Dracula – Chapter 19 (Bite 1)

The men have left Mina behind. Jonathan Harker writes in his journal on October 1 that he went “with an easy mind” because Mina seemed “absolutely strong and well.” He admits it was a dread to him that she was involved in this fearful business at all, but acknowledges that her work is done—it is “due to her energy and brains and foresight that the whole story is put together in such a way that every point tells.” She can now leave the rest to them.

The Renfield Decision

Before setting out, the party had a troubling encounter with Renfield. When they left his room, they were silent until they reached the study. Quincy Morris said to Dr. Seward: “If that man wasn’t attempting a bluff, he is about the sanest lunatic I ever saw. I’m not sure, but I believe that he had some serious purpose. And if he had, it was pretty rough on him not to get a chance.”

Van Helsing replied carefully: “Friend John, you know more of lunatics than I do, and I’m glad of it. For I fear that if it had been to me to decide, I would before that last hysterical outburst have given him free. But we live and learn. And in our present task, we must take no chance.”