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Morning dawned before I arrived at the village of Chamounix; I

took no rest, but returned immediately to Geneva. Even in my own

heart I could give no expression to my sensations-they weighed on

me with a mountain's weight and their excess destroyed my agony

beneath them. Thus I returned home, and entering the house,

presented myself to the family. My haggard and wild appearance

awoke intense alarm, but I answered no question, scarcely did I

speak. I felt as if I were placed under a ban-as if I had no

right to claim their sympathies-as if never more might I enjoy

companionship with them. Yet even thus I loved them to adoration;

and to save them, I resolved to dedicate myself to my most

abhorred task. The prospect of such an occupation made every

other circumstance of existence pass before me like a dream, and

that thought only had to me the reality of life.

Chapter 18