Emma by Jane Austen(1)

Emma
2 of 745
Volume I
Emma
3 of 745
Chapter I
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a
comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite
some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived
nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to
distress or vex her.
She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most
affectionate, indulgent father; and had, in consequence of
her sister’s marriage, been mistress of his house from a very
early period. Her mother had died too long ago for her to
have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses;
and her place had been supplied by an excellent woman as
governess, who had fallen little short of a mother in
affection.
Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr.
Woodhouse’s family, less as a governess than a friend, very
fond of both daughters, but particularly of Emma.
Between them it was more the intimacy of sisters. Even
before Miss Taylor had ceased to hold the nominal office
of governess, the mildness of her temper had hardly
allowed her to impose any restraint; and the shadow of
authority being now long passed away, they had been
living together as friend and friend very mutually attached,
eBook brought to you by
Create, view, and edit PDF. Download the free trial version.
Emma
4 of 745

Dracula by Bram Stoker(17)

5 November, afternoon.—I am at least sane. Thank
God for that mercy at all events, though the proving it has
been dreadful. When I left Madam Mina sleeping within
the Holy circle, I took my way to the castle. The
blacksmith hammer which I took in the carriage from
Veresti was useful, though the doors were all open I broke
them off the rusty hinges, lest some ill intent or ill chance
should close them, so that being entered I might not get
out. Jonathan’s bitter experience served me here. By
memory of his diary I found my way to the old chapel, for
I knew that here my work lay. The air was oppressive. It
seemed as if there was some sulphurous fume, which at
times made me dizzy. Either there was a roaring in my
ears or I heard afar off the howl of wolves. Then I
Dracula
668 of 684
bethought me of my dear Madam Mina, and I was in
terrible plight. The dilemma had me between his horns.
Her, I had not dare to take into this place, but left safe
from the Vampire in that Holy circle. And yet even there
would be the wolf! I resolve me that my work lay here,
and that as to the wolves we must submit, if it were God’s
will. At any rate it was only death and freedom beyond.
So did I choose for her. Had it but been for myself the
choice had been easy, the maw of the wolf were better to
rest in than the grave of the Vampire! So I make my
choice to go on with my work.
I knew that there were at least three graves to find,
graves that are inhabit. So I search, and search, and I find
one of them. She lay in her Vampire sleep, so full of life
and voluptuous beauty that I shudder as though I have
come to do murder. Ah, I doubt not that in the old time,
when such things were, many a man who set forth to do
such a task as mine, found at the last his heart fail him, and
then his nerve. So he delay, and delay, and delay, till the
mere beauty and the fascination of the wanton Undead

Dracula by Bram Stoker(16)

We could only make her happy, and so acqueisced. She
bustled off to get tea. When she had gone Van Helsing
said, ‘You see, my friends. He is close to land. He has left
his earth chest. But he has yet to get on shore. In the night
he may lie hidden somewhere, but if he be not carried on
shore, or if the ship do not touch it, he cannot achieve the
land. In such case he can, if it be in the night, change his
form and jump or fly on shore, then, unless he be carried
he cannot escape. And if he be carried, then the customs
men may discover what the box contain. Thus, in fine, if
Dracula
625 of 684
he escape not on shore tonight, or before dawn, there will
be the whole day lost to him. We may then arrive in time.
For if he escape not at night we shall come on him in
daytime, boxed up and at our mercy. For he dare not be
his true self, awake and visible, lest he be discovered.’
There was no more to be said, so we waited in patience
until the dawn, at which time we might learn more from
Mrs. Harker.
Early this morning we listened, with breathless anxiety,
for her response in her trance. The hypnotic stage was
even longer in coming than before, and when it came the
time remaining until full sunrise was so short that we
began to despair. Van Helsing seemed to throw his whole
soul into the effort. At last, in obedience to his will she
made reply.
‘All is dark. I hear lapping water, level with me, and
some creaking as of wood on wood.’ She paused, and the
red sun shot up. We must wait till tonight.
And so it is that we are travelling towards Galatz in an
agony of expectation. We are due to arrive between two
and three in the morning. But already, at Bucharest, we
are three hours late, so we cannot possibly get in till well
after sunup. Thus we shall have two more hypnotic
Dracula
626 of 684
messages from Mrs. Harker! Either or both may possibly
throw more light on what is happening.

Dracula by Bram Stoker(15)

patience just how is his strength, and what are his powers.
He study new tongues. He learn new social life, new
environment of old ways, the politics, the law, the finance,
the science, the habit of a new land and a new people who
have come to be since he was. His glimpse that he have
had, whet his appetite only and enkeen his desire. Nay, it
help him to grow as to his brain. For it all prove to him
how right he was at the first in his surmises. He have done
this alone, all alone! From a ruin tomb in a forgotten land.
What more may he not do when the greater world of
thought is open to him. He that can smile at death, as we
know him. Who can flourish in the midst of diseases that
kill off whole peoples. Oh! If such an one was to come
from God, and not the Devil, what a force for good might
he not be in this old world of ours. But we are pledged to
set the world free. Our toil must be in silence, and our
efforts all in secret. For in this enlightened age, when men
believe not even what they see, the doubting of wise men
would be his greatest strength. It would be at once his
sheath and his armor, and his weapons to destroy us, his
enemies, who are willing to peril even our own souls for
the safety of one we love. For the good of mankind, and
for the honour and glory of God.’
Dracula
582 of 684
After a general discussion it was determined that for
tonight nothing be definitely settled. That we should all
sleep on the facts, and try to think out the proper
conclusions. Tomorrow, at breakfast, we are to meet
again, and after making our conclusions known to one
another, we shall decide on some definite cause of action
…
I feel a wonderful peace and rest tonight. It is as if some
haunting presence were removed from me. Perhaps …
My surmise was not finished, could not be, for I caught
sight in the mirror of the red mark upon my forehead, and
I knew that I was still unclean.
DR. SEWARD’S DIARY