Dr.
Seward's Diary19 September All last night she slept fitfully, being
always afraid to sleep, and something weaker when she woke from it. The Professor
and I took in turns to watch, and we never left her for a moment unattended. Quincey
Morris said nothing about his intention, but I knew that all night long he patrolled
round and round the house. When the day came, its searching light showed
the ravages in poor Lucy's strength. She was hardly able to turn her head, and
the little nourishment which she could take seemed to do her no good. At times
she slept, and both Van Helsing and I noticed the difference in her, between sleeping
and waking. Whilst asleep she looked stronger, although more haggard, and her
breathing was softer. Her open mouth showed the pale gums drawn back from the
teeth, which looked positively longer and sharper than usual. When she woke the
softness of her eyes evidently changed the expression, for she looked her own
self, although a dying one. In the afternoon she asked for Arthur, and we telegraphed
for him. Quincey went off to meet him at the station. When he arrived it
was nearly six o'clock, and the sun was setting full and warm, and the red light
streamed in through the window and gave more colour to the pale cheeks. When he
saw her, Arthur was simply choking with emotion, and none of us could speak. In
the hours that had passed, the fits of sleep, or the comatose condition that passed
for it, had grown more frequent, so that the pauses when conversation was possible
were shortened. Arthur's presence, however, seemed to act as a stimulant. She
rallied a little, and spoke to him more brightly than she had done since we arrived.
He too pulled himself together, and spoke as cheerily as he could, so that the
best was made of everything. It is now nearly one o'clock, and he and Van
Helsing are sitting with her. I am to relieve them in a quarter of an hour, and
I am entering this on Lucy's phonograph. Until six o'clock they are to try to
rest. I fear that tomorrow will end our watching, for the shock has been too great.
The poor child cannot rally. God help us all. |
