seen, we are to be informed by a `
` special messenger. `
` `
` `
` 24 October.--A whole week of waiting. Daily telegrams to Godalming, `
` but only the same story. "Not yet reported." Mina's morning and `
` evening hypnotic answer is unvaried. Lapping waves, rushing water, `
` and creaking masts. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` TELEGRAM, OCTOBER 24TH RUFUS SMITH, LLOYD'S, LONDON, `
` TO LORD GODALMING, CARE OF H. B. M. VICE CONSUL, VARNA `
` `
` "Czarina Catherine reported this morning from Dardanelles." `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 25 October.--How I miss my phonograph! To write a diary with a pen is `
` irksome to me! But Van Helsing says I must. We were all wild with `
` excitement yesterday when Godalming got his telegram from Lloyd's. I `
` know now what men feel in battle when the call to action is heard. `
` Mrs. Harker, alone of our party, did not show any signs of emotion. `
` After all, it is not strange that she did not, for we took special `
` care not to let her know anything about it, and we all tried not to `
` show any excitement when we were in her presence. In old days she `
` would, I am sure, have noticed, no matter how we might have tried to `
` conceal it. But in this way she is greatly changed during the past `
` three weeks. The lethargy grows upon her, and though she seems strong `
` and well, and is getting back some of her colour, Van Helsing and I are `
` not satisfied. We talk of her often. We have not, however, said a `
` word to the others. It would break poor Harker's heart, certainly his `
` nerve, if he knew that we had even a suspicion on the subject. Van `
` Helsing examines, he tells me, her teeth very carefully, whilst she is `
` in the hypnotic condition, for he says that so long as they do not `
` begin to sharpen there is no active danger of a change in her. If `
` this change should come, it would be necessary to take steps! We both `
`
` `
` Then her husband turned to her wan-eyed and with a greenish pallor `
` which subdued the snowy whiteness of his hair, and asked, "And must I, `
` too, make such a promise, oh, my wife?" `
` `
` "You too, my dearest," she said, with infinite yearning of pity in her `
` voice and eyes. "You must not shrink. You are nearest and dearest `
` and all the world to me. Our souls are knit into one, for all life `
` and all time. Think, dear, that there have been times when brave men `
` have killed their wives and their womenkind, to keep them from falling `
` into the hands of the enemy. Their hands did not falter any the more `
` because those that they loved implored them to slay them. It is men's `
` duty towards those whom they love, in such times of sore trial! And `
` oh, my dear, if it is to be that I must meet death at any hand, let it `
` be at the hand of him that loves me best. Dr. Van Helsing, I have not `
` forgotten your mercy in poor Lucy's case to him who loved." She `
` stopped with a flying blush, and changed her phrase, "to him who had `
` best right to give her peace. If that time shall come again, I look `
` to you to make it a happy memory of my husband's life that it was his `
` loving hand which set me free from the awful thrall upon me." `
` `
` "Again I swear!" came the Professor's resonant voice. `
` `
` Mrs. Harker smiled, positively smiled, as with a sigh of relief she `
` leaned back and said, "And now one word of warning, a warning which `
` you must never forget. This time, if it ever come, may come quickly `
` and unexpectedly, and in such case you must lose no time in using your `
` opportunity. At such a time I myself might be . . . nay! If the time `
` ever come, shall be, leagued with your enemy against you. `
` `
` "One more request," she became very solemn as she said this, "it is `
` not vital and necessary like the other, but I want you to do one thing `
` for me, if you will." `
` `
` We all acquiesced, but no one spoke. There was no need to speak. `
` `
` "I want you to read the Burial Service." She was interrupted by a `
` deep groan from her husband. Taking his hand in hers, she held it `
` over her heart, and continued. "You must read it over me some day. `
` Whatever may be the issue of all this fearful state of things, it will `
` be a sweet thought to all or some of us. You, my dearest, will I hope `
` read it, for then it will be in your voice in my memory forever, come `
` what may!" `
` `
` "But oh, my dear one," he pleaded, "death is afar off from you." `
` `
` "Nay," she said, holding up a warning hand. "I am deeper in death at `
` this moment than if the weight of an earthly grave lay heavy upon me!" `
` `
` "Oh, my wife, must I read it?" he said, before he began. `
` `
` "It would comfort me, my husband!" was all she said, and he began to `
` read when she had got the book ready. `
` `
` How can I, how could anyone, tell of that strange scene, its `
` solemnity, its gloom, its sadness, its horror, and withal, its `
` sweetness. Even a sceptic, who can see nothing but a travesty of `
` bitter truth in anything holy or emotional, would have been melted to `
` the heart had he seen that little group of loving and devoted friends `
` kneeling round that stricken and sorrowing lady; or heard the tender `
` passion of her husband's voice, as in tones so broken and emotional `
` that often he had to pause, he read the simple and beautiful service `
` from the Burial of the Dead. I cannot go on . . . words . . . and `
` v-voices . . . f-fail m-me! `
` `
` She was right in her instinct. Strange as it was, bizarre as it may `
` hereafter seem even to us who felt its potent influence at the time, `
` it comforted us much. And the silence, which showed Mrs. Harker's `
` coming relapse from her freedom of soul, did not seem so full of `
` despair to any of us as we had dreaded. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 15 October, Varna.--We left Charing Cross on the morning of the 12th, `
` got to Paris the same night, and took the places secured for us in the `
` Orient Express. We traveled night and day, arriving here at about `
` five o'clock. Lord Godalming went to the Consulate to see if any `
` telegram had arrived for him, whilst the rest of us came on to this `
` hotel, "the Odessus." The journey may have had incidents. I was, `
` however, too eager to get on, to care for them. Until the Czarina `
` Catherine comes into port there will be no interest for me in anything `
` in the wide world. Thank God! Mina is well, and looks to be getting `
` stronger. Her colour is coming back. She sleeps a great deal. `
` Throughout the journey she slept nearly all the time. Before sunrise `
` and sunset, however, she is very wakeful and alert. And it has become `
` a habit for Van Helsing to hypnotize her at such times. At first, `
` some effort was needed, and he had to make many passes. But now, she `
` seems to yield at once, as if by habit, and scarcely any action is `
` needed. He seems to have power at these particular moments to simply `
` will, and her thoughts obey him. He always asks her what she can see `
` and hear. `
` `
` She answers to the first, "Nothing, all is dark." `
` `
` And to the second, "I can hear the waves lapping against the ship, and `
` the water rushing by. Canvas and cordage strain and masts and yards `
` creak. The wind is high . . . I can hear it in the shrouds, and the `
` bow throws back the foam." `
` `
` It is evident that the Czarina Catherine is still at sea, hastening on `
` her way to Varna. Lord Godalming has just returned. He had four `
` telegrams, one each day since we started, and all to the same effect. `
` That the Czarina Catherine had not been reported to Lloyd's from `
` anywhere. He had arranged before leaving London that his agent should `
` send him every day a telegram saying if the ship had been reported. `
` He was to have a message even if she were not reported, so that he `
` might be sure that there was a watch being kept at the other end of `
` the wire. `
` `
` We had dinner and went to bed early. Tomorrow we are to see the Vice `
` Consul, and to arrange, if we can, about getting on board the ship as `
` soon as she arrives. Van Helsing says that our chance will be to get `
` on the boat between sunrise and sunset. The Count, even if he takes `
` the form of a bat, cannot cross the running water of his own volition, `
` and so cannot leave the ship. As he dare not change to man's form `
` without suspicion, which he evidently wishes to avoid, he must remain `
` in the box. If, then, we can come on board after sunrise, he is at `
` our mercy, for we can open the box and make sure of him, as we did of `
` poor Lucy, before he wakes. What mercy he shall get from us all will `
` not count for much. We think that we shall not have much trouble with `
` officials or the seamen. Thank God! This is the country where `
` bribery can do anything, and we are well supplied with money. We have `
` only to make sure that the ship cannot come into port between sunset `
` and sunrise without our being warned, and we shall be safe. Judge `
` Moneybag will settle this case, I think! `
` `
` `
` 16 October.--Mina's report still the same. Lapping waves and rushing `
` water, darkness and favouring winds. We are evidently in good time, `
` and when we hear of the Czarina Catherine we shall be ready. As she `
` must pass the Dardanelles we are sure to have some report. `
` `
` `
` 17 October.--Everything is pretty well fixed now, I think, to welcome `
` the Count on his return from his tour. Godalming told the shippers `
` that he fancied that the box sent aboard might contain something `
` stolen from a friend of his, and got a half consent that he might open `
` it at his own risk. The owner gave him a paper telling the Captain to `
` give him every facility in doing whatever he chose on board the ship, `
` and also a similar authorization to his agent at Varna. We have seen `
` the agent, who was much impressed with Godalming's kindly manner to `
` him, and we are all satisfied that whatever he can do to aid our `
` wishes will be done. `
` `
` We have already arranged what to do in case we get the box open. If `
` the Count is there, Van Helsing and Seward will cut off his head at `
` once and drive a stake through his heart. Morris and Godalming and I `
` shall prevent interference, even if we have to use the arms which we `
` shall have ready. The Professor says that if we can so treat the `
` Count's body, it will soon after fall into dust. In such case there `
` would be no evidence against us, in case any suspicion of murder were `
` aroused. But even if it were not, we should stand or fall by our act, `
` and perhaps some day this very script may be evidence to come between `
` some of us and a rope. For myself, I should take the chance only too `
` thankfully if it were to come. We mean to leave no stone unturned to `
` carry out our intent. We have arranged with certain officials that `
` the instant the Czarina Catherine is seen, we are to be informed by a `
` special messenger. `
` `
` `
` 24 October.--A whole week of waiting. Daily telegrams to Godalming, `
` but only the same story. "Not yet reported." Mina's morning and `
` evening hypnotic answer is unvaried. Lapping waves, rushing water, `
` and creaking masts. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` TELEGRAM, OCTOBER 24TH RUFUS SMITH, LLOYD'S, LONDON, `
` TO LORD GODALMING, CARE OF H. B. M. VICE CONSUL, VARNA `
` `
` "Czarina Catherine reported this morning from Dardanelles." `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 25 October.--How I miss my phonograph! To write a diary with a pen is `
` irksome to me! But Van Helsing says I must. We were all wild with `
` excitement yesterday when Godalming got his telegram from Lloyd's. I `
` know now what men feel in battle when the call to action is heard. `
` Mrs. Harker, alone of our party, did not show any signs of emotion. `
` After all, it is not strange that she did not, for we took special `
` care not to let her know anything about it, and we all tried not to `
` show any excitement when we were in her presence. In old days she `
` would, I am sure, have noticed, no matter how we might have tried to `
` conceal it. But in this way she is greatly changed during the past `
` three weeks. The lethargy grows upon her, and though she seems strong `
` and well, and is getting back some of her colour, Van Helsing and I are `
` not satisfied. We talk of her often. We have not, however, said a `
` word to the others. It would break poor Harker's heart, certainly his `
` nerve, if he knew that we had even a suspicion on the subject. Van `
` Helsing examines, he tells me, her teeth very carefully, whilst she is `
` in the hypnotic condition, for he says that so long as they do not `
` begin to sharpen there is no active danger of a change in her. If `
` this change should come, it would be necessary to take steps! We both `
`