第3章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Dracula",免费读到尾

  Closeathandcamethehowlingofmanywolves。Itwasalmostasifthesoundsprangupattherisingofhishand,justasthemusicofagreatorchestraseemstoleapunderthebatonoftheconductor。

  Afterapauseofamoment,heproceeded,inhisstatelyway,tothedoor,drewbacktheponderousbolts,unhookedtheheavychains,andbegantodrawitopen。

  TomyintenseastonishmentIsawthatitwasunlocked。

  Suspiciously,Ilookedallround,butcouldseenokeyofanykind。

  Asthedoorbegantoopen,thehowlingofthewolveswithoutgrewlouderandangrier。Theirredjaws,withchampingteeth,andtheirblunt-clawedfeetastheyleaped,cameinthroughtheopeningdoor。

  IknewthanthattostruggleatthemomentagainsttheCountwasuseless。

  Withsuchalliesastheseathiscommand,Icoulddonothing。

  Butstillthedoorcontinuedslowlytoopen,andonlytheCount\'sbodystoodinthegap。Suddenlyitstruckmethatthismightbethemomentandmeansofmydoom。

  Iwastobegiventothewolves,andatmyowninstigation。

  TherewasadiabolicalwickednessintheideagreatenoughfortheCount,andasthelastchanceIcriedout,“Shutthedoor!

  Ishallwaittillmorning。“AndIcoveredmyfacewithmyhandstohidemytearsofbitterdisappointment。

  Withonesweepofhispowerfularm,theCountthrewthedoorshut,andthegreatboltsclangedandechoedthroughthehallastheyshotbackintotheirplaces。

  Insilencewereturnedtothelibrary,andafteraminuteortwoIwenttomyownroom。ThelastIsawofCountDraculawashiskissinghishandtome,witharedlightoftriumphinhiseyes,andwithasmilethatJudasinhellmightbeproudof。

  WhenIwasinmyroomandabouttoliedown,IthoughtIheardawhisperingatmydoor。Iwenttoitsoftlyandlistened。

  Unlessmyearsdeceivedme,IheardthevoiceoftheCount。

  “Back!Backtoyourownplace!Yourtimeisnotyetcome。Wait!Havepatience!Tonightismine。

  Tomorrownightisyours!”

  Therewasalow,sweetrippleoflaughter,andinarageIthrewopenthedoor,andsawwithoutthethreeterriblewomenlickingtheirlips。

  AsIappeared,theyalljoinedinahorriblelaugh,andranaway。

  Icamebacktomyroomandthrewmyselfonmyknees。

  Itisthensoneartheend?Tomorrow!Tomorrow!Lord,helpme,andthosetowhomIamdear!

  30June——ThesemaybethelastwordsIeverwriteinthisdiary。

  Islepttilljustbeforethedawn,andwhenIwokethrewmyselfonmyknees,forIdeterminedthatifDeathcameheshouldfindmeready。

  AtlastIfeltthatsubtlechangeintheair,andknewthatthemorninghadcome。Thencamethewelcomecockcrow,andIfeltthatIwassafe。

  Withagladheart,Iopenedthedoorandrandownthehall。

  Ihadseenthatthedoorwasunlocked,andnowescapewasbeforeme。

  Withhandsthattrembledwitheagerness,Iunhookedthechainsandthrewbackthemassivebolts。

  Butthedoorwouldnotmove。Despairseizedme。Ipulledandpulledatthedoor,andshookittill,massiveasitwas,itrattledinitscasement。Icouldseetheboltshot。

  IthadbeenlockedafterIlefttheCount。

  Thenawilddesiretookmetoobtainthekeyatanyrisk,andIdeterminedthenandtheretoscalethewallagain,andgaintheCount\'sroom。Hemightkillme,butdeathnowseemedthehappierchoiceofevils。WithoutapauseIrusheduptotheeastwindow,andscrambleddownthewall,asbefore,intotheCount\'sroom。Itwasempty,butthatwasasIexpected。

  Icouldnotseeakeyanywhere,buttheheapofgoldremained。

  Iwentthroughthedoorinthecorneranddownthewindingstairandalongthedarkpassagetotheoldchapel。

  IknewnowwellenoughwheretofindthemonsterIsought。

  Thegreatboxwasinthesameplace,closeagainstthewall,butthelidwaslaidonit,notfasteneddown,butwiththenailsreadyintheirplacestobehammeredhome。

  IknewImustreachthebodyforthekey,soIraisedthelid,andlaiditbackagainstthewall。AndthenIsawsomethingwhichfilledmyverysoulwithhorror。TherelaytheCount,butlookingasifhisyouthhadbeenhalfrestored。

  Forthewhitehairandmoustachewerechangedtodarkiron-grey。Thecheekswerefuller,andthewhiteskinseemedruby-redunderneath。Themouthwasredderthanever,foronthelipsweregoutsoffreshblood,whichtrickledfromthecornersofthemouthandrandownoverthechinandneck。

  Eventhedeep,burningeyesseemedsetamongstswollenflesh,forthelidsandpouchesunderneathwerebloated。Itseemedasifthewholeawfulcreatureweresimplygorgedwithblood。

  Helaylikeafilthyleech,exhaustedwithhisrepletion。

  IshudderedasIbentovertotouchhim,andeverysenseinmerevoltedatthecontact,butIhadtosearch,orIwaslost。

  Thecomingnightmightseemyownbodyabanquetinasimilarwartothosehorridthree。Ifeltalloverthebody,butnosigncouldIfindofthekey。ThenIstoppedandlookedattheCount。

  Therewasamockingsmileonthebloatedfacewhichseemedtodrivememad。ThiswasthebeingIwashelpingtotransfertoLondon,where,perhaps,forcenturiestocomehemight,amongstitsteemingmillions,satiatehislustforblood,andcreateanewandever-wideningcircleofsemi-demonstobattenonthehelpless。

  Theverythoughtdrovememad。Aterribledesirecameuponmetoridtheworldofsuchamonster。

  Therewasnolethalweaponathand,butIseizedashovelwhichtheworkmenhadbeenusingtofillthecases,andliftingithigh,struck,withtheedgedownward,atthehatefulface。

  ButasIdidsotheheadturned,andtheeyesfelluponme,withalltheirblazeofbasiliskhorror。Thesightseemedtoparalyzeme,andtheshovelturnedinmyhandandglancedfromtheface,merelymakingadeepgashabovetheforehead。

  Theshovelfellfrommyhandacrossthebox,andasIpulleditawaytheflangeofthebladecaughttheedgeofthelidwhichfelloveragain,andhidthehorridthingfrommysight。

  ThelastglimpseIhadwasofthebloatedface,blood-stainedandfixedwithagrinofmalicewhichwouldhavehelditsowninthenethermosthell。

  Ithoughtandthoughtwhatshouldbemynextmove,butmybrainseemedonfire,andIwaitedwithadespairingfeelinggrowingoverme。AsIwaitedIheardinthedistanceagipsysongsungbymerryvoicescomingcloser,andthroughtheirsongtherollingofheavywheelsandthecrackingofwhips。

  TheSzganyandtheSlovaksofwhomtheCounthadspokenwerecoming。

  Withalastlookaroundandattheboxwhichcontainedthevilebody,IranfromtheplaceandgainedtheCount\'sroom,determinedtorushoutatthemomentthedoorshouldbeopened。

  Withstrainedears,Ilistened,andhearddownstairsthegrindingofthekeyinthegreatlockandthefallingbackoftheheavydoor。

  Theremusthavebeensomeothermeansofentry,orsomeonehadakeyforoneofthelockeddoors。

  Thentherecamethesoundofmanyfeettrampinganddyingawayinsomepassagewhichsentupaclangingecho。

  Iturnedtorundownagaintowardsthevault,whereImightfindthenewentrance,butatthemomentthereseemedtocomeaviolentpuffofwind,andthedoortothewindingstairblewtowithashockthatsetthedustfromthelintelsflying。

  WhenIrantopushitopen,Ifoundthatitwashopelesslyfast。

  Iwasagainaprisoner,andthenetofdoomwasclosingroundmemoreclosely。

  AsIwritethereisinthepassagebelowasoundofmanytrampingfeetandthecrashofweightsbeingsetdownheavily,doubtlesstheboxes,withtheirfreightofearth。

  Therewasasoundofhammering。Itistheboxbeingnaileddown。

  NowIcanheartheheavyfeettrampingagainalongthehall,withwithmanyotheridlefeetcomingbehindthem。

  Thedoorisshut,thechainsrattle。Thereisagrindingofthekeyinthelock。Icanhearthekeywithdrawn,thenanotherdooropensandshuts。

  Ihearthecreakingoflockandbolt。

  Hark!Inthecourtyardanddowntherockywaytherollofheavywheels,thecrackofwhips,andthechorusoftheSzganyastheypassintothedistance。

  Iamaloneinthecastlewiththosehorriblewomen。Faugh!Minaisawoman,andthereisnoughtincommon。TheyaredevilsofthePit!

  Ishallnotremainalonewiththem。IshalltrytoscalethecastlewallfartherthanIhaveyetattempted。

  Ishalltakesomeofthegoldwithme,lestIwantitlater。

  Imayfindawayfromthisdreadfulplace。

  Andthenawayforhome!Awaytothequickestandnearesttrain!

  Awayfromthecursedspot,fromthiscursedland,wherethedevilandhischildrenstillwalkwithearthlyfeet!

  AtleastGod\'smercyisbetterthanthatofthosemonsters,andtheprecipiceissteepandhigh。Atitsfootamanmaysleep,asaman。Goodbye,all。Mina!

  CHAPTER5

  LETTERFROMMISSMINAMURRAYTOMISSLUCYWESTENRA

  9May。

  MydearestLucy,Forgivemylongdelayinwriting,butIhavebeensimplyoverwhelmedwithwork。Thelifeofanassistantschoolmistressissometimestrying。

  Iamlongingtobewithyou,andbythesea,wherewecantalktogetherfreelyandbuildourcastlesintheair。Ihavebeenworkingveryhardlately,becauseIwanttokeepupwithJonathan\'sstudies,andIhavebeenpracticingshorthandveryassiduously。

  WhenwearemarriedIshallbeabletobeusefultoJonathan,andifIcanstenographwellenoughIcantakedownwhathewantstosayinthiswayandwriteitoutforhimonthetypewriter,atwhichalsoIampracticingveryhard。

  HeandIsometimeswritelettersinshorthand,andheiskeepingastenographicjournalofhistravelsabroad。WhenIamwithyouIshallkeepadiaryinthesameway。Idon\'tmeanoneofthosetwo-pages-to-the-week-with-Sunday-squeezed-in-a-cornerdiaries,butasortofjournalwhichIcanwriteinwheneverIfeelinclined。

  Idonotsupposetherewillbemuchofinteresttootherpeople,butitisnotintendedforthem。ImayshowittoJonathansomedayifthereisinitanythingworthsharing,butitisreallyanexercisebook。

  IshalltrytodowhatIseeladyjournalistsdo,interviewingandwritingdescriptionsandtryingtorememberconversations。Iamtoldthat,withalittlepractice,onecanrememberallthatgoesonorthatonehearssaidduringaday。

  However,weshallsee。Iwilltellyouofmylittleplanswhenwemeet。

  IhavejusthadafewhurriedlinesfromJonathanfromTransylvania。

  Heiswell,andwillbereturninginaboutaweek。Iamlongingtohearallhisnews。Itmustbenicetoseestrangecountries。

  Iwonderifwe,ImeanJonathanandI,shalleverseethemtogether。

  Thereistheteno\'clockbellringing。Goodbye。

  YourlovingMinaTellmeallthenewswhenyouwrite。Youhavenottoldmeanythingforalongtime。Ihearrumours,andespeciallyofatall,handsome,curly-hairedman。???

  LETTER,LUCYWESTENRATOMINAMURRAY

  17,ChathamStreetWednesdayMydearestMina,Imustsayyoutaxmeveryunfairlywithbeingabadcorrespondent。

  Iwroteyoutwicesinceweparted,andyourlastletterwasonlyyoursecond。Besides,Ihavenothingtotellyou。

  Thereisreallynothingtointerestyou。

  Townisverypleasantjustnow,andwegoagreatdealtopicture-galleriesandforwalksandridesinthepark。

  Astothetall,curly-hairedman,IsupposeitwastheonewhowaswithmeatthelastPop。Someonehasevidentlybeentellingtales。

  ThatwasMr。Holmwood。Heoftencomestoseeus,andheandMammagetonverywelltogether,theyhavesomanythingstotalkaboutincommon。

  Wemetsometimeagoamanthatwouldjustdoforyou,ifyouwerenotalreadyengagedtoJonathan。Heisanexcellantparti,beinghandsome,welloff,andofgoodbirth。Heisadoctorandreallyclever。Justfancy!Heisonlynine-andtwenty,andhehasanimmenselunaticasylumallunderhisowncare。

  Mr。Holmwoodintroducedhimtome,andhecalledheretoseeus,andoftencomesnow。IthinkheisoneofthemostresolutemenI

  eversaw,andyetthemostcalm。Heseemsabsolutelyimperturbable。

  Icanfancywhatawonderfulpowerhemusthaveoverhispatients。

  Hehasacurioushabitoflookingonestraightintheface,asiftryingtoreadone\'sthoughts。Hetriesthisonverymuchwithme,butIflattermyselfhehasgotatoughnuttocrack。

  Iknowthatfrommyglass。

  Doyouevertrytoreadyourownface?Ido,andIcantellyouitisnotabadstudy,andgivesyoumoretroublethanyoucanwellfancyifyouhavenevertriedit。

  HesaythatIaffordhimacuriouspsychologicalstudy,andIhumblythinkIdo。Idonot,asyouknow,takesufficientinterestindresstobeabletodescribethenewfashions。

  Dressisabore。Thatisslangagain,butnevermind。

  Arthursaysthateveryday。

  There,itisallout,Mina,wehavetoldalloursecretstoeachothersincewewerechildren。Wehaveslepttogetherandeatentogether,andlaughedandcriedtogether,andnow,thoughIhavespoken,Iwouldliketospeakmore。Oh,Mina,couldn\'tyouguess?Ilovehim。

  IamblushingasIwrite,foralthoughIthinkhelovesme,hehasnottoldmesoinwords。But,oh,Mina,Ilovehim。

  Ilovehim!There,thatdoesmegood。

  IwishIwerewithyou,dear,sittingbythefireundressing,asweusedtosit,andIwouldtrytotellyouwhatIfeel。

  IdonotknowhowIamwritingthiseventoyou。

  Iamafraidtostop,orIshouldtearuptheletter,andIdon\'twanttostop,forIdosowanttotellyouall。

  Letmehearfromyouatonce,andtellmeallthatyouthinkaboutit。Mina,prayformyhappiness。

  LucyP。S——Ineednottellyouthisisasecret。Goodnightagain。L。

  LETTER,LUCYWESTENRATOMINAMURRAY

  24MayMydearestMina,Thanks,andthanks,andthanksagainforyoursweetletter。

  Itwassonicetobeabletotellyouandtohaveyoursympathy。

  Mydear,itneverrainsbutitpours。Howtruetheoldproverbsare。

  HereamI,whoshallbetwentyinSeptember,andyetIneverhadaproposaltilltoday,notarealproposal,andtodayIhadthree。

  Justfancy!Threeproposalsinoneday!Isn\'titawful!

  Ifeelsorry,reallyandtrulysorry,fortwoofthepoorfellows。

  Oh,Mina,IamsohappythatIdon\'tknowwhattodowithmyself。

  Andthreeproposals!But,forgoodness\'sake,don\'ttellanyofthegirls,ortheywouldbegettingallsortsofextravagantideas,andimaginingthemselvesinjuredandslightedifintheirveryfirstdayathometheydidnotgetsixatleast。Somegirlsaresovain!

  YouandI,Minadear,whoareengagedandaregoingtosettledownsoonsoberlyintooldmarriedwomen,candespisevanity。

  Well,Imusttellyouaboutthethree,butyoumustkeepitasecret,dear,fromeveryoneexcept,ofcourse,Jonathan。

  Youwilltellhim,becauseIwould,ifIwereinyourplace,certainlytellArthur。Awomanoughttotellherhusbandeverything。

  Don\'tyouthinkso,dear?AndImustbefair。Menlikewomen,certainlytheirwives,tobequiteasfairastheyare。Andwomen,Iamafraid,arenotalwaysquiteasfairastheyshouldbe。

  Well,mydear,numberOnecamejustbeforelunch。

  Itoldyouofhim,Dr。JohnSeward,thelunaticasylumman,withthestrongjawandthegoodforehead。

  Hewasverycooloutwardly,butwasnervousallthesame。

  Hehadevidentlybeenschoolinghimselfastoallsortsoflittlethings,andrememberedthem,buthealmostmanagedtositdownonhissilkhat,whichmendon\'tgenerallydowhentheyarecool,andthenwhenhewantedtoappearateasehekeptplayingwithalancetinawaythatmademenearlyscream。

  Hespoketome,Mina,verystraightfordwardly。HetoldmehowdearIwastohim,thoughhehadknownmesolittle,andwhathislifewouldbewithmetohelpandcheerhim。

  HewasgoingtotellmehowunhappyhewouldbeifI

  didnotcareforhim,butwhenhesawmecryhesaidhewasabruteandwouldnotaddtomypresenttrouble。

  ThenhebrokeoffandaskedifIcouldlovehimintime,andwhenIshookmyheadhishandstrembled,andthenwithsomehesitationheaskedmeifIcaredalreadyforanyoneelse。

  Heputitverynicely,sayingthathedidnotwanttowringmyconfidencefromme,butonlytoknow,becauseifawoman\'sheartwasfreeamanmighthavehope。Andthen,Mina,Ifeltasortofdutytotellhimthattherewassomeone。

  Ionlytoldhimthatmuch,andthenhestoodup,andhelookedverystrongandverygraveashetookbothmyhandsinhisandsaidhehopedIwouldbehappy,andthatIfIeverwantedafriendImustcounthimoneofmybest。

  Oh,Minadear,Ican\'thelpcrying,andyoumustexcusethisletterbeingallblotted。Beingproposedtoisallveryniceandallthatsortofthing,butitisn\'tatallahappythingwhenyouhavetoseeapoorfellow,whomyouknowlovesyouhonestly,goingawayandlookingallbrokenhearted,andtoknowthat,nomatterwhathemaysayatthemoment,youarepassingoutofhislife。Mydear,Imuststophereatpresent,Ifeelsomiserable,thoughIamsohappy。

  Evening。

  Arthurhasjustgone,andIfeelinbetterspiritsthanwhenIleftoff,soIcangoontellingyouabouttheday。

  Well,mydear,numberTwocameafterlunch。Heissuchanicefellow,andAmericanfromTexas,andhelookssoyoungandsofreshthatitseemsalmostimpossiblethathehasbeentosomanyplacesandhassuchadventures。

  IsympathizewithpoorDesdemonawhenshehadsuchastreampouredinherear,evenbyablackman。Isupposethatwewomenaresuchcowardsthatwethinkamanwillsaveusfromfears,andwemarryhim。

  IknownowwhatIwoulddoifIwereamanandwantedtomakeagirlloveme。No,Idon\'t,fortherewasMr。Morristellingushisstories,andArthurnevertoldany,andyet……

  Mydear,Iamsomewhatprevious。Mr。QuincyP。Morrisfoundmealone。Itseemsthatamanalwaysdoesfindagirlalone。

  No,hedoesn\'t,forArthurtriedtwicetomakeachance,andIhelpinghimallIcould,Iamnotashamedtosayitnow。

  ImusttellyoubeforehandthatMr。Morrisdoesn\'talwaysspeakslang,thatistosay,heneverdoessotostrangersorbeforethem,forheisreallywelleducatedandhasexquisitemanners,buthefoundoutthatitamusedmetohearhimtalkAmericanslang,andwheneverIwaspresent,andtherewasnoonetobeshocked,hesaidsuchfunnythings。

  Iamafraid,mydear,hehastoinventitall,foritfitsexactlyintowhateverelsehehastosay。Butthisisawayslanghas。

  IdonotknowmyselfifIshalleverspeakslang。

  IdonotknowifArthurlikesit,asIhaveneverheardhimuseanyasyet。

  Well,Mr。Morrissatdownbesidemeandlookedashappyandjollyashecould,butIcouldseeallthesamethathewasverynervous。

  Hetookmyhandinhis,andsaideversosweetly……

  “MissLucy,IknowIain\'tgoodenoughtoregulatethefixin\'sofyourlittleshoes,butIguessifyouwaittillyoufindamanthatisyouwillgojointhemsevenyoungwomenwiththelampswhenyouquit。

  Won\'tyoujusthitchupalongsideofmeandletusgodownthelongroadtogether,drivingindoubleharness?”

  Well,hedidlooksohoodhumouredandsojollythatitdidn\'tseemhalfsohardtorefusehimasitdidpoorDr。Seward。

  SoIsaid,aslightlyasIcould,thatIdidnotknowanythingofhitching,andthatIwasn\'tbrokentoharnessatallyet。

  Thenhesaidthathehadspokeninalightmanner,andhehopedthatifhehadmadeamistakeindoingsoonsograve,somomentous,andoccasionforhim,Iwouldforgivehim。

  Hereallydidlookseriouswhenhewassayingit,andIcouldn\'thelpfeelingasortofexultationthathewasnumberTwoinoneday。

  Andthen,mydear,beforeIcouldsayawordhebeganpouringoutaperfecttorrentoflove-making,layinghisveryheartandsoulatmyfeet。HelookedsoearnestoveritthatI

  shallneveragainthinkthatamanmustbeplayfulalways,andneverearnest,becauseheismerryattimes。

  Isupposehesawsomethinginmyfacewhichcheckedhim,forhesuddenlystopped,andsaidwithasortofmanlyfervourthatIcouldhavelovedhimforifIhadbeenfree……

  “Lucy,youareanhonestheartedgirl,Iknow。IshouldnotbeherespeakingtoyouasIamnowifIdidnotbelieveyoucleangrit,rightthroughtotheverydepthsofyoursoul。Tellme,likeonegoodfellowtoanother,isthereanyoneelsethatyoucarefor?

  AndifthereisI\'llnevertroubleyouahair\'sbreadthagain,butwillbe,ifyouwillletme,averyfaithfulfriend。“

  MydearMina,whyaremensonoblewhenwewomenaresolittleworthyofthem?HerewasIalmostmakingfunofthisgreathearted,truegentleman。

  Iburstintotears,Iamafraid,mydear,youwillthinkthisaverysloppyletterinmorewaysthanone,andIreallyfeltverybadly。

  Whycan\'ttheyletagirlmarrythreemen,orasmanyaswanther,andsaveallthistrouble?Butthisisheresy,andImustnotsayit。

  Iamgladtosaythat,thoughIwascrying,IwasabletolookintoMr。Morris\'braveeyes,andItoldhimoutstraight……

  “Yes,thereissomeoneIlove,thoughhehasnottoldmeyetthatheevenlovesme。“Iwasrighttospeaktohimsofrankly,forquitealightcameintohisface,andheputoutbothhishandsandtookmine,IthinkIputthemintohis,andsaidinaheartyway……

  “That\'smybravegirl。It\'sbetterworthbeinglateforachanceofwinningyouthanbeingintimeforanyothergirlintheworld。Don\'tcry,mydear。Ifit\'sforme,I\'mahardnuttocrack,andItakeitstandingup。

  Ifthatotherfellowdoesn\'tknowhishappiness,well,he\'dbetterlookforitsoon,orhe\'llhavetodealwithme。

  Littlegirl,yourhonestyandpluckhavemademeafriend,andthat\'srarerthanalover,it\'smoreselfishanyhow。

  Mydear,I\'mgoingtohaveaprettylonelywalkbetweenthisandKingdomCome。Won\'tyougivemeonekiss?

  It\'llbesomethingtokeepoffthedarknessnowandthen。

  Youcan,youknow,ifyoulike,forthatothergoodfellow,oryoucouldnotlovehim,hasn\'tspokenyet。“

  Thatquitewonme,Mina,foritwasbraveandsweetofhim,andnobletoo,toarival,wasn\'tit?Andhesosad,soIleantoverandkissedhim。

  Hestoodupwithmytwohandsinhis,andashelookeddownintomyface,IamafraidIwasblushingverymuch,hesaid,“Littlegirl,Iholdyourhand,andyou\'vekissedme,andifthesethingsdon\'tmakeusfriendsnothingeverwill。

  Thankyouforyoursweethonestytome,andgoodbye。“

  Hewrungmyhand,andtakinguphishat,wentstraightoutoftheroomwithoutlookingback,withoutatearoraquiverorapause,andIamcryinglikeababy。

  Oh,whymustamanlikethatbemadeunhappywhentherearelotsofgirlsaboutwhowouldworshiptheverygroundhetrodon?

  IknowIwouldifIwerefree,onlyIdon\'twanttobefreeMydear,thisquiteupsetme,andIfeelIcannotwriteofhappinessjustatonce,aftertellingyouofit,andIdon\'twishtotellofthenumberThreeuntilitcanbeallhappy。

  Everyourloving……

  LucyP。S——Oh,aboutnumberThree,Ineedn\'ttellyouofnumberThree,needI?

  Besides,itwasallsoconfused。Itseemedonlyamomentfromhiscomingintotheroomtillbothhisarmswereroundme,andhewaskissingme。

  Iamvery,veryhappy,andIdon\'tknowwhatIhavedonetodeserveit。

  ImustonlytryinthefuturetoshowthatIamnotungratefultoGodforallHisgoodnesstomeinsendingtomesuchalover,suchahusband,andsuchafriend。

  Goodbye。

  DR。SEWARD\'SDIARYKeptinphonograph

  25May——Ebbtideinappetitetoday。Cannoteat,cannotrest,sodiaryinstead。sincemyrebuffofyesterdayIhaveasortofemptyfeeling。

  Nothingintheworldseemsofsufficientimportancetobeworththedoing。

  AsIknewthattheonlycureforthissortofthingwaswork,Iwentamongstthepatients。Ipickedoutonewhohasaffordedmeastudyofmuchinterest。

  HeissoquaintthatIamdeterminedtounderstandhimaswellasIcan。

  TodayIseemedtogetnearerthaneverbeforetotheheartofhismystery。

  IquestionedhimmorefullythanIhadeverdone,withaviewtomakingmyselfmasterofthefactsofhishallucination。

  Inmymannerofdoingittherewas,Inowsee,somethingofcruelty。

  Iseemedtowishtokeephimtothepointofhismadness,athingwhichIavoidwiththepatientsasIwouldthemouthofhell。

  Mem。,UnderwhatcircumstanceswouldInotavoidthepitofhell?OmniaRomaevenaliasunt。Hellhasitsprice!

  Iftherebeanythingbehindthisinstinctitwillbevaluabletotraceitafterwardsaccurately,soIhadbettercommencetodoso,therefore……

  R。M,Renfield,age59。Sanguinetemperament,greatphysicalstrength,morbidlyexcitable,periodsofgloom,endinginsomefixedideawhichI

  cannotmakeout。Ipresumethatthesanguinetemperamentitselfandthedisturbinginfluenceendinamentally-accomplishedfinish,apossiblydangerousman,probablydangerousifunselfish。Inselfishmencautionisassecureanarmourfortheirfoesasforthemselves。

  WhatIthinkofonthispointis,whenselfisthefixedpointthecentripetalforceisbalancedwiththecentrifugal。Whenduty,acause,etc。,isthefixedpoint,thelatterforceisparamount,andonlyaccidentofaseriesofaccidentscanbalanceit。

  LETTER,QUINCEYP。MORRISTOHON。ARTHURHOLMOOD

  25May。

  MydearArt,We\'vetoldyarnsbythecampfireintheprairies,anddressedoneanother\'swoundsaftertryingalandingattheMarquesas,anddrunkhealthsontheshoreofTiticaca。Therearemoreyarnstobetold,andotherwoundstobehealed,andanotherhealthtobedrunk。Won\'tyouletthisbeatmycampfiretomorrownight?

  Ihavenohesitationinaskingyou,asIknowacertainladyisengagedtoacertaindinnerparty,andthatyouarefree。

  Therewillonlybeoneother,ouroldpalattheKorea,JackSeward。

  He\'scoming,too,andwebothwanttomingleourweepsoverthewinecup,andtodrinkahealthwithallourheartstothehappiestmaninallthewideworld,whohaswonthenoblestheartthatGodhasmadeandbestworthwinning。Wepromiseyouaheartywelcome,andalovinggreeting,andahealthastrueasyourownrighthand。

  Weshallbothsweartoleaveyouathomeifyoudrinktoodeeptoacertainpairofeyes。Come!

  Yours,aseverandalways,QuinceyP。MorrisTELEGRAMFROMARTHURHOLMWOODTOQUINCEYP。MORRIS

  26MayCountmeineverytime。Ibearmessageswhichwillmakebothyourearstingle。

  ArtCHAPTER6

  MINAMURRAY\'SJOURNAL

  24July。Whitby——Lucymetmeatthestation,lookingsweeterandlovlierthanever,andwedroveuptothehouseattheCrescentinwhichtheyhaverooms。Thisisalovelyplace。Thelittleriver,theEsk,runsthroughadeepvalley,whichbroadensoutasitcomesneartheharbour。Agreatviaductrunsacross,withhighpiers,throughwhichtheviewseemssomehowfurtherawaythanitreallyis。

  Thevalleyisbeautifullygreen,anditissosteepthatwhenyouareonthehighlandoneithersideyoulookrightacrossit,unlessyouarenearenoughtoseedown。Thehousesoftheoldtown——

  thesideawayfromus,areallred-roofed,andseempileduponeovertheotheranyhow,likethepicturesweseeofNuremberg。

  RightoverthetownistheruinofWhitbyAbbey,whichwassackedbytheDanes,andwhichisthesceneofpartof“Marmion,“

  wherethegirlwasbuiltupinthewall。Itisamostnobleruin,ofimmensesize,andfullofbeautifulandromanticbits。

  Thereisalegendthatawhiteladyisseeninoneofthewindows。

  Betweenitandthetownthereisanotherchurch,theparishone,roundwhichisabiggraveyard,allfulloftombstones。

  ThisistomymindthenicestspotinWhitby,foritliesrightoverthetown,andhasafullviewoftheharbourandallupthebaytowheretheheadlandcalledKettlenessstretchesoutintothesea。

  Itdescendssosteeplyovertheharbourthatpartofthebankhasfallenaway,andsomeofthegraveshavebeendestroyed。

  Inoneplacepartofthestoneworkofthegravesstretchesoutoverthesandypathwayfarbelow。Therearewalks,withseatsbesidethem,throughthechurchyard,andpeoplegoandsittherealldaylonglookingatthebeautifulviewandenjoyingthebreeze。

  Ishallcomeandsithereoftenmyselfandwork。

  Indeed,Iamwritingnow,withmybookonmyknee,andlisteningtothetalkofthreeoldmenwhoaresittingbesideme。

  Theyseemtodonothingalldaybutsithereandtalk。

  Theharbourliesbelowme,with,onthefarside,onelonggranitewallstretchingoutintothesea,withacurveoutwardsattheendofit,inthemiddleofwhichisalighthouse。

  Aheavyseawallrunsalongoutsideofit。Onthenearside,theseawallmakesanelbowcrookedinversely,anditsendtoohasalighthouse。

  Betweenthetwopiersthereisanarrowopeningintotheharbour,whichthensuddenlywidens。

  Itisniceathighwater,butwhenthetideisoutitshoalsawaytonothing,andthereismerelythestreamoftheEsk,runningbetweenbanksofsand,withrockshereandthere。

  Outsidetheharbouronthissidethererisesforabouthalfamileagreatreef,thesharpofwhichrunsstraightoutfrombehindthesouthlighthouse。Attheendofitisabuoywithabell,whichswingsinbadweather,andsendsinamournfulsoundonthewind。

  Theyhavealegendherethatwhenashipislostbellsareheardoutatsea。

  Imustasktheoldmanaboutthis。Heiscomingthisway……

  Heisafunnyoldman。Hemustbeawfullyold,forhisfaceisgnarledandtwistedlikethebarkofatree。

  Hetellsmethatheisnearlyahundred,andthathewasasailorintheGreenlandfishingfleetwhenWaterloowasfought。

  Heis,Iamafraid,averyscepticalperson,forwhenIaskedhimaboutthebellsatseaandtheWhiteLadyattheabbeyhesaidverybrusquely,“Iwouldn\'tfashmasel\'aboutthem,miss。Themthingsbeallworeout。Mind,Idon\'tsaythattheyneverwas,butIdosaythattheywasn\'tinmytime。Theybeallverywellforcomersandtrippers,an\'thelike,butnotforaniceyoungladylikeyou。

  Themfeet-folksfromYorkandLeedsthatbealwayseatin\'curedherrin\'sanddrinkin\'teaan\'lookin\'outtobuycheapjetwouldcreedaught。

  Iwondermasel\'who\'dbebotheredtellin\'liestothem,eventhenewspapers,whichisfulloffool-talk。“

  Ithoughthewouldbeagoodpersontolearninterestingthingsfrom,soIaskedhimifhewouldmindtellingmesomethingaboutthewhalefishingintheolddays。

  Hewasjustsettlinghimselftobeginwhentheclockstrucksix,whereuponhelabouredtogetup,andsaid,“Imustgangageeanwardshomenow,miss。Mygrand-daughterdoesn\'tliketobekeptwaitin\'whentheteaisready,forittakesmetimetocrammleaboonthegrees,fortherebeamanyof`em,andmiss,Ilackbelly-timbersairlybytheclock。“

  Hehobbledaway,andIcouldseehimhurrying,aswellashecould,downthesteps。Thestepsareagreatfeatureontheplace。

  Theyleadfromthetowntothechurch,therearehundredsofthem,Idonotknowhowmany,andtheywindupinadelicatecurve。

  Theslopeissogentlethatahorsecouldeasilywalkupanddownthem。

  Ithinktheymustoriginallyhavehadsomethingtodowiththeabbey。

  Ishallgohometoo。Lucywentout,visitingwithhermother,andastheywereonlydutycalls,Ididnotgo。

  1August——IcameuphereanhouragowithLucy,andwehadamostinterestingtalkwithmyoldfriendandthetwootherswhoalwayscomeandjoinhim。

  HeisevidentlytheSirOracleofthem,andIshouldthinkmusthavebeeninhistimeamostdictatorialperson。

  Hewillnotadmitanything,anddownfaceseverybody。

  Ifhecan\'tout-arguethemhebulliesthem,andthentakestheirsilenceforagreementwithhisviews。

  Lucywaslookingsweetlyprettyinherwhitelawnfrock。

  Shehasgotabeautifulcoloursinceshehasbeenhere。

  Inoticedthattheoldmendidnotloseanytimeincomingandsittingnearherwhenwesatdown。Sheissosweetwitholdpeople,Ithinktheyallfellinlovewithheronthespot。

  Evenmyoldmansuccumbedanddidnotcontradicther,butgavemedoubleshareinstead。Igothimonthesubjectofthelegends,andhewentoffatonceintoasortofsermon。

  Imusttrytorememberitandputitdown。

  “Itbeallfool-talk,lock,stock,andbarrel,that\'swhatitbeandnowtelse。Thesebansan\'waftsan\'boh-ghostsan\'

  bar-guestsan\'boglesan\'allanentthemisonlyfittosetbairnsan\'

  dizzywomena\'belderin\'。Theybenowtbutair-blebs。They,an\'

  allgrimsan\'signsan\'warnin\'s,beallinventedbyparsonsan\'

  illsomeberk-bodiesan\'railwaytouterstoskeeran\'scunnerhafflin\'s,an\'

  togetfolkstodosomethin\'thattheydon\'totherinclineto。

  Itmakesmeirefultothinko\'them。Why,it\'sthemthat,notcontentwithprintin\'liesonpaperan\'preachin\'themoutofpulpits,doeswanttobecuttin\'themonthetombstones。Lookhereallaroundyouinwhatairtyewill。Allthemsteans,holdin\'uptheirheadsaswellastheycanoutoftheirpride,isacant,simplytumblin\'

  downwiththeweighto\'thelieswroteonthem,`Hereliesthebody\'

  or`Sacredtothememory\'wroteonallofthem,an\'yetinnighhalfofthemtherebean\'tnobodiesatall,an\'thememoriesofthembean\'tcaredapinchofsnuffabout,muchlesssacred。

  Liesallofthem,nothin\'butliesofonekindoranother!

  Mygog,butit\'llbeaquarescowdermentattheDayofJudgmentwhentheycometumblin\'upintheirdeath-sarks,alljoupedtogetheran\'trying\'todragtheirtombsteanswiththemtoprovehowgoodtheywas,someofthemtrimmlin\'an\'dithering,withtheirhandsthatdozzenedan\'slipperyfromlyin\'intheseathattheycan\'tevenkeeptheirgurpo\'them。“

  Icouldseefromtheoldfellow\'sself-satisfiedairandthewayinwhichhelookedroundfortheapprovalofhiscroniesthathewas“showingoff,“

  soIputinawordtokeephimgoing。

  “Oh,Mr。Swales,youcan\'tbeserious。Surelythesetombstonesarenotallwrong?”

  “Yabblins!Theremaybeapoorishfewnotwrong,savin\'wheretheymakeoutthepeopletoogood,fortherebefolkthatdothinkabalm-bowlbelikethesea,ifonlyitbetheirown。

  Thewholethingbeonlylies。Nowlookyouhere。

  Youcomehereastranger,an\'youseethiskirkgarth。“

  Inodded,forIthoughtitbettertoassent,thoughIdidnotquiteunderstandhisdialect。Iknewithadsomethingtodowiththechurch。

  Hewenton,“Andyouconsatethatallthesesteansbeaboonfolkthatbehapedhere,snodan\'snog?”Iassentedagain。

  “Thenthatbejustwheretheliecomesin。Why,therebescoresoftheselaybedsthatbetoomasoldDun\'s`baccaboxonFridaynight。“

  Henudgedoneofhiscompanions,andtheyalllaughed。

  “And,mygog!Howcouldtheybeotherwise?Lookatthatone,theaftestabaftthebier-bank,readit!”

  Iwentoverandread,“EdwardSpencelagh,mastermariner,murderedbypiratesoffthecoastofAndres,April,1854,age30。“

  WhenIcamebackMr。Swaleswenton,“Whobroughthimhome,Iwonder,tohaphimhere?MurderedoffthecoastofAndres!An\'youconsatedhisbodylayunder!

  Why,IcouldnameyeadozenwhoseboneslieintheGreenlandseasabove,“

  hepointednorthwards,“orwherethecurrantsmayhavedriftedthem。

  Therebethesteansaroundye。Yecan,withyouryoungeyes,readthesmallprintoftheliesfromhere。ThisBraithwaiteLowery,Iknewhisfather,lostintheLivelyoffGreenlandin`20,orAndrewWoodhouse,drownedinthesameseasin1777,orJohnPaxton,drownedoffCapeFarewellayearlater,oroldJohnRawlings,whosegrandfathersailedwithme,drownedintheGulfofFinlandin`50。DoyethinkthatallthesemenwillhavetomakearushtoWhitbywhenthetrumpetsounds?Ihavemeantherumsabootit!

  Itellyethatwhentheygotherethey\'dbejommlin\'andjostlin\'

  oneanotherthatwaythatit`udbelikeafightupontheiceintheolddays,whenwe\'dbeatoneanotherfromdaylighttodark,an\'tryin\'totieupourcutsbytheauroraborealis。“

  Thiswasevidentlylocalpleasantry,fortheoldmancackledoverit,andhiscroniesjoinedinwithgusto。

  “But,“Isaid,“surelyyouarenotquitecorrect,foryoustartontheassumptionthatallthepoorpeople,ortheirspirits,willhavetotaketheirtombstoneswiththemontheDayofJudgment。

  Doyouthinkthatwillbereallynecessary?”

  “Well,whatelsebetheytombstonesfor?Answermethat,miss!”

  “Topleasetheirrelatives,Isuppose。“

  “Topleasetheirrelatives,yousuppose!”Thishesaidwithintensescorn。

  “Howwillitpleasuretheirrelativestoknowthatliesiswroteoverthem,andthateverybodyintheplaceknowsthattheybelies?”

  Hepointedtoastoneatourfeetwhichhadbeenlaiddownasaslab,onwhichtheseatwasrested,closetotheedgeofthecliff。

  “Readtheliesonthatthruff-stone,“hesaid。

  TheletterswereupsidedowntomefromwhereIsat,butLucywasmoreoppositetothem,sosheleantoverandread,“SacredtothememoryofGeorgeCanon,whodied,inthehopeofagloriousresurrection,onJuly29,1873,fallingfromtherocksatKettleness。

  Thistombwaserectedbyhissorrowingmothertoherdearlybelovedson。`Hewastheonlysonofhismother,andshewasawidow。\'

  Really,Mr。Swales,Idon\'tseeanythingveryfunnyinthat!”

  Shespokehercommentverygravelyandsomewhatseverely。

  “Yedon\'tseeaughtfunny!Ha-ha!Butthat\'sbecauseyedon\'tgawmthesorrowin\'motherwasahell-catthathatedhimbecausehewasacrewk\'d,aregularlamiterhewas,an\'hehatedhersothathecommittedsuicideinorderthatshemightn\'tgetaninsurancesheputonhislife。Heblewnighthetopofhisheadoffwithanoldmusketthattheyhadforscarin\'

  crowswith。`twarn\'tforcrowsthen,foritbroughttheclegsandthedowpstohim。That\'sthewayhefellofftherocks。

  And,astohopesofagloriousresurrection,I\'veoftenheardhimsaymasel\'thathehopedhe\'dgotohell,forhismotherwassopiousthatshe\'dbesuretogotoheaven,an\'hedidn\'twanttoaddlewhereshewas。Nowisn\'tthatsteanatanyrate,“

  hehammereditwithhisstickashespoke,“apackoflies?

  Andwon\'titmakeGabrielkecklewhenGeordiecomespantin\'

  utthegreeswiththetompsteanbalancedonhishump,andaskstobetookasevidence!”

  Ididnotknowwhattosay,butLucyturnedtheconversationasshesaid,risingup,“Oh,whydidyoutellusofthis?

  Itismyfavoriteseat,andIcannotleaveit,andnowIfindImustgoonsittingoverthegraveofasuicide。“

  “Thatwon\'tharmye,mypretty,an\'itmaymakepoorGeordiegladsometohavesotrimalasssittin\'onhislap。

  Thatwon\'thurtye。Why,I\'vesathereoffan\'onfornightwentyyearspast,an\'ithasn\'tdonemenoharm。

  Don\'tyefashaboutthemasliesunderye,orthatdoesn\'

  liethereeither!It\'llbetimeforyetobegettingscartwhenyeseethetombsteansallrunawaywith,andtheplaceasbareasastubble-field。There\'stheclock,and\'Imustgang。

  Myservicetoye,ladies!”Andoffhehobbled。

  LucyandIsatawhile,anditwasallsobeautifulbeforeusthatwetookhandsaswesat,andshetoldmealloveragainaboutArthurandtheircomingmarriage。

  Thatmademejustalittleheart-sick,forIhaven\'theardfromJonathanforawholemonth。

  Thesameday。Icameupherealone,forIamverysad。Therewasnoletterforme。IhopetherecannotbeanythingthematterwithJonathan。

  Theclockhasjuststrucknine。Iseethelightsscatteredalloverthetown,sometimesinrowswherethestreetsare,andsometimessingly。

  TheyrunrightuptheEskanddieawayinthecurveofthevalley。

  Tomylefttheviewiscutoffbyablacklineofroofoftheoldhousenexttotheabbey。Thesheepandlambsarebleatinginthefieldsawaybehindme,andthereisaclatterofdonkeys\'hoofsupthepavedroadbelow。

  Thebandonthepierisplayingaharshwaltzingoodtime,andfurtheralongthequaythereisaSalvationArmymeetinginabackstreet。

  Neitherofthebandshearstheother,butuphereIhearandseethemboth。IwonderwhereJonathanisandifheisthinkingofme!

  Iwishhewerehere。

  DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

  5June——ThecaseofRenfieldgrowsmoreinterestingthemoreIgettounderstandtheman。Hehascertainqualitiesverylargelydeveloped,selfishness,secrecy,andpurpose。

  IwishIcouldgetatwhatistheobjectofthelatter。Heseemstohavesomesettledschemeofhisown,butwhatitisIdonotknow。

  Hisredeemingqualityisaloveofanimals,though,indeed,hehassuchcuriousturnsinitthatIsometimesimagineheisonlyabnormallycruel。

  Hispetsareofoddsorts。

  Justnowhishobbyiscatchingflies。HehasatpresentsuchaquantitythatIhavehadmyselftoexpostulate。

  Tomyastonishment,hedidnotbreakoutintoafury,asIexpected,buttookthematterinsimpleseriousness。

  Hethoughtforamoment,andthensaid,“MayIhavethreedays?

  Ishallclearthemaway。“Ofcourse,Isaidthatwoulddo。

  Imustwatchhim。

  18June——Hehasturnedhismindnowtospiders,andhasgotseveralverybigfellowsinabox。Hekeepsfeedingthemhisflies,andthenumberofthelatterisbecomingsensiblydiminished,althoughhehasusedhalfhisfoodinattractingmorefliesfromoutsidetohisroom。

  1July——Hisspidersarenowbecomingasgreatanuisanceashisflies,andtodayItoldhimthathemustgetridofthem。

  Helookedverysadatthis,soIsaidthathemustsomeofthem,atallevents。Hecheerfullyacquiescedinthis,andIgavehimthesametimeasbeforeforreduction。

  Hedisgustedmemuchwhilewithhim,forwhenahorridblowfly,bloatedwithsomecarrionfood,buzzedintotheroom,hecaughtit,helditexultantlyforafewmomentsbetweenhisfingerandthumb,andbeforeIknewwhathewasgoingtodo,putitinhismouthandateit。

  Iscoldedhimforit,buthearguedquietlythatitwasverygoodandverywholesome,thatitwaslife,stronglife,andgavelifetohim。

  Thisgavemeanidea,ortherudimentofone。Imustwatchhowhegetsridofhisspiders。

  Hehasevidentlysomedeepprobleminhismind,forhekeepsalittlenotebookinwhichheisalwaysjottingdownsomething。

  wholepagesofitarefilledwithmassesoffigures,generallysinglenumbersaddedupinbatches,andthenthetotalsaddedinbatchesagain,asthoughhewerefocussingsomeaccount,astheauditorsputit。

  8July——Thereisamethodinhismadness,andtherudimentaryideainmymindisgrowing。Itwillbeawholeideasoon,andthen,oh,unconsciouscerebration,youwillhavetogivethewalltoyourconsciousbrother。

  Ikeptawayfrommyfriendforafewdays,sothatImightnoticeiftherewereanychange。Thingsremainastheywereexceptthathehaspartedwithsomeofhispetsandgotanewone。

  Hehasmanagedtogetasparrow,andhasalreadypartiallytamedit。

  Hismeansoftamingissimple,foralreadythespidershavediminshed。

  Thosethatdoremain,however,arewellfed,forhestillbringsinthefliesbytemptingthemwithhisfood。

  19July——Weareprogressing。Myfriendhasnowawholecolonyofsparrows,andhisfliesandspidersarealmostobliterated。WhenIcameinherantomeandsaidhewantedtoaskmeagreatfavour,avery,verygreatfavour。

  Andashespoke,hefawnedonmelikeadog。

  Iaskedhimwhatitwas,andhesaid,withasortofraptureinhisvoiceandbearing,“Akitten,anice,little,sleekplayfulkitten,thatIcanplaywith,andteach,andfeed,andfeed,andfeed!”

  Iwasnotunpreparedforthisrequest,forIhadnoticedhowhispetswentonincreasinginsizeandvivacity,butI

  didnotcarethathisprettyfamilyoftamesparrowsshouldbewipedoutinthesamemannerasthefliesandspiders。

  SoIsaidIwouldseeaboutit,andaskedhimifhewouldnotratherhaveacatthanakitten。

  Hiseagernessbetrayedhimasheanswered,“Oh,yes,Iwouldlikeacat!

  Ionlyaskedforakittenlestyoushouldrefusemeacat。

  Noonewouldrefusemeakitten,wouldthey?”

  Ishookmyhead,andsaidthatatpresentIfeareditwouldnotbepossible,butthatIwouldseeaboutit。

  Hisfacefell,andIcouldseeawarningofdangerinit,fortherewasasuddenfierce,sidelonglookwhichmeantkilling。

  Themanisanundevelopedhomicidalmaniac。Ishalltesthimwithhispresentcravingandseehowitwillworkout,thenIshallknowmore。

  10pm——Ihavevisitedhimagainandfoundhimsittinginacornerbrooding。

  WhenIcameinhethrewhimselfonhiskneesbeforemeandimploredmetolethimhaveacat,thathissalvationdependeduponit。

  Iwasfirm,however,andtoldhimthathecouldnothaveit,whereuponhewentwithoutaword,andsatdown,gnawinghisfingers,inthecornerwhereIhadfoundhim。

  Ishallseehiminthemorningearly。

  20July——VisitedRenfieldveryearly,beforeattendantwenthisrounds。

  Foundhimupandhummingatune。Hewasspreadingouthissugar,whichhehadsaved,inthewindow,andwasmanifestlybeginninghisflycatchingagain,andbeginningitcheerfullyandwithagoodgrace。

  Ilookedaroundforhisbirds,andnotseeingthem,askedhimwheretheywere。

  Hereplied,withoutturninground,thattheyhadallflownaway。

  Therewereafewfeathersabouttheroomandonhispillowadropofblood。

  Isaidnothing,butwentandtoldthekeepertoreporttomeiftherewereanythingoddabouthimduringtheday。

  11am——TheattendanthasjustbeentoseemetosaythatRenfieldhasbeenverysickandhasdisgorgedawholelotoffeathers。

  “Mybeliefis,doctor,“hesaid,“thathehaseatenhisbirds,andthathejusttookandatethemraw!”

  11pm——IgaveRenfieldastrongopiatetonight,enoughtomakeevenhimsleep,andtookawayhispocketbooktolookatit。

  Thethoughtthathasbeenbuzzingaboutmybrainlatelyiscomplete,andthetheoryproved。

  Myhomicidalmaniacisofapeculiarkind。Ishallhavetoinventanewclassificationforhim,andcallhimazoophagouslife-eatingmaniac。

  Whathedesiresistoabsorbasmanylivesashecan,andhehaslaidhimselfouttoachieveitinacumulativeway。Hegavemanyfliestoonespiderandmanyspiderstoonebird,andthenwantedacattoeatthemanybirds。

  Whatwouldhavebeenhislatersteps?

  Itwouldalmostbeworthwhiletocompletetheexperiment。

  Itmightbedoneiftherewereonlyasufficientcause。

  Mensneeredatvivisection,andyetlookatitsresultstoday!

  Whynotadvancescienceinitsmostdifficultandvitalaspect,theknowledgeofthebrain?

  HadIeventhesecretofonesuchmind,didIholdthekeytothefancyofevenonelunatic,ImightadvancemyownbranchofsciencetoapitchcomparedwithwhichBurdon-Sanderson\'sphysiologyorFerrier\'sbrainknowledgewouldbeasnothing。Ifonlytherewereasufficientcause!

  Imustnotthinktoomuchofthis,orImaybetempted。

  Agoodcausemightturnthescalewithme,formaynotItoobeofanexceptionalbrain,congenitally?

  Howwellthemanreasoned。Lunaticsalwaysdowithintheirownscope。

  Iwonderathowmanyliveshevaluesaman,orifatonlyone。

  Hehasclosedtheaccountmostaccurately,andtodaybegunanewrecord。

  Howmanyofusbeginanewrecordwitheachdayofourlives?

  Tomeitseemsonlyyesterdaythatmywholelifeendedwithmynewhope,andthattrulyIbegananewrecord。

  SoitshallbeuntiltheGreatRecordersumsmeupandclosesmyledgeraccountwithabalancetoprofitorloss。

  Oh,Lucy,Lucy,Icannotbeangrywithyou,norcanIbeangrywithmyfriendwhosehappinessisyours,butImustonlywaitonhopelessandwork。Work!Work!

  IfIcouldhaveasstrongacauseasmypoormadfriendthere,agood,unselfishcausetomakemework,thatwouldbeindeedhappiness。

  MINAMURRAY\'SJOURNAL

  26July——Iamanxious,anditsoothesmetoexpressmyselfhere。

  Itislikewhisperingtoone\'sselfandlisteningatthesametime。

  Andthereisalsosomethingabouttheshorthandsymbolsthatmakesitdifferentfromwriting。IamunhappyaboutLucyandaboutJonathan。

  IhadnotheardfromJonathanforsometime,andwasveryconcerned,butyesterdaydearMr。Hawkins,whoisalwayssokind,sentmealetterfromhim。Ihadwrittenaskinghimifhehadheard,andhesaidtheenclosedhadjustbeenreceived。ItisonlyalinedatedfromCastleDracula,andsaysthatheisjuststartingforhome。ThatisnotlikeJonathan。

  Idonotunderstandit,anditmakesmeuneasy。

  Then,too,Lucy,althoughsheissowell,haslatelytakentoheroldhabitofwalkinginhersleep。Hermotherhasspokentomeaboutit,andwehavedecidedthatIamtolockthedoorofourroomeverynight。

  Mrs。Westenrahasgotanideathatsleep-walkersalwaysgooutonroofsofhousesandalongtheedgesofcliffsandthengetsuddenlywakenedandfalloverwithadespairingcrythatechoesallovertheplace。

  Poordear,sheisnaturallyanxiousaboutLucy,andshetellsmethatherhusband,Lucy\'sfather,hadthesamehabit,thathewouldgetupinthenightanddresshimselfandgoout,ifhewerenotstopped。

  Lucyistobemarriedintheautumn,andsheisalreadyplanningoutherdressesandhowherhouseistobearranged。

  Isympathisewithher,forIdothesame,onlyJonathanandI

  willstartinlifeinaverysimpleway,andshallhavetotrytomakebothendsmeet。

  Mr。Holmwood,heistheHon。ArthurHolmwood,onlysonofLordGodalming,iscominguphereveryshortly,assoonashecanleavetown,forhisfatherisnotverywell,andIthinkdearLucyiscountingthemomentstillhecomes。

  ShewantstotakehimupintheseatonthechurchyardcliffandshowhimthebeautyofWhitby。Idaresayitisthewaitingwhichdisturbsher。

  Shewillbeallrightwhenhearrives。

  27July——NonewsfromJonathan。Iamgettingquiteuneasyabouthim,thoughwhyIshouldIdonotknow,butIdowishthathewouldwrite,ifitwereonlyasingleline。

  Lucywalksmorethanever,andeachnightIamawakenedbyhermovingabouttheroom。Fortunately,theweatherissohotthatshecannotgetcold。

  Butstill,theanxietyandtheperpetuallybeingawakenedisbeginningtotellonme,andIamgettingnervousandwakefulmyself。

  ThankGod,Lucy\'shealthkeepsup。Mr。HolmwoodhasbeensuddenlycalledtoRingtoseehisfather,whohasbeentakenseriouslyill。

  Lucyfretsatthepostponementofseeinghim,butitdoesnottouchherlooks。Sheisatriflestouter,andhercheeksarealovelyrose-pink。Shehaslosttheanemiclookwhichshehad。

  Iprayitwillalllast。

  3August——Anotherweekgoneby,andnonewsfromJonathan,noteventoMr。Hawkins,fromwhomIhaveheard。Oh,Idohopeheisnotill。Hesurelywouldhavewritten。Ilookatthatlastletterofhis,butsomehowitdoesnotsatisfyme。

  Itdoesnotreadlikehim,andyetitishiswriting。

  Thereisnomistakeofthat。

  Lucyhasnotwalkedmuchinhersleepthelastweek,butthereisanoddconcentrationaboutherwhichIdonotunderstand,eveninhersleepsheseemstobewatchingme。

  Shetriesthedoor,andfindingitlocked,goesabouttheroomsearchingforthekey。

  6August——Anotherthreedays,andnonews。

  Thissuspenseisgettingdreadful。IfIonlyknewwheretowritetoorwheretogoto,Ishouldfeeleasier。

  ButnoonehasheardawordofJonathansincethatlastletter。

  ImustonlypraytoGodforpatience。

  Lucyismoreexcitablethanever,butisotherwisewell。Lastnightwasverythreatening,andthefishermensaythatweareinforastorm。

  Imusttrytowatchitandlearntheweathersigns。

  Todayisagrayday,andthesunasIwriteishiddeninthickclouds,highoverKettleness。Everythingisgrayexceptthegreengrass,whichseemslikeemeraldamongstit,grayearthyrock,grayclouds,tingedwiththesunburstatthefaredge,hangoverthegraysea,intowhichthesandpointsstretchlikegrayfigures。Theseaistumblinginovertheshallowsandthesandyflatswitharoar,muffledinthesea-mistsdriftinginland。Thehorizonislostinagraymist。

  Allvastness,thecloudsarepileduplikegiantrocks,andthereisa`brool\'overtheseathatsoundslikesomepassageofdoom。

  Darkfiguresareonthebeachhereandthere,sometimeshalfshroudedinthemist,andseem`menliketreeswalking\'。Thefishingboatsareracingforhome,andriseanddipinthegroundswellastheysweepintotheharbour,bendingtothescuppers。HerecomesoldMr。Swales。

  Heismakingstraightforme,andIcansee,bythewayheliftshishat,thathewantstotalk。

  Ihavebeenquitetouchedbythechangeinthepooroldman。

  Whenhesatdownbesideme,hesaidinaverygentleway,“Iwanttosaysomethingtoyou,miss。“

  Icouldseehewasnotatease,soItookhispooroldwrinkledhandinmineandaskedhimtospeakfully。

  Sohesaid,leavinghishandinmine,“I\'mafraid,mydeary,thatImusthaveshockedyoubyallthewickedthingsI\'vebeensayin\'

  aboutthedead,andsuchlike,forweekspast,butIdidn\'tmeanthem,andIwantyetorememberthatwhenI\'mgone。Weaudfolksthatbedaffled,andwithonefootabaftthekrok-hooal,don\'taltogetherliketothinkofit,andwedon\'twanttofeelscartofit,andthat\'swhyI\'vetooktomakin\'lightofit,sothatI\'dcheerupmyownheartabit。

  But,Lordloveye,miss,Iain\'tafraidofdyin\',notabit,onlyI

  don\'twanttodieifIcanhelpit。Mytimemustbenighathandnow,forIbeaud,andahundredyearsistoomuchforanymantoexpect。

  AndI\'msonighitthattheAudManisalreadywhettin\'hisscythe。

  Yesee,Ican\'tgetouto\'thehabitofcaffin\'aboutitallatonce。

  Thechaftswillwagastheybeusedto。SomedaysoontheAngelofDeathwillsoundhistrumpetforme。Butdon\'tyedooalan\'greet,mydeary!”——

  forhesawthatIwascrying——“ifheshouldcomethisverynightI\'dnotrefusetoanswerhiscall。Forlifebe,afterall,onlyawaitin\'

  forsomethin\'elsethanwhatwe\'redoin\',anddeathbeallthatwecanrightlydependon。ButI\'mcontent,forit\'scomin\'tome,mydeary,andcomin\'quick。Itmaybecomin\'whilewebelookin\'andwonderin\'。Maybeit\'sinthatwindoutovertheseathat\'sbringin\'withitlossandwreck,andsoredistress,andsadhearts。Look!Look!”hecriedsuddenly。

  “There\'ssomethinginthatwindandinthehoastbeyontthatsounds,andlooks,andtastes,andsmellslikedeath。It\'sintheair。

  Ifeelitcomin\'。Lord,makemeanswercheerful,whenmycallcomes!”

  Hehelduphisarmsdevoutly,andraisedhishat。Hismouthmovedasthoughhewerepraying。Afterafewminutes\'silence,hegotup,shookhandswithme,andblessedme,andsaidgoodbye,andhobbledoff。

  Italltouchedme,andupsetmeverymuch。

  Iwasgladwhenthecoastguardcamealong,withhisspyglassunderhisarm。

  Hestoppedtotalkwithme,ashealwaysdoes,butallthetimekeptlookingatastrangeship。

  “Ican\'tmakeherout,“hesaid。“She\'saRussian,bythelookofher。

  Butshe\'sknockingaboutinthequeerestway。Shedoesn\'tknowhermindabit。Sheseemstoseethestormcoming,butcan\'tdecidewhethertorunupnorthintheopen,ortoputinhere。

  Lookthereagain!Sheissteeredmightystrangely,forshedoesn\'tmindthehandonthewheel,changesaboutwitheverypuffofwind。

  We\'llhearmoreofherbeforethistimetomorrow。“

点击下载App,搜索"Dracula",免费读到尾