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"Come, Victor; not brooding thoughts of vengeance against the

assassin, but with feelings of peace and gentleness, that will

heal, instead of festering, the wounds of our minds. Enter the

house of mourning, my friend, but with kindness and affection for

those who love you, and not with hatred for your enemies.

"Your affectionate and afflicted father,

"Alphonse Frankenstein.

"Geneva, May 12th, 17-."

Clerval, who had watched my countenance as I read this letter,

was surprised to observe the despair that succeeded the joy I at

first expressed on receiving news from my friends. I threw the

letter on the table, and covered my face with my hands.

"My dear Frankenstein," exclaimed Henry, when he perceived me

weep with bitterness, "are you always to be unhappy? My dear

friend, what has happened?"

I motioned him to take up the letter, while I walked up and down

the room in the extremest agitation. Tears also gushed from the

eyes of Clerval, as he read the account of my misfortune.