Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.1-12
herb in his glass houses all the year. I had to telegraph yesterday, `
` or they would not have been here." `
` `
` We went into the room, taking the flowers with us. The Professor's `
` actions were certainly odd and not to be found in any pharmacopeia `
` that I ever heard of. First he fastened up the windows and latched `
` them securely. Next, taking a handful of the flowers, he rubbed them `
` all over the sashes, as though to ensure that every whiff of air that `
` might get in would be laden with the garlic smell. Then with the wisp `
` he rubbed all over the jamb of the door, above, below, and at each `
` side, and round the fireplace in the same way. It all seemed `
` grotesque to me, and presently I said, "Well, Professor, I know you `
` always have a reason for what you do, but this certainly puzzles me. `
` It is well we have no sceptic here, or he would say that you were `
` working some spell to keep out an evil spirit." `
` `
` "Perhaps I am!" he answered quietly as he began to make the wreath `
` which Lucy was to wear round her neck. `
` `
` We then waited whilst Lucy made her toilet for the night, and when she `
` was in bed he came and himself fixed the wreath of garlic round her `
` neck. The last words he said to her were, `
` `
` "Take care you do not disturb it, and even if the room feel close, do `
` not tonight open the window or the door." `
` `
` "I promise," said Lucy. "And thank you both a thousand times for all `
` your kindness to me! Oh, what have I done to be blessed with such `
` friends?" `
` `
` As we left the house in my fly, which was waiting, Van Helsing said, `
` "Tonight I can sleep in peace, and sleep I want, two nights of travel, `
` much reading in the day between, and much anxiety on the day to `
` follow, and a night to sit up, without to wink. Tomorrow in the `
` morning early you call for me, and we come together to see our pretty `
` miss, so much more strong for my 'spell' which I have work. Ho, ho!" `
` `
` He seemed so confident that I, remembering my own confidence two `
` nights before and with the baneful result, felt awe and vague terror. `
` It must have been my weakness that made me hesitate to tell it to my `
` friend, but I felt it all the more, like unshed tears. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 11 `
` `
` `
` LUCY WESTENRA'S DIARY `
` `
` 12 September.--How good they all are to me. I quite love that dear `
` Dr. Van Helsing. I wonder why he was so anxious about these flowers. `
` He positively frightened me, he was so fierce. And yet he must have `
` been right, for I feel comfort from them already. Somehow, I do not `
` dread being alone tonight, and I can go to sleep without fear. I `
` shall not mind any flapping outside the window. Oh, the terrible `
` struggle that I have had against sleep so often of late, the pain of `
` sleeplessness, or the pain of the fear of sleep, and with such unknown `
` horrors as it has for me! How blessed are some people, whose lives `
` have no fears, no dreads, to whom sleep is a blessing that comes `
` nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams. Well, here I am `
` tonight, hoping for sleep, and lying like Ophelia in the play, with `
` 'virgin crants and maiden strewments.' I never liked garlic before, `
` but tonight it is delightful! There is peace in its smell. I feel `
` sleep coming already. Goodnight, everybody. `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 13 September.--Called at the Berkeley and found Van Helsing, as usual, `
` up to time. The carriage ordered from the hotel was waiting. The `
` Professor took his bag, which he always brings with him now. `
` `
` Let all be put down exactly. Van Helsing and I arrived at Hillingham `
` at eight o'clock. It was a lovely morning. The bright sunshine and `
` all the fresh feeling of early autumn seemed like the completion of `
` nature's annual work. The leaves were turning to all kinds of `
` beautiful colours, but had not yet begun to drop from the trees. When `
` we entered we met Mrs. Westenra coming out of the morning room. She `
` is always an early riser. She greeted us warmly and said, `
` `
` "You will be glad to know that Lucy is better. The dear child is `
` still asleep. I looked into her room and saw her, but did not go in, `
` lest I should disturb her." The Professor smiled, and looked quite `
` jubilant. He rubbed his hands together, and said, "Aha! I thought I `
` had diagnosed the case. My treatment is working." `
` `
` To which she replied, "You must not take all the credit to yourself, `
` doctor. Lucy's state this morning is due in part to me." `
` `
` "How do you mean, ma'am?" asked the Professor. `
` `
` "Well, I was anxious about the dear child in the night, and went into `
` her room. She was sleeping soundly, so soundly that even my coming `
` did not wake her. But the room was awfully stuffy. There were a lot `
` of those horrible, strong-smelling flowers about everywhere, and she `
` had actually a bunch of them round her neck. I feared that the heavy `
` odour would be too much for the dear child in her weak state, so I took `
` them all away and opened a bit of the window to let in a little fresh `
` air. You will be pleased with her, I am sure." `
` `
` She moved off into her boudoir, where she usually breakfasted early. `
` As she had spoken, I watched the Professor's face, and saw it turn `
` ashen gray. He had been able to retain his self-command whilst the `
` poor lady was present, for he knew her state and how mischievous a `
` shock would be. He actually smiled on her as he held open the door `
` for her to pass into her room. But the instant she had disappeared he `
` pulled me, suddenly and forcibly, into the dining room and closed the `
` door. `
` `
` Then, for the first time in my life, I saw Van Helsing break down. He `
` raised his hands over his head in a sort of mute despair, and then `
` beat his palms together in a helpless way. Finally he sat down on a `
` chair, and putting his hands before his face, began to sob, with loud, `
` dry sobs that seemed to come from the very racking of his heart. `
` `
` Then he raised his arms again, as though appealing to the whole `
` universe. "God! God! God!" he said. "What have we done, what has `
` this poor thing done, that we are so sore beset? Is there fate `
` amongst us still, send down from the pagan world of old, that such `
` things must be, and in such way? This poor mother, all unknowing, and `
` all for the best as she think, does such thing as lose her daughter `
` body and soul, and we must not tell her, we must not even warn her, or `
` she die, then both die. Oh, how we are beset! How are all the powers `
` of the devils against us!" `
` `
` Suddenly he jumped to his feet. "Come," he said, "come, we must see and `
` act. Devils or no devils, or all the devils at once, it matters not. `
` We must fight him all the same." He went to the hall door for his `
` bag, and together we went up to Lucy's room. `
` `
` Once again I drew up the blind, whilst Van Helsing went towards the `
` bed. This time he did not start as he looked on the poor face with `
` the same awful, waxen pallor as before. He wore a look of stern `
` sadness and infinite pity. `
` `
` "As I expected," he murmured, with that hissing inspiration of his `
` which meant so much. Without a word he went and locked the door, and `
` then began to set out on the little table the instruments for yet `
` another operation of transfusion of blood. I had long ago recognized `
` the necessity, and begun to take off my coat, but he stopped me with a `
` warning hand. "No!" he said. "Today you must operate. I shall `
` provide. You are weakened already." As he spoke he took off his coat `
` and rolled up his shirtsleeve. `
` `
` Again the operation. Again the narcotic. Again some return of colour `
` to the ashy cheeks, and the regular breathing of healthy sleep. This `
` time I watched whilst Van Helsing recruited himself and rested. `
` `
` Presently he took an opportunity of telling Mrs. Westenra that she `
` must not remove anything from Lucy's room without consulting him. `
` That the flowers were of medicinal value, and that the breathing of `
` their odour was a part of the system of cure. Then he took over the `
` care of the case himself, saying that he would watch this night and `
` the next, and would send me word when to come. `
` `
` After another hour Lucy waked from her sleep, fresh and bright and `
` seemingly not much the worse for her terrible ordeal. `
` `
` What does it all mean? I am beginning to wonder if my long habit of `
` life amongst the insane is beginning to tell upon my own brain. `
` `
` `
` `
` LUCY WESTENRA'S DIARY `
` `
` 17 September.--Four days and nights of peace. I am getting so strong `
` again that I hardly know myself. It is as if I had passed through `
` some long nightmare, and had just awakened to see the beautiful `
` sunshine and feel the fresh air of the morning around me. I have a `
` dim half remembrance of long, anxious times of waiting and fearing, `
` darkness in which there was not even the pain of hope to make present `
` distress more poignant. And then long spells of oblivion, and the `
` rising back to life as a diver coming up through a great press of `
` water. Since, however, Dr. Van Helsing has been with me, all this bad `
` dreaming seems to have passed away. The noises that used to frighten `
` me out of my wits, the flapping against the windows, the distant `
` voices which seemed so close to me, the harsh sounds that came from I `
` know not where and commanded me to do I know not what, have all `
` ceased. I go to bed now without any fear of sleep. I do not even try `
` to keep awake. I have grown quite fond of the garlic, and a boxful `
` arrives for me every day from Haarlem. Tonight Dr. Van Helsing is `
` going away, as he has to be for a day in Amsterdam. But I need not be `
` watched. I am well enough to be left alone. `
` `
` Thank God for Mother's sake, and dear Arthur's, and for all our `
` friends who have been so kind! I shall not even feel the change, for `
` last night Dr. Van Helsing slept in his chair a lot of the time. I `
` found him asleep twice when I awoke. But I did not fear to go to `
` sleep again, although the boughs or bats or something flapped almost `
` angrily against the window panes. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` THE PALL MALL GAZETTE 18 September. `
` `
` THE ESCAPED WOLF PERILOUS ADVENTURE OF OUR INTERVIEWER `
` `
` INTERVIEW WITH THE KEEPER IN THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS `
`
` or they would not have been here." `
` `
` We went into the room, taking the flowers with us. The Professor's `
` actions were certainly odd and not to be found in any pharmacopeia `
` that I ever heard of. First he fastened up the windows and latched `
` them securely. Next, taking a handful of the flowers, he rubbed them `
` all over the sashes, as though to ensure that every whiff of air that `
` might get in would be laden with the garlic smell. Then with the wisp `
` he rubbed all over the jamb of the door, above, below, and at each `
` side, and round the fireplace in the same way. It all seemed `
` grotesque to me, and presently I said, "Well, Professor, I know you `
` always have a reason for what you do, but this certainly puzzles me. `
` It is well we have no sceptic here, or he would say that you were `
` working some spell to keep out an evil spirit." `
` `
` "Perhaps I am!" he answered quietly as he began to make the wreath `
` which Lucy was to wear round her neck. `
` `
` We then waited whilst Lucy made her toilet for the night, and when she `
` was in bed he came and himself fixed the wreath of garlic round her `
` neck. The last words he said to her were, `
` `
` "Take care you do not disturb it, and even if the room feel close, do `
` not tonight open the window or the door." `
` `
` "I promise," said Lucy. "And thank you both a thousand times for all `
` your kindness to me! Oh, what have I done to be blessed with such `
` friends?" `
` `
` As we left the house in my fly, which was waiting, Van Helsing said, `
` "Tonight I can sleep in peace, and sleep I want, two nights of travel, `
` much reading in the day between, and much anxiety on the day to `
` follow, and a night to sit up, without to wink. Tomorrow in the `
` morning early you call for me, and we come together to see our pretty `
` miss, so much more strong for my 'spell' which I have work. Ho, ho!" `
` `
` He seemed so confident that I, remembering my own confidence two `
` nights before and with the baneful result, felt awe and vague terror. `
` It must have been my weakness that made me hesitate to tell it to my `
` friend, but I felt it all the more, like unshed tears. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 11 `
` `
` `
` LUCY WESTENRA'S DIARY `
` `
` 12 September.--How good they all are to me. I quite love that dear `
` Dr. Van Helsing. I wonder why he was so anxious about these flowers. `
` He positively frightened me, he was so fierce. And yet he must have `
` been right, for I feel comfort from them already. Somehow, I do not `
` dread being alone tonight, and I can go to sleep without fear. I `
` shall not mind any flapping outside the window. Oh, the terrible `
` struggle that I have had against sleep so often of late, the pain of `
` sleeplessness, or the pain of the fear of sleep, and with such unknown `
` horrors as it has for me! How blessed are some people, whose lives `
` have no fears, no dreads, to whom sleep is a blessing that comes `
` nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams. Well, here I am `
` tonight, hoping for sleep, and lying like Ophelia in the play, with `
` 'virgin crants and maiden strewments.' I never liked garlic before, `
` but tonight it is delightful! There is peace in its smell. I feel `
` sleep coming already. Goodnight, everybody. `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 13 September.--Called at the Berkeley and found Van Helsing, as usual, `
` up to time. The carriage ordered from the hotel was waiting. The `
` Professor took his bag, which he always brings with him now. `
` `
` Let all be put down exactly. Van Helsing and I arrived at Hillingham `
` at eight o'clock. It was a lovely morning. The bright sunshine and `
` all the fresh feeling of early autumn seemed like the completion of `
` nature's annual work. The leaves were turning to all kinds of `
` beautiful colours, but had not yet begun to drop from the trees. When `
` we entered we met Mrs. Westenra coming out of the morning room. She `
` is always an early riser. She greeted us warmly and said, `
` `
` "You will be glad to know that Lucy is better. The dear child is `
` still asleep. I looked into her room and saw her, but did not go in, `
` lest I should disturb her." The Professor smiled, and looked quite `
` jubilant. He rubbed his hands together, and said, "Aha! I thought I `
` had diagnosed the case. My treatment is working." `
` `
` To which she replied, "You must not take all the credit to yourself, `
` doctor. Lucy's state this morning is due in part to me." `
` `
` "How do you mean, ma'am?" asked the Professor. `
` `
` "Well, I was anxious about the dear child in the night, and went into `
` her room. She was sleeping soundly, so soundly that even my coming `
` did not wake her. But the room was awfully stuffy. There were a lot `
` of those horrible, strong-smelling flowers about everywhere, and she `
` had actually a bunch of them round her neck. I feared that the heavy `
` odour would be too much for the dear child in her weak state, so I took `
` them all away and opened a bit of the window to let in a little fresh `
` air. You will be pleased with her, I am sure." `
` `
` She moved off into her boudoir, where she usually breakfasted early. `
` As she had spoken, I watched the Professor's face, and saw it turn `
` ashen gray. He had been able to retain his self-command whilst the `
` poor lady was present, for he knew her state and how mischievous a `
` shock would be. He actually smiled on her as he held open the door `
` for her to pass into her room. But the instant she had disappeared he `
` pulled me, suddenly and forcibly, into the dining room and closed the `
` door. `
` `
` Then, for the first time in my life, I saw Van Helsing break down. He `
` raised his hands over his head in a sort of mute despair, and then `
` beat his palms together in a helpless way. Finally he sat down on a `
` chair, and putting his hands before his face, began to sob, with loud, `
` dry sobs that seemed to come from the very racking of his heart. `
` `
` Then he raised his arms again, as though appealing to the whole `
` universe. "God! God! God!" he said. "What have we done, what has `
` this poor thing done, that we are so sore beset? Is there fate `
` amongst us still, send down from the pagan world of old, that such `
` things must be, and in such way? This poor mother, all unknowing, and `
` all for the best as she think, does such thing as lose her daughter `
` body and soul, and we must not tell her, we must not even warn her, or `
` she die, then both die. Oh, how we are beset! How are all the powers `
` of the devils against us!" `
` `
` Suddenly he jumped to his feet. "Come," he said, "come, we must see and `
` act. Devils or no devils, or all the devils at once, it matters not. `
` We must fight him all the same." He went to the hall door for his `
` bag, and together we went up to Lucy's room. `
` `
` Once again I drew up the blind, whilst Van Helsing went towards the `
` bed. This time he did not start as he looked on the poor face with `
` the same awful, waxen pallor as before. He wore a look of stern `
` sadness and infinite pity. `
` `
` "As I expected," he murmured, with that hissing inspiration of his `
` which meant so much. Without a word he went and locked the door, and `
` then began to set out on the little table the instruments for yet `
` another operation of transfusion of blood. I had long ago recognized `
` the necessity, and begun to take off my coat, but he stopped me with a `
` warning hand. "No!" he said. "Today you must operate. I shall `
` provide. You are weakened already." As he spoke he took off his coat `
` and rolled up his shirtsleeve. `
` `
` Again the operation. Again the narcotic. Again some return of colour `
` to the ashy cheeks, and the regular breathing of healthy sleep. This `
` time I watched whilst Van Helsing recruited himself and rested. `
` `
` Presently he took an opportunity of telling Mrs. Westenra that she `
` must not remove anything from Lucy's room without consulting him. `
` That the flowers were of medicinal value, and that the breathing of `
` their odour was a part of the system of cure. Then he took over the `
` care of the case himself, saying that he would watch this night and `
` the next, and would send me word when to come. `
` `
` After another hour Lucy waked from her sleep, fresh and bright and `
` seemingly not much the worse for her terrible ordeal. `
` `
` What does it all mean? I am beginning to wonder if my long habit of `
` life amongst the insane is beginning to tell upon my own brain. `
` `
` `
` `
` LUCY WESTENRA'S DIARY `
` `
` 17 September.--Four days and nights of peace. I am getting so strong `
` again that I hardly know myself. It is as if I had passed through `
` some long nightmare, and had just awakened to see the beautiful `
` sunshine and feel the fresh air of the morning around me. I have a `
` dim half remembrance of long, anxious times of waiting and fearing, `
` darkness in which there was not even the pain of hope to make present `
` distress more poignant. And then long spells of oblivion, and the `
` rising back to life as a diver coming up through a great press of `
` water. Since, however, Dr. Van Helsing has been with me, all this bad `
` dreaming seems to have passed away. The noises that used to frighten `
` me out of my wits, the flapping against the windows, the distant `
` voices which seemed so close to me, the harsh sounds that came from I `
` know not where and commanded me to do I know not what, have all `
` ceased. I go to bed now without any fear of sleep. I do not even try `
` to keep awake. I have grown quite fond of the garlic, and a boxful `
` arrives for me every day from Haarlem. Tonight Dr. Van Helsing is `
` going away, as he has to be for a day in Amsterdam. But I need not be `
` watched. I am well enough to be left alone. `
` `
` Thank God for Mother's sake, and dear Arthur's, and for all our `
` friends who have been so kind! I shall not even feel the change, for `
` last night Dr. Van Helsing slept in his chair a lot of the time. I `
` found him asleep twice when I awoke. But I did not fear to go to `
` sleep again, although the boughs or bats or something flapped almost `
` angrily against the window panes. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` THE PALL MALL GAZETTE 18 September. `
` `
` THE ESCAPED WOLF PERILOUS ADVENTURE OF OUR INTERVIEWER `
` `
` INTERVIEW WITH THE KEEPER IN THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS `
`