Франкенштейн

           Ishudderedtothinkthatfutureagesmightcursemeastheirpest,whoseselfishnesshadnothesitatedtobuyitsownpeaceattheprice,perhaps,oftheexistenceofthewholehumanrace.

           Itrembledandmyheartfailedwithinme,when,onlookingup,Isawbythelightofthemoonthedaemonatthecasement.Aghastlygrinwrinkledhislipsashegazedonme,whereIsatfulfillingthetaskwhichhehadallottedtome.Yes,hehadfollowedmeinmytravels;hehadloiteredinforests,hidhimselfincaves,ortakenrefugeinwideanddesertheaths;andhenowcametomarkmyprogressandclaimthefulfillmentofmypromise.

           AsIlookedonhim,hiscountenanceexpressedtheutmostextentofmaliceandtreachery.Ithoughtwithasensationofmadnessonmypromiseofcreatinganotherliketohim,andtremblingwithpassion,toretopiecesthethingonwhichIwasengaged.Thewretchsawmedestroythecreatureonwhosefutureexistencehedependedforhappiness,andwithahowlofdevilishdespairandrevenge,withdrew.

           Ilefttheroom,andlockingthedoor,madeasolemnvowinmyownheartnevertoresumemylabours;andthen,withtremblingsteps,Isoughtmyownapartment.Iwasalone;nonewerenearmetodissipatethegloomandrelievemefromthesickeningoppressionofthemostterriblereveries.

           Severalhourspassed,andIremainednearmywindowgazingonthesea;itwasalmostmotionless,forthewindswerehushed,andallnaturereposedundertheeyeofthequietmoon.Afewfishingvesselsalonespeckedthewater,andnowandthenthegentlebreezewaftedthesoundofvoicesasthefishermencalledtooneanother.Ifeltthesilence,althoughIwashardlyconsciousofitsextremeprofundity,untilmyearwassuddenlyarrestedbythepaddlingofoarsneartheshore,andapersonlandedclosetomyhouse.