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and not in the fire. At the same instant, Dracula threw our typescript into
the air, and vanished. The pages scattered into a snowstorm. As
they settled, we saw a layer of mist flowing out between the window and its
frame.
Godalming was cradling the hand in which he had wielded the poker. Mina and I
went to him; the moment Dracula disappeared, the nightmarish chill left the
air and we could move freely again. 'Foolish, foolish,' Van Helsing murmured.
'You should not have let your passions get the better of you.'
'D'you think I don't know it?' Godalming grated.
'Were you burned?' Mina asked anxiously.
'The poker was cold when I seized it. But as he touched it, the handle turned
red-hot!
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It is nothing, a slight burn.'
'I can't believe this is happening!' Mina exclaimed. 'Hurry, I must see that
Quincey is unharmed. If ever Dracula harms him-'
We rushed into the hall and up the stairs. 'At least the enemy has shown
himself!' I
said as we went. 'Now we have a solid enemy to fight, instead of phantasms. It
proves we are not mad!'
'But how did he get in?' said Van Helsing, hoarse and agitated.
'What?' I said. 'I don't know.'
'For he cannot enter a dwelling unless he is invited in by one of the
inhabitants! So who? Who invited him to enter?'
Chapter Ten
JONATHAN HARKER S JOURNAL
'
(Continued)
Mina was now so pale I feared for her, but she hushed us as we entered
Quincey's room. We found the boy sleeping peacefully; nothing had been
disturbed in the room, the windows were firmly shut and there was no sign of
any injury upon him. He barely stirred as we examined him, keeping our voices
low so that he should not be disturbed.
He looked so innocent, with his fair hair dishevelled on the pillow, his round
angelic face abandoned to sleep. The thought of any harm coming to him causes
us unspeakable anguish!
As we left, Elena came out of her room, which is next to Quincey's. She was
yawning, her hair loose, her face pale but for a rosy flush in her cheeks.
'What is wrong?' she asked.
What could we tell her? Nothing!
Mina guided her back to her room, saying, 'We thought we heard Quincey crying.
It must have been the wind. The weather is so wild tonight, I was worried it
might have disturbed him.'
The other men and I returned to the parlour. Van Helsing sat down and closed
his eyes; I have never seen him look so weary. Soon Mina returned and said she
had given
Elena a cross and asked her to wear it at all times. 'She was puzzled and a
little frightened. I told her I would explain, soon enough,' Mina sighed. 'We
must tell her something!'
Van Helsing opened his eyes. I thought he had been resting - but of course,
his mind was at work. 'We must tell her the truth,' he said.
'I dreamed of the Count last night,' said Mina. 'He appeared in my room and
told me that I must give him my blood of my own free will! Oh God, now I fear
it was not a dream!'
Van Helsing was by her side in a moment, looking carefully at her throat.
'There are no marks upon you. You have no memory of him attacking you? No
weakness?'
'None,' said Mina. 'I am sure he did not touch me.' Then she lowered her head,
pressing her fingers to her forehead in anguish. I went to support her.
Van Helsing exclaimed, 'Ah, but now we have the advantage!'
'How so?' Mina asked.
'Our enemy is physical - therefore we can use physical means to keep him out!
But of course we must explain to Elena the reason for this, and tell the boy
some tale to lull his curiosity. Tomorrow we will set to work.'
I said with fervour, 'I wish Elena and Quincey were away from here. And Mina!'
Van Helsing shook his head. 'Impossible. They would not be safe. Without our
protection they would be all the more vulnerable to Dracula. We must all stay
here.'
(Continued in Jonathan Harker's own hand.)
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Van Helsing has called a halt, saying, 'Go to bed, my friends; I will keep
watch. Dracula's purpose was to frighten us, which he has admirably achieved.
I think he will not come back. But in case.'
Mina has gone to sleep with Quincey. But knowing I would not sleep, I am
sitting up with Van Helsing.
So we pass the night in a state of siege. My right arm is still in a sling,
but by wedging
the pen between my fingers and bracing my wrist against the table, I can just
manage to write legibly. It is very slow and laborious. Van Helsing says I
should learn to use my left instead - the side of instinct and intuition, so
he says, the irrational feminine side of ourselves  but I think he is putting
up a joke on me. He will always find something to laugh at, even in the direst
of circumstances. I am determined to use my right, the side of
God and the masculine!
The wind gusts unceasingly round the walls; I hear voices in it, semi-human
groans, the howling of dogs. The sound is enough to drive a man mad. Although
we have turned up the gas lamps and lit two candelabras, there never seems
enough light. I check on
Mina and Quincey every hour, but they sleep soundly. At least they are at
peace.
Now is the blackest hour before dawn rises in the windows. I feel sleep
falling heavy on me at last, and Van Helsing is urging me to bed.
11 November, morning [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]