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try to open the subject with him.

 

* * * * *

 

_Later._--When the Professor came in, we talked over the state of

things. I could see that he had something on his mind which he wanted to

say, but felt some hesitancy about broaching the subject. After beating

about the bush a little, he said suddenly:--

 

"Friend John, there is something that you and I must talk of alone, just

at the first at any rate. Later, we may have to take the others into our

confidence"; then he stopped, so I waited; he went on:--

 

"Madam Mina, our poor, dear Madam Mina is changing." A cold shiver ran

through me to find my worst fears thus endorsed. Van Helsing

continued:--

 

"With the sad experience of Miss Lucy, we must this time be warned

before things go too far. Our task is now in reality more difficult than

ever, and this new trouble makes every hour of the direst importance. I

can see the characteristics of the vampire coming in her face. It is now

but very, very slight; but it is to be seen if we have eyes to notice

without to prejudge. Her teeth are some sharper, and at times her eyes

are more hard. But these are not all, there is to her the silence now

often; as so it was with Miss Lucy. She did not speak, even when she

wrote that which she wished to be known later. Now my fear is this. If

it be that she can, by our hypnotic trance, tell what the Count see and

hear, is it not more true that he who have hypnotise her first, and who

have drink of her very blood and make her drink of his, should, if he

will, compel her mind to disclose to him that which she know?" I nodded

acquiescence; he went on:--

 

"Then, what we must do is to prevent this; we must keep her ignorant of

our intent, and so she cannot tell what she know not. This is a painful

task! Oh, so painful that it heart-break me to think of; but it must be.

When to-day we meet, I must tell her that for reason which we will not

to speak she must not more be of our council, but be simply guarded by

us." He wiped his forehead, which had broken out in profuse perspiration

at the thought of the pain which he might have to inflict upon the poor

soul already so tortured. I knew that it would be some sort of comfort

to him if I told him that I also had come to the same conclusion; for at

any rate it would take away the pain of doubt. I told him, and the

effect was as I expected.

 

It is now close to the time of our general gathering. Van Helsing has

gone away to prepare for the meeting, and his painful part of it. I

really believe his purpose is to be able to pray alone.

 

* * * * *

 

_Later._--At the very outset of our meeting a great personal relief was

experienced by both Van Helsing and myself. Mrs. Harker had sent a

message by her husband to say that she would not join us at present, as

she thought it better that we should be free to discuss our movements

without her presence to embarrass us. The Professor and I looked at each

other for an instant, and somehow we both seemed relieved. For my own

part, I thought that if Mrs. Harker realised the danger herself, it was

much pain as well as much danger averted. Under the circumstances we

agreed, by a questioning look and answer, with finger on lip, to

preserve silence in our suspicions, until we should have been able to

confer alone again. We went at once into our Plan of Campaign. Van

Helsing roughly put the facts before us first:--

 

"The _Czarina Catherine_ left the Thames yesterday morning. It will take

her at the quickest speed she has ever made at least three weeks to

reach Varna; but we can travel overland to the same place in three days.

Now, if we allow for two days less for the ship's voyage, owing to such

weather influences as we know that the Count can bring to bear; and if

we allow a whole day and night for any delays which may occur to us,

then we have a margin of nearly two weeks. Thus, in order to be quite

safe, we must leave here on 17th at latest. Then we shall at any rate

be in Varna a day before the ship arrives, and able to make such

preparations as may be necessary. Of course we shall all go armed--armed

against evil things, spiritual as well as physical." Here Quincey Morris

added:--

 

"I understand that the Count comes from a wolf country, and it may be

that he shall get there before us. I propose that we add Winchesters to

our armament. I have a kind of belief in a Winchester when there is any

trouble of that sort around. Do you remember, Art, when we had the pack

after us at Tobolsk? What wouldn't we have given then for a repeater

apiece!"

 

"Good!" said Van Helsing, "Winchesters it shall be. Quincey's head is

level at all times, but most so when there is to hunt, metaphor be more

dishonour to science than wolves be of danger to man. In the meantime we

can do nothing here; and as I think that Varna is not familiar to any of

us, why not go there more soon? It is as long to wait here as there.

To-night and to-morrow we can get ready, and then, if all be well, we

four can set out on our journey."

 

"We four?" said Harker interrogatively, looking from one to another of

us.

 

"Of course!" answered the Professor quickly, "you must remain to take

care of your so sweet wife!" Harker was silent for awhile and then said

in a hollow voice:--

 

"Let us talk of that part of it in the morning. I want to consult with

Mina." I thought that now was the time for Van Helsing to warn him not

to disclose our plans to her; but he took no notice. I looked at him

significantly and coughed. For answer he put his finger on his lips and

turned away.

 

 

_Jonathan Harker's Journal._

 

_5 October, afternoon._--For some time after our meeting this morning I

could not think. The new phases of things leave my mind in a state of

wonder which allows no room for active thought. Mina's determination not

to take any part in the discussion set me thinking; and as I could not

argue the matter with her, I could only guess. I am as far as ever from

a solution now. The way the others received it, too, puzzled me; the

last time we talked of the subject we agreed that there was to be no

more concealment of anything amongst us. Mina is sleeping now, calmly

and sweetly like a little child. Her lips are curved and her face beams

with happiness. Thank God, there are such moments still for her.

 

* * * * *

 

_Later._--How strange it all is. I sat watching Mina's happy sleep, and

came as near to being happy myself as I suppose I shall ever be. As the

evening drew on, and the earth took its shadows from the sun sinking

lower, the silence of the room grew more and more solemn to me. All at

once Mina opened her eyes, and looking at me tenderly, said:--

 

"Jonathan, I want you to promise me something on your word of honour. A

promise made to me, but made holily in God's hearing, and not to be

broken though I should go down on my knees and implore you with bitter

tears. Quick, you must make it to me at once."

 

"Mina," I said, "a promise like that, I cannot make at once. I may have

no right to make it."

 

"But, dear one," she said, with such spiritual intensity that her eyes

were like pole stars, "it is I who wish it; and it is not for myself.

You can ask Dr. Van Helsing if I am not right; if he disagrees you may

do as you will. Nay, more, if you all agree, later, you are absolved

from the promise."

 

"I promise!" I said, and for a moment she looked supremely happy; though

to me all happiness for her was denied by the red scar on her forehead.

She said:--

 

"Promise me that you will not tell me anything of the plans formed for

the campaign against the Count. Not by word, or inference, or

implication; not at any time whilst this remains to me!" and she

solemnly pointed to the scar. I saw that she was in earnest, and said

solemnly:--

 

"I promise!" and as I said it I felt that from that instant a door had

been shut between us.

 

* * * * *

 

_Later, midnight._--Mina has been bright and cheerful all the evening.

So much so that all the rest seemed to take courage, as if infected

somewhat with her gaiety; as a result even I myself felt as if the pall

of gloom which weighs us down were somewhat lifted. We all retired

early. Mina is now sleeping like a little child; it is a wonderful thing

that her faculty of sleep remains to her in the midst of her terrible

trouble. Thank God for it, for then at least she can forget her care.

Perhaps her example may affect me as her gaiety did to-night. I shall

try it. Oh! for a dreamless sleep.

 

* * * * *

 

_6 October, morning._--Another surprise. Mina woke me early, about the

same time as yesterday, and asked me to bring Dr. Van Helsing. I thought

that it was another occasion for hypnotism, and without question went

for the Professor. He had evidently expected some such call, for I found

him dressed in his room. His door was ajar, so that he could hear the

opening of the door of our room. He came at once; as he passed into the

room, he asked Mina if the others might come, too.

 

"No," she said quite simply, "it will not be necessary. You can tell

them just as well. I must go with you on your journey."

 

Dr. Van Helsing was as startled as I was. After a moment's pause he

asked:--

 

"But why?"

 

"You must take me with you. I am safer with you, and you shall be safer,

too."

 

"But why, dear Madam Mina? You know that your safety is our solemnest

duty. We go into danger, to which you are, or may be, more liable than

any of us from--from circumstances--things that have been." He paused,

embarrassed.

 

As she replied, she raised her finger and pointed to her forehead:--

 

"I know. That is why I must go. I can tell you now, whilst the sun is

coming up; I may not be able again. I know that when the Count wills me

I must go. I know that if he tells me to come in secret, I must come by

wile; by any device to hoodwink--even Jonathan." God saw the look that

she turned on me as she spoke, and if there be indeed a Recording Angel

that look is noted to her everlasting honour. I could only clasp her

hand. I could not speak; my emotion was too great for even the relief of

tears. She went on:--

 

"You men are brave and strong. You are strong in your numbers, for you

can defy that which would break down the human endurance of one who had

to guard alone. Besides, I may be of service, since you can hypnotise me

and so learn that which even I myself do not know." Dr. Van Helsing said

very gravely:--

 

"Madam Mina, you are, as always, most wise. You shall with us come; and

together we shall do that which we go forth to achieve." When he had

spoken, Mina's long spell of silence made me look at her. She had fallen

back on her pillow asleep; she did not even wake when I had pulled up

the blind and let in the sunlight which flooded the room. Van Helsing

motioned to me to come with him quietly. We went to his room, and within

a minute Lord Godalming, Dr. Seward, and Mr. Morris were with us also.

He told them what Mina had said, and went on:--

 

"In the morning we shall leave for Varna. We have now to deal with a

new factor: Madam Mina. Oh, but her soul is true. It is to her an agony

to tell us so much as she has done; but it is most right, and we are

warned in time. There must be no chance lost, and in Varna we must be

ready to act the instant when that ship arrives."

 

"What shall we do exactly?" asked Mr. Morris laconically. The Professor

paused before replying:--

 

"We shall at the first board that ship; then, when we have identified

the box, we shall place a branch of the wild rose on it. This we shall

fasten, for when it is there none can emerge; so at least says the

superstition. And to superstition must we trust at the first; it was

man's faith in the early, and it have its root in faith still. Then,

when we get the opportunity that we seek, when none are near to see, we

shall open the box, and--and all will be well."

 

"I shall not wait for any opportunity," said Morris. "When I see the box

I shall open it and destroy the monster, though there were a thousand

men looking on, and if I am to be wiped out for it the next moment!" I

grasped his hand instinctively and found it as firm as a piece of steel.

I think he understood my look; I hope he did.

 

"Good boy," said Dr. Van Helsing. "Brave boy. Quincey is all man. God

bless him for it. My child, believe me none of us shall lag behind or

pause from any fear. I do but say what we may do--what we must do. But,

indeed, indeed we cannot say what we shall do. There are so many things

which may happen, and their ways and their ends are so various that

until the moment we may not say. We shall all be armed, in all ways; and

when the time for the end has come, our effort shall not be lack. Now

let us to-day put all our affairs in order. Let all things which touch

on others dear to us, and who on us depend, be complete; for none of us

can tell what, or when, or how, the end may be. As for me, my own

affairs are regulate; and as I have nothing else to do, I shall go make

arrangements for the travel. I shall have all tickets and so forth for

our journey."

 

There was nothing further to be said, and we parted. I shall now settle

up all my affairs of earth, and be ready for whatever may come....

 

* * * * *

 

_Later._--It is all done; my will is made, and all complete. Mina if she

survive is my sole heir. If it should not be so, then the others who

have been so good to us shall have remainder.

 

It is now drawing towards the sunset; Mina's uneasiness calls my

attention to it. I am sure that there is something on her mind which the

time of exact sunset will reveal. These occasions are becoming harrowing

times for us all, for each sunrise and sunset opens up some new

danger--some new pain, which, however, may in God's will be means to a

good end. I write all these things in the diary since my darling must

not hear them now; but if it may be that she can see them again, they

shall be ready.

 

She is calling to me.

 

 

CHAPTER XXV

 

DR. SEWARD'S DIARY

 

 

_11 October, Evening._--Jonathan Harker has asked me to note this, as he

says he is hardly equal to the task, and he wants an exact record kept.

 

I think that none of us were surprised when we were asked to see Mrs.

Harker a little before the time of sunset. We have of late come to

understand that sunrise and sunset are to her times of peculiar freedom;

when her old self can be manifest without any controlling force subduing

or restraining her, or inciting her to action. This mood or condition

begins some half hour or more before actual sunrise or sunset, and lasts

till either the sun is high, or whilst the clouds are still aglow with

the rays streaming above the horizon. At first there is a sort of

negative condition, as if some tie were loosened, and then the absolute

freedom quickly follows; when, however, the freedom ceases the

change-back or relapse comes quickly, preceded only by a spell of

warning silence.

 

To-night, when we met, she was somewhat constrained, and bore all the

signs of an internal struggle. I put it down myself to her making a

violent effort at the earliest instant she could do so. A very few

minutes, however, gave her complete control of herself; then, motioning

her husband to sit beside her on the sofa where she was half reclining,

she made the rest of us bring chairs up close. Taking her husband's hand

in hers began:--

 

"We are all here together in freedom, for perhaps the last time! I know,

dear; I know that you will always be with me to the end." This was to

her husband whose hand had, as we could see, tightened upon hers. "In

the morning we go out upon our task, and God alone knows what may be in

store for any of us. You are going to be so good to me as to take me

with you. I know that all that brave earnest men can do for a poor weak

woman, whose soul perhaps is lost--no, no, not yet, but is at any rate

at stake--you will do. But you must remember that I am not as you are.

There is a poison in my blood, in my soul, which may destroy me; which

must destroy me, unless some relief comes to us. Oh, my friends, you

know as well as I do, that my soul is at stake; and though I know there

is one way out for me, you must not and I must not take it!" She looked

appealingly to us all in turn, beginning and ending with her husband.

 

"What is that way?" asked Van Helsing in a hoarse voice. "What is that

way, which we must not--may not--take?"

 

"That I may die now, either by my own hand or that of another, before

the greater evil is entirely wrought. I know, and you know, that were I

once dead you could and would set free my immortal spirit, even as you

did my poor Lucy's. Were death, or the fear of death, the only thing

that stood in the way I would not shrink to die here, now, amidst the

friends who love me. But death is not all. I cannot believe that to die

in such a case, when there is hope before us and a bitter task to be

done, is God's will. Therefore, I, on my part, give up here the

certainty of eternal rest, and go out into the dark where may be the

blackest things that the world or the nether world holds!" We were all

silent, for we knew instinctively that this was only a prelude. The

faces of the others were set and Harker's grew ashen grey; perhaps he

guessed better than any of us what was coming. She continued:--

 

"This is what I can give into the hotch-pot." I could not but note the

quaint legal phrase which she used in such a place, and with all

seriousness. "What will each of you give? Your lives I know," she went

on quickly, "that is easy for brave men. Your lives are God's, and you

can give them back to Him; but what will you give to me?" She looked

again questioningly, but this time avoided her husband's face. Quincey

seemed to understand; he nodded, and her face lit up. "Then I shall tell

you plainly what I want, for there must be no doubtful matter in this

connection between us now. You must promise me, one and all--even you,

my beloved husband--that, should the time come, you will kill me."

 

"What is that time?" The voice was Quincey's, but it was low and

strained.

 

"When you shall be convinced that I am so changed that it is better that

I die that I may live. When I am thus dead in the flesh, then you will,

without a moment's delay, drive a stake through me and cut off my head;

or do whatever else may be wanting to give me rest!"

 

Quincey was the first to rise after the pause. He knelt down before her

and taking her hand in his said solemnly:--

 

"I'm only a rough fellow, who hasn't, perhaps, lived as a man should to

win such a distinction, but I swear to you by all that I hold sacred and

dear that, should the time ever come, I shall not flinch from the duty

that you have set us. And I promise you, too, that I shall make all

certain, for if I am only doubtful I shall take it that the time has

come!"

 

"My true friend!" was all she could say amid her fast-falling tears, as,

bending over, she kissed his hand.

 

"I swear the same, my dear Madam Mina!" said Van Helsing.

 

"And I!" said Lord Godalming, each of them in turn kneeling to her to

take the oath. I followed, myself. Then her husband turned to her

wan-eyed and with a greenish pallor which subdued the snowy whiteness of

his hair, and asked:--

 

"And must I, too, make such a promise, oh, my wife?"

 

"You too, my dearest," she said, with infinite yearning of pity in her

voice and eyes. "You must not shrink. You are nearest and dearest and

all the world to me; our souls are knit into one, for all life and all

time. Think, dear, that there have been times when brave men have killed

their wives and their womenkind, to keep them from falling into the

hands of the enemy. Their hands did not falter any the more because

those that they loved implored them to slay them. It is men's duty

towards those whom they love, in such times of sore trial! And oh, my

dear, if it is to be that I must meet death at any hand, let it be at

the hand of him that loves me best. Dr. Van Helsing, I have not

forgotten your mercy in poor Lucy's case to him who loved"--she stopped

with a flying blush, and changed her phrase--"to him who had best right

to give her peace. If that time shall come again, I look to you to make

it a happy memory of my husband's life that it was his loving hand which

set me free from the awful thrall upon me."

 

"Again I swear!" came the Professor's resonant voice. Mrs. Harker

smiled, positively smiled, as with a sigh of relief she leaned back and

said:--

 

"And now one word of warning, a warning which you must never forget:

this time, if it ever come, may come quickly and unexpectedly, and in

such case you must lose no time in using your opportunity. At such a

time I myself might be--nay! if the time ever comes, _shall be_--leagued

with your enemy against you."

 

"One more request;" she became very solemn as she said this, "it is not

vital and necessary like the other, but I want you to do one thing for

me, if you will." We all acquiesced, but no one spoke; there was no need

to speak:--

 

"I want you to read the Burial Service." She was interrupted by a deep

groan from her husband; taking his hand in hers, she held it over her

heart, and continued: "You must read it over me some day. Whatever may

be the issue of all this fearful state of things, it will be a sweet

thought to all or some of us. You, my dearest, will I hope read it, for

then it will be in your voice in my memory for ever--come what may!"

 

"But oh, my dear one," he pleaded, "death is afar off from you."

 

"Nay," she said, holding up a warning hand. "I am deeper in death at

this moment than if the weight of an earthly grave lay heavy upon me!"

 

"Oh, my wife, must I read it?" he said, before he began.

 

"It would comfort me, my husband!" was all she said; and he began to

read when she had got the book ready.

 

"How can I--how could any one--tell of that strange scene, its

solemnity, its gloom, its sadness, its horror; and, withal, its

sweetness. Even a sceptic, who can see nothing but a travesty of bitter

truth in anything holy or emotional, would have been melted to the heart

had he seen that little group of loving and devoted friends kneeling

round that stricken and sorrowing lady; or heard the tender passion of

her husband's voice, as in tones so broken with emotion that often he

had to pause, he read the simple and beautiful service from the Burial

of the Dead. I--I cannot go on--words--and--v-voice--f-fail m-me!"

 

* * * * *

 

She was right in her instinct. Strange as it all was, bizarre as it may

hereafter seem even to us who felt its potent influence at the time, it

comforted us much; and the silence, which showed Mrs. Harker's coming

relapse from her freedom of soul, did not seem so full of despair to any

of us as we had dreaded.

 

 

_Jonathan Harker's Journal._

 

_15 October, Varna._--We left Charing Cross on the morning of the 12th,

got to Paris the same night, and took the places secured for us in the

Orient Express. We travelled night and day, arriving here at about five

o'clock. Lord Godalming went to the Consulate to see if any telegram had

arrived for him, whilst the rest of us came on to this hotel--"the

Odessus." The journey may have had incidents; I was, however, too eager

to get on, to care for them. Until the _Czarina Catherine_ comes into

port there will be no interest for me in anything in the wide world.

Thank God! Mina is well, and looks to be getting stronger; her colour is

coming back. She sleeps a great deal; throughout the journey she slept

nearly all the time. Before sunrise and sunset, however, she is very

wakeful and alert; and it has become a habit for Van Helsing to

hypnotise her at such times. At first, some effort was needed, and he

had to make many passes; but now, she seems to yield at once, as if by

habit, and scarcely any action is needed. He seems to have power at

these particular moments to simply will, and her thoughts obey him. He

always asks her what she can see and hear. She answers to the first:--

 

"Nothing; all is dark." And to the second:--

 

"I can hear the waves lapping against the ship, and the water rushing

by. Canvas and cordage strain and masts and yards creak. The wind is

high--I can hear it in the shrouds, and the bow throws back the foam."

It is evident that the _Czarina Catherine_ is still at sea, hastening on

her way to Varna. Lord Godalming has just returned. He had four

telegrams, one each day since we started, and all to the same effect:

that the _Czarina Catherine_ had not been reported to Lloyd's from

anywhere. He had arranged before leaving London that his agent should

send him every day a telegram saying if the ship had been reported. He

was to have a message even if she were not reported, so that he might be

sure that there was a watch being kept at the other end of the wire.

 

We had dinner and went to bed early. To-morrow we are to see the

Vice-Consul, and to arrange, if we can, about getting on board the ship

as soon as she arrives. Van Helsing says that our chance will be to get

on the boat between sunrise and sunset. The Count, even if he takes the

form of a bat, cannot cross the running water of his own volition, and