CHAPTER 4 - Jonathan Harker's Journal Continued, part 15

There was a low, sweet ripple of laughter, and in a rage I threw open the door, and saw without the three terrible women licking their lips.

As I appeared, they all joined in a horrible laugh, and ran away. I came back to my room and threw myself on my knees.

It is then so near the end? Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Lord, help me, and those to whom I am dear! 30 June.--These may be the last words I ever write in this diary.

I slept till just before the dawn, and when I woke threw myself on my knees, for I determined that if Death came he should find me ready. At last I felt that subtle change in the air, and knew that the morning had come.

Then came the welcome cockcrow, and I felt that I was safe. With a glad heart, I opened the door and ran down the hall. I had seen that the door was unlocked, and now escape was before me. With hands that trembled with eagerness, I unhooked the chains and threw back the massive bolts. But the door would not move.

Despair seized me. I pulled and pulled at the door, and shook it till, massive as it was, it rattled in its casement. I could see the bolt shot. It had been locked after I left the Count. Then a wild desire took me to obtain the key at any risk, and I determined then and there to scale the wall again, and gain the Count's room.

He might kill me, but death now seemed the happier choice of evils. Without a pause I rushed up to the east window, and scrambled down the wall, as before, into the Count's room. It was empty, but that was as I expected. I could not see a key anywhere, but the heap of gold remained. I went through the door in the corner and down the winding stair and along the dark passage to the old chapel. I knew now well enough where to find the monster I sought.