Mina Harker’s Journal

           22September. —InthetraintoExeter. Jonathansleeping. Itseemsonlyyesterdaythatthelastentrywasmade,andyethowmuchbetweenthen,inWhitbyandalltheworldbeforeme,Jonathanawayandnonewsofhim, andnow,marriedtoJonathan,Jonathanasolicitor,apartner,rich,masterofhisbusiness,Mr.Hawkinsdeadandburied,andJonathanwithanotherattackthatmayharmhim. Somedayhemayaskmeaboutit. Downitallgoes. Iamrustyinmyshorthand,seewhatunexpectedprosperitydoesforus,soitmaybeaswelltofreshenitupagainwithanexerciseanyhow. 

           Theservicewasverysimpleandverysolemn. Therewereonlyourselvesandtheservantsthere,oneortwooldfriendsofhisfromExeter,hisLondonagent,andagentlemanrepresentingSirJohnPaxton,thePresidentoftheIncorporatedLawSociety. JonathanandIstoodhandinhand,andwefeltthatourbestanddearestfriendwasgonefromus. 

           Wecamebacktotownquietly,takingabustoHydeParkCorner. JonathanthoughtitwouldinterestmetogointotheRowforawhile,sowesatdown. Buttherewereveryfewpeoplethere,anditwassad-lookinganddesolatetoseesomanyemptychairs. Itmadeusthinkoftheemptychairathome. SowegotupandwalkeddownPiccadilly. Jonathanwasholdingmebythearm,thewayheusedtointheolddaysbeforeIwenttoschool. Ifeltitveryimproper,foryoucan’tgoonforsomeyearsteachingetiquetteanddecorumtoothergirlswithoutthepedantryofitbitingintoyourselfabit. ButitwasJonathan,andhewasmyhusband,andwedidn’tknowanybodywhosawus,andwedidn’tcareiftheydid,soonwewalked. Iwaslookingataverybeautifulgirl,inabigcart-wheelhat,sittinginavictoriaoutsideGuiliano’s, whenIfeltJonathanclutchmyarmsotightthathehurtme,andhesaidunderhisbreath, "MyGod!"