Dr Seward's Diary
This chapter mostly contains pages from Dr Seward's diary and we also get to know more about Van Helsing. Their discussions are mostly about Lucy's illness and her weak condition. We do not know whether Lucy is actually turning into a vampire or just ill and we also don't know if Dracula has really come to England. We see Dr Seward worrying about the slightest when it comes to Lucy and we see how much concern he has for her. Van Helsing arrives in England to treat Lucy after being requested by Dr Seward. Van is quite shocked when he sees Lucy all pale and bloodless. He immediately suggests a blood transfusion to which Dr Seward agrees and also volunteers to donate his blood. As he is getting ready Arthur arrives and donates his blood instead. We see how much love Arthur has for Lucy and can do anything for her. During the process Van notices the two red marks in Lucy's neck which shocks him. His attitude towards Lucy's condition seems to have changed like he knows what the reason behind all that might be. Since Dr Seward himself was unable to say anything about the marks in Lucy's neck I think it must be because at that period a vampire was something people had no knowledge about and because of that they were unable to help those who have been bitten by them. However, Van seems to have some knowledge about them since he asks Lucy to wear a garlic necklace and spreads garlic all over her room. He warns her never to open the window even if the smell is suffocating. Van is a very clever character and performs his job very well. We can clearly see that ones he devotes to his patients he can go to any extent to cure them. He and Dr Seward both try their best to help Lucy as much as possible going through many sleepless nights. He says the garlics are for keeping out evil. By evil Van could be referring to the Dracula. As I read along I really felt bad for Dr Seward since he still has feelings for Lucy and takes care of her wholeheartedly. We see how much he cares for her and wants to help her as much as possible.
Lucy Is Much Better
Lucy has recovered and feels grateful for all the help she's got from the two doctors. She thinks its the flowers that have made her able to sleep without any fear. She mentions the flapping sound she hears in her window at night which she used to fear. But not she feels more confident to face it maybe because of the garlic. Van and Dr Seward are relieved that the garlic is working and is helping Lucy recover for a great deal. But then Lucy's mother removes all the garlic from her room which was actually what was helping her recover. This completely ruins the well planned treatment of Van Helsing and Lucy becomes bloodless again. This time Dr Seward donates his blood since Arthur is not present and Lucy is in a critical condition. I've noticed that Van keeps on repeating that Lucy would die if she is not treated well and that she must be watched over all the time.
Memorandum
Lucy writes a memorandum in belief that her life may have come to an end and that she must report what has occurred before she dies. She says that she was woken up by a flapping sound on the window and remembering Van's warning of never opening the door remains still. Surprisingly her mother comes to check up on her and when she sees Lucy awake keeps her company. Suddenly the flapping sounds and howls get louder and the window crashes. To their shock there appears a wolves head which surprises Mrs Westerna leading to her death. Poor Lucy also loses consiousness and falls beside her mother's dead body. As she gains consiousness realizing what had befall her she calls upon her maids. As no reply comes she comes out of the room and finds out that someone had poisioned them. I thought her ending message was very touching specially when she says "my dear mother gone!it is time that I go too. Goodbye dear Arthur, if I should not survive this night."
Madman attack
Inspite of the tiresome work with Van treating his weak love,Lucy, he still continues his examination of Renfield. He notices that he has gone more and more violent. As he is thinking about Lucy's progress to recovery Renfield suddenly barges in his office with a knife. As Seward tries to escape the crazy killer he luckily only gets cut on his wrists and manages to avoid any severe injuries. Renfield is put back in his lunatic room and thankfully Dr Seward is fine. What took me was while trying to avoid death, Dr Seward was still thinking about Lucy. He thinks that he should not be wasting such precious blood which has become a necessity for his love.
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