第5章

Pierstonbecamecoldasastone。ThechilltowardsNicholathatthepresenceofthegirl，——sprite，witch，trollthatshewas——broughtwithitcamelikeadoom。Heknewwhatafoolhewas，ashehadsaid。Buthewaspowerlessinthegraspoftheidealizingpassion。HecaredmoreforAvice’sfinger-tipsthanforMrs。Pine-Avon’swholepersonality。

PerhapsNicholasawit，forshesaidmournfully：’NowIhavedoneallIcould！Ifeltthattheonlycounterpoisetomycrueltytoyouinmydrawing-roomwouldbetocomeasasupplianttoyours。’

’Itismosthandsomeandnobleofyou，myverydearfriend！’saidhe，withanemotionofcourtesyratherthanofenthusiasm。

Thenadieuxwerespoken，andshedroveaway。ButPierstonsawonlytheretreatingAvice，andknewthathewashelplessinherhands。ThechurchoftheislandhadrisennearthefoundationsofthePagantemple，andaChristianemanationfromtheformermightbewrathfullytorturinghimthroughtheveryfalsegodstowhomhehaddevotedhimselfbothinhiscraft，likeDemetriusofEphesus，andinhisheart。

PerhapsDivinepunishmentforhisidolatrieshadcome。

2。X。SHEFAILSTOVANISHSTILL

PierstonhadnotturnedfarbacktowardsthecastlewhenhewasovertakenbySomersandthemanwhocarriedhispaintinglumber。Theypacedtogethertothedoor；themandepositedthearticlesandwentaway，andthetwowalkedupanddownbeforeentering。

’Imetanextremelyinterestingwomanintheroadoutthere，’saidthepainter。

’Ah，sheis！Asprite，asylph；Psycheindeed！’

’Iwasstruckwithher。’

’Itshowshowbeautywilloutthroughthehomeliestguise。’

’Yes，itwill；thoughnotalways。Andthiscasedoesn’tproveit，forthelady’sattirewasinthelatestandmostapprovedtaste。’

’Oh，youmeantheladywhowasdriving？’

’Ofcourse。What，wereyouthinkingoftheprettylittlecottage-girloutsidehere？Ididmeether，butwhat’sshe？Verywellforone’spicture，thoughhardlyforone’sfireside。Thislady——’

’IsMrs。Pine-Avon。Akind，proudwoman，who’lldowhatpeoplewithnopridewouldnotcondescendtothinkof。SheisleavingBudmouthto-

morrow，andshedroveacrosstoseeme。Youknowhowthingsseemedtobegoingwithusatonetime？ButIamnogoodtoanywoman。She’sbeenverygeneroustowardsme，whichI’venotbeentoher……

She’llultimatelythrowherselfawayuponsomewretchunworthyofher，nodoubt。’

’Doyouthinkso？’murmuredSomers。Afterawhilehesaidabruptly，’I’llmarryhermyself，ifshe’llhaveme。Ilikethelookofher。’

’Iwishyouwould，Alfred，orrathercould！Shehaslonghadanideaofslippingoutoftheworldoffashionintotheworldofart。Sheisawomanofindividualityandearnestinstincts。Iaminrealtroubleabouther。Iwon’tsayshecanbewon——itwouldbeungenerousofmetosaythat。Buttry。Icanbringyoutogethereasily。’

’I’llmarryher，ifshe’swilling！’Withthephlegmaticdogmatismthatwaspartofhim，Somersadded：’Whenyouhavedecidedtomarry，takethefirstnicewomanyoumeet。Theyareallalike。’

’Well——youdon’tknowheryet，’repliedJocelyn，whocouldgivepraisewherehecouldnotgivelove。

’Butyoudo，andI’lltakeheronthestrengthofyourjudgment。Isshereallyhandsome？——Ihadbutthemerestglance。ButIknowsheis，orshewouldn’thavecaughtyourdiscriminatingeye。’

’Youmaytakemywordforit；shelooksaswellathandasafar。’

’Whatcolourarehereyes？’

’Hereyes？Idon’tgomuchinforcolour，beingprofessionallysworntoform。But，letmesee——grey；andherhairratherlightthandarkbrown。’

’Iwantedsomethingdarker，’saidSomersairily。’TherearesomanyfairmodelsamongnativeEnglishwomen。Still，blondesareusefulproperty！……Well，well；thisisflippancy。ButIlikedthelookofher。’

***

Somershadgonebacktotown。Itwasawetdayonthelittlepeninsula：butPierstonwalkedoutasfarasthegarden-houseofhishiredcastle，wherehesatdownandsmoked。Thiserectionbeingontheboundary-wallofhispropertyhisearcouldnowandthencatchthetonesofAvice’svoicefromheropen-dooredcottageinthelanewhichskirtedhisfence；andhenoticedthattherewerenomodulationsinit。

Heknewwhythatwas。Shewishedtogoout，andcouldnot。Hehadobservedbeforethatwhenshewasplanninganoutingaparticularnotewouldcomeintohervoiceduringtheprecedinghours：adove’sroundnessofsound；nodoubttheeffectuponhervoiceofherthoughtsofherlover，orlovers。Yetthelatteritcouldnotbe。Shewaspureandsinglehearted：halfaneyecouldseethat。Whence，then，thetwomen？Possiblythequarrierwasarelation。

Thereseemedreasoninthiswhen，goingoutintothelane，heencounteredoneoftheredjacketshehadbeenthinkingof。Soldierswereseldomseeninthisouterpartoftheisle：theirbeatfromtheforts，whenonpleasure，wasintheoppositedirection，andthismanmusthavehadaspecialreasonforcominghither。Pierstonsurveyedhim。Hewasaround-faced，good-humouredfellowtolookat，havingtwolittlepiecesofmoustacheonhisupperlip，likeapairofminnowsrampant，andsmallblackeyes，overwhichtheGlengarrycapstraddledflat。Itwasahatefulideathathertendercheekshouldbekissedbythelipsofthisheavyyoungman，whohadneverbeensublimedbyasinglebattle，evenwithdefencelesssavages。

Thesoldierwentbeforeherhouse，lookedatthedoor，andmovedondownthecrookedwaytothecliffs，wheretherewasapathbacktotheforts。Buthedidnotadoptit，returningbythewayhehadcome。

Thisshowedhiswishtopassthehouseagain。Shegavenosign，however，andthesoldierdisappeared。

PierstoncouldnotbesatisfiedthatAvicewasinthehouse，andhecrossedovertothefrontofherlittlefreeholdandtappedatthedoor，whichstoodajar。

Nobodycame：hearingaslightmovementwithinhecrossedthethreshold。Avicewastherealone，sittingonalowstoolinadarkcorner，asthoughshewishedtobeunobservedbyanycasualpasser-by。

Shelookedupathimwithoutemotionorapparentsurprise；buthecouldthenseethatshewascrying。Theview，forthefirsttime，ofdistressinanunprotectedyounggirltowardswhomhefeltdrawnbytiesofextraordinarydelicacyandtenderness，movedPierstonbeyondmeasure。Heenteredwithoutceremony。

’Avice，mydeargirl！’hesaid。’Somethingisthematter！’

Shelookedassent，andhewenton：’Nowtellmeallaboutit。PerhapsIcanhelpyou。Come，tellme。’

’Ican’t！’shemurmured。’GrammerStockwoolisupstairs，andshe’llhear！’Mrs。Stockwoolwastheoldwomanwhohadcometolivewiththegirlforcompanysincehermother’sdeath。

’Thencomeintomygardenopposite。Thereweshallbequiteprivate。’

Sherose，putonherhat，andaccompaniedhimtothedoor。Heresheaskedhimifthelanewereempty，andonhisassuringherthatitwasshecrossedoverandenteredwithhimthroughthegarden-wall。

Theplacewasashadyandsecludedone，thoughthroughtheboughstheseacouldbeseenquitenearathand，itsmoaningsbeingdistinctlyaudible。Awater-dropfromatreefellhereandthere，buttherainwasnotenoughtohurtthem。

’Nowletmehearit，’hesaidsoothingly。’Youmaytellmewiththegreatestfreedom。Iwasafriendofyourmother’s，youknow。Thatis，Iknewher；andI’llbeafriendofyours。’

Thestatementwasrisky，ifhewishedhernottosuspecthimofbeinghermother’sfalseone。Butthatlover’snameappearedtobeunknowntothepresentAvice。

’Ican’ttellyou，sir，’sherepliedunwillingly；’exceptthatithastodowithmyownchangeableness。Therestisthesecretofsomebodyelse。’

’Iamsorryforthat，’saidhe。

’IamgettingtocareforoneIoughtnottothinkof，anditmeansruin。Ioughttogetaway！’。

’Youmeanfromtheisland？’

’Yes。’

Pierstonreflected。HispresenceinLondonhadbeendesiredforsometime；yethehaddelayedgoingbecauseofhisnewsolicitudeshere。

Buttogoandtakeherwithhimwouldaffordhimopportunityofwatchingoverher，tendinghermind，anddevelopingit；whileitmightremoveherfromsomeloomingdanger。Itwasasomewhatawkwardguardianshipforhim，asalonelyman，tocarryout；still，itcouldbedone。Heaskedherabruptlyifshewouldreallyliketogoawayforawhile。

’Ilikebesttostayhere，’sheanswered。’Still，Ishouldnotmindgoingsomewhere，becauseIthinkIoughtto。’

’WouldyoulikeLondon？’

Avice’sfacelostitsweepingshape。’Howcouldthatbe？’shesaid。

’Ihavebeenthinkingthatyoucouldcometomyhouseandmakeyourselfusefulinsomeway。Irentjustnowoneofthosenewplacescalledflats，whichyoumayhaveheardof；andIhaveastudioattheback。’

’Ihaven’theardof’em，’shesaidwithoutinterest。

’Well，Ihavetwoservantsthere，andasmymanhasaholidayyoucanhelpthemforamonthortwo。’

’Wouldpolishingfurniturebeanygood？Icandothat。’

’Ihaven’tmuchfurniturethatrequirespolishing。Butyoucanclearawayplasterandclaymessesinthestudio，andchippingsofstone，andhelpmeinmodelling，anddustallmyVenusfailures，andhandsandheadsandfeetandbones，andotherobjects。’

Shewasstartled，yetattractedbythenoveltyoftheproposal。

’Onlyforatime？’shesaid。

’Onlyforatime。Asshortasyoulike，andaslong。’

Thedeliberatemannerinwhich，afterthefirstsurprise，Avicediscussedthearrangementsthathesuggested，mighthavetoldhimhowfarwasanyfeelingforhimselfbeyondfriendship，andpossiblygratitude，fromagitatingherbreast。Yettherewasnothingextravagantinthediscrepancybetweentheirages，andhehoped，aftershapinghertohimself，towinher。Whathadgrievedhertotearsshewouldnotmoreparticularlytell。

Shehadnaturallynotmuchneedofpreparation，butshemadeevenlesspreparationthanhewouldhaveexpectedhertorequire。Sheseemedeagertobeoffimmediately，andnotasoulwastoknowofherdeparture。Why，ifshewereinloveandatfirstaversetoleavetheisland，sheshouldbesoprecipitatenowhefailedtounderstand。

Buthetookgreatcaretocompromiseinnowayagirlinwhomhisinterestwasasprotectiveasitwaspassionate。Heaccordinglylefthertogetoutoftheislandalone，awaitingheratastationafewmilesuptherailway，where，discoveringhimselftoherthroughthecarriage-window，heenteredthenextcompartment，hisframepervadedbyaglowwhichwasalmostjoyathavingforthefirsttimeinhischargeonewhoinheritedthefleshandborethenamesoearlyassociatedwithhisown，andattheprospectofputtingthingsrightwhichhadbeenwrongthroughmanyyears。

2。XI。THEIMAGEPERSISTS

Itwasdarkwhenthefour-wheeledcabwhereinhehadbroughtAvicefromthestationstoodattheentrancetothepileofflatsofwhichPierstonoccupiedonefloor——rarerthenasresidencesinLondonthantheyarenow。LeavingAvicetoalightandgettheluggagetakeninbytheporterPierstonwentupstairs。Tohissurprisehisfloorwassilent，andonenteringwithalatchkeytheroomswereallindarkness。

Hedescendedtothehall，whereAvicewasstandinghelplessbesidetheluggage，whiletheporterwasoutsidewiththecabman。

’Doyouknowwhathasbecomeofmyservants？’askedJocelyn。

’What——andain’ttheythere，saur？Ah，thenmybeliefisthatwhatI

suspectedisthrue！Youdidn’tleaveyourwine-cellarunlocked，didyou，saur，bynomistake？’

Pierstonconsidered。Hethoughthemighthaveleftthekeywithhiselderservant，whomhehadbelievedhecouldtrust，especiallyasthecellarwasnotwellstocked。

’Ah，thenitwasso！She’sbeenveryqueer，saur，thislastweekortwo。Oyes，sendingmessagesdownthespakin’-tubewhichwerelikemadnessitself，andorderingusthisandthat，tillwewouldtakenonoticeatall。Iseethembothgooutlastnight，andpossiblytheywentforaholidaynotexpectingye，ormaybeforgood！Shure，ifye’dwritten，saur，I’dha’gottheplaceready，yebeingoutofaman，too，thoughit’snotmedutyatall！’

WhenPierstongottohisflooragainhefoundthatthecellardoorwasopen；somebottleswerestandingemptythathadbeenfull，andmanyabstractedaltogether。Allotherarticlesinthehouse，however，appearedtobeintact。Hislettertohishousekeeperlayintheboxasthepostmanhadleftit。

Bythistimetheluggagehadbeensentupinthelift；andAvice，likesomuchmoreluggage，stoodatthedoor，thehall-porterbehindofferinghisassistance。

’Comehere，Avice，’saidthesculptor。’Whatshallwedonow？Here’saprettystateofaffairs！’

Avicecouldsuggestnothing，tillshewasstruckwiththebrightthoughtthatsheshouldlightafire。

’Lightafire？——ah，yes……Iwonderifwecouldmanage。Thisisanoddcoincidence——andawkward！’hemurmured。’Verywell，lightafire。’

’Isthisthekitchen，sir，allmixedupwiththeparlours？’

’Yes。’

’ThenIthinkIcandoallthat’swantedhereforabit；atanyrate，tillyoucangethelp，sir。Atleast，IcouldifIcouldfindthefuel-house。’TisnosuchbigplaceasIthought！’

’That’sright：takecourage！’saidhewithatendersmile。’Now，I’lldineoutthisevening，andleavetheplaceforyoutoarrangeasbestyoucanwiththehelpoftheporter’swifedownstairs。’

ThisPierstonaccordinglydid，andsotheircommonresidencebegan。

Feelingmoreandmorestronglythatsomedangerawaitedherinhernativeislandhedeterminednottosendherbacktilltheloverorloverswhoseemedtotroublehershouldhavecooledoff。Hewasquitewillingtotaketheriskofhisactionthusfarinhissolicitousregardforher。

***

Itwasadualsolitude，indeed；for，thoughPierstonandAviceweretheonlytwopeopleintheflat，theydidnotkeepeachothercompany，theformerbeingasscrupulouslyfearfulofgoingnearhernowthathehadtheopportunityashehadbeenprompttoseekherwhenhehadnone。

Theylivedinsilence，hismessagestoherbeingfrequentlywrittenonscrapsofpaperdepositedwhereshecouldseethem。Itwasnotwithoutapangthathenotedherunconsciousnessoftheirisolatedposition——apositiontowhich，hadsheexperiencedanyreciprocityofsentiment，shewouldreadilyhavebeenalive。

Consideringthat，thoughnotprofound，shewashardlyamatter-of-factgirlasthatphraseiscommonlyunderstood，shewasexasperatinginthematter-of-factqualityofherresponsestothefriendlyremarkswhichwouldescapehiminspiteofhimself，aswellasinhergeneralconduct。Wheneverheformedsomeculinaryexcuseforwalkingacrossthefewyardsoftessellatedhallwhichseparatedhisroomfromthekitchen，andspokethroughthedoorwaytoher，sheanswered，’Yes，sir，’or’No，sir，’withoutturninghereyesfromtheparticularworkthatshewasengagedin。

Intheusualcoursehewouldhaveobtainedacoupleofproperlyqualifiedservantsimmediately；buthelivedonwiththeone，orratherthelessthanone，thatthiscottage-girlafforded。Ithadbeenhisalmostinvariablecustomtodineatoneofhisclubs。Nowhesatathomeoverthemiserablechoporsteaktowhichhelimitedhimselfindreadlestsheshouldcomplainoftherebeingtoomuchworkforoneperson，anddemandtobesenthome。Acharwomancameeverytwoorthreedays，effectinganextraordinaryconsumptionoffoodandalcoholicliquids：yetitwasnotforthisthatPierstondreadedherpresence，butlest，inconversingwithAvice，sheshouldopenthegirl’seyestotheoddityofhersituation。Avicecouldseeforherselfthattheremusthavebeentwoorthreeservantsintheflatduringhisformerresidencethere：buthisreasonsfordoingwithoutthemseemednevertostrikeher。

Hisintentionhadbeentokeepheroccupiedexclusivelyatthestudio，butaccidenthadmodifiedthis。However，hesentherroundonemorning，andenteringhimselfshortlyafterfoundherengagedinwipingthelayersofdustfromthecastsandmodels。

Thecolourofthedustneverceasedtoamazeher。’ItisliketheholdofaBudmouthcollier，’shesaid，’andthebeautifulfacesoftheseclaypeoplearequitespoiltbyit。’

’Isupposeyou’llmarrysomeday，Avice？’remarkedPierston，asheregardedherthoughtfully。

’Somedoandsomedon’t，’shesaid，withareservedsmile，stillattendingtothecasts。’

’Youareveryoffhand，’saidhe。

Shearchlyweighedthatremarkwithoutfurtherspeech。Itwastantalizingconductinthefaceofhisinstincttocherishher；

especiallywhenheregardedthecharmofherbendingprofile；thewell-

characterizedthoughsoftlylinednose，theroundchinwith，asitwere，asecondleapinitscurvetothethroat，andthesweepoftheeyelashesovertherosycheekduringthesedulouslyloweredglance。

Howfutilelyhehadlabouredtoexpressthecharacterofthatfaceinclay，and，whilecatchingitinsubstance，hadyetlostsomethingthatwasessential！

Thateveningafterdusk，inthestressofwritingletters，hesentheroutforstamps。Shehadbeenabsentsomequarterofanhourwhen，suddenlydrawinghimselfupfromoverhiswriting-table，itflasheduponhimthathehadabsolutelyforgottenhertotalignoranceofLondon。

Theheadpost-office，towhichhehadsentherbecauseitwaslate，wastwoorthreestreetsoff，andhehadmadehisrequestinthemostgeneralmanner，whichshehadaccededtowithalacrityenough。Howcouldhehavedonesuchanunreflectingthing？

Pierstonwenttothewindow。Itwashalf-pastnineo’clock，andowingtoherabsencetheblindswerenotdown。Heopenedthecasementandsteppedoutuponthebalcony。Thegreenshadeofhislampscreeneditsraysfromthegloomwithout。Overtheoppositesquarethemoonhung，andtotherighttherestretchedalongstreet，filledwithadiminishingarrayoflamps，somesingle，someinclusters，amongthemanoccasionalblueorredone。Fromacornercamethenotesofapiano-organstrummingoutastirringmarchofRossini’s。Theshadowyblackfiguresofpedestriansmovedup，down，andacrosstheembrownedroadway。Abovetheroofswasabankoflividmist，andhigheragreenish-bluesky，inwhichstarswerevisible，thoughitslowerpartwasstillpalewithdaylight，againstwhichrosechimney-potsintheformofelbows，prongs，andfists。

Fromthewholesceneproceededagroundrumble，milesinextent，uponwhichindividualrattles，voices，atinwhistle，thebarkofadog，rodelikebubblesonasea。Thewholenoiseimpressedhimwiththesensethatnooneinitsenormousmasseverrequiredrest。

Inthisillimitableoceanofhumanitytherewasaunitofexistence，hisAvice，wanderingalone。

Pierstonlookedathiswatch。Shehadbeengonehalfanhour。Itwasimpossibletodistinguishheratthisdistance，evenifsheapproached。

Hecameinside，andputtingonhishatdeterminedtogooutandseekher。Hereachedtheendofthestreet，andtherewasnothingofhertobeseen。Shehadtheoptionoftwoorthreeroutesfromthispointtothepost-office；yetheplungedatrandomintoone，tillhereachedtheofficetofinditquitedeserted。Almostdistractednowbyhisanxietyforherheretreatedasrapidlyashehadcome，regaininghomeonlytofindthatshehadnotreturned。

Herecollectedtellingherthatifsheshouldeverloseherwayshemustcallacabanddrivehome。Itoccurredtohimthatthiswaswhatshewoulddonow。Heagainwentoutuponthebalcony；thedignifiedstreetinwhichhelivedwasalmostvacant，andthelampsstoodlikeplacedsentinelsawaitingsomeprocessionwhichtarriedlong。Atapointunderhimwheretheroadwastornuptherestoodaredlight，andatthecornertwomenweretalkinginleisurelyrepose，asifsunningthemselvesatnoonday。Loversofafelinedisposition，whowereneverseenbydaylight，jokedanddartedateachotherinandoutofareagates。

Hisattentionwasfixedonthecabs，andheheldhisbreathasthehollowclapofeachhorse’shoofsdrewnearthefrontofthehouse，onlytogoonwardintothesquare。Thetwolampsofeachvehicleafardilatedwithitsnearapproach，andseemedtoswervetowardshim。ItwasAvicesurely？No，itpassedby。

Almostfranticheagaindescendedandlethimselfoutofthehouse，movingtowardsamorecentralpart，wheretheroarstillcontinued。

Beforeemergingintothenoisythoroughfareheobservedasmallfigureapproachingleisurelyalongtheoppositeside，andhastenedacrosstofinditwasshe。

2。XII。AGRILLEDESCENDSBETWEEN

’OAvice！’hecried，withthetenderlysubduedscoldingofamother。

’Whatisthisyouhavedonetoalarmmeso！’

Sheseemedunconsciousofhavingdoneanything，andwasaltogethersurprisedathisanxiety。Inhisreliefhedidnotspeakfurthertillheaskedhersuddenlyifshewouldtakehisarmsinceshemustbetired。

’Ono，sir！’sheassuredhim，’Iamnotabittired，andIdon’trequireanyhelpatall，thankyou。’

Theywentupstairswithoutusingthelift，andheletherandhimselfinwithhislatchkey。Sheenteredthekitchen，andhe，following，satdowninachairthere。

’Wherehaveyoubeen？’hesaid，withalmostangeredconcernonhisface。’Yououghtnottohavebeenabsentmorethantenminutes。’

’Iknewtherewasnothingformetodo，andthoughtIshouldliketoseealittleofLondon，’sherepliednaively。’SowhenIhadgotthestampsIwentonintothefashionablestreets，whereladiesareallwalkingaboutjustasifitweredaytime！’TwasforalltheworldlikecominghomebynightfromMartinmasFairattheStreeto’Wells，onlymoregenteel。’

’OAvice，Avice，youmustnotgooutlikethis！Don’tyouknowthatI

amresponsibleforyoursafety？Iamyour——well，guardian，infact，andamboundbylawandmorals，andIdon’tknowwhat-all，todeliveryouuptoyournativeislandwithoutascratchorblemish。Andyetyouindulgeinsuchamidnightvagaryasthis！’

’ButIamsure，sir，thegentlemeninthestreetweremorerespectablethantheyareanywhereathome！Theyweredressedinthelatestfashion，andwouldhavescornedtodomeanyharm；andastotheirlove-making，Ineverheardanythingsopolitebefore。’

’Well，youmustnotdoitagain。I’lltellyousomedaywhy。What’sthatyouhaveinyourhand？’

’Amouse-trap。Therearelotsofmiceinthiskitchen——sootymice，notcleanlikeours——andIthoughtI’dtrytocatchthem。ThatwaswhatI

wentsofartobuy，astherewerenoshopsopenjustabouthere。I’llsetitnow。’

Sheproceededatoncetodoso，andPierstonremainedinhisseatregardingtheoperation，whichseemedentirelytoengrossher。Itwasextraordinary，indeed，toobservehowshewilfullylimitedherinterests；withwhatcontentshereceivedtheordinarythingsthatlifeoffered，andpersistentlyrefusedtobeholdwhataninfinitelyextendedlifelayopentoherthroughhim。Ifshehadonlysaidthewordhewouldhavegotalicenceandmarriedherthenextmorning。Wasitpossiblethatshedidnotperceivethistendencyinhim？Shecouldhardlybeawomanifshedidnot；andinherairy，elusive，offhanddemeanourshewasverymuchofawomanindeed。

’Itonlyholdsonemouse，’hesaidabsently。

’ButIshallhearitthrowinthenight，andsetitagain。’

Hesighedandlefthertoherownresourcesandretiredtorest，thoughhefeltnotendencytosleep。Atsomesmallhourofthedarkness，owing，possibly，tosomeinterveningdoorbeingleftopen，heheardthemouse-trapclick。Anotherlightsleepermusthaveheardittoo，foralmostimmediatelyafterthepit-patofnakedfeet，accompaniedbythebrushingofdrapery，wasaudiblealongthepassagetowardsthekitchen。

Afterherabsenceinthatapartmentlongenoughtoresetthetrap，hewasstartledbyascreamfromthesamequarter。Pierstonsprangoutofbed，jumpedintohisdressing-gown，andhastenedinthedirectionofthecry。

Avice，barefootedandwrappedinashawl，wasstandinginachair；themouse-traplayonthefloor，themouserunningroundandroundinitsneighbourhood。

’Iwastryingtotakeenout，’saidsheexcitedly，’andhegotawayfromme！’

Pierstonsecuredthemousewhilesheremainedstandingonthechair。

Then，havingsetthetrapanew，hisfeelingburstoutpetulantly——

’Agirllikeyoutothrowyourselfawayuponsuchacommonplacefellowasthatquarryman！Whydoyoudoit！’

Hermindwassointentlyfixeduponthematterinhandthatitwassomemomentsbeforeshecaughthisirrelevantsubject。’BecauseIamafoolishgirl，’shesaidquietly。

’What！Don’tyoulovehim？’saidJocelyn，withasurprisedstareupatherasshestood，inherconcernappearingtheveryAvicewhohadkissedhimtwentyyearsearlier。

’Itisnotmuchusetotalkaboutthat，’saidshe。

’Then，isitthesoldier？’

’Yes，thoughIhaveneverspokentohim。’

’Neverspokentothesoldier？’

’Never。’

’Haseitheronetreatedyoubadly——deceivedyou？’

’No。Certainlynot。’

’Well，Ican’tmakeyouout；andIdon’twishtoknowmorethanyouchoosetotellme。Come，Avice，whynottellmeexactlyhowthingsare？’

’Notnow，sir！’shesaid，herprettypinkfaceandbrowneyesturnedinsimpleappealtohimfromherpedestal。’Iwilltellyouallto-

morrow；anthatIwill！’

Heretreatedtohisownroomandlaydownmeditating。Somequarterofanhouraftershehadretreatedtohersthemouse-trapclickedagain，andPierstonraisedhimselfonhiselbowtolisten。Theplacewassostillandthejerry-builtdoor-panelssothinthathecouldhearthemousejumpingaboutinsidethewiresofthetrap。Butheheardnofootstepthistime。Ashewaswakefulandrestlessheagainarose，proceededtothekitchenwithalight，andremovingthemouseresetthetrap。Returninghelistenedoncemore。HecouldseeinthefardistancethedoorofAvice’sroom；butthatthoughtfulhousewifehadnotheardthesecondcapture。Fromtheroomcameasoftbreathinglikethatofaninfant。

Heenteredhisownchamberandreclinedhimselfgloomilyenough。Herlackofallconsciousnessofhim，theaspectofthedesertedkitchen，thecoldgrate，impressedhimwithadeepersenseoflonelinessthanhehadeverfeltbefore。

Foolishhewas，indeed，tobesodevotedtothisyoungwoman。Herdefencelessness，herfreedomfromtheleastthoughtthattherelurkedadangerintheirpropinquity，wereinfactsecondarysafeguards，notmuchlessstrongthanthatofherbeinghermother’simage，againstrisktoherfromhim。Yetitwasoutofthisthathisdepressioncame。

AtsightofherthenextmorningPierstonfeltthathemustputanendtosuchastateofthings。HesentAviceofftothestudio，wrotetoanagentforacoupleofservants，andthenwentroundtohiswork。

Avicewasbusyrightingallthatshewasallowedtotouch。Itwasthegirl’sdelighttobeoccupiedamongthemodelsandcasts，whichforthefirsttimesheregardedwiththewistfulinterestofasoulstrugglingtoreceiveideasofbeautyvaguelydiscernedyetevereludingher。

Thatbrightnessinhermother’smindwhichmighthavedescendedtothesecondAvicewiththematernalfaceandform，hadbeendimmedbyadmixturewiththemediocrityofherfather’s，andbyonewhorememberedlikePierstonthedualorganizationtheoppositescouldbeoftenseenwrestlinginternally。

Theywerealoneinthestudio，andhisfeelingsfoundvent。Puttinghisarmsroundherhesaid，’Mydarling，sweetlittleAvice！Iwanttoaskyousomething——surelyyouguesswhat？Iwanttoknowthis：willyoubemarriedtome，andliveherewithmealwaysandever？’

’O，Mr。Pierston，whatnonsense！’

’Nonsense？’saidhe，shrinkingsomewhat。

’Yes，sir。’

’Well，why？AmItooold？Surelythere’snoseriousdifference？’

’Ono——Ishouldnotmindthatifitcametomarrying。Thedifferenceisnotmuchforhusbandandwife，thoughitisrathermuchforkeepingcompany。’

Shestruggledtogetfree，andwheninthemovementsheknockeddowntheEmpressFaustina’sheadhedidnottrytoretainher。Hesawthatshewasnotonlysurprisedbutalittlealarmed。

’Youhaven’tsaidwhyitisnonsense！’heremarkedtartly。

’Why，Ididn’tknowyouwasthinkingofmelikethat。Ihadn’tanythoughtofit！Andallalonehere！WhatshallIdo？’

’Sayyes，myprettyAvice！We’llthengooutandbemarriedatonce，andnobodybeanythewiser。’

Sheshookherhead。’Icouldn’t，sir。’

’Itwouldbewellforyou。Youdon’tlikeme，perhaps？’

’YesIdo——verymuch。Butnotinthatsortofway——quite。Still，I

mighthavegottoloveyouintime，if——’

’Well，then，try，’hesaidwarmly。’Yourmotherdid！’

NosoonerhadthewordsslippedoutthanPierstonwouldhaverecalledthem。Hehadfeltinamomentthattheyjeopardizedhiscause。

’Motherlovedyou？’saidAvice，incredulouslygazingathim。

’Yes，’hemurmured。

’Youwerenotherfalseyoungman，surely？Thatonewho——’

’Yes，yes！Saynomoreaboutit。’

’Whoranawayfromher？’

’Almost。’

’ThenIcanNEVER，NEVERlikeyouagain！Ididn’tknowitwasagentleman——I——Ithought——’

’Itwasn’tagentleman，then。’

’O，sir，pleasegoaway！Ican’tbearthesightof’eeatthismoment！

PerhapsIshallgetto——tolikeyouasIdid；but——’

’No；I’md————difI’llgoaway！’saidPierston，thoroughlyirritated。

’Ihavebeencandidwithyou；yououghttobethesamewithme！’

’Whatdoyouwantmetotell？’

’Enoughtomakeitcleartomewhyyoudon’tacceptthisoffer。

Everythingyouhavesaidyetisareasonforthereverse。Now，mydear，Iamnotangry。’

’Yesyouare。’

’NoI’mnot。Nowwhatisyourreason？’

’ThenameofitisIsaacPierston，downhome。’

’How？’

’Imeanhecourtedme，andledmeontoislandcustom，andthenIwenttochapelonemorningandmarriedhiminsecret，becausemotherdidn’tcareabouthim；andIdidn’teitherbythattime。Andthenhequarrelledwithme；andjustbeforeyouandIcametoLondonhewentawaytoGuernsey。ThenIsawasoldier；Ineverknewhisname，butI

fellinlovewithhimbecauseIamsoquickatthat！Still，asitwaswrong，Itriednottothinkofhim，andwouldn’tlookathimwhenhepassed。ButitmademecryverymuchthatImustn’t。Iwasthenverymiserable，andyouaskedmetocometoLondon。Ididn’tcarewhatI

didwithmyself，andIcame。’

’Heavenaboveus！’saidPierston，hispaleanddistressedfaceshowingwithwhatashockthisannouncementhadcome。’Whyhaveyoudonesuchextraordinarythings？Or，rather，whydidn’tyoutellmeofthisbefore？Then，atthepresentmomentyouarethewifeofamanwhoisinGuernsey，whomyoudonotloveatall；butinsteadofhimloveasoldierwhomyouhaveneverspokento；whileIhavenearlybroughtscandaluponusbothbyyourlettingmeloveyou。Really，youareaverywickedwoman！’

’No，Iamnot！’shepouted。

Still，Avicelookedpaleandratherfrightened，anddidnotlifthereyesfromthefloor。’Isaiditwasnonsenseinyoutowanttohaveme！’shewenton，’and，evenifIhadn’tbeenmarriedtothathorridIsaacPierston，Icouldn’thavemarriedyouafteryoutoldmethatyouwasthemanwhoranawayfrommymother。’

’Ihavepaidthepenalty！’hesaidsadly。’Menofmysortalwaysgettheworstofitsomehow。ThoughIneverdidyourmotheranyharm。

Now，Avice——I’llcallyoudearAviceforyourmother’ssakeandnotforyourown——ImustseewhatIcandotohelpyououtofthedifficultythatunquestionablyyouarein。Whycan’tyouloveyourhusbandnowyouhavemarriedhim？’

Avicelookedasideatthestatuaryasifthesubtletiesofherorganizationwerenotveryeasytodefine。

’Washethatblack-beardedtypicallocalcharacterIsawyouwalkingwithoneSunday？Thesamesurnameasmine；though，ofcourse，youdon’tnoticethatinaplacewherethereareonlyhalf-a-dozensurnames？’

’Yes，thatwasIke。Itwasthateveningwedisagreed。Hescoldedme，andIansweredhim（youmusthaveheardus）；andthenextdayhewentaway。’

’Well，asIsay，Imustconsiderwhatitwillbebesttodoforyouinthis。Thefirstthing，itseemstome，willbetogetyourhusbandhome。’

Sheimpatientlyshruggedhershoulders。’Idon’tlikehim！’

’Thenwhydidyoumarryhim？’

’Iwasobligedto，afterwe’dprovedeachotherbyislandcustom。’

’Youshouldn’thavethoughtofsuchathing。Itisridiculousandoutofdatenowadays。’

’Ah，he’ssoold-fashionedinhisnotionsthathedoesn’tthinklikethat。However，he’sgone。’

’Ah——itisonlyatiffbetweenyou，Idaresay。I’llstarthiminbusinessifhe’llcome……Isthecottageathomestillinyourhands？’

’Yes，itismyfreehold。GrammerStockwoolistakingcareo’itforme。’

’Good。Andbackthereyougostraightway，myprettymadam，andwaittillyourhusbandcomestomakeitupwithyou。’

’Iwon’tgo！——Idon’twanthimtocome！’shesobbed。’Iwanttostayherewithyou，oranywhere，exceptwherehecancome！’

’Youwillgetoverthat。Now，gobacktotheflat，there’sadearAvice，andbereadyinonehour，waitinginthehallforme。’

’Idon’twantto！’

’ButIsayyoushall！’

Shefounditwasnousetodisobey。Preciselyatthemomentappointedhemethertherehimself，burdenedonlywithavaliseandumbrella，shewithaboxandotherthings。DirectingtheportertoputAviceandherbelongingsintoafour-wheeledcabfortherailway-station，hewalkedonwardfromthedoor，andkeptlookingbehind，tillhesawthecabapproaching。Hethenenteredbesidetheastonishedgirl，andonwardtheywenttogether。

Theysatoppositeeachotherinanemptycompartment，andthetediousrailwayjourneybegan。Regardinghercloselynowbythelightofherrevelationhewonderedathimselfforneverdivininghersecret。

Wheneverhelookedatherthegirl’seyesgrewrebellious，andatlastshewept。

’Idon’twanttogotohim！’shesobbedinamiserablevoice。

Pierstonwasalmostasmuchdistressedasshe。’Whydidyouputyourselfandmeinsuchaposition？’hesaidbitterly。’Itisnousetoregretitnow！AndIcan’tsaythatIdo。Itaffordsmeawayoutofatryingposition。Evenifyouhadnotbeenmarriedtohimyouwouldnothavemarriedme！’

’Yes，Iwould，sir。’

’What！Youwould？Yousaidyouwouldn’tnotlongago。’

’Ilikeyoubetternow！Ilikeyoumoreandmore！’

Pierstonsighed，foremotionallyhewasnotmucholderthanshe。Thathitchinhisdevelopment，renderinghimthemostlopsidedofGod’screatures，washisstandingmisfortune。Aproposaltoherwhichcrossedhismindwasdismissedasdisloyalty，particularlytoaninexperiencedfellow-islanderandonewhowasbyraceandtraditionsalmostakinswoman。

Littlemorepassedbetweenthetwainonthatwretched，never-to-be-

forgottenday。Aphrodite，Ashtaroth，Freyja，orwhoeverthelove-queenofhisislemighthavebeen，waspunishinghimsharply，assheknewbuttoowellhowtopunishhervotarieswhentheyrevertedfromtheephemeraltothestablemood。Whenwasittoend——thiscurseofhisheartnotageingwhilehisframemovednaturallyonward？Perhapsonlywithlife。

Hisfirstactthedayafterdepositingherinherownhousewastogotothechapelwhere，byherstatement，themarriagehadbeensolemnized，andmakesureofthefact。Perhapshefeltanillogicalhopethatshemightbefree，eventhen，inthetarnishedconditionwhichsuchfreedomwouldhaveinvolved。However，therestoodthewordsdistinctly：IsaacPierston，AnnAviceCaro，sonanddaughterofSo-

and-so，marriedonsuchaday，signedbythecontractingparties，theofficiatingminister，andthetwowitnesses。

2。XIII。SHEISENSHROUDEDFROMSIGHT

Oneeveninginearlywinter，whentheairwasdryandgusty，thedarklittlelanewhichdividedthegroundsofSylvaniaCastlefromthecottageofAvice，andleddowntotheadjoiningruinofRed-KingCastle，waspacedbyasolitaryman。Thecottagewasthecentreofhisbeat；itswesternlimitbeingthegatesoftheformerresidence，itseasternthedrawbridgeoftheruin。Thefewothercottagesthereabout——

allasifcarvedfromthesolidrock——wereindarkness，butfromtheupperwindowofAvice’stinyfreeholdglimmeredalight。Itsrayswererepeatedfromthefar-distantseabythelightshiplyingmooredoverthemysteriousShamblesquicksand，whichbroughttamelessnessanddomesticityintoduepositionasbalancedopposites。

Theseamoaned——morethanmoaned——amongthebouldersbelowtheruins，athroeofitstidebeingtimedtoregularintervals。Thesesoundswereaccompaniedbyanequallyperiodicmoanfromtheinteriorofthecottagechamber；sothatthearticulateheaveofwaterandthearticulateheaveoflifeseemedbutdifferingutterancesoftheselfsametroubledterrestrialBeing——whichinonesensetheywere。

Pierston——forthemaninthelanewashe——wouldlookfromlightshiptocottagewindow；thenbackagain，ashewaitedtherebetweenthetravailoftheseawithout，andthetravailofthewomanwithin。Soonaninfant’swailoftheveryfeeblestwasalsoaudibleinthehouse。Hestartedfromhiseasypacing，andwentagainwestward，standingattheelbowofthelanealongtime。Thenthepeaceofthesleepingvillagewhichlaythatwaywasbrokenbylightwheelsandthetrotofahorse。

Pierstonwentbacktothecottagegateandawaitedthearrivalofthevehicle。

Itwasalightcart，andamanjumpeddownasitstopped。Hewasinabroad-brimmedhat，underwhichnomoreofhimcouldbeperceivedthanthatheworeablackbeardclippedlikeayewfence——atypicalaspectintheisland。

’YouareAvice’shusband？’askedthesculptorquickly。

Themanrepliedthathewas，inthelocalaccent。’I’vejustcomeinbyto-day’sboat，’headded。’Icouldn’tgithereavore。IhadcontractedforthejobatPeter-Port，andhadtoseeto’ttotheend。’

’Well，’saidPierston，’yourcomingmeansthatyouarewillingtomakeitupwithher？’

’Ay，Idon’tknowbutIbe，’saidtheman。’Midsowelldothatasanythingelse！’

’Ifyoudo，thoroughly，agoodbusinessinyouroldlineawaitsyouhereintheisland。’

’Wi’allmyheart，then，’saidtheman。Hisvoicewasenergetic，and，thoughslightlytouchy，itshowed，onthewhole，adispositiontosetthingsright。

Thedriverofthetrapwaspaidoff，andJocelynandIsaacPierston——

undoubtedlyscionsofacommonstockinthisisleofintermarriages，thoughtheyhadnoproofofit——enteredthehouse。Nobodywasintheground-floorroom，inthecentreofwhichstoodasquaretable，inthecentreofthetablealittlewoolmat，andinthecentreofthematalamp，theapartmenthavingtheappearanceofbeingrigidlysweptandsetinorderforaneventofinterest。

ThewomanwholivedinthehousewithAvicenowcamedownstairs，andtotheinquiryofthecomerssherepliedthatmatterswereprogressingfavourably，butthatnobodycouldbeallowedtogoupstairsjustthen。

Afterplacingchairsandviandsforthemsheretreated，andtheysatdown，thelampbetweenthem——theloverofthesuffererabove，whohadnorighttoher，andthemanwhohadeveryrighttoher，butdidnotloveher。Engagingindesultoryandfragmentaryconversationtheylistenedtothetramplingoffeetonthefloor-boardsoverhead——

Pierstonfullofanxietyandattentiveness，Ikeawaitingthecourseofnaturecalmly。

Soontheyheardthefeeblebleatsrepeated，andthenthelocalpractitionerdescendedandenteredtheroom。

’Howisshenow？’saidPierston，themoretaciturnIkelookingupwithhimfortheanswerthathefeltwouldservefortwoaswellasforone。

’Doingwell，remarkablywell，’repliedtheprofessionalgentleman，withamannerofhavingsaiditinotherplaces；andhisvehiclenotbeingatthedoorhesatdownandsharedsomerefreshmentwiththeothers。

WhenhehaddepartedMrs。Stockwoolagainsteppeddown，andinformedthemthatIke’spresencehadbeenmadeknowntohiswife。

Thetruantquarrierseemedratherinclinedtostaywherehewasandfinishthemugofale，butPierstonquickenedhim，andheascendedthestaircase。AssoonasthelowerroomwasemptyPierstonleantwithhiselbowsonthetable，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。

Ikewasabsentnogreattime。Descendingwithaproprietarymienthathadbeenlackingbefore，heinvitedJocelyntoascendlikewise，sinceshehadstatedthatshewouldliketoseehim。Jocelynwentupthecrookedoldsteps，thehusbandremainingbelow。

Avice，thoughwhiteasthesheets，lookedbrighterandhappierthanhehadexpectedtofindher，andwasapparentlyverymuchfortifiedbythepinklittlelumpatherside。Sheheldoutherhandtohim。

’Ijustwantedtotell’ee，’shesaid，strivingagainstherfeebleness，’Ithoughtitwouldbenoharmtoseeyou，though’tisrathersoon——totell’eehowverymuchIthankyouforgettingmesettledagainwithIke。Heisverygladtocomehomeagain，too，hesays。Yes，you’vedoneagoodmanykindthingsforme，sir。’

Whethershewerereallyglad，orwhetherthewordswereexpressedasamatterofduty，Pierstondidnotattempttolearn。

Hemerelysaidthathevaluedherthanks。’Now，Avice，’headdedtenderly，’Iresignmyguardianshipofyou。Ihopetoseeyourhusbandinasoundlittlebusinesshereinaveryshorttime。’

’Ihopeso——forbaby’ssake，’shesaid，withabrightsigh。’Wouldyou——liketoseeher，sir？’

’Thebaby？Oyes——YOURbaby！YoumustchristenherAvice。’

’Yes——soIwill！’shemurmuredreadily，anddisclosedtheinfantwithsometimidity。’Ihopeyouforgiveme，sir，forconcealingmythoughtlessmarriage！’

’Ifyouforgivemeformakinglovetoyou。’

’Yes。Howwereyoutoknow！Iwish——’

Pierstonbadehergood-bye，kissingherhand；turnedfromherandtheincipientbeingwhomhewastomeetagainunderveryalteredconditions，andleftthebed-chamberwithatearinhiseye。

’Hereendeththatdream！’saidhe。