CHAPTER XV

. MOTIVE AND INFLUENCES 330

The fatal Marriage--Was Shelley trapt into it?--Mr. Garnett's Assurances--The Fiction about Claire--Lady Shelley's Use of Hogg's Evidences--The Prenuptial Intercourse--Was it slight?--Shelley's Opportunities for knowing all about Harriett--His Use and Abuse of those Opportunities--Mr. Westbrook's Action towards Shelley--His Endeavour to preserve Harriett from Shelley--Eliza Westbrook's part in making up the Match--The Tool's Reward--The Etonian Free Lover--The Social Condition of the Westbrooks and Godwins--Harriett Westbrook's Beauty--Her Education--Her Knowledge of French-- Her quick Progress in Latin--What Wonder that Shelley fell in love with her?

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