Thenextdayhementallytimedthemdowntheriver，allowingforthepausetotakeinballast，andontheWednesdaypicturedthesaildowntheopensea。Thatnighthethoughtofthelittlecraftunderthebowsofthehugesteam-vessels，powerlesstomakeitselfseenorheard，andAvice，nowgrowinginexpressiblydear，sleepinginherlittleberthatthemercyofathousandchancecatastrophes。
　　HonestperceptionhadtoldhimthatthisAvice，fairerthanhermotherinfaceandform，washerinferiorinsoulandunderstanding。Yetthefervourwhichthefirstcouldneverkindleinhimwas，almosttohisalarm，burningupnow。HebegantohavemisgivingsastosomequeertrickthathismigratoryBelovedwasabouttoplayhim，orratherthecapriciousDivinitybehindthatideallady。
　　Agiganticsatireuponthemutationsofhisnymphduringthepasttwentyyearsseemedloominginthedistance。Aforsakingoftheaccomplishedandwell-connectedMrs。Pine-Avonforthelittlelaundress，underthetractionofsomemysticmagnetwhichhadnothingtodowithreason——surelythatwastheformofthesatire。
　　Butitwasrecklesslypleasanttoleavethesuspicionunrecognizedasyet，andfollowthelead。
　　InthinkinghowbesttodothisPierstonrecollectedthat，aswascustomarywhenthesummer-timeapproached，SylvaniaCastlehadbeenadvertisedforlettingfurnished。Asolitarydreamerlikehimself，whosewantsalllayinanartisticandidealdirection，didnotrequiresuchgauntaccommodationastheaforesaidresidenceoffered；butthespotwasall，andtheexpensesofafewmonthsoftenancythereinhecouldwellafford。Alettertotheagentwasdispatchedthatnight，andinafewdaysJocelynfoundhimselfthetemporarypossessorofaplacewhichhehadneverseentheinsideofsincehischildhood，andhadthendeemedtheabodeofunpleasantghosts。
　　2。VI。THEPASTSHINESINTHEPRESENT
　　ItwastheeveningofPierston’sarrivalatSylvaniaCastle，adignifiedmanor-houseinanookbythecliffs，withmoderncastellationsandbattlements；andhehadwalkedthroughtherooms，aboutthelawn，andintothesurroundingplantationofelms，whichonthisislandoftreelessrocklentauniquecharactertotheenclosure。
　　Inname，nature，andaccessoriesthepropertywithinthegirdlingwallformedacompleteantithesistoeverythinginitsprecincts。TofindothertreesbetweenPebble-bankandBeal，itwasnecessarytorecedealittleintime——todigdowntoaloosestratumoftheunderlyingstone-
　　beds，whereaforestofconiferslayaspetrifactions，theirheadsallinonedirection，asblowndownbyagaleintheSecondarygeologicepoch。
　　Duskhadclosedin，andhenowproceededwithwhatwas，afterall，therealbusinessofhissojourn。Thetwoservantswhohadbeenlefttotakecareofthehousewereintheirownquarters，andhewentoutunobserved。Crossingahollowoverhungbythebuddingboughsheapproachedanemptygarden-houseofElizabethandesign，whichstoodontheouterwallofthegrounds，andcommandedbyawindowthefrontsofthenearestcottages。AmongthemwasthehomeoftheresuscitatedAvice。
　　Hehadchosenthismomentforhisoutlookthroughknowingthatthevillagerswereinnohurrytopulldowntheirblindsatnightfall。
　　And，ashehaddivined，theinsideoftheyoungwoman’sliving-roomwasvisibletohimasformerly，illuminatedbytheraysofitsownlamp。
　　Asubduedthumpingcameeverynowandthenfromtheapartment。Shewasironinglinenonaflanneltable-cloth，arowofsuchapparelhangingonaclothes-horsebythefire。Herfacehadbeenpalewhenheencounteredher，butnowitwaswarmandpinkwithherexertionsandtheheatofthestove。Yetitwasinperfectandpassionlessrepose，whichimpartedaMinervacasttotheprofile。Whensheglancedup，herlineamentsseemedtohaveallthesoulandheartthathadcharacterizedhermother’s，andhadbeenwithheratrueindexofthespiritwithin。
　　Coulditbepossiblethatinthiscasethemanifestationwasfictitious？Hehadmetwithmanysuchexamplesofhereditarypersistencewithoutthequalitiessignifiedbythetraits。Heunconsciouslyhopedthatitwasatleastnotentirelysohere。
　　Theroomwaslessfurnishedthanwhenhehadlastbeheldit。The’bo-
　　fet，’ordoublecorner-cupboard，wherethechinawasformerlykept，haddisappeared，itsplacebeingtakenbyaplainboard。Thetalloldclock，withitsancientoakcarcase，archedbrow，andhumorousmouth，wasalsonottobeseen，acheap，white-dialledspecimendoingitswork。Whatthesedisplacementsmightbetokensaddenedhishumanitylessthanitcheeredhisprimitiveinstinctinpointingouthowhernecessitiesmightbringthemtogether。
　　Havingfixedhisresidencenearherforsomelengthytimehefeltinnohurrytoobtrudehispresencejustnow，andwentindoors。Thatthisgirl’sframewasdoomedtobearealembodimentofthatoldenseductiveone——thatProteandream-creature，whohadneverseenfittoirradiatethemother’simagetillitbecameamerememoryafterdissolution——hedoubtedlesseverymoment。
　　Therewasanuneasinessinrecognizingsuch。Therewassomethingabnormalinhispresentproclivity。Acertainsanityhad，afterall，accompaniedhisformeridealizingpassions：theBelovedhadseldominformedapersonalitywhich，whileenrapturinghissoul，simultaneouslyshockedhisintellect。Achange，perhaps，hadcome。
　　Itwasafinemorningonthemorrow。WalkinginthegroundstowardsthegatehesawAviceenteringhishiredcastlewithabroadovalwicker-basketcoveredwithawhitecloth，whichburdensheboreroundtothebackdoor。Ofcourse，shewashedforhisownhousehold：hehadnotthoughtofthat。Inthemorningsunlightsheappearedratherasasylphthanasawasherwoman；andhecouldnotbutthinkthattheslightnessofherfigurewasasilladaptedtothisoccupationashermother’shadbeen。
　　But，afterall，itwasnotthewasherwomanthathesawnow。Infrontofher，onthesurfaceofher，wasshiningoutthatmorereal，moreinter-penetratingbeingwhomheknewsowell！Theoccupationofthesubservingminion，theblemishesofthetemporarycreaturewhoformedthebackground，wereofthesameaccountinthepresentationoftheindispensableoneasthesupportingpostsandframeworkinapyrotechnicdisplay。
　　Sheleftthehouseandwenthomewardbyapathofwhichhewasnotaware，havingprobablychangedhercoursebecauseshehadseenhimstandingthere。Itmeantnothing，forshehadhardlybecomeacquaintedwithhim；yetthatsheshouldhaveavoidedhimwasanewexperience。
　　Hehadnoopportunityforafurtherstudyofherbydistantobservation，andhituponapretextforbringingherfacetofacewithhim。Hefoundfaultwithhislinen，anddirectedthatthelaundressshouldbesentfor。
　　’Sheisratheryoung，poorlittlething，’saidthehousemaidapologetically。’Butsincehermother’sdeathshehasenoughtodotokeepabovewater，andwemakeshiftwithher。ButI’lltellher，sir。’
　　’Iwillseehermyself。Sendherinwhenshecomes，’saidPierston。
　　Onemorning，accordingly，whenhewasansweringaspitefulcriticismofalateworkofhis，hewastoldthatshewaitedhispleasureinthehall。Hewentout。
　　’Aboutthewashing，’saidthesculptorstiffly。’Iamaveryparticularperson，andIwishnopreparationoflimetobeused。’
　　’Ididn’tknowfolksusedit，’repliedthemaiden，inascaredandreservedtone，withoutlookingathim。
　　’That’sallright。Andthen，themanglingsmashesthebuttons。’
　　’Ihaven’tgotamangle，sir，’shemurmured。
　　’Ah！that’ssatisfactory。AndIobjecttosomuchboraxinthestarch。’
　　’Idon’tputany，’Avicereturnedinthesamecloseway；’neverheardthenameo’tafore！’
　　’OIsee。’
　　AllthistimePierstonwasthinkingofthegirl——orasthescientificmightsay，Naturewasworkingherplansforthenextgenerationunderthecloakofadialogueonlinen。Hecouldnotreadherindividualcharacter，owingtotheconfusingeffectofherlikenesstoawomanwhomhehadvaluedtoolate。Hecouldnothelpseeinginherallthatheknewofanother，andveilinginherallthatdidnotharmonizewithhissenseofmetempsychosis。
　　Thegirlseemedtothinkofnothingbutthebusinessinhand。Shehadansweredtothepoint，andwashardlyawareofhissexorofhisshape。
　　’Iknewyourmother，Avice，’hesaid。’Youremembermytellingyouso？’
　　’Yes。’
　　’Well——Ihavetakenthishousefortwoorthreemonths，andyouwillbeveryusefultome。Youstilllivejustoutsidethewall？’
　　’Yes，sir，’saidtheself-containedgirl。
　　Demurelyanddispassionatelysheturnedtoleave——thisprettycreaturewithfeaturessostill。Therewassomethingstrangeinseeingmoveoffthusthatformwhichheknewpassingwell，shewhowasoncesothrobbinglyalivetohispresencethat，notmanyyardsfromthisspot，shehadflungherarmsroundhimandgivenhimakisswhich，despisedinitsfreshness，hadrevivedinhimlatterlyasthedearestkissofallhislife。Andnowthis’daps’ofhermother（astheycalledherinthedialecthere），thisperfectcopy，whydidsheturnaway？
　　’Yourmotherwasarefinedandwell-informedwoman，IthinkI
　　remember？’
　　’Shewas，sir；everybodysaidso。’
　　’Ihopeyouresembleher。’
　　Shearchlyshookherhead，anddrewwarilyaway。
　　’O！onethingmore，Avice。Ihavenotbroughtmuchlinen，soyoumustcometothehouseeveryday。’
　　’Verygood，sir。’
　　’Youwon’tforgetthat？’
　　’Ono。’
　　Thenhelethergo。Hewasatownman，andsheanartlessislander，yethehadopenedhimselfout，likeasea-anemone，withoutdisturbingtheepidermofhernature。Itwasmonstrousthatamaidenwhohadassumedthepersonalityofherofhistenderestmemoryshouldbesoimpervious。Perhapsitwashewhowaswanting。AvicemightbePassionmaskingasIndifference，becausehewassomanyyearsolderinoutwardshow。
　　Thisbroughthimtotherootofit。Inhishearthewasnotadayolderthanwhenhehadwooedthemotheratthedaughter’spresentage。
　　Hisrecordmovedonwiththeyears，hissentimentsstoodstill。
　　Whenhebeheldthoseofhisfellowswhoweredefinedasbuffersandfogeys——imperturbable，matter-of-fact，slightlyridiculousbeings，pastmastersintheartofpopulatinghomes，schools，andcolleges，andpresentadeptsinthescienceofgivingawaybrides——howheenviedthem，assumingthemtofeelastheyappearedtofeel，withtheircommerceandtheirpolitics，theirglassesandtheirpipes。Theyhadgotpastthedistractingcurrentsofpassionateness，andwereinthecalmwatersofmiddle-agedphilosophy。Buthe，theircontemporary，wastossedlikeacorkhitherandthitheruponthecrestofeveryfancy，preciselyashehadbeentossedwhenhewashalfhispresentage，withtheburdennowofdoublepaintohimselfinhisgrowingvisionofallasvanity。
　　Avicehadgone，andhesawhernomorethatday。Sincehecouldnotagaincalluponher，shewasasinaccessibleasifshehadenteredthemilitarycitadelonthehill-topbeyondthem。
　　IntheeveninghewentoutandpaceddownthelanetotheRedKing’scastleoverhangingthecliff，besidewhoseagethecastleheoccupiedwasbutathingofyesterday。Belowthecastleprecipicelayenormousblocks，whichhadfallenfromit，andseveralofthemwerecarvedoverwithnamesandinitials。Heknewthespotandtheoldtrickwell，andbysearchinginthefaintmoon-rayshefoundapairofnameswhich，asaboy，hehimselfhadcut。Theywere’AVICE’and’JOCELYN’——AviceCaro’sandhisown。Theletterswerenownearlywornawaybytheweatherandthebrine。Butcloseby，inquitefreshletters，stood’ANNAVICE，’coupledwiththename’ISAAC。’Theycouldnothavebeentheremorethantwoorthreeyears，andthe’AnnAvice’wasprobablyAvicetheSecond。WhowasIsaac？Someboyadmirerofherchild-timedoubtless。
　　Heretracedhissteps，andpassedtheCaros’housetowardshisown。
　　TherevivifiedAviceanimatedthedwelling，andthelightwithintheroomfelluponthewindow。Shewasjustinsidethatblind。
　　***
　　Wheneversheunexpectedlycametothecastlehestarted，andlostplacidity。Itwasnotatherpresenceassuch，butatthenewcondition，whichseemedtohavesomethingsinisterinit。Ontheotherhand，themostabruptencounterwithhimmovedhertonoemotionasithadmovedherprototypeintheolddays。Shewasindifferentto，almostunconsciousof，hispropinquity。Hewasnomorethanastatuetoher；shewasagrowingfiretohim。
　　AsuddenSapphicterroroflovewouldeverandanoncomeuponthesculptor，whenhismaturedreflectingpowerswouldinsistuponinforminghimofthefearfullapsefromreasonablenessthatlayinthisinfatuation。Itthrewhimintoasweat。Whatifnow，atlast，heweredoomedtodopenanceforhispastemotionalwanderings（inamaterialsense）bybeingchainedinfatalfidelitytoanobjectthathisintellectdespised？Onenighthedreamtthathesawdimlymaskingbehindthatyoungcountenance’theWeaverofWiles’herself，’withallhersubtlefacelaughingaloud。’
　　However，theWell-Belovedwasaliveagain，hadbeenlostandwasfound。
　　Hewasamazedatthechangeoffrontinhimself。Shehadworntheguiseofstrangewomen；shehadbeenawomanofeveryclass，fromthedignifieddaughterofsomeecclesiasticorpeertoaNubianAlmehwithherhandkerchief，undulatingtothebeatsofthetom-tom；butalltheseembodimentshadbeenendowedwithacertainsmartness，eitherofthefleshorspirit：somewithwit，afewwithtalent，andevengenius。
　　Butthenewimpersonationhadapparentlynothingbeyondsexandprettiness。Sheknewnothowtosportafanorhandkerchief，hardlyhowtopullonaglove。
　　Butherlimitedlifewasinnocent，andthatwentfar。PoorlittleAvice！hermother’simage：thereitalllay。Afterall，herparentagewasasgoodashisown；itwasmisfortunethathadsentherdowntothis。Oddasitseemedtohim，herlimitationswerelargelywhathelovedherfor。Herrejuvenatingpoweroverhimhadineffablecharm。
　　Hefeltashehadfeltwhenstandingbesideherpredecessor；but，alas！
　　hewastwentyyearsfurtherontowardstheshade。
　　2。VII。THENEWBECOMESESTABLISHED
　　Afewmorningslaterhewaslookingthroughanupperbackwindowoverascreenedpartofthegarden。Thedoorbeneathhimopened，andafigureappearedtrippingforth。Shewentroundoutofsighttowherethegardenerwasatwork，andpresentlyreturnedwithabunchofgreenstuffflutteringineachhand。ItwasAvice，herdarkhairnowbraidedupsnuglyunderacap。Shesailedonwitharaptandunconsciousface，herthoughtsathousandremovesfromhim。
　　Howshehadsuddenlycometobeaninmateofhisownhousehecouldnotunderstand，tillherecalledthefactthathehadgiventhecastleservantsawholeholidaytoattendareviewoftheyeomanryinthewatering-placeoverthebay，ontheirstatingthattheycouldprovideatemporarysubstitutetostayinthehouse。TheyhadevidentlycalledinAvice。Tohisgreatpleasurehediscoveredtheiropinionofhisrequirementstobesuchameanonethattheyhadcalledinnooneelse。
　　TheSpirit，assheseemedtohim，broughthislunchintotheroomwherehewaswriting，andhebeheldheruncoverit。Shewenttothewindowtoadjustablindwhichhadslipped，andhehadagoodviewofherprofile。ItwasnotunlikethatofoneofthethreegoddessesinRubens’s’JudgmentofParis，’andincontourwasnighperfection。Butitwasinherfullfacethatthevisionofhermotherwasmostapparent。
　　’Didyoucookallthis，Avice？’heasked，arousinghimself。
　　Sheturnedandhalf-smiled，merelymurmuring，’Yes，sir。’
　　Wellheknewthearrangementofthosewhiteteeth。Inthejunctionoftwooftheupperonestherewasaslightirregularity；nostrangerwouldhavenoticedit，norwouldhe，butthatheknewofthesamemarkinhermother’smouth，andlookedforithere。TillAvicetheSecondhadrevealeditthismomentbyhersmile，hehadneverbeheldthatmarksincethepartingfromAvicetheFirst，whenshehadsmiledunderhiskissasthecopyhaddonenow。
　　Nextmorning，whendressing，heheardherthroughtherickettyfloorofthebuildingengagedinconversationwiththeotherservants。HavingbythistimeregularlyinstalledherselfastheexponentoftheLong-
　　pursued——asonewho，bynoinitiativeofhisown，hadbeenchosenbysomesuperiorPowerasthevehicleofhernextdebut，sheattractedhimbythecadencesofhervoice；shewouldsuddenlydropittoarichwhisperofroguishness，whentheslightruralmonotonyofitsnarrativespeechdisappeared，andsoulandheart——orwhatseemedsoulandheart——
　　resounded。Thecharmlayintheintervals，usingthatwordinitsmusicalsense。Shewouldsayafewsyllablesinonenote，andendhersentenceinasoftmodulationupwards，thendownwards，thenintoherownnoteagain。Thecurveofsoundwasasartisticasanylineofbeautyeverstruckbyhispencil——assatisfyingasthecurvesofherwhowastheWorld’sDesire。
　　Thesubjectofherdiscoursehecarednothingabout——itwasnomorehisinterestthanhisconcern。Hetookspecialpainsthatincatchinghervoicehemightnotcomprehendherwords。Tothetoneshehadaright，nonetothearticulations。Bydegreeshecouldnotexistlongwithoutthissound。
　　OnSundayeveninghefoundthatshewenttochurch。Hefollowedbehindherovertheopenroad，keepinghiseyeonthelittlehatwithitsbunchofcock’sfeathersasonastar。WhenshehadpassedinPierstonobservedherpositionandtookaseatbehindher。
　　Engagedinthestudyofherearandthenapeofherwhiteneck，hesuddenlybecameawareofthepresenceofaladystillfurtheraheadintheaisle，whoseattire，thoughofblackmaterialsinthequietestform，wasofacutwhichrathersuggestedLondonthanthisUltimaThule。Fortheminuteheforgot，inhiscuriosity，thatAviceintervened。Theladyturnedherheadsomewhat，and，thoughshewasveiledwithunusualthicknessfortheseason，heseemedtorecognizeNicholaPine-Avonintheform。
　　WhyshouldMrs。Pine-Avonbethere？Pierstonaskedhimself，ifitshould，indeed，beshe。
　　TheendoftheservicesawhisattentionagainconcentratedonAvicetosuchadegreethatatthecriticalmomentofmovingoutheforgotthemysteriousladyinfrontofher，andfoundthatshehadleftthechurchbytheside-door。SupposingittohavebeenMrs。Pine-Avon，shewouldprobablybediscoveredstayingatoneofthehotelsatthewatering-
　　placeoverthebay，andtohavecomealongthePebble-banktotheislandassomanydid，foraneveningdrive。Forthepresent，however，theexplanationwasnotforthcoming；andhedidnotseekit。
　　WhenheemergedfromthechurchthegreatplacideyeofthelighthouseattheBealPointwasopen，andhemovedthitherwardafewstepstoescapeNichola，orherdouble，andtherestofthecongregation。
　　Turningatlength，hehastenedhomewardalongthenowdesertedtrackway，intendingtoovertaketherevitalizedAvice。Buthecouldseenothingofher，andconcludedthatshehadwalkedtoofastforhim。
　　Arrivedathisowngatehepausedamoment，andperceivedthatAvice’slittlefreeholdwasstillindarkness。Shehadnotcome。
　　Heretracedhissteps，butcouldnotfindher，theonlypersonsontheroadbeingamanandhiswife，asheknewthemtobethoughhecouldnotseethem，fromthewordsoftheman——
　　’Ifyouhadnota’readymarriedme，you’dcutmyacquaintance！That’saprettythingforawifetosay！’
　　Theremarkstruckhisearunpleasantly，andby-and-byhewentbackagain。Avice’scottagewasnowlighted：shemusthavecomeroundbytheotherroad。SatisfiedthatshewassafelydomiciledforthenightheopenedthegateofSylvaniaCastleandretiredtohisroomalso。
　　***
　　Eastwardfromthegroundsthecliffswereruggedandtheviewoftheoppositecoastpicturesqueintheextreme。Alittledoorfromthelawngavehimimmediateaccesstotherocksandshoreonthisside。Withoutthedoorwasadip-wellofpurewater，whichpossiblyhadsuppliedtheinmatesoftheadjoiningandnowruinousRedKing’scastleatthetimeofitserection。Onasunnymorninghewasmeditatingherewhenhediscernedafigureontheshorebelowspreadingwhitelinenuponthepebblystrand。
　　Jocelyndescended。Avice，ashehadsupposed，hadnowreturnedtoherownoccupation。Hershapelypinkarms，thoughslight，wereplumpenoughtoshowdimplesattheelbows，andweresetoffbyherpurplecottonprint，whichtheshore-breezelickedandtantalized。Hestoodnear，withoutspeaking。Thewinddraggedashirt-sleevefromthe’popple’orpebblewhichhelditdown。Pierstonstoopedandputaheavieroneinitsplace。
　　’Thankyou，’shesaidquietly。Sheturnedupherhazeleyes，andseemedgratifiedtoperceivethatherassistantwasPierston。Shehadplainlybeensowrappedinherownthoughts——gloomythoughts，bytheirsigns——thatshehadnotconsideredhimtillthen。
　　Theyounggirlcontinuedtoconversewithhiminfriendlyfrankness，showingneitherardournorshyness。Asforlove——itwasevidentlyfurtherfromhermindthanevendeathanddissolution。
　　WhenoneofthesheetsbecameintractableJocelynsaid，’Doyouholditdown，andI’llputthepopples。’
　　Sheacquiesced，andinplacingapebblehishandtouchedhers。
　　Itwasayounghand，ratherlongandthin，alittledampandcoddledfromherslopping。Insettingdownthelaststonehelaidit，byapureaccident，ratherheavilyonherfingers。
　　’Iamvery，verysorry！’Jocelynexclaimed。’O，Ihavebruisedtheskin，Avice！’Heseizedherfingerstoexaminethedamagedone。
　　’No，sir，youhaven’t！’shecriedluminously，allowinghimtoretainherhandwithouttheleastobjection。’Why——that’swhereIscratcheditthismorningwithapin。Youdidn’thurtmeabitwiththepopple-
　　stone！’
　　Althoughhergownwaspurple，therewasalittleblackcrapebowuponeacharm。Heknewwhatitmeant，anditsaddenedhim。’Doyouevervisityourmother’sgrave？’heasked。
　　’Yes，sir，sometimes。Iamgoingtheretonighttowaterthedaisies。’
　　Shehadnowfinishedhere，andtheyparted。Thatevening，whentheskywasred，heemergedbythegarden-doorandpassedherhouse。Theblindswerenotdown，andhecouldseehersewingwithin。Whilehepausedshesprangupasifshehadforgottenthehour，andtossedonherhat。Jocelynstrodeaheadandroundthecorner，andwashalfwayupthestragglingstreetbeforehediscernedherlittlefigurebehindhim。
　　Hehastenedpasttheladsandyoungwomenwithclinkingbucketswhoweredrawingwaterfromthefountainsbythewayside，andtookthedirectionofthechurch。Withthedisappearanceofthesunthelighthousehadagainsetupitsflameagainstthesky，thedarkchurchrisingintheforeground。Hereheallowedhertoovertakehim。
　　’Youlovedyourmothermuch？’saidJocelyn。
　　’Idid，sir；ofcourseIdid，’saidthegirl，whotrippedsolightlythatitseemedhemighthavecarriedheronhishand。
　　Pierstonwishedtosay，’SodidI，’butdidnotliketodiscloseeventswhichshe，apparently，neverguessed。Avicefellintothought，andcontinued——
　　’MotherhadaverysadlifeforsometimewhenshewasaboutasoldasI。Ishouldnotlikeminetobeashers。Heryoungmanprovedfalsetoherbecauseshewouldn’tagreetomeethimonenight，anditgrievedmotheralmostallherlife。Iwouldn’tha’frettedabouthim，ifI’dbeenshe。Shewouldnevernamehisname，butIknowhewasawicked，cruelman；andIhatetothinkofhim。’
　　Afterthishecouldnotgointothechurchyardwithher，andwalkedonwardalonetothesouthoftheisle。Hewaswretchedforhours。Yethewouldnothavestoodwherehedidstandintheranksofanimaginativeprofessionifhehadnotbeenatthemercyofeveryhauntingofthefancythatcanbesetman。Itwasinhisweaknessesasacitizenandanational-unitthathisstrengthlayasanartist，andhefeltitchildishtocomplainofsusceptibilitiesnotonlyinnatebutcultivated。
　　ButhewaspayingdearlyenoughforhisLiliths。Hesawaterriblevengeanceahead。Whathadhedonetobetormentedlikethis？TheBeloved，afterflittingfromNicholaPine-Avontothephantomofadeadwomanwhomheneveradoredinherlifetime，hadtakenupherabodeinthelivingrepresentativeofthedead，withapermanenceofholdwhichtheabsoluteindifferenceofthatlittlebrown-eyedrepresentativeonlyseemedtointensify。
　　Didhereallywishtoproceedtomarriagewiththischitofagirl？Hedid：thewishhadcomeatlast。Itwastruethatashestudiedherhesawdefectsinadditiontohersocialinsufficiencies。Judgment，hoodwinkedasitwas，toldhimthatshewascolderinnature，commonerincharacter，thanthatwellread，brightlittlewomanAvicetheFirst。
　　Buttwentyyearsmakeadifferenceinideals，andtheaddeddemandsofmiddle-ageinphysicalformaremorethanbalancedbyitsconcessionsastothespiritualcontent。Helookedathimselfintheglass，andfeltgladatthoseinnerdeficienciesinAvicewhichformerlywouldhaveimpelledhimtorejecther。
　　Therewasastrangedifferenceinhisregardofhispresentfollyandofhisloveinhisyouthfultime。Nowhecouldbemadwithmethod，knowingittobemadness：thenhewascompelledtomakebelievehismadnesswisdom。Inthosedaysanyflashofreasonuponhislovedone’simperfectionswasblurredoverhastilyandwithfear。Suchpenetrativevisionnowdidnotcoolhim。Heknewhewasthecreatureofatendency；andpassivelyacquiesced。
　　Touseapracticaleye，itappearedthat，ashehadoncethought，thisCarofamily——thoughitmightnotforcenturies，orever，furbishupanindividualnaturewhichwouldexactly，ideally，supplementhisownimperfectoneandroundwithittheperfectwhole——wasyettheonlyfamilyhehadevermet，orwaslikelytomeet，whichpossessedthematerialsforhermaking。ItwasasiftheCaroshadfoundtheclaybutnotthepotter，whileotherfamilieswhosedaughtersmightattracthimhadfoundthepotterbutnottheclay。
　　2。VIII。HISOWNSOULCONFRONTSHIM
　　FromhisroomycastleanditsgroundsandthecliffshardbyhecouldcommandeverymoveandaspectofherwhowastherejuvenatedSpiritofthePasttohim——intheeffulgenceofwhomallsordiddetailsweredisregarded。
　　Amongotherthingsheobservedthatshewasoftenanxiouswhenitrained。If，afterawetday，agoldenstreakappearedintheskyoverDeadman’sBay，underalidofcloud，hermannerwasjoyousandhertreadlight。
　　Thispuzzledhim；andhefoundthatifheendeavouredtoencounterheratthesetimessheshunnedhim——stealthilyandsubtly，butunmistakably。Oneevening，whenshehadlefthercottageandtrippedoffinthedirectionoftheunder-hilltownlet，hesetoutbythesameroute，resolvedtoawaitherreturnalongthehighroadwaywhichstretchedbetweenthatplaceandEastQuarriers。
　　Hereachedthetopoftheoldroadwhereitmakesasuddendescenttothetownlet，butshedidnotappear。Turningback，hesaunteredalongtillhehadnearlyreachedhisownhouseagain。Thenheretracedhissteps，andinthedimnighthewalkedbackwardsandforwardsonthebareandloftyconvexoftheisle；thestarsaboveandaroundhim，thelighthouseondutyatthedistantpoint，thelightshipwinkingfromthesandbank，thecombingofthepebblebeachbythetidebeneath，thechurchawaysouth-westward，wheretheislandfatherslay。
　　Hewalkedthewildsummittillhislegsached，andhisheartached——
　　tillheseemedtohearontheupperwindthestonesoftheslingerswhizzingpast，andthevoicesoftheinvaderswhoannihilatedthem，andmarriedtheirwivesanddaughters，andproducedAviceastheultimateflowerofthecombinedstocks。Stillshedidnotcome。Itwasmorethanfoolishtowait，yethecouldnothelpwaiting。Atlengthhediscernedadotofafigure，whichheknewtobehersratherbyitsmotionthanbyitsshape。
　　Howincomparablytheimmaterialdreamdwarfedthegrandestofsubstantialthings，whenhere，betweenthosethreesublimities——thesky，therock，andtheocean——theminutepersonalityofthiswasher-
　　girlfilledhisconsciousnesstoitsextremestboundary，andthestupendousinanimatesceneshranktoacornertherein。
　　Butallatoncetheapproachingfigurehaddisappeared。Helookedabout；shehadcertainlyvanished。Atonesideoftheroadwasalowwall，butshecouldnothavegonebehindthatwithoutconsiderabletroubleandsingularconduct。Helookedbehindhim；shehadreappearedfurtherontheroad。
　　JocelynPierstonhurriedafter；and，discerninghismovement，Avicestoodstill。Whenhecameup，shewasslilyshakingwithrestrainedlaughter。
　　’Well，whatdoesthismean，mydeargirl？’heasked。
　　Herinnermirthescapinginspiteofhersheturnedaskanceandsaid：
　　’WhenyouwasfollowingmetoStreeto’Wells，twohoursago，Ilookedroundandsawyou，andhuddiedbehindastone！Youpassedandbrushedmyfrockwithoutseeingme。Andwhen，onmywaybackalong，Isawyouwaitinghereaboutagain，Islippedoverthewall，andranpastyou！IfIhadnotstoppedandlookedroundat’ee，youwouldneverhavecatchedme！’
　　’Whatdidyoudothatfor，youelf！’
　　’Thatyoushouldn’tfindme。’
　　’That’snotexactlyareason。Giveanother，dearAvice，’hesaid，asheturnedandwalkedbesideherhomeward。
　　Shehesitated。’Come！’heurgedagain。
　　’’TwasbecauseIthoughtyouwantedtobemyyoungman，’sheanswered。
　　’Whatawildthoughtofyours！SupposingIdid，wouldn’tyouhaveme？’
　　’Notnow……Andnotforlong，evenifithadbeensoonerthannow。’
　　’Why？’
　　’IfItellyou，youwon’tlaughatmeorletanybodyelseknow？’
　　’Never。’
　　’ThenIwilltellyou，’shesaidquiteseriously。’’TisbecauseIgettiredo’myloversassoonasIgettoknowthemwell。WhatIseeinoneyoungmanforawhilesoonleaveshimandgoesintoanotheryonder，andIfollow，andthenwhatIadmirefadesoutofhimandspringsupsomewhereelse；andsoIfollowon，andneverfixtoone。IhavelovedFIFTEENa’ready！Yes，fifteen，Iamalmostashamedtosay，’sherepeated，laughing。’Ican’thelpit，sir，Iassureyou。Ofcourseitisreally，toME，thesameoneallthrough，on’yIcan’tcatchhim！’
　　Sheaddedanxiously，’Youwon’ttellanybodyo’thisinme，willyou，sir？BecauseifitwereknownIamafraidnomanwouldlikeme。’
　　Pierstonwassurprisedintostillness。Herewasthisobscureandalmostilliterategirlengagedinthepursuitoftheimpossibleideal，justashehadbeenhimselfdoingforthelasttwentyyears。Shewasdoingitquiteinvoluntarily，bysheernecessityofherorganization，puzzledallthewhileatherowninstinct。Hesuddenlythoughtofitsbearinguponhimself，andsaid，withasinkingheart——
　　’AmI——oneofthem？’
　　Sheponderedcritically。
　　’Youwas；foraweek；whenIfirstsawyou。’
　　’Onlyaweek？’
　　’Aboutthat。’
　　’Whatmadethebeingofyourfancyforsakemyformandgoelsewhere？’
　　’Well——thoughyouseemedhandsomeandgentlemanlyatfirst——’
　　’Yes？’
　　’Ifoundyoutoooldsoonafter。’
　　’Youareacandidyoungperson。’
　　’Butyouaskedme，sir！’sheexpostulated。
　　’Idid；and，havingbeenanswered，Iwon’tintrudeuponyoulonger。Socutalonghomeasfastasyoucan。Itisgettinglate。’
　　Whenshehadpassedoutofearshothealsofollowedhomewards。ThisseekingoftheWell-Belovedwas，then，ofthenatureofaknifewhichcouldcuttwoways。Tobetheseekerwasonething：tobeoneofthecorpsesfromwhichtheidealinhabitanthaddepartedwasanother；andthiswaswhathehadbecomenow，inthemockeryofnewDays。
　　ThestartlingparallelintheidiosyncraciesofAviceandhimself——
　　evincedbytheelusivenessoftheBelovedwithheraswithhim——meantprobablythattherehadbeensomeremoteancestorcommontobothfamilies，fromwhomthetraithadlatentlydescendedandrecrudesced。
　　Buttheresultwasnonethelessdisconcerting。
　　Drawingnearhisowngatehesmelttobacco，andcoulddiscerntwofiguresinthesidelaneleadingpastAvice’sdoor。Theydidnot，however，enterherhouse，butstrolledonwardtothenarrowpassconductingtoRed-KingCastleandthesea。HewasinmomentaryheavinessatthethoughtthattheymightbeAvicewithaworthlesslover，butafaintlyargumentativetonefromthemaninformedhimthattheywerethesamemarriedcouplegoinghomewardwhomhehadencounteredonapreviousoccasion。
　　Thenextdayhegavetheservantsahalf-holidaytogettheprettyAviceintothecastleagainforafewhours，thebettertoobserveher。
　　Whileshewaspullingdowntheblindsatsunsetawhistleofpeculiarqualitycamefromsomepointonthecliffsoutsidethelawn。Heobservedthathercolourroseslightly，thoughshebustledaboutasifshehadnoticednothing。
　　Pierstonsuddenlysuspectedthatshehadnotonlyfifteenpastadmirersbutacurrentone。Still，hemightbemistaken。Stimulatednowbyancientmemoriesandpresenttendernesstouseeveryefforttomakeherhiswife，despiteherconventionalunfitness，hestrunghimselfuptosiftthismystery。Ifhecouldonlywinher——andhowcouldacountrygirlrefusesuchanopportunity？——hecouldpackherofftoschoolfortwoorthreeyears，marryher，enlargehermindbyalittletravel，andtakehischanceoftherest。Astoherwantofardourforhim——sosadlyincontrastwithhersaintedmother’saffection——amantwentyyearsolderthanhisbridecouldexpectnobetter，andhewouldbewellcontenttoputupwithitinthepleasureofpossessingoneinwhomseemedtolingerasanaromaallthecharmofhisyouthandhisearlyhome。
　　2。IX。JUXTAPOSITIONS
　　Itwasasadandleadenafternoon，andPierstonpacedupthelong，steeppassorstreetoftheWells。Oneithersideoftheroadyounggirlsstoodwithpitchersatthefountainswhichbubbledthere，andbehindthehousesformingthepropylaeaoftherockrosethemassiveforeheadoftheIsle——crestedatthispartwithitsenormousrampartsaswithamuralcrown。
　　Asyouapproachtheupperendofthestreetallprogressseemsabouttobecheckedbythealmostverticalfaceoftheescarpment。Intoityourtrackapparentlyrunspoint-blank：aconfrontingmasswhich，ifitweretoslipdown，wouldoverwhelmthewholetown。Butinamomentyoufindthattheroad，theoldRomanhighwayintothepeninsula，turnsatasharpanglewhenitreachesthebaseofthescarp，andascendsinthestiffestofinclinestotheright。Totheleftthereisalsoanotherascendingroad，modern，almostassteepasthefirst，andperfectlystraight。Thisistheroadtotheforts。
　　Pierstonarrivedattheforkingoftheways，andpausedforbreath。
　　Beforeturningtotheright，hisproperandpicturesquecourse，helookeduptheuninterestingleftroadtothefortifications。Itwasnew，long，white，regular，taperingtoavanishingpoint，likealessoninperspective。Aboutaquarterofthewayupagirlwasrestingbesideabasketofwhitelinen：andbytheshapeofherhatandthenatureofherburdenherecognizedher。
　　Shedidnotseehim，andabandoningtheright-handcourseheslowlyascendedtheinclineshehadtaken。Heobservedthatherattentionwasabsorbedbysomethingaloft。Hefollowedthedirectionofhergaze。
　　Abovethemtoweredthegreen-greymountainofgrassystone，herelevelledatthetopbymilitaryart。Theskylinewasbrokeneverynowandthenbyalittlepeg-likeobject——asentry-box；andnearoneoftheseasmallredspotkeptcreepingbackwardsandforwardsmonotonouslyagainsttheheavysky。
　　Thenhedivinedthatshehadasoldier-lover。
　　Sheturnedherhead，sawhim，andtookupherclothes-baskettocontinuetheascent。Thesteepnesswassuchthattoclimbitunencumberedwasabreathlessbusiness；thelinenmadehertaskacrueltytoher。’You’llnevergettothefortswiththatweight，’hesaid。’Giveittome。’
　　Butshewouldnot，andhestoodstill，watchingherasshepanteduptheway；forthemomentanirradiatedbeing，theepitomeofawholesex：bythebeamsofhisowninfatuation’……robedinsuchexceedinggloryThathebeheldhernot；’
　　beheldhernotasshereallywas，asshewaseventohimselfsometimes。
　　Buttothesoldierwhatwasshe？Smallerandsmallershewaneduptherigidmathematicalroad，stillgazingatthesoldieraloft，asPierstongazedather。Hecouldjustdiscernsentinelsspringingupatthedifferentcoignsofvantagethatshepassed，butseeingwhoshewastheydidnotintercepther；andpresentlyshecrossedthedrawbridgeovertheenormouschasmsurroundingtheforts，passedthesentriestherealso，anddisappearedthroughthearchintotheinterior。
　　Pierstoncouldnotseethesentrynow，andthereoccurredtohimthehatefulideathatthisscarletrivalwasmeetingandtalkingfreelytoher，theunprotectedorphangirlofhissweetoriginalAvice；perhaps，relievedofduty，escortingheracrosstheinterior，carryingherbasket，hertenderbodyencircledbyhisarm。
　　’Whatthedevilareyoustaringat，asifyouwereinatrance？’
　　Pierstonturnedhishead：andtherestoodhisoldfriendSomers——stilllookingthelong-leasedbachelorthathewas。
　　’Imightsaywhatthedevildoyoudohere？ifIweren’tsogladtoseeyou。’
　　Somerssaidthathehadcometoseewhatwasdetaininghisfriendinsuchanout-of-the-wayplaceatthattimeofyear，andincidentallytogetsomefreshairintohisownlungs。Pierstonmadehimwelcome，andtheywenttowardsSylvaniaCastle。
　　’Youwerestaring，asfarasIcouldsee，ataprettylittlewasherwomanwithabasketofclothes？’resumedthepainter。
　　’Yes；itwasthattoyou，butnottome。Behindthemereprettyisland-girl（totheworld）is，inmyeye，theIdea，inPlatonicphraseology——theessenceandepitomeofallthatisdesirableinthisexistence……Iamunderadoom，Somers。Yes，Iamunderadoom。
　　TohavebeenalwaysfollowingaphantomwhomIsawinwomanafterwomanwhileshewasatadistance，butvanishingawayoncloseapproach，wasbadenough；butnowtheterriblethingisthatthephantomdoesNOT
　　vanish，butstaystotantalizemeevenwhenIamnearenoughtoseewhatitis！Thatgirlholdsme，THOUGHmyeyesareopen，andTHOUGHI
　　seethatIamafool！’
　　Somersregardedthevisionarylookofhisfriend，whichratherintensifiedthandecreasedashisyearsworeon，butmadenofurtherremark。WhentheyreachedthecastleSomersgazedrounduponthescenery，andPierston，signifyingthequaintlittleElizabethancottage，said：’That’swhereshelives。’
　　’Whataromanticplace！——andthisislandaltogether。Amanmightloveascarecroworturnip-lanternhere。’
　　’Butawomanmightn’t。Scenerydoesn’timpressthem，thoughtheypretenditdoes。Thisgirlisasfickleas——’
　　’Youoncewere。’
　　’Exactly——fromyourpointofview。Shehastoldmeso——candidly。Andithitsmehard。’
　　Somersstoodstillinsuddenthought。’Well——thatISastrangeturningofthetables！’hesaid。’Butyouwouldn’treallymarryher，Pierston？’
　　’Iwould——to-morrow。Whyshouldn’tI？Whatarefameandnameandsocietytome——adescendantofwreckersandsmugglers，likeher。
　　Besides，Iknowwhatshe’smadeof，myboy，toherinnermostfibre；I
　　knowtheperfectandpurequarryshewasdugfrom：andthatgivesamanconfidence。’
　　’Thenyou’llwin。’
　　***
　　Whiletheyweresittingafterdinnerthateveningtheirquietdiscoursewasinterruptedbythelonglowwhistlefromthecliffswithout。
　　Somerstooknonotice，butPierstonmarkedit。ThatwhistlealwaysoccurredatthesametimeintheeveningwhenAvicewashelpinginthehouse。Heexcusedhimselfforamomenttohisvisitorandwentoutuponthedarklawn。Acrunchingoffeetuponthegravelmixedinwiththearticulationofthesea——stepslightasiftheywerewinged。Andhesupposed，twominuteslater，thatthemouthofsomehulkingfellowwasuponhers，whichhehimselfhardlyventuredtolookat，sotouchingwasitsyoungbeauty。
　　Hearingpeopleabout——amongothersthebefore-mentionedmarriedcouplequarrelling，thewoman’stoneshavingakinshiptoAvice’sown——hereturnedtothehouse。NextdaySomersroamedabroadtolookforsceneryforamarinepainting，and，goingouttoseekhim，PierstonmetAvice。
　　’Soyouhavealover，mylady！’hesaidseverely。Sheadmittedthatitwasthefact。’Youwon’tsticktohim，’hecontinued。
　　’IthinkImaytoTHISone，’saidshe，inameaningtonethathefailedtofathomthen。’Hedesertedmeonce，buthewon’tagain。’
　　’Isupposehe’sawonderfulsortoffellow？’
　　’He’sgoodenoughforme。’
　　’Sohandsome，nodoubt。’
　　’Handsomeenoughforme。’
　　’Sorefinedandrespectable。’
　　’Refinedandrespectableenoughforme。’
　　Hecouldnotdisturbherequanimity，andletherpass。ThenextdaywasSunday，andSomershavingchosenhisviewattheotherendoftheisland，PierstondeterminedintheafternoontoseeAvice’slover。Hefoundthatshehadlefthercottagestronghold，andwentontowardsthelighthousesattheBeal。Turningbackwhenhehadreachedthenearest，hesawonthelonelyroadbetweenthequarriesayoungmanevidentlyconnectedwiththestonetrade，withAvicetheSeconduponhisarm。
　　Shelookedprettilyguiltyandblushedalittleunderhisglance。Theman’swasoneofthetypicalislandphysiognomies——hisfeaturesenergeticandwaryintheirexpression，andhalfcoveredwithaclose，crispblackbeard。Pierstonfanciedthatoutofhiskeendarkeyesthereglimmeredadrysenseofhumouratthesituation。
　　Ifso，AvicemusthavetoldhimofPierston’ssymptomsoftenderness。
　　Thisgirl，whom，forherdearmother’ssakemorethanforherownunquestionableattractiveness，hewouldhaveguardedastheappleofhiseye，howcouldsheestimatehimsoflippantly！
　　Themortificationofhavingbroughthimselftothispositionwiththeantitype，byhisearlyslightofthetype，blindedhimforthemomenttowhatstruckhimashorttimeafter。Themanuponwhosearmshehungwasnotasoldier。What，then，becameofherentrancedgazeatthesentinel？Shecouldhardlyhavetransferredheraffectionssopromptly；or，togiveherthebenefitofhisowntheory，herBelovedcouldscarcelyhaveflittedfromframetoframeinsoverybriefaninterval。Andwhichofthemhadbeenhewhowhistledsoftlyinthedusktoher？
　　WithoutfurtherattempttofindAlfredSomersPierstonwalkedhomeward，moodilythinkingthatthedesiretomakereparationtotheoriginalwomanbyweddingandenrichingthecopy——whichlentsuchanunprecedentedpermanencetohisnewlove——wasthwarted，asifbysetintentionofhisdestiny。
　　Atthedoorofthegroundsaboutthecastletherestoodacarriage。Heobservedthatitwasnotoneofthehomelyflysfromtheunder-hilltown，butapparentlyfromthepopularresortacrossthebay。Wonderingwhythevisitorhadnotdriveninheentered，tofindinthedrawing-
　　roomNicholaPine-Avon。
　　Athisfirstglanceuponher，fashionablydressedandgracefulinmovement，sheseemedbeautiful；atthesecond，whenheobservedthatherfacewaspaleandagitated，sheseemedpatheticlikewise。
　　Altogether，shewasnowaverydifferentfigurefromherwho，sittinginherchairwithsuchfinishedcomposure，hadsnubbedhiminherdrawing-roominHamptonshireSquare。
　　’Youaresurprisedatthis？Ofcourseyouare！’shesaid，inalow，pleadingvoice，languidlyliftingherheavyeyelids，whilehewasholdingherhand。’ButIcouldn’thelpit！IknowIhavedonesomethingtooffendyou——haveInot？O！whatcanitbe，thatyouhavecomeawaytothisoutlandishrock，tolivewithbarbariansinthemidstoftheLondonseason？’
　　’Youhavenotoffendedme，dearMrs。Pine-Avon，’hesaid。’HowsorryI
　　amthatyoushouldhavesupposedit！YetIamglad，too，thatyourfancyshouldhavedonemethegoodturnofbringingyouheretoseeme。’
　　’IamstayingatBudmouth-Regis，’sheexplained。
　　’ThenIdidseeyouatachurch-serviceherealittlewhileback？’
　　Sheblushedfaintlyuponherpallor，andshesighed。Theireyesmet。
　　’Well，’shesaidatlast，’Idon’tknowwhyIshouldn’tshowthevirtueofcandour。Youknowwhatitmeans。Iwasthestrongeronce；nowIamtheweaker。WhateverpainImayhavegivenyouintheupsanddownsofouracquaintanceIamsorryfor，andwouldwillinglyrepairallerrorsofthepastby——beingamenabletoreasoninthefuture。’
　　ItwasimpossiblethatJocelynshouldnotfeelatenderimpulsiontowardsthisattractiveandonceindependentwoman，whofromeveryworldlypointofviewwasanexcellentmatchforhim——asuperiormatch，indeed，exceptinmoney。Hetookherhandagainandhelditawhile，andafaintwaveofgladnessseemedtoflowthroughher。Butno——hecouldgonofurther。Thatislandgirl，inhercoquettishSundayfrockandlittlehatwithitsbunchofcock’sfeathersheldhimasbystrandsofManilarope。HedroppedNichola’shand。
　　’IamleavingBudmouthto-morrow，’shesaid。’ThatwaswhyIfeltI
　　mustcall。YoudidnotknowIhadbeenthereallthroughtheWhitsunholidays？’
　　’Ididnot，indeed；orIshouldhavecometoseeyou。’。
　　’Ididn’tliketowrite。IwishIhad，now！’
　　’Iwishyouhad，too，dearMrs。Pine-Avon。’
　　Butitwas’Nichola’thatshewantedtobe。Astheyreachedthelandauhetoldherthatheshouldbebackintownhimselfagainsoon，andwouldcallimmediately。AtthemomentofhiswordsAviceCaro，nowalone，passedclosealongbythecarriageontheotherside，towardsherhousehardathand。Shedidnotturnheadoreyetothepair：
　　theyseemedtobeinherviewobjectsofindifference。