Butthesewerealldeartous，fortheymarkedhertruthtowhatweknew。
Oneandallwefeltthattheholycalmthatlaylikesunshineoverthewastedfaceandformwasonlyanearthlytokenandsymbolofthecalmthatwastoreignforever。
VanHelsingcameandlaidhishandonArthur'sshoulder，andsaidtohim，“Andnow，Arthurmyfriend，dearlad，amInotforgiven？”
Thereactionoftheterriblestraincameashetooktheoldman'shandinhis，andraisingittohislips，pressedit，andsaid，“Forgiven！
Godblessyouthatyouhavegivenmydearonehersoulagain，andmepeace。“
HeputhishandsontheProfessor'sshoulder，andlayinghisheadonhisbreast，criedforawhilesilently，whilstwestoodunmoving。
WhenheraisedhisheadVanHelsingsaidtohim，“Andnow，mychild，youmaykissher。Kissherdeadlipsifyouwill，asshewouldhaveyouto，ifforhertochoose。
Forsheisnotagrinningdevilnow，notanymoreafoulThingforalleternity。Nolongersheisthedevil'sUnDead。
SheisGod'struedead，whosesouliswithHim！”
Arthurbentandkissedher，andthenwesenthimandQuinceyoutofthetomb。
TheProfessorandIsawedthetopoffthestake，leavingthepointofitinthebody。Thenwecutofftheheadandfilledthemouthwithgarlic。
Wesoldereduptheleadencoffin，screwedonthecoffinlid，andgatheringupourbelongings，cameaway。WhentheProfessorlockedthedoorhegavethekeytoArthur。
Outsidetheairwassweet，thesunshone，andthebirdssang，anditseemedasifallnatureweretunedtoadifferentpitch。
Therewasgladnessandmirthandpeaceeverywhere，forwewereatrestourselvesononeaccount，andwewereglad，thoughitwaswithatemperedjoy。
BeforewemovedawayVanHelsingsaid，“Now，myfriends，onesteporourworkisdone，onethemostharrowingtoourselves。
Butthereremainsagreatertask，tofindouttheauthorofallthisorsorrowandtostamphimout。Ihaveclueswhichwecanfollow，butitisalongtask，andadifficultone，andthereisdangerinit，andpain。Shallyounotallhelpme？
Wehavelearnedtobelieve，allofus，isitnotso？
Andsinceso，dowenotseeourduty？Yes！Anddowenotpromisetogoontothebitterend？”
Eachinturn，wetookhishand，andthepromisewasmade。
ThensaidtheProfessoraswemovedoff，“TwonightshenceyoushallmeetwithmeanddinetogetheratsevenoftheclockwithfriendJohn。Ishallentreattwoothers，twothatyouknownotasyet，andIshallbereadytoallourworkshowandourplansunfold。FriendJohn，youcomewithmehome，forIhavemuchtoconsultyouabout，andyoucanhelpme。
TonightIleaveforAmsterdam，butshallreturntomorrownight。
Andthenbeginsourgreatquest。ButfirstIshallhavemuchtosay，sothatyoumayknowwhattodoandtodread。
Thenourpromiseshallbemadetoeachotheranew。
Forthereisaterribletaskbeforeus，andonceourfeetareontheploughsharewemustnotdrawback。“
CHAPTER17
DR。SEWARD'SDIARY-cont。
WhenwearrivedattheBerkelyHotel，VanHelsingfoundatelegramwaitingforhim。
“Amcomingupbytrain。JonathanatWhitby。Importantnews。
MinaHarker。“
TheProfessorwasdelighted。“Ah，thatwonderfulMadamMina，“
hesaid，“pearlamongwomen！Shearrive，butIcannotstay。
Shemustgotoyourhouse，friendJohn。Youmustmeetheratthestation。
Telegraphherenroutesothatshemaybeprepared。“
Whenthewirewasdispatchedhehadacupoftea。
OverithetoldmeofadiarykeptbyJonathanHarkerwhenabroad，andgavemeatypewrittencopyofit，asalsoofMrs。Harker'sdiaryatWhitby。“Takethese，“hesaid，“andstudythemwell。
WhenIhavereturnedyouwillbemasterofallthefacts，andwecanthenbetterenteronourinquisition。
Keepthemsafe，forthereisinthemmuchoftreasure。
Youwillneedallyourfaith，evenyouwhohavehadsuchanexperienceasthatoftoday。Whatisheretold，“helaidhishandheavilyandgravelyonthepacketofpapersashespoke，“maybethebeginningoftheendtoyouandmeandmanyanother，oritmaysoundtheknelloftheUnDeadwhowalktheearth。
Readall，Iprayyou，withtheopenmind，andifyoucanaddinanywaytothestoryheretolddoso，foritisallimportant。
Youhavekeptadiaryofallthesesostrangethings，isitnotso？Yes！Thenweshallgothroughallthesetogetherwhenwemeet。“HethenmadereadyforhisdepartureandshortlydroveofftoLiverpoolStreet。ItookmywaytoPaddington，whereIarrivedaboutfifteenminutesbeforethetraincamein。
Thecrowdmeltedaway，afterthebustlingfashioncommontoarrivalplatforms，andIwasbeginningtofeeluneasy，lestImightmissmyguest，whenasweet-faced，daintylookinggirlsteppeduptome，andafteraquickglancesaid，“Dr。Seward，isitnot？”
“AndyouareMrs。Harker！”Iansweredatonce，whereuponsheheldoutherhand。
“IknewyoufromthedescriptionofpoordearLucy，but……“Shestoppedsuddenly，andaquickblushoverspreadherface。
Theblushthatrosetomyowncheekssomehowsetusbothatease，foritwasatacitanswertoherown。Igotherluggage，whichincludedatypewriter，andwetooktheUndergroundtoFenchurchStreet，afterIhadsentawiretomyhousekeepertohaveasittingroomandabedroompreparedatonceforMrs。Harker。
Induetimewearrived。Sheknew，ofcourse，thattheplacewasalunaticasylum，butIcouldseethatshewasunabletorepressashudderwhenweentered。
Shetoldmethat，ifshemight，shewouldcomepresentlytomystudy，asshehadmuchtosay。SohereIamfinishingmyentryinmyphonographdiarywhilstIawaither。
AsyetIhavenothadthechanceoflookingatthepaperswhichVanHelsingleftwithme，thoughtheylieopenbeforeme。
Imustgetherinterestedinsomething，sothatImayhaveanopportunityofreadingthem。Shedoesnotknowhowprecioustimeis，orwhatataskwehaveinhand。
Imustbecarefulnottofrightenher。Heresheis！
MINAHARKER'SJOURNAL
29September——AfterIhadtidiedmyself，IwentdowntoDr。Seward'sstudy。
AtthedoorIpausedamoment，forIthoughtIheardhimtalkingwithsomeone。As，however，hehadpressedmetobequick，Iknockedatthedoor，andonhiscallingout，“Comein，“Ientered。
Tomyintensesurprise，therewasnoonewithhim。
Hewasquitealone，andonthetableoppositehimwaswhatI
knewatoncefromthedescriptiontobeaphonograph。
Ihadneverseenone，andwasmuchinterested。
“IhopeIdidnotkeepyouwaiting，“Isaid，“butIstayedatthedoorasIheardyoutalking，andthoughttherewassomeonewithyou。“
“Oh，“herepliedwithasmile，“Iwasonlyenteringmydiary。“
“Yourdiary？”Iaskedhiminsurprise。
“Yes，“heanswered。“Ikeepitinthis。“Ashespokehelaidhishandonthephonograph。Ifeltquiteexcitedoverit，andblurtedout，“Why，thisbeatsevenshorthand！
MayIhearitsaysomething？”
“Certainly，“herepliedwithalacrity，andstooduptoputitintrainforspeaking。Thenhepaused，andatroubledlookoverspreadhisface。
“Thefactis，“hebeganawkwardly。“Ionlykeepmydiaryinit，andasitisentirely，almostentirely，aboutmycasesitmaybeawkward，thatis，Imean……“Hestopped，andItriedtohelphimoutofhisembarrassment。
“YouhelpedtoattenddearLucyattheend。Letmehearhowshedied，forallthatIknowofher，Ishallbeverygrateful。
Shewasvery，verydeartome。“
Tomysurprise，heanswered，withahorrorstrucklookinhisface，“Tellyouofherdeath？Notforthewideworld！”
“Whynot？”Iasked，forsomegrave，terriblefeelingwascomingoverme。
Againhepaused，andIcouldseethathewastryingtoinventanexcuse。
Atlength，hestammeredout，“Yousee，Idonotknowhowtopickoutanyparticularpartofthediary。“
Evenwhilehewasspeakinganideadawneduponhim，andhesaidwithunconscioussimplicity，inadifferentvoice，andwiththenaiveteofachild，“that'squitetrue，uponmyhonor。HonestIndian！”
Icouldnotbutsmile，atwhichhegrimaced。“Igavemyselfawaythattime！”hesaid。“Butdoyouknowthat，althoughI
havekeptthediaryformonthspast，itneveroncestruckmehowIwasgoingtofindanyparticularpartofitincaseI
wantedtolookitup？”
BythistimemymindwasmadeupthatthediaryofadoctorwhoattendedLucymighthavesomethingtoaddtothesumofourknowledgeofthatterribleBeing，andIsaidboldly，“Then，Dr。Seward，youhadbetterletmecopyitoutforyouonmytypewriter。“
Hegrewtoapositivelydeathlypallorashesaid，“No！No！No！Foralltheworld。Iwouldn'tletyouknowthatterriblestory。！”
Thenitwasterrible。Myintuitionwasright！Foramoment，Ithought，andasmyeyesrangedtheroom，unconsciouslylookingforsomethingorsomeopportunitytoaidme，theylitonagreatbatchoftypewritingonthetable。Hiseyescaughtthelookinmine，andwithouthisthinking，followedtheirdirection。
Astheysawtheparcelherealizedmymeaning。
“Youdonotknowme，“Isaid。“Whenyouhavereadthosepapers，myowndiaryandmyhusband'salso，whichIhavetyped，youwillknowmebetter。
Ihavenotfalteredingivingeverythoughtofmyownheartinthiscause。
But，ofcourse，youdonotknowme，yet，andImustnotexpectyoutotrustmesofar。“
Heiscertainlyamanofnoblenature。PoordearLucywasrightabouthim。
Hestoodupandopenedalargedrawer，inwhichwerearrangedinorderanumberofhollowcylindersofmetalcoveredwithdarkwax，andsaid，“Youarequiteright。IdidnottrustyoubecauseIdidnotknowyou。ButIknowyounow，andletmesaythatIshouldhaveknownyoulongago。IknowthatLucytoldyouofme。
Shetoldmeofyoutoo。MayImaketheonlyatonementinmypower？
Takethecylindersandhearthem。Thefirsthalf-dozenofthemarepersonaltome，andtheywillnothorrifyyou。
Thenyouwillknowmebetter。Dinnerwillbythenbeready。
InthemeantimeIshallreadoversomeofthesedocuments，andshallbebetterabletounderstandcertainthings。“
Hecarriedthephonographhimselfuptomysittingroomandadjusteditforme。NowIshalllearnsomethingpleasant，Iamsure。
ForitwilltellmetheothersideofatrueloveepisodeofwhichI
knowonesidealready。
DR。SEWARD'SDIARY
29September——IwassoabsorbedinthatwonderfuldiaryofJonathanHarkerandthatotherofhiswifethatIletthetimerunonwithoutthinking。Mrs。Harkerwasnotdownwhenthemaidcametoannouncedinner，soIsaid，“Sheispossiblytired。
Letdinnerwaitanhour，“andIwentonwithmywork。
IhadjustfinishedMrs。Harker'sdiary，whenshecamein。
Shelookedsweetlypretty，butverysad，andhereyeswereflushedwithcrying。Thissomehowmovedmemuch。
OflateIhavehadcausefortears，Godknows！Butthereliefofthemwasdeniedme，andnowthesightofthosesweeteyes，brightenedbyrecenttears，wentstraighttomyheart。
SoIsaidasgentlyasIcould，“IgreatlyfearI
havedistressedyou。“
“Oh，no，notdistressedme，“shereplied。“ButI
havebeenmoretouchedthanIcansaybyyourgrief。
Thatisawonderfulmachine，butitiscruellytrue。
Ittoldme，initsverytones，theanguishofyourheart。
ItwaslikeasoulcryingouttoAlmightyGod。Noonemusthearthemspokeneveragain！See，Ihavetriedtobeuseful。
Ihavecopiedoutthewordsonmytypewriter，andnoneotherneednowhearyourheartbeat，asIdid。“
“Nooneneedeverknow，shalleverknow，“Isaidinalowvoice。
Shelaidherhandonmineandsaidverygravely，“Ah，buttheymust！”
“Must！butwhy？”Iasked。
“Becauseitisapartoftheterriblestory，apartofpoorLucy'sdeathandallthatledtoit。Becauseinthestrugglewhichwehavebeforeustoridtheearthofthisterriblemonsterwemusthavealltheknowledgeandallthehelpwhichwecanget。
Ithinkthatthecylinderswhichyougavemecontainedmorethanyouintendedmetoknow。ButIcanseethatthereareinyourrecordmanylightstothisdarkmystery。Youwillletmehelp，willyounot？
Iknowalluptoacertainpoint，andIseealready，thoughyourdiaryonlytookmeto7September，howpoorLucywasbeset，andhowherterribledoomwasbeingwroughtout。JonathanandI
havebeenworkingdayandnightsinceProfessorVanHelsingsawus。
HeisgonetoWhitbytogetmoreinformation，andhewillbeheretomorrowtohelpus。Weneedhavenosecretsamongstus。
Workingtogetherandwithabsolutetrust，wecansurelybestrongerthanifsomeofuswereinthedark。“
Shelookedatmesoappealingly，andatthesametimemanifestedsuchcourageandresolutioninherbearing，thatIgaveinatoncetoherwishes。“Youshall，“Isaid，“doasyoulikeinthematter。
GodforgivemeifIdowrong！Thereareterriblethingsyettolearnof。
ButifyouhavesofartraveledontheroadtopoorLucy'sdeath，youwillnotbecontent，Iknow，toremaininthedark。Nay，theend，theveryend，maygiveyouagleamofpeace。Come，thereisdinner。
Wemustkeeponeanotherstrongforwhatisbeforeus。Wehaveacruelanddreadfultask。Whenyouhaveeatenyoushalllearntherest，andIshallansweranyquestionsyouask，iftherebeanythingwhichyoudonotunderstand，thoughitwasapparenttouswhowerepresent。“
MINAHARKER'SJOURNAL
29September——AfterdinnerIcamewithDr。Sewardtohisstudy。
Hebroughtbackthephonographfrommyroom，andItookachair，andarrangedthephonographsothatIcouldtouchitwithoutgettingup，andshowedmehowtostopitincaseIshouldwanttopause。
Thenheverythoughtfullytookachair，withhisbacktome，sothatImightbeasfreeaspossible，andbegantoread。
Iputtheforkedmetaltomyearsandlistened。
WhentheterriblestoryofLucy'sdeath，andallthatfollowed，wasdone，Ilaybackinmychairpowerless。FortunatelyIamnotofafaintingdisposition。WhenDr。Sewardsawmehejumpedupwithahorrifiedexclamation，andhurriedlytakingacasebottlefromthecupboard，gavemesomebrandy，whichinafewminutessomewhatrestoredme。Mybrainwasallinawhirl，andonlythattherecamethroughallthemultitudeofhorrors，theholyrayoflightthatmydearLucywasatlastatpeace，IdonotthinkIcouldhaveborneitwithoutmakingascene。
Itisallsowildandmysterious，andstrangethatifI
hadnotknownJonathan'sexperienceinTransylvaniaIcouldnothavebelieved。Asitwas，Ididn'tknowwhattobelieve，andsogotoutofmydifficultybyattendingtosomethingelse。
Itookthecoveroffmytypewriter，andsaidtoDr。Seward，“Letmewritethisalloutnow。WemustbereadyforDr。VanHelsingwhenhecomes。IhavesentatelegramtoJonathantocomeonherewhenhearrivesinLondonfromWhitby。
Inthismatterdatesareeverything，andIthinkthatifwegetallofourmaterialready，andhaveeveryitemputinchronologicalorder，weshallhavedonemuch。
“YoutellmethatLordGodalmingandMr。Morrisarecomingtoo。
Letusbeabletotellthemwhentheycome。“
Heaccordinglysetthephonographataslowpace，andIbegantotypewritefromthebeginningoftheseventeenthcylinder。Iusedmanifold，andsotookthreecopiesofthediary，justasIhaddonewiththerest。
ItwaslatewhenIgotthrough，butDr。Sewardwentabouthisworkofgoinghisroundofthepatients。Whenhehadfinishedhecamebackandsatnearme，reading，sothatIdidnotfeeltoolonelywhilstIworked。
Howgoodandthoughtfulheis。Theworldseemsfullofgoodmen，eveniftherearemonstersinit。
BeforeIlefthimIrememberedwhatJonathanputinhisdiaryoftheProfessor'sperturbationatreadingsomethinginaneveningpaperatthestationatExeter，so，seeingthatDr。Sewardkeepshisnewspapers，Iborrowedthefilesof`TheWestminsterGazette'
and`ThePallMallGazette'andtookthemtomyroom。
Irememberhowmuchthe`Dailygraph'and`TheWhitbyGazette'，ofwhichIhadmadecuttings，hadhelpedustounderstandtheterribleeventsatWhitbywhenCountDraculalanded，soIshalllookthroughtheeveningpaperssincethen，andperhapsIshallgetsomenewlight。Iamnotsleepy，andtheworkwillhelptokeepmequiet。
DR。SEWARD'SDIARY
30September——Mr。Harkerarrivedatnineo'clock。Hegothiswife'swirejustbeforestarting。Heisuncommonlyclever，ifonecanjudgefromhisface，andfullofenergy。Ifthisjournalbetrue，andjudgingbyone'sownwonderfulexperiences，itmustbe，heisalsoamanofgreatnerve。
Thatgoingdowntothevaultasecondtimewasaremarkablepieceofdaring。
AfterreadinghisaccountofitIwaspreparedtomeetagoodspecimenofmanhood，buthardlythequiet，businesslikegentlemanwhocameheretoday。
LATER——AfterlunchHarkerandhiswifewentbacktotheirownroom，andasIpassedawhileagoIheardtheclickofthetypewriter。
Theyarehardatit。Mrs。Harkersaysthatknittingtogetherinchronologicalordereveryscrapofevidencetheyhave。
HarkerhasgotthelettersbetweentheconsigneeoftheboxesatWhitbyandthecarriersinLondonwhotookchargeofthem。
Heisnowreadinghiswife'stranscriptofmydiary。
Iwonderwhattheymakeoutofit。Hereitis……
StrangethatitneverstruckmethattheverynexthousemightbetheCount'shidingplace！GoodnessknowsthatwehadenoughcluesfromtheconductofthepatientRenfield！
Thebundleoflettersrelatingtothepurchaseofthehousewerewiththetranscript。Oh，ifwehadonlyhadthemearlierwemighthavesavedpoorLucy！Stop！Thatwaymadnesslies！
Harkerhasgoneback，andisagaincollectingmaterial。
Hesaysthatbydinnertimetheywillbeabletoshowawholeconnectednarrative。HethinksthatinthemeantimeIshouldseeRenfield，ashithertohehasbeenasortofindextothecomingandgoingoftheCount。Ihardlyseethisyet，butwhenIgetatthedatesIsupposeIshall。
WhatagoodthingthatMrs。Harkerputmycylindersintotype！
Wenevercouldhavefoundthedatesotherwise。
IfoundRenfieldsittingplacidlyinhisroomwithhishandsfolded，smilingbenignly。AtthemomentheseemedassaneasanyoneIeversaw。
Isatdownandtalkedwithhimonalotofsubjects，allofwhichhetreatednaturally。Hethen，ofhisownaccord，spokeofgoinghome，asubjecthehasnevermentionedtomyknowledgeduringhissojournhere。
Infact，hespokequiteconfidentlyofgettinghisdischargeatonce。
Ibelievethat，hadInothadthechatwithHarkerandreadthelettersandthedatesofhisoutbursts，Ishouldhavebeenpreparedtosignforhimafterabrieftimeofobservation。Asitis，Iamdarklysuspicious。
Allthoseout-breakswereinsomewaylinkedwiththeproximityoftheCount。
Whatthendoesthisabsolutecontentmean？Canitbethathisinstinctissatisfiedastothevampire'sultimatetriumph？Stay。Heishimselfzoophagous，andinhiswildravingsoutsidethechapeldoorofthedesertedhousehealwaysspokeof`master'。Thisallseemsconfirmationofouridea。However，afterawhileIcameaway。
Myfriendisjustalittletoosaneatpresenttomakeitsafetoprobehimtoodeepwithquestions。Hemightbegintothink，andthen……SoIcameaway。Imistrustthesequietmoodsofofhis，soIhavegiventheattendantahinttolookcloselyafterhim，andtohaveastraitwaistcoatreadyincaseofneed。
JOHNATHANHARKER'SJOURNAL
29September，intraintoLondon——WhenIreceivedMr。Billington'scourteousmessagethathewouldgivemeanyinformationinhispowerIthoughtitbesttogodowntoWhitbyandmake，onthespot，suchinquiriesasIwanted。
ItwasnowmyobjecttotracethathorridcargooftheCount'stoitsplaceinLondon。Later，wemaybeabletodealwithit。
Billingtonjunior，anicelad，metmeatthestation，andbroughtmetohisfather'shouse，wheretheyhaddecidedthatImustspendthenight。Theyarehospitable，withtrueYorkshirehospitality，giveaguesteverythingandleavehimtodoashelikes。
TheyallknewthatIwasbusy，andthatmystaywasshort，andMr。Billingtonhadreadyinhisofficeallthepapersconcerningtheconsignmentofboxes。ItgavemealmostaturntoseeagainoneoftheletterswhichIhadseenontheCount'stablebeforeIknewofhisdiabolicalplans。Everythinghadbeencarefullythoughtout，anddonesystematicallyandwithprecision。
Heseemedtohavebeenpreparedforeveryobstaclewhichmightbeplacedbyaccidentinthewayofhisintentionsbeingcarriedout。TouseandAmericanism，hehad`takennochances'，andtheabsoluteaccuracywithwhichhisinstructionswerefulfilledwassimplythelogicalresultofhiscare。
Isawtheinvoice，andtooknoteofit。`Fiftycasesofcommonearth，tobeusedforexperimentalpurposes'。AlsothecopyofthelettertoCarterPaterson，andtheirreply。
OfboththeseIgotcopies。ThiswasalltheinformationMr。Billingtoncouldgiveme，soIwentdowntotheportandsawthecoastguards，theCustomsOfficersandtheharbormaster，whokindlyputmeincommunicationwiththemenwhohadactuallyreceivedtheboxes。Theirtallywasexactwiththelist，andtheyhadnothingtoaddtothesimpledescription`fiftycasesofcommonearth'，exceptthattheboxeswere`mainandmortalheavy'，andthatshiftingthemwasdrywork。
Oneofthemaddedthatitwashardlinesthattherewasn'tanygentleman`suchlikeaslikeyourself，squire'，toshowsomesortofappreciationoftheireffortsinaliquidform。
Anotherputinariderthatthethirstthengeneratedwassuchthateventhetimewhichhadelapsedhadnotcompletelyallayedit。
Needlesstoadd，Itookcarebeforeleavingtolift，foreverandadequately，thissourceofreproach。
30September——ThestationmasterwasgoodenoughtogivemealinetohisoldcompanionthestationmasteratKing'sCross，sothatwhenIarrivedthereinthemorningIwasabletoaskhimaboutthearrivaloftheboxes。
He，tooputmeatonceincommunicationwiththeproperofficials，andIsawthattheirtallywascorrectwiththeoriginalinvoice。
Theopportunitiesofacquiringanabnormalthirsthadbeenherelimited。
Anobleuseofthemhad，however，beenmade，andagainIwascompelledtodealwiththeresultinexpostfactomanner。
FromthenceIwenttoCarterPaterson'scentraloffice，whereImetwiththeutmostcourtesy。Theylookedupthetransactionintheirdaybookandletterbook，andatoncetelephonedtotheirKing'sCrossofficeformoredetails。
Bygoodfortune，themenwhodidtheteamingwerewaitingforwork，andtheofficialatoncesentthemover，sendingalsobyoneofthemtheway-billandallthepapersconnectedwiththedeliveryoftheboxesatCarfax。
HereagainIfoundthetallyagreeingexactly。Thecarriers'
menwereabletosupplementthepaucityofthewrittenwordswithafewmoredetails。Thesewere，Ishortlyfound，connectedalmostsolelywiththedustynatureofthejob，andtheconsequentthirstengenderedintheoperators。
Onmyaffordinganopportunity，throughthemediumofthecurrencyoftherealm，oftheallaying，atalaterperiod，thisbeneficialevil，oneofthemenremarked，“That`ere`ouse，guv'nor，istherummiestIeverwasin。Blyme！Butitain'tbeentouchedsenceahundredyears。
Therewasdustthatthickintheplacethatyoumighthaveslep'
onitwithout`urtin'ofyerbones。An'theplacewasthatneglectedthatyermight`avesmelledoleJerusaleminit。
Buttheoldchapel，thattookthecike，thatdid！
Meandmymate，wethortwewouldn'tnevergitoutquickenough。
Lor'，Iwouldn'ttakelessnoraquidamomenttostaytherearterdark。“
Havingbeeninthehouse，Icouldwellbelievehim，butifheknewwhatIknow，hewould，Ithinkhaveraisedhisterms。
OfonethingIamnowsatisfied。ThatallthoseboxeswhicharrivedatWhitbyfromVarnaintheDemeterweresafelydepositedintheoldchapelatCarfax。
Thereshouldbefiftyofthemthere，unlessanyhavesincebeenremoved，asfromDr。Seward'sdiaryIfear。
Later——MinaandIhaveworkedallday，andwehaveputallthepapersintoorder。
MINAHARKER'SJOURNAL
30September——IamsogladthatIhardlyknowhowtocontainmyself。
Itis，Isuppose，thereactionfromthehauntingfearwhichIhavehad，thatthisterribleaffairandthereopeningofhisoldwoundmightactdetrimentallyonJonathan。IsawhimleaveforWhitbywithasbraveafaceascould，butIwassickwithapprehension。
Theefforthas，however，donehimgood。Hewasneversoresolute，neversostrong，neversofullofvolcanicenergy，asatpresent。
Itisjustasthatdear，goodProfessorVanHelsingsaid，heistruegrit，andheimprovesunderstrainthatwouldkillaweakernature。Hecamebackfulloflifeandhopeanddetermination。Wehavegoteverythinginorderfortonight。Ifeelmyselfquitewildwithexcitement。
IsupposeoneoughttopityanythingsohuntedastheCount。
Thatisjustit。Thisthingisnothuman，notevenabeast。
ToreadDr。Seward'saccountofpoorLucy'sdeath，andwhatfollowed，isenoughtodryupthespringsofpityinone'sheart。
Later——LordGodalmingandMr。Morrisarrivedearlierthanweexpected。
Dr。Sewardwasoutonbusiness，andhadtakenJonathanwithhim，soIhadtoseethem。Itwastomeapainfulmeeting，foritbroughtbackallpoordearLucy'shopesofonlyafewmonthsago。
OfcoursetheyhadheardLucyspeakofme，anditseemedthatDr。VanHelsing，too，hadbeenquite`blowingmytrumpet'，asMr。Morrisexpressedit。Poorfellows，neitherofthemisawarethatIknowallabouttheproposalstheymadetoLucy。Theydidnotquiteknowwhattosayordo，astheywereignorantoftheamountofmyknowledge。
Sotheyhadtokeeponneutralsubjects。However，Ithoughtthematterover，andcametotheconclusionthatthebestthingIcoulddowouldbetopostthemonaffairsrightuptodate。
IknewfromDr。Seward'sdiarythattheyhadbeenatLucy'sdeath，herrealdeath，andthatIneednotfeartobetrayanysecretbeforethetime。SoItoldthem，aswellasIcould，thatI
hadreadallthepapersanddiaries，andthatmyhusbandandI，havingtypewrittenthem，hadjustfinishedputtingtheminorder。
Igavethemeachacopytoreadinthelibrary。WhenLordGodalminggothisandturneditover，itdoesmakeaprettygoodpile，hesaid，“Didyouwriteallthis，Mrs。Harker？”
Inodded，andhewenton。
“Idon'tquiteseethedriftofit，butyoupeopleareallsogoodandkind，andhavebeenworkingsoearnestlyandsoenergetically，thatallIcandoistoacceptyourideasblindfoldandtrytohelpyou。
Ihavehadonelessonalreadyinacceptingfactsthatshouldmakeamanhumbletothelasthourofhislife。Besides，IknowyoulovedmyLucy……“
Hereheturnedawayandcoveredhisfacewithhishands。
Icouldhearthetearsinhisvoice。Mr。Morris，withinstinctivedelicacy，justlaidahandforamomentonhisshoulder，andthenwalkedquietlyoutoftheroom。
Isupposethereissomethinginawoman'snaturethatmakesamanfreetobreakdownbeforeherandexpresshisfeelingsonthetenderoremotionalsidewithoutfeelingitderogatorytohismanhood。ForwhenLordGodalmingfoundhimselfalonewithmehesatdownonthesofaandgavewayutterlyandopenly。
Isatdownbesidehimandtookhishand。Ihopehedidn'tthinkitforwardofme，andthatifhereverthinksofitafterwardsheneverwillhavesuchathought。ThereIwronghim。
Iknowheneverwill。Heistootrueagentleman。
Isaidtohim，forIcouldseethathisheartwasbreaking，“IloveddearLucy，andIknowwhatshewastoyou，andwhatyouweretoher。SheandIwerelikesisters，andnowsheisgone，willyounotletmebelikeasistertoyouinyourtrouble？
Iknowwhatsorrowsyouhavehad，thoughIcannotmeasurethedepthofthem。Ifsympathyandpitycanhelpinyouraffliction，won'tyouletmebeofsomelittleservice，forLucy'ssake？”
Inaninstantthepoordearfellowwasoverwhelmedwithgrief。
Itseemedtomethatallthathehadoflatebeensufferinginsilencefoundaventatonce。Hegrewquitehysterical，andraisinghisopenhands，beathispalmstogetherinaperfectagonyofgrief。
Hestoodupandthensatdownagain，andthetearsraineddownhischeeks。
Ifeltaninfinitepityforhim，andopenedmyarmsunthinkingly。
Withasobhelaidhisheadonmyshoulderandcriedlikeaweariedchild，whilstheshookwithemotion。
Wewomenhavesomethingofthemotherinusthatmakesusriseabovesmallermatterswhenthemotherspiritisinvoked。
Ifeltthisbigsorrowingman'sheadrestingonme，asthoughitwerethatofababythatsomedaymaylieonmybosom，andIstrokedhishairasthoughheweremyownchild。
Ineverthoughtatthetimehowstrangeitallwas。
Afteralittlebithissobsceased，andheraisedhimselfwithanapology，thoughhemadenodisguiseofhisemotion。Hetoldmethatfordaysandnightspast，wearydaysandsleeplessnights，hehadbeenunabletospeakwithanyone，asamanmustspeakinhistimeofsorrow。
Therewasnowomanwhosesympathycouldbegiventohim，orwithwhom，owingtotheterriblecircumstancewithwhichhissorrowwassurrounded，hecouldspeakfreely。
“IknownowhowIsuffered，“hesaid，ashedriedhiseyes，“butIdonotknowevenyet，andnoneothercaneverknow，howmuchyoursweetsympathyhasbeentometoday。
Ishallknowbetterintime，andbelievemethat，thoughIamnotungratefulnow，mygratitudewillgrowwithmyunderstanding。
Youwillletmebelikeabrother，willyounot，forallourlives，fordearLucy'ssake？”
“FordearLucy'ssake，“Isaidasweclaspedhands。“Ay，andforyourownsake，“headded，“forifaman'sesteemandgratitudeareeverworththewinning，youhavewonminetoday。
Ifeverthefutureshouldbringtoyouatimewhenyouneedaman'shelp，believeme，youwillnotcallinvain。
Godgrantthatnosuchtimemayevercometoyoutobreakthesunshineofyourlife，butifitshouldevercome，promisemethatyouwillletmeknow。“
Hewassoearnest，andhissorrowwassofresh，thatIfeltitwouldcomforthim，soIsaid，“Ipromise。“
AsIcamealongthecorridorIsayMr。Morrislookingoutofawindow。
Heturnedasheheardmyfootsteps。“HowisArt？”hesaid。Thennoticingmyredeyes，hewenton，“Ah，Iseeyouhavebeencomfortinghim。
Pooroldfellow！Heneedsit。Noonebutawomancanhelpamanwhenheisintroubleoftheheart，andhehadnoonetocomforthim。“
Heborehisowntroublesobravelythatmyheartbledforhim。
Isawthemanuscriptinhishand，andIknewthatwhenhereadithewouldrealizehowmuchIknew，soIsaidtohim，“IwishI
couldcomfortallwhosufferfromtheheart。Willyouletmebeyourfriend，andwillyoucometomeforcomfortifyouneedit？
YouwillknowlaterwhyIspeak。“
HesawthatIwasinearnest，andstooping，tookmyhand，andraisingittohislips，kissedit。Itseemedbutpoorcomforttosobraveandunselfishasoul，andimpulsivelyIbentoverandkissedhim。
Thetearsroseinhiseyes，andtherewasamomentarychokinginhisthroat。Hesaidquitecalmly，“Littlegirl，youwillneverforgetthattrueheartedkindness，solongaseveryoulive！”
Thenhewentintothestudytohisfriend。
“Littlegirl！”TheverywordshehadusedtoLucy，and，oh，butheprovedhimselfafriend。
CHAPTER18
DR。SEWARD'SDIARY
30September——Igothomeatfiveo'clock，andfoundthatGodalmingandMorrishadnotonlyarrived，buthadalreadystudiedthetranscriptofthevariousdiariesandletterswhichHarkerhadnotyetreturnedfromhisvisittothecarriers'men，ofwhomDr。Hennesseyhadwrittentome。
Mrs。Harkergaveusacupoftea，andIcanhonestlysaythat，forthefirsttimesinceIhavelivedinit，thisoldhouseseemedlikehome。
Whenwehadfinished，Mrs。Harkersaid，“Dr。Seward，mayIaskafavor？Iwanttoseeyourpatient，Mr。Renfield。
Doletmeseehim。Whatyouhavesaidofhiminyourdiaryinterestsmesomuch！”
ShelookedsoappealingandsoprettythatIcouldnotrefuseher，andtherewasnopossiblereasonwhyIshould，soItookherwithme。
WhenIwentintotheroom，Itoldthemanthataladywouldliketoseehim，towhichhesimplyanswered，“Why？”
“Sheisgoingthroughthehouse，andwantstoseeeveryoneinit，“Ianswered。
“Oh，verywell，“hesaid，“lethercomein，byallmeans，butjustwaitaminutetillItidyuptheplace。“
Hismethodoftidyingwaspeculiar，hesimplyswallowedallthefliesandspidersintheboxesbeforeIcouldstophim。
Itwasquiteevidentthathefeared，orwasjealousof，someinterference。Whenhehadgotthroughhisdisgustingtask，hesaidcheerfully，“Lettheladycomein，“andsatdownontheedgeofhisbedwithhisheaddown，butwithhiseyelidsraisedsothathecouldseeherassheentered。
ForamomentIthoughtthathemighthavesomehomicidalintent。
Irememberedhowquiethehadbeenjustbeforeheattackedmeinmyownstudy，andItookcaretostandwhereIcouldseizehimatonceifheattemptedtomakeaspringather。
Shecameintotheroomwithaneasygracefulnesswhichwouldatoncecommandtherespectofanylunatic，foreasinessisoneofthequalitiesmadpeoplemostrespect。Shewalkedovertohim，smilingpleasantly，andheldoutherhand。
“Goodevening，Mr。Renfield，“saidshe。“Yousee，Iknowyou，forDr。Sewardhastoldmeofyou。“Hemadenoimmediatereply，buteyedheralloverintentlywithasetfrownonhisface。
Thislookgavewaytooneofwonder，whichmergedindoubt，thentomyintenseastonishmenthesaid，“You'renotthegirlthedoctorwantedtomarry，areyou？Youcan'tbe，youknow，forshe'sdead。“
Mrs。Harkersmiledsweetlyasshereplied，“Ohno！Ihaveahusbandofmyown，towhomIwasmarriedbeforeIeversawDr。Seward，orheme。
IamMrs。Harker。“
“Thenwhatareyoudoinghere？”
“MyhusbandandIarestayingonavisitwithDr。Seward。“
“Thendon'tstay。“
“Butwhynot？”
IthoughtthatthisstyleofconversationmightnotbepleasanttoMrs。Harker，anymorethanitwastome，soIjoinedin，“HowdidyouknowIwantedtomarryanyone？”
Hisreplywassimplycontemptuous，giveninapauseinwhichheturnedhiseyesfromMrs。Harkertome，instantlyturningthembackagain，“Whatanasininequestion！”
“Idon'tseethatatall，Mr。Renfield，“saidMrs。Harker，atoncechampioningme。
Herepliedtoherwithasmuchcourtesyandrespectashehadshowncontempttome，“Youwill，ofcourse，understand，Mrs。Harker，thatwhenamanissolovedandhonoredasourhostis，everythingregardinghimisofinterestinourlittlecommunity。
Dr。Sewardislovednotonlybyhishouseholdandhisfriends，butevenbyhispatients，who，beingsomeofthemhardlyinmentalequilibrium，areapttodistortcausesandeffects。
SinceImyselfhavebeenaninmateofalunaticasylum，Icannotbutnoticethatthesophistictendenciesofsomeofitsinmatesleantowardstheerrorsofnoncausaandignoratioelenche。“
Ipositivelyopenedmyeyesatthisnewdevelopment。
Herewasmyownpetlunatic，themostpronouncedofhistypethatIhadevermetwith，talkingelementalphilosophy，andwiththemannerofapolishedgentleman。IwonderifitwasMrs。Harker'spresencewhichhadtouchedsomechordinhismemory。
Ifthisnewphasewasspontaneous，orinanywayduetoherunconsciousinfluence，shemusthavesomeraregiftorpower。
Wecontinuedtotalkforsometime，andseeingthathewasseeminglyquitereasonable，sheventured，lookingatmequestioninglyasshebegan，toleadhimtohisfavoritetopic。Iwasagainastonished，forheaddressedhimselftothequestionwiththeimpartialityofthecompletestsanity。
Heeventookhimselfasanexamplewhenhementionedcertainthings。
“Why，Imyselfamaninstanceofamanwhohadastrangebelief。
Indeed，itwasnowonderthatmyfriendswerealarmed，andinsistedonmybeingputundercontrol。Iusedtofancythatlifewasapositiveandperpetualentity，andthatbyconsumingamultitudeoflivethings，nomatterhowlowinthescaleofcreation，onemightindefinitelyprolonglife。
AttimesIheldthebeliefsostronglythatIactuallytriedtotakehumanlife。ThedoctorherewillbearmeoutthatononeoccasionItriedtokillhimforthepurposeofstrengtheningmyvitalpowersbytheassimilationwithmyownbodyofhislifethroughthemediumofhisblood，relyingofcourse，upontheScripturalphrase，`Forthebloodisthelife。'Though，indeed，thevendorofacertainnostrumhasvulgarizedthetruismtotheverypointofcontempt。
Isn'tthattrue，doctor？”
Inoddedassent，forIwassoamazedthatIhardlyknewwhattoeitherthinkorsay，itwashardtoimaginethatIhadseenhimeatuphisspidersandfliesnotfiveminutesbefore。
Lookingatmywatch，IsawthatIshouldgotothestationtomeetVanHelsing，soItoldMrs。Harkerthatitwastimetoleave。
Shecameatonce，aftersayingpleasantlytoMr。Renfield，“Goodbye，andIhopeImayseeyouoften，underauspicespleasantertoyourself。“
Towhich，tomyastonishment，hereplied，“Goodbye，mydear。
IprayGodImayneverseeyoursweetfaceagain。
MayHeblessandkeepyou！”
WhenIwenttothestationtomeetVanHelsingIlefttheboysbehindme。
PoorArtseemedmorecheerfulthanhehasbeensinceLucyfirsttookill，andQuinceyismorelikehisownbrightselfthanhehasbeenformanyalongday。
VanHelsingsteppedfromthecarriagewiththeeagernimblenessofaboy。
Hesawmeatonce，andrusheduptome，saying，“Ah，friendJohn，howgoesall？Well？So！Ihavebeenbusy，forIcomeheretostayifneedbe。Allaffairsaresettledwithme，andIhavemuchtotell。
MadamMinaiswithyou？Yes。Andhersofinehusband？AndArthurandmyfriendQuincey，theyarewithyou，too？Good！”
AsIdrovetothehouseItoldhimofwhathadpassed，andofhowmyowndiaryhadcometobeofsomeusethroughMrs。Harker'ssuggestion，atwhichtheProfessorinterruptedme。
“Ah，thatwonderfulMadamMina！Shehasman'sbrain，abrainthatamanshouldhavewerehemuchgifted，andawoman'sheart。
ThegoodGodfashionedherforapurpose，believeme，whenHemadethatsogoodcombination。FriendJohn，uptonowfortunehasmadethatwomanofhelptous，aftertonightshemustnothavetodowiththissoterribleaffair。Itisnotgoodthatsherunarisksogreat。
Wemenaredetermined，nay，arewenotpledged，todestroythismonster？
Butitisnopartforawoman。Evenifshebenotharmed，herheartmayfailherinsomuchandsomanyhorrorsandhereaftershemaysuffer，bothinwaking，fromhernerves，andinsleep，fromherdreams。
And，besides，sheisyoungwomanandnotsolongmarried，theremaybeotherthingstothinkofsometime，ifnotnow。
Youtellmeshehaswroteall，thenshemustconsultwithus，buttomorrowshesaygoodbyetothiswork，andwegoalone。“
Iagreedheartilywithhim，andthenItoldhimwhatwehadfoundinhisabsence，thatthehousewhichDraculahadboughtwastheverynextonetomyown。Hewasamazed，andagreatconcernseemedtocomeonhim。
“Ohthatwehadknownitbefore！”hesaid，“forthenwemighthavereachedhimintimetosavepoorLucy。However，`themilkthatisspiltcriesnotoutafterwards，'asyousay。Weshallnotthinkofthat，butgoonourwaytotheend。“Thenhefellintoasilencethatlastedtillweenteredmyowngateway。
BeforewewenttopreparefordinnerhesaidtoMrs。Harker，“Iamtold，MadamMina，bymyfriendJohnthatyouandyourhusbandhaveputupinexactorderallthingsthathavebeen，uptothismoment。“
“Notuptothismoment，Professor，“shesaidimpulsively，“butuptothismorning。“
“Butwhynotuptonow？Wehaveseenhithertohowgoodlightallthelittlethingshavemade。Wehavetoldoursecrets，andyetnoonewhohastoldistheworseforit。“
Mrs。Harkerbegantoblush，andtakingapaperfromherpockets，shesaid，“Dr。VanHelsing，willyoureadthis，andtellmeifitmustgoin。Itismyrecordoftoday。
Itoohaveseentheneedofputtingdownatpresenteverything，howevertrivial，butthereislittleinthisexceptwhatispersonal。
Mustitgoin？”
TheProfessorreaditovergravely，andhandeditback，saying，“Itneednotgoinifyoudonotwishit，butIpraythatitmay。
Itcanbutmakeyourhusbandloveyouthemore，andallus，yourfriends，morehonoryou，aswellasmoreesteemandlove。“
Shetookitbackwithanotherblushandabrightsmile。
Andsonow，uptothisveryhour，alltherecordswehavearecompleteandinorder。TheProfessortookawayonecopytostudyafterdinner，andbeforeourmeeting，whichisfixedfornineo'clock。Therestofushavealreadyreadeverything，sowhenwemeetinthestudyweshallallbeinformedastofacts，andcanarrangeourplanofbattlewiththisterribleandmysteriousenemy。
MINAHARKER'SJOURNAL
30September——WhenwemetinDr。Seward'sstudytwohoursafterdinner，whichhadbeenatsixo'clock，weunconsciouslyformedasortofboardorcommittee。ProfessorVanHelsingtooktheheadofthetable，towhichDr。Sewardmotionedhimashecameintotheroom。
Hemademesitnexttohimonhisright，andaskedmetoactassecretary。
Jonathansatnexttome。OppositeuswereLordGodalming，Dr。Seward，andMr。Morris，LordGodalmingbeingnexttheProfessor，andDr。Sewardinthecenter。
TheProfessorsaid，“Imay，Isuppose，takeitthatweareallacquaintedwiththefactsthatareinthesepapers。“
Weallexpressedassent，andhewenton，“Thenitwere，Ithink，goodthatItellyousomethingofthekindofenemywithwhichwehavetodeal。Ishallthenmakeknowntoyousomethingofthehistoryofthisman，whichhasbeenascertainedforme。
Sowethencandiscusshowweshallact，andcantakeourmeasureaccording。
“Therearesuchbeingsasvampires，someofushaveevidencethattheyexist。Evenhadwenottheproofofourownunhappyexperience，theteachingsandtherecordsofthepastgiveproofenoughforsanepeoples。IadmitthatatthefirstIwassceptic。
WereitnotthatthroughlongyearsIhavetrainedmyselftokeepanopenmind，Icouldnothavebelieveduntilsuchtimeasthatfactthunderonmyear。`See！See！
Iprove，Iprove。'Alas！HadIknownatfirstwhatnowIknow，nay，hadIevenguessathim，onesopreciouslifehadbeensparedtomanyofuswhodidloveher。
Butthatisgone，andwemustsowork，thatotherpoorsoulsperishnot，whilstwecansave。Thenosferatudonotdielikethebeewhenhestingonce。Heisonlystronger，andbeingstronger，haveyetmorepowertoworkevil。
Thisvampirewhichisamongstusisofhimselfsostronginpersonastwentymen，heisofcunningmorethanmortal，forhiscunningbethegrowthofages，hehavestilltheaidsofnecromancy，whichis，ashisetymologyimply，thedivinationbythedead，andallthedeadthathecancomenightoareforhimatcommand，heisbrute，andmorethanbrute，heisdevilincallous，andtheheartofhimisnot，hecan，withinhisrange，directtheelements，thestorm，thefog，thethunder，hecancommandallthemeanerthings，therat，andtheowl，andthebat，themoth，andthefox，andthewolf，hecangrowandbecomesmall，andhecanattimesvanishandcomeunknown。
Howthenarewetobeginourstriketodestroyhim？Howshallwefindhiswhere，andhavingfoundit，howcanwedestroy？
Myfriends，thisismuch，itisaterribletaskthatweundertake，andtheremaybeconsequencetomakethebraveshudder。
Forifwefailinthisourfighthemustsurelywin，andthenwhereendwe？Lifeisnothings，Iheedhimnot。
Buttofailhere，isnotmerelifeordeath。Itisthatwebecomeashim，thatwehenceforwardbecomefoulthingsofthenightlikehim，withoutheartorconscience，preyingonthebodiesandthesoulsofthosewelovebest。Tousforeverarethegatesofheavenshut，forwhoshallopenthemtousagain？
Wegoonforalltimeabhorredbyall，ablotonthefaceofGod'ssunshine，anarrowinthesideofHimwhodiedforman。
Butwearefacetofacewithduty，andinsuchcasemustweshrink？Forme，Isayno，butthenIamold，andlife，withhissunshine，hisfairplaces，hissongofbirds，hismusicandhislove，liefarbehind。Youothersareyoung。
Somehaveseensorrow，buttherearefairdaysyetinstore。
Whatsayyou？”
Whilsthewasspeaking，Jonathanhadtakenmyhand。Ifeared，ohsomuch，thattheappallingnatureofourdangerwasovercominghimwhenIsawhishandstretchout，butitwaslifetometofeelitstouch，sostrong，soselfreliant，soresolute。
Abraveman'shandcanspeakforitself，itdoesnotevenneedawoman'slovetohearitsmusic。
WhentheProfessorhaddonespeakingmyhusbandlookedinmyeyes，andIinhis，therewasnoneedforspeakingbetweenus。
“IanswerforMinaandmyself，“hesaid。
“Countmein，Professor，“saidMr。QuinceyMorris，laconicallyasusual。
“Iamwithyou，“saidLordGodalming，“forLucy'ssake，iffornootherreason。“
Dr。Sewardsimplynodded。
TheProfessorstoodupand，afterlayinghisgoldencrucifixonthetable，heldouthishandoneitherside。
Itookhisrighthand，andLordGodalminghisleft，JonathanheldmyrightwithhisleftandstretchedacrosstoMr。Morris。
Soaswealltookhandsoursolemncompactwasmade。Ifeltmyhearticycold，butitdidnotevenoccurtometodrawback。
Weresumedourplaces，andDr。VanHelsingwentonwithasortofcheerfulnesswhichshowedthattheseriousworkhadbegun。
Itwastobetakenasgravely，andinasbusinesslikeaway，asanyothertransactionoflife。
“Well，youknowwhatwehavetocontendagainst，butwetoo，arenotwithoutstrength。Wehaveonoursidepowerofcombination，apowerdeniedtothevampirekind，wehavesourcesofscience，wearefreetoactandthink，andthehoursofthedayandthenightareoursequally。
Infact，sofarasourpowersextend，theyareunfettered，andwearefreetousethem。Wehaveselfdevotioninacauseandanendtoachievewhichisnotaselfishone。
Thesethingsaremuch。
“Nowletusseehowfarthegeneralpowersarrayedagainstusarerestrict，andhowtheindividualcannot。Infine，letusconsiderthelimitationsofthevampireingeneral，andofthisoneinparticular。
“Allwehavetogouponaretraditionsandsuperstitions。
Thesedonotatthefirstappearmuch，whenthematterisoneoflifeanddeath，nayofmorethaneitherlifeordeath。
Yetmustwebesatisfied，inthefirstplacebecausewehavetobe，noothermeansisatourcontrol，andsecondly，because，afterallthesethings，traditionandsuperstition，areeverything。Doesnotthebeliefinvampiresrestforothers，thoughnot，alas！forus，onthem！Ayearagowhichofuswouldhavereceivedsuchapossibility，inthemidstofourscientific，sceptical，matter-of-factnineteenthcentury？
Weevenscoutedabeliefthatwesawjustifiedunderourveryeyes。
Takeit，then，thatthevampire，andthebeliefinhislimitationsandhiscure，restforthemomentonthesamebase。
For，letmetellyou，heisknowneverywherethatmenhavebeen。
InoldGreece，inoldRome，heflourishinGermanyallover，inFrance，inIndia，evenintheChermosese，andinChina，sofarfromusinallways，thereevenishe，andthepeoplesforhimatthisday。HehavefollowthewakeoftheberserkerIcelander，thedevil-begottenHun，theSlav，theSaxon，theMagyar。
“Sofar，then，wehaveallwemayactupon，andletmetellyouthatverymuchofthebeliefsarejustifiedbywhatwehaveseeninourownsounhappyexperience。
Thevampireliveon，andcannotdiebymerepassingofthetime，hecanflourishwhenthathecanfattenonthebloodoftheliving。
Evenmore，wehaveseenamongstusthathecanevengrowyounger，thathisvitalfacultiesgrowstrenuous，andseemasthoughtheyrefreshthemselveswhenhisspecialpabulumisplenty。
“Buthecannotflourishwithoutthisdiet，heeatnotasothers。
EvenfriendJonathan，wholivedwithhimforweeks，didneverseehimeat，never！Hethrowsnoshadow，hemakeinthemirrornoreflect，asagainJonathanobserve。Hehasthestrengthofmanyofhishand，witnessagainJonathanwhenheshutthedooragainstthewolves，andwhenhehelphimfromthediligencetoo。Hecantransformhimselftowolf，aswegatherfromtheshiparrivalinWhitby，whenhetearopenthedog，hecanbeasbat，asMadamMinasawhimonthewindowatWhitby，andasfriendJohnsawhimflyfromthissonearhouse，andasmyfriendQuinceysawhimatthewindowofMissLucy。
“Hecancomeinmistwhichhecreate，thatnobleship'scaptainprovedhimofthis，but，fromwhatweknow，thedistancehecanmakethismistislimited，anditcanonlyberoundhimself。
“Hecomeonmoonlightraysaselementaldust，asagainJonathansawthosesistersinthecastleofDracula。