to come on him. Oh that we had known it before! he said, for then we
might have reached him in time to save poor Lucy. However, the milk
that is spilt cries not out afterwards, as you say. We shall not think
of that, but go on our way to the end. Then he fell into a silence that
lasted till we entered my own gateway. Before we went to prepare for
dinner he said to Mrs. Harker:--
I am told, Madam Mina, by my friend John that you and your husband have
put up in exact order all things that have been, up to this moment.
Not up to this moment, Professor, she said impulsively, but up to
this morning.
But why not up to now? We have seen hitherto how good light all the
little things have made. We have told our secrets, and yet no one who
has told is the worse for it.
Mrs. Harker began to blush, and taking a paper from her pockets, she
said:--
Dr. Van Helsing, will you read this, and tell me if it must go in. It
is my record of to-day. I too have seen the need of putting down at
present everything, however trivial; but there is little in this except
what is personal. Must it go in? The Professor read it over gravely,
and handed it back, saying:--
It need not go in if you do not wish it; but I pray that it may. It can
but make your husband love you the more, and all us, your friends, more
honour you--as well as more esteem and love. She took it back with
another blush and a bright smile.
And so now, up to this very hour, all the records we have are complete
and in order. The Professor took away one copy to study after dinner,
and before our meeting, which is fixed for nine o clock. The rest of us
have already read everything; so when we meet in the study we shall all
be informed as to facts, and can arrange our plan of battle with this
terrible and mysterious enemy.
_Mina Harker s Journal._
241