Франкенштейн

           Theylovedandsympathizedwithoneanother;andtheirjoys,dependingoneachother,werenotinterruptedbythecasualtiesthattookplacearoundthem.ThemoreIsawofthem,thegreaterbecamemydesiretoclaimtheirprotectionandkindness;myheartyearnedtobeknownandlovedbytheseamiablecreatures;toseetheirsweetlooksdirectedtowardsmewithaffectionwastheutmostlimitofmyambition.Idarednotthinkthattheywouldturnthemfrommewithdisdainandhorror.Thepoorthatstoppedattheirdoorwereneverdrivenaway.Iasked,itistrue,forgreatertreasuresthanalittlefoodorrest:Irequiredkindnessandsympathy;butIdidnotbelievemyselfutterlyunworthyofit.

           "Thewinteradvanced,andanentirerevolutionoftheseasonshadtakenplacesinceIawokeintolife.Myattentionatthistimewassolelydirectedtowardsmyplanofintroducingmyselfintothecottageofmyprotectors.Irevolvedmanyprojects,butthatonwhichIfinallyfixedwastoenterthedwellingwhentheblindoldmanshouldbealone.Ihadsagacityenoughtodiscoverthattheunnaturalhideousnessofmypersonwasthechiefobjectofhorrorwiththosewhohadformerlybeheldme.Myvoice,althoughharsh,hadnothingterribleinit;Ithought,therefore,thatifintheabsenceofhischildrenIcouldgainthegoodwillandmediationoftheoldDeLacey,Imightbyhismeansbetoleratedbymyyoungerprotectors.

           "Oneday,whenthesunshoneontheredleavesthatstrewedthegroundanddiffusedcheerfulness,althoughitdeniedwarmth,Safie,Agatha,andFelixdepartedonalongcountrywalk,andtheoldman,athisowndesire,wasleftaloneinthecottage.Whenhischildrenhaddeparted,hetookuphisguitarandplayedseveralmournfulbutsweetairs,moresweetandmournfulthanIhadeverheardhimplaybefore.Atfirsthiscountenancewasilluminatedwithpleasure,butashecontinued,thoughtfulnessandsadnesssucceeded;atlength,layingasidetheinstrument,hesatabsorbedinreflection.