and lying like Ophelia in the play, with virgin crants and maiden
strewments. I never liked garlic before, but to-night it is delightful!
There is peace in its smell; I feel sleep coming already. Good-night,
everybody.
_Dr. Seward s Diary._
_13 September._--Called at the Berkeley and found Van Helsing, as usual,
up to time. The carriage ordered from the hotel was waiting. The
Professor took his bag, which he always brings with him now.
Let all be put down exactly. Van Helsing and I arrived at Hillingham at
eight o clock. It was a lovely morning; the bright sunshine and all the
fresh feeling of early autumn seemed like the completion of nature s
annual work. The leaves were turning to all kinds of beautiful colours,
but had not yet begun to drop from the trees. When we entered we met
Mrs. Westenra coming out of the morning room. She is always an early
riser. She greeted us warmly and said:--
You will be glad to know that Lucy is better. The dear child is still
asleep. I looked into her room and saw her, but did not go in, lest I
should disturb her. The Professor smiled, and looked quite jubilant. He
rubbed his hands together, and said:--
Aha! I thought I had diagnosed the case. My treatment is working, to
which she answered:--
You must not take all the credit to yourself, doctor. Lucy s state this
morning is due in part to me.
How you do mean, ma am? asked the Professor.
Well, I was anxious about the dear child in the night, and went into
her room. She was sleeping soundly--so soundly that even my coming did
not wake her. But the room was awfully stuffy. There were a lot of those
horrible, strong-smelling flowers about everywhere, and she had actually
a bunch of them round her neck. I feared that the heavy odour would be
too much for the dear child in her weak state, so I took them all away
and opened a bit of the window to let in a little fresh air. You will be
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