Франкенштейн
Chapter 9
AtthesemomentsIweptbitterlyandwishedthatpeacewouldrevisitmymindonlythatImightaffordthemconsolationandhappiness.Butthatcouldnotbe.Remorseextinguishedeveryhope.Ihadbeentheauthorofunalterableevils,andIlivedindailyfearlestthemonsterwhomIhadcreatedshouldperpetratesomenewwickedness.Ihadanobscurefeelingthatallwasnotoverandthathewouldstillcommitsomesignalcrime,whichbyitsenormityshouldalmosteffacetherecollectionofthepast.TherewasalwaysscopeforfearsolongasanythingIlovedremainedbehind.Myabhorrenceofthisfiendcannotbeconceived.WhenIthoughtofhimIgnashedmyteeth,myeyesbecameinflamed,andIardentlywishedtoextinguishthatlifewhichIhadsothoughtlesslybestowed.WhenIreflectedonhiscrimesandmalice,myhatredandrevengeburstallboundsofmoderation.IwouldhavemadeapilgrimagetothehighestpeakoftheAndes,couldIwhentherehaveprecipitatedhimtotheirbase.Iwishedtoseehimagain,thatImightwreaktheutmostextentofabhorrenceonhisheadandavengethedeathsofWilliamandJustine.Ourhousewasthehouseofmourning.Myfather’shealthwasdeeplyshakenbythehorroroftherecentevents.Elizabethwassadanddesponding;shenolongertookdelightinherordinaryoccupations;allpleasureseemedtohersacrilegetowardthedead;eternalwoeandtearsshethenthoughtwasthejusttributesheshouldpaytoinnocencesoblastedanddestroyed.Shewasnolongerthathappycreaturewhoinearlieryouthwanderedwithmeonthebanksofthelakeandtalkedwithecstasyofourfutureprospects.Thefirstofthosesorrowswhicharesenttoweanusfromtheearthhadvisitedher,anditsdimminginfluencequenchedherdearestsmiles.
"WhenIreflect,mydearcousin,"saidshe,"onthemiserabledeathofJustineMoritz,Inolongerseetheworldanditsworksastheybeforeappearedtome.
