第3章

Ifearedyouwouldrepentyouofyourchoice。”

Seriousasthechoicehadbeen，Lucydidnotrepent。Yesterdayhadbeenamuddle——queerandodd，thekindofthingonecouldnotwritedowneasilyonpaper——butshehadafeelingthatCharlotteandhershoppingwerepreferabletoGeorgeEmersonandthesummitoftheTorredelGallo。Sinceshecouldnotunravelthetangle，shemusttakecarenottore-enterit。ShecouldprotestsincerelyagainstMissBartlett"sinsinuations。

Butthoughshehadavoidedthechiefactor，thesceneryunfortunatelyremained。Charlotte，withthecomplacencyoffate，ledherfromtherivertothePiazzaSignoria。Shecouldnothavebelievedthatstones，aLoggia，afountain，apalacetower，wouldhavesuchsignificance。Foramomentsheunderstoodthenatureofghosts。

Theexactsiteofthemurderwasoccupied，notbyaghost，butbyMissLavish，whohadthemorningnewspaperinherhand。Shehailedthembriskly。Thedreadfulcatastropheofthepreviousdayhadgivenheranideawhichshethoughtwouldworkupintoabook。

"Oh，letmecongratulateyou!"saidMissBartlett。"Afteryourdespairofyesterday!Whatafortunatething!"

"Aha!MissHoneychurch，comeyouhereIaminluck。Now，youaretotellmeabsolutelyeverythingthatyousawfromthebeginning。”Lucypokedatthegroundwithherparasol。

"Butperhapsyouwouldrathernot？"

"I"msorry——ifyoucouldmanagewithoutit，IthinkIwouldrathernot。”

Theelderladiesexchangedglances，notofdisapproval；itissuitablethatagirlshouldfeeldeeply。

"ItisIwhoamsorry，"saidMissLavish。"literaryhacksareshamelesscreatures。Ibelievethere"snosecretofthehumanheartintowhichwewouldn"tpry。”

Shemarchedcheerfullytothefountainandback，anddidafewcalculationsinrealism。ThenshesaidthatshehadbeeninthePiazzasinceeighto"clockcollectingmaterial。Agooddealofitwasunsuitable，butofcourseonealwayshadtoadapt。Thetwomenhadquarrelledoverafive-francnote。Forthefive-francnotesheshouldsubstituteayounglady，whichwouldraisethetoneofthetragedy，andatthesametimefurnishanexcellentplot。

"Whatistheheroine"sname？"askedMissBartlett。

"Leonora，"saidMissLavish；herownnamewasEleanor。

"Idohopeshe"snice。”

Thatdesideratumwouldnotbeomitted。

"Andwhatistheplot？"

Love，murder，abduction，revenge，wastheplot。Butitallcamewhilethefountainplashedtothesatyrsinthemorningsun。

"Ihopeyouwillexcusemeforboringonlikethis，"MissLavishconcluded。"Itissotemptingtotalktoreallysympatheticpeople。Ofcourse，thisisthebarestoutline。Therewillbeadealoflocalcolouring，descriptionsofFlorenceandtheneighbourhood，andIshallalsointroducesomehumorouscharacters。Andletmegiveyouallfairwarning:IintendtobeunmercifultotheBritishtourist。”

"Oh，youwickedwoman，"criedMissBartlett。"IamsureyouarethinkingoftheEmersons。”

MissLavishgaveaMachiavelliansmile。

"IconfessthatinItalymysympathiesarenotwithmyowncountrymen。ItistheneglectedItalianswhoattractme，andwhoselivesIamgoingtopaintsofarasIcan。ForIrepeatandIinsist，andIhavealwaysheldmoststrongly，thatatragedysuchasyesterday"sisnotthelesstragicbecauseithappenedinhumblelife。”

TherewasafittingsilencewhenMissLavishhadconcluded。Thenthecousinswishedsuccesstoherlabours，andwalkedslowlyawayacrossthesquare。

"Sheismyideaofareallycleverwoman，"saidMissBartlett。

"Thatlastremarkstruckmeassoparticularlytrue。Itshouldbeamostpatheticnovel。”

Lucyassented。Atpresenthergreataimwasnottogetputintoit。Herperceptionsthismorningwerecuriouslykeen，andshebelievedthatMissLavishhadherontrialforaningenue。

"Sheisemancipated，butonlyintheverybestsenseoftheword，"continuedMissBartlettslowly。"Nonebutthesuperficialwouldbeshockedather。Wehadalongtalkyesterday。Shebelievesinjusticeandtruthandhumaninterest。Shetoldmealsothatshehasahighopinionofthedestinyofwoman——Mr。

Eager!Why，hownice!Whatapleasantsurprise!"

"Ah，notforme，"saidthechaplainblandly，"forIhavebeenwatchingyouandMissHoneychurchforquitealittletime。”

"WewerechattingtoMissLavish。”

Hisbrowcontracted。

"SoIsaw。Wereyouindeed？Andatevia!sonooccupato!"Thelastremarkwasmadetoavenderofpanoramicphotographswhowasapproachingwithacourteoussmile。"Iamabouttoventureasuggestion。WouldyouandMissHoneychurchbedisposedtojoinmeinadrivesomedaythisweek——adriveinthehills？WemightgoupbyFiesoleandbackbySettignano。Thereisapointonthatroadwherewecouldgetdownandhaveanhour"srambleonthehillside。TheviewthenceofFlorenceismostbeautiful——farbetterthanthehackneyedviewofFiesole。ItistheviewthatAlessioBaldovinettiisfondofintroducingintohispictures。

Thatmanhadadecidedfeelingforlandscape。Decidedly。Butwholooksatitto-day？

Ah，theworldistoomuchforus。”

MissBartletthadnotheardofAlessioBaldovinetti，butsheknewthatMr。Eagerwasnocommonplacechaplain。HewasamemberoftheresidentialcolonywhohadmadeFlorencetheirhome。HeknewthepeoplewhoneverwalkedaboutwithBaedekers，whohadlearnttotakeasiestaafterlunch，whotookdrivesthepensiontouristshadneverheardof，andsawbyprivateinfluencegallerieswhichwereclosedtothem。Livingindelicateseclusion，someinfurnishedflats，othersinRenaissancevillasonFiesole"sslope，theyread，wrote，studied，andexchangedideas，thusattainingtothatintimateknowledge，orratherperception，ofFlorencewhichisdeniedtoallwhocarryintheirpocketsthecouponsofCook。

Thereforeaninvitationfromthechaplainwassomethingtobeproudof。Betweenthetwosectionsofhisflockhewasoftentheonlylink，anditwashisavowedcustomtoselectthoseofhismigratorysheepwhoseemedworthy，andgivethemafewhoursinthepasturesofthepermanent。TeaataRenaissancevilla？

Nothinghadbeensaidaboutityet。Butifitdidcometothat——

howLucywouldenjoyit!

AfewdaysagoandLucywouldhavefeltthesame。Butthejoysoflifeweregroupingthemselvesanew。AdriveinthehillswithMr。

EagerandMissBartlett——evenifculminatinginaresidentialtea-party——wasnolongerthegreatestofthem。SheechoedtherapturesofCharlottesomewhatfaintly。OnlywhensheheardthatMr。Beebewasalsocomingdidherthanksbecomemoresincere。

"Soweshallbeapartiecarree，"saidthechaplain。"Inthesedaysoftoilandtumultonehasgreatneedsofthecountryanditsmessageofpurity。Andatevia!andatepresto，presto!Ah，thetown!Beautifulasitis，itisthetown。”

Theyassented。

"Thisverysquare——soIamtold——witnessedyesterdaythemostsordidoftragedies。ToonewholovestheFlorenceofDanteandSavonarolathereissomethingportentousinsuchdesecration——

portentousandhumiliating。”

"Humiliatingindeed，"saidMissBartlett。"MissHoneychurchhappenedtobepassingthroughasithappened。Shecanhardlybeartospeakofit。”SheglancedatLucyproudly。

"Andhowcamewetohaveyouhere？"askedthechaplainpaternally。

MissBartlett"srecentliberalismoozedawayatthequestion。

"Donotblameher，please，Mr。Eager。Thefaultismine:Ileftherunchaperoned。”

"Soyouwereherealone，MissHoneychurch？"Hisvoicesuggestedsympatheticreproofbutatthesametimeindicatedthatafewharrowingdetailswouldnotbeunacceptable。Hisdark，handsomefacedroopedmournfullytowardshertocatchherreply。

"Practically。”

"Oneofourpensionacquaintanceskindlybroughtherhome，"saidMissBartlett，adroitlyconcealingthesexofthepreserver。

"Forheralsoitmusthavebeenaterribleexperience。Itrustthatneitherofyouwasatall——thatitwasnotinyourimmediateproximity？"

OfthemanythingsLucywasnoticingto-day，nottheleastremarkablewasthis:theghoulishfashioninwhichrespectablepeoplewillnibbleafterblood。GeorgeEmersonhadkeptthesubjectstrangelypure。

"Hediedbythefountain，Ibelieve，"washerreply。

"Andyouandyourfriend——"

"WereoverattheLoggia。”

"Thatmusthavesavedyoumuch。Youhavenot，ofcourse，seenthedisgracefulillustrationswhichthegutterPress——Thismanisapublicnuisance；heknowsthatIamaresidentperfectlywell，andyethegoesonworryingmetobuyhisvulgarviews。”

SurelythevendorofphotographswasinleaguewithLucy——intheeternalleagueofItalywithyouth。HehadsuddenlyextendedhisbookbeforeMissBartlettandMr。Eager，bindingtheirhandstogetherbyalongglossyribbonofchurches，pictures，andviews。

"Thisistoomuch!"criedthechaplain，strikingpetulantlyatoneofFraAngelico"sangels。Shetore。Ashrillcryrosefromthevendor。Thebookitseemed，wasmorevaluablethanonewouldhavesupposed。

"WillinglywouldIpurchase——"beganMissBartlett。

"Ignorehim，"saidMr。Eagersharply，andtheyallwalkedrapidlyawayfromthesquare。

ButanItaliancanneverbeignored，leastofallwhenhehasagrievance。HismysteriouspersecutionofMr。Eagerbecamerelentless；theairrangwithhisthreatsandlamentations。HeappealedtoLucy；wouldnotsheintercede？Hewaspoor——heshelteredafamily——thetaxonbread。Hewaited，hegibbered，hewasrecompensed，hewasdissatisfied，hedidnotleavethemuntilhehadswepttheirmindscleanofallthoughtswhetherpleasantorunpleasant。

Shoppingwasthetopicthatnowensued。Underthechaplain"sguidancetheyselectedmanyhideouspresentsandmementoes——

floridlittlepicture-framesthatseemedfashionedingildedpastry；otherlittleframes，moresevere，thatstoodonlittleeasels，andwerecarvenoutofoak；ablottingbookofvellum；

aDanteofthesamematerial；cheapmosaicbrooches，whichthemaids，nextChristmas，wouldnevertellfromreal；pins，pots，heraldicsaucers，brownart-photographs；ErosandPsycheinalabaster；St。Petertomatch——allofwhichwouldhavecostlessinLondon。

ThissuccessfulmorningleftnopleasantimpressionsonLucy。Shehadbeenalittlefrightened，bothbyMissLavishandbyMr。

Eager，sheknewnotwhy。Andastheyfrightenedher，shehad，strangelyenough，ceasedtorespectthem。ShedoubtedthatMissLavishwasagreatartist。ShedoubtedthatMr。Eagerwasasfullofspiritualityandcultureasshehadbeenledtosuppose。Theyweretriedbysomenewtest，andtheywerefoundwanting。AsforCharlotte——asforCharlotteshewasexactlythesame。Itmightbepossibletobenicetoher；itwasimpossibletoloveher。

"Thesonofalabourer；Ihappentoknowitforafact。A

mechanicofsomesorthimselfwhenhewasyoung；thenhetooktowritingfortheSocialisticPress。IcameacrosshimatBrixton。”

TheyweretalkingabouttheEmersons。

"Howwonderfullypeopleriseinthesedays!"sighedMissBartlett，fingeringamodeloftheleaningTowerofPisa。

"Generally，"repliedMr。Eager，"onehasonlysympathyfortheirsuccess。Thedesireforeducationandforsocialadvance——inthesethingsthereissomethingnotwhollyvile。TherearesomeworkingmenwhomonewouldbeverywillingtoseeouthereinFlorence——littleastheywouldmakeofit。”

"Isheajournalistnow？"MissBartlettasked，"Heisnot；hemadeanadvantageousmarriage。”

Heutteredthisremarkwithavoicefullofmeaning，andendedwithasigh。

"Oh，sohehasawife。”

"Dead，MissBartlett，dead。Iwonder——yesIwonderhowhehastheeffronterytolookmeintheface，todaretoclaimacquaintancewithme。HewasinmyLondonparishlongago。TheotherdayinSantaCroce，whenhewaswithMissHoneychurch，Isnubbedhim。

Lethimbewarethathedoesnotgetmorethanasnub。”

"What？"criedLucy，flushing。

"Exposure!"hissedMr。Eager。

Hetriedtochangethesubject；butinscoringadramaticpointhehadinterestedhisaudiencemorethanhehadintended。MissBartlettwasfullofverynaturalcuriosity。Lucy，thoughshewishednevertoseetheEmersonsagain，wasnotdisposedtocondemnthemonasingleword。

"Doyoumean，"sheasked，"thatheisanirreligiousman？Weknowthatalready。”

"Lucy，dear——"saidMissBartlett，gentlyreprovinghercousin"spenetration。

"Ishouldbeastonishedifyouknewall。Theboy——aninnocentchildatthetime——Iwillexclude。Godknowswhathiseducationandhisinheritedqualitiesmayhavemadehim。”

"Perhaps，"saidMissBartlett，"itissomethingthatwehadbetternothear。”

"Tospeakplainly，"saidMr。Eager，"itis。Iwillsaynomore。”

ForthefirsttimeLucy"srebelliousthoughtssweptoutinwords——forthefirsttimeinherlife。

"Youhavesaidverylittle。”

"Itwasmyintentiontosayverylittle，"washisfrigidreply。

Hegazedindignantlyatthegirl，whomethimwithequalindignation。Sheturnedtowardshimfromtheshopcounter；herbreastheavedquickly。Heobservedherbrow，andthesuddenstrengthofherlips。Itwasintolerablethatsheshoulddisbelievehim。

"Murder，ifyouwanttoknow，"hecriedangrily。"Thatmanmurderedhiswife!"

"How？"sheretorted。

"Toallintentsandpurposeshemurderedher。ThatdayinSantaCroce——didtheysayanythingagainstme？"

"Notaword，Mr。Eager——notasingleword。”

"Oh，Ithoughttheyhadbeenlibellingmetoyou。ButIsupposeitisonlytheirpersonalcharmsthatmakesyoudefendthem。”

"I"mnotdefendingthem，"saidLucy，losinghercourage，andrelapsingintotheoldchaoticmethods。"They"renothingtome。”

"Howcouldyouthinkshewasdefendingthem？"saidMissBartlett，muchdiscomfitedbytheunpleasantscene。Theshopmanwaspossiblylistening。

"Shewillfinditdifficult。ForthatmanhasmurderedhiswifeinthesightofGod。”

TheadditionofGodwasstriking。Butthechaplainwasreallytryingtoqualifyarashremark。Asilencefollowedwhichmighthavebeenimpressive，butwasmerelyawkward。ThenMissBartletthastilypurchasedtheLeaningTower，andledthewayintothestreet。

"Imustbegoing，"saidhe，shuttinghiseyesandtakingouthiswatch。

MissBartlettthankedhimforhiskindness，andspokewithenthusiasmoftheapproachingdrive。

"Drive？Oh，isourdrivetocomeoff？"

Lucywasrecalledtohermanners，andafteralittleexertionthecomplacencyofMr。Eagerwasrestored。

"Botherthedrive!"exclaimedthegirl，assoonashehaddeparted。"ItisjustthedrivewehadarrangedwithMr。Beebewithoutanyfussatall。Whyshouldheinviteusinthatabsurdmanner？Wemightaswellinvitehim。Weareeachpayingforourselves。”

MissBartlett，whohadintendedtolamentovertheEmersons，waslaunchedbythisremarkintounexpectedthoughts。

"Ifthatisso，dear——ifthedriveweandMr。BeebearegoingwithMr。EagerisreallythesameastheonewearegoingwithMr。Beebe，thenIforeseeasadkettleoffish。”

"How？"

"BecauseMr。BeebehasaskedEleanorLavishtocome，too。”

"Thatwillmeananothercarriage。”

"Farworse。Mr。EagerdoesnotlikeEleanor。Sheknowsitherself。Thetruthmustbetold；sheistoounconventionalforhim。”

Theywerenowinthenewspaper-roomattheEnglishbank。Lucystoodbythecentraltable，heedlessofPunchandtheGraphic，tryingtoanswer，oratalleventstoformulatethequestionsriotinginherbrain。Thewell-knownworldhadbrokenup，andthereemergedFlorence，amagiccitywherepeoplethoughtanddidthemostextraordinarythings。Murder，accusationsofmurder，Aladyclingingtoonemanandbeingrudetoanother——werethesethedailyincidentsofherstreets？Wastheremoreinherfrankbeautythanmettheeye——thepower，perhaps，toevokepassions，goodandbad，andtobringthemspeedilytoafulfillment？

HappyCharlotte，who，thoughgreatlytroubledoverthingsthatdidnotmatter，seemedoblivioustothingsthatdid；whocouldconjecturewithadmirabledelicacy"wherethingsmightleadto，"

butapparentlylostsightofthegoalassheapproachedit。Nowshewascrouchinginthecornertryingtoextractacircularnotefromakindoflinennose-bagwhichhunginchasteconcealmentroundherneck。ShehadbeentoldthatthiswastheonlysafewaytocarrymoneyinItaly；itmustonlybebroachedwithinthewallsoftheEnglishbank。Asshegropedshemurmured:"WhetheritisMr。BeebewhoforgottotellMr。Eager，orMr。Eagerwhoforgotwhenhetoldus，orwhethertheyhavedecidedtoleaveEleanoroutaltogether——whichtheycouldscarcelydo——butinanycasewemustbeprepared。Itisyoutheyreallywant；Iamonlyaskedforappearances。Youshallgowiththetwogentlemen，andI

andEleanorwillfollowbehind。Aone-horsecarriagewoulddoforus。Yethowdifficultitis!"

"Itisindeed，"repliedthegirl，withagravitythatsoundedsympathetic。

"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？"askedMissBartlett，flushedfromthestruggle，andbuttoningupherdress。

"Idon"tknowwhatIthink，norwhatIwant。”

"Oh，dear，Lucy!IdohopeFlorenceisn"tboringyou。Speaktheword，and，asyouknow，Iwouldtakeyoutotheendsoftheearthto-morrow。”

"Thankyou，Charlotte，"saidLucy，andponderedovertheoffer。

Therewerelettersforheratthebureau——onefromherbrother，fullofathleticsandbiology；onefromhermother，delightfulasonlyhermother"sletterscouldbe。Shehadreadinitofthecrocuseswhichhadbeenboughtforyellowandwerecominguppuce，ofthenewparlour-maid，whohadwateredthefernswithessenceoflemonade，ofthesemi-detachedcottageswhichwereruiningSummerStreet，andbreakingtheheartofSirHarryOtway。

Sherecalledthefree，pleasantlifeofherhome，whereshewasallowedtodoeverything，andwherenothingeverhappenedtoher。

Theroadupthroughthepine-woods，thecleandrawing-room，theviewovertheSussexWeald——allhungbeforeherbrightanddistinct，butpatheticasthepicturesinagallerytowhich，aftermuchexperience，atravellerreturns。

"Andthenews？"askedMissBartlett。

"Mrs。VyseandhersonhavegonetoRome，"saidLucy，givingthenewsthatinterestedherleast。"DoyouknowtheVyses？"

"Oh，notthatwayback。WecanneverhavetoomuchofthedearPiazzaSignoria。”

"They"renicepeople，theVyses。Soclever——myideaofwhat"sreallyclever。Don"tyoulongtobeinRome？"

"Idieforit!"

ThePiazzaSignoriaistoostonytobebrilliant。Ithasnograss，noflowers，nofrescoes，noglitteringwallsofmarbleorcomfortingpatchesofruddybrick。Byanoddchance——unlesswebelieveinapresidinggeniusofplaces——thestatuesthatrelieveitsseveritysuggest，nottheinnocenceofchildhood，northegloriousbewildermentofyouth，buttheconsciousachievementsofmaturity。PerseusandJudith，HerculesandThusnelda，theyhavedoneorsufferedsomething，andthoughtheyareimmortal，immortalityhascometothemafterexperience，notbefore。Here，notonlyinthesolitudeofNature，mightaheromeetagoddess，oraheroineagod。

"Charlotte!"criedthegirlsuddenly。"Here"sanidea。WhatifwepoppedofftoRometo-morrow——straighttotheVyses"hotel？ForIdoknowwhatIwant。I"msickofFlorence。No，yousaidyou"dgototheendsoftheearth!Do!Do!"

MissBartlett，withequalvivacity，replied:

"Oh，youdrollperson!Pray，whatwouldbecomeofyourdriveinthehills？"

Theypassedtogetherthroughthegauntbeautyofthesquare，laughingovertheunpracticalsuggestion。

ChapterVI:TheReverendArthurBeebe，theReverendCuthbertEager，Mr。Emerson，Mr。GeorgeEmerson，MissEleanorLavish，MissCharlotteBartlett，andMissLucyHoneychurchDriveOutinCarriagestoSeeaView；ItaliansDriveThem。

ItwasPhaethonwhodrovethemtoFiesolethatmemorableday，ayouthallirresponsibilityandfire，recklesslyurginghismaster"shorsesupthestonyhill。Mr。Beeberecognizedhimatonce。NeithertheAgesofFaithnortheAgeofDoubthadtouchedhim；hewasPhaethoninTuscanydrivingacab。AnditwasPersephonewhomheaskedleavetopickupontheway，sayingthatshewashissister——Persephone，tallandslenderandpale，returningwiththeSpringtohermother"scottage，andstillshadinghereyesfromtheunaccustomedlight。ToherMr。Eagerobjected，sayingthatherewasthethinedgeofthewedge，andonemustguardagainstimposition。Buttheladiesinterceded，andwhenithadbeenmadeclearthatitwasaverygreatfavour，thegoddesswasallowedtomountbesidethegod。

Phaethonatonceslippedtheleftreinoverherhead，thusenablinghimselftodrivewithhisarmroundherwaist。Shedidnotmind。Mr。Eager，whosatwithhisbacktothehorses，sawnothingoftheindecorousproceeding，andcontinuedhisconversationwithLucy。TheothertwooccupantsofthecarriagewereoldMr。EmersonandMissLavish。Foradreadfulthinghadhappened:Mr。Beebe，withoutconsultingMr。Eager，haddoubledthesizeoftheparty。AndthoughMissBartlettandMissLavishhadplannedallthemorninghowthepeopleweretosit，atthecriticalmomentwhenthecarriagescameroundtheylosttheirheads，andMissLavishgotinwithLucy，whileMissBartlett，withGeorgeEmersonandMr。Beebe，followedonbehind。

Itwashardonthepoorchaplaintohavehispartiecarreethustransformed。TeaataRenaissancevilla，ifhehadevermeditatedit，wasnowimpossible。LucyandMissBartletthadacertainstyleaboutthem，andMr。Beebe，thoughunreliable，wasamanofparts。ButashoddyladywriterandajournalistwhohadmurderedhiswifeinthesightofGod——theyshouldenternovillaathisintroduction。

Lucy，elegantlydressedinwhite，saterectandnervousamidtheseexplosiveingredients，attentivetoMr。Eager，repressivetowardsMissLavish，watchfulofoldMr。Emerson，hithertofortunatelyasleep，thankstoaheavylunchandthedrowsyatmosphereofSpring。ShelookedontheexpeditionastheworkofFate。ButforitshewouldhaveavoidedGeorgeEmersonsuccessfully。Inanopenmannerhehadshownthathewishedtocontinuetheirintimacy。Shehadrefused，notbecauseshedislikedhim，butbecauseshedidnotknowwhathadhappened，andsuspectedthathedidknow。Andthisfrightenedher。

Fortherealevent——whateveritwas——hadtakenplace，notintheLoggia，butbytheriver。Tobehavewildlyatthesightofdeathispardonable。Buttodiscussitafterwards，topassfromdiscussionintosilence，andthroughsilenceintosympathy，thatisanerror，notofastartledemotion，butofthewholefabric。

Therewasreallysomethingblameworthy(shethought)intheirjointcontemplationoftheshadowystream，inthecommonimpulsewhichhadturnedthemtothehousewithoutthepassingofalookorword。Thissenseofwickednesshadbeenslightatfirst。ShehadnearlyjoinedthepartytotheTorredelGallo。ButeachtimethatsheavoidedGeorgeitbecamemoreimperativethatsheshouldavoidhimagain。Andnowcelestialirony，workingthroughhercousinandtwoclergymen，didnotsufferhertoleaveFlorencetillshehadmadethisexpeditionwithhimthroughthehills。

MeanwhileMr。Eagerheldherincivilconverse；theirlittletiffwasover。

"So，MissHoneychurch，youaretravelling？Asastudentofart？"

"Oh，dearme，no——oh，no!"

"Perhapsasastudentofhumannature，"interposedMissLavish，"likemyself？"

"Oh，no。Iamhereasatourist。”

"Oh，indeed，"saidMr。Eager。"Areyouindeed？Ifyouwillnotthinkmerude，weresidentssometimespityyoupoortouristsnotalittle——handedaboutlikeaparcelofgoodsfromVenicetoFlorence，fromFlorencetoRome，livingherdedtogetherinpensionsorhotels，quiteunconsciousofanythingthatisoutsideBaedeker，theironeanxietytoget"done"or"through"andgoonsomewhereelse。Theresultis，theymixuptowns，rivers，palacesinoneinextricablewhirl。YouknowtheAmericangirlinPunchwhosays:"Say，poppa，whatdidweseeatRome？"Andthefatherreplies:"Why，guessRomewastheplacewherewesawtheyallerdog。"There"stravellingforyou。Ha!ha!ha!"

"Iquiteagree，"saidMissLavish，whohadseveraltimestriedtointerrupthismordantwit。"ThenarrownessandsuperficialityoftheAnglo-Saxontouristisnothinglessthanamenace。”

"Quiteso。Now，theEnglishcolonyatFlorence，MissHoneychurch——anditisofconsiderablesize，though，ofcourse，notallequally——afewareherefortrade，forexample。Butthegreaterpartarestudents。LadyHelenLaverstockisatpresentbusyoverFraAngelico。Imentionhernamebecausewearepassinghervillaontheleft。No，youcanonlyseeitifyoustand——no，donotstand；youwillfall。Sheisveryproudofthatthickhedge。

Inside，perfectseclusion。Onemighthavegonebacksixhundredyears。SomecriticsbelievethathergardenwasthesceneofTheDecameron，whichlendsitanadditionalinterest，doesitnot？"

"Itdoesindeed!"criedMissLavish。"Tellme，wheredotheyplacethesceneofthatwonderfulseventhday？"

ButMr。EagerproceededtotellMissHoneychurchthatontherightlivedMr。SomeoneSomething，anAmericanofthebesttype——sorare!——andthattheSomebodyElseswerefartherdownthehill。"Doubtlessyouknowhermonographsintheseriesof"MediaevalByways"？HeisworkingatGemistusPletho。SometimesasItaketeaintheirbeautifulgroundsIhear，overthewall，theelectrictramsquealingupthenewroadwithitsloadsofhot，dusty，unintelligenttouristswhoaregoingto"do"Fiesoleinanhourinorderthattheymaysaytheyhavebeenthere，andI

think——think——Ithinkhowlittletheythinkwhatliessonearthem。”

Duringthisspeechthetwofiguresontheboxweresportingwitheachotherdisgracefully。Lucyhadaspasmofenvy。Grantedthattheywishedtomisbehave，itwaspleasantforthemtobeabletodoso。Theywereprobablytheonlypeopleenjoyingtheexpedition。ThecarriagesweptwithagonizingjoltsupthroughthePiazzaofFiesoleandintotheSettignanoroad。

"Piano!piano!"saidMr。Eager，elegantlywavinghishandoverhishead。

"Vabene，signore，vabene，vabene，"croonedthedriver，andwhippedhishorsesupagain。

NowMr。EagerandMissLavishbegantotalkagainsteachotheronthesubjectofAlessioBaldovinetti。WasheacauseoftheRenaissance，orwasheoneofitsmanifestations？Theothercarriagewasleftbehind。Asthepaceincreasedtoagallopthelarge，slumberingformofMr。Emersonwasthrownagainstthechaplainwiththeregularityofamachine。

"Piano!piano!"saidhe，withamartyredlookatLucy。

Anextralurchmadehimturnangrilyinhisseat。Phaethon，whoforsometimehadbeenendeavouringtokissPersephone，hadjustsucceeded。

Alittlesceneensued，which，asMissBartlettsaidafterwards，wasmostunpleasant。Thehorseswerestopped，theloverswereorderedtodisentanglethemselves，theboywastolosehispourboire，thegirlwasimmediatelytogetdown。

"Sheismysister，"saidhe，turningroundonthemwithpiteouseyes。

Mr。Eagertookthetroubletotellhimthathewasaliar。

Phaethonhungdownhishead，notatthematteroftheaccusation，butatitsmanner。AtthispointMr。Emerson，whomtheshockofstoppinghadawoke，declaredthattheloversmustonnoaccountbeseparated，andpattedthemonthebacktosignifyhisapproval。AndMissLavish，thoughunwillingtoallyhim，feltboundtosupportthecauseofBohemianism。

"MostcertainlyIwouldletthembe，"shecried。"ButIdaresayIshallreceivescantsupport。Ihavealwaysflowninthefaceoftheconventionsallmylife。ThisiswhatIcallanadventure。”

"Wemustnotsubmit，"saidMr。Eager。"Iknewhewastryingiton。HeistreatingusasifwewereapartyofCook"stourists。”

"Surelyno!"saidMissLavish，herardourvisiblydecreasing。

Theothercarriagehaddrawnupbehind，andsensibleMr。Beebecalledoutthatafterthiswarningthecouplewouldbesuretobehavethemselvesproperly。

"Leavethemalone，"Mr。Emersonbeggedthechaplain，ofwhomhestoodinnoawe。"Dowefindhappinesssooftenthatweshouldturnitofftheboxwhenithappenstositthere？Tobedrivenbylovers——Akingmightenvyus，andifwepartthemit"smorelikesacrilegethananythingIknow。”

HerethevoiceofMissBartlettwasheardsayingthatacrowdhadbeguntocollect。

Mr。Eager，whosufferedfromanover-fluenttongueratherthanaresolutewill，wasdeterminedtomakehimselfheard。Headdressedthedriveragain。ItalianinthemouthofItaliansisadeep-voicedstream，withunexpectedcataractsandboulderstopreserveitfrommonotony。InMr。Eager"smouthitresemblednothingsomuchasanacidwhistlingfountainwhichplayedeverhigherandhigher，andquickerandquicker，andmoreandmoreshrilly，tillabruptlyitwasturnedoffwithaclick。

"Signorina!"saidthemantoLucy，whenthedisplayhadceased。

WhyshouldheappealtoLucy？

"Signorina!"echoedPersephoneinhergloriouscontralto。Shepointedattheothercarriage。Why？

Foramomentthetwogirlslookedateachother。ThenPersephonegotdownfromthebox。

"Victoryatlast!"saidMr。Eager，smitinghishandstogetherasthecarriagesstartedagain。

"Itisnotvictory，"saidMr。Emerson。"Itisdefeat。Youhavepartedtwopeoplewhowerehappy。”

Mr。Eagershuthiseyes。HewasobligedtositnexttoMr。

Emerson，buthewouldnotspeaktohim。Theoldmanwasrefreshedbysleep，andtookupthematterwarmly。HecommandedLucytoagreewithhim；heshoutedforsupporttohisson。

"Wehavetriedtobuywhatcannotbeboughtwithmoney。Hehasbargainedtodriveus，andheisdoingit。Wehavenorightsoverhissoul。”

MissLavishfrowned。ItishardwhenapersonyouhaveclassedastypicallyBritishspeaksoutofhischaracter。

Hewasnotdrivinguswell，"shesaid。"Hejoltedus。”

"ThatIdeny。Itwasasrestfulassleeping。Aha!heisjoltingusnow。Canyouwonder？Hewouldliketothrowusout，andmostcertainlyheisjustified。AndifIweresuperstitiousI"dbefrightenedofthegirl，too。Itdoesn"tdotoinjureyoungpeople。HaveyoueverheardofLorenzodeMedici？"

MissLavishbristled。

"MostcertainlyIhave。DoyourefertoLorenzoilMagnifico，ortoLorenzo，DukeofUrbino，ortoLorenzosurnamedLorenzinoonaccountofhisdiminutivestature？"

"TheLordknows。Possiblyhedoesknow，forIrefertoLorenzothepoet。Hewrotealine——soIheardyesterday——whichrunslikethis:"Don"tgofightingagainsttheSpring。""

Mr。Eagercouldnotresisttheopportunityforerudition。

"NonfateguerraalMaggio，"hemurmured。""WarnotwiththeMay"wouldrenderacorrectmeaning。”

"Thepointis，wehavewarredwithit。Look。”HepointedtotheVald"Arno，whichwasvisiblefarbelowthem，throughthebuddingtrees。"FiftymilesofSpring，andwe"vecomeuptoadmirethem。Doyousupposethere"sanydifferencebetweenSpringinnatureandSpringinman？Buttherewego，praisingtheoneandcondemningtheotherasimproper，ashamedthatthesameworketernallythroughboth。”

Nooneencouragedhimtotalk。PresentlyMr。Eagergaveasignalforthecarriagestostopandmarshalledthepartyfortheirrambleonthehill。Ahollowlikeagreatamphitheatre，fullofterracedstepsandmistyolives，nowlaybetweenthemandtheheightsofFiesole，andtheroad，stillfollowingitscurve，wasabouttosweepontoapromontorywhichstoodoutintheplain。

Itwasthispromontory，uncultivated，wet，coveredwithbushesandoccasionaltrees，whichhadcaughtthefancyofAlessioBaldovinettinearlyfivehundredyearsbefore。Hehadascendedit，thatdiligentandratherobscuremaster，possiblywithaneyetobusiness，possiblyforthejoyofascending。Standingthere，hehadseenthatviewoftheVald"ArnoanddistantFlorence，whichheafterwardshadintroducednotveryeffectivelyintohiswork。Butwhereexactlyhadhestood？ThatwasthequestionwhichMr。Eagerhopedtosolvenow。AndMissLavish，whosenaturewasattractedbyanythingproblematical，hadbecomeequallyenthusiastic。

ButitisnoteasytocarrythepicturesofAlessioBaldovinettiinyourhead，evenifyouhaverememberedtolookatthembeforestarting。Andthehazeinthevalleyincreasedthedifficultyofthequest。

Thepartysprangaboutfromtufttotuftofgrass，theiranxietytokeeptogetherbeingonlyequalledbytheirdesiretogodifferentdirections。Finallytheysplitintogroups。LucyclungtoMissBartlettandMissLavish；theEmersonsreturnedtoholdlaboriousconversewiththedrivers；whilethetwoclergymen，whowereexpectedtohavetopicsincommon，werelefttoeachother。

Thetwoelderladiessoonthrewoffthemask。IntheaudiblewhisperthatwasnowsofamiliartoLucytheybegantodiscuss，notAlessioBaldovinetti，butthedrive。MissBartletthadaskedMr。GeorgeEmersonwhathisprofessionwas，andhehadanswered"therailway。”Shewasverysorrythatshehadaskedhim。Shehadnoideathatitwouldbesuchadreadfulanswer，orshewouldnothaveaskedhim。Mr。Beebehadturnedtheconversationsocleverly，andshehopedthattheyoungmanwasnotverymuchhurtatheraskinghim"Therailway!"gaspedMissLavish。"Oh，butIshalldie!Ofcourseitwastherailway!"Shecouldnotcontrolhermirth。"Heistheimageofaporter——on，ontheSouth-Eastern。”

"Eleanor，bequiet，"pluckingathervivaciouscompanion。"Hush!

They"llhear——theEmersons——"

"Ican"tstop。Letmegomywickedway。Aporter——"

"Eleanor!"

"I"msureit"sallright，"putinLucy。"TheEmersonswon"thear，andtheywouldn"tmindiftheydid。”

MissLavishdidnotseempleasedatthis。

"MissHoneychurchlistening!"shesaidrathercrossly。"Pouf!

Wouf!Younaughtygirl!Goaway!"

"Oh，Lucy，yououghttobewithMr。Eager，I"msure。”

"Ican"tfindthemnow，andIdon"twanttoeither。”

"Mr。Eagerwillbeoffended。Itisyourparty。”

"Please，I"dratherstopherewithyou。”

"No，Iagree，"saidMissLavish。"It"slikeaschoolfeast；theboyshavegotseparatedfromthegirls。MissLucy，youaretogo。

Wewishtoconverseonhightopicsunsuitedforyourear。”

Thegirlwasstubborn。AshertimeatFlorencedrewtoitscloseshewasonlyateaseamongstthosetowhomshefeltindifferent。

SuchaonewasMissLavish，andsuchforthemomentwasCharlotte。Shewishedshehadnotcalledattentiontoherself；

theywerebothannoyedatherremarkandseemeddeterminedtogetridofher。

"Howtiredonegets，"saidMissBartlett。"Oh，IdowishFreddyandyourmothercouldbehere。”

UnselfishnesswithMissBartletthadentirelyusurpedthefunctionsofenthusiasm。Lucydidnotlookatthevieweither。

ShewouldnotenjoyanythingtillshewassafeatRome。

"Thensityoudown，"saidMissLavish。"Observemyforesight。”

Withmanyasmilesheproducedtwoofthosemackintoshsquaresthatprotecttheframeofthetouristfromdampgrassorcoldmarblesteps。Shesatonone；whowastositontheother？

"Lucy；withoutamoment"sdoubt，Lucy。Thegroundwilldoforme。

ReallyIhavenothadrheumatismforyears。IfIdofeelitcomingonIshallstand。Imagineyourmother"sfeelingsifIletyousitinthewetinyourwhitelinen。”Shesatdownheavilywherethegroundlookedparticularlymoist。"Hereweare，allsettleddelightfully。Evenifmydressisthinneritwillnotshowsomuch，beingbrown。Sitdown，dear；youaretoounselfish；

youdon"tassertyourselfenough。”Sheclearedherthroat。"Nowdon"tbealarmed；thisisn"tacold。It"sthetiniestcough，andIhavehaditthreedays。It"snothingtodowithsittinghereatall。”

Therewasonlyonewayoftreatingthesituation。AttheendoffiveminutesLucydepartedinsearchofMr。BeebeandMr。Eager，vanquishedbythemackintoshsquare。

Sheaddressedherselftothedrivers，whoweresprawlinginthecarriages，perfumingthecushionswithcigars。Themiscreant，abonyyoungmanscorchedblackbythesun，rosetogreetherwiththecourtesyofahostandtheassuranceofarelative。

"Dove？"saidLucy，aftermuchanxiousthought。

Hisfacelitup。Ofcourseheknewwhere，Notsofareither。Hisarmsweptthree-fourthsofthehorizon。Heshouldjustthinkhedidknowwhere。Hepressedhisfinger-tipstohisforeheadandthenpushedthemtowardsher，asifoozingwithvisibleextractofknowledge。

Moreseemednecessary。WhatwastheItalianfor"clergyman"？

"Dovebuoniuomini？"saidsheatlast。

Good？Scarcelytheadjectiveforthosenoblebeings!Heshowedherhiscigar。

"Uno——piu——piccolo，"washernextremark，implying"HasthecigarbeengiventoyoubyMr。Beebe，thesmallerofthetwogoodmen？"

Shewascorrectasusual。Hetiedthehorsetoatree，kickedittomakeitstayquiet，dustedthecarriage，arrangedhishair，remouldedhishat，encouragedhismoustache，andinratherlessthanaquarterofaminutewasreadytoconducther。Italiansarebornknowingtheway。Itwouldseemthatthewholeearthlaybeforethem，notasamap，butasachess-board，whereontheycontinuallybeholdthechangingpiecesaswellasthesquares。

Anyonecanfindplaces，butthefindingofpeopleisagiftfromGod。

Heonlystoppedonce，topickhersomegreatblueviolets。Shethankedhimwithrealpleasure。Inthecompanyofthiscommonmantheworldwasbeautifulanddirect。ForthefirsttimeshefelttheinfluenceofSpring。Hisarmsweptthehorizongracefully；

violets，likeotherthings，existedingreatprofusionthere；

wouldsheliketoseethem？"

"Mabuoniuomini。”

Hebowed。Certainly。Goodmenfirst，violetsafterwards。Theyproceededbrisklythroughtheundergrowth，whichbecamethickerandthicker。Theywerenearingtheedgeofthepromontory，andtheviewwasstealingroundthem，butthebrownnetworkofthebushesshattereditintocountlesspieces。Hewasoccupiedinhiscigar，andinholdingbackthepliantboughs。Shewasrejoicinginherescapefromdullness。Notastep，notatwig，wasunimportanttoher。

"Whatisthat？"

Therewasavoiceinthewood，inthedistancebehindthem。ThevoiceofMr。Eager？Heshruggedhisshoulders。AnItalian"signoranceissometimesmoreremarkablethanhisknowledge。Shecouldnotmakehimunderstandthatperhapstheyhadmissedtheclergymen。Theviewwasformingatlast；shecoulddiscerntheriver，thegoldenplain，otherhills。

"Eccolo!"heexclaimed。

Atthesamemomentthegroundgaveway，andwithacryshefelloutofthewood。Lightandbeautyenvelopedher。Shehadfallenontoalittleopenterrace，whichwascoveredwithvioletsfromendtoend。

"Courage!"criedhercompanion，nowstandingsomesixfeetabove。

"Courageandlove。”

Shedidnotanswer。Fromherfeetthegroundslopedsharplyintoview，andvioletsrandowninrivuletsandstreamsandcataracts，irrigatingthehillsidewithblue，eddyingroundthetreestemscollectingintopoolsinthehollows，coveringthegrasswithspotsofazurefoam。Butneveragainweretheyinsuchprofusion；

thisterracewasthewell-head，theprimalsourcewhencebeautygushedouttowatertheearth。

Standingatitsbrink，likeaswimmerwhoprepares，wasthegoodman。Buthewasnotthegoodmanthatshehadexpected，andhewasalone。

Georgehadturnedatthesoundofherarrival。Foramomenthecontemplatedher，asonewhohadfallenoutofheaven。Hesawradiantjoyinherface，hesawtheflowersbeatagainstherdressinbluewaves。Thebushesabovethemclosed。Hesteppedquicklyforwardandkissedher。

Beforeshecouldspeak，almostbeforeshecouldfeel，avoicecalled，"Lucy!Lucy!Lucy!"ThesilenceoflifehadbeenbrokenbyMissBartlettwhostoodbrownagainsttheview。

ChapterVII:TheyReturnSomecomplicatedgamehadbeenplayingupanddownthehillsidealltheafternoon。Whatitwasandexactlyhowtheplayershadsided，Lucywasslowtodiscover。Mr。Eagerhadmetthemwithaquestioningeye。Charlottehadrepulsedhimwithmuchsmalltalk。Mr。Emerson，seekinghisson，wastoldwhereaboutstofindhim。Mr。Beebe，whoworetheheatedaspectofaneutral，wasbiddentocollectthefactionsforthereturnhome。Therewasageneralsenseofgropingandbewilderment。Panhadbeenamongstthem——notthegreatgodPan，whohasbeenburiedthesetwothousandyears，butthelittlegodPan，whopresidesoversocialcontretempsandunsuccessfulpicnics。Mr。Beebehadlosteveryone，andhadconsumedinsolitudethetea-basketwhichhehadbroughtupasapleasantsurprise。MissLavishhadlostMissBartlett。LucyhadlostMr。Eager。Mr。EmersonhadlostGeorge。

MissBartletthadlostamackintoshsquare。Phaethonhadlostthegame。

Thatlastfactwasundeniable。Heclimbedontotheboxshivering，withhiscollarup，prophesyingtheswiftapproachofbadweather。"Letusgoimmediately，"hetoldthem。"Thesignorinowillwalk。”

"Alltheway？Hewillbehours，"saidMr。Beebe。

"Apparently。Itoldhimitwasunwise。”Hewouldlooknooneintheface；perhapsdefeatwasparticularlymortifyingforhim。Healonehadplayedskilfully，usingthewholeofhisinstinct，whiletheothershadusedscrapsoftheirintelligence。Healonehaddivinedwhatthingswere，andwhathewishedthemtobe。HealonehadinterpretedthemessagethatLucyhadreceivedfivedaysbeforefromthelipsofadyingman。Persephone，whospendshalfherlifeinthegrave——shecouldinterpretitalso。NotsotheseEnglish。Theygainknowledgeslowly，andperhapstoolate。

Thethoughtsofacab-driver，howeverjust，seldomaffectthelivesofhisemployers。HewasthemostcompetentofMissBartlett"sopponents，butinfinitelytheleastdangerous。Oncebackinthetown，heandhisinsightandhisknowledgewouldtroubleEnglishladiesnomore。Ofcourse，itwasmostunpleasant；shehadseenhisblackheadinthebushes；hemightmakeatavernstoryoutofit。Butafterall，whathavewetodowithtaverns？Realmenacebelongstothedrawing-room。Itwasofdrawing-roompeoplethatMissBartlettthoughtasshejourneyeddownwardstowardsthefadingsun。Lucysatbesideher；Mr。Eagersatopposite，tryingtocatchhereye；hewasvaguelysuspicious。

TheyspokeofAlessioBaldovinetti。

Rainanddarknesscameontogether。Thetwoladieshuddledtogetherunderaninadequateparasol。Therewasalightningflash，andMissLavishwhowasnervous，screamedfromthecarriageinfront。Atthenextflash，Lucyscreamedalso。Mr。

Eageraddressedherprofessionally:

"Courage，MissHoneychurch，courageandfaith。IfImightsayso，thereissomethingalmostblasphemousinthishorroroftheelements。Areweseriouslytosupposethatalltheseclouds，allthisimmenseelectricaldisplay，issimplycalledintoexistencetoextinguishyouorme？"

"No——ofcourse——"

"Evenfromthescientificstandpointthechancesagainstourbeingstruckareenormous。Thesteelknives，theonlyarticleswhichmightattractthecurrent，areintheothercarriage。And，inanycase，weareinfinitelysaferthanifwewerewalking。

Courage——courageandfaith。”

Undertherug，Lucyfeltthekindlypressureofhercousin"shand。Attimesourneedforasympatheticgestureissogreatthatwecarenotwhatexactlyitsignifiesorhowmuchwemayhavetopayforitafterwards。MissBartlett，bythistimelyexerciseofhermuscles，gainedmorethanshewouldhavegotinhoursofpreachingorcrossexamination。

Shereneweditwhenthetwocarriagesstopped，halfintoFlorence。

"Mr。Eager!"calledMr。Beebe。"Wewantyourassistance。Willyouinterpretforus？"

"George!"criedMr。Emerson。"AskyourdriverwhichwayGeorgewent。Theboymaylosehisway。Hemaybekilled。”

"Go，Mr。Eager，"saidMissBartlett。don"taskourdriver；ourdriverisnohelp。GoandsupportpoorMr。Beebe——，heisnearlydemented。”

"Hemaybekilled!"criedtheoldman。"Hemaybekilled!"

"Typicalbehaviour，"saidthechaplain，ashequittedthecarriage。"Inthepresenceofrealitythatkindofpersoninvariablybreaksdown。”

"Whatdoesheknow？"whisperedLucyassoonastheywerealone。

"Charlotte，howmuchdoesMr。Eagerknow？"

"Nothing，dearest；heknowsnothing。But——"shepointedatthedriver-"HEknowseverything。Dearest，hadwebetter？ShallI？"

Shetookoutherpurse。"Itisdreadfultobeentangledwithlow-classpeople。Hesawitall。”TappingPhaethon"sbackwithherguide-book，shesaid，"Silenzio!"andofferedhimafranc。

"Vabene，"hereplied，andacceptedit。Aswellthisendingtohisdayasany。ButLucy，amortalmaid，wasdisappointedinhim。

Therewasanexplosionuptheroad。Thestormhadstrucktheoverheadwireofthetramline，andoneofthegreatsupportshadfallen。Iftheyhadnotstoppedperhapstheymighthavebeenhurt。Theychosetoregarditasamiraculouspreservation，andthefloodsofloveandsincerity，whichfructifyeveryhouroflife，burstforthintumult。Theydescendedfromthecarriages；