We spent a few sad hours before the trial (a meeting in court to decide if someone is guilty). At eleven o'clock, the trial began. My father and the rest of the family were witnesses (people who tell the court what they saw). I went with them to the court (the building where a trial happens). I felt a terrible pain in my heart. I knew that my secret work caused the death of William. Now, another innocent person was in danger. I wanted to tell the truth, but people would think I was a madman.
Justine looked very calm. She wore black clothes because she was sad. She was a very beautiful and kind girl. She did not shake with fear. Many people in the court looked at her with anger. They thought she was a murderer. Justine looked at our family. She had tears in her eyes. She wanted us to know she was innocent.
The trial began. The lawyer for the court spoke first. He called many witnesses. They told strange stories about Justine. She was outside the house all night when William died. A woman saw her near the place where the child was murdered. The woman asked Justine a question, but Justine gave a confused answer. Justine returned home at eight o'clock and asked about William. When she saw William’s body, she became very sick. Then, the servant found the miniature (a very small painting of a person) in her pocket. Elizabeth said it was the same picture. Everyone in the court was very angry with Justine.
Then, Justine spoke for herself. She looked surprised and miserable. "God knows I am innocent," she said. She explained what she had done that night. Elizabeth gave her permission to visit her aunt in a village. On her way home, a man told her William was lost. Justine looked for him for many hours. The gates of the town were closed, so she could not go home. She slept in a barn (a farm building for animals or hay). In the morning, she looked for William again. She did not know how the picture got into her pocket. She had no enemies. She did not know why someone put the picture there.
Many people knew Justine, but they were afraid to speak. They did not want to help a person who was accused of murder. Elizabeth saw this and she stood up. She asked the judges for permission to speak. She told them that Justine was a good person. Justine took care of the family and loved William like a mother. Elizabeth said she believed Justine was innocent. Elizabeth cried as she spoke.
The people in the court liked Elizabeth’s speech. But they were still angry with Justine. They thought she was ungrateful to the Frankenstein family. I felt extreme pain. I knew the monster was the real killer. I could not stay in the court. I ran outside in agony. Justine was innocent, but I felt like the true murderer. The next morning, I went back to the court. The judges made their decision. Justine was guilty (the court says she committed the crime).
An officer told me more news. He said that Justine confessed to the murder. This was very strange. I went home and told Elizabeth. "She confessed," I said. Elizabeth was shocked. She could not believe that Justine was a killer and a liar. Elizabeth felt very disappointed and sad.
Soon, Justine asked to see Elizabeth. My father said Elizabeth could go. I went with her to the prison. It was a dark and gloomy place. Justine sat on some straw. She had chains (metal rings joined together) on her hands. She fell at the feet of Elizabeth and cried. Elizabeth cried too.
"Why did you confess?" Elizabeth asked. "I believed you were innocent."
"I told a lie," Justine said. "My priest (a leader in the church) was very angry. He said I would go to hell if I did not confess. I was alone and afraid. Everyone thought I was a monster. So, I said I was guilty. But I did not kill William. I loved him."
Elizabeth felt better because she knew the truth. "I will try to save you!" she cried. "I will tell the judges you are innocent!" But Justine shook her head. She was ready to die. She was happy that Elizabeth loved her again. I stayed in a corner of the room. I felt a hell inside my heart. Justine saw me and thanked me for visiting her. She thought I was kind, but I felt like a demon.
We stayed for many hours. Then, we had to leave the prison. The next day, Justine died on the scaffold (a wooden platform where criminals are killed). Elizabeth could not save her. My words could not help her. Justine died because of my secret work.
Now, William and Justine were both dead. This was my fault. My family was very sad and their home was empty. I felt remorse and despair every day. I created a monster, and the monster destroyed my happiness. This was only the beginning of my misery.