Pagina 425 di 483

I broke from the house angry and disturbed and retired to

meditate on some other mode of action.

Chapter 24

My present situation was one in which all voluntary thought was

swallowed up and lost. I was hurried away by fury; revenge alone

endowed me with strength and composure; it moulded my feelings

and allowed me to be calculating and calm at periods when

otherwise delirium or death would have been my portion.

My first resolution was to quit Geneva for ever; my country,

which, when I was happy and beloved, was dear to me, now, in my

adversity, became hateful. I provided myself with a sum of money,

together with a few jewels which had belonged to my mother, and

departed.