Франкенштейн
Chapter 7
AbeingwhomImyselfhadformed,andenduedwithlife,hadmetmeatmidnightamongtheprecipicesofaninaccessiblemountain.IrememberedalsothenervousfeverwithwhichIhadbeenseizedjustatthetimethatIdatedmycreation,andwhichwouldgiveanairofdeliriumtoataleotherwisesoutterlyimprobable.Iwellknewthatifanyotherhadcommunicatedsucharelationtome,Ishouldhavelookeduponitastheravingsofinsanity.Besides,thestrangenatureoftheanimalwouldeludeallpursuit,evenifIweresofarcreditedastopersuademyrelativestocommenceit.Andthenofwhatusewouldbepursuit?WhocouldarrestacreaturecapableofscalingtheoverhangingsidesofMontSaleve?Thesereflectionsdeterminedme,andIresolvedtoremainsilent.
ItwasaboutfiveinthemorningwhenIenteredmyfather’shouse.Itoldtheservantsnottodisturbthefamily,andwentintothelibrarytoattendtheirusualhourofrising.
Sixyearshadelapsed,passedinadreambutforoneindelibletrace,andIstoodinthesameplacewhereIhadlastembracedmyfatherbeforemydepartureforIngolstadt.Belovedandvenerableparent!Hestillremainedtome.Igazedonthepictureofmymother,whichstoodoverthemantel-piece.Itwasanhistoricalsubject,paintedatmyfather’sdesire,andrepresentedCarolineBeaufortinanagonyofdespair,kneelingbythecoffinofherdeadfather.Hergarbwasrustic,andhercheekpale;buttherewasanairofdignityandbeauty,thathardlypermittedthesentimentofpity.BelowthispicturewasaminiatureofWilliam;andmytearsflowedwhenIlookeduponit.WhileIwasthusengaged,Ernestentered:hehadheardmearrive,andhastenedtowelcomeme:"Welcome,mydearestVictor,"saidhe."Ah!Iwishyouhadcomethreemonthsago,andthenyouwouldhavefoundusalljoyousanddelighted.
