The strength of the handshake was so much akin to that which I had noticed
in the driver, whose face I had not seen, that for a moment I doubted if it
were not the same person to whom I was speaking. So to make sure, I said
interrogatively, "Count Dracula?"
He bowed in a courtly was as he replied, "I am Dracula, and I bid you
welcome, Mr. Harker, to my house. Come in, the night air is chill, and you must
need to eat and rest."As he was speaking, he put the lamp on a bracket on
the wall, and stepping out, took my luggage. He had carried it in before I
could forestall him. I protested, but he insisted.
"Nay, sir, you are my guest. It is late, and my people are not
available. Let me see to your comfort myself."He insisted on carrying my
traps along the passage, and then up a great winding stair, and along another
great passage, on whose stone floor our steps rang heavily. At the end of this
he threw open a heavy door, and I rejoiced to see within a well-lit room in
which a table was spread for supper, and on whose mighty hearth a great fire of
logs, freshly replenished, flamed and flared.
The Count halted, putting down my bags, closed the door, and crossing the
room, opened another door, which led into a small octagonal room lit by a
single lamp, and seemingly without a window of any sort. Passing through this,
he opened another door, and motioned me to enter. It was a welcome sight. For
here was a great bedroom well lighted and warmed with another log fire, also
added to but lately, for the top logs were fresh, which sent a hollow roar up
the wide chimney. The Count himself left my luggage inside and withdrew,
saying, before he closed the door.
"You will need, after your journey, to refresh yourself by making your
toilet. I trust you will find all you wish. When you are ready, come into the
other room, where you will find your supper prepared."
The light and warmth and the Count's courteous welcome seemed to have
dissipated all my doubts and fears. Having then reached my normal state, I
discovered that I was half famished with hunger. So making a hasty toilet, I
went into the other room.
I found supper already laid out. My host, who stood on one side of the great
fireplace, leaning against the stonework, made a graceful wave of his hand to
the table, and said,
"I pray you, be seated and sup how you please. You will I trust, excuse
me that I do not join you, but I have dined already, and I do not sup."
I handed to him the sealed letter which Mr. Hawkins had entrusted to me. He
opened it and read it gravely. Then, with a charming smile, he handed it to me
to read. One passage of it, at least, gave me a thrill of pleasure.
"I must regret that an attack of gout, from which malady I am a
constant sufferer, forbids absolutely any travelling on my part for some time
to come. But I am happy to say I can send a sufficient substitute, one in whom
I have every possible confidence. He is a young man, full of energy and talent
in his own way, and of a very faithful disposition. He is discreet and silent,
and has grown into manhood in my service. He shall be ready to attend on you
when you will during his stay, and shall take your instructions in all
matters."
The count himself came forward and took off the cover of a dish, and I fell
to at once on an excellent roast chicken. This, with some cheese and a salad
and a bottle of old tokay, of which I had two glasses, was my supper. During
the time I was eating it the Count asked me many question as to my journey, and
I told him by degrees all I had experienced.
By this time I had finished my supper, and by my host's desire had drawn up
a chair by the fire and begun to smoke a cigar which he offered me, at the same
time excusing himself that he did not smoke. I had now an opportunity of
observing him, and found him of a very marked physiognomy.