第7章

Pierstonnowlearntforthefirsttimethatthewidowhadbeenvisitedbysuddenattacksofthissortnotinfrequentlyoflateyears。Theyweresaidtobeduetoanginapectoris，thelatterparoxysmshavingbeenthemostsevere。Shewasatthepresentmomentoutofpain，thoughweak，exhausted，andnervous。Shewouldnot，however，converseaboutherself，buttookadvantageofherdaughter’sabsencefromtheroomtobroachthesubjectmostinherthoughts。

Nocompunctionshadstirredherastheyhadhervisitorontheexpediencyofhissuitinviewofhisyears。HerfeverofanxietylestafterallheshouldnotcometoseeAviceagainhadbeennotwithoutaneffectuponherhealth；anditmadehermorecandidthanshehadintendedtobe。

’Troublesandsicknessraiseallsortsoffears，Mr。Pierston，’shesaid。’WhatIfeltonlyawishfor，whenyoufirstnamedit，Ihavehopedforagooddealsince；andIhavebeensoanxiousthat——thatitshouldcometosomething！Iamgladindeedthatyouarecome。’

’MywantingtomarryAvice，youmean，dearMrs。Pierston？’

’Yes——that’sit。Iwonderifyouarestillinthesamemind？Youare？

ThenIwishsomethingcouldbedone——tomakeheragreetoit——soastogetitsettled。Idreadotherwisewhatwillbecomeofher。SheisnotapracticalgirlasIwas——shewouldhardlylikenowtosettledownasanislander’swife；andtoleaveherlivingherealonewouldtroubleme。’

’Nothingwillhappentoyouyet，Ihope，mydearoldfriend。’

’Well，itisariskycomplaint；andtheattacks，whentheycome，aresoagonizingthattoendurethemIoughttogetridofalloutsideanxieties，folksay。Now——doyouwanther，sir？’

’Withallmysoul！Butshedoesn’twantme。’

’Idon’tthinksheissoagainstyouasyouimagine。Ifancyifitwereputtoherplainly，nowIaminthisstate，itmightbedone。’

Theylapsedintoconversationontheearlydaysoftheiracquaintance，untilMrs。Pierston’sdaughterre-enteredtheroom。

’Avice，’saidhermother，whenthegirlhadbeenwiththemafewminutes。’AboutthismatterthatIhavetalkedoverwithyousomanytimessincemyattack。HereisMr。Pierston，andhewishestobeyourhusband。Heismucholderthanyou；but，inspiteofit，thatyouwillevergetabetterhusbandIdon’tbelieve。Now，willyoutakehim，seeingthestateIamin，andhownaturallyanxiousIamtoseeyousettledbeforeIdie？’

’Butyouwon’tdie，mother！Youaregettingbetter！’

’Justforthepresentonly。Come，heisagoodmanandacleverman，andarichman。Iwantyou，Osomuch，tobehiswife！Icansaynomore。’

Avicelookedappealinglyatthesculptor，andthenonthefloor。’Doeshereallywishmeto？’sheaskedalmostinaudibly，turningasshespoketoPierston。’Hehasneverquitesaidsotome。’

’Mydearone，howcanyoudoubtit？’saidJocelynquickly。’ButI

won’tpressyoutomarrymeasafavour，againstyourfeelings。’

’IthoughtMr。Pierstonwasyounger！’shemurmuredtohermother。

’Thatcountsforlittle，whenyouthinkhowmuchthereisontheotherside。Thinkofourposition，andofhis——asculptor，withamansion，andastudiofullofbustsandstatuesthatIhavedustedinmytime，andofthebeautifulstudiesyouwouldbeabletotakeup。Surelythelifewouldjustsuityou？Yourexpensiveeducationiswasteddownhere！’

Avicedidnotcaretoargue。Shewasoutwardlygentleashergrandmotherhadbeen，anditseemedjustaquestionwithherofwhethershemustormustnot。’Verywell——IfeelIoughttoagreetomarryhim，sinceyoutellmeto，’sheansweredquietly，aftersomethought。

’Iseethatitwouldbeawisethingtodo，andthatyouwishit，andthatMr。Pierstonreallydoes——likeme。So——sothat——’

Pierstonwasnotbackwardatthiscriticaljuncture，despiteunpleasantsensations。Butitwasthehistoricingredientinthisgenealogicalpassion——ifitscontinuitythroughthreegenerationsmaybesodescribed——whichappealedtohisperseveranceattheexpenseofhiswisdom。Themotherwasholdingthedaughter’shand；shetookPierston’s，andlaidAvice’sinit。

Nomorewassaidinargument，andthethingwasregardedasdetermined。

Afterwardsanoisewashearduponthewindow-panes，asoffinesandthrown；and，liftingtheblind，Pierstonsawthatthedistantlightshipwinkedwithablearedandindistincteye。Adrizzlingrainhadcomeonwiththedark，anditwasstrikingthewindowinhandfuls。Hehadintendedtowalkthetwomilesbacktothestation，butitmeantadrenchingtodoitnow。Hewaitedandhadsupper；and，findingtheweathernobetter，acceptedMrs。Pierston’sinvitationtostayoverthenight。

Thusitfelloutthatagainhelodgedinthehousehehadbeenaccustomedtoliveinasaboy，beforehisfatherhadmadehisfortune，andbeforehisownnamehadbeenheardofoutsidetheboundariesoftheisle。

Hesleptbutlittle，andinthefirstmovementofthedawnsatupinbed。WhyshouldheeverliveinLondonoranyotherfashionablecityifthisplanofmarriagecouldbecarriedout？Surely，withthisyoungwife，theislandwouldbethebestplaceforhim。ItmightbepossibletorentSylvaniaCastleashehadformerlydone——betterstilltobuyit。IflifecouldofferhimanythingworthhavingitwouldbeahomewithAvicethereonhisnativecliffstotheendofhisdays。

Ashesatthusthinking，andthedaylightincreased，hediscerned，ashortdistancebeforehim，amovementofsomethingghostly。Hispositionwasfacingthewindow，andhefoundthatbychancethelooking-glasshadswungitselfvertical，sothatwhathesawwashisownshape。Therecognitionstartledhim。Thepersonheappearedwastoogrievouslyfar，chronologically，inadvanceofthepersonhefelthimselftobe。Pierstondidnotcaretoregardthefigureconfrontinghimsomockingly。Itsvoiceseemedtosay’There’stragedyhangingontothis！’Butthequestionofagebeingpertinenthecouldnotgivethespectreup，andultimatelygotoutofbedundertheweirdfascinationofthereflection。Whetherhehadoverwalkedhimselflately，orwhathehaddone，heknewnot；butneverhadheseemedsoagedbyascoreofyearsashewasrepresentedintheglassinthatcoldgreymorninglight。Whilehissoulwaswhatitwas，whyshouldhehavebeenencumberedwiththatwitheringcarcase，withouttheabilitytoshiftitoffforanother，ashisidealBelovedhadsofrequentlydone？

Byreasonofhermother’sillnessAvicewasnowlivinginthehouse，and，ongoingdownstairs，hefoundthattheyweretobreakfastentete-

a-tete。Shewasnotthenintheroom，butsheenteredinthecourseofafewminutes。Pierstonhadalreadyheardthatthewidowfeltbetterthismorning，andelatedbytheprospectofsittingwithAviceatthismealhewentforwardtoherjoyously。Assoonasshesawhiminthefullstrokeofdayfromthewindowshestarted；andhethenrememberedthatitwastheirfirstmeetingunderthesolarrays。

Shewassoovercomethatsheturnedandlefttheroomasifshehadforgottensomething；whenshere-enteredshewasvisiblypale。Sherecoveredherself，andapologized。Shehadbeensittingupthenightbeforethelast，shesaid，andwasnotquitesowellasusual。

Theremayhavebeensometruthinthis；butPierstoncouldnotgetoverthatfirstscaredlookofhers。Itwasenoughtogivedaytimestabilitytohisnightviewsofapossibletragedylurkinginthisweddingproject。Hedeterminedthat，atanycosttohisheart，thereshouldbenomisapprehensionabouthimfromthismoment。

’MissPierston，’hesaidastheysatdown，’sinceitiswellyoushouldknowallthetruthbeforewegoanyfurther，thattheremaybenoawkwarddiscoveriesafterwards，Iamgoingtotellyousomethingaboutmyself——ifyouarenottoodistressedtohearit？’

’No——letmehearit。’

’Iwasoncetheloverofyourmother，andwantedtomarryher，onlyshewouldn’t，orrathercouldn’t，marryme。’

’Ohowstrange！’saidthegirl，lookingfromhimtothebreakfastthings，andfromthebreakfastthingstohim。’Motherhasnevertoldmethat。Yetofcourse，youmighthavebeen。Imean，youareoldenough。’

Hetooktheremarkasasatireshehadnotintended。’Oyes——quiteoldenough，’hesaidgrimly。’Almosttooold。’

’Toooldformother？How’sthat？’

’BecauseIbelongedtoyourgrandmother。’

’No？Howcanthatbe？’

’Iwasherloverlikewise。IshouldhavemarriedherifIhadgonestraightoninsteadofroundthecorner。’

’Butyoucouldn’thavebeen，Mr。Pierston！Youarenotoldenough？

Why，howoldareyou？——youhavenevertoldme。’

’Iamveryold。’

’Mymother’s，andmygrandmother’s，’saidshe，lookingathimnolongerasatapossiblehusband，butasastrangefossilizedrelicinhumanform。Pierstonsawit，butmeaningtogiveupthegamehedidnotcaretosparehimself。

’Yourmother’sandyourgrandmother’syoungman，’herepeated。

’Andwereyoumygreat-grandmother’stoo？’sheasked，withanexpectantinterestinhiscaseasadramathatovercameherpersonalconsiderationsforamoment。

’No——notyourgreat-grandmother’s。Yourimaginationbeatsevenmyconfessions！……ButIamVERYold，asyousee。’

’Ididnotknowit！’saidsheinanappalledmurmur。’Youdonotlookso；andIthoughtthatwhatyoulookedyouwere。’

’Andyou——youareveryyoung，’hecontinued。

Astillnessfollowed，duringwhichshesatinatroubledconstraint，regardinghimnowandthenwithsomethinginheropeneyesandlargepupilsthatmighthavebeensympathyornervousness。Pierstonatescarceanybreakfast，andrisingabruptlyfromthetablesaidhewouldtakeawalkonthecliffsasthemorningwasfine。

Hedidso，proceedingalongthenorth-eastheightsfornearlyamile。

HehadvirtuallygivenAviceup，butnotformally。Hisintentionhadbeentogobacktothehouseinhalf-an-hourandpayamorningvisittotheinvalid；butbynotreturningtheplansofthepreviouseveningmightbeallowedtolapsesilently，asmerepourparlersthathadcometonothinginthefaceofAvice’swantofloveforhim。Pierstonaccordinglywentstraightalong，andinthecourseofanhourwasathisBudmouthlodgings。

Nothingoccurredtilltheeveningtoinformhimhowhisabsencehadbeentaken。ThenanotearrivedfromMrs。Pierston；itwaswritteninpencil，evidentlyasshelay。

’Iamalarmed，’shesaid，’atyourgoingsosuddenly。Aviceseemstothinkshehasoffendedyou。Shedidnotmeantodothat，Iamsure。

Itmakesmedreadfullyanxious！Willyousendaline？Surelyyouwillnotdesertusnow——myheartissosetonmychild’swelfare！’

’DesertyouIwon’t，’saidJocelyn。’Itistoomuchliketheoriginalcase。ButImustletherdesertme！’

Onhisreturn，withnootherobjectthanthatofwishingMrs。Pierstongood-bye，hefoundherpainfullyagitated。Sheclaspedhishandandwetteditwithhertears。

’Odon’tbeoffendedwithher！’shecried。’She’syoung。Weareonepeople——don’tmarryakimberlin！Itwillbreakmyheartifyouforsakehernow！Avice！’

Thegirlcame。’Mymannerwashastyandthoughtlessthismorning，’shesaidinalowvoice。’Pleasepardonme。Iwishtoabidebymypromise。’

Hermother，stilltearful，againjoinedtheirhands；andtheengagementstoodasbefore。

PierstonwentbacktoBudmouth，butdimlyseeinghowcuriously，throughhisbeingarichsuitor，ideasofbeneficenceandreparationwereretaininghiminthecoursearrangedbyhermother，andurgedbyhisowndesireinthefaceofhisunderstanding。

3。V。ONTHEVERGEOFPOSSESSION

InanticipationofhismarriagePierstonhadtakenanewredhouseoftheapprovedKensingtonpattern，withanewstudioatthebackaslargeasamediaevalbarn。Hither，incollusionwiththeelderAvice——whosehealthhadmendedsomewhat——heinvitedmotheranddaughtertospendaweekortwowithhim，thinkingtherebytoexerciseonthelatter’simaginationaninfluencewhichwasnotpracticablewhilehewasaguestattheirhouse；andbyinterestinghisbetrothedinthefittingandfurnishingofthisresidencetocreateinheranambitiontobeitsmistress。

Itwasapleasant，reposefultimetobeintown。Therewasnobodytointerruptthemintheirproceedings，and，itbeingoutoftheseason，thelargesttradesmenwereasattentivetotheirwantsasifthosefirmshadneverbeforebeenhonouredwithasinglecustomerwhomtheyreallyliked。Pierstonandhisguests，almostequallyinexperienced——

forthesculptorhadnearlyforgottenwhatknowledgeofhouseholdinghehadacquiredearlierinlife——couldconsiderandpractisethoroughlyaspeciesofskeleton-drillinreceivingvisitorswhenthepairshouldannouncethemselvesasmarriedandathomeinthecomingwinterseason。

Avicewascharming，evenifalittlecold。Hecongratulatedhimselfyetagainthattimeshouldhavereservedforhimthisfinalchanceforoneoftheline。Shewassomewhatlikehermother，whomhehadlovedintheflesh，butshehadthesoulofhergrandmother，whomhehadlovedinthespirit——and，forthatmatter，lovednow。Onlyonecriticismhadhetopassuponhischoice：thoughinoutwardsemblancehergrandamidealized，shehadnotthefirstAvice’scandour，butratherhermother’scloseness。Heneverknewexactlywhatshewasthinkingandfeeling。Yetheseemedtohavesuchprescriptiverightsinwomenofherbloodthatheroccasionalwantofconfidencedidnotdeeplytroublehim。

ItwasoneofthoseripeandmellowafternoonsthatsometimescolourLondonwiththeirgoldenlightatthistimeoftheyear，andproducethosemarvelloussunseteffectswhich，iftheywerenotknowntobemadeupofkitchencoal-smokeandanimalexhalations，wouldberapturouslyapplauded。Behindtheperpendicular，oblique，zigzagged，andcurvedzinc’tall-boys，’thatformedagreypatternnotunlikeearlyGothicnumeralsagainstthesky，themenandwomenonthetopsoftheomnibusessawanirradiationoftopazhues，darkenedhereandthereintorichestrusset。

Therehadbeenasharpshowerduringtheafternoon，andPierston——whohadtotakecareofhimself——hadwornapairofgoloshesonhisshortwalkinthestreet。Henoiselesslyenteredthestudio，insidewhichsomegleamsofthesamemellowlighthadmanagedtocreep，andwhereheguessedheshouldfindhisprospectivewifeandmother-in-lawawaitinghimwithtea。ButonlyAvicewasthere，seatedbesidetheteapotofbrowndelf，which，asartists，theyaffected，herbackbeingtowardhim。Shewasholdingherhandkerchieftohereyes，andhesawthatshewasweepingsilently。

Inanothermomentheperceivedthatshewasweepingoverabook。Bythistimeshehadheardhim，andcameforward。Hemadeitappearthathehadnotnoticedherdistress，andtheydiscussedsomearrangementsoffurniture。Whenhehadtakenacupofteashewentaway，leavingthebookbehindher。

Pierstontookitup。Thevolumewasanoldschool-book；Stievenard’s’LecturesFrancaises，’withhernameinitasapupilatSandbourneHighSchool，anddate-markingsdenotinglessonstakenatacomparativelyrecenttime，forAvicehadbeenbutanoviceasgovernesswhenhediscoveredher。

Foraschool-girl——whichshevirtuallywas——toweepoveraschool-bookwasstrange。Couldshehavebeenaffectedbysomesubjectinthereadings？Impossible。Pierstonfelltothinking，andzestdiedfortheprocessoffurnishing，whichhehadundertakensogaily。Somehow，thebloomwasagaindisappearingfromhisapproachingmarriage。YethelovedAvicemoreandmoretenderly；hefearedsometimesthatinthesolicitousnessofhisaffectionhewasspoilingherbyindulginghereverywhim。

Helookedroundthelargeandambitiousapartment，nowbecomingcloudedwithshades，outofwhichthewhiteandcadaverouscountenancesofhisstudies，casts，andotherlumberpeeredmeditativelyathim，asiftheyweresaying，’Whatareyougoingtodonow，oldboy？’Theyhadneverlookedlikethatwhilestandinginhispasthomelyworkshop，whereallthereallaboursofhislifehadbeencarriedout。Whatshouldamanofhisage，whohadnotforyearsdoneanythingtospeakof——certainlynottoaddtohisreputationasanartist——wantwithanewplacelikethis？Itwasallbecauseoftheelectlady，andsheapparentlydidnotwanthim。

PierstondidnotobserveanythingfurtherinAvicetocausehimmisgivingtillonedinner-time，aweeklater，towardstheendofthevisit。Then，ashesathimselfbetweenherandhermotherattheirlimitedtable，hewasstruckwithhernervousness，andwastemptedtosay，’Whyareyoutroubled，mylittledearest？’intoneswhichdisclosedthathewasastroubledasshe。

’AmItroubled？’shesaidwithastart，turninghergentlehazeleyesuponhim。’Yes，IsupposeIam。ItisbecauseIhavereceivedaletter——fromanoldfriend。’

’Youdidn’tshowittome，’saidhermother。

’No——Itoreitup。’

’Why？’

’Itwasnotnecessarytokeepit，soIdestroyedit。’

Mrs。Pierstondidnotpressherfurtheronthesubject，andAviceshowednodispositiontocontinueit。Theyretiredratherearly，astheyalwaysdid，butPierstonremainedpacingabouthisstudioalongwhile，musingonmanythings，nottheleastbeingtheperceptionthattowedawomanmaybebynomeansthesamethingastobeunitedwithher。The’oldfriend’ofAvice’sremarkhadsoundedverymuchlike’lover。’Otherwisewhyshouldtheletterhavesogreatlydisturbedher？

Thereseemedtobesomethinguncanny，afterall，aboutLondon，initsrelationtohiscontemplatedmarriage。Whenshehadfirstcomeupshewaseasierwithhimthannow。Andyethisbringinghertherehadhelpedhiscause；thehousehaddecidedlyimpressedher——almostoverawedher，andthoughheownedthatbynolawofnatureorreasonhadhermotherorhimselfanyrighttourgeonAvicepartnershipwithhimagainstherinclination，heresolvedtomakethemostofhavingherunderhisinfluencebygettingtheweddingdetailssettledbeforesheandhermotherleft。

Thenextmorningheproceededtodothis。WhenheencounteredAvicetherewasatraceofapprehensiononherface；buthesetthatdowntoafearthatshehadoffendedhimthenightbeforebyhertaciturnity。

Directlyherequestedhermother，inAvice’spresence，togethertofixthedayquiteearly，Mrs。Pierstonbecamebrighterandbrisker。

She，too，plainlyhaddoubtsaboutthewisdomofdelay，andturningtoherdaughtersaid，’Now，mydear，doyouhear？’

Itwasultimatelyagreedthatthewidowandherdaughtershouldgobackinadayortwo，toawaitPierston’sarrivalonthewedding-eve，immediatelyaftertheirreturn。

***

InpursuanceofthearrangementPierstonfoundhimselfonthesouthshoreofEnglandinthegloomoftheaforesaidevening，theisle，ashelookedacrossatitwithhisapproach，beingjustdiscernibleasamopingcountenance，acreaturesullenwithasensethathewasabouttowithdrawfromitskeepingtherarestobjectithadeverowned。Hehadcomealone，nottoembarrassthem，andhadintendedtohaltacoupleofhoursintheneighbouringseaporttogivesomeordersrelatingtothewedding，butthelittlerailwaytrainbeinginwaitingtotakehimon，heproceededwithanaturalimpatience，resolvingtodohisbusinessherebymessengerfromtheisle。

HepassedtheruinsoftheTudorcastleandthelongfeaturelessribofgrindingpebblesthatscreenedofftheoutersea，whichcouldbeheardliftinganddippingrhythmicallyinthewidevaguenessoftheBay。Attheunder-hillislandtownletoftheWellstherewerenoflys，andleavinghisthingstobebroughton，asheoftendid，heclimbedtheeminenceonfoot。

Half-wayupthesteepestpartofthepasshesawintheduskafigurepausing——thesinglepersonontheincline。Thoughitwastoodarktoidentifyfaces，Pierstongatheredfromthewayinwhichthehaltingstrangerwassupportinghimselfbythehandrail，whichhereborderedtheroadtoassistclimbers，thatthepersonwasexhausted。

’Anythingthematter？’hesaid。

’Ono——notmuch，’wasreturnedbytheother。’Butitissteepjusthere。’

TheaccentwasnotquitethatofanEnglishman，andstruckhimashailingfromoneoftheChannelIslands。’Can’tIhelpyouuptothetop？’hesaid，forthevoice，thoughthatofayoungman，seemedfaintandshaken。

’No，thankyou。Ihavebeenill；butIthoughtIwasallrightagain；

andasthenightwasfineIwalkedintotheislandbytheroad。Itturnedouttoberathertoomuchforme，asthereissomeweaknessleftstill；andthisstiffinclinebroughtitout。’

’Naturally。You’dbettertakeholdofmyarm——atanyratetothebrowhere。’

Thuspressedthestrangerdidso，andtheywentontowardstheridge，till，reachingthelime-kilnstandingtherethestrangerabandonedhishold，saying：’Thankyouforyourassistance，sir。Good-night。’

’Idon’tthinkIrecognizeyourvoiceasanative’s？’

’No，itisnot。IamaJerseyman。Goodnight，sir。’

’Good-night，ifyouaresureyoucangeton。Here，takethisstick——itisnousetome。’Sayingwhich，Pierstonputhiswalking-stickintotheyoungman’shand。

’Thankyouagain。IshallbequiterecoveredwhenIhaverestedaminuteortwo。Don’tletmedetainyou，please。’

Thestrangerashespoketurnedhisfacetowardsthesouth，wheretheBeallighthadjustcomeintoview，andstoodregardingitwithanobstinatefixity。AsheevidentlywishedtobelefttohimselfJocelynwenton，andtroublednomoreabouthim，thoughthedesireoftheyoungmantoberidofhiscompany，afteracceptinghiswalking-stickandhisarm，hadcomewithasuddennessthatwasalmostemotional；andimpressionableasJocelynwas，nolessnowthaninyouth，hewassaddenedforaminutebythesensethattherewerepeopleintheworldwhodidnotlikeevenhissympathy。

However，apleasurewhichobliteratedallthisarosewhenPierstondrewneartothehousethatwaslikelytobehisdearhomeonallfuturevisitstotheisle，perhapsevenhispermanenthomeashegrewolderandtheassociationsofhisyouthre-assertedthemselves。Ithadbeen，too，hisfather’shouse，thehouseinwhichhewasborn，andheamusedhisfancywithplansforitsenlargementunderthesupervisionofAviceandhimself。Itwasastillgreaterpleasuretobeholdatallandshapelyfigurestandingagainstthelightoftheopendoorandpresumablyawaitinghim。

Avice，whoitwas，gavealittlejumpwhensherecognizedhim，butdutifullyallowedhimtokissherwhenhereachedherside；thoughhernervousnesswasonlytooapparent，andwaslikeachild’stowardsaparentwhomayprovestern。

’HowdearofyoutoguessthatImightcomeonatonceinsteadoflater！’saidJocelyn。’Well，ifIhadstayedinthetowntogototheshopsandsoon，Icouldnothavegotheretillthelasttrain。Howismother？——ourmother，asIshallcallhersoon。’

Avicesaidthathermotherhadnotbeensowell——shefearednotnearlysowellsinceherreturnfromLondon，sothatshewasobligedtokeepherroom。Thevisithadperhapsbeentoomuchforher。’Butshewillnotacknowledgethatsheismuchweaker，becauseshewillnotdisturbmyhappiness。’

Jocelynwasinamoodtolettriflesofmannerpass，andhetooknonoticeoftheeffortwhichhadaccompaniedthelastword。TheywentupstairstoMrs。Pierston，whoseobviousreliefandthankfulnessatsightofhimwasgratefultohervisitor。

’Iamso，Osogladyouarecome！’shesaidhuskily，assheheldoutherthinhandandstifledasob。’Ihavebeenso——’

Shecouldgetnofurtherforamoment，andAviceturnedawayweeping，andabruptlylefttheroom。

’Ihavesosetmyheartonthis，’Mrs。Pierstonwenton，’thatIhavenotbeenabletosleepoflate，forIhavefearedImightdropoffsuddenlybeforesheisyours，andlosethecomfortofseeingyouactuallyunited。Yourbeingsokindtomeinoldtimeshasmademesosurethatshewillfindagoodhusbandinyou，thatIamoveranxious，Iknow。Indeed，IhavenotlikedtoletherknowquitehowanxiousI

am。’

ThustheytalkedtillJocelynbadehergoodnight，itbeingnoticeablethatMrs。Pierston，chastenedbyherillnesses，maintainednolongeranyreserveonhergladnesstoacquirehimasherson-in-law；andherfeelingsdestroyedanyremainingscrupleshemighthavehadfromperceivingthatAvice’sconsentwasratheranobediencethanadesire。

Ashewentdownstairs，andfoundAviceawaitinghisdescent，hewonderedifanythinghadoccurredhereduringhisabsencetogiveMrs。

Pierstonnewuneasinessaboutthemarriage，butitwasaninquiryhecouldnotaddresstoagirlwhoseactionscouldalonebethecauseofsuchuneasiness。

Helookedroundforherashesupped，butthoughshehadcomeintotheroomwithhimshewasnottherenow。Herememberedhertellinghimthatshehadhadsupperwithhermother，andJocelynsatonquietlymusingandsippinghiswineforsomethingnearhalf-an-hour。Wonderingthenforthefirsttimewhathadbecomeofher，heroseandwenttothedoor。Avicewasquitenearhimafterall——onlystandingatthefrontdoorasshehadbeendoingwhenhecame，lookingintothelightofthefullmoon，whichhadrisensincehisarrival。Hissuddenopeningofthedining-roomdoorseemedtoagitateher。

’Whatisit，dear？’heasked。

’Asmotherismuchbetteranddoesn’twantme，IoughttogoandseesomebodyIpromisedtotakeaparcelto——IfeelIought。Andyet，asyouhavejustcometoseeme——Isupposeyoudon’tapproveofmygoingoutwhileyouarehere？’

’Whoistheperson？’

’Somebodydownthatway，’shesaidindefinitely。’Itisnotveryfaroff。Iamnotafraid——Igooutoftenbymyselfatnighthereabout。’

Hereassuredhergood-humouredly。’Ifyoureallywishtogo，mydear，ofcourseIdon’tobject。Ihavenoauthoritytodothattilltomorrow，andyouknowthatifIhaditIshouldn’tuseit。’

’Obutyouhave！Motherbeinganinvalid，youareinherplace，apartfrom——to-morrow。’

’Nonsense，darling。Runacrosstoyourfriend’shousebyallmeansifyouwantto。’

’Andyou’llbeherewhenIcomein？’

’No，Iamgoingdowntotheinntoseeifmythingsarebroughtup。’

’Buthasn’tmotheraskedyoutostayhere？Thespareroomwasgotreadyforyou……Dearme，IamafraidIoughttohavetoldyou。’

’Shedidaskme。ButIhavesomethingscoming，directedtotheinn，andIhadbetterbethere。SoI’llwishyougood-night，thoughitisnotlate。Iwillcomeinquiteearlyto-morrow，toinquirehowyourmotherisgoingon，andtowishyougood-morning。Youwillbebackagainquicklythisevening？’

’Oyes。’

’AndIneedn’tgowithyouforcompany？’

’Ono，thankyou。Itisnodistance。’

Pierstonthendeparted，thinkinghowentirelyhermannerwasthatofonetowhomaquestionofdoinganythingwasaquestionofpermissionandnotofjudgment。HehadnosoonergonethanAvicetookaparcelfromacupboard，putonherhatandcloak，andfollowingbythewayhehadtakentillshereachedtheentrancetoSylvaniaCastle，therestoodstill。ShecouldhearPierston’sfootstepspassingdownEastQuarrierstotheinn；butshewentnofurtherinthatdirection。Turningintothelaneontheright，ofwhichmentionhassooftenbeenmade，shewentquicklypastthelastcottage，andhavingenteredthegorgebeyondsheclamberedintotheruinoftheRedKing’sorBow-and-ArrowCastle，standingasasquareblackmassagainstthemoonlit，indefinitesea。

3。VI。THEWELL-BELOVEDIS——WHERE？

Mrs。Pierstonpassedarestlessnight，butthissheletnobodyknow；

nor，whatwaspainfullyevidenttoherself，thatherprostrationwasincreasedbyanxietyandsuspenseabouttheweddingonwhichshehadtoomuchsetherheart。

DuringtheverybriefspaceinwhichshedozedAvicecameintoherroom。Asitwasnotinfrequentforherdaughtertolookinuponherthusshetooklittlenotice，merelysayingtoassurethegirl：’Iambetter，dear。Don’tcomeinagain。Gettosleepyourself。’

Themother，however，wentthinkinganew。Shehadnoapprehensionsaboutthismarriage。Shefeltperfectlysurethatitwasthebestthingshecoulddoforhergirl。NotayoungwomanontheislandbutwasenvyingAviceatthatmoment；forJocelynwasabsurdlyyoungforthreescore，agood-lookingman，onewhosehistorywasgenerallyknownhere；asalsoweretheexactfiguresofthefortunehehadinheritedfromhisfather，andthesocialstandinghecouldclaim——astanding，however，whichthatfortunewouldnothavebeenlargeenoughtoprocureunassistedbyhisreputationinhisart。

ButAvicehadbeenweakenough，ashermotherknew，toindulgeinfanciesforlocalyouthsfromtimetotime，andMrs。Pierstoncouldnothelpcongratulatingherselfthatherdaughterhadbeensodocileinthecircumstances。Yettoeveryoneexcept，perhaps，Aviceherself，Jocelynwasthemostromanticoflovers。Indeedwasthereeversucharomanceasthatmanembodiedinhisrelationstoherhouse？RejectingthefirstAvice，thesecondhadrejectedhim，andtorallytothethirdwithfinalachievementwasanartisticandtenderfinishtowhichitwasungratefulinanybodytobeblind。

ThewidowthoughtthatthesecondAvicemightprobablynothaverejectedPierstononthatoccasionintheLondonstudiosomanyyearsagoifdestinyhadnotarrangedthatsheshouldhavebeensecretlyunitedtoanotherwhentheproposingmomentcame。

Butwhathadcomewasbest。’MyGod，’shesaidattimesthatnight，’tothinkmyaiminwritingtohimshouldbefulfillingitselflikethis！’

Whenallwasrightanddone，whatasuccessuponthewholeherlifewouldhavebeen。Shewhohadbegunhercareerasacottage-girl，asmallquarry-owner’sdaughter，hadsunksolowastothepositionoflaundress，hadengagedinvariousmenialoccupations，hadmadeanunhappymarriageforlovewhichhad，however，inthelongrun，thankstoJocelyn’smanagement，muchimprovedherposition，wasatlasttoseeherdaughtersecurewhatsheherselfhadjustmissedsecuring，andestablishedinahomeofaffluenceandrefinement。

Thusthesickwomanexcitedherselfasthehourswenton。Atlast，inhertensenessitseemedtoherthatthetimehadalreadycomeatwhichthehouseholdwasstirring，andshefanciedsheheardconversationinherdaughter’sroom。Butshefoundthatitwasonlyfiveo’clock，andnotyetdaylight。Herstatewassuchthatshecouldseethehangingsofthebedtremblewithhertremors。Shehaddeclaredovernightthatshedidnotrequireanyonetositupwithher，butshenowrangalittlehandbell，andinafewminutesanurseappeared；RuthStockwool，anislandwomanandneighbour，whomMrs。Pierstonknewwell，andwhoknewallMrs。Pierston’shistory。

’IamsonervousthatIcan’tstaybymyself，’saidthewidow。’AndI

thoughtIheardBeckydressingMissAviceinherweddingthings。’

’Ono——notyet，ma’am。There’snobodyup。ButI’llgetyousomething。’

WhenMrs。Pierstonhadtakenalittlenourishmentshewenton：’I

can’thelpfrighteningmyselfwiththoughtsthatshewon’tmarryhim。

YouseeheisolderthanAvice。’

’Yes，heis，’saidherneighbour。’ButIdon’tseehowanythingcanhendertheweddennow。’

’Avice，youknow，hadfancies；atleastonefancyforanotherman；ayoungfellowoffive-and-twenty。Andshe’sbeenverysecretandoddaboutit。Iwishshehadravedandcriedandhaditout；butshe’sbeenquitetheotherway。Iknowshe’sfondofhimstill。’

’What——thatyoungFrenchman，Mr。Leverreo’Sandbourne？I’veheardalittleofit。ButIshouldsaytherewaddenmuchbetween’em。’

’Idon’tthinktherewas。ButI’veasortofconvictionthatshesawhimlastnight。Ibelieveitwasonlytobidhimgood-bye，andreturnhimsomebookshehadgivenher；butIwishshehadneverknownhim；heisratheranexcitable，impulsiveyoungman，andhemightmakemischief。Heisn’taFrenchman，thoughhehaslivedinFrance。HisfatherwasaJerseygentleman，andonhisbecomingawidowerhemarriedashissecondwifeanativeofthisveryisland。That’smainlywhytheyoungmanissoathomeintheseparts。’

’Ah——nowIfollow’ee。ShewasaBencomb，hisstepmother：Iheardsomethingaboutheryearsago。’

’Yes；herfatherhadthebiggeststone-tradeontheislandatonetime；

butthenameisforgottenherenow。HeretiredyearsbeforeIwasborn。However，motherusedtotellmethatshewasahandsomeyoungwoman，whotriedtocatchMr。Pierstonwhenhewasayoungman，andscandalizedherselfabitwithhim。Shewentoffabroadwithherfather，whohadmadeafortunehere；butwhenhegotovertherehelostitnearlyallinsomeway。YearsaftershemarriedthisJerseyman，Mr。

Leverre，whohadbeenfondofherasagirl，andshebroughtuphischildasherown。’

Mrs。Pierstonpaused，butasRuthdidnotaskanyquestionshepresentlyresumedherself-relievingmurmur：

’HowMissAvicegottoknowtheyoungmanwasinthisway。WhenMrs。

Leverre’shusbanddiedshecamefromJerseytoliveatSandbourne；andmadeitherbusinessonedaytocrossovertothisplacetomakeinquiriesaboutMr。JocelynPierston。AsmynamewasPierstonshecalleduponmewithherson，andsoAviceandhegotacquainted。WhenAvicewentbacktoSandbournetothefinishingschooltheykeptuptheacquaintanceinsecret。HetaughtFrenchsomewherethere，anddoesstill，Ibelieve。’

’Well，Ihopeshe’llforgeten。Heiddengoodenough。’

’Ihopeso——Ihopeso……NowI’lltrytogetalittlenap。’

RuthStockwoolwentbacktoherroom，where，findingitwouldnotbenecessarytogetupforanotherhour，shelaydownagainandsoonslept。Herbedwasclosetothestaircase，fromwhichitwasdividedbyalathpartitiononly，andherconsciousnesseitherwasorseemedtobearousedbylightbrushingtouchesontheoutsideofthepartition，asoffingersfeelingthewaydownstairsinthedark。Theslightnoisepassed，andinafewsecondsshedreamtorfanciedshecouldheartheunfasteningofthebackdoor。

Shehadnearlysunkintoanothersoundsleepwhenpreciselythesamephenomenawererepeated；fingersbrushingalongthewallclosetoherhead，down，downward，thesoftopeningofthedoor，itsclose，andsilenceagain。

Shenowbecameclearlyawake。Therepetitionoftheprocesshadmadethewholematterasingularone。Earlyasitwasthefirstsoundsmighthavebeenthoseofthehousemaiddescending，thoughwhysheshouldhavecomedownsostealthilyandinthedarkdidnotmakeitselfclear。Butthesecondperformancewasinexplicable。Ruthgotoutofbedandliftedherblind。Thedawnwashardlyyetpink，andthelightfromthesandbankwasnotyetextinguished。Butthebushesofeuonymusagainstthewhitepalingsofthefrontgardencouldbeseen，alsothelightsurfaceoftheroadwindingawaylikearibandtothenorthentranceofSylvaniaCastle，thenceroundtothevillage，thecliffs，andtheCovebehind。Upontheroadtwodarkfigurescouldjustbediscerned，onealittlewaybehindtheother，butovertakingandjoiningtheforemostasRuthlooked。Afteralltheymightbequarriersorlighthouse-keepersfromthesouthoftheisland，orfishermenjustlandedfromanight’swork。Therebeingnothingtoconnectthemwiththenoisesshehadheardindoorsshedismissedthewholesubject，andwenttobedagain。

***

JocelynhadpromisedtopayanearlyvisittoascertainthestateofMrs。Pierston’shealthafterhernight’srest，herprecariousconditionbeingmoreobvioustohimthantoAvice，andmakinghimalittleanxious。Subsequenteventscausedhimtorememberthatwhilehewasdressinghecasuallyobservedtwoorthreeboatmenstandingnearthecliffbeyondthevillage，andapparentlywatchingwithdeepinterestwhatseemedtobeaboatfarawaytowardstheoppositeshoreofSouthWessex。Athalf-pasteighthecamefromthedooroftheinnandwentstraighttoMrs。Pierston’s。Onapproachinghediscoveredthatastrangeexpressionwhichseemedtohangaboutthehouse-frontthatmorningwasmorethanafancy，thegate，door，andtwowindowsbeingopen，thoughtheblindsofotherwindowswerenotdrawnup，thewholelendingavacant，dazedlooktothedomicile，asofapersongapinginsuddenstultification。Nobodyansweredhisknock，andwalkingintothedining-roomhefoundthatnobreakfasthadbeenlaid。Hisflashingthoughtwas，’Mrs。Pierstonisdead。’

Whilestandingintheroomsomebodycamedownstairs，andJocelynencounteredRuthStockwool，anopenletterflutteringinherhand。

’OMr。Pierston，Mr。Pierston！TheLord-a-Lord！’

’What？Mrs。Pierston——’

’No，no！MissAvice！Sheisgone！——yes——gone！Readyethis，sir。Itwasleftinherbedroom，andwebefairlygalliedoutofoursenses！’

Hetooktheletterandconfusedlybeheldthatitwasintwohandwritings，thefirstsectionbeinginAvice’s：

’MYDEARMOTHER，——HoweverwillyouforgivemeforwhatIhavedone！

Sodeceitfulasitseems。AndyettillthisnightIhadnoideaofdeceivingeitheryouorMr。Pierston。

’Lastnightatteno’clockIwentout，asyoumayhaveguessed，toseeMr。Leverreforthelasttime，andtogivehimbackhisbooks，letters，andlittlepresentstome。Iwentonlyafewsteps——toBow-and-ArrowCastle，wherewemetaswehadagreedtodo，sincehecouldnotcall。

WhenIreachedtheplaceIfoundhimtherewaiting，butquiteill。Hehadbeenunwellathismother’shouseforsomedays，andhadbeenobligedtostayinbed，buthehadgotuponpurposetocomeandbidmegood-bye。Theover-exertionofthejourneyupsethim，andthoughwestayedandstayedtilltwelveo’clockhefeltquiteunabletogobackhome——unable，indeed，tomovemorethanafewyards。Ihadtriedsohardnottolovehimanylonger，butIlovedhimsonowthatIcouldnotdeserthimandleavehimouttheretocatchhisdeath。SoIhelpedhim——nearlycarryinghim——onandontoourdoor，andthenroundtotheback。Herehegotalittlebetter，andashecouldnotstaythere，andeverybodywasnowasleep，IhelpedhimupstairsintotheroomwehadpreparedforMr。Pierstonifheshouldhavewantedone。Igothimintobed，andthenfetchedsomebrandyandalittleofyourtonic。Didyouseemecomeintoyourroomforit，orwereyouasleep？

’Isatbyhimallnight。Heimprovedslowly，andwetalkedoverwhatwehadbetterdo。Ifeltthat，thoughIhadintendedtogivehimup，I

couldnotnowbecominglymarryanyotherman，andthatIoughttomarryhim。Wedecidedtodoitatonce，beforeanybodycouldhinderus。Sowecamedownbeforeitwaslight，andhavegoneawaytogettheceremonysolemnized。

’TellMr。Pierstonitwasnotpremeditated，buttheresultofanaccident。Iamsincerelysorrytohavetreatedhimwithwhathewillthinkunfairness，butthoughIdidnotlovehimImeanttoobeyyouandmarryhim。ButGodsentthisnecessityofmyhavingtogivesheltertomyLove，toprevent，Ithink，mydoingwhatIamnowconvincedwouldhavebeenwrong——Everyourlovingdaughter，AVICE。’

Thesecondwasinaman’shand：

’DEARMOTHER（asyouwillsoonbetome），——AvicehasclearlyexplainedabovehowithappenedthatIhavenotbeenabletogiveheruptoMr。

Pierston。IthinkIshouldhavediedifIhadnotacceptedthehospitalityofaroominyourhousethisnight，andyourdaughter’stendernursingthroughthedarkdrearyhours。Weloveeachotherbeyondexpression，anditisobviousthat，ifwearehuman，wecannotresistmarryingnow，inspiteoffriends’wishes。Willyoupleasesendthenotelyingbesidethistomymother。ItismerelytoexplainwhatIhavedone——Yourswithwarmestregard，HENRILEVERRE。’

Jocelynturnedawayandlookedoutofthewindow。

’Mrs。Pierstonthoughtsheheardsometalkinginthenight，butofcoursesheputitdowntofancy。AndsheremembersMissAvicecomingintoherroomatoneo’clockinthemorning，andgoingtothetablewherethemedicinewasstanding。Aslygirl——allthetimeheryoungmanwithinayardortwo，intheveryroom，andausingtheverycleansheetsthatyou，sir，weretohaveused！Theyareourbestlinenones，gotupbeautiful，andakeptwi’rosemary。Really，sir，onewouldsayyoustayedouto’yourchammero’purposetoobligetheyoungmanwithabed！’

’Don’tblamethem，don’tblamethem！’saidJocelyninanevenandcharacterlessvoice。’Don’tblameher，particularly。Shedidn’tmakethecircumstances。Idid……ItwashowIservedhergrandmother……Well，she’sgone！Youneedn’tmakeamysteryofit。Tellittoalltheisland：saythatamancametomarryawife，anddidn’tfindherathome。Telleverybodythatshe’srunaway。Itmustbeknownsoonerorlater。’

Oneoftheservantssaid，afterwaitingafewmoments：’Weshan’tdothat，sir。’

’Oh——Whywon’tyou？’

’Welikedhertoowell，withallherfaults。’

’Ah——didyou，’saidhe；andhesighed。HeperceivedthattheyoungermaidsweresecretlyonAvice’sside。

’Howdoeshermotherbearit？’Jocelynasked。’Issheawake？’

Mrs。Pierstonhadhardlyslept，and，havinglearntthetidingsinadvertently，becamesodistractedandincoherentastobelikeapersoninadelirium；till，afewmomentsbeforehearrived，allherexcitementceased，andshelayinaweak，quietsilence。

’Letmegoup，’Pierstonsaid。’Andsendforthedoctor。’

PassingAvice’schamberheperceivedthatthelittlebedhadnotbeenslepton。Atthedoorofthespareroomhelookedin。Inonecornerstoodawalking-stick——hisown。

’Wheredidthatcomefrom？’

’Wefounditthere，sir。’

’Ahyes——Igaveittohim。’Tislikemetoplayanother’sgame！’

ItwasthelastspurtofbitternessthatJocelynletescapehim。HewentontowardsMrs。Pierston’sroom，precededbytheservant。

’Mr。Pierstonhascome，ma’am，’heheardhersaytotheinvalid。Butasthelattertooknonoticethewomanrushedforwardtothebed。

’Whathashappenedtoher，Mr。Pierston？Owhatdoitmean？’

AvicetheSecondwaslyingplacidlyinthepositioninwhichthenursehadlefther；butnobreathcamefromherlips，andarigidityoffeaturewasaccompaniedbythepreciseexpressionwhichhadcharacterizedherfacewhenPierstonhadherasagirlinhisstudio。

Hesawthatitwasdeath，thoughsheappearedtohavebreathedherlastonlyafewmomentsbefore。

RuthStockwool’scomposuredesertedher。’’TistheshockoffindingMissAvicegonethathasdoneit！’shecried。’Shehaskilledhermother！’

’Don’tsaysuchaterriblething！’exclaimedJocelyn。

’Butsheoughttohaveobeyedhermother——agoodmotherasshewas！

Howshehadsetherheartuponthewedding，poorsoul；andwecouldn’thelpherknowingwhathadhappened！Ohowungratefulyoungfolkbe！

Thatgirlwillruethismorning’swork！’

’Wemustgetthedoctor，’saidPierston，mechanically，hasteningfromtheroom。

Whenthelocalpractitionercamehemerelyconfirmedtheirownverdict，andthoughtherdeathhadundoubtedlybeenhastenedbytheshockoftheillnewsuponafeebleheart，followingalongstrainofanxietyaboutthewedding。Hedidnotconsiderthataninquestwouldbenecessary。