Logically all these things point one way! He has assurance of some kind that he will acquire some higher life. He dreads the consequence – the burden of a soul. Then it is a human life he looks to! And the assurance–? Merciful God! the Count has been to him, and there is some new scheme of terror afoot!

– Bram Stoker

Dracula, Chapter 20. Dr. John Seward, on his mental patient Renfield, after interviewing him. He realizes that there is a close connection between Renfield and the vampire Dracula and some new scheme of terror is about to happen. But Seward is a slow learner and fails to grasp the full gravity of the situation with Renfield and that Mina is in mortal danger. This foreshadows the terrible fate that Dracula has in store for Mina.