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

useless. With such allies as these at his command, I could do nothing.
But still the door continued slowly to open, and only the Count's body
stood in the gap. Suddenly it struck me that this might be the
moment and means of my doom; I was to be given to the wolves, and at
my own instigation. There was a diabolical wickedness in the idea
great enough for the Count, and as a last chance I cried out:-

"Shut the door; I shall wait till morning!" and covered my face with
my hands to hide my tears of bitter disappointment. With one sweep
of his powerful arm, the Count threw the door shut, and the great
bolts clanged and echoed through the hall as they shot back into their
places.

In silence we returned to the library, and after a minute or two I
went to my own room. The last I saw of Count Dracula was his kissing
his hand to me; with a red light of triumph in his eyes, and with a
smile that Judas in hell might be proud of.

When I was in my room and about to lie down, I thought I heard a
whispering at my door. I went to it softly and listened. Unless my
ears deceived me, I heard the voice of the Count:-

"Back, back, to your own place! Your time is not yet come. Wait!
Have patience! To-night is mine. To-morrow night is yours!" 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? To-morrow! to-morrow! Lord, help me, and those to whom I
am dear!

30 June, morning.- 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 cock-crow, and I felt that I
was safe. With a glad heart, I opened my door and ran down to 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
drew 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 that key at any risk, and I