第2章
RAPPACCINI"SDAUGHTER
WedonotremembertohaveseenanytranslatedspecimensoftheproductionsofM。del"Aubepine——afactthelesstobewonderedat，ashisverynameisunknowntomanyofhisowncountrymenaswellastothestudentofforeignliterature。Asawriter，heseemstooccupyanunfortunatepositionbetweentheTranscendentalists(who，underonenameoranother，havetheirshareinallthecurrentliteratureoftheworld)andthegreatbodyofpen-and-inkmenwhoaddresstheintellectandsympathiesofthemultitude。Ifnottoorefined，atalleventstooremote，tooshadowy，andunsubstantialinhismodesofdevelopmenttosuitthetasteofthelatterclass，andyettoopopulartosatisfythespiritualormetaphysicalrequisitionsoftheformer，hemustnecessarilyfindhimselfwithoutanaudience，excepthereandthereanindividualorpossiblyanisolatedclique。Hiswritings，todothemjustice，arenotaltogetherdestituteoffancyandoriginality；theymighthavewonhimgreaterreputationbutforaninveterateloveofallegory，whichisapttoinvesthisplotsandcharacterswiththeaspectofsceneryandpeopleintheclouds，andtostealawaythehumanwarmthoutofhisconceptions。Hisfictionsaresometimeshistorical，sometimesofthepresentday，andsometimes，sofarascanbediscovered，havelittleornoreferenceeithertotimeorspace。Inanycase，hegenerallycontentshimselfwithaveryslightembroideryofoutwardmanners，——thefaintestpossiblecounterfeitofreallife，——andendeavorstocreateaninterestbysomelessobviouspeculiarityofthesubject。OccasionallyabreathofNature，araindropofpathosandtenderness，oragleamofhumor，willfinditswayintothemidstofhisfantasticimagery，andmakeusfeelasif，afterall，wewereyetwithinthelimitsofournativeearth。WewillonlyaddtothisverycursorynoticethatM。del"Aubepine"sproductions，ifthereaderchancetotaketheminpreciselytheproperpointofview，mayamusealeisurehouraswellasthoseofabrighterman；ifotherwise，theycanhardlyfailtolookexcessivelylikenonsense。
Ourauthorisvoluminous；hecontinuestowriteandpublishwithasmuchpraiseworthyandindefatigableprolixityasifhiseffortswerecrownedwiththebrilliantsuccessthatsojustlyattendsthoseofEugeneSue。Hisfirstappearancewasbyacollectionofstoriesinalongseriesofvolumesentitled“Contesdeuxfoisracontees。“Thetitlesofsomeofhismorerecentworks(wequotefrommemory)areasfollows:“LeVoyageCelesteaChemindeFer，“3tom。，1838；“LenouveauPereAdametlanouvelleMereEve，“2tom。，1839；“Roderic；ouleSerpental"estomac，“2tom。，1840；“LeCulteduFeu，“afoliovolumeofponderousresearchintothereligionandritualoftheoldPersianGhebers，publishedin1841；“LaSoireeduChateauenEspagne，“1tom。，8vo，1842；and“L"ArtisteduBeau；oulePapillonMecanique，“5tom。，4to，1843。Oursomewhatwearisomeperusalofthisstartlingcatalogueofvolumeshasleftbehinditacertainpersonalaffectionandsympathy，thoughbynomeansadmiration，forM。del"Aubepine；andwewouldfaindothelittleinourpowertowardsintroducinghimfavorablytotheAmericanpublic。Theensuingtaleisatranslationofhis“Beatrice；oulaBelleEmpoisonneuse，“recentlypublishedin“LaRevueAnti-Aristocratique。“Thisjournal，editedbytheComtedeBearhaven，hasforsomeyearspastledthedefenceofliberalprinciplesandpopularrightswithafaithfulnessandabilityworthyofallpraise。
Ayoungman，namedGiovanniGuasconti，came，verylongago，fromthemoresouthernregionofItaly，topursuehisstudiesattheUniversityofPadua。Giovanni，whohadbutascantysupplyofgoldducatsinhispocket，tooklodgingsinahighandgloomychamberofanoldedificewhichlookednotunworthytohavebeenthepalaceofaPaduannoble，andwhich，infact，exhibitedoveritsentrancethearmorialbearingsofafamilylongsinceextinct。Theyoungstranger，whowasnotunstudiedinthegreatpoemofhiscountry，recollectedthatoneoftheancestorsofthisfamily，andperhapsanoccupantofthisverymansion，hadbeenpicturedbyDanteasapartakeroftheimmortalagoniesofhisInferno。Thesereminiscencesandassociations，togetherwiththetendencytoheartbreaknaturaltoayoungmanforthefirsttimeoutofhisnativesphere，causedGiovannitosighheavilyashelookedaroundthedesolateandill-furnishedapartment。
“HolyVirgin，signor！“criedoldDameLisabetta，who，wonbytheyouth"sremarkablebeautyofperson，waskindlyendeavoringtogivethechamberahabitableair，“whatasighwasthattocomeoutofayoungman"sheart！Doyoufindthisoldmansiongloomy？
FortheloveofHeaven，then，putyourheadoutofthewindow，andyouwillseeasbrightsunshineasyouhaveleftinNaples。“
Guascontimechanicallydidastheoldwomanadvised，butcouldnotquiteagreewithherthatthePaduansunshinewasascheerfulasthatofsouthernItaly。Suchasitwas，however，itfelluponagardenbeneaththewindowandexpendeditsfosteringinfluencesonavarietyofplants，whichseemedtohavebeencultivatedwithexceedingcare。
“Doesthisgardenbelongtothehouse？“askedGiovanni。
“Heavenforbid，signor，unlessitwerefruitfulofbetterpotherbsthananythatgrowtherenow，“answeredoldLisabetta。“No；
thatgardeniscultivatedbytheownhandsofSignorGiacomoRappaccini，thefamousdoctor，who，Iwarranthim，hasbeenheardofasfarasNaples。Itissaidthathedistilstheseplantsintomedicinesthatareaspotentasacharm。Oftentimesyoumayseethesignordoctoratwork，andperchancethesignora，hisdaughter，too，gatheringthestrangeflowersthatgrowinthegarden。“
Theoldwomanhadnowdonewhatshecouldfortheaspectofthechamber；and，commendingtheyoungmantotheprotectionofthesaints，tookherdepartureGiovannistillfoundnobetteroccupationthantolookdownintothegardenbeneathhiswindow。Fromitsappearance，hejudgedittobeoneofthosebotanicgardenswhichwereofearlierdateinPaduathanelsewhereinItalyorintheworld。Or，notimprobably，itmightoncehavebeenthepleasure-placeofanopulentfamily；fortherewastheruinofamarblefountaininthecentre，sculpturedwithrareart，butsowofullyshatteredthatitwasimpossibletotracetheoriginaldesignfromthechaosofremainingfragments。Thewater，however，continuedtogushandsparkleintothesunbeamsascheerfullyasever。A
littlegurglingsoundascendedtotheyoungman"swindow，andmadehimfeelasifthefountainwereanimmortalspiritthatsungitssongunceasinglyandwithoutheedingthevicissitudesaroundit，whileonecenturyimbodieditinmarbleandanotherscatteredtheperishablegarnitureonthesoil。Allaboutthepoolintowhichthewatersubsidedgrewvariousplants，thatseemedtorequireaplentifulsupplyofmoistureforthenourishmentofgiganticleaves，andinsomeinstances，flowersgorgeouslymagnificent。Therewasoneshrubinparticular，setinamarblevaseinthemidstofthepool，thatboreaprofusionofpurpleblossoms，eachofwhichhadthelustreandrichnessofagem；andthewholetogethermadeashowsoresplendentthatitseemedenoughtoilluminatethegarden，evenhadtherebeennosunshine。Everyportionofthesoilwaspeopledwithplantsandherbs，which，iflessbeautiful，stillboretokensofassiduouscare，asifallhadtheirindividualvirtues，knowntothescientificmindthatfosteredthem。Somewereplacedinurns，richwitholdcarving，andothersincommongardenpots；somecreptserpent-likealongthegroundorclimbedonhigh，usingwhatevermeansofascentwasofferedthem。OneplanthadwreatheditselfroundastatueofVertumnus，whichwasthusquiteveiledandshroudedinadraperyofhangingfoliage，sohappilyarrangedthatitmighthaveservedasculptorforastudy。
WhileGiovannistoodatthewindowheheardarustlingbehindascreenofleaves，andbecameawarethatapersonwasatworkinthegarden。Hisfiguresoonemergedintoview，andshoweditselftobethatofnocommonlaborer，butatall，emaciated，sallow，andsickly-lookingman，dressedinascholar"sgarbofblack。Hewasbeyondthemiddletermoflife，withgrayhair，athin，graybeard，andafacesingularlymarkedwithintellectandcultivation，butwhichcouldnever，eveninhismoreyouthfuldays，haveexpressedmuchwarmthofheart。
Nothingcouldexceedtheintentnesswithwhichthisscientificgardenerexaminedeveryshrubwhichgrewinhispath:itseemedasifhewaslookingintotheirinmostnature，makingobservationsinregardtotheircreativeessence，anddiscoveringwhyoneleafgrewinthisshapeandanotherinthat，andwhereforesuchandsuchflowersdifferedamongthemselvesinhueandperfume。Nevertheless，inspiteofthisdeepintelligenceonhispart，therewasnoapproachtointimacybetweenhimselfandthesevegetableexistences。Onthecontrary，heavoidedtheiractualtouchorthedirectinhalingoftheirodorswithacautionthatimpressedGiovannimostdisagreeably；fortheman"sdemeanorwasthatofonewalkingamongmalignantinfluences，suchassavagebeasts，ordeadlysnakes，orevilspirits，which，shouldheallowthemonemomentoflicense，wouldwreakuponhimsometerriblefatality。Itwasstrangelyfrightfultotheyoungman"simaginationtoseethisairofinsecurityinapersoncultivatingagarden，thatmostsimpleandinnocentofhumantoils，andwhichhadbeenalikethejoyandlaboroftheunfallenparentsoftherace。Wasthisgarden，then，theEdenofthepresentworld？Andthisman，withsuchaperceptionofharminwhathisownhandscausedtogrow，——washetheAdam？
Thedistrustfulgardener，whilepluckingawaythedeadleavesorpruningthetooluxuriantgrowthoftheshrubs，defendedhishandswithapairofthickgloves。Norwerethesehisonlyarmor。
When，inhiswalkthroughthegarden，hecametothemagnificentplantthathungitspurplegemsbesidethemarblefountain，heplacedakindofmaskoverhismouthandnostrils，asifallthisbeautydidbutconcealadeadliermalice；but，findinghistaskstilltoodangerous，hedrewback，removedthemask，andcalledloudly，butintheinfirmvoiceofapersonaffectedwithinwarddisease，“Beatrice！Beatrice！“
“HereamI，myfather。Whatwouldyou？“criedarichandyouthfulvoicefromthewindowoftheoppositehouse——avoiceasrichasatropicalsunset，andwhichmadeGiovanni，thoughheknewnotwhy，thinkofdeephuesofpurpleorcrimsonandofperfumesheavilydelectable。“Areyouinthegarden？“
“Yes，Beatrice，“answeredthegardener，“andIneedyourhelp。“
Soonthereemergedfromunderasculpturedportalthefigureofayounggirl，arrayedwithasmuchrichnessoftasteasthemostsplendidoftheflowers，beautifulastheday，andwithabloomsodeepandvividthatoneshademorewouldhavebeentoomuch。
Shelookedredundantwithlife，health，andenergy；allofwhichattributeswerebounddownandcompressed，asitwereandgirdledtensely，intheirluxuriance，byhervirginzone。YetGiovanni"sfancymusthavegrownmorbidwhilehelookeddownintothegarden；fortheimpressionwhichthefairstrangermadeuponhimwasasifherewereanotherflower，thehumansisterofthosevegetableones，asbeautifulasthey，morebeautifulthantherichestofthem，butstilltobetouchedonlywithaglove，nortobeapproachedwithoutamask。AsBeatricecamedownthegardenpath，itwasobservablethatshehandledandinhaledtheodorofseveraloftheplantswhichherfatherhadmostsedulouslyavoided。
“Here，Beatrice，“saidthelatter，“seehowmanyneedfulofficesrequiretobedonetoourchieftreasure。Yet，shatteredasIam，mylifemightpaythepenaltyofapproachingitsocloselyascircumstancesdemand。Henceforth，Ifear，thisplantmustbeconsignedtoyoursolecharge。“
“AndgladlywillIundertakeit，“criedagaintherichtonesoftheyounglady，asshebenttowardsthemagnificentplantandopenedherarmsasiftoembraceit。“Yes，mysister，mysplendour，itshallbeBeatrice"stasktonurseandservethee；
andthoushaltrewardherwiththykissesandperfumedbreath，whichtoherisasthebreathoflife。“
Then，withallthetendernessinhermannerthatwassostrikinglyexpressedinherwords，shebusiedherselfwithsuchattentionsastheplantseemedtorequire；andGiovanni，athisloftywindow，rubbedhiseyesandalmostdoubtedwhetheritwereagirltendingherfavoriteflower，oronesisterperformingthedutiesofaffectiontoanother。Thescenesoonterminated。
WhetherDr。Rappaccinihadfinishedhislaborsinthegarden，orthathiswatchfuleyehadcaughtthestranger"sface，henowtookhisdaughter"sarmandretired。Nightwasalreadyclosingin；
oppressiveexhalationsseemedtoproceedfromtheplantsandstealupwardpasttheopenwindow；andGiovanni，closingthelattice，wenttohiscouchanddreamedofarichflowerandbeautifulgirl。Flowerandmaidenweredifferent，andyetthesame，andfraughtwithsomestrangeperilineithershape。
Butthereisaninfluenceinthelightofmorningthattendstorectifywhatevererrorsoffancy，orevenofjudgment，wemayhaveincurredduringthesun"sdecline，oramongtheshadowsofthenight，orinthelesswholesomeglowofmoonshine。Giovanni"sfirstmovement，onstartingfromsleep，wastothrowopenthewindowandgazedownintothegardenwhichhisdreamshadmadesofertileofmysteries。Hewassurprisedandalittleashamedtofindhowrealandmatter-of-factanaffairitprovedtobe，inthefirstraysofthesunwhichgildedthedew-dropsthathunguponleafandblossom，and，whilegivingabrighterbeautytoeachrareflower，broughteverythingwithinthelimitsofordinaryexperience。Theyoungmanrejoicedthat，intheheartofthebarrencity，hehadtheprivilegeofoverlookingthisspotoflovelyandluxuriantvegetation。Itwouldserve，hesaidtohimself，asasymboliclanguagetokeephimincommunionwithNature。NeitherthesicklyandthoughtwornDr。GiacomoRappaccini，itistrue，norhisbrilliantdaughter，werenowvisible；sothatGiovannicouldnotdeterminehowmuchofthesingularitywhichheattributedtobothwasduetotheirownqualitiesandhowmuchtohiswonder-workingfancy；buthewasinclinedtotakeamostrationalviewofthewholematter。
InthecourseofthedayhepaidhisrespectstoSignorPietroBaglioni，professorofmedicineintheuniversity，aphysicianofeminentreputetowhomGiovannihadbroughtaletterofintroduction。Theprofessorwasanelderlypersonage，apparentlyofgenialnature，andhabitsthatmightalmostbecalledjovial。
Hekepttheyoungmantodinner，andmadehimselfveryagreeablebythefreedomandlivelinessofhisconversation，especiallywhenwarmedbyaflaskortwoofTuscanwine。Giovanni，conceivingthatmenofscience，inhabitantsofthesamecity，mustneedsbeonfamiliartermswithoneanother，tookanopportunitytomentionthenameofDr。Rappaccini。Buttheprofessordidnotrespondwithsomuchcordialityashehadanticipated。
“Illwoulditbecomeateacherofthedivineartofmedicine，“
saidProfessorPietroBaglioni，inanswertoaquestionofGiovanni，“towithholddueandwell-consideredpraiseofaphysiciansoeminentlyskilledasRappaccini；but，ontheotherhand，IshouldansweritbutscantilytomyconsciencewereItopermitaworthyyouthlikeyourself，SignorGiovanni，thesonofanancientfriend，toimbibeerroneousideasrespectingamanwhomighthereafterchancetoholdyourlifeanddeathinhishands。
Thetruthis，ourworshipfulDr。Rappaccinihasasmuchscienceasanymemberofthefaculty——withperhapsonesingleexception——inPadua，orallItaly；buttherearecertaingraveobjectionstohisprofessionalcharacter。“
“Andwhatarethey？“askedtheyoungman。
“HasmyfriendGiovannianydiseaseofbodyorheart，thatheissoinquisitiveaboutphysicians？“saidtheprofessor，withasmile。“ButasforRappaccini，itissaidofhim——andI，whoknowthemanwell，cananswerforitstruth——thathecaresinfinitelymoreforsciencethanformankind。Hispatientsareinterestingtohimonlyassubjectsforsomenewexperiment。Hewouldsacrificehumanlife，hisownamongtherest，orwhateverelsewasdearesttohim，forthesakeofaddingsomuchasagrainofmustardseedtothegreatheapofhisaccumulatedknowledge。“
“Methinksheisanawfulmanindeed，“remarkedGuasconti，mentallyrecallingthecoldandpurelyintellectualaspectofRappaccini。“Andyet，worshipfulprofessor，isitnotanoblespirit？Aretheremanymencapableofsospiritualaloveofscience？“
“Godforbid，“answeredtheprofessor，somewhattestily；“atleast，unlesstheytakesounderviewsofthehealingartthanthoseadoptedbyRappaccini。Itishistheorythatallmedicinalvirtuesarecomprisedwithinthosesubstanceswhichwetermvegetablepoisons。Thesehecultivateswithhisownhands，andissaideventohaveproducednewvarietiesofpoison，morehorriblydeleteriousthanNature，withouttheassistanceofthislearnedperson，wouldeverhaveplaguedtheworldwithal。Thatthesignordoctordoeslessmischiefthanmightbeexpectedwithsuchdangeroussubstancesisundeniable。Nowandthen，itmustbeowned，hehaseffected，orseemedtoeffect，amarvellouscure；
but，totellyoumyprivatemind，SignorGiovanni，heshouldreceivelittlecreditforsuchinstancesofsuccess，——theybeingprobablytheworkofchance，——butshouldbeheldstrictlyaccountableforhisfailures，whichmayjustlybeconsideredhisownwork。“
TheyouthmighthavetakenBaglioni"sopinionswithmanygrainsofallowancehadheknownthattherewasaprofessionalwarfareoflongcontinuancebetweenhimandDr。Rappaccini，inwhichthelatterwasgenerallythoughttohavegainedtheadvantage。Ifthereaderbeinclinedtojudgeforhimself，wereferhimtocertainblack-lettertractsonbothsides，preservedinthemedicaldepartmentoftheUniversityofPadua。
“Iknownot，mostlearnedprofessor，“returnedGiovanni，aftermusingonwhathadbeensaidofRappaccini"sexclusivezealforscience，——“Iknownothowdearlythisphysicianmaylovehisart；
butsurelythereisoneobjectmoredeartohim。Hehasadaughter。“
“Aha！“criedtheprofessor，withalaugh。“SonowourfriendGiovanni"ssecretisout。Youhaveheardofthisdaughter，whomalltheyoungmeninPaduaarewildabout，thoughnothalfadozenhaveeverhadthegoodhaptoseeherface。IknowlittleoftheSignoraBeatricesavethatRappacciniissaidtohaveinstructedherdeeplyinhisscience，andthat，youngandbeautifulasfamereportsher，sheisalreadyqualifiedtofillaprofessor"schair。Perchanceherfatherdestinesherformine！
Otherabsurdrumorstherebe，notworthtalkingaboutorlisteningto。Sonow，SignorGiovanni，drinkoffyourglassoflachryma。“
Guascontireturnedtohislodgingssomewhatheatedwiththewinehehadquaffed，andwhichcausedhisbraintoswimwithstrangefantasiesinreferencetoDr。RappacciniandthebeautifulBeatrice。Onhisway，happeningtopassbyaflorist"s，heboughtafreshbouquetofflowers。
Ascendingtohischamber，heseatedhimselfnearthewindow，butwithintheshadowthrownbythedepthofthewall，sothathecouldlookdownintothegardenwithlittleriskofbeingdiscovered。Allbeneathhiseyewasasolitude。Thestrangeplantswerebaskinginthesunshine，andnowandthennoddinggentlytooneanother，asifinacknowledgmentofsympathyandkindred。Inthemidst，bytheshatteredfountain，grewthemagnificentshrub，withitspurplegemsclusteringalloverit；
theyglowedintheair，andgleamedbackagainoutofthedepthsofthepool，whichthusseemedtooverflowwithcoloredradiancefromtherichreflectionthatwassteepedinit。Atfirst，aswehavesaid，thegardenwasasolitude。Soon，however，——asGiovannihadhalfhoped，halffeared，wouldbethecase，——afigureappearedbeneaththeantiquesculpturedportal，andcamedownbetweentherowsofplants，inhalingtheirvariousperfumesasifshewereoneofthosebeingsofoldclassicfablethatliveduponsweetodors。OnagainbeholdingBeatrice，theyoungmanwasevenstartledtoperceivehowmuchherbeautyexceededhisrecollectionofit；sobrilliant，sovivid，wasitscharacter，thatsheglowedamidthesunlight，and，asGiovanniwhisperedtohimself，positivelyilluminatedthemoreshadowyintervalsofthegardenpath。Herfacebeingnowmorerevealedthanontheformeroccasion，hewasstruckbyitsexpressionofsimplicityandsweetness，——qualitiesthathadnotenteredintohisideaofhercharacter，andwhichmadehimaskanewwhatmannerofmortalshemightbe。Nordidhefailagaintoobserve，orimagine，ananalogybetweenthebeautifulgirlandthegorgeousshrubthathungitsgemlikeflowersoverthefountain，——aresemblancewhichBeatriceseemedtohaveindulgedafantastichumorinheightening，bothbythearrangementofherdressandtheselectionofitshues。
Approachingtheshrub，shethrewopenherarms，aswithapassionateardor，anddrewitsbranchesintoanintimateembrace——sointimatethatherfeatureswerehiddeninitsleafybosomandherglisteningringletsallintermingledwiththeflowers“Givemethybreath，mysister，“exclaimedBeatrice；“forIamfaintwithcommonair。Andgivemethisflowerofthine，whichI
separatewithgentlestfingersfromthestemandplaceitclosebesidemyheart。“
WiththesewordsthebeautifuldaughterofRappaccinipluckedoneoftherichestblossomsoftheshrub，andwasabouttofastenitinherbosom。Butnow，unlessGiovanni"sdraughtsofwinehadbewilderedhissenses，asingularincidentoccurred。Asmallorange-coloredreptile，ofthelizardorchameleonspecies，chancedtobecreepingalongthepath，justatthefeetofBeatrice。ItappearedtoGiovanni，——but，atthedistancefromwhichhegazed，hecouldscarcelyhaveseenanythingsominute，——itappearedtohim，however，thatadroportwoofmoisturefromthebrokenstemoftheflowerdescendeduponthelizard"shead。Foraninstantthereptilecontorteditselfviolently，andthenlaymotionlessinthesunshine。Beatriceobservedthisremarkablephenomenonandcrossedherself，sadly，butwithoutsurprise；nordidshethereforehesitatetoarrangethefatalflowerinherbosom。Thereitblushed，andalmostglimmeredwiththedazzlingeffectofapreciousstone，addingtoherdressandaspecttheoneappropriatecharmwhichnothingelseintheworldcouldhavesupplied。ButGiovanni，outoftheshadowofhiswindow，bentforwardandshrankback，andmurmuredandtrembled。
“AmIawake？HaveImysenses？“saidhetohimself。“Whatisthisbeing？BeautifulshallIcallher，orinexpressiblyterrible？“
Beatricenowstrayedcarelesslythroughthegarden，approachingcloserbeneathGiovanni"swindow，sothathewascompelledtothrusthisheadquiteoutofitsconcealmentinordertogratifytheintenseandpainfulcuriositywhichsheexcited。Atthismomenttherecameabeautifulinsectoverthegardenwall；ithad，perhaps，wanderedthroughthecity，andfoundnoflowersorverdureamongthoseantiquehauntsofmenuntiltheheavyperfumesofDr。Rappaccini"sshrubshadlureditfromafar。
Withoutalightingontheflowers，thiswingedbrightnessseemedtobeattractedbyBeatrice，andlingeredintheairandflutteredaboutherhead。Now，hereitcouldnotbebutthatGiovanniGuasconti"seyesdeceivedhim。Bethatasitmight，hefanciedthat，whileBeatricewasgazingattheinsectwithchildishdelight，itgrewfaintandfellatherfeet；itsbrightwingsshivered；itwasdead——fromnocausethathecoulddiscern，unlessitweretheatmosphereofherbreath。AgainBeatricecrossedherselfandsighedheavilyasshebentoverthedeadinsect。
AnimpulsivemovementofGiovannidrewhereyestothewindow。
Thereshebeheldthebeautifulheadoftheyoungman——ratheraGrecianthananItalianhead，withfair，regularfeatures，andaglisteningofgoldamonghisringlets——gazingdownuponherlikeabeingthathoveredinmidair。Scarcelyknowingwhathedid，Giovannithrewdownthebouquetwhichhehadhithertoheldinhishand。
“Signora，“saidhe，“therearepureandhealthfulflowers。WearthemforthesakeofGiovanniGuasconti。“
“Thanks，signor，“repliedBeatrice，withherrichvoice，thatcameforthasitwerelikeagushofmusic，andwithamirthfulexpressionhalfchildishandhalfwoman-like。“Iacceptyourgift，andwouldfainrecompenseitwiththispreciouspurpleflower；butifItossitintotheairitwillnotreachyou。SoSignorGuascontimustevencontenthimselfwithmythanks。“
Sheliftedthebouquetfromtheground，andthen，asifinwardlyashamedathavingsteppedasidefromhermaidenlyreservetorespondtoastranger"sgreeting，passedswiftlyhomewardthroughthegarden。Butfewasthemomentswere，itseemedtoGiovanni，whenshewasonthepointofvanishingbeneaththesculpturedportal，thathisbeautifulbouquetwasalreadybeginningtowitherinhergrasp。Itwasanidlethought；therecouldbenopossibilityofdistinguishingafadedflowerfromafreshoneatsogreatadistance。
FormanydaysafterthisincidenttheyoungmanavoidedthewindowthatlookedintoDr。Rappaccini"sgarden，asifsomethinguglyandmonstrouswouldhaveblastedhiseyesighthadhebeenbetrayedintoaglance。Hefeltconsciousofhavingputhimself，toacertainextent，withintheinfluenceofanunintelligiblepowerbythecommunicationwhichhehadopenedwithBeatrice。Thewisestcoursewouldhavebeen，ifhisheartwereinanyrealdanger，toquithislodgingsandPaduaitselfatonce；thenextwiser，tohaveaccustomedhimself，asfaraspossible，tothefamiliaranddaylightviewofBeatrice——thusbringingherrigidlyandsystematicallywithinthelimitsofordinaryexperience。
Leastofall，whileavoidinghersight，oughtGiovannitohaveremainedsonearthisextraordinarybeingthattheproximityandpossibilityevenofintercourseshouldgiveakindofsubstanceandrealitytothewildvagarieswhichhisimaginationranriotcontinuallyinproducing。Guascontihadnotadeepheart——or，atallevents，itsdepthswerenotsoundednow；buthehadaquickfancy，andanardentsoutherntemperament，whichroseeveryinstanttoahigherfeverpitch。WhetherornoBeatricepossessedthoseterribleattributes，thatfatalbreath，theaffinitywiththosesobeautifulanddeadlyflowerswhichwereindicatedbywhatGiovannihadwitnessed，shehadatleastinstilledafierceandsubtlepoisonintohissystem。Itwasnotlove，althoughherrichbeautywasamadnesstohim；norhorror，evenwhilehefanciedherspirittobeimbuedwiththesamebanefulessencethatseemedtopervadeherphysicalframe；butawildoffspringofbothloveandhorrorthathadeachparentinit，andburnedlikeoneandshiveredliketheother。Giovanniknewnotwhattodread；stilllessdidheknowwhattohope；yethopeanddreadkeptacontinualwarfareinhisbreast，alternatelyvanquishingoneanotherandstartingupafreshtorenewthecontest。Blessedareallsimpleemotions，betheydarkorbright！Itistheluridintermixtureofthetwothatproducestheilluminatingblazeoftheinfernalregions。
SometimesheendeavoredtoassuagethefeverofhisspiritbyarapidwalkthroughthestreetsofPaduaorbeyonditsgates:hisfootstepskepttimewiththethrobbingsofhisbrain，sothatthewalkwasapttoaccelerateitselftoarace。Onedayhefoundhimselfarrested；hisarmwasseizedbyaportlypersonage，whohadturnedbackonrecognizingtheyoungmanandexpendedmuchbreathinovertakinghim。
“SignorGiovanni！Stay，myyoungfriend！“criedhe。“Haveyouforgottenme？ThatmightwellbethecaseifIwereasmuchalteredasyourself。“
ItwasBaglioni，whomGiovannihadavoidedeversincetheirfirstmeeting，fromadoubtthattheprofessor"ssagacitywouldlooktoodeeplyintohissecrets。Endeavoringtorecoverhimself，hestaredforthwildlyfromhisinnerworldintotheouteroneandspokelikeamaninadream。
“Yes；IamGiovanniGuasconti。YouareProfessorPietroBaglioni。
Nowletmepass！“
“Notyet，notyet，SignorGiovanniGuasconti，“saidtheprofessor，smiling，butatthesametimescrutinizingtheyouthwithanearnestglance。“What！didIgrowupsidebysidewithyourfather？andshallhissonpassmelikeastrangerintheseoldstreetsofPadua？Standstill，SignorGiovanni；forwemusthaveawordortwobeforewepart。“
“Speedily，then，mostworshipfulprofessor，speedily，“saidGiovanni，withfeverishimpatience。“DoesnotyourworshipseethatIaminhaste？“
Now，whilehewasspeakingtherecameamaninblackalongthestreet，stoopingandmovingfeeblylikeapersonininferiorhealth。Hisfacewasalloverspreadwithamostsicklyandsallowhue，butyetsopervadedwithanexpressionofpiercingandactiveintellectthatanobservermighteasilyhaveoverlookedthemerelyphysicalattributesandhaveseenonlythiswonderfulenergy。Ashepassed，thispersonexchangedacoldanddistantsalutationwithBaglioni，butfixedhiseyesuponGiovanniwithanintentnessthatseemedtobringoutwhateverwaswithinhimworthyofnotice。Nevertheless，therewasapeculiarquietnessinthelook，asiftakingmerelyaspeculative，notahumaninterest，intheyoungman。
“ItisDr。Rappaccini！“whisperedtheprofessorwhenthestrangerhadpassed。“Hasheeverseenyourfacebefore？“
“NotthatIknow，“answeredGiovanni，startingatthename。
“HeHASseenyou！hemusthaveseenyou！“saidBaglioni，hastily。
“Forsomepurposeorother，thismanofscienceismakingastudyofyou。Iknowthatlookofhis！Itisthesamethatcoldlyilluminateshisfaceashebendsoverabird，amouse，orabutterfly，which，inpursuanceofsomeexperiment，hehaskilledbytheperfumeofaflower；alookasdeepasNatureitself，butwithoutNature"swarmthoflove。SignorGiovanni，Iwillstakemylifeuponit，youarethesubjectofoneofRappaccini"sexperiments！“
“Willyoumakeafoolofme？“criedGiovanni，passionately。
“THAT，signorprofessor，wereanuntowardexperiment。“
“Patience！patience！“repliedtheimperturbableprofessor。“I
tellthee，mypoorGiovanni，thatRappaccinihasascientificinterestinthee。Thouhastfallenintofearfulhands！AndtheSignoraBeatrice，——whatpartdoessheactinthismystery？“
ButGuasconti，findingBaglioni"spertinacityintolerable，herebrokeaway，andwasgonebeforetheprofessorcouldagainseizehisarm。Helookedaftertheyoungmanintentlyandshookhishead。
“Thismustnotbe，“saidBaglionitohimself。“Theyouthisthesonofmyoldfriend，andshallnotcometoanyharmfromwhichthearcanaofmedicalsciencecanpreservehim。Besides，itistooinsufferableanimpertinenceinRappaccini，thustosnatchtheladoutofmyownhands，asImaysay，andmakeuseofhimforhisinfernalexperiments。Thisdaughterofhis！Itshallbelookedto。Perchance，mostlearnedRappaccini，Imayfoilyouwhereyoulittledreamofit！“
MeanwhileGiovannihadpursuedacircuitousroute，andatlengthfoundhimselfatthedoorofhislodgings。AshecrossedthethresholdhewasmetbyoldLisabetta，whosmirkedandsmiled，andwasevidentlydesiroustoattracthisattention；vainly，however，astheebullitionofhisfeelingshadmomentarilysubsidedintoacoldanddullvacuity。Heturnedhiseyesfulluponthewitheredfacethatwaspuckeringitselfintoasmile，butseemedtobeholditnot。Theolddame，therefore，laidhergraspuponhiscloak。
“Signor！signor！“whisperedshe，stillwithasmileoverthewholebreadthofhervisage，sothatitlookednotunlikeagrotesquecarvinginwood，darkenedbycenturies。“Listen，signor！Thereisaprivateentranceintothegarden！“
“Whatdoyousay？“exclaimedGiovanni，turningquicklyabout，asifaninanimatethingshouldstartintofeverishlife。“AprivateentranceintoDr。Rappaccini"sgarden？“
“Hush！hush！notsoloud！“whisperedLisabetta，puttingherhandoverhismouth。“Yes；intotheworshipfuldoctor"sgarden，whereyoumayseeallhisfineshrubbery。ManyayoungmaninPaduawouldgivegoldtobeadmittedamongthoseflowers。“
Giovanniputapieceofgoldintoherhand。
“Showmetheway，“saidhe。
Asurmise，probablyexcitedbyhisconversationwithBaglioni，crossedhismind，thatthisinterpositionofoldLisabettamightperchancebeconnectedwiththeintrigue，whateverwereitsnature，inwhichtheprofessorseemedtosupposethatDr。
Rappacciniwasinvolvinghim。Butsuchasuspicion，thoughitdisturbedGiovanni，wasinadequatetorestrainhim。TheinstantthathewasawareofthepossibilityofapproachingBeatrice，itseemedanabsolutenecessityofhisexistencetodoso。Itmatterednotwhethershewereangelordemon；hewasirrevocablywithinhersphere，andmustobeythelawthatwhirledhimonward，inever-lesseningcircles，towardsaresultwhichhedidnotattempttoforeshadow；andyet，strangetosay，therecameacrosshimasuddendoubtwhetherthisintenseinterestonhispartwerenotdelusory；whetheritwerereallyofsodeepandpositiveanatureastojustifyhiminnowthrustinghimselfintoanincalculableposition；whetheritwerenotmerelythefantasyofayoungman"sbrain，onlyslightlyornotatallconnectedwithhisheart。
Hepaused，hesitated，turnedhalfabout，butagainwenton。Hiswitheredguideledhimalongseveralobscurepassages，andfinallyundidadoor，throughwhich，asitwasopened，therecamethesightandsoundofrustlingleaves，withthebrokensunshineglimmeringamongthem。Giovannisteppedforth，and，forcinghimselfthroughtheentanglementofashrubthatwreatheditstendrilsoverthehiddenentrance，stoodbeneathhisownwindowintheopenareaofDr。Rappaccini"sgarden。
Howoftenisitthecasethat，whenimpossibilitieshavecometopassanddreamshavecondensedtheirmistysubstanceintotangiblerealities，wefindourselvescalm，andevencoldlyself-possessed，amidcircumstanceswhichitwouldhavebeenadeliriumofjoyoragonytoanticipate！Fatedelightstothwartusthus。Passionwillchoosehisowntimetorushuponthescene，andlingerssluggishlybehindwhenanappropriateadjustmentofeventswouldseemtosummonhisappearance。SowasitnowwithGiovanni。DayafterdayhispulseshadthrobbedwithfeverishbloodattheimprobableideaofaninterviewwithBeatrice，andofstandingwithher，facetoface，inthisverygarden，baskingintheOrientalsunshineofherbeauty，andsnatchingfromherfullgazethemysterywhichhedeemedtheriddleofhisownexistence。Butnowtherewasasingularanduntimelyequanimitywithinhisbreast。HethrewaglancearoundthegardentodiscoverifBeatriceorherfatherwerepresent，and，perceivingthathewasalone，beganacriticalobservationoftheplants。
Theaspectofoneandallofthemdissatisfiedhim；theirgorgeousnessseemedfierce，passionate，andevenunnatural。Therewashardlyanindividualshrubwhichawanderer，strayingbyhimselfthroughaforest，wouldnothavebeenstartledtofindgrowingwild，asifanunearthlyfacehadglaredathimoutofthethicket。Severalalsowouldhaveshockedadelicateinstinctbyanappearanceofartificialnessindicatingthattherehadbeensuchcommixture，and，asitwere，adultery，ofvariousvegetablespecies，thattheproductionwasnolongerofGod"smaking，butthemonstrousoffspringofman"sdepravedfancy，glowingwithonlyanevilmockeryofbeauty。Theywereprobablytheresultofexperiment，whichinoneortwocaseshadsucceededinminglingplantsindividuallylovelyintoacompoundpossessingthequestionableandominouscharacterthatdistinguishedthewholegrowthofthegarden。Infine，Giovannirecognizedbuttwoorthreeplantsinthecollection，andthoseofakindthathewellknewtobepoisonous。Whilebusywiththesecontemplationsheheardtherustlingofasilkengarment，and，turning，beheldBeatriceemergingfrombeneaththesculpturedportal。
Giovannihadnotconsideredwithhimselfwhatshouldbehisdeportment；whetherheshouldapologizeforhisintrusionintothegarden，orassumethathewastherewiththeprivityatleast，ifnotbythedesire，ofDr。Rappacciniorhisdaughter；
butBeatrice"smannerplacedhimathisease，thoughleavinghimstillindoubtbywhatagencyhehadgainedadmittance。Shecamelightlyalongthepathandmethimnearthebrokenfountain。
Therewassurpriseinherface，butbrightenedbyasimpleandkindexpressionofpleasure。
“Youareaconnoisseurinflowers，signor，“saidBeatrice，withasmile，alludingtothebouquetwhichhehadflungherfromthewindow。“Itisnomarvel，therefore，ifthesightofmyfather"srarecollectionhastemptedyoutotakeanearerview。Ifhewerehere，hecouldtellyoumanystrangeandinterestingfactsastothenatureandhabitsoftheseshrubs；forhehasspentalifetimeinsuchstudies，andthisgardenishisworld。“
“Andyourself，lady，“observedGiovanni，“iffamesaystrue，——youlikewisearedeeplyskilledinthevirtuesindicatedbytheserichblossomsandthesespicyperfumes。Wouldyoudeigntobemyinstructress，IshouldproveanapterscholarthaniftaughtbySignorRappaccinihimself。“
“Aretheresuchidlerumors？“askedBeatrice，withthemusicofapleasantlaugh。“DopeoplesaythatIamskilledinmyfather"sscienceofplants？Whatajestisthere！No；thoughIhavegrownupamongtheseflowers，Iknownomoreofthemthantheirhuesandperfume；andsometimesmethinksIwouldfainridmyselfofeventhatsmallknowledge。Therearemanyflowershere，andthosenottheleastbrilliant，thatshockandoffendmewhentheymeetmyeye。Butpray，signor，donotbelievethesestoriesaboutmyscience。Believenothingofmesavewhatyouseewithyourowneyes。“
“AndmustIbelieveallthatIhaveseenwithmyowneyes？“askedGiovanni，pointedly，whiletherecollectionofformerscenesmadehimshrink。“No，signora；youdemandtoolittleofme。Bidmebelievenothingsavewhatcomesfromyourownlips。“
ItwouldappearthatBeatriceunderstoodhim。Therecameadeepflushtohercheek；butshelookedfullintoGiovanni"seyes，andrespondedtohisgazeofuneasysuspicionwithaqueenlikehaughtiness。
“Idosobidyou，signor，“shereplied。“Forgetwhateveryoumayhavefanciedinregardtome。Iftruetotheoutwardsenses，stillitmaybefalseinitsessence；butthewordsofBeatriceRappaccini"slipsaretruefromthedepthsoftheheartoutward。
Thoseyoumaybelieve。“
AfervorglowedinherwholeaspectandbeameduponGiovanni"sconsciousnesslikethelightoftruthitself；butwhileshespoketherewasafragranceintheatmospherearoundher，richanddelightful，thoughevanescent，yetwhichtheyoungman，fromanindefinablereluctance，scarcelydaredtodrawintohislungs。Itmightbetheodoroftheflowers。CoulditbeBeatrice"sbreathwhichthusembalmedherwordswithastrangerichness，asifbysteepingtheminherheart？AfaintnesspassedlikeashadowoverGiovanniandflittedaway；heseemedtogazethroughthebeautifulgirl"seyesintohertransparentsoul，andfeltnomoredoubtorfear。
ThetingeofpassionthathadcoloredBeatrice"smannervanished；
shebecamegay，andappearedtoderiveapuredelightfromhercommunionwiththeyouthnotunlikewhatthemaidenofalonelyislandmighthavefeltconversingwithavoyagerfromthecivilizedworld。Evidentlyherexperienceoflifehadbeenconfinedwithinthelimitsofthatgarden。Shetalkednowaboutmattersassimpleasthedaylightorsummerclouds，andnowaskedquestionsinreferencetothecity，orGiovanni"sdistanthome，hisfriends，hismother，andhissisters——questionsindicatingsuchseclusion，andsuchlackoffamiliaritywithmodesandforms，thatGiovannirespondedasiftoaninfant。Herspiritgushedoutbeforehimlikeafreshrillthatwasjustcatchingitsfirstglimpseofthesunlightandwonderingatthereflectionsofearthandskywhichwereflungintoitsbosom。
Therecamethoughts，too，fromadeepsource，andfantasiesofagemlikebrilliancy，asifdiamondsandrubiessparkledupwardamongthebubblesofthefountain。Everandanontheregleamedacrosstheyoungman"smindasenseofwonderthatheshouldbewalkingsidebysidewiththebeingwhohadsowroughtuponhisimagination，whomhehadidealizedinsuchhuesofterror，inwhomhehadpositivelywitnessedsuchmanifestationsofdreadfulattributes，——thatheshouldbeconversingwithBeatricelikeabrother，andshouldfindhersohumanandsomaidenlike。Butsuchreflectionswereonlymomentary；theeffectofhercharacterwastoorealnottomakeitselffamiliaratonce。
Inthisfreeintercoursetheyhadstrayedthroughthegarden，andnow，aftermanyturnsamongitsavenues，werecometotheshatteredfountain，besidewhichgrewthemagnificentshrub，withitstreasuryofglowingblossoms。AfragrancewasdiffusedfromitwhichGiovannirecognizedasidenticalwiththatwhichhehadattributedtoBeatrice"sbreath，butincomparablymorepowerful。
Ashereyesfelluponit，Giovannibeheldherpressherhandtoherbosomasifherheartwerethrobbingsuddenlyandpainfully。
“Forthefirsttimeinmylife，“murmuredshe，addressingtheshrub，“Ihadforgottenthee。“
“Iremember，signora，“saidGiovanni，“thatyouoncepromisedtorewardmewithoneoftheselivinggemsforthebouquetwhichI
hadthehappyboldnesstoflingtoyourfeet。Permitmenowtopluckitasamemorialofthisinterview。“
Hemadeasteptowardstheshrubwithextendedhand；butBeatricedartedforward，utteringashriekthatwentthroughhisheartlikeadagger。Shecaughthishandanddrewitbackwiththewholeforceofherslenderfigure。Giovannifelthertouchthrillingthroughhisfibres。
“Touchitnot！“exclaimedshe，inavoiceofagony。“Notforthylife！Itisfatal！“
Then，hidingherface，shefledfromhimandvanishedbeneaththesculpturedportal。AsGiovannifollowedherwithhiseyes，hebeheldtheemaciatedfigureandpaleintelligenceofDr。
Rappaccini，whohadbeenwatchingthescene，heknewnothowlong，withintheshadowoftheentrance。
NosoonerwasGuascontialoneinhischamberthantheimageofBeatricecamebacktohispassionatemusings，investedwithallthewitcherythathadbeengatheringarounditeversincehisfirstglimpseofher，andnowlikewiseimbuedwithatenderwarmthofgirlishwomanhood。Shewashuman；hernaturewasendowedwithallgentleandfemininequalities；shewasworthiesttobeworshipped；shewascapable，surely，onherpart，oftheheightandheroismoflove。Thosetokenswhichhehadhithertoconsideredasproofsofafrightfulpeculiarityinherphysicalandmoralsystemwerenoweitherforgotten，or，bythesubtlesophistryofpassiontransmittedintoagoldencrownofenchantment，renderingBeatricethemoreadmirablebysomuchasshewasthemoreunique。Whateverhadlookeduglywasnowbeautiful；or，ifincapableofsuchachange，itstoleawayandhiditselfamongthoseshapelesshalfideaswhichthrongthedimregionbeyondthedaylightofourperfectconsciousness。Thusdidhespendthenight，norfellasleepuntilthedawnhadbeguntoawaketheslumberingflowersinDr。Rappaccini"sgarden，whitherGiovanni"sdreamsdoubtlessledhim。Uprosethesuninhisdueseason，and，flinginghisbeamsupontheyoungman"seyelids，awokehimtoasenseofpain。Whenthoroughlyaroused，hebecamesensibleofaburningandtinglingagonyinhishand——inhisrighthand——theveryhandwhichBeatricehadgraspedinherownwhenhewasonthepointofpluckingoneofthegemlikeflowers。
Onthebackofthathandtherewasnowapurpleprintlikethatoffoursmallfingers，andthelikenessofaslenderthumbuponhiswrist。
Oh，howstubbornlydoeslove，——oreventhatcunningsemblanceoflovewhichflourishesintheimagination，butstrikesnodepthofrootintotheheart，——howstubbornlydoesitholditsfaithuntilthemomentcomeswhenitisdoomedtovanishintothinmist！
Giovanniwrappedahandkerchiefabouthishandandwonderedwhatevilthinghadstunghim，andsoonforgothispaininareverieofBeatrice。
Afterthefirstinterview，asecondwasintheinevitablecourseofwhatwecallfate。Athird；afourth；andameetingwithBeatriceinthegardenwasnolongeranincidentinGiovanni"sdailylife，butthewholespaceinwhichhemightbesaidtolive；fortheanticipationandmemoryofthatecstatichourmadeuptheremainder。NorwasitotherwisewiththedaughterofRappaccini。Shewatchedfortheyouth"sappearance，andflewtohissidewithconfidenceasunreservedasiftheyhadbeenplaymatesfromearlyinfancy——asiftheyweresuchplaymatesstill。If，byanyunwontedchance，hefailedtocomeattheappointedmoment，shestoodbeneaththewindowandsentuptherichsweetnessofhertonestofloataroundhiminhischamberandechoandreverberatethroughouthisheart:“Giovanni！
Giovanni！Whytarriestthou？Comedown！“AnddownhehastenedintothatEdenofpoisonousflowers。
But，withallthisintimatefamiliarity，therewasstillareserveinBeatrice"sdemeanor，sorigidlyandinvariablysustainedthattheideaofinfringingitscarcelyoccurredtohisimagination。Byallappreciablesigns，theyloved；theyhadlookedlovewitheyesthatconveyedtheholysecretfromthedepthsofonesoulintothedepthsoftheother，asifitweretoosacredtobewhisperedbytheway；theyhadevenspokenloveinthosegushesofpassionwhentheirspiritsdartedforthinarticulatedbreathliketonguesoflong-hiddenflame；andyettherehadbeennosealoflips，noclaspofhands，noranyslightestcaresssuchasloveclaimsandhallows。Hehadnevertouchedoneofthegleamingringletsofherhair；hergarment——somarkedwasthephysicalbarrierbetweenthem——hadneverbeenwavedagainsthimbyabreeze。OnthefewoccasionswhenGiovannihadseemedtemptedtooverstepthelimit，Beatricegrewsosad，sostern，andwithalworesuchalookofdesolateseparation，shudderingatitself，thatnotaspokenwordwasrequisitetorepelhim。Atsuchtimeshewasstartledatthehorriblesuspicionsthatrose，monster-like，outofthecavernsofhisheartandstaredhimintheface；hislovegrewthinandfaintasthemorningmist，hisdoubtsalonehadsubstance。But，whenBeatrice"sfacebrightenedagainafterthemomentaryshadow，shewastransformedatoncefromthemysterious，questionablebeingwhomhehadwatchedwithsomuchaweandhorror；shewasnowthebeautifulandunsophisticatedgirlwhomhefeltthathisspiritknewwithacertaintybeyondallotherknowledge。
AconsiderabletimehadnowpassedsinceGiovanni"slastmeetingwithBaglioni。Onemorning，however，hewasdisagreeablysurprisedbyavisitfromtheprofessor，whomhehadscarcelythoughtofforwholeweeks，andwouldwillinglyhaveforgottenstilllonger。Givenupashehadlongbeentoapervadingexcitement，hecouldtoleratenocompanionsexceptuponconditionoftheirperfectsympathywithhispresentstateoffeeling。SuchsympathywasnottobeexpectedfromProfessorBaglioni。
Thevisitorchattedcarelesslyforafewmomentsaboutthegossipofthecityandtheuniversity，andthentookupanothertopic。
“Ihavebeenreadinganoldclassicauthorlately，“saidhe，“andmetwithastorythatstrangelyinterestedme。Possiblyyoumayrememberit。ItisofanIndianprince，whosentabeautifulwomanasapresenttoAlexandertheGreat。Shewasaslovelyasthedawnandgorgeousasthesunset；butwhatespeciallydistinguishedherwasacertainrichperfumeinherbreath——richerthanagardenofPersianroses。Alexander，aswasnaturaltoayouthfulconqueror，fellinloveatfirstsightwiththismagnificentstranger；butacertainsagephysician，happeningtobepresent，discoveredaterriblesecretinregardtoher。“
“Andwhatwasthat？“askedGiovanni，turninghiseyesdownwardtoavoidthoseoftheprofessor“Thatthislovelywoman，“continuedBaglioni，withemphasis，“hadbeennourishedwithpoisonsfromherbirthupward，untilherwholenaturewassoimbuedwiththemthatsheherselfhadbecomethedeadliestpoisoninexistence。Poisonwasherelementoflife。Withthatrichperfumeofherbreathsheblastedtheveryair。Herlovewouldhavebeenpoison——herembracedeath。Isnotthisamarvelloustale？“
“Achildishfable，“answeredGiovanni，nervouslystartingfromhischair。“Imarvelhowyourworshipfindstimetoreadsuchnonsenseamongyourgraverstudies。“
“Bytheby，“saidtheprofessor，lookinguneasilyabouthim，“whatsingularfragranceisthisinyourapartment？Isittheperfumeofyourgloves？Itisfaint，butdelicious；andyet，afterall，bynomeansagreeable。WereItobreatheitlong，methinksitwouldmakemeill。Itislikethebreathofaflower；
butIseenoflowersinthechamber。“
“Norarethereany，“repliedGiovanni，whohadturnedpaleastheprofessorspoke；“nor，Ithink，isthereanyfragranceexceptinyourworship"simagination。Odors，beingasortofelementcombinedofthesensualandthespiritual，areapttodeceiveusinthismanner。Therecollectionofaperfume，thebareideaofit，mayeasilybemistakenforapresentreality。“
“Ay；butmysoberimaginationdoesnotoftenplaysuchtricks，“
saidBaglioni；“and，wereItofancyanykindofodor，itwouldbethatofsomevileapothecarydrug，wherewithmyfingersarelikelyenoughtobeimbued。OurworshipfulfriendRappaccini，asIhaveheard，tinctureshismedicamentswithodorsricherthanthoseofAraby。Doubtless，likewise，thefairandlearnedSignoraBeatricewouldministertoherpatientswithdraughtsassweetasamaiden"sbreath；butwoetohimthatsipsthem！“
Giovanni"sfaceevincedmanycontendingemotions。ThetoneinwhichtheprofessoralludedtothepureandlovelydaughterofRappacciniwasatorturetohissoul；andyettheintimationofaviewofhercharacteroppositetohisown，gaveinstantaneousdistinctnesstoathousanddimsuspicions，whichnowgrinnedathimlikesomanydemons。ButhestrovehardtoquellthemandtorespondtoBaglioniwithatruelover"sperfectfaith。
“Signorprofessor，“saidhe，“youweremyfather"sfriend；
perchance，too，itisyourpurposetoactafriendlyparttowardshisson。Iwouldfainfeelnothingtowardsyousaverespectanddeference；butIprayyoutoobserve，signor，thatthereisonesubjectonwhichwemustnotspeak。YouknownottheSignoraBeatrice。Youcannot，therefore，estimatethewrong——theblasphemy，Imayevensay——thatisofferedtohercharacterbyalightorinjuriousword。“
“Giovanni！mypoorGiovanni！“answeredtheprofessor，withacalmexpressionofpity，“Iknowthiswretchedgirlfarbetterthanyourself。YoushallhearthetruthinrespecttothepoisonerRappacciniandhispoisonousdaughter；yes，poisonousassheisbeautiful。Listen；for，evenshouldyoudoviolencetomygrayhairs，itshallnotsilenceme。ThatoldfableoftheIndianwomanhasbecomeatruthbythedeepanddeadlyscienceofRappacciniandinthepersonofthelovelyBeatrice。“
Giovannigroanedandhidhisface“Herfather，“continuedBaglioni，“wasnotrestrainedbynaturalaffectionfromofferinguphischildinthishorriblemannerasthevictimofhisinsanezealforscience；for，letusdohimjustice，heisastrueamanofscienceaseverdistilledhisownheartinanalembic。What，then，willbeyourfate？Beyondadoubtyouareselectedasthematerialofsomenewexperiment。
Perhapstheresultistobedeath；perhapsafatemoreawfulstill。Rappaccini，withwhathecallstheinterestofsciencebeforehiseyes，willhesitateatnothing。“
“Itisadream，“mutteredGiovannitohimself；“surelyitisadream。“
“But，“resumedtheprofessor，“beofgoodcheer，sonofmyfriend。Itisnotyettoolatefortherescue。Possiblywemayevensucceedinbringingbackthismiserablechildwithinthelimitsofordinarynature，fromwhichherfather"smadnesshasestrangedher。Beholdthislittlesilvervase！ItwaswroughtbythehandsoftherenownedBenvenutoCellini，andiswellworthytobealovegifttothefairestdameinItaly。Butitscontentsareinvaluable。OnelittlesipofthisantidotewouldhaverenderedthemostvirulentpoisonsoftheBorgiasinnocuous。
DoubtnotthatitwillbeasefficaciousagainstthoseofRappaccini。Bestowthevase，andthepreciousliquidwithinit，onyourBeatrice，andhopefullyawaittheresult。“
Baglionilaidasmall，exquisitelywroughtsilvervialonthetableandwithdrew，leavingwhathehadsaidtoproduceitseffectupontheyoungman"smind。
“WewillthwartRappacciniyet，“thoughthe，chucklingtohimself，ashedescendedthestairs；“but，letusconfessthetruthofhim，heisawonderfulman——awonderfulmanindeed；avileempiric，however，inhispractice，andthereforenottobetoleratedbythosewhorespectthegoodoldrulesofthemedicalprofession。“
ThroughoutGiovanni"swholeacquaintancewithBeatrice，hehadoccasionally，aswehavesaid，beenhauntedbydarksurmisesastohercharacter；yetsothoroughlyhadshemadeherselffeltbyhimasasimple，natural，mostaffectionate，andguilelesscreature，thattheimagenowheldupbyProfessorBaglionilookedasstrangeandincredibleasifitwerenotinaccordancewithhisownoriginalconception。True，therewereuglyrecollectionsconnectedwithhisfirstglimpsesofthebeautifulgirl；hecouldnotquiteforgetthebouquetthatwitheredinhergrasp，andtheinsectthatperishedamidthesunnyair，bynoostensibleagencysavethefragranceofherbreath。Theseincidents，however，dissolvinginthepurelightofhercharacter，hadnolongertheefficacyoffacts，butwereacknowledgedasmistakenfantasies，bywhatevertestimonyofthesensestheymightappeartobesubstantiated。Thereissomethingtruerandmorerealthanwhatwecanseewiththeeyesandtouchwiththefinger。OnsuchbetterevidencehadGiovannifoundedhisconfidenceinBeatrice，thoughratherbythenecessaryforceofherhighattributesthanbyanydeepandgenerousfaithonhispart。Butnowhisspiritwasincapableofsustainingitselfattheheighttowhichtheearlyenthusiasmofpassionhadexaltedit；hefelldown，grovellingamongearthlydoubts，anddefiledtherewiththepurewhitenessofBeatrice"simage。Notthathegaveherup；hedidbutdistrust。Heresolvedtoinstitutesomedecisivetestthatshouldsatisfyhim，onceforall，whethertherewerethosedreadfulpeculiaritiesinherphysicalnaturewhichcouldnotbesupposedtoexistwithoutsomecorrespondingmonstrosityofsoul。
Hiseyes，gazingdownafar，mighthavedeceivedhimastothelizard，theinsect，andtheflowers；butifhecouldwitness，atthedistanceofafewpaces，thesuddenblightofonefreshandhealthfulflowerinBeatrice"shand，therewouldberoomfornofurtherquestion。Withthisideahehastenedtotheflorist"sandpurchasedabouquetthatwasstillgemmedwiththemorningdew-drops。
ItwasnowthecustomaryhourofhisdailyinterviewwithBeatrice。Beforedescendingintothegarden，Giovannifailednottolookathisfigureinthemirror，——avanitytobeexpectedinabeautifulyoungman，yet，asdisplayingitselfatthattroubledandfeverishmoment，thetokenofacertainshallownessoffeelingandinsincerityofcharacter。Hedidgaze，however，andsaidtohimselfthathisfeatureshadneverbeforepossessedsorichagrace，norhiseyessuchvivacity，norhischeekssowarmahueofsuperabundantlife。
“Atleast，“thoughthe，“herpoisonhasnotyetinsinuateditselfintomysystem。Iamnoflowertoperishinhergrasp。“
Withthatthoughtheturnedhiseyesonthebouquet，whichhehadneveroncelaidasidefromhishand。Athrillofindefinablehorrorshotthroughhisframeonperceivingthatthosedewyflowerswerealreadybeginningtodroop；theyworetheaspectofthingsthathadbeenfreshandlovelyyesterday。Giovannigrewwhiteasmarble，andstoodmotionlessbeforethemirror，staringathisownreflectionthereasatthelikenessofsomethingfrightful。HerememberedBaglioni"sremarkaboutthefragrancethatseemedtopervadethechamber。Itmusthavebeenthepoisoninhisbreath！Thenheshuddered——shudderedathimself。
Recoveringfromhisstupor，hebegantowatchwithcuriouseyeaspiderthatwasbusilyatworkhangingitswebfromtheantiquecorniceoftheapartment，crossingandrecrossingtheartfulsystemofinterwovenlines——asvigorousandactiveaspideraseverdangledfromanoldceiling。Giovannibenttowardstheinsect，andemittedadeep，longbreath。Thespidersuddenlyceaseditstoil；thewebvibratedwithatremororiginatinginthebodyofthesmallartisan。AgainGiovannisentforthabreath，deeper，longer，andimbuedwithavenomousfeelingoutofhisheart:heknewnotwhetherhewerewicked，oronlydesperate。
Thespidermadeaconvulsivegripewithhislimbsandhungdeadacrossthewindow。
“Accursed！accursed！“mutteredGiovanni，addressinghimself。
“Hastthougrownsopoisonousthatthisdeadlyinsectperishesbythybreath？“
Atthatmomentarich，sweetvoicecamefloatingupfromthegarden“Giovanni！Giovanni！Itispastthehour！Whytarriestthou？Comedown！“
“Yes，“mutteredGiovanniagain。“Sheistheonlybeingwhommybreathmaynotslay！Wouldthatitmight！“
Herusheddown，andinaninstantwasstandingbeforethebrightandlovingeyesofBeatrice。Amomentagohiswrathanddespairhadbeensofiercethathecouldhavedesirednothingsomuchastowitherherbyaglance；butwithheractualpresencetherecameinfluenceswhichhadtoorealanexistencetobeatonceshakenoff:recollectionsofthedelicateandbenignpowerofherfemininenature，whichhadsooftenenvelopedhiminareligiouscalm；recollectionsofmanyaholyandpassionateoutgushofherheart，whenthepurefountainhadbeenunsealedfromitsdepthsandmadevisibleinitstransparencytohismentaleye；
recollectionswhich，hadGiovanniknownhowtoestimatethem，wouldhaveassuredhimthatallthisuglymysterywasbutanearthlyillusion，andthat，whatevermistofevilmightseemtohavegatheredoverher，therealBeatricewasaheavenlyangel。
Incapableashewasofsuchhighfaith，stillherpresencehadnotutterlylostitsmagic。Giovanni"sragewasquelledintoanaspectofsulleninsensibility。Beatrice，withaquickspiritualsense，immediatelyfeltthattherewasagulfofblacknessbetweenthemwhichneitherhenorshecouldpass。Theywalkedontogether，sadandsilent，andcamethustothemarblefountainandtoitspoolofwaterontheground，inthemidstofwhichgrewtheshrubthatboregem-likeblossoms。Giovanniwasaffrightedattheeagerenjoyment——theappetite，asitwere——withwhichhefoundhimselfinhalingthefragranceoftheflowers。
“Beatrice，“askedhe，abruptly，“whencecamethisshrub？“
“Myfathercreatedit，“answeredshe，withsimplicity。
“Createdit！createdit！“repeatedGiovanni。“Whatmeanyou，Beatrice？“
“HeisamanfearfullyacquaintedwiththesecretsofNature，“
repliedBeatrice；“and，atthehourwhenIfirstdrewbreath，thisplantsprangfromthesoil，theoffspringofhisscience，ofhisintellect，whileIwasbuthisearthlychild。Approachitnot！“continuedshe，observingwithterrorthatGiovanniwasdrawingnearertotheshrub。“Ithasqualitiesthatyoulittledreamof。ButI，dearestGiovanni，——Igrewupandblossomedwiththeplantandwasnourishedwithitsbreath。Itwasmysister，andIloveditwithahumanaffection；for，alas！——hastthounotsuspectedit？——therewasanawfuldoom。“
HereGiovannifrownedsodarklyuponherthatBeatricepausedandtrembled。Butherfaithinhistendernessreassuredher，andmadeherblushthatshehaddoubtedforaninstant。
“Therewasanawfuldoom，“shecontinued，“theeffectofmyfather"sfatalloveofscience，whichestrangedmefromallsocietyofmykind。UntilHeavensentthee，dearestGiovanni，oh，howlonelywasthypoorBeatrice！“
“Wasitaharddoom？“askedGiovanni，fixinghiseyesuponher。
“OnlyoflatehaveIknownhowharditwas，“answeredshe，tenderly。“Oh，yes；butmyheartwastorpid，andthereforequiet。“
Giovanni"sragebrokeforthfromhissullengloomlikealightningflashoutofadarkcloud。
“Accursedone！“criedhe，withvenomousscornandanger。“And，findingthysolitudewearisome，thouhastseveredmelikewisefromallthewarmthoflifeandenticedmeintothyregionofunspeakablehorror！“
“Giovanni！“exclaimedBeatrice，turningherlargebrighteyesuponhisface。Theforceofhiswordshadnotfounditswayintohermind；shewasmerelythunderstruck。
“Yes，poisonousthing！“repeatedGiovanni，besidehimselfwithpassion。“Thouhastdoneit！Thouhastblastedme！Thouhastfilledmyveinswithpoison！Thouhastmademeashateful，asugly，asloathsomeanddeadlyacreatureasthyself——aworld"swonderofhideousmonstrosity！Now，ifourbreathbehappilyasfataltoourselvesastoallothers，letusjoinourlipsinonekissofunutterablehatred，andsodie！“
“Whathasbefallenme？“murmuredBeatrice，withalowmoanoutofherheart。“HolyVirgin，pityme，apoorheart-brokenchild！“
“Thou，——dostthoupray？“criedGiovanni，stillwiththesamefiendishscorn。“Thyveryprayers，astheycomefromthylips，tainttheatmospherewithdeath。Yes，yes；letuspray！Letustochurchanddipourfingersintheholywaterattheportal！Theythatcomeafteruswillperishasbyapestilence！Letussigncrossesintheair！Itwillbescatteringcursesabroadinthelikenessofholysymbols！“
“Giovanni，“saidBeatrice，calmly，forhergriefwasbeyondpassion，“whydostthoujointhyselfwithmethusinthoseterriblewords？I，itistrue，amthehorriblethingthounamestme。Butthou，——whathastthoutodo，savewithoneothershudderatmyhideousmiserytogoforthoutofthegardenandminglewiththyrace，andforgetthereevercrawledonearthsuchamonsteraspoorBeatrice？“
“Dostthoupretendignorance？“askedGiovanni，scowlinguponher。
“Behold！thispowerhaveIgainedfromthepuredaughterofRappaccini。
Therewasaswarmofsummerinsectsflittingthroughtheairinsearchofthefoodpromisedbytheflowerodorsofthefatalgarden。TheycircledroundGiovanni"shead，andwereevidentlyattractedtowardshimbythesameinfluencewhichhaddrawnthemforaninstantwithinthesphereofseveraloftheshrubs。Hesentforthabreathamongthem，andsmiledbitterlyatBeatriceasatleastascoreoftheinsectsfelldeadupontheground。
“Iseeit！Iseeit！“shriekedBeatrice。“Itismyfather"sfatalscience！No，no，Giovanni；itwasnotI！Never！never！Idreamedonlytolovetheeandbewiththeealittletime，andsotolettheepassaway，leavingbutthineimageinmineheart；for，Giovanni，believeit，thoughmybodybenourishedwithpoison，myspiritisGod"screature，andcravesloveasitsdailyfood。Butmyfather，——hehasunitedusinthisfearfulsympathy。Yes；spurnme，treaduponme，killme！Oh，whatisdeathaftersuchwordsasthine？ButitwasnotI。NotforaworldofblisswouldIhavedoneit。“
Giovanni"spassionhadexhausteditselfinitsoutburstfromhislips。Therenowcameacrosshimasense，mournful，andnotwithouttenderness，oftheintimateandpeculiarrelationshipbetweenBeatriceandhimself。Theystood，asitwere，inanuttersolitude，whichwouldbemadenonethelesssolitarybythedensestthrongofhumanlife。Oughtnot，then，thedesertofhumanityaroundthemtopressthisinsulatedpairclosertogether？Iftheyshouldbecrueltooneanother，whowastheretobekindtothem？Besides，thoughtGiovanni，mighttherenotstillbeahopeofhisreturningwithinthelimitsofordinarynature，andleadingBeatrice，theredeemedBeatrice，bythehand？
O，weak，andselfish，andunworthyspirit，thatcoulddreamofanearthlyunionandearthlyhappinessaspossible，aftersuchdeeplovehadbeensobitterlywrongedaswasBeatrice"slovebyGiovanni"sblightingwords！No，no；therecouldbenosuchhope。
Shemustpassheavily，withthatbrokenheart，acrossthebordersofTime——shemustbatheherhurtsinsomefountofparadise，andforgethergriefinthelightofimmortality，andTHEREbewell。
ButGiovannididnotknowit。
“DearBeatrice，“saidhe，approachingher，whilesheshrankawayasalwaysathisapproach，butnowwithadifferentimpulse，“dearestBeatrice，ourfateisnotyetsodesperate。Behold！
thereisamedicine，potent，asawisephysicianhasassuredme，andalmostdivineinitsefficacy。Itiscomposedofingredientsthemostoppositetothosebywhichthyawfulfatherhasbroughtthiscalamityupontheeandme。Itisdistilledofblessedherbs。
Shallwenotquaffittogether，andthusbepurifiedfromevil？“
“Giveitme！“saidBeatrice，extendingherhandtoreceivethelittlesilvervialwhichGiovannitookfromhisbosom。Sheadded，withapeculiaremphasis，“Iwilldrink；butdothouawaittheresult。“
SheputBaglioni"santidotetoherlips；and，atthesamemoment，thefigureofRappacciniemergedfromtheportalandcameslowlytowardsthemarblefountain。Ashedrewnear，thepalemanofscienceseemedtogazewithatriumphantexpressionatthebeautifulyouthandmaiden，asmightanartistwhoshouldspendhislifeinachievingapictureoragroupofstatuaryandfinallybesatisfiedwithhissuccess。Hepaused；hisbentformgrewerectwithconsciouspower；hespreadouthishandsoverthemintheattitudeofafatherimploringablessinguponhischildren；butthosewerethesamehandsthathadthrownpoisonintothestreamoftheirlives。Giovannitrembled。Beatriceshudderednervously，andpressedherhanduponherheart。
“Mydaughter，“saidRappaccini，“thouartnolongerlonelyintheworld。Pluckoneofthosepreciousgemsfromthysistershrubandbidthybridegroomwearitinhisbosom。Itwillnotharmhimnow。Myscienceandthesympathybetweentheeandhimhavesowroughtwithinhissystemthathenowstandsapartfromcommonmen，asthoudost，daughterofmyprideandtriumph，fromordinarywomen。Passon，then，throughtheworld，mostdeartooneanotheranddreadfultoallbesides！“
“Myfather，“saidBeatrice，feebly，——andstillasshespokeshekeptherhanduponherheart，——“whereforedidstthouinflictthismiserabledoomuponthychild？“
“Miserable！“exclaimedRappaccini。“Whatmeanyou，foolishgirl？
Dostthoudeemitmiserytobeendowedwithmarvellousgiftsagainstwhichnopowernorstrengthcouldavailanenemy——misery，tobeabletoquellthemightiestwithabreath——misery，tobeasterribleasthouartbeautiful？Wouldstthou，then，havepreferredtheconditionofaweakwoman，exposedtoallevilandcapableofnone？“
“Iwouldfainhavebeenloved，notfeared，“murmuredBeatrice，sinkingdownupontheground。“Butnowitmattersnot。Iamgoing，father，wheretheevilwhichthouhaststriventominglewithmybeingwillpassawaylikeadream-likethefragranceofthesepoisonousflowers，whichwillnolongertaintmybreathamongtheflowersofEden。Farewell，Giovanni！Thywordsofhatredarelikeleadwithinmyheart；butthey，too，willfallawayasIascend。Oh，wastherenot，fromthefirst，morepoisoninthynaturethaninmine？“
ToBeatrice，——soradicallyhadherearthlypartbeenwroughtuponbyRappaccini"sskill，——aspoisonhadbeenlife，sothepowerfulantidotewasdeath；andthusthepoorvictimofman"singenuityandofthwartednature，andofthefatalitythatattendsallsucheffortsofpervertedwisdom，perishedthere，atthefeetofherfatherandGiovanni。JustatthatmomentProfessorPietroBaglionilookedforthfromthewindow，andcalledloudly，inatoneoftriumphmixedwithhorror，tothethunderstrickenmanofscience，“Rappaccini！Rappaccini！andisTHIStheupshotofyourexperiment！“
MRS。BULLFROG
Itmakesmemelancholytoseehowlikefoolssomeverysensiblepeopleactinthematterofchoosingwives。Theyperplextheirjudgmentsbyamostundueattentiontolittlenicetiesofpersonalappearance，habits，disposition，andothertrifleswhichconcernnobodybuttheladyherself。Anunhappygentleman，resolvingtowednothingshortofperfection，keepshisheartandhandtillbothgetsooldandwitheredthatnotolerablewomanwillacceptthem。Nowthisistheveryheightofabsurdity。A
kindProvidencehassoskilfullyadaptedsextosexandthemassofindividualstoeachother，that，withcertainobviousexceptions，anymaleandfemalemaybemoderatelyhappyinthemarriedstate。Thetrueruleistoascertainthatthematchisfundamentallyagoodone，andthentotakeitforgrantedthatallminorobjections，shouldtherebesuch，willvanish，ifyouletthemalone。Onlyputyourselfbeyondhazardastotherealbasisofmatrimonialbliss，anditisscarcelytobeimaginedwhatmiracles，inthewayofrecognizingsmallerincongruities，connubiallovewilleffect。
FormyownpartIfreelyconfessthat，inmybachelorship，Iwaspreciselysuchanover-curioussimpletonasInowadvisethereadernottobe。Myearlyhabitshadgiftedmewithafemininesensibilityandtooexquisiterefinement。Iwastheaccomplishedgraduateofadrygoodsstore，where，bydintofministeringtothewhimsoffineladies，andsuitingsilkenhosetodelicatelimbs，andhandlingsatins，ribbons，chintzescalicoes，tapes，gauze，andcambricneedles，Igrewupaveryladylikesortofagentleman。ItisnotassumingtoomuchtoaffirmthattheladiesthemselveswerehardlysoladylikeasThomasBullfrog。Sopainfullyacutewasmysenseoffemaleimperfection，andsuchvariedexcellencedidIrequireinthewomanwhomIcouldlove，thattherewasanawfulriskofmygettingnowifeatall，orofbeingdriventoperpetratematrimonywithmyownimageinthelooking-glass。Besidesthefundamentalprinciplealreadyhintedat，Idemandedthefreshbloomofyouth，pearlyteeth，glossyringlets，andthewholelistoflovelyitems，withtheutmostdelicacyofhabitsandsentiments，asilkentextureofmind，and，aboveall，avirginheart。Inaword，ifayoungangeljustfromparadise，yetdressedinearthlyfashion，hadcomeandofferedmeherhand，itisbynomeanscertainthatIshouldhavetakenit。
Therewaseverychanceofmybecomingamostmiserableoldbachelor，when，bythebestluckintheworld，Imadeajourneyintoanotherstate，andwassmittenby，andsmoteagain，andwooed，won，andmarried，thepresentMrs。Bullfrog，allinthespaceofafortnight。Owingtotheseextemporemeasures，Inotonlygavemybridecreditforcertainperfectionswhichhavenotasyetcometolight，butalsooverlookedafewtriflingdefects，which，however，glimmeredonmyperceptionlongbeforethecloseofthehoneymoon。Yet，astherewasnomistakeaboutthefundamentalprincipleaforesaid，Isoonlearned，aswillbeseen，toestimateMrs。Bullfrog"sdeficienciesandsuperfluitiesatexactlytheirpropervalue。
ThesamemorningthatMrs。BullfrogandIcametogetherasaunit，wetooktwoseatsinthestage-coachandbeganourjourneytowardsmyplaceofbusiness。Therebeingnootherpassengers，wewereasmuchaloneandasfreetogiveventtoourrapturesasifIhadhiredahackforthematrimonialjaunt。Mybridelookedcharminglyinagreensilkcalashandridinghabitofpelissecloth；andwheneverherredlipspartedwithasmile，eachtoothappearedlikeaninestimablepearl。Suchwasmypassionatewarmththat——wehadrattledoutofthevillage，gentlereader，andwerelonelyasAdamandEveinparadise——Ipleadguiltytonolessfreedomthanakiss。ThegentleeyeofMrs。Bullfrogscarcelyrebukedmefortheprofanation。Emboldenedbyherindulgence，I
threwbackthecalashfromherpolishedbrow，andsufferedmyfingers，whiteanddelicateasherown，tostrayamongthosedarkandglossycurlswhichrealizedmydaydreamsofrichhair。