Дракула / Dracula

[26 - a log fire – камин] The Count left my luggage inside and said before he closed the door.

“You will need, after your journey, to refresh yourself. Here you will find all you wish. When you are ready, please come into the other room, where you will find your supper.”

The light and warmth and the Count’s courteous welcome dissipated all my doubts and fears. So in some minutes I went into the other room.

I found a wonderful supper. My host was standing on one side of the great fireplace. He said, “I pray you, seat down and eat, please.

You will, I trust, excuse me that I do not join you; but I have dined already, and I do not have supper usually.”

I handed to him the letter which Mr. Hawkins[27 - Mr. Hawkins – мистер Хокинс] had given to me. He opened it and read it attentively; then he handed it to me to read. I liked one passage most of all.

“I must regret that my malady forbids absolutely any travelling; but I am happy to say I can send a talented clerk. He is a young man, full of energy and talent.

He is discreet and silent. He will be ready to attend, and take your instructions in all matters.[28 - and take your instructions in all matters – и выполнит все ваши распоряжения]”

The Count came forward and took off the cover of a dish, and I saw an excellent roast chicken. This, with some cheese and a salad and a bottle of old wine, of which I had two glasses, was my supper. During the time I was eating it the Count asked me many questions about my journey.

His face was a strong, a very strong aquiline, with high bridge of the thin nose and arched nostrils;[29 - arched nostrils – изогнутые ноздри] with domed forehead. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the nose. The mouth was rather cruel-looking, with peculiarly sharp white teeth. His ears were pale, and at the tops extremely pointed;[30 - at the tops extremely pointed – сильно заострённые кверху] the chin was broad and strong, and the cheeks were firm and thin. His hands seemed white and fine; but they were rather coarse, broad, with squat fingers.

Strange to say, there were hairs in the centre of the palm. The nails were long and fine.

We were both silent for a while. There seemed a strange stillness over everything; but as I listened I heard the howling of many wolves. The Count’s eyes gleamed, and he said, “Listen to them – the children of the night. What music they make!” Then he rose and said, “But you must be tired.