Chapter Four. The Marks on her Neck
Mina Murray's Diary (continued) – 13th August
Another quiet day. Lucy is looking very well. I'm happy she's herself again. Again, she woke me up in the night. This time she was sitting in bed. She was still asleep, but she was pointing to the window. I went to the window and opened the curtains. It was very light outside, because the moon was very bright. It was beautiful to see the light on the sea. There was also a large bat in the distance. Once or twice, it came quite near to the window. Then it flew away across the harbour and up to the abbey. Perhaps I frightened it. I went back to bed. Lucy was lying down again and sleeping very quietly.
14th August
We went up to our cliff again today. We were reading and writing all day. Lucy loves it so much, sometimes she doesn't want to come home. Today, when we were coming home, she said a strange thing. ‘His eyes. His red eyes again. They're the same.'
I was surprised and I looked at her. She wasn't asleep, but she looked like she was dreaming. She was looking at our favourite seat. I wasn't sure. Was someone sitting there?
Later, after Lucy was in bed, I went for a walk. It was a beautiful evening. I went to the harbour and looked at the sea. On my way home, I saw Lucy at the bedroom window. The window was open and she was looking out. I think there was a large bird next to her. Then I saw that she was asleep. I came upstairs quickly. I didn't want her to get cold. When I came into the room, Lucy was already in bed. The bird wasn't there. Lucy was holding her neck. I think she was cold. I'm worried, I hope she isn't ill. I closed the window carefully and locked the door again.
15th August
We had a happy surprise at breakfast. Arthur's father is better. He wants Lucy and Arthur to get married soon. Mrs Westenra is happy, but sad, too. She's ill: she's got a problem with her heart. Her doctor says she must be careful. She's very weak and a sudden shock could kill her. I'm sorry. Lucy knows that her mother is ill, but she doesn't know that it's so serious. I've promised not to tell Lucy.
17th August
Lucy is tired and very weak. She's still walking in her sleep. Her face is very pale. The marks on her neck are still there. They aren't any better. I'm worried that she's ill. Tonight, I woke up and she was sitting by the window again. I went to close the window and she went back to bed. She was breathing very strangely. I think I'll ask the doctor to come. I'm very worried about her.
18th August
I'm happy today. Lucy is much better. She slept well last night and didn't walk in her sleep. She has some colour in her face, but she's still pale. We went up to our seat and looked at the view. We talked and talked. Lucy talked about that night. She said it wasn't a dream, but she saw something with red eyes. She said she saw me before I woke her up. It was very strange. I didn't want her to talk about it anymore. So we talked about other things. We talked and laughed. More and more colour came into her face. When we came home, Mrs Westenra was very happy; she agrees with me. Lucy looks much better.
19th August
I'm so, so happy! News from Jonathan. I'm happy, but I'm sad too. He's been very ill. That's why he didn't write to me. I got a letter this morning from a nurse. Her name's Sister Agatha and she works in a hospital in Budapest. Jonathan was too ill to write, but wanted to send me a letter. She wrote the letter for him. He wants to see me. He loves me and misses me. I'm leaving as soon as possible. Lucy is going to send my things home. I can't wait to see him.
Letter from Mina Harker to Lucy Westenra – Budapest 24th August
Dear Lucy,
Here I am in Budapest. I'm with my Jonathan. He's pale and ill, but it's lovely to see him. Now I can be his nurse. He doesn't remember a lot of things. Sister Agatha says that he's shocked. Perhaps he'll never remember. She says that he talked of terrible things in his sleep. I asked her about them, but she won't tell me. She says that they're Jonathan's secrets with God. She's a very good person.
Jonathan doesn't remember what happened to him. He gave me his notebook. He wrote everything in shorthand. He doesn't want to read it himself. He doesn't want to remember things. He says I must read it, if I want to. I put the book under his pillow. I don't want to read it now. I'll only read it, if Jonathan asks me to.
The most important news: we're getting married this afternoon. I'm going to be Mrs Mina Harker. Lucy, I'm so happy,
Love Mina
Letter from Lucy Westenra to Mina Harker – Whitby 30th August
Dear Mina,
I hope you can come home soon with Jonathan. The air here is very good. I'm sure it'll be good for him. I'm feeling much better. Arthur is here and we're having a wonderful time. I'm not walking in my sleep at all, at the moment. Arthur and I are getting married on 28th September. I'm so happy.
Mother hopes you're well. She sends her love,
Love Lucy
Dr Seward's Diary – 20th August
Renfield is often very violent during the day. Then he's very quiet at night. He's escaped three times in three nights. Each time, he goes to the door of the chapel at the great house in Carfax. He doesn't do anything there. He just stays there, with his face against the door. Tonight, we found him there again. He was talking to someone. He said, ‘I'm here, Master. I'm here for you.'
Then he calmed down. He was looking at a big bat in the sky. He was smiling: he seemed to like the bat. We took him back to the hospital. I hope I can help him.
Letter from Arthur Holmwood to Dr Seward – 31st August
Dear John,
I'm worried about Lucy. I think she's ill. She's getting paler every day. Her friend Mina was worried about her. Now I'm worried too. I must go to my father. He's very ill again, but I really need your help.
Can you come and see her soon?
Your friend,
Arthur
Dr Seward's Diary – 1st September
Today, I went to see Lucy Westenra. Arthur is right. There is something wrong. She's very pale and looks very weak. I don't know what's wrong with her. I'm going to write to my old teacher, my good friend, Professor Van Helsing. I'm sure he can help us. He knows a lot about people who walk in their sleep.
I hope he understands my letter. He's from Holland and sometimes he has problems with his English.
Letter from Professor Van Helsing to Dr Seward
My dear friend,
Does not worry. I is coming to you. I does can help you,
Van H.
Letter from Dr Seward to Arthur Holmwood – 3rd September
Dear Arthur,
The professor came today. He agrees with us. Lucy is ill. She's very pale. She doesn't have enough blood. That's what the professor thinks.
He isn't sure what the problem is, but he has an idea. He's going back to Amsterdam tomorrow to do some research.
How's your father? I hope he's getting better.
Your friend,
John
Dr Seward's Diary – 4th September
Renfield was very violent yesterday. Now he's calm and back in his room. He's catching flies again. First he was eating them, now he's putting them in a box. He's already looking for a spider. He asked me for more sugar.
I went to see Lucy this afternoon. She's looking better. When I came back, Renfield was angry again. He was shouting and screaming. Then, when the sun went down, he calmed down again. He did a strange thing. He went to his window and threw away his flies. I asked him about it. He said he was bored with them. He's a very interesting patient. When he's violent, it's never at night. It's always during the day.
Telegram from Dr Seward to Professor Van Helsing – 6th September
COME AT ONCE. LUCY IS VERY ILL.