Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
cluster, and hurried along as though beset. The snow is falling `
` lightly and there is a strange excitement in the air. It may be our `
` own feelings, but the depression is strange. Far off I hear the `
` howling of wolves. The snow brings them down from the mountains, and `
` there are dangers to all of us, and from all sides. The horses are `
` nearly ready, and we are soon off. We ride to death of some one. God `
` alone knows who, or where, or what, or when, or how it may be . . . `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. VAN HELSING'S MEMORANDUM `
` `
` 5 November, afternoon.--I am at least sane. Thank God for `
` that mercy at all events, though the proving it has been `
` dreadful. When I left Madam Mina sleeping within the Holy `
` circle, I took my way to the castle. The blacksmith hammer `
` which I took in the carriage from Veresti was useful, though the `
` doors were all open I broke them off the rusty hinges, lest some `
` ill intent or ill chance should close them, so that being entered `
` I might not get out. Jonathan's bitter experience served me `
` here. By memory of his diary I found my way to the old chapel, `
` for I knew that here my work lay. The air was oppressive. It `
` seemed as if there was some sulphurous fume, which at times made `
` me dizzy. Either there was a roaring in my ears or I heard afar `
` off the howl of wolves. Then I bethought me of my dear Madam `
` Mina, and I was in terrible plight. The dilemma had me between `
` his horns. `
` `
` Her, I had not dare to take into this place, but left safe `
` from the Vampire in that Holy circle. And yet even there `
` would be the wolf! I resolve me that my work lay here, and `
` that as to the wolves we must submit, if it were God's will. At `
` any rate it was only death and freedom beyond. So did I choose `
` for her. Had it but been for myself the choice had been easy, `
` the maw of the wolf were better to rest in than the grave of the `
` Vampire! So I make my choice to go on with my work. `
` `
` I knew that there were at least three graves to find, graves `
` that are inhabit. So I search, and search, and I find one `
` of them. She lay in her Vampire sleep, so full of life and `
` voluptuous beauty that I shudder as though I have come to `
` do murder. Ah, I doubt not that in the old time, when such `
` things were, many a man who set forth to do such a task as `
` mine, found at the last his heart fail him, and then his `
` nerve. So he delay, and delay, and delay, till the mere `
` beauty and the fascination of the wanton Undead have hypnotize `
` him. And he remain on and on, till sunset come, and the Vampire `
` sleep be over. Then the beautiful eyes of the fair woman open `
` and look love, and the voluptuous mouth present to a kiss, and `
` the man is weak. And there remain one more victim in the `
` Vampire fold. One more to swell the grim and grisly ranks `
` of the Undead! . . . `
` `
` There is some fascination, surely, when I am moved by the `
` mere presence of such an one, even lying as she lay in a `
` tomb fretted with age and heavy with the dust of centuries, `
` though there be that horrid odour such as the lairs of the `
` Count have had. Yes, I was moved. I, Van Helsing, with `
` all my purpose and with my motive for hate. I was moved to `
` a yearning for delay which seemed to paralyze my faculties `
` and to clog my very soul. It may have been that the need `
` of natural sleep, and the strange oppression of the air `
` were beginning to overcome me. Certain it was that I was `
` lapsing into sleep, the open eyed sleep of one who yields `
` to a sweet fascination, when there came through the snow-stilled `
` air a long, low wail, so full of woe and pity that it woke me `
` like the sound of a clarion. For it was the voice of my dear `
` Madam Mina that I heard. `
` `
` Then I braced myself again to my horrid task, and found by `
` wrenching away tomb tops one other of the sisters, the other dark `
` one. I dared not pause to look on her as I had on her sister, `
` lest once more I should begin to be enthrall. But I go on `
` searching until, presently, I find in a high great tomb as if `
` made to one much beloved that other fair sister which, like `
` Jonathan I had seen to gather herself out of the atoms of the `
` mist. She was so fair to look on, so radiantly beautiful, so `
` exquisitely voluptuous, that the very instinct of man in me, `
` which calls some of my sex to love and to protect one of hers, `
` made my head whirl with new emotion. But God be thanked, that `
` soul wail of my dear Madam Mina had not died out of my ears. `
` And, before the spell could be wrought further upon me, I had `
` nerved myself to my wild work. By this time I had searched all `
` the tombs in the chapel, so far as I could tell. And as there `
` had been only three of these Undead phantoms around us in the `
` night, I took it that there were no more of active Undead `
` existent. There was one great tomb more lordly than all the `
` rest. Huge it was, and nobly proportioned. On it was but one `
` word. `
` `
` `
` DRACULA `
` `
` `
` This then was the Undead home of the King Vampire, to whom `
` so many more were due. Its emptiness spoke eloquent to `
` make certain what I knew. Before I began to restore these `
` women to their dead selves through my awful work, I laid in `
` Dracula's tomb some of the Wafer, and so banished him from `
` it, Undead, for ever. `
` `
` Then began my terrible task, and I dreaded it. Had it been `
` but one, it had been easy, comparative. But three! To `
` begin twice more after I had been through a deed of horror. `
` For it was terrible with the sweet Miss Lucy, what would it `
` not be with these strange ones who had survived through `
` centuries, and who had been strengthened by the passing of `
` the years. Who would, if they could, have fought for their `
` foul lives . . . `
` `
` Oh, my friend John, but it was butcher work. Had I not `
` been nerved by thoughts of other dead, and of the living `
` over whom hung such a pall of fear, I could not have gone `
` on. I tremble and tremble even yet, though till all was `
` over, God be thanked, my nerve did stand. Had I not seen `
` the repose in the first place, and the gladness that stole `
` over it just ere the final dissolution came, as realization `
` that the soul had been won, I could not have gone further `
` with my butchery. I could not have endured the horrid screeching `
` as the stake drove home, the plunging of writhing form, and lips `
` of bloody foam. I should have fled in terror and left my work `
` undone. But it is over! And the poor souls, I can pity them now `
` and weep, as I think of them placid each in her full sleep of `
` death for a short moment ere fading. For, friend John, hardly `
` had my knife severed the head of each, before the whole body `
` began to melt away and crumble into its native dust, as though `
` the death that should have come centuries ago had at last assert `
` himself and say at once and loud, "I am here!" `
` `
` Before I left the castle I so fixed its entrances that never `
` more can the Count enter there Undead. `
` `
` When I stepped into the circle where Madam Mina slept, she `
` woke from her sleep and, seeing me, cried out in pain that `
` I had endured too much. `
` `
` "Come!" she said, "come away from this awful place! Let us `
` go to meet my husband who is, I know, coming towards us." `
` She was looking thin and pale and weak. But her eyes were `
` pure and glowed with fervour. I was glad to see her paleness and `
` her illness, for my mind was full of the fresh horror of that `
` ruddy vampire sleep. `
` `
` And so with trust and hope, and yet full of fear, we go `
` eastward to meet our friends, and him, whom Madam Mina tell `
` me that she know are coming to meet us. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 6 November.--It was late in the afternoon when the Professor and I `
` took our way towards the east whence I knew Jonathan was coming. We `
` did not go fast, though the way was steeply downhill, for we had to `
` take heavy rugs and wraps with us. We dared not face the possibility `
` of being left without warmth in the cold and the snow. We had to take `
` some of our provisions too, for we were in a perfect desolation, and `
` so far as we could see through the snowfall, there was not even the `
` sign of habitation. When we had gone about a mile, I was tired with `
` the heavy walking and sat down to rest. Then we looked back and saw `
` where the clear line of Dracula's castle cut the sky. For we were so `
` deep under the hill whereon it was set that the angle of perspective `
` of the Carpathian mountains was far below it. We saw it in all its `
` grandeur, perched a thousand feet on the summit of a sheer precipice, `
` and with seemingly a great gap between it and the steep of the `
` adjacent mountain on any side. There was something wild and uncanny `
` about the place. We could hear the distant howling of wolves. They `
` were far off, but the sound, even though coming muffled through the `
` deadening snowfall, was full of terror. I knew from the way Dr. Van `
` Helsing was searching about that he was trying to seek some strategic `
` point, where we would be less exposed in case of attack. The rough `
` roadway still led downwards. We could trace it through the drifted `
` snow. `
` `
` In a little while the Professor signalled to me, so I got up and `
` joined him. He had found a wonderful spot, a sort of natural hollow `
` in a rock, with an entrance like a doorway between two boulders. He `
` took me by the hand and drew me in. `
` `
` "See!" he said, "here you will be in shelter. And if the wolves do `
` come I can meet them one by one." `
` `
` He brought in our furs, and made a snug nest for me, and got out some `
` provisions and forced them upon me. But I could not eat, to even try `
` to do so was repulsive to me, and much as I would have liked to please `
` him, I could not bring myself to the attempt. He looked very sad, but `
` did not reproach me. Taking his field glasses from the case, he stood `
` on the top of the rock, and began to search the horizon. `
` `
` Suddenly he called out, "Look! Madam Mina, look! Look!" `
` `
` I sprang up and stood beside him on the rock. He handed me his `
` glasses and pointed. The snow was now falling more heavily, and `
` swirled about fiercely, for a high wind was beginning to blow. `
` However, there were times when there were pauses between the snow `
` flurries and I could see a long way round. From the height where we `
` were it was possible to see a great distance. And far off, beyond the `
`
` lightly and there is a strange excitement in the air. It may be our `
` own feelings, but the depression is strange. Far off I hear the `
` howling of wolves. The snow brings them down from the mountains, and `
` there are dangers to all of us, and from all sides. The horses are `
` nearly ready, and we are soon off. We ride to death of some one. God `
` alone knows who, or where, or what, or when, or how it may be . . . `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. VAN HELSING'S MEMORANDUM `
` `
` 5 November, afternoon.--I am at least sane. Thank God for `
` that mercy at all events, though the proving it has been `
` dreadful. When I left Madam Mina sleeping within the Holy `
` circle, I took my way to the castle. The blacksmith hammer `
` which I took in the carriage from Veresti was useful, though the `
` doors were all open I broke them off the rusty hinges, lest some `
` ill intent or ill chance should close them, so that being entered `
` I might not get out. Jonathan's bitter experience served me `
` here. By memory of his diary I found my way to the old chapel, `
` for I knew that here my work lay. The air was oppressive. It `
` seemed as if there was some sulphurous fume, which at times made `
` me dizzy. Either there was a roaring in my ears or I heard afar `
` off the howl of wolves. Then I bethought me of my dear Madam `
` Mina, and I was in terrible plight. The dilemma had me between `
` his horns. `
` `
` Her, I had not dare to take into this place, but left safe `
` from the Vampire in that Holy circle. And yet even there `
` would be the wolf! I resolve me that my work lay here, and `
` that as to the wolves we must submit, if it were God's will. At `
` any rate it was only death and freedom beyond. So did I choose `
` for her. Had it but been for myself the choice had been easy, `
` the maw of the wolf were better to rest in than the grave of the `
` Vampire! So I make my choice to go on with my work. `
` `
` I knew that there were at least three graves to find, graves `
` that are inhabit. So I search, and search, and I find one `
` of them. She lay in her Vampire sleep, so full of life and `
` voluptuous beauty that I shudder as though I have come to `
` do murder. Ah, I doubt not that in the old time, when such `
` things were, many a man who set forth to do such a task as `
` mine, found at the last his heart fail him, and then his `
` nerve. So he delay, and delay, and delay, till the mere `
` beauty and the fascination of the wanton Undead have hypnotize `
` him. And he remain on and on, till sunset come, and the Vampire `
` sleep be over. Then the beautiful eyes of the fair woman open `
` and look love, and the voluptuous mouth present to a kiss, and `
` the man is weak. And there remain one more victim in the `
` Vampire fold. One more to swell the grim and grisly ranks `
` of the Undead! . . . `
` `
` There is some fascination, surely, when I am moved by the `
` mere presence of such an one, even lying as she lay in a `
` tomb fretted with age and heavy with the dust of centuries, `
` though there be that horrid odour such as the lairs of the `
` Count have had. Yes, I was moved. I, Van Helsing, with `
` all my purpose and with my motive for hate. I was moved to `
` a yearning for delay which seemed to paralyze my faculties `
` and to clog my very soul. It may have been that the need `
` of natural sleep, and the strange oppression of the air `
` were beginning to overcome me. Certain it was that I was `
` lapsing into sleep, the open eyed sleep of one who yields `
` to a sweet fascination, when there came through the snow-stilled `
` air a long, low wail, so full of woe and pity that it woke me `
` like the sound of a clarion. For it was the voice of my dear `
` Madam Mina that I heard. `
` `
` Then I braced myself again to my horrid task, and found by `
` wrenching away tomb tops one other of the sisters, the other dark `
` one. I dared not pause to look on her as I had on her sister, `
` lest once more I should begin to be enthrall. But I go on `
` searching until, presently, I find in a high great tomb as if `
` made to one much beloved that other fair sister which, like `
` Jonathan I had seen to gather herself out of the atoms of the `
` mist. She was so fair to look on, so radiantly beautiful, so `
` exquisitely voluptuous, that the very instinct of man in me, `
` which calls some of my sex to love and to protect one of hers, `
` made my head whirl with new emotion. But God be thanked, that `
` soul wail of my dear Madam Mina had not died out of my ears. `
` And, before the spell could be wrought further upon me, I had `
` nerved myself to my wild work. By this time I had searched all `
` the tombs in the chapel, so far as I could tell. And as there `
` had been only three of these Undead phantoms around us in the `
` night, I took it that there were no more of active Undead `
` existent. There was one great tomb more lordly than all the `
` rest. Huge it was, and nobly proportioned. On it was but one `
` word. `
` `
` `
` DRACULA `
` `
` `
` This then was the Undead home of the King Vampire, to whom `
` so many more were due. Its emptiness spoke eloquent to `
` make certain what I knew. Before I began to restore these `
` women to their dead selves through my awful work, I laid in `
` Dracula's tomb some of the Wafer, and so banished him from `
` it, Undead, for ever. `
` `
` Then began my terrible task, and I dreaded it. Had it been `
` but one, it had been easy, comparative. But three! To `
` begin twice more after I had been through a deed of horror. `
` For it was terrible with the sweet Miss Lucy, what would it `
` not be with these strange ones who had survived through `
` centuries, and who had been strengthened by the passing of `
` the years. Who would, if they could, have fought for their `
` foul lives . . . `
` `
` Oh, my friend John, but it was butcher work. Had I not `
` been nerved by thoughts of other dead, and of the living `
` over whom hung such a pall of fear, I could not have gone `
` on. I tremble and tremble even yet, though till all was `
` over, God be thanked, my nerve did stand. Had I not seen `
` the repose in the first place, and the gladness that stole `
` over it just ere the final dissolution came, as realization `
` that the soul had been won, I could not have gone further `
` with my butchery. I could not have endured the horrid screeching `
` as the stake drove home, the plunging of writhing form, and lips `
` of bloody foam. I should have fled in terror and left my work `
` undone. But it is over! And the poor souls, I can pity them now `
` and weep, as I think of them placid each in her full sleep of `
` death for a short moment ere fading. For, friend John, hardly `
` had my knife severed the head of each, before the whole body `
` began to melt away and crumble into its native dust, as though `
` the death that should have come centuries ago had at last assert `
` himself and say at once and loud, "I am here!" `
` `
` Before I left the castle I so fixed its entrances that never `
` more can the Count enter there Undead. `
` `
` When I stepped into the circle where Madam Mina slept, she `
` woke from her sleep and, seeing me, cried out in pain that `
` I had endured too much. `
` `
` "Come!" she said, "come away from this awful place! Let us `
` go to meet my husband who is, I know, coming towards us." `
` She was looking thin and pale and weak. But her eyes were `
` pure and glowed with fervour. I was glad to see her paleness and `
` her illness, for my mind was full of the fresh horror of that `
` ruddy vampire sleep. `
` `
` And so with trust and hope, and yet full of fear, we go `
` eastward to meet our friends, and him, whom Madam Mina tell `
` me that she know are coming to meet us. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 6 November.--It was late in the afternoon when the Professor and I `
` took our way towards the east whence I knew Jonathan was coming. We `
` did not go fast, though the way was steeply downhill, for we had to `
` take heavy rugs and wraps with us. We dared not face the possibility `
` of being left without warmth in the cold and the snow. We had to take `
` some of our provisions too, for we were in a perfect desolation, and `
` so far as we could see through the snowfall, there was not even the `
` sign of habitation. When we had gone about a mile, I was tired with `
` the heavy walking and sat down to rest. Then we looked back and saw `
` where the clear line of Dracula's castle cut the sky. For we were so `
` deep under the hill whereon it was set that the angle of perspective `
` of the Carpathian mountains was far below it. We saw it in all its `
` grandeur, perched a thousand feet on the summit of a sheer precipice, `
` and with seemingly a great gap between it and the steep of the `
` adjacent mountain on any side. There was something wild and uncanny `
` about the place. We could hear the distant howling of wolves. They `
` were far off, but the sound, even though coming muffled through the `
` deadening snowfall, was full of terror. I knew from the way Dr. Van `
` Helsing was searching about that he was trying to seek some strategic `
` point, where we would be less exposed in case of attack. The rough `
` roadway still led downwards. We could trace it through the drifted `
` snow. `
` `
` In a little while the Professor signalled to me, so I got up and `
` joined him. He had found a wonderful spot, a sort of natural hollow `
` in a rock, with an entrance like a doorway between two boulders. He `
` took me by the hand and drew me in. `
` `
` "See!" he said, "here you will be in shelter. And if the wolves do `
` come I can meet them one by one." `
` `
` He brought in our furs, and made a snug nest for me, and got out some `
` provisions and forced them upon me. But I could not eat, to even try `
` to do so was repulsive to me, and much as I would have liked to please `
` him, I could not bring myself to the attempt. He looked very sad, but `
` did not reproach me. Taking his field glasses from the case, he stood `
` on the top of the rock, and began to search the horizon. `
` `
` Suddenly he called out, "Look! Madam Mina, look! Look!" `
` `
` I sprang up and stood beside him on the rock. He handed me his `
` glasses and pointed. The snow was now falling more heavily, and `
` swirled about fiercely, for a high wind was beginning to blow. `
` However, there were times when there were pauses between the snow `
` flurries and I could see a long way round. From the height where we `
` were it was possible to see a great distance. And far off, beyond the `
`