Page 371 - DRACULA

Dracula

Arthur jumped to his feet, ‘Good God!’ he cried.
‘What do you mean? Has there been any mistake, has she
been buried alive?’ He groaned in anguish that not even
hope could soften.

‘I did not say she was alive, my child. I did not think it.
I go no further than to say that she might be UnDead.’
‘UnDead! Not alive! What do you mean? Is this all a
nightmare, or what is it?’
‘There are mysteries which men can only guess at,
which age by age they may solve only in part. Believe me,
we are now on the verge of one. But I have not done.
May I cut off the head of dead Miss Lucy?’
‘Heavens and earth, no!’ cried Arthur in a storm of
passion. ‘Not for the wide world will I consent to any
mutilation of her dead body. Dr. Van Helsing, you try me
too far. What have I done to you that you should torture
me so? What did that poor, sweet girl do that you should
want to cast such dishonour on her grave? Are you mad,
that you speak of such things, or am I mad to listen to
them? Don’t dare think more of such a desecration. I shall
not give my consent to anything you do. I have a duty to
do in protecting her grave from outrage, and by God, I
shall do it!’

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