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

thankful to you, sir, for coming." When first the Professor's eye
had lit upon him he had been angry at my interruption at such a
time; but now, as he took in his stalwart proportions and recognised
the strong young manhood which seemed to emanate from him, his eyes
gleamed. Without a pause he said to him gravely as he held out his
hand:-

"Sir, you have come in time. You are the lover of our lear miss. She
is bad, very, very bad. Nay, my child, do not go like that." For he
suddenly grew pale and sat down in a chair almost fainting. "You are
to help her. You can do more than any that live, and your courage is
your best help."

"What can I do?" asked Arthur hoarsely. "Tell me, and I shall do it.
My life is hers, and I would give the last drop of blood in my body
for her." The Professor has a strongly humourous side, and I could
from old knowledge detect a trace of its origin in his answer:-

"My young sir, I do not ask so much as that- not the last!"

"What shall I do?" There was fire in his eyes, and his open
nostril quivered with intent. Van Helsing slapped him on the shoulder.
"Come!" he said. "You are a man, and it is a man we want. You are
better than me, better than my friend John." Arthur looked bewildered,
and the Professor went on by explaining in a kindly way:-

"Young miss is bad, very bad. She wants blood, and blood she must
have or die. My friend John and I have consulted; and we are about
to perform what we call transfusion of blood- to transfer from full
veins of one to the empty veins which pine for him. John was to give
his blood, as he is the more young and strong than me"- here Arthur
took my hand and wrung it hard in silence- "but, now you are here, you
are more good than us, old or young, who toil much in the world of
thought. Our nerves are not so calm and our blood not so bright than
yours!" Arthur turned to him and said:-

"If you only knew how gladly I would die for her you would
understand-"

He stopped, with a sort of choke in his voice.

"Good boy!" said Van Helsing. "In the not-so-far-off you will be
happy that you have done all for her you love. Come now and be silent.
You shall kiss her once before it is done, but then you must go; and
you must leave at my sign. Say no word to Madame; you know how it is
with her! There must be no shock; any knowledge of this would be
one. Come!"

We all went up to Lucy's room. Arthur by direction remained outside.
Lucy turned her head and looked at us, but said nothing. She was not