St. Mary’s Church and all around it. Then as the cloud passed I
could see the ruins of the abbey coming into view; and as the edge
of a narrow band of light as sharp as a sword-cut moved along,
the church and the churchyard became gradually visible. What-
ever my expectation was, it was not disappointed, for there, on
our favourite seat, the silver light of the moon struck a half-
reclining figure, snowy white. The coming of the cloud was too
quick for me to see much, for shadow shut down on light almost
’immediately; but it seemed to me as though something dark
stood behind the seat where the white figure shone, and bent over
86 Dracula
it. What it was, whether man or beast, I could not tell; I did not
wait to catch another glance, but flew down the steep steps
to the pier and along by the fish-market to the bridge, which was
the only way to reach the East Cliff. The town seemed as dead,
for not a soul did I see; I rejoiced that it was so, for I wanted no
witness of poor Lucy’s condition. The time and distance seemed
endless, and my knees trembled and my breath came laboured
as I toiled up the endless steps to the abbey. I must have gone
fast, and yet it seemed to me as if my feet were weighted with
lead, and as though every joint in my body were rusty. When I
got almost to the top I could see the seat and the white figure, for
I was now close enough to distinguish it even through the spells
of shadow. There was undoubtedly something, long and black,
bending over the half-reclining white figure. I called in fright,
«Lucy! Lucy!» and something raised a head, and from where I
was I could see a white face and red, gleaming eyes. Lucy did
not answer, and I ran on to the entrance of the churchyard. As
I entered, the church was between me and the seat, and for a