Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.1-9
`
` "No one did at first; but several circumstances came out, that have `
` almost forced conviction upon us; and her own behaviour has been so `
` confused, as to add to the evidence of facts a weight that, I fear, `
` leaves no hope for doubt. But she will be tried today, and you will `
` then hear all." `
` `
` He then related that, the morning on which the murder of poor William `
` had been discovered, Justine had been taken ill, and confined to her `
` bed for several days. During this interval, one of the servants, `
` happening to examine the apparel she had worn on the night of the `
` murder, had discovered in her pocket the picture of my mother, which `
` had been judged to be the temptation of the murderer. The servant `
` instantly showed it to one of the others, who, without saying a word to `
` any of the family, went to a magistrate; and, upon their deposition, `
` Justine was apprehended. On being charged with the fact, the poor girl `
` confirmed the suspicion in a great measure by her extreme confusion of `
` manner. `
` `
` This was a strange tale, but it did not shake my faith; and I replied `
` earnestly, "You are all mistaken; I know the murderer. Justine, poor, `
` good Justine, is innocent." `
` `
` At that instant my father entered. I saw unhappiness deeply impressed `
` on his countenance, but he endeavoured to welcome me cheerfully; and, `
` after we had exchanged our mournful greeting, would have introduced `
` some other topic than that of our disaster, had not Ernest exclaimed, `
` "Good God, papa! Victor says that he knows who was the murderer of `
` poor William." `
` `
` "We do also, unfortunately," replied my father, "for indeed I had `
` rather have been for ever ignorant than have discovered so much `
` depravity and ungratitude in one I valued so highly." `
` `
` "My dear father, you are mistaken; Justine is innocent." `
` `
` "If she is, God forbid that she should suffer as guilty. She is to be `
` tried today, and I hope, I sincerely hope, that she will be acquitted." `
` `
` This speech calmed me. I was firmly convinced in my own mind that `
` Justine, and indeed every human being, was guiltless of this murder. I `
` had no fear, therefore, that any circumstantial evidence could be `
` brought forward strong enough to convict her. My tale was not one to `
` announce publicly; its astounding horror would be looked upon as `
` madness by the vulgar. Did any one indeed exist, except I, the `
` creator, who would believe, unless his senses convinced him, in the `
` existence of the living monument of presumption and rash ignorance `
` which I had let loose upon the world? `
` `
` We were soon joined by Elizabeth. Time had altered her since I last `
` beheld her; it had endowed her with loveliness surpassing the beauty of `
` her childish years. There was the same candour, the same vivacity, but `
` it was allied to an expression more full of sensibility and intellect. `
` She welcomed me with the greatest affection. "Your arrival, my dear `
` cousin," said she, "fills me with hope. You perhaps will find some `
` means to justify my poor guiltless Justine. Alas! who is safe, if she `
` be convicted of crime? I rely on her innocence as certainly as I do `
` upon my own. Our misfortune is doubly hard to us; we have not only `
` lost that lovely darling boy, but this poor girl, whom I sincerely `
` love, is to be torn away by even a worse fate. If she is condemned, I `
` never shall know joy more. But she will not, I am sure she will not; `
` and then I shall be happy again, even after the sad death of my little `
` William." `
` `
` "She is innocent, my Elizabeth," said I, "and that shall be proved; `
` fear nothing, but let your spirits be cheered by the assurance of her `
` acquittal." `
` `
` "How kind and generous you are! every one else believes in her guilt, `
` and that made me wretched, for I knew that it was impossible: and to `
` see every one else prejudiced in so deadly a manner rendered me `
` hopeless and despairing." She wept. `
` `
` "Dearest niece," said my father, "dry your tears. If she is, as you `
` believe, innocent, rely on the justice of our laws, and the activity `
` with which I shall prevent the slightest shadow of partiality." `
` `
` `
` Chapter 8 `
` `
` We passed a few sad hours until eleven o'clock, when the trial was to `
` commence. My father and the rest of the family being obliged to attend `
` as witnesses, I accompanied them to the court. During the whole of `
` this wretched mockery of justice I suffered living torture. It was to `
` be decided whether the result of my curiosity and lawless devices would `
` cause the death of two of my fellow beings: one a smiling babe full of `
` innocence and joy, the other far more dreadfully murdered, with every `
` aggravation of infamy that could make the murder memorable in horror. `
` Justine also was a girl of merit and possessed qualities which promised `
` to render her life happy; now all was to be obliterated in an `
` ignominious grave, and I the cause! A thousand times rather would I `
` have confessed myself guilty of the crime ascribed to Justine, but I `
` was absent when it was committed, and such a declaration would have `
` been considered as the ravings of a madman and would not have `
` exculpated her who suffered through me. `
` `
` The appearance of Justine was calm. She was dressed in mourning, and `
` her countenance, always engaging, was rendered, by the solemnity of her `
` feelings, exquisitely beautiful. Yet she appeared confident in `
` innocence and did not tremble, although gazed on and execrated by `
` thousands, for all the kindness which her beauty might otherwise have `
` excited was obliterated in the minds of the spectators by the `
` imagination of the enormity she was supposed to have committed. She `
` was tranquil, yet her tranquillity was evidently constrained; and as `
` her confusion had before been adduced as a proof of her guilt, she `
` worked up her mind to an appearance of courage. When she entered the `
` court she threw her eyes round it and quickly discovered where we were `
` seated. A tear seemed to dim her eye when she saw us, but she quickly `
` recovered herself, and a look of sorrowful affection seemed to attest `
` her utter guiltlessness. `
` `
` The trial began, and after the advocate against her had stated the `
` charge, several witnesses were called. Several strange facts combined `
` against her, which might have staggered anyone who had not such proof `
` of her innocence as I had. She had been out the whole of the night on `
` which the murder had been committed and towards morning had been `
` perceived by a market-woman not far from the spot where the body of the `
` murdered child had been afterwards found. The woman asked her what she `
` did there, but she looked very strangely and only returned a confused `
` and unintelligible answer. She returned to the house about eight `
` o'clock, and when one inquired where she had passed the night, she `
` replied that she had been looking for the child and demanded earnestly `
` if anything had been heard concerning him. When shown the body, she `
` fell into violent hysterics and kept her bed for several days. The `
` picture was then produced which the servant had found in her pocket; `
` and when Elizabeth, in a faltering voice, proved that it was the same `
` which, an hour before the child had been missed, she had placed round `
` his neck, a murmur of horror and indignation filled the court. `
` `
` Justine was called on for her defence. As the trial had proceeded, her `
` countenance had altered. Surprise, horror, and misery were strongly `
` expressed. Sometimes she struggled with her tears, but when she was `
` desired to plead, she collected her powers and spoke in an audible `
` although variable voice. `
` `
` "God knows," she said, "how entirely I am innocent. But I do not `
` pretend that my protestations should acquit me; I rest my innocence on `
` a plain and simple explanation of the facts which have been adduced `
` against me, and I hope the character I have always borne will incline `
` my judges to a favourable interpretation where any circumstance appears `
` doubtful or suspicious." `
` `
` She then related that, by the permission of Elizabeth, she had passed `
` the evening of the night on which the murder had been committed at the `
` house of an aunt at Chene, a village situated at about a league from `
` Geneva. On her return, at about nine o'clock, she met a man who asked `
` her if she had seen anything of the child who was lost. She was `
` alarmed by this account and passed several hours in looking for him, `
` when the gates of Geneva were shut, and she was forced to remain `
` several hours of the night in a barn belonging to a cottage, being `
` unwilling to call up the inhabitants, to whom she was well known. Most `
` of the night she spent here watching; towards morning she believed that `
` she slept for a few minutes; some steps disturbed her, and she awoke. `
` It was dawn, and she quitted her asylum, that she might again endeavour `
` to find my brother. If she had gone near the spot where his body lay, `
` it was without her knowledge. That she had been bewildered when `
` questioned by the market-woman was not surprising, since she had passed `
` a sleepless night and the fate of poor William was yet uncertain. `
` Concerning the picture she could give no account. `
` `
` "I know," continued the unhappy victim, "how heavily and fatally this `
` one circumstance weighs against me, but I have no power of explaining `
` it; and when I have expressed my utter ignorance, I am only left to `
` conjecture concerning the probabilities by which it might have been `
` placed in my pocket. But here also I am checked. I believe that I `
` have no enemy on earth, and none surely would have been so wicked as to `
` destroy me wantonly. Did the murderer place it there? I know of no `
` opportunity afforded him for so doing; or, if I had, why should he have `
` stolen the jewel, to part with it again so soon? `
` `
` "I commit my cause to the justice of my judges, yet I see no room for `
` hope. I beg permission to have a few witnesses examined concerning my `
` character, and if their testimony shall not overweigh my supposed `
` guilt, I must be condemned, although I would pledge my salvation on my `
` innocence." `
` `
` Several witnesses were called who had known her for many years, and `
` they spoke well of her; but fear and hatred of the crime of which they `
` supposed her guilty rendered them timorous and unwilling to come `
` forward. Elizabeth saw even this last resource, her excellent `
` dispositions and irreproachable conduct, about to fail the accused, `
` when, although violently agitated, she desired permission to address `
` the court. `
` `
` "I am," said she, "the cousin of the unhappy child who was murdered, or `
` rather his sister, for I was educated by and have lived with his `
` parents ever since and even long before his birth. It may therefore be `
` judged indecent in me to come forward on this occasion, but when I see `
` a fellow creature about to perish through the cowardice of her `
` pretended friends, I wish to be allowed to speak, that I may say what I `
` know of her character. I am well acquainted with the accused. I have `
` lived in the same house with her, at one time for five and at another `
` for nearly two years. During all that period she appeared to me the `
` most amiable and benevolent of human creatures. She nursed Madame `
` Frankenstein, my aunt, in her last illness, with the greatest affection `
` and care and afterwards attended her own mother during a tedious `
` illness, in a manner that excited the admiration of all who knew her, `
` after which she again lived in my uncle's house, where she was beloved `
` by all the family. She was warmly attached to the child who is now `
` dead and acted towards him like a most affectionate mother. For my own `
` part, I do not hesitate to say that, notwithstanding all the evidence `
`
` "No one did at first; but several circumstances came out, that have `
` almost forced conviction upon us; and her own behaviour has been so `
` confused, as to add to the evidence of facts a weight that, I fear, `
` leaves no hope for doubt. But she will be tried today, and you will `
` then hear all." `
` `
` He then related that, the morning on which the murder of poor William `
` had been discovered, Justine had been taken ill, and confined to her `
` bed for several days. During this interval, one of the servants, `
` happening to examine the apparel she had worn on the night of the `
` murder, had discovered in her pocket the picture of my mother, which `
` had been judged to be the temptation of the murderer. The servant `
` instantly showed it to one of the others, who, without saying a word to `
` any of the family, went to a magistrate; and, upon their deposition, `
` Justine was apprehended. On being charged with the fact, the poor girl `
` confirmed the suspicion in a great measure by her extreme confusion of `
` manner. `
` `
` This was a strange tale, but it did not shake my faith; and I replied `
` earnestly, "You are all mistaken; I know the murderer. Justine, poor, `
` good Justine, is innocent." `
` `
` At that instant my father entered. I saw unhappiness deeply impressed `
` on his countenance, but he endeavoured to welcome me cheerfully; and, `
` after we had exchanged our mournful greeting, would have introduced `
` some other topic than that of our disaster, had not Ernest exclaimed, `
` "Good God, papa! Victor says that he knows who was the murderer of `
` poor William." `
` `
` "We do also, unfortunately," replied my father, "for indeed I had `
` rather have been for ever ignorant than have discovered so much `
` depravity and ungratitude in one I valued so highly." `
` `
` "My dear father, you are mistaken; Justine is innocent." `
` `
` "If she is, God forbid that she should suffer as guilty. She is to be `
` tried today, and I hope, I sincerely hope, that she will be acquitted." `
` `
` This speech calmed me. I was firmly convinced in my own mind that `
` Justine, and indeed every human being, was guiltless of this murder. I `
` had no fear, therefore, that any circumstantial evidence could be `
` brought forward strong enough to convict her. My tale was not one to `
` announce publicly; its astounding horror would be looked upon as `
` madness by the vulgar. Did any one indeed exist, except I, the `
` creator, who would believe, unless his senses convinced him, in the `
` existence of the living monument of presumption and rash ignorance `
` which I had let loose upon the world? `
` `
` We were soon joined by Elizabeth. Time had altered her since I last `
` beheld her; it had endowed her with loveliness surpassing the beauty of `
` her childish years. There was the same candour, the same vivacity, but `
` it was allied to an expression more full of sensibility and intellect. `
` She welcomed me with the greatest affection. "Your arrival, my dear `
` cousin," said she, "fills me with hope. You perhaps will find some `
` means to justify my poor guiltless Justine. Alas! who is safe, if she `
` be convicted of crime? I rely on her innocence as certainly as I do `
` upon my own. Our misfortune is doubly hard to us; we have not only `
` lost that lovely darling boy, but this poor girl, whom I sincerely `
` love, is to be torn away by even a worse fate. If she is condemned, I `
` never shall know joy more. But she will not, I am sure she will not; `
` and then I shall be happy again, even after the sad death of my little `
` William." `
` `
` "She is innocent, my Elizabeth," said I, "and that shall be proved; `
` fear nothing, but let your spirits be cheered by the assurance of her `
` acquittal." `
` `
` "How kind and generous you are! every one else believes in her guilt, `
` and that made me wretched, for I knew that it was impossible: and to `
` see every one else prejudiced in so deadly a manner rendered me `
` hopeless and despairing." She wept. `
` `
` "Dearest niece," said my father, "dry your tears. If she is, as you `
` believe, innocent, rely on the justice of our laws, and the activity `
` with which I shall prevent the slightest shadow of partiality." `
` `
` `
` Chapter 8 `
` `
` We passed a few sad hours until eleven o'clock, when the trial was to `
` commence. My father and the rest of the family being obliged to attend `
` as witnesses, I accompanied them to the court. During the whole of `
` this wretched mockery of justice I suffered living torture. It was to `
` be decided whether the result of my curiosity and lawless devices would `
` cause the death of two of my fellow beings: one a smiling babe full of `
` innocence and joy, the other far more dreadfully murdered, with every `
` aggravation of infamy that could make the murder memorable in horror. `
` Justine also was a girl of merit and possessed qualities which promised `
` to render her life happy; now all was to be obliterated in an `
` ignominious grave, and I the cause! A thousand times rather would I `
` have confessed myself guilty of the crime ascribed to Justine, but I `
` was absent when it was committed, and such a declaration would have `
` been considered as the ravings of a madman and would not have `
` exculpated her who suffered through me. `
` `
` The appearance of Justine was calm. She was dressed in mourning, and `
` her countenance, always engaging, was rendered, by the solemnity of her `
` feelings, exquisitely beautiful. Yet she appeared confident in `
` innocence and did not tremble, although gazed on and execrated by `
` thousands, for all the kindness which her beauty might otherwise have `
` excited was obliterated in the minds of the spectators by the `
` imagination of the enormity she was supposed to have committed. She `
` was tranquil, yet her tranquillity was evidently constrained; and as `
` her confusion had before been adduced as a proof of her guilt, she `
` worked up her mind to an appearance of courage. When she entered the `
` court she threw her eyes round it and quickly discovered where we were `
` seated. A tear seemed to dim her eye when she saw us, but she quickly `
` recovered herself, and a look of sorrowful affection seemed to attest `
` her utter guiltlessness. `
` `
` The trial began, and after the advocate against her had stated the `
` charge, several witnesses were called. Several strange facts combined `
` against her, which might have staggered anyone who had not such proof `
` of her innocence as I had. She had been out the whole of the night on `
` which the murder had been committed and towards morning had been `
` perceived by a market-woman not far from the spot where the body of the `
` murdered child had been afterwards found. The woman asked her what she `
` did there, but she looked very strangely and only returned a confused `
` and unintelligible answer. She returned to the house about eight `
` o'clock, and when one inquired where she had passed the night, she `
` replied that she had been looking for the child and demanded earnestly `
` if anything had been heard concerning him. When shown the body, she `
` fell into violent hysterics and kept her bed for several days. The `
` picture was then produced which the servant had found in her pocket; `
` and when Elizabeth, in a faltering voice, proved that it was the same `
` which, an hour before the child had been missed, she had placed round `
` his neck, a murmur of horror and indignation filled the court. `
` `
` Justine was called on for her defence. As the trial had proceeded, her `
` countenance had altered. Surprise, horror, and misery were strongly `
` expressed. Sometimes she struggled with her tears, but when she was `
` desired to plead, she collected her powers and spoke in an audible `
` although variable voice. `
` `
` "God knows," she said, "how entirely I am innocent. But I do not `
` pretend that my protestations should acquit me; I rest my innocence on `
` a plain and simple explanation of the facts which have been adduced `
` against me, and I hope the character I have always borne will incline `
` my judges to a favourable interpretation where any circumstance appears `
` doubtful or suspicious." `
` `
` She then related that, by the permission of Elizabeth, she had passed `
` the evening of the night on which the murder had been committed at the `
` house of an aunt at Chene, a village situated at about a league from `
` Geneva. On her return, at about nine o'clock, she met a man who asked `
` her if she had seen anything of the child who was lost. She was `
` alarmed by this account and passed several hours in looking for him, `
` when the gates of Geneva were shut, and she was forced to remain `
` several hours of the night in a barn belonging to a cottage, being `
` unwilling to call up the inhabitants, to whom she was well known. Most `
` of the night she spent here watching; towards morning she believed that `
` she slept for a few minutes; some steps disturbed her, and she awoke. `
` It was dawn, and she quitted her asylum, that she might again endeavour `
` to find my brother. If she had gone near the spot where his body lay, `
` it was without her knowledge. That she had been bewildered when `
` questioned by the market-woman was not surprising, since she had passed `
` a sleepless night and the fate of poor William was yet uncertain. `
` Concerning the picture she could give no account. `
` `
` "I know," continued the unhappy victim, "how heavily and fatally this `
` one circumstance weighs against me, but I have no power of explaining `
` it; and when I have expressed my utter ignorance, I am only left to `
` conjecture concerning the probabilities by which it might have been `
` placed in my pocket. But here also I am checked. I believe that I `
` have no enemy on earth, and none surely would have been so wicked as to `
` destroy me wantonly. Did the murderer place it there? I know of no `
` opportunity afforded him for so doing; or, if I had, why should he have `
` stolen the jewel, to part with it again so soon? `
` `
` "I commit my cause to the justice of my judges, yet I see no room for `
` hope. I beg permission to have a few witnesses examined concerning my `
` character, and if their testimony shall not overweigh my supposed `
` guilt, I must be condemned, although I would pledge my salvation on my `
` innocence." `
` `
` Several witnesses were called who had known her for many years, and `
` they spoke well of her; but fear and hatred of the crime of which they `
` supposed her guilty rendered them timorous and unwilling to come `
` forward. Elizabeth saw even this last resource, her excellent `
` dispositions and irreproachable conduct, about to fail the accused, `
` when, although violently agitated, she desired permission to address `
` the court. `
` `
` "I am," said she, "the cousin of the unhappy child who was murdered, or `
` rather his sister, for I was educated by and have lived with his `
` parents ever since and even long before his birth. It may therefore be `
` judged indecent in me to come forward on this occasion, but when I see `
` a fellow creature about to perish through the cowardice of her `
` pretended friends, I wish to be allowed to speak, that I may say what I `
` know of her character. I am well acquainted with the accused. I have `
` lived in the same house with her, at one time for five and at another `
` for nearly two years. During all that period she appeared to me the `
` most amiable and benevolent of human creatures. She nursed Madame `
` Frankenstein, my aunt, in her last illness, with the greatest affection `
` and care and afterwards attended her own mother during a tedious `
` illness, in a manner that excited the admiration of all who knew her, `
` after which she again lived in my uncle's house, where she was beloved `
` by all the family. She was warmly attached to the child who is now `
` dead and acted towards him like a most affectionate mother. For my own `
` part, I do not hesitate to say that, notwithstanding all the evidence `
`