From this connexion with the Godwin household events of the gravest importance in the future were destined to arise, and already it appears that Fanny Imlay had begun to look with perilous approval on the fascinating poet.

Hogg and Mr.Peacock, the well-known novelist, described by Mrs.Newton as "a cold scholar, who, I think, has neither taste nor feeling," were his only intimates.
Mrs.Newton's unfair judgment of Mr.Peacock marks a discord between the two chief elements of Shelley's present society; and indeed it will appear to a careful student of his biography that Hogg, Peacock, and Harriet, now stood somewhat by themselves and aloof from the inner circle of his associates.

If we regard the Shelleys as the centre of an extended line, we shall find the Westbrook family at one end, the Boinville family at the other, with Hogg and Peacock somewhere in the middle.

Harriet was naturally drawn to the Westbrook extremity, and Shelley to the Boinville.

Peacock had no affinity for either, but a sincere regard for Harriet as well as for her husband; while Hogg was in much the same position, except that he had made friends with Mrs.
Newton.