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. CHAPTER XIV. FROM MARLOW TO ITALY 351 The Hunts and the Shelleys--Their Intimacy--Pecuniary Difficulties--Dealings with Money-lenders--Leigh Hunt relieves Shelley of £1400--His Testimony to Shelley’s virtuous Manners--Shelley’s Benevolence at Marlow--At the Opera--Departure for Italy--The fated Children--Shelley’s literary Work and studious Life in Italy--Milan--Allegra sent to her Father--Elise the Swiss Nurse--Her Knowledge and Suspicions--Claire and her ‘Sister’--Their Affectionate Intercourse and Occasional Quarrels--Shelley’s Affection for Claire--Vagrants in Italy--Pisa--Leghorn--Maria Gisborne--Her Husband and Son--Claire and Shelley at Venice--Trick played on Byron--His Civilities to the Shelleys--Little Clara’s Death--Paolo the Knave--He falls in Love with Elise--Their Marriage--Paolo’s Wrath and Vengeance--Emilia Viviani-- Shelley’s Adoration of Her--The three-cornered Flirtation-- Mrs. Shelley’s Attitude and Action--Shelley’s Fault in the Affair--His subsequent Shame at the Business--The imaginary Assault at the Pisan Post Office. CHAPTER XV. PISAN ACQUAINTANCES 391