| "Do it before the dawn, for I feel that then I... 642 |
[Jan. 27th, 2010|02:09 am] |
"Do it before the dawn, for I feel that then I can speak, and speak freelyBe quick, for the time is short!" Without a word he motioned her to sit up in bed
Looking fixedly at her, he commenced to make passes in front of her, from over the top of her head downward, with each hand in turnMina gazed at him fixedly for a few minutes, during which my own heart beat like a trip hammer, for I felt that some crisis was at handGradually her eyes closed, and she sat, stock stillOnly by the gentle heaving of her bosom could one know that she was aliveThe Professor made a few more passes and then stopped, and I could see that his forehead was covered with great beads of perspirationMina opened her eyes, but she did not seem the same womanThere was a far-away look in her eyes, and her voice had a sad dreaminess which was new to meRaising his hand to impose silence, the Professor motioned to me to bring the others inThey came on tiptoe, closing the door behind them, and stood at the foot of the bed, looking onMina appeared not to see themThe stillness was broken by Van Helsing's voice speaking in a low level tone which would not break the current of her thoughts
"Where are you?" The answer came in a neutral waySleep has no place it can call its own For several minutes there was silenceMina sat rigid, and the Professor stood staring at her fixedly
The rest of us hardly dared to breatheThe room was growing lighterWithout taking his eyes from Mina's face, DrVan Helsing motioned me to pull up the blindI did so, and the day seemed just upon usA red streak shot up, and a rosy light seemed to diffuse itself through the roomOn the instant the Professor spoke again
"Where are you now?"
The answer came dreamily, but with intentionIt were as though she were interpreting somethingI have heard her use the same tone when reading her shorthand notesIt is all strange to me!"
"What do you see?"
"I can see nothing
"What do you hear?" I could detect the strain in the Professor's patient voice
"The lapping of waterIt is gurgling by, and little waves leapI can hear them on the outside
"Then you are on a ship?'"
We all looked at each other, trying to glean something each from the otherWe were afraid to think
The answer came quick, "Oh, yes!"
"What else do you hear?"
"The sound of men stamping overhead as they run aboutThere is the creaking of a chain, and the loud tinkle as the check of the capstan falls into the ratchet
"What are you doing?"
"I am still, oh so stillIt is like death!" The voice faded away into a deep breath as of one sleeping, and the open eyes closed again
By this time the sun had risen, and we were all in the full light of dayVan Helsing placed his hands on Mina's shoulders, and laid her head down softly on her |
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