?Well, it?ll stand, if it only keeps jam up agin de wall!? said Mose ?Den Uncle Peter mus?n?t sit in it, cause he al?ays hitches when he gets a singingHe hitched pretty nigh across de room, t? other night,? said Pete ?Good Lor! get him in it, then,? said Mose, ?and den he?d begin, ?Come saints?and sinners, hear me tell,? and den down he?d go,??and Mose imitated precisely the nasal tones of the old man, tumbling on the floor, to illustrate the supposed catastrophe ?Come now, be decent, can?t ye?? said Aunt Chloe; ?an?t yer shamed?? Mas?r George, however, joined the offender in the laugh, and declared decidedly that Mose was a ?buster So the maternal admonition seemed rather to fail of effect ?Well, ole man,? said Aunt Chloe, ?you?ll have to tote in them ar bar?ls ?Mother?s bar?ls is like dat ar widder?s, Mas?r George was reading ?bout, in de good book,?dey never fails,? said Mose, aside to Peter ?I?m sure one on ?em caved in last week,? said Pete, ?and let ?em all down in de middle of de singin?; dat ar was failin?, warnt it?? During this aside between Mose and Pete, two empty casks had been rolled into the cabin, and being secured from rolling, by stones on each side, boards were laid across them, which arrangement, together with the turning down of certain tubs and pails, and the disposing of the rickety chairs, at last completed the preparation ?Mas?r George is such a beautiful reader, now, I know he?ll stay to read for us,? said Aunt Chloe; ??pears like ?t will be so much more interestin? George very readily consented, for your boy is always ready for anything that makes him of importance The room was soon filled with a motley assemblage, from the old gray-headed patriarch of eighty, to the young girl and lad of fifteenA little harmless gossip ensued on various themes, such as where old Aunt Sally got her new red headkerchief, and how ?Missis was a going to give Lizzy that spotted muslin gown, when she?d got her new berage made up;? and how Mas?r Shelby was thinking of buying a new sorrel colt, that was going to prove an addition to the glories of the placeA few of the worshippers belonged to families hard by, who had got permission to attend, and who brought in various choice scraps of information, about the sayings and doings at the house and on the place, which circulated as freely as the same sort of small change does in higher circles After a while the singing commenced, to the evident delight of all presentNot even all the disadvantage of nasal intonation could prevent the effect of the naturally fine voices, in airs at once wild and spiritedThe words were sometimes the well-known and common hymns sung in the churches about, and sometimes of a wilder, more indefinite character, picked up at camp-meetings The chorus of one of them, which ran as follows, was sung with great energy and unction: ?Die on the field of battle, Die on the field of battle, Glory in my soul Another special favorite had oft repeated the words? ?O, I?m going to glory,?won?t you come along with me? Don?t you see the angels beck?ning, and a calling me away? Don?t you see the golden city and the everlasting day?? There were others, which made incessant mention of ?Jordan?s banks,? and ?Canaan?s fields,? and the ?New Jerusalem;? for the negro mind, impassioned and imaginative, always attaches itself to hymns and expressions of a vivid and pictorial nature; and, as they sung, some laughed, and some cried, and some clapped hands, or shook hands rejoicingly with each other, as if they had fairly gained the other side of the river Various exhortations, or relations of experience, followed, and intermingled with the singingOne old gray-headed woman, long past work, but much revered as a sort of chronicle of the past, rose, and leaning on her staff, said??Well, chil?en! Well, I?m mighty glad to hear ye all and see ye all once more, ?cause I don?t know when I?ll be gone to glory; but I?ve done got ready, chil?en; ?pears like I?d got my little bundle all tied up, and my bonnet on, jest a waitin? for the stage to come along and take me home; sometimes, in the night, I think I hear the wheels a rattlin?, and I?m lookin? out all the time; now, you jest be ready too, for I tell ye all, chil?en,? she said striking her staff hard on the floor, ?dat ar glory is a mighty thing! It?s a mighty thing, chil?en,?you don?no nothing about it,?it?s wonderful And the old creature sat down, with streaming tears, as wholly overcome, while the whole circle struck up? ?O Canaan, bright Canaan I?m bound for the land of Canaan Mas?r George, by request, read the last chapters of Revelation, often interrupted by such exclamations as ?The sakes now!? ?Only hear that!? ?Jest think on ?t!? ?Is all that a comin? sure enough?? George, who was a bright boy, and well trained in religious things by his mother, finding himself an object of general admiration, threw in expositions of his own, from time to time, with a commendable seriousness and gravity, for which he was admired by the young and blessed by the old; and it was agreed, on all hands, that ?a minister couldn?t lay it off better than he did; that ??t was reely ?mazin?!? Uncle Tom was a sort of patriarch in religious matters, in the neighborhoodHaving, naturally, an organization in which the morale was strongly predominant, together with a greater breadth and cultivation of mind than obtained among his companions, he was looked up to with great respect, as a sort of minister among them; and the simple, hearty, sincere style of his exhortations might have edified even better educated personsBut it was in prayer that he especially excelledNothing could exceed the touching simplicity, the childlike earnestness, of his prayer, enriched with the language of Scripture, which seemed so entirely to have wrought itself into his being, as to have become a part of himself, and to drop from his lips unconsciously; in the language of a pious old negro, he ?prayed right up And so much did his prayer always work on the devotional feelings of his audiences, that there seemed often a danger that it would be lost altogether in the abundance of the responses which broke out everywhere around him While this scene was passing in the cabin of the man, one quite otherwise passed in the halls of the masterShelby were seated together in the dining room afore-named, at a table covered with papers and writing utensilsShelby was busy in counting some bundles of bills, which, as they were counted, he pushed over to the trader, who counted them likewise ?All fair,? said the trader; ?and now for signing these yerShelby hastily drew the bills of sale towards him, and signed them, like a man that hurries over some disagreeable business, and then pushed them over with the moneyHaley produced, from a well-worn valise, a parchment, which, after looking over it a moment, he handed to MrShelby, who took it with a gesture of suppressed eagerness ?Wal, now, the thing?s done!? said the trader, getting up ?It?s done!? said MrShelby, in a musing tone; and, fetching a long breath, he repeated, ?It?s done!? ?Yer don?t seem to feel much pleased with it, ?pears to me,? said the traderShelby, ?I hope you?ll remember that you promised, on your honor, you wouldn?t sell Tom, without knowing what sort of hands he?s going into ?Why, you?ve just done it sir,? said the trader ?Circumstances, you well know, obliged me,? said Shelby, shop haughtily

Whilst I was placing them in order I heard a rattling of china and silver in the next room, and as I passed through, noticed that the table had been cleared and the lamp lit, for it was by this time deep into the darkThe lamps were also lit in the study or library, and I found the Count lying on the sofa, reading, of all things in the world, an English Bradshaw's GuideWhen I came in he cleared the books and papers from the table, and with him I went into plans and deeds and figures of all sortsHe was interested in everything, and asked me a myriad questions about the place and its surroundingsHe clearly had studied beforehand all he could get on the subject of the neighbourhood, for he evidently at the end knew very much more than I didWhen I remarked this, he answered "Well, but, my friend, is it not needful that I should? When I go there I shall be all alone, and my friend Harker Jonathan, nay, pardon meI fall into my country's habit of putting your patronymic first, my friend Jonathan Harker will not be by my side to correct and aid meHe will be in Exeter, miles away, probably working at papers of the law with my other friend, Peter HawkinsSo!" We went thoroughly into the business of the purchase of the estate at PurfleetWhen I had told him the facts and got his signature to the necessary papers, and had written a letter with them ready to post to MrHawkins, he began to ask me how I had come across so suitable a placeI read to him the notes which I had made at the time, and which I inscribe here "At Purfleet, on a byroad, I came across just such a place as seemed to be required, and where was displayed a dilapidated notice that the place was for saleIt was surrounded by a high wall, of ancient structure, built of heavy stones, and has not been repaired for a large number of yearsThe closed gates are of heavy old oak and iron, all eaten with rust "The estate is called Carfax, no doubt a corruption of the old Quatre Face, as the house is four sided, agreeing with the cardinal points of the compassIt contains in all some twenty acres, quite surrounded by the solid stone wall above mentionedThere are many trees on it, which make it in places gloomy, and there is a deep, dark-looking pond or small lake, evidently fed by some springs, as the water is clear and flows away in a fair-sized streamThe house is very large and of all periods back, I should say, to mediaeval times, for one part is of stone immensely thick, with only a few windows high up and heavily barred with ironIt looks like part of a keep, and is close to an old chapel or churchI could not enter it, as I had not the key of the door leading to it from the house, but I have taken with my Kodak views of it from various pointsThe house had been added to, but in a very straggling way, and I can only guess at the amount of ground it covers, which must be very greatThere are but few houses close at hand, one being a very large house only recently added to and formed into a private lunatic asylumIt is not, however, visible from the grounds When I had finished, he said, "I am glad that it is old and bigI myself am of an old family, and to live in a new house would kill meA house cannot be made habitable in a day, and after all, how few days go to make up a centuryI rejoice also that there is a chapel of old timesWe Transylvanian nobles love not to think that our bones may lie amongst the common deadI seek not gaiety nor mirth, not the bright voluptuousness of much sunshine and sparkling waters which please the young and gayI am no longer young, and my heart, through weary years of mourning over the dead, is not attuned to mirthMoreover, the walls of my castle are brokenThe shadows are many, and the wind breathes cold through the broken battlements and casementsI love the shade and the shadow, and would be alone with my thoughts when I may Somehow his words and his look did not seem to accord, or else it was that his cast of face made his smile look malignant and saturnine Presently, with an excuse, he left me, asking me to pull my papers togetherHe was some little time away, and I began to look at some of the books around meOne was an atlas, which I found opened naturally to England, as if that map had been much usedOn looking at it I found in certain places little rings marked, and on examining these I noticed that one was near London on the east side, manifestly where his new estate was shop situated

We have had every deference shown to us, and not once any objection to whatever we chose to ask or doSome of the Slovaks tell us that a big boat passed them, going at more than usual speed as she had a double crew on boardThis was before they came to Fundu, so they could not tell us whether the boat turned into the Bistritza or continued on up the SerethAt Fundu we could not hear of any such boat, so she must have passed there in the nightI am feeling very sleepyThe cold is perhaps beginning to tell upon me, and nature must have rest some timeGodalming insists that he shall keep the first watchGod bless him for all his goodness to poor dear Mina and me 2 November, morning-It is broad daylightThat good fellow would not wake meHe says it would have been a sin to, for I slept peacefully and was forgetting my troubleIt seems brutally selfish to me to have slept so long, and let him watch all night, but he was quite rightI am a new man this morningAnd, as I sit here and watch him sleeping, I can do all that is necessary both as to minding the engine, steering, and keeping watchI can feel that my strength and energy are coming back to meI wonder where Mina is now, and Van HelsingThey should have got to Veresti about noon on WednesdayIt would take them some time to get the carriage and horsesSo if they had started and travelled hard, they would be about now at the Borgo PassGod guide and help them! I am afraid to think what may happenIf we could only go fasterThe engines are throbbing and doing their utmostMorris are getting onThere seem to be endless streams running down the mountains into this river, but as none of them are very large, at present, at all events, though they are doubtless terrible in winter and when the snow melts, the horsemen may not have met much obstructionI hope that before we get to Strasba we may see themFor if by that time we have not overtaken the Count, it may be necessary to take counsel together what to do nextSEWARD'S DIARY 2 November-Three days on the roadNo news, and no time to write it if there had been, for every moment is preciousWe have had only the rest needful for the horsesBut we are both bearing it wonderfullyThose adventurous days of ours are turning up usefulWe shall never feel happy till we get the launch in sight again-We heard at Fundu that the launch had gone up the BistritzaI wish it wasn't so coldThere are signs of snow comingAnd if it falls heavy it will stop usIn such case we must get a sledge and go on, Russian fashion-Today we heard of the launch having been detained by an accident when trying to force a way up the shop rapids

TELEGRAM, ARTHUR HOLMWOOD TO SEWARD 1 September "Am summoned to see my father, who is worseWrite me fully by tonight's post to Ring LETTER FROM DRSEWARD TO ARTHUR HOLMWOOD 2 September "My dear old fellow, "With regard to Miss Westenra's health I hasten to let you know at once that in my opinion there is not any functional disturbance or any malady that I know ofAt the same time, I am not by any means satisfied with her appearanceShe is woefully different from what she was when I saw her lastOf course you must bear in mind that I did not have full opportunity of examination such as I should wishOur very friendship makes a little difficulty which not even medical science or custom can bridge overI had better tell you exactly what happened, leaving you to draw, in a measure, your own conclusionsI shall then say what I have done and propose doing "I found Miss Westenra in seemingly gay spiritsHer mother was present, and in a few seconds I made up my mind that she was trying all she knew to mislead her mother and prevent her from being anxiousI have no doubt she guesses, if she does not know, what need of caution there is "We lunched alone, and as we all exerted ourselves to be cheerful, we got, as some kind of reward for our labours, some real cheerfulness amongst usWestenra went to lie down, and Lucy was left with meWe went into her boudoir, and till we got there her gaiety remained, for the servants were coming and going "As soon as the door was closed, however, the mask fell from her face, and she sank down into a chair with a great sigh, and hid her eyes with her handWhen I saw that her high spirits had failed, I at once took advantage of her reaction to make a diagnosis "She said to me very sweetly, 'I cannot tell you how I loathe talking about myself' I reminded her that a doctor's confidence was sacred, but that you were grievously anxious about herShe caught on to my meaning at once, and settled that matter in a word'Tell Arthur everything you chooseI do not care for myself, but for him!' So I am quite free "I could easily see that she was somewhat bloodless, but I could not see the usual anemic signs, and by the chance, I was able to test the actual quality of her blood, for in opening a window which was stiff a cord gave way, and she cut her hand slightly with broken glassIt was a slight matter in itself, but it gave me an evident chance, and I secured a few drops of the blood and have analysed them "The qualitative analysis give a quite normal condition, and shows, I should infer, in itself a vigorous state of healthIn other physical matters I was quite satisfied that there is no need for anxiety, but as there must be a cause somewhere, I have come to the conclusion that it must be something mental "She complains of difficulty breathing satisfactorily at times, and of heavy, lethargic sleep, with dreams that frighten her, but regarding which she can remember nothingShe says that as a child, she used to walk in her sleep, and that when in Whitby the habit came back, and that once she walked out in the night and went to East Cliff, where Miss Murray found herBut she assures me that of late the habit has not returned "I am in doubt, and so have done the best thing I know ofI have written to my old friend and master, Professor Van Helsing, of Amsterdam, who knows as much about obscure diseases as any one in the worldI have asked him to come over, and as you told me that all things were to be at your charge, I have mentioned to him who you are and your relations to Miss WestenraThis, my dear fellow, is in obedience to your wishes, for I am only too proud and happy to do anything I can for her "Van Helsing would, I know, do anything for me for a personal reason, so no matter on what ground he comes, we must accept his wishesHe is a seemingly arbitrary man, this is because he knows what he is talking about better than any one elseHe is a philosopher and a metaphysician, and one of the most advanced scientists of his day, and he has, I believe, an absolutely open mindThis, with an iron nerve, a temper of the ice-brook, and indomitable resolution, self-command, and toleration exalted from virtues to blessings, and the kindliest and truest heart that beats, these form his equipment for the noble work that he is doing for mankind, work both in theory and practice, for his views are as wide as his all-embracing sympathyI tell you these facts that you may know why I have such confidence in himI have asked him to come at shop once

?O, child, don?t talk to me so! You are all I have on earth ?Poor old Prue?s child was all that she had,?and yet she had to hear it crying, and she couldn?t help it! Papa, these poor creatures love their children as much as you do meO! do something for them! There?s poor Mammy loves her children; I?ve seen her cry when she talked about themAnd Tom loves his children; and it?s dreadful, papa, that such things are happening, all the time!? ?There, there, darling,? said StClare, soothingly; ?only don?t distress yourself, don?t talk of dying, and I will do anything you wish ?And promise me, dear father, that Tom shall have his freedom as soon as??she stopped, and said, in a hesitating tone??I am gone!? ?Yes, dear, I will do anything in the world,?anything you could ask me to ?Dear papa,? said the child, laying her burning cheek against his, ?how I wish we could go together!? ?Where, dearest?? said St ?To our Saviour?s home; it?s so sweet and peaceful there?it is all so loving there!? The child spoke unconsciously, as of a place where she had often been?Don?t you want to go, papa?? she saidClare drew her closer to him, but was silent ?You will come to me,? said the child, speaking in a voice of calm certainty which she often used unconsciously ?I shall come after youI shall not forget you The shadows of the solemn evening closed round them deeper and deeper, as StClare sat silently holding the little frail form to his bosomHe saw no more the deep eyes, but the voice came over him as a spirit voice, and, as in a sort of judgment vision, his whole past life rose in a moment before his eyes: his mother?s prayers and hymns; his own early yearnings and aspirings for good; and, between them and this hour, years of worldliness and scepticism, and what man calls respectable livingWe can think much, very much, in a momentClare saw and felt many things, but spoke nothing; and, as it grew darker, he took his child to her bed-room; and, when she was prepared for rest; he sent away the attendants, and rocked her in his arms, and sung to her till she was asleep Chapter 25 The Little Evangelist It was Sunday afternoonClare was stretched on a bamboo lounge in the verandah, solacing himself with a cigarMarie lay reclined on a sofa, opposite the window opening on the verandah, closely secluded, under an awning of transparent gauze, from the outrages of the mosquitos, and languidly holding in her hand an elegantly bound prayer-bookShe was holding it because it was Sunday, and she imagined she had been reading it,?though, in fact, she had been only taking a succession of short naps, with it open in her hand Miss Ophelia, who, after some rummaging, had hunted up a small Methodist meeting within riding distance, had gone out, with Tom as driver, to attend it; and Eva had accompanied them ?I say, Augustine,? said Marie after dozing a while, ?I must send to the city after my old Doctor Posey; I?m sure I?ve got the complaint of the heart ?Well; why need you send for him? This doctor that attends Eva seems skilful ?I would not trust him in a critical case,? said Marie; ?and I think I may say mine is becoming so! I?ve been thinking of it, these two or three nights past; I have such distressing pains, and such strange feelings ?O, Marie, you are blue; I don?t believe it?s heart complaint ?I dare say you don?t,? said Marie; ?I was prepared to expect thatYou can be alarmed enough, if Eva coughs, or has the least thing the matter with her; but you never think of me ?If it?s particularly agreeable to you to have heart disease, why, I?ll try and maintain you have it,? said StClare; ?I didn?t know it was ?Well, I only hope you won?t be sorry for this, when it?s too late!? said Marie; ?but, believe it or not, my distress about Eva, and the exertions I have made with that dear child, have developed what I have long suspected What the exertions were which Marie referred to, it would have been difficult to stateClare quietly made this commentary to himself, and went on smoking, like a hard-hearted wretch of a man as he was, till a carriage drove up before the verandah, and Eva and Miss Ophelia alighted Miss Ophelia marched straight to her own chamber, to put away her bonnet and shawl, as was always her manner, before she spoke a word on any subject; while Eva came, at St: Clare?s call, and was sitting on his knee, giving him an account of the services they had heard They soon heard loud exclamations from Miss Ophelia?s room, which, like the one in which they were sitting, opened on to the verandah and violent reproof addressed to somebody ?What new witchcraft has Tops been brewing?? asked St?That commotion is of her raising, I?ll be bound!? And, in a moment after, Miss Ophelia, in high indignation, came dragging the culprit along ?Come out here, now!? she said?I will tell your master!? ?What?s the case now?? asked shop Augustine