Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
she sleep not, being as though I were not. Still I try and `
` try, till all at once I find her and myself in dark, so I `
` look round, and find that the sun have gone down. Madam `
` Mina laugh, and I turn and look at her. She is now quite `
` awake, and look so well as I never saw her since that night `
` at Carfax when we first enter the Count's house. I am amaze, and `
` not at ease then. But she is so bright and tender and thoughtful `
` for me that I forget all fear. I light a fire, for we have `
` brought supply of wood with us, and she prepare food while I undo `
` the horses and set them, tethered in shelter, to feed. Then when `
` I return to the fire she have my supper ready. I go to help her, `
` but she smile, and tell me that she have eat already. That she `
` was so hungry that she would not wait. I like it not, and I have `
` grave doubts. But I fear to affright her, and so I am silent of `
` it. She help me and I eat alone, and then we wrap in fur and lie `
` beside the fire, and I tell her to sleep while I watch. But `
` presently I forget all of watching. And when I sudden remember `
` that I watch, I find her lying quiet, but awake, and looking at `
` me with so bright eyes. Once, twice more the same occur, and I `
` get much sleep till before morning. When I wake I try to `
` hypnotize her, but alas! though she shut her eyes obedient, she `
` may not sleep. The sun rise up, and up, and up, and then sleep `
` come to her too late, but so heavy that she will not wake. I `
` have to lift her up, and place her sleeping in the carriage when `
` I have harnessed the horses and made all ready. Madam still `
` sleep, and she look in her sleep more healthy and more redder `
` than before. And I like it not. And I am afraid, afraid, `
` afraid! I am afraid of all things, even to think but I must go `
` on my way. The stake we play for is life and death, or more than `
` these, and we must not flinch. `
` `
` `
` 5 November, morning.--Let me be accurate in everything, for `
` though you and I have seen some strange things together, `
` you may at the first think that I, Van Helsing, am mad. `
` That the many horrors and the so long strain on nerves has `
` at the last turn my brain. `
` `
` All yesterday we travel, always getting closer to the `
` mountains, and moving into a more and more wild and desert `
` land. There are great, frowning precipices and much falling `
` water, and Nature seem to have held sometime her carnival. Madam `
` Mina still sleep and sleep. And though I did have hunger and `
` appeased it, I could not waken her, even for food. I began to `
` fear that the fatal spell of the place was upon her, tainted as `
` she is with that Vampire baptism. "Well," said I to myself, "if `
` it be that she sleep all the day, it shall also be that I do not `
` sleep at night." As we travel on the rough road, for a road of `
` an ancient and imperfect kind there was, I held down my head and `
` slept. `
` `
` Again I waked with a sense of guilt and of time passed, and `
` found Madam Mina still sleeping, and the sun low down. But `
` all was indeed changed. The frowning mountains seemed further `
` away, and we were near the top of a steep rising hill, on summit `
` of which was such a castle as Jonathan tell of in his diary. At `
` once I exulted and feared. For now, for good or ill, the end was `
` near. `
` `
` I woke Madam Mina, and again tried to hypnotize her, but `
` alas! unavailing till too late. Then, ere the great dark `
` came upon us, for even after down sun the heavens reflected `
` the gone sun on the snow, and all was for a time in a great `
` twilight. I took out the horses and fed them in what shelter I `
` could. Then I make a fire, and near it I make Madam Mina, now `
` awake and more charming than ever, sit comfortable amid her rugs. `
` I got ready food, but she would not eat, simply saying that she `
` had not hunger. I did not press her, knowing her unavailingness. `
` But I myself eat, for I must needs now be strong for all. Then, `
` with the fear on me of what might be, I drew a ring so big for `
` her comfort, round where Madam Mina sat. And over the ring I `
` passed some of the wafer, and I broke it fine so that all was `
` well guarded. She sat still all the time, so still as one dead. `
` And she grew whiter and even whiter till the snow was not more `
` pale, and no word she said. But when I drew near, she clung to `
` me, and I could know that the poor soul shook her from head to `
` feet with a tremor that was pain to feel. `
` `
` I said to her presently, when she had grown more quiet, `
` "Will you not come over to the fire?" for I wished to make `
` a test of what she could. She rose obedient, but when she `
` have made a step she stopped, and stood as one stricken. `
` `
` "Why not go on?" I asked. She shook her head, and coming `
` back, sat down in her place. Then, looking at me with open `
` eyes, as of one waked from sleep, she said simply, "I cannot!" `
` and remained silent. I rejoiced, for I knew that what she could `
` not, none of those that we dreaded could. Though there might be `
` danger to her body, yet her soul was safe! `
` `
` Presently the horses began to scream, and tore at their `
` tethers till I came to them and quieted them. When they `
` did feel my hands on them, they whinnied low as in joy, and `
` licked at my hands and were quiet for a time. Many times `
` through the night did I come to them, till it arrive to the `
` cold hour when all nature is at lowest, and every time my `
` coming was with quiet of them. In the cold hour the fire `
` began to die, and I was about stepping forth to replenish `
` it, for now the snow came in flying sweeps and with it a `
` chill mist. Even in the dark there was a light of some `
` kind, as there ever is over snow, and it seemed as though `
` the snow flurries and the wreaths of mist took shape as of `
` women with trailing garments. All was in dead, grim silence only `
` that the horses whinnied and cowered, as if in terror of the `
` worst. I began to fear, horrible fears. But then came to me the `
` sense of safety in that ring wherein I stood. I began too, to `
` think that my imaginings were of the night, and the gloom, and `
` the unrest that I have gone through, and all the terrible `
` anxiety. It was as though my memories of all Jonathan's horrid `
` experience were befooling me. For the snow flakes and the mist `
` began to wheel and circle round, till I could get as though a `
` shadowy glimpse of those women that would have kissed him. And `
` then the horses cowered lower and lower, and moaned in terror as `
` men do in pain. Even the madness of fright was not to them, so `
` that they could break away. I feared for my dear Madam Mina when `
` these weird figures drew near and circled round. I looked at her, `
` but she sat calm, and smiled at me. When I would have stepped to `
` the fire to replenish it, she caught me and held me back, and `
` whispered, like a voice that one hears in a dream, so low it was. `
` `
` "No! No! Do not go without. Here you are safe!" `
` `
` I turned to her, and looking in her eyes said, "But you? `
` It is for you that I fear!" `
` `
` Whereat she laughed, a laugh low and unreal, and said, "Fear `
` for me! Why fear for me? None safer in all the world from `
` them than I am," and as I wondered at the meaning of her `
` words, a puff of wind made the flame leap up, and I see the `
` red scar on her forehead. Then, alas! I knew. Did I not, `
` I would soon have learned, for the wheeling figures of mist `
` and snow came closer, but keeping ever without the Holy `
` circle. Then they began to materialize till, if God have `
` not taken away my reason, for I saw it through my eyes. `
` There were before me in actual flesh the same three women `
` that Jonathan saw in the room, when they would have kissed `
` his throat. I knew the swaying round forms, the bright `
` hard eyes, the white teeth, the ruddy colour, the voluptuous `
` lips. They smiled ever at poor dear Madam Mina. And as `
` their laugh came through the silence of the night, they `
` twined their arms and pointed to her, and said in those so `
` sweet tingling tones that Jonathan said were of the intolerable `
` sweetness of the water glasses, "Come, sister. Come to us. `
` Come!" `
` `
` In fear I turned to my poor Madam Mina, and my heart with `
` gladness leapt like flame. For oh! the terror in her sweet `
` eyes, the repulsion, the horror, told a story to my heart `
` that was all of hope. God be thanked she was not, yet, of `
` them. I seized some of the firewood which was by me, and `
` holding out some of the Wafer, advanced on them towards the `
` fire. They drew back before me, and laughed their low horrid `
` laugh. I fed the fire, and feared them not. For I knew that we `
` were safe within the ring, which she could not leave no more than `
` they could enter. The horses had ceased to moan, and lay still `
` on the ground. The snow fell on them softly, and they grew `
` whiter. I knew that there was for the poor beasts no more of `
` terror. `
` `
` And so we remained till the red of the dawn began to fall `
` through the snow gloom. I was desolate and afraid, and `
` full of woe and terror. But when that beautiful sun began `
` to climb the horizon life was to me again. At the first `
` coming of the dawn the horrid figures melted in the whirling `
` mist and snow. The wreaths of transparent gloom moved away `
` towards the castle, and were lost. `
` `
` Instinctively, with the dawn coming, I turned to Madam Mina, `
` intending to hypnotize her. But she lay in a deep and sudden `
` sleep, from which I could not wake her. I tried to hypnotize `
` through her sleep, but she made no response, none at all, and the `
` day broke. I fear yet to stir. I have made my fire and have `
` seen the horses, they are all dead. Today I have much to do here, `
` and I keep waiting till the sun is up high. For there may be `
` places where I must go, where that sunlight, though snow and mist `
` obscure it, will be to me a safety. `
` `
` I will strengthen me with breakfast, and then I will do my `
` terrible work. Madam Mina still sleeps, and God be thanked! She `
` is calm in her sleep . . . `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 4 November, evening.--The accident to the launch has been a terrible `
` thing for us. Only for it we should have overtaken the boat long ago, `
` and by now my dear Mina would have been free. I fear to think of her, `
` off on the wolds near that horrid place. We have got horses, and we `
` follow on the track. I note this whilst Godalming is getting ready. `
` We have our arms. The Szgany must look out if they mean to fight. Oh, `
` if only Morris and Seward were with us. We must only hope! If I `
` write no more Goodby Mina! God bless and keep you. `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 5 November.--With the dawn we saw the body of Szgany before us dashing `
` away from the river with their leiter wagon. They surrounded it in a `
` cluster, and hurried along as though beset. The snow is falling `
`
` try, till all at once I find her and myself in dark, so I `
` look round, and find that the sun have gone down. Madam `
` Mina laugh, and I turn and look at her. She is now quite `
` awake, and look so well as I never saw her since that night `
` at Carfax when we first enter the Count's house. I am amaze, and `
` not at ease then. But she is so bright and tender and thoughtful `
` for me that I forget all fear. I light a fire, for we have `
` brought supply of wood with us, and she prepare food while I undo `
` the horses and set them, tethered in shelter, to feed. Then when `
` I return to the fire she have my supper ready. I go to help her, `
` but she smile, and tell me that she have eat already. That she `
` was so hungry that she would not wait. I like it not, and I have `
` grave doubts. But I fear to affright her, and so I am silent of `
` it. She help me and I eat alone, and then we wrap in fur and lie `
` beside the fire, and I tell her to sleep while I watch. But `
` presently I forget all of watching. And when I sudden remember `
` that I watch, I find her lying quiet, but awake, and looking at `
` me with so bright eyes. Once, twice more the same occur, and I `
` get much sleep till before morning. When I wake I try to `
` hypnotize her, but alas! though she shut her eyes obedient, she `
` may not sleep. The sun rise up, and up, and up, and then sleep `
` come to her too late, but so heavy that she will not wake. I `
` have to lift her up, and place her sleeping in the carriage when `
` I have harnessed the horses and made all ready. Madam still `
` sleep, and she look in her sleep more healthy and more redder `
` than before. And I like it not. And I am afraid, afraid, `
` afraid! I am afraid of all things, even to think but I must go `
` on my way. The stake we play for is life and death, or more than `
` these, and we must not flinch. `
` `
` `
` 5 November, morning.--Let me be accurate in everything, for `
` though you and I have seen some strange things together, `
` you may at the first think that I, Van Helsing, am mad. `
` That the many horrors and the so long strain on nerves has `
` at the last turn my brain. `
` `
` All yesterday we travel, always getting closer to the `
` mountains, and moving into a more and more wild and desert `
` land. There are great, frowning precipices and much falling `
` water, and Nature seem to have held sometime her carnival. Madam `
` Mina still sleep and sleep. And though I did have hunger and `
` appeased it, I could not waken her, even for food. I began to `
` fear that the fatal spell of the place was upon her, tainted as `
` she is with that Vampire baptism. "Well," said I to myself, "if `
` it be that she sleep all the day, it shall also be that I do not `
` sleep at night." As we travel on the rough road, for a road of `
` an ancient and imperfect kind there was, I held down my head and `
` slept. `
` `
` Again I waked with a sense of guilt and of time passed, and `
` found Madam Mina still sleeping, and the sun low down. But `
` all was indeed changed. The frowning mountains seemed further `
` away, and we were near the top of a steep rising hill, on summit `
` of which was such a castle as Jonathan tell of in his diary. At `
` once I exulted and feared. For now, for good or ill, the end was `
` near. `
` `
` I woke Madam Mina, and again tried to hypnotize her, but `
` alas! unavailing till too late. Then, ere the great dark `
` came upon us, for even after down sun the heavens reflected `
` the gone sun on the snow, and all was for a time in a great `
` twilight. I took out the horses and fed them in what shelter I `
` could. Then I make a fire, and near it I make Madam Mina, now `
` awake and more charming than ever, sit comfortable amid her rugs. `
` I got ready food, but she would not eat, simply saying that she `
` had not hunger. I did not press her, knowing her unavailingness. `
` But I myself eat, for I must needs now be strong for all. Then, `
` with the fear on me of what might be, I drew a ring so big for `
` her comfort, round where Madam Mina sat. And over the ring I `
` passed some of the wafer, and I broke it fine so that all was `
` well guarded. She sat still all the time, so still as one dead. `
` And she grew whiter and even whiter till the snow was not more `
` pale, and no word she said. But when I drew near, she clung to `
` me, and I could know that the poor soul shook her from head to `
` feet with a tremor that was pain to feel. `
` `
` I said to her presently, when she had grown more quiet, `
` "Will you not come over to the fire?" for I wished to make `
` a test of what she could. She rose obedient, but when she `
` have made a step she stopped, and stood as one stricken. `
` `
` "Why not go on?" I asked. She shook her head, and coming `
` back, sat down in her place. Then, looking at me with open `
` eyes, as of one waked from sleep, she said simply, "I cannot!" `
` and remained silent. I rejoiced, for I knew that what she could `
` not, none of those that we dreaded could. Though there might be `
` danger to her body, yet her soul was safe! `
` `
` Presently the horses began to scream, and tore at their `
` tethers till I came to them and quieted them. When they `
` did feel my hands on them, they whinnied low as in joy, and `
` licked at my hands and were quiet for a time. Many times `
` through the night did I come to them, till it arrive to the `
` cold hour when all nature is at lowest, and every time my `
` coming was with quiet of them. In the cold hour the fire `
` began to die, and I was about stepping forth to replenish `
` it, for now the snow came in flying sweeps and with it a `
` chill mist. Even in the dark there was a light of some `
` kind, as there ever is over snow, and it seemed as though `
` the snow flurries and the wreaths of mist took shape as of `
` women with trailing garments. All was in dead, grim silence only `
` that the horses whinnied and cowered, as if in terror of the `
` worst. I began to fear, horrible fears. But then came to me the `
` sense of safety in that ring wherein I stood. I began too, to `
` think that my imaginings were of the night, and the gloom, and `
` the unrest that I have gone through, and all the terrible `
` anxiety. It was as though my memories of all Jonathan's horrid `
` experience were befooling me. For the snow flakes and the mist `
` began to wheel and circle round, till I could get as though a `
` shadowy glimpse of those women that would have kissed him. And `
` then the horses cowered lower and lower, and moaned in terror as `
` men do in pain. Even the madness of fright was not to them, so `
` that they could break away. I feared for my dear Madam Mina when `
` these weird figures drew near and circled round. I looked at her, `
` but she sat calm, and smiled at me. When I would have stepped to `
` the fire to replenish it, she caught me and held me back, and `
` whispered, like a voice that one hears in a dream, so low it was. `
` `
` "No! No! Do not go without. Here you are safe!" `
` `
` I turned to her, and looking in her eyes said, "But you? `
` It is for you that I fear!" `
` `
` Whereat she laughed, a laugh low and unreal, and said, "Fear `
` for me! Why fear for me? None safer in all the world from `
` them than I am," and as I wondered at the meaning of her `
` words, a puff of wind made the flame leap up, and I see the `
` red scar on her forehead. Then, alas! I knew. Did I not, `
` I would soon have learned, for the wheeling figures of mist `
` and snow came closer, but keeping ever without the Holy `
` circle. Then they began to materialize till, if God have `
` not taken away my reason, for I saw it through my eyes. `
` There were before me in actual flesh the same three women `
` that Jonathan saw in the room, when they would have kissed `
` his throat. I knew the swaying round forms, the bright `
` hard eyes, the white teeth, the ruddy colour, the voluptuous `
` lips. They smiled ever at poor dear Madam Mina. And as `
` their laugh came through the silence of the night, they `
` twined their arms and pointed to her, and said in those so `
` sweet tingling tones that Jonathan said were of the intolerable `
` sweetness of the water glasses, "Come, sister. Come to us. `
` Come!" `
` `
` In fear I turned to my poor Madam Mina, and my heart with `
` gladness leapt like flame. For oh! the terror in her sweet `
` eyes, the repulsion, the horror, told a story to my heart `
` that was all of hope. God be thanked she was not, yet, of `
` them. I seized some of the firewood which was by me, and `
` holding out some of the Wafer, advanced on them towards the `
` fire. They drew back before me, and laughed their low horrid `
` laugh. I fed the fire, and feared them not. For I knew that we `
` were safe within the ring, which she could not leave no more than `
` they could enter. The horses had ceased to moan, and lay still `
` on the ground. The snow fell on them softly, and they grew `
` whiter. I knew that there was for the poor beasts no more of `
` terror. `
` `
` And so we remained till the red of the dawn began to fall `
` through the snow gloom. I was desolate and afraid, and `
` full of woe and terror. But when that beautiful sun began `
` to climb the horizon life was to me again. At the first `
` coming of the dawn the horrid figures melted in the whirling `
` mist and snow. The wreaths of transparent gloom moved away `
` towards the castle, and were lost. `
` `
` Instinctively, with the dawn coming, I turned to Madam Mina, `
` intending to hypnotize her. But she lay in a deep and sudden `
` sleep, from which I could not wake her. I tried to hypnotize `
` through her sleep, but she made no response, none at all, and the `
` day broke. I fear yet to stir. I have made my fire and have `
` seen the horses, they are all dead. Today I have much to do here, `
` and I keep waiting till the sun is up high. For there may be `
` places where I must go, where that sunlight, though snow and mist `
` obscure it, will be to me a safety. `
` `
` I will strengthen me with breakfast, and then I will do my `
` terrible work. Madam Mina still sleeps, and God be thanked! She `
` is calm in her sleep . . . `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 4 November, evening.--The accident to the launch has been a terrible `
` thing for us. Only for it we should have overtaken the boat long ago, `
` and by now my dear Mina would have been free. I fear to think of her, `
` off on the wolds near that horrid place. We have got horses, and we `
` follow on the track. I note this whilst Godalming is getting ready. `
` We have our arms. The Szgany must look out if they mean to fight. Oh, `
` if only Morris and Seward were with us. We must only hope! If I `
` write no more Goodby Mina! God bless and keep you. `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 5 November.--With the dawn we saw the body of Szgany before us dashing `
` away from the river with their leiter wagon. They surrounded it in a `
` cluster, and hurried along as though beset. The snow is falling `
`