Франкенштейн

           GreatGod!IfforoneinstantIhadthoughtwhatmightbethehellishintentionofmyfiendishadversary,Iwouldratherhavebanishedmyselfforeverfrommynativecountryandwanderedafriendlessoutcastovertheearththanhaveconsentedtothismiserablemarriage.But,asifpossessedofmagicpowers,themonsterhadblindedmetohisrealintentions;andwhenIthoughtthatIhadpreparedonlymyowndeath,Ihastenedthatofafardearervictim.

           Astheperiodfixedforourmarriagedrewnearer,whetherfromcowardiceorapropheticfeeling,Ifeltmyheartsinkwithinme.ButIconcealedmyfeelingsbyanappearanceofhilaritythatbroughtsmilesandjoytothecountenanceofmyfather,buthardlydeceivedtheeverwatchfulandnicereyeofElizabeth.Shelookedforwardtoourunionwithplacidcontentment,notunmingledwithalittlefear,whichpastmisfortuneshadimpressed,thatwhatnowappearedcertainandtangiblehappinessmightsoondissipateintoanairydreamandleavenotracebutdeepandeverlastingregret.Preparationsweremadefortheevent,congratulatoryvisitswerereceived,andallworeasmilingappearance.Ishutup,aswellasIcould,inmyownhearttheanxietythatpreyedthereandenteredwithseemingearnestnessintotheplansofmyfather,althoughtheymightonlyserveasthedecorationsofmytragedy.Throughmyfather’sexertionsapartoftheinheritanceofElizabethhadbeenrestoredtoherbytheAustriangovernment.AsmallpossessionontheshoresofComobelongedtoher.Itwasagreedthat,immediatelyafterourunion,weshouldproceedtoVillaLavenzaandspendourfirstdaysofhappinessbesidethebeautifullakenearwhichitstood.

           InthemeantimeItookeveryprecautiontodefendmypersonincasethefiendshouldopenlyattackme.Icarriedpistolsandadaggerconstantlyaboutmeandwaseveronthewatchtopreventartifice,andbythesemeansgainedagreaterdegreeoftranquillity.