Dracula Chapters 25-27

Chapter 25: Mina makes all of the men promise that if she ever loses control of herself and completely changes into a vampire, they will kill her so she doesn't kill anyone else. All of the men struggle with this, but Jonathan has a particularly hard time with it. I wonder if Van Helsing had touched her with the Wafer during dawn or dusk she wouldn't have the red mark on her forehead, since her soul is free during those times of day. Mina's reports are still the same: lapping water and darkness. Everyone is grateful that bribery works in those parts of the world. Everyone is ready for Dracula's coming, but he doesn't come. Mina seems to be changing further into a vampire. Dracula's ship doesn't end up docking where/when it was reported that it would, so then the group has to travel to the actual port. It is decided that Dracula is too concerned with escaping to read Mina's actions, so they take her back into their confidence.
Chapter 26: The penultimate chapter! Mina's report is finally different, showing that Dracula is close to shore. They can finally go get him! Unfortunately, it is becoming harder to hypnotize Mina to get her reports of Dracula's actions. I wonder if that's because he cut her off and she's trying to see through a connection that's not there? The men speak to the captain of the ship, but the box was already taken away. They conclude that Dracula is traveling by boat up a river, and they're pretty sure as to which river it is. Jonathan and Arthur decide to travel by boat upriver to try to overtake the box, and Quincey and Dr. Seward decide to go along the river bank on horseback. Van Helsing is to go with Mina by carriage. Everyone is grateful for being loaded with cash. The hunt seems to be going pretty well.
Chapter 27: Mina is changing even further into a vampire. She sleeps all day and doesn't eat. She is constantly becoming more pale, and her trances are nigh impossible to bring about. When they stop for the night, Van Helsing makes a ring around Mina with the Wafer. This proves really useful because later the three vampire women come by and try to get Mina to join them. Mina refuses, which is really good. It shows that she may be changing, but at least she still has control over her soul to some degree. Poor horses. It's really bad that the boat Jonathan and Arthur are on is broken. I wonder if Dracula had a hand in this? Van Helsing comes across the tombs of the three women and he destroys their bodies, thus freeing their souls. It's a good thing he saw their expressions of relief after they were killed, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to go on. A recurring theme in this book is the notion that vampires can easily lure others to join their ranks by being beautiful. The tomb and chapel of Dracula are sterilized forever. Van Helsing and Mina hide out in a cave, and they witness both parties (Quincey and Dr. Seward, Jonathan and Arthur) closing in on the men transporting Dracula's body. Time is running out, since no one want to fight Dracula while he has his complete power. Quincey is injured while obtaining the box, but he and Jonathan open it and kill Dracula. Luckily for all, he has an expression of sheer relief at being released from his curse. It's really sad, though, since Quincey Morris dies. He was my favorite character, too! At least it was for a good and noble cause. The little epilogue is a nice conclusion to the book, since it shows that yes, all of what the band went through was worth it.

I really enjoy this book, as it is so well written. It's also captures the reader's attention by having so much happen in one chapter. I really recommend re-reading it some day since you pick up on so much more and it has much more meaning the second time around.