Текст книги "Дракула / Dracula"

Letter, Arthur Holmwood to Dr. Seward

31 August, Albemarle Hotel.[114]114
  Albemarle Hotel – отель «Албермарл»


[Закрыть]

My dear Jack,

Lucy is ill; that is, she has no special disease, but she looks awful, and is getting worse every day. I have asked her if there is any cause; I do not dare to ask her mother. To disturb the poor lady’s mind about her daughter in her present state of health will be fatal. Mrs. Westenra has disease of the heart – though poor Lucy does not know it yet. I am sure that there is something with my dear girl’s mind. Please come to see her. It will be a painful task for you, I know, old friend, but it is for her sake,[115]115
  it is for her sake – ради её блага


[Закрыть] and I must not hesitate to ask, or you to act. Please come to lunch at Hillingham tomorrow, two o’clock. I shall come in for tea, and we can go away together; I am filled with anxiety, and want to consult with you alone.

Arthur

Telegram, Arthur Holmwood to Seward

1 September.

My father is worse, I must go to see him. Write me fully by tonight’s post to Ring.

Letter, Dr. Seward to Arthur Holmwood

2 September.

My dear old fellow,

Regarding Miss Westenra’s health. In my opinion there is not any functional disturbance or any malady. At the same time, I am not satisfied with her appearance; she is different from what she was when I saw her last. I shall tell you exactly what happened.

I could easily see that she is somewhat bloodless, but I could not see the usual anæmic signs,[116]116
  anæmic signs – признаки анемии


[Закрыть] and I was actually able to test the quality of her blood. In physical matters I was quite satisfied, there is no need for anxiety. I have come to the conclusion that it must be something mental. She complains of difficulty in breathing at times, and of heavy, lethargic sleep, with dreams that frighten her, but she can remember nothing.

I am in doubt, and so I have written to my old friend and master, Professor Van Helsing, of Amsterdam,[117]117
  Van Helsing, of Amsterdam – Ван Хелсинг из Амстердама


[Закрыть] who knows much about obscure diseases. I have asked him to come. I have mentioned to him who you are and your relations to Miss Westenra. He is a philosopher and a metaphysician,[118]118
  metaphysician – метафизик


[Закрыть] and one of the most advanced scientists of our days. He has, I believe, an absolutely open mind. I have asked him to come at once. I shall see Miss Westenra tomorrow again.

Yours always,

John Seward

Letter, Abraham Van Helsing, M. D.,[119]119
  M. D. – доктор медицины


[Закрыть] D. Ph.,[120]120
  D. Ph. – доктор философии


[Закрыть] D. Lit.,[121]121
  D. Lit. – доктор литературы


[Закрыть] etc., etc., to Dr. Seward

2 September.

My good Friend,

I have received your letter and I am already coming to you. Have rooms for me at the Great Eastern Hotel,[122]122
  Great Eastern Hotel – Большой Восточный Отель


[Закрыть] so that I may be near. I want to see the young lady tomorrow. If you want, I shall come again in three days, and stay longer.

Goodbye, my friend John.

Van Helsing

Letter, Dr. Seward to Hon. Arthur Holmwood

3 September.

My dear Art,

Van Helsing has come and gone. He came on with me to Hillingham, Lucy’s mother was lunching out, so we were alone with her. Van Helsing made a very careful examination of the patient. He is, I fear, much concerned, but says he must think. When I told him of our friendship and how you trust to me in the matter, he said, “You must tell him all you think. Tell him what I think, if you can guess it, if you will. I am not joking. This is no joke, but life and death, perhaps more.” I asked what he meant by that, for he was very serious. But he did not say more. You must not be angry with me, Arthur. He will tell when the time comes, be sure.

Well, about the visit. Lucy was cheerful, and certainly looked better. She had lost the ghastly look, and her breathing was normal. She was very sweet to the professor (as she always is), though I could see that the poor girl was making a hard struggle for it. Van Helsing began to talk about all things except ourselves and diseases. Then he said, “My dear young miss, I have a great pleasure to talk to you. They told me you were were of a ghastly pale. To them I say: “Pouf!” And he snapped his fingers at me and went on, “But you and I shall show them how wrong they are. How can he” – and he pointed at me – “know anything of a young ladies? He has no wife, nor daughter, and the young do not tell themselves[123]123
  tell themselves – откровенничают


[Закрыть] to the young, but to the old, like me, who have known so many sorrows and the causes of them. So, my dear, we will send him away to smoke the cigarette in the garden. And we shall have a little talk.” I went out, and soon the professor came to the window and called me in. He looked grave, but said, “I have made careful examination, but there is no functional cause. There has been much blood lost;[124]124
  much blood lost – большая потеря крови


[Закрыть] it has been, but is not. The disease interests me, and the sweet young lady, she interests me too. I shall come for her again.”

As I tell you, he did not say a word more, even when we were alone. And so now, Art, you know all I know.

Yours always,

John Seward

Dr. Seward’s Diary

4 September. – The patient still keeps up our interest in him. His screams while in the paroxysm are really terrible; for the sounds disturb even me, though I am some distance away. My patient sits in a corner, with a dull, sullen look in his face. I cannot quite understand it.

Same day, later. – Another change in my patient. At five o’clock I came to him. He was catching flies and eating them. When he saw me, he apologized for his bad conduct and asked to be led back to his room. He is in there with the window open. He has the sugar on the window sill, and he is hunting flies. He is not now eating them, but putting them into a box, as of old, and is already examining the corners of his room to find a spider. I tried to talk about the past few days; but he did not rise. For a moment or two he looked very sad, and said rather to himself than to me, “All over! All over! He has deserted me!”

Then he suddenly turned to me, and said, “Doctor, can I have a little more sugar? I think it will be good for me.”

“And the flies?” I said.

“Yes! The flies like it, too, and I like the flies; therefore I like it.”

Same day, midnight. – Another change in him. I had visited Miss Westenra, whom I found much better, and had just returned, and was standing and looking at the sunset, when I heard his voice. He was yelling. As his room is on this side of the house, I could hear it better than in the morning. I came to him just as the sun was going down, and from his window saw the red disc. As it sank he became less and less frenzied; and finally he slid on the floor. But within a few minutes he stood up quite calmly and looked around him. I said to the attendants not to hold him. He went straight over to the window and brushed out the crumbs of sugar;[125]125
  brushed out the crumbs of sugar – смахнул остатки сахара


[Закрыть] then he took his fly-box, and emptied it outside, and threw away the box. Then he shut the window, and sat down on his bed. All this surprised me, so I asked him:

“Are you not going to keep flies anymore?”

“No,” said he, “I am sick of all that rubbish!”

He certainly is a wonderfully interesting study. Stop; there may be a clue after all, if we can find why today his paroxysms came on at noon and at sunset. Can it be a malign influence of the sun?

We shall see.

Telegram, Seward, London, to Van Helsing, Amsterdam

4 September.

Patient still better today.

Telegram, Seward, London, to Van Helsing, Amsterdam

5 September.

Patient greatly improved. Good appetite; sleeps naturally; good spirits; colour coming back.

Telegram, Seward, London, to Van Helsing, Amsterdam

6 September.

Terrible change for the worse. Come at once; do not lose an hour.

Letter, Dr. Seward to Hon. Arthur Holmwood

6 September.

My dear Art,

My news today is not so good. Lucy is getting worse and worse. My old master, Van Helsing, the great specialist, is coming to stay with me, and I shall put her in his charge.[126]126
  I shall put her in his charge – я поручу её ему


[Закрыть] Miss Westenra is not very well. Lucy’s weak condition might be disastrous to her. We meet difficulties, all of us, my poor old fellow; but, please God, we shall come through them all right. If you do not hear from me, I am simply waiting for news.

Yours ever,

John Seward

Dr. Seward’s Diary

7 September. – The first thing Van Helsing said to me when we met at Liverpool Street[127]127
  Liverpool Street – Ливерпул-стрит


[Закрыть] was “Have you said anything to our young friend, the lover of her?”

“No,” I said. “I waited. I wrote him a letter. I simply told him that you were coming, and that Miss Westenra was not so well.”

“Right, my friend,” he said, “Quite right! And, my good friend John, let me caution you. You deal with the madmen. All men are mad in some way or the other.[128]128
  in some way or the other – так или иначе


[Закрыть] You don’t tell your madmen what you do nor why you do it; you don’t tell them what you think.” He touched me on the heart and on the forehead, and then touched himself the same way.

“I have for myself thoughts at the present. Later I shall unfold to you.”

“Why not now?” I asked. “It may do some good; we may arrive at some decision.”

He stopped and looked at me, and said, “My friend John, you were always a careful student. You were only student then; now you are master. Remember, my friend, that knowledge is stronger than memory. Write down everything. Nothing is too small.[129]129
  Nothing is too small. – Важна любая мелочь.


[Закрыть] Put down even your doubts and surmises. Hereafter it may be of interest to you to see how true you guess. We learn from failure, not from success!”

When I described Lucy’s symptoms – the same as before, but infinitely more marked – he looked very grave, but said nothing. He took with him a bag, in which were many instruments and drugs.

Mrs. Westenra met us. She invited us to Lucy’s room. If I was shocked when I saw her yesterday, I was horrified when I saw her today. She was ghastly pale; the red seemed to have gone[130]130
  the red seemed to have gone – казалось, краска сошла


[Закрыть] even from her lips and gums, and the bones of her face stood out prominently; her breathing was painful to see or hear. Lucy lay motionless, and did not have strength to speak, so for a while we were all silent. Then Van Helsing beckoned to me, and we went gently out of the room. Then he pulled me quickly in with him and closed the door.

“My God!” he said, “This is dreadful. There is no time to lose. She will die for sheer want of blood[131]131
  for sheer want of blood – от недостатка крови


[Закрыть] to keep the heart’s action. There must be transfusion of blood at once. Is it you or me?”

“I am younger and stronger, Professor. It must be me.”

“Then get ready at once. I will bring up my bag. I am prepared.”

I went downstairs with him, and there was a knock at the hall-door. When we reached the hall the maid had just opened the door, and Arthur was coming quickly in. He rushed up to me, and said in an eager whisper, “Jack, I was so anxious. I read between the lines of your letter, and have been in an agony. The dad was better, so I ran down here to see for myself.[132]132
  to see for myself – чтобы увидеть всё своими глазами


[Закрыть] Is not that gentleman Dr. Van Helsing? I am so thankful to you, sir, for coming.”

Van Helsing said to him, “Sir, you have come in time. You are the lover of our dear miss. She is bad, very, very bad. You are here to help her. You can do more than any one, and your courage is your best help.”

“What can I do?” asked Arthur hoarsely. “Tell me, and I shall do it. My life is hers, and I will give the last drop of blood in my body for her.”

The Professor answered, “My young sir, I do not ask so much as that – not the last!”

“What shall I do?” There was fire in his eyes, and his open nostril quivered with intent. Van Helsing slapped him on the shoulder.

“Come!” he said. “You are a man, and it is a man we want. You are better than me, better than my friend John.”

Arthur looked bewildered, and the Professor explained in a kindly way, “Young miss is bad, very bad. She wants blood, and blood she must have or die. My friend John and I have consulted; and we are ready to perform the transfusion of blood – to transfer from full veins of one to the empty veins. John was to give his blood,[133]133
  John was to give his blood – Джон собирался дать свою кровь


[Закрыть] as he is younger and stronger than me” – here Arthur took my hand in silence – “but, now you are here, you are better than us. Our nerves are not so calm and our blood is not so bright as yours!”

Arthur turned to him and said, “I will be glad to die for her.”

“Good boy!” said Van Helsing. “You will be happy that you have done all for your lover. Come now and be silent. Say no word to Madame; you know how it is with her! There must be no shock. Come!”

We all went up to Lucy’s room. Arthur remained outside. Lucy turned her head and looked at us, but said nothing. She was not asleep, but she was simply very weak. Her eyes spoke to us; that was all. Van Helsing took some things from his bag and laid them on a little table. Then he came over to the bed, and said cheerily, “Now, little miss, here is your medicine. Drink it off, like a good child. Yes.”

She had made the effort with success.

Soon Lucy fell into a deep sleep. When the Professor was satisfied he called Arthur into the room, and said, “You may kiss her. Friend John, help me”

Van Helsing turned to me, and said, “He is so young and strong and his blood is pure.”

Then with swiftness, Van Helsing performed the operation. Life came back to poor Lucy’s cheeks. When all was over I could see how much Arthur was weakened. Van Helsing said, “The brave lover, I think, deserves another kiss, which he will have very soon.”

And as he had now finished his operation, he adjusted the pillow to the patient’s head. Then Van Helsing showed a red mark on Lucy’s throat. Van Helsing said, “Now our brave young lover must go home and rest, sleep much and eat much. He must not stay here. Hold a moment! Sir, you have saved her life this time, and you can go home and rest easily. I shall tell her all when she is well. Goodbye.”

When Arthur had gone I went back to the room. Lucy was sleeping gently, but her breathing was stronger. By the bedside sat Van Helsing, he was looking at her intently. I asked the Professor in a whisper, “What do you think of that mark on her throat?”

“And what do you think of it?”

“I have not examined it yet,” I answered. Just over the external jugular vein there were two punctures. There was no sign of disease, but the edges were white.

“Well?” said Van Helsing.

“Well,” said I, “I don’t understand.”

The Professor stood up.

“I must go back to Amsterdam tonight,” he said. “There are books and things there which I want. You must remain here all the night.”

“Can I have a nurse?” I asked.

“We are the best nurses, you and I. You must not sleep all the night. Later on we can sleep, you and I. I shall be back as soon as possible. And then we may begin.”

“May begin?” I said. “What do you mean?”

“We shall see!” he answered, as he hurried out. He came back a moment later and put his head inside the door and said, “Remember, she is your charge.[134]134
  she is your charge – ты за неё отвечаешь


[Закрыть] If you leave her, you will not be able to sleep easy hereafter!”

8 September. – I sat up all night with Lucy. She waked naturally; she looked a different being from what she had been before the operation. She was full of a happy vivacity. When I told Mrs. Westenra that Dr. Van Helsing had directed that I should sit up with her she was against it. But I was firm, however, and made preparations for my long vigil.[135]135
  vigil – бдение


[Закрыть] When her maid had prepared her for the night I came in, and took a seat by the bedside. Lucy looked at me gratefully whenever I caught her eye. It was apparent that she did not want to sleep, so I asked her, “You do not want to go to sleep?”

“No; I am afraid.”

“Afraid to go to sleep! Why so? It is the boon we all crave for.”

“Ah, not if sleep is a presage of horror!”

“A presage of horror! What do you mean?”

“I don’t know; oh, I don’t know. And that is what is so terrible. All this weakness comes to me in sleep.”

“But, my dear girl, you may sleep tonight. I am here, I am watching you, and I can promise that nothing will happen.”

“Ah, I can trust you!”

I said, “I promise you that if I see any evidence of bad dreams I will wake you at once.”

“You will? Oh, will you really? How good you are to me. Then I will sleep!”

And she gave a deep sigh of relief.

All night long I watched by her. She never stirred, but slept in a deep, tranquil, health-giving sleep. There was a smile on her face, and it was evident that no bad dreams had come to disturb her peace of mind.

In the early morning her maid came, and I left her and came back home. I sent a short message to Van Helsing and to Arthur, I told them of the excellent result of the operation. It was dark when I was able to inquire about my patient. The report was good; he had been quite quiet for the past day and night. A telegram came from Van Helsing at Amsterdam while I was at dinner. He will join me early in the morning.

9 September. – I was very tired when I got to Hillingham. For two nights I had hardly had a wink of sleep, and my. Lucy was up and in cheerful spirits. When she shook hands with me she looked sharply in my face and said, “No sitting up tonight for you. You are tired. I am quite well again; indeed, I am, it is I who must sit up with you.”

I would not argue the point, but went and had my supper. Lucy came with me, and made an excellent meal. Then Lucy took me upstairs, and showed me a room next her own, where a cozy fire was burning.

“Now,” she said, “you must stay here. I shall leave this door open and my door too. You can lie on the sofa. If I want anything I shall call out, and you can come to me at once.”

So I lay on the sofa, and forgot all about everything.

Lucy Westenra’s Diary

9 September. – I feel so happy tonight. I have been so miserably weak. Oh Arthur, my dear, good Dr. Seward is watching me. And tonight I shall not fear to sleep, since he is close and within call. Thank everybody, they are so good to me! Thank God! Goodnight, Arthur.

Dr. Seward’s Diary

10 September. – I felt the Professor’s hand on my head, and woke up in a second. That is one of the things that we learn in an asylum.

“And how is our patient?”

“Well, when I left her, or rather when she left me,” I answered.

“Come, let us see,” he said. And together we went into the room.

Van Helsing stepped over to the bed. Then he moved back, and I heard his exclamation of horror. He raised his hand and pointed to the bed, and his iron face was white. My knees began to tremble.

There on the bed, lay poor Lucy, more horribly white than ever. Even the lips were white, and she looked like a corpse after a prolonged illness.

“Quick!” said Van Helsing. “Bring the brandy.”

I flew to the dining-room, and returned with the bottle. He wetted the poor white lips with it, and together we rubbed palm and wrist and heart. He felt her heart, and said, “It is not too late. It beats feebly. All our work is undone;[136]136
  All our work is undone. – Вся наша работа пошла насмарку.


[Закрыть] we must begin again. There is no young Arthur here now; so you will help us, friend John.”

As he spoke, he was dipping into his bag and producing the instruments for transfusion. I had taken off my coat and rolled up my shirt sleeve.[137]137
  rolled up my shirt sleeve – засучил рукав своей рубашки


[Закрыть] Van Helsing held up a warning finger.

“Do not stir,” he said, “I fear that with growing strength she may wake. I shall give her hypodermic injection of morphia.[138]138
  hypodermic injection of morphia – подкожная инъекция морфия


[Закрыть]”

The effect on Lucy was not bad. Pallid cheeks and lips became rosy again. The Professor watched me critically.

“That will do,[139]139
  That will do. – Хватит.


[Закрыть]” he said.

“Already?” I remonstrated. “You took a great deal more from Arthur.”

He smiled and replied, “He is her lover, her fiancé. You have work, much work, to do for her and for others.”

When we stopped the operation, I laid down, for I felt faint and a little sick. As I was leaving the room, he came after me, and whispered, “Remember: no word about this. If our young lover appears, as before, no word to him. It will at once frighten him, too. So!”

When I came back he looked at me carefully, and then said, “Go into the room, and lie on your sofa, and rest awhile; then have much breakfast, and come here to me.”

I followed out his orders, for I knew how right and wise they were. I had done my part, and now my next duty was to have my strength back again. I felt very weak, and in the weakness lost something of the amazement at what had occurred. I fell asleep on the sofa.

Lucy slept well. When Van Helsing had seen her, he went out for a walk, and left me in charge, with strict injunctions not to leave her for a moment. In the hall he asked the way to the nearest telegraph office.

Lucy chatted with me freely, and was quite unconscious that anything had happened. When her mother came up to see her, she did not seem to notice any change whatever, but said to me gratefully, “Thank you very much, Dr. Seward, for all you have done, but you really must rest. You are looking pale yourself. You need a wife to nurse and look after you!”

As she spoke, Lucy turned crimson,[140]140
  turned crimson – покраснела


[Закрыть] I smiled and laid my finger on my lips.

Van Helsing returned in a couple of hours, and said to me, “Now you go home, and eat much and drink enough. Make yourself strong. I stay here tonight, and I shall sit up with little miss myself. You and I must watch the case. I have grave reasons. No, do not ask them; think what you will. Goodnight.”

11 September. – This afternoon I went over to Hillingham. I found Van Helsing in excellent spirits, and Lucy much better. Shortly after I had arrived, a big parcel from abroad came for the Professor. He opened it and showed a great bundle of white flowers.

“These are for you, Miss Lucy,” he said.

“For me? Oh, Dr. Van Helsing!”

“Yes, my dear, but not for you to play with. These are medicines.”

Here Lucy made a wry face.

“Yes, this is medicinal, but you do not know how. I shall put the flowers on your window, I shall make a pretty wreath, and hang it round your neck, so that you sleep well. Oh yes!”

While he was speaking, Lucy was examining the flowers and smelling them. Now she threw them down, and said, “Oh, Professor, I believe you are joking. Why, these flowers are only common garlic.”

To my surprise, Van Helsing rose up and said seriously, “No jokes! I never jest! Take care, for the sake of others[141]141
  for the sake of others – ради других


[Закрыть] if not for your own.”

Poor Lucy was scared, and he went on more gently:

“Oh, little miss, my dear, do not fear me. I only do for your good; but there is much virtue to you in those so common flowers. See, I place them in your room. I make the wreath you can wear. But hush! Don’t tell anybody. Now sit still awhile. Come with me, friend John, and you will help me with my garlic. It is from Haarlem,[142]142
  Haarlem – Харлем (город на западе Нидерландов)


[Закрыть] my friend Vanderpool[143]143
  Vanderpool – Вандерпул


[Закрыть] raise herb in his glasshouses all the year.”

We went into the room, and we took the flowers with us. The Professor’s actions were certainly odd. First he fastened up the windows and latched them securely; next, he took a handful of the flowers, and rubbed them all over the sashes. Then with the wisp he rubbed all over the jamb of the door, above, below, and at each side, and round the fireplace in the same way. It all seemed grotesque to me, and presently I said, “Well, Professor, I know you always have a reason for what you do, but this certainly puzzles me. Are you working some spell to keep out an evil spirit?”

“Perhaps I am!” he answered quietly as he began to make the wreath for Lucy.

We then waited while Lucy made her toilet for the night, and when she was in bed he came and fixed the wreath of garlic round her neck. The last words he said to her were, “Do not disturb it; and do not open the window or the door tonight.”

“I promise,” said Lucy, “and thank you both a thousand times for all your kindness to me! Oh, what have I done to be blessed with such friends?”

As we left the house, Van Helsing said, “Tonight I can sleep in peace, and I want to sleep very much – two nights of travel, and much anxiety. Tomorrow in the morning we shall come together to see our pretty miss. Ho, ho!”