Reassuring Mina

"This healing draught..." Mina says hesitantly.

"Yes?" I reply, trying to sound encouraging.

"Well, I'm not sure if you know, but the reason that I wear a scarf at all times is to hide a mass of scars on my neck. Not only are they hideous, but they are a most unpleasant reminder of my past. I'd rather not say any more about them than that, if you don't mind."

"Of course not. And you'd like to take the draught to get rid of the scars?"

"Yes, but... I talked to Alla... I mean Mr Quatermain about the change in his hair colour, and he explained the reason for it. Could the healing draught have the same side effect as the youthening potion that he took? Because, considering what has most frightened me in my life, the possible consequences would be terrible."

Mina is reluctant to say what she has in mind, but I have learnt enough about the events described in Bram Stoker's Dracula to know the cause of her scars, and that what most frightened her was Dracula himself. Now she must fear that she could acquire vampiric characteristics.

I hasten to reassure her. "The two potions are completely different. The healing draught carries no risk of unwelcome side effects. It is quite safe to take. However, that your scars have not healed after such a long time suggests that they may have what you might call a 'supernatural' aspect to them. So there's a small possibility that the draught might not be effective."

1. "In that case I've nothing to lose. I'll drink the healing draught."

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