Франкенштейн

           Nothing,atthismoment,couldhavegivenmegreaterpleasurethanthearrivalofmyfather.Istretchedoutmyhandtohimandcried,"Areyou,then,safe—andElizabeth—andErnest?"Myfathercalmedmewithassurancesoftheirwelfareandendeavoured,bydwellingonthesesubjectssointerestingtomyheart,toraisemydespondingspirits;buthesoonfeltthataprisoncannotbetheabodeofcheerfulness.

           "Whataplaceisthisthatyouinhabit,myson!"saidhe,lookingmournfullyatthebarredwindowsandwretchedappearanceoftheroom."Youtravelledtoseekhappiness,butafatalityseemstopursueyou.AndpoorClerval—"

           Thenameofmyunfortunateandmurderedfriendwasanagitationtoogreattobeenduredinmyweakstate;Ishedtears."Alas!Yes,myfather,"repliedI;"somedestinyofthemosthorriblekindhangsoverme,andImustlivetofulfilit,orsurelyIshouldhavediedonthecoffinofHenry."

           Wewerenotallowedtoconverseforanylengthoftime,fortheprecariousstateofmyhealthrenderedeveryprecautionnecessarythatcouldensuretranquillity.Mr.Kirwincameinandinsistedthatmystrengthshouldnotbeexhaustedbytoomuchexertion.Buttheappearanceofmyfatherwastomelikethatofmygoodangel,andIgraduallyrecoveredmyhealth.

           Asmysicknessquittedme,Iwasabsorbedbyagloomyandblackmelancholythatnothingcoulddissipate.TheimageofClervalwasforeverbeforeme,ghastlyandmurdered.Morethanoncetheagitationintowhichthesereflectionsthrewmemademyfriendsdreadadangerousrelapse.Alas!Whydidtheypreservesomiserableanddetestedalife?ItwassurelythatImightfulfilmydestiny,whichisnowdrawingtoaclose.Soon,oh,verysoon,willdeathextinguishthesethrobbingsandrelievemefromthemightyweightofanguishthatbearsmetothedust;and,inexecutingtheawardofjustice,Ishallalsosinktorest.