‘The Shelleys, who had disliked her before, could not have been more favourably disposed to her; but they pitied her misfortunes, and allowed her to continue to reside with them.’ It is due to Mr. Froude to say that, when writing these words, he had not seen Shelley’s will; but he had before him my clear account of Shelley’s affectionate regard for Claire. He chose to deviate from my clear account, and to rely on the statements of other persons, and he must take the consequences of his imprudence. CHAPTER XIII. LAON AND CYTHNA. Origin of the Free-Contract Party--Divorce in Catholic England--Nullification of Marriage--Consequences of the Reformation--Edward the Sixth’s Commissioners for the Amendment of Ecclesiastical Laws--Martin Bucer’s _Judgment touching Divorce_--John Milton on Freedom of Divorce--Denunciations of Marriage by the Godwinian Radicals--Poetical Fruits of the Genevese Scandal--Byron’s Timidity--Shelley’s Boldness--His most extravagant Conclusions touching Liberty of Affection--Appalling Doctrine of _Laon and Cythna_--Shelley’s Purpose in publishing the Poem--Alarm of the Olliers--Shelley’s Instructions to the frightened Publishers--Suppression of the monstrous Poem--Friends in Council--_Laon and Cythna_ manipulated into the _Revolt of Islam_--The _Quarterly Review_ on the original Poem--Consequences to Shelley’s Reputation--Irony of Fate. Enough has been said of the egotisms of _Laon and Cythna_; but something must be said of the reasons, why this extraordinary fruit of Shelley’s genius should be withheld from those young people to whom it is now-a-days offered, in fine type and on rich paper, as one of the choicest poems of English literature. It must be stated frankly and fearlessly why, till human nature has changed greatly and till existing human institutions and sentiments have become mere matters of archæology, this poem, with all its exquisite beauties of diction, must appear to all righteous and sober-minded persons a perplexity and a scandal, that may be fruitful of morbid thought and vicious action in young persons of light fancy and loose principles.