"Since you have preserved my narration," said he, "I would not that a mutilated one should go down to posterity."

Do so, if you will; but I will not. You may give up your purpose, but mine is assigned to me by Heaven, and I dare not.

More fortunate than I, who may not see my native land, perhaps, for many years.

"My dear Frankenstein," exclaimed he, "how glad I am to see you! How fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting!"

The present season was indeed divine; the flowers of spring bloomed in the hedges, while those of summer were already in bud.

"D—n the fellow!" cried he; "why, M. Clerval, I assure you he has outstript us all."

My own spirits were high, and I bounded along with feelings of unbridled joy and hilarity.

"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."

What were rain and storm to me? My mule was brought to the door, and I resolved to ascend to the summit of Montanvert.

"For that matter," replied the old woman, "if you mean about the gentleman you murdered, I believe that it were better for you if you were dead, for I fancy it will go hard with you!"