Дракула / Dracula - стр. 14

“I do not care about it. I can send for it some other time.”

The Count stood up, and said, “Come with me, my dear young friend. Come!”

He, with the lamp, went down the stairs and along the hall. Suddenly he stopped.

“Hark!”

I heard the howling of many wolves. Their red jaws, with ugly teeth, came in through the opening door. I knew then that to struggle at the moment against the Count was useless. With such allies as these, I could do nothing. But still the door continued slowly to open. As a last chance I cried out, “Shut the door! I shall wait till morning”. And covered my face with my hands to hide my tears of bitter disappointment.

The Count shut the door. In silence we returned to the library, and after a minute or two I went to my own room. Count Dracula was smiling.

When I was in my room, I heard voices at my door. I went to it softly and listened. I heard the voice of the Count, “Back, back, to your own place! Your time is not yet come. Wait! Have patience! Tonight is mine. Tomorrow night is yours!”

In a rage I opened the door, and saw three terrible women licking their lips. They all joined in a horrible laugh, and ran away.

I came back to my room. It is then so near the end? Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Lord, help me, and those to whom I am dear!

30 June, morning. – These may be the last words I ever write in this diary. I slept till just before the dawn. I came down and drew back the massive bolts. But the door would not move. Despair seized me. I pulled, and pulled, at the door, and shook it. No luck. It was locked.

Where is the key? I decided to crawl the wall again and get to the Count’s room. It was empty, but that was as I expected. I could not see a key anywhere, but the heap of gold. I went through the door in the corner and down the winding stair and along the dark passage to the old chapel. I knew now well enough where to find the monster.

The great box was in the same place. There lay the Count, but he looked much younger than before. The white hair and moustache were changed to dark grey; the cheeks were fuller, and the white skin seemed red; the mouth was redder than ever, for on the lips were gouts of fresh blood. I stopped and looked at the Count. There was a mocking smile on the face. I must rid the world of such a monster. I seized a shovel, and lifted it high. But as I did so the head turned. The sight paralyzed me, and the shovel turned in my hand and glanced from the face. The shovel fell from my hand across the box, and as I pulled it away the edge of the lid moved and hid the horrid Count from my sight.