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Like one who, on a lonely road, Doth walk in fear and dread, And,

having once turned round, walks on, And turns no more his head;

Because he knows a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread.

[Coleridge's "Ancient Mariner."]

Continuing thus, I came at length opposite to the inn at which

the various diligences and carriages usually stopped. Here I

paused, I knew not why; but I remained some minutes with my eyes

fixed on a coach that was coming towards me from the other end of

the street. As it drew nearer I observed that it was the Swiss

diligence; it stopped just where I was standing, and on the door

being opened, I perceived Henry Clerval, who, on seeing me,

instantly sprung out. "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!"