The Modern Prometheus
and I hurried on with irregular steps , not daring to look about me :
Like one who , on a lonely road , Doth walk in fear and dread , And , having once turned round , walks on , And turns no more his head ; Because he knows a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread .
Continuing thus , I came at length opposite to the inn at which the various diligences and carriages usually stopped . Here I paused , I knew not why ; but I remained some minutes with my eyes fixed on a coach that was coming towards me from the other end of the street . As it drew nearer I observed that it was the Swiss diligence ; it stopped just where I was standing , and on the door being opened , I perceived Henry Clerval , who , on seeing me , instantly sprung out . “ My dear Frankenstein ,” exclaimed he , “ how glad I am to see you ! How fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting !” Nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval ; his presence brought back to my thoughts my father , Elizabeth , and all those scenes of home so dear to my recollection . I grasped his hand , and in a moment forgot my horror and misfortune ; I felt suddenly , and for the first time during many months , calm and serene joy . I welcomed my friend , therefore , in the most cordial manner , and we walked towards my college . Clerval continued talking for some time about our mutual friends and his own good fortune in being permitted to come to Ingolstadt . “ You may easily believe ,” said he , “ how great was the difficulty to persuade my father that all necessary knowledge was not comprised in the noble art of bookkeeping ; and , indeed , I believe I left him incredulous to the last , for his constant answer to my unwearied entreaties was the same as that of the Dutch schoolmaster in The Vicar of Wakefield : ‘ I have ten thousand florins a year without Greek , I eat heartily
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