| When Van Helsing had seen her, he went out for a... 15 |
[Jan. 31st, 2010|02:44 am] |
When Van Helsing had seen her, he went out for a walk, leaving me in charge, with strict injunctions that I was not to leave her for a momentI could hear his voice in the hall, asking the way to the nearest telegraph office
Lucy chatted with me freely, and seemed quite unconscious that anything had happenedI tried to keep her amused and interestedWhen her mother came up to see her, she did not seem to notice any change whatever, but said to me gratefully,
"We owe you so much, DrSeward, for all you have done, but you really must now take care not to overwork yourselfYou are looking pale yourselfYou want a wife to nurse and look after you a bit, that you do!" As she spoke, Lucy turned crimson, though it was only momentarily, for her poor wasted veins could not stand for long an unwonted drain to the headThe reaction came in excessive pallor as she turned imploring eyes on meI smiled and nodded, and laid my finger on my lipsWith a sigh, she sank back amid her pillows
Van Helsing returned in a couple of hours, and presently said to me: "Now you go home, and eat much and drink enoughI stay here tonight, and I shall sit up with little miss myselfYou and I must watch the case, and we must have none other to knowDo not fear to think even the most not-improbable
In the hall two of the maids came to me, and asked if they or either of them might not sit up with Miss LucyThey implored me to let them, and when I said it was DrVan Helsing's wish that either he or I should sit up, they asked me quite piteously to intercede with the 'foreign gentleman'I was much touched by their kindnessPerhaps it is because I am weak at present, and perhaps because it was on Lucy's account, that their devotion was manifestedFor over and over again have I seen similar instances of woman's kindnessI got back here in time for a late dinner, went my rounds, all well, and set this down whilst waiting for sleep-This afternoon I went over to HillinghamFound Van Helsing in excellent spirits, and Lucy much betterShortly after I had arrived, a big parcel from abroad came for the ProfessorHe opened it with much impressment, assumed, of course, and showed a great bundle of white flowers
"These are for you, Miss Lucy," he saidVan Helsing!"
"Yes, my dear, but not for you to play with Here Lucy made a wry face"Nay, but they are not to take in a decoction or in nauseous form, so you need not snub that so charming nose, or I shall point out to my friend Arthur what woes he may have to endure in seeing so much beauty that he so loves so much distortAha, my pretty miss, that bring the so nice nose all straight againThis is medicinal, but you do not know howI put him in your window, I make pretty wreath, and hang him round your neck, so you sleep wellOh, yes! They, like the lotus flower, make your trouble forgottenIt smell so like the waters of Lethe, and of that fountain of youth that the Conquistadores sought for in the Floridas, and find him all too late
Whilst he was speaking, Lucy had been examining the flowers and smelling themNow she threw them down saying, with half laughter, and half disgust,
"Oh, Professor, I believe you are only putting up a joke on meWhy, these flowers are only common garlic
To my surprise, Van Helsing rose up and said with all his sternness, his iron jaw set and his bushy eyebrows meeting,
"No trifling with me! I never jest! There is grim purpose in what I do, and I warn you that you do not thwart meTake care, for the sake of others if not for your |
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