Франкенштейн
Chapter 22
Sheweptwithmeandforme.Whenreasonreturned,shewouldremonstrateandendeavourtoinspiremewithresignation.Ah!Itiswellfortheunfortunatetoberesigned,butfortheguiltythereisnopeace.Theagoniesofremorsepoisontheluxurythereisotherwisesometimesfoundinindulgingtheexcessofgrief.SoonaftermyarrivalmyfatherspokeofmyimmediatemarriagewithElizabeth.Iremainedsilent.
"Haveyou,then,someotherattachment?"
"Noneonearth.IloveElizabethandlookforwardtoourunionwithdelight.Letthedaythereforebefixed;andonitIwillconsecratemyself,inlifeordeath,tothehappinessofmycousin."
"MydearVictor,donotspeakthus.Heavymisfortuneshavebefallenus,butletusonlyclingclosertowhatremainsandtransferourloveforthosewhomwehavelosttothosewhoyetlive.Ourcirclewillbesmallbutboundclosebythetiesofaffectionandmutualmisfortune.Andwhentimeshallhavesoftenedyourdespair,newanddearobjectsofcarewillbeborntoreplacethoseofwhomwehavebeensocruellydeprived."
Suchwerethelessonsofmyfather.Buttometheremembranceofthethreatreturned;norcanyouwonderthat,omnipotentasthefiendhadyetbeeninhisdeedsofblood,Ishouldalmostregardhimasinvincible,andthatwhenhehadpronouncedthewords"ISHALLBEWITHYOUONYOURWEDDING-NIGHT,"Ishouldregardthethreatenedfateasunavoidable.ButdeathwasnoeviltomeifthelossofElizabethwerebalancedwithit,andItherefore,withacontentedandevencheerfulcountenance,agreedwithmyfatherthatifmycousinwouldconsent,theceremonyshouldtakeplaceintendays,andthusput,asIimagined,thesealtomyfate.