doubtful I shall take it that the time has come!”

“My true friend!” was all she could say amid her fastfalling tears, as bending over, she kissed his hand.

“I swear the same, my dear Madam Mina!”said Van Helsing. “And I!” said Lord Godalming, each of them in turn kneeling to her to take the oath. I followed, myself.

Then her husband turned to her wan-eyed and with a greenish pallor which subdued the snowy whiteness of his hair, and asked, “And must I, too, make such a promise, oh, my wife?”

“You too, my dearest,”she said, with infinite yearning of pity in her voice and eyes. “You must not shrink. You are nearest and dearest and all the world to me.