Франкенштейн

           Hiscountenanceexpressedsympathyandcompassion;hedrewachairclosetomineandaddressedmeinFrench,"Ifearthatthisplaceisveryshockingtoyou;canIdoanythingtomakeyoumorecomfortable?"

           "Ithankyou,butallthatyoumentionisnothingtome;onthewholeearththereisnocomfortwhichIamcapableofreceiving."

           "Iknowthatthesympathyofastrangercanbebutoflittlerelieftoonebornedownasyouarebysostrangeamisfortune.Butyouwill,Ihope,soonquitthismelancholyabode,fordoubtlessevidencecaneasilybebroughttofreeyoufromthecriminalcharge."

           "Thatismyleastconcern;Iam,byacourseofstrangeevents,becomethemostmiserableofmortals.PersecutedandtorturedasIamandhavebeen,candeathbeanyeviltome?"

           "Nothingindeedcouldbemoreunfortunateandagonizingthanthestrangechancesthathavelatelyoccurred.Youwerethrown,bysomesurprisingaccident,onthisshore,renownedforitshospitality,seizedimmediately,andchargedwithmurder.Thefirstsightthatwaspresentedtoyoureyeswasthebodyofyourfriend,murderedinsounaccountableamannerandplaced,asitwere,bysomefiendacrossyourpath."

           AsMr.Kirwinsaidthis,notwithstandingtheagitationIenduredonthisretrospectofmysufferings,Ialsofeltconsiderablesurpriseattheknowledgeheseemedtopossessconcerningme.Isupposesomeastonishmentwasexhibitedinmycountenance,forMr.Kirwinhastenedtosay,"Immediatelyuponyourbeingtakenill,allthepapersthatwereonyourpersonwerebroughtme,andIexaminedthemthatImightdiscoversometracebywhichIcouldsendtoyourrelationsanaccountofyourmisfortuneandillness.