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, you
shall not sleep easy hereafter!
_Dr. Seward s Diary--continued._
_8 September._--I sat up all night with Lucy. The opiate worked itself
off towards dusk, and she waked naturally; she looked a different being
from what she had been before the operation. Her spirits even were good,
and she was full of a happy vivacity, but I could see evidences of the
absolute prostration which she had undergone. When I told Mrs. Westenra
that Dr. Van Helsing had directed that I should sit up with her she
almost pooh-poohed the idea, pointing out her daughter s renewed
strength and excellent spirits. I was firm, however, and made
preparations for my long vigil. When her maid had prepared her for the
night I came in, having in the meantime had supper, and took a seat by
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