Bram Stoker's HANNIBAL

Chapter 61: Is Thy Heart Still Free and Faithful to Me?

Dr. Chilton's Diary

(Kept in Phonograph)

9 October.—I was pretty tired and worn out when I got to Hillingham. For two nights I had hardly had a wink of sleep, and my brain was beginning to feel that numbness which marks cerebral exhaustion. Alana was up and in cheerful spirits, hosting in the drawing room. Will Graham was with her, and he looked almost as wan and pale as he had after the first transfusion. Dr. Van Crawford did not know Will's medical history when he allowed him to give his blood – I suppose that would have been something prudent to mention, in hindsight.

When Alana shook hands with me she looked sharply in my face and said:—

"No sitting up tonight for either of you. You are worn out. I am quite well again, and if there is to be any sitting up, it is I who will sit up with you."

I had to concede her point. So the three of us had supper. Alana ate very well, and, enlivened by her charming presence, I made an excellent meal, and had a couple of glasses of the more than excellent port. Will, on the other hand, only picked at his food; he managed to put some away only after a good deal of chiding from the two of us. He seems terribly preoccupied, worrying about Alana, I supposed, though I don't understand why. He should be as elated as I am to see her restored. Then Alana took us both 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, for I know that nothing would induce any of you doctors to go to bed whilst there is a patient above the horizon. If I want anything I shall call out, and you can come to me at once." I could not but acquiesce, for I was "dog-tired," and could not have sat up had I tried. So, on her renewing her promise to call me if she should want anything, I lay on the sofa, and forgot all about everything.

I only dropped off to sleep when Will was finished arguing with Alana about sitting up with her as well. She managed to get him to go to his childhood bedroom to sleep across the hall, again, with the promise of keeping the doors open. Stubborn man!

Letter, Miss Alana Bloom to Miss Margot Verger

9 October.— Margot, my darling. I wanted to send off a message as soon as possible to let you know how much better I'm faring. I feel so happy tonight. I have been so miserably weak, that to be able to think and move about is like feeling sunshine after a long spell of east wind out of a steel sky. Thank goodness that Will was able to help me, despite the physical toll it took on him. I know he'll rally. I can nurse him myself now that I'm better.

Somehow he feels very, very close to me. I seem to feel his presence warm about me. I suppose it is that sickness and weakness are selfish things and turn our inner eyes and sympathy on ourselves, whilst health and strength give our hearts rein, and in thought and feeling he can wander where he wills. I know where my thoughts are. In gratitude for my good friends and brother, and with you, my darling Margot. My dear, my dear, your ears must tingle as you sleep, as mine do waking. Oh, the blissful rest of last night! How I slept, with that dear, good Dr. Chilton watching me. And tonight I shall not fear to sleep, since he is close at hand and within call. Thank everybody for being so good to me! Thank God! Good-night, Margot.

Your Loving Alana

***

When I rise from my crypt, I can hear Randall in his corner of the chapel working on his suit. I'm sure to make my steps audible so that he isn't taken by surprise when I approach.

He sets down his tool and moves the goggles up onto his head. "Good evening, Master."

"Good evening." I admire the work he's done since I saw the suit last. The headpiece is nearly finished, and I see he's added some of the fossilized teeth I've stolen from the Natural History Museum. These are for aesthetics; the metal jaw mechanism has a steel-spiked maw that can be spring-loaded like a bear trap.