When I was seventeen years old, my parents decided to send me to the University of Ingolstadt. I attended schools in Geneva before this. But my father, Uncle Henry, wanted me to learn about other countries and customs. We chose a date for my departure. However, a terrible thing happened before I could leave.
Elizabeth Lavenza became very sick with scarlet fever (a dangerous sickness that causes a high temperature and a red rash). She was in great danger. At first, my mother, Caroline Beaufort, stayed away from the sickroom. But she loved Elizabeth Lavenza very much. Soon, Caroline Beaufort could not stay away.
Caroline Beaufort took care of Elizabeth Lavenza. Because of this, Elizabeth Lavenza got well. But then my mother became sick with the same fever. The doctors could not help her. Caroline Beaufort was dying, but she was still very brave and kind.
On her deathbed, Caroline Beaufort joined my hand with the hand of Elizabeth Lavenza. She said, "My children, I wanted you to marry one day. This was my greatest hope. Now, this hope must make your father happy. Elizabeth, you must take my place and care for the younger children."
Caroline Beaufort died peacefully. We were all very sad. It is very hard to lose a person you love. You see them every day, and then they are gone forever. For a long time, we could not believe she was dead. But life continues, and we had to perform our duties.
I stayed at home for a few more weeks. I did not want to leave my family during this sad time. I wanted to see Elizabeth Lavenza feel better. She was very strong. She hid her own sadness to make the rest of us feel comfortable. She was a wonderful person.
Finally, the day arrived for me to leave. Henry Clerval spent the last evening with us. Henry Clerval wanted to go to the university with me. But his father was a businessman and said no. His father thought that university was a waste of time. Henry Clerval was very sad about this.
We sat together until late at night. We did not want to say goodbye. The next morning, I got into a carriage (a vehicle pulled by horses). My father blessed me. Henry Clerval pressed my hand. Elizabeth Lavenza asked me to write many letters.
I felt very lonely in the carriage. I always had friends and family around me. Now, I was alone. I had to find new friends in a new place. I was a very quiet person, and I was afraid of strangers. But I also wanted to learn many new things.
The journey to Ingolstadt was long and tiring. Finally, I saw the tall white buildings of the town. I went to my small, lonely apartment. I spent the evening alone and thought about my future.
The next morning, I went to meet the professors. I first met M. Krempe. He was a professor of natural philosophy (the study of nature and science). He was a short, rude man. He asked me about my studies. I told him about the old books I read.
M. Krempe stared at me. He said, "Did you really waste your time on that nonsense (ideas that are silly or not true)? Those books are a thousand years old. They are useless. You must start your studies again from the beginning."
M. Krempe gave me a list of new books to read. I went home, but I was not happy. I already knew those old books were not perfect. But I did not like M. Krempe. He was a very ugly and unpleasant man. I did not want to listen to his lectures.
A few days later, I went to a lecture by M. Waldman. He was a professor of chemistry (the science of how different things react and change). M. Waldman was very different from M. Krempe. He was about fifty years old and looked very kind. His voice was sweet and gentle.
M. Waldman talked about the history of science. He said, "Ancient teachers promised to do impossible things, but they did nothing. Modern scientists promise very little. But they have performed miracles. They show us how nature works in secret."
He continued, "Scientists have discovered how blood moves in the body. They understand the air we breathe. They can command the thunder and even mock the invisible world." I listened to his words with great excitement.
I felt that my soul was waking up. I thought to myself, "Others have done much. But I will do more! I will find new powers. I will find the deepest secrets of the world." I could not sleep that night. I was full of big ideas.
The next day, I visited M. Waldman at his house. He was very kind to me. I told him about my old studies. He did not laugh at me like M. Krempe did. He said those old writers were important because they began the search for knowledge.
M. Waldman told me that I should study all branches of science. He took me into his laboratory (a room where a scientist does experiments). He showed me his machines and explained how they worked. He gave me a list of books and promised to help me.
That day was very important for me. It decided my future. I was ready to begin my work. I was ready to change the world.