Chapter 16

“Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge. I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery.

“Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I go on living? Why didn't I put out the spark of life you had given me so carelessly? I don't know. Despair had not yet taken hold of me. I felt only rage and a desire for revenge. I would gladly have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and reveled in their screams and misery.

“When night came I quitted my retreat and wandered in the wood; and now, no longer restrained by the fear of discovery, I gave vent to my anguish in fearful howlings. I was like a wild beast that had broken the toils, destroying the objects that obstructed me and ranging through the wood with a stag-like swiftness. Oh! What a miserable night I passed! The cold stars shone in mockery, and the bare trees waved their branches above me; now and then the sweet voice of a bird burst forth amidst the universal stillness. All, save I, were at rest or in enjoyment; I, like the arch-fiend, bore a hell within me, and finding myself unsympathised with, wished to tear up the trees, spread havoc and destruction around me, and then to have sat down and enjoyed the ruin.

“When night came, I left my hiding place and wandered through the woods. No longer afraid of being discovered, I gave vent to my anguish in terrifying howls. I was like a wild beast that had broken free from a trap. I destroyed everything in my path and raced through the woods as swiftly as a stag. Oh! What a miserable night I spent! The cold stars shone as if mocking me, and the bare trees waved their branches above me. Now and then, a bird’s sweet voice broke the complete stillness. Everyone but me was resting or enjoying themselves. I, like the devil, carried hell within me. Feeling that no one sympathized with me, I wanted to tear up the trees and spread havoc and destruction around me. Then I wanted to sit down and enjoy the ruin.

“But this was a luxury of sensation that could not endure; I became fatigued with excess of bodily exertion and sank on the damp grass in the sick impotence of despair. There was none among the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No: from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and more than all, against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery.

“But this intense feeling could not last. Exhausted from too much physical effort, I sank onto the damp grass, helpless and sick with despair. Among the countless people alive, not one would pity or help me. And should I feel kindness toward my enemies? No. From that moment, I declared everlasting war against the human race. Above all, I declared war against the one who had made me and sent me out into this unbearable misery.

“The sun rose; I heard the voices of men and knew that it was impossible to return to my retreat during that day. Accordingly I hid myself in some thick underwood, determining to devote the ensuing hours to reflection on my situation.

“The sun rose, and I heard men’s voices. I knew I could not return to my hiding place that day. So I hid in some thick bushes and decided to spend the coming hours thinking about my situation.

“The pleasant sunshine and the pure air of day restored me to some degree of tranquillity; and when I considered what had passed at the cottage, I could not help believing that I had been too hasty in my conclusions. I had certainly acted imprudently. It was apparent that my conversation had interested the father in my behalf, and I was a fool in having exposed my person to the horror of his children. I ought to have familiarised the old De Lacey to me, and by degrees to have discovered myself to the rest of his family, when they should have been prepared for my approach. But I did not believe my errors to be irretrievable, and after much consideration I resolved to return to the cottage, seek the old man, and by my representations win him to my party.

“The pleasant sunshine and fresh air calmed me somewhat. When I thought about what had happened at the cottage, I could not help believing I had drawn conclusions too quickly. I had certainly acted unwisely. My conversation with the father had clearly made him sympathetic toward me. I was a fool to show myself to his children and horrify them. I should have let old De Lacey grow familiar with me. Then I should have revealed myself gradually to the rest of his family, once they were prepared to meet me. But I did not believe my mistakes were beyond repair. After much thought, I decided to return to the cottage and seek out the old man. I would explain myself and win him over.

“These thoughts calmed me, and in the afternoon I sank into a profound sleep; but the fever of my blood did not allow me to be visited by peaceful dreams. The horrible scene of the preceding day was for ever acting before my eyes; the females were flying and the enraged Felix tearing me from his father’s feet. I awoke exhausted, and finding that it was already night, I crept forth from my hiding-place, and went in search of food.

“These thoughts calmed me, and that afternoon I fell into a deep sleep. But the fever in my blood kept me from having peaceful dreams. The horrible scene from the previous day played over and over before my eyes. The women were fleeing, and the furious Felix was tearing me away from his father’s feet. I woke up exhausted and found that it was already night. I crept out of my hiding place and went looking for food.

“When my hunger was appeased, I directed my steps towards the well-known path that conducted to the cottage. All there was at peace. I crept into my hovel and remained in silent expectation of the accustomed hour when the family arose. That hour passed, the sun mounted high in the heavens, but the cottagers did not appear. I trembled violently, apprehending some dreadful misfortune. The inside of the cottage was dark, and I heard no motion; I cannot describe the agony of this suspense.

“After I had satisfied my hunger, I headed toward the familiar path that led to the cottage. All was peaceful there. I crept into my hovel and waited silently for the usual hour when the family woke. That hour passed, and the sun rose high in the sky, but the family did not appear. I trembled violently, fearing some terrible misfortune. The inside of the cottage was dark, and I heard no movement. I cannot describe the agony of that suspense.

“Presently two countrymen passed by, but pausing near the cottage, they entered into conversation, using violent gesticulations; but I did not understand what they said, as they spoke the language of the country, which differed from that of my protectors. Soon after, however, Felix approached with another man; I was surprised, as I knew that he had not quitted the cottage that morning, and waited anxiously to discover from his discourse the meaning of these unusual appearances.

“Soon, two local men passed by. They stopped near the cottage and began talking, gesturing wildly. But I did not understand them. They spoke the local language, which was different from the language of my protectors. Soon afterward, however, Felix approached with another man. I was surprised because I knew Felix had not left the cottage that morning. I waited anxiously, hoping his conversation would explain these unusual appearances.

“‘Do you consider,’ said his companion to him, ‘that you will be obliged to pay three months’ rent and to lose the produce of your garden? I do not wish to take any unfair advantage, and I beg therefore that you will take some days to consider of your determination.’

“‘Have you considered that you will have to pay three months’ rent and lose your garden’s produce?’ his companion asked. ‘I do not want to take unfair advantage of you. So I ask you to take a few days to think over your decision.’

“‘It is utterly useless,’ replied Felix; ‘we can never again inhabit your cottage. The life of my father is in the greatest danger, owing to the dreadful circumstance that I have related. My wife and my sister will never recover from their horror. I entreat you not to reason with me any more. Take possession of your tenement and let me fly from this place.’

“‘It is completely useless,’ Felix replied. ‘We can never live in your cottage again. My father’s life is in great danger because of the dreadful event I told you about. My wife and sister will never recover from their horror. I beg you not to argue with me anymore. Take possession of your property and let me flee this place.’

“Felix trembled violently as he said this. He and his companion entered the cottage, in which they remained for a few minutes, and then departed. I never saw any of the family of De Lacey more.

“Felix trembled violently as he said this. He and his companion entered the cottage. They stayed for a few minutes, then left. I never saw any of the De Lacey family again.

“I continued for the remainder of the day in my hovel in a state of utter and stupid despair. My protectors had departed and had broken the only link that held me to the world. For the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did not strive to control them, but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream, I bent my mind towards injury and death. When I thought of my friends, of the mild voice of De Lacey, the gentle eyes of Agatha, and the exquisite beauty of the Arabian, these thoughts vanished and a gush of tears somewhat soothed me. But again when I reflected that they had spurned and deserted me, anger returned, a rage of anger, and unable to injure anything human, I turned my fury towards inanimate objects. As night advanced, I placed a variety of combustibles around the cottage, and after having destroyed every vestige of cultivation in the garden, I waited with forced impatience until the moon had sunk to commence my operations.

“I spent the rest of the day in my hovel, utterly numb with despair. My protectors had left, breaking the only link that connected me to the world. For the first time, I felt revenge and hatred fill my heart. I did not try to control those feelings. Instead, I let them carry me away, and I set my mind on injury and death. When I thought of my friends, those thoughts vanished. I remembered De Lacey’s gentle voice, Agatha’s kind eyes, and the exquisite beauty of the Arabian. A rush of tears soothed me somewhat. But when I remembered that they had rejected and abandoned me, my anger returned in a rage. Unable to hurt any human being, I turned my fury on lifeless objects. As night wore on, I placed various flammable materials around the cottage. I destroyed every trace of cultivation in the garden. Then, forcing myself to wait, I waited impatiently for the moon to set before beginning my work.

“As the night advanced, a fierce wind arose from the woods and quickly dispersed the clouds that had loitered in the heavens; the blast tore along like a mighty avalanche and produced a kind of insanity in my spirits that burst all bounds of reason and reflection. I lighted the dry branch of a tree and danced with fury around the devoted cottage, my eyes still fixed on the western horizon, the edge of which the moon nearly touched. A part of its orb was at length hid, and I waved my brand; it sank, and with a loud scream I fired the straw, and heath, and bushes, which I had collected. The wind fanned the fire, and the cottage was quickly enveloped by the flames, which clung to it and licked it with their forked and destroying tongues.

“As the night wore on, a fierce wind rose from the woods and quickly scattered the clouds lingering in the sky. The wind swept along like a mighty avalanche. It drove me into a kind of madness that swept away all reason and reflection. I lit a dry tree branch and danced furiously around the doomed cottage. My eyes remained fixed on the western horizon, which the moon had nearly reached. At last, part of the moon disappeared, and I waved my burning branch. The moon sank, and with a loud scream I set fire to the straw, heather, and bushes I had gathered. The wind fanned the fire, and flames quickly engulfed the cottage. They clung to it and licked it with their forked, destructive tongues.

“As soon as I was convinced that no assistance could save any part of the habitation, I quitted the scene and sought for refuge in the woods.

“As soon as I was sure that nothing could save any part of the house, I left and took refuge in the woods.

“And now, with the world before me, whither should I bend my steps? I resolved to fly far from the scene of my misfortunes; but to me, hated and despised, every country must be equally horrible. At length the thought of you crossed my mind. I learned from your papers that you were my father, my creator; and to whom could I apply with more fitness than to him who had given me life? Among the lessons that Felix had bestowed upon Safie, geography had not been omitted; I had learned from these the relative situations of the different countries of the earth. You had mentioned Geneva as the name of your native town, and towards this place I resolved to proceed.

“And now, with the world before me, where should I go? I decided to flee far from the place where I had suffered. But I was hated and despised, so every country would be equally horrible to me. At last, I thought of you. From your papers, I learned that you were my father, my creator. Who better to turn to than the one who had given me life? Felix had included geography among the lessons he gave Safie. From those lessons, I had learned where the different countries of the earth lay in relation to one another. You had said that Geneva was the name of your hometown, and I decided to go there.

“But how was I to direct myself? I knew that I must travel in a southwesterly direction to reach my destination, but the sun was my only guide. I did not know the names of the towns that I was to pass through, nor could I ask information from a single human being; but I did not despair. From you only could I hope for succour, although towards you I felt no sentiment but that of hatred. Unfeeling, heartless creator! You had endowed me with perceptions and passions and then cast me abroad an object for the scorn and horror of mankind. But on you only had I any claim for pity and redress, and from you I determined to seek that justice which I vainly attempted to gain from any other being that wore the human form.

“But how was I to find my way? I knew I had to travel southwest to reach my destination, but the sun was my only guide. I did not know the names of the towns I had to pass through. Nor could I ask a single human being for information. But I did not despair. Only you could help me, although I felt nothing but hatred for you. Unfeeling, heartless creator! You gave me senses and passions, then cast me out to face the scorn and horror of humanity. But only you owed me pity and a remedy for my suffering. I had tried in vain to get justice from anyone else in human form. So I resolved to seek it from you.

“My travels were long and the sufferings I endured intense. It was late in autumn when I quitted the district where I had so long resided. I travelled only at night, fearful of encountering the visage of a human being. Nature decayed around me, and the sun became heatless; rain and snow poured around me; mighty rivers were frozen; the surface of the earth was hard and chill, and bare, and I found no shelter. Oh, earth! How often did I imprecate curses on the cause of my being! The mildness of my nature had fled, and all within me was turned to gall and bitterness. The nearer I approached to your habitation, the more deeply did I feel the spirit of revenge enkindled in my heart. Snow fell, and the waters were hardened, but I rested not. A few incidents now and then directed me, and I possessed a map of the country; but I often wandered wide from my path. The agony of my feelings allowed me no respite; no incident occurred from which my rage and misery could not extract its food; but a circumstance that happened when I arrived on the confines of Switzerland, when the sun had recovered its warmth and the earth again began to look green, confirmed in an especial manner the bitterness and horror of my feelings.

“My journey was long, and my suffering was intense. It was late autumn when I left the district where I had lived for so long. I traveled only at night, afraid of seeing a human face. Nature was dying around me, and the sun no longer gave warmth. Rain and snow poured down, and mighty rivers froze. The ground was hard, cold, and bare, and I found no shelter. Oh, earth! How often I cursed the cause of my existence! My gentle nature had vanished, and everything within me had turned to bitterness. The closer I came to your home, the more strongly I felt revenge burn in my heart. Snow fell and the waters froze, but I did not rest. A few incidents here and there guided me, and I had a map of the country. But I often wandered far from my path. The agony of my feelings gave me no rest. Everything that happened fed my rage and misery. But one event especially deepened my bitterness and horror. It happened when I reached the borders of Switzerland, as the sun grew warm again and the earth began to turn green.

“I generally rested during the day and travelled only when I was secured by night from the view of man. One morning, however, finding that my path lay through a deep wood, I ventured to continue my journey after the sun had risen; the day, which was one of the first of spring, cheered even me by the loveliness of its sunshine and the balminess of the air. I felt emotions of gentleness and pleasure, that had long appeared dead, revive within me. Half surprised by the novelty of these sensations, I allowed myself to be borne away by them, and forgetting my solitude and deformity, dared to be happy. Soft tears again bedewed my cheeks, and I even raised my humid eyes with thankfulness towards the blessed sun, which bestowed such joy upon me.

“I usually rested during the day and traveled only at night, when people could not see me. One morning, however, my path led through a deep wood. So I dared to continue my journey after sunrise. It was one of the first days of spring, and even I felt cheered by the lovely sunshine and mild air. Feelings of tenderness and pleasure, which had long seemed dead, came to life within me. I was half surprised by these unfamiliar feelings, but I let them carry me away. Forgetting my loneliness and deformity, I dared to be happy. Gentle tears again covered my cheeks, and I even raised my wet eyes in thanks to the blessed sun. It had given me such joy.

“I continued to wind among the paths of the wood, until I came to its boundary, which was skirted by a deep and rapid river, into which many of the trees bent their branches, now budding with the fresh spring. Here I paused, not exactly knowing what path to pursue, when I heard the sound of voices, that induced me to conceal myself under the shade of a cypress. I was scarcely hid when a young girl came running towards the spot where I was concealed, laughing, as if she ran from someone in sport. She continued her course along the precipitous sides of the river, when suddenly her foot slipped, and she fell into the rapid stream. I rushed from my hiding-place and with extreme labour, from the force of the current, saved her and dragged her to shore. She was senseless, and I endeavoured by every means in my power to restore animation, when I was suddenly interrupted by the approach of a rustic, who was probably the person from whom she had playfully fled. On seeing me, he darted towards me, and tearing the girl from my arms, hastened towards the deeper parts of the wood. I followed speedily, I hardly knew why; but when the man saw me draw near, he aimed a gun, which he carried, at my body and fired. I sank to the ground, and my injurer, with increased swiftness, escaped into the wood.

“I continued along the winding paths through the woods until I reached their edge. A deep, swift river ran along the boundary, and many trees bent their branches over it, budding with fresh spring growth. I paused there, unsure which way to go. Then I heard voices and hid in the shade of a cypress tree. I had barely hidden when a young girl came running toward my hiding place. She was laughing, as if she were playfully running away from someone. She ran along the steep riverbank, but suddenly her foot slipped, and she fell into the swift stream. I rushed from my hiding place and saved her with great effort against the force of the current. I dragged her to shore. She was unconscious, and I tried everything I could to revive her. Suddenly, a countryman approached and interrupted me. He was probably the person she had been playfully running from. When he saw me, he rushed toward me, tore the girl from my arms, and hurried deeper into the woods. I quickly followed him, hardly knowing why. But when the man saw me coming near, he aimed the gun he carried at my body and fired. I sank to the ground, and the man who had shot me escaped even faster into the woods.

“This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind. But the agony of my wound overcame me; my pulses paused, and I fainted.

“This was my reward for kindness! I had saved a human being from death. In return, I writhed in terrible pain from a wound that shattered my flesh and bone. Just moments before, I had felt kindness and gentleness. Now I felt hellish rage and gnashed my teeth. Driven by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and revenge against all mankind. But the agony of my wound overcame me. My pulse stopped, and I fainted.

“For some weeks I led a miserable life in the woods, endeavouring to cure the wound which I had received. The ball had entered my shoulder, and I knew not whether it had remained there or passed through; at any rate I had no means of extracting it. My sufferings were augmented also by the oppressive sense of the injustice and ingratitude of their infliction. My daily vows rose for revenge—a deep and deadly revenge, such as would alone compensate for the outrages and anguish I had endured.

“For several weeks, I lived miserably in the woods, trying to heal my wound. The bullet had entered my shoulder. I did not know whether it had stayed there or passed through. Either way, I had no way to remove it. My suffering was made worse by the oppressive sense of injustice and ingratitude behind the injury. Every day, I vowed revenge. Only a deep and deadly revenge could make up for the outrages and anguish I had endured.

“After some weeks my wound healed, and I continued my journey. The labours I endured were no longer to be alleviated by the bright sun or gentle breezes of spring; all joy was but a mockery which insulted my desolate state and made me feel more painfully that I was not made for the enjoyment of pleasure.

“After a few weeks, my wound healed, and I continued my journey. The bright sun and gentle spring breezes could no longer ease the hardships I endured. All joy seemed to mock and insult my desolation. It made me feel even more painfully that I was not made to enjoy pleasure.

“But my toils now drew near a close, and in two months from this time I reached the environs of Geneva.

“But my struggles were now nearly over, and two months later I reached the outskirts of Geneva.

“It was evening when I arrived, and I retired to a hiding-place among the fields that surround it to meditate in what manner I should apply to you. I was oppressed by fatigue and hunger and far too unhappy to enjoy the gentle breezes of evening or the prospect of the sun setting behind the stupendous mountains of Jura.

“It was evening when I arrived. I hid among the surrounding fields to consider how I should approach you. I was exhausted and hungry, and far too unhappy to enjoy the gentle evening breezes. Nor could I enjoy the sight of the sun setting behind the enormous mountains of Jura.

“At this time a slight sleep relieved me from the pain of reflection, which was disturbed by the approach of a beautiful child, who came running into the recess I had chosen, with all the sportiveness of infancy. Suddenly, as I gazed on him, an idea seized me that this little creature was unprejudiced and had lived too short a time to have imbibed a horror of deformity. If, therefore, I could seize him and educate him as my companion and friend, I should not be so desolate in this peopled earth.

“At that moment, a light sleep relieved me of my painful thoughts. It was disturbed by the approach of a beautiful child. He ran playfully into the secluded spot I had chosen. As I watched him, an idea suddenly struck me. This little creature had no prejudices. He had not lived long enough to develop a horror of deformity. If I could seize him and raise him to be my companion and friend, I would not be so lonely in this world full of people.

“Urged by this impulse, I seized on the boy as he passed and drew him towards me. As soon as he beheld my form, he placed his hands before his eyes and uttered a shrill scream; I drew his hand forcibly from his face and said, ‘Child, what is the meaning of this? I do not intend to hurt you; listen to me.’

“Driven by this impulse, I grabbed the boy as he passed and pulled him toward me. As soon as he saw me, he covered his eyes with his hands and screamed. I pulled his hand away from his face and said, ‘Child, what does this mean? I do not intend to hurt you. Listen to me.’

“He struggled violently. ‘Let me go,’ he cried; ‘monster! Ugly wretch! You wish to eat me and tear me to pieces. You are an ogre. Let me go, or I will tell my papa.’

“He struggled violently. ‘Let me go!’ he cried. ‘Monster! Ugly wretch! You want to eat me and tear me to pieces. You are an ogre. Let me go, or I will tell my father.’

“‘Boy, you will never see your father again; you must come with me.’

“‘Boy, you will never see your father again. You must come with me.’

“‘Hideous monster! Let me go. My papa is a syndic—he is M. Frankenstein—he will punish you. You dare not keep me.’

“‘Hideous monster! Let me go. My father is a magistrate. He is M. Frankenstein. He will punish you. You wouldn't dare keep me.’

“‘Frankenstein! you belong then to my enemy—to him towards whom I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim.’

“‘Frankenstein! So you belong to my enemy, the one I have sworn to take revenge on forever. You will be my first victim.’

“The child still struggled and loaded me with epithets which carried despair to my heart; I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet.

“The child kept struggling and hurled insults at me that filled my heart with despair. I grabbed his throat to silence him, and a moment later he lay dead at my feet.

“I gazed on my victim, and my heart swelled with exultation and hellish triumph; clapping my hands, I exclaimed, ‘I too can create desolation; my enemy is not invulnerable; this death will carry despair to him, and a thousand other miseries shall torment and destroy him.’

“I looked at my victim, and my heart filled with joy and hellish triumph. Clapping my hands, I cried, ‘I too can bring ruin. My enemy can be hurt. This death will drive him to despair, and a thousand other miseries will torment and destroy him.’

“As I fixed my eyes on the child, I saw something glittering on his breast. I took it; it was a portrait of a most lovely woman. In spite of my malignity, it softened and attracted me. For a few moments I gazed with delight on her dark eyes, fringed by deep lashes, and her lovely lips; but presently my rage returned; I remembered that I was for ever deprived of the delights that such beautiful creatures could bestow and that she whose resemblance I contemplated would, in regarding me, have changed that air of divine benignity to one expressive of disgust and affright.

“As I stared at the child, I saw something glittering on his chest. I took it. It was a portrait of a very beautiful woman. Despite my malice, the portrait softened and attracted me. For a few moments, I gazed with delight at her dark eyes, framed by thick lashes, and her beautiful lips. But soon my rage returned. I remembered that I was forever denied the pleasures such beautiful creatures could give. I also knew that if the woman in the portrait saw me, her divine kindness would turn to disgust and fear.

“Can you wonder that such thoughts transported me with rage? I only wonder that at that moment, instead of venting my sensations in exclamations and agony, I did not rush among mankind and perish in the attempt to destroy them.

“Can you wonder that such thoughts filled me with rage? I only wonder why I did not rush among people and die trying to destroy them. Instead, I cried out and suffered in agony.

“While I was overcome by these feelings, I left the spot where I had committed the murder, and seeking a more secluded hiding-place, I entered a barn which had appeared to me to be empty. A woman was sleeping on some straw; she was young, not indeed so beautiful as her whose portrait I held, but of an agreeable aspect and blooming in the loveliness of youth and health. Here, I thought, is one of those whose joy-imparting smiles are bestowed on all but me. And then I bent over her and whispered, ‘Awake, fairest, thy lover is near—he who would give his life but to obtain one look of affection from thine eyes; my beloved, awake!’

“Overcome by these feelings, I left the place where I had committed the murder. Looking for a more secluded hiding place, I entered a barn that seemed empty. A woman was sleeping on some straw. She was young, though not as beautiful as the woman in the portrait I held. She had a pleasant face and glowed with the beauty of youth and health. Here, I thought, is one of those women whose joyful smiles are given to everyone but me. Then I bent over her and whispered, ‘Wake up, fairest one, your lover is near. He would give his life for just one look of affection from your eyes. My beloved, wake up!’

“The sleeper stirred; a thrill of terror ran through me. Should she indeed awake, and see me, and curse me, and denounce the murderer? Thus would she assuredly act if her darkened eyes opened and she beheld me. The thought was madness; it stirred the fiend within me—not I, but she, shall suffer; the murder I have committed because I am for ever robbed of all that she could give me, she shall atone. The crime had its source in her; be hers the punishment! Thanks to the lessons of Felix and the sanguinary laws of man, I had learned now to work mischief. I bent over her and placed the portrait securely in one of the folds of her dress. She moved again, and I fled.

“The sleeping woman stirred, and terror ran through me. What if she woke, saw me, cursed me, and exposed me as the murderer? She would surely do so if she opened her darkened eyes and saw me. The thought drove me mad. It stirred the fiend within me. She would suffer, not I. I had committed the murder because I was forever robbed of all she could give me. She would pay for it. The crime began with her, so the punishment should be hers! Thanks to Felix’s lessons and the bloody laws of men, I had learned how to cause harm. I bent over her and placed the portrait securely in a fold of her dress. She moved again, and I fled.”

“For some days I haunted the spot where these scenes had taken place, sometimes wishing to see you, sometimes resolved to quit the world and its miseries for ever. At length I wandered towards these mountains, and have ranged through their immense recesses, consumed by a burning passion which you alone can gratify. We may not part until you have promised to comply with my requisition. I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create.”

“For several days I lingered where these events had happened. Sometimes I wanted to see you. At other times I was determined to leave the world and its misery forever. Eventually I wandered toward these mountains and roamed through their vast, remote depths. I was consumed by a burning desire that only you can satisfy. We cannot part until you promise to do what I ask. I am alone and miserable. No human will associate with me, but someone as deformed and horrible as I am would not reject me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. You must create this being.”