Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
an affection for you, may increase your miseries tenfold by being `
` an obstacle to your wishes. Ah! Victor, be assured that your `
` cousin and playmate has too sincere a love for you not to be made `
` miserable by this supposition. Be happy, my friend; and if you `
` obey me in this one request, remain satisfied that nothing on `
` earth will have the power to interrupt my tranquillity. `
` `
` "Do not let this letter disturb you; do not answer tomorrow, `
` or the next day, or even until you come, if it will give you pain. `
` My uncle will send me news of your health, and if I see but one `
` smile on your lips when we meet, occasioned by this or any other `
` exertion of mine, I shall need no other happiness. `
` `
` "Elizabeth Lavenza `
` `
` "Geneva, May 18th, 17--" `
` `
` `
` This letter revived in my memory what I had before forgotten, the `
` threat of the fiend--"I WILL BE WITH YOU ON YOUR WEDDING-NIGHT!" Such `
` was my sentence, and on that night would the daemon employ every art to `
` destroy me and tear me from the glimpse of happiness which promised `
` partly to console my sufferings. On that night he had determined to `
` consummate his crimes by my death. Well, be it so; a deadly struggle `
` would then assuredly take place, in which if he were victorious I `
` should be at peace and his power over me be at an end. If he were `
` vanquished, I should be a free man. Alas! What freedom? Such as the `
` peasant enjoys when his family have been massacred before his eyes, his `
` cottage burnt, his lands laid waste, and he is turned adrift, homeless, `
` penniless, and alone, but free. Such would be my liberty except that in `
` my Elizabeth I possessed a treasure, alas, balanced by those horrors of `
` remorse and guilt which would pursue me until death. `
` `
` Sweet and beloved Elizabeth! I read and reread her letter, and some `
` softened feelings stole into my heart and dared to whisper paradisiacal `
` dreams of love and joy; but the apple was already eaten, and the `
` angel's arm bared to drive me from all hope. Yet I would die to make `
` her happy. If the monster executed his threat, death was inevitable; `
` yet, again, I considered whether my marriage would hasten my fate. My `
` destruction might indeed arrive a few months sooner, but if my torturer `
` should suspect that I postponed it, influenced by his menaces, he would `
` surely find other and perhaps more dreadful means of revenge. `
` `
` He had vowed TO BE WITH ME ON MY WEDDING-NIGHT, yet he did not consider `
` that threat as binding him to peace in the meantime, for as if to show `
` me that he was not yet satiated with blood, he had murdered Clerval `
` immediately after the enunciation of his threats. I resolved, `
` therefore, that if my immediate union with my cousin would conduce `
` either to hers or my father's happiness, my adversary's designs against `
` my life should not retard it a single hour. `
` `
` In this state of mind I wrote to Elizabeth. My letter was calm and `
` affectionate. "I fear, my beloved girl," I said, "little happiness `
` remains for us on earth; yet all that I may one day enjoy is centred in `
` you. Chase away your idle fears; to you alone do I consecrate my life `
` and my endeavours for contentment. I have one secret, Elizabeth, a `
` dreadful one; when revealed to you, it will chill your frame with `
` horror, and then, far from being surprised at my misery, you will only `
` wonder that I survive what I have endured. I will confide this tale of `
` misery and terror to you the day after our marriage shall take place, `
` for, my sweet cousin, there must be perfect confidence between us. But `
` until then, I conjure you, do not mention or allude to it. This I most `
` earnestly entreat, and I know you will comply." `
` `
` In about a week after the arrival of Elizabeth's letter we returned to `
` Geneva. The sweet girl welcomed me with warm affection, yet tears were `
` in her eyes as she beheld my emaciated frame and feverish cheeks. I `
` saw a change in her also. She was thinner and had lost much of that `
` heavenly vivacity that had before charmed me; but her gentleness and `
` soft looks of compassion made her a more fit companion for one blasted `
` and miserable as I was. The tranquillity which I now enjoyed did not `
` endure. Memory brought madness with it, and when I thought of what had `
` passed, a real insanity possessed me; sometimes I was furious and burnt `
` with rage, sometimes low and despondent. I neither spoke nor looked at `
` anyone, but sat motionless, bewildered by the multitude of miseries `
` that overcame me. `
` `
` Elizabeth alone had the power to draw me from these fits; her gentle `
` voice would soothe me when transported by passion and inspire me with `
` human feelings when sunk in torpor. She wept with me and for me. When `
` reason returned, she would remonstrate and endeavour to inspire me with `
` resignation. Ah! It is well for the unfortunate to be resigned, but `
` for the guilty there is no peace. The agonies of remorse poison the `
` luxury there is otherwise sometimes found in indulging the excess of `
` grief. Soon after my arrival my father spoke of my immediate marriage `
` with Elizabeth. I remained silent. `
` `
` "Have you, then, some other attachment?" `
` `
` "None on earth. I love Elizabeth and look forward to our union with `
` delight. Let the day therefore be fixed; and on it I will consecrate `
` myself, in life or death, to the happiness of my cousin." `
` `
` "My dear Victor, do not speak thus. Heavy misfortunes have befallen `
` us, but let us only cling closer to what remains and transfer our love `
` for those whom we have lost to those who yet live. Our circle will be `
` small but bound close by the ties of affection and mutual misfortune. `
` And when time shall have softened your despair, new and dear objects of `
` care will be born to replace those of whom we have been so cruelly `
` deprived." `
` `
` Such were the lessons of my father. But to me the remembrance of the `
` threat returned; nor can you wonder that, omnipotent as the fiend had `
` yet been in his deeds of blood, I should almost regard him as `
` invincible, and that when he had pronounced the words "I SHALL BE WITH `
` YOU ON YOUR WEDDING-NIGHT," I should regard the threatened fate as `
` unavoidable. But death was no evil to me if the loss of Elizabeth were `
` balanced with it, and I therefore, with a contented and even cheerful `
` countenance, agreed with my father that if my cousin would consent, the `
` ceremony should take place in ten days, and thus put, as I imagined, `
` the seal to my fate. `
` `
` Great God! If for one instant I had thought what might be the hellish `
` intention of my fiendish adversary, I would rather have banished myself `
` forever from my native country and wandered a friendless outcast over `
` the earth than have consented to this miserable marriage. But, as if `
` possessed of magic powers, the monster had blinded me to his real `
` intentions; and when I thought that I had prepared only my own death, I `
` hastened that of a far dearer victim. `
` `
` As the period fixed for our marriage drew nearer, whether from `
` cowardice or a prophetic feeling, I felt my heart sink within me. But `
` I concealed my feelings by an appearance of hilarity that brought `
` smiles and joy to the countenance of my father, but hardly deceived the `
` ever-watchful and nicer eye of Elizabeth. She looked forward to our `
` union with placid contentment, not unmingled with a little fear, which `
` past misfortunes had impressed, that what now appeared certain and `
` tangible happiness might soon dissipate into an airy dream and leave no `
` trace but deep and everlasting regret. Preparations were made for the `
` event, congratulatory visits were received, and all wore a smiling `
` appearance. I shut up, as well as I could, in my own heart the anxiety `
` that preyed there and entered with seeming earnestness into the plans `
` of my father, although they might only serve as the decorations of my `
` tragedy. Through my father's exertions a part of the inheritance of `
` Elizabeth had been restored to her by the Austrian government. A small `
` possession on the shores of Como belonged to her. It was agreed that, `
` immediately after our union, we should proceed to Villa Lavenza and `
` spend our first days of happiness beside the beautiful lake near which `
` it stood. `
` `
` In the meantime I took every precaution to defend my person in case the `
` fiend should openly attack me. I carried pistols and a dagger `
` constantly about me and was ever on the watch to prevent artifice, and `
` by these means gained a greater degree of tranquillity. Indeed, as the `
` period approached, the threat appeared more as a delusion, not to be `
` regarded as worthy to disturb my peace, while the happiness I hoped for `
` in my marriage wore a greater appearance of certainty as the day fixed `
` for its solemnization drew nearer and I heard it continually spoken of `
` as an occurrence which no accident could possibly prevent. `
` `
` Elizabeth seemed happy; my tranquil demeanour contributed greatly to `
` calm her mind. But on the day that was to fulfil my wishes and my `
` destiny, she was melancholy, and a presentiment of evil pervaded her; `
` and perhaps also she thought of the dreadful secret which I had `
` promised to reveal to her on the following day. My father was in the `
` meantime overjoyed and in the bustle of preparation only recognized in `
` the melancholy of his niece the diffidence of a bride. `
` `
` After the ceremony was performed a large party assembled at my `
` father's, but it was agreed that Elizabeth and I should commence our `
` journey by water, sleeping that night at Evian and continuing our `
` voyage on the following day. The day was fair, the wind favourable; `
` all smiled on our nuptial embarkation. `
` `
` Those were the last moments of my life during which I enjoyed the `
` feeling of happiness. We passed rapidly along; the sun was hot, but we `
` were sheltered from its rays by a kind of canopy while we enjoyed the `
` beauty of the scene, sometimes on one side of the lake, where we saw `
` Mont Saleve, the pleasant banks of Montalegre, and at a distance, `
` surmounting all, the beautiful Mont Blanc and the assemblage of snowy `
` mountains that in vain endeavour to emulate her; sometimes coasting the `
` opposite banks, we saw the mighty Jura opposing its dark side to the `
` ambition that would quit its native country, and an almost `
` insurmountable barrier to the invader who should wish to enslave it. `
` `
` I took the hand of Elizabeth. "You are sorrowful, my love. Ah! If `
` you knew what I have suffered and what I may yet endure, you would `
` endeavour to let me taste the quiet and freedom from despair that this `
` one day at least permits me to enjoy." `
` `
` "Be happy, my dear Victor," replied Elizabeth; "there is, I hope, `
` nothing to distress you; and be assured that if a lively joy is not `
` painted in my face, my heart is contented. Something whispers to me `
` not to depend too much on the prospect that is opened before us, but I `
` will not listen to such a sinister voice. Observe how fast we move `
` along and how the clouds, which sometimes obscure and sometimes rise `
` above the dome of Mont Blanc, render this scene of beauty still more `
` interesting. Look also at the innumerable fish that are swimming in `
` the clear waters, where we can distinguish every pebble that lies at `
` the bottom. What a divine day! How happy and serene all nature `
` appears!" `
` `
` Thus Elizabeth endeavoured to divert her thoughts and mine from all `
` reflection upon melancholy subjects. But her temper was fluctuating; `
` joy for a few instants shone in her eyes, but it continually gave place `
` to distraction and reverie. `
` `
` The sun sank lower in the heavens; we passed the river Drance and `
` observed its path through the chasms of the higher and the glens of the `
` lower hills. The Alps here come closer to the lake, and we approached `
` the amphitheatre of mountains which forms its eastern boundary. The `
`
` an obstacle to your wishes. Ah! Victor, be assured that your `
` cousin and playmate has too sincere a love for you not to be made `
` miserable by this supposition. Be happy, my friend; and if you `
` obey me in this one request, remain satisfied that nothing on `
` earth will have the power to interrupt my tranquillity. `
` `
` "Do not let this letter disturb you; do not answer tomorrow, `
` or the next day, or even until you come, if it will give you pain. `
` My uncle will send me news of your health, and if I see but one `
` smile on your lips when we meet, occasioned by this or any other `
` exertion of mine, I shall need no other happiness. `
` `
` "Elizabeth Lavenza `
` `
` "Geneva, May 18th, 17--" `
` `
` `
` This letter revived in my memory what I had before forgotten, the `
` threat of the fiend--"I WILL BE WITH YOU ON YOUR WEDDING-NIGHT!" Such `
` was my sentence, and on that night would the daemon employ every art to `
` destroy me and tear me from the glimpse of happiness which promised `
` partly to console my sufferings. On that night he had determined to `
` consummate his crimes by my death. Well, be it so; a deadly struggle `
` would then assuredly take place, in which if he were victorious I `
` should be at peace and his power over me be at an end. If he were `
` vanquished, I should be a free man. Alas! What freedom? Such as the `
` peasant enjoys when his family have been massacred before his eyes, his `
` cottage burnt, his lands laid waste, and he is turned adrift, homeless, `
` penniless, and alone, but free. Such would be my liberty except that in `
` my Elizabeth I possessed a treasure, alas, balanced by those horrors of `
` remorse and guilt which would pursue me until death. `
` `
` Sweet and beloved Elizabeth! I read and reread her letter, and some `
` softened feelings stole into my heart and dared to whisper paradisiacal `
` dreams of love and joy; but the apple was already eaten, and the `
` angel's arm bared to drive me from all hope. Yet I would die to make `
` her happy. If the monster executed his threat, death was inevitable; `
` yet, again, I considered whether my marriage would hasten my fate. My `
` destruction might indeed arrive a few months sooner, but if my torturer `
` should suspect that I postponed it, influenced by his menaces, he would `
` surely find other and perhaps more dreadful means of revenge. `
` `
` He had vowed TO BE WITH ME ON MY WEDDING-NIGHT, yet he did not consider `
` that threat as binding him to peace in the meantime, for as if to show `
` me that he was not yet satiated with blood, he had murdered Clerval `
` immediately after the enunciation of his threats. I resolved, `
` therefore, that if my immediate union with my cousin would conduce `
` either to hers or my father's happiness, my adversary's designs against `
` my life should not retard it a single hour. `
` `
` In this state of mind I wrote to Elizabeth. My letter was calm and `
` affectionate. "I fear, my beloved girl," I said, "little happiness `
` remains for us on earth; yet all that I may one day enjoy is centred in `
` you. Chase away your idle fears; to you alone do I consecrate my life `
` and my endeavours for contentment. I have one secret, Elizabeth, a `
` dreadful one; when revealed to you, it will chill your frame with `
` horror, and then, far from being surprised at my misery, you will only `
` wonder that I survive what I have endured. I will confide this tale of `
` misery and terror to you the day after our marriage shall take place, `
` for, my sweet cousin, there must be perfect confidence between us. But `
` until then, I conjure you, do not mention or allude to it. This I most `
` earnestly entreat, and I know you will comply." `
` `
` In about a week after the arrival of Elizabeth's letter we returned to `
` Geneva. The sweet girl welcomed me with warm affection, yet tears were `
` in her eyes as she beheld my emaciated frame and feverish cheeks. I `
` saw a change in her also. She was thinner and had lost much of that `
` heavenly vivacity that had before charmed me; but her gentleness and `
` soft looks of compassion made her a more fit companion for one blasted `
` and miserable as I was. The tranquillity which I now enjoyed did not `
` endure. Memory brought madness with it, and when I thought of what had `
` passed, a real insanity possessed me; sometimes I was furious and burnt `
` with rage, sometimes low and despondent. I neither spoke nor looked at `
` anyone, but sat motionless, bewildered by the multitude of miseries `
` that overcame me. `
` `
` Elizabeth alone had the power to draw me from these fits; her gentle `
` voice would soothe me when transported by passion and inspire me with `
` human feelings when sunk in torpor. She wept with me and for me. When `
` reason returned, she would remonstrate and endeavour to inspire me with `
` resignation. Ah! It is well for the unfortunate to be resigned, but `
` for the guilty there is no peace. The agonies of remorse poison the `
` luxury there is otherwise sometimes found in indulging the excess of `
` grief. Soon after my arrival my father spoke of my immediate marriage `
` with Elizabeth. I remained silent. `
` `
` "Have you, then, some other attachment?" `
` `
` "None on earth. I love Elizabeth and look forward to our union with `
` delight. Let the day therefore be fixed; and on it I will consecrate `
` myself, in life or death, to the happiness of my cousin." `
` `
` "My dear Victor, do not speak thus. Heavy misfortunes have befallen `
` us, but let us only cling closer to what remains and transfer our love `
` for those whom we have lost to those who yet live. Our circle will be `
` small but bound close by the ties of affection and mutual misfortune. `
` And when time shall have softened your despair, new and dear objects of `
` care will be born to replace those of whom we have been so cruelly `
` deprived." `
` `
` Such were the lessons of my father. But to me the remembrance of the `
` threat returned; nor can you wonder that, omnipotent as the fiend had `
` yet been in his deeds of blood, I should almost regard him as `
` invincible, and that when he had pronounced the words "I SHALL BE WITH `
` YOU ON YOUR WEDDING-NIGHT," I should regard the threatened fate as `
` unavoidable. But death was no evil to me if the loss of Elizabeth were `
` balanced with it, and I therefore, with a contented and even cheerful `
` countenance, agreed with my father that if my cousin would consent, the `
` ceremony should take place in ten days, and thus put, as I imagined, `
` the seal to my fate. `
` `
` Great God! If for one instant I had thought what might be the hellish `
` intention of my fiendish adversary, I would rather have banished myself `
` forever from my native country and wandered a friendless outcast over `
` the earth than have consented to this miserable marriage. But, as if `
` possessed of magic powers, the monster had blinded me to his real `
` intentions; and when I thought that I had prepared only my own death, I `
` hastened that of a far dearer victim. `
` `
` As the period fixed for our marriage drew nearer, whether from `
` cowardice or a prophetic feeling, I felt my heart sink within me. But `
` I concealed my feelings by an appearance of hilarity that brought `
` smiles and joy to the countenance of my father, but hardly deceived the `
` ever-watchful and nicer eye of Elizabeth. She looked forward to our `
` union with placid contentment, not unmingled with a little fear, which `
` past misfortunes had impressed, that what now appeared certain and `
` tangible happiness might soon dissipate into an airy dream and leave no `
` trace but deep and everlasting regret. Preparations were made for the `
` event, congratulatory visits were received, and all wore a smiling `
` appearance. I shut up, as well as I could, in my own heart the anxiety `
` that preyed there and entered with seeming earnestness into the plans `
` of my father, although they might only serve as the decorations of my `
` tragedy. Through my father's exertions a part of the inheritance of `
` Elizabeth had been restored to her by the Austrian government. A small `
` possession on the shores of Como belonged to her. It was agreed that, `
` immediately after our union, we should proceed to Villa Lavenza and `
` spend our first days of happiness beside the beautiful lake near which `
` it stood. `
` `
` In the meantime I took every precaution to defend my person in case the `
` fiend should openly attack me. I carried pistols and a dagger `
` constantly about me and was ever on the watch to prevent artifice, and `
` by these means gained a greater degree of tranquillity. Indeed, as the `
` period approached, the threat appeared more as a delusion, not to be `
` regarded as worthy to disturb my peace, while the happiness I hoped for `
` in my marriage wore a greater appearance of certainty as the day fixed `
` for its solemnization drew nearer and I heard it continually spoken of `
` as an occurrence which no accident could possibly prevent. `
` `
` Elizabeth seemed happy; my tranquil demeanour contributed greatly to `
` calm her mind. But on the day that was to fulfil my wishes and my `
` destiny, she was melancholy, and a presentiment of evil pervaded her; `
` and perhaps also she thought of the dreadful secret which I had `
` promised to reveal to her on the following day. My father was in the `
` meantime overjoyed and in the bustle of preparation only recognized in `
` the melancholy of his niece the diffidence of a bride. `
` `
` After the ceremony was performed a large party assembled at my `
` father's, but it was agreed that Elizabeth and I should commence our `
` journey by water, sleeping that night at Evian and continuing our `
` voyage on the following day. The day was fair, the wind favourable; `
` all smiled on our nuptial embarkation. `
` `
` Those were the last moments of my life during which I enjoyed the `
` feeling of happiness. We passed rapidly along; the sun was hot, but we `
` were sheltered from its rays by a kind of canopy while we enjoyed the `
` beauty of the scene, sometimes on one side of the lake, where we saw `
` Mont Saleve, the pleasant banks of Montalegre, and at a distance, `
` surmounting all, the beautiful Mont Blanc and the assemblage of snowy `
` mountains that in vain endeavour to emulate her; sometimes coasting the `
` opposite banks, we saw the mighty Jura opposing its dark side to the `
` ambition that would quit its native country, and an almost `
` insurmountable barrier to the invader who should wish to enslave it. `
` `
` I took the hand of Elizabeth. "You are sorrowful, my love. Ah! If `
` you knew what I have suffered and what I may yet endure, you would `
` endeavour to let me taste the quiet and freedom from despair that this `
` one day at least permits me to enjoy." `
` `
` "Be happy, my dear Victor," replied Elizabeth; "there is, I hope, `
` nothing to distress you; and be assured that if a lively joy is not `
` painted in my face, my heart is contented. Something whispers to me `
` not to depend too much on the prospect that is opened before us, but I `
` will not listen to such a sinister voice. Observe how fast we move `
` along and how the clouds, which sometimes obscure and sometimes rise `
` above the dome of Mont Blanc, render this scene of beauty still more `
` interesting. Look also at the innumerable fish that are swimming in `
` the clear waters, where we can distinguish every pebble that lies at `
` the bottom. What a divine day! How happy and serene all nature `
` appears!" `
` `
` Thus Elizabeth endeavoured to divert her thoughts and mine from all `
` reflection upon melancholy subjects. But her temper was fluctuating; `
` joy for a few instants shone in her eyes, but it continually gave place `
` to distraction and reverie. `
` `
` The sun sank lower in the heavens; we passed the river Drance and `
` observed its path through the chasms of the higher and the glens of the `
` lower hills. The Alps here come closer to the lake, and we approached `
` the amphitheatre of mountains which forms its eastern boundary. The `
`