1816: the Grandest Tour

Switzerland: Chapter 13

That night George found it difficult not to stare at each of the four – Byron, Shelley, Mary, and Claire – wondering how much of Polidori's tale was true. This made him take less part in the conversation than usual. But with Shelley and Byron at the fore, talk wandered in the customary several directions at once, embracing history, science, literature, poetry, and human nature in under an hour. Mary, too, was quieter than habit, until Byron mentioned the progress of everyone's ghost stories.

"I started work on a little conceit," Byron said. "Got the idea from folk stories I'd heard in the Turkish countries. It was about a 'Vampyre,' a demon sort of creature that sucks blood from the living."

George was astounded; he had no idea what to make of this.

"Gave it up after a few days though," said Byron, "couldn't turn it into anything I liked. But Polidori fancied the idea, didn't you Pol?" He nodded at his physician with a chummy wink. "He thought he'd work it into something of his own – and best of luck to him!"

George gave Polidori a flabbergasted look. This was an odd bit of information to leave out. The doctor, however, refused to acknowledge George, and merely returned Byron's nod.

"I've begun mine as well," said Mary.

The others looked up intrigued, since she'd been so taciturn as yet.

"You might find it a strange premise," she said. "I suppose part of it came from when we were all discussing the principle of life, and whether science could one day discover it."

"I remember, love," said Shelley, leaning forward in interest. "Go on."

"Well, I imagined that yes, a scientist finds this life principle – the origin, or divine spark, of consciousness. He assembles the anatomy of a man – not simply from one dead corpse, but from many – and through endless experimentation gives life to this... creature."

A eerie silence filled the room as each listener contemplated Mary's idea.

"I think it's brilliant," said Hugh, which surprised everyone except George.

"And once the creature is alive," said George, "what will its reception be, from ordinary people?"

"Not a good one I think," said Mary with a rueful smile. "I think this may form the chief tragedy of the tale – that an openhearted welcome of this strange birth might have prevented many sad or ghastly events that follow. But as yet I haven't had time to plan – not much beyond what I've just told you."

"It's a very good start, all the same!" said Shelley, his face shining. "I've bandied about and rejected a dozen ideas myself. It may be the short story just ain't my forte."

The talk continued on Mary's idea, and several of the party, Byron especially, threw in lighthearted suggestions for the monstrous being's adventures: he could survive running around in the frigid wastes of the arctic, for instance.

George, meanwhile, reflected how truly wise Hugh's judgment had proven. This Mary Godwin was a special girl indeed, scandals be damned. He hoped Shelley would remain a worthy companion for her, and she would find whatever fulfillment she wished in life. He knew it was folly to compare people, but although Susan was even younger than Mary, he thought (and maybe hoped) that she had the potential for a similar depth of thought. What direction such potential would lead her in was another question.

Things seemed to calm down over the next few days. George's misgivings relaxed somewhat, as the Diodati guests and residents settled back into their familiar routines. Even the weather obliged, by showing a fair enough aspect for the boating enthusiasts of the group to resume their sport on the lake. But it was on the very water, by ill chance or ineluctable fate, that the demons between some of these young people resurfaced, forcing George to consider their stay in Geneva might be fast approaching its end.