Nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval; his presence
brought back to my thoughts my father, Elizabeth, and all those
scenes of home so dear to my recollection. I grasped his hand,
and in a moment forgot my horror and misfortune; I felt
suddenly, and for the first time during many months, calm and
serene joy. I welcomed my friend, therefore, in the most cordial
manner, and we walked towards my college. Clerval continued
talking for some time about our mutual friends, and his own good
fortune in being permitted to come to Ingolstadt. "You may
easily believe," said he, "how great was the difficulty to
persuade my father that all necessary knowledge was not
comprised in the noble art of book-keeping; and, indeed, I
believe I left him incredulous to the last, for his constant
answer to my unwearied entreaties was the same as that of the
Dutch schoolmaster in the Vicar of Wakefield:-- 'I have ten
thousand florins a year without Greek, I eat heartily without
Greek.' But his affection for me at length overcame his dislike
of learning, and he has permitted me to undertake a voyage of
discovery to the land of knowledge."
"It gives me the greatest delight to see you; but tell me how
you left my father, brothers, and Elizabeth."
"Very well, and very happy, only a little uneasy that they hear
from you so seldom. By the bye, I mean to lecture you a little
upon their account myself. -- But, my dear Frankenstein," continued
he, stopping short, and gazing full in my face, "I did not
before remark how very ill you appear; so thin and pale; you
look as if you had been watching for several nights."
Criticism