1。VI。ONTHEBRINK
　　MissBencombwasleavingthehotelfortherailway，whichwasquitenearathand，andhadonlyrecentlybeenopened，asifonpurposeforthisevent。AtJocelyn’ssuggestionshewroteamessagetoinformherfatherthatshehadgonetoheraunt’s，withaviewtoallayinganxietyanddeterringpursuit。Theywalkedtogethertotheplatformandbadeeachothergood-bye；eachobtainedaticketindependently，andJocelyngothisluggagefromthecloak-room。
　　Ontheplatformtheyencounteredeachotheragain，andtherewasalightintheirglancesateachotherwhichsaid，asbyaflash-
　　telegraph：’Weareboundforthesametown，whynotenterthesamecompartment？’
　　Theydid。
　　Shetookacornerseat，withherbacktotheengine；hesatopposite。
　　Theguardlookedin，thoughttheywerelovers，anddidnotshowothertravellersintothatcompartment。Theytalkedonstrictlyordinarymatters；whatshethoughthedidnotknow，butateverystoppingstationhedreadedintrusion。BeforetheywerehalfwaytoLondontheeventhehadjustbeguntorealizewasapatentfact。TheBelovedwasagainembodied；shefilledeveryfibreandcurveofthiswoman’sform。
　　DrawingnearthegreatLondonstationwaslikedrawingnearDoomsday。
　　Howshouldheleaveherintheturmoilofacrowdedcitystreet？Sheseemedquiteunpreparedfortherattleofthescene。Heaskedherwhereherauntlived。
　　’Bayswater，’saidMissBencomb。
　　Hecalledacab，andproposedthatsheshouldshareittilltheyarrivedatheraunt’s，whoseresidencelaynotmuchoutofthewaytohisown。Tryashewouldhecouldnotascertainifsheunderstoodhisfeelings，butsheassentedtohisofferandenteredthevehicle。
　　’Weareoldfriends，’hesaid，astheydroveonward。
　　’Indeed，weare，’sheanswered，withoutsmiling。
　　’Buthereditarilywearemortalenemies，dearJuliet。’
　　’Yes——Whatdidyousay？’
　　’IsaidJuliet。’
　　Shelaughedinahalf-proudway，andmurmured：’Yourfatherismyfather’senemy，andmyfatherismine。Yes，itisso。’Andthentheireyescaughteachother’sglance。’Myqueenlydarling！’heburstout；
　　’insteadofgoingtoyouraunt’s，willyoucomeandmarryme？’
　　Aflushcoveredherover，whichseemedakintoaflushofrage。Itwasnotexactlythat，butshewasexcited。Shedidnotanswer，andhefearedhehadmortallyoffendedherdignity。Perhapsshehadonlymadeuseofhimasaconvenientaidtoherintentions。However，hewenton——
　　’Yourfatherwouldnotbeabletoreclaimyouthen！Afterall，thisisnotsoprecipitateasitseems。Youknowallaboutme，myhistory，myprospects。Iknowallaboutyou。Ourfamilieshavebeenneighboursonthatisleforhundredsofyears，thoughyouarenowsuchaLondonproduct。’
　　’WillyoueverbeaRoyalAcademician？’sheaskedmusingly，herexcitementhavingcalmeddown。
　　’Ihopetobe——IWILLbe，ifyouwillbemywife。’
　　Hiscompanionlookedathimlong。
　　’Thinkwhatashortwayoutofyourdifficultythiswouldbe，’hecontinued。’Nobotheraboutaunts，nofetchinghomebyanangryfather。’
　　Itseemedtodecideher。Sheyieldedtohisembrace。
　　’Howlongwillittaketomarry？’MissBencombaskedby-and-by，withobviousself-repression。
　　’Wecoulddoitto-morrow。IcouldgettoDoctors’Commonsbynoonto-
　　day，andthelicencewouldbereadybyto-morrowmorning。’
　　’Iwon’tgotomyaunt’s，Iwillbeanindependentwoman！IhavebeenreprimandedasifIwereachildofsix。I’llbeyourwifeifitisaseasyasyousay。’
　　Theystoppedthecabwhiletheyheldaconsultation。PierstonhadroomsandastudiointheneighbourhoodofCampdenHill；butitwouldbehardlydesirabletotakeherthithertilltheyweremarried。Theydecidedtogotoanhotel。
　　Changingtheirdirection，therefore，theywentbacktotheStrand，andsoonensconcedthemselvesinoneofthevenerableoldtavernsofCoventGarden，aprecinctwhichinthosedayswasfrequentedbyWest-countrypeople。Jocelynthenleftherandproceededonhiserrandeastward。
　　Itwasaboutthreeo’clockwhen，havingarrangedallpreliminariesnecessitatedbythissuddenchangeoffront，hebeganstrollingslowlyback；hefeltbewildered，andtowalkwasarelief。Gazingoccasionallyintothisshopwindowandthat，hecalledahansomasbyaninspiration，anddirectedthedriverto’MellstockGardens。’
　　Arrivedhere，herangthebellofastudio，andinaminuteortwoitwasansweredbyayoungmaninshirt-sleeves，abouthisownage，withagreatsmearedpaletteonhisleftthumb。
　　’O，you，Pierston！Ithoughtyouwereinthecountry。Comein。I’mawfullygladofthis。IamhereintownfinishingoffapaintingforanAmerican，whowantstotakeitbackwithhim。’
　　Pierstonfollowedhisfriendintothepainting-room，whereaprettyyoungwomanwassittingsewing。Atasignalfromthepaintershedisappearedwithoutspeaking。
　　’Icanseefromyourfaceyouhavesomethingtosay；sowe’llhaveitalltoourselves。Youareinsometrouble？What’llyoudrink？’
　　’Oh！itdoesn’tmatterwhat，sothatitisalcoholinsomeshapeorform……Now，Somers，youmustjustlistentome，forIHAVE
　　somethingtotell。’
　　Pierstonhadsatdowninanarm-chair，andSomershadresumedhispainting。WhenaservanthadbroughtinbrandytosoothePierston’snerves，andsodatotakeofftheinjuriouseffectsofthebrandy，andmilktotakeoffthedepletingeffectsofthesoda，Jocelynbeganhisnarrative，addressingitrathertoSomers’sGothicchimneypiece，andSomers’sGothicclock，andSomers’sGothicrugs，thantoSomershimself，whostoodathispicturealittlebehindhisfriend。
　　’BeforeItellyouwhathashappenedtome，’Pierstonsaid，’IwanttoletyouknowthemannerofmanIam。’
　　’Lord——Iknowalready。’
　　’No，youdon’t。Itisasortofthingonedoesn’tliketotalkof。I
　　lieawakeatnightthinkingaboutit。’
　　’No！’saidSomers，withmoresympathy，seeingthathisfriendwasreallytroubled。
　　’Iamunderacuriouscurse，orinfluence。Iamposed，puzzledandperplexedbythelegerdemainofacreature——adeityrather；byAphrodite，asapoetwouldputit，asIshouldputitmyselfinmarble……ButIforget——thisisnottobeadeprecatorywail，butadefence——asortofApologiaprovitamea。’
　　’That’sbetter。Fireaway！’
　　1。VII。HEREARLIERINCARNATIONS
　　’You，Somers，arenot，Iknow，oneofthosewhocontinuetoindulgeintheworld-wide，fondsuperstitionthattheBelovedOneofanymanalways，orevenusually，carestoremaininonecorporealnookorshellforanygreatlengthoftime，howevermuchhemaywishhertodoso。
　　IfIamwrong，andyoudostillholdtothatancienterror——well，mystorywillseemratherqueer。’
　　’SupposeyousaytheBelovedofsomemen，notofanyman。’
　　’Allright——I’llsayoneman，thismanonly，ifyouaresoparticular。
　　Weareastrange，visionaryracedownwhereIcomefrom，andperhapsthataccountsforit。TheBelovedofthisoneman，then，hashadmanyincarnations——toomanytodescribeindetail。Eachshape，orembodiment，hasbeenatemporaryresidenceonly，whichshehasentered，livedinawhile，andmadeherexitfrom，leavingthesubstance，sofarasIhavebeenconcerned，acorpse，worseluck！Now，thereisnospiritualisticnonsenseinthis——itissimplefact，putintheplainformthattheconventionalpublicareafraidof。Somuchfortheprinciple。’
　　’Good。Goon。’
　　’Well；thefirstembodimentofheroccurred，sonearlyasIcanrecollect，whenIwasabouttheageofnine。Hervehiclewasalittleblue-eyedgirlofeightorso，oneofafamilyofeleven，withflaxenhairabouthershoulders，whichattemptedtocurl，butignominiouslyfailed，hanginglikechimney-crooksonly。Thisdefectusedrathertotroubleme；andwas，Ibelieve，oneofthemainreasonsofmyBeloved’sdeparturefromthattenement。Icannotrememberwithanyexactnesswhenthedepartureoccurred。IknowitwasafterIhadkissedmylittlefriendinagarden-seatonahotnoontide，underablueginghamumbrella，whichwehadopenedoverusaswesat，thatpassersthroughEastQuarriersmightnotobserveourmarksofaffection，forgettingthatourscreenmustattractmoreattentionthanourpersons。
　　’Whenthewholedreamcametoanendthroughherfatherleavingtheisland，IthoughtmyWell-Belovedhadgoneforever（beingthenintheunpractisedconditionofAdamatsightofthefirstsunset）。Butshehadnot。Laurahadgoneforever，butnotmyBeloved。
　　’ForsomemonthsafterIhaddonecryingfortheflaxen-hairededitionofher，myLovedidnotreappear。Thenshecamesuddenly，unexpectedly，inasituationIshouldneverhavepredicted。IwasstandingonthekerbstoneofthepavementinBudmouth-Regis，outsidethePreparatorySchool，lookingacrosstowardsthesea，whenamiddle-
　　agedgentlemanonhorseback，andbesidehimayounglady，alsomounted，passeddownthestreet。Thegirlturnedherhead，and——possiblybecauseIwasgapingatherinawkwardadmiration，orsmilingmyself——
　　smiledatme。Havingriddenafewpaces，shelookedroundagainandsmiled。
　　’Itwasenough，morethanenough，tosetmeonfire。Iunderstoodinamomenttheinformationconveyedtomebymyemotion——theWell-Belovedhadreappeared。Thissecondforminwhichithadpleasedhertotakeupherabodewasquiteagrownyoungwoman’s，darkerincomplexionthanthefirst。Herhair，alsoworninaknot，wasofanordinarybrown，andso，Ithink，werehereyes，butthenicetiesofherfeatureswerenottobegatheredsocursorily。However，theresatmycovetedone，re-embodied；and，biddingmyschoolmatesahastyfarewellassoonasI
　　coulddosowithoutsuspicion，IhurriedalongtheEsplanadeinthedirectionsheandherfatherhadridden。Buttheyhadputtheirhorsestoacanter，andIcouldnotseewhichwaytheyhadgone。InthegreatestmiseryIturneddownasidestreet，butwassoonelevatedtoastateofexcitementbyseeingthesamepairgallopingtowardsme。
　　Flushinguptomyhair，Istoppedandheroicallyfacedherasshepassed。Shesmiledagain，but，alas！uponmyLove’scheektherewasnoblushofpassionforme。’
　　Pierstonpaused，anddrankfromhisglass，ashelivedforabriefmomentinthescenehehadconjuredup。Somersreservedhiscomments，andJocelyncontinued——
　　’ThatafternoonIidledaboutthestreets，lookingforherinvain。
　　WhenInextsawoneoftheboyswhohadbeenwithmeatherfirstpassingIstealthilyremindedhimoftheincident，andaskedifheknewtheriders。
　　’"Oyes，"hesaid。"ThatwasColonelTargeandhisdaughterElsie。"
　　’"Howolddoyouthinksheis？"saidI，asenseofdisparityinouragesdisturbingmymind。
　　’"O——nineteen，Ithinktheysay。She’sgoingtobemarriedthedayafterto-morrowtoCaptainPopp，ofthe501st，andtheyareorderedofftoIndiaatonce。"
　　’ThegriefwhichIexperiencedatthisintelligencewassuchthatatduskIwentawaytotheedgeoftheharbour，intendingtoputanendtomyselfthereandthen。ButIhadbeentoldthatcrabshadbeenfoundclingingtothedeadfacesofpersonswhohadfalleninthereabout，leisurelyeatingthem，andtheideaofsuchanunpleasantcontingencydeterredme。IshouldstatethatthemarriageofmyBelovedconcernedmelittle；itwasherdeparturethatbrokemyheart。Ineversawheragain。
　　’ThoughIhadalreadylearntthattheabsenceofthecorporealmatterdidnotinvolvetheabsenceoftheinformingspirit，Icouldscarcebringmyselftobelievethatinthiscaseitwaspossibleforhertoreturntomyviewwithouttheformshehadlastinhabited。
　　’Butshedid。
　　’Itwasnot，however，tillafteragoodspaceoftime，duringwhichI
　　passedthroughthatbearishageinboys，theirearlyteens，whengirlsaretheirespecialcontempt。Iwasaboutseventeen，andwassittingoneeveningoveracupofteainaconfectioner’sattheverysamewatering-place，whenoppositemealadytookherseatwithalittlegirl。Welookedateachotherawhile，thechildmadeadvances，tillI
　　said："She’sagoodlittlething。"
　　’Theladyassented，andmadeafurtherremark。
　　’"Shehasthesoftfineeyesofhermother，"saidI。
　　’"Doyouthinkhereyesaregood？"asksthelady，asifshehadnotheardwhatshehadheardmost——thelastthreewordsofmyopinion。
　　’"Yes——forcopies，"saidI，regardingher。
　　’Afterthiswegotonverywell。Sheinformedmethatherhusbandhadgoneoutinayacht，andIsaiditwasapityhedidn’ttakeherwithhimfortheairing。Shegraduallydisclosedherselfinthecharacterofadesertedyoungwife，andlateronImetherinthestreetwithoutthechild。Shewasgoingtothelanding-stagetomeetherhusband，soshetoldme；butshedidnotknowtheway。
　　’Iofferedtoshowher，anddidso。Iwillnotgointoparticulars，butIafterwardssawherseveraltimes，andsoondiscoveredthattheBeloved（astowhosewhereaboutsIhadbeenatfaultsolong）lurkedhere。Thoughwhyshehadchosenthistantalizingsituationofaninaccessiblematron’sformwhensomanyothersoffered，itwasbeyondmetodiscover。Thewholeaffairendedinnocentlyenough，whentheladyleftthetownwithherhusbandandchild：sheseemedtoregardouracquaintanceasaflirtation；yetitwasanythingbutaflirtationforme！
　　***
　　’WhyshouldItelltherestofthetantalizingtale！Afterthis，theWell-Belovedputherselfinevidencewithgreaterandgreaterfrequency，anditwouldbeimpossibleformetogiveyoudetailsofhervariousincarnations。Shecameninetimesinthecourseofthetwoorthreeensuingyears。Fourtimesshemasqueradedasabrunette，twiceasapale-hairedcreature，andtwoorthreetimesunderacomplexionneitherlightnordark。Sometimesshewasatall，finegirl，butmoreoften，Ithink，shepreferredtoslipintotheskinofalitheairybeing，ofnogreatstature。IgrewsoaccustomedtotheseexitsandentrancesthatIresignedmyselftothemquitepassively，talkedtoher，kissedher，correspondedwithher，achedforher，ineachofherseveralguises。Soitwentonuntilamonthago。AndthenforthefirsttimeIwaspuzzled。Sheeitherhad，orshehadnot，enteredthepersonofAviceCaro，ayounggirlIhadknownfrominfancy。Uponthewhole，Ihavedecidedthat，afterall，shedidnotentertheformofAviceCaro，becauseIretainsogreatarespectforherstill。’
　　PierstonheregaveinbriefthehistoryofhisrevivedcomradeshipwithAvice，thevergeoftheengagementtowhichtheyhadreached，anditsunexpectedrupturebyhim，merelythroughhismeetingwithawomanintowhomtheWell-Belovedunmistakablymovedunderhisveryeyes——bynameMissMarciaBencomb。Hedescribedtheirspontaneousdecisiontomarryoffhand；andthenheputittoSomerswhetherheoughttomarryornot——
　　heroranybodyelse——insuchcircumstances。
　　’Certainlynot，’saidSomers。’Though，ifanybody，littleAvice。Butnotevenher。Youarelikeothermen，onlyratherworse。Essentially，allmenarefickle，likeyou；butnotwithsuchperceptiveness。’
　　’Surelyfickleisnottheword？Ficklenessmeansgettingwearyofathingwhilethethingremainsthesame。ButIhavealwaysbeenfaithfultotheelusivecreaturewhomIhaveneverbeenabletogetafirmholdof，unlessIhavedonesonow。Andletmetellyouthatherflittingfromeachtoeachindividualhasbeenanythingbutapleasureforme——certainlynotawantongameofmyinstigation。Toseethecreaturewhohashithertobeenperfect，divine，loseunderyourverygazethedivinitywhichhasinformedher，growcommonplace，turnfromflametoashes，fromaradiantvitalitytoarelic，isanythingbutapleasureforanyman，andhasbeennothinglessthanarackingspectacletomysight。Eachmournfulemptiedshapestandseverafterlikethenestofsomebeautifulbirdfromwhichtheinhabitanthasdepartedandleftittofillwithsnow。IhavebeenabsolutelymiserablewhenIhavelookedinafaceforherIusedtoseethere，andcouldseehertherenomore。’
　　’Yououghtnottomarry，’repeatedSomers。
　　’PerhapsIoughtn’tto！ThoughpoorMarciawillbecompromised，I’mafraid，ifIdon’t……WasInotrightinsayingIamaccursedinthisthing？Fortunatelynobodybutmyselfhassufferedonaccountofittillnow。Knowingwhattoexpect，Ihaveseldomventuredonacloseacquaintancewithanywoman，infearofprematurelydrivingawaythedearoneinher；who，however，hasintimegoneoffjustthesame。’
　　Pierstonsoonaftertookhisleave。Afriend’sadviceonsuchasubjectweighslittle。HequicklyreturnedtoMissBencomb。
　　Shewasdifferentnow。Anxietyhadvisiblybroughtherdownanotchortwo，undoneafewdegreesofthathaughtycurlwhichherlipcouldoccasionallyassume。’Howlongyouhavebeenaway！’shesaidwithashowofimpatience。
　　’Nevermind，darling。Itisallarranged，’saidhe。’Weshallbeabletomarryinafewdays。’
　　’Notto-morrow？’
　　’Wecan’tto-morrow。Wehavenotbeenherequitelongenough。’
　　’ButhowdidthepeopleatDoctors’Commonsknowthat？’
　　’Well——Iforgotthatresidence，realorassumed，wasnecessary，andunfortunatelyadmittedthatwehadonlyjustarrived。’
　　’Ohowstupid！Butitcan’tbehelpednow。Ithink，dear，Ishouldhaveknownbetter，however！’
　　1。VIII。’TOOLIKETHELIGHTNING’
　　Theylivedonatthehotelsomedayslonger，eyedcuriouslybythechambermaids，andburstinuponeverynowandthenbythewaitersasifaccidentally。Whentheywerewalkingtogether，mostlyinbackstreetsforfearofbeingrecognized，Marciawasoftensilent，andherimperiousfacelookedgloomy。
　　’Dummy！’hesaidplayfully，ononeoftheseoccasions。
　　’IamvexedthatbyyouradmissionsatDoctors’Commonsyoupreventedthemgivingyouthelicenceatonce！Itisnotnice，mylivingonwithyoulikethis！’
　　’Butwearegoingtomarry，dear！’
　　’Yes，’shemurmured，andfellintoreverieagain。’Whatasuddenresolveitwasofours！’shecontinued。’IwishIcouldgetmyfatherandmother’sconsenttoourmarriage……Aswecan’tcompleteitforanotherdayortwo，alettermightbesenttothemandtheiranswerreceived？Ihaveamindtowrite。’
　　Pierstonexpressedhisdoubtsofthewisdomofthiscourse，whichseemedtomakeherdesireitthemore，andtheresultwasatiffbetweenthem。’Sinceweareobligedtodelayit，Iwon’tmarrywithouttheirconsent！’shecriedatlastpassionately。
　　’Verywellthen，dear。Write，’hesaid。
　　Whentheywereagainindoors，shesatdowntoanote，butafterawhilethrewasideherpendespairingly。’No：Icannotdoit！’shesaid。’I
　　can’tbendmypridetosuchajob。WillYOUwriteforme，Jocelyn？’
　　’I？Idon’tseewhyIshouldbetheone，particularlyasIthinkitpremature。’
　　’ButyouhavenotquarrelledwithmyfatherasIhavedone。’
　　’Wellno。Butthereisalong-standingantagonism，whichwouldmakeitoddinmetobethewriter。Waittillwearemarried，andthenIwillwrite。Nottillthen。’
　　’ThenIsupposeImust。Youdon’tknowmyfather。Hemightforgivememarryingintoanyotherfamilywithouthisknowledge，buthethinksyourssuchameanone，andsoresentsthetraderivalry，thathewouldneverpardontillthedayofhisdeathmybecomingaPierstonsecretly。
　　Ididn’tseeitatfirst。’
　　ThisremarkcausedanunpleasantjaronthemindofPierston。DespitehisindependentartisticpositioninLondon，hewasstaunchtothesimpleoldparentwhohadstubbornlyheldoutforsomanyyearsagainstBencomb’sencroachingtrade，andwhosemoneyhadeducatedandmaintainedJocelynasanart-studentinthebestschools。Sohebeggedhertosaynomoreabouthismeanfamily，andshesilentlyresumedherletter，givinganaddressatapost-officethattheirquartersmightnotbediscovered，atleastjustyet。
　　Noreplycamebyreturnofpost；but，ratherominously，somelettersforMarciathathadarrivedatherfather’ssinceherdepartureweresentoninsilencetotheaddressgiven。Sheopenedthemonebyone，tillonreadingthelast，sheexclaimed，’Goodgracious！’andburstintolaughter。
　　’Whatisit？’askedPierston。
　　Marciabegantoreadtheletteraloud。Itcamefromafaithfulloverofhers，ayouthfulJerseygentleman，whostatedthathewassoongoingtostartforEnglandtoclaimhisdarling，accordingtoherplightedword。
　　Shewashalfrisible，halfconcerned。’WhatshallIdo？’shesaid。
　　’Do？Mydeargirl，itseemstomethatthereisonlyonethingtodo，andthataveryobviousthing。Tellhimassoonaspossiblethatyouarejustonthepointofmarriage。’
　　Marciathereuponwroteoutareplytothateffect，Jocelynhelpinghertoshapethephrasesasgentlyaspossible。
　　’Irepeat’（herletterconcluded）’thatIhadquiteforgotten！Iamdeeplysorry；butthatisthetruth。Ihavetoldmyintendedhusbandeverything，andheislookingovermyshoulderasIwrite。’
　　SaidJocelynwhenhesawthissetdown：’Youmightleaveoutthelastfewwords。Theyareratheranextrastabforthepoorboy。’
　　’Stab？Itisnotthat，dear。Whydoeshewanttocomebotheringme？
　　Jocelyn，yououghttobeveryproudthatIhaveputyouinmyletteratall。YousaidyesterdaythatIwasconceitedindeclaringImighthavemarriedthatscience-manItoldyouof。Butnowyouseetherewasyetanotheravailable。’
　　He，gloomily：’Well，Idon’tcaretohearaboutthat。Tomymindthissortofthingisdecidedlyunpleasant，thoughyoutreatitsolightly。’
　　’Well，’shepouted，’Ihaveonlydonehalfwhatyouhavedone！’
　　’What’sthat？’
　　’Ihaveonlyprovedfalsethroughforgetfulness，butyouhavewhileremembering！’
　　’Oyes；ofcourseyoucanuseAviceCaroasaretort。Butdon’tvexmeabouther，andmakemedosuchanunexpectedthingasregretthefalseness。’
　　Sheshuthermouthtight，andherfaceflushed。
　　Thenextmorningtheredidcomeananswertotheletteraskingherparents’consenttoherunionwithhim；buttoMarcia’samazementherfathertookalinequiteotherthantheoneshehadexpectedhimtotake。Whethershehadcompromisedherselforwhethershehadnotseemedaquestionforthefutureratherthanthepresentwithhim，anativeislander，bornwhenoldislandmarriageviewsprevailedinfamilies；hewasfixedinhisdisapprovalofhermarriagewithahatedPierston。Hedidnotconsent；hewouldnotsaymoretillhecouldseeher：ifshehadanysenseatallshewould，ifstillunmarried，returntothehomefromwhichshehadevidentlybeenenticed。Hewouldthenseewhathecoulddoforherinthedesperatecircumstancesshehadmadeforherself；otherwisehewoulddonothing。
　　Pierstoncouldnothelpbeingsarcasticatherfather’sevidentlylowestimateofhimandhisbelongings；andMarciatookumbrageathissarcasms。
　　’Iamtheonedeservingofsatireifanybody！’shesaid。’IbegintofeelIwasafoolishgirltorunawayfromafatherforsuchatrumperyreasonasalittlescoldingbecauseIhadexceededmyallowance。’
　　’Iadvisedyoutogoback，Marcie。’
　　’Inasortofway：notintherighttone。Youspokemostcontemptuouslyofmyfather’shonestyasamerchant。’
　　’Icouldn’tspeakotherwiseofhimthanIdid，I’mafraid，knowingwhat——’。
　　’Whathaveyoutosayagainsthim？’
　　’Nothing——toyou，Marcie，beyondwhatismatterofcommonnotoriety。
　　Everybodyknowsthatatonetimehemadeitthebusinessofhislifetoruinmyfather；andthewayhealludestomeinthatlettershowsthathisenmitystillcontinues。’
　　’Thatmiserruinedbyanopen-handedmanlikemyfather！’saidshe。
　　’Itislikeyourpeople’smisrepresentationstosaythat！’
　　Marcia’seyesflashed，andherfaceburntwithanangryheat，theenhancedbeautywhichthiswarmthmighthavebroughtbeingkilledbytherectilinearsternnessofcountenancethatcametherewith。
　　’Marcia——thistemperistooexasperating！Icouldgiveyoueverystepoftheproceedingindetail——anybodycould——thegettingthequarriesonebyone，andeverything，myfatheronlyholdinghisownbythemostdesperatecourage。Thereisnoblinkingfacts。Ourparents’relationsareanuglyfactinthecircumstancesofustwopeoplewhowanttomarry，andwearejustbeginningtoperceiveit；andhowwearegoingtogetoveritIcannottell。’
　　Shesaidsteadily：’Idon’tthinkweshallgetoveritatall！’
　　’Wemaynot——wemaynot——altogether，’Pierstonmurmured，ashegazedatthefinepictureofscornpresentedbyhisJuno’sclassicalfaceanddarkeyes。
　　’Unlessyoubegmypardonforhavingbehavedso！’
　　Pierstoncouldnotquitebringhimselftoseethathehadbehavedbadlytohistooimperiouslady，anddeclinedtoaskforgivenessforwhathehadnotdone。
　　Shethereuponlefttheroom。Laterinthedayshere-enteredandbrokeasilencebysayingbitterly：’Ishowedtemperjustnow，asyoutoldme。Butthingshavecauses，anditisperhapsamistakethatyoushouldhavedesertedAviceforme。InsteadofweddingRosaline，RomeomustneedsgoelopingwithJuliet。ItwasafortunatethingfortheaffectionsofthosetwoVeroneseloversthattheydiedwhentheydid。
　　Inashorttimetheenmityoftheirfamilieswouldhaveprovedafruitfulsourceofdissension；Julietwouldhavegonebacktoherpeople，hetohis；thesubjectwouldhavesplitthemasmuchasitsplitsus。’
　　Pierstonlaughedalittle。ButMarciawaspainfullyserious，ashefoundattea-time，whenshesaidthatsincehisrefusaltobegherpardonshehadbeenthinkingoverthematter，andhadresolvedtogotoheraunt’safterall——atanyratetillherfathercouldbeinducedtoagreetotheirunion。Pierstonwasaschilledbythisresolveofhersashewassurprisedatherindependenceincircumstanceswhichusuallymakewomenthereverse。Butheputnoobstaclesinherway，and，withakissstrangelycoldaftertheirrecentardour，theRomeoofthefreestoneMontagueswentoutofthehotel，toavoideventheappearanceofcoercinghisJulietoftherivalhouse。Whenhereturnedshewasgone。
　　***
　　Acorrespondencebeganbetweenthesetoo-hastilypledgedones；anditwascarriedonintermsofseriousreasoningupontheirawkwardsituationonaccountofthefamilyfeud。Theysawtheirrecentloveaswhatitwas：
　　’Toorash，toounadvised，toosudden；
　　Toolikethelightning……’
　　Theysawitwithaneyewhosecalmness，coldness，and，itmustbeadded，wisdom，didnotpromisewellfortheirreunion。
　　TheirdebateswereclinchedbyafinalletterfromMarcia，sentfromnootherplacethanherrecentlylefthomeintheIsle。Sheinformedhimthatherfatherhadappearedsuddenlyatheraunt’s，andhadinducedhertogohomewithhim。Shehadtoldherfatherallthecircumstancesoftheirelopement，andwhatmereaccidentshadcausedit：hehadpersuadedheronwhatshehadalmostbeenconvincedofbytheirdisagreement，thatallthoughtoftheirmarriageshouldbeatleastpostponedforthepresent；anyawkwardnessandevenscandalbeingbetterthanthattheyshouldimmediatelyunitethemselvesforlifeonthestrengthofatwoorthreedays’resultlesspassion，andbethewretchedvictimsofasituationtheycouldneverchange。
　　Pierstonsawplainlyenoughthatheowedittoherfatherbeingabornislander，withalltheancientislandnotionsofmatrimonylyingunderneathhisacquiredconventions，thatthestone-merchantdidnotimmediatelyinsistupontheusualremedyforadaughter’sprecipitancyinsuchcases，butpreferredtoawaitissues。
　　ButtheyoungmanstillthoughtthatMarciaherself，whenhertemperhadquitecooled，andshewasmoreconsciousofherrealposition，wouldreturntohim，inspiteofthefamilyhostility。Therewasnosocialreasonagainstsuchastep。Inbirththepairwereaboutononeplane；andthoughMarcia’sfamilyhadgainedastartintheaccumulationofwealth，andinthebeginningsofsocialdistinction，whichlentcolourtothefeelingthattheadvantagesofthematchwouldbemainlyononeside，Pierstonwasasculptorwhomightrisetofame；
　　sothatpotentiallytheirmarriagecouldnotbeconsideredinauspiciousforawomanwho，beyondbeingtheprobableheiresstoaconsiderablefortune，hadnoexceptionalopportunities。
　　Thus，thoughdisillusioned，hefeltboundinhonourtoremainoncallathisLondonaddressaslongastherewastheslightestchanceofMarcia’sreappearance，orofthearrivalofsomemessagerequestinghimtojoinher，thattheymight，afterall，gotothealtartogether。Yetinthenightheseemedtohearsardonicvoices，andlaughterinthewindatthisdevelopmentofhislittleromance，andduringtheslowandcolourlessdayshehadtositandbeholdthemournfuldepartureofhisWell-Belovedfromtheformhehadlatelycherished，tillshehadalmostvanishedaway。TheexactmomentofhercompletewithdrawalPierstonknewnot，butnotmanylinesofherwerelongerdiscernibleinMarcia’srememberedcontours，normanysoundsofherinMarcia’srecalledaccents。Theiracquaintance，thoughsofervid，hadbeentoobriefforsuchlingering。
　　Therecameatimewhenhelearnt，throughatrustworthychannel，twopiecesofnewsaffectinghimself。OnewasthemarriageofAviceCarowithhercousin，theotherthattheBencombshadstartedonatourroundtheworld，whichwastoincludeavisittoarelationofMr。
　　Bencomb’swhowasabankerinSanFrancisco。Sinceretiringfromhisformerlargebusinessthestonemerchanthadnotknownwhattodowithhisleisure，andfindingthattravelbenefitedhishealthhehaddecidedtoindulgehimselfthus。Althoughhewasnotsoinformed，PierstonconcludedthatMarciahaddiscoveredthatnothingwaslikelytohappenasaconsequenceoftheirelopement，andthatshehadaccompaniedherparents。Hewasmorethaneverstruckwithwhatthissignified——herfather’sobstinateantagonismtoherunionwithoneofhisbloodandname。
　　1。IX。FAMILIARPHENOMENAINTHEDISTANCE
　　BydegreesPierstonbegantotraceagainthecustomarylinesofhisexistence；andhisprofessionoccupiedhimmuchasofold。Thenextyearortwoonlyoncebroughthimtidings，throughsomeresidentsathisformerhome，ofthemovementsoftheBencombs。TheextendedvoyageofMarcia’sparentshadgiventhemquiteazestforotherscenesandcountries；anditwassaidthatherfather，amanstillinvigoroushealthexceptatbriefintervals，wasutilizingtheoutlookwhichhiscosmopolitanismaffordedhimbyinvestingcapitalinforeignundertakings。Whathehadsupposedturnedouttobetrue；Marciawaswiththem；nonecessityforjoininghimhadarisen；andthustheseparationofhimselfandhisnearlymarriedwifebycommonconsentwaslikelytobeapermanentone。
　　Itseemedasifhewouldscarceeveragaindiscoverthecarnatedwelling-placeofthehauntingminionofhisimagination。HavinggonesoneartomatrimonywithMarciaastoapplyforalicence，hehadfeltforalongwhilemorallyboundtoherbytheincipientcontract，andwouldnotintentionallylookabouthiminsearchofthevanishedIdeality。ThusduringthefirstyearofMissBencomb’sabsence，whenabsolutelyboundtokeepfaithwiththeelusiveone’slateincarnationifsheshouldreturntoclaimhim，thismanoftheoddfancywouldsometimestrembleatthethoughtofwhatwouldbecomeofhissolemnintentionifthePhantomweresuddenlytodiscloseherselfinanunexpectedquarter，andseducehimbeforehewasaware。Onceortwiceheimaginedthathesawherinthedistance——attheendofastreet，onthefarsandsofashore，inawindow，inameadow，attheoppositesideofarailwaystation；buthedeterminedlyturnedonhisheel，andwalkedtheotherway。
　　DuringthemanyuneventfulseasonsthatfollowedMarcia’sstrokeofindependence（forwhichhewasnotwithoutasecretadmirationattimes），Jocelynthrewintoplasticcreationsthatever-bubblingspringofemotionwhich，withoutsomeconduitintospace，willsurgeupwardsandruinallbutthegreatestmen。Itwasprobablyowingtothis，certainlynotonaccountofanycareoranxietyforsucharesult，thathewassuccessfulinhisart，successfulbyaseeminglysuddenspurt，whichcarriedhimatoneboundoverthehindrancesofyears。
　　Heprosperedwithouteffort。HewasA。R。A。
　　Butrecognitionsofthissort，socialdistinctions，whichhehadoncecovetedsokeenly，seemedtohavenoutilityforhimnow。Bytheaccidentofbeingabachelor，hewasfloatinginsocietywithoutanysoul-anchorageorshrinethathecouldcallhisown；and，forwantofadomesticcentreroundwhichhonoursmightcrystallize，theydispersedimpalpablywithoutaccumulatingandaddingweighttohismaterialwell-
　　being。
　　Hewouldhavegoneonworkingwithhischiselwithjustasmuchzestifhiscreationshadbeendoomedtomeetnomortaleyebuthisown。Thisindifferencetothepopularreceptionofhisdream-figureslenthimacuriousartisticaplombthatcarriedhimthroughthegustsofopinionwithoutsufferingthemtodisturbhisinherentbias。
　　Thestudyofbeautywashisonlyjoyforyearsonward。Inthestreetshewouldobserveaface，orafractionofaface，whichseemedtoexpresstoahair’s-breadthinmutablefleshwhathewasatthatmomentwishingtoexpressindurableshape。Hewoulddodgeandfollowtheownerlikeadetective；inomnibus，incab，insteam-boat，throughcrowds，intoshops，churches，theatres，public-houses，andslums——
　　mostly，whenatclosequarters，tobedisappointedforhispains。
　　Intheseprofessionalbeauty-chaseshesometimescasthiseyeacrosstheThamestothewharvesonthesouthside，andtothatparticularonewhereathisfather’stonsoffreestoneweredailylandedfromtheketchesofthesouthcoast。Hecouldoccasionallydiscernthewhiteblockslyingthere，vastcubessopersistentlynibbledbyhisparentfromhisislandrockintheEnglishChannel，thatitseemedasifintimeitwouldbenibbledallaway。
　　Onethingitpassedhimtounderstand：onwhatfieldofobservationthepoetsandphilosophersbasedtheirassumptionthatthepassionoflovewasintensestinyouthandburntlowerasmaturityadvanced。Itwaspossiblybecauseofhisutterdomesticlonelinessthat，duringtheproductiveintervalwhichfollowedthefirstyearsofMarcia’sdeparture，whenhewasdriftingalongfromfive-and-twentytoeight-
　　and-thirty，Pierstonoccasionallylovedwithanardour——though，itistrue，alsowithaself-control——unknowntohimwhenhewasgreeninjudgment。
　　***
　　Hiswhimsicalisle-bredfancyhadgrowntobesuchanemotionthattheWell-Beloved——nowagainvisible——wasalwaysexistingsomewherenearhim。Formonthshewouldfindheronthestageofatheatre：thenshewouldflitaway，leavingthepoor，emptycarcasethathadlodgedhertomummonasbestitcouldwithouther——asorrylayfiguretohiseyes，heapedwithimperfectionsandsulliedwithcommonplace。Shewouldreappear，itmightbe，inanatfirstunnoticedlady，metatsomefashionableeveningparty，exhibition，bazaar，ordinner；toflitfromher，inturn，afterafewmonths，andstandasagracefulshop-girlatsomelargedraperywarehouseintowhichhehadstrayedonanunaccustomederrand。Thenshewouldforsakethisfigureandrediscloseherselfintheguiseofsomepopularauthoress，piano-player，orfiddleress，atwhoseshrinehewouldworshipforperhapsatwelvemonth。
　　Onceshewasadancing-girlattheRoyalMoorishPalaceofVarieties，thoughduringherwholecontinuanceatthatestablishmentheneveronceexchangedawordwithher，nordidshefirstorlasteverdreamofhisexistence。Heknewthataten-minutes’conversationinthewingswiththesubstancewouldsendtheelusivehaunterscurryingfearfullyawayintosomeotherevenlessaccessiblemask-figure。
　　Shewasablonde，abrunette，tall，petite，svelte，straight-featured，full，curvilinear。Onlyonequalityremainedunalterable：herinstabilityoftenure。InBorne’sphrase，nothingwaspermanentinherbutchange。
　　’Itisodd，’hesaidtohimself，’thatthisexperienceofmine，oridiosyncrasy，orwhateveritis，whichwouldbesheerwasteoftimeforothermen，createssoberbusinessforme。’Forallthesedreamshetranslatedintoplaster，andfoundthatbythemhewashittingapublictastehehadneverdeliberatelyaimedat，andmostlydespised。Hewas，inshort，indangerofdriftingawayfromasolidartisticreputationtoapopularitywhichmightpossiblybeasbriefasitwouldbebrilliantandexciting。
　　’Youwillbecaughtsomeday，myfriend，’Somerswouldoccasionallyobservetohim。’Idon’tmeantosayentangledinanythingdiscreditable，forIadmitthatyouareinpracticeasidealasintheory。Imeantheprocesswillbereversed。Somewoman，whoseWell-
　　Belovedflitsaboutasyoursdoesnow，willcatchyoureye，andyou’llsticktoherlikealimpet，whileshefollowsherPhantomandleavesyoutoacheasyouwill。’
　　’Youmayberight；butIthinkyouarewrong，’saidPierston。’Asfleshshediesdaily，liketheApostle’scorporealself；becausewhenI
　　grapplewiththerealityshe’snolongerinit，sothatIcannotsticktooneincarnationifIwould。’
　　’Waittillyouareolder，’saidSomers。
　　PARTSECOND——AYOUNGMANOFFORTY
　　’SinceLovewillneedsthatIshalllove，OfveryforceImustagree：
　　AndsincenochancemayitremoveInwealthandinadversityIshallalwaymyselfapplyToserveandsufferpatiently。’
　　——SirT。Wyatt。
　　2。I。THEOLDPHANTOMBECOMESDISTINCT
　　InthecourseoftheselongyearsPierston’sartisticemotionswereabruptlysuspendedbythenewsofhisfather’ssuddendeathatSandbourne，whitherthestone-merchanthadgoneforachangeofairbytheadviceofhisphysician。
　　Mr。Pierston，senior，itmustbeadmitted，hadbeensomethingmiserlyinhishomelife，asMarciahadsorashlyremindedhisson。ButhehadneverstintedJocelyn。Hehadbeenratherahardtaskmaster，thoughasapaymastertrustworthy；aready-moneyman，justandungenerous。Toeveryone’ssurprise，thecapitalhehadaccumulatedinthestonetradewasoflargeamountforabusinesssounostentatiouslycarriedon——muchlargerthanJocelynhadeverregardedaspossible。Whilethesonhadbeenmodellingandchippinghisephemeralfanciesintoperennialshapes，thefatherhadbeenpersistentlychisellingforhalfacenturyatthecrudeoriginalmatterofthoseshapes，thestern，isolatedrockintheChannel；andbytheaidofhiscranesandpulleys，histrolleysandhisboats，hadsentoffhisspoiltoallpartsofGreatBritain。
　　WhenJocelynhadwoundupeverythinganddisposedofthebusiness，asrecommendedbyhisfather’swill，hefoundhimselfenabledtoaddabouteightythousandpoundstothetwelvethousandwhichhealreadypossessedfromprofessionalandothersources。
　　Afterarrangingforthesaleofsomefreeholdpropertiesintheislandotherthanquarries——forhedidnotintendtoresidethere——hereturnedtotown。HeoftenwonderedwhathadbecomeofMarcia。Hehadpromisednevertotroubleher；norforawholetwentyyearshadhedoneso；
　　thoughhehadoftensighedforherasafriendofsterlingcommonsenseinpracticaldifficulties。
　　Herparentswere，hebelieved，dead；andshe，heknew，hadnevergonebacktotheisle。Possiblyshehadformedsomenewtieabroad，andhadmadeitnexttoimpossibletodiscoverherbyheroldname。
　　Areposefultimeensued。Almosthisfirstentryintosocietyafterhisfather’sdeathoccurredoneevening，when，forwantofknowingwhatbettertodo，herespondedtoaninvitationsentbyoneofthefewladiesofrankwhomhenumberedamonghisfriends，andsetoutinacabforthesquarewhereinshelivedduringthreeorfourmonthsoftheyear。
　　Thehansomturnedthecorner，andheobtainedarakingviewofthehousesalongthenorthside，ofwhichherswasone，withthefamiliarlinkmanatthedoor。TherewereChineselanterns，too，onthebalcony。
　　Heperceivedinamomentthatthecustomary’smallandearly’receptionhadresolveditselfonthisoccasionintosomethingverylikegreatandlate。Herememberedthattherehadjustbeenapoliticalcrisis，whichaccountedfortheenlargementoftheCountessofChannelcliffe’sassembly；forherswasoneoftheneutralornon-politicalhousesatwhichpartypoliticsaremorefreelyagitatedthanattheprofessedlypartygatherings。
　　TherewassuchastringofcarriagesthatPierstondidnotwaittotakehisturnatthedoor，butunobtrusivelyalightedsomeyardsoffandwalkedforward。Hehadtopauseamomentbehindthewallofspectatorswhichbarredhisway，andashepausedsomeladiesinwhitecloakscrossedfromtheircarriagestothedooronthecarpetlaidforthepurpose。Hehadnotseentheirfaces，nothingofthembutvagueforms，andyethewassuddenlyseizedwithapresentiment。Itsgistwasthathemightbegoingtore-encountertheWell-Belovedthatnight：afterherrecentlonghidingshemeanttoreappearandintoxicatehim。Thatliquidsparkleofhereye，thatlingualmusic，thatturnofthehead，howwellheknewitall，despitethemanysuperficialchanges，andhowinstantlyhewouldrecognizeitunderwhatevercomplexion，contour，accent，height，orcarriagethatitmightchoosetomasquerade！
　　Pierston’sotherconjecture，thatthenightwastobealivelypoliticalone，receivedconfirmationassoonashereachedthehall，whereasimmerofexcitementwasperceptibleassurplusoroverflowfromabovedownthestaircase——afeaturewhichhehadalwaysnoticedtobepresentwhenanyclimaxorsensationhadbeenreachedintheworldofpartyandfaction。
　　’Andwherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourselfsolong，youngman？’saidhishostessarchly，whenhehadshakenhandswithher。（Pierstonwasalwaysregardedasayoungman，thoughhewasnowaboutforty。）’O
　　yes，ofcourse，Iremember，’sheadded，lookingseriousinamomentatthoughtofhisloss。TheCountesswasawomanwithagood-naturedmannervergingonthatoft-claimedfemininequality，humour，andwasquicklysympathetic。
　　Shethenbegantotellhimofascandalinthepoliticalsidetowhichshenominallybelonged，onethathadcomeoutofthepresentcrisis；
　　andthat，asforherself，shehadsworntoabjurepoliticsforeveronaccountofit，sothathewastoregardherforthwithasamoreneutralhouseholderthanever。Bythistimesomemorepeoplehadsurgedupstairs，andPierstonpreparedtomoveon。
　　’Youarelookingforsomebody——Icanseethat，’saidshe。
　　’Yes——alady，’saidPierston。
　　’Tellmehername，andI’lltrytothinkifshe’shere。’
　　’Icannot；Idon’tknowit，’hesaid。
　　’Indeed！Whatisshelike？’
　　’Icannotdescribeher，notevenhercomplexionordress。’
　　LadyChannelcliffelookedapout，asifshethoughthewereteasingher，andhemovedoninthecurrent。Thefactwasthat，foramoment，PierstonfanciedhehadmadethesensationaldiscoverythattheOnehewasinsearchoflurkedinthepersonoftheveryhostesshehadconversedwith，whowascharmingalways，andparticularlycharmingto-
　　night；hewasjustfeelinganincipientconsternationatthepossibilityofsuchajade’strickinhisBeloved，whohadoncebeforechosentoembodyherselfasamarriedwoman，though，happily，atthattimewithnoseriousresults。However，hefeltthathehadbeenmistaken，andthatthefancyhadbeensolelyowingtothehighlychargedelectricconditioninwhichhehadarrivedbyreasonofhisrecentisolation。
　　Thewholesetofroomsformedonegreatutteranceoftheopinionsofthehour。Thegodsofpartywerepresentwiththeirembattledseraphim，butthebrilliancyofmannerandforminthehandlingofpublicquestionswasonlylessconspicuousthanthepaucityoforiginalideas。Noprinciplesofwisegovernmenthadplaceinanymind，abluntandjollypersonalismastotheInsandOutsanimatingall。ButJocelyn’sinterestdidnotruninthisstream：hewaslikeastoneinapurlingbrook，waitingforsomepeculiarfloatingobjecttobebroughttowardshimandtostickuponhismentalsurface。
　　Thuslookingforthenextnewversionofthefairfigure，hedidnotconsideratthemoment，thoughhehaddonesoatothertimes，thatthispresentimentofmeetingherwas，ofallpresentiments，justthesortofonetoworkoutitsownfulfilment。
　　HelookedforherintheknotofpersonsgatheredroundapastPrimeMinisterwhowasstandinginthemiddleofthelargestroomdiscoursinginthegenial，almostjovial，mannernaturaltohimatthesetimes。
　　Thetwoorthreeladiesforminghisaudiencehadbeenjoinedbyanotherinblackandwhite，anditwasonherthatPierston’sattentionwasdirected，aswellasthegreatstatesman’s，whosefirstsheergazeather，expressing’Whoareyou？’almostaudibly，changedintoaninterested，listeninglookasthefewwordsshespokewereuttered——fortheMinisterdifferedfrommanyofhisstandinginbeingextremelycarefulnottointerruptatimidspeaker，givingwayinaninstantifanybodyelsebeganwithhim。Nobodyknewbetterthanhimselfthatallmaylearn，andhismannerwasthatofanunconceitedmanwhocouldcatchanideareadily，evenifhecouldnotundertaketocreateone。