Франкенштейн
Chapter 8
Ibegpermissiontohaveafewwitnessesexaminedconcerningmycharacter,andiftheirtestimonyshallnotoverweighmysupposedguilt,Imustbecondemned,althoughIwouldpledgemysalvationonmyinnocence."
Severalwitnesseswerecalledwhohadknownherformanyyears,andtheyspokewellofher;butfearandhatredofthecrimeofwhichtheysupposedherguiltyrenderedthemtimorousandunwillingtocomeforward.Elizabethsaweventhislastresource,herexcellentdispositionsandirreproachableconduct,abouttofailtheaccused,when,althoughviolentlyagitated,shedesiredpermissiontoaddressthecourt.
"Iam,"saidshe,"thecousinoftheunhappychildwhowasmurdered,orratherhissister,forIwaseducatedbyandhavelivedwithhisparentseversinceandevenlongbeforehisbirth.Itmaythereforebejudgedindecentinmetocomeforwardonthisoccasion,butwhenIseeafellowcreatureabouttoperishthroughthecowardiceofherpretendedfriends,Iwishtobeallowedtospeak,thatImaysaywhatIknowofhercharacter.Iamwellacquaintedwiththeaccused.Ihavelivedinthesamehousewithher,atonetimeforfiveandatanotherfornearlytwoyears.Duringallthatperiodsheappearedtomethemostamiableandbenevolentofhumancreatures.ShenursedMadameFrankenstein,myaunt,inherlastillness,withthegreatestaffectionandcareandafterwardsattendedherownmotherduringatediousillness,inamannerthatexcitedtheadmirationofallwhoknewher,afterwhichsheagainlivedinmyuncle’shouse,whereshewasbelovedbyallthefamily.Shewaswarmlyattachedtothechildwhoisnowdeadandactedtowardshimlikeamostaffectionatemother.Formyownpart,Idonothesitatetosaythat,notwithstandingalltheevidenceproducedagainsther,Ibelieveandrelyonherperfectinnocence.
