Letter, Mina Harker to Lucy Westenra

           (Unopenedbyher) 

           17September 

           MydearestLucy, 

           "ItseemsanagesinceIheardfromyou,orindeedsinceIwrote. Youwillpardonme,Iknow,forallmyfaultswhenyouhavereadallmybudgetofnews. Well,Igotmyhusbandbackallright. WhenwearrivedatExetertherewasacarriagewaitingforus,andinit,thoughhehadanattackofgout,Mr.Hawkins. Hetookustohishouse,wheretherewereroomsforusallniceandcomfortable,andwedinedtogether. AfterdinnerMr.Hawkinssaid, 

           "‘Mydears,Iwanttodrinkyourhealthandprosperity,andmayeveryblessingattendyouboth. Iknowyoubothfromchildren,andhave,withloveandpride,seenyougrowup. NowIwantyoutomakeyourhomeherewithme. Ihavelefttomeneitherchicknorchild. Allaregone,andinmywillIhaveleftyoueverything.’ Icried,Lucydear,asJonathanandtheoldmanclaspedhands. Oureveningwasavery,veryhappyone. 

           "Sohereweare,installedinthisbeautifuloldhouse,andfrombothmybedroomandthedrawingroomIcanseethegreatelmsofthecathedralclose,withtheirgreatblackstemsstandingoutagainsttheoldyellowstoneofthecathedral,andIcanheartherooksoverheadcawingandcawingandchatteringandchatteringandgossipingallday,afterthemannerofrooks—andhumans. Iambusy,Ineednottellyou,arrangingthingsandhousekeeping. JonathanandMr.Hawkinsarebusyallday,fornowthatJonathanisapartner,Mr.Hawkinswantstotellhimallabouttheclients. 

           "Howisyourdearmothergettingon? IwishIcouldrunuptotownforadayortwotoseeyou,dear,butI,darenotgoyet,withsomuchonmyshoulders,andJonathanwantslookingafterstill.