On his way back to Geneva, Frankenstein was plagued by the thought of having to create another monster. He hated the idea but hoped that doing so would finally end his anguish. Hearing of some new natural philosophers in England, Frankenstein headed there. He planned to stay for two years, complete the project, and then come home to marry Elizabeth. Hearing this made his father happy.

Frankenstein took a carriage to Strasburg, where he met up with the jovial Henry, and together they took a ship to London. Frankenstein was moved by the beauty of the English countryside and by his friend Henry’s continual lust for life. In the narrative present, Frankenstein wistfully recalls his friend, who appears in a red-and-white pinstriped suit, grinning from ear to ear.

Frankenstein studied and worked hard as he prepared for his task, leaving Henry to complete his work in Scotland. As he stared out at the beauty of the English countryside, Frankenstein realized that the wonders of the world no longer stirred anything in him and saw for himself a future of emptiness and despicability. He came to an almost abandoned cliffside town and an empty house that made a perfect laboratory for his work.