Франкенштейн

           Weascendedintomyroom,andtheservantpresentlybroughtbreakfast;butIwasunabletocontainmyself.Itwasnotjoyonlythatpossessedme;Ifeltmyfleshtinglewithexcessofsensitiveness,andmypulsebeatrapidly.Iwasunabletoremainforasingleinstantinthesameplace;Ijumpedoverthechairs,clappedmyhands,andlaughedaloud.Clervalatfirstattributedmyunusualspiritstojoyonhisarrival,butwhenheobservedmemoreattentively,hesawawildnessinmyeyesforwhichhecouldnotaccount,andmyloud,unrestrained,heartlesslaughterfrightenedandastonishedhim.

           "MydearVictor,"criedhe,"what,forGod’ssake,isthematter?Donotlaughinthatmanner.Howillyouare!Whatisthecauseofallthis?"

           "Donotaskme,"criedI,puttingmyhandsbeforemyeyes,forIthoughtIsawthedreadedspectreglideintotheroom;"HEcantell.Oh,saveme!Saveme!"Iimaginedthatthemonsterseizedme;Istruggledfuriouslyandfelldowninafit.

           PoorClerval!Whatmusthavebeenhisfeelings?Ameeting,whichheanticipatedwithsuchjoy,sostrangelyturnedtobitterness.ButIwasnotthewitnessofhisgrief,forIwaslifelessanddidnotrecovermysensesforalong,longtime.

           Thiswasthecommencementofanervousfeverwhichconfinedmeforseveralmonths.DuringallthattimeHenrywasmyonlynurse.Iafterwardslearnedthat,knowingmyfather’sadvancedageandunfitnessforsolongajourney,andhowwretchedmysicknesswouldmakeElizabeth,hesparedthemthisgriefbyconcealingtheextentofmydisorder.HeknewthatIcouldnothaveamorekindandattentivenursethanhimself;and,firminthehopehefeltofmyrecovery,hedidnotdoubtthat,insteadofdoingharm,heperformedthekindestactionthathecouldtowardsthem.