The Count

My lovely Mina

Do you remember the dream I told you of in our previous communique? Well, it accosted me once again the very next night. Two nights in a row mind you. Two nights in a row I saw it. It was always at the same place on the horizon. And with the wind behind it, it was moving straight toward me. When I awoke that second morning I decided to investigate further. I looked into it through my brand-new set of Encyclopedia Britannica and discovered the vessel I had been dreaming of was a schooner.

But why two nights in a row? Why indeed? I had once heard (possibly by way of Dr. Freud himself) that the subject of the dream was unimportant. Rather, it was the feeling one had following the dream that possessed all the meaning. Well, I will have to admit that my feeling was utter confusion. Confusion since I had only been actually on the ocean but once in my entire life. (That, of course not to include crossing the Channel). And add to that the fact I had never once been aboard a sailboat in my entire life.

That's when I investigated further for some encyclopedic knowledge regarding dreaming about sailboats in particular.

One definition said it meant it was in my power to take a long trip. I found that acceptable. Another said such a dream is a symbol of freedom. That one was well received also. Strangely, all definitions had to do with traveling and moving on to new and more exotic destinations.

Now understand this my dear Mina, I am not averse to travel. In fact I love to travel as you are well aware of. I made that clear to the partners at the law firm when they employed me. As a result, they have sent me various places throughout Europe to do the firm's business. And apparently I've done very well for them.

One partner, Mr. Abbott it was, told me my name had arisen favorably in a partners meeting. I smiled and thanked him when he told me this. But, I am sure he informed me of that to make sure my nose never left the grindstone. But, they have, indeed, sent me to some quite interesting places on the continent. In fact when these dreams began I'd only returned from the Carpathian Mountains, as you well know. And what I brought back was indeed a feather in my cap, an outstanding contract from one of the local Counts.

But back to the sailboat. I studied the information I could glean further to see what it meant when it was sailing on calm waters. Waters literally as smooth as glass. That, it turned, out was a symbol of happiness and success and even security. That information was welcome, indeed.

I had been afraid that such symbols would have some devious or evil meaning. I dreaded the thought that I might be a maniac such as Poe wrote about. Or even worse, that I might be an individual reminiscent of the one who murdered those unfortunate women in Whitechapel those few years ago.

Such information, Mina my love, I am sure is comforting to you considering we will be exchanging our wedding vows soon. It would do you well, of course, to not find out too late that you had married a cutthroat. I say that, of course, with a smile and a chuckle, sweetheart.

Regardless, on the third night when it came time for me to doze off I was anticipating another dream of calm waters on which would be sailing a beautiful boat, schooner or maybe even something larger. But this night was different. This dream was different.

The skies were dark, oh so dark. And there was lightning in the distance. The thunder that accompanied it, it seemed, almost visibly rolled across the waves, waves which now were undulating with a maddening regularity.

The vessel still powered its way toward me, toward the shore as on previous nights. But, it seemed to me that it was coming with more vengeance, more of an urgency than before. I remembered the Britannica telling me that rough seas foretold dangerous business ahead. But, alas, it did not elaborate so I will not speculate on any further meaning.

And this night, there was something else different my darling. On the two previous nights I was quietly awakened, the dream carrying me through the night. But, on this third night the dream suddenly disappeared as if it had been ripped from my head. It was instantly replaced by a country field..... a field of daisies, I think, although horticulture is not my forte.

Upon awakening dear Mina I searched the Britannica and could find no reason for a sudden exchanging of the dreams. I could find no reason why they should go from such calm to such turmoil and then just as quickly go to a different scene of peace. I was at a loss. Any logical reason for the conundrum escaped me.

So I waited with great anticipation for the fourth night to come so I might see if anything had changed. To see if the calm sea had returned. Oh, I did so hope that tranquility would return. Those troubled waters had indeed left me with a very uneasy feeling.

But when that ship appeared on that fourth night, I quickly saw that my uneasiness would not be abated. The sea, it turned out, was rolling to such a degree that it must've been akin to those hurricanes I have read about.

The sky itself was ebony extending all the way down to the horizon. The lightning this time snaked across the sky in an almost continuous display of God's anger. The bright flashes highlighted the huge waves now cresting at what had to be some 40 or 50 feet high. No doubt, the unseen boat skipper was fighting for his life as he strove mightily to keep his charge upright.

And just as it looked as if the boat was going to careen over and be lost to Davy Jones, the scene was snatched away from my sight and what remained......a calm field of poppies waving majestically, quietly in a soft breeze. Astonishing.

To say that the dreams have begun to frighten me, lovely Mina, is an understatement of gigantic proportions. Clearly, I was terrified at what these dreams might portend. And what did the Britannica say? It told me that a strong storm such as I had seen signified shock and loss and catastrophe. Not unexpected. But to be replaced by a field of poppies? It said that part of the dream meant I would have success.

Naturally if success does come to me that will be glorious. But what kind of disaster will it be following? I can not even imagine.

Well, I feel sure the good Count will help me with this success. He is scheduled to arrive tomorrow evening. I have already made arrangements for his belongings to be transported to the new residence which I secured for him.

I am sure, when you meet him, as you no doubt will, you will find him as impressive as I have, my dear Mina. I need successes like that, my love, if you and I are to have as prosperous a marriage as we both hope for.

But before he comes tomorrow night I must have one additional night of sleep and one additional night of dreams. What will they be? What will they portend? I just simply know my lovely Mina that such nights and such dreams leave me thoroughly exhausted.

I look forward to the days to come when I will be lying beside you in our marriage bed and you will provide me with the calm assurance I need to get me through any troubling night. I am sorry for such scandalous talk, but I do love you so and want to be with you soon.

Tell your friend Lucy hello for me and that I hope she makes her marriage decision soon as well.

I will talk to you very soon, my love

I am forever your

Jonathan Harker