Франкенштейн

           Iresolved,therefore,thatifmyimmediateunionwithmycousinwouldconduceeithertohersormyfather’shappiness,myadversary’sdesignsagainstmylifeshouldnotretarditasinglehour.

           InthisstateofmindIwrotetoElizabeth.Myletterwascalmandaffectionate."Ifear,mybelovedgirl,"Isaid,"littlehappinessremainsforusonearth;yetallthatImayonedayenjoyiscentredinyou.Chaseawayyouridlefears;toyoualonedoIconsecratemylifeandmyendeavoursforcontentment.Ihaveonesecret,Elizabeth,adreadfulone;whenrevealedtoyou,itwillchillyourframewithhorror,andthen,farfrombeingsurprisedatmymisery,youwillonlywonderthatIsurvivewhatIhaveendured.Iwillconfidethistaleofmiseryandterrortoyouthedayafterourmarriageshalltakeplace,for,mysweetcousin,theremustbeperfectconfidencebetweenus.Butuntilthen,Iconjureyou,donotmentionoralludetoit.ThisImostearnestlyentreat,andIknowyouwillcomply."

           InaboutaweekafterthearrivalofElizabeth’sletterwereturnedtoGeneva.Thesweetgirlwelcomedmewithwarmaffection,yettearswereinhereyesasshebeheldmyemaciatedframeandfeverishcheeks.Isawachangeinheralso.Shewasthinnerandhadlostmuchofthatheavenlyvivacitythathadbeforecharmedme;buthergentlenessandsoftlooksofcompassionmadeheramorefitcompanionforoneblastedandmiserableasIwas.ThetranquillitywhichInowenjoyeddidnotendure.Memorybroughtmadnesswithit,andwhenIthoughtofwhathadpassed,arealinsanitypossessedme;sometimesIwasfuriousandburntwithrage,sometimeslowanddespondent.Ineitherspokenorlookedatanyone,butsatmotionless,bewilderedbythemultitudeofmiseriesthatovercameme.

           Elizabethalonehadthepowertodrawmefromthesefits;hergentlevoicewouldsoothemewhentransportedbypassionandinspiremewithhumanfeelingswhensunkintorpor.