This habit, as we shall see in the sequel, determined Shelley's fate on two important occasions of his life.

In return for the help extended to him at Eton, Shelley conferred undying fame on Dr.Lind; the characters of Zonaras in "Prince Athanase," and of the hermit in "Laon and Cythna," are portraits painted by the poet of his boyhood's friend.
The months which elapsed between Eton and Oxford were an important period in Shelley's life.

At this time a boyish liking for his cousin, Harriet Grove, ripened into real attachment; and though there was perhaps no formal engagement between them, the parents on both sides looked with approval on their love.

What it concerns us to know about this early passion, is given in a letter from a brother of Miss Grove.
"Bysshe was at that time (just after leaving Eton) more attached to my sister Harriet than I can express, and I recollect well the moonlight walks we four had at Strode and also at St.Irving's; that, I think, was the name of the place, then the Duke of Norfolk's, at Horsham." For some time after the date mentioned in this letter, Shelley and Miss Grove kept up an active correspondence; but the views he expressed on speculative subjects soon began to alarm her.

She consulted her mother and her father, and the engagement was broken off.