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

for the fury passed so quickly that I could hardly believe that it was
ever there.

"Take care," he said, "take care how you cut yourself. It is more
dangerous than you think in this country." Then seizing the shaving
glass, he went on: "And this is the wretched thing that has done the
mischief. It is a foul bauble of man's vanity. Away with it!" and
opening the heavy window with one wrench of his terrible hand, he
flung out the glass, which was shattered into a thousand pieces on the
stones of the courtyard far below. Then he withdrew without a word. It
is very annoying, for I do not see how I am to shave, unless in my
watch-case or the bottom of the shaving-pot, which is fortunately of
metal.

When I went into the dining-room, breakfast was prepared; but I
could not find the Count anywhere. So I breakfasted alone. It is
strange that as yet I have not seen the Count eat or drink. He must be
a very peculiar man! After breakfast I did a little exploring in the
castle. I went out on the stairs and found a room looking towards
the South. The view was magnificent, and from where I stood there
was every opportunity of seeing it. The castle is on the very edge
of a terrible precipice. A stone falling from the window would fall
a thousand feet without touching anything! As far as the eye can reach
is a sea of green tree tops, with occasionally a deep rift where there
is a chasm. Here and there are silver threads where the rivers wind in
deep gorges through the forests.

But I am not in heart to describe beauty, for when I had seen the
view I explored further, doors, doors, doors everywhere, and all
locked and bolted. In no place save from the windows in the castle
walls is there an available exit.

The castle is a veritable prison, and I am a prisoner!

CHAPTER III.

JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL.

When I found that I was a prisoner a sort of wild feeling came
over me. I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and
peering out of every window I could find; but after a little the
conviction of my helplessness overpowered all other feelings. When I
look back after a few hours I think I must have been mad for the time,
for I behaved much as a rat does in a trap. When, however, the
conviction had come to me that I was helpless I sat down quietly- as
quietly as I have ever done anything in my life- and began to think
over what was best to be done. I am thinking still, and as yet have
come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain; that
it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that
I am imprisoned; and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless