第4章

Thenextdayhementallytimedthemdowntheriver，allowingforthepausetotakeinballast，andontheWednesdaypicturedthesaildowntheopensea。Thatnighthethoughtofthelittlecraftunderthebowsofthehugesteam-vessels，powerlesstomakeitselfseenorheard，andAvice，nowgrowinginexpressiblydear，sleepinginherlittleberthatthemercyofathousandchancecatastrophes。

HonestperceptionhadtoldhimthatthisAvice，fairerthanhermotherinfaceandform，washerinferiorinsoulandunderstanding。Yetthefervourwhichthefirstcouldneverkindleinhimwas，almosttohisalarm，burningupnow。HebegantohavemisgivingsastosomequeertrickthathismigratoryBelovedwasabouttoplayhim，orratherthecapriciousDivinitybehindthatideallady。

Agiganticsatireuponthemutationsofhisnymphduringthepasttwentyyearsseemedloominginthedistance。Aforsakingoftheaccomplishedandwell-connectedMrs。Pine-Avonforthelittlelaundress，underthetractionofsomemysticmagnetwhichhadnothingtodowithreason——surelythatwastheformofthesatire。

Butitwasrecklesslypleasanttoleavethesuspicionunrecognizedasyet，andfollowthelead。

InthinkinghowbesttodothisPierstonrecollectedthat，aswascustomarywhenthesummer-timeapproached，SylvaniaCastlehadbeenadvertisedforlettingfurnished。Asolitarydreamerlikehimself，whosewantsalllayinanartisticandidealdirection，didnotrequiresuchgauntaccommodationastheaforesaidresidenceoffered；butthespotwasall，andtheexpensesofafewmonthsoftenancythereinhecouldwellafford。Alettertotheagentwasdispatchedthatnight，andinafewdaysJocelynfoundhimselfthetemporarypossessorofaplacewhichhehadneverseentheinsideofsincehischildhood，andhadthendeemedtheabodeofunpleasantghosts。

2。VI。THEPASTSHINESINTHEPRESENT

ItwastheeveningofPierston’sarrivalatSylvaniaCastle，adignifiedmanor-houseinanookbythecliffs，withmoderncastellationsandbattlements；andhehadwalkedthroughtherooms，aboutthelawn，andintothesurroundingplantationofelms，whichonthisislandoftreelessrocklentauniquecharactertotheenclosure。

Inname，nature，andaccessoriesthepropertywithinthegirdlingwallformedacompleteantithesistoeverythinginitsprecincts。TofindothertreesbetweenPebble-bankandBeal，itwasnecessarytorecedealittleintime——todigdowntoaloosestratumoftheunderlyingstone-

beds，whereaforestofconiferslayaspetrifactions，theirheadsallinonedirection，asblowndownbyagaleintheSecondarygeologicepoch。

Duskhadclosedin，andhenowproceededwithwhatwas，afterall，therealbusinessofhissojourn。Thetwoservantswhohadbeenlefttotakecareofthehousewereintheirownquarters，andhewentoutunobserved。Crossingahollowoverhungbythebuddingboughsheapproachedanemptygarden-houseofElizabethandesign，whichstoodontheouterwallofthegrounds，andcommandedbyawindowthefrontsofthenearestcottages。AmongthemwasthehomeoftheresuscitatedAvice。

Hehadchosenthismomentforhisoutlookthroughknowingthatthevillagerswereinnohurrytopulldowntheirblindsatnightfall。

And，ashehaddivined，theinsideoftheyoungwoman’sliving-roomwasvisibletohimasformerly，illuminatedbytheraysofitsownlamp。

Asubduedthumpingcameeverynowandthenfromtheapartment。Shewasironinglinenonaflanneltable-cloth，arowofsuchapparelhangingonaclothes-horsebythefire。Herfacehadbeenpalewhenheencounteredher，butnowitwaswarmandpinkwithherexertionsandtheheatofthestove。Yetitwasinperfectandpassionlessrepose，whichimpartedaMinervacasttotheprofile。Whensheglancedup，herlineamentsseemedtohaveallthesoulandheartthathadcharacterizedhermother’s，andhadbeenwithheratrueindexofthespiritwithin。

Coulditbepossiblethatinthiscasethemanifestationwasfictitious？Hehadmetwithmanysuchexamplesofhereditarypersistencewithoutthequalitiessignifiedbythetraits。Heunconsciouslyhopedthatitwasatleastnotentirelysohere。

Theroomwaslessfurnishedthanwhenhehadlastbeheldit。The’bo-

fet，’ordoublecorner-cupboard，wherethechinawasformerlykept，haddisappeared，itsplacebeingtakenbyaplainboard。Thetalloldclock，withitsancientoakcarcase，archedbrow，andhumorousmouth，wasalsonottobeseen，acheap，white-dialledspecimendoingitswork。Whatthesedisplacementsmightbetokensaddenedhishumanitylessthanitcheeredhisprimitiveinstinctinpointingouthowhernecessitiesmightbringthemtogether。

Havingfixedhisresidencenearherforsomelengthytimehefeltinnohurrytoobtrudehispresencejustnow，andwentindoors。Thatthisgirl’sframewasdoomedtobearealembodimentofthatoldenseductiveone——thatProteandream-creature，whohadneverseenfittoirradiatethemother’simagetillitbecameamerememoryafterdissolution——hedoubtedlesseverymoment。

Therewasanuneasinessinrecognizingsuch。Therewassomethingabnormalinhispresentproclivity。Acertainsanityhad，afterall，accompaniedhisformeridealizingpassions：theBelovedhadseldominformedapersonalitywhich，whileenrapturinghissoul，simultaneouslyshockedhisintellect。Achange，perhaps，hadcome。

Itwasafinemorningonthemorrow。WalkinginthegroundstowardsthegatehesawAviceenteringhishiredcastlewithabroadovalwicker-basketcoveredwithawhitecloth，whichburdensheboreroundtothebackdoor。Ofcourse，shewashedforhisownhousehold：hehadnotthoughtofthat。Inthemorningsunlightsheappearedratherasasylphthanasawasherwoman；andhecouldnotbutthinkthattheslightnessofherfigurewasasilladaptedtothisoccupationashermother’shadbeen。

But，afterall，itwasnotthewasherwomanthathesawnow。Infrontofher，onthesurfaceofher，wasshiningoutthatmorereal，moreinter-penetratingbeingwhomheknewsowell！Theoccupationofthesubservingminion，theblemishesofthetemporarycreaturewhoformedthebackground，wereofthesameaccountinthepresentationoftheindispensableoneasthesupportingpostsandframeworkinapyrotechnicdisplay。

Sheleftthehouseandwenthomewardbyapathofwhichhewasnotaware，havingprobablychangedhercoursebecauseshehadseenhimstandingthere。Itmeantnothing，forshehadhardlybecomeacquaintedwithhim；yetthatsheshouldhaveavoidedhimwasanewexperience。

Hehadnoopportunityforafurtherstudyofherbydistantobservation，andhituponapretextforbringingherfacetofacewithhim。Hefoundfaultwithhislinen，anddirectedthatthelaundressshouldbesentfor。

’Sheisratheryoung，poorlittlething，’saidthehousemaidapologetically。’Butsincehermother’sdeathshehasenoughtodotokeepabovewater，andwemakeshiftwithher。ButI’lltellher，sir。’

’Iwillseehermyself。Sendherinwhenshecomes，’saidPierston。

Onemorning，accordingly，whenhewasansweringaspitefulcriticismofalateworkofhis，hewastoldthatshewaitedhispleasureinthehall。Hewentout。

’Aboutthewashing，’saidthesculptorstiffly。’Iamaveryparticularperson，andIwishnopreparationoflimetobeused。’

’Ididn’tknowfolksusedit，’repliedthemaiden，inascaredandreservedtone，withoutlookingathim。

’That’sallright。Andthen，themanglingsmashesthebuttons。’

’Ihaven’tgotamangle，sir，’shemurmured。

’Ah！that’ssatisfactory。AndIobjecttosomuchboraxinthestarch。’

’Idon’tputany，’Avicereturnedinthesamecloseway；’neverheardthenameo’tafore！’

’OIsee。’

AllthistimePierstonwasthinkingofthegirl——orasthescientificmightsay，Naturewasworkingherplansforthenextgenerationunderthecloakofadialogueonlinen。Hecouldnotreadherindividualcharacter，owingtotheconfusingeffectofherlikenesstoawomanwhomhehadvaluedtoolate。Hecouldnothelpseeinginherallthatheknewofanother，andveilinginherallthatdidnotharmonizewithhissenseofmetempsychosis。

Thegirlseemedtothinkofnothingbutthebusinessinhand。Shehadansweredtothepoint，andwashardlyawareofhissexorofhisshape。

’Iknewyourmother，Avice，’hesaid。’Youremembermytellingyouso？’

’Yes。’

’Well——Ihavetakenthishousefortwoorthreemonths，andyouwillbeveryusefultome。Youstilllivejustoutsidethewall？’

’Yes，sir，’saidtheself-containedgirl。

Demurelyanddispassionatelysheturnedtoleave——thisprettycreaturewithfeaturessostill。Therewassomethingstrangeinseeingmoveoffthusthatformwhichheknewpassingwell，shewhowasoncesothrobbinglyalivetohispresencethat，notmanyyardsfromthisspot，shehadflungherarmsroundhimandgivenhimakisswhich，despisedinitsfreshness，hadrevivedinhimlatterlyasthedearestkissofallhislife。Andnowthis’daps’ofhermother（astheycalledherinthedialecthere），thisperfectcopy，whydidsheturnaway？

’Yourmotherwasarefinedandwell-informedwoman，IthinkI

remember？’

’Shewas，sir；everybodysaidso。’

’Ihopeyouresembleher。’

Shearchlyshookherhead，anddrewwarilyaway。

’O！onethingmore，Avice。Ihavenotbroughtmuchlinen，soyoumustcometothehouseeveryday。’

’Verygood，sir。’

’Youwon’tforgetthat？’

’Ono。’

Thenhelethergo。Hewasatownman，andsheanartlessislander，yethehadopenedhimselfout，likeasea-anemone，withoutdisturbingtheepidermofhernature。Itwasmonstrousthatamaidenwhohadassumedthepersonalityofherofhistenderestmemoryshouldbesoimpervious。Perhapsitwashewhowaswanting。AvicemightbePassionmaskingasIndifference，becausehewassomanyyearsolderinoutwardshow。

Thisbroughthimtotherootofit。Inhishearthewasnotadayolderthanwhenhehadwooedthemotheratthedaughter’spresentage。

Hisrecordmovedonwiththeyears，hissentimentsstoodstill。

Whenhebeheldthoseofhisfellowswhoweredefinedasbuffersandfogeys——imperturbable，matter-of-fact，slightlyridiculousbeings，pastmastersintheartofpopulatinghomes，schools，andcolleges，andpresentadeptsinthescienceofgivingawaybrides——howheenviedthem，assumingthemtofeelastheyappearedtofeel，withtheircommerceandtheirpolitics，theirglassesandtheirpipes。Theyhadgotpastthedistractingcurrentsofpassionateness，andwereinthecalmwatersofmiddle-agedphilosophy。Buthe，theircontemporary，wastossedlikeacorkhitherandthitheruponthecrestofeveryfancy，preciselyashehadbeentossedwhenhewashalfhispresentage，withtheburdennowofdoublepaintohimselfinhisgrowingvisionofallasvanity。

Avicehadgone，andhesawhernomorethatday。Sincehecouldnotagaincalluponher，shewasasinaccessibleasifshehadenteredthemilitarycitadelonthehill-topbeyondthem。

IntheeveninghewentoutandpaceddownthelanetotheRedKing’scastleoverhangingthecliff，besidewhoseagethecastleheoccupiedwasbutathingofyesterday。Belowthecastleprecipicelayenormousblocks，whichhadfallenfromit，andseveralofthemwerecarvedoverwithnamesandinitials。Heknewthespotandtheoldtrickwell，andbysearchinginthefaintmoon-rayshefoundapairofnameswhich，asaboy，hehimselfhadcut。Theywere’AVICE’and’JOCELYN’——AviceCaro’sandhisown。Theletterswerenownearlywornawaybytheweatherandthebrine。Butcloseby，inquitefreshletters，stood’ANNAVICE，’coupledwiththename’ISAAC。’Theycouldnothavebeentheremorethantwoorthreeyears，andthe’AnnAvice’wasprobablyAvicetheSecond。WhowasIsaac？Someboyadmirerofherchild-timedoubtless。

Heretracedhissteps，andpassedtheCaros’housetowardshisown。

TherevivifiedAviceanimatedthedwelling，andthelightwithintheroomfelluponthewindow。Shewasjustinsidethatblind。

***

Wheneversheunexpectedlycametothecastlehestarted，andlostplacidity。Itwasnotatherpresenceassuch，butatthenewcondition，whichseemedtohavesomethingsinisterinit。Ontheotherhand，themostabruptencounterwithhimmovedhertonoemotionasithadmovedherprototypeintheolddays。Shewasindifferentto，almostunconsciousof，hispropinquity。Hewasnomorethanastatuetoher；shewasagrowingfiretohim。

AsuddenSapphicterroroflovewouldeverandanoncomeuponthesculptor，whenhismaturedreflectingpowerswouldinsistuponinforminghimofthefearfullapsefromreasonablenessthatlayinthisinfatuation。Itthrewhimintoasweat。Whatifnow，atlast，heweredoomedtodopenanceforhispastemotionalwanderings（inamaterialsense）bybeingchainedinfatalfidelitytoanobjectthathisintellectdespised？Onenighthedreamtthathesawdimlymaskingbehindthatyoungcountenance’theWeaverofWiles’herself，’withallhersubtlefacelaughingaloud。’

However，theWell-Belovedwasaliveagain，hadbeenlostandwasfound。

Hewasamazedatthechangeoffrontinhimself。Shehadworntheguiseofstrangewomen；shehadbeenawomanofeveryclass，fromthedignifieddaughterofsomeecclesiasticorpeertoaNubianAlmehwithherhandkerchief，undulatingtothebeatsofthetom-tom；butalltheseembodimentshadbeenendowedwithacertainsmartness，eitherofthefleshorspirit：somewithwit，afewwithtalent，andevengenius。

Butthenewimpersonationhadapparentlynothingbeyondsexandprettiness。Sheknewnothowtosportafanorhandkerchief，hardlyhowtopullonaglove。

Butherlimitedlifewasinnocent，andthatwentfar。PoorlittleAvice！hermother’simage：thereitalllay。Afterall，herparentagewasasgoodashisown；itwasmisfortunethathadsentherdowntothis。Oddasitseemedtohim，herlimitationswerelargelywhathelovedherfor。Herrejuvenatingpoweroverhimhadineffablecharm。

Hefeltashehadfeltwhenstandingbesideherpredecessor；but，alas！

hewastwentyyearsfurtherontowardstheshade。

2。VII。THENEWBECOMESESTABLISHED

Afewmorningslaterhewaslookingthroughanupperbackwindowoverascreenedpartofthegarden。Thedoorbeneathhimopened，andafigureappearedtrippingforth。Shewentroundoutofsighttowherethegardenerwasatwork，andpresentlyreturnedwithabunchofgreenstuffflutteringineachhand。ItwasAvice，herdarkhairnowbraidedupsnuglyunderacap。Shesailedonwitharaptandunconsciousface，herthoughtsathousandremovesfromhim。

Howshehadsuddenlycometobeaninmateofhisownhousehecouldnotunderstand，tillherecalledthefactthathehadgiventhecastleservantsawholeholidaytoattendareviewoftheyeomanryinthewatering-placeoverthebay，ontheirstatingthattheycouldprovideatemporarysubstitutetostayinthehouse。TheyhadevidentlycalledinAvice。Tohisgreatpleasurehediscoveredtheiropinionofhisrequirementstobesuchameanonethattheyhadcalledinnooneelse。

TheSpirit，assheseemedtohim，broughthislunchintotheroomwherehewaswriting，andhebeheldheruncoverit。Shewenttothewindowtoadjustablindwhichhadslipped，andhehadagoodviewofherprofile。ItwasnotunlikethatofoneofthethreegoddessesinRubens’s’JudgmentofParis，’andincontourwasnighperfection。Butitwasinherfullfacethatthevisionofhermotherwasmostapparent。

’Didyoucookallthis，Avice？’heasked，arousinghimself。

Sheturnedandhalf-smiled，merelymurmuring，’Yes，sir。’

Wellheknewthearrangementofthosewhiteteeth。Inthejunctionoftwooftheupperonestherewasaslightirregularity；nostrangerwouldhavenoticedit，norwouldhe，butthatheknewofthesamemarkinhermother’smouth，andlookedforithere。TillAvicetheSecondhadrevealeditthismomentbyhersmile，hehadneverbeheldthatmarksincethepartingfromAvicetheFirst，whenshehadsmiledunderhiskissasthecopyhaddonenow。

Nextmorning，whendressing，heheardherthroughtherickettyfloorofthebuildingengagedinconversationwiththeotherservants。HavingbythistimeregularlyinstalledherselfastheexponentoftheLong-

pursued——asonewho，bynoinitiativeofhisown，hadbeenchosenbysomesuperiorPowerasthevehicleofhernextdebut，sheattractedhimbythecadencesofhervoice；shewouldsuddenlydropittoarichwhisperofroguishness，whentheslightruralmonotonyofitsnarrativespeechdisappeared，andsoulandheart——orwhatseemedsoulandheart——

resounded。Thecharmlayintheintervals，usingthatwordinitsmusicalsense。Shewouldsayafewsyllablesinonenote，andendhersentenceinasoftmodulationupwards，thendownwards，thenintoherownnoteagain。Thecurveofsoundwasasartisticasanylineofbeautyeverstruckbyhispencil——assatisfyingasthecurvesofherwhowastheWorld’sDesire。

Thesubjectofherdiscoursehecarednothingabout——itwasnomorehisinterestthanhisconcern。Hetookspecialpainsthatincatchinghervoicehemightnotcomprehendherwords。Tothetoneshehadaright，nonetothearticulations。Bydegreeshecouldnotexistlongwithoutthissound。

OnSundayeveninghefoundthatshewenttochurch。Hefollowedbehindherovertheopenroad，keepinghiseyeonthelittlehatwithitsbunchofcock’sfeathersasonastar。WhenshehadpassedinPierstonobservedherpositionandtookaseatbehindher。

Engagedinthestudyofherearandthenapeofherwhiteneck，hesuddenlybecameawareofthepresenceofaladystillfurtheraheadintheaisle，whoseattire，thoughofblackmaterialsinthequietestform，wasofacutwhichrathersuggestedLondonthanthisUltimaThule。Fortheminuteheforgot，inhiscuriosity，thatAviceintervened。Theladyturnedherheadsomewhat，and，thoughshewasveiledwithunusualthicknessfortheseason，heseemedtorecognizeNicholaPine-Avonintheform。

WhyshouldMrs。Pine-Avonbethere？Pierstonaskedhimself，ifitshould，indeed，beshe。

TheendoftheservicesawhisattentionagainconcentratedonAvicetosuchadegreethatatthecriticalmomentofmovingoutheforgotthemysteriousladyinfrontofher，andfoundthatshehadleftthechurchbytheside-door。SupposingittohavebeenMrs。Pine-Avon，shewouldprobablybediscoveredstayingatoneofthehotelsatthewatering-

placeoverthebay，andtohavecomealongthePebble-banktotheislandassomanydid，foraneveningdrive。Forthepresent，however，theexplanationwasnotforthcoming；andhedidnotseekit。

WhenheemergedfromthechurchthegreatplacideyeofthelighthouseattheBealPointwasopen，andhemovedthitherwardafewstepstoescapeNichola，orherdouble，andtherestofthecongregation。

Turningatlength，hehastenedhomewardalongthenowdesertedtrackway，intendingtoovertaketherevitalizedAvice。Buthecouldseenothingofher，andconcludedthatshehadwalkedtoofastforhim。

Arrivedathisowngatehepausedamoment，andperceivedthatAvice’slittlefreeholdwasstillindarkness。Shehadnotcome。

Heretracedhissteps，butcouldnotfindher，theonlypersonsontheroadbeingamanandhiswife，asheknewthemtobethoughhecouldnotseethem，fromthewordsoftheman——

’Ifyouhadnota’readymarriedme，you’dcutmyacquaintance！That’saprettythingforawifetosay！’

Theremarkstruckhisearunpleasantly，andby-and-byhewentbackagain。Avice’scottagewasnowlighted：shemusthavecomeroundbytheotherroad。SatisfiedthatshewassafelydomiciledforthenightheopenedthegateofSylvaniaCastleandretiredtohisroomalso。

***

Eastwardfromthegroundsthecliffswereruggedandtheviewoftheoppositecoastpicturesqueintheextreme。Alittledoorfromthelawngavehimimmediateaccesstotherocksandshoreonthisside。Withoutthedoorwasadip-wellofpurewater，whichpossiblyhadsuppliedtheinmatesoftheadjoiningandnowruinousRedKing’scastleatthetimeofitserection。Onasunnymorninghewasmeditatingherewhenhediscernedafigureontheshorebelowspreadingwhitelinenuponthepebblystrand。

Jocelyndescended。Avice，ashehadsupposed，hadnowreturnedtoherownoccupation。Hershapelypinkarms，thoughslight，wereplumpenoughtoshowdimplesattheelbows，andweresetoffbyherpurplecottonprint，whichtheshore-breezelickedandtantalized。Hestoodnear，withoutspeaking。Thewinddraggedashirt-sleevefromthe’popple’orpebblewhichhelditdown。Pierstonstoopedandputaheavieroneinitsplace。

’Thankyou，’shesaidquietly。Sheturnedupherhazeleyes，andseemedgratifiedtoperceivethatherassistantwasPierston。Shehadplainlybeensowrappedinherownthoughts——gloomythoughts，bytheirsigns——thatshehadnotconsideredhimtillthen。

Theyounggirlcontinuedtoconversewithhiminfriendlyfrankness，showingneitherardournorshyness。Asforlove——itwasevidentlyfurtherfromhermindthanevendeathanddissolution。

WhenoneofthesheetsbecameintractableJocelynsaid，’Doyouholditdown，andI’llputthepopples。’

Sheacquiesced，andinplacingapebblehishandtouchedhers。

Itwasayounghand，ratherlongandthin，alittledampandcoddledfromherslopping。Insettingdownthelaststonehelaidit，byapureaccident，ratherheavilyonherfingers。

’Iamvery，verysorry！’Jocelynexclaimed。’O，Ihavebruisedtheskin，Avice！’Heseizedherfingerstoexaminethedamagedone。

’No，sir，youhaven’t！’shecriedluminously，allowinghimtoretainherhandwithouttheleastobjection。’Why——that’swhereIscratcheditthismorningwithapin。Youdidn’thurtmeabitwiththepopple-

stone！’

Althoughhergownwaspurple，therewasalittleblackcrapebowuponeacharm。Heknewwhatitmeant，anditsaddenedhim。’Doyouevervisityourmother’sgrave？’heasked。

’Yes，sir，sometimes。Iamgoingtheretonighttowaterthedaisies。’

Shehadnowfinishedhere，andtheyparted。Thatevening，whentheskywasred，heemergedbythegarden-doorandpassedherhouse。Theblindswerenotdown，andhecouldseehersewingwithin。Whilehepausedshesprangupasifshehadforgottenthehour，andtossedonherhat。Jocelynstrodeaheadandroundthecorner，andwashalfwayupthestragglingstreetbeforehediscernedherlittlefigurebehindhim。

Hehastenedpasttheladsandyoungwomenwithclinkingbucketswhoweredrawingwaterfromthefountainsbythewayside，andtookthedirectionofthechurch。Withthedisappearanceofthesunthelighthousehadagainsetupitsflameagainstthesky，thedarkchurchrisingintheforeground。Hereheallowedhertoovertakehim。

’Youlovedyourmothermuch？’saidJocelyn。

’Idid，sir；ofcourseIdid，’saidthegirl，whotrippedsolightlythatitseemedhemighthavecarriedheronhishand。

Pierstonwishedtosay，’SodidI，’butdidnotliketodiscloseeventswhichshe，apparently，neverguessed。Avicefellintothought，andcontinued——

’MotherhadaverysadlifeforsometimewhenshewasaboutasoldasI。Ishouldnotlikeminetobeashers。Heryoungmanprovedfalsetoherbecauseshewouldn’tagreetomeethimonenight，anditgrievedmotheralmostallherlife。Iwouldn’tha’frettedabouthim，ifI’dbeenshe。Shewouldnevernamehisname，butIknowhewasawicked，cruelman；andIhatetothinkofhim。’

Afterthishecouldnotgointothechurchyardwithher，andwalkedonwardalonetothesouthoftheisle。Hewaswretchedforhours。Yethewouldnothavestoodwherehedidstandintheranksofanimaginativeprofessionifhehadnotbeenatthemercyofeveryhauntingofthefancythatcanbesetman。Itwasinhisweaknessesasacitizenandanational-unitthathisstrengthlayasanartist，andhefeltitchildishtocomplainofsusceptibilitiesnotonlyinnatebutcultivated。

ButhewaspayingdearlyenoughforhisLiliths。Hesawaterriblevengeanceahead。Whathadhedonetobetormentedlikethis？TheBeloved，afterflittingfromNicholaPine-Avontothephantomofadeadwomanwhomheneveradoredinherlifetime，hadtakenupherabodeinthelivingrepresentativeofthedead，withapermanenceofholdwhichtheabsoluteindifferenceofthatlittlebrown-eyedrepresentativeonlyseemedtointensify。

Didhereallywishtoproceedtomarriagewiththischitofagirl？Hedid：thewishhadcomeatlast。Itwastruethatashestudiedherhesawdefectsinadditiontohersocialinsufficiencies。Judgment，hoodwinkedasitwas，toldhimthatshewascolderinnature，commonerincharacter，thanthatwellread，brightlittlewomanAvicetheFirst。

Buttwentyyearsmakeadifferenceinideals，andtheaddeddemandsofmiddle-ageinphysicalformaremorethanbalancedbyitsconcessionsastothespiritualcontent。Helookedathimselfintheglass，andfeltgladatthoseinnerdeficienciesinAvicewhichformerlywouldhaveimpelledhimtorejecther。

Therewasastrangedifferenceinhisregardofhispresentfollyandofhisloveinhisyouthfultime。Nowhecouldbemadwithmethod，knowingittobemadness：thenhewascompelledtomakebelievehismadnesswisdom。Inthosedaysanyflashofreasonuponhislovedone’simperfectionswasblurredoverhastilyandwithfear。Suchpenetrativevisionnowdidnotcoolhim。Heknewhewasthecreatureofatendency；andpassivelyacquiesced。

Touseapracticaleye，itappearedthat，ashehadoncethought，thisCarofamily——thoughitmightnotforcenturies，orever，furbishupanindividualnaturewhichwouldexactly，ideally，supplementhisownimperfectoneandroundwithittheperfectwhole——wasyettheonlyfamilyhehadevermet，orwaslikelytomeet，whichpossessedthematerialsforhermaking。ItwasasiftheCaroshadfoundtheclaybutnotthepotter，whileotherfamilieswhosedaughtersmightattracthimhadfoundthepotterbutnottheclay。

2。VIII。HISOWNSOULCONFRONTSHIM

FromhisroomycastleanditsgroundsandthecliffshardbyhecouldcommandeverymoveandaspectofherwhowastherejuvenatedSpiritofthePasttohim——intheeffulgenceofwhomallsordiddetailsweredisregarded。

Amongotherthingsheobservedthatshewasoftenanxiouswhenitrained。If，afterawetday，agoldenstreakappearedintheskyoverDeadman’sBay，underalidofcloud，hermannerwasjoyousandhertreadlight。

Thispuzzledhim；andhefoundthatifheendeavouredtoencounterheratthesetimessheshunnedhim——stealthilyandsubtly，butunmistakably。Oneevening，whenshehadlefthercottageandtrippedoffinthedirectionoftheunder-hilltownlet，hesetoutbythesameroute，resolvedtoawaitherreturnalongthehighroadwaywhichstretchedbetweenthatplaceandEastQuarriers。

Hereachedthetopoftheoldroadwhereitmakesasuddendescenttothetownlet，butshedidnotappear。Turningback，hesaunteredalongtillhehadnearlyreachedhisownhouseagain。Thenheretracedhissteps，andinthedimnighthewalkedbackwardsandforwardsonthebareandloftyconvexoftheisle；thestarsaboveandaroundhim，thelighthouseondutyatthedistantpoint，thelightshipwinkingfromthesandbank，thecombingofthepebblebeachbythetidebeneath，thechurchawaysouth-westward，wheretheislandfatherslay。

Hewalkedthewildsummittillhislegsached，andhisheartached——

tillheseemedtohearontheupperwindthestonesoftheslingerswhizzingpast，andthevoicesoftheinvaderswhoannihilatedthem，andmarriedtheirwivesanddaughters，andproducedAviceastheultimateflowerofthecombinedstocks。Stillshedidnotcome。Itwasmorethanfoolishtowait，yethecouldnothelpwaiting。Atlengthhediscernedadotofafigure，whichheknewtobehersratherbyitsmotionthanbyitsshape。

Howincomparablytheimmaterialdreamdwarfedthegrandestofsubstantialthings，whenhere，betweenthosethreesublimities——thesky，therock，andtheocean——theminutepersonalityofthiswasher-

girlfilledhisconsciousnesstoitsextremestboundary，andthestupendousinanimatesceneshranktoacornertherein。

Butallatoncetheapproachingfigurehaddisappeared。Helookedabout；shehadcertainlyvanished。Atonesideoftheroadwasalowwall，butshecouldnothavegonebehindthatwithoutconsiderabletroubleandsingularconduct。Helookedbehindhim；shehadreappearedfurtherontheroad。

JocelynPierstonhurriedafter；and，discerninghismovement，Avicestoodstill。Whenhecameup，shewasslilyshakingwithrestrainedlaughter。

’Well，whatdoesthismean，mydeargirl？’heasked。

Herinnermirthescapinginspiteofhersheturnedaskanceandsaid：

’WhenyouwasfollowingmetoStreeto’Wells，twohoursago，Ilookedroundandsawyou，andhuddiedbehindastone！Youpassedandbrushedmyfrockwithoutseeingme。Andwhen，onmywaybackalong，Isawyouwaitinghereaboutagain，Islippedoverthewall，andranpastyou！IfIhadnotstoppedandlookedroundat’ee，youwouldneverhavecatchedme！’

’Whatdidyoudothatfor，youelf！’

’Thatyoushouldn’tfindme。’

’That’snotexactlyareason。Giveanother，dearAvice，’hesaid，asheturnedandwalkedbesideherhomeward。

Shehesitated。’Come！’heurgedagain。

’’TwasbecauseIthoughtyouwantedtobemyyoungman，’sheanswered。

’Whatawildthoughtofyours！SupposingIdid，wouldn’tyouhaveme？’

’Notnow……Andnotforlong，evenifithadbeensoonerthannow。’

’Why？’

’IfItellyou，youwon’tlaughatmeorletanybodyelseknow？’

’Never。’

’ThenIwilltellyou，’shesaidquiteseriously。’’TisbecauseIgettiredo’myloversassoonasIgettoknowthemwell。WhatIseeinoneyoungmanforawhilesoonleaveshimandgoesintoanotheryonder，andIfollow，andthenwhatIadmirefadesoutofhimandspringsupsomewhereelse；andsoIfollowon，andneverfixtoone。IhavelovedFIFTEENa’ready！Yes，fifteen，Iamalmostashamedtosay，’sherepeated，laughing。’Ican’thelpit，sir，Iassureyou。Ofcourseitisreally，toME，thesameoneallthrough，on’yIcan’tcatchhim！’

Sheaddedanxiously，’Youwon’ttellanybodyo’thisinme，willyou，sir？BecauseifitwereknownIamafraidnomanwouldlikeme。’

Pierstonwassurprisedintostillness。Herewasthisobscureandalmostilliterategirlengagedinthepursuitoftheimpossibleideal，justashehadbeenhimselfdoingforthelasttwentyyears。Shewasdoingitquiteinvoluntarily，bysheernecessityofherorganization，puzzledallthewhileatherowninstinct。Hesuddenlythoughtofitsbearinguponhimself，andsaid，withasinkingheart——

’AmI——oneofthem？’

Sheponderedcritically。

’Youwas；foraweek；whenIfirstsawyou。’

’Onlyaweek？’

’Aboutthat。’

’Whatmadethebeingofyourfancyforsakemyformandgoelsewhere？’

’Well——thoughyouseemedhandsomeandgentlemanlyatfirst——’

’Yes？’

’Ifoundyoutoooldsoonafter。’

’Youareacandidyoungperson。’

’Butyouaskedme，sir！’sheexpostulated。

’Idid；and，havingbeenanswered，Iwon’tintrudeuponyoulonger。Socutalonghomeasfastasyoucan。Itisgettinglate。’

Whenshehadpassedoutofearshothealsofollowedhomewards。ThisseekingoftheWell-Belovedwas，then，ofthenatureofaknifewhichcouldcuttwoways。Tobetheseekerwasonething：tobeoneofthecorpsesfromwhichtheidealinhabitanthaddepartedwasanother；andthiswaswhathehadbecomenow，inthemockeryofnewDays。

ThestartlingparallelintheidiosyncraciesofAviceandhimself——

evincedbytheelusivenessoftheBelovedwithheraswithhim——meantprobablythattherehadbeensomeremoteancestorcommontobothfamilies，fromwhomthetraithadlatentlydescendedandrecrudesced。

Buttheresultwasnonethelessdisconcerting。

Drawingnearhisowngatehesmelttobacco，andcoulddiscerntwofiguresinthesidelaneleadingpastAvice’sdoor。Theydidnot，however，enterherhouse，butstrolledonwardtothenarrowpassconductingtoRed-KingCastleandthesea。HewasinmomentaryheavinessatthethoughtthattheymightbeAvicewithaworthlesslover，butafaintlyargumentativetonefromthemaninformedhimthattheywerethesamemarriedcouplegoinghomewardwhomhehadencounteredonapreviousoccasion。

Thenextdayhegavetheservantsahalf-holidaytogettheprettyAviceintothecastleagainforafewhours，thebettertoobserveher。

Whileshewaspullingdowntheblindsatsunsetawhistleofpeculiarqualitycamefromsomepointonthecliffsoutsidethelawn。Heobservedthathercolourroseslightly，thoughshebustledaboutasifshehadnoticednothing。

Pierstonsuddenlysuspectedthatshehadnotonlyfifteenpastadmirersbutacurrentone。Still，hemightbemistaken。Stimulatednowbyancientmemoriesandpresenttendernesstouseeveryefforttomakeherhiswife，despiteherconventionalunfitness，hestrunghimselfuptosiftthismystery。Ifhecouldonlywinher——andhowcouldacountrygirlrefusesuchanopportunity？——hecouldpackherofftoschoolfortwoorthreeyears，marryher，enlargehermindbyalittletravel，andtakehischanceoftherest。Astoherwantofardourforhim——sosadlyincontrastwithhersaintedmother’saffection——amantwentyyearsolderthanhisbridecouldexpectnobetter，andhewouldbewellcontenttoputupwithitinthepleasureofpossessingoneinwhomseemedtolingerasanaromaallthecharmofhisyouthandhisearlyhome。

2。IX。JUXTAPOSITIONS

Itwasasadandleadenafternoon，andPierstonpacedupthelong，steeppassorstreetoftheWells。Oneithersideoftheroadyounggirlsstoodwithpitchersatthefountainswhichbubbledthere，andbehindthehousesformingthepropylaeaoftherockrosethemassiveforeheadoftheIsle——crestedatthispartwithitsenormousrampartsaswithamuralcrown。

Asyouapproachtheupperendofthestreetallprogressseemsabouttobecheckedbythealmostverticalfaceoftheescarpment。Intoityourtrackapparentlyrunspoint-blank：aconfrontingmasswhich，ifitweretoslipdown，wouldoverwhelmthewholetown。Butinamomentyoufindthattheroad，theoldRomanhighwayintothepeninsula，turnsatasharpanglewhenitreachesthebaseofthescarp，andascendsinthestiffestofinclinestotheright。Totheleftthereisalsoanotherascendingroad，modern，almostassteepasthefirst，andperfectlystraight。Thisistheroadtotheforts。

Pierstonarrivedattheforkingoftheways，andpausedforbreath。

Beforeturningtotheright，hisproperandpicturesquecourse，helookeduptheuninterestingleftroadtothefortifications。Itwasnew，long，white，regular，taperingtoavanishingpoint，likealessoninperspective。Aboutaquarterofthewayupagirlwasrestingbesideabasketofwhitelinen：andbytheshapeofherhatandthenatureofherburdenherecognizedher。

Shedidnotseehim，andabandoningtheright-handcourseheslowlyascendedtheinclineshehadtaken。Heobservedthatherattentionwasabsorbedbysomethingaloft。Hefollowedthedirectionofhergaze。

Abovethemtoweredthegreen-greymountainofgrassystone，herelevelledatthetopbymilitaryart。Theskylinewasbrokeneverynowandthenbyalittlepeg-likeobject——asentry-box；andnearoneoftheseasmallredspotkeptcreepingbackwardsandforwardsmonotonouslyagainsttheheavysky。

Thenhedivinedthatshehadasoldier-lover。

Sheturnedherhead，sawhim，andtookupherclothes-baskettocontinuetheascent。Thesteepnesswassuchthattoclimbitunencumberedwasabreathlessbusiness；thelinenmadehertaskacrueltytoher。’You’llnevergettothefortswiththatweight，’hesaid。’Giveittome。’

Butshewouldnot，andhestoodstill，watchingherasshepanteduptheway；forthemomentanirradiatedbeing，theepitomeofawholesex：bythebeamsofhisowninfatuation’……robedinsuchexceedinggloryThathebeheldhernot；’

beheldhernotasshereallywas，asshewaseventohimselfsometimes。

Buttothesoldierwhatwasshe？Smallerandsmallershewaneduptherigidmathematicalroad，stillgazingatthesoldieraloft，asPierstongazedather。Hecouldjustdiscernsentinelsspringingupatthedifferentcoignsofvantagethatshepassed，butseeingwhoshewastheydidnotintercepther；andpresentlyshecrossedthedrawbridgeovertheenormouschasmsurroundingtheforts，passedthesentriestherealso，anddisappearedthroughthearchintotheinterior。

Pierstoncouldnotseethesentrynow，andthereoccurredtohimthehatefulideathatthisscarletrivalwasmeetingandtalkingfreelytoher，theunprotectedorphangirlofhissweetoriginalAvice；perhaps，relievedofduty，escortingheracrosstheinterior，carryingherbasket，hertenderbodyencircledbyhisarm。

’Whatthedevilareyoustaringat，asifyouwereinatrance？’

Pierstonturnedhishead：andtherestoodhisoldfriendSomers——stilllookingthelong-leasedbachelorthathewas。

’Imightsaywhatthedevildoyoudohere？ifIweren’tsogladtoseeyou。’

Somerssaidthathehadcometoseewhatwasdetaininghisfriendinsuchanout-of-the-wayplaceatthattimeofyear，andincidentallytogetsomefreshairintohisownlungs。Pierstonmadehimwelcome，andtheywenttowardsSylvaniaCastle。

’Youwerestaring，asfarasIcouldsee，ataprettylittlewasherwomanwithabasketofclothes？’resumedthepainter。

’Yes；itwasthattoyou，butnottome。Behindthemereprettyisland-girl（totheworld）is，inmyeye，theIdea，inPlatonicphraseology——theessenceandepitomeofallthatisdesirableinthisexistence……Iamunderadoom，Somers。Yes，Iamunderadoom。

TohavebeenalwaysfollowingaphantomwhomIsawinwomanafterwomanwhileshewasatadistance，butvanishingawayoncloseapproach，wasbadenough；butnowtheterriblethingisthatthephantomdoesNOT

vanish，butstaystotantalizemeevenwhenIamnearenoughtoseewhatitis！Thatgirlholdsme，THOUGHmyeyesareopen，andTHOUGHI

seethatIamafool！’

Somersregardedthevisionarylookofhisfriend，whichratherintensifiedthandecreasedashisyearsworeon，butmadenofurtherremark。WhentheyreachedthecastleSomersgazedrounduponthescenery，andPierston，signifyingthequaintlittleElizabethancottage，said：’That’swhereshelives。’

’Whataromanticplace！——andthisislandaltogether。Amanmightloveascarecroworturnip-lanternhere。’

’Butawomanmightn’t。Scenerydoesn’timpressthem，thoughtheypretenditdoes。Thisgirlisasfickleas——’

’Youoncewere。’

’Exactly——fromyourpointofview。Shehastoldmeso——candidly。Andithitsmehard。’

Somersstoodstillinsuddenthought。’Well——thatISastrangeturningofthetables！’hesaid。’Butyouwouldn’treallymarryher，Pierston？’

’Iwould——to-morrow。Whyshouldn’tI？Whatarefameandnameandsocietytome——adescendantofwreckersandsmugglers，likeher。

Besides，Iknowwhatshe’smadeof，myboy，toherinnermostfibre；I

knowtheperfectandpurequarryshewasdugfrom：andthatgivesamanconfidence。’

’Thenyou’llwin。’

***

Whiletheyweresittingafterdinnerthateveningtheirquietdiscoursewasinterruptedbythelonglowwhistlefromthecliffswithout。

Somerstooknonotice，butPierstonmarkedit。ThatwhistlealwaysoccurredatthesametimeintheeveningwhenAvicewashelpinginthehouse。Heexcusedhimselfforamomenttohisvisitorandwentoutuponthedarklawn。Acrunchingoffeetuponthegravelmixedinwiththearticulationofthesea——stepslightasiftheywerewinged。Andhesupposed，twominuteslater，thatthemouthofsomehulkingfellowwasuponhers，whichhehimselfhardlyventuredtolookat，sotouchingwasitsyoungbeauty。

Hearingpeopleabout——amongothersthebefore-mentionedmarriedcouplequarrelling，thewoman’stoneshavingakinshiptoAvice’sown——hereturnedtothehouse。NextdaySomersroamedabroadtolookforsceneryforamarinepainting，and，goingouttoseekhim，PierstonmetAvice。

’Soyouhavealover，mylady！’hesaidseverely。Sheadmittedthatitwasthefact。’Youwon’tsticktohim，’hecontinued。

’IthinkImaytoTHISone，’saidshe，inameaningtonethathefailedtofathomthen。’Hedesertedmeonce，buthewon’tagain。’

’Isupposehe’sawonderfulsortoffellow？’

’He’sgoodenoughforme。’

’Sohandsome，nodoubt。’

’Handsomeenoughforme。’

’Sorefinedandrespectable。’

’Refinedandrespectableenoughforme。’

Hecouldnotdisturbherequanimity，andletherpass。ThenextdaywasSunday，andSomershavingchosenhisviewattheotherendoftheisland，PierstondeterminedintheafternoontoseeAvice’slover。Hefoundthatshehadlefthercottagestronghold，andwentontowardsthelighthousesattheBeal。Turningbackwhenhehadreachedthenearest，hesawonthelonelyroadbetweenthequarriesayoungmanevidentlyconnectedwiththestonetrade，withAvicetheSeconduponhisarm。

Shelookedprettilyguiltyandblushedalittleunderhisglance。Theman’swasoneofthetypicalislandphysiognomies——hisfeaturesenergeticandwaryintheirexpression，andhalfcoveredwithaclose，crispblackbeard。Pierstonfanciedthatoutofhiskeendarkeyesthereglimmeredadrysenseofhumouratthesituation。

Ifso，AvicemusthavetoldhimofPierston’ssymptomsoftenderness。

Thisgirl，whom，forherdearmother’ssakemorethanforherownunquestionableattractiveness，hewouldhaveguardedastheappleofhiseye，howcouldsheestimatehimsoflippantly！

Themortificationofhavingbroughthimselftothispositionwiththeantitype，byhisearlyslightofthetype，blindedhimforthemomenttowhatstruckhimashorttimeafter。Themanuponwhosearmshehungwasnotasoldier。What，then，becameofherentrancedgazeatthesentinel？Shecouldhardlyhavetransferredheraffectionssopromptly；or，togiveherthebenefitofhisowntheory，herBelovedcouldscarcelyhaveflittedfromframetoframeinsoverybriefaninterval。Andwhichofthemhadbeenhewhowhistledsoftlyinthedusktoher？

WithoutfurtherattempttofindAlfredSomersPierstonwalkedhomeward，moodilythinkingthatthedesiretomakereparationtotheoriginalwomanbyweddingandenrichingthecopy——whichlentsuchanunprecedentedpermanencetohisnewlove——wasthwarted，asifbysetintentionofhisdestiny。

Atthedoorofthegroundsaboutthecastletherestoodacarriage。Heobservedthatitwasnotoneofthehomelyflysfromtheunder-hilltown，butapparentlyfromthepopularresortacrossthebay。Wonderingwhythevisitorhadnotdriveninheentered，tofindinthedrawing-

roomNicholaPine-Avon。

Athisfirstglanceuponher，fashionablydressedandgracefulinmovement，sheseemedbeautiful；atthesecond，whenheobservedthatherfacewaspaleandagitated，sheseemedpatheticlikewise。

Altogether，shewasnowaverydifferentfigurefromherwho，sittinginherchairwithsuchfinishedcomposure，hadsnubbedhiminherdrawing-roominHamptonshireSquare。

’Youaresurprisedatthis？Ofcourseyouare！’shesaid，inalow，pleadingvoice，languidlyliftingherheavyeyelids，whilehewasholdingherhand。’ButIcouldn’thelpit！IknowIhavedonesomethingtooffendyou——haveInot？O！whatcanitbe，thatyouhavecomeawaytothisoutlandishrock，tolivewithbarbariansinthemidstoftheLondonseason？’

’Youhavenotoffendedme，dearMrs。Pine-Avon，’hesaid。’HowsorryI

amthatyoushouldhavesupposedit！YetIamglad，too，thatyourfancyshouldhavedonemethegoodturnofbringingyouheretoseeme。’

’IamstayingatBudmouth-Regis，’sheexplained。

’ThenIdidseeyouatachurch-serviceherealittlewhileback？’

Sheblushedfaintlyuponherpallor，andshesighed。Theireyesmet。

’Well，’shesaidatlast，’Idon’tknowwhyIshouldn’tshowthevirtueofcandour。Youknowwhatitmeans。Iwasthestrongeronce；nowIamtheweaker。WhateverpainImayhavegivenyouintheupsanddownsofouracquaintanceIamsorryfor，andwouldwillinglyrepairallerrorsofthepastby——beingamenabletoreasoninthefuture。’

ItwasimpossiblethatJocelynshouldnotfeelatenderimpulsiontowardsthisattractiveandonceindependentwoman，whofromeveryworldlypointofviewwasanexcellentmatchforhim——asuperiormatch，indeed，exceptinmoney。Hetookherhandagainandhelditawhile，andafaintwaveofgladnessseemedtoflowthroughher。Butno——hecouldgonofurther。Thatislandgirl，inhercoquettishSundayfrockandlittlehatwithitsbunchofcock’sfeathersheldhimasbystrandsofManilarope。HedroppedNichola’shand。

’IamleavingBudmouthto-morrow，’shesaid。’ThatwaswhyIfeltI

mustcall。YoudidnotknowIhadbeenthereallthroughtheWhitsunholidays？’

’Ididnot，indeed；orIshouldhavecometoseeyou。’。

’Ididn’tliketowrite。IwishIhad，now！’

’Iwishyouhad，too，dearMrs。Pine-Avon。’

Butitwas’Nichola’thatshewantedtobe。Astheyreachedthelandauhetoldherthatheshouldbebackintownhimselfagainsoon，andwouldcallimmediately。AtthemomentofhiswordsAviceCaro，nowalone，passedclosealongbythecarriageontheotherside，towardsherhousehardathand。Shedidnotturnheadoreyetothepair：

theyseemedtobeinherviewobjectsofindifference。