Atlas Nightshade

Day 74

"Do you forget," he said, with actually a smile, "that last night he

banqueted heavily, and will sleep late?"

Did I forget! shall I ever--can I ever! Can any of us ever forget that

terrible scene! Mina struggled hard to keep her brave countenance; but

the pain overmastered her and she put her hands before her face, and

shuddered whilst she moaned. Van Helsing had not intended to recall her

frightful experience. He had simply lost sight of her and her part in

the affair in his intellectual effort. When it struck him what he said,

he was horrified at his thoughtlessness and tried to comfort her. "Oh,

Madam Mina," he said, "dear, dear Madam Mina, alas! that I of all who so

reverence you should have said anything so forgetful. These stupid old

lips of mine and this stupid old head do not deserve so; but you will

forget it, will you not?" He bent low beside her as he spoke; she took

his hand, and looking at him through her tears, said hoarsely:--

"No, I shall not forget, for it is well that I remember; and with it I

have so much in memory of you that is sweet, that I take it all

together. Now, you must all be going soon. Breakfast is ready, and we

must all eat that we may be strong."

Breakfast was a strange meal to us all. We tried to be cheerful and

encourage each other, and Mina was the brightest and most cheerful of

us. When it was over, Van Helsing stood up and said:--