"Freda Warrington - Dracula the Undead" - читать интересную книгу автора (Warrington Freda)

for you, so get plenty of it -only take care not to overtire yourself, or catch a chill.
Be good for Mrs Seward and Nurse. Papa and your uncles Arthur, John and
Abraham send love and kisses - as do I. I shall write again tomorrow - until then,

Your loving,
Mama


MINA BARKER'S JOURNAL

18 July
How strange it feels to retrace the steps that Jonathan first took more than seven years
ago, and in which I followed -in such dire circumstances, but with such loyal friends! - a
few months after. By train to Munich, onwards to Vienna and Buda-Pesth. As well as
Jonathan and myself, all our party is here; Abraham Van Helsing, Dr Seward, Lord
Godalming. All, that is, except brave Quincey Morris, who gave his life to save us. He is
with us in spirit, I know.
We have time to look round this time, and Buda-Pesth is delightful, an eclectic mix of
Gothic, baroque and classical architecture, with water burgeoning everwhere in the form
of fountains, springs and hot baths. We are staying two nights with a friend of Van
Helsing, Professor Andre Kovacs of Pesth University. In a way I wish we could forge on
with our journey, tiring as it would be, rather than interrupt it for social calls. Not that I
feel unsocial, but I dearly wish this journey to be over as soon as possible. The past, and
the drought of going back over the ground where the events took place, cast a shadow
over my heart. However often I tell myself that it is all over and there is nothing to fear, I
cannot shake it off!
I am sitting in an airy room with a most lovely view across the Danube. Professor
Kovacs, a bachelor, is a delightful man, tall and energetic, with a fine intellect. His
features are rather strong and heavy but his ready smile and brown eyes reveal a kind
soul. He has the most wonderful head of thick silver-grey hair! He lives in this house
with his widowed brother Emil, and niece, Elena. The brother I like less, though I know
one should not go by first impressions. He is courteous enough, but seems always to be
frowning and displeased by everything. He is an artist. Perhaps we should excuse his
disagreeable demeanour as artistic temperament! At any rate, his daughter, Elena, seems
unspoiled by it. She is eighteen and a most charming girl, quiet, demure and self-
effacing. A little lacking in spirit, if anything.
They have another guest, a cheerful, blond young man named Miklos. He is one of the
Professor's students and paying court, I gather, to Elena. Professor Kovacs treats him like
a son.
We have not explained the reason for which we are making this journey to
Transylvania. I believe Van Helsing has told them we are simply enjoying a tour. I do
hate to tell untruths, and that would have been another reason to travel with speed and
privacy. Still, I must not let the others think I am ungrateful for this warm Hungarian
hospitality!
They are calling us now for dinner. I will continue this as soon as I may.
We have had a change of plan. It will inconvenience us hardly at all, except that we
will be unable to talk freely amongst ourselves about certain matters as we travel - but
perhaps that is just as well. It will make the journey seem less burdensome.
Last night at dinner, Emil was speaking of his intention to go to Transylvania with his
daughter to paint a series of landscapes. Professor Kovacs was making a joke of this. 'The