ThetwoshadowyfiguresseenthroughthegreygauzesofthemorningbyRuth，fivehoursbeforethistime，hadgoneontotheopenplacebythenorthentranceofSylvaniaCastle，wherethelanetotheruinsoftheoldcastlebranchedoff。Alistenerwouldnothavegatheredthatasinglewordpassedbetweenthem。Themanwalkedwithdifficulty，supportedbythewoman。Atthisspottheystoppedandkissedeachotheralongwhile。
　　’WeoughttowalkallthewaytoBudmouth，ifwewishnottobediscovered，’hesaidsadly。’AndIcan’tevengetacrosstheisland，evenbyyourhelp，darling。Itistwomilestothefootofthehill。’
　　She，whowastrembling，triedtospeakconsolingly：
　　’IfyoucouldwalkweshouldhavetogodowntheStreetofWells，whereperhapssomebodywouldknowme？NowifwegetbelowheretotheCove，can’twepushoffoneofthelittleboatsIsawtherelastnight，andpaddlealongclosetotheshoretillwegettothenorthside？Thenwecanwalkacrosstothestationverywell。Itisquitecalm，andasthetidesetsinthatdirection，itwilltakeusalongofitself，withoutmuchrowing。I’veoftengotroundinaboatthatway。’
　　Thisseemedtobetheonlyplanthatoffered，andabandoningthestraightroadtheywounddownthedefilespannedfurtheronbytheoldcastlearch，andformingtheoriginalfosseofthefortress。
　　Thestrokeoftheirownfootsteps，lightlyasthesefell，wasflappedbacktothemwithimpertinentgratuitousnessbytheverticalfacesoftherock，sostillwaseverythingaround。Alittlefurther，andtheyemergedupontheopenledgeofthelowertierofcliffs，totherightbeingtheslopingpathwayleadingdowntothesecludedcreekattheirbase——thesinglepracticablespotofexitfromorentrancetotheisleonthissidebyaseagoingcraft；onceanactivewharf，whencemanyafinepublicbuildinghadsailed——includingSaintPaul’sCathedral。
　　Thetimorousshadowyshapesdescendedthefootway，oneatleastofthemknowingtheplacesowellthatshefounditscarcelynecessarytoguideherselfdownbytouchingthenaturalwallofstoneonherrighthand，ashercompaniondid。Thus，withquicksuspensivebreathingstheyarrivedatthebottom，andtrodthefewyardsofshinglewhich，ontheforbiddingshorehereabout，couldbefoundatthisspotalone。Itwassosolitaryastobeunvisitedoftenforfour-and-twentyhoursbyalivingsoul。Upontheconfinedbeachweredrawnuptwoorthreefishing-lerrets，andacoupleofsmallerones，besidethembeingaroughslipwayforlaunching，andaboathouseoftarredboards。Thetwoloversunitedtheirstrengthtopushthesmallestoftheboatsdowntheslope，andfloatingittheyscrambledin。
　　Thegirlbrokethesilencebyasking，’Wherearetheoars？’
　　Hefeltabouttheboat，butcouldfindnone。’Iforgottolookfortheoars！’hesaid。
　　’Theyarelockedintheboathouse，Isuppose。Nowwecanonlysteerandtrusttothecurrent！’
　　Thecurrentsherewereofacomplicatedkind。Itwastrue，asthegirlhadsaid，thatthetideranroundtothenorth，butataspecialmomentineveryfloodtheresetinalongtheshoreanarrowrefluxcontrarytothegeneralouterflow，called’TheSouthern’bythelocalsailors。ItwasproducedbythepeculiarcurvesofcoastlyingeastandwestoftheBeal；thesebentsouthwardintwobackstreamstheup-Channelflowoneachsideofthepeninsula，whichtwostreamsunitedoutsidetheBeal，andtheremetthedirecttidalflow，theconfluenceofthethreecurrentsmakingthesurfaceoftheseaatthispointtoboillikeapot，evenincalmestweather。Thedisturbedarea，asiswellknown，iscalledtheRace。
　　ThusalthoughtheouterseawasnowrunningnorthwardtotheroadsteadandthemainlandofWessex’TheSouthern’raninfullforcetowardstheBealandtheRacebeyond。Itcaughtthelovers’haplessboatinafewmoments，and，unabletorowacrossit——mereriver’swidththatitwas——
　　theybeheldthegreyrocksnearthem，andthegrimwrinkledforeheadoftheisleabove，slidingawaynorthwards。
　　Theygazedhelplesslyateachother，though，inthelong-livingfaithofyouth，withoutdistinctfear。Theundulationsincreasedinmagnitude，andswungthemhigherandlower。Theboatrocked，receivedasmartslapofthewavesnowandthen，andwheeledround，sothatthelightshipwhichstolidlywinkedatthemfromthequicksand，thesingleobjectwhichtoldthemoftheirbearings，wassometimesontheirrighthandandsometimesontheirleft。Neverthelesstheycouldalwaysdiscernfromitthattheircourse，whetherstemwardsorsternwards，wassteadilysouth。
　　Abrightideaoccurredtotheyoungman。Hepulledouthishandkerchiefand，strikingalight，setitonfire。Shegavehimhers，andhemadethatflareupalso。Theonlyavailablefuelleftwasthesmallumbrellathegirlhadbrought；thiswasalsokindledinanopenedstate，andhehelditupbythestemtillitwasconsumed。
　　Thelightshiphadloomedquitelargebythistime，andafewminutesaftertheyhadburntthehandkerchiefsandumbrellaacolouredflamerepliedtothemfromthevessel。Theyflungtheirarmsroundeachother。
　　’Iknewweshouldn’tbedrowned！’saidAvicehysterically。
　　’Ithoughtweshouldn’ttoo，’saidhe。
　　Withtheappearanceofdayaboatputofftotheirassistance，andtheyweretowedtowardstheheavyredhulkwiththelargewhitelettersonitsside。
　　3。VII。ANOLDTABERNACLEINANEWASPECT
　　TheOctoberdaythickenedintodusk，andJocelynsatmusingbesidethecorpseofMrs。Pierston。Avicehavinggoneawaynobodyknewwhither，hehadactedasthenearestfriendofthefamily，andattendedaswellashecouldtothesombredutiesnecessitatedbyhermother’sdecease。
　　Itwasdoubtful，indeed，ifanybodyelsewereinapositiontodoso。
　　OfAvicetheSecond’stwobrothers，onehadbeendrownedatsea，andtheotherhademigrated，whileheronlychildbesidesthepresentAvicehaddiedininfancy。Asforherfriends，shehadbecomesoabsorbedinherambitiousandnearlyaccomplisheddesignofmarryingherdaughtertoJocelyn，thatshehadgraduallycompletedthatestrangementbetweenherselfandtheotherislanderswhichhadbeenbegunsolongagoaswhen，ayoungwoman，shehadherselfbeenaskedbyPierstontomarryhim。Onhertantalizinginabilitytoacceptthehonouroffered，sheandherhusbandhadbeensetupinamatter-of-factbusinessinthestonetradebyherpatron，butthatunforgettablerequestintheLondonstudiohadmadeherfeeleversincearefinedkinshipwithsculpture，andaproportionatealoofnessfrommerequarrying，whichwas，perhaps，nomorethanavenialweaknessinAvicetheSecond。Herdaughter’sobjectiontoJocelynshecouldneverunderstand。Toherowneyehewasnoolderthanwhenhehadproposedtoher。
　　AshesatdarklingheretheghostlyoutlinesofformershapestakenbyhisLovecameroundtheirsistertheunconsciouscorpse，confrontinghimfromthewallinsadarray，likethepicturedTrojanwomenbeheldbyAEneasonthewallsofCarthage。Manyofthemhehadidealizedinbustandinfigurefromtimetotime，butitwasnotassuchthatherememberedandreanimatedthemnow；ratherwasitinalltheirnaturalcircumstances，weaknesses，andstains。Andthenashecametohimselftheirvoicesgrewfainter；theyhadallgoneoffontheirdifferentcareers，andhewasleftherealone。
　　Theprobableridiculethatwouldresulttohimfromtheeventsofthedayhedidnotmindinitselfatall。Buthewouldfainhaveremovedthemisapprehensionsonwhichitwouldbebased。That，however，wasimpossible。Nobodywouldeverknowthetruthabouthim；whatitwashehadsoughtthathadsoeluded，tantalized，andescapedhim；whatitwasthathadledhimsuchadance，andhadatlast，ashebelievedjustnowinthefreshnessofhisloss，beendiscoveredinthegirlwhohadlefthim。Itwasnottheflesh；hehadneverkneltlowtothat。Notawomanintheworldhadbeenwreckedbyhim，thoughhehadbeenimpassionedbysomany。Nobodywouldguessthefurthersentiment——thecordialloving-kindness——whichhadlainbehindwhathadseemedtohimtheenrapturedfulfilmentofapleasingdestinypostponedforfortyyears。HisattractiontothethirdAvicewouldberegardedbytheworldastheselfishdesignsofanelderlymanonamaid。
　　Hislifeseemednolongeraprofessionalman’sexperience，butaghoststory；andhewouldfainhavevanishedfromhishauntsonthiscriticalafternoon，astheresthaddone。Hedesiredtosleepawayhistendencies，tomakesomethinghappenwhichwouldputanendtohisbondagetobeautyintheideal。
　　Sohesatontillitwasquitedark，andalightwasbrought。Therewasachillywindblowingoutside，andthelightshiponthequicksandafarlookedharassedandforlorn。Thehaggardsolitudewasbrokenbyaringatthedoor。
　　Pierstonheardavoicebelow，theaccentsofawoman。Theyhadagroundqualityoffamiliarity，asuperficialarticulationofstrangeness。Onlyonepersoninallhisexperiencehadeverpossessedpreciselythosetones；rich，asiftheyhadoncebeenpowerful。
　　Explanationsseemedtobeaskedforandgiven，andinaminutehewasinformedthataladywasdownstairswhomperhapshewouldliketosee。
　　’Whoisthelady？’Jocelynasked。
　　Theservanthesitatedalittle。’Mrs。Leverre——themotherofthe——
　　younggentlemanMissAvicehasrunoffwith。’
　　’Yes——I’llseeher，’saidPierston。
　　HecoveredthefaceofthedeadAvice，anddescended。’Leverre，’hesaidtohimself。Hisearshadknownthatnamebeforeto-day。ItwasthenamethosetravellingAmericanshehadmetinRomegavethewomanhesupposedmightbeMarciaBencomb。
　　Asuddenadjustinglightburstuponmanyfamiliarthingsatthatmoment。Hefoundthevisitorinthedrawing-room，standingupveiled，thecarriagewhichhadbroughtherbeinginwaitingatthedoor。Bythedimlighthecouldseenothingofherfeaturesinsuchcircumstances。
　　’Mr。Pierston？’
　　’IamMr。Pierston。’
　　’YourepresentthelateMrs。Pierston？’
　　’Ido——thoughIamnotoneofthefamily。’
　　’Iknowit……IamMarcia——afterfortyyears。’
　　’Iwasdiviningasmuch，Marcia。Maythelineshavefallentoyouinpleasantplacessincewelastmet！But，ofallmomentsofmylife，whydoyouchoosetohuntmeupnow？’
　　’Why——Iamthestep-motherandonlyrelationoftheyoungmanyourbrideelopedwiththismorning。’
　　’Iwasjustguessingthat，too，asIcamedownstairs。But——’
　　’AndIamnaturallymakinginquiries。’
　　’Yes。Letustakeitquietly，andshutthedoor。’
　　Marciasatdown。Andhelearntthattheconjunctionofoldthingsandnewwasnoaccident。WhatMrs。Pierstonhaddiscussedwithhernurseandneighbourasvagueintelligence，wasnowrevealedtoJocelynatfirsthandbyMarciaherself；how，manyyearsaftertheirseparation，andwhenshewasleftpoorbythedeathofherimpoverishedfather，shehadbecomethewifeofthatbygoneJerseyloverofhers，whowantedatendernurseandmotherfortheinfantlefthimbyhisfirstwiferecentlydeceased；howhehaddiedafewyearslater，leavingherwiththeboy，whomshehadbroughtupatSt。HeliersandinParis，educatinghimaswellasshecouldwithherlimitedmeans，tillhebecametheFrenchmasterataschoolinSandbourne；andhow，ayearago，sheandhersonhadgottoknowMrs。Pierstonandherdaughterontheirvisittotheisland，’toascertain，’sheadded，moredeliberately，’notentirelyforsentimentalreasons，whathadbecomeofthemanwithwhomIelopedinthefirstflushofmyyoungwomanhood，andonlymissedmarryingbymyownwill。’
　　Pierstonbowed。
　　’Well，thatwashowtheacquaintancebetweenthechildrenbegan，andtheirpassionateattachmenttoeachother。’ShedetailedhowAvicehadinducedhermothertolethertakelessonsinFrenchofyoungLeverre，renderingtheirmeetingseasy。Marciahadneverthoughtofhinderingtheirintimacy，forinherrecentyearsofafflictionshehadacquiredanewinterestinthenameshehadrefusedtotakeinherpurse-proudyoungwomanhood；anditwasnotuntilsheknewhowdeterminedMrs。
　　PierstonwastomakeherdaughterJocelyn’swifethatshehadobjectedtoherson’sacquaintancewithAvice。Butitwastoolatetohinderwhathadbeenbegun。Hehadlatelybeenill，andshehadbeenfrightenedbyhisnotreturninghomethenightbefore。ThenoteshehadreceivedfromhimthatdayhadonlyinformedherthatAviceandhimselfhadgonetobemarriedimmediately——whithershedidnotknow。
　　’Whatdoyoumeantodo？’sheasked。
　　’Idonothing：thereisnothingtobedone……ItishowIservedhergrandmother——oneofTime’srevenges。’
　　’Servedhersoforme。’
　　’Yes。Nowshemeforyourson。’
　　Marciapausedalongwhilethinkingthatover，tillarousingherselfsheresumed：’Butcan’tweinquirewhichwaytheywentoutoftheisland，orgathersomeparticularsaboutthem？’
　　’Aye——yes。Wewill。’
　　AndPierstonfoundhimselfasinadreamwalkingbesideMarciaalongtheroadintheircommonquest。Hediscoveredthatalmosteveryoneoftheneighbouringinhabitantsknewmoreabouttheloversthanhedidhimself。
　　Atthecornersomemenwereengagedinconversationontheoccurrence。
　　Itwasallusiveonly，butknowingthedialect，PierstonandMarciagathereditsimporteasily。Assoonasithadgotlightthatmorningoneoftheboatswasdiscoveredmissingfromthecreekbelow，andwhentheflightoftheloverswasmadeknownitwasinferredthattheyweretheculprits。
　　UnconsciouslyPierstonturnedinthedirectionofthecreek，withoutregardingwhetherMarciafollowedhim，andthoughitwasdarkerthanwhenAviceandLeverrehaddescendedinthemorninghepursuedhiswaydowntheinclinetillhereachedthewater-side。
　　’Isthatyou，Jocelyn？’
　　TheinquirycamefromMarcia。Shewasbehindhim，abouthalf-waydown。
　　’Yes，’hesaid，noticingthatitwasthefirsttimeshehadcalledhimbyhisChristianname。
　　’Ican’tseewhereyouare，andIamafraidtofollow。’
　　Afraidtofollow。Howstrangelythatalteredhisconceptionofher。
　　Tillthismomentshehadstoodinhismindastheimperious，invincibleMarciaofold。Therewasastrangepathosinthisrevelation。Hewentbackandfeltforherhand。’I’llleadyoudown，’hesaid。Andhedidso。
　　Theylookedoutuponthesea，andthelightshipshiningasifithadquiteforgottenallaboutthefugitives。’Iamsouneasy，’saidMarcia。’Doyouthinktheygotsafelytoland？’
　　’Yes，’repliedsomeoneotherthanJocelyn。Itwasaboatmansmokingintheshadowoftheboathouse。Heinformedherthattheywerepickedupbythelightshipmen，andafterwards，attheirrequest，takenacrosstotheoppositeshore，wheretheylanded，proceedingthenceonfoottothenearestrailwaystationandenteringthetrainforLondon。Thisintelligencehadreachedtheislandaboutanhourbefore。
　　’They’llbemarriedto-morrowmorning！’saidMarcia。
　　’Somuchthebetter。Don’tregretit，Marcia。Heshallnotlosebyit。Ihavenorelationintheworldexceptsometwentiethcousinsintheisle，ofwhomherfatherwasone，andI’lltakestepsatoncetomakeheragoodmatchforhim。Asforme……Ihavelivedadaytoolong。’
　　3。VIII。’ALASFORTHISGREYSHADOW，ONCEAMAN！’
　　InthemonthofNovemberwhichfollowedPierstonwaslyingdangerouslyillofafeverathishouseinLondon。
　　ThefuneralofthesecondAvicehadhappenedtobeononeofthosedrenchingafternoonsoftheautumn，whentherawrainflieslevelasthemissilesoftheancientinhabitantsacrossthebeakedpromontorywhichhasformedthesceneofthisnarrative，scarcelyalightingexceptagainsttheuprightsidesofthingssturdyenoughtostanderect。Onepersononlyfollowedthecorpseintothechurchaschiefmourner，JocelynPierston——fickleloverinthebrief，faithfulfriendinthelongrun。NomeanshadbeenfoundofcommunicatingwithAvicebeforetheinterment，thoughthedeathhadbeenadvertisedinthelocalandotherpapersinthehopethatitmightcatchhereye。
　　So，whenthepatheticprocessioncameoutofthechurchandmovedroundintothegraveyard，ahiredvehiclefromBudmouthwasseencomingatgreatspeedalongtheopenroadfromTop-o’-Hill。Itstoppedatthechurchyardgate，andayoungmanandwomanalightedandentered，thevehiclewaiting。TheyglidedalongthepathandreachedPierston’ssidejustasthebodywasdepositedbythegrave。
　　Hedidnotturnhishead。HeknewitwasAvice，withHenriLeverre——bythistime，hesupposed，herhusband。Herremorsefulgrief，thoughsilent，seemedtoimpregnatetheatmospherewithitsheaviness。
　　PerceivingthattheyhadnotexpectedhimtobetherePierstonedgedback；andwhentheservicewasoverhekeptstillfurtheraloof，anactofconsideratenesswhichsheseemedtoappreciate。
　　Thus，byhisowncontrivance，neitherAvicenortheyoungmanheldcommunicationwithJocelynbywordorbysign。Aftertheburialtheyreturnedastheyhadcome。
　　ItwassupposedthathisexposurethatdayinthebleakestchurchyardinWessex，tellinguponadistractedmentalandbodilycondition，hadthrownPierstonintothechillandfeverwhichheldhimswayingforweeksbetweenlifeanddeathshortlyafterhisreturntotown。Whenhehadpassedthecrisis，andbegantoknowagainthattherewassuchastateasmentalequilibriumandphysicalcalm，heheardawhisperedconversationgoingonaroundhim，andthetouchoffootstepsonthecarpet。Thelightinthechamberwassosubduedthatnothingaroundhimcouldbeseenwithanydistinctness。Twolivingfigureswerepresent，anursemovingaboutsoftly，andavisitor。Hediscernedthatthelatterwasfeminine，andforthetimethiswasall。
　　Hewasrecalledtohissurroundingsbyavoicemurmuringtheinquiry：
　　’Doesthelighttryyoureyes？’
　　Thetonesseemedfamiliar：theywerespokenbythewomanwhowasvisitinghim。HerecollectedthemtobeMarcia’s，andeverythingthathadhappenedbeforehefellillcamebacktohismind。
　　’Areyouhelpingtonurseme，Marcia？’heasked。
　　’Yes。Ihavecomeuptostayheretillyouarebetter，asyouseemtohavenootherwomanfriendwhocareswhetheryouaredeadoralive。I
　　amlivingquitenear。Iamgladyouhavegotroundthecorner。Wehavebeenveryanxious。’
　　’Howgoodyouare！……And——haveyouheardoftheothers？’
　　’Theyaremarried。Theyhavebeenheretoseeyou，andareverysorry。
　　Shesatbyyou，butyoudidnotknowher。Shewasbrokendownwhenshediscoveredhermother’sdeath，whichhadneveronceoccurredtoherasbeingimminent。Theyhavegoneawayagain。Ithoughtitbestsheshouldleave，nowthatyouareoutofdanger。NowyoumustbequiettillIcomeandtalkagain。’
　　Pierstonwasconsciousofasingularchangeinhimself，whichhadbeenrevealedbythisslightdiscourse。Hewasnolongerthesamemanthathehadhithertobeen。Themalignantfever，orhisexperiences，orboth，hadtakenawaysomethingfromhim，andputsomethingelseinitsplace。
　　Duringthenextdays，withfurtherintellectualexpansion，hebecameclearlyawareofwhatthiswas。Theartisticsensehadlefthim，andhecouldnolongerattachadefinitesentimenttoimagesofbeautyrecalledfromthepast。Hisappreciativenesswascapableofexercisingitselfonlyonutilitarianmatters，andrecollectionofAvice’sgoodqualitiesalonehadanyeffectonhismind；ofherappearancenoneatall。
　　Atfirsthewasappalled；andthenhesaid，’ThankGod！’
　　Marcia，who，withsomethingofheroldabsolutism，cametohishousecontinuallytoinquireandgiveorders，andtohisroomtoseehimeveryafternoon，foundoutforherselfinthecourseofhisconvalescencethisstrangedeathofthesensuoussideofJocelyn’snature。ShehadsaidthatAvicewasgettingextraordinarilyhandsome，andthatshedidnotwonderherstepsonlosthishearttoher——aninadvertentremarkwhichsheimmediatelyregretted，infearlestitshouldagitatehim。Hemerelyanswered，however，’Yes；Isupposesheishandsome。She’smore——awisegirlwhowillmakeagoodhousewifeintime……Iwishyouwerenothandsome，Marcia。’
　　’Why？’
　　’Idon’tquiteknowwhy。Well——itseemsastupidqualitytome。I
　　can’tunderstandwhatitisgoodforanymore。’
　　’O——Iasawomanthinkthere’sgoodinit。’
　　’Isthere？ThenIhavelostallconceptionofit。Idon’tknowwhathashappenedtome。IonlyknowIdon’tregretit。RobinsonCrusoelostadayinhisillness：Ihavelostafaculty，forwhichlossHeavenbepraised！’
　　Therewassomethingpatheticinthisannouncement，andMarciasighedasshesaid，’Perhapswhenyougetstrongitwillcomebacktoyou。’
　　Pierstonshookhishead。ItthenoccurredtohimthatneversincethereappearanceofMarciahadheseenherinfulldaylight，orwithoutabonnetandthickveil，whichshealwaysretainedonthesefrequentvisits，andthathehadbeenunconsciouslyregardingherastheMarciaoftheirearlytime，afancywhichthesmallchangeinhervoicewellsustained。Thestatelyfigure，thegoodcolour，theclassicalprofile，theratherlargehandsomenoseandsomewhatprominent，regularteeth，thefulldarkeye，formedstilltheMarciaofhisimagination；thequeenlycreaturewhohadinfatuatedhimwhenthefirstAvicewasdespisedandhersuccessorsunknown。Itwasthisoldideawhich，inhisrevoltfrombeauty，hadledtohisregretatherassumedhandsomeness。Hebeganwonderingnowhowmuchremainedofthatpresentationafterfortyyears。
　　’Whydon’tyoueverletmeseeyou，Marcia？’heasked。
　　’O，Idon’tknow。Youmeanwithoutmybonnet？Youhaveneveraskedmeto，andIamobligedtowrapupmyfacewiththiswoolveilbecauseI
　　suffersofromachesinthesecoldwinterwinds，thoughathickveilisawkwardforanyonewhosesightisnotsogoodasitwas。’
　　TheimpregnableMarcia’ssightnotsogoodasitwas，andherfaceintheachingstageoflife：thesesimplethingscameassermonstoJocelyn。
　　’ButcertainlyIwillgratifyyourcuriosity，’sheresumedgood-
　　naturedly。’Itisreallyacomplimentthatyoushouldstilltakethatsortofinterestinme。’
　　Shehadmovedroundfromthedarksideoftheroomtothelamp——forthedaylighthadgone——andshenowsuddenlytookoffthebonnet，veilandall。Shestoodrevealedtohiseyesasremarkablygood-looking，consideringthelapseofyears。
　　’Iam——vexed！’hesaid，turninghisheadasideimpatiently。’Youarefairandfive-and-thirty——notadaymore。Youstillsuggestbeauty。
　　YOUwon’tdoasachastisement，Marcia！’
　　’Ah，butImay！Tothinkthatyouknowwomannobetterafterallthistime！’
　　’How？’
　　’Tobesoeasilydeceived。Think：itislamplight；andyoursightisweakatpresent；and……Well，Ihavenoreasonforbeinganythingbutcandidnow，Godknows！SoIwilltellyou……Myhusbandwasyoungerthanmyself；andhehadanabsurdwishtomakepeoplethinkhehadmarriedayoungandfresh-lookingwoman。TofallinwithhisvanityItriedtolookit。WewereofteninParis，andIbecameasskilledinbeautifyingartificesasanypasseewifeoftheFaubourgSt。
　　Germain。SincehisdeathIhavekeptupthepractice，partlybecausetheviceisalmostineradicable，andpartlybecauseIfoundthatithelpedmewithmeninbringinguphisboyonsmallmeans。AtthismomentIamfrightfullymadeup。ButIcancurethat。I’llcomeinto-morrowmorning，ifitisbright，justasIreallyam；you’llfindthatTimehasnotdisappointedyou。RememberIamasoldasyourself；
　　andIlookit。’
　　Themorrowcame，andwithitMarcia，quiteearly，asshehadpromised。
　　Ithappenedtobesunny，andshuttingthebedroomdoorshewentroundtothewindow，wheresheuncoveredimmediately，inhisfullview，andsaid，’SeeifIamsatisfactorynow——toyouwhothinkbeautyvain。Therestofme——anditisagooddeal——liesonmydressing-tableathome。
　　Ishallneverputitonagain——never！’
　　Butshewasawoman；andherlipsquivered，andtherewasatearinhereye，assheexposedtheruthlesstreatmenttowhichshehadsubjectedherself。Thecruelmorningrays——aswithJocelynunderAvice’sscrutiny——showedintheirfullbareness，unenrichedbyaddition，undisguisedbytheartsofcolourandshade，thethinremainsofwhathadoncebeenMarcia’smajesticbloom。ShestoodtheimageandsuperscriptionofAge——anoldwoman，paleandshrivelled，herforeheadploughed，hercheekhollow，herhairwhiteassnow。Tothisthefaceheoncekissedhadbeenbroughtbytheraspings，chisellings，scourgings，bakings，freezingsoffortyinvidiousyears——bythethinkingsofmorethanhalfalifetime。
　　’IamsorryifIshockyou，’shewentonhuskilybutfirmly，ashedidnotspeak。’Butthemothfretsthegarmentsomewhatinsuchaninterval。’
　　’Yes——yes！……Marcia，youareabravewoman。Youhavethecourageofthegreatwomenofhistory。Icannolongerlove；butIadmireyoufrommysoul！’
　　’Don’tsayIamgreat。SayIhavebeguntobepassablyhonest。Itismorethanenough。’
　　’Well——I’llsaynothingthen，morethanhowwonderfulitisthatawomanshouldhavebeenabletoputbacktheclockofTimethirtyyears！’
　　’Itshamesmenow，Jocelyn。Ishallneverdoitanymore！’
　　***
　　Assoonashewasstrongenoughhegothertotakehimroundtohisstudioinacarriage。Theplacehadbeenkeptaired，buttheshutterswereshut，andtheyopenedthemthemselves。Helookedrounduponthefamiliarobjects——somecompleteandmatured，themainofthemseedlings，grafts，andscionsofbeauty，waitingforamindtogrowtoperfectionin。
　　’No——Idon’tlikethem！’hesaid，turningaway。’Theyareasuglinesstome！Idon’tfeelasingletouchofkinwithorinterestinanyoneofthemwhatever。’
　　’Jocelyn——thisissad。’
　　’No——notatall。’Hewentagaintowardsthedoor。’Nowletmelookround。’Helookedback，Marciaremainingsilent。’TheAphrodites——howIinsultedherfairformbythosefailures！——theFreyjas，theNymphsandFauns，Eves，Avices，andotherinnumerableWell-Beloveds——Iwanttoseethemneveranymore！……"Insteadofsweetsmellthereshallbestink，andthereshallbeburninginsteadofbeauty，"saidtheprophet。’
　　Andtheycameaway。OnanotherafternoontheywenttotheNationalGallery，totesthistasteinpaintings，whichhadformerlybeengood。
　　Asshehadexpected，itwasjustthesamewithhimthere。Hesawnomoretomovehim，hedeclared，inthetime-defyingpresentationsofPerugino，Titian，Sebastiano，andotherstatuesquecreatorsthanintheworkofthepavementartisttheyhadpassedontheirway。
　　’Itisstrange！’saidshe。
　　’Idon’tregretit。Thatfeverhaskilledafacultywhichhas，afterall，broughtmemygreatestsorrows，ifafewlittlepleasures。Letusbegone。’
　　Hewasnowsowelladvancedinconvalescencethatitwasdeemedamostdesirablethingtotakehimdownintohisnativeair。Marciaagreedtoaccompanyhim。’Idon’tseewhyIshouldn’t，’saidshe。’Anoldfriendlesswomanlikeme，andyouanoldfriendlessman。’
　　’Yes。ThankHeavenIamoldatlast。Thecurseisremoved。’
　　ItmaybeshortlystatedherethatafterhisdeparturefortheislePierstonneveragainsawhisstudiooritscontents。Hehadbeendowntherebutabriefwhilewhen，findinghissenseofbeautyinartandnatureabsolutelyextinct，hedirectedhisagentintowntodispersethewholecollection；whichwasdone。Hisleaseofthebuildingwassold，andinthecourseoftimeanothersculptorwonadmirationtherefromthosewhoknewnotJoseph。ThenextyearhisnamefiguredontheretiredlistofAcademicians。
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　　Astimewentonhegrewaswellasoneofhisagecouldexpecttobeaftersuchablastingillness，butremainedontheisle，intheonlyhousehenowpossessed，acomparativelysmalloneatthetopoftheStreetofWells。AgrowingsenseoffriendshipwhichitwouldbefoolishtointerruptledhimtotakeasomewhatsimilarhouseforMarciaquitenear，andremoveherfurniturethitherfromSandbourne。
　　WhenevertheafternoonwasfinehewouldcallforherandtheywouldtakeastrolltogethertowardstheBeal，ortheancientCastle，seldomgoingthewholeway，hissciaticaandherrheumatismeffectuallypreventingthem，exceptinthedriestatmospheres。Hehadnowchangedhisstyleofdressentirely，appearingalwaysinahomelysuitoflocalmake，andofthefashionofthirtyyearsbefore，theachievementofatailoressatEastQuarriers。Healsolethisiron-greybeardgrowasitwould，andwhatlittlehairhehadleftfromthebaldnesswhichhadfollowedthefever。Andthus，numberinginyearsbuttwo-and-sixty，hemighthavepassedforseventy-five。
　　Thoughtheirearlyadventureaslovershadhappenedsolongago，itshistoryhadbecomeknownintheislewithmysteriousrapidityandfulnessofdetail。Thegossiptowhichitsbearingontheirpresentfriendshipgaverisewasthesubjectoftheirconversationononeofthesewalksalongthecliffs。
　　’Itisextraordinarywhataninterestourneighbourstakeinouraffairs，’heobserved。’Theysay"thoseoldfolkoughttomarry；
　　betterlatethannever。"That’showpeopleare——wantingtoroundoffotherpeople’shistoriesinthebestmachine-madeconventionalmanner。’
　　’Yes。Theykeeponaboutittome，too，indirectly。’
　　’Dothey！Ibelieveadeputationwillwaituponussomemorning，requestingintheinterestsofmatchmakingthatwewillpleasetogetmarriedassoonaspossible……Hownearweweretodoingitfortyyearsago，onlyyouweresoindependent！Ithoughtyouwouldhavecomebackandwasmuchsurprisedthatyoudidn’t。’
　　’Myindependentideaswerenotblameworthyinme，asanislander，thoughasakimberlinyoungladyperhapstheywouldhavebeen。Therewassimplynoreasonfromanislander’spointofviewwhyIshouldcomeback，sincenoresultthreatenedfromourunion；andIdidn’t。Myfatherkeptthatviewbeforeme，andIbowedtohisjudgment。’
　　’Andsotheislandruledourdestinies，thoughwewerenotonit。Yes——
　　weareinhandsnotourown……Didyouevertellyourhusband？’
　　’No。’
　　’Didheeverhearanything？’
　　’NotthatIamaware。’
　　Callinguponheroneday，hefoundherinastateofgreatdiscomfort。
　　Incertaingustywindsthechimneysofthelittlehouseshehadtakenheresmokedintolerably，andoneofthesewindswasblowingthen。Herdrawing-roomfirecouldnotbekeptburning，andratherthanletawomanwhosufferedfromrheumatismshiverfirelessheaskedhertocomeroundandlunchwithhimasshehadoftendonebefore。Astheywenthethought，notforthefirsttime，howneedlessitwasthatsheshouldbeputtothisinconveniencebytheiroccupyingtwohouses，whenonewouldbettersuittheirnowconstantcompanionship，anddisembarrassheroftheobjectionablechimneys。Moreover，bymarryingMarcia，andestablishingaparentalrelationwiththeyoungpeople，theratherdelicatebusinessofhismakingthemaregularallowancewouldbecomeanaturalproceeding。
　　Andsothezealouswishesoftheneighbourstogiveageometricalshapetotheirstorywerefulfilledalmostinspiteofthechiefpartiesthemselves。Whenheputthequestiontoherdistinctly，Marciaadmittedthatshehadalwaysregrettedtheimperiousdecisionofheryouth；andshemadenoadoaboutacceptinghim。
　　’Ihavenolovetogive，youknow，Marcia，’hesaid。’ButsuchfriendshipasIamcapableofisyourstilltheend。’
　　’Itisnearlythesamewithme——perhapsnotquite。But，liketheotherpeople，Ihavesomehowfelt，andyouwillunderstandwhy，thatIoughttobeyourwifebeforeIdie。’
　　Itchancedthatadayortwobeforetheceremony，whichwasfixedtotakeplaceveryshortlyaftertheforegoingconversation，Marcia’srheumatismsuddenlybecameacute。Theattackpromised，however，tobeonlytemporary，owingtosomeaccidentalexposureofherselfinmakingpreparationsforremoval，andastheythoughtitundesirabletopostponetheirunionforsuchareason，Marcia，afterbeingwellwrappedup，waswheeledintothechurchinachair。
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　　Amonththereafter，whentheyweresittingatbreakfastonemorning，Marciaexclaimed’Well——goodheavens！’whilereadingalettershehadjustreceivedfromAvice，whowaslivingwithherhusbandinahousePierstonhadboughtforthematSandbourne。
　　Jocelynlookedup。
　　’Why——AvicesaysshewantstobeseparatedfromHenri！Didyoueverhearofsuchathing！She’scominghereaboutitto-day。’
　　’Separated？Whatdoesthechildmean！’Pierstonreadtheletter。
　　’Ridiculousnonsense！’hecontinued。’Shedoesn’tknowwhatshewants。
　　Isayshesha’n’tbeseparated！Tellherso，andthere’sanendofit。
　　Why——howlonghavetheybeenmarried？Nottwelvemonths。Whatwillshesaywhentheyhavebeenmarriedtwentyyears！’
　　Marciaremainedreflecting。’Ithinkthatremorsefulfeelingsheunluckilyhasattimes，ofhavingdisobeyedhermother，andcausedherdeath，makesherirritable，’shemurmured。’Poorchild！’
　　Lunch-timehadhardlycomewhenAvicearrived，lookingverytearfulandexcited。Marciatookherintoaninnerroom，hadaconversationwithher，andtheycameouttogether。
　　’Oit’snothing，’saidMarcia。’Itellhershemustgobackdirectlyshehashadsomeluncheon。’
　　’Ah，that’sallverywell！’sobbedAvice。’B-b-butifyouhadbeenm-
　　marriedsolongasIhave，y-youwouldn’tsaygobacklikethat！’
　　’Whatisitallabout？’inquiredPierston。
　　’HesaidthatifheweretodieI——I——shouldbelookingoutforsomebodywithfairhairandgreyeyes，just——justtospitehiminhisgrave，becausehe’sdark，andhe’squitesureIdon’tlikedarkpeople！
　　Andthenhesaid——ButIwon’tbesotreacherousastotellanymoreabouthim！Iwish——’
　　’Avice，yourmotherdidthisverything。Andshewentbacktoherhusband。Nowyouaretodothesame。Letmesee；thereisatrain——’
　　’Shemusthavesomethingtoeatfirst。Sitdown，dear。’
　　ThequestionwassettledbythearrivalofHenrihimselfattheendofluncheon，withaveryanxiousandpaleface。Pierstonwentofftoabusinessmeeting，andlefttheyoungcoupletoadjusttheirdifferencesintheirownway。
　　Hisbusinesswas，amongkindredundertakingswhichfollowedtheextinctionoftheWell-Belovedandotherideals，toadvanceaschemefortheclosingoftheoldnaturalfountainsintheStreetofWells，becauseoftheirpossiblecontamination，andsupplyingthetownletwithwaterfrompipes，aschemethatwascarriedoutathisexpense，asiswellknown。Hewasalsoengagedinacquiringsomeoldmoss-grown，mullionedElizabethancottages，forthepurposeofpullingthemdownbecausetheyweredamp；whichheafterwardsdid，andbuiltnewoneswithhollowwalls，andfullofventilators。
　　Atpresentheissometimesmentionedas’thelateMr。Pierston’bygourd-likeyoungart-criticsandjournalists；andhisproductionsarealludedtoasthoseofamannotwithoutgenius，whosepowerswereinsufficientlyrecognizedinhislifetime。