I paused some time to reflect on all he had related, and the
various arguments which he had employed. I thought of the
promise of virtues which he had displayed on the opening of his
existence, and the subsequent blight of all kindly feeling by
the loathing and scorn which his protectors had manifested
towards him. His power and threats were not omitted in my
calculations: a creature who could exist in the ice caves of the
glaciers, and hide himself from pursuit among the ridges of
inaccessible precipices, was a being possessing faculties it
would be vain to cope with. After a long pause of reflection, I
concluded, that the justice due both to him and my
fellow-creatures demanded of me that I should comply with his
request. Turning to him, therefore, I said--
"I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe
for ever, and every other place in the neighbourhood of man, as
soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will
accompany you in your exile."
"I swear," he cried, "by the sun, and by the blue sky of heaven,
that if you grant my prayer, while they exist you shall never
behold me again. Depart to your home, and commence your labours:
I shall watch their progress with unutterable anxiety; and fear
not but that when you are ready I shall appear."
Saying this,
he suddenly quitted me, fearful, perhaps, of any change in my
sentiments. I saw him descend the mountain with greater speed
than the flight of an eagle, and quickly lost him among the
undulations of the sea of ice.