Page 90 - DRACULA

Dracula

ready for your journey. In the morning come the Szgany,
who have some labours of their own here, and also come
some Slovaks. When they have gone, my carriage shall
come for you, and shall bear you to the Borgo Pass to

meet the diligence from Bukovina to Bistritz. But I am in
hopes that I shall see more of you at Castle Dracula.’
I suspected him, and determined to test his sincerity.
Sincerity! It seems like a profanation of the word to write
it in connection with such a monster, so I asked him
point-blank, ‘Why may I not go tonight?’
‘Because, dear sir, my coachman and horses are away
on a mission.’
‘But I would walk with pleasure. I want to get away at
once.’
He smiled, such a soft, smooth, diabolical smile that I
knew there was some trick behind his smoothness. He
said, ‘And your baggage?’
‘I do not care about it. I can send for it some other
time.’
The Count stood up, and said, with a sweet courtesy
which made me rub my eyes, it seemed so real, ‘You
English have a saying which is close to my heart, for its
spirit is that which rules our boyars, ‘Welcome the
coming, speed the parting guest.’ Come with me, my dear

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