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

recruited of what he has so given to his love. He must not stay
here. Hold! a moment. I may take it, sir, that you are anxious of
result. Then bring it with you that in all ways the operation is
successful. You have saved her life this time, and you can go home and
rest easy in mind that all that can be is. I shall tell her all when
she is well; she shall love you none the less for what you have
done. Good-bye."

When Arthur had gone I went back to the room. Lucy was sleeping
gently, but her breathing was stronger; I could see the counterpane
move as her breast heaved. By the bedside sat Van Helsing, looking
at her intently. The velvet band again covered the red mark. I asked
the Professor in a whisper:-

"What do you make of that mark on her throat?"

"What do you make of it?"

"I have not examined it yet," I answered, and then and there
proceeded to loose the band. Just over the external jugular vein there
were two punctures, not large, but not wholesome-looking. There was no
sign of disease, but the edges were white and worn-looking, as if by
some trituration. It at once occurred to me that this wound, or
whatever it was, might be the means of that manifest loss of blood;
but I abandoned the idea as soon as formed, for such a thing could not
be. The whole bed would have been drenched to a scarlet with the blood
which the girl must have lost to leave such a pallor as she had before
the transfusion.

"Well?" said Van Helsing.

"Well," said I, "I can make nothing of it." The Professor stood
up. "I must go back to Amsterdam to-night," he said. "There are
books and things there which I want. You must remain here all the
night, and you must not let your sight pass from her."

"Shall I have a nurse?" I asked.

"We are the best nurses, you and I. You keep watch all night; see
that she is well fed, and that nothing disturbs her. You must not
sleep all the night. Later on we can sleep, you and I. I shall be back
as soon as possible. And then we may begin."

"May begin?" I said. "What on earth do you mean?"

"We shall see!" he answered as he hurried out. He came back a moment
later and put his head inside the door and said with warning finger
held up:-

"Remember, she is your charge. If you leave her, and harm befall,