Франкенштейн

           ImustabsentmyselffromallIlovedwhilethusemployed.Oncecommenced,itwouldquicklybeachieved,andImightberestoredtomyfamilyinpeaceandhappiness.Mypromisefulfilled,themonsterwoulddepartforever.Or(somyfondfancyimaged)someaccidentmightmeanwhileoccurtodestroyhimandputanendtomyslaveryforever.

           Thesefeelingsdictatedmyanswertomyfather.IexpressedawishtovisitEngland,butconcealingthetruereasonsofthisrequest,Iclothedmydesiresunderaguisewhichexcitednosuspicion,whileIurgedmydesirewithanearnestnessthateasilyinducedmyfathertocomply.Aftersolongaperiodofanabsorbingmelancholythatresembledmadnessinitsintensityandeffects,hewasgladtofindthatIwascapableoftakingpleasureintheideaofsuchajourney,andhehopedthatchangeofsceneandvariedamusementwould,beforemyreturn,haverestoredmeentirelytomyself.

           Thedurationofmyabsencewaslefttomyownchoice;afewmonths,oratmostayear,wastheperiodcontemplated.Onepaternalkindprecautionhehadtakentoensuremyhavingacompanion.Withoutpreviouslycommunicatingwithme,hehad,inconcertwithElizabeth,arrangedthatClervalshouldjoinmeatStrasbourg.ThisinterferedwiththesolitudeIcovetedfortheprosecutionofmytask;yetatthecommencementofmyjourneythepresenceofmyfriendcouldinnowaybeanimpediment,andtrulyIrejoicedthatthusIshouldbesavedmanyhoursoflonely,maddeningreflection.Nay,Henrymightstandbetweenmeandtheintrusionofmyfoe.IfIwerealone,wouldhenotattimesforcehisabhorredpresenceonmetoremindmeofmytaskortocontemplateitsprogress?

           ToEngland,therefore,Iwasbound,anditwasunderstoodthatmyunionwithElizabethshouldtakeplaceimmediatelyonmyreturn.Myfather’sagerenderedhimextremelyaversetodelay.