Many weeks passed after I returned to Geneva. I did not want to start my work again. I was afraid of the monster (a scary, giant creature I had created). I did not want to build a second creature. I felt a strong repugnance (a feeling of strong dislike or disgust) for the task.
I needed to study for many months. I needed to learn how to make a female creature. I heard about a clever man in England. This man knew many things about science. I wanted to visit England to learn from him. But I waited for a long time.
I felt better and stronger now. Sometimes I felt very sad and lonely. At those times, I went to the lake. I sat in a small boat alone for many hours. The fresh air and the sun made me feel better. I smiled more when I was with my friends.
One day, my father called me to talk. He was happy to see me outside. But he saw that I was still unhappy. He wanted to know the reason. He asked me to tell him the truth.
My father wanted me to marry Elizabeth. He thought that perhaps we only loved each other like brother and sister. He asked if I loved another woman. He did not want me to feel forced to marry Elizabeth. He wanted his son to be happy.
I looked at my father. I said I loved Elizabeth very much. No other woman was as good as Elizabeth. I wanted to marry her. I hoped for a happy future with her.
My father was very happy to hear this. He suggested a wedding very soon. But I was very afraid. I could not marry Elizabeth yet. I had made a promise to the monster. I had to finish my work first.
I told my father about a trip to England. I did not tell him the true reason for the trip. I said I wanted to see new places. My father was glad that I wanted to travel. He hoped the trip would make me happy.
I planned to be away for one year. My father made a plan with Elizabeth. They asked Clerval to go with me. I was happy to see my friend Clerval. But I also wanted to be alone to do my work.
I hoped the monster would follow me to England. If the monster followed me, my family would be safe. I felt like a slave (a person who is not free and must work for another). I had to do what the monster wanted.
I left Geneva in September. Elizabeth was sad to see me go. I got into a carriage (a large box on wheels pulled by horses). I brought my science tools with me. I did not look at the beautiful trees. I only thought about my scary work.
Clerval and I met in the city of Strasburgh. We traveled down the Rhine River in a boat. Clerval was very happy. He loved the sun and the birds. But I was very sad. I had many dark thoughts.
The river was very beautiful. Clerval and I saw many castles (very large, old stone houses for kings) on the hills. We saw many vineyards (fields where people grow grapes for wine). The workers in the fields sang songs. I felt a little peace as I looked at the blue sky.
Clerval loved nature very much. He looked at the tall rocks and the dark woods. He was a very kind and good friend. I am very sad now because Clerval is dead. I remember the words of my friend. His spirit still visits me today.
The boat went past the city of Cologne. Then Clerval and I went to Holland. We arrived at a place called Rotterdam. We took a ship across the sea to England. It was a cold morning in December. I saw the white cliffs of Britain.
We saw the river Thames. The land near the river was flat and green. We saw many small towns. Finally, I saw the many tall buildings of London. I saw the big church called St. Paul’s. I saw the famous Tower of London. I was now in England.