Дракула / Dracula - стр. 4
The strength of the handshake was so much akin to that which I had noticed in the driver, whose face I had not seen. Maybe it is the same person to whom I was speaking. I asked, “Count Dracula?”
“Yes, I am Dracula; and welcome, Mr. Harker, to my house. Come in; the night air is chill, and you need to eat and rest.”
As he was speaking, he took my luggage. I protested, but he insisted.
“No, sir, you are my guest. It is late, and my servants are not available.”
We entered a long passage, and then went up a great winding stair, and along another great passage, on whose stone floor our steps rang heavily. At the end of the passage he opened a heavy door, and I saw a table.
The Count stopped, put down my bags, closed the door, and crossed the room. He opened another door, which led into a small octagonal room. He then opened another door, and invited me to enter. Here was a great bedroom with a big bed and a log fire.[26] The Count left my luggage inside and said before he closed the door.
“You will need, after your journey, to refresh yourself. Here you will find all you wish. When you are ready, please come into the other room, where you will find your supper.”
The light and warmth and the Count’s courteous welcome dissipated all my doubts and fears. So in some minutes I went into the other room.
I found a wonderful supper. My host was standing on one side of the great fireplace. He said, “I pray you, seat down and eat, please. You will, I trust, excuse me that I do not join you; but I have dined already, and I do not have supper usually.”
I handed to him the letter which Mr. Hawkins[27] had given to me. He opened it and read it attentively; then he handed it to me to read. I liked one passage most of all.
“I must regret that my malady forbids absolutely any travelling; but I am happy to say I can send a talented clerk. He is a young man, full of energy and talent. He is discreet and silent. He will be ready to attend, and take your instructions in all matters.[28]”
The Count came forward and took off the cover of a dish, and I saw an excellent roast chicken. This, with some cheese and a salad and a bottle of old wine, of which I had two glasses, was my supper. During the time I was eating it the Count asked me many questions about my journey.
His face was a strong, a very strong aquiline, with high bridge of the thin nose and arched nostrils;[29] with domed forehead. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the nose. The mouth was rather cruel-looking, with peculiarly sharp white teeth. His ears were pale, and at the tops extremely pointed;