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<fileDesc>
<titleStmt>
<title>Dracula</title>
<author>
<persName>Bram Stoker</persName>
</author>
<author><persName>Emily McNutt</persName><note>Wrote TEI markup</note></author>
</titleStmt>
<publicationStmt>
<ab><date when="2019-04-04"/></ab>
<ab><orgName>ENGL 305/DIHU 301</orgName></ab>
</publicationStmt>
<sourceDesc>
<bibl> Stoker, Bram. The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dracula. 2013. </bibl>
</sourceDesc>
</fileDesc>
</teiHeader>
<text>
<front>
<!-- front matter, if any, goes in <div>s, here -->
</front>
<body>
<div>
<head>CHAPTER XVII</head>
</div>
<div type="diary">
<head><persName ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">DR. SEWARD</persName>’S DIARY—continued</head>
</div>
<div type="entry">
<p>WHEN we arrived at the Berkeley Hotel, <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#VanHelsing">Van
Helsing</persName> found a telegram waiting for him:—</p>
<p><quote>“Am coming up by train. <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan</persName> at <placeName>Whitby</placeName>. Important news.—<persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray">MINA
HARKER</persName>.”</quote></p>
<p>The Professor was delighted. <said>“Ah, that wonderful Madam <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray"
>Mina</persName>,”</said> he said, <said>“pearl among women! She arrive, but I cannot
stay. She must go to your house, friend <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>John</persName>. You must meet her at the station. Telegraph her en route, so that
she may be prepared.”</said></p>
<p>When the wire was despatched he had a cup of tea; over it he told me of a diary kept by
<persName ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan Harker</persName> when abroad, and gave me a typewritten copy of it, as also
of <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray"
>Mina</persName>’s diary at <placeName>Whitby</placeName>. <said>“Take these,”</said> he
said, <said>“and study them well. When I have returned you will be master of all the
facts, and we can then better enter on our inquisition. Keep them safe, for there is in
them much of treasure. You will need all your faith, even you who have had such an
experience as that of to-day. What is here told,”</said> he laid his hand heavily and
gravely on the packet of papers as he spoke, <said>“may be the beginning of the end to you
and me and many another; or it may sound the knell of the Un-Dead who walk the earth.
Read all, I pray you, with the open mind; and if you can add in any way to the story
here told do so, for it is all-important. You have kept diary of all these so strange
things; is it not so? Yes! Then we shall go through all these together when we
meet.”</said> He then made ready for his departure, and shortly after drove off to
<placeName>Liverpool Street</placeName>. I took my way to
<placeName>Paddington</placeName>, where I arrived about fifteen minutes before the
train came in.</p>
<p>The crowd melted away, after the bustling fashion common to arrival platforms; and I was
beginning to feel uneasy, lest I might miss my guest, when a sweet-faced, dainty-looking
girl stepped up to me, and, after a quick glance, said: <said>“<persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName>, is it not?”</said>
</p>
<p><said>“And you are <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray"
>Mina</persName>!”</said> I answered at once; whereupon she held out her hand. </p>
<p><said>“I knew you from the description of poor dear <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>; but——”</said> She stopped suddenly, and a quick blush overspread her
face. </p>
<p>The blush that rose to my own cheeks somehow set us both at ease, for it was a tacit
answer to her own. I got her luggage, which included a typewriter, and we took the
Underground to <placeName>Fenchurch Street</placeName>, after I had sent a wire to my
housekeeper to have a sitting-room and bedroom prepared at once for <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray">Mrs.
Harker</persName>. </p>
<p>In due time we arrived. She knew, of course, that the place was a lunatic asylum, but I
could see that she was unable to repress a shudder when we entered. </p>
<p>She told me that, if she might, she would come presently to my study, as she had much to
say. So here I am finishing my entry in my phonograph diary whilst I await her. As yet I
have not had the chance of looking at the papers which <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#VanHelsing">Van
Helsing</persName> left with me, though they lie open before me. I must get her
interested in something, so that I may have an opportunity of reading them. She does not
know how precious time is, or what a task we have in hand. I must be careful not to
frighten her. Here she is! </p>
</div>
<div type="journal">
<head><persName ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray">Mina Harker</persName>’s Journal.</head>
</div>
<div type="entry">
<p><date>29 September.</date>—After I had tidied myself, I went down to <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName>’s study. At the door I paused a moment, for I thought I heard him
talking with some one. As, however, he had pressed me to be quick, I knocked at the door,
and on his calling out, <said>“Come in,”</said> I entered. </p>
<p>To my intense surprise, there was no one with him. He was quite alone, and on the table
opposite him was what I knew at once from the description to be a phonograph. I had never
seen one, and was much interested. </p>
<p><said>“I hope I did not keep you waiting,”</said> I said; <said>“but I stayed at the door
as I heard you talking, and thought there was some one with you.”</said>
</p>
<p><said>“Oh,”</said> he replied with a smile, <said>“I was only entering my diary.”</said>
</p>
<p><said>“Your diary?”</said> I asked him in surprise. </p>
<p><said>“Yes,”</said> he answered. <said>“I keep it in this.”</said> As he spoke he laid
his hand on the phonograph. I felt quite excited over it, and blurted out:— </p>
<p><said>“Why, this beats even shorthand! May I hear it say something?”</said>
</p>
<p><said>“Certainly,”</said> he replied with alacrity, and stood up to put it in train for
speaking. Then he paused, and a troubled look overspread his face. </p>
<p><said>“The fact is,”</said> he began awkwardly, <said>“I only keep my diary in it; and as
it is entirely—almost entirely—about my cases, it may be awkward—that is, I
mean——”</said> He stopped, and I tried to help him out of his embarrassment:— </p>
<p><said>“You helped to attend dear <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName> at the end. Let me hear how she died; for all that I know of her, I
shall be very grateful. She was very, very dear to me.”</said>
</p>
<p>To my surprise, he answered, with a horrorstruck look in his face:— </p>
<p><said>“Tell you of her death? Not for the wide world!”</said>
</p>
<p><said>“Why not?”</said> I asked, for some grave, terrible feeling was coming over me.
Again he paused, and I could see that he was trying to invent an excuse. At length he
stammered out:— </p>
<p><said>“You see, I do not know how to pick out any particular part of the diary.”</said>
Even while he was speaking an idea dawned upon him, and he said with unconscious
simplicity, in a different voice, and with the naïveté of a child: <said>“That’s quite
true, upon my honour. Honest Indian!”</said> I could not but smile, at which he
grimaced. <said>“I gave myself away that time!”</said> he said. <said>“But do you know
that, although I have kept the diary for months past, it never once struck me how I was
going to find any particular part of it in case I wanted to look it up?”</said> By this
time my mind was made up that the diary of a doctor who attended <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName> might have something to add to the sum of our knowledge of that
terrible Being, and I said boldly:— </p>
<p><said>“Then, <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName>, you had better let me copy it out for you on my typewriter.”</said>
He grew to a positively deathly pallor as he said:— </p>
<p><said>“No! no! no! For all the world, I wouldn’t let you know that terrible
story!”</said>
</p>
<p>Then it was terrible; my intuition was right! For a moment I thought, and as my eyes
ranged the room, unconsciously looking for something or some opportunity to aid me, they
lit on a great batch of typewriting on the table. His eyes caught the look in mine, and,
without his thinking, followed their direction. As they saw the parcel he realised my
meaning. </p>
<p><said>“You do not know me,”</said> I said. <said>“When you have read those papers—my own
diary and my husband’s also, which I have typed—you will know me better. I have not
faltered in giving every thought of my own heart in this cause; but, of course, you do
not know me—yet; and I must not expect you to trust me so far.”</said>
</p>
<p>He is certainly a man of noble nature; poor dear <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName> was right about him. He stood up and opened a large drawer, in which
were arranged in order a number of hollow cylinders of metal covered with dark wax, and
said:— </p>
<p><said>“You are quite right. I did not trust you because I did not know you. But I know
you now; and let me say that I should have known you long ago. I know that Lucy told you
of me; she told me of you too. May I make the only atonement in my power? Take the
cylinders and hear them—the first half-dozen of them are personal to me, and they will
not horrify you; then you will know me better. Dinner will by then be ready. In the
meantime I shall read over some of these documents, and shall be better able to
understand certain things.”</said> He carried the phonograph himself up to my
sitting-room and adjusted it for me. Now I shall learn something pleasant, I am sure; for
it will tell me the other side of a true love episode of which I know one side already....
</p>
</div>
<div type="diary">
<head><persName ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward"
>Dr. Seward</persName>’s Diary.</head>
</div>
<div type="entry">
<p><date>29 September.</date>—I was so absorbed in that wonderful diary of <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan">Jonathan
Harker</persName> and that other of his wife that I let the time run on without
thinking. <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray"
>Mina</persName> was not down when the maid came to announce dinner, so I said:
<said>“She is possibly tired; let dinner wait an hour,”</said> and I went on with my
work. I had just finished <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray"
>Mina</persName>’s diary, when she came in. She looked sweetly pretty, but very sad, and
her eyes were flushed with crying. This somehow moved me much. Of late I have had cause
for tears, God knows! but the relief of them was denied me; and now the sight of those
sweet eyes, brightened with recent tears, went straight to my heart. So I said as gently
as I could:— </p>
<p><said>“I greatly fear I have distressed you.”</said>
</p>
<p><said>“Oh, no, not distressed me,”</said> she replied, <said>“but I have been more
touched than I can say by your grief. That is a wonderful machine, but it is cruelly
true. It told me, in its very tones, the anguish of your heart. It was like a soul
crying out to Almighty God. No one must hear them spoken ever again! See, I have tried
to be useful. I have copied out the words on my typewriter, and none other need now hear
your heart beat, as I did.”</said>
</p>
<p><said>“No one need ever know, shall ever know,”</said> I said in a low voice. She laid
her hand on mine and said very gravely:— </p>
<p><said>“Ah, but they must!”</said>
</p>
<p><said>“Must! But why?”</said> I asked. </p>
<p><said>“Because it is a part of the terrible story, a part of poor dear <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>’s death and all that led to it; because in the struggle which we have
before us to rid the earth of this terrible monster we must have all the knowledge and
all the help which we can get. I think that the cylinders which you gave me contained
more than you intended me to know; but I can see that there are in your record many
lights to this dark mystery. You will let me help, will you not? I know all up to a
certain point; and I see already, though your diary only took me to <date>7
September</date>, how poor <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName> was beset, and how her terrible doom was being wrought out. <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan</persName> and I have been working day and night since Professor <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#VanHelsing">Van
Helsing</persName> saw us. He is gone to <placeName>Whitby</placeName> to get more
information, and he will be here to-morrow to help us. We need have no secrets amongst
us; working together and with absolute trust, we can surely be stronger than if some of
us were in the dark.”</said> She looked at me so appealingly, and at the same time
manifested such courage and resolution in her bearing, that I gave in at once to her
wishes. <said>“You shall,”</said> I said, <said>“do as you like in the matter. God forgive
me if I do wrong! There are terrible things yet to learn of; but if you have so far
travelled on the road to poor <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWesterna"
>Lucy</persName>’s death, you will not be content, I know, to remain in the dark. Nay,
the end—the very end—may give you a gleam of peace. Come, there is dinner. We must keep
one another strong for what is before us; we have a cruel and dreadful task. When you
have eaten you shall learn the rest, and I shall answer any questions you ask—if there
be anything which you do not understand, though it was apparent to us who were
present.”</said>
</p>
</div>
<div type="journal">
<head><persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray">Mina
Harker</persName>’s Journal.</head>
</div>
<div type="entry">
<p><date>29 September.</date>—After dinner I came with <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName> to his study. He brought back the phonograph from my room, and I took
my typewriter. He placed me in a comfortable chair, and arranged the phonograph so that I
could touch it without getting up, and showed me how to stop it in case I should want to
pause. Then he very thoughtfully took a chair, with his back to me, so that I might be as
free as possible, and began to read. I put the forked metal to my ears and listened. </p>
<p>When the terrible story of <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>’s death, and—and all that followed, was done, I lay back in my chair
powerless. Fortunately I am not of a fainting disposition. When <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName> saw me he jumped up with a horrified exclamation, and hurriedly taking
a case-bottle from a cupboard, gave me some brandy, which in a few minutes somewhat
restored me. My brain was all in a whirl, and only that there came through all the
multitude of horrors, the holy ray of light that my dear, dear <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName> was at last at peace, I do not think I could have borne it without
making a scene. It is all so wild, and mysterious, and strange that if I had not known
<persName ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan</persName>’s experience in <placeName>Transylvania</placeName> I could not
have believed. As it was, I didn’t know what to believe, and so got out of my difficulty
by attending to something else. I took the cover off my typewriter, and said to <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName>:— </p>
<p><said>“Let me write this all out now. We must be ready for Dr. <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#VanHelsing">Van
Helsing</persName> when he comes. I have sent a telegram to <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan</persName> to come on here when he arrives in <placeName>London</placeName>
from <placeName>Whitby</placeName>. In this matter dates are everything, and I think
that if we get all our material ready, and have every item put in chronological order,
we shall have done much. You tell me that <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Arthur">Lord
Godalming</persName> and <persName>Mr. Morris</persName> are coming too. Let us be
able to tell him when they come.”</said> He accordingly set the phonograph at a slow
pace, and I began to typewrite from the beginning of the seventh cylinder. I used
manifold, and so took three copies of the diary, just as I had done with all the rest. It
was late when I got through, but <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName> went about his work of going his round of the patients; when he had
finished he came back and sat near me, reading, so that I did not feel too lonely whilst I
worked. How good and thoughtful he is; the world seems full of good men—even if there are
monsters in it. Before I left him I remembered what <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan</persName> put in his diary of the <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#VanHelsing"
>Professor</persName>’s perturbation at reading something in an evening paper at the
station at <placeName>Exeter</placeName>; so, seeing that <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName> keeps his newspapers, I borrowed the files of <title type="newspaper"
>“The Westminster Gazette”</title> and <title type="newspaper">“The Pall Mall
Gazette,”</title> and took them to my room. I remember how much <title type="newspaper"
>“The Dailygraph”</title> and <title type="newspaper">“The Whitby Gazette,”</title> of
which I had made cuttings, helped us to understand the terrible events at
<placeName>Whitby</placeName> when <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Dracula">Count
Dracula</persName> landed, so I shall look through the evening papers since then, and
perhaps I shall get some new light. I am not sleepy, and the work will help to keep me
quiet. </p>
</div>
<div type="diary">
<head><persName ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward"
>Dr. Seward</persName>’s Diary.</head>
</div>
<div type="entry">
<p><date>30 September.</date>—<persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan</persName> arrived at nine o’clock. He had got his wife’s wire just before
starting. He is uncommonly clever, if one can judge from his face, and full of energy. If
this journal be true—and judging by one’s own wonderful experiences, it must be—he is also
a man of great nerve. That going down to the vault a second time was a remarkable piece of
daring. After reading his account of it I was prepared to meet a good specimen of manhood,
but hardly the quiet, business-like gentleman who came here to-day. </p>
<p>Later.—After lunch <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Harker</persName> and his wife went back to their own room, and as I passed a while ago
I heard the click of the typewriter. They are hard at it. <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray"
>Mina</persName> says that they are knitting together in chronological order every scrap
of evidence they have. <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Harker</persName> has got the letters between the consignee of the boxes at
<placeName>Whitby</placeName> and the carriers in <placeName>London</placeName> who took
charge of them. He is now reading his wife’s typescript of my diary. I wonder what they
make out of it. Here it is.... </p>
<p>Strange that it never struck me that the very next house might be the <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Dracula"
>Count</persName>’s hiding-place! Goodness knows that we had enough clues from the
conduct of the patient <persName>Renfield</persName>! The bundle of letters relating to
the purchase of the house were with the typescript. Oh, if we had only had them earlier we
might have saved poor <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>! Stop; that way madness lies! <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Harker</persName> has gone back, and is again collating his material. He says that by
dinner-time they will be able to show a whole connected narrative. He thinks that in the
meantime I should see <persName>Renfield</persName>, as hitherto he has been a sort of
index to the coming and going of the <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Dracula"
>Count</persName>. I hardly see this yet, but when I get at the dates I suppose I shall.
What a good thing that <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray">Mrs.
Harker</persName> put my cylinders into type! We never could have found the dates
otherwise.... </p>
<p>I found <persName>Renfield</persName> sitting placidly in his room with his hands folded,
smiling benignly. At the moment he seemed as sane as any one I ever saw. I sat down and
talked with him on a lot of subjects, all of which he treated naturally. He then, of his
own accord, spoke of going home, a subject he has never mentioned to my knowledge during
his sojourn here. In fact, he spoke quite confidently of getting his discharge at once. I
believe that, had I not had the chat with <persName>Harker</persName> and read the letters
and the dates of his outbursts, I should have been prepared to sign for him after a brief
time of observation. As it is, I am darkly suspicious. All those outbreaks were in some
way linked with the proximity of the <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Dracula"
>Count</persName>. What then does this absolute content mean? Can it be that his
instinct is satisfied as to the vampire’s ultimate triumph? Stay; he is himself
zoöphagous, and in his wild ravings outside the chapel door of the deserted house he
always spoke of “master.” This all seems confirmation of our idea. However, after a while
I came away; my friend is just a little too sane at present to make it safe to probe him
too deep with questions. He might begin to think, and then—! So I came away. I mistrust
these quiet moods of his; so I have given the attendant a hint to look closely after him,
and to have a strait-waistcoat ready in case of need. </p>
<div type="journal">
<head><persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan">Jonathan
Harker</persName>’s Journal.</head>
</div>
<div type="entry">
<p><date>29 September,</date> in train to <placeName>London</placeName>.—When I received
<persName>Mr. Billington</persName>’s courteous message that he would give me any
information in his power I thought it best to go down to <placeName>Whitby</placeName>
and make, on the spot, such inquiries as I wanted. It was now my object to trace that
horrid cargo of the <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Dracula"
>Count</persName>’s to its place in <placeName>London</placeName>. Later, we may be
able to deal with it. <persName>Billington</persName> junior, a nice lad, met me at the
station, and brought me to his father’s house, where they had decided that I must stay
the night. They are hospitable, with true <placeName>Yorkshire</placeName> hospitality:
give a guest everything, and leave him free to do as he likes. They all knew that I was
busy, and that my stay was short, and <persName>Mr. Billington</persName> had ready in
his office all the papers concerning the consignment of boxes. It gave me almost a turn
to see again one of the letters which I had seen on the <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Dracula"
>Count</persName>’s table before I knew of his diabolical plans. Everything had been
carefully thought out, and done systematically and with precision. He seemed to have
been prepared for every obstacle which might be placed by accident in the way of his
intentions being carried out. To use an Americanism, he had “taken no chances,” and the
absolute accuracy with which his instructions were fulfilled, was simply the logical
result of his care. I saw the invoice, and took note of it: <quote>“Fifty cases of
common earth, to be used for experimental purposes.”</quote> Also the copy of letter
to <persName>Carter Paterson</persName>, and their reply; of both of these I got copies.
This was all the information <persName>Mr. Billington</persName> could give me, so I
went down to the port and saw the coastguards, the Customs officers and the
harbour-master. They had all something to say of the strange entry of the ship, which is
already taking its place in local tradition; but no one could add to the simple
description <quote>“Fifty cases of common earth.”</quote> I then saw the station-master,
who kindly put me in communication with the men who had actually received the boxes.
Their tally was exact with the list, and they had nothing to add except that the boxes
were <quote>"main and mortal heavy,”</quote> and that <quote>shifting them was dry
work</quote>. One of them added that it was hard lines that there wasn’t any gentleman
<quote>“such-like as yourself, squire,”</quote> to show some sort of appreciation of
their efforts in a liquid form; another put in a rider that <quote>the thirst then
generated was such that even the time which had elapsed had not completely allayed
it</quote>. Needless to add, I took care before leaving to lift, for ever and
adequately, this source of reproach. </p>
<p><date>30 September</date>.—The station-master was good enough to give me a line to his
old companion the station-master at <placeName>King’s Cross</placeName>, so that when I
arrived there in the morning I was able to ask him about the arrival of the boxes. He,
too, put me at once in communication with the proper officials, and I saw that their
tally was correct with the original invoice. The opportunities of acquiring an abnormal
thirst had been here limited; a noble use of them had, however, been made, and again I
was compelled to deal with the result in an ex post facto manner. </p>
<p>From thence I went on to <persName>Carter Paterson</persName>’s central office, where I
met with the utmost courtesy. They looked up the transaction in their day-book and
letter-book, and at once telephoned to their <placeName>King’s Cross</placeName> office
for more details. By good fortune, the men who did the teaming were waiting for work,
and the official at once sent them over, sending also by one of them the way-bill and
all the papers connected with the delivery of the boxes at
<placeName>Carfax</placeName>. Here again I found the tally agreeing exactly; the
carriers’ men were able to supplement the paucity of the written words with a few
details. These were, I shortly found, connected almost solely with the dusty nature of
the job, and of the consequent thirst engendered in the operators. On my affording an
opportunity, through the medium of the currency of the realm, of the allaying, at a
later period, this beneficial evil, one of the men remarked:— </p>
<p><quote><distinct>“That ’ere ’ouse, guv’nor, is the rummiest I ever was in. Blyme! but
it ain’t been touched sence a hundred years. There was dust that thick in the place
that you might have slep’ on it without ’urtin’ of yer bones; an’ the place was that
neglected that yer might ’ave smelled ole <placeName>Jerusalem</placeName> in it.
But the ole chapel—that took the cike, that did! Me and my mate, we thort we
wouldn’t never git out quick enough. Lor’, I wouldn’t take less nor a quid a moment
to stay there arter dark.”</distinct></quote>
</p>
<p>Having been in the house, I could well believe him; but if he knew what I know, he
would, I think, have raised his terms. </p>
<p>Of one thing I am now satisfied: that all the boxes which arrived at
<placeName>Whitby</placeName> from <placeName>Varna</placeName> in the Demeter were
safely deposited in the old chapel at <placeName>Carfax</placeName>. There should be
fifty of them there, unless any have since been removed—as from <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName>’s diary I fear. </p>
<p>I shall try to see the carter who took away the boxes from
<placeName>Carfax</placeName> when <persName>Renfield</persName> attacked them. By
following up this clue we may learn a good deal. Later.—<persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray"
>Mina</persName> and I have worked all day, and we have put all the papers into order.
</p>
</div>
<div type="journal">
<head><persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray">Mina
Harker</persName>’s Journal</head>
</div>
<div type="entry">
<p><date>30 September.</date>—I am so glad that I hardly know how to contain myself. It
is, I suppose, the reaction from the haunting fear which I have had: that this terrible
affair and the reopening of his old wound might act detrimentally on <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan</persName>. I saw him leave for <placeName>Whitby</placeName> with as brave
a face as I could, but I was sick with apprehension. The effort has, however, done him
good. He was never so resolute, never so strong, never so full of volcanic energy, as at
present. It is just as that dear, good Professor <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#VanHelsing">Van
Helsing</persName> said: he is true grit, and he improves under strain that would kill
a weaker nature. He came back full of life and hope and determination; we have got
everything in order for to-night. I feel myself quite wild with excitement. I suppose
one ought to pity any thing so hunted as is the <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Dracula"
>Count</persName>. That is just it: this Thing is not human—not even beast. To read
<persName ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward"
>Dr. Seward</persName>’s account of poor <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>’s death, and what followed, is enough to dry up the springs of pity
in one’s heart. </p>
<p>Later.—<persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Arthur">Lord
Godalming</persName> and <persName>Mr. Morris</persName> arrived earlier than we
expected. <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName> was out on business, and had taken <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Jonathan"
>Jonathan</persName> with him, so I had to see them. It was to me a painful meeting,
for it brought back all poor dear <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>’s hopes of only a few months ago. Of course they had heard <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName> speak of me, and it seemed that <persName>Dr. Van Helsing</persName>,
too, has been quite “blowing my trumpet,” as <persName>Mr. Morris</persName> expressed
it. Poor fellows, neither of them is aware that I know all about the proposals they made
to <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>. They did not quite know what to say or do, as they were ignorant of
the amount of my knowledge; so they had to keep on neutral subjects. However, I thought
the matter over, and came to the conclusion that the best thing I could do would be to
post them in affairs right up to date. I knew from <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Seward">Dr.
Seward</persName>’s diary that they had been at <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>’s death—her real death—and that I need not fear to betray any secret
before the time. So I told them, as well as I could, that I had read all the papers and
diaries, and that my husband and I, having typewritten them, had just finished putting
them in order. I gave them each a copy to read in the library. When <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Arthur">Lord
Godalming</persName> got his and turned it over—it does make a pretty good pile—he
said:— </p>
<p><said>“Did you write all this, <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#MinaMurray"
>Mina</persName>?”</said>
</p>
<p>I nodded, and he went on:— </p>
<p><said>“I don’t quite see the drift of it; but you people are all so good and kind, and
have been working so earnestly and so energetically, that all I can do is to accept
your ideas blindfold and try to help you. I have had one lesson already in accepting
facts that should make a man humble to the last hour of his life. Besides, I know you
<lang value="platonic">loved</lang> my poor <lang value="romantic"><persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName></lang>—”</said> Here he turned away and covered his face with his
hands. I could hear the tears in his voice. <persName>Mr. Morris</persName>, with
instinctive delicacy, just laid a hand for a moment on his shoulder, and then walked
quietly out of the room. I suppose there is something in woman’s nature that makes a man
free to break down before her and express his feelings on the tender or emotional side
without feeling it derogatory to his manhood; for when <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Arthur">Lord
Godalming</persName> found himself alone with me he sat down on the sofa and gave way
utterly and openly. I sat down beside him and <lang value="platonic">took his
hand</lang>. I hope he didn’t think it forward of me, and that if he ever thinks of it
afterwards he never will have such a thought. There I wrong him; I know he never will—he
is too true a gentleman. I said to him, for I could see that his heart was breaking:— </p>
<p><said>“I <lang value="platonic">loved</lang> dear <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName>, and I know what she was to you, and what you were to her. She and
I were like <lang value="family">sisters</lang>; and now she is gone, will you not let
me be like a <lang value="family">sister</lang> to you in your trouble? I know what
sorrows you have had, though I cannot measure the depth of them. If sympathy and pity
can help in your affliction, won’t you let me be of some little service—for <lang
value="platonic"><persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName></lang>’s sake?”</said>
</p>
<p>In an instant the poor dear fellow was overwhelmed with grief. It seemed to me that all
that he had of late been suffering in silence found a vent at once. He grew quite
hysterical, and raising his open hands, beat his palms together in a perfect agony of
grief. He stood up and then sat down again, and the tears rained down his cheeks. I felt
an infinite pity for him, and opened my arms unthinkingly. With a sob he laid his head
on my shoulder and cried like a wearied child, whilst he shook with emotion. </p>
<p>We women have something of the <lang value="family">mother</lang> in us that makes us
rise above smaller matters when the <lang value="family">mother-spirit</lang> is
invoked; I felt this big sorrowing man’s head resting on me, as though it were that of
the <lang value="family">baby</lang> that some day may lie on my bosom, and I stroked
his hair as though he were my own <lang value="family">child</lang>. I never thought at
the time how strange it all was. </p>
<p>After a little bit his sobs ceased, and he raised himself with an apology, though he
made no disguise of his emotion. He told me that <quote>for days and nights past—weary
days and sleepless nights—he had been unable to speak with any one, as a man must
speak in his time of sorrow. There was no woman whose <lang value="platonic"
>sympathy</lang> could be given to him, or with whom, owing to the terrible
circumstance with which his sorrow was surrounded, he could speak freely</quote>.
<said>“I know now how I suffered,”</said> he said, as he dried his eyes, <said>“but I
do not know even yet—and none other can ever know—how much your sweet <lang
value="platonic">sympathy</lang> has been to me to-day. I shall know better in time;
and believe me that, though I am not ungrateful now, my <lang value="platonic"
>gratitude</lang> will grow with my understanding. You will let me be like a <lang
value="family">brother</lang>, will you not, for all our lives—for dear <lang
value="romantic"><persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName></lang>’s sake?”</said></p>
<p><said>“For dear <lang value="platonic"><persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName></lang>’s sake,”</said> I said as we <lang value="platonic"
>clasped hands</lang>. </p>
<p><said>“Ay, and for your own sake,”</said> he added, <said>“for if a man’s esteem and
gratitude are ever worth the winning, you have won mine to-day. If ever the future
should bring to you a time when you need a man’s help, believe me, you will not call
in vain. God grant that no such time may ever come to you to break the sunshine of
your life; but if it should ever come, promise me that you will let me know.”</said>
He was so earnest, and his sorrow was so fresh, that I felt it would comfort him, so I
said:— <said>“I promise.”</said> As I came along the corridor I saw <persName>Mr.
Morris</persName> looking out of a window. He turned as he heard my footsteps.
<said>“How is <persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#Arthur"
>Art</persName>?”</said> he said. Then noticing my red eyes, he went on: <said>“Ah,
I see you have been comforting him. Poor old fellow! he needs it. No one but a woman
can help a man when he is in trouble of the heart; and he had no one to <lang
value="platonic">comfort</lang> him.”</said>
</p>
<p>He bore his own trouble so bravely that my heart bled for him. I saw the manuscript in
his hand, and I knew that when he read it he would realise how much I knew; so I said to
him:— </p>
<p><said>“I wish I could comfort all who suffer from the heart. Will you let me be your
<lang value="platonic">friend</lang>, and will you come to me for comfort if you
need it? You will know, later on, why I speak.”</said> He saw that I was in earnest,
and stooping, took my hand, and raising it to his lips, <lang value="platonic"
>kissed</lang> it. It seemed but poor comfort to so brave and unselfish a soul, and
impulsively I bent over and <lang value="platonic">kissed</lang> him. The tears rose in
his eyes, and there was a momentary choking in his throat; he said quite calmly:— </p>
<p><said>“Little girl, you will never regret that true-hearted kindness, so long as ever
you live!”</said> Then he went into the study to his <lang value="platonic"
>friend</lang>. </p>
<p><quote>“Little girl!”</quote>—the very words he had used <lang value="romantic">to
<persName
ref="/bram-stokers-dracula-digital/files/personography-dracula.xml#LucyWestenra"
>Lucy</persName></lang>, and oh, but he proved himself a <lang value="platonic"
>friend!</lang>
</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
<back>
<!-- here is a sample place for contextual information: -->
<note>
<listPerson>
<person xml:id="Arthur" role="Lord Godalming">
<persName>Arthur Holmwood</persName>
<sex>Male</sex>
<nationality>English</nationality>
<socecStatus>Noble</socecStatus>
<residence>Europe</residence>
<langKnowledge>
<langKnown level="fluent" tag="en">English</langKnown>
<langKnown tag="dutch"/>
</langKnowledge>
</person>
<person xml:id="VanHelsing">
<persName>Abraham Van Helsing</persName>
<sex>Male</sex>
<nationality>Dutch</nationality>
<faith>Catholic</faith>
<age>Old</age>
<education>Doctor, professor, metaphysician, scientist, philosopher</education>
<occupation>Doctor</occupation>
<langKnowledge>
<langKnown level="basic" tag="en"/>
<langKnown tag="nl">Dutch</langKnown>
</langKnowledge>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Body Structure</label>
<desc>Medium build, strong</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Head</label>
<desc>Broad</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Skin</label>
<desc>Clean shaven</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Face</label>
<desc>Square</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Forehead</label>
<desc>Broad</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Eyes</label>
<desc>Dark blue, wide spread, emotive</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Nose</label>
<desc>Straight with "quick, sensitive nostrils"</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Mouth</label>
<desc>Large</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Eyebrows</label>
<desc>Bushy</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="physical">
<label>Hair</label>
<desc>Reddish</desc>
</trait>
<trait type="personality">
<label>Personality</label>
<desc>Iron nerve, open mind, cool temper, resolute, kind</desc>
</trait>
</person>
</listPerson>
<listRelation>
<relation type="family" name="friendship" mutual="#Arthur #MinaMurray">
<desc>Arthur and Mina gain a stronger friendship and refer to each other as
siblings</desc>
</relation>
<relation type="beginning" name="friendship" mutual="#Mina #Seward">
<desc>Seward and Mina meet in person for the first time, slowly become friends</desc>
</relation>
<relation type="family" name="friendship" active="#MinaMurray" passive="#LucyWesterna">
<desc>Lucy and Mina were best friends before Lucy's death, Mina refers to them as "sisters"</desc>
</relation>
<relation type="engaged" name="romantic" active="#Arthur" passive="#LucyWesterna">
<desc>Lucy is dead, Arthur grieves for his lost love</desc>
</relation>
<relation type="married" name="romantic" mutual="#MinaMurray #Jonathan">
<desc>Mina and Jonathan are newlyweds</desc>
</relation>
</listRelation>
</note>
</back>
</text>
</TEI>
