17 September. – Hunger has taken me prisoner. I've not eaten in three days and I fear the doctor has forgotten about me, God damn his eyes! Last night I nearly died with my hunger and was ready to accept it, for there are far worse things in this life than death. I am alone once more. Nay! The Master is with me though he shows himself not. I have faith and am patient. Patience is a virtue, my Master. I shall be patient.

30 September. – What a day, what a day! Though the Master's presence is lacking somewhat I had the joy of another's presence. The small plate window on my door slid open and Dr. Seward pressed his mouth up against it and got my attention.

"There is a lady who would like to see you." Said he plainly.

"Why?" I asked with one curious eyebrow heightened.

"She is going through the house, and wants to see everyone in it."

"Oh, very well," I said, brushing myself down. "Let her come in, by all means; but just wait a minute till I tidy up the place." I grasped my box of flies and spiders and tipped it toward my mouth. As they cascaded down my dry throat I could feel my energy being restored and was in high spirits. I sat on my bed with my head down and my eyes up. I could not stand to be degraded with a woman's eyes as I knew I would be if she had spotted the flies and such. The lady entered in a pretty little turquoise frock which was very elegant and oh! how beautiful she looked, too!

"Good evening, Mr. Renfield," said she, extending a gloved hand. She noticed my amazed expression and my deathly pallor and continued with a start. "You see, I know you, for Dr. Seward has told me of you." I did not reply but continued to stare at her striking beauty. She was radiant! I blinked at her very slowly before enquiring as to whether or not she was the woman whom Dr. Seward had intended to marry, had he not been beaten to the punch, as it were. She smiled ever so sweetly and said:-

"Oh no! I have a husband of my own, to whom I was married before I ever saw Dr. Seward, or he me. I am Mrs. Harker." Harker? Yes! I knew the name.

"Then what are you doing here?" I asked at the peak of my curiosity.

"My husband and I are staying on a visit with Dr. Seward."

"Then don't stay!" I cawed, almost screeching, desperate to warn the pretty lady.

"But why not?"

"How did you know I was to marry anyone?" Seward interjected. I gazed at him with resentment and contentment. With a quick glance at the lovely Mrs. Harker and then back to Seward I ejaculated:-

"What an asinine question!" and said no more.

"I don't see that at all, Mr. Renfield," said Mrs. Harker.

For such a pretty little thing to be talking so genuinely with me was exciting to me and made me feel special, like I was talking with the Master. I smiled softly at the now pouting woman and said:-

"You will, of course, understand, Mrs. Harker, that when a man is loved and honoured as our host is, everything regarding him is of interest in our little community. Dr. Seward is loved not only by his household and his friends, but even by his patients, who, being some of them hardly in mental equilibrium, are apt to distort causes and effects. Since I myself have been an inmate of a lunatic asylum, I cannot but notice that the sophistic tendencies of some of its inmates lean towards the errors of non causa and ignoratio elenchi."

Dr. Seward seemed pleasantly surprised that I, Renfield, was having a discussion like a gentleman with a lovely lady. We talked for some time, the three of us, and I believe that they were both pleased to have talked with me. I was certainly pleased to talk with them. I enjoyed the way our conversation was going so continued to say:-

"I was not surprised that my friends deemed it necessary to having me put under control. I used to think that eating one life, no matter how small or insignificant may prolong life, and thus making life a perpetual entity. I even tried to kill humans, Mrs. Harker. I even tried to kill our friend Dr. Seward here, as he will no doubt testify. The blood is the life, after all." Dr. Seward did not appear to enjoy the path of discussion and took Mrs. Harker by the arm and lead her away. She pulled back to the door and said to me:-

"Good-bye and I hope I may see you often, under auspices pleasanter to yourself!" I was overjoyed at her hopes and replied solemnly, yet as sweetly as I could:-

"Good-bye, my dear. I pray God I may never see your sweet face again. May He bless you and keep you!" The two left without another word and I slumped back to a corner. I do not believe I shall lure anymore flies to me. Nor spiders, nor birds. I have betrayed the Master for the Lord. In warning Mrs. Harker of dangers to come, I have sealed my own fate.

The Master shall visit me tonight.