第280页 / 共483页

"For some days I haunted the spot where these scenes had taken

place, sometimes wishing to see you, sometimes resolved to quit

the world and its miseries for ever. At length I wandered towards

these mountains, and have ranged through their immense recesses,

consumed by a burning passion which you alone can gratify. We may

not part until you have promised to comply with my requisition. I

am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one

as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me.

My companion must be of the same species and have the same

defects. This being you must create."

Chapter 17

The being finished speaking and fixed his looks upon me in the

expectation of a reply. But I was bewildered, perplexed, and

unable to arrange my ideas sufficiently to understand the full

extent of his proposition. He continued,