Jane arrives at Dracula's castle

Within a few hours, the coach Jane was riding in was pulling up in front of a big castle located on the top of a mountain.

As Jane got out, she noticed that the coachman Charon was making no move to help her get out or even direct her toward the door. Instead he merely tipped his hat in her direction and then drove off when she got to the entrance of the castle.

At the entrance of the castle was a big wooden door with large metal knockers. For some reason, Jane was reminded of something but of what she couldn't quite say.

So she reached for the nearest knocker and pounded it against the door.

After a long, long while, the door opened. On the other side of the door was a tall, imposing figure with red eyes who stared at Jane as if he had never seen an Englishwoman before.

"Excuse me, but is this Castle Dracula?" asked Jane.

"Of course it is, my dear," said the man at the door. "You must be Jane Harker. Please permit me to introduce myself. I am Dracula. Count Dracula. Prince of Darkness. King of Evil. Terror of the Turks and Scourge of God."

"Well, thank God I'm in the right place, " said Jane. "For a minute there, I thought I might be in trouble."

XXX

Within an hour, Jane was enjoying a delicious meal in the Count's dining room.

"Why aren't you eating, Count?" she asked halfway through her meal. "The food is delicious."

"I prefer to dine in private," said the Count. "But please feel free to enjoy the food. Do you want a second helping?"

"Are you kidding?" asked Jane. "If I keep eating like this, I'll never be able to fit into my clothes."

"Would that be so terrible, Miss Harker?" asked the Count.

"Oh, please, Count," said Jane. "Don't tempt me. I spend so much money on clothes I would just love an excuse to give them up. But that's not likely to happen."

"Why is that?" asked the Count.

"Because there's no room for naked people in respectable English society," said Jane. "Plus it gets darn cold up there in England."

"It gets cold down here in Transylvania as well," said the Count. "Yet there are some women here who have learned to do with -- shall we say -- the dubious benefits of formal clothing."

"Well, more power to them, I guess," said Jane. "I know I couldn't do it."

"More wine, Miss Harker?" asked the Count.

"No thanks," said Jane. "I've already drunk enough. And why aren't you drinking any?"

"I never drink wine," said the Count. "But I see you grow weary. Let me summon a servant to escort you to your sleeping chamber."

The Count clapped his hands and a short dark-haired maid appeared.

"Carmilla," said the Count. "Please escort Miss Harker to her bedroom and help her undress for bed. And be sure to give her plenty of personal attention."

"You're so kind, Count," said Jane as she stood up to follow the maid.

"On the contrary, Miss Harker," said the Count. "It is you who are kind. I don't get many guests like you nowadays. Here's hoping that you're able to stay here for a while. A very long while."