SPOKEN BY VAN HELSING
This to Jonathan Harker.
You are to stay with your dear Madam Mina. We shall go to make
our search, if I can call it so, for it is not search but knowing,
and we seek confirmation only. But do you stay and take care of her
today. This is your best and most holiest office. This day nothing
can find him here.
Let me tell you that so you will know what we four know already,
for I have tell them. He, our enemy, have gone away. He have gone
back to his Castle in Transylvania. I know it so well, as if a
great hand of fire wrote it on the wall. He have prepare for this
in some way, and that last earth box was ready to ship somewheres.
For this he took the money. For this he hurry at the last, lest we
catch him before the sun go down. It was his last hope, save that
he might hide in the tomb that he think poor Miss Lucy, being as he
thought like him, keep open to him. But there was not of time. When
that fail he make straight for his last resource, his last
earthwork I might say did I wish double entente. He is clever, oh
so clever! He know that his game here was finish. And so he decide
he go back home. He find ship going by the route he came, and he go
in it.
We go off now to find what ship, and whither bound. When we have
discover that, we come back and tell you all. Then we will comfort
you and poor Madam Mina with new hope. For it will be hope when you
think it over, that all is not lost. This very creature that we
pursue, he take hundreds of years to get so far as London. And yet
in one day, when we know of the disposal of him we drive him out.
He is finite, though he is powerful to do much harm and suffers not
as we do. But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all
more strong together. Take heart afresh, dear husband of Madam
Mina. This battle is but begun and in the end we shall win. So sure
as that God sits on high to watch over His children. Therefore be
of much comfort till we return.
VAN HELSING.
JONATHAN HARKER’S JOURNAL
4 October.—When I read to Mina, Van Helsing’s message in the
phonograph, the poor girl brightened up considerably. Already the
certainty that the Count is out of the country has given her
comfort. And comfort is strength to her. For my own part, now that
his horrible danger is not face to face with us, it seems almost
impossible to believe in it. Even my own terrible experiences in
Castle Dracula seem like a long forgotten dream. Here in the crisp
autumn air in the bright sunlight.
Alas! How can I disbelieve! In the midst of my thought my eye
fell on the red scar on my poor darling’s white forehead. Whilst
that lasts, there can be no disbelief. Mina and I fear to be idle,
so we have been over all the diaries again and again. Somehow,
although the reality seem greater each time, the pain and the fear
seem less. There is something of a guiding purpose manifest
throughout, which is comforting. Mina says that perhaps we are the
instruments of ultimate good. It may be! I shall try to think as
she does. We have never spoken to each other yet of the future. It
is better to wait till we see the Professor and the others after
their investigations.
The day is running by more quickly than I ever thought a day
could run for me again. It is now three o’clock.
MINA HARKER’S JOURNAL
5 October, 5 p. m.—Our meeting for report. Present: Professor
Van Helsing, Lord Godalming, Dr. Seward, Mr. Quincey Morris,
Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker.
Dr. Van Helsing described what steps were taken during the day
to discover on what boat and whither bound Count Dracula made his
escape.
“As I knew that he wanted to get back to Transylvania, I felt
sure that he must go by the Danube mouth, or by somewhere in the
Black Sea, since by that way he come. It was a dreary blank that
was before us. Omme Ignotum pro magnifico. And so with heavy hearts
we start to find what ships leave for the Black Sea last night. He
was in sailing ship, since Madam Mina tell of sails being set.
These not so important as to go in your list of the shipping in the
Times, and so we go, by suggestion of Lord Godalming, to your
Lloyd’s, where are note of all ships that sail, however so small.
There we find that only one Black Sea bound ship go out with the
tide. She is the Czarina Catherine, and she sail from Doolittle’s
Wharf for Varna, and thence to other ports and up the Danube. `So!’
said I, `this is the ship whereon is the Count.’ So off we go to
Doolittle’s Wharf, and there we find a man in an office. From him
we inquire of the goings of the Czarina Catherine. He swear much,
and he red face and loud of voice, but he good fellow all the same.
And when Quincey give him something from his pocket which crackle
as he roll it up, and put it in a so small bag which he have hid
deep in his clothing, he still better fellow and humble servant to
us. He come with us, and ask many men who are rough and hot. These
be better fellows too when they have been no more thirsty. They say
much of blood and bloom, and of others which I comprehend not,
though I guess what they mean. But nevertheless they tell us all
things which we want to know.
“They make known to us among them, how last afternoon at about
five o’clock comes a man so hurry. A tall man, thin and pale, with
high nose and teeth so white, and eyes that seem to be burning.
That he be all in black, except that he have a hat of straw which
suit not him or the time. That he scatter his money in making quick
inquiry as to what ship sails for the Black Sea and for where. Some
took him to the office and then to the ship, where he will not go
aboard but halt at shore end of gangplank, and ask that the captain
come to him. The captain come, when told that he will be pay well,
and though he swear much at the first he agree to term. Then the
thin man go and some one tell him where horse and cart can be
hired. He go there and soon he come again, himself driving cart on
which a great box. This he himself lift down, though it take
several to put it on truck for the ship. He give much talk to
captain as to how and where his box is to be place. But the captain
like it not and swear at him in many tongues, and tell him that if
he like he can come and see where it shall be. But he say `no,’
that he come not yet, for that he have much to do. Whereupon the
captain tell him that he had better be quick, with blood, for that
his ship will leave the place, of blood, before the turn of the
tide, with blood. Then the thin man smile and say that of course he
must go when he think fit, but he will be surprise if he go quite
so soon. The captain swear again, polyglot, and the thin man make
him bow, and thank him, and say that he will so far intrude on his
kindness as to come aboard before the sailing. Final the captain,
more red than ever, and in more tongues, tell him that he doesn’t
want no Frenchmen, with bloom upon them and also with blood, in his
ship, with blood on her also. And so, after asking where he might
purchase ship forms, he departed.
“No one knew where he went `or bloomin’ well cared’ as they
said, for they had something else to think of, well with blood
again. For it soon became apparent to all that the Czarina
Catherine would not sail as was expected. A thin mist began to
creep up from the river, and it grew, and grew. Till soon a dense
fog enveloped the ship and all around her. The captain swore
polyglot, very polyglot, polyglot with bloom and blood, but he
could do nothing. The water rose and rose, and he began to fear
that he would lose the tide altogether. He was in no friendly mood,
when just at full tide, the thin man came up the gangplank again
and asked to see where his box had been stowed. Then the captain
replied that he wished that he and his box, old and with much bloom
and blood, were in hell. But the thin man did not be offend, and
went down with the mate and saw where it was place, and came up and
stood awhile on deck in fog. He must have come off by himself, for
none notice him. Indeed they thought not of him, for soon the fog
begin to melt away, and all was clear again. My friends of the
thirst and the language that was of bloom and blood laughed, as
they told how the captain’s swears exceeded even his usual
polyglot, and was more than ever full of picturesque, when on
questioning other mariners who were on movement up and down the
river that hour, he found that few of them had seen any of fog at
all, except where it lay round the wharf. However, the ship went
out on the ebb tide, and was doubtless by morning far down the
river mouth. She was then, when they told us, well out to sea.
“And so, my dear Madam Mina, it is that we have to rest for a
time, for our enemy is on the sea, with the fog at his command, on
his way to the Danube mouth. To sail a ship takes time, go she
never so quick. And when we start to go on land more quick, and we
meet him there. Our best hope is to come on him when in the box
between sunrise and sunset. For then he can make no struggle, and
we may deal with him as we should. There are days for us, in which
we can make ready our plan. We know all about where he go. For we
have seen the owner of the ship, who have shown us invoices and all
papers that can be. The box we seek is to be landed in Varna, and
to be given to an agent, one Ristics who will there present his
credentials. And so our merchant friend will have done his part.
When he ask if there be any wrong, for that so, he can telegraph
and have inquiry made at Varna, we say `no,’ for what is to be done
is not for police or of the customs. It must be done by us alone
and in our own way.”
When Dr. Van Helsing had done speaking, I asked him if he were
certain that the Count had remained on board the ship. He replied,
“We have the best proof of that, your own evidence, when in the
hypnotic trance this morning.”
I asked him again if it were really necessary that they should
pursue the Count, for oh! I dread Jonathan leaving me, and I know
that he would surely go if the others went. He answered in growing
passion, at first quietly. As he went on, however, he grew more
angry and more forceful, till in the end we could not but see
wherein was at least some of that personal dominance which made him
so long a master amongst men.
“Yes, it is necessary, necessary, necessary! For your sake in
the first, and then for the sake of humanity. This monster has done
much harm already, in the narrow scope where he find himself, and
in the short time when as yet he was only as a body groping his so
small measure in darkness and not knowing. All this have I told
these others. You, my dear Madam Mina, will learn it in the
phonograph of my friend John, or in that of your husband. I have
told them how the measure of leaving his own barren land, barren of
peoples,and coming to a new land where life of man teems till they
are like the multitude of standing corn, was the work of centuries.
Were another of the Undead, like him, to try to do what he has
done, perhaps not all the centuries of the world that have been, or
that will be, could aid him. With this one, all the forces of
nature that are occult and deep and strong must have worked
together in some wonderous way. The very place, where he have been
alive, Undead for all these centuries, is full of strangeness of
the geologic and chemical world. There are deep caverns and
fissures that reach none know whither. There have been volcanoes,
some of whose openings still send out waters of strange properties,
and gases that kill or make to vivify. Doubtless, there is
something magnetic or electric in some of these combinations of
occult forces which work for physical life in strange way, and in
himself were from the first some great qualities. In a hard and
warlike time he was celebrate that he have more iron nerve, more
subtle brain, more braver heart, than any man. In him some vital
principle have in strange way found their utmost. And as his body
keep strong and grow and thrive, so his brain grow too. All this
without that diabolic aid which is surely to him. For it have to
yield to the powers that come from, and are, symbolic of good. And
now this is what he is to us. He have infect you, oh forgive me, my
dear, that I must say such, but it is for good of you that I speak.
He infect you in such wise, that even if he do no more, you have
only to live, to live in your own old, sweet way, and so in time,
death, which is of man’s common lot and with God’s sanction, shall
make you like to him. This must not be! We have sworn together that
it must not. Thus are we ministers of God’s own wish. That the
world, and men for whom His Son die, will not be given over to
monsters, whose very existence would defame Him. He have allowed us
to redeem one soul already, and we go out as the old knights of the
Cross to redeem more. Like them we shall travel towards the
sunrise. And like them, if we fall, we fall in good cause.”
He paused and I said, “But will not the Count take his rebuff
wisely? Since he has been driven from England, will he not avoid
it, as a tiger does the village from which he has been hunted?”
“Aha!” he said, “your simile of the tiger good, for me, and I
shall adopt him. Your maneater, as they of India call the tiger who
has once tasted blood of the human, care no more for the other
prey, but prowl unceasing till he get him. This that we hunt from
our village is a tiger, too, a maneater, and he never cease to
prowl. Nay, in himself he is not one to retire and stay afar. In
his life, his living life, he go over the Turkey frontier and
attack his enemy on his own ground. He be beaten back, but did he
stay? No! He come again, and again, and again. Look at his
persistence and endurance. With the child-brain that was to him he
have long since conceive the idea of coming to a great city. What
does he do? He find out the place of all the world most of promise
for him. Then he deliberately set himself down to prepare for the
task. He find in patience just how is his strength, and what are
his powers. He study new tongues. He learn new social life, new
environment of old ways, the politics, the law, the finance, the
science, the habit of a new land and a new people who have come to
be since he was. His glimpse that he have had, whet his appetite
only and enkeen his desire. Nay, it help him to grow as to his
brain. For it all prove to him how right he was at the first in his
surmises. He have done this alone, all alone! From a ruin tomb in a
forgotten land. What more may he not do when the greater world of
thought is open to him. He that can smile at death, as we know him.
Who can flourish in the midst of diseases that kill off whole
peoples. Oh! If such an one was to come from God, and not the
Devil, what a force for good might he not be in this old world of
ours. But we are pledged to set the world free. Our toil must be in
silence, and our efforts all in secret. For in this enlightened
age, when men believe not even what they see, the doubting of wise
men would be his greatest strength. It would be at once his sheath
and his armor, and his weapons to destroy us, his enemies, who are
willing to peril even our own souls for the safety of one we love.
For the good of mankind, and for the honor and glory of God.”
After a general discussion it was determined that for tonight
nothing be definitely settled. That we should all sleep on the
facts, and try to think out the proper conclusions. Tomorrow, at
breakfast, we are to meet again, and after making our conclusions
known to one another, we shall decide on some definite cause of
action …
I feel a wonderful peace and rest tonight. It is as if some
haunting presence were removed from me. Perhaps …
My surmise was not finished, could not be, for I caught sight in
the mirror of the red mark upon my forehead, and I knew that I was
still unclean.
DR. SEWARD’S DIARY
5 October.—We all arose early, and I think that sleep did much
for each and all of us. When we met at early breakfast there was
more general cheerfulness than any of us had ever expected to
experience again.
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
realize 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 distills 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 dishonor a noble woman!
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,”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 prejudge. Her teeth are
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 hypnotize 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 heartbreak me to think of it, but it must be. When
today 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
realized 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 times, but most so when there is to hunt, metaphor
be more dishonor 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. Tonight and tomorrow 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 plan to her, but he took no notice. I looked at him
significantly and coughed. For answer he put his finger to his lips
and turned away.
JONATHAN HARKER’S JOURNAL
October, afternoon.—For some time after our meeting this morning
I could not think. The new phases of things leave my mind in a
state of wonder which allows no room for active thought. Mina’s
determination not to take any part in the discussion set me
thinking. And as I could not argue the matter with her, I could
only guess. I am as far as ever from a solution now. The way the
others received it, too puzzled me. The last time we talked of the
subject we agreed that there was to be no more concealment of
anything amongst us. Mina is sleeping now, calmly and sweetly like
a little child. Her lips are curved and her face beams with
happiness. Thank God, there are such moments still for her.
Later.—How strange it all is. I sat watching Mina’s happy sleep,
and I came as near to being happy myself as I suppose I shall ever
be. As the evening drew on, and the earth took its shadows from the
sun sinking lower, the silence of the room grew more and more
solemn to me.
All at once Mina opened her eyes, and looking at me tenderly
said, “Jonathan, I want you to promise me something on your word of
honor. A promise made to me, but made holily in God’s hearing, and
not to be broken though I should go down on my knees and implore
you with bitter tears. Quick, you must make it to me at once.”
“Mina,” I said, “a promise like that, I cannot make at once. I
may have no right to make it.”
“But, dear one,” she said, with such spiritual intensity that
her eyes were like pole stars, “it is I who wish it. And it is not
for myself. You can ask Dr. Van Helsing if I am not right. If he
disagrees you may do as you will. Nay, more if you all agree, later
you are absolved from the promise.”
“I promise!” I said, and for a moment she looked supremely
happy. Though to me all happiness for her was denied by the red
scar on her forehead.
She said, “Promise me that you will not tell me anything of the
plans formed for the campaign against the Count. Not by word, or
inference, or implication, not at any time whilst this remains to
me!” And she solemnly pointed to the scar. I saw that she was in
earnest, and said solemnly, “I promise!” and as I said it I felt
that from that instant a door had been shut between us.
Later, midnight.—Mina has been bright and cheerful all the
evening. So much so that all the rest seemed to take courage, as if
infected somewhat with her gaiety. As a result even I myself felt
as if the pall of gloom which weighs us down were somewhat lifted.
We all retired early. Mina is now sleeping like a little child. It
is wonderful thing that her faculty of sleep remains to her in the
midst of her terrible trouble. Thank God for it, for then at least
she can forget her care. Perhaps her example may affect me as her
gaiety did tonight. I shall try it. Oh! For a dreamless sleep.
6 October, morning.—Another surprise. Mina woke me early, about
the same time as yesterday, and asked me to bring Dr. Van Helsing.
I thought that it was another occassion for hypnotism, and without
question went for the Professor. He had evidently expected some
such call, for I found him dressed in his room. His door was ajar,
so that he could hear the opening of the door of our room. He came
at once. As he passed into the room, he asked Mina if the others
might come, too.
“No,” she said quite simply, “it will not be necessary. You can
tell them just as well. I must go with you on your journey.”
Dr. Van Helsing was as startled as I was. After a moment’s pause
he asked, “But why?”
“You must take me with you. I am safer with you, and you shall
be safer, too.”
“But why, dear Madam Mina? You know that your safety is our
solemnest duty. We go into danger, to which you are, or may be,
more liable than any of us from … from circumstances …
things that have been.” He paused embarrassed.
As she replied, she raised her finger and pointed to her
forehead. “I know. That is why I must go. I can tell you now,
whilst the sun is coming up. I may not be able again. I know that
when the Count wills me I must go. I know that if he tells me to
come in secret, I must by wile. By any device to hoodwink, even
Jonathan.” God saw the look that she turned on me as she spoke, and
if there be indeed a Recording Angel that look is noted to her
ever-lasting honor. I could only clasp her hand. I could not speak.
My emotion was too great for even the relief of tears.
She went on. “You men are brave and strong. You are strong in
your numbers, for you can defy that which would break down the
human endurance of one who had to guard alone. Besides, I may be of
service, since you can hypnotize me and so learn that which even I
myself do not know.”
Dr. Van Helsing said gravely, “Madam Mina, you are, as always,
most wise. You shall with us come. And together we shall do that
which we go forth to achieve.”
When he had spoken, Mina’s long spell of silence made me look at
her. She had fallen back on her pillow asleep. She did not even
wake when I had pulled up the blind and let in the sunlight which
flooded the room. Van Helsing motioned to me to come with him
quietly. We went to his room, and within a minute Lord Godalming,
Dr. Seward, and Mr. Morris were with us also.
He told them what Mina had said, and went on. “In the morning we
shall leave for Varna. We have now to deal with a new factor, Madam
Mina. Oh, but her soul is true. It is to her an agony to tell us so
much as she has done. But it is most right, and we are warned in
time. There must be no chance lost, and in Varna we must be ready
to act the instant when that ship arrives.”
“What shall we do exactly?” asked Mr. Morris laconically.
The Professor paused before replying, “We shall at the first
board that ship. Then, when we have identified the box, we shall
place a branch of the wild rose on it. This we shall fasten, for
when it is there none can emerge, so that at least says the
superstition. And to superstition must we trust at the first. It
was man’s faith in the early, and it have its root in faith still.
Then, when we get the opportunity that we seek, when none are near
to see, we shall open the box, and … and all will be
well.”
“I shall not wait for any opportunity,” said Morris. “When I see
the box I shall open it and destroy the monster, though there were
a thousand men looking on, and if I am to be wiped out for it the
next moment!” I grasped his hand instinctively and found it as firm
as a piece of steel. I think he understood my look. I hope he
did.
“Good boy,” said Dr. Van Helsing. “Brave boy. Quincey is all
man. God bless him for it. My child, believe me none of us shall
lag behind or pause from any fear. I do but say what we may
do … what we must do. But, indeed, indeed we cannot say what
we may do. There are so many things which may happen, and their
ways and their ends are so various that until the moment we may not
say. We shall all be armed, in all ways. And when the time for the
end has come, our effort shall not be lack. Now let us today put
all our affairs in order. Let all things which touch on others dear
to us, and who on us depend, be complete. For none of us can tell
what, or when, or how, the end may be. As for me, my own affairs
are regulate, and as I have nothing else to do, I shall go make
arrangements for the travel. I shall have all tickets and so forth
for our journey.”
There was nothing further to be said, and we parted. I shall now
settle up all my affairs of earth, and be ready for whatever may
come.
Later.—It is done. My will is made, and all complete. Mina if
she survive is my sole heir. If it should not be so, then the
others who have been so good to us shall have remainder.
It is now drawing towards the sunset. Mina’s uneasiness calls my
attention to it. I am sure that there is something on her mind
which the time of exact sunset will reveal. These occasions are
becoming harrowing times for us all. For each sunrise and sunset
opens up some new danger, some new pain, which however, may in
God’s will be means to a good end. I write all these things in the
diary since my darling must not hear them now. But if it may be
that she can see them again, they shall be ready. She is calling to
me.