Letter, Mina Harker to Lucy Westenra

           (Unopenedbyher) 

           18September 

           "MydearestLucy, 

           "Suchasadblowhasbefallenus.Mr.Hawkinshasdiedverysuddenly. Somemaynotthinkitsosadforus,butwehadbothcometosolovehimthatitreallyseemsasthoughwehadlostafather. Ineverkneweitherfatherormother,sothatthedearoldman’sdeathisarealblowtome. Jonathanisgreatlydistressed. Itisnotonlythathefeelssorrow,deepsorrow,forthedear,goodmanwhohasbefriendedhimallhislife,andnowattheendhastreatedhimlikehisownsonandlefthimafortunewhichtopeopleofourmodestbringingupiswealthbeyondthedreamofavarice,butJonathanfeelsitonanotheraccount. Hesaystheamountofresponsibilitywhichitputsuponhimmakeshimnervous. Hebeginstodoubthimself. Itrytocheerhimup,andmybeliefinhimhelpshimtohaveabeliefinhimself. Butitisherethatthegraveshockthatheexperiencedtellsuponhimthemost. Oh,itistoohardthatasweet,simple,noble,strongnaturesuchashis,anaturewhichenabledhimbyourdear,goodfriend’saidtorisefromclerktomasterinafewyears,shouldbesoinjuredthattheveryessenceofitsstrengthisgone. Forgiveme,dear,ifIworryyouwithmytroublesinthemidstofyourownhappiness,butLucydear,Imusttellsomeone,forthestrainofkeepingupabraveandcheerfulappearancetoJonathantriesme,andIhavenooneherethatIcanconfidein. IdreadcominguptoLondon,aswemustdothatdayaftertomorrow,forpoorMr.Hawkinsleftinhiswillthathewastobeburiedinthegravewithhisfather.