Those who hope to find in these pages much new circumstantial evidence on the vexed subject of Shelley's separation from his first wife will be disappointed. No contemporary document now exists which puts the case beyond the reach of argument. Collateral evidence is not wanting, but even were this not beyond the scope of the present work it would be wrong on the strength of it to assert more than that Shelley himself felt certain of his wife's unfaithfulness. Of that there is no doubt, nor of the fact that all such evidence as did afterwards transpire went to prove him more likely to have been right than wrong in his belief. My first thanks are due to Sir Percy and Lady Shelley for the use of their invaluable documents,--for the photographs of original pictures which form the basis of the illustrations,--and last, not least, for their kindly help and sympathy during the fulfilment of my task. I wish especially to express my gratitude to Mrs. Charles Call for her kind permission to me to print the letters of her father, Mr. Trelawny, which are among the most interesting of my unpublished materials. I have to thank Miss Stuart, from whom I obtained important letters from Mr. Baxter and Godwin; and Mr. A. C. Haden, through whom I made the acquaintance of Miss Christy Baxter. To Professor Dowden, and, above all, to Mr. Garnett, I am indebted for much valuable help, I may say, of all kinds. FLORENCE A. MARSHALL. CONTENTS PAGES CHAPTER I Introductory remarks--Account of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. 1797. Their marriage--Birth of their daughter--Death of Mary Godwin 1-11 CHAPTER II AUGUST 1797-JUNE 1812 1797. Godwin goes to reside at the "Polygon." 1798-99. His despondency--Repeated proposals of marriage to various ladies. 1801. Marriage with Mrs. Clairmont. 1805. Enters business as a publisher--Books for children. 1807. Removes to Skinner Street, Holborn. 1808. Aaron Burr's first visit to England. 1811. Mrs. Godwin and the children go to Margate and Ramsgate--Mary's health improves--She remains till Christmas at Miss Petman's. 1812. Aaron Burr's sojourn in England--Intimacy with the Godwins--Extracts from his journal--Mary is invited to stay with the Baxters at Dundee 12-26 CHAPTER III JUNE 1812-MAY 1814 1812. Mary sails for Dundee--Godwin's letter to Mr. Baxter-- The Baxters--Mary stays with them five months--Returns to London with Christy Baxter--The Shelleys dine in Skinner Street (Nov. 11)--Christy's enjoyment of London. 1813. Godwin's letter to an anonymous correspondent describing Fanny and Mary--Mary and Christy go back to Dundee (June 3)--Mary's reminiscences of this time in the preface to _Frankenstein_.