Theladytoldherlittlestory——whateveritwasJocelyncouldnothearit——thestatesmanlaughed：’Haugh-haugh-haugh！’
　　Theladyblushed。Jocelyn，wroughtuptoahightensionbytheaforesaidpresentimentthathisShelleyan’One-shape-of-many-names’wasabouttoreappear，paidlittleheedtotheothers，watchingforafullviewoftheladywhohadwonhisattention。
　　Thatladyremainedforthepresentpartiallyscreenedbyherneighbours。AdiversionwascausedbyLadyChannelcliffebringingupsomebodytopresenttotheex-Minister；theladiesgotmixed，andJocelynlostsightoftheonewhomhewasbeginningtosuspectasthestealthilyreturnedabsentee。
　　Helookedforherinakindlyyoungladyofthehouse，hishostess’srelation，whoappearedtomoreadvantagethatnightthanshehadeverdonebefore——inasky-bluedress，whichhadnothingbetweenitandthefairskinofherneck，lendingheranunusuallysoftandsylph-likeaspect。Shesawhim，andtheyconverged。Herlookof’WhatdoyouthinkofmeNOW？’wassuggested，heknew，bythethoughtthatthelasttimetheymetshehadappearedunderthedisadvantageofmourningclothes，onawetdayinacountry-house，whereeverybodywascross。
　　’Ihavesomenewphotographs，andIwantyoutotellmewhethertheyaregood，’shesaid。’Mindyouaretotellmetruly，andnofavour。’
　　Sheproducedthepicturesfromanadjoiningdrawer，andtheysatdowntogetheruponanottomanforthepurposeofexamination。Theportraits，takenbythelastfashionablephotographer，wereverygood，andhetoldherso；butashespokeandcomparedthemhismindwasfixedonsomethingelsethanthemerejudgment。Hewonderedwhethertheelusiveonewereindeedintheframeofthisgirl。
　　Helookedupather。Tohissurprise，hermind，too，wasonotherthingsbentthanonthepictures。Hereyeswereglancingawaytodistantpeople，shewasapparentlyconsideringtheeffectshewasproducinguponthembythiscosytete-a-tetewithPierston，andupononeinparticular，amanofthirty，ofmilitaryappearance，whomPierstondidnotknow。Quiteconvincednowthatnophantombelongingtohimwascontainedintheoutlinesofthepresentyounglady，hecouldcoollysurveyherasheresponded。Theywerebothdoingthesamething——eachwaspretendingtobedeeplyinterestedinwhattheotherwastalkingabout，theattentionofthetwoalikeflittingawaytoothercornersoftheroomevenwhentheverypointoftheirdiscoursewaspending。
　　No，hehadnotseenHeryet。Hewasnotgoingtoseeher，apparently，to-night；shewasscaredawaybythetwangingpoliticalatmosphere。
　　Buthestillmovedonsearchingly，hardlyheedingcertainspectralimpsotherthanAphroditean，whoalwayshauntedtheseplaces，andjeeringlypointedoutthatunderthewhitehairofthisorthatribandedoldman，withaforeheadgrownwrinkledovertreatieswhichhadswayedthefortunesofEurope，withavoicewhichhadnumberedsovereignsamongitsrespectfullisteners，mightbeaheartthatwouldgoinsideanut-
　　shell；thatbeneaththisorthatwhiteropeofpearlandpinkbosom，mightliethehalf-lungwhichhad，byhookorbycrook，tosustainitspossessorabove-groundtillthewedding-day。
　　Atthatmomentheencounteredhisamiablehost，andalmostsimultaneouslycaughtsightoftheladywhohadatfirstattractedhimandthenhaddisappeared。Theireyesmet，faroffastheywerefromeachother。Pierstonlaughedinwardly：itwasonlyinticklishexcitementastowhetherthiswastoproveatruetrouvaille，andwithnoinstincttomirth；forwhenundertheeyesofhisJill-o’-the-Wisphewasmoreinclinedtopalpitatelikeasheepinafair。
　　However，fortheminutehehadtoconversewithhishost，LordChannelcliffe，andalmostthefirstthingthatfriendsaidtohimwas：
　　’Whoisthatprettywomanintheblackdresswiththewhitefluffaboutitandthepearlnecklace？’
　　’Idon’tknow，’saidJocelyn，withincipientjealousy：’Iwasjustgoingtoaskthesamething。’
　　’O，weshallfindoutpresently，Isuppose。Idaresaymywifeknows。’
　　Theyhadparted，whenahandcameuponhisshoulder。LordChannelcliffehadturnedbackforaninstant：’Ifindsheisthegranddaughterofmyfather’soldfriend，thelastLordHengistbury。
　　HernameisMrs。——Mrs。Pine-Avon；shelostherhusbandtwoorthreeyearsago，veryshortlyaftertheirmarriage。’
　　LordChannelcliffebecameabsorbedintosomeadjoiningdignitaryoftheChurch，andPierstonwaslefttopursuehisquestalone。Ayoungfriendofhis——theLadyMabellaButtermead，whoappearedinacloudofmuslinandwasgoingontoaball——hadbeenbroughtagainsthimbythetide。Awarm-hearted，emotionalgirlwasLadyMabella，wholaughedatthehumorousnessofbeingalive。Sheaskedhimwhitherhewasbent，andhetoldher。
　　’Oyes，Iknowherverywell！’saidLadyMabellaeagerly。’Shetoldmeonedaythatsheparticularlywishedtomeetyou。Poorthing——sosad——
　　shelostherhusband。Well，itwasalongtimeagonow，certainly。
　　Womenoughtnottomarryandlaythemselvesopentosuchcatastrophes，oughtthey，Mr。Pierston？_I_nevershall。Iamdeterminednevertorunsucharisk！Now，doyouthinkIshall？’
　　’Marry？Ono；never，’saidPierstondrily。
　　’That’sverysatisfying。’ButMabellawasscarcelycomfortableunderhisanswer，eventhoughjestinglyreturned，andsheadded：’ButsometimesIthinkImay，justforthefunofit。Nowwe’llsteeracrosstoher，andcatchher，andI’llintroduceyou。Butweshallnevergettoheratthisrate！’
　　’Never，unlessweadopt"theuglyrush，"likethecitizenswhofollowtheLordMayor’sShow。’
　　Theytalked，andinchedtowardsthedesiredone，who，asshediscoursedwithaneighbour，seemedtobeofthose——
　　’Femaleforms，whosegesturesbeamwithmind，’
　　seenbythepoetinhisVisionoftheGoldenCityofIslam。
　　Theirprogresswascontinuallychecked。Pierstonwasashehadsometimesseemedtobeinadream，unabletoadvancetowardstheobjectofpursuitunlesshecouldhavegathereduphisfeetintotheair。
　　Aftertenminutesgiventoapreoccupiedregardofshoulder-blades，backhair，glitteringheadgear，neck-napes，moles，hairpins，pearl-
　　powder，pimples，mineralscutintofacetsofmany-colouredrays，necklace-clasps，fans，stays，thesevenstylesofelbowandarm，thethirteenvarietiesofear；andbyusingthetoesofhisdress-bootsascoulterswithwhichheploughedhiswayandthatofLadyMabellainthedirectiontheywereaimingat，hedrewneartoMrs。Pine-Avon，whowasdrinkingacupofteainthebackdrawing-room。
　　’MydearNichola，wethoughtweshouldnevergettoyou，becauseitisworseto-night，owingtothesedreadfulpolitics！Butwe’vedoneit。’
　　AndsheproceededtotellherfriendofPierston’sexistencehardby。
　　Itseemedthatthewidowreallydidwishtoknowhim，andthatLadyMabellaButtermeadhadnotindulgedinoneofthetoofrequentinventionsinthatkind。Whentheyoungestofthetriohadmadethepairacquaintedwitheachothersheleftthemtotalktoayoungermanthanthesculptor。
　　Mrs。Pine-Avon’sblackvelvetsandsilks，withtheirwhiteaccompaniments，finelysetofftheexceedingfairnessofherneckandshoulders，which，thoughunwhitenedartificially，werewithoutaspeckorblemishoftheleastdegree。Thegentle，thoughtfulcreatureshehadlookedfromadistanceshenowprovedherselftobe；sheheldalsosoundratherthancurrentopinionsontheplasticarts，andwasthefirstintellectualwomanhehadseentherethatnight，exceptoneortwoasaforesaid。
　　Theysoonbecamewellacquainted，andatapauseintheirconversationnoticedthefreshexcitementcausedbythearrivalofsomelatecomerswithmorenews。Thelatterhadbeenbroughtbyarippling，bright-eyedladyinblack，whomadethemenlistentoher，whethertheywouldorno。
　　’IamgladIamanoutsider，’saidJocelyn’sacquaintance，nowseatedonasofabesidewhichhewasstanding。’Iwouldn’tbelikemycousin，overthere，fortheworld。Shethinksherhusbandwillbeturnedoutatthenextelection，andshe’squitewild。’
　　’Yes；itismostlythewomenwhoarethegamesters；themenonlythecards。Thepityisthatpoliticsarelookedonasbeingagameforpoliticians，justascricketisagameforcricketers；notastheseriousdutiesofpoliticaltrustees。’
　　’Howfewofuseverthinkorfeelthat"thenationofeverycountrydwellsinthecottage，"assomebodysays！’
　　’Yes。ThoughIwondertohearyouquotethat。’
　　’O——Iamofnoparty，thoughmyrelationsare。Therecanbeonlyonebestcourseatalltimes，andthewisdomofthenationshouldbedirectedtofindingit，insteadofzigzaggingintwocourses，accordingtothewillofthepartywhichhappenstohavetheupperhand。’
　　Havingstartedthus，theyfoundnodifficultyinagreeingonmanypoints。WhenPierstonwentdownstairsfromthatassemblyataquartertoone，andpassedunderthesteamingnostrilsofanambassador’shorsestoahansomwhichwaitedforhimagainsttherailingofthesquare，hehadanimpressionthattheBelovedhadre-emergedfromtheshadows，withoutanyhintorinitiativefromhim——towhom，indeed，suchre-emergencewasanunquestionablyawkwardthing。
　　Inthishewasaware，however，thatthoughitmightbenow，asheretofore，theLovedwhodancedbeforehim，itwastheGoddessbehindherwhopulledthestringofthatJumpingJill。HehadlatelybeentryinghisartisthandagainontheDea’sformineveryconceivablephaseandmood。Hehadbecomeaone-partman——apresenterofheronly。
　　Buthiseffortshadresultedinfailures。Inherimplacablevanityshemightbepunishinghimanewforpresentinghersodeplorably。
　　2。II。SHEDRAWSCLOSEANDSATISFIES
　　HecouldnotforgetMrs。Pine-Avon’seyes，thoughherememberednothingofherotherfacialdetails。Theywereround，inquiring，luminous。
　　Howthatchestnuthairofhershadshone：itrequirednotiaratosetitoff，likethatofthedowagerhehadseenthere，whohadputtenthousandpoundsuponherheadtomakeherselflookworsethanshewouldhaveappearedwiththeninepennymuslincapofaservantwoman。
　　Nowthequestionwas，oughthetoseeheragain？Hehadhisdoubts。
　　But，unfortunatelyfordiscretion，justwhenhewascomingoutoftheroomshehadencounteredanoldladyofseventy，hisfriendMrs。
　　Brightwalton——theHonourableMrs。Brightwalton——andshehadhastilyaskedhimtodinnerforthedayafterthemorrow，statinginthehonestwayheknewsowellthatshehadheardhewasoutoftown，orshewouldhaveaskedhimtwoorthreeweeksago。Now，ofallsocialthingsthatPierstonlikeditwastobeaskedtodinneroff-hand，asastopgapinplaceofsomebishop，earl，orUnder-Secretarywhocouldn’tcome，andwhentheinvitationwassupplementedbythetidingsthattheladywhohadsoimpressedhimwastobeoneoftheguests，hehadpromisedinstantly。
　　Atthedinner，hetookdownMrs。Pine-Avonuponhisarmandtalkedtonobodyelseduringthemeal。Afterwardstheykeptapartawhileinthedrawing-roomforform’ssake；buteventuallygravitatedtogetheragain，andfinishedtheeveningineachother’scompany。When，shortlyaftereleven，hecameaway，hefeltalmostcertainthatwithinthoseluminousgreyeyestheOneofhiseternalfidelityhadverilytakenlodgings——
　　andforalonglease。Butthiswasnotall。Atparting，hehad，almostinvoluntarily，givenherhandapressureofapeculiarandindescribablekind；alittleresponsefromher，likeamerepulsation，ofthesamesort，toldhimthattheimpressionshehadmadeuponhimwasreciprocated。Shewas，inaword，willingtogoon。
　　Butwasheable？
　　Therehadnotbeenmuchharmintheflirtationthusfar；butdidsheknowhishistory，thecurseuponhisnature？——thathewastheWanderingJewofthelove-world，howrestlesslyidealhisfancieswere，howtheartistinhimhadconsumedthewooer，howhewasinconstantdreadlestheshouldwrongsomewomantwiceasgoodashimselfbyseemingtomeanwhathefainwouldmeanbutcouldnot，howuselesshewaslikelytobeforpracticalstepstowardshouseholding，thoughhewasallthewhilepiningfordomesticlife。Hewasnowoverforty，shewasprobablythirty；andhedarednotmakeunmeaninglovewiththecarelessselfishnessofayoungerman。Itwasunfairtogofurtherwithouttellingher，eventhough，hitherto，suchexplicitnesshadnotbeenabsolutelydemanded。
　　HedeterminedtocallimmediatelyontheNewIncarnation。
　　Shelivednotfarfromthelong，fashionableHamptonshireSquare，andhewentthitherwithexpectationsofhavingahighlyemotionaltime，atleast。Butsomehowtheverybell-pullseemedcold，althoughshehadsoearnestlyaskedhimtocome。
　　Asthehousespoke，sospoketheoccupant，muchtotheastonishmentofthesculptor。Thedoorshepassedthroughseemedasiftheyhadnotbeenopenedforamonth；andenteringthelargedrawing-room，hebeheld，inanarm-chair，inthefardistance，aladywhomhejourneyedacrossthecarpettoreach，andultimatelydidreach。TobesureitwasMrs。NicholaPine-Avon，butfrostedoverindescribably。Raisinghereyesinaslightlyinquiringmannerfromthebookshewasreading，sheleantbackinthechair，asifsoakingherselfinluxurioussensationswhichhadnothingtodowithhim，andrepliedtohisgreetingwithafewcommonplacewords。
　　TheunfortunateJocelyn，thoughrecuperativetoadegree，wasatfirstterriblyupsetbythisreception。HehaddistinctlybeguntoloveNichola，andhefeltsickandalmostresentful。Buthappilyhisaffectionwasincipientasyet，andasuddensenseoftheridiculousinhisownpositioncarriedhimtothevergeofrisibilityduringthescene。Shesignifiedachair，andbeganthecriticalstudyofsomeringsshewore。
　　Theytalkedovertheday’snews，andthenanorganbegantogrindoutside。Thetunewasarollickingairhehadheardatsomemusic-
　　hall；and，bywayofadiversion，heaskedherifsheknewthecomposition。
　　’No，Idon’t！’shereplied。
　　’Now，I’lltellyouallaboutit，’saidhegravely。’Itisbasedonasoundoldmelodycalled"TheJilt’sHornpipe。"JustastheyturnMadeiraintoportinthespaceofasinglenight，sothisoldairhasbeentakenanddoctored，andtwistedabout，andbroughtoutasanewpopularditty。’
　　’Indeed！’
　　’Ifyouareinthehabitofgoingmuchtothemusic-hallsortheburlesquetheatres——’
　　’Yes？’
　　’Youwouldfindthisisoftendone，withexcellenteffect。’
　　Shethawedalittle，andthentheywentontotalkaboutherhouse，whichhadbeennewlypainted，anddecoratedwithgreenish-bluesatinuptotheheightofaperson’shead——anarrangementthatsomewhatimprovedherslightlyfaded，thoughstillpretty，face，andwashelpedbytheawningsoverthewindows。
　　’Yes；Ihavehadmyhousesomeyears，’sheobservedcomplacently，’andIlikeitbettereveryyear。’
　　’Don’tyoufeellonelyinitsometimes？’
　　’Onever！’
　　However，beforeheroseshegrewfriendlytosomedegree，andwhenheleft，justafterthearrivalofthreeopportuneyoungladiessheseemedregretful。Sheaskedhimtocomeagain；andhethoughthewouldtellthetruth。’No：Ishallnotcaretocomeagain，’heanswered，inatoneinaudibletotheyoungladies。
　　Shefollowedhimtothedoor。’Whatanuncivilthingtosay！’shemurmuredinsurprise。
　　’Itisratheruncivil。Good-bye，’saidPierston。
　　Asapunishmentshedidnotringthebell，butlefthimtofindhiswayoutashecould。’NowwhatthedevilthismeansIcannottell，’hesaidtohimself，reflectingstock-stillforamomentonthestairs。
　　Andyetthemeaningwasstaringhimintheface。
　　Meanwhileoneofthethreeyoungladieshadsaid，’Whatinterestingmanwasthat，withhislovelyheadofhair？IsawhimatLadyChannelcliffe’stheothernight。’
　　’JocelynPierston。’
　　’O，Nichola，thatIStoobad！Tolethimgointhatshabbyway，whenI
　　wouldhavegivenanythingtoknowhim！IhavewantedtoknowhimeversinceIfoundouthowmuchhisexperienceshaddictatedhisstatuary，andIdiscoveredthembyseeinginaJerseypaperofthemarriageofapersonsupposedtobehiswife，whoranoffwithhimmanyyearsago，don’tyouknow，andthenwouldn’tmarryhim，inobediencetosomenovelsocialprinciplesshehadinventedforherself。’
　　’O！didn’themarryher？’saidMrs。Pine-Avon，withastart。’Why，I
　　heardonlyyesterdaythathedid，thoughtheyhavelivedaparteversince。’
　　’Quiteamistake，’saidtheyounglady。’HowIwishIcouldrunafterhim！’
　　ButJocelynwasrecedingfromtheprettywidow’shousewithlongstrides。Hewentoutverylittleduringthenextfewdays，butaboutaweeklaterhekeptanengagementtodinewithLadyIrisSpeedwell，whomheneverneglected，becauseshewasthebrightesthostessinLondon。
　　Bysomeaccidenthearrivedratherearly。LadyIrishadleftthedrawing-roomforamomenttoseethatallwasrightinthedining-room，andwhenhewasshownintherestoodaloneinthelamplightNicholaPine-Avon。Shehadbeenthefirstarrival。Hehadnotintheleastexpectedtomeetherthere，furtherthanthat，inageneralsense，atLadyIris’syouexpectedtomeeteverybody。
　　Shehadjustcomeoutofthecloak-room，andwassotenderandevenapologeticthathehadnotthehearttobeotherthanfriendly。Astheotherguestsdroppedin，thepairretreatedintoashadycorner，andshetalkedbesidehimtillallmovedofffortheeatinganddrinking。
　　Hehadnotbeenappointedtotakeheracrosstothedining-room，butatthetablefoundherexactlyopposite。Shelookedverycharmingbetweenthecandles，andthensuddenlyitdawneduponhimthatherpreviousmannermusthaveoriginatedinsomefalsereportaboutMarcia，ofwhoseexistencehehadnotheardforyears。Anyhow，hewasnotdisposedtoresentaninexplicabilityinwomankind，havingfoundthatitusuallyaroseindependentlyoffact，reason，probability，orhisowndeserts。
　　Sohedinedon，catchinghereyesandthefewprettywordsshemadeopportunitytoprojectacrossthetabletohimnowandthen。Hewascourteouslyresponsiveonly，butMrs。Pine-Avonherselfdistinctlymadeadvances。Here-admiredher，whileatthesametimeherconductinherownhousehadbeenenoughtocheckhisconfidence——enougheventomakehimdoubtiftheWell-Belovedreallyresidedwithinthosecontours，orhadeverbeenmorethanthemosttransitorypassengerthroughthatinterestingandaccomplishedsoul。
　　Hewasponderingthisquestion，yetgrowingdecidedlymovedbytheplayfulpathosofherattitudewhen，bychance，searchinghispocketforhishandkerchief，somethingcrackled，andhefeltthereanunopenedletter，whichhadarrivedatthemomenthewasleavinghishouse，andhehadslippedintohiscoattoreadinthecabashedrovealong。
　　Pierstondrewitsufficientlyforthtoobservebythepost-markthatitcamefromhisnatalisle。Havinghardlyacorrespondentinthatpartoftheworldnowhebegantoconjectureonthepossiblesender。
　　Theladyonhisright，whomhehadbroughtin，wasaleadingactressofthetown——indeed，oftheUnitedKingdomandAmerica，forthatmatter——acreatureinairyclothing，translucent，likeabalsamorsea-anemone，withoutshadows，andinmovementasresponsiveassomehighlylubricated，many-wiredmachine，which，ifonepressesaparticularspring，fliesopenandrevealsitsworks。Thespringinthepresentcasewastheartisticcommendationshedeservedandcraved。Atthisparticularmomentshewasengagedwiththemanonherownright，arepresentativeofFamily，whotalkedpositivelyandhollowly，asifshoutingdownavistaoffivehundredyearsfromtheFeudalpast。TheladyonJocelyn’sleft，wifeofaLordJusticeofAppeal，wasinlikemannertalkingtohercompanionontheouterside；sothat，forthetime，hewaslefttohimself。Hetookadvantageoftheopportunity，drewouthisletter，andreaditasitlayuponhisnapkin，nobodyobservinghim，sofarashewasaware。
　　Itcamefromthewifeofoneofhisfather’sformerworkmen，andwasconcerningherson，whomshebeggedJocelyntorecommendascandidateforsomepostintownthatshewishedhimtofill。Buttheendoftheletterwaswhatarrestedhim——
　　’Youwillbesorrytohear，Sir，thatdearlittleAviceCaro，asweusedtocallherinhermaidendays，isdead。Shemarriedhercousin，ifyoudomind，andwentawayfromhereforagood-fewyears，butwasleftawidow，andcamebackatwelvemonthago；sincewhenshefalteredandfaltered，andnowsheisgone。’
　　2。III。SHEBECOMESANINACCESSIBLEGHOST
　　Byimperceptibleandslowdegreesthesceneatthedinner-tablerecededintothebackground，behindthevividpresentmentofAviceCaro，andtheold，oldscenesonIsleVindiliawhichwereinseparablefromherpersonality。Thediningroomwasrealnomore，dissolvingundertheboldstonypromontoryandtheincomingWestSea。Thehandsomemarchionessingeranium-redanddiamonds，whowasvisibletohimonhishost’srighthandopposite，becameoneoftheglowingvermilionsunsetsthathehadwatchedsomanytimesoverDeadman’sBay，withtheformofAviceintheforeground。BetweenhiseyesandthejudgewhosatnexttoNichola，withachinsorawthathemusthaveshavedeveryquarterofanhourduringtheday，intrudedthefaceofAvice，asshehadglancedathimintheirlastparting。Thecranniedfeaturesoftheevergreensocietylady，who，ifshehadbeenafewyearsolder，wouldhavebeenasold-fashionedasherdaughter，shapedthemselvestothedustyquarriesofhisandAvice’sparents，downwhichhehadclamberedwithAvicehundredsoftimes。Theivytrailingaboutthetable-cloth，thelightsinthetallcandlesticks，andthebunchesofflowers，weretransmutedintotheiviesofthecliff-builtCastle，thetuftsofseaweed，andthelighthousesontheisle。Thesaltairsoftheoceankilledthesmelloftheviands，andinsteadoftheclatterofvoicescamethemonologueofthetideofftheBeal。
　　Morethanall，NicholaPine-Avonlostthebloomingradiancewhichshehadlatterlyacquired；shebecameawomanofhisacquaintancewithnodistinctivetraits；sheseemedtogrowmaterial，asuperficiesoffleshandbonemerely，apersonoflinesandsurfaces；shewasalanguageinlivingciphernomore。
　　Whentheladieshadwithdrawnitwasjustthesame。ThesoulofAvice——
　　theonlywomanhehadNEVERlovedofthosewhohadlovedhim——
　　surroundedhimlikeafirmament。Artdrewneartohiminthepersonofoneofthemostdistinguishedofportraitpainters；buttherewasonlyonepainterforJocelyn——hisownmemory。AllthatwaseminentinEuropeansurgeryaddressedhiminthepersonofthatharmlessandunassumingfogeywhosehandshadbeeninsidethebodiesofhundredsoflivingmen；butthelily-whitecorpseofanobscurecountry-girlchilledtheinterestofdiscoursewithsuchakingofoperators。
　　Reachingthedrawing-roomhetalkedtohishostess。Thoughshehadentertainedthree-and-twentyguestsathertablethatnightshehadknownnotonlywhateveryoneofthemwassayinganddoingthroughouttherepast，butwhateveryonewasthinking。So，beinganoldfriend，shesaidquietly，’Whathasbeentroublingyou？Somethinghas，Iknow。
　　Ihavebeentravellingoveryourfaceandhaveseenitthere。’
　　Nothingcouldlessexpressthemeaninghisrecentnewshadforhimthanastatementofitsfacts。Hetoldoftheopeningoftheletterandthediscoveryofthedeathofanoldacquaintance。
　　’TheonlywomanwhomIneverrightlyvalued，Imayalmostsay！’headded；’andthereforetheonlyoneIshalleverregret！’
　　Whethersheconsidereditasufficientexplanationornotthewomanofexperiencesaccepteditassuch。Shewasthesingleladyofhiscirclewhomnothingerraticinhisdoingscouldsurprise，andheoftengaveherstrayendsofhisconfidencethuswithperfectsafety。
　　HedidnotgonearMrs。Pine-Avonagain；hecouldnot：andonleavingthehousewalkedabstractedlyalongthestreetstillhefoundhimselfathisowndoor。Inhisroomhesatdown，andplacinghishandsbehindhisheadthoughthisthoughtsanew。
　　Atonesideoftheroomstoodanescritoire，andfromalowerdrawerthereinhetookoutasmallboxtightlynaileddown。Heforcedthecoverwiththepoker。Theboxcontainedavarietyofoddsandends，whichPierstonhadthrownintoitfromtimetotimeinpastyearsforfuturesorting——anintentionthathehadnevercarriedout。Fromthemelancholymassofpapers，fadedphotographs，seals，diaries，witheredflowers，andsuchlike，Jocelyndrewalittleportrait，onetakenonglassintheprimitivedaysofphotography，andframedwithtinselinthecommonestway。
　　ItwasAviceCaro，asshehadappearedduringthesummermonthortwowhichhehadspentwithherontheislandtwentyyearsbeforethistime，heryounglipspursedup，herhandsmeeklyfolded。Theeffectoftheglasswastolendtothepicturemuchofthesoftnesscharacteristicoftheoriginal。Herememberedwhenitwastaken——
　　duringoneafternoontheyhadspenttogetherataneighbouringwatering-place，whenhehadsuggestedhersittingtoatoutingartistonthesands，therebeingnothingelseforthemtodo。Alongcontemplationofthelikenesscompletedinhisemotionswhattheletterhadbegun。Helovedthewomandeadandinaccessibleashehadneverlovedherinlife。Hehadthoughtofherbutatdistantintervalsduringthetwentyyearssincethatpartingoccurred，andonlyassomebodyhecouldhavewedded。Yetnowthetimesofyouthfulfriendshipwithher，inwhichhehadlearnteverynoteofherinnocentnature，flamedupintoayearningandpassionateattachment，embitteredbyregretbeyondwords。
　　Thatkisswhichhadoffendedhisdignity，whichshehadsochildishlygivenhimbeforeherconsciousnessofwomanhoodhadbeenawakened；whathewouldhaveofferedtohaveaquarterofitnow！
　　Pierstonwasalmostangrywithhimselfforhisfeelingsofthisnight，sounreasonably，motivelesslystrongweretheytowardsthelostyoungplaymate。’Howsenselessofme！’hesaid，ashelayinhislonelybed。
　　Shehadbeenanotherman’swifealmostthewholetimesincehewasestrangedfromher，andnowshewasacorpse。Yettheabsurditydidnotmakehisgrieftheless：andtheconsciousnessoftheintrinsic，almostradiant，purityofthisnewsprungaffectionforaflownspiritforbadehimtocheckit。Thefleshwasabsentaltogether；itwasloverarefiedandrefinedtoitshighestattar。Hehadfeltnothinglikeitbefore。
　　Thenextafternoonhewentdowntotheclub；nothislargeclub，wherethemenhardlyspoketoeachother，butthehomelyonewheretheytoldstoriesofanafternoon，andwerenotashamedtoconfessamongthemselvestopersonalweaknessesandfollies，knowingwellthatsuchsecretswouldgonofurther。Buthecouldnottellthis。Sovolatileandintangiblewasthestorythattoconveyitinwordswouldhavebeenashardastocageaperfume。
　　Theyobservedhisalteredmanner，andsaidhewasinlove。Pierstonadmittedthathewas；andthereitended。Whenhereachedhomehelookedoutofhisbed-roomwindow，andbegantoconsiderinwhatdirectionfromwherehestoodthatdarlinglittlefigurelay。Itwasstraightacrossthere，undertheyoungpalemoon。Thesymbolsignifiedwell。Thedivinityofthesilverbowwasnotmoreexcellentlypurethanshe，thelost，hadbeen。UnderthatmoonwastheislandofAncientSlingers，andontheislandahouse，framedfrommullionstochimney-topliketheisleitself，ofstone。Insidethewindow，themoonlightirradiatingherwinding-sheet，layAvice，reachedonlybythefaintnoisesinherentintheisle；thetink-tinkofthechiselsinthequarries，thesurgingofthetidesintheBay，andthemuffledgrumblingofthecurrentsinthenever-pacifiedRace。
　　Hebegantodivinethetruth。Avice，thedepartedone，thoughshehadcomeshortofinspiringapassion，hadyetpossessedaground-qualityabsentfromherrivals，withoutwhichitseemedthatafixedandfull-
　　roundedconstancytoawomancouldnotflourishinhim。Likehisown，herfamilyhadbeenislandersforcenturies——fromNorman，Anglian，Roman，Balearic-Britishtimes。Henceinhernature，asinhis，wassomemysteriousingredientsuckedfromtheisle；otherwisearacialinstinctnecessarytotheabsoluteunisonofapair。Thus，thoughhemightneverloveawomanoftheislandrace，forlackinherofthedesiredrefinement，hecouldnotlovelongakimberlin——awomanotherthanoftheislandrace，forherlackofthisgroundworkofcharacter。
　　SuchwasPierston’sviewofthings。Anotherfancyofhis，anartist’ssuperstitionmerely，maybementioned。TheCaros，likesomeotherlocalfamilies，suggestedaRomanlineage，moreorlessgraftedonthestockoftheSlingers。TheirfeaturesrecalledthoseoftheItalianpeasantrytoanyoneasfamiliarashewaswiththem；andtherewereevidencesthattheRomancolonistshadbeenpopulousandlong-abidinginandnearthiscornerofBritain。TraditionurgedthatatempletoVenusoncestoodatthetopoftheRomanroadleadingupintotheisle；
　　andpossiblyonetothelove-goddessoftheSlingersantedatedthis。
　　Whatsonaturalasthatthetruestarofhissoulwouldbefoundnowherebutinoneoftheoldislandbreed？
　　AfterdinnerhisoldfriendSomerscameintosmoke，andwhentheyhadtalkedalittlewhileSomersalludedcasuallytosomeplaceatwhichtheywouldmeetonthemorrow。
　　’Isha’n’tbethere，’saidPierston。
　　’Butyoupromised？’
　　’Yes。ButIshallbeattheisland——lookingatadeadwoman’sgrave。’
　　Ashespokehiseyesturned，andremainedfixedonatablenear。
　　Somersfollowedthedirectionofhisglancetoaphotographonastand。
　　’Isthatshe？’heasked。
　　’Yes。’
　　’Ratherabygoneaffair，then？’
　　Pierstonacknowledgedit。’She’stheonlysweetheartIeverslighted，Alfred，’hesaid。’Becauseshe’stheonlyoneIoughttohavecaredfor。That’sjustthefoolIhavealwaysbeen。’
　　’Butifshe’sdeadandburied，youcangotohergraveatanytimeaswellasnow，tokeepupthesentiment。’
　　’Idon’tknowthatshe’sburied。’
　　’Butto-morrow——theAcademynight！Ofalldayswhygothen？’
　　’Idon’tcareabouttheAcademy。’
　　’Pierston——youareouronlyinspiredsculptor。YouareourPraxiteles，orratherourLysippus。YouarealmosttheonlymanofthisgenerationwhohasbeenabletomouldandchiselformslivingenoughtodrawtheidlepublicawayfromthepopularpaintingsintotheusuallydesertedLecture-room，andpeoplewhohaveseenyourlastpiecesofstuffsaytherehasbeennothinglikethemsincesixteenhundredand——sincethesculptors’ofthegreatrace’livedanddied——wheneverthatwas。Well，then，forthesakeofothersyououghtnottorushofftothatGod-
　　forgottensea-rockjustwhenyouarewantedintown，allforawomanyoulastsawahundredyearsago。’
　　’No——itwasonlynineteenandthreequarters，’repliedhisfriend，withabstractedliteralness。Hewentthenextmorning。
　　Sincethedaysofhisyoutharailwayhadbeenconstructedalongthepebblebank，sothat，exceptwhentherailswerewashedawaybythetides，whichwasratheroften，thepeninsulawasquicklyaccessible。
　　Attwoo’clockintheafternoonhewasrattledalongbythisnewmeansoflocomotion，underthefamiliarmonotonouslineofbran-colouredstones，andhesoonemergedfromthestation，whichstoodasastrangeexoticamongtheblacklerrets，theruinsofthewashed-awayvillage，andthewhitecubesofoolite，justcometoviewafterburialthroughunreckonablegeologicyears。
　　InenteringuponthepebblebeachthetrainhadpassedclosetotheruinsofHenrytheEighth’sorSandsfootCastle，whitherAvicewastohaveaccompaniedhimonthenightofhisdeparture。Hadsheappearedtheprimitivebetrothal，withitsnaturalresult，wouldprobablyhavetakenplace；and，asnoislanderhadeverbeenknowntobreakthatcompact，shewouldhavebecomehiswife。
　　Ascendingthesteepinclinetowherethequarrymenwerechippingjustastheyhadformerlydone，andwithinsoundofthegreatstonesaws，helookedsouthwardtowardstheBeal。
　　Thelevellineoftheseahorizonroseabovethesurfaceoftheisle，aruffledpatchinmid-distanceasusualmarkingtheRace，whencemanyaLycidashadgone’Visitingthebottomofthemonstrousworld；’
　　buthadnotbeenblestwithapoetasafriend。Againstthestretchofwater，whereaschoolofmackereltwinkledintheafternoonlight，wasdefined，inadditiontothedistantlighthouse，achurchwithitstower，standingaboutaquarterofamileoff，neartheedgeofthecliff。Thechurchyardgravestonescouldbeseeninprofileagainstthesamevastspreadofwaterybabbleandunrest。
　　Amongthegravesmovedtheformofamanclothedinawhitesheet，whichthewindblewandflappedcoldlyeverynowandthen。Nearhimmovedsixmenbearingalongbox，andtwoorthreepersonsinblackfollowed。Thecoffin，withitstwelvelegs，crawledacrosstheisle，whilearoundandbeneathittheflashinglightsfromtheseaandtheschoolofmackerelwerereflected；afishing-boat，faroutintheChannel，beingmomentarilydiscernibleunderthecoffinalso。
　　Theprocessionwanderedroundtoaparticularcorner，andhalted，andpausedtherealongwhileinthewind，theseabehindthem，thesurpliceoftheprieststillblowing。Jocelynstoodwithhishatoff：
　　hewaspresent，thoughhewasaquarterofamileoff；andheseemedtohearthewordsthatwerebeingsaid，thoughnothingbutthewindwasaudible。
　　HeinstinctivelyknewthatitwasnoneotherthanAvicewhomhewasseeinginterred；HISAvice，ashenowbeganpresumptuouslytocallher。
　　Presentlythelittlegroupwithdrewfrombeforethesea-shine，anddisappeared。
　　Hefelthimselfunabletogofurtherinthatdirection，andturningasidewentaimlesslyacrosstheopenland，visitingthevariousspotsthathehadformerlyvisitedwithher。But，asiftetheredtothechurchyardbyacord，hewasstillconsciousofbeingattheendofaradiuswhosepivotwasthegraveofAviceCaro；andastheduskthickenedhecloseduponhiscentreandenteredthechurchyardgate。
　　Notasoulwasnowwithintheprecincts。Thegrave，newlyshaped，waseasilydiscoverablebehindthechurch，andwhenthesameyoungmoonarosewhichhehadobservedthepreviouseveningfromhiswindowinLondonhecouldseetheyetfreshfoot-marksofthemournersandbearers。Thebreezehadfallentoacalmwiththesettingofthesun：
　　thelighthousehadopeneditsglaringeye，and，disinclinedtoleaveaspotsublimedbothbyearlyassociationandpresentregret，hemovedbacktothechurch-wall，warmfromtheafternoonsun，andsatdownuponawindow-sillfacingthegrave。
　　2。IV。SHETHREATENSTORESUMECORPOREALSUBSTANCE
　　Thelispingsoftheseabeneaththecliffswereallthesoundsthatreachedhim，forthequarriesweresilentnow。Howlonghesatherelonelyandthinkinghedidnotknow。Neitherdidheknow，thoughhefeltdrowsy，whetherinexpectantsadness——thatgentlesoporific——lulledhimintoashortsleep，sothathelostcountoftimeandconsciousnessofincident。ButduringsomeminuteorminutesheseemedtoseeAviceCaroherself，bendingoverandthenwithdrawingfromhergraveinthelightofthemoon。
　　Sheseemednotayearolder，notadigitlessslender，notalinemoreangularthanwhenhehadpartedfromhertwentyyearsearlier，inthelanehardby。Arenascentreasoningontheimpossibilityofsuchaphenomenonasthisbeingmorethanadream-fancyrousedhimwithastartfromhisheaviness。
　　’Imusthavebeenasleep，’hesaid。
　　Yetshehadseemedsoreal。Pierstonhoweverdismissedthestrangeimpression，arguingthateveniftheinformationsenthimofAvice’sdeathshouldbefalse——athingincredible——thatsweetfriendofhisyouth，despitethetransfiguringeffectsofmoonlight，wouldnotnowlookthesameasshehadappearednineteenortwentyyearsago。Werewhathesawsubstantialflesh，itmusthavebeensomeotherpersonthanAviceCaro。
　　Havingsatisfiedhissentimentbycomingtothegravesidetherewasnothingmoreforhimtodointheisland，andhedecidedtoreturntoLondonthatnight。Butsometimeremainingstillonhishands，JocelynbyanaturalinstinctturnedhisfeetinthedirectionofEastQuarriers，thevillageofhisbirthandofhers。Passingthemarket-
　　squarehepursuedthearmofroadto’SylvaniaCastle，’aprivatemansionofcomparativelymoderndate，inwhosegroundsstoodthesingleplantationoftreesofwhichtheislecouldboast。Thecottagesextendedclosetothewallsoftheenclosure，andoneofthelastofthesedwellingshadbeenAvice’s，inwhich，asitwasherfreehold，shepossiblyhaddied。
　　Toreachithepassedthegatesof’Sylvania，’andobservedabovethelawnwallaboardannouncingthatthehousewastobeletfurnished。A
　　fewstepsfurtherrevealedthecottagewhichwithitsquaintandmassivestonefeaturesoftwoorthreecenturies’antiquity，wascapableevennowoflongerresistancetotheraspofTimethanordinarynewerections。Hisattentionwasdrawntothewindow，stillunblinded，thoughalamplittheroom。Hesteppedbackagainstthewallopposite，andgazedin。
　　Atatablecoveredwithawhiteclothayoungwomanstoodputtingtea-
　　thingsawayintoacorner-cupboard。ShewasinallrespectstheAvicehehadlost，thegirlhehadseeninthechurchyardandhadfanciedtobetheillusionofadream。Andthoughtherewasthistimenodoubtaboutherreality，theisolationofherpositioninthesilenthouselentheracuriouslystartlingaspect。Diviningtheexplanationhewaitedforfootsteps，andinafewmomentsaquarrymanpassedhimonhisjourneyhome。Pierstoninquiredofthemanconcerningthespectacle。
　　’Oyes，sir；that’spoorMrs。Caro’sonlydaughter，anditmustbelonelyforherthereto-night，poormaid！Yes，good-now；she’stheverydapsofhermother——that’swhateverybodysays。’
　　’Buthowdoesshecometobesolonely？’
　　’Oneofherbrotherswenttoseaandwasdrowned，andt’otherisinAmerica。’
　　’Theywerequarryownersatonetime？’
　　Thequarryman’pitchedhisnitch，’andexplainedtotheseemingstrangerthattherehadbeenthreefamiliesthereaboutsinthestonetrade，whohadgotmuchinvolvedwitheachotherinthelastgeneration。TheyweretheBencombs，thePierstons，andtheCaros。TheBencombsstrainedtheirutmosttooutlifttheothertwo，andpartiallysucceeded。Theygrewenormouslyrich，soldout，anddisappearedaltogetherfromtheislandwhichhadbeentheirmaking。ThePierstonskeptadoggedmiddlecourse，throvewithoutshowornoise，andalsoretiredintheirturn。TheCaroswerepulledcompletelydowninthecompetitionwiththeothertwo，andwhenWidowCaro’sdaughtermarriedhercousinJimCaro，hetriedtoregainforthefamilyitsoriginalplaceinthethree-corneredstruggle。Hetookcontractsatlessthanhecouldprofitby，speculatedmoreandmore，tillatlastthecrashcame；hewassoldup，wentaway，andlateroncamebacktoliveinthislittlecottage，whichwashiswife’sbyinheritance。Thereheremainedtillhisdeath；andnowhiswidowwasgone。Hardshipshadhelpedonherend。
　　Thequarrymanproceededonhisway，andPierston，deeplyremorseful，knockedatthedooroftheminutefreehold。Thegirlherselfopenedit，lampinhand。
　　’Avice！’hesaidtenderly；’AviceCaro！’evennowunabletogetoverthestrangefeelingthathewastwentyyearsyounger，addressingAvicetheforsaken。
　　’Ann，sir，’saidshe。
　　’Ah，yournameisnotthesameasyourmother’s！’
　　’Mysecondnameis。Andmysurname。Poormothermarriedhercousin。’
　　’Aseverybodydoeshere……Well，Annorotherwise，youareAvicetome。Andyouhavelosthernow？’
　　’Ihave，sir。’
　　Shespokeintheverysamesweetvoicethathehadlistenedtoascoreofyearsbefore，andbenteyesofthesamefamiliarhazelinquiringlyuponhim。
　　’Iknewyourmotheratonetime，’hesaid；’andlearningofherdeathandburialItookthelibertyofcallinguponyou。Youwillforgiveastrangerdoingthat？’
　　’Yes，’shesaiddispassionately，andglancingroundtheroom：’Thiswasmother’sownhouse，andnowitismine。Iamsorrynottobeinmourningonthenightofherfuneral，butIhavejustbeentoputsomeflowersonhergrave，andItookitoffaforegoingthatthedampmidnotspoilthecrape。Yousee，shewasbadalongtime，andIhavetobecareful，anddowashingandironingforaliving。ShehurthersidewithwringingupthelargesheetsshehadtowashfortheCastlefolkshere。’
　　’Ihopeyouwon’thurtyourselfdoingit，mydear。’
　　’Ono，thatIsha’n’t！There’sCharlWoollat，andSammyScribben，andTedGibsey，andlotso’youngchaps；they’llwringanythingformeiftheyhappentocomealong。ButIcanhardlytrust’em。SamScribbent’otherdaytwistedalinentableclothintotwopieces，foralltheworldasifithadbeenapipe-light。Theyneverknowwhentostopintheirwringing。’
　　ThevoicetrulywashisAvice’s；butAvicetheSecondwasclearlymorematter-of-fact，unreflecting，lesscultivatedthanhermotherhadbeen。
　　ThisAvicewouldneverrecitepoetryfromanyplatform，localorother，withenthusiasticappreciationofitsfire。Therewasadisappointmentinhisrecognitionofthis；yetshetouchedhimasfewhaddone：hecouldnotbeartogoaway。’Howoldareyou？’heasked。
　　’Goinginnineteen。’
　　Itwasabouttheageofherdouble，AvicetheFirst，whenheandshehadstrolledtogetheroverthecliffsduringtheengagement。Buthewasnowforty，ifaday。Shebeforehimwasanuneducatedlaundress，andhewasasculptorandaRoyalAcademician，withafortuneandareputation。Yetwhywasitanunpleasantsensationtohimjustthentorecollectthathewastwoscore？
　　Hecouldfindnofurtherexcuseforremaining，andhavingstillhalf-
　　an-hourtosparehewentroundbytheroadtotheotherorwestsideofthelast-century’SylvaniaCastle，’andcametothefurthesthouseoutthereonthecliff。Itwashisearlyhome。Usedinthesummerasalodging-houseforvisitors，itnowstoodemptyandsilent，theeveningwindswayingtheeuonymusandtamariskboughsinthefront——theonlyevergreenshrubsthatcouldweatherthewhippingsaltgaleswhichspedpastthewalls。Oppositethehouse，faroutatsea，thefamiliarlightshipwinkedfromthesandbank，andallatoncetherecametohimawildwish——that，insteadofhavinganartist’sreputation，hecouldbelivinghereanilliterateandunknownman，wooing，andinafairwayofwinning，theprettylaundressinthecottagehardby。
　　2。V。THERESUMPTIONTAKESPLACE
　　HavingreturnedtoLondonhemechanicallyresumedhiscustomarylife；
　　buthewasnotreallylivingthere。ThephantomofAvice，nowgrowntobewarmfleshandblood，heldhismindafar。Hethoughtofnothingbuttheisle，andAvicetheSeconddwellingtherein——inhalingitssaltbreath，strokedbyitssingingrainsandbythehauntedatmosphereofRomanVenusaboutandaroundthesiteofherperishedtemplethere。
　　Theverydefectsinthecountrygirlbecamecharmsasviewedfromtown。
　　Nothingnowpleasedhimsomuchastospendthatportionoftheafternoonwhichhedevotedtoout-doorexercise，inhauntingthepurlieusofthewharvesalongtheThames，wherethestoneofhisnativerockwasunshippedfromthecoasting-craftthathadbroughtitthither。
　　Hewouldpassinsidethegreatgatesoftheselanding-placesontherightorleftbank，contemplatethewhitecubesandoblongs，imbibetheirassociations，callupthegeniuslociwhencetheycame，andalmostforgetthathewasinLondon。
　　Oneafternoonhewaswalkingawayfromthemud-splashedentrancetooneofthewharves，whenhisattentionwasdrawntoafemaleformontheoppositesideoftheway，goingtowardsthespothehadjustleft。Shewassomewhatsmall，slight，andgraceful；herattirealonewouldhavebeenenoughtoattracthim，beingsimpleandcountrifiedtopicturesqueness；buthewasmorethanattractedbyherstrongresemblancetoAviceCarotheyounger——AnnAvice，asshehadsaidshewascalled。
　　BeforeshehadrecededahundredyardshefeltcertainthatitwasAviceindeed；andhisunifyingmoodoftheafternoonwasnowsointensethatthelostandthefoundAviceseemedessentiallythesameperson。
　　Theirexternallikenesstoeachother——probablyowingtothecousinshipbetweentheelderandherhusband——wentfartonourishthefantasy。Hehastilyturned，andrediscoveredthegirlamongthepedestrians。Shekeptonherwaytothewharf，where，lookinginquiringlyaroundherforafewseconds，withthemannerofoneunaccustomedtothelocality，sheopenedthegateanddisappeared。
　　Pierstonalsowentuptothegateandentered。Shehadcrossedtothelanding-place，beyondwhichalumpycraftlaymoored。Drawingnearer，hediscoveredhertobeengagedinconversationwiththeskipperandanelderlywoman——bothcomestraightfromtheooliticisle，aswasapparentinamomentfromtheiraccent。Pierstonfeltnohesitationinmakinghimselfknownasanative，therupturedengagementbetweenAvice’smotherandhimselftwentyyearsbeforehavingbeenknowntofewornonenowliving。
　　ThepresentembodimentofAvicerecognizedhim，andwiththeartlesscandourofherraceandyearsexplainedthesituation，thoughthatwasratherhisdutyasanintruderthanhers。
　　’ThisisCap’nKibbs，sir，adistantrelationoffather’s，’shesaid。
　　’AndthisisMrs。Kibbs。We’vecomeupfromtheislandwi’enjustforatrip，andaregoingtosailbackwi’enWednesday。’
　　’O，Isee。Andwhereareyoustaying？’
　　’Here——onboard。’
　　’What，youliveonboardentirely？’
　　’Yes。’
　　’Lord，sir，’brokeinMrs。Kibbs，’Ishouldbeafeardo’mylifetotinemyeyesamongtheseherekimberlinsatnight-time；andevenbyday，ifsobeIventureintothestreets，Inowhenforgethowmanyturningstotherightandtotheleft’tistogetbacktoJob’svessel——
　　doI，Job？’
　　Theskippernoddedconfirmation。
　　’Youaresaferashorethanafloat，’saidPierston，’especiallyintheChannel，withthesewindsandthoseheavyblocksofstone。’
　　’Well，’saidCap’nKibbs，afterprivatelyclearingsomethingfromhismouth，’astothewinds，thereiddenmuchdangerinthematthistimeo’year。’Tistheocean-boundsteamersthatmaketherisktocraftlikeours。Ifyouhappentobeintheircourse，underyougo——cutclaneintwopieces，andtheyneverlying-totohaulinyourcarcases，andnobodytotellthetale。’
　　PierstonturnedtoAvice，wantingtosaymuchtoher，yetnotknowingwhattosay。Helamelyremarkedatlast：’Yougobackthesameway，Avice？’
　　’Yes，sir。’
　　’Well，takecareofyourselfafloat。’
　　’Oyes。’
　　’Ihope——Imayseeyouagainsoon——andtalktoyou。’
　　’Ihopeso，sir。’
　　Hecouldnotgetfurther，andafterawhilePierstonleftthem，andwentawaythinkingofAvicemorethanever。