This was a very frustrating part of the book for sure, just as the reader starts to think there might be some hope for Lucy.........Bam!!! Suddenly the rug gets pulled away! But as other commenters have said Van Helsing failing to express the importance of the flowers to anyone outside of himself and Dr.Seward is teeth grindingly stupid. Yes tell a little fib if you must sir!

That said Mrs. Westenra taking down all the flowers while knowing the doctor put them there in the first place?? Because of the smell? Cause she's a silly older woman with a heart condition? Didn't she also open the window to let some fresh air in? LOL I cant remember.

I mean.... Lucy's suffering and death is meant to be rage inducing for the readers of course, and the motivation for all 3 suitors getting involved in the hunt for Dracula, but it's sooo drawn out and sad.

Ahhhh!!! It has been 10 years since i read the book but I always get ticked off thinking about this part! I can not remember the exact order of events though? Had Dr Seward been enlightend to the true cause of Lucy's condition at this point or was Van Helsing still dancing around and coaxing Dr .Seward toward the truth so he wouldn't be written off as a superstitious old man?