Франкенштейн

           "Igazedonmyvictim,andmyheartswelledwithexultationandhellishtriumph;clappingmyhands,Iexclaimed,‘Itoocancreatedesolation;myenemyisnotinvulnerable;thisdeathwillcarrydespairtohim,andathousandothermiseriesshalltormentanddestroyhim.’

           "AsIfixedmyeyesonthechild,Isawsomethingglitteringonhisbreast.Itookit;itwasaportraitofamostlovelywoman.Inspiteofmymalignity,itsoftenedandattractedme.ForafewmomentsIgazedwithdelightonherdarkeyes,fringedbydeeplashes,andherlovelylips;butpresentlymyragereturned;IrememberedthatIwasforeverdeprivedofthedelightsthatsuchbeautifulcreaturescouldbestowandthatshewhoseresemblanceIcontemplatedwould,inregardingme,havechangedthatairofdivinebenignitytooneexpressiveofdisgustandaffright.

           "Canyouwonderthatsuchthoughtstransportedmewithrage?Ionlywonderthatatthatmoment,insteadofventingmysensationsinexclamationsandagony,Ididnotrushamongmankindandperishintheattempttodestroythem.

           "Whilelwasovercomebythesefeelings,IleftthespotwhereIhadcommittedthemurder,andseekingamoresecludedhiding-place,Ienteredabarnwhichhadappearedtometobeempty.Awomanwassleepingonsomestraw;shewasyoung,notindeedsobeautifulasherwhoseportraitIheld,butofanagreeableaspectandbloominginthelovelinessofyouthandhealth.Here,Ithought,isoneofthosewhosejoy-impartingsmilesarebestowedonallbutme.AndthenIbentoverherandwhispered,‘Awake,fairest,thyloverisnear—hewhowouldgivehislifebuttoobtainonelookofaffectionfromthineeyes;mybeloved,awake!’

           "Thesleeperstirred;athrillofterrorranthroughme.Shouldsheindeedawake,andseeme,andcurseme,anddenouncethemurderer?