Mary Shelley Page #4

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Delighted.

My husband tells me

you're a poet, Mr Shelley.

He speaks very highly

of your work.

Well, I am humbled

by his praise, Mrs. Godwin.

I must admit, though, my work

is not yet widely known.

Although I have just completed

my second volume which...

...awaits publication.

[Godwin] Very impressive

achievement for such a young man.

[Shelley] Any achievement of

mine falls within the shadow

of your influence, Mr. Godwin.

You flatter me.

[Shelley] Hope you will

consider my proposal

to take me on as your protg.

I have a considerable allowance

at my disposal...

...and would gladly reimburse you

for any time you might spare.

Well, I feel duty bound to...

...foster such ability.

Well then, that's settled.

How fortunate we are

to be in the presence

of two great minds.

[Mrs. Godwin] You must see

our bookshop, Mr. Shelley.

[Godwin] I have a copy of "The

Iliad" in the original Greek.

Hmm.

Perhaps Mary will show it

to you after dinner.

How are you here?

Does it seem so strange that

I would seek out the tutelage

of the great William Godwin?

Clearly I'm not only here

to see your father.

Then why are you here?

To once again feel

the curdling of my blood

and the quickening of the

beatings of my heart.

Mary?

Mr. Shelley?

Your father would like

to see Mr. Shelley.

Thank you.

I will be with him momentarily.

I'm quite enjoying the,

uh, collection.

So I see.

[both chuckle]

As I was saying,

both your parents are a great

source of inspiration to me.

My mother died

when I was ten days old.

I'm sorry, I had no idea.

Don't be sorry.

I love to talk about her.

Even if I never truly knew her.

All of the contradictions

she embodied.

All anyone ever talks about...

...now is how she wanted

to go off

and live with a married man

and his wife...

...in a mnage trois.

And what do you think about...

...all that?

I have no problem with it.

People should live and love

as they wish.

But one thing I've never

understood is...

...why did two radicals

such as your parents

succumb to marriage?

To legitimize me.

Meet me...

...tomorrow.

Just tell me where.

There is a place I go alone.

I'm not sure

what you'll make of it.

[delicate, dramatic music ]

My sanctuary of sorts.

[Shelley] Then it will

be my sanctuary, too.

I come here whenever I can.

Just to feel her embrace.

My father taught me to read...

...by tracing the letters

of her name.

[wind blowing]

I don't know what it is

I'm waiting for here.

Maybe you're just waiting

for someone to reach out and...

...return your embrace.

[thunder rolling]

[Mary panting]

I thought we would never

escape the rain.

I think I'd rather suffer

the deluge outside.

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