Chapter Four
Danger in the Night
MINA MURRAY’S JOURNAL
10 August
The funeral of the poor sea captain today was most touching. Everyone here thinks the captain was a hero, even if it did seem that he became mad in the end. But he brought his ship in to port even after he died.1
1 Everyone here thinks the captain was a hero, even if it did seem that he became mad in the end. But he brought his ship in to port even after he died.
Poor Lucy seems very upset. She is restless all the time. I think she is having terrible dreams, but she will not speak of them. When she was young, Lucy would sleepwalk. Now she is starting again.
12 August
Last night, I woke and found Lucy gone from our bedroom! I walked to the church where we liked to sit. I saw a figure dressed in white lying on a tombstone. As I got nearer, I saw a dark figure bent over her.2 I yelled and ran forward, and the figure turned to me. I could see red, hateful eyes and a pale face. Then the figure vanished, and I found Lucy asleep on the tombstone. I fastened a cloak around her shoulders. In doing so, I must have pricked her with the pin, for there were drops of blood on her neck.3
2 As I got nearer, I saw a dark figure bent over her.
3 In doing so, I must have pricked her with the pin, for there were drops of blood on her neck.
What did Lucy do when she was young?
a. She used to walk in her sleep.
b. She used to sleep on the floor of her room.
c. She used to make up stories about monsters.
Key Words
funeral (n): lễ tang
touching (adj): cảm động
port (n): cảng
restless (adj): không ngủ được
sleepwalk (v): mộng du
figure (n): cái bóng
yell (v): kêu lên
hateful (adj): đầy hận thù
fasten (v): buộc chặt
prick (v): chích, châm
14 August
Lucy has gotten worse. She wakes up in the middle of the night and tries to leave the room. She is very pale and weak during the day.
I have finally received a letter from Jonathan. He is ill in a hospital in Budapest. I must go to him, but I am afraid of leaving Lucy alone.4 So I have sent word to her fiance, Arthur. He is coming soon and has promised to take Lucy and her mother to his London estate. As soon as he arrives, I must leave for Budapest. I do hope Lucy recovers while I am gone!
4 When he woke, he asked me for his coat, as he wanted to get something from the pocket.
24 August
After a long trip, I arrived at Jonathan’s hospital in Budapest. He is weak and tired, but alive. He has had some terrible shock. When he woke, he asked me for his coat, as he wanted to get something from the pocket.5 I saw his journal. He saw me looking at it, and after a moment, he held my hand and told me he loved me dearly.
5 I must go to him, but I am afraid of leaving Lucy alone.
Then he said I should read his journal, but he never wanted to discuss it ever again.6 So I learned about Jonathan’s ordeal at Castle Dracula. It is so strange, but I will not discuss it with him. He survived, and we are together.
6 Then he said I should read his journal, but he never wanted to discuss it ever again.
What did Jonathan NOT tell Mina about his journal?
a. He wanted her to read it.
b. He wanted her to tell him what she thought about it.
c. He wanted her to never talk about it.
Key Words
get + (adj): trở nên
in the middle of : ở giữa...
pale (adj): nhợt nhạt
word (n): lời nhắn
recover (v): bình phục
dearly (adv): tha thiết
ordeal (n): ký ức kinh hoàng
survive (v): sống sót
2 September
Jonathan has recovered much of his previous health and vigor. We were married yesterday in a small Budapest church! We are so much in love. Tomorrow we begin the long journey back to England.
And so Mina and Jonathan returned to London to start their new life together.7 However, when they arrived, Mina found a letter from Arthur Holmwood waiting for her. The letter contained tragic news: Lucy had died!
7 And so Mina and Jonathan returned to London to start their new life together.
Arthur Holmwood’s Story
Lucy and her mother came to live with me in London. At first, she seemed merry and did not show any signs of the tiredness or weakness that had plagued her in Whitby.8 But after a week, she suddenly fell ill and would not leave her bed. I sent for my dear friend, the physician Dr. Jack Seward, who came at once. He found two small, strange wounds on her neck and determined that she had lost a lot of blood.9 But how? There was not a drop of blood in her bed!
8 At first, she seemed merry and did not show any signs of the tiredness or weakness that had plagued her in Whitby.
9 He found two small, strange wounds on her neck and determined that she had lost a lot of blood.
At a loss for an explanation, Dr. Seward called on his old professor, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. This learned man was gracious enough to come at once after he heard the details of Lucy’s case.10
10 This learned man was gracious enough to come at once after he heard the details of Lucy’s case.
Key Words
vigor (n): sức sống
tragic (adj): bi thảm, buồn
merry (adj): vui vẻ, tươi tỉnh
tiredness (n): sự mệt mỏi
plague (v): quấy rầy
fall ill : bị ốm
(fall - fell - fallen)
dear (adj): thân thiết
physician (n): bác sĩ
at once: ngay lập tức
wound (n): vết thương
determine (v): xác định
at a loss: lúng túng, bối rối
call on (v): ghé thăm
learned (adj): có học thức, thông thái
gracious (adj): nhân từ, tốt bụng
details (n): chi tiết
When Dr. Van Helsing arrived, we all went to Lucy’s room. She was ghastly pale. The red seemed to have gone even from her lips and gums, and the bones of her face stood out prominently.11 Her breathing was painful to hear. Lucy lay motionless and did not seem to have strength to speak, so for a while we were all silent. Then Van Helsing beckoned, and we went gently out of the room. The instant we had closed the door, he said, “My God! This is dreadful. There is no time to be lost. She will die for sheer want of blood. There must be a transfusion of blood at once. Arthur, you are the youngest and strongest of us three.”
11 The red seemed to have gone even from her lips and gums, and the bones of her face stood out prominently.
He did not have to speak further. I swore that Lucy could have my blood, down to the last drop if need be.12 Dr. Van Helsing performed the transfusion immediately. Apparently, his technique was correct. With my blood coursing in Lucy’s veins, she showed a marked improvement.
The next day, I had to leave for my father’s house outside London. He was gravely ill, and I needed to see him. Reluctantly, I left Lucy in the care of Dr. Seward and Dr. Van Helsing.13 They seem capable of bringing Lucy back to good health.
12 I swore that Lucy could have my blood, down to the last drop if need be.
13 Reluctantly, I left Lucy in the care of Dr. Seward and Dr. Van Helsing.
Why did Arthur leave Lucy?
a. He had to go on a business trip.
b. He had to take care of his sick father.
c. He needed to find a new doctor.
Key Words
ghastly (adj): nhợt nhạt như xác chết
gum (n): nướu răng
prominently (adv): nổi bật, dễ thấy
motionless (adj): bất động
beckon (v): gật đầu ra hiệu
sheer (adj): hoàn toàn
want (n): sự thiếu (máu)
transfusion (n): sự truyền máu
perform (v): thực hiện, tiến hành
apparently (adv): nhìn bên ngoài
correct (adj): chính xác, đúng
vein (n): tĩnh mạch
course (v): chảy
marked (adj): rõ rệt
improvement (n): sự tiến triển
gravely (adv): nặng
reluctantly (adv): bất đắc dĩ
bring back : mang lại
Dr. Seward’s Story
Shortly after Arthur left to attend his ill father, Van Helsing told me he needed to return to his home in Amsterdam to fetch some books related to Lucy’s illness.14
14 Shortly after Arthur left to attend his ill father, Van Helsing told me he needed to return to his home in Amsterdam to fetch some books related to Lucy’s illness.
“I will only be gone a few days,” he told me. “Watch over Lucy, especially at night. Put a chair near her bed and do not let her sleepwalk! This is of extreme importance. If you must sleep, sleep during the day.”
He would not give me any explanation for this strange request, only saying that he needed to consult the books he left in his apartment.
When I told Lucy’s mother that Dr. Van Helsing had directed that I should sit up with Lucy, she almost pooh-poohed the idea, pointing out her daughter’s renewed strength and excellent spirits. I was firm, however, and made preparations for my long vigil.
She did not in any way object, but she looked at me gratefully whenever I caught her eye.15 After a long while she seemed to sink off to sleep, but with an effort she seemed to pull herself together and shook it off. It was apparent that she did not want to sleep, so I tackled the subject at once.
15 She did not in any way object, but she looked at me gratefully whenever I caught her eye.
“You do not want to sleep?”
“No. I am afraid.”
“But, my dear girl, you may sleep tonight. I am here watching you, and I can promise that nothing will happen.”
“How good you are to me. Then I will sleep!” And as soon as she said “sleep,” she sighed in relief and sank back, asleep.
Key Words
attend (v): chăm sóc
fetch (v): tìm về, đem về
related to: liên quan tới
watch over: trông nom, chăm sóc
let A + V: để A làm gì
extreme (adj): vô cùng
consult (v): tra cứu, tìm hiểu
direct (v): chỉ định
sit up: thức khuya
pooh - pooh (v): gạt đi, phản bác
renew (v): làm hồi phục lại
spirit (n): tinh thần
firm (adj): kiên quyết
vigil (n): việc thức để trông nom
object (v): phản đối
gratefully (adv): với vẻ biết ơn
sink (v): chìm vào
(sink - sank - sunk)
with an effort: gắng gượng
apparent (adj): rõ ràng
tackle (v): giải quyết, xử trí
sigh (v): thở dài
in relief: bình tâm lại
All night long I watched over her. She never stirred but slept on and on in a deep, tranquil, life-giving sleep.16 There was a smile on her face, and it was evident that no bad dreams had come to disturb her peace of mind.
16 She never stirred but slept on and on in a deep, tranquil, life-giving sleep.
For two nights, I watched over Lucy. During the day, I tended my regular duties at the mental asylum where I work. This schedule began to take its toll on me. On the third night, I arrived at Arthur’s estate and found that Lucy was up and in cheerful spirits. When she shook hands with me, she looked sharply at my face and said, “No sitting up tonight for you. You are worn out. I am quite well again. Indeed, I am, and if there is to be any sitting up, it is I who will sit up with you.”17
17 Indeed, I am, and if there is to be any sitting up, it is I who will sit up with you.
I would not argue the point but went and had my supper. Then Lucy took me upstairs and showed me a room next to her own, where a cozy fire was burning.
“Now,” she said, “You must stay here. I shall leave this door open and my door, too. You can lie on the sofa. If I want anything, I shall call out, and you can come to me at once.”
I could not but agree, for I was dog-tired and could not have sat up had I tried.18 So, after making her renew her promise to call me if she needed anything, I lay on the sofa and forgot all about everything.
18 I could not but agree, for I was dog-tired and could not have sat up had I tried.
What is true about the story?
a. Lucy told Dr. Seward she would sit up with him.
b. Dr. Seward had a few glasses of wine.
c. Dr. Seward stayed up all night as usual.
Key Words
stir (v): trở mình
(stir - stirred - stirred)
tranquil (adj): bình yên
life - giving (adj): phục hồi sinh khí
evident (adj): rõ ràng
disturb (v): quấy rầy
tend (v): tham gia, đảm trách
duty (n): nhiệm vụ
mental asylum: viện tâm thần
(asylum: sự an toàn)
take one’s toll: gây hại cho ai
cozy (adj): ấm áp, dễ chịu
call out: gọi to
can not but + V : không thể không...
dog - tired (adj): mệt nhoài, mệt rã rời
renew (v): nhắc lại
I was conscious of the professor’s hand on my head, and started awake in a second.
“And how is our patient?” he said.
“Let us see,” I replied.
When we entered Lucy’s room, we saw a terrible sight. There on the bed lay poor Lucy, more horribly white than ever. Even her lips were white, and her gums seemed to have shrunk back from her teeth, as we sometimes see in a corpse after a prolonged illness.19
19 Even her lips were white, and her gums seemed to have shrunk back from her teeth, as we sometimes see in a corpse after a prolonged illness.
Van Helsing immediately felt for her heartbeat.
“It is not too late,” he said. “It beats, but feebly. All our work is undone. We must begin again. There is no young Arthur here now. I have to call on you yourself this time, friend John.”
He performed another blood transfusion, using my blood this time. Lucy slept well into the day, and when she woke, she was fairly well and strong, though not nearly so much so as the day before.20
20 Lucy slept well into the day, and when she woke, she was fairly well and strong, though not nearly so much so as the day before.
That evening, Dr. Van Helsing gave Lucy a necklace of what looked like flowers. At first she was delighted, but then she said, “Oh, Professor, I believe you are playing a joke on me. Why, these flowers are only common garlic.”
“Not so, my dear!” replied Dr. Van Helsing sternly. “I never jest! There is a grim purpose in what I do. Now sit still a while. Come with me, friend John, and you shall help me deck the room with garlic.”
How was Lucy when Van Helsing returned?
a. She was in good health.
b. She seemed very tired.
c. She was nearly dead.
Key Words
be conscious of: nhận ra
in a second: ngay tức thì, lập tức
shrink (v): co vào, rút vào (shrink - shrank - shrunk)
prolonged (adj): kéo dài
heartbeat (n): nhịp tim
feebly (adv): yếu ớt
undone (adj): chưa hoàn thành, chưa xong
fairly (adv): khá
delight (v): thích thú
play a joke on someone : giễu cợt với ai
garlic (n): củ tỏi
sternly (adv): nghiêm nghị
jest (v): giễu cợt
grim (adj): không lay chuyển được, kiên định
purpose (n): ý định
still (adv): ở yên, không làm gì cả
deck (v): trang trí, bày ra
The professor’s actions were certainly odd and not to be found in any book that I had ever heard of.21 First, he fastened the windows and latched them securely. Next, taking a handful of the flowers, he rubbed them all over the sashes. Then he rubbed garlic all over the doorknob, above, below, and at each side, and around the fireplace in the same way.
21 The professor’s actions were certainly odd and not to be found in any book that I had ever heard of.
When Lucy was ready in bed, he fixed a wreath of garlic around her neck. The last words he said to her were, “Take care you do not disturb it, and even if the air feels stuffy, do not open the window or the door.”
“I promise,” said Lucy. “And thank you both a thousand times! Oh, what have I done to be blessed with such friends?”22
22 Oh, what have I done to be blessed with such friends?
As we left the house, Van Helsing said, “Tonight I can sleep in peace after two nights of travel and much reading in the day between. Tomorrow in the morning call for me, and we will see our pretty miss.”
The next morning, we arrived early and met Lucy’s mother. She told us that she had entered Lucy’s room and found the air thick with the smell of garlic.23 Worried, she opened the window and took the necklace of garlic away from Lucy’s neck. As she spoke, Van Helsing’s face turned ashen gray. He did not speak a word to the mother, but as soon as she left, he sat down heavily in a chair.
23 She told us that she had entered Lucy’s room and found the air thick with the smell of garlic.
Check all the things Van Helsing did to Lucy’s room.
a. He put a guard outside the door.
b. He put a necklace of garlic around Lucy’s neck.
c. He rubbed garlic flowers all around each entrance to the room.
Key Words
latch (v): cài chốt cửa
securely (adv): chắc chắn, an toàn
handful (n): một ít, vài (cành hoa)
rub (v): cọ, chà xát
(rub - rubbed - rubbed)
sash (n): khung cửa sổ
doorknob (n): tay nắm cửa
wreath (n): vòng hoa
disturb (v): làm hư, phá bỏ
stuffy (adj): ngột ngạt, thiếu không khí
miss (n): cô gái nhỏ, cô bé
ashen (adj): tái mét
gray (n): màu xám
“God! God! God!” he said. “What has this poor mother done? In her ignorance, in her desire to give her daughter fresh air, she has lost her daughter’s body and soul!”
But just as suddenly, his fit of despair left, and he jumped to his feet.
“Quick. We must act!” he said. “It is I now who must donate the blood for Lucy’s transfusion.”
Again, we performed the transfusion, and again we saw health flow back into Lucy’s pale and waxen cheeks.
After the transfusion, we left Lucy sleeping peacefully in her bed. I had to return to the asylum to catch up on my work, in which I was falling behind.24 That afternoon, I did not receive a summons from Van Helsing, so with a weary body, I headed home for a good night’s rest.
24 I had to return to the asylum to catch up on my work, in which I was falling behind.
In the morning, I had a shock. A telegram arrived, dated the previous day from Van Helsing.
It read:
I must travel on errand. Do not fail to watch over Lucy tonight. Very important.
My God! I was supposed to be with her last night! In a panic, I left for Arthur’s estate at once. On arriving, I ran into Van Helsing, who was just arriving himself.25
25 On arriving, I ran into Van Helsing, who was just arriving himself.
“What?” he said. “Did you not spend the night here? Didn’t you get my telegram?”
We tried ringing the front bell, but there was no answer. Frightened, we ran to the rear of the house and looked in the kitchen windows. The four servants were lying on the floor as if dead. Van Helsing broke the window, and we rushed in. From their labored breathing and the smell of an open bottle of wine, we quickly realized they had been drugged.26
26 From their labored breathing and the smell of an open bottle of wine, we quickly realized they had been drugged.
Key Words
ignorance (n): sự không biết, sự vô tội
desire (n): sự mong muốn
fit (n): cơn, nỗi
despair (n): sự tuyệt vọng
donate (v): hiến (máu)
waxen (adj): vàng vọt
catch up o(n): theo kịp, đuổi kịp
summons (n): sự gọi đến
weary (adj): mệt lử, kiệt sức
head (v): đi về phía
telegram (n): bức điện tín
date (v): đề ngày
previous (adj): trước đó
on errand : lo việc lặt vặt
be supposed to : có nhiệm vụ phải
rear (n): đằng sau
labored (adj): nặng nhọc, hồng hộc
drug (v): cho uống thuốc phiện
We ran to Lucy’s room and threw open the doors. How shall I describe what we saw? On the bed lay Lucy and her mother. The mother’s white face had a look of terror upon it. She must have died from a heart attack. By her side lay Lucy, her skin as white as chalk and her throat bare, showing the two little wounds looking horribly white and mangled.27 Without a word, the professor bent over Lucy, listening for life. Then, leaping to his feet, he cried out to me, “It is not yet too late! Quick! Wake the servants!”
27 By her side lay Lucy, her skin as white as chalk and her throat bare, showing the two little wounds looking horribly white and mangled.
Van Helsing had them prepare a hot bath for Lucy and told me to send for Arthur.28
28 Van Helsing had them prepare a hot bath for Lucy and told me to send for Arthur.
That afternoon, Arthur returned in a grim mood. His father had just passed away, and now his fiancee was on the edge of death. He went to her room and knelt by her bed. She was barely awake, and when she saw Arthur, she said, “My dear, bend closer so that I may kiss you.”
Arthur started to lean over, but Van Helsing grabbed him and pulled him back.29 Lucy suddenly hissed in anger. Her teeth were white and long. Suddenly, her face softened, and she took Arthur’s hand in hers.
29 Arthur started to lean over, but Van Helsing grabbed him and pulled him back.
“My dear, I love you.” Then she died.
“Poor girl,” I said. “It is the end.”
“No, it is only the beginning,” whispered Van Helsing.
Why did Lucy want to kiss Arthur?
a. She wanted to say goodbye.
b. She loved him very much.
c. She wanted to bite his neck.
Key Words
describe (v): mô tả, diễn tả
die from (v): chết vì...
heart attack (n): cơn đau tim
bare (adj): để trần, lộ ra
wound (n): vết thương
mangle (v): rách ra, loét ra
have A + V : yêu cầu A làm gì
pass away (v): qua đời
kneel (v): quỳ xuống
(kneel - knelt - knelt)
barely (adv): vừa mới
pull (v): kéo
hiss (v): nói rít lên
soften (adj): dịu lại
Comprehension Quiz
A. Fill in the blanks with the words below.
heartbeat
ignorance
bare
spirits
Lucy was in cheerful __________ on the third night Dr. Seward came to watch her.
Van Helsing felt for Lucy’s __________ and found it was very feeble.
In her __________, Lucy’s mother almost killed her daughter.
Lucy’s throat was __________, and they could see two holes in her neck.
B. Connect the beginning and the end of the sentences.
1. Mina finds Lucy
a. at an insane asylum.
2. Arthur provides shelter for Lucy
b. in his house.
3. Van Helsing breaks the window
c. in the kitchen.
4. Dr. Seward works
d. on a tombstone ouside the church.
C. Based on the story, mark “T” if true or “F” if false.
The captain did not have his log book. T...F
Mina left Lucy in Whitby to go see Jonathan in Budapest. T...F
Arthur would not leave Lucy’s side while she was sick. T..F
Lucy used to sleepwalk when she was young. T..F
D. Choose the correct answers to the questions.
1. What did the townspeople think of the captain of the Demeter?
(a) They thought he was a madman who killed his crew.
(b) They thought he was a hero for bringing his ship in.
(c) They thought he was a vampire.
2. How did Mina find out what happened to Jonathan in Transylvania?
(a) She read his journal.
(b) He told her everything from his hospital bed.
(c) Dr. Van Helsing told Mina what happened.