Франкенштейн

           "Theoldmanpausedandthencontinued,‘Ifyouwillunreservedlyconfidetometheparticularsofyourtale,Iperhapsmaybeofuseinundeceivingthem.Iamblindandcannotjudgeofyourcountenance,butthereissomethinginyourwordswhichpersuadesmethatyouaresincere.Iampoorandanexile,butitwillaffordmetruepleasuretobeinanywayserviceabletoahumancreature.’

           "‘Excellentman!Ithankyouandacceptyourgenerousoffer.Youraisemefromthedustbythiskindness;andItrustthat,byyouraid,Ishallnotbedrivenfromthesocietyandsympathyofyourfellowcreatures.’

           "‘Heavenforbid!Evenifyouwerereallycriminal,forthatcanonlydriveyoutodesperation,andnotinstigateyoutovirtue.Ialsoamunfortunate;Iandmyfamilyhavebeencondemned,althoughinnocent;judge,therefore,ifIdonotfeelforyourmisfortunes.’

           "‘HowcanIthankyou,mybestandonlybenefactor?FromyourlipsfirsthaveIheardthevoiceofkindnessdirectedtowardsme;Ishallbeforevergrateful;andyourpresenthumanityassuresmeofsuccesswiththosefriendswhomIamonthepointofmeeting.’

           "‘MayIknowthenamesandresidenceofthosefriends?’"Ipaused.This,Ithought,wasthemomentofdecision,whichwastorobmeoforbestowhappinessonmeforever.Istruggledvainlyforfirmnesssufficienttoanswerhim,buttheeffortdestroyedallmyremainingstrength;Isankonthechairandsobbedaloud.AtthatmomentIheardthestepsofmyyoungerprotectors.Ihadnotamomenttolose,butseizingthehandoftheoldman,Icried,‘Nowisthetime!Saveandprotectme!YouandyourfamilyarethefriendswhomIseek.Donotyoudesertmeinthehouroftrial!’