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My heart, which was before sorrowful, now swelled with something

like joy; I exclaimed, "Wandering spirits, if indeed ye wander,

and do not rest in your narrow beds, allow me this faint

happiness, or take me, as your companion, away from the joys of

life."

As I said this I suddenly beheld the figure of a man, at some

distance, advancing towards me with superhuman speed. He bounded

over the crevices in the ice, among which I had walked with

caution; his stature, also, as he approached, seemed to exceed

that of man. I was troubled; a mist came over my eyes, and I felt

a faintness seize me, but I was quickly restored by the cold gale

of the mountains. I perceived, as the shape came nearer (sight

tremendous and abhorred!) that it was the wretch whom I had

created. I trembled with rage and horror, resolving to wait his

approach and then close with him in mortal combat. He approached;

his countenance bespoke bitter anguish, combined with disdain and

malignity, while its unearthly ugliness rendered it almost too

horrible for human eyes. But I scarcely observed this; rage and

hatred had at first deprived me of utterance, and I recovered

only to overwhelm him with words expressive of furious

detestation and contempt.