Франкенштейн

           Hehadheardmystorywiththathalfkindofbeliefthatisgiventoataleofspiritsandsupernaturalevents;butwhenhewascalledupontoactofficiallyinconsequence,thewholetideofhisincredulityreturned.He,however,answeredmildly,"Iwouldwillinglyaffordyoueveryaidinyourpursuit,butthecreatureofwhomyouspeakappearstohavepowerswhichwouldputallmyexertionstodefiance.Whocanfollowananimalwhichcantraversetheseaoficeandinhabitcavesanddenswherenomanwouldventuretointrude?Besides,somemonthshaveelapsedsincethecommissionofhiscrimes,andnoonecanconjecturetowhatplacehehaswanderedorwhatregionhemaynowinhabit."

           "IdonotdoubtthathehoversnearthespotwhichIinhabit,andifhehasindeedtakenrefugeintheAlps,hemaybehuntedlikethechamoisanddestroyedasabeastofprey.ButIperceiveyourthoughts;youdonotcreditmynarrativeanddonotintendtopursuemyenemywiththepunishmentwhichishisdesert."AsIspoke,ragesparkledinmyeyes;themagistratewasintimidated."Youaremistaken,"saidhe."Iwillexertmyself,andifitisinmypowertoseizethemonster,beassuredthatheshallsufferpunishmentproportionatetohiscrimes.ButIfear,fromwhatyouhaveyourselfdescribedtobehisproperties,thatthiswillproveimpracticable;andthus,whileeverypropermeasureispursued,youshouldmakeupyourmindtodisappointment."

           "Thatcannotbe;butallthatIcansaywillbeoflittleavail.Myrevengeisofnomomenttoyou;yet,whileIallowittobeavice,Iconfessthatitisthedevouringandonlypassionofmysoul.MyrageisunspeakablewhenIreflectthatthemurderer,whomIhaveturnedlooseuponsociety,stillexists.Yourefusemyjustdemand;Ihavebutoneresource,andIdevotemyself,eitherinmylifeordeath,tohisdestruction."