Франкенштейн

           Shethenrelatedthat,bythepermissionofElizabeth,shehadpassedtheeveningofthenightonwhichthemurderhadbeencommittedatthehouseofanauntatChene,avillagesituatedataboutaleaguefromGeneva.Onherreturn,ataboutnineo’clock,shemetamanwhoaskedherifshehadseenanythingofthechildwhowaslost.Shewasalarmedbythisaccountandpassedseveralhoursinlookingforhim,whenthegatesofGenevawereshut,andshewasforcedtoremainseveralhoursofthenightinabarnbelongingtoacottage,beingunwillingtocalluptheinhabitants,towhomshewaswellknown.Mostofthenightshespentherewatching;towardsmorningshebelievedthatshesleptforafewminutes;somestepsdisturbedher,andsheawoke.Itwasdawn,andshequittedherasylum,thatshemightagainendeavourtofindmybrother.Ifshehadgonenearthespotwherehisbodylay,itwaswithoutherknowledge.Thatshehadbeenbewilderedwhenquestionedbythemarket-womanwasnotsurprising,sinceshehadpassedasleeplessnightandthefateofpoorWilliamwasyetuncertain.Concerningthepictureshecouldgivenoaccount.

           "Iknow,"continuedtheunhappyvictim,"howheavilyandfatallythisonecircumstanceweighsagainstme,butIhavenopowerofexplainingit;andwhenIhaveexpressedmyutterignorance,Iamonlylefttoconjectureconcerningtheprobabilitiesbywhichitmighthavebeenplacedinmypocket.ButherealsoIamchecked.IbelievethatIhavenoenemyonearth,andnonesurelywouldhavebeensowickedastodestroymewantonly.Didthemurdererplaceitthere?Iknowofnoopportunityaffordedhimforsodoing;or,ifIhad,whyshouldhehavestolenthejewel,topartwithitagainsosoon?

           "Icommitmycausetothejusticeofmyjudges,yetIseenoroomforhope.