the group returned from the continent, with a pregnant clairmont, and settled in bath (to protect her reputation, they attempted to hide the pregnancy). imlay saw shelley twice in september 1816; according to todd's interpretation of fanny's letters, fanny had earlier tried to solicit an invitation to join the group in europe and she repeated these appeals when she saw shelley in london. todd believes that imlay begged to be allowed to stay with them because life in godwin's house was unbearable, with the constant financial worries and mrs godwin's insistent haranguing, and that shelley refused, concerned with anyone learning about clairmont's condition, most of all someone he believed might inform godwin (shelley was being sued by his wife and was worried about his own reputation). after shelley left, todd explains that imlay wrote to mary "to make clear again her longing to be rescued".