The Vault

twelve

THE SMELL OF DAMP, ancient stone and the cool of the night were marvellously suggestive, transporting him to the vaults and charnel-houses Frankenstein had visited in pursuit of the secret of life. "One secret which I alone possessed was the hope to which I had dedicated myself; and the moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued nature to her hiding'places."

Unlike Frankenstein, he was untroubled by the horrors. He embraced them eagerly.