These motives urged me to comply with
his demand. We crossed the ice, therefore, and ascended the opposite
rock. The air was cold, and the rain again began to descend; we
entered the hut, the fiend with an air of exultation, I with a heavy
heart and depressed spirits. But I consented to listen, and seating
myself by the fire which my odious companion had lighted, he thus began
his tale.
Chapter 11
"It is with considerable difficulty that I remember the original era of
my being; all the events of that period appear confused and
indistinct. A strange multiplicity of sensations seized me, and I saw,
felt, heard, and smelt at the same time; and it was, indeed, a long
time before I learned to distinguish between the operations of my
various senses. By degrees, I remember, a stronger light pressed upon
my nerves, so that I was obliged to shut my eyes. Darkness then came
over me and troubled me, but hardly had I felt this when, by opening my
eyes, as I now suppose, the light poured in upon me again. I walked
and, I believe, descended, but I presently found a great alteration in
my sensations. Before, dark and opaque bodies had surrounded me,
impervious to my touch or sight; but I now found that I could wander on
at liberty, with no obstacles which I could not either surmount or
avoid. The light became more and more oppressive to me, and the heat
wearying me as I walked, I sought a place where I could receive shade.
Pages:
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132