I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet. It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.

A mind of moderate capacity which closely pursues one study must infallibly arrive at great proficiency in that study.

I cherished hope, it is true, but it vanished when my person reflected . . .

It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another.

. . . the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain.

I required kindness and sympathy, but I did not believe myself utterly unworthy of it.

My candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open.