JonathanHarker\'sJournal3May。Bistritz——LeftMunichat8：35P。M。，on1stMay，arrivingatViennaearlynextmorning；shouldhavearrivedat6：46，buttrainwasanhourlate。
Buda-Pesthseemsawonderfulplace，fromtheglimpsewhichIgotofitfromthetrainandthelittleIcouldwalkthroughthestreets。
Ifearedtogoveryfarfromthestation，aswehadarrivedlateandwouldstartasnearthecorrecttimeaspossible。
TheimpressionIhadwasthatwewereleavingtheWestandenteringtheEast；
themostwesternofsplendidbridgesovertheDanube，whichishereofnoblewidthanddepth，tookusamongthetraditionsofTurkishrule。
Weleftinprettygoodtime，andcameafternightfalltoKlausenburgh。
HereIstoppedforthenightattheHotelRoyale。Ihadfordinner，orrathersupper，achickendoneupsomewaywithredpepper，whichwasverygoodbutthirsty。Mem。getrecipeforMina。
Iaskedthewaiter，andhesaiditwascalled“paprikahendl，“
andthat，asitwasanationaldish，IshouldbeabletogetitanywherealongtheCarpathians。
IfoundmysmatteringofGermanveryusefulhere，indeed，Idon\'tknowhowIshouldbeabletogetonwithoutit。
HavinghadsometimeatmydisposalwheninLondon，IhadvisitedtheBritishMuseum，andmadesearchamongthebooksandmapsinthelibraryregardingTransylvania；
ithadstruckmethatsomeforeknowledgeofthecountrycouldhardlyfailtohavesomeimportanceindealingwithanoblemanofthatcountry。
Ifindthatthedistricthenamedisintheextremeeastofthecountry，justonthebordersofthreestates，Transylvania，Moldavia，andBukovina，inthemidstoftheCarpathianmountains；oneofthewildestandleastknownportionsofEurope。
IwasnotabletolightonanymaporworkgivingtheexactlocalityoftheCastleDracula，astherearenomapsofthiscountryasyettocomparewithourownOrdanceSurveyMaps；butIfoundthatBistritz，theposttownnamedbyCountDracula，isafairlywell-knownplace。
Ishallenterheresomeofmynotes，astheymayrefreshmymemorywhenI
talkovermytravelswithMina。
InthepopulationofTransylvaniatherearefourdistinctnationalities：
SaxonsintheSouth，andmixedwiththemtheWallachs，whoarethedescendantsoftheDacians；MagyarsintheWest，andSzekelysintheEastandNorth。Iamgoingamongthelatter，whoclaimtobedescendedfromAttilaandtheHuns。
Thismaybeso，forwhentheMagyarsconqueredthecountryintheeleventhcenturytheyfoundtheHunssettledinit。
IreadthateveryknownsuperstitionintheworldisgatheredintothehorseshoeoftheCarpathians，asifitwerethecentreofsomesortofimaginativewhirlpool；ifsomystaymaybeveryinteresting。
Mem。，ImustasktheCountallaboutthem。
Ididnotsleepwell，thoughmybedwascomfortableenough，forIhadallsortsofqueerdreams。Therewasadoghowlingallnightundermywindow，whichmayhavehadsomethingtodowithit；oritmayhavebeenthepaprika，forIhadtodrinkupallthewaterinmycarafe，andwasstillthirsty。
TowardsmorningIsleptandwaswakenedbythecontinuousknockingatmydoor，soIguessImusthavebeensleepingsoundlythen。
Ihadforbreakfastmorepaprika，andasortofporridgeofmaizeflourwhichtheysaidwas“mamaliga“，andegg-plantstuffedwithforcemeat，averyexcellentdish，whichtheycall“impletata“。Mem。，getrecipeforthisalso。
Ihadtohurrybreakfast，forthetrainstartedalittlebeforeeight，orratheritoughttohavedoneso，forafterrushingtothestationat7：30Ihadtositinthecarriageformorethananhourbeforewebegantomove。
Itseemstomethatthefurthereastyougothemoreunpunctualarethetrains。WhatoughttheytobeinChina？
Alldaylongweseemedtodawdlethroughacountrywhichwasfullofbeautyofeverykind。Sometimeswesawlittletownsorcastlesonthetopofsteephillssuchasweseeinoldmissals；
sometimesweranbyriversandstreamswhichseemedfromthewidestonymarginoneachsideofthemtobesubjectotgreatfloods。
Ittakesalotofwater，andrunningstrong，tosweeptheoutsideedgeofariverclear。
Ateverystationthereweregroupsofpeople，sometimescrowds，andinallsortsofattire。SomeofthemwerejustlikethepeasantsathomeorthoseIsawcomingthroughFranceandGermany，withshortjackets，androundhats，andhome-madetrousers；
butotherswereverypicturesque。
Thewomenlookedpretty，exceptwhenyougotnearthem，buttheywereveryclumsyaboutthewaist。Theyhadallfullwhitesleevesofsomekindorother，andmostofthemhadbigbeltswithalotofstripsofsomethingflutteringfromthemlikethedressesinaballet，butofcoursetherewerepetticoatsunderthem。
ThestrangestfigureswesawweretheSlovaks，whoweremorebarbarianthantherest，withtheirbigcow-boyhats，greatbaggydirty-whitetrousers，whitelinenshirts，andenormousheavyleatherbelts，nearlyafootwide，allstuddedoverwithbrassnails。
Theyworehighboots，withtheirtrouserstuckedintothem，andhadlongblackhairandheavyblackmoustaches。
Theyareverypicturesque，butdonotlookprepossessing。
OnthestagetheywouldbesetdownatonceassomeoldOrientalbandofbrigands。Theyare，however，Iamtold，veryharmlessandratherwantinginnaturalself-assertion。
ItwasonthedarksideoftwilightwhenwegottoBistritz，whichisaveryinterestingoldplace。Beingpracticallyonthefrontier——fortheBorgoPassleadsfromitintoBukovina——
ithashadaverystormyexistence，anditcertainlyshowsmarksofit。Fiftyyearsagoaseriesofgreatfirestookplace，whichmadeterriblehavoconfiveseparateoccasions。
Attheverybeginningoftheseventeenthcenturyitunderwentasiegeofthreeweeksandlost13，000people，thecasualtiesofwarproperbeingassistedbyfamineanddisease。
CountDraculahaddirectedmetogototheGoldenKroneHotel，whichIfound，tomygreatdelight，tobethoroughlyold-fashioned，forofcourseIwantedtoseeallIcouldofthewaysofthecountry。
Iwasevidentlyexpected，forwhenIgotnearthedoorIfacedacheery-lookingelderlywomanintheusualpeasantdress——
whiteundergarmentwithalongdoubleapron，front，andback，ofcolouredstufffittingalmosttootightformodesty。
WhenIcamecloseshebowedandsaid，“TheHerrEnglishman？”
“Yes，“Isaid，“JonathanHarker。“
Shesmiled，andgavesomemessagetoanelderlymaninwhiteshirtsleeves，whohadfollowedhertothedoor。
Hewent，butimmediatelyreturnedwithaletter：
“Myfriend——WelcometotheCarpathians。Iamanxiouslyexpectingyou。
Sleepwelltonight。AtthreetomorrowthediligencewillstartforBukovina；
aplaceonitiskeptforyou。AttheBorgoPassmycarriagewillawaityouandwillbringyoutome。ItrustthatyourjourneyfromLondonhasbeenahappyone，andthatyouwillenjoyyourstayinmybeautifulland——
Yourfriend，Dracula。“
4May——IfoundthatmylandlordhadgotaletterfromtheCount，directinghimtosecurethebestplaceonthecoachforme；
butonmakinginquiriesastodetailsheseemedsomewhatreticent，andpretendedthathecouldnotunderstandmyGerman。
Thiscouldnotbetrue，becauseuptothenhehadunderstooditperfectly；
atleast，heansweredmyquestionsexactlyasifhedid。
Heandhiswife，theoldladywhohadreceivedme，lookedateachotherinafrightenedsortofway。Hemumbledoutthatthemoneyhadbeensentinaletter，andthatwasallheknew。
WhenIaskedhimifheknewCountDracula，andcouldtellmeanythingofhiscastle，bothheandhiswifecrossedthemselves，and，sayingthattheyknewnothingatall，simplyrefusedtospeakfurther。
ItwassonearthetimeofstartingthatIhadnotimetoaskanyoneelse，foritwasallverymysteriousandnotbyanymeanscomforting。
JustbeforeIwasleaving，theoldladycameuptomyroomandsaidinahystericalway：“Mustyougo？Oh！YoungHerr，mustyougo？”ShewasinsuchanexcitedstatethatsheseemedtohavelosthergripofwhatGermansheknew，andmixeditallupwithsomeotherlanguagewhichIdidnotknowatall。
Iwasjustabletofollowherbyaskingmanyquestions。
WhenItoldherthatImustgoatonce，andthatIwasengagedonimportantbusiness，sheaskedagain：
“Doyouknowwhatdayitis？”IansweredthatitwasthefourthofMay。
Sheshookherheadasshesaidagain：
“Oh，yes！Iknowthat！Iknowthat，butdoyouknowwhatdayitis？”
OnmysayingthatIdidnotunderstand，shewenton：
“ItistheeveofSt。George\'sDay。Doyounotknowthattonight，whentheclockstrikesmidnight，alltheevilthingsintheworldwillhavefullsway？Doyouknowwhereyouaregoing，andwhatyouaregoingto？”
ShewasinsuchevidentdistressthatItriedtocomforther，butwithouteffect。Finally，shewentdownonherkneesandimploredmenottogo；atleasttowaitadayortwobeforestarting。
ItwasallveryridiculousbutIdidnotfeelcomfortable。
However，therewasbusinesstobedone，andIcouldallownothingtointerferewithit。
Itriedtoraiseherup，andsaid，asgravelyasIcould，thatIthankedher，butmydutywasimperative，andthatImustgo。
Shethenroseanddriedhereyes，andtakingacrucifixfromherneckofferedittome。
Ididnotknowwhattodo，for，asanEnglishChurchman，Ihavebeentaughttoregardsuchthingsasinsomemeasureidolatrous，andyetitseemedsoungracioustorefuseanoldladymeaningsowellandinsuchastateofmind。
Shesaw，Isuppose，thedoubtinmyface，forsheputtherosaryroundmyneckandsaid，“Foryourmother\'ssake，“
andwentoutoftheroom。
IamwritingupthispartofthediarywhilstIamwaitingforthecoach，whichis，ofcourse，late；andthecrucifixisstillroundmyneck。
Whetheritistheoldlady\'sfear，orthemanyghostlytraditionsofthisplace，orthecrucifixitself，Idonotknow，butIamnotfeelingnearlyaseasyinmymindasusual。
IfthisbookshouldeverreachMinabeforeIdo，letitbringmygoodbye。
Herecomesthecoach！
5May。TheCastle——Thegrayofthemorninghaspassed，andthesunishighoverthedistanthorizon，whichseemsjagged，whetherwithtreesorhillsIknownot，foritissofaroffthatbigthingsandlittlearemixed。
Iamnotsleepy，and，asIamnottobecalledtillIawake，naturallyIwritetillsleepcomes。
Therearemanyoddthingstoputdown，and，lestwhoreadsthemmayfancythatIdinedtoowellbeforeIleftBistritz，letmeputdownmydinnerexactly。
Idinedonwhattheycalled“robbersteak“——bitsofbacon，onion，andbeef，seasonedwithredpepper，andstrungonsticks，androastedoverthefire，insimplestyleoftheLondoncat\'smeat！
ThewinewasGoldenMediasch，whichproducesaqueerstingonthetongue，whichis，however，notdisagreeable。
Ihadonlyacoupleofglassesofthis，andnothingelse。
WhenIgotonthecoach，thedriverhadnottakenhisseat，andIsawhimtalkingtothelandlady。
Theywereevidentlytalkingofme，foreverynowandthentheylookedatme，andsomeofthepeoplewhoweresittingonthebenchoutsidethedoor——
cameandlistened，andthenlookedatme，mostofthempityingly。
Icouldhearalotofwordsoftenrepeated，queerwords，forthereweremanynationalitiesinthecrowd，soIquietlygotmypolyglotdictionaryfrommybagandlookedthemout。
Imustsaytheywerenotcheeringtome，foramongstthemwere“Ordog“——Satan，“Pokol“——hell，“stregoica“——witch，“vrolok“and“vlkoslak“——bothmeanthesamething，onebeingSlovakandtheotherServianforsomethingthatiseitherwerewolforvampire。
Mem。，ImustasktheCountaboutthesesuperstitions。
Whenwestarted，thecrowdroundtheinndoor，whichhadbythistimeswelledtoaconsiderablesize，allmadethesignofthecrossandpointedtwofingerstowardsme。
Withsomedifficulty，Igotafellowpassengertotellmewhattheymeant。
Hewouldnotansweratfirst，butonlearningthatIwasEnglish，heexplainedthatitwasacharmorguardagainsttheevileye。
Thiswasnotverypleasantforme，juststartingforanunknownplacetomeetanunknownman。Buteveryoneseemedsokind-hearted，andsosorrowful，andsosympatheticthatIcouldnotbutbetouched。
IshallneverforgetthelastglimpsewhichIhadoftheinnyardanditscrowdofpicturesquefigures，allcrossingthemselves，astheystoodroundthewidearchway，withitsbackgroundofrichfoliageofoleanderandorangetreesingreentubsclusteredinthecentreoftheyard。
Thenourdriver，whosewidelinendrawerscoveredthewholefrontoftheboxseat，——“gotza“theycallthem——crackedhisbigwhipoverhisfoursmallhorses，whichranabreast，andwesetoffonourjourney。
Isoonlostsightandrecollectionofghostlyfearsinthebeautyofthesceneaswedrovealong，althoughhadIknownthelanguage，orratherlanguages，whichmyfellow-passengerswerespeaking，Imightnothavebeenabletothrowthemoffsoeasily。
Beforeuslayagreenslopinglandfullofforestsandwoods，withhereandtheresteephills，crownedwithclumpsoftreesorwithfarmhouses，theblankgableendtotheroad。
Therewaseverywhereabewilderingmassoffruitblossom——
apple，plum，pear，cherry。AndaswedrovebyIcouldseethegreengrassunderthetreesspangledwiththefallenpetals。
Inandoutamongstthesegreenhillsofwhattheycallherethe“MittelLand“rantheroad，losingitselfasitsweptroundthegrassycurve，orwasshutoutbythestragglingendsofpinewoods，whichhereandthererandownthehillsidesliketonguesofflame。Theroadwasrugged，butstillweseemedtoflyoveritwithafeverishhaste。
Icouldnotunderstandthenwhatthehastemeant，butthedriverwasevidentlybentonlosingnotimeinreachingBorgoPrund。
Iwastoldthatthisroadisinsummertimeexcellent，butthatithadnotyetbeenputinorderafterthewintersnows。
InthisrespectitisdifferentfromthegeneralrunofroadsintheCarpathians，foritisanoldtraditionthattheyarenottobekeptintoogoodorder。OfoldtheHospadarswouldnotrepairthem，lesttheTurkshouldthinkthattheywerepreparingtobringinforeigntroops，andsohastenthewarwhichwasalwaysreallyatloadingpoint。
BeyondthegreenswellinghillsoftheMittelLandrosemightyslopesofforestuptotheloftysteepsoftheCarpathiansthemselves。
Rightandleftofustheytowered，withtheafternoonsunfallingfulluponthemandbringingoutallthegloriouscoloursofthisbeautifulrange，deepblueandpurpleintheshadowsofthepeaks，greenandbrownwheregrassandrockmingled，andanendlessperspectiveofjaggedrockandpointedcrags，tillthesewerethemselveslostinthedistance，wherethesnowypeaksrosegrandly。
Hereandthereseemedmightyriftsinthemountains，throughwhich，asthesunbegantosink，wesawnowandagainthewhitegleamoffallingwater。Oneofmycompanionstouchedmyarmaswesweptroundthebaseofahillandopenedupthelofty，snow-coveredpeakofamountain，whichseemed，aswewoundonourserpentineway，toberightbeforeus。
“Look！Istenszek！”——“God\'sseat！”——andhecrossedhimselfreverently。
Aswewoundonourendlessway，andthesunsanklowerandlowerbehindus，theshadowsoftheeveningbegantocreeproundus。
Thiswasemphasizedbythefactthatthesnowymountain-topstillheldthesunset，andseemedtoglowoutwithadelicatecoolpink。
HereandtherewepassedCszeksandslovaks，allinpicturesqueattire，butInoticedthatgoitrewaspainfullyprevalent。Bytheroadsideweremanycrosses，andaswesweptby，mycompanionsallcrossedthemselves。
Hereandtherewasapeasantmanorwomankneelingbeforeashrine，whodidnoteventurnroundasweapproached，butseemedintheself-surrenderofdevotiontohaveneithereyesnorearsfortheouterworld。
Thereweremanythingsnewtome。Forinstance，hay-ricksinthetrees，andhereandthereverybeautifulmassesofweepingbirch，theirwhitestemsshininglikesilverthroughthedelicategreenoftheleaves。
Nowandagainwepassedaleiter-wagon——theordinarypeasants\'scart——withitslong，snakelikevertebra，calculatedtosuittheinequalitiesoftheroad。
Onthisweresuretobeseatedquiteagroupofhomecomingpeasants，theCszekswiththeirwhite，andtheSlovakswiththeircolouredsheepskins，thelattercarryinglance-fashiontheirlongstaves，withaxeatend。
Astheeveningfellitbegantogetverycold，andthegrowingtwilightseemedtomergeintoonedarkmistinessthegloomofthetrees，oak，beech，andpine，thoughinthevalleyswhichrandeepbetweenthespursofthehills，asweascendedthroughthePass，thedarkfirsstoodouthereandthereagainstthebackgroundoflate-lyingsnow。Sometimes，astheroadwascutthroughthepinewoodsthatseemedinthedarknesstobeclosingdownuponus，greatmassesofgreynesswhichhereandtherebestrewedthetrees，producedapeculiarlyweirdandsolemneffect，whichcarriedonthethoughtsandgrimfanciesengenderedearlierintheevening，whenthefallingsunsetthrewintostrangerelieftheghost-likecloudswhichamongsttheCarpathiansseemtowindceaselesslythroughthevalleys。
Sometimesthehillsweresosteepthat，despiteourdriver\'shaste，thehorsescouldonlygoslowly。Iwishedtogetdownandwalkupthem，aswedoathome，butthedriverwouldnothearofit。
“No，no，“hesaid。“Youmustnotwalkhere。Thedogsaretoofierce。“
Andthenheadded，withwhatheevidentlymeantforgrimpleasantry——
forhelookedroundtocatchtheapprovingsmileoftherest——“Andyoumayhaveenoughofsuchmattersbeforeyougotosleep。“
Theonlystophewouldmakewasamoment\'spausetolighthislamps。
Whenitgrewdarkthereseemedtobesomeexcitementamongstthepassengers，andtheykeptspeakingtohim，oneaftertheother，asthoughurginghimtofurtherspeed。
Helashedthehorsesunmercifullywithhislongwhip，andwithwildcriesofencouragementurgedthemontofurtherexertions。
ThenthroughthedarknessIcouldseeasortofpatchofgreylightaheadofus，asthoughtherewereacleftinthehills。
Theexcitementofthepassengersgrewgreater。
Thecrazycoachrockedonitsgreatleathersprings，andswayedlikeaboattossedonastormysea。Ihadtoholdon。
Theroadgrewmorelevel，andweappearedtoflyalong。
Thenthemountainsseemedtocomenearertousoneachsideandtofrowndownuponus。WewereenteringontheBorgoPass。
Onebyoneseveralofthepassengersofferedmegifts，whichtheypresseduponmewithanearnestnesswhichwouldtakenodenial。Thesewerecertainlyofanoddandvariedkind，buteachwasgiveninsimplegoodfaith，withakindlyword，andablessing，andthatsamestrangemixtureoffear-meaningmovementswhichIhadseenoutsidethehotelatBistritz——
thesignofthecrossandtheguardagainsttheevileye。
Then，asweflewalong，thedriverleanedforward，andoneachsidethepassengers，craningovertheedgeofthecoach，peeredeagerlyintothedarkness。Itwasevidentthatsomethingveryexcitingwaseitherhappeningorexpected，butthoughIaskedeachpassenger，noonewouldgivemetheslightestexplanation。
Thisstateofexcitementkeptonforsomelittletime。
AndatlastwesawbeforeusthePassopeningoutontheeasternside。Thereweredark，rollingcloudsoverhead，andintheairtheheavy，oppressivesenseofthunder。
Itseemedasthoughthemountainrangehadseparatedtwoatmospheres，andthatnowwehadgotintothethunderousone。
IwasnowmyselflookingoutfortheconveyancewhichwastotakemetotheCount。EachmomentIexpectedtoseetheglareoflampsthroughtheblackness，butallwasdark。
Theonlylightwastheflickeringraysofourownlamps，inwhichthesteamfromourhard-drivenhorsesroseinawhitecloud。
Wecouldseenowthesandyroadlyingwhitebeforeus，buttherewasonitnosignofavehicle。Thepassengersdrewbackwithasighofgladness，whichseemedtomockmyowndisappointment。
IwasalreadythinkingwhatIhadbestdo，whenthedriver，lookingathiswatch，saidtotheotherssomethingwhichI
couldhardlyhear，itwasspokensoquietlyandinsolowatone，Ithoughtitwas“Anhourlessthanthetime。“
Thenturningtome，hespokeinGermanworsethanmyown。
“Thereisnocarriagehere。TheHerrisnotexpectedafterall。
HewillnowcomeontoBukovina，andreturntomorroworthenextday，betterthenextday。“Whilsthewasspeakingthehorsesbegantoneighandsnortandplungewildly，sothatthedriverhadtoholdthemup。Then，amongstachorusofscreamsfromthepeasantsandauniversalcrossingofthemselves，acaleche，withfourhorses，droveupbehindus，overtookus，anddrewupbesidethecoach。
Icouldseefromtheflashofourlampsastheraysfellonthem，thatthehorseswerecoal-blackandsplendidanimals。Theyweredrivenbyatallman，withalongbrownbeardandagreatblackhat，whichseemedtohidehisfacefromus。Icouldonlyseethegleamofapairofverybrighteyes，whichseemedredinthelamplight，asheturnedtous。
Hesaidtothedriver，“Youareearlytonight，myfriend。“
Themanstammeredinreply，“TheEnglishHerrwasinahurry。“
Towhichthestrangerreplied，“Thatiswhy，Isuppose，youwishedhimtogoontoBukovina。Youcannotdeceiveme，myfriend。
Iknowtoomuch，andmyhorsesareswift。“
Ashespokehesmiled，andthelamplightfellonahard-lookingmouth，withveryredlipsandsharp-lookingteeth，aswhiteasivory。
OneofmycompanionswhisperedtoanotherthelinefromBurger\'s“Lenore“。
“DenndieTodtenreitenSchnell。““Forthedeadtravelfast。“
Thestrangedriverevidentlyheardthewords，forhelookedupwithagleamingsmile。Thepassengerturnedhisfaceaway，atthesametimeputtingouthistwofingersandcrossinghimself。
“GivemetheHerr\'sluggage，“saidthedriver，andwithexceedingalacritymybagswerehandedoutandputinthecaleche。
ThenIdescendedfromthesideofthecoach，asthecalechewasclosealongside，thedriverhelpingmewithahandwhichcaughtmyarminagripofsteel。Hisstrengthmusthavebeenprodigious。
Withoutawordheshookhisreins，thehorsesturned，andwesweptintothedarknessofthepass。AsIlookedbackIsawthesteamfromthehorsesofthecoachbythelightofthelamps，andprojectedagainstitthefiguresofmylatecompanionscrossingthemselves。
Thenthedrivercrackedhiswhipandcalledtohishorses，andofftheysweptontheirwaytoBukovina。AstheysankintothedarknessIfeltastrangechill，andalonelyfeelingcomeoverme。
Butacloakwasthrownovermyshoulders，andarugacrossmyknees，andthedriversaidinexcellentGerman——“Thenightischill，meinHerr，andmymastertheCountbademetakeallcareofyou。
Thereisaflaskofslivovitztheplumbrandyofthecountry
underneaththeseat，ifyoushouldrequireit。“
Ididnottakeany，butitwasacomforttoknowitwasthereallthesame。
Ifeltalittlestrangely，andnotalittlefrightened。IthinkhadtherebeenanyalternativeIshouldhavetakenit，insteadofprosecutingthatunknownnightjourney。Thecarriagewentatahardpacestraightalong，thenwemadeacompleteturnandwentalonganotherstraightroad。
Itseemedtomethatweweresimplygoingoverandoverthesamegroundagain，andsoItooknoteofsomesalientpoint，andfoundthatthiswasso。
Iwouldhavelikedtohaveaskedthedriverwhatthisallmeant，butI
reallyfearedtodoso，forIthoughtthat，placedasIwas，anyprotestwouldhavehadnoeffectincasetherehadbeenanintentiontodelay。
By-and-by，however，asIwascurioustoknowhowtimewaspassing，Istruckamatch，andbyitsflamelookedatmywatch。
Itwaswithinafewminutesofmidnight。Thisgavemeasortofshock，forIsupposethegeneralsuperstitionaboutmidnightwasincreasedbymyrecentexperiences。
Iwaitedwithasickfeelingofsuspense。
Thenadogbegantohowlsomewhereinafarmhousefardowntheroad，along，agonizedwailing，asiffromfear。
Thesoundwastakenupbyanotherdog，andthenanotherandanother，till，borneonthewindwhichnowsighedsoftlythroughthePass，awildhowlingbegan，whichseemedtocomefromalloverthecountry，asfarastheimaginationcouldgraspitthroughthegloomofthenight。
Atthefirsthowlthehorsesbegantostrainandrear，butthedriverspoketothemsoothingly，andtheyquieteddown，butshiveredandsweatedasthoughafterarunawayfromsuddenfright。
Then，faroffinthedistance，fromthemountainsoneachsideofusbeganalouderandasharperhowling，thatofwolves，whichaffectedboththehorsesandmyselfinthesameway。
ForIwasmindedtojumpfromthecalecheandrun，whilsttheyrearedagainandplungedmadly，sothatthedriverhadtouseallhisgreatstrengthtokeepthemfrombolting。
Inafewminutes，however，myownearsgotaccustomedtothesound，andthehorsessofarbecamequietthatthedriverwasabletodescendandtostandbeforethem。
Hepettedandsoothedthem，andwhisperedsomethingintheirears，asIhaveheardofhorse-tamersdoing，andwithextraordinaryeffect，forunderhiscaressestheybecamequitemanageableagain，thoughtheystilltrembled。Thedriveragaintookhisseat，andshakinghisreins，startedoffatagreatpace。
Thistime，aftergoingtothefarsideorthePass，hesuddenlyturneddownanarrowroadwaywhichransharplytotheright。
Soonwewerehemmedinwithtrees，whichinplacesarchedrightovertheroadwaytillwepassedasthroughatunnel。
Andagaingreatfrowningrocksguardedusboldlyoneitherside。
Thoughwewereinshelter，wecouldheartherisingwind，foritmoanedandwhistledthroughtherocks，andthebranchesofthetreescrashedtogetheraswesweptalong。
Itgrewcolderandcolderstill，andfine，powderysnowbegantofall，sothatsoonweandallarounduswerecoveredwithawhiteblanket。Thekeenwindstillcarriedthehowlingofthedogs，thoughthisgrewfainteraswewentonourway。
Thebayingofthewolvessoundednearerandnearer，asthoughtheywereclosingroundonusfromeveryside。
Igrewdreadfullyafraid，andthehorsessharedmyfear。
Thedriver，however，wasnotintheleastdisturbed。
Hekeptturninghisheadtoleftandright，butIcouldnotseeanythingthroughthedarkness。
Suddenly，awayonourleftIsawafainflickeringblueflame。Thedriversawitatthesamemoment。
Heatoncecheckedthehorses，and，jumpingtotheground，disappearedintothedarkness。Ididnotknowwhattodo，thelessasthehowlingofthewolvesgrewcloser。
ButwhileIwondered，thedriversuddenlyappearedagain，andwithoutawordtookhisseat，andweresumedourjourney。
IthinkImusthavefallenasleepandkeptdreamingoftheincident，foritseemedtoberepeatedendlessly，andnowlookingback，itislikeasortofawfulnightmare。
Oncetheflameappearedsoneartheroad，thateveninthedarknessaroundusIcouldwatchthedriver\'smotions。
Hewentrapidlytowheretheblueflamearose，itmusthavebeenveryfaint，foritdidnotseemtoilluminetheplacearounditatall，andgatheringafewstones，formedthemintosomedevice。
Oncethereappearedastrangeopticaleffect。
Whenhestoodbetweenmeandtheflamehedidnotobstructit，forIcouldseeitsghostlyflickerallthesame。
Thisstartledme，butastheeffectwasonlymomentary，Itookitthatmyeyesdeceivedmestrainingthroughthedarkness。
Thenforatimetherewerenoblueflames，andwespedonwardsthroughthegloom，withthehowlingofthewolvesaroundus，asthoughtheywerefollowinginamovingcircle。
Atlasttherecameatimewhenthedriverwentfurtherafieldthanhehadyetgone，andduringhisabsence，thehorsesbegantotrembleworsethaneverandtosnortandscreamwithfright。Icouldnotseeanycauseforit，forthehowlingofthewolveshadceasedaltogether。
Butjustthenthemoon，sailingthroughtheblackclouds，appearedbehindthejaggedcrestofabeetling，pine-cladrock，andbyitslightIsawaroundusaringofwolves，withwhiteteethandlollingredtongues，withlong，sinewylimbsandshaggyhair。Theywereahundredtimesmoreterribleinthegrimsilencewhichheldthemthanevenwhentheyhowled。
Formyself，Ifeltasortofparalysisoffear。Itisonlywhenamanfeelshimselffacetofacewithsuchhorrorsthathecanunderstandtheirtrueimport。
Allatoncethewolvesbegantohowlasthoughthemoonlighthadhadsomepeculiareffectonthem。Thehorsesjumpedaboutandreared，andlookedhelplesslyroundwitheyesthatrolledinawaypainfultosee。Butthelivingringofterrorencompassedthemoneveryside，andtheyhadperforcetoremainwithinit。
Icalledtothecoachmantocome，foritseemedtomethatouronlychancewastotrytobreakoutthroughtheringandtoaidhisapproach，Ishoutedandbeatthesideofthecaleche，hopingbythenoisetoscarethewolvesfromtheside，soastogivehimachanceofreachingthetrap。Howhecamethere，Iknownot，butIheardhisvoiceraisedinatoneofimperiouscommand，andlookingtowardsthesound，sawhimstandintheroadway。
Asheswepthislongarms，asthoughbrushingasidesomeimpalpableobstacle，thewolvesfellbackandbackfurtherstill。
Justthenaheavycloudpassedacrossthefaceofthemoon，sothatwewereagainindarkness。
WhenIcouldseeagainthedriverwasclimbingintothecaleche，andthewolvesdisappeared。Thiswasallsostrangeanduncannythatadreadfulfearcameuponme，andIwasafraidtospeakormove。
Thetimeseemedinterminableaswesweptonourway，nowinalmostcompletedarkness，fortherollingcloudsobscuredthemoon。
Wekeptonascending，withoccasionalperiodsofquickdescent，butinthemainalwaysascending。Suddenly，Ibecameconsciousofthefactthatthedriverwasintheactofpullingupthehorsesinthecourtyardofavastruinedcastle，fromwhosetallblackwindowscamenorayoflight，andwhosebrokenbattlementsshowedajaggedlineagainstthesky。
CHAPTER2
JonathanHarker\'sJournalContinued5May——Imusthavebeenasleep，forcertainlyifIhadbeenfullyawakeImusthavenoticedtheapproachofsucharemarkableplace。
Inthegloomthecourtyardlookedofconsiderablesize，andasseveraldarkwaysledfromitundergreatroundarches，itperhapsseemedbiggerthanitreallyis。Ihavenotyetbeenabletoseeitbydaylight。
Whenthecalechestopped，thedriverjumpeddownandheldouthishandtoassistmetoalight。AgainIcouldnotbutnoticehisprodigiousstrength。
Hishandactuallyseemedlikeasteelvicethatcouldhavecrushedmineifhehadchosen。Thenhetookmytraps，andplacedthemonthegroundbesidemeasIstoodclosetoagreatdoor，oldandstuddedwithlargeironnails，andsetinaprojectingdoorwayofmassivestone。
Icouldseeeveninthedimlightthatthestonewasmassivelycarved，butthatthecarvinghadbeenmuchwornbytimeandweather。
AsIstood，thedriverjumpedagainintohisseatandshookthereins。
Thehorsesstartedforward，andtrapandalldisappeareddownoneofthedarkopenings。
IstoodinsilencewhereIwas，forIdidnotknowwhattodo。
Ofbellorknockertherewasnosign。Throughthesefrowningwallsanddarkwindowopeningsitwasnotlikelythatmyvoicecouldpenetrate。ThetimeIwaitedseemedendless，andIfeltdoubtsandfearscrowdinguponme。WhatsortofplacehadIcometo，andamongwhatkindofpeople？
WhatsortofgrimadventurewasitonwhichIhadembarked？
Wasthisacustomaryincidentinthelifeofasolicitor\'sclerksentouttoexplainthepurchaseofaLondonestatetoaforeigner？Solicitor\'sclerk！Minawouldnotlikethat。
Solicitor，forjustbeforeleavingLondonIgotwordthatmyexaminationwassuccessful，andIamnowafull-blownsolicitor！
IbegantorubmyeyesandpinchmyselftoseeifIwereawake。
Itallseemedlikeahorriblenightmaretome，andIexpectedthatIshouldsuddenlyawake，andfindmyselfathome，withthedawnstrugglinginthroughthewindows，asIhadnowandagainfeltinthemorningafteradayofoverwork。
Butmyfleshansweredthepinchingtest，andmyeyeswerenottobedeceived。IwasindeedawakeandamongtheCarpathians。
AllIcoulddonowwastobepatient，andtowaitthecomingofmorning。
JustasIhadcometothisconclusionIheardaheavystepapproachingbehindthegreatdoor，andsawthroughthechinksthegleamofacominglight。
Thentherewasthesoundofrattlingchainsandtheclankingofmassiveboltsdrawnback。Akeywasturnedwiththeloudgratingnoiseoflongdisuse，andthegreatdoorswungback。
Within，stoodatalloldman，cleanshavensaveforalongwhitemoustache，andcladinblackfromheadtofoot，withoutasinglespeckofcolourabouthimanywhere。Heheldinhishandanantiquesilverlamp，inwhichtheflameburnedwithoutachimneyorglobeofanykind，throwinglongquiveringshadowsasitflickeredinthedraughtoftheopendoor。
Theoldmanmotionedmeinwithhisrighthandwithacourtlygesture，sayinginexcellentEnglish，butwithastrangeintonation。
“Welcometomyhouse！Enterfreelyandofyourownfreewill！”
Hemadenomotionofsteppingtomeetme，butstoodlikeastatue，asthoughhisgestureofwelcomehadfixedhimintostone。
Theinstant，however，thatIhadsteppedoverthethreshold，hemovedimpulsivelyforward，andholdingouthishandgraspedminewithastrengthwhichmademewince，aneffectwhichwasnotlessenedbythefactthatitseemedcoldasice，morelikethehandofadeadthanalivingman。
Againhesaid。
“Welcometomyhouse！Enterfreely。Gosafely，andleavesomethingofthehappinessyoubring！”ThestrengthofthehandshakewassomuchakintothatwhichIhadnoticedinthedriver，whosefaceIhadnotseen，thatforamomentI
doubtedifitwerenotthesamepersontowhomIwasspeaking。
Sotomakesure，Isaidinterrogatively，“CountDracula？”
Hebowedinacourtlywasashereplied，“IamDracula，andIbidyouwelcome，Mr。Harker，tomyhouse。Comein，thenightairischill，andyoumustneedtoeatandrest。“Ashewasspeaking，heputthelamponabracketonthewall，andsteppingout，tookmyluggage。HehadcarrieditinbeforeIcouldforestallhim。
Iprotested，butheinsisted。
“Nay，sir，youaremyguest。Itislate，andmypeoplearenotavailable。
Letmeseetoyourcomfortmyself。“Heinsistedoncarryingmytrapsalongthepassage，andthenupagreatwindingstair，andalonganothergreatpassage，onwhosestonefloorourstepsrangheavily。
Attheendofthishethrewopenaheavydoor，andIrejoicedtoseewithinawell-litroominwhichatablewasspreadforsupper，andonwhosemightyhearthagreatfireoflogs，freshlyreplenished，flamedandflared。
TheCounthalted，puttingdownmybags，closedthedoor，andcrossingtheroom，openedanotherdoor，whichledintoasmalloctagonalroomlitbyasinglelamp，andseeminglywithoutawindowofanysort。
Passingthroughthis，heopenedanotherdoor，andmotionedmetoenter。
Itwasawelcomesight。Forherewasagreatbedroomwelllightedandwarmedwithanotherlogfire，alsoaddedtobutlately，forthetoplogswerefresh，whichsentahollowroarupthewidechimney。
TheCounthimselfleftmyluggageinsideandwithdrew，saying，beforeheclosedthedoor。
“Youwillneed，afteryourjourney，torefreshyourselfbymakingyourtoilet。Itrustyouwillfindallyouwish。
Whenyouareready，comeintotheotherroom，whereyouwillfindyoursupperprepared。“
ThelightandwarmthandtheCount\'scourteouswelcomeseemedtohavedissipatedallmydoubtsandfears。Havingthenreachedmynormalstate，IdiscoveredthatIwashalffamishedwithhunger。
Somakingahastytoilet，Iwentintotheotherroom。
Ifoundsupperalreadylaidout。Myhost，whostoodononesideofthegreatfireplace，leaningagainstthestonework，madeagracefulwaveofhishandtothetable，andsaid，“Iprayyou，beseatedandsuphowyouplease。YouwillItrust，excusemethatIdonotjoinyou，butIhavedinedalready，andIdonotsup。“
IhandedtohimthesealedletterwhichMr。Hawkinshadentrustedtome。
Heopeneditandreaditgravely。Then，withacharmingsmile，hehandedittometoread。Onepassageofit，atleast，gavemeathrillofpleasure。
“Imustregretthatanattackofgout，fromwhichmaladyIamaconstantsufferer，forbidsabsolutelyanytravellingonmypartforsometimetocome。
ButIamhappytosayIcansendasufficientsubstitute，oneinwhomIhaveeverypossibleconfidence。Heisayoungman，fullofenergyandtalentinhisownway，andofaveryfaithfuldisposition。
Heisdiscreetandsilent，andhasgrownintomanhoodinmyservice。
Heshallbereadytoattendonyouwhenyouwillduringhisstay，andshalltakeyourinstructionsinallmatters。“
Thecounthimselfcameforwardandtookoffthecoverofadish，andIfelltoatonceonanexcellentroastchicken。
This，withsomecheeseandasaladandabottleofoldtokay，ofwhichIhadtwoglasses，wasmysupper。DuringthetimeI
waseatingittheCountaskedmemanyquestionastomyjourney，andItoldhimbydegreesallIhadexperienced。
BythistimeIhadfinishedmysupper，andbymyhost\'sdesirehaddrawnupachairbythefireandbeguntosmokeacigarwhichheofferedme，atthesametimeexcusinghimselfthathedidnotsmoke。
Ihadnowanopportunityofobservinghim，andfoundhimofaverymarkedphysiognomy。
Hisfacewasastrong，averystrong，aquiline，withhighbridgeofthethinnoseandpeculiarlyarchednostrils，withloftydomedforehead，andhairgrowingscantilyroundthetemplesbutprofuselyelsewhere。
Hiseyebrowswereverymassive，almostmeetingoverthenose，andwithbushyhairthatseemedtocurlinitsownprofusion。
Themouth，sofarasIcouldseeitundertheheavymoustache，wasfixedandrathercruel-looking，withpeculiarlysharpwhiteteeth。Theseprotrudedoverthelips，whoseremarkableruddinessshowedastonishingvitalityinamanofhisyears。
Fortherest，hisearswerepale，andatthetopsextremelypointed。
Thechinwasbroadandstrong，andthecheeksfirmthoughthin。
Thegeneraleffectwasoneofextraordinarypallor。
HithertoIhadnoticedthebacksofhishandsastheylayonhiskneesinthefirelight，andtheyhadseemedratherwhiteandfine。
Butseeingthemnowclosetome，Icouldnotbutnoticethattheywererathercoarse，broad，withsquatfingers。
Strangetosay，therewerehairsinthecentreofthepalm。
Thenailswerelongandfine，andcuttoasharppoint。
AstheCountleanedovermeandhishandstouchedme，Icouldnotrepressashudder。Itmayhavebeenthathisbreathwasrank，butahorriblefeelingofnauseacameoverme，which，dowhatIwould，Icouldnotconceal。
TheCount，evidentlynoticingit，drewback。Andwithagrimsortofsmile，whichshowedmorethanhehadyetdonehisprotruberantteeth，sathimselfdownagainonhisownsideofthefireplace。
Wewerebothsilentforawhile，andasIlookedtowardsthewindowIsawthefirstdimstreakofthecomingdawn。
Thereseemedastrangestillnessovereverything。ButasIlistened，Iheardasiffromdownbelowinthevalleythehowlingofmanywolves。
TheCount\'seyesgleamed，andhesaid。
“Listentothem，thechildrenofthenight。Whatmusictheymake！”
Seeing，Isuppose，someexpressioninmyfacestrangetohim，headded，“Ah，sir，youdwellersinthecitycannotenterintothefeelingsofthehunter。“Thenheroseandsaid。
“Butyoumustbetired。Yourbedroomisallready，andtomorrowyoushallsleepaslateasyouwill。Ihavetobeawaytilltheafternoon，sosleepwellanddreamwell！”
Withacourteousbow，heopenedformehimselfthedoortotheoctagonalroom，andIenteredmybedroom。
Iamallinaseaofwonders。Idoubt。Ifear。
Ithinkstrangethings，whichIdarenotconfesstomyownsoul。
Godkeepme，ifonlyforthesakeofthosedeartome！
7May——Itisagainearlymorning，butIhaverestedandenjoyedthelasttwenty-fourhours。Islepttilllateintheday，andawokeofmyownaccord。WhenIhaddressedmyselfI
wentintotheroomwherewehadsupped，andfoundacoldbreakfastlaidout，withcoffeekepthotbythepotbeingplacedonthehearth。Therewasacardonthetable，onwhichwaswritten——“Ihavetobeabsentforawhile。
Donotwaitforme。D。“Isettoandenjoyedaheartymeal。
WhenIhaddone，Ilookedforabell，sothatImightlettheservantsknowIhadfinished，butIcouldnotfindone。
Therearecertainlyodddeficienciesinthehouse，consideringtheextraordinaryevidencesofwealthwhichareroundme。
Thetableserviceisofgold，andsobeautifullywroughtthatitmustbeofimmensevalue。Thecurtainsandupholsteryofthechairsandsofasandthehangingsofmybedareofthecostliestandmostbeautifulfabrics，andmusthavebeenoffabulousvaluewhentheyweremade，fortheyarecenturiesold，thoughinexcellentorder。IsawsomethingliketheminHamptonCourt，buttheywerewornandfrayedandmoth-eaten。Butstillinnoneoftheroomsisthereamirror。
Thereisnotevenatoiletglassonmytable，andIhadtogetthelittleshavingglassfrommybagbeforeIcouldeithershaveorbrushmyhair。Ihavenotyetseenaservantanywhere，orheardasoundnearthecastleexceptthehowlingofwolves。
SometimeafterIhadfinishedmymeal，Idonotknowwhethertocallitbreakfastofdinner，foritwasbetweenfiveandsixo\'clockwhenIhadit，Ilookedaboutforsomethingtoread，forIdidnotliketogoaboutthecastleuntilIhadaskedtheCount\'spermission。Therewasabsolutelynothingintheroom，book，newspaper，orevenwritingmaterials，soI
openedanotherdoorintheroomandfoundasortoflibrary。
ThedooroppositemineItried，butfoundlocked。
InthelibraryIfound，tomygreatdelight，avastnumberofEnglishbooks，wholeshelvesfullofthem，andboundvolumesofmagazinesandnewspapers。
AtableinthecenterwaslitteredwithEnglishmagazinesandnewspapers，thoughnoneofthemwereofveryrecentdate。Thebookswereofthemostvariedkind，history，geography，politics，politicaleconomy，botany，geology，law，allrelatingtoEnglandandEnglishlifeandcustomsandmanners。
TherewereevensuchbooksofreferenceastheLondonDirectory，the“Red“
and“Blue“books，Whitaker\'sAlmanac，theArmyandNavyLists，anditsomehowgladdenedmyhearttoseeit，theLawList。
WhilstIwaslookingatthebooks，thedooropened，andtheCountentered。
Hesalutedmeinaheartyway，andhopedthatIhadhadagoodnight\'srest。
Thenhewenton。
“Iamgladyoufoundyourwayinhere，forIamsurethereismuchthatwillinterestyou。Thesecompanions，“andhelaidhishandonsomeofthebooks，“havebeengoodfriendstome，andforsomeyearspast，eversinceIhadtheideaofgoingtoLondon，havegivenmemany，manyhoursofpleasure。ThroughthemIhavecometoknowyourgreatEngland，andtoknowheristoloveher。
IlongtogothroughthecrowdedstreetsofyourmightyLondon，tobeinthemidstofthewhirlandrushofhumanity，toshareitslife，itschange，itsdeath，andallthatmakesitwhatitis。
Butalas！AsyetIonlyknowyourtonguethroughbooks。
Toyou，myfriend，IlookthatIknowittospeak。“
“But，Count，“Isaid，“YouknowandspeakEnglishthoroughly！”
Hebowedgravely。
“Ithankyou，myfriend，foryouralltoo-flatteringestimate，butyetIfearthatIambutalittlewayontheroadIwouldtravel。
True，Iknowthegrammarandthewords，butyetIknownothowtospeakthem。
“Indeed，“Isaid，“Youspeakexcellently。“
“Notso，“heanswered。“Well，Iknowthat，didImoveandspeakinyourLondon，nonetherearewhowouldnotknowmeforastranger。Thatisnotenoughforme。HereIamnoble。
IamaBoyar。Thecommonpeopleknowme，andIammaster。
Butastrangerinastrangeland，heisnoone。Menknowhimnot，andtoknownotistocarenotfor。IamcontentifIamliketherest，sothatnomanstopsifheseesme，orpausesinhisspeakingifhehearsmywords，`Ha，ha！Astranger！\'
IhavebeensolongmasterthatIwouldbemasterstill，oratleastthatnoneothershouldbemasterofme。
YoucometomenotaloneasagentofmyfriendPeterHawkins，ofExeter，totellmeallaboutmynewestateinLondon。
Youshall，Itrust，restherewithmeawhile，sothatbyourtalkingImaylearntheEnglishintonation。AndIwouldthatyoutellmewhenImakeerror，evenofthesmallest，inmyspeaking。
IamsorrythatIhadtobeawaysolongtoday，butyouwill，Iknowforgiveonewhohassomanyimportantaffairsinhand。“
OfcourseIsaidallIcouldaboutbeingwilling，andaskedifImightcomeintothatroomwhenIchose。
Heanswered，“Yes，certainly，“andadded。
“Youmaygoanywhereyouwishinthecastle，exceptwherethedoorsarelocked，whereofcourseyouwillnotwishtogo。Thereisreasonthatallthingsareastheyare，anddidyouseewithmyeyesandknowwithmyknowledge，youwouldperhapsbetterunderstand。“
IsaidIwassureofthis，andthenhewenton。
“WeareinTransylvania，andTransylvaniaisnotEngland。
Ourwaysarenotyourways，andthereshallbetoyoumanystrangethings。Nay，fromwhatyouhavetoldmeofyourexperiencesalready，youknowsomethingofwhatstrangethingstheremaybe。“
Thisledtomuchconversation，andasitwasevidentthathewantedtotalk，ifonlyfortalking\'ssake，Iaskedhimmanyquestionsregardingthingsthathadalreadyhappenedtomeorcomewithinmynotice。
Sometimeshesheeredoffthesubject，orturnedtheconversationbypretendingnottounderstand，butgenerallyheansweredallIaskedmostfrankly。
Thenastimewenton，andIhadgotsomewhatbolder，Iaskedhimofsomeofthestrangethingsoftheprecedingnight，asforinstance，whythecoachmanwenttotheplaceswherehehadseentheblueflames。
Hethenexplainedtomethatitwascommonlybelievedthatonacertainnightoftheyear，lastnight，infact，whenallevilspiritsaresupposedtohaveuncheckedsway，ablueflameisseenoveranyplacewheretreasurehasbeenconcealed。
“Thattreasurehasbeenhidden，“hewenton，“intheregionthroughwhichyoucamelastnight，therecanbebutlittledoubt。
ForitwasthegroundfoughtoverforcenturiesbytheWallachian，theSaxon，andtheTurk。Why，thereishardlyafootofsoilinallthisregionthathasnotbeenenrichedbythebloodofmen，patriotsorinvaders。Intheolddaystherewerestirringtimes，whentheAustrianandtheHungariancameupinhordes，andthepatriotswentouttomeetthem，menandwomen，theagedandthechildrentoo，andwaitedtheircomingontherocksabovethepasses，thattheymightsweepdestructiononthemwiththeirartificialavalanches。
Whentheinvaderwastriumphanthefoundbutlittle，forwhatevertherewashadbeenshelteredinthefriendlysoil。“
“Buthow，“saidI，“canithaveremainedsolongundiscovered，whenthereisasureindextoitifmenwillbuttakethetroubletolook？
“TheCountsmiled，andashislipsranbackoverhisgums，thelong，sharp，canineteethshowedoutstrangely。Heanswered。
“Becauseyourpeasantisatheartacowardandafool！
Thoseflamesonlyappearononenight，andonthatnightnomanofthislandwill，ifhecanhelpit，stirwithouthisdoors。
And，dearsir，evenifhedidhewouldnotknowwhattodo。
Why，eventhepeasantthatyoutellmeofwhomarkedtheplaceoftheflamewouldnotknowwheretolookindaylightevenforhisownwork。Evenyouwouldnot，Idarebesworn，beabletofindtheseplacesagain？”
“Thereyouareright，“Isaid。“Iknownomorethanthedeadwhereeventolookforthem。“Thenwedriftedintoothermatters。
“Come，“hesaidatlast，“tellmeofLondonandofthehousewhichyouhaveprocuredforme。“Withanapologyformyremissness，Iwentintomyownroomtogetthepapersfrommybag。
WhilstIwasplacingtheminorderIheardarattlingofchinaandsilverinthenextroom，andasIpassedthrough，noticedthatthetablehadbeenclearedandthelamplit，foritwasbythistimedeepintothedark。Thelampswerealsolitinthestudyorlibrary，andIfoundtheCountlyingonthesofa，reading，ofallthingsintheworld，andEnglishBradshaw\'sGuide。
WhenIcameinheclearedthebooksandpapersfromthetable，andwithhimIwentintoplansanddeedsandfiguresofallsorts。
Hewasinterestedineverything，andaskedmeamyriadquestionsabouttheplaceanditssurroundings。Heclearlyhadstudiedbeforehandallhecouldgetonthesubjectoftheneighborhood，forheevidentlyattheendknewverymuchmorethanIdid。
WhenIremarkedthis，heanswered。
“Well，but，myfriend，isitnotneedfulthatIshould？WhenIgothereIshallbeallalone，andmyfriendHarkerJonathan，nay，pardonme。
Ifallintomycountry\'shabitofputtingyourpatronymicfirst，myfriendJonathanHarkerwillnotbebymysidetocorrectandaidme。
HewillbeinExeter，milesaway，probablyworkingatpapersofthelawwithmyotherfriend，PeterHawkins。So！”
WewentthoroughlyintothebusinessofthepurchaseoftheestateatPurfleet。WhenIhadtoldhimthefactsandgothissignaturetothenecessarypapers，andhadwrittenaletterwiththemreadytoposttoMr。Hawkins，hebegantoaskmehowIhadcomeacrosssosuitableaplace。
IreadtohimthenoteswhichIhadmadeatthetime，andwhichIinscribehere。
“AtPurfleet，onabyroad，Icameacrossjustsuchaplaceasseemedtoberequired，andwherewasdisplayedadilapidatednoticethattheplacewasforsale。Itwassurroundedbyahighwall，ofancientstructure，builtofheavystones，andhasnotbeenrepairedforalargenumberofyears。
Theclosedgatesareofheavyoldoakandiron，alleatenwithrust。
“TheestateiscalledCarfax，nodoubtacorruptionoftheoldQuatreFace，asthehouseisfoursided，agreeingwiththecardinalpointsofthecompass。
Itcontainsinallsometwentyacres，quitesurroundedbythesolidstonewallabovementioned。Therearemanytreesonit，whichmakeitinplacesgloomy，andthereisadeep，dark-lookingpondorsmalllake，evidentlyfedbysomesprings，asthewaterisclearandflowsawayinafair-sizedstream。Thehouseisverylargeandofallperiodsback，Ishouldsay，tomediaevaltimes，foronepartisofstoneimmenselythick，withonlyafewwindowshighupandheavilybarredwithiron。
Itlookslikepartofakeep，andisclosetoanoldchapelorchurch。
Icouldnotenterit，asIhadnotthekeyofthedoorleadingtoitfromthehouse，butIhavetakenwithmyKodakviewsofitfromvariouspoints。
Thehousehadbeenaddedto，butinaverystragglingway，andIcanonlyguessattheamountofgrounditcovers，whichmustbeverygreat。
Therearebutfewhousescloseathand，onebeingaverylargehouseonlyrecentlyaddedtoandformedintoaprivatelunaticasylum。
Itisnot，however，visiblefromthegrounds。“
WhenIhadfinished，hesaid，“Iamgladthatitisoldandbig。
Imyselfamofanoldfamily，andtoliveinanewhousewouldkillme。Ahousecannotbemadehabitableinaday，andafterall，howfewdaysgotomakeupacentury。
Irejoicealsothatthereisachapelofoldtimes。
WeTransylvaniannobleslovenottothinkthatourbonesmaylieamongstthecommondead。Iseeknotgaietynormirth，notthebrightvoluptuousnessofmuchsunshineandsparklingwaterswhichpleasetheyoungandgay。Iamnolongeryoung，andmyheart，throughwearyyearsofmourningoverthedead，isattunedtomirth。Moreover，thewallsofmycastlearebroken。
Theshadowsaremany，andthewindbreathescoldthroughthebrokenbattlementsandcasements。Ilovetheshadeandtheshadow，andwouldbealonewithmythoughtswhenImay。“
Somehowhiswordsandhislookdidnotseemtoaccord，orelseitwasthathiscastoffacemadehissmilelookmalignantandsaturnine。
Presently，withanexcuse，heleftme，askingmetopullmypaperstogether。
Hewassomelittletimeaway，andIbegantolookatsomeofthebooksaroundme。Onewasanatlas，whichIfoundopenednaturallytoEngland，asifthatmaphadbeenmuchused。OnlookingatitIfoundincertainplaceslittleringsmarked，andonexaminingtheseInoticedthatonewasnearLondonontheeastside，manifestlywherehisnewestatewassituated。
TheothertwowereExeter，andWhitbyontheYorkshirecoast。
ItwasthebetterpartofanhourwhentheCountreturned。
“Aha！”hesaid。“Stillatyourbooks？Good！Butyoumustnotworkalways。Come！Iaminformedthatyoursupperisready。“
Hetookmyarm，andwewentintothenextroom，whereIfoundanexcellentsupperreadyonthetable。TheCountagainexcusedhimself，ashehaddinedoutonhisbeingawayfromhome。
Buthesatasonthepreviousnight，andchattedwhilstIate。
AftersupperIsmoked，asonthelastevening，andtheCountstayedwithme，chattingandaskingquestionsoneveryconceivablesubject，hourafterhour。Ifeltthatitwasgettingverylateindeed，butIdidnotsayanything，forI
feltunderobligationtomeetmyhost\'swishesineveryway。
Iwasnotsleepy，asthelongsleepyesterdayhadfortifiedme，butIcouldnothelpexperiencingthatchillwhichcomesoveroneatthecomingofthedawn，whichislike，initsway，theturnofthetide。Theysaythatpeoplewhoareneardeathdiegenerallyatthechangetodawnorattheturnofthetide。
Anyonewhohaswhentired，andtiedasitweretohispost，experiencedthischangeintheatmospherecanwellbelieveit。
Allatonceweheardthecrowofthecockcomingupwithpreternaturalshrillnessthroughtheclearmorningair。
CountDracula，jumpingtohisfeet，said，“Whythereisthemorningagain！
HowremissIamtoletyoustayupsolong。YoumustmakeyourconversationregardingmydearnewcountryofEnglandlessinteresting，sothatImaynotforgethowtimefliesbyus，“andwithacourtlybow，hequicklyleftme。
Iwentintomyroomanddrewthecurtains，buttherewaslittletonotice。
Mywindowopenedintothecourtyard，allIcouldseewasthewarmgreyofquickeningsky。SoIpulledthecurtainsagain，andhavewrittenofthisday。
8May——IbegantofearasIwroteinthisbookthatI
wasgettingtoodiffuse。ButnowIamgladthatIwentintodetailfromthefirst，forthereissomethingsostrangeaboutthisplaceandallinitthatIcannotbutfeeluneasy。
IwishIweresafeoutofit，orthatIhadnevercome。
Itmaybethatthisstrangenightexistenceistellingonme，butwouldthatthatwereall！IftherewereanyonetotalktoIcouldbearit，butthereisnoone。IhaveonlytheCounttospeakwith，andhe——IfearIammyselftheonlylivingsoulwithintheplace。Letmebeprosaiacsofarasfactscanbe。
Itwillhelpmetobearup，andimaginationmustnotrunriotwithme。IfitdoesIamlost。LetmesayatoncehowIstand，orseemto。
IonlysleptafewhourswhenIwenttobed，andfeelingthatI
couldnotsleepanymore，gotup。Ihadhungmyshavingglassbythewindow，andwasjustbeginningtoshave。SuddenlyIfeltahandonmyshoulder，andheardtheCount\'svoicesayingtome，“Goodmorning。“Istarted，foritamazedmethatIhadnotseenhim，sincethereflectionoftheglasscoveredthewholeroombehindme。
InstartingIhadcutmyselfslightly，butdidnotnoticeitatthemoment。HavingansweredtheCount\'ssalutation，IturnedtotheglassagaintoseehowIhadbeenmistaken。
Thistimetherecouldbenoerror，forthemanwasclosetome，andIcouldseehimovermyshoulder。Buttherewasnoreflectionofhiminthemirror！Thewholeroombehindmewasdisplayed，buttherewasnosignofamaninit，exceptmyself。
Thiswasstartling，andcomingonthetopofsomanystrangethings，wasbeginningtoincreasethatvaguefeelingofuneasinesswhichIalwayshavewhentheCountisnear。
ButattheinstantIsawthethecuthadbledalittle，andthebloodwastricklingovermychin。Ilaiddowntherazor，turningasIdidsohalfroundtolookforsomestickingplaster。