She seems not too well herself, and doubtless she fears to worry me.
I tried to keep awake, and succeeded for a while, but when the clock struck twelve it waked me from a doze, so I must have been falling asleep.
There was a sort of scratching or flapping at the window, but I did not mind it, and as I remember no more, I suppose I must have fallen asleep.
More bad dreams. I wish I could remember them. This morning I am horribly weak. My face is ghastly pale, and my throat pains me.
It must be something wrong with my lungs, for I don't seem to be getting air enough. I shall try to cheer up when Arthur comes, or else I know he will be miserable to see me so.
LETTER, ARTHUR TO DR. SEWARD
"Albemarle Hotel, 31 August "My dear Jack, "I want you to do me a favour. Lucy is ill, that is she has no special disease, but she looks awful, and is getting worse every day. I have asked her if there is any cause, I not dare to ask her mother, for to disturb the poor lady's mind about her daughter in her present state of health would be fatal.
Mrs. Westenra has confided to me that her doom is spoken, disease of the heart, though poor Lucy does not know it yet.
I am sure that there is something preying on my dear girl's mind.
I am almost distracted when I think of her. To look at her gives me a pang. I told her I should ask you to see her, and though she demurred at first, I know why, old fellow, she finally consented.
It will be a painful task for you, I know, old friend, but it is for her sake, and I must not hesitate to ask, or you to act.
You are to come to lunch at Hillingham tomorrow, two o'clock, so as not to arouse any suspicion in Mrs. Westenra, and after lunch Lucy will take an opportunity of being alone with you.
I am filled with anxiety, and want to consult with you alone as soon as I can after you have seen her. Do not fail!
"Arthur."
TELEGRAM, ARTHUR HOLMWOOD TO SEWARD
1 September "Am summoned to see my father, who is worse. Am writing.
Write me fully by tonight's post to Ring. Wire me if necessary."
LETTER FROM DR. SEWARD 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 functal disturbance or any malady that I know of. At the same time, I am not by any means satisfied with her appearance.
She is woefully different from what she was when I saw her last.
Of course you must bear in mind that I did not have full opportunity of examination such as I should wish. Our very friendship makes a little difficulty which not even medical science or custom can bridge over. I had better tell you exactly what happened, leaving you to draw, in a measure, your own conclusions.
I shall then say what I have done and propose doing.
"I found Miss Westenra in seemingly gay spirits. Her 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 anxious.
I 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 us.
Then Mrs. Westenra went to lie down, and Lucy was left with me.
We 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 hand.
When 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 her.
She caught on to my meaning at once, and settled that matter in a word.
`Tell Arthur everything you choose. I 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 glass.
It 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 health.
In 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 nothing. She 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 her.
But she assures me that of late the habit has not returned.
"I am in doubt, and so have done the best thing I know of.
I 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 world. I 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 Westenra.
This, 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 wishes.
