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resolution. I had hitherto supposed him to be the murderer of my
brother, and I eagerly sought a confirmation or denial of this
opinion. For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator
towards his creature were, and that I ought to render him happy before
I complained of his wickedness. These motives urged me to comply with
his demand. We crossed the ice, therefore, and ascended the opposite
rock. The air was cold, and the rain again began to descend; we
entered the hut, the fiend with an air of exultation, I with a heavy
heart and depressed spirits. But I consented to listen, and seating
myself by the fire which my odious companion had lighted, he thus began
his tale.


Chapter 11

"It is with considerable difficulty that I remember the original era of
my being; all the events of that period appear confused and
indistinct. A strange multiplicity of sensations seized me, and I saw,
felt, heard, and smelt at the same time; and it was, indeed, a long
time before I learned to distinguish between the operations of my
various senses. By degrees, I remember, a stronger light pressed upon
my nerves, so that I was obliged to shut my eyes. Darkness then came
over me and troubled me, but hardly had I felt this when, by opening my
eyes, as I now suppose, the light poured in upon me again. I walked
and, I believe, descended, but I presently found a great alteration in
my sensations. Before, dark and opaque bodies had surrounded me,
impervious to my touch or sight; but I now found that I could wander on
at liberty, with no obstacles which I could not either surmount or
avoid. The light became more and more oppressive to me, and the heat
wearying me as I walked, I sought a place where I could receive shade.
This was the forest near Ingolstadt; and here I lay by the side of a
brook resting from my fatigue, until I felt tormented by hunger and
thirst. This roused me from my nearly dormant state, and I ate some
berries which I found hanging on the trees or lying on the ground. I
slaked my thirst at the brook, and then lying down, was overcome by
sleep.

"It was dark when I awoke; I felt cold also, and half frightened, as it
were, instinctively, finding myself so desolate. Before I had quitted
your apartment, on a sensation of cold, I had covered myself with some
clothes, but these were insufficient to secure me from the dews of
night. I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could
distinguish, nothing; but feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat
down and wept.

"Soon a gentle light stole over the heavens and gave me a sensation of
pleasure. I started up and beheld a radiant form rise from among the
trees. [The moon] I gazed with a kind of wonder. It moved slowly,
but it enlightened my path, and I again went out in search of berries.
I was still cold when under one of the trees I found a huge cloak, with

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