Lucy was in her house, just like any other day. She was studying her lessons of the day, helping tend to her mother, and practicing the piano as she usually did. A bit after noon, her mother went to bed for a rest, and the maids all went to the washing room to do the laundry, and Lucy was left in the parlor to tend to her reading. Suddenly, she heard a knock on the front door.
She rushed to answer it, hoping that perhaps it was the mailman delivering her next letter from Mina, but to her surprise, it was Dr. John, Seward. Lucy knew him from various social events, and they had spoken several times before. He had a strong jaw, a good forehead, and was very tall and slender. He was also a very proper man, and very formal and dignified. Today was no exception. In fact, he was wearing a fine suit and a silk hat. Lucy, surprised to see him, said, "Oh, Dr. Seward, please come in!"
He nodded graciously and took off his hat as he entered the parlor, and he sat it on the armchair. "Would you like a tea?" Lucy asked.
"Oh, no thank-you, Miss Westenra," he replied, looking slightly nervous. He then began to sit down, but noticed his hat still in the armchair. Embarrassed, he quickly set it on the table and took his seat. Lucy sat across from him. He was trying to keep calm with Lucy, and appear to be completely at ease, so he started to nonchalantly play with his lancet. However, this fidgeting frustrated Lucy to the point where she wanted to yell at him to stop.
After a moment's hesitation, Dr. Seward began speaking at last. "Miss Westenra, you are very dear to me," he began, his heart beating faster. "I know that I have to little, but with you, my life would be so much happier. You'd help to bring cheer into my life. I'd be distraught if you don't care for me, Miss Westenra, and my life would be far less beautiful if you weren't in it." He swallowed hard, and looked at her firmly, but lovingly. "Miss Westenra, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"
Lucy was stunned. She had no idea that he was going to ask this at all, let alone today! She was unsure of what to say. Did she love Dr. Seward? He had never been anything but agreeable and kind to her, and he seemed so sincere and so sweetly nervous that she couldn't help but fall in love with him on the spot. Tears welled in her eyes, and said replied ecstatically, "Dr. Seward, I would love to be your wife!"
Relief swept over him. "Oh, Lucy!" he exclaimed as he rose from his chair. She was still beaming as he took her hand and kissed it. "From now on, you shall know me as Jack, not Dr. Seward."
She giggling and replied, "Of course, Jack!" She stood up as well, and looked into his eyes. They began embracing and Lucy never wanted him to let go.