The effort has, however, done him goodHe was...
The effort has, however, done him goodHe was never so resolute, never so strong, never so full of volcanic energy, as at presentIt is just as that dear, good Professor Van Helsing said, he is true grit, and he improves under strain that would kill a weaker natureHe came back full of life and hope and determinationWe have got everything in order for tonightI feel myself quite wild with excitementI suppose one ought to pity anything so hunted as the CountThis thing is not human, not even a beastSeward's account of poor Lucy's death, and what followed, is enough to dry up the springs of pity in one's heart-Lord Godalming and MrMorris arrived earlier than we expectedSeward was out on business, and had taken Jonathan with him, so I had to see themIt was to me a painful meeting, for it brought back all poor dear Lucy's hopes of only a few months agoOf course they had heard Lucy speak of me, and it seemed that DrVan Helsing, too, had been quite 'blowing my trumpet', as MrPoor fellows, neither of them is aware that I know all about the proposals they made to LucyThey did not quite know what to say or do, as they were ignorant of the amount of my knowledgeSo they had to keep on neutral subjectsHowever, I thought the matter over, and came to the conclusion that the best thing I could do would be to post them on affairs right up to dateSeward's diary that they had been at Lucy's death, her real death, and that I need not fear to betray any secret before the timeSo I told them, as well as I could, that I had read all the papers and diaries, and that my husband and I, having typewritten them, had just finished putting them in orderI gave them each a copy to read in the libraryWhen Lord Godalming got his and turned it over, it does make a pretty good pile, he said, "Did you write all this, MrsHarker?"

I nodded, and he went on

"I don't quite see the drift of it, but you people are all so good and kind, and have been working so earnestly and so energetically, that all I can do is to accept your ideas blindfold and try to help youI have had one lesson already in accepting facts that should make a man humble to the last hour of his lifeBesides, I know you loved my Lucy…"

Here he turned away and covered his face with his handsI could hear the tears in his voiceMorris, with instinctive delicacy, just laid a hand for a moment on his shoulder, and then walked quietly out of the roomI suppose there is something in a woman's nature that makes a man free to break down before her and express his feelings on the tender or emotional side without feeling it derogatory to his manhoodFor when Lord Godalming found himself alone with me he sat down on the sofa and gave way utterly and openlyI sat down beside him and took his handI hope he didn't think it forward of me, and that if he ever thinks of it afterwards he never will have such a thoughtHe is too true a gentlemanI said to him, for I could see that his heart was breaking, "I loved dear Lucy, and I know what she was to you, and what you were to herShe and I were like sisters, and now she is gone, will you not let me be like a sister to you in your trouble? I know what sorrows you have had, though I cannot measure the depth of themIf sympathy and pity can help in your affliction, won't you let me be of some little service, for Lucy's sake?"

In an instant the poor dear fellow was overwhelmed with griefIt seemed to me that all that he had of late been suffering in silence found a vent at onceHe grew quite hysterical, and raising his open hands, beat his palms together in a perfect agony of griefHe stood up and then sat down again, and the tears rained down his shop cheeks