When the Moon rose, Mina and I arrived at the castle the Dutch couple had recently bought. The castle gardens were planted thick with laurel. I kissed the hostess's hand, which Mina found quite curious. I knew that pure girl had never seen such a thing before.
I took her hand, and just as I was about to repeat what I had done earlier, a man rushed over and shoved me.
They began speaking in the local dialect. Though I had no idea what they were saying, it was clear that Mina knew the man.
"For your own life's sake, don't do that!" Mina told the man. "Leave, Alvin."
"I'll be watching you," Alvin told me, like a fierce lion.
Mina covered her face. I took her by the arm and led her to a chair nearby. I watched the poor girl until her expression became calm and peaceful again.
Mina told me Alvin was a gardener who tended the gardens of several nearby castles. He had always admired her, but she only felt for Alvin as she would for an older brother.
That little conflict put something of a damper on what should have been a wonderful evening. But worse still, not long after the concert began, all the wolves started howling.
The guests left their seats one after another, and we followed them out. As we boarded the carriage, I saw Alvin. Just as he had said, he was watching me.
I had no improper thoughts about Mina. I boarded the carriage as usual, and as we passed a hill on the way, I saw wolves.
They ran incredibly fast, chasing after the carriage at a speed greater than the horses'. Yet they did not attack us. In the darkness, I could see their glowing eyes. Fortunately, none