ch as it is almost impossible for any two people living together in the
same relationship to escape. Both were sensitive, and each had certain
qualities peculiarly calculated to irritate the other. Mary was
quick-tempered and nervous. Godwin was cool and methodical. With Mary,
love was the first consideration; Godwin, who had lived alone for many
years, was ruled by habit. Their natures were so dissimilar, that
occasional interruptions to their peace were unavoidable. But these never
developed into serious warfare. They loved each other too honestly to
cherish ill-feeling. Godwin wrote to Mary one morning,--

"I am pained by the recollection of our conversation last night [of
the conversation there is unfortunately no record]. The sole
principle of conduct of which I am conscious in my behavior to you
has been in everything to study your happiness. I found a wounded
heart, and as that heart cast itself on me, it was my ambition to
heal it. Do not let me be wholly disappointed.

"Let me have the relief of seeing you this morning. If I do not
call before you go out, call on me."

He was not disappointed. A reconciliatory interview must have taken
place, for on the very same day Mary wrote him this essentially friendly
note:--

"Fanny is delighted with the thought of dining with you. But I wish
you to eat your meat first, and let her come up with the pudding. I
shall probably knock at your door in my way to Opie's; but should I
not find you, let me request you not to be too late this evening.
Do not give Fanny butter with her pudding."

"Ours was not an idle happiness, a paradise of selfish and transitory
pleasures," Godwin asserts in referring to the months of their married
life. Mary never let her work come to a standstill. Idleness was a
failing unknown to her, nor had marriage, as has been seen, lessened the
necessity of industry. Indeed, it was now especially important that she
should exert her powers of working to the utmost, which is probably the
reason that little remains to show as product of this period. Reviewing
and translating were still more profitable, because more certain, than
original writing; and her notes to Godwin prove by their allusions that
Johnson continued to keep her supplied with employment of this kind. She
had several larger schemes afoot, for the accomplishment of which nothing
was wanting but time. She proposed, among other