صفحة 288 من 483

I paused some time to reflect on all he had related and the

various arguments which he had employed. I thought of the promise

of virtues which he had displayed on the opening of his existence

and the subsequent blight of all kindly feeling by the loathing

and scorn which his protectors had manifested towards him. His

power and threats were not omitted in my calculations; a creature

who could exist in the ice-caves of the glaciers and hide himself

from pursuit among the ridges of inaccessible precipices was a

being possessing faculties it would be vain to cope with. After a

long pause of reflection I concluded that the justice due both to

him and my fellow creatures demanded of me that I should comply

with his request. Turning to him, therefore, I said,

"I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe for

ever, and every other place in the neighbourhood of man, as soon

as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany

you in your exile."