CHAPTER VIII

MAY 1815-SEPTEMBER 1816

1815. Objections raised to Clara's return to Skinner Street-- Her letter to Fanny Godwin from Lynmouth--The Shelleys make a tour in South Devon--Shelley seeks for houses--Letter from Mary--They settle at Bishopsgate--Boating expedition--Happy summer--Shelley writes "Alastor."

1816. Mary's son William born--List of books read by Shelley and Mary in 1815--Clara's project of going on the stage--Her connection with Byron--She introduces him to the Shelleys-- Shelley's efforts to raise money for Godwin--Godwin's rapacity--Refuses to take a cheque made out in Shelley's name--Shelley escapes from England--Is persuaded by Clara (now called "Clare" or "Claire") to go to Geneva--Mary's descriptive letters--Byron arrives at Geneva--Association of Shelley and Byron--Origin of _Frankenstein_ as related by Mary--She begins to write it--Voyage of Shelley and Byron round the lake of Geneva--Tour to the valley of Chamouni-- Journal--Return to England (August)--Mary and Clare go to Bath, and Shelley to Marlow 115-157

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