It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature.Let any obstructing cause, no matter what,be removed in any way--even by death--and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment. More than once as we sat around the table, my eyes opened in wonder whether the whole of the past days had not been a dream. It was only when I caught sight of the red blotch on Mrs. Harker’s forehead that I was brought back to reality. Even now, when I am gravely revolving the matter, it is almost impossible to realise that the cause of all our trouble is still existent. Even Mrs. Harker seems to lose sight of her trouble for whole spells; it is only now and again, when something recalls it to her mind, that she thinks of her terrible scar. We are to meet here in my study in half an hour and decide on our course of action. I see only one immediate difficulty, I know it by instinct rather than reason: we shall all have to speak frankly; and yet I fear that in some mysterious way poor Mrs. Harker’s tongue is tied. I _know_ that she forms conclusions of her own, and from all that has been I can guess how brilliant and how true they must be; but she will not, or cannot, give them utterance. I have mentioned this to Van Helsing, and he and I are to talk it over when we are alone. I suppose it is some of that horrid poison which has got into her veins beginning to work. The Count had his own purposes when he gave her what Van Helsing called “the Vampire’s baptism of blood.” Well, there may be a poison that distils itself out of good things; in an age when the existence of ptomaines is a mystery we should not wonder at anything!One thing I know: that if my instinct be true regarding poor Mrs.Harker’s silences, then there is a terrible difficulty--an unknown danger--in the work before us. The same power that compels her silence may compel her speech. I dare not think further; for so I should in my thoughts dishonour a noble woman!
Van Helsing is coming to my study a little before the others.I shall try to open the subject with him.
* * * * *
_Later._--When the Professor came in,we talked over the state of things.I could see that he had something on his mind which he wanted to say,but felt some hesitancy about broaching the subject.After beating about the bush a little, he said suddenly:--
“Friend John, there is something that you and I must talk of alone,just at the first at any rate. Later,we may have to take the others into our confidence”;then he stopped, so I waited; he went on:--
“Madam Mina, our poor, dear Madam Mina is changing.” A cold shiver ran through me to find my worst fears thus endorsed.Van Helsing continued:--
“With the sad experience of Miss Lucy,we must this time be warned before things go too far.Our task is now in reality more difficult than ever,and this new trouble makes every hour of the direst importance.I can see the characteristics of the vampire coming in her face.It is now but very, very slight;but it is to be seen if we have eyes to notice without to prejudge.Her teeth are some sharper,and at times her eyes are more hard.But these are not all,there is to her the silence now often;as so it was with Miss Lucy. She did not speak,even when she wrote that which she wished to be known later.Now my fear is this. If it be that she can,by our hypnotic trance,tell what the Count see and hear,is it not more true that he who have hypnotise her first,and who have drink of her very blood and make her drink of his,should, if he will,compel her mind to disclose to him that which she know?” I nodded acquiescence; he went on:--
“Then, what we must do is to prevent this;we must keep her ignorant of our intent,and so she cannot tell what she know not.This is a painful task!Oh, so painful that it heart-break me to think of;but it must be. When to-day we meet,I must tell her that for reason which we will not to speak she must not more be of our council, but be simply guarded by us.” He wiped his forehead, which had broken out in profuse perspiration at the thought of the pain which he might have to inflict upon the poor soul already so tortured. I knew that it would be some sort of comfort to him if I told him that I also had come to the same conclusion; for at any rate it would take away the pain of doubt. I told him, and the effect was as I expected.
It is now close to the time of our general gathering.Van Helsing has gone away to prepare for the meeting,and his painful part of it.I really believe his purpose is to be able to pray alone.
* * * * *
_Later._--At the very outset of our meeting a great personal relief was experienced by both Van Helsing and myself. Mrs. Harker had sent a message by her husband to say that she would not join us at present, as she thought it better that we should be free to discuss our movements without her presence to embarrass us. The Professor and I looked at each other for an instant, and somehow we both seemed relieved. For my own part, I thought that if Mrs. Harker realised the danger herself, it was much pain as well as much danger averted. Under the circumstances we agreed, by a questioning look and answer, with finger on lip, to preserve silence in our suspicions, until we should have been able to confer alone again. We went at once into our Plan of Campaign. Van Helsing roughly put the facts before us first:--
“The _Czarina Catherine_ left the Thames yesterday morning.It will take her at the quickest speed she has ever made at least three weeks to reach Varna; but we can travel overland to the same place in three days. Now, if we allow for two days less for the ship’s voyage, owing to such weather influences as we know that the Count can bring to bear; and if we allow a whole day and night for any delays which may occur to us, then we have a margin of nearly two weeks. Thus, in order to be quite safe, we must leave here on 17th at latest. Then we shall at any rate be in Varna a day before the ship arrives, and able to make such preparations as may be necessary. Of course we shall all go armed--armed against evil things, spiritual as well as physical.” Here Quincey Morris added:--
“I understand that the Count comes from a wolf country,and it may be that he shall get there before us.I propose that we add Winchesters to our armament.I have a kind of belief in a Winchester when there is any trouble of that sort around. Do you remember, Art, when we had the pack after us at Tobolsk?What wouldn’t we have given then for a repeater apiece!”
“Good!” said Van Helsing, “Winchesters it shall be.Quincey’s head is level at all times,but most so when there is to hunt,metaphor be more dishonour to science than wolves be of danger to man.In the meantime we can do nothing here;and as I think that Varna is not familiar to any of us,why not go there more soon?It is as long to wait here as there.To-night and to-morrow we can get ready, and then,if all be well, we four can set out on our journey.”
“We four?” said Harker interrogatively,looking from one to another of us.
“Of course!” answered the Professor quickly,“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 morning.I want to consult with Mina.” I thought that now was the time for Van Helsing to warn him not to disclose our plans to her; but he took no notice. I looked at him significantly and coughed. For answer he put his finger on his lips and turned away.
_Jonathan Harker’s Journal._