It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way – even by death – and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment. More than once as we sat around the table, my eyes opened in wonder whether the whole of the past days had not been a dream. It was only when I caught sight of the red blotch on Mrs. Harker’s forehead that I was brought back to reality.
– Bram Stoker
Dracula, Chapter 24. Dr. Seward says this the day after Mina is attacked by Dracula and she has the "unclean" red mark on her forehead. Initially Seward is full of hope and cheerfulness after an early breakfast with the others. But then is pulled back to the reality of the immensity of the battle against their formidable foe, Dracula, by Mina’s mark.