Dracula by Bram Stoker Chapter 24 Page 23

compels her silence may compel her speech. I dare not think further, for so I should in my thoughts dishonor a noble woman!

Later. — When the Professor came in, we talked over the state of things. I could see that he had something on his mind, which he wanted to say, but felt some hesitancy about broaching the subject. After beating about the bush a little, he said,”Friend John, there is something that you and I must talk of alone, just at the first at any rate. Later, we may have to take the others into our confidence.”

Then he stopped, so I waited. He went on, “Madam Mina, our poor, dear Madam Mina is changing.”

A cold shiver ran through me to find my worst fears thus endorsed. Van Helsing continued.