"stoker-dracula-168" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stoker Bram)

were slightly parted, and her breast rose and fell with the regularity
of a pendulum. 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 in her care and
took myself back home, for I was anxious about many things. I sent a
short wire to Van Helsing and to Arthur, telling them of the excellent
result of the operation. My own work, with its manifold arrears,
took me all day to clear off, it was dark when I was able to inquire
about my zoophagous patient. The report was good; he had been quite
quiet for the past day and night. A telegram came from Van Helsing
at Amsterdam whilst I was at dinner, suggesting that I should be at
Hillingham to-night, as it might be well to be at hand, and stating
that he was leaving by the night mail and would join me early in the
morning.

9 September.- I was pretty tired and worn out when I got to
Hillingham. For two nights I had hardly had a wink of sleep, and my
brain was beginning to feel that numbness which marks cerebral
exhaustion. Lucy was up and in cheerful spirits. When she shook
hands with me she looked sharply in my face and said:-

"No sitting up to-night for you. You are worn out. I am quite well
again; indeed, I am; and if there is to be any sitting up, it is I who
will sit up with you." I would not argue the point, but went and had
my supper. Lucy came with me, and, enlivened by her charming presence,
I made an excellent meal, and had a couple of glasses of the more than
excellent port. 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 for I know that nothing would induce any of you
doctors to go to bed whilst there is a patient above the horizon. If I
want anything I shall call out, and you can come to me at once." I
could not but acquiesce, for I was "dob-tired," and could not have sat
up had I tried. So, on her renewing her promise to call me if she
should want anything, I lay on the sofa, and forgot all about
everything.

Lucy Westenra's Diary.

9 September.- I feel so happy to-night. I have been so miserably
weak, that to be able to think and move about is like feeling sunshine
after a long spell of east wind out of a steel sky. Somehow Arthur
feels very, very close to me. I seem to feel his presence warm about
me. I suppose it is that sickness and weakness are selfish things
and turn our inner eyes and sympathy on ourselves, whilst health and
strength give Love rein, and in thought and feeling he can wander
where he wills. I know where my thoughts are. If Arthur only knew!
My dear, my dear, your ears must tingle as you sleep, as mine do
waking. Oh, the blissful rest of last night! How I slept, with that