"He was conveyed home, and the anguish that was visible in my countenance betrayed the secret to Elizabeth.
She was very earnest to see the corpse. At first I attempted to prevent her but she persisted, and entering the room where it lay, hastily examined the neck of the victim, and clasping her hands exclaimed, `O God!
I have murdered my darling child!'
"She fainted, and was restored with extreme difficulty.
When she again lived, it was only to weep and sigh.
She told me, that that same evening William had teased her to let him wear a very valuable miniature that she possessed of your mother.
This picture is gone, and was doubtless the temptation which urged the murderer to the deed.
We have no trace of him at present, although our exertions to discover him are unremitted; but they will not restore my beloved William!
"Come, dearest Victor; you alone can console Elizabeth.
She weeps continually, and accuses herself unjustly as the cause of his death; her words pierce my heart.
We are all unhappy; but will not that be an additional motive for you, my son, to return and be our comforter?
Your dear mother!
Alas, Victor!
I now say, Thank God she did not live to witness the cruel, miserable death of her youngest darling!
"Come, Victor; not brooding thoughts of vengeance against the assassin, but with feelings of peace and gentleness, that will heal, instead of festering, the wounds of our minds.
Enter the house of mourning, my friend, but with kindness and affection for those who love you, and not with hatred for your enemies. * * *
"Your affectionate and afflicted father, "Alphonse Frankenstein. "Geneva, May 12th, 17 — ."
Clerval, who had watched my countenance as I read this letter, was surprised to observe the despair that succeeded the joy I at first expressed on receiving new from my friends.
I threw the letter on the table, and covered my face with my hands.
"My dear Frankenstein," exclaimed Henry, when he perceived me weep with bitterness, "are you always to be unhappy?
My dear friend, what has happened?"
I motioned him to take up the letter, while I walked up and down the room in the extremest agitation.
Tears also gushed from the eyes of Clerval, as he read the account of my misfortune.
"I can offer you no consolation, my friend," said he; "your disaster is irreparable.
What do you intend to do?"
"To go instantly to Geneva: come with me, Henry, to order the horses."
During our walk, Clerval endeavoured to say a few words of consolation; he could only express his heartfelt sympathy.
"Poor William!" said he, "dear lovely child, he now sleeps with his angel mother!
Who that had seen him bright and joyous in his young beauty, but must weep over his untimely loss!
To die so miserably; to feel the murderer's grasp!
How much more a murdered that could destroy radiant innocence!
Poor little fellow! one only consolation have we; his friends mourn and weep, but he is at rest.
The pang is over, his sufferings are at an end for ever.
A sod covers his gentle form, and he knows no pain.
He can no longer be a subject for pity; we must reserve that for his miserable survivors."
Clerval spoke thus as we hurried through the streets; the words impressed themselves on my mind and I remembered them afterwards in solitude.
But now, as soon as the horses arrived, I hurried into a cabriolet, and bade farewell to my friend.
My journey was very melancholy.
At first I wished to hurry on, for I longed to console and sympathise with my loved and sorrowing friends; but when I drew near my native town, I slackened my progress.
I could hardly sustain the multitude of feelings that crowded into my mind.
I passed through scenes familiar to my youth, but which I had not seen for nearly six years.
How altered every thing might be during that time!
One sudden and desolating change had taken place; but a thousand little circumstances might have by degrees worked other alterations, which, although they were done more tranquilly, might not be the less decisive.
Fear overcame me; I dared no advance, dreading a thousand nameless evils that made me tremble, although I was unable to define them.
I remained two days at Lausanne, in this painful state of mind.
I contemplated the lake: the waters were placid; all around was calm; and the snowy mountains, `the palaces of nature,' were not changed.
By degrees the calm and heavenly scene restored me, and I continued my journey towards Geneva.
The road ran by the side of the lake, which became narrower as I approached my native town.
I discovered more distinctly the black sides of Jura, and the bright summit of Mont Blanc.
I wept like a child.