第114页 / 共483页

I remained motionless. The thunder ceased; but the rain still

continued, and the scene was enveloped in an impenetrable

darkness. I revolved in my mind the events which I had until now

sought to forget: the whole train of my progress toward the

creation; the appearance of the works of my own hands at my

bedside; its departure. Two years had now nearly elapsed since

the night on which he first received life; and was this his first

crime? Alas! I had turned loose into the world a depraved wretch,

whose delight was in carnage and misery; had he not murdered my

brother?