| The first of us to speak was the... 345 |
[Jan. 28th, 2010|02:19 am] |
The first of us to speak was the ProfessorRealizing the difficulty of following him through the stable, we moved toward the hall
"We have learnt something? much! Notwithstanding his brave words, he fears usHe fears time, he fears want! For if not, why he hurry so? His very tone betray him, or my ears deceiveWhy take that money? You follow quickYou are hunters of the wild beast, and understand it soFor me, I make sure that nothing here may be of use to him, if so that he returns
As he spoke he put the money remaining in his pocket, took the title deeds in the bundle as Harker had left them, and swept the remaining things into the open fireplace, where he set fire to them with a match
Godalming and Morris had rushed out into the yard, and Harker had lowered himself from the window to follow the CountHe had, however, bolted the stable door, and by the time they had forced it open there was no sign of himVan Helsing and I tried to make inquiry at the back of the houseBut the mews was deserted and no one had seen him depart
It was now late in the afternoon, and sunset was not far offWe had to recognize that our game was upWith heavy hearts we agreed with the Professor when he said, "Let us go back to Madam MinaPoor, poor dear Madam MinaAll we can do just now is done, and we can there, at least, protect herBut we need not despairThere is but one more earth box, and we must try to find itWhen that is done all may yet be well
I could see that he spoke as bravely as he could to comfort HarkerThe poor fellow was quite broken down, now and again he gave a low groan which he could not suppressHe was thinking of his wife
With sad hearts we came back to my house, where we found MrsHarker waiting us, with an appearance of cheerfulness which did honour to her bravery and unselfishnessWhen she saw our faces, her own became as pale as deathFor a second or two her eyes were closed as if she were in secret prayer
And then she said cheerfully, "I can never thank you all enoughOh, my poor darling!"
As she spoke, she took her husband's grey head in her hands and kissed it
"Lay your poor head here and rest itAll will yet be well, dear! God will protect us if He so will it in His good intent The poor fellow groanedThere was no place for words in his sublime misery
We had a sort of perfunctory supper together, and I think it cheered us all up somewhatIt was, perhaps, the mere animal heat of food to hungry people, for none of us had eaten anything since breakfast, or the sense of companionship may have helped us, but anyhow we were all less miserable, and saw the morrow as not altogether without hope
True to our promise, we told MrsHarker everything which had passedAnd although she grew snowy white at times when danger had seemed to threaten her husband, and red at others when his devotion to her was manifested, she listened bravely and with calmnessWhen we came to the part where Harker had rushed at the Count so recklessly, she clung to her husband's arm, and held it tight as though her clinging could protect him from any harm that might comeShe said nothing, however, till the narration was all done, and matters had been brought up to the present |
|
|
