6 September.
My dear Arthur Holmwood,
The news today is not good. Lucy Westenra is a little worse. Mrs. Westenra is very worried about her. I told Mrs. Westenra that Professor Van Helsing is a great doctor. She wants us to help Lucy Westenra together. We must be careful because Mrs. Westenra has a weak heart. A shock could kill her. I will write to you again soon.
Your friend,
JOHN SEWARD.
Dr. Seward’s Diary.
7 September.
I met Professor Van Helsing at the train station. He told me to keep our knowledge secret. He said we should not tell Arthur Holmwood everything yet. He wants to wait and see what happens to Lucy Westenra. He said that knowledge is very strong. We must write down every small detail.
We went to see Lucy Westenra. She looked terrible. Her face was as white as chalk. There was no color in her lips. She was too weak to speak. Professor Van Helsing looked very serious. We went into another room to talk.
Professor Van Helsing said, "She will die soon. She needs more blood." He wanted to do a transfusion (moving blood from a healthy person into a sick person). I told him I was young and strong. I wanted to give my blood.
Suddenly, Arthur Holmwood arrived at the house. He was very worried about Lucy Westenra. Professor Van Helsing saw that Arthur Holmwood was a strong man. He told Arthur Holmwood, "You can save her. She needs your blood."
Arthur Holmwood was very brave. He said, "I will give all my blood for her." We went to Lucy Westenra’s room. Professor Van Helsing gave her a narcotic (a strong medicine that makes a person sleep). When she was asleep, he started the transfusion.
Arthur Holmwood gave his blood to Lucy Westenra. Her cheeks became a little pink again. Arthur Holmwood became very pale and weak. Professor Van Helsing finished the work. He told Arthur Holmwood to go home and rest.
I looked at Lucy Westenra’s neck. I saw a small black ribbon around her throat. I moved the ribbon and saw a red mark. There were two small holes in her skin. They did not look healthy. I did not know what they were. Professor Van Helsing told me to watch Lucy Westenra all night.
8 September.
I stayed with Lucy Westenra all night. She woke up and looked much better. But she told me she was afraid to sleep. She said, "Terrible things happen to me in my sleep. I am afraid of the dark."
I told her, "I am here. I will watch you. If you have a bad dream, I will wake you." Lucy Westenra felt safe then. She fell into a deep, quiet sleep. She did not move all night. In the morning, she looked healthy. I sent a message to Arthur Holmwood and Professor Van Helsing.
9 September.
I was very tired. I did not sleep for two nights. Lucy Westenra felt very well. She told me, "You must sleep tonight. I am healthy now." She gave me a room next to her room. I lay on the sofa and fell asleep immediately.
Lucy Westenra’s Diary.
9 September.
I feel very happy tonight. I am strong again. Arthur Holmwood feels very close to me. I slept so well last night because Dr. Seward watched me. Tonight I am not afraid. Dr. Seward is in the next room. Thank God for my good friends.
Dr. Seward’s Diary.
10 September.
Professor Van Helsing woke me up this morning. We went into Lucy Westenra’s room. I opened the window and the sun came in. Professor Van Helsing screamed with horror. Lucy Westenra was as white as a dead person.
"We are too late!" Professor Van Helsing said. "All our work is gone." Lucy Westenra’s heart was still beating, but it was very weak. Arthur Holmwood was not there. Professor Van Helsing said, "John Seward, I need your blood now."
I took off my coat. We did another transfusion. I felt my blood leaving my body. I felt very weak and sick. But Lucy Westenra’s lips became red again. We finished the operation. Professor Van Helsing told me to rest and eat a big breakfast.
Lucy Westenra woke up later. She did not know what happened. Her mother came to see her. Mrs. Westenra told me, "You look very pale, Dr. Seward. You need a wife to look after you." Lucy Westenra turned red for a moment, then she became very pale again.
Professor Van Helsing stayed with Lucy Westenra that night. I went home to sleep.
11 September.
I went to see Lucy Westenra today. She looked better. Professor Van Helsing received a large box from another country. Inside were many white flowers. They were garlic (a plant with a strong smell used in medicine).
Lucy Westenra laughed. She said, "Are these for me? They smell very strong."
Professor Van Helsing was very serious. He told her, "These are not a joke. These are medicine. You must wear them around your neck at night."
Then we went around the room. Professor Van Helsing rubbed the garlic on the windows and the door. He put garlic in the fireplace. He said the smell would protect Lucy Westenra. He told her, "Do not open the window. Do not move the flowers from your neck."
Lucy Westenra promised to obey. Professor Van Helsing was very happy. He said, "Tonight I can sleep in peace." But I felt afraid. I did not know why.