Dr. Seward’s Diary—continued

           8September. —IsatupallnightwithLucy. Theopiateworkeditselfofftowardsdusk,andshewakednaturally. Shelookedadifferentbeingfromwhatshehadbeenbeforetheoperation. Herspiritsevenweregood,andshewasfullofahappyvivacity,butIcouldseeevidencesoftheabsoluteprostrationwhichshehadundergone. WhenItoldMrs.WestenrathatDr.VanHelsinghaddirectedthatIshouldsitupwithher,shealmostpooh-poohedtheidea,pointingoutherdaughter’srenewedstrengthandexcellentspirits. Iwasfirm,however,andmadepreparationsformylongvigil. WhenhermaidhadpreparedherforthenightIcamein,havinginthemeantimehadsupper,andtookaseatbythebedside. 

           Shedidnotinanywaymakeobjection,butlookedatmegratefullywheneverIcaughthereye. Afteralongspellsheseemedsinkingofftosleep,butwithaneffortseemedtopullherselftogetherandshookitoff. Itwasapparentthatshedidnotwanttosleep,soItackledthesubjectatonce. 

           "Youdonotwanttosleep?" 

           "No.Iamafraid." 

           "Afraidtogotosleep!Whyso? Itistheboonweallcravefor." 

           "Ah,notifyouwerelikeme,ifsleepwastoyouapresageofhorror!" 

           "Apresageofhorror!Whatonearthdoyoumean?" 

           "Idon’tknow.Oh,Idon’tknow. Andthatiswhatissoterrible. Allthisweaknesscomestomeinsleep,untilIdreadtheverythought." 

           "But,mydeargirl,youmaysleeptonight. Iamherewatchingyou,andIcanpromisethatnothingwillhappen."