第6章

Hymen，insecretorovertguise，seemedtohauntPierstonjustatthistimewithundignifiedmockerywhichsavouredratherofHarlequinthanofthetorch-bearer。TwodaysafterpartinginaloneislandfromthegirlhehadsodisinterestedlylovedhemetinPiccadillyhisfriendSomers，wonderfullysprucedup，andhasteningalongwithapreoccupiedface。

’Mydearfellow，’saidSomers，’whatdoyouthink！Iwaschargednottotellyou，but，hangit！Imayjustaswellmakeacleanbreastofitnowaslater。’

’What——youarenotgoingto……’beganPierston，withdivination。

’Yes。WhatIsaidonimpulsesixmonthsbackIamabouttocarryoutincoldblood。NicholaandIbeganinjestandendedinearnest。Wearegoingtotakeoneanothernextmonthforgoodandall。’

PARTTHIRD——AYOUNGMANOFSIXTY

’Inmethouseesttheglowingofsuchfire，ThatontheashesofhisyouthdothlieAsthedeath-bedwhereonitmustexpire，Consumedwiththatwhichitwasnourishedby。’

——W。SHAKESPEARE。

3。I。SHERETURNSFORTHENEWSEASON

TwentyyearshadspreadtheirfilmsovertheeventswhichwoundupwiththereunionofthesecondAviceandherhusband；andthehoarypeninsulacalledanislandlookedjustthesameasbefore；thoughmanywhohadformerlyprojectedtheirdailyshadowsuponitsunrelievedsummerwhitenessceasednowtodisturbthecolourlesssunlightthere。

Thegeneralchange，nevertheless，wassmall。Thesilentshipscameandwentfromthewharf，thechiselsclinkedinthequarries；fileafterfileofwhitey-brownhorses，instringsofeightorten，painfullydraggeddownthehillthesquareblocksofstoneontheantediluvianwoodenwheelsjustasusual。ThelightshipwinkedeverynightfromthequicksandstotheBealLantern，andtheBealLanternglaredthroughitseye-glassontheship。ThecaninegnawingaudibleonthePebble-bankhadbeenrepeatedeversinceateachtide，butthepebblesremainedundevoured。

Mendrank，smoked，andspatintheinnswithonlyalittlemoreadulterationintheirrefreshmentsandatriflelessdialectintheirspeechthanofyore。ButonefigurehadneverbeenseenontheChannelrockintheinterval，theformofPierstonthesculptor，whosefirstuseofthechiselthatrockhadinstigated。

Hehadlivedabroadagreatdeal，and，infact，atthisverydatehewasstayingatanhotelinRome。ThoughhehadnotonceseteyesonAvicesincepartingfromherintheroomwithherfirstborn，hehadmanagedtoobtaintidingsofherfromtimetotimeduringtheinterval。

InthiswayPierstonlearntthat，shortlyaftertheirresumptionofacommonlifeinherhouse，Ikehadill-usedher，tillfortunately，thebusinesstowhichJocelynhadassistedhimchancingtoprosper，hebecameimmersedinitsdetails，andallowedAvicetopursueherhouseholdcourseswithoutinterference，initiatingthatkindofdomesticreconciliationwhichissocalmanddurable，havingasitschiefingredientneitherhatenorlove，butanall-embracingindifference。

AtfirstPierstonhadsenthersumsofmoneyprivately，fearinglestherhusbandshoulddenyhermaterialcomforts；buthesoonfound，tohisgreatrelief，thatsuchhelpwasunnecessary，socialambitionpromptingIketosetupasquiteagentleman-islander，andtoallowAviceascopeforshowwhichhewouldneverhaveallowedinmerekindness。

BeinginRome，asaforesaid，Pierstonreturnedoneeveningtohishoteltodine，afterspendingtheafternoonamongthebustsinthelonggalleryoftheVatican。Theunconscioushabit，commontosomanypeople，oftracinglikesinunlikeshadoftenledhimtodiscern，ortofancyhediscerned，intheRomanatmosphere，initslightsandshades，andparticularlyinitsreflectedorsecondarylights，somethingresemblingtheatmosphereofhisnativepromontory。Perhapsitwasthatineachcasetheeyewasmostlyrestingonstone——thatthequarriesofruinsintheEternalCityremindedhimofthequarriesofmaidenrockathome。

Thisbeinginhismindwhenhesatdowntodinneratthecommontable，hewassurprisedtohearanAmericangentleman，whosatopposite，mentionthenameofPierston’sbirthplace。TheAmericanwastalkingtoafriendaboutalady——anEnglishwidow，whoseacquaintancetheyhadrenewedsomewhereintheChannelIslandsduringarecenttour，afterhavingknownherasayoungwomanwhocametoSanFranciscowithherfatherandmothermanyyearsbefore。Herfatherwasthenarichmanjustretiredfromthebusinessofastone-merchantintheIsleofSlingers；buthehadengagedinlargespeculations，andhadlostnearlyallhisfortune。Jocelynfurthergatheredthatthewidoweddaughter’snamewasMrs。Leverre；thatshehadastep-son，herhusbandhavingbeenaJerseygentleman，awidower；andthatthestep-sonseemedtobeapromisingandinterestingyoungman。

Pierstonwasinstantlystruckwiththeperceptionthattheseandotherallusions，thoughgeneral，wereinaccordwiththehistoryofhislong-

lostMarcia。Hehardlyfeltanydesiretohuntherupafternearlytwoscoreyearsofseparation，buthewasimpressedenoughtoresolvetoexchangeawordwiththestrangersassoonashecouldgetopportunity。

Hecouldnotwellattracttheirattentionthroughtheplantsuponthewidetable，andevenifhehadbeenablehewasdisinclinedtoaskquestionsinpublic。Hewaitedontilldinnerwasover，andwhenthestrangerswithdrewPierstonwithdrewintheirrear。

Theywerenotinthedrawing-room，andhefoundthattheyhadgoneout。

Therewasnochanceofovertakingthem，butPierston，wakedtorestlessnessbytheirremarks，wanderedupanddowntheadjoiningPiazzadiSpagna，thinkingtheymightreturn。Thestreetsbelowwereimmersedinshade，thefrontofthechurchoftheTrinitade’Montiatthetopwasfloodedwithorangelight，thegloomofeveninggraduallyintensifyinguponthebroad，longflightofsteps，whichfoot-

passengersincessantlyascendedanddescendedwiththeinsignificanceofants；theduskwrappedupthehousetotheleft，inwhichShelleyhadlived，andthattotheright，inwhichKeatshaddied。

GettingbacktothehotelhelearntthattheAmericanshadonlydroppedintodine，andwerestayingelsewhere。Hesawnomoreofthem；andonreflectionhewasnotdeeplyconcerned，forwhatearthlywoman，goingoffinafreakasMarciahaddone，andkeepingsilencesolong，wouldcareforabelatedfriendshipwithhimnowinthesere，evenifheweretotakethetroubletodiscoverher。

***

ThusmuchMarcia。TheotherthreadofhisconnectionwiththeancientIsleofSlingerswasstirredbyaletterhereceivedfromAvicealittleafterthisdate，inwhichshestatedthatherhusbandIkehadbeenkilledinhisownquarrybyanaccidentwithinthepastyear；thatsheherselfhadbeenill，andthoughwellagain，andleftamplyprovidedfor，shewouldliketoseehimifheevercamethatway。

Asshehadnotcommunicatedforseverallongyears，herexpressedwishtoseehimnowwaslikelytobepromptedbysomethingmore，somethingnewer，thanmemoriesofhim。Yetthemannerofherwritingprecludedallsuspicionthatshewasthinkingofhimasanoldloverwhosesuiteventshadnowmadepracticable。Hetoldherhewassorrytohearthatshehadbeenill，andthathewouldcertainlytakeanearlyopportunityofgoingdowntoherhomeonhisnextvisittoEngland。

Hedidmore。Herrequesthadrevivedthoughtsofhisoldhomeanditsassociations，andinsteadofawaitingotherreasonsforareturnhemadehertheoperatingone。AboutaweeklaterhestoodonceagainatthefootofthefamiliarsteepwhereonthehousesattheentrancetotheIslewereperchedlikegreypigeonsonaroof-side。

AtTop-o’-Hill——asthesummitoftherockwasmostlycalled——hestoodlookingatthebusydoingsinthequarriesbeyond，wherethenumerousblackhoisting-cranesscatteredoverthecentralplateauhadtheappearanceofaswarmofcrane-fliesrestingthere。Hewentalittlefurther，madesomegeneralinquiriesabouttheaccidentwhichhadcarriedoffAvice’shusbandinthepreviousyear，andlearntthatthoughnowawidow，shehadplentyoffriendsandsympathizersabouther，whichrenderedanyimmediateattentiontoheronhispartunnecessary。Considering，therefore，thattherewasnogreatreasonwhyheshouldcallonhersosoon，andwithoutwarning，heturnedback。

Perhapsafterallherrequesthadbeendictatedbyamomentaryfeelingonly，andaconsiderablestrangenesstoeachothermustnaturallybetheresultofascoreofdividingyears。Descendingtothebottomhetookhisseatinthetrainontheshore，whichsooncarriedhimalongtheBank，androundtothewatering-placefivemilesoff，atwhichhehadtakenuphisquartersforafewdays。

Here，ashestayedon，hislocalinterestsrevived。Wheneverhewentouthecouldseetheislandthatwasoncehishomelyinglikeagreatsnailupontheseaacrossthebay。Itwasthespringoftheyear；

localsteamershadbeguntorun，andhewasnevertiredofstandingonthethinlyoccupieddeckofoneoftheseasitskirtedtheislandandrevealedtohimonthecliffsfarupitsheighttheruinsofRed-KingCastle，behindwhichthelittlevillageofEastQuarrierslay。

Thusmatterswenton，iftheydidnotratherstandstill，forseveraldaysbeforePierstonredeemedhisvaguepromisetoseekAviceout。Andinthemeantimehewassurprisedbythearrivalofanotherletterfromherbyaroundaboutroute。Shehadheard，shesaid，thathehadbeenontheisland，andimaginedhimthereforetobestayingsomewherenear。

Whydidhenotcallashehadtoldherhewoulddo？Shewasalwaysthinkingofhim，andwishingtoseehim。

Hertonewasanxious，andtherewasnodoubtthatshereallyhadsomethingtosaywhichshedidnotwanttowrite。Hewonderedwhatitcouldbe，andstartedthesameafternoon。

Avice，whohadbeenlittleinhismindoflateyears，begantorenewforherselfadistinctpositiontherein。Hewasfullyawarethatsincehisearliermanhoodachangehadcomeoverhisregardofwomankind。

Oncetheindividualhadbeennothingmoretohimthanthetemporaryabiding-placeofthetypicalorideal；nowhisheartshoweditsbenttobeagrowingfidelitytothespecimen，withallherpatheticflawsofdetail；whichflaws，sofarfromsendinghimfurther，increasedhistenderness。Thismaturerfeeling，iffinerandhigher，waslessconvenientthantheold。Ardoursofpassioncouldbefeltasinyouthwithouttherecuperativeintervalswhichhadaccompaniedevanescence。

Thefirstsensationwastofindthatshehadlongceasedtoliveinthelittlefreeholdcottageshehadoccupiedofold。Inanswertohisinquirieshewasdirectedalongtheroadtothewestofthemoderncastle，pasttheentranceonthatside，andonwardtotheveryhousethathadoncebeenhisownhome。Thereitstoodasofyore，facinguptheChannel，acomfortableroomystructure，theeuonymusandothershrubs，whichalonewouldstandintheteethofthesaltwind，livingonataboutthesamestatureinfrontofit；butthepaint-workmuchrenewed。Athrivingmanhadresidedthereoflate，evidently。

Thewidowinmourningwhoreceivedhiminthefrontparlourwas，alas！

butthesorryshadowofAvicetheSecond。Howcouldhehavefanciedotherwiseaftertwentyyears？Yethehadbeenledtofancyotherwise，almostwithoutknowingit，byfeelinghimselfunaltered。Indeed，curiouslyenough，nearlythefirstwordsshesaidtohimwere：’Why——

youarejustthesame！’

’Justthesame。Yes，Iam，Avice，’heansweredsadly；forthisinabilitytoossifywiththerestofhisgenerationthrewhimoutofproportionwiththetime。Moreover，whilewearingtheaspectofcomedy，itwasofthenatureoftragedy。

’Itiswelltobeyou，sir，’shewenton。’Ihavehadtroublestotakethebloomoffme！’

’Yes；Ihavebeensorryforyou。’

Shecontinuedtoregardhimcuriously，withhumorousinterest；andheknewwhatwaspassinginhermind：thatthisman，towhomshehadformerlylookedupastoapersonfarinadvanceofheralongthelaneoflife，seemednowtobeawell-adjustedcontemporary，thepairofthemobservingtheworldwithfairlyleveleyes。

Hehadcometoherwithwarmthforavisionwhich，onreachingher，hefoundtohavedeparted；and，thoughfairlyweanedbythenaturalreality，hewassofarstaunchastolingerhankeringly。Theytalkedofpastdays，hisoldattachment，whichshehadthendespised，beingnowfarmoreabsorbingandpresenttoherthantohimself。

Sheunmistakablywonuponhimashesaton。Acuriousclosenessbetweenthemhadbeenproducedinhisimaginationbythediscoverythatshewaspassingherlifewithinthehouseofhisownchildhood。Hersimilarsurnamemeantlittlehere；butitwasalsohis，and，addedtotheidentityofdomicile，lentastrongsuggestivenesstotheaccident。

’ThisiswhereIusedtositwhenmyparentsoccupiedthehouse，’hesaid，placinghimselfbesidethatcornerofthefireplacewhichcommandedaviewthroughthewindow。’Icouldseeaboughoftamariskwaveoutsideatthattime，and，beyondthebough，thesameabruptgrassywastetowardsthesea，andatnightthesameoldlightshipblinkingfaroutthere。Placeyourselfonthespot，topleaseme。’

Shesetherchairwhereheindicated，andPierstonstoodclosebesideher，directinghergazetothefamiliarobjectshehadregardedthenceasaboy。Herheadandface——thelatterthoughtfulandwornenough，poorthing，tosuggestamarriedlifenonetoocomfortable——wereclosetohisbreast，and，withafewinchesfurtherincline，wouldhavetouchedit。

’Andnowyouaretheinhabitant；Ithevisitor，’hesaid。’Iamgladtoseeyouhere——soglad，Avice！Youarefairlywellprovidedfor——I

thinkImayassumethat？’Helookedroundtheroomatthesolidmahoganyfurniture，andatthemodernpianoandshowbookcase。

’Yes，Ikeleftmecomfortable。’Twashewhothoughtofmovingfrommycottagetothislargerhouse。Heboughtit，andIcanlivehereaslongasIchooseto。’

Apartfromthedeclineofhisadorationtofriendship，thereseemedtobeageneralconvergenceofpositionswhichsuggestedthathemightmakeamendsforthedesertionofAvicetheFirstbyproposingtothisAvicewhenameettimeshouldarrive。IfhedidnotloveherashehaddonewhenshewasaslimthingcatchingmiceinhisroomsinLondon，hecouldsurelybecontentathisagewithcomradeship。Afterallshewasonlyfortytohissixty。Thefeelingthathereallycouldbethuscontentwassoconvincingthathealmostbelievedtheluxuryofgettingoldandreposefulwascomingtohisrestless，wanderingheartatlast。

’Well，youhavecomeatlast，sir，’shewenton；’andIamgratefultoyou。Ididnotlikewriting，andyetIwantedtobestraightforward。

HaveyouguessedatallwhyIwishedtoseeyousomuchthatIcouldnothelpsendingtwicetoyou？’

’Ihavetried，butcannot。’

’Tryagain。Itisaprettyreason，whichIhopeyou’llforgive。’

’IamsureIsha’n’tunriddleit。ButI’llsaythisonmyownaccountbeforeyoutellme。Ihavealwaystakenalingeringinterestinyou，whichyoumustvalueforwhatitisworth。Itoriginated，sofarasitconcernsyoupersonally，withthesightofyouinthatcottageroundthecorner，nineteenortwentyyearsago，whenIbecametenantofthecastleopposite。Butthatwasnottheverybeginning。Theverybeginningwasascoreofyearsbeforethat，whenI，ayoungfellowofone-and-twenty，cominghomehere，fromLondon，toseemyfather，encounteredatenderwomanaslikeyouasyourdouble；wasmuchattractedbyherasIsawherdayafterdayflitpastthiswindow；tillImadeitmybusinesstoaccompanyherinherwalksawhile。I，asyouknow，wasnotastaunchfellow，anditallendedbadly。But，atanyrateyou，herdaughter，andIarefriends。’

’Ah！theresheis！’suddenlyexclaimedAvice，whoseattentionhadwanderedsomewhatfromhisretrospectivediscourse。Shewaslookingfromthewindowtowardsthecliffs，where，upontheopengroundquitenearathand，aslenderfemaleformwasseenramblingalong。’Sheisoutforawalk，’Avicecontinued。’Iwonderifsheisgoingtocallherethisafternoon？Sheislivingatthecastleoppositeasgoverness。’

’O，she’s——’

’Yes。Hereducationwasverythorough——bettereventhanhergrandmother’s。Iwastheneglectedone，andherfatherandmyselfbothvowedthatthereshouldbenocomplaintonthatscoreabouther。WechristenedherAvice，tokeepupthename，asyourequested。Iwishyoucouldspeaktoher——Iamsureyouwouldlikeher。’

’Isthatthebaby？’falteredJocelyn。

’Yes，thebaby。’

Thepersonsignified，nowmuchnearer，wasastillmoremodernized，up-

to-dateeditionofthetwoAvicesofthatbloodwithwhomhehadbeeninvolvedmoreorlessforthelastfortyyears。Aladylikecreaturewasshe——almostelegant。Shewasaltogetherfinerinfigurethanhermotherorgrandmotherhadeverbeen，whichmadehermoreofawomaninappearancethaninyears。Sheworealarge-diskedsun-hat，withabrimlikeawheelwhosespokeswereradiatingfoldsofmuslinliningthebrim，ablackmarginbeyondthemuslinbeingthefelloe。Beneaththisbrimherhairwasmassedlowuponherbrow，thecolourofthethicktressesbeingprobably，fromhercomplexion，repeatedintheirisesofherlarge，deepeyes。Herrathernervouslipswerethinandclosed，sothattheyonlyappearedasadelicateredline。Achangeabletemperamentwasshownbythatmouth——quicktransitionsfromaffectiontoaversion，fromapouttoasmile。

ItwasAvicetheThird。

JocelynandthesecondAvicecontinuedtogazeardentlyather。

’Ah！sheisnotcominginnow；shehasn’ttime，’murmuredthemother，withsomedisappointment。’Perhapsshemeanstorunacrossintheevening。’

Thetallgirl，infact，wentpastandontillshewasoutofsight。

Pierstonstoodasinadream。Itwastheveryshe，inallessentialparticulars，andwithanintensificationofgeneralcharm，whohadkissedhimfortyyearsbefore。WhenheturnedhisheadfromthewindowhiseyesfellagainupontheintermediateAviceathisside。BeforebuttherelicoftheWell-Beloved，shehadnowbecomeitsemptyshrine。

Warmfriendship，indeed，hefeltforher；butwhateverthatmighthavedonetowardstheinstaurationofaformerdreamwasnowhopelesslybarredbytherivalryofthethingitselfintheguiseofalinealsuccessor。

3。II。MISGIVINGSONTHERE-EMBODIMENT

Pierstonhadbeenabouttoleave，buthesatdownagainonbeingaskedifhewouldstayandhaveacupoftea。Hehardlyknewforamomentwhathedid；adimthoughtthatAvice——therenewedAvice——mightcomeintothehousemadehisreseatinghimselfanactofspontaneity。

HeforgotthattwentyyearsearlierhehadcalledthenowMrs。Pierstonanelf，awitch；andthatlapseoftimehadprobablynotdiminishedthesubtletiesimpliedbythoseepithets。Hedidnotknowthatshehadnotedeveryimpressionthatherdaughterhadmadeuponhim。

HowhecontrivedtoattenuateanddispersetherathertenderpersonalitieshehadopenedupwiththenewAvice’smother，Pierstonneverexactlydefined。Perhapsshesawmorethanhethoughtshesaw——

readsomethinginhisface——knewthatabouthisnaturewhichhegavehernocreditforknowing。Anyhow，theconversationtooktheformofafriendlygossipfromthatminute，hisremarksbeingoftengivenwhilehismindwasturnedelsewhere。

ButachillpassedthroughJocelynwhentherehadbeentimeforreflection。TherenewedstudyofhisartinRomewithoutanycounterbalancingpracticalpursuithadnourishedanddevelopedhisnaturalresponsivenesstoimpressions；henowfeltthathisoldtrouble，hisdoom——hiscurse，indeed，hehadsometimescalledit——wascomebackagain。HisdivinitywasnotyetpropitiatedforthatoriginalsinagainstherimageinthepersonofAvicetheFirst，andnow，attheageofone-and-sixty，hewasurgedonandonliketheJewAhasuerus——or，inthephraseoftheislandersthemselves，likeablindram。

TheGoddess，anabstractiontothegeneral，wasafairlyrealpersonagetoPierston。Hehadwatchedthemarbleimagesofherwhichstoodinhisworking-room，underallchangesoflightandshadeinthebrighteningofmorning，intheblackeningofeve，inmoonlight，inlamplight。Everylineandcurveofherbodynone，naturally，knewbetterthanhe；and，thoughnotabelief，itwas，ashasbeenstated，aformula，asuperstition，thatthethreeAviceswereinter-penetratedwithheressence。

’AndthenextAvice——yourdaughter，’hesaidstumblingly；’sheis，yousay，agovernessatthecastleopposite？’

Mrs。Pierstonreaffirmedthefact，addingthatthegirloftensleptathomebecauseshe，hermother，wassolonely。Sheoftenthoughtshewouldliketokeepherdaughterathomealtogether。

’Sheplaysthatinstrument，Isuppose？’saidPierston，regardingthepiano。

’Yes，sheplaysbeautifully；shehadthebestinstructionthatmasterscouldgiveher。ShewaseducatedatSandbourne。’

’Whichroomdoesshecallherswhenathome？’heaskedcuriously。

’Thelittleoneoverthis。’

Ithadbeenhisown。’Strange，’hemurmured。

Hefinishedtea，andsataftertea，buttheyouthfulAvicedidnotarrive。WiththeAvicepresentheconversedastheoldfriend——nomore。Atlastitgrewdusk，andPierstoncouldnotfindanexcuseforstayinglonger。

’Ihopetomaketheacquaintance——ofyourdaughter，’hesaidinleaving，knowingthathemighthaveaddedwithpredestinatetruth，’ofmynewtenderly-beloved。’

’Ihopeyouwill，’sheanswered。’Thiseveningsheevidentlyhasgoneforawalkinsteadofcominghere。’

’And，by-the-bye，youhavenottoldmewhatyouespeciallywantedtoseemefor？’

’Ah，no。Iwillputitoff。’

’Verywell。Idon’tpretendtoguess。’

’Imusttellyouanothertime。’

’Ifitisanylittlebusinessinconnectionwithyourlatehusband’saffairs，docommandme。I’lldoanythingIcan。’

’Thankyou。AndIshallseeyouagainsoon？’

’Certainly。Quitesoon。’

Whenhewasgoneshelookedreflectivelyatthespotwherehehadbeenstanding，andsaid：’Bestholdmytongue。Itwillworkofitself，withoutmytelling。’

Jocelynwentfromthehouse，butasthewhiteroadpassedunderhisfeethefeltinnomoodtogetbacktohislodgingsinthetownonthemainland。Helingeredaboutupontheruggedgroundforalongwhile，thinkingoftheextraordinaryreproductionoftheoriginalgirlinthisnewformhehadseen，andofhimselfasofafoolishdreamerinbeingsosuddenlyfascinatedbytherenewedimageinapersonalitynotone-

thirdofhisage。Asaphysicalfact，nodoubt，thepreservationofthelikenesswasnouncommonthinghere，butithelpedthedream。

PassingroundthewallsofthenewcastlehedeviatedfromhishomewardtrackbyturningdownthefamiliarlittlelanewhichledtotheruinedcastleoftheRedKing。IttookhimpastthecottageinwhichthenewAvicewasborn，fromwhoseprecinctshehadheardherfirstinfantinecry。Pausinghesawnearthewestbehindhimthenewmoongrowingdistinctupontheglow。

Hewassubjecttogiganticfantasiesstill。Inspiteofhimself，thesightofthenewmoon，asrepresentingonewho，byherso-calledinconstancy，acteduptohisownideaofamigratoryWell-Beloved，madehimfeelasifhiswraithinachangedsexhadsuddenlylookedoverthehorizonathim。Inacrowdsecretly，orinsolitudeboldly，hehadoftenbowedthekneethreetimestothissisterlydivinityonherfirstappearancemonthly，anddirectedakisstowardshershiningshape。Thecurseofhisqualities（ifitwerenotablessing）wasfarfromhavingspentitselfyet。

Intheotherdirectionthecastleruinsrosesquareandduskyagainstthesea。Hewentontowardsthese，aroundwhichhehadplayedasaboy，andstoodbythewallsattheedgeofthecliffpondering。Therewasnowindandbutlittletide，andhethoughthecouldhearfromyearsagoavoicethatheknew。Itcertainlywasavoice，butitcamefromtherocksbeneaththecastleruin。

’Mrs。Atway！’

Asilencefollowed，andnobodycame。Thevoicespokeagain；’JohnStoney！’

Neitherwasthissummonsattendedto。Thecrycontinued，withmoreentreaty：’WilliamScribben！’

ThevoicewasthatofaPierston——therecouldbenodoubtofit——youngAvice’s，surely？Somethingorotherseemedtobedetainingherdownthereagainstherwill。Aslopingpathbeneaththebeetlingcliffandthecastlewallsrisingsheerfromitssummit，leddowntothelowerlevelwhencethevoiceproceeded。Pierstonfollowedthepathway，andsoonbeheldagirlinlightclothing——thesamehehadseenthroughthewindow——standingupononeoftherocks，apparentlyunabletomove。

Pierstonhastenedacrosstoher。

’O，thankyouforcoming！’shemurmuredwithsometimidity。’Ihavemetwithanawkwardmishap。Ilivenearhere，andamnotfrightenedreally。Myfoothasbecomejammedinacreviceoftherock，andI

cannotgetitout，tryhowIwill。WhatSHALLIdo！’

Jocelynstoopedandexaminedthecauseofdiscomfiture。’Ithinkifyoucantakeyourbootoff，’hesaid，’yourfootmightslipout，leavingthebootbehind。’

Shetriedtoactuponthisadvice，butcouldnotdosoeffectually。

Pierstonthenexperimentedbyslippinghishandintothecrevicetillhecouldjustreachthebuttonsofherboot，which，however，hecouldnotunfastenanymorethanshe。Takinghispenknifefromhispockethetriedagain，andcutoffthebuttonsonebyone。Thebootunfastened，andoutslippedthefoot。

’O，howgladIam！’shecriedjoyfully。’IwasfearingIshouldhavetostayhereallnight。HowcanIthankyouenough？’

Hewastuggingtowithdrawtheboot，butnoskillthathecouldexercisewouldmoveitwithouttearing。Atlastshesaid：’Don’ttryanylonger。Itisnotfartothehouse。Icanwalkinmystocking。’

’I’llassistyouin，’hesaid。

Shesaidshedidnotwanthelp，neverthelessallowedhimtohelpherontheunshodside。Astheymovedonsheexplainedthatshehadcomeoutthroughthegardendoor；hadbeenstandingontheboulderstolookatsomethingoutatseajustdiscernibleintheeveninglightasassistedbythemoon，and，injumpingdown，hadwedgedherfootashehadfoundit。

WhateverPierston’syearsmighthavemadehimlookbyday，intheduskofeveninghewasfairlypresentableasapleasingmanofnomarkedantiquity，hisoutlinedifferingbutlittlefromwhatithadbeenwhenhewashalfhisyears。Hewaswellpreserved，stillupright，trimlyshaven，agileinmovement；woreatightlybuttonedsuitwhichsetofanaturallyslightfigure；inbrief，hemighthavebeenofanyageasheappearedtoheratthismoment。Shetalkedtohimwiththeco-equalityofonewhoassumedhimtobenotfaraheadofherowngeneration；and，asthegrowingdarknessobscuredhimmoreandmore，headoptedherassumptionofhisagewithincreasingboldnessoftone。

Theflippant，harmlessfreedomofthewatering-placeMiss，whichAvicehadplainlyacquiredduringhersojournattheSandbourneschool，helpedPierstongreatlyinthisroleofjeunepremierwhichhewasnotunreadytoplay。Notaworddidhesayaboutbeinganativeoftheisland；stillmorecarefullydidheconcealthefactofhishavingcourtedhergrandmother，andengagedhimselftomarrythatattractivelady。

Hefoundthatshehadcomeoutupontherocksthroughthesamelittleprivatedoorfromthelawnofthemoderncastlewhichhadfrequentlyaffordedhimegresstothesamespotinyearslongpast。Pierstonaccompaniedheracrossthegroundsalmosttotheentranceofthemansion——theplacebeingnowfarbetterkeptandplantedthanwhenhehadrenteditasalonelytenant；almost，indeed，restoredtotheorderandneatnesswhichhadcharacterizeditwhenhewasaboy。

Likehergrannyshewastooinexperiencedtobereserved，andduringthislittleclimb，leaninguponhisarm，therewastimeforagreatdealofconfidence。Whenhehadbiddenherfarewell，andshehadentered，leavinghiminthedark，arushofsadnessthroughPierston’ssoulsweptdownallthetemporarypleasurehehadfoundinthecharminggirl’scompany。HadMephistophelessprungfromthegroundthereandthenwithanoffertoJocelynofrestorationtoyouthontheusualtermsofhisfirm，thesculptormighthaveconsentedtosellapartofhimselfwhichhefeltlessimmediateneedofthanofaruddylipandcheekandanunploughedbrow。

Butwhatcouldonlyhavebeentreatedasafollybyoutsiderswasalmostasorrowforhim。Whywashebornwithsuchatemperament？Andthisconcatenatedinterestcouldhardlyhavearisen，evenwithPierston，butforaconfluxofcircumstancesonlypossiblehere。ThethreeAvices，thesecondsomethinglikethefirst，thethirdaglorificationofthefirst，atalleventsexternally，weretheoutcomeoftheimmemorialislandcustomsofintermarriageandofprenuptialunion，underwhichconditionsthetypeoffeaturewasalmostuniformfromparenttochildthroughgenerations：sothat，tillquitelatterly，tohaveseenonenativemanandwomanwastohaveseenthewholepopulationofthatisolatedrock，sonearlycutofffromthemainland。Hisownpredispositionandthesenseofhisearlyfaithlessnessdidalltherest。

Heturnedgloomilyaway，andlethimselfoutoftheprecincts。Beforewalkingalongthecoupleofmilesofroadwhichwouldconducthimtothelittlestationontheshore，heredescendedtotherockswhereonhehadfoundher，andsearchedaboutforthefissurewhichhadmadeaprisonerofthisterriblybelatededitionoftheBeloved。Kneelingdownbesidethespotheinsertedhishand，andultimately，bymuchwriggling，withdrewtheprettyboot。Hemusedoveritforamoment，putitinhispocket，andfollowedthestonyroutetotheStreetofWells。

3。III。THERENEWEDIMAGEBURNSITSELFIN

TherewasnothingtohinderPierstonincallinguponthenewAvice’smotherasoftenasheshouldchoose，beyondthefivemilesofinterveningrailwayandadditionalmileortwoofclamberingovertheheightsoftheisland。Twodayslater，therefore，herepeatedhisjourneyandknockedabouttea-timeatthewidow’sdoor。

Ashehadfeared，thedaughterwasnotathome。Hesatdownbesidetheoldsweetheartwho，havingeclipsedhermotherinpastdays，hadnoweclipsedherselfinherchild。Jocelynproducedthegirl’sbootfromhispocket。

’Then，’tisYOUwhohelpedAviceoutofherpredicament？’saidMrs。

Pierston，withsurprise。

’Yes，mydearfriend；andperhapsIshallaskyoutohelpmeoutofminebeforeIhavedone。Butnevermindthatnow。Whatdidshetellyouabouttheadventure？’

Mrs。Pierstonwaslookingthoughtfullyuponhim。’Well，’tisratherstrangeitshouldhavebeenyou，sir，’shereplied。Sheseemedtobeagooddealinterested。’Ithoughtitmighthavebeenayoungerman——amuchyoungerman。’

’Itmighthavebeenasfarasfeelingswereconcerned……Now，Avice，I’lltothepointatonce。VirtuallyIhaveknownyourdaughteranynumberofyears。WhenItalktoherIcananticipateeveryturnofherthought，everysentiment，everyact，solongdidIstudythosethingsinyourmotherandinyou。ThereforeIdonotrequiretolearnher；shewaslearntbymeinherpreviousexistences。Now，don’tbeshocked：Iamwillingtomarryher——Ishouldbeoverjoyedtodoit，iftherewouldbenothingpreposterousaboutit，orthatwouldseemlikeamanmakinghimselftoomuchofafool，andsodegradingherinconsenting。Icanmakehercomparativelyrich，asyouknow，andI

wouldindulgehereverywhim。Thereistheidea，bluntlyput。Itwouldsetrightsomethinginmymindthathasbeenwrongforfortyyears。Aftermydeathshewouldhaveplentyoffreedomandplentyofmeanstoenjoyit。’

Mrs。IsaacPierstonseemedonlyalittlesurprised；certainlynotshocked。

’Well，ifIdidn’tthinkyoumightbeabittakenwithher！’shesaidwithanarchsimplicitywhichcouldhardlybecalledunaffected。

’Knowingthesetofyourmind，frommylittletimewithyouyearsago，nothingyoucoulddointhiswaywouldastonishme。’

’Butyoudon’tthinkbadlyofmeforit？’

’Notatall……By-the-bye，didyoueverguesswhyIaskedyoutocome？……Butneverminditnow：thematterispast……Ofcourse，itwoulddependuponwhatAvicefelt……Perhapsshewouldrathermarryayoungerman。’

’Andsupposeasatisfactoryyoungermanshouldnotappear？’

Mrs。Pierstonshowedinherfacethatshefullyrecognizedthedifferencebetweenarichbirdinhandandayoungbirdinthebush。

Shelookedhimcuriouslyupanddown。

’Iknowyouwouldmakeanybodyaverynicehusband，’shesaid。’Iknowthatyouwouldbenicerthanmanymenhalfyourage；and，thoughthereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweenyouandher，therehavebeenmoreunequalmarriages，that’strue。Speakingashermother，IcansaythatIshouldn’tobjecttoyou，sir，forher，providedshelikedyou。Thatiswherethedifficultywilllie。’

’Iwishyouwouldhelpmetogetoverthatdifficulty，’hesaidgently。

’Remember，Ibroughtbackatruanthusbandtoyoutwentyyearsago。’

’Yes，youdid，’sheassented；’and，thoughImaysaynogreatthingsastohappinesscameofit，I’vealwaysseenthatyourintentionstowardsmewerenonethelessnobleonthataccount。IwoulddoforyouwhatI

woulddofornootherman，andthereisonereasoninparticularwhichinclinesmetohelpyouwithAvice——thatIshouldfeelabsolutelycertainIwashelpinghertoakindhusband。’

’Well，thatwouldremaintobeseen。Iwould，atanyrate，trytobeworthyofyouropinion。Come，Avice，foroldtimes’sake，youmusthelpme。Youneverfeltanythingbutfriendshipinthosedays，youknow，andthatmakesiteasyandproperforyoutodomeagoodturnnow。’

Afteralittlemoreconversationhisoldfriendpromisedthatshereallywoulddoeverythingthatlayinherpower。Shedidnotsayhowsimpleshethoughthimnottoperceivethatshehadalready，bywritingtohim，beendoingeverythingthatlayinherpower；hadcreatedthefeelingwhichpromptedhisentreaty。Andtoshowhergoodfaithinthispromisesheaskedhimtowaittilllaterintheevening，whenAvicemightpossiblyrunacrosstoseeher。

Pierston，whofanciedhehadwontheyoungerAvice’sinterest，atleast，bytheparthehadplayedupontherockstheweekbefore，hadadreadofencounteringherinfulllighttillheshouldhaveadvancedalittlefurtherinherregard。Heaccordinglywasperplexedatthisproposal，and，seeinghishesitation，Mrs。PierstonsuggestedthattheyshouldwalktogetherinthedirectionwhenceAvicewouldcome，ifshecameatall。

Hewelcomedtheidea，andinafewminutestheystarted，strollingalongunderthenowstrongmoonlight，andwhentheyreachedthegatesofSylvaniaCastleturningbackagaintowardsthehouse。Aftertwoorthreesuchwalksupanddownthegateofthecastlegroundsclicked，andaformcameforthwhichprovedtobetheexpectedone。

Assoonastheymetthegirlrecognizedinhermother’scompanionthegentlemanwhohadhelpedherontheshore；andsheseemedreallygladtofindthatherchivalrousassistantwasclaimedbyherparentasanoldfriend。SherememberedhearingatdiverstimesaboutthisworthyLondonmanoftalentandposition，whoseancestrywerepeopleofherownisle，andpossibly，fromthename，ofacommonstockwithherown。

’AndyouhaveactuallylivedinSylvaniaCastleyourself，Mr。

Pierston？’askedAvicethedaughter，withherinnocentyoungvoice。

’Wasitlongago？’

’Yes，itwassometimeago，’repliedthesculptor，withasinkingathisheartlestsheshouldaskhowlong。

’ItmusthavebeenwhenIwasaway——orwhenIwasverylittle？’

’Idon’tthinkyouwereaway。’

’ButIdon’tthinkIcouldhavebeenhere？’

’No，perhapsyoucouldn’thavebeenhere。’

’Ithinkshewashidingherselfintheparsley-bed，’saidAvice’smotherblandly。

TheytalkedinthisgeneralwaytilltheyreachedMrs。Pierston’shouse；butJocelynresistedboththewidow’sinvitationandthedesireofhisownheart，andwentawaywithoutentering。Torisk，byvisiblyconfrontingher，theadvantagethathehadalreadygained，orfanciedhehadgained，withthere-incarnateAvicerequiredmorecouragethanhecouldclaiminhispresentmood。

***

Sucheveningpromenadesasthesewerefrequentduringthewaxingofthatsummermoon。Ononeoccasion，astheywereallgoodwalkers，itwasarrangedthattheyshouldmeethalfwaybetweentheislandandthetowninwhichPierstonhadlodgings。Itwasimpossiblethatbythistimetheprettyyounggovernessshouldnothaveguessedtheultimatereasonoftheseramblestobeamatrimonialintention；butsheinclinedtothebeliefthatthewidowratherthanherselfwastheobjectofPierston’sregard；thoughwhythiseducatedandapparentlywealthymanshouldbeattractedbyhermother——whosehomelinesswasapparentenoughtothegirl’smoremoderntraining——shecouldnotcomprehend。

TheymetaccordinglyinthemiddleofthePebble-bank，Pierstoncomingfromthemainland，andthewomenfromthepeninsularrock。CrossingthewoodenbridgewhichconnectedthebankwiththeshorepropertheymovedinthedirectionofHenrytheEighth’sCastle，onthevergeoftherag-stonecliff。LiketheRedKing’sCastleontheisland，theinteriorwasopentothesky，andwhentheyenteredandthefullmoonstreameddownuponthemovertheedgeoftheenclosingmasonry，thewholepresentrealityfadedfromJocelyn’smindunderthepressofmemories。NeitherofhiscompanionsguessedwhatPierstonwasthinkingof。Itwasinthisveryspotthathewastohavemetthegrandmotherofthegirlathisside，andinwhichhewouldhavemetherhadshechosentokeeptheappointment，ameetingwhichmight——nay，must——havechangedthewholecurrentofhislife。

Insteadofthat，fortyyearshadpassed——fortyyearsofseverancefromAvice，tillasecondlyrenewedcopyofhissweethearthadarisentofillherplace。Buthe，alas，wasnotrenewed。Andofallthistheprettyyoungthingathissideknewnothing。

Takingadvantageoftheyoungerwoman’sretreattoviewtheseathroughanopeningofthewalls，Pierstonappealedtohermotherinawhisper：

’Haveyouevergivenherahintofwhatmymeaningis？No？ThenI

thinkyoumight，ifyoureallyhavenoobjection。’

Mrs。Pierston，asthewidow，wasfarfrombeingsocoldlydisposedinherownpersontowardsherfriendasinthedayswhenhewantedtomarryher。Hadshenowbeentheobjectofhiswisheshewouldnothaveneededtoaskhertwice。Butlikeagoodmothershestifledallthis，andsaidshewouldsoundAvicethereandthen。

’Avice，mydear，’shesaid，advancingtowherethegirlmusedinthewindow-gap，’whatdoyouthinkofMr。Pierstonpayinghisaddressestoyou——comingcourting，as_I_callitinmyold-fashionedway。

Supposinghewereto，wouldyouencouragehim？’

’ToME，mother？’saidAvice，withaninquiringlaugh。’Ithought——hemeantyou！’

’Ono，hedoesn’tmeanme，’saidhermotherhastily。’Heisnothingmorethanmyfriend。’

’Idon’twantanyaddresses，’saidthedaughter。

’Heisamaninsociety，andwouldtakeyoutoaneleganthouseinLondonsuitedtoyoureducation，insteadofleavingyoutomopehere。’

’Ishouldlikethatwellenough，’repliedAvicecarelessly。

’Thengivehimsomeencouragement。’

’Idon’tcareenoughabouthimtodoanyencouraging。Itishisbusiness，Ishouldthink，todoall。’

Shespokeinherlightestvein；buttheresultwasthatwhenPierston，whohaddiscreetlywithdrawn，returnedtothem，shewalkeddocilely，thoughperhapsgloomily，besidehim，hermotherdroppingtotherear。

Theycametoaruggeddescent，andPierstontookherhandtohelpher。

Sheallowedhimtoretainitwhentheyarrivedonlevelground。

Altogetheritwasnotanunsuccessfuleveningforthemanwiththeunanchoredheart，thoughpossiblyinitialsuccessmeantworseforhiminthelongrunthaninitialfailure。Therewasnothingmarvellousinthefactofhertractabilitythusfar。Inhismoderndressandstyle，undertheraysofthemoon，helookedaverypresentablegentlemanindeed，whilehisknowledgeofartandhistravelledmannerswerenotwithouttheirattractionsforagirlwhowithonehandtouchedtheeducatedmiddle-classandwiththeothertherudeandsimpleinhabitantsoftheisle。Herintenselymodernsympathieswerequickenedbyherpeculiaroutlook。

Pierstonwouldhaveregardedhisinterestinherasovermuchselfishiftherehadnotexistedaredeemingqualityinthesubstratumofoldpatheticmemorybywhichsuchlovehadbeencreated——whichstillpermeatedit，renderingitthetenderest，mostanxious，mostprotectiveinstincthehadeverknown。Itmayhavehadinitscompositiontoomuchoftheboyishfervourthathadcharacterizedsuchaffectionwhenhewascherry-cheeked，andlightinthefootasagirl；but，ifitwasallthisfeelingofyouth，itwasmore。

Mrs。Pierston，infearingtobefrank，lestshemightseemtobeanglingforhisfortune，didnotfullydivinehischeerfulreadinesstoofferit，ifbysodoinghecouldmakeamendsforhisinfidelitytoherfamilyfortyyearsbackinthepast。Timehadnotmadehimmercenary，andithadquenchedhisambitions；andthoughhiswishtowedAvicewasnotentirelyawishtoenrichher，theknowledgethatshewouldbeenrichedbeyondanythingthatshecouldhaveanticipatedwaswhatallowedhimtoindulgehislove。

Hewasnotexactlyoldhesaidtohimselfthenextmorningashebeheldhisfaceintheglass。Andhelookedconsiderablyyoungerthanhewas。

Buttherewashistoryinhisface——distinctchaptersofit；hisbrowwasnotthatblankpageitoncehadbeen。Heknewtheoriginofthatlineinhisforehead；ithadbeentracedinthecourseofamonthortwobypasttroubles。Herememberedthecomingofthispalewiryhair；

ithadbeenbroughtbytheillnessinRome，whenhehadwishedeachnightthathemightneverwakeagain。Thiswrinkledcorner，thatdrawnbitofskin，theyhadresultedfromthosemonthsofdespondencywhenallseemedgoingagainsthisart，hisstrength，hishappiness。’Youcannotliveyourlifeandkeepit，Jocelyn，’hesaid。Timewasagainsthimandlove，andtimewouldprobablywin。

’WhenIwentawayfromthefirstAvice，’hecontinuedwithwhimsicalmisery，’IhadapresentimentthatIshouldacheforitsomeday。AndIamaching——haveachedeversincethisjadeofanIdeallearnttheunconscionabletrickofinhabitingoneimageonly。’

Uponthewholehewasnotwithoutabodementthatitwouldbefollytopresson。

3。IV。ADASHFORTHELASTINCARNATION

Thisdesultorycourtshipofayounggirlwhichhadbeenbroughtaboutbyhermother’scontrivancewasinterruptedbytheappearanceofSomersandhiswifeandfamilyontheBudmouthEsplanade。AlfredSomers，oncetheyouthful，picturesqueashisownpaintings，wasnowamiddle-agedfamilymanwithspectacles——spectaclesworn，too，withthesingleobjectofseeingthroughthem——andarowofdaughterstailingofftoinfancy，whoatpresentaddedappreciablytotheincomeofthebathing-

machinewomenestablishedalongthesands。

Mrs。Somers——oncetheintellectual，emancipatedMrs。Pine-Avon——hadnowretrogradedtothepettyandtimidmentalpositionofhermotherandgrandmother，givingsharp，strictregardtothecurrentliteratureandartthatreachedtheinnocentpresenceofherlongperspectiveofgirls，withtheviewofhidingeveryskullandskeletonoflifefromtheirdeareyes。Shewasanotherillustrationoftherulethatsucceedinggenerationsofwomenareseldommarkedbycumulativeprogress，theiradvanceasgirlsbeinglostintheirrecessionasmatrons；sothattheymoveupanddownthestreamofintellectualdevelopmentlikeflotsaminatidalestuary。Andthisperhapsnotbyreasonoftheirfaultsasindividuals，butoftheirmisfortuneaschild-rearers。

Thelandscape-painter，nowanAcademicianlikePierstonhimself——ratherpopularthandistinguished——hadgivenupthatpeculiarandpersonaltasteinsubjectswhichhadmarkedhimintimespast，executinginsteadmanypleasingaspectsofnatureaddressedtothefurnishinghouseholderthroughthemiddlingcritic，andreallyverygoodoftheirkind。InthiswayhereceivedmanylargechequesfrompersonsofwealthinEnglandandAmerica，outofwhichhebuilthimselfasumptuousstudioandanawkwardhousearoundit，andpaidfortheeducationofthegrowingmaidens。

ThevisionofSomers’shumblepositionasjackaltothislionofafamilyandhouseandstudioandsocialreputation——Somers，towhomstrangeconceitsandwildimaginingsweredepartedjoysnevertoreturn——ledPierston，asthepainter’scontemporary，tofeelthatheoughttobeoneofthebygoneslikewise，andtoputonanairofunromanticbufferism。HerefrainedfromenteringAvice’speninsulaforthewholefortnightofSomers’sstayintheneighbouringtown，althoughitsgreypoeticaloutline——’thronedalongthesea’——greetedhiseyeseverymornandeveacrosstheroadstead。

Whenthepainterandhisfamilyhadgonebackfromtheirbathingholiday，hethoughtthathe，too，wouldleavetheneighbourhood。Todoso，however，withoutwishingatleasttheelderAvicegood-byewouldbeunfriendly，consideringtheextentoftheiracquaintance。Oneevening，knowingthistimeofdaytosuitherbest，hetookthefew-minutes’

journeytotherockalongthethinconnectingstringofjunction，andarrivedatMrs。Pierston’sdoorjustafterdark。

Alightshonefromanupperchamber。Onaskingforhiswidowedacquaintancehewasinformedthatshewasill，seriously，thoughnotdangerously。Whilelearningthatherdaughterwaswithher，andfurtherparticulars，anddoubtingifheshouldgoin，amessagewassentdowntoaskhimtoenter。Hisvoicehadbeenheard，andMrs。

Pierstonwouldliketoseehim。

Hecouldnotwithanyhumanityrefuse，butthereflashedacrosshismindtherecollectionthatAvicetheyoungesthadneveryetreallyseenhim，hadseennothingmoreofhimthananoutline，whichmighthaveappertainedaseasilytoamanthirtyyearshisjuniorastohimself，andacountenancesorenovatedbyfaintmoonlightasfairlytocorrespond。Itwaswithmisgiving，therefore，thatthesculptorascendedthestaircaseandenteredthelittleuppersitting-room，nowarrangedasasick-chamber。

Mrs。Pierstonreclinedonasofa，herfaceemaciatedtoasurprisingthinnessforthecomparativelyshortintervalsinceherattack。’Comein，sir，’shesaid，assoonasshesawhim，holdingoutherhand。

’Don’tletmefrightenyou。’

Avicewasseatedbesideher，reading。Thegirljumpedup，hardlyseemingtorecognizehim。’O！it’sMr。Pierston，’shesaidinamoment，addingquickly，withevidentsurpriseandoffherguard：’I

thoughtMr。Pierstonwas——’

Whatshehadthoughthewasdidnotpassherlips，anditremainedariddleforJocelynuntilanewdepartureinhermannertowardshimshowedthatthewords’muchyounger’wouldhaveaccuratelyendedthesentence。HadPierstonnotnowconfrontedheranew，hemighthaveenduredphilosophicallyherchangedopinionofhim。Buthewasseeingheragain，andarootedfeelingwasrevived。