9 May.
My dearest Lucy Westenra,
Please forgive me for not writing sooner. I have too much work at the school. My life as an assistant teacher is very busy. I want to be with you by the sea. We can talk and dream about our futures there.
I am working very hard because I want to help Jonathan Harker. I am learning shorthand (a fast way of writing using special signs). When we are married, I can help Jonathan Harker with his work. I can also use a typewriter (a machine with keys for printing letters on paper).
Jonathan Harker and I write letters to each other in shorthand. He is writing a diary of his travels in the same way. When I visit you, I will also keep a diary. It will not be a small book. It will be a big book where I can write my thoughts.
I want to be like a journalist. I will write about the people I meet and the things they say. I want to remember everything. I will tell you more about my plans when we meet.
I received a short letter from Jonathan Harker today. He is in Transylvania (a part of a country called Romania). Jonathan Harker is well and he is coming home in one week. I want to hear his news. It is exciting to see new countries.
The ten o’clock bell is ringing now. I must go. Goodbye, Lucy Westenra. Please tell me your news. I heard a story about a tall, handsome man with curly hair. Who is he?
Your loving friend,
MINA MURRAY.
Letter from Lucy Westenra to Mina Murray.
Wednesday.
My dearest Mina Murray,
You are not fair to me. I wrote to you two times, but you only wrote twice. I do not have much news to tell you. London is very nice now. We go to art galleries and walk in the park.
You asked about the tall man with curly hair. That is Mr. Arthur Holmwood. He comes to visit us often. My mother likes Arthur Holmwood very much. They have many things to talk about.
I met another man who is perfect for you, but you already love Jonathan Harker. This man is a doctor and he is very clever. He is only twenty-nine years old. He manages a large asylum (a special hospital for people with mental illnesses).
Arthur Holmwood introduced the doctor to me. His name is Dr. John Seward. He is a very calm and strong man. Dr. John Seward looks at people very closely. He wants to know what they are thinking.
Dr. John Seward says I am interesting to study. I do not care much about clothes or fashion. Arthur Holmwood says that fashion is a "bore." That is slang (informal words that people use with friends). Arthur Holmwood says that every day.
Mina Murray, we are best friends. We told each other everything when we were children. I have a secret to tell you now. I love Arthur Holmwood. My face is red as I write this.
I think Arthur Holmwood loves me, but he did not say it yet. But oh, Mina Murray, I love him so much! I wish I was with you now. We could sit by the fire and talk about my feelings.
Please write to me soon. Tell me what you think about my secret. Goodnight, Mina Murray. Please pray for my happiness.
LUCY WESTENRA.
Letter from Lucy Westenra to Mina Murray.
24 May.
My dearest Mina Murray,
Thank you for your sweet letter. I am so happy you understand me. Today was a very strange day for me. I am almost twenty years old, but no one ever asked me to marry them before.
Today, I received three proposals (an offer of marriage). Three men asked to marry me in one day! I feel very happy, but I also feel sad for two of the men. Please do not tell the other girls. They will be jealous.
Mina Murray, you and I are going to be married soon. We will be quiet, married women. I must tell you about the three men, but it is a secret. You can only tell Jonathan Harker.
The first man came before lunch. It was Dr. John Seward from the asylum. He was very nervous. He almost sat on his hat! Then he started playing with a lancet (a small, sharp knife that doctors use).
Dr. John Seward told me that he loved me. He said his life would be happy with me. But then I started to cry. Dr. John Seward was very kind. He asked if I loved someone else.
I told Dr. John Seward that there is someone else. He stood up and took my hands. He said he hoped I would be happy. Dr. John Seward said he would always be my friend. I feel very sad for him.
The second man came after lunch. He is Mr. Quincey Morris. He is an American from Texas. He is young and he has many stories about his travels. Mr. Quincey Morris is very funny and he uses a lot of slang.
Mr. Quincey Morris sat next to me. He took my hand and asked me to marry him. He used funny words, but he was serious. I told him I could not marry him. He was not angry.
Mr. Quincey Morris asked me if I loved another man. I told him the truth. I said I loved someone. Mr. Quincey Morris was very brave. He said he would be my faithful friend.
I started to cry again. Mr. Quincey Morris was very noble. He asked me for one kiss. I kissed him because he was so kind and sad. Then he left the room quickly. I cried like a baby.
I cannot write about the third man yet. I am too emotional. I will write more when I am calm.
Your loving friend,
LUCY WESTENRA.
P.S. I do not need to tell you about the third man. It was Arthur Holmwood. He came into the room and put his arms around me. He kissed me. I am very, very happy.
The Diary of Dr. John Seward.
25 May.
I cannot eat and I cannot sleep today. I feel very empty because Lucy Westenra said no to me. Nothing in the world seems important now. I decided to work because work is the only cure for sadness.
I went to see my patients at the asylum. One patient is very interesting. His name is Renfield. I want to understand him. Today, I talked to Renfield for a long time.
Renfield is fifty-nine years old. He is very strong but he gets excited easily. Sometimes he is very sad. He has a strange idea in his head, but I do not know what it is yet.
Renfield is a dangerous man. Selfish men are not as dangerous because they are careful. But Renfield is different. I must watch Renfield very closely.
Letter from Quincey Morris to Arthur Holmwood.
25 May.
My dear Arthur Holmwood,
We are old friends. We traveled together and we helped each other in many places. Now you have a new story to tell. You are going to marry a wonderful woman.
Please come to my camp-fire tomorrow night. Our friend Dr. John Seward is coming too. We want to drink to your health. We want to celebrate because you are the happiest man in the world.
You won the best heart in the world. We will give you a big welcome. Please come and see us.
Your friend always,
QUINCEY MORRIS.
Telegram from Arthur Holmwood to Quincey Morris.
26 May.
I will definitely come. I have many things to tell you both.
ARTHUR HOLMWOOD.