Pierstonbecamecoldasastone。ThechilltowardsNicholathatthepresenceofthegirl，——sprite，witch，trollthatshewas——broughtwithitcamelikeadoom。Heknewwhatafoolhewas，ashehadsaid。Buthewaspowerlessinthegraspoftheidealizingpassion。HecaredmoreforAvice’sfinger-tipsthanforMrs。Pine-Avon’swholepersonality。
　　PerhapsNicholasawit，forshesaidmournfully：’NowIhavedoneallIcould！Ifeltthattheonlycounterpoisetomycrueltytoyouinmydrawing-roomwouldbetocomeasasupplianttoyours。’
　　’Itismosthandsomeandnobleofyou，myverydearfriend！’saidhe，withanemotionofcourtesyratherthanofenthusiasm。
　　Thenadieuxwerespoken，andshedroveaway。ButPierstonsawonlytheretreatingAvice，andknewthathewashelplessinherhands。ThechurchoftheislandhadrisennearthefoundationsofthePagantemple，andaChristianemanationfromtheformermightbewrathfullytorturinghimthroughtheveryfalsegodstowhomhehaddevotedhimselfbothinhiscraft，likeDemetriusofEphesus，andinhisheart。
　　PerhapsDivinepunishmentforhisidolatrieshadcome。
　　2。X。SHEFAILSTOVANISHSTILL
　　PierstonhadnotturnedfarbacktowardsthecastlewhenhewasovertakenbySomersandthemanwhocarriedhispaintinglumber。Theypacedtogethertothedoor；themandepositedthearticlesandwentaway，andthetwowalkedupanddownbeforeentering。
　　’Imetanextremelyinterestingwomanintheroadoutthere，’saidthepainter。
　　’Ah，sheis！Asprite，asylph；Psycheindeed！’
　　’Iwasstruckwithher。’
　　’Itshowshowbeautywilloutthroughthehomeliestguise。’
　　’Yes，itwill；thoughnotalways。Andthiscasedoesn’tproveit，forthelady’sattirewasinthelatestandmostapprovedtaste。’
　　’Oh，youmeantheladywhowasdriving？’
　　’Ofcourse。What，wereyouthinkingoftheprettylittlecottage-girloutsidehere？Ididmeether，butwhat’sshe？Verywellforone’spicture，thoughhardlyforone’sfireside。Thislady——’
　　’IsMrs。Pine-Avon。Akind，proudwoman，who’lldowhatpeoplewithnopridewouldnotcondescendtothinkof。SheisleavingBudmouthto-
　　morrow，andshedroveacrosstoseeme。Youknowhowthingsseemedtobegoingwithusatonetime？ButIamnogoodtoanywoman。She’sbeenverygeneroustowardsme，whichI’venotbeentoher……
　　She’llultimatelythrowherselfawayuponsomewretchunworthyofher，nodoubt。’
　　’Doyouthinkso？’murmuredSomers。Afterawhilehesaidabruptly，’I’llmarryhermyself，ifshe’llhaveme。Ilikethelookofher。’
　　’Iwishyouwould，Alfred，orrathercould！Shehaslonghadanideaofslippingoutoftheworldoffashionintotheworldofart。Sheisawomanofindividualityandearnestinstincts。Iaminrealtroubleabouther。Iwon’tsayshecanbewon——itwouldbeungenerousofmetosaythat。Buttry。Icanbringyoutogethereasily。’
　　’I’llmarryher，ifshe’swilling！’Withthephlegmaticdogmatismthatwaspartofhim，Somersadded：’Whenyouhavedecidedtomarry，takethefirstnicewomanyoumeet。Theyareallalike。’
　　’Well——youdon’tknowheryet，’repliedJocelyn，whocouldgivepraisewherehecouldnotgivelove。
　　’Butyoudo，andI’lltakeheronthestrengthofyourjudgment。Isshereallyhandsome？——Ihadbutthemerestglance。ButIknowsheis，orshewouldn’thavecaughtyourdiscriminatingeye。’
　　’Youmaytakemywordforit；shelooksaswellathandasafar。’
　　’Whatcolourarehereyes？’
　　’Hereyes？Idon’tgomuchinforcolour，beingprofessionallysworntoform。But，letmesee——grey；andherhairratherlightthandarkbrown。’
　　’Iwantedsomethingdarker，’saidSomersairily。’TherearesomanyfairmodelsamongnativeEnglishwomen。Still，blondesareusefulproperty！……Well，well；thisisflippancy。ButIlikedthelookofher。’
　　***
　　Somershadgonebacktotown。Itwasawetdayonthelittlepeninsula：butPierstonwalkedoutasfarasthegarden-houseofhishiredcastle，wherehesatdownandsmoked。Thiserectionbeingontheboundary-wallofhispropertyhisearcouldnowandthencatchthetonesofAvice’svoicefromheropen-dooredcottageinthelanewhichskirtedhisfence；andhenoticedthattherewerenomodulationsinit。
　　Heknewwhythatwas。Shewishedtogoout，andcouldnot。Hehadobservedbeforethatwhenshewasplanninganoutingaparticularnotewouldcomeintohervoiceduringtheprecedinghours：adove’sroundnessofsound；nodoubttheeffectuponhervoiceofherthoughtsofherlover，orlovers。Yetthelatteritcouldnotbe。Shewaspureandsinglehearted：halfaneyecouldseethat。Whence，then，thetwomen？Possiblythequarrierwasarelation。
　　Thereseemedreasoninthiswhen，goingoutintothelane，heencounteredoneoftheredjacketshehadbeenthinkingof。Soldierswereseldomseeninthisouterpartoftheisle：theirbeatfromtheforts，whenonpleasure，wasintheoppositedirection，andthismanmusthavehadaspecialreasonforcominghither。Pierstonsurveyedhim。Hewasaround-faced，good-humouredfellowtolookat，havingtwolittlepiecesofmoustacheonhisupperlip，likeapairofminnowsrampant，andsmallblackeyes，overwhichtheGlengarrycapstraddledflat。Itwasahatefulideathathertendercheekshouldbekissedbythelipsofthisheavyyoungman，whohadneverbeensublimedbyasinglebattle，evenwithdefencelesssavages。
　　Thesoldierwentbeforeherhouse，lookedatthedoor，andmovedondownthecrookedwaytothecliffs，wheretherewasapathbacktotheforts。Buthedidnotadoptit，returningbythewayhehadcome。
　　Thisshowedhiswishtopassthehouseagain。Shegavenosign，however，andthesoldierdisappeared。
　　PierstoncouldnotbesatisfiedthatAvicewasinthehouse，andhecrossedovertothefrontofherlittlefreeholdandtappedatthedoor，whichstoodajar。
　　Nobodycame：hearingaslightmovementwithinhecrossedthethreshold。Avicewastherealone，sittingonalowstoolinadarkcorner，asthoughshewishedtobeunobservedbyanycasualpasser-by。
　　Shelookedupathimwithoutemotionorapparentsurprise；buthecouldthenseethatshewascrying。Theview，forthefirsttime，ofdistressinanunprotectedyounggirltowardswhomhefeltdrawnbytiesofextraordinarydelicacyandtenderness，movedPierstonbeyondmeasure。Heenteredwithoutceremony。
　　’Avice，mydeargirl！’hesaid。’Somethingisthematter！’
　　Shelookedassent，andhewenton：’Nowtellmeallaboutit。PerhapsIcanhelpyou。Come，tellme。’
　　’Ican’t！’shemurmured。’GrammerStockwoolisupstairs，andshe’llhear！’Mrs。Stockwoolwastheoldwomanwhohadcometolivewiththegirlforcompanysincehermother’sdeath。
　　’Thencomeintomygardenopposite。Thereweshallbequiteprivate。’
　　Sherose，putonherhat，andaccompaniedhimtothedoor。Heresheaskedhimifthelanewereempty，andonhisassuringherthatitwasshecrossedoverandenteredwithhimthroughthegarden-wall。
　　Theplacewasashadyandsecludedone，thoughthroughtheboughstheseacouldbeseenquitenearathand，itsmoaningsbeingdistinctlyaudible。Awater-dropfromatreefellhereandthere，buttherainwasnotenoughtohurtthem。
　　’Nowletmehearit，’hesaidsoothingly。’Youmaytellmewiththegreatestfreedom。Iwasafriendofyourmother’s，youknow。Thatis，Iknewher；andI’llbeafriendofyours。’
　　Thestatementwasrisky，ifhewishedhernottosuspecthimofbeinghermother’sfalseone。Butthatlover’snameappearedtobeunknowntothepresentAvice。
　　’Ican’ttellyou，sir，’sherepliedunwillingly；’exceptthatithastodowithmyownchangeableness。Therestisthesecretofsomebodyelse。’
　　’Iamsorryforthat，’saidhe。
　　’IamgettingtocareforoneIoughtnottothinkof，anditmeansruin。Ioughttogetaway！’。
　　’Youmeanfromtheisland？’
　　’Yes。’
　　Pierstonreflected。HispresenceinLondonhadbeendesiredforsometime；yethehaddelayedgoingbecauseofhisnewsolicitudeshere。
　　Buttogoandtakeherwithhimwouldaffordhimopportunityofwatchingoverher，tendinghermind，anddevelopingit；whileitmightremoveherfromsomeloomingdanger。Itwasasomewhatawkwardguardianshipforhim，asalonelyman，tocarryout；still，itcouldbedone。Heaskedherabruptlyifshewouldreallyliketogoawayforawhile。
　　’Ilikebesttostayhere，’sheanswered。’Still，Ishouldnotmindgoingsomewhere，becauseIthinkIoughtto。’
　　’WouldyoulikeLondon？’
　　Avice’sfacelostitsweepingshape。’Howcouldthatbe？’shesaid。
　　’Ihavebeenthinkingthatyoucouldcometomyhouseandmakeyourselfusefulinsomeway。Irentjustnowoneofthosenewplacescalledflats，whichyoumayhaveheardof；andIhaveastudioattheback。’
　　’Ihaven’theardof’em，’shesaidwithoutinterest。
　　’Well，Ihavetwoservantsthere，andasmymanhasaholidayyoucanhelpthemforamonthortwo。’
　　’Wouldpolishingfurniturebeanygood？Icandothat。’
　　’Ihaven’tmuchfurniturethatrequirespolishing。Butyoucanclearawayplasterandclaymessesinthestudio，andchippingsofstone，andhelpmeinmodelling，anddustallmyVenusfailures，andhandsandheadsandfeetandbones，andotherobjects。’
　　Shewasstartled，yetattractedbythenoveltyoftheproposal。
　　’Onlyforatime？’shesaid。
　　’Onlyforatime。Asshortasyoulike，andaslong。’
　　Thedeliberatemannerinwhich，afterthefirstsurprise，Avicediscussedthearrangementsthathesuggested，mighthavetoldhimhowfarwasanyfeelingforhimselfbeyondfriendship，andpossiblygratitude，fromagitatingherbreast。Yettherewasnothingextravagantinthediscrepancybetweentheirages，andhehoped，aftershapinghertohimself，towinher。Whathadgrievedhertotearsshewouldnotmoreparticularlytell。
　　Shehadnaturallynotmuchneedofpreparation，butshemadeevenlesspreparationthanhewouldhaveexpectedhertorequire。Sheseemedeagertobeoffimmediately，andnotasoulwastoknowofherdeparture。Why，ifshewereinloveandatfirstaversetoleavetheisland，sheshouldbesoprecipitatenowhefailedtounderstand。
　　Buthetookgreatcaretocompromiseinnowayagirlinwhomhisinterestwasasprotectiveasitwaspassionate。Heaccordinglylefthertogetoutoftheislandalone，awaitingheratastationafewmilesuptherailway，where，discoveringhimselftoherthroughthecarriage-window，heenteredthenextcompartment，hisframepervadedbyaglowwhichwasalmostjoyathavingforthefirsttimeinhischargeonewhoinheritedthefleshandborethenamesoearlyassociatedwithhisown，andattheprospectofputtingthingsrightwhichhadbeenwrongthroughmanyyears。
　　2。XI。THEIMAGEPERSISTS
　　Itwasdarkwhenthefour-wheeledcabwhereinhehadbroughtAvicefromthestationstoodattheentrancetothepileofflatsofwhichPierstonoccupiedonefloor——rarerthenasresidencesinLondonthantheyarenow。LeavingAvicetoalightandgettheluggagetakeninbytheporterPierstonwentupstairs。Tohissurprisehisfloorwassilent，andonenteringwithalatchkeytheroomswereallindarkness。
　　Hedescendedtothehall，whereAvicewasstandinghelplessbesidetheluggage，whiletheporterwasoutsidewiththecabman。
　　’Doyouknowwhathasbecomeofmyservants？’askedJocelyn。
　　’What——andain’ttheythere，saur？Ah，thenmybeliefisthatwhatI
　　suspectedisthrue！Youdidn’tleaveyourwine-cellarunlocked，didyou，saur，bynomistake？’
　　Pierstonconsidered。Hethoughthemighthaveleftthekeywithhiselderservant，whomhehadbelievedhecouldtrust，especiallyasthecellarwasnotwellstocked。
　　’Ah，thenitwasso！She’sbeenveryqueer，saur，thislastweekortwo。Oyes，sendingmessagesdownthespakin’-tubewhichwerelikemadnessitself，andorderingusthisandthat，tillwewouldtakenonoticeatall。Iseethembothgooutlastnight，andpossiblytheywentforaholidaynotexpectingye，ormaybeforgood！Shure，ifye’dwritten，saur，I’dha’gottheplaceready，yebeingoutofaman，too，thoughit’snotmedutyatall！’
　　WhenPierstongottohisflooragainhefoundthatthecellardoorwasopen；somebottleswerestandingemptythathadbeenfull，andmanyabstractedaltogether。Allotherarticlesinthehouse，however，appearedtobeintact。Hislettertohishousekeeperlayintheboxasthepostmanhadleftit。
　　Bythistimetheluggagehadbeensentupinthelift；andAvice，likesomuchmoreluggage，stoodatthedoor，thehall-porterbehindofferinghisassistance。
　　’Comehere，Avice，’saidthesculptor。’Whatshallwedonow？Here’saprettystateofaffairs！’
　　Avicecouldsuggestnothing，tillshewasstruckwiththebrightthoughtthatsheshouldlightafire。
　　’Lightafire？——ah，yes……Iwonderifwecouldmanage。Thisisanoddcoincidence——andawkward！’hemurmured。’Verywell，lightafire。’
　　’Isthisthekitchen，sir，allmixedupwiththeparlours？’
　　’Yes。’
　　’ThenIthinkIcandoallthat’swantedhereforabit；atanyrate，tillyoucangethelp，sir。Atleast，IcouldifIcouldfindthefuel-house。’TisnosuchbigplaceasIthought！’
　　’That’sright：takecourage！’saidhewithatendersmile。’Now，I’lldineoutthisevening，andleavetheplaceforyoutoarrangeasbestyoucanwiththehelpoftheporter’swifedownstairs。’
　　ThisPierstonaccordinglydid，andsotheircommonresidencebegan。
　　Feelingmoreandmorestronglythatsomedangerawaitedherinhernativeislandhedeterminednottosendherbacktilltheloverorloverswhoseemedtotroublehershouldhavecooledoff。Hewasquitewillingtotaketheriskofhisactionthusfarinhissolicitousregardforher。
　　***
　　Itwasadualsolitude，indeed；for，thoughPierstonandAviceweretheonlytwopeopleintheflat，theydidnotkeepeachothercompany，theformerbeingasscrupulouslyfearfulofgoingnearhernowthathehadtheopportunityashehadbeenprompttoseekherwhenhehadnone。
　　Theylivedinsilence，hismessagestoherbeingfrequentlywrittenonscrapsofpaperdepositedwhereshecouldseethem。Itwasnotwithoutapangthathenotedherunconsciousnessoftheirisolatedposition——apositiontowhich，hadsheexperiencedanyreciprocityofsentiment，shewouldreadilyhavebeenalive。
　　Consideringthat，thoughnotprofound，shewashardlyamatter-of-factgirlasthatphraseiscommonlyunderstood，shewasexasperatinginthematter-of-factqualityofherresponsestothefriendlyremarkswhichwouldescapehiminspiteofhimself，aswellasinhergeneralconduct。Wheneverheformedsomeculinaryexcuseforwalkingacrossthefewyardsoftessellatedhallwhichseparatedhisroomfromthekitchen，andspokethroughthedoorwaytoher，sheanswered，’Yes，sir，’or’No，sir，’withoutturninghereyesfromtheparticularworkthatshewasengagedin。
　　Intheusualcoursehewouldhaveobtainedacoupleofproperlyqualifiedservantsimmediately；buthelivedonwiththeone，orratherthelessthanone，thatthiscottage-girlafforded。Ithadbeenhisalmostinvariablecustomtodineatoneofhisclubs。Nowhesatathomeoverthemiserablechoporsteaktowhichhelimitedhimselfindreadlestsheshouldcomplainoftherebeingtoomuchworkforoneperson，anddemandtobesenthome。Acharwomancameeverytwoorthreedays，effectinganextraordinaryconsumptionoffoodandalcoholicliquids：yetitwasnotforthisthatPierstondreadedherpresence，butlest，inconversingwithAvice，sheshouldopenthegirl’seyestotheoddityofhersituation。Avicecouldseeforherselfthattheremusthavebeentwoorthreeservantsintheflatduringhisformerresidencethere：buthisreasonsfordoingwithoutthemseemednevertostrikeher。
　　Hisintentionhadbeentokeepheroccupiedexclusivelyatthestudio，butaccidenthadmodifiedthis。However，hesentherroundonemorning，andenteringhimselfshortlyafterfoundherengagedinwipingthelayersofdustfromthecastsandmodels。
　　Thecolourofthedustneverceasedtoamazeher。’ItisliketheholdofaBudmouthcollier，’shesaid，’andthebeautifulfacesoftheseclaypeoplearequitespoiltbyit。’
　　’Isupposeyou’llmarrysomeday，Avice？’remarkedPierston，asheregardedherthoughtfully。
　　’Somedoandsomedon’t，’shesaid，withareservedsmile，stillattendingtothecasts。’
　　’Youareveryoffhand，’saidhe。
　　Shearchlyweighedthatremarkwithoutfurtherspeech。Itwastantalizingconductinthefaceofhisinstincttocherishher；
　　especiallywhenheregardedthecharmofherbendingprofile；thewell-
　　characterizedthoughsoftlylinednose，theroundchinwith，asitwere，asecondleapinitscurvetothethroat，andthesweepoftheeyelashesovertherosycheekduringthesedulouslyloweredglance。
　　Howfutilelyhehadlabouredtoexpressthecharacterofthatfaceinclay，and，whilecatchingitinsubstance，hadyetlostsomethingthatwasessential！
　　Thateveningafterdusk，inthestressofwritingletters，hesentheroutforstamps。Shehadbeenabsentsomequarterofanhourwhen，suddenlydrawinghimselfupfromoverhiswriting-table，itflasheduponhimthathehadabsolutelyforgottenhertotalignoranceofLondon。
　　Theheadpost-office，towhichhehadsentherbecauseitwaslate，wastwoorthreestreetsoff，andhehadmadehisrequestinthemostgeneralmanner，whichshehadaccededtowithalacrityenough。Howcouldhehavedonesuchanunreflectingthing？
　　Pierstonwenttothewindow。Itwashalf-pastnineo’clock，andowingtoherabsencetheblindswerenotdown。Heopenedthecasementandsteppedoutuponthebalcony。Thegreenshadeofhislampscreeneditsraysfromthegloomwithout。Overtheoppositesquarethemoonhung，andtotherighttherestretchedalongstreet，filledwithadiminishingarrayoflamps，somesingle，someinclusters，amongthemanoccasionalblueorredone。Fromacornercamethenotesofapiano-organstrummingoutastirringmarchofRossini’s。Theshadowyblackfiguresofpedestriansmovedup，down，andacrosstheembrownedroadway。Abovetheroofswasabankoflividmist，andhigheragreenish-bluesky，inwhichstarswerevisible，thoughitslowerpartwasstillpalewithdaylight，againstwhichrosechimney-potsintheformofelbows，prongs，andfists。
　　Fromthewholesceneproceededagroundrumble，milesinextent，uponwhichindividualrattles，voices，atinwhistle，thebarkofadog，rodelikebubblesonasea。Thewholenoiseimpressedhimwiththesensethatnooneinitsenormousmasseverrequiredrest。
　　Inthisillimitableoceanofhumanitytherewasaunitofexistence，hisAvice，wanderingalone。
　　Pierstonlookedathiswatch。Shehadbeengonehalfanhour。Itwasimpossibletodistinguishheratthisdistance，evenifsheapproached。
　　Hecameinside，andputtingonhishatdeterminedtogooutandseekher。Hereachedtheendofthestreet，andtherewasnothingofhertobeseen。Shehadtheoptionoftwoorthreeroutesfromthispointtothepost-office；yetheplungedatrandomintoone，tillhereachedtheofficetofinditquitedeserted。Almostdistractednowbyhisanxietyforherheretreatedasrapidlyashehadcome，regaininghomeonlytofindthatshehadnotreturned。
　　Herecollectedtellingherthatifsheshouldeverloseherwayshemustcallacabanddrivehome。Itoccurredtohimthatthiswaswhatshewoulddonow。Heagainwentoutuponthebalcony；thedignifiedstreetinwhichhelivedwasalmostvacant，andthelampsstoodlikeplacedsentinelsawaitingsomeprocessionwhichtarriedlong。Atapointunderhimwheretheroadwastornuptherestoodaredlight，andatthecornertwomenweretalkinginleisurelyrepose，asifsunningthemselvesatnoonday。Loversofafelinedisposition，whowereneverseenbydaylight，jokedanddartedateachotherinandoutofareagates。
　　Hisattentionwasfixedonthecabs，andheheldhisbreathasthehollowclapofeachhorse’shoofsdrewnearthefrontofthehouse，onlytogoonwardintothesquare。Thetwolampsofeachvehicleafardilatedwithitsnearapproach，andseemedtoswervetowardshim。ItwasAvicesurely？No，itpassedby。
　　Almostfranticheagaindescendedandlethimselfoutofthehouse，movingtowardsamorecentralpart，wheretheroarstillcontinued。
　　Beforeemergingintothenoisythoroughfareheobservedasmallfigureapproachingleisurelyalongtheoppositeside，andhastenedacrosstofinditwasshe。
　　2。XII。AGRILLEDESCENDSBETWEEN
　　’OAvice！’hecried，withthetenderlysubduedscoldingofamother。
　　’Whatisthisyouhavedonetoalarmmeso！’
　　Sheseemedunconsciousofhavingdoneanything，andwasaltogethersurprisedathisanxiety。Inhisreliefhedidnotspeakfurthertillheaskedhersuddenlyifshewouldtakehisarmsinceshemustbetired。
　　’Ono，sir！’sheassuredhim，’Iamnotabittired，andIdon’trequireanyhelpatall，thankyou。’
　　Theywentupstairswithoutusingthelift，andheletherandhimselfinwithhislatchkey。Sheenteredthekitchen，andhe，following，satdowninachairthere。
　　’Wherehaveyoubeen？’hesaid，withalmostangeredconcernonhisface。’Yououghtnottohavebeenabsentmorethantenminutes。’
　　’Iknewtherewasnothingformetodo，andthoughtIshouldliketoseealittleofLondon，’sherepliednaively。’SowhenIhadgotthestampsIwentonintothefashionablestreets，whereladiesareallwalkingaboutjustasifitweredaytime！’TwasforalltheworldlikecominghomebynightfromMartinmasFairattheStreeto’Wells，onlymoregenteel。’
　　’OAvice，Avice，youmustnotgooutlikethis！Don’tyouknowthatI
　　amresponsibleforyoursafety？Iamyour——well，guardian，infact，andamboundbylawandmorals，andIdon’tknowwhat-all，todeliveryouuptoyournativeislandwithoutascratchorblemish。Andyetyouindulgeinsuchamidnightvagaryasthis！’
　　’ButIamsure，sir，thegentlemeninthestreetweremorerespectablethantheyareanywhereathome！Theyweredressedinthelatestfashion，andwouldhavescornedtodomeanyharm；andastotheirlove-making，Ineverheardanythingsopolitebefore。’
　　’Well，youmustnotdoitagain。I’lltellyousomedaywhy。What’sthatyouhaveinyourhand？’
　　’Amouse-trap。Therearelotsofmiceinthiskitchen——sootymice，notcleanlikeours——andIthoughtI’dtrytocatchthem。ThatwaswhatI
　　wentsofartobuy，astherewerenoshopsopenjustabouthere。I’llsetitnow。’
　　Sheproceededatoncetodoso，andPierstonremainedinhisseatregardingtheoperation，whichseemedentirelytoengrossher。Itwasextraordinary，indeed，toobservehowshewilfullylimitedherinterests；withwhatcontentshereceivedtheordinarythingsthatlifeoffered，andpersistentlyrefusedtobeholdwhataninfinitelyextendedlifelayopentoherthroughhim。Ifshehadonlysaidthewordhewouldhavegotalicenceandmarriedherthenextmorning。Wasitpossiblethatshedidnotperceivethistendencyinhim？Shecouldhardlybeawomanifshedidnot；andinherairy，elusive，offhanddemeanourshewasverymuchofawomanindeed。
　　’Itonlyholdsonemouse，’hesaidabsently。
　　’ButIshallhearitthrowinthenight，andsetitagain。’
　　Hesighedandlefthertoherownresourcesandretiredtorest，thoughhefeltnotendencytosleep。Atsomesmallhourofthedarkness，owing，possibly，tosomeinterveningdoorbeingleftopen，heheardthemouse-trapclick。Anotherlightsleepermusthaveheardittoo，foralmostimmediatelyafterthepit-patofnakedfeet，accompaniedbythebrushingofdrapery，wasaudiblealongthepassagetowardsthekitchen。
　　Afterherabsenceinthatapartmentlongenoughtoresetthetrap，hewasstartledbyascreamfromthesamequarter。Pierstonsprangoutofbed，jumpedintohisdressing-gown，andhastenedinthedirectionofthecry。
　　Avice，barefootedandwrappedinashawl，wasstandinginachair；themouse-traplayonthefloor，themouserunningroundandroundinitsneighbourhood。
　　’Iwastryingtotakeenout，’saidsheexcitedly，’andhegotawayfromme！’
　　Pierstonsecuredthemousewhilesheremainedstandingonthechair。
　　Then，havingsetthetrapanew，hisfeelingburstoutpetulantly——
　　’Agirllikeyoutothrowyourselfawayuponsuchacommonplacefellowasthatquarryman！Whydoyoudoit！’
　　Hermindwassointentlyfixeduponthematterinhandthatitwassomemomentsbeforeshecaughthisirrelevantsubject。’BecauseIamafoolishgirl，’shesaidquietly。
　　’What！Don’tyoulovehim？’saidJocelyn，withasurprisedstareupatherasshestood，inherconcernappearingtheveryAvicewhohadkissedhimtwentyyearsearlier。
　　’Itisnotmuchusetotalkaboutthat，’saidshe。
　　’Then，isitthesoldier？’
　　’Yes，thoughIhaveneverspokentohim。’
　　’Neverspokentothesoldier？’
　　’Never。’
　　’Haseitheronetreatedyoubadly——deceivedyou？’
　　’No。Certainlynot。’
　　’Well，Ican’tmakeyouout；andIdon’twishtoknowmorethanyouchoosetotellme。Come，Avice，whynottellmeexactlyhowthingsare？’
　　’Notnow，sir！’shesaid，herprettypinkfaceandbrowneyesturnedinsimpleappealtohimfromherpedestal。’Iwilltellyouallto-
　　morrow；anthatIwill！’
　　Heretreatedtohisownroomandlaydownmeditating。Somequarterofanhouraftershehadretreatedtohersthemouse-trapclickedagain，andPierstonraisedhimselfonhiselbowtolisten。Theplacewassostillandthejerry-builtdoor-panelssothinthathecouldhearthemousejumpingaboutinsidethewiresofthetrap。Butheheardnofootstepthistime。Ashewaswakefulandrestlessheagainarose，proceededtothekitchenwithalight，andremovingthemouseresetthetrap。Returninghelistenedoncemore。HecouldseeinthefardistancethedoorofAvice’sroom；butthatthoughtfulhousewifehadnotheardthesecondcapture。Fromtheroomcameasoftbreathinglikethatofaninfant。
　　Heenteredhisownchamberandreclinedhimselfgloomilyenough。Herlackofallconsciousnessofhim，theaspectofthedesertedkitchen，thecoldgrate，impressedhimwithadeepersenseoflonelinessthanhehadeverfeltbefore。
　　Foolishhewas，indeed，tobesodevotedtothisyoungwoman。Herdefencelessness，herfreedomfromtheleastthoughtthattherelurkedadangerintheirpropinquity，wereinfactsecondarysafeguards，notmuchlessstrongthanthatofherbeinghermother’simage，againstrisktoherfromhim。Yetitwasoutofthisthathisdepressioncame。
　　AtsightofherthenextmorningPierstonfeltthathemustputanendtosuchastateofthings。HesentAviceofftothestudio，wrotetoanagentforacoupleofservants，andthenwentroundtohiswork。
　　Avicewasbusyrightingallthatshewasallowedtotouch。Itwasthegirl’sdelighttobeoccupiedamongthemodelsandcasts，whichforthefirsttimesheregardedwiththewistfulinterestofasoulstrugglingtoreceiveideasofbeautyvaguelydiscernedyetevereludingher。
　　Thatbrightnessinhermother’smindwhichmighthavedescendedtothesecondAvicewiththematernalfaceandform，hadbeendimmedbyadmixturewiththemediocrityofherfather’s，andbyonewhorememberedlikePierstonthedualorganizationtheoppositescouldbeoftenseenwrestlinginternally。
　　Theywerealoneinthestudio，andhisfeelingsfoundvent。Puttinghisarmsroundherhesaid，’Mydarling，sweetlittleAvice！Iwanttoaskyousomething——surelyyouguesswhat？Iwanttoknowthis：willyoubemarriedtome，andliveherewithmealwaysandever？’
　　’O，Mr。Pierston，whatnonsense！’
　　’Nonsense？’saidhe，shrinkingsomewhat。
　　’Yes，sir。’
　　’Well，why？AmItooold？Surelythere’snoseriousdifference？’
　　’Ono——Ishouldnotmindthatifitcametomarrying。Thedifferenceisnotmuchforhusbandandwife，thoughitisrathermuchforkeepingcompany。’
　　Shestruggledtogetfree，andwheninthemovementsheknockeddowntheEmpressFaustina’sheadhedidnottrytoretainher。Hesawthatshewasnotonlysurprisedbutalittlealarmed。
　　’Youhaven’tsaidwhyitisnonsense！’heremarkedtartly。
　　’Why，Ididn’tknowyouwasthinkingofmelikethat。Ihadn’tanythoughtofit！Andallalonehere！WhatshallIdo？’
　　’Sayyes，myprettyAvice！We’llthengooutandbemarriedatonce，andnobodybeanythewiser。’
　　Sheshookherhead。’Icouldn’t，sir。’
　　’Itwouldbewellforyou。Youdon’tlikeme，perhaps？’
　　’YesIdo——verymuch。Butnotinthatsortofway——quite。Still，I
　　mighthavegottoloveyouintime，if——’
　　’Well，then，try，’hesaidwarmly。’Yourmotherdid！’
　　NosoonerhadthewordsslippedoutthanPierstonwouldhaverecalledthem。Hehadfeltinamomentthattheyjeopardizedhiscause。
　　’Motherlovedyou？’saidAvice，incredulouslygazingathim。
　　’Yes，’hemurmured。
　　’Youwerenotherfalseyoungman，surely？Thatonewho——’
　　’Yes，yes！Saynomoreaboutit。’
　　’Whoranawayfromher？’
　　’Almost。’
　　’ThenIcanNEVER，NEVERlikeyouagain！Ididn’tknowitwasagentleman——I——Ithought——’
　　’Itwasn’tagentleman，then。’
　　’O，sir，pleasegoaway！Ican’tbearthesightof’eeatthismoment！
　　PerhapsIshallgetto——tolikeyouasIdid；but——’
　　’No；I’md————difI’llgoaway！’saidPierston，thoroughlyirritated。
　　’Ihavebeencandidwithyou；yououghttobethesamewithme！’
　　’Whatdoyouwantmetotell？’
　　’Enoughtomakeitcleartomewhyyoudon’tacceptthisoffer。
　　Everythingyouhavesaidyetisareasonforthereverse。Now，mydear，Iamnotangry。’
　　’Yesyouare。’
　　’NoI’mnot。Nowwhatisyourreason？’
　　’ThenameofitisIsaacPierston，downhome。’
　　’How？’
　　’Imeanhecourtedme，andledmeontoislandcustom，andthenIwenttochapelonemorningandmarriedhiminsecret，becausemotherdidn’tcareabouthim；andIdidn’teitherbythattime。Andthenhequarrelledwithme；andjustbeforeyouandIcametoLondonhewentawaytoGuernsey。ThenIsawasoldier；Ineverknewhisname，butI
　　fellinlovewithhimbecauseIamsoquickatthat！Still，asitwaswrong，Itriednottothinkofhim，andwouldn’tlookathimwhenhepassed。ButitmademecryverymuchthatImustn’t。Iwasthenverymiserable，andyouaskedmetocometoLondon。Ididn’tcarewhatI
　　didwithmyself，andIcame。’
　　’Heavenaboveus！’saidPierston，hispaleanddistressedfaceshowingwithwhatashockthisannouncementhadcome。’Whyhaveyoudonesuchextraordinarythings？Or，rather，whydidn’tyoutellmeofthisbefore？Then，atthepresentmomentyouarethewifeofamanwhoisinGuernsey，whomyoudonotloveatall；butinsteadofhimloveasoldierwhomyouhaveneverspokento；whileIhavenearlybroughtscandaluponusbothbyyourlettingmeloveyou。Really，youareaverywickedwoman！’
　　’No，Iamnot！’shepouted。
　　Still，Avicelookedpaleandratherfrightened，anddidnotlifthereyesfromthefloor。’Isaiditwasnonsenseinyoutowanttohaveme！’shewenton，’and，evenifIhadn’tbeenmarriedtothathorridIsaacPierston，Icouldn’thavemarriedyouafteryoutoldmethatyouwasthemanwhoranawayfrommymother。’
　　’Ihavepaidthepenalty！’hesaidsadly。’Menofmysortalwaysgettheworstofitsomehow。ThoughIneverdidyourmotheranyharm。
　　Now，Avice——I’llcallyoudearAviceforyourmother’ssakeandnotforyourown——ImustseewhatIcandotohelpyououtofthedifficultythatunquestionablyyouarein。Whycan’tyouloveyourhusbandnowyouhavemarriedhim？’
　　Avicelookedasideatthestatuaryasifthesubtletiesofherorganizationwerenotveryeasytodefine。
　　’Washethatblack-beardedtypicallocalcharacterIsawyouwalkingwithoneSunday？Thesamesurnameasmine；though，ofcourse，youdon’tnoticethatinaplacewherethereareonlyhalf-a-dozensurnames？’
　　’Yes，thatwasIke。Itwasthateveningwedisagreed。Hescoldedme，andIansweredhim（youmusthaveheardus）；andthenextdayhewentaway。’
　　’Well，asIsay，Imustconsiderwhatitwillbebesttodoforyouinthis。Thefirstthing，itseemstome，willbetogetyourhusbandhome。’
　　Sheimpatientlyshruggedhershoulders。’Idon’tlikehim！’
　　’Thenwhydidyoumarryhim？’
　　’Iwasobligedto，afterwe’dprovedeachotherbyislandcustom。’
　　’Youshouldn’thavethoughtofsuchathing。Itisridiculousandoutofdatenowadays。’
　　’Ah，he’ssoold-fashionedinhisnotionsthathedoesn’tthinklikethat。However，he’sgone。’
　　’Ah——itisonlyatiffbetweenyou，Idaresay。I’llstarthiminbusinessifhe’llcome……Isthecottageathomestillinyourhands？’
　　’Yes，itismyfreehold。GrammerStockwoolistakingcareo’itforme。’
　　’Good。Andbackthereyougostraightway，myprettymadam，andwaittillyourhusbandcomestomakeitupwithyou。’
　　’Iwon’tgo！——Idon’twanthimtocome！’shesobbed。’Iwanttostayherewithyou，oranywhere，exceptwherehecancome！’
　　’Youwillgetoverthat。Now，gobacktotheflat，there’sadearAvice，andbereadyinonehour，waitinginthehallforme。’
　　’Idon’twantto！’
　　’ButIsayyoushall！’
　　Shefounditwasnousetodisobey。Preciselyatthemomentappointedhemethertherehimself，burdenedonlywithavaliseandumbrella，shewithaboxandotherthings。DirectingtheportertoputAviceandherbelongingsintoafour-wheeledcabfortherailway-station，hewalkedonwardfromthedoor，andkeptlookingbehind，tillhesawthecabapproaching。Hethenenteredbesidetheastonishedgirl，andonwardtheywenttogether。
　　Theysatoppositeeachotherinanemptycompartment，andthetediousrailwayjourneybegan。Regardinghercloselynowbythelightofherrevelationhewonderedathimselfforneverdivininghersecret。
　　Wheneverhelookedatherthegirl’seyesgrewrebellious，andatlastshewept。
　　’Idon’twanttogotohim！’shesobbedinamiserablevoice。
　　Pierstonwasalmostasmuchdistressedasshe。’Whydidyouputyourselfandmeinsuchaposition？’hesaidbitterly。’Itisnousetoregretitnow！AndIcan’tsaythatIdo。Itaffordsmeawayoutofatryingposition。Evenifyouhadnotbeenmarriedtohimyouwouldnothavemarriedme！’
　　’Yes，Iwould，sir。’
　　’What！Youwould？Yousaidyouwouldn’tnotlongago。’
　　’Ilikeyoubetternow！Ilikeyoumoreandmore！’
　　Pierstonsighed，foremotionallyhewasnotmucholderthanshe。Thathitchinhisdevelopment，renderinghimthemostlopsidedofGod’screatures，washisstandingmisfortune。Aproposaltoherwhichcrossedhismindwasdismissedasdisloyalty，particularlytoaninexperiencedfellow-islanderandonewhowasbyraceandtraditionsalmostakinswoman。
　　Littlemorepassedbetweenthetwainonthatwretched，never-to-be-
　　forgottenday。Aphrodite，Ashtaroth，Freyja，orwhoeverthelove-queenofhisislemighthavebeen，waspunishinghimsharply，assheknewbuttoowellhowtopunishhervotarieswhentheyrevertedfromtheephemeraltothestablemood。Whenwasittoend——thiscurseofhisheartnotageingwhilehisframemovednaturallyonward？Perhapsonlywithlife。
　　Hisfirstactthedayafterdepositingherinherownhousewastogotothechapelwhere，byherstatement，themarriagehadbeensolemnized，andmakesureofthefact。Perhapshefeltanillogicalhopethatshemightbefree，eventhen，inthetarnishedconditionwhichsuchfreedomwouldhaveinvolved。However，therestoodthewordsdistinctly：IsaacPierston，AnnAviceCaro，sonanddaughterofSo-
　　and-so，marriedonsuchaday，signedbythecontractingparties，theofficiatingminister，andthetwowitnesses。
　　2。XIII。SHEISENSHROUDEDFROMSIGHT
　　Oneeveninginearlywinter，whentheairwasdryandgusty，thedarklittlelanewhichdividedthegroundsofSylvaniaCastlefromthecottageofAvice，andleddowntotheadjoiningruinofRed-KingCastle，waspacedbyasolitaryman。Thecottagewasthecentreofhisbeat；itswesternlimitbeingthegatesoftheformerresidence，itseasternthedrawbridgeoftheruin。Thefewothercottagesthereabout——
　　allasifcarvedfromthesolidrock——wereindarkness，butfromtheupperwindowofAvice’stinyfreeholdglimmeredalight。Itsrayswererepeatedfromthefar-distantseabythelightshiplyingmooredoverthemysteriousShamblesquicksand，whichbroughttamelessnessanddomesticityintoduepositionasbalancedopposites。
　　Theseamoaned——morethanmoaned——amongthebouldersbelowtheruins，athroeofitstidebeingtimedtoregularintervals。Thesesoundswereaccompaniedbyanequallyperiodicmoanfromtheinteriorofthecottagechamber；sothatthearticulateheaveofwaterandthearticulateheaveoflifeseemedbutdifferingutterancesoftheselfsametroubledterrestrialBeing——whichinonesensetheywere。
　　Pierston——forthemaninthelanewashe——wouldlookfromlightshiptocottagewindow；thenbackagain，ashewaitedtherebetweenthetravailoftheseawithout，andthetravailofthewomanwithin。Soonaninfant’swailoftheveryfeeblestwasalsoaudibleinthehouse。Hestartedfromhiseasypacing，andwentagainwestward，standingattheelbowofthelanealongtime。Thenthepeaceofthesleepingvillagewhichlaythatwaywasbrokenbylightwheelsandthetrotofahorse。
　　Pierstonwentbacktothecottagegateandawaitedthearrivalofthevehicle。
　　Itwasalightcart，andamanjumpeddownasitstopped。Hewasinabroad-brimmedhat，underwhichnomoreofhimcouldbeperceivedthanthatheworeablackbeardclippedlikeayewfence——atypicalaspectintheisland。
　　’YouareAvice’shusband？’askedthesculptorquickly。
　　Themanrepliedthathewas，inthelocalaccent。’I’vejustcomeinbyto-day’sboat，’headded。’Icouldn’tgithereavore。IhadcontractedforthejobatPeter-Port，andhadtoseeto’ttotheend。’
　　’Well，’saidPierston，’yourcomingmeansthatyouarewillingtomakeitupwithher？’
　　’Ay，Idon’tknowbutIbe，’saidtheman。’Midsowelldothatasanythingelse！’
　　’Ifyoudo，thoroughly，agoodbusinessinyouroldlineawaitsyouhereintheisland。’
　　’Wi’allmyheart，then，’saidtheman。Hisvoicewasenergetic，and，thoughslightlytouchy，itshowed，onthewhole，adispositiontosetthingsright。
　　Thedriverofthetrapwaspaidoff，andJocelynandIsaacPierston——
　　undoubtedlyscionsofacommonstockinthisisleofintermarriages，thoughtheyhadnoproofofit——enteredthehouse。Nobodywasintheground-floorroom，inthecentreofwhichstoodasquaretable，inthecentreofthetablealittlewoolmat，andinthecentreofthematalamp，theapartmenthavingtheappearanceofbeingrigidlysweptandsetinorderforaneventofinterest。
　　ThewomanwholivedinthehousewithAvicenowcamedownstairs，andtotheinquiryofthecomerssherepliedthatmatterswereprogressingfavourably，butthatnobodycouldbeallowedtogoupstairsjustthen。
　　Afterplacingchairsandviandsforthemsheretreated，andtheysatdown，thelampbetweenthem——theloverofthesuffererabove，whohadnorighttoher，andthemanwhohadeveryrighttoher，butdidnotloveher。Engagingindesultoryandfragmentaryconversationtheylistenedtothetramplingoffeetonthefloor-boardsoverhead——
　　Pierstonfullofanxietyandattentiveness，Ikeawaitingthecourseofnaturecalmly。
　　Soontheyheardthefeeblebleatsrepeated，andthenthelocalpractitionerdescendedandenteredtheroom。
　　’Howisshenow？’saidPierston，themoretaciturnIkelookingupwithhimfortheanswerthathefeltwouldservefortwoaswellasforone。
　　’Doingwell，remarkablywell，’repliedtheprofessionalgentleman，withamannerofhavingsaiditinotherplaces；andhisvehiclenotbeingatthedoorhesatdownandsharedsomerefreshmentwiththeothers。
　　WhenhehaddepartedMrs。Stockwoolagainsteppeddown，andinformedthemthatIke’spresencehadbeenmadeknowntohiswife。
　　Thetruantquarrierseemedratherinclinedtostaywherehewasandfinishthemugofale，butPierstonquickenedhim，andheascendedthestaircase。AssoonasthelowerroomwasemptyPierstonleantwithhiselbowsonthetable，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。
　　Ikewasabsentnogreattime。Descendingwithaproprietarymienthathadbeenlackingbefore，heinvitedJocelyntoascendlikewise，sinceshehadstatedthatshewouldliketoseehim。Jocelynwentupthecrookedoldsteps，thehusbandremainingbelow。
　　Avice，thoughwhiteasthesheets，lookedbrighterandhappierthanhehadexpectedtofindher，andwasapparentlyverymuchfortifiedbythepinklittlelumpatherside。Sheheldoutherhandtohim。
　　’Ijustwantedtotell’ee，’shesaid，strivingagainstherfeebleness，’Ithoughtitwouldbenoharmtoseeyou，though’tisrathersoon——totell’eehowverymuchIthankyouforgettingmesettledagainwithIke。Heisverygladtocomehomeagain，too，hesays。Yes，you’vedoneagoodmanykindthingsforme，sir。’
　　Whethershewerereallyglad，orwhetherthewordswereexpressedasamatterofduty，Pierstondidnotattempttolearn。
　　Hemerelysaidthathevaluedherthanks。’Now，Avice，’headdedtenderly，’Iresignmyguardianshipofyou。Ihopetoseeyourhusbandinasoundlittlebusinesshereinaveryshorttime。’
　　’Ihopeso——forbaby’ssake，’shesaid，withabrightsigh。’Wouldyou——liketoseeher，sir？’
　　’Thebaby？Oyes——YOURbaby！YoumustchristenherAvice。’
　　’Yes——soIwill！’shemurmuredreadily，anddisclosedtheinfantwithsometimidity。’Ihopeyouforgiveme，sir，forconcealingmythoughtlessmarriage！’
　　’Ifyouforgivemeformakinglovetoyou。’
　　’Yes。Howwereyoutoknow！Iwish——’
　　Pierstonbadehergood-bye，kissingherhand；turnedfromherandtheincipientbeingwhomhewastomeetagainunderveryalteredconditions，andleftthebed-chamberwithatearinhiseye。
　　’Hereendeththatdream！’saidhe。