Bridge Phase 6: fMS box c57 chap 7Frankenstein Variorum Project2023—Distributed under a Creative Commons
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my self utterly unworthy of it Chap. 7Theseasonwinter advanced and it was now about a
my self utterly unworthy of it Chap. 7Theseasonseasonwinter^winter advanced and it was now about ait was now about aand an entire revolution of the
^and an entire revolution of the
year^yearyear^^^seasons had taken place
^seasons had taken place
seasons had taken place
since I awoke into life.–
and I then✗—at that —✗time My
and I thenand I then✗—at that —✗timetime My
attention
attention ^^^^at this
time ^at this
time
time
was
now solely directed towards my plan of introducing myself into the cottage of my protectors. I revolved many
nownow solely directed towards my plan of introducing myself into the cottage of my protectors. I revolved many
projects
projects
but that on which I finally fixed
was
was
to enter
their
their
dwelling when the blind old man
waswaswasshould be
^should be
should be
alone.
✗—My voice although harsh had nothin kg terrible in it. —✗and I had sagacity enough to
✗—My voice although harsh had nothin kkg ^g terrible in it. —✗andand I had sagacity enough to
discover
discover
that the unnatural hideousness of my person was the chief object of horror
am with those who had formerly beheld
amam with those who had formerly beheld
me:–my voice
me:–my voice
although harsh, had nothing terrible in
it.
it.
I
thought therefore
thought^t therefore
that
if
if
in the absence of his
children
children
I could gain the
goodwill
goodwill
of the old De
Lacey
Lacey
I
might
might
by his
means
means
be tolerated by
the my younger protectors. thethe my younger protectors. ¶ One clear One day
One clearOne clear One day
when the sun shone on the red leaves that strewed the ground, and
all diffused
allall diffused
cheerfulness
cheerfulness
although it denied
warmth MaimounaSafie Agatha
warmth MaimounaMaimounaSafie ^Safie Agatha
and
Felix
Felix
set out
set out
on a long country
walk
walk
and the old
man
man
at his own
desire
desire
was left alone in the cottage. When his children had
departed
departed
he took up his
guitar &played ver
guitar &played verver
several
mournful
mournful
but sweet
airs:airs:that I had seldomthat I had seldomthat I had seldom^^^^more sweet & mournful
that
I had ever ^more sweet & mournful
that
that
I had ever heard him play before. At first his countenance was illuminated with
pleasure but
pleasure but
as he
continued thoughtfullness
continued thoughtfullness
and sadness
succeeded and
succeeded and
laying
downthe instrument
downthe instrument
he sat absorbed in reflection. ¶ My
My
heart beat
quick.
quick.
This was the hour & moment of
trial
trial
which
was to^was towas to^^^would
^would
would
decide my
fea hopes orI quitted my hovel with tremfeafea hopes ororI quitted my hovel with tremI quitted my hovel with trem
The servants
of the cottage were gone to a neighbouring
of the cottageof the cottage were gone to a neighbouring
fair:–
fair:–
All was silent in and around the
cottage
cottage
It was an excellent
opportunity yet
opportunity yet
when I
roseroseroseproceeded
^proceeded
proceeded
to execute my
plan
plan
my limbs failed me, and I
sunk
sunk
to the ground. Again I
rose and
rose and with withwith withwith withexerting ^exerting all
of the
of the
firm n ess
firm n ^n ess ^^^^of which ^of which I was
master of
master ofof
removed the planks which I had placed before my hovel to conceal my
retreat –
retreat –
The fresh air revived
me and
me and
with renewed
^ed
determination
determination
I approached the door of
the
the
cottage.
I knocked – "who
I knocked – "who
is
there?"
there?"
said the old
man– "come in"— I entered – "Pardon
man– "come in"— I entered – "Pardon
this
intrusion"
intrusion"
said
I– "I
I– "I
am a
traveller,
traveller,
in want of a little
rest. andrest. andand
you would greatly oblige
me
me
if you would allow me to remain a few minutes before
your fire." "Enter"
your fire." "Enter"
said De
Lacey &I
Lacey &I
will try in what manner I can relieve your
wants– but unfortunately
wants– but unfortunately
my children are
outoutoutfrom home,
^from home,
from home,
and ^^^^as ^as I am
blind
blind
I am afraid
therefore I shall find it difficult to procure food for
thereforetherefore I shall find it difficult to procure food for
you"– "Do
you"– "Do
not trouble yourself, my kind
host," I replied,
host," I replied,
I have
food,
food,
it is warmth and rest only that I
need.–I
need.–I
sat
down
down
and a silence
ensued;
ensued;
I
kn oe w very well
kn ooe ^e w very well
that every minute was precious to
me
me
yet I remained irresolute
^^^^in
^in
in
what
to saymanner to
to sayto saymanner to
comemmence
comemmence
the
interview
interview
when the old man
began^beganbegan^^^addressed
me ^addressed
addressed
me
me –"By
–"By
your
language St ^r anger,
language St ^^^r ^r anger,
I suppose you are my
countryman, are
countryman, are
you
french?" "No," replied I
french?" "No," replied I
but I was educated by a french
family
family
and understand that language only.
✗—I am unfortunate and a Str —✗ I am now going to claim the protection of some friends, whom I sincerely
✗—I am unfortunate and a Str —✗ I am now going to claim the protection of some friends, whom I sincerely
love love butbutbutand ^and of whose favour I have some
hopes." "Are
hopes." "Are
these
these
Germans"– Asked De Lacey – know"No –They are french –But
Germans"– Asked De Lacey – knowknow"No –They are french –But
let us change the
subject –I
subject –I
am an
unfortunate&
unfortunate&
deserted
creature.
creature.
I look
around
around
and I have no relation or friend
–^on earth – The ––^^^on earth – ^on earth – The se kindse ^se kindkind^^^^amiable ^amiable people to whom I
go,
go,
have never
seem me
seem me
and know little of me. I am full of
fears,
fears,
for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world for
ever."
ever."
¶ Do
Do
not
despair, said the old man.
despair, said the old man.
To be friendless is indeed to be
unfortunate:
unfortunate:
but
^^^^the hearts of
^the hearts of
the hearts of
men are men areare
when unprejudiced by
obvious self interrest,
obvious self interrest,
are full ^l of brotherly love and charity.
Rely therefore
Rely therefore
on your
hopes
hopes
and if
✗—these dispositions of your friends are kind —✗ these friends are good and
✗—these dispositions of your friends are kind —✗ these friends are good and
amiable –
amiable –
do not
feardespair for yourThey
fearfeardespair ^despair for yourfor yourThey
are
kind– I answered– They
kind– I answered– They
are the most
amiableexcellent creatures in the
amiableamiableexcellent^excellent creatures in the
world but unfortunately
world but unfortunately
they are prejudiced against me. I have good
dispositions –I love virtue and detest knowledge, –my
dispositions –I love virtue and detestdetest knowledge, –my
life has been hitherto
harmless
harmless
& in some
degree
degree
beneficial
beneficial
but a fatal prejudice clouds their
eyes
eyes
and where they ought to see a feeling and kind friend, they behold only a detestable
monster.–
monster.–
¶ That
That
is indeed
unfortunate, replied De Lacey–
unfortunate, replied De Lacey–
but if you are really
blameless can not
blameless can not
you undeceive
them?
them?
¶ This isThat isthe taskthatwhat I This isThis isThat isThat isthe taskthat^the taskthe taskthatthatwhatwhat I amamshall shall ^shall goingoin^^^^am about
^am about
endeavouringendeavouringto undertake ^to undertake that
task ^that
that
task
task — said I "And
— said Isaid I "And
it is on that account that I feel so many overwhelming
terrors—I
terrors—I
love these
friends tenderly; ✗—for many months —✗
friends tenderly; ✗—for many months —✗
I
have ^for many months
have ^^^for many months for many months ^for many months
unknown to
them
them
been for many months ^for many months in the habits of daily kindness towards
them,
them,
but they believe that I wish to injure
them
them
and it is that prejudice which I wish to
over come.
over come.
¶ Where
Where
do these friends
reside, said de Lacey — N
reside, said de Lacey — NN¶ Near here. Near here. I replied^I repliedI replied^^^on
^on
on
this
spot. ^this
spot.
spot. [[^[¶
The
The
old man
paused a moment
paused a moment
and then
continued If you will unreservedly confide to me the particulars
continued If you will unreservedly confide to me the particulars
I perhaps may be of use in undeceiving them. I am
blind
blind
and cannot judge of your
countenance
countenance
but there is
somthing
somthing
in your
words
words
thatwhich persuades me that you are sincere. I am
thatthatwhich ^which persuades me that you are sincere. I am
poor
poor
and an
exile,
exile,
but it will afford me true pleasure to
of be ofof be in any way
^in any way
in any way
service able service able ^able
to a
fellowfellowfellowhuman
^human
human
creature.—
creature.—
¶ Excellent man – exclaimed I,
Excellent man – exclaimed I,
I thank
you
you
and accept your
^^^^generous
^generous
generous
offer X
You raise me from the dust by this
kindess
and ^XX
You raise me from the dust by this
kindess
kindess
and I trust
now that
nownow that
I shall not be driven from the society & sympathy of
my fellow creatures
my fellow creatures
¶ Heaven
Heaven
forbid! even if you
arearearewere
^were
were
really
criminal
criminal
for that
not in can only drive you to
not in not in ^not in can only drive you to
desperation
desperation
and not
reform^reformreform^^^instigate
^instigate
instigate
you
^^^^to
virtue ^to
to
virtue
virtue —
—
I also am
unfortunate.–
unfortunate.–
I
and my family have been
and my family have been
condemned when
condemned whenwhenalthough
innocent judge therefore
innocent judge therefore
if I do not
sympath feel for your
sympathsympath feel for your
misfortunes—
misfortunes—
¶ How
How
can I thank you, my best
&only benefactor –
&only benefactor –
from your lips first have I heard the voice of kindness directed towards
me –I
me –I
shall be
forever grateful
forever grateful
and your present humanity assures me of success with
the
the
friends whom I am on the point of
meeting
meeting
¶ May
May
I know the names
of and residence of those
ofof and residence of those
friends? asked De Lacey.
friends? asked De Lacey.
¶ I paused — This
I paused — This
was the moment of
decision
decision
which was to rob me
^of ^^^of ^of
or bestow happiness
^^^^on me
^on me
on me
for
ever – I sum
ever – I sumI sumI struggled vainly
to find for firmness to findto find for firmness sufficient
^sufficient
sufficient
enoughenough to answer
to answer
him – but
him – butbut
the effort destroyed all my remaining
stren t gth &
stren tt gth &&
I sank on
the a chair
thethe a chair
& sobbed
aloud
aloud
At that moment I heard the steps of my younger
protectors—
protectors—
I had not a moment to
I had not a moment to
lose, but
lose, but
seizing the hand of the old
man
man
I
cried– Now
cried– Now
is the
time, save
time, save
and protect
me
me
You and your family are the friends whom I
seek –
seek –
Do not you
des a^e rt
des aa^^^e ^e rt
me in the hour of
trial –! .–
trial ––! ^! .–
¶ Great God!
Great God!
exclaimed the old
man – Who
man – Who
are
you?
you?
¶ At
At
that
instan dt
instan ddt ^t
the cottage door
opened
opened
and Felix,
MaimounaMaimounaMaimounaSafie
^Safie
Safie
and Agatha
entered –
entered –
Who can describe their
horrowr
horrowwr^r
and
astonishmentastonishment
on beholding
^me –Agatha fainted
^^^me ^me –Agatha fainted
&MaimounaSafie MaimounaMaimounaSafie ^Safie
unable to attend to her
friend
friend
rushed out of the cottage.– Felix darted
forward
forward
and with supernatural
strength
strength
tore me from his
father
father
to whose knees I
clung –In
clung –In
a transport of
fury
fury
he dashed me to the
ground
ground
and struck me
voi len lently
voi lenlen lently
with a
stick
stick
I
saw
saw
him
goingtogoinggoingtoto
on the point of repeating
the p blow when
the pp blow when
overcome by pain and
anguish
anguish
I quitted the
cottage
cottage
and in the general
tumult, escaped unperceived to my hovel.
tumult, escaped unperceived to my hovel.
Cursed,
Cursed,
Cursed Creator! Why did I
lif live why
liflif live why
in that
instant
instant
did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know
not—
not—
Despair had not yet taken possession of
me it w✗—I was enraged —✗
me it wit w✗—I was enraged —✗
my feelings were those of rage &
revenge –I w
revenge –I ww
could with pleasureoftorn ha ve ofoftorntorn ha ve ^ve
destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants, and glutted myself with their shrieks & misery.
TheyAs When
TheyTheyAsAs When
night
came on
came on
I quitted my
retreat
retreat
and wandered
to
to
the
wood.— And nownN o
wood.— And nowAnd nownnN ^N o
longer restrained by the fear of
discovery
discovery
I gave vent to my anguish in fearful howlings. I was like a wild beast
in
in
the toils;
tearingtearingtearingdestroying
^destroying
destroying
the objects that obstructed
me me withfearwithwithfearfearand ^and ranging through the wood with
stag like swiftness.—
stag like swiftness.—
Oh!
Oh!
What a miserable night I
passed.
passed.
the cold stars shone in mockery, the bare trees waved their branches above
me and
me ^me and
now and then the sweet voice of a bird burst forth amidst the universal stillness.–
All
All ^^^^save
I ^save
I
I
were at rest or in
enjoyment but I.AndI
enjoyment but I.but I.AAndndI
like the
arch fiend
arch ^ arch fiend
bore
bo a hell within
bobo a hell within
me
me
and, finding
themyselfththeemyself
unsympathized
unsympathized
with,
I wi wished to tear
I wiwi wished to tear
of^ofof^^^up
^up
up
the trees,
spread
spread
havock
havock
and destruction and then have sat down & enjoyed the
ruin–
ruin–
¶ But
But
this was a luxury of sensation that could not
lastendure lastlastendure ^endure
I
grewtiredgrewgrewtiredtiredbecame fatigued
^became fatigued
became fatigued
with excess of bodily
exertion;
exertion;
and sank on the
g damp grass in the
gg damp grass in the
despondency
despondency
of despair. There was
no one inamo u ng
no one ininamo uu ng
the myriads of men that existed
that could
that couldcould
would pity or assist
me —
me —
and should I feel kindness towards my enemies?
No!
No!
from that moment I declared everlasting war against the
m^ species ^the
m^ species mm^^^ species ^ species and
and
more than
all
all
against
h eim h eeim ^im
who had formed
me
me
& sent me forth to
pain &pain &pain &this insupportable
^this insupportable
this insupportable
misery. ¶ The
The
sun
rose –
rose –
I heard the voices of
men
men
and knew that it was impossible to return to my retreat during ^during that
day; accordingly,
day; accordingly,
I hid myself in some thick
underwood determinedetermin eding
underwood determinedeterminedetermin ededing ^ing
to devote the
ensueing
ensueing
hours to reflection on my
situation— The
situation— The
pleasant
sunshine
sunshine
and pure air of
day
day
restored me to some degree of
tranquillity &When
tranquillity &When
I considered what had passed at the
cottage
cottage
I could not help believing that I
was
was
too hasty in my
conclusions – Ther
conclusions – TherTher
I had certainly acted imprudently.
My con It was apparent that my conversation had
My conMy con It was apparent that my conversation h^had
softened
softened
the father and I was a fool
tototofor
^for
for
having ^having exposed ^d my person to the horror of his children. I ought
to have familiarzirized
to have familiarzirzir^rized
the old
LD e
LLD ^D e
Lacey to
me
me
and by degrees have discovered myself to the rest of
the family
the family
when they should have been prepared for my
approach –
approach –
But I did not believe my errors
irretrievable – and
irretrievable – and
after much
consideration
consideration
I resolved to return to the
cottage —
cottage —
seek the old
man
man
and by my representations win him to my
party.—
party.—
¶ These
These
thoughts calmed
me &in
me &in
the afternoon I
sunk
sunk
into a profound
sleep–
sleep–
but the fever of my blood did not
pe allow
pepe allow
of peaceful dreams for ever the horri dble
of peaceful dreams for everfor ever the horri ddble ^ble
scene of the
^preceeding ^^^preceeding ^preceeding
day
beforewaswas for ever acting before my
beforebeforewaswaswas for ever ^was for ever acting before my
eyes –
eyes –
The females were
flying
flying
and the
eraged
eraged
Felix tearing me from his
fathers feet–
fathers feet–
I awoke
exhausted, and
exhausted, and
finding that it was already
night
night
I crept from my
hiding place
hiding place
& went in search of food.
