Франкенштейн

           Sheleftme,andIcontinuedsometimewalkingupanddownthepassagesofthehouseandinspectingeverycornerthatmightaffordaretreattomyadversary.ButIdiscoverednotraceofhimandwasbeginningtoconjecturethatsomefortunatechancehadintervenedtopreventtheexecutionofhismenaceswhensuddenlyIheardashrillanddreadfulscream.ItcamefromtheroomintowhichElizabethhadretired.AsIheardit,thewholetruthrushedintomymind,myarmsdropped,themotionofeverymuscleandfibrewassuspended;Icouldfeelthebloodtricklinginmyveinsandtinglingintheextremitiesofmylimbs.Thisstatelastedbutforaninstant;thescreamwasrepeated,andIrushedintotheroom.GreatGod!WhydidInotthenexpire!WhyamIheretorelatethedestructionofthebesthopeandthepurestcreatureonearth?Shewasthere,lifelessandinanimate,thrownacrossthebed,herheadhangingdownandherpaleanddistortedfeatureshalfcoveredbyherhair.EverywhereIturnIseethesamefigure—herbloodlessarmsandrelaxedformflungbythemurdereronitsbridalbier.CouldIbeholdthisandlive?Alas!Lifeisobstinateandclingsclosestwhereitismosthated.ForamomentonlydidIloserecollection;Ifellsenselessontheground.

           WhenIrecoveredIfoundmyselfsurroundedbythepeopleoftheinn;theircountenancesexpressedabreathlessterror,butthehorrorofothersappearedonlyasamockery,ashadowofthefeelingsthatoppressedme.IescapedfromthemtotheroomwherelaythebodyofElizabeth,mylove,mywife,solatelyliving,sodear,soworthy.ShehadbeenmovedfromthepostureinwhichIhadfirstbeheldher,andnow,asshelay,herheaduponherarmandahandkerchiefthrownacrossherfaceandneck,Imighthavesupposedherasleep.Irushedtowardsherandembracedherwithardour,butthedeadlylanguorandcoldnessofthelimbstoldmethatwhatInowheldinmyarmshadceasedtobetheElizabethwhomIhadlovedandcherished.