Франкенштейн
Walton, in continuation
ButIenjoyedfriends,dearnotonlythroughhabitandassociation,butfromtheirownmerits;andwhereverIam,thesoothingvoiceofmyElizabethandtheconversationofClervalwillbeeverwhisperedinmyear.Theyaredead,andbutonefeelinginsuchasolitudecanpersuademetopreservemylife.IfIwereengagedinanyhighundertakingordesign,fraughtwithextensiveutilitytomyfellowcreatures,thencouldIlivetofulfilit.Butsuchisnotmydestiny;ImustpursueanddestroythebeingtowhomIgaveexistence;thenmylotonearthwillbefulfilledandImaydie."
MybelovedSister,September2nd
Iwritetoyou,encompassedbyperilandignorantwhetherIameverdoomedtoseeagaindearEnglandandthedearerfriendsthatinhabitit.Iamsurroundedbymountainsoficewhichadmitofnoescapeandthreateneverymomenttocrushmyvessel.ThebravefellowswhomIhavepersuadedtobemycompanionslooktowardsmeforaid,butIhavenonetobestow.Thereissomethingterriblyappallinginoursituation,yetmycourageandhopesdonotdesertme.Yetitisterribletoreflectthatthelivesofallthesemenareendangeredthroughme.Ifwearelost,mymadschemesarethecause.
Andwhat,Margaret,willbethestateofyourmind?Youwillnothearofmydestruction,andyouwillanxiouslyawaitmyreturn.Yearswillpass,andyouwillhavevisitingsofdespairandyetbetorturedbyhope.Oh!Mybelovedsister,thesickeningfailingofyourheart-feltexpectationsis,inprospect,moreterribletomethanmyowndeath.
