Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.1-12
such a monster, so I asked him point-blank, "Why may I not go `
` tonight?" `
` `
` "Because, dear sir, my coachman and horses are away on a mission." `
` `
` "But I would walk with pleasure. I want to get away at once." `
` `
` He smiled, such a soft, smooth, diabolical smile that I knew there was `
` some trick behind his smoothness. He said, "And your baggage?" `
` `
` "I do not care about it. I can send for it some other time." `
` `
` The Count stood up, and said, with a sweet courtesy which made me rub `
` my eyes, it seemed so real, "You English have a saying which is close `
` to my heart, for its spirit is that which rules our boyars, 'Welcome `
` the coming, speed the parting guest.' Come with me, my dear young `
` friend. Not an hour shall you wait in my house against your will, `
` though sad am I at your going, and that you so suddenly desire it. `
` Come!" With a stately gravity, he, with the lamp, preceded me down `
` the stairs and along the hall. Suddenly he stopped. "Hark!" `
` `
` Close at hand came the howling of many wolves. It was almost as if `
` the sound sprang up at the rising of his hand, just as the music of a `
` great orchestra seems to leap under the baton of the conductor. After `
` a pause of a moment, he proceeded, in his stately way, to the door, `
` drew back the ponderous bolts, unhooked the heavy chains, and began to `
` draw it open. `
` `
` To my intense astonishment I saw that it was unlocked. Suspiciously, `
` I looked all round, but could see no key of any kind. `
` `
` As the door began to open, the howling of the wolves without grew `
` louder and angrier. Their red jaws, with champing teeth, and their `
` blunt-clawed feet as they leaped, came in through the opening door. I `
` knew than that to struggle at the moment against the Count was `
` useless. With such allies as these at his command, I could do `
` nothing. `
` `
` But still the door continued slowly to open, and only the Count's body `
` stood in the gap. Suddenly it struck me that this might be the moment `
` and means of my doom. I was to be given to the wolves, and at my own `
` instigation. There was a diabolical wickedness in the idea great `
` enough for the Count, and as the last chance I cried out, "Shut the `
` door! I shall wait till morning." And I covered my face with my `
` hands to hide my tears of bitter disappointment. `
` `
` With one sweep of his powerful arm, the Count threw the door shut, and `
` the great bolts clanged and echoed through the hall as they shot back `
` into their places. `
` `
` In silence we returned to the library, and after a minute or two I went `
` to my own room. The last I saw of Count Dracula was his kissing his `
` hand to me, with a red light of triumph in his eyes, and with a smile `
` that Judas in hell might be proud of. `
` `
` When I was in my room and about to lie down, I thought I heard a `
` whispering at my door. I went to it softly and listened. Unless my `
` ears deceived me, I heard the voice of the Count. `
` `
` "Back! Back to your own place! Your time is not yet come. Wait! `
` Have patience! Tonight is mine. Tomorrow night is yours!" `
` `
` There was a low, sweet ripple of laughter, and in a rage I threw open `
` the door, and saw without the three terrible women licking their lips. `
` As I appeared, they all joined in a horrible laugh, and ran away. `
` `
` I came back to my room and threw myself on my knees. It is then so `
` near the end? Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Lord, help me, and those to whom `
` I am dear! `
` `
` `
` 30 June.--These may be the last words I ever write in this diary. I `
` slept till just before the dawn, and when I woke threw myself on my `
` knees, for I determined that if Death came he should find me ready. `
` `
` At last I felt that subtle change in the air, and knew that the `
` morning had come. Then came the welcome cockcrow, and I felt that I `
` was safe. With a glad heart, I opened the door and ran down the hall. `
` I had seen that the door was unlocked, and now escape was before me. `
` With hands that trembled with eagerness, I unhooked the chains and `
` threw back the massive bolts. `
` `
` But the door would not move. Despair seized me. I pulled and pulled `
` at the door, and shook it till, massive as it was, it rattled in its `
` casement. I could see the bolt shot. It had been locked after I left `
` the Count. `
` `
` Then a wild desire took me to obtain the key at any risk, and I `
` determined then and there to scale the wall again, and gain the `
` Count's room. He might kill me, but death now seemed the happier `
` choice of evils. Without a pause I rushed up to the east window, and `
` scrambled down the wall, as before, into the Count's room. It was `
` empty, but that was as I expected. I could not see a key anywhere, `
` but the heap of gold remained. I went through the door in the corner `
` and down the winding stair and along the dark passage to the old `
` chapel. I knew now well enough where to find the monster I sought. `
` `
` The great box was in the same place, close against the wall, but the `
` lid was laid on it, not fastened down, but with the nails ready in `
` their places to be hammered home. `
` `
` I knew I must reach the body for the key, so I raised the lid, and `
` laid it back against the wall. And then I saw something which filled `
` my very soul with horror. There lay the Count, but looking as if his `
` youth had been half restored. For the white hair and moustache were `
` changed to dark iron-grey. The cheeks were fuller, and the white skin `
` seemed ruby-red underneath. The mouth was redder than ever, for on `
` the lips were gouts of fresh blood, which trickled from the corners of `
` the mouth and ran down over the chin and neck. Even the deep, burning `
` eyes seemed set amongst swollen flesh, for the lids and pouches `
` underneath were bloated. It seemed as if the whole awful creature `
` were simply gorged with blood. He lay like a filthy leech, exhausted `
` with his repletion. `
` `
` I shuddered as I bent over to touch him, and every sense in me `
` revolted at the contact, but I had to search, or I was lost. The `
` coming night might see my own body a banquet in a similar war to those `
` horrid three. I felt all over the body, but no sign could I find of `
` the key. Then I stopped and looked at the Count. There was a mocking `
` smile on the bloated face which seemed to drive me mad. This was the `
` being I was helping to transfer to London, where, perhaps, for `
` centuries to come he might, amongst its teeming millions, satiate his `
` lust for blood, and create a new and ever-widening circle of `
` semi-demons to batten on the helpless. `
` `
` The very thought drove me mad. A terrible desire came upon me to rid `
` the world of such a monster. There was no lethal weapon at hand, but `
` I seized a shovel which the workmen had been using to fill the cases, `
` and lifting it high, struck, with the edge downward, at the hateful `
` face. But as I did so the head turned, and the eyes fell upon me, `
` with all their blaze of basilisk horror. The sight seemed to paralyze `
` me, and the shovel turned in my hand and glanced from the face, merely `
` making a deep gash above the forehead. The shovel fell from my hand `
` across the box, and as I pulled it away the flange of the blade caught `
` the edge of the lid which fell over again, and hid the horrid thing `
` from my sight. The last glimpse I had was of the bloated face, `
` blood-stained and fixed with a grin of malice which would have held `
` its own in the nethermost hell. `
` `
` I thought and thought what should be my next move, but my brain seemed `
` on fire, and I waited with a despairing feeling growing over me. As I `
` waited I heard in the distance a gipsy song sung by merry voices `
` coming closer, and through their song the rolling of heavy wheels and `
` the cracking of whips. The Szgany and the Slovaks of whom the Count `
` had spoken were coming. With a last look around and at the box which `
` contained the vile body, I ran from the place and gained the Count's `
` room, determined to rush out at the moment the door should be opened. `
` With strained ears, I listened, and heard downstairs the grinding of `
` the key in the great lock and the falling back of the heavy door. `
` There must have been some other means of entry, or some one had a key `
` for one of the locked doors. `
` `
` Then there came the sound of many feet tramping and dying away in some `
` passage which sent up a clanging echo. I turned to run down again `
` towards the vault, where I might find the new entrance, but at the `
` moment there seemed to come a violent puff of wind, and the door to `
` the winding stair blew to with a shock that set the dust from the `
` lintels flying. When I ran to push it open, I found that it was `
` hopelessly fast. I was again a prisoner, and the net of doom was `
` closing round me more closely. `
` `
` As I write there is in the passage below a sound of many tramping feet `
` and the crash of weights being set down heavily, doubtless the boxes, `
` with their freight of earth. There was a sound of hammering. It is `
` the box being nailed down. Now I can hear the heavy feet tramping `
` again along the hall, with with many other idle feet coming behind `
` them. `
` `
` The door is shut, the chains rattle. There is a grinding of the key `
` in the lock. I can hear the key withdrawn, then another door opens `
` and shuts. I hear the creaking of lock and bolt. `
` `
` Hark! In the courtyard and down the rocky way the roll of heavy `
` wheels, the crack of whips, and the chorus of the Szgany as they pass `
` into the distance. `
` `
` I am alone in the castle with those horrible women. Faugh! Mina is a `
` woman, and there is nought in common. They are devils of the Pit! `
` `
` I shall not remain alone with them. I shall try to scale the castle `
` wall farther than I have yet attempted. I shall take some of the gold `
` with me, lest I want it later. I may find a way from this dreadful `
` place. `
` `
` And then away for home! Away to the quickest and nearest train! Away `
` from the cursed spot, from this cursed land, where the devil and his `
` children still walk with earthly feet! `
` `
` At least God's mercy is better than that of those monsters, and the `
` precipice is steep and high. At its foot a man may sleep, as a man. `
` Goodbye, all. Mina! `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 5 `
` `
` `
` LETTER FROM MISS MINA MURRAY TO MISS LUCY WESTENRA `
` `
` 9 May. `
`
` tonight?" `
` `
` "Because, dear sir, my coachman and horses are away on a mission." `
` `
` "But I would walk with pleasure. I want to get away at once." `
` `
` He smiled, such a soft, smooth, diabolical smile that I knew there was `
` some trick behind his smoothness. He said, "And your baggage?" `
` `
` "I do not care about it. I can send for it some other time." `
` `
` The Count stood up, and said, with a sweet courtesy which made me rub `
` my eyes, it seemed so real, "You English have a saying which is close `
` to my heart, for its spirit is that which rules our boyars, 'Welcome `
` the coming, speed the parting guest.' Come with me, my dear young `
` friend. Not an hour shall you wait in my house against your will, `
` though sad am I at your going, and that you so suddenly desire it. `
` Come!" With a stately gravity, he, with the lamp, preceded me down `
` the stairs and along the hall. Suddenly he stopped. "Hark!" `
` `
` Close at hand came the howling of many wolves. It was almost as if `
` the sound sprang up at the rising of his hand, just as the music of a `
` great orchestra seems to leap under the baton of the conductor. After `
` a pause of a moment, he proceeded, in his stately way, to the door, `
` drew back the ponderous bolts, unhooked the heavy chains, and began to `
` draw it open. `
` `
` To my intense astonishment I saw that it was unlocked. Suspiciously, `
` I looked all round, but could see no key of any kind. `
` `
` As the door began to open, the howling of the wolves without grew `
` louder and angrier. Their red jaws, with champing teeth, and their `
` blunt-clawed feet as they leaped, came in through the opening door. I `
` knew than that to struggle at the moment against the Count was `
` useless. With such allies as these at his command, I could do `
` nothing. `
` `
` But still the door continued slowly to open, and only the Count's body `
` stood in the gap. Suddenly it struck me that this might be the moment `
` and means of my doom. I was to be given to the wolves, and at my own `
` instigation. There was a diabolical wickedness in the idea great `
` enough for the Count, and as the last chance I cried out, "Shut the `
` door! I shall wait till morning." And I covered my face with my `
` hands to hide my tears of bitter disappointment. `
` `
` With one sweep of his powerful arm, the Count threw the door shut, and `
` the great bolts clanged and echoed through the hall as they shot back `
` into their places. `
` `
` In silence we returned to the library, and after a minute or two I went `
` to my own room. The last I saw of Count Dracula was his kissing his `
` hand to me, with a red light of triumph in his eyes, and with a smile `
` that Judas in hell might be proud of. `
` `
` When I was in my room and about to lie down, I thought I heard a `
` whispering at my door. I went to it softly and listened. Unless my `
` ears deceived me, I heard the voice of the Count. `
` `
` "Back! Back to your own place! Your time is not yet come. Wait! `
` Have patience! Tonight is mine. Tomorrow night is yours!" `
` `
` There was a low, sweet ripple of laughter, and in a rage I threw open `
` the door, and saw without the three terrible women licking their lips. `
` As I appeared, they all joined in a horrible laugh, and ran away. `
` `
` I came back to my room and threw myself on my knees. It is then so `
` near the end? Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Lord, help me, and those to whom `
` I am dear! `
` `
` `
` 30 June.--These may be the last words I ever write in this diary. I `
` slept till just before the dawn, and when I woke threw myself on my `
` knees, for I determined that if Death came he should find me ready. `
` `
` At last I felt that subtle change in the air, and knew that the `
` morning had come. Then came the welcome cockcrow, and I felt that I `
` was safe. With a glad heart, I opened the door and ran down the hall. `
` I had seen that the door was unlocked, and now escape was before me. `
` With hands that trembled with eagerness, I unhooked the chains and `
` threw back the massive bolts. `
` `
` But the door would not move. Despair seized me. I pulled and pulled `
` at the door, and shook it till, massive as it was, it rattled in its `
` casement. I could see the bolt shot. It had been locked after I left `
` the Count. `
` `
` Then a wild desire took me to obtain the key at any risk, and I `
` determined then and there to scale the wall again, and gain the `
` Count's room. He might kill me, but death now seemed the happier `
` choice of evils. Without a pause I rushed up to the east window, and `
` scrambled down the wall, as before, into the Count's room. It was `
` empty, but that was as I expected. I could not see a key anywhere, `
` but the heap of gold remained. I went through the door in the corner `
` and down the winding stair and along the dark passage to the old `
` chapel. I knew now well enough where to find the monster I sought. `
` `
` The great box was in the same place, close against the wall, but the `
` lid was laid on it, not fastened down, but with the nails ready in `
` their places to be hammered home. `
` `
` I knew I must reach the body for the key, so I raised the lid, and `
` laid it back against the wall. And then I saw something which filled `
` my very soul with horror. There lay the Count, but looking as if his `
` youth had been half restored. For the white hair and moustache were `
` changed to dark iron-grey. The cheeks were fuller, and the white skin `
` seemed ruby-red underneath. The mouth was redder than ever, for on `
` the lips were gouts of fresh blood, which trickled from the corners of `
` the mouth and ran down over the chin and neck. Even the deep, burning `
` eyes seemed set amongst swollen flesh, for the lids and pouches `
` underneath were bloated. It seemed as if the whole awful creature `
` were simply gorged with blood. He lay like a filthy leech, exhausted `
` with his repletion. `
` `
` I shuddered as I bent over to touch him, and every sense in me `
` revolted at the contact, but I had to search, or I was lost. The `
` coming night might see my own body a banquet in a similar war to those `
` horrid three. I felt all over the body, but no sign could I find of `
` the key. Then I stopped and looked at the Count. There was a mocking `
` smile on the bloated face which seemed to drive me mad. This was the `
` being I was helping to transfer to London, where, perhaps, for `
` centuries to come he might, amongst its teeming millions, satiate his `
` lust for blood, and create a new and ever-widening circle of `
` semi-demons to batten on the helpless. `
` `
` The very thought drove me mad. A terrible desire came upon me to rid `
` the world of such a monster. There was no lethal weapon at hand, but `
` I seized a shovel which the workmen had been using to fill the cases, `
` and lifting it high, struck, with the edge downward, at the hateful `
` face. But as I did so the head turned, and the eyes fell upon me, `
` with all their blaze of basilisk horror. The sight seemed to paralyze `
` me, and the shovel turned in my hand and glanced from the face, merely `
` making a deep gash above the forehead. The shovel fell from my hand `
` across the box, and as I pulled it away the flange of the blade caught `
` the edge of the lid which fell over again, and hid the horrid thing `
` from my sight. The last glimpse I had was of the bloated face, `
` blood-stained and fixed with a grin of malice which would have held `
` its own in the nethermost hell. `
` `
` I thought and thought what should be my next move, but my brain seemed `
` on fire, and I waited with a despairing feeling growing over me. As I `
` waited I heard in the distance a gipsy song sung by merry voices `
` coming closer, and through their song the rolling of heavy wheels and `
` the cracking of whips. The Szgany and the Slovaks of whom the Count `
` had spoken were coming. With a last look around and at the box which `
` contained the vile body, I ran from the place and gained the Count's `
` room, determined to rush out at the moment the door should be opened. `
` With strained ears, I listened, and heard downstairs the grinding of `
` the key in the great lock and the falling back of the heavy door. `
` There must have been some other means of entry, or some one had a key `
` for one of the locked doors. `
` `
` Then there came the sound of many feet tramping and dying away in some `
` passage which sent up a clanging echo. I turned to run down again `
` towards the vault, where I might find the new entrance, but at the `
` moment there seemed to come a violent puff of wind, and the door to `
` the winding stair blew to with a shock that set the dust from the `
` lintels flying. When I ran to push it open, I found that it was `
` hopelessly fast. I was again a prisoner, and the net of doom was `
` closing round me more closely. `
` `
` As I write there is in the passage below a sound of many tramping feet `
` and the crash of weights being set down heavily, doubtless the boxes, `
` with their freight of earth. There was a sound of hammering. It is `
` the box being nailed down. Now I can hear the heavy feet tramping `
` again along the hall, with with many other idle feet coming behind `
` them. `
` `
` The door is shut, the chains rattle. There is a grinding of the key `
` in the lock. I can hear the key withdrawn, then another door opens `
` and shuts. I hear the creaking of lock and bolt. `
` `
` Hark! In the courtyard and down the rocky way the roll of heavy `
` wheels, the crack of whips, and the chorus of the Szgany as they pass `
` into the distance. `
` `
` I am alone in the castle with those horrible women. Faugh! Mina is a `
` woman, and there is nought in common. They are devils of the Pit! `
` `
` I shall not remain alone with them. I shall try to scale the castle `
` wall farther than I have yet attempted. I shall take some of the gold `
` with me, lest I want it later. I may find a way from this dreadful `
` place. `
` `
` And then away for home! Away to the quickest and nearest train! Away `
` from the cursed spot, from this cursed land, where the devil and his `
` children still walk with earthly feet! `
` `
` At least God's mercy is better than that of those monsters, and the `
` precipice is steep and high. At its foot a man may sleep, as a man. `
` Goodbye, all. Mina! `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 5 `
` `
` `
` LETTER FROM MISS MINA MURRAY TO MISS LUCY WESTENRA `
` `
` 9 May. `
`