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“ I paused . This , I thought , was the moment of decision , which was to rob me of or bestow happiness on me for ever . I struggled vainly for firmness sufficient to answer him , but the effort destroyed all my remaining strength ; I sank on the chair and sobbed aloud . At that moment I heard the steps of my younger protectors . I had not a moment to lose , but seizing the hand of the old man , I cried , ‘ Now is the time ! Save and protect me ! You and your family are the friends whom I seek . Do not you desert me in the hour of trial ! ’ “ ‘ Great God ! ’ exclaimed the old man . ‘ Who are you ? ’ “ At that instant the cottage door was opened , and Felix , Safie , and Agatha entered . Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me ? Agatha fainted , and Safie , unable to attend to her friend , rushed out of the cottage . Felix darted forward , and with supernatural force tore me from his father , to whose knees I clung , in a transport of fury , he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick . I could have torn him limb from limb , as the lion rends the antelope . But my heart sank within me as with bitter sickness , and I refrained . I saw him on the point of repeating his blow , when , overcome by pain and anguish , I quitted the cottage , and in the general tumult escaped unperceived to my hovel . ” Chapter 16 “ Cursed , cursed creator ! Why did I live ? Why , in that instant , did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed ? I know not ; despair had not yet taken possession of me ; my feelings were those of rage and revenge . I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery . “ When night came I quitted my retreat and wandered in the wood ; and now , no longer restrained by the fear of discovery , I gave vent to my anguish in fearful howlings . I was like a wild beast that had broken the toils , destroying the objects that obstructed me and ranging through the wood with a stag - like swiftness . Oh ! What a miserable night I passed ! The cold stars shone in mockery , and the bare trees waved their branches above me ; now and then the sweet voice of a bird burst forth amidst the universal stillness . All , save I , were at rest or in enjoyment ; I , like the arch - fiend , bore a hell within me , and finding myself unsympathised with , wished to tear up the trees , spread havoc and destruction around me , and then to have sat down and enjoyed the ruin . “ But this was a luxury of sensation that could not endure ; I became fatigued with excess of bodily exertion and sank on the damp grass in the sick impotence of despair . There was none among the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me ; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies ? No : from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species , and more than all , against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery .
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