| "You must remain to take care of your so sweet... 689 |
[Jan. 27th, 2010|02:09 am] |
"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 morningI want to consult with Mina
I thought that now was the time for Van Helsing to warn him not to disclose our plan to her, but he took no noticeI looked at him significantly and coughedFor answer he put his finger to his lips and turned away
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
5 October, afternoon-For some time after our meeting this morning I could not thinkThe new phases of things leave my mind in a state of wonder which allows no room for active thoughtMina's determination not to take any part in the discussion set me thinkingAnd as I could not argue the matter with her, I could only guessI am as far as ever from a solution nowThe way the others received it, too puzzled meThe last time we talked of the subject we agreed that there was to be no more concealment of anything amongst usMina is sleeping now, calmly and sweetly like a little childHer lips are curved and her face beams with happinessThank God, there are such moments still for her-How strange it all isI sat watching Mina's happy sleep, and I came as near to being happy myself as I suppose I shall ever beAs 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 honourA 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 tearsQuick, you must make it to me at once
"Mina," I said, "a promise like that, I cannot make at onceI 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 itAnd it is not for myselfVan Helsing if I am not rightIf he disagrees you may do as you willNay, more if you all agree, later you are absolved from the promise
"I promise!" I said, and for a moment she looked supremely happyThough 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 CountNot by word, or inference, or implication, not at any time whilst this remains to me!" And she solemnly pointed to the scarI 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 eveningSo much so that all the rest seemed to take courage, as if infected somewhat with her gaietyAs a result even I myself felt as if the pall of gloom which weighs us down were somewhat liftedMina is now sleeping like a little childIt is wonderful thing that her faculty of sleep remains to her in the midst of her terrible |
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