that one is my poor wronged darling.  I loved her a thousand times more for her sweet pity of last night, a pity that made my own hate of the monster seem despicable.  Surely God will not permit the world to be the poorer by the loss of such a creature.  This is hope to me.  We are all drifting reefwards now, and faith is our only anchor.  Thank God!  Mina is sleeping, and sleeping without dreams.  I fear what her dreams might be like, with such terrible memories to ground them in.  She has not been so calm, within my seeing, since the sunset.  Then, for a while, there came over her face a repose which was like spring after the blasts of March.  I thought at the time that it was the softness of the red sunset on her face, but somehow now I think it has a deeper meaning.  I am not sleepy myself, though I am weary . . . weary to death.  However, I must try to sleep.  For there is tomorrow to think of, and there is no rest for me until . . .

Later—­I must have fallen asleep, for I was awakened by Mina, who was sitting up in bed, with a startled look on her face.  I could see easily, for we did not leave the room in darkness.  She had placed a warning hand over my mouth, and now she whispered in my ear, “Hush!  There is someone in the corridor!” I got up softly, and crossing the room, gently opened the door.

Just outside, stretched on a mattress, lay Mr. Morris, wide awake.  He raised a warning hand for silence as he whispered to me, “Hush!  Go back to bed.  It is all right.  One of us will be here all night.  We don’t mean to take any chances!”

His look and gesture forbade discussion, so I came back and told Mina.  She sighed and positively a shadow of a smile stole over her poor, pale face as she put her arms round me and said softly, “Oh, thank God for good brave men!” With a sigh she sank back again to sleep.  I write this now as I am not sleepy, though I must try again.

4 October, morning.—­Once again during the night I was wakened by Mina.  This time we had all had a good sleep, for the grey of the coming dawn was making the windows into sharp oblongs, and the gas flame was like a speck rather than a disc of light.

She said to me hurriedly, “Go, call the Professor.  I want to see him at once.”

“Why?” I asked.

“I have an idea.  I suppose it must have come in the night, and matured without my knowing it.  He must hypnotize me before the dawn, and then I shall be able to speak.  Go quick, dearest, the time is getting close.”

I went to the door.  Dr. Seward was resting on the mattress, and seeing me, he sprang to his feet.

“Is anything wrong?” he asked, in alarm.

“No,” I replied.  “But Mina wants to see Dr. Van Helsing at once.”

“I will go,” he said, and hurried into the Professor’s room.

Two or three minutes later Van Helsing was in the room in his dressing gown, and Mr. Morris and Lord Godalming were with Dr. Seward at the door asking questions.  When the Professor saw Mina a smile, a positive smile ousted the anxiety of his face.