Dr. Seward’s Diary

           28October. —WhenthetelegramcameannouncingthearrivalinGalatzIdonotthinkitwassuchashocktoanyofusasmighthavebeenexpected. True,wedidnotknowwhence,orhow,orwhen,theboltwouldcome. ButIthinkweallexpectedthatsomethingstrangewouldhappen. ThedayofarrivalatVarnamadeusindividuallysatisfiedthatthingswouldnotbejustaswehadexpected. Weonlywaitedtolearnwherethechangewouldoccur. Nonetheless,however,itwasasurprise. Isupposethatnatureworksonsuchahopefulbasisthatwebelieveagainstourselvesthatthingswillbeastheyoughttobe,notasweshouldknowthattheywillbe. Transcendentalismisabeacontotheangels,evenifitbeawill-o’-the-wisptoman. VanHelsingraisedhishandoverhisheadforamoment,asthoughinremonstrancewiththeAlmighty. Buthesaidnotaword,andinafewsecondsstoodupwithhisfacesternlyset. 

           LordGodalminggrewverypale,andsatbreathingheavily. Iwasmyselfhalfstunnedandlookedinwonderatoneafteranother. QuinceyMorristightenedhisbeltwiththatquickmovementwhichIknewsowell. Inouroldwanderingdaysitmeant"action." Mrs.Harkergrewghastlywhite,sothatthescaronherforeheadseemedtoburn,butshefoldedherhandsmeeklyandlookedupinprayer. Harkersmiled,actuallysmiled,thedark,bittersmileofonewhoiswithouthope,butatthesametimehisactionbeliedhiswords,forhishandsinstinctivelysoughtthehiltofthegreatKukriknifeandrestedthere.