Франкенштейн

           Theyhadnotbeenlongmarried,andtheireldestchildwasbutjustborn.ThefatheroftheirchargewasoneofthoseItaliansnursedinthememoryoftheantiquegloryofItaly—oneamongthe"schiaviognorfrementi",whoexertedhimselftoobtainthelibertyofhiscountry.Hebecamethevictimofitsweakness.WhetherhehaddiedorstilllingeredinthedungeonsofAustriawasnotknown.Hispropertywasconfiscated;hischildbecameanorphanandabeggar.Shecontinuedwithherfosterparentsandbloomedintheirrudeabode,fairerthanagardenroseamongdark-leavedbrambles.

           WhenmyfatherreturnedfromMilan,hefoundplayingwithmeinthehallofourvillaachildfairerthanpicturedcherub—acreaturewhoseemedtoshedradiancefromherlooksandwhoseformandmotionswerelighterthanthechamoisofthehills.Theapparitionwassoonexplained.Withhispermissionmymotherprevailedonherrusticguardianstoyieldtheirchargetoher.Theywerefondofthesweetorphan.Herpresencehadseemedablessingtothem,butitwouldbeunfairtohertokeepherinpovertyandwantwhenProvidenceaffordedhersuchpowerfulprotection.Theyconsultedtheirvillagepriest,andtheresultwasthatElizabethLavenzabecametheinmateofmyparents’house—mymorethansister—thebeautifulandadoredcompanionofallmyoccupationsandmypleasures.

           EveryonelovedElizabeth.Thepassionateandalmostreverentialattachmentwithwhichallregardedherbecame,whileIsharedit,myprideandmydelight.Ontheeveningprevioustoherbeingbroughttomyhome,mymotherhadsaidplayfully,‘IhaveaprettypresentformyVictor—tomorrowheshallhaveit.’Andwhen,onthemorrow,shepresentedElizabethtomeasherpromisedgift,I,withchildishseriousness,interpretedherwordsliterallyandlookeduponElizabethasmine—minetoprotect,love,andcherish.