Франкенштейн
Chapter 6
Thewinter,however,wasspentcheerfully;andalthoughthespringwasuncommonlylate,whenitcameitsbeautycompensatedforitsdilatoriness.
ThemonthofMayhadalreadycommenced,andIexpectedtheletterdailywhichwastofixthedateofmydeparture,whenHenryproposedapedestriantourintheenvironsofIngolstadt,thatImightbidapersonalfarewelltothecountryIhadsolonginhabited.Iaccededwithpleasuretothisproposition:Iwasfondofexercise,andClervalhadalwaysbeenmyfavouritecompanionintherambleofthisnaturethatIhadtakenamongthescenesofmynativecountry.
Wepassedafortnightintheseperambulations:myhealthandspiritshadlongbeenrestored,andtheygainedadditionalstrengthfromthesalubriousairIbreathed,thenaturalincidentsofourprogress,andtheconversationofmyfriend.Studyhadbeforesecludedmefromtheintercourseofmyfellow—creatures,andrenderedmeunsocial;butClervalcalledforththebetterfeelingsofmyheart;heagaintaughtmetolovetheaspectofnature,andthecheerfulfacesofchildren.Excellentfriend!howsincerelyyoudidloveme,andendeavourtoelevatemyminduntilitwasonalevelwithyourown.Aselfishpursuithadcrampedandnarrowedme,untilyourgentlenessandaffectionwarmedandopenedmysenses;Ibecamethesamehappycreaturewho,afewyearsago,lovedandbelovedbyall,hadnosorroworcare.Whenhappy,inanimatenaturehadthepowerofbestowingonmethemostdelightfulsensations.Asereneskyandverdantfieldsfilledmewithecstasy.Thepresentseasonwasindeeddivine;theflowersofspringbloomedinthehedges,whilethoseofsummerwerealreadyinbud.Iwasundisturbedbythoughtswhichduringtheprecedingyearhadpresseduponme,notwithstandingmyendeavourstothrowthemoff,withaninvincibleburden.
