MIRIAM，HILDA，KENYON，DONATELLO
Fourindividuals，inwhosefortunesweshouldbegladtointerestthereader，happenedtobestandinginoneofthesaloonsofthesculpture-galleryintheCapitolatRome。Itwasthatroomthefirst，afterascendingthestaircaseinthecentreofwhichreclinesthenobleandmostpatheticfigureoftheDyingGladiator，justsinkingintohisdeath-swoon。AroundthewallsstandtheAntinous，theAmazon，theLycianApollo，theJuno；allfamousproductionsofantiquesculpture，andstillshiningintheundiminishedmajestyandbeautyoftheirideallife，althoughthemarblethatembodiesthemisyellowwithtime，andperhapscorrodedbythedampearthinwhichtheylayburiedforcenturies。Here，likewise，isseenasymbolasaptatthismomentasitwastwothousandyearsagooftheHumanSoul，withitschoiceofInnocenceorEvilcloseathand，intheprettyfigureofachild，claspingadovetoherbosom，butassaultedbyasnake。
Fromoneofthewindowsofthissaloon，wemayseeaflightofbroadstonesteps，descendingalongsidetheantiqueandmassivefoundationoftheCapitol，towardsthebatteredtriumphalarchofSeptimiusSeverus，rightbelow。Fartheron，theeyeskirtsalongtheedgeofthedesolateForumwhereRomanwasherwomenhangouttheirlinentothesun，passingoverashapelessconfusionofmodernedifices，piledrudelyupwithancientbrickandstone，andoverthedomesofChristianchurches，builtontheoldpavementsofheathentemples，andsupportedbytheverypillarsthatonceupheldthem。Atadistancebeyond——yetbutalittleway，consideringhowmuchhistoryisheapedintotheinterveningspace——risesthegreatsweepoftheColiseum，withtheblueskybrighteningthroughitsuppertierofarches。Faroff，theviewisshutinbytheAlbanMountains，lookingjustthesame，amidallthisdecayandchange，aswhenRomulusgazedthitherwardoverhishalffinishedwall。
Weglancehastilyatthesethings，——atthisbrightsky，andthosebluedistantmountains，andattheruins，Etruscan，Roman，Christian，venerablewithathreefoldantiquity，andatthecompanyofworld-famousstatuesinthesaloon，——inthehopeofputtingthereaderintothatstateoffeelingwhichisexperiencedoftenestatRome。Itisavaguesenseofponderousremembrances；aperceptionofsuchweightanddensityinabygonelife，ofwhichthisspotwasthecentre，thatthepresentmomentispresseddownorcrowdedout，andourindividualaffairsandinterestsarebuthalfasrealhereaselsewhere。Viewedthroughthismedium，ournarrative——intowhicharewovensomeairyandunsubstantialthreads，intermixedwithothers，twistedoutofthecommoneststuffofhumanexistence——mayseemnotwidelydifferentfromthetextureofallourlives。
SidebysidewiththemassivenessoftheRomanPast，allmattersthatwehandleordreamofnowadayslookevanescentandvisionaryalike。
Itmightbethatthefourpersonswhomweareseekingtointroducewereconsciousofthisdreamycharacterofthepresent，ascomparedwiththesquareblocksofgranitewherewiththeRomansbuilttheirlives。Perhapsitevencontributedtothefancifulmerrimentwhichwasjustnowtheirmood。Whenwefindourselvesfadingintoshadowsandunrealities，itseemshardlyworthwhiletobesad，butrathertolaughasgaylyaswemay，andasklittlereasonwherefore。
Ofthesefourfriendsofours，threewereartists，orconnectedwithart；
and，atthismoment，theyhadbeensimultaneouslystruckbyaresemblancebetweenoneoftheantiquestatues，awell-knownmasterpieceofGreciansculpture，andayoungItalian，thefourthmemberoftheirparty。
\"Youmustneedsconfess，Kenyon，\"saidadark-eyedyoungwoman，whomherfriendscalledMiriam，\"thatyouneverchiselledoutofmarble，norwroughtinclay，amorevividlikenessthanthis，cunningabust-makerasyouthinkyourself。Theportraitureisperfectincharacter，sentiment，andfeature。Ifitwereapicture，theresemblancemightbehalfillusiveandimaginary；buthere，inthisPentelicmarble，itisasubstantialfact，andmaybetestedbyabsolutetouchandmeasurement。OurfriendDonatelloistheveryFaunofPraxiteles。Isitnottrue，Hilda？\"
\"Notquite——almost——yes，Ireallythinkso，\"repliedHilda，aslender，brown-haired，NewEnglandgirl，whoseperceptionsofformandexpressionwerewonderfullyclearanddelicate。\"Ifthereisanydifferencebetweenthetwofaces，thereasonmaybe，Isuppose，thattheFaundweltinwoodsandfields，andconsortedwithhislike；whereasDonatellohasknowncitiesalittle，andsuchpeopleasourselves。Buttheresemblanceisveryclose，andverystrange。\"
\"Notsostrange，\"whisperedMiriammischievously；\"fornoFauninArcadiawaseveragreatersimpletonthanDonatello。Hehashardlyaman\'sshareofwit，smallasthatmaybe。Itisapitytherearenolongeranyofthiscongenialraceofrusticcreaturesforourfriendtoconsortwith！\"
\"Hush，naughtyone！\"returnedHilda。\"Youareveryungrateful，foryouwellknowhehaswitenoughtoworshipyou，atallevents。\"
\"Thenthegreaterfoolhe！\"saidMiriamsobitterlythatHilda\'squieteyesweresomewhatstartled。
\"Donatello，mydearfriend，\"saidKenyon，inItalian，\"praygratifyusallbytakingtheexactattitudeofthisstatue。\"
Theyoungmanlaughed，andthrewhimselfintothepositioninwhichthestatuehasbeenstandingfortwoorthreethousandyears。Intruth，allowingforthedifferenceofcostume，andifalion\'sskincouldhavebeensubstitutedforhismoderntalma，andarusticpipeforhisstick，DonatellomighthavefiguredperfectlyasthemarbleFaun，miraculouslysoftenedintofleshandblood。
\"Yes；theresemblanceiswonderful，\"observedKenyon，afterexaminingthemarbleandthemanwiththeaccuracyofasculptor\'seye。\"Thereisonepoint，however，or，rather，twopoints，inrespecttowhichourfriendDonatello\'sabundantcurlswillnotpermitustosaywhetherthelikenessiscarriedintominutedetail。\"
Andthesculptordirectedtheattentionofthepartytotheearsofthebeautifulstatuewhichtheywerecontemplating。
Butwemustdomorethanmerelyrefertothisexquisiteworkofart；itmustbedescribed，howeverinadequatemaybetheefforttoexpressitsmagicpeculiarityinwords。
TheFaunisthemarbleimageofayoungman，leaninghisrightarmonthetrunkorstumpofatree；onehandhangscarelesslybyhisside；intheotherheholdsthefragmentofapipe，orsomesuchsylvaninstrumentofmusic。Hisonlygarment——alion\'sskin，withtheclawsuponhisshoulder——fallshalfwaydownhisback，leavingthelimbsandentirefrontofthefigurenude。Theform，thusdisplayed，ismarvellouslygraceful，buthasafullerandmoreroundedoutline，moreflesh，andlessofheroicmuscle，thantheoldsculptorswerewonttoassigntotheirtypesofmasculinebeauty。Thecharacterofthefacecorrespondswiththefigure；
itismostagreeableinoutlineandfeature，butroundedandsomewhatvoluptuouslydeveloped，especiallyaboutthethroatandchin；thenoseisalmoststraight，butveryslightlycurvesinward，therebyacquiringanindescribablecharmofgenialityandhumor。Themouth，withitsfullyetdelicatelips，seemssonearlytosmileoutright，thatitcallsfortharesponsivesmile。Thewholestatue——unlikeanythingelsethateverwaswroughtinthatseverematerialofmarble——conveystheideaofanamiableandsensualcreature，easy，mirthful，aptforjollity，yetnotincapableofbeingtouchedbypathos。Itisimpossibletogazelongatthisstoneimagewithoutconceivingakindlysentimenttowardsit，asifitssubstancewerewarmtothetouch，andimbuedwithactuallife。Itcomesveryclosetosomeofourpleasantestsympathies。
Perhapsitistheverylackofmoralseverity，ofanyhighandheroicingredientinthecharacteroftheFaun，thatmakesitsodelightfulanobjecttothehumaneyeandtothefrailtyofthehumanheart。Thebeinghererepresentedisendowedwithnoprincipleofvirtue，andwouldbeincapableofcomprehendingsuch；buthewouldbetrueandhonestbydintofhissimplicity。Weshouldexpectfromhimnosacrificeoreffortforanabstractcause；thereisnotanatomofmartyr\'sstuffinallthatsoftenedmarble；buthehasacapacityforstrongandwarmattachment，andmightactdevotedlythroughitsimpulse，andevendieforitatneed。Itispossible，too，thattheFaunmightbeeducatedthroughthemediumofhisemotions，sothatthecoarseranimalportionofhisnaturemighteventuallybethrownintothebackground，thoughneverutterlyexpelled。
Theanimalnature，indeed，isamostessentialpartoftheFaun\'scomposition；forthecharacteristicsofthebrutecreationmeetandcombinewiththoseofhumanityinthisstrangeyettrueandnaturalconceptionofantiquepoetryandart。Praxiteleshassubtlydiffusedthroughouthisworkthatmutemystery，whichsohopelesslyperplexesuswheneverweattempttogainanintellectualorsympatheticknowledgeofthelowerordersofcreation。Theriddleisindicated，however，onlybytwodefinitesigns：thesearethetwoearsoftheFaun，whichareleafshaped，terminatinginlittlepeaks，likethoseofsomespeciesofanimals。
Thoughnotsoseeninthemarble，theyareprobablytobeconsideredasclothedinfine，downyfur。Inthecoarserrepresentationsofthisclassofmythologicalcreatures，thereisanothertokenofbrutekindred，——acertaincaudalappendage；which，iftheFaunofPraxitelesmustbesupposedtopossessitatall，ishiddenbythelion\'sskinthatformshisgarment。Thepointedandfurryears，therefore，arethesoleindicationsofhiswild，forestnature。
Onlyasculptorofthefinestimagination，themostdelicatetaste，thesweetestfeeling，andtherarestartisticskill——inaword，asculptorandapoettoo——couldhavefirstdreamedofaFauninthisguise，andthenhavesucceededinimprisoningthesportiveandfriskythinginmarble。
Neithermannoranimal，andyetnomonster，butabeinginwhombothracesmeetonfriendlyground。Theideagrowscoarseaswehandleit，andhardensinourgrasp。But，ifthespectatorbroodslongoverthestatue，hewillbeconsciousofitsspell；allthepleasantnessofsylvanlife，allthegenialandhappycharacteristicsofcreaturesthatdwellinwoodsandfields，willseemtobemingledandkneadedintoonesubstance，alongwiththekindredqualitiesinthehumansoul。Trees，grass，flowers，woodlandstreamlets，cattle，deer，andunsophisticatedman。Theessenceofallthesewascompressedlongago，andstillexists，withinthatdiscoloredmarblesurfaceoftheFaunofPraxiteles。
And，afterall，theideamayhavebeennodream，butratherapoet\'sreminiscenceofaperiodwhenman\'saffinitywithnaturewasmorestrict，andhisfellowshipwitheverylivingthingmoreintimateanddear。
CHAPTERII
THEFAUN
Donatello，\"playfullycriedMiriam，\"donotleaveusinthisperplexity！
Shakeasidethosebrowncurls，myfriend，andletusseewhetherthismarvellousresemblanceextendstotheverytipsoftheears。Ifso，weshalllikeyouallthebetter！\"
\"No，no，dearestsignorina，\"answeredDonatello，laughing，butwithacertainearnestness。\"Ientreatyoutotakethetipsofmyearsforgranted。\"Ashespoke，theyoungItalianmadeaskipandjump，lightenoughforaveritablefaun；soastoplacehimselfquitebeyondthereachofthefairhandthatwasoutstretched，asiftosettlethematterbyactualexamination。\"IshallbelikeawolfoftheApennines，\"hecontinued，takinghisstandontheothersideoftheDyingGladiator，\"ifyoutouchmyearseversosoftly。Noneofmyracecouldendureit。Ithasalwaysbeenatenderpointwithmyforefathersandme。\"
HespokeinItalian，withtheTuscanrusticityofaccent，andanunshapedsortofutterance，betokeningthathemustheretoforehavebeenchieflyconversantwithruralpeople。
\"Well，well，\"saidMiriam，\"yourtenderpoint——yourtwotenderpoints，ifyouhavethem——shallbesafe，sofarasIamconcerned。Buthowstrangethislikenessis，afterall！andhowdelightful，ifitreallyincludesthepointedears！O，itisimpossible，ofcourse，\"shecontinued，inEnglish，\"witharealandcommonplaceyoungmanlikeDonatello；butyouseehowthispeculiaritydefinesthepositionoftheFaun；and，whileputtinghimwherehecannotexactlyasserthisbrotherhood，stilldisposesuskindlytowardsthekindredcreature。Heisnotsupernatural，butjustonthevergeofnature，andyetwithinit。Whatisthenamelesscharmofthisidea，Hilda？YoucanfeelitmoredelicatelythanI。\"
\"Itperplexesme，\"saidHildathoughtfully，andshrinkingalittle；
\"neitherdoIquiteliketothinkaboutit。\"
\"But，surely，\"saidKenyon，\"youagreewithMiriamandmethatthereissomethingverytouchingandimpressiveinthisstatueoftheFaun。Insomelong-pastage，hemustreallyhaveexisted。Natureneeded，andstillneeds，thisbeautifulcreature；standingbetwixtmanandanimal，sympathizingwitheach，comprehendingthespeechofeitherrace，andinterpretingthewholeexistenceofonetotheother。Whatapitythathehasforevervanishedfromthehardanddustypathsoflife，——unless，\"
addedthesculptor，inasportivewhisper，\"Donatellobeactuallyhe！\"
\"Youcannotconceivehowthisfantasytakesholdofme，\"respondedMiriam，betweenjestandearnest。\"Imagine，now，arealbeing，similartothismythicFaun；howhappy，howgenial，howsatisfactorywouldbehislife，enjoyingthewarm，sensuous，earthysideofnature；revellinginthemerrimentofwoodsandstreams；livingasourfour-footedkindreddo，——asmankinddidinitsinnocentchildhood；beforesin，sorrowormoralityitselfhadeverbeenthoughtof！Ah！Kenyon，ifHildaandyouandI——ifI，atleast——hadpointedears！ForIsupposetheFaunhadnoconscience，noremorse，noburdenontheheart，notroublesomerecollectionsofanysort；nodarkfutureeither。\"
\"Whatatragictonewasthatlast，Miriam！\"saidthesculptor；and，lookingintoherface，hewasstartledtobeholditpaleandtear-stained。
\"Howsuddenlythismoodhascomeoveryou！\"
\"Letitgoasitcame，\"saidMiriam，\"likeathunder-showerinthisRomansky。Allissunshineagain，yousee！\"
Donatello\'srefractorinessasregardedhisearshadevidentlycosthimsomething，andhenowcameclosetoMiriam\'sside，gazingatherwithanappealingair，asiftosolicitforgiveness。Hismute，helplessgestureofentreatyhadsomethingpatheticinit，andyetmightwellenoughexcitealaugh，solikeitwastowhatyoumayseeintheaspectofahoundwhenhethinkshimselfinfaultordisgrace。Itwasdifficulttomakeoutthecharacterofthisyoungman。Sofullofanimallifeashewas，sojoyousinhisdeportment，sohandsome，sophysicallywell-developed，hemadenoimpressionofincompleteness，ofmaimedorstintednature。Andyet，insocialintercourse，thesefamiliarfriendsofhishabituallyandinstinctivelyallowedforhim，asforachildorsomeotherlawlessthing，exactingnostrictobediencetoconventionalrules，andhardlynoticinghiseccentricitiesenoughtopardonthem。TherewasanindefinablecharacteristicaboutDonatellothatsethimoutsideofrules。
HecaughtMiriam\'shand，kissedit，andgazedintohereyeswithoutsayingaword。Shesmiled，andbestowedonhimalittlecarelesscaress，singularlylikewhatonewouldgivetoapetdogwhenheputshimselfinthewaytoreceiveit。Notthatitwassodecidedacaresseither，butonlythemeresttouch，somewherebetweenapatandatapofthefinger；itmightbeamarkoffondness，orperhapsaplayfulpretenceofpunishment。
Atallevents，itappearedtoaffordDonatelloexquisitepleasure；
insomuchthathedancedquiteroundthewoodenrailingthatfencesintheDyingGladiator。
\"ItistheverystepoftheDancingFaun，\"saidMiriam，apart，toHilda。
\"Whatachild，orwhatasimpleton，heis！IcontinuallyfindmyselftreatingDonatelloasifhewerethemerestunfledgedchicken；andyethecanclaimnosuchprivilegesintherightofhistenderage，forheisatleast——howoldshouldyouthinkhim，Hilda？\"
\"Twentyyears，perhaps，\"repliedHilda，glancingatDonatello；\"but，indeed，Icannottell；hardlysoold，onsecondthoughts，orpossiblyolder。Hehasnothingtodowithtime，buthasalookofeternalyouthinhisface。\"
\"Allunderwittedpeoplehavethatlook，\"saidMiriamscornfully。
\"Donatellohascertainlythegiftofeternalyouth，asHildasuggests，\"
observedKenyon，laughing；\"for，judgingbythedateofthisstatue，which，Iammoreandmoreconvinced，Praxitelescarvedonpurposeforhim，hemustbeatleasttwenty-fivecenturiesold，andhestilllooksasyoungasever。\"
\"Whatagehaveyou，Donatello？\"askedMiriam。
\"Signorina，Idonotknow，\"heanswered；\"nogreatage，however；forI
haveonlylivedsinceImetyou。\"
\"Now，whatoldmanofsocietycouldhaveturnedasillycomplimentmoresmartlythanthat！\"exclaimedMiriam。\"Natureandartarejustatonesometimes。ButwhatahappyignoranceisthisofourfriendDonatello！
Nottoknowhisownage！Itisequivalenttobeingimmortalonearth。IfIcouldonlyforgetmine！\"
\"Itistoosoontowishthat，\"observedthesculptor；\"youarescarcelyolderthanDonatellolooks。\"
\"Ishallbecontent，then，\"rejoinedMiriam，\"ifIcouldonlyforgetonedayofallmylife。\"Thensheseemedtorepentofthisallusion，andhastilyadded，\"Awoman\'sdaysaresotediousthatitisaboontoleaveevenoneofthemoutoftheaccount。\"
Theforegoingconversationhadbeencarriedoninamoodinwhichallimaginativepeople，whetherartistsorpoets，lovetoindulge。Inthisframeofmind，theysometimesfindtheirprofoundesttruthssidebysidewiththeidlestjest，andutteroneortheother，apparentlywithoutdistinguishingwhichisthemostvaluable，orassigninganyconsiderablevaluetoeither。TheresemblancebetweenthemarbleFaunandtheirlivingcompanionhadmadeadeep，half-serious，half-mirthfulimpressiononthesethreefriends，andhadtakenthemintoacertainairyregion，liftingup，asitissopleasanttofeelthemlifted，theirheavyearthlyfeetfromtheactualsoiloflife。Theworldhadbeensetafloat，asitwere，foramoment，andrelievedthem，forjustsolong，ofallcustomaryresponsibilityforwhattheythoughtandsaid。
Itmightbeunderthisinfluence——or，perhaps，becausesculptorsalwaysabuseoneanother\'sworks——thatKenyonthrewinacriticismupontheDyingGladiator。
\"Iusedtoadmirethisstatueexceedingly，\"heremarked，\"but，latterly，I
findmyselfgettingwearyandannoyedthatthemanshouldbesuchalengthoftimeleaningonhisarmintheveryactofdeath。Ifheissoterriblyhurt，whydoeshenotsinkdownanddiewithoutfurtherado？Flittingmoments，imminentemergencies，imperceptibleintervalsbetweentwobreaths，oughtnottobeincrustedwiththeeternalreposeofmarble；inanysculpturalsubject，thereshouldbeamoralstandstill，sincetheremustofnecessitybeaphysicalone。Otherwise，itislikeflingingablockofmarbleupintotheair，and，bysometrickofenchantment，causingittostickthere。Youfeelthatitoughttocomedown，andaredissatisfiedthatitdoesnotobeythenaturallaw。\"
\"Isee，\"saidMiriammischievously，\"youthinkthatsculptureshouldbeasortoffossilizingprocess。But，intruth，yourfrozenarthasnothinglikethescopeandfreedomofHilda\'sandmine。Inpaintingthereisnosimilarobjectiontotherepresentationofbriefsnatchesoftime，——perhapsbecauseastorycanbesomuchmorefullytoldinpicture，andbuttressedaboutwithcircumstancesthatgiveitanepoch。Forinstance，apainterneverwouldhavesentdownyonderFaunoutofhisfarantiquity，lonelyanddesolate，withnocompaniontokeephissimpleheartwarm。\"
\"Ah，theFaun！\"criedHilda，withalittlegestureofimpatience；\"Ihavebeenlookingathimtoolong；andnow，insteadofabeautifulstatue，immortallyyoung，Iseeonlyacorrodedanddiscoloredstone。Thischangeisveryapttooccurinstatues。\"
\"Andasimilaroneinpictures，surely，\"retortedthesculptor。\"Itisthespectator\'smoodthattransfigurestheTransfigurationitself。Idefyanypaintertomoveandelevatemewithoutmyownconsentandassistance。\"
\"Thenyouaredeficientofasense，\"saidMiriam。
Thepartynowstrayedonwardfromhalltohallofthatrichgallery，pausinghereandthere，tolookatthemultitudeofnobleandlovelyshapes，whichhavebeendugupoutofthedeepgraveinwhicholdRomeliesburied。Andstill，therealizationoftheantiqueFaun，inthepersonofDonatello，gaveamorevividcharactertoallthesemarbleghosts。Whyshouldnoteachstatuegrowwarmwithlife！Antinousmightlifthisbrow，andtelluswhyheisforeversad。TheLycianApollomightstrikehislyre；and，atthefirstvibration，thatotherFauninredmarble，whokeepsupamotionlessdance，shouldfriskgaylyforth，leadingyonderSatyrs，withshaggygoat-shanks，toclattertheirlittlehoofsuponthefloor，andalljoinhandswithDonatello！Bacchus，too，arosyflushdiffusingitselfoverhistime-stainedsurface，couldcomedownfromhispedestal，andofferaclusterofpurplegrapestoDonatello\'slips；
becausethegodrecognizeshimasthewoodlandelfwhosooftensharedhisrevels。Andhere，inthissarcophagus，theexquisitelycarvedfiguresmightassumelife，andchaseoneanotherrounditsvergewiththatwildmerrimentwhichissostrangelyrepresentedonthoseoldburialcoffers：
thoughstillwithsomesubtileallusiontodeath，carefullyveiled，butforeverpeepingforthamidemblemsofmirthandriot。
Asthefourfriendsdescendedthestairs，however，theirplayoffancysubsidedintoamuchmoresombremood；aresultapttofollowuponsuchexhilarationasthatwhichhadsorecentlytakenpossessionofthem。
\"Doyouknow，\"saidMiriamconfidentiallytoHilda，\"IdoubttherealityofthislikenessofDonatellototheFaun，whichwehavebeentalkingsomuchabout？Tosaythetruth，itneverstruckmesoforciblyasitdidKenyonandyourself，thoughIgaveintowhateveryouwerepleasedtofancy，forthesakeofamoment\'smirthandwonder。\"\"Iwascertainlyinearnest，andyouseemedequallyso，\"repliedHilda，glancingbackatDonatello，asiftoreassureherselfoftheresemblance。\"Butfaceschangesomuch，fromhourtohour，thatthesamesetoffeatureshasoftennokeepingwithitself；toaneye，atleast，whichlooksatexpressionmorethanoutline。Howsadandsombrehehasgrownallofasudden！\"
\"Angrytoo，methinks！nay，itisangermuchmorethansadness，\"saidMiriam。\"IhaveseenDonatellointhismoodonceortwicebefore。Ifyouconsiderhimwell，youwillobserveanoddmixtureofthebulldog，orsomeotherequallyfiercebrute，inourfriend\'scomposition；atraitofsavagenesshardlytobeexpectedinsuchagentlecreatureasheusuallyis。Donatelloisaverystrangeyoungman。Iwishhewouldnothauntmyfootstepssocontinually。\"
\"Youhavebewitchedthepoorlad，\"saidthesculptor，laughing。\"Youhaveafacultyofbewitchingpeople，anditisprovidingyouwithasingulartrainoffollowers。Iseeanotherofthembehindyonderpillar；anditishispresencethathasarousedDonatello\'swrath。\"
Theyhadnowemergedfromthegatewayofthepalace；andpartlyconcealedbyoneofthepillarsoftheporticostoodafiguresuchasmayoftenbeencounteredinthestreetsandpiazzasofRome，andnowhereelse。Helookedasifhemightjusthavesteppedoutofapicture，and，intruth，waslikelyenoughtofindhiswayintoadozenpictures；beingnootherthanoneofthoselivingmodels，dark，bushybearded，wildofaspectandattire，whomartistsconvertintosaintsorassassins，accordingastheirpictorialpurposesdemand。
\"Miriam，\"whisperedHilda，alittlestartled，\"itisyourmodel！\"
CHAPTERIII
SUBTERRANEANREMINISCENCES
Miriam\'smodelhassoimportantaconnectionwithourstory，thatitisessentialtodescribethesingularmodeofhisfirstappearance，andhowhesubsequentlybecameaself-appointedfolloweroftheyoungfemaleartist。Inthefirstplace，however，wemustdevoteapageortwotocertainpeculiaritiesinthepositionofMiriamherself。
Therewasanambiguityaboutthisyounglady，which，thoughitdidnotnecessarilyimplyanythingwrong，wouldhaveoperatedunfavorablyasregardedherreceptioninsociety，anywherebutinRome。Thetruthwas，thatnobodyknewanythingaboutMiriam，eitherforgoodorevil。Shehadmadeherappearancewithoutintroduction，hadtakenastudio，puthercarduponthedoor，andshowedveryconsiderabletalentasapainterinoils。
Herfellowprofessorsofthebrush，itistrue，showeredabundantcriticismsuponherpictures，allowingthemtobewellenoughfortheidlehalf-effortsofanamateur，butlackingboththetrainedskillandthepracticethatdistinguishtheworksofatrueartist。
Nevertheless，betheirfaultswhattheymight，Miriam\'spicturesmetwithgoodacceptanceamongthepatronsofmodernart。Whatevertechnicalmerittheylacked，itsabsencewasmorethansuppliedbyawarmthandpassionateness，whichshehadthefacultyofputtingintoherproductions，andwhichalltheworldcouldfeel。Hernaturehadagreatdealofcolor，and，inaccordancewithit，solikewisehadherpictures。
Miriamhadgreatapparentfreedomofintercourse；hermannersweresofarfromevincingshyness，thatitseemedeasytobecomeacquaintedwithher，andnotdifficulttodevelopacasualacquaintanceintointimacy。Such，atleast，wastheimpressionwhichshemade，uponbriefcontact，butnotsuchtheultimateconclusionofthosewhoreallysoughttoknowher。Soairy，free，andaffablewasMiriam\'sdeportmenttowardsallwhocamewithinhersphere，thatpossiblytheymightneverbeconsciousofthefact，butsoitwas，thattheydidnotgeton，andwereseldomanyfurtheradvancedintohergoodgracesto-daythanyesterday。Bysomesubtilequality，shekeptpeopleatadistance，withoutsomuchaslettingthemknowthattheywereexcludedfromherinnercircle。Sheresembledoneofthoseimagesoflight，whichconjurersevokeandcausetoshinebeforeus，inapparenttangibility，onlyanarm\'slengthbeyondourgrasp：wemakeastepinadvance，expectingtoseizetheillusion，butfinditstillpreciselysofaroutofourreach。Finally，societybegantorecognizetheimpossibilityofgettingnearertoMiriam，andgrufflyacquiesced。
Thereweretwopersons，however，whomsheappearedtoacknowledgeasfriendsinthecloserandtruersenseoftheword；andbothofthesemorefavoredindividualsdidcredittoMiriam\'sselection。OnewasayoungAmericansculptor，ofhighpromiseandrapidlyincreasingcelebrity；theother，agirlofthesamecountry，apainterlikeMiriamherself，butinawidelydifferentsphereofart。Herheartflowedouttowardsthesetwo；
sherequitedherselfbytheirsocietyandfriendshipandespeciallybyHilda\'sforallthelonelinesswithwhich，asregardedtherestoftheworld，shechosetobesurrounded。Hertwofriendswereconsciousofthestrong，yearninggraspwhichMiriamlaiduponthem，andgavehertheiraffectioninfullmeasure；Hilda，indeed，respondingwiththefervencyofagirl\'sfirstfriendship，andKenyonwithamanlyregard，inwhichtherewasnothingakintowhatisdistinctivelycalledlove。
Asortofintimacysubsequentlygrewupbetweenthesethreefriendsandafourthindividual；itwasayoungItalian，who，casuallyvisitingRome，hadbeenattractedbythebeautywhichMiriampossessedinaremarkabledegree。Hehadsoughther，followedher，andinsisted，withsimpleperseverance，uponbeingadmittedatleasttoheracquaintance；aboonwhichhadbeengranted，whenamoreartfulcharacter，seekingitbyamoresubtlemodeofpursuit，wouldprobablyhavefailedtoobtainit。Thisyoungman，thoughanythingbutintellectuallybrilliant，hadmanyagreeablecharacteristicswhichwonhimthekindlyandhalfcontemptuousregardofMiriamandhertwofriends。ItwashewhomtheycalledDonatello，andwhosewonderfulresemblancetotheFaunofPraxitelesformsthekeynoteofournarrative。
SuchwasthepositioninwhichwefindMiriamsomefewmonthsafterherestablishmentatRome。Itmustbeadded，however，thattheworlddidnotpermithertohideherantecedentswithoutmakingherthesubjectofagooddealofconjecture；aswasnaturalenough，consideringtheabundanceofherpersonalcharms，andthedegreeofnoticethatsheattractedasanartist。ThereweremanystoriesaboutMiriam\'soriginandpreviouslife，someofwhichhadaveryprobableair，whileotherswereevidentlywildandromanticfables。Weciteafew，leavingthereadertodesignatethemeitherundertheprobableortheromantichead。
Itwassaid，forexample，thatMiriamwasthedaughterandheiressofagreatJewishbankeranideaperhapssuggestedbyacertainrichOrientalcharacterinherface，andhadfledfromherpaternalhometoescapeaunionwithacousin，theheirofanotherofthatgoldenbrotherhood；theobjectbeingtoretaintheirvastaccumulationofwealthwithinthefamily。
AnotherstoryhintedthatshewasaGermanprincess，whom，forreasonsofstate，itwasproposedtogiveinmarriageeithertoadecrepitsovereign，oraprincestillinhiscradle。Accordingtoathirdstatement，shewastheoff-springofaSouthernAmericanplanter，whohadgivenheranelaborateeducationandendowedherwithhiswealth；buttheoneburningdropofAfricanbloodinherveinssoaffectedherwithasenseofignominy，thatsherelinquishedallandfledhercountry。BystillanotheraccountshewastheladyofanEnglishnobleman；and，outofmereloveandhonorofart，hadthrownasidethesplendorofherrank，andcometoseekasubsistencebyherpencilinaRomanstudio。
Inalltheabovecases，thefableseemedtobeinstigatedbythelargeandbounteousimpressionwhichMiriaminvariablymade，asifnecessityandshecouldhavenothingtodowithoneanother。Whateverdeprivationssheunderwentmustneedsbevoluntary。Buttherewereothersurmises，takingsuchacommonplaceviewasthatMiriamwasthedaughterofamerchantorfinancier，whohadbeenruinedinagreatcommercialcrisis；and，possessingatasteforart，shehadattemptedtosupportherselfbythepencil，inpreferencetothealternativeofgoingoutasgoverness。
Bethesethingshowtheymight，Miriam，fairasshelooked，waspluckedupoutofamystery，andhaditsrootsstillclingingtoher。Shewasabeautifulandattractivewoman，butbased，asitwere，uponacloud，andallsurroundedwithmistysubstance；sothattheresultwastorenderhersprite-likeinhermostordinarymanifestations。ThiswasthecaseeveninrespecttoKenyonandHilda，herespecialfriends。ButsuchwastheeffectofMiriam\'snaturallanguage，hergenerosity，kindliness，andnativetruthofcharacter，thatthesetworeceivedherasadearfriendintotheirhearts，takinghergoodqualitiesasevidentandgenuine，andneverimaginingthatwhatwashiddenmustbethereforeevil。
Wenowproceedwithournarrative。
Thesamepartyoffriends，whomwehaveseenatthesculpture-galleryoftheCapitol，chancedtohavegonetogether，somemonthsbefore，tothecatacombofSt。Calixtus。Theywentjoyouslydownintothatvasttomb，andwanderedbytorchlightthroughasortofdream，inwhichreminiscencesofchurchaislesandgrimycellars——andchieflythelatter——seemedtobebrokenintofragments，andhopelesslyintermingled。Theintricatepassagesalongwhichtheyfollowedtheirguidehadbeenhewn，insomeforgottenage，outofadark-red，crumblystone。Oneithersidewerehorizontalniches，where，iftheyheldtheirtorchesclosely，theshapeofahumanbodywasdiscernibleinwhiteashes，intowhichtheentiremortalityofamanorwomanhadresolveditself。Amongallthisextinctdust，theremightperchancebeathigh-bone，whichcrumbledatatouch；orpossiblyaskull，grinningatitsownwretchedplight，asistheuglyandemptyhabitofthething。
Sometimestheirgloomypathwaytendedupward，sothat，throughacrevice，alittledaylightglimmereddownuponthem，orevenastreakofsunshinepeepedintoaburialniche；thenagain，theywentdownwardbygradualdescent，orbyabrupt，rudelyhewnsteps，intodeeperanddeeperrecessesoftheearth。Hereandtherethenarrowandtortuouspassageswidenedsomewhat，developingthemselvesintosmallchapels；——whichonce，nodoubt，hadbeenadornedwithmarble-workandlightedwithever-burninglampsandtapers。Allsuchilluminationandornament，however，hadlongsincebeenextinguishedandstriptaway；except，indeed，thatthelowroofsofafewoftheseancientsitesofworshipwerecoveredwithdingystucco，andfrescoedwithscripturalscenesandsubjects，inthedrearieststageofruin。
Inonesuchchapel，theguideshowedthemalowarch，beneathwhichthebodyofSt。Ceciliahadbeenburiedafterhermartyrdom，andwhereitlaytillasculptorsawit，andrendereditforeverbeautifulinmarble。
Inasimilarspottheyfoundtwosarcophagi，onecontainingaskeleton，andtheotherashrivelledbody，whichstillworethegarmentsofitsformerlifetime。
\"Howdismalallthisis！\"saidHilda，shuddering。\"Idonotknowwhywecamehere，norwhyweshouldstayamomentlonger。\"
\"Ihateitall！\"criedDonatellowithpeculiarenergy。\"Dearfriends，letushastenbackintotheblesseddaylight！\"
Fromthefirst，Donatellohadshownlittlefancyfortheexpedition；for，likemostItalians，andinespecialaccordancewiththelawofhisownsimpleandphysicallyhappynature，thisyoungmanhadaninfiniterepugnancetogravesandskulls，andtoallthatghastlinesswhichtheGothicmindlovestoassociatewiththeideaofdeath。Heshuddered，andlookedfearfullyround，drawingnearertoMiriam，whoseattractiveinfluencealonehadenticedhimintothatgloomyregion。
\"Whatachildyouare，poorDonatello！\"sheobserved，withthefreedomwhichshealwaysusedtowardshim。\"Youareafraidofghosts！\"
\"Yes，signorina；terriblyafraid！\"saidthetruthfulDonatello。
\"Ialsobelieveinghosts，\"answeredMiriam，\"andcouldtrembleatthem，inasuitableplace。Butthesesepulchresaresoold，andtheseskullsandwhiteashessoverydry，thatmethinkstheyhaveceasedtobehaunted。
Themostawfulideaconnectedwiththecatacombsistheirinterminableextent，andthepossibilityofgoingastrayintothislabyrinthofdarkness，whichbroodsaroundthelittleglimmerofourtapers。\"
\"Hasanyoneeverbeenlosthere？\"askedKenyonoftheguide。
\"Surely，signor；one，nolongeragothanmyfather\'stime，\"saidtheguide；
andheadded，withtheairofamanwhobelievedwhathewastelling，\"butthefirstthatwentastrayherewasapaganofoldRome，whohidhimselfinordertospyoutandbetraytheblessedsaints，whothendweltandworshippedinthesedismalplaces。Youhaveheardthestory，signor？
Amiraclewaswroughtupontheaccursedone；and，eversinceforfifteencenturiesatleast，hehasbeengropinginthedarkness，seekinghiswayoutofthecatacomb。\"
\"Hasheeverbeenseen？\"askedHilda，whohadgreatandtremulousfaithinmarvelsofthiskind。
\"Theseeyesofmineneverbeheldhim，signorina；thesaintsforbid！\"
answeredtheguide。\"Butitiswellknownthathewatchesnearpartiesthatcomeintothecatacomb，especiallyiftheybeheretics，hopingtoleadsomestragglerastray。Whatthislostwretchpinesfor，almostasmuchasfortheblessedsunshine，isacompaniontobemiserablewithhim。\"
\"Suchanintensedesireforsympathyindicatessomethingamiableinthepoorfellow，atallevents，\"observedKenyon。
Theyhadnowreachedalargerchapelthanthoseheretoforeseen；itwasofacircularshape，and，thoughhewnoutofthesolidmassofredsandstone，hadpillars，andacarvedroof，andothertokensofaregulararchitecturaldesign。Nevertheless，consideredasachurch，itwasexceedinglyminute，beingscarcelytwiceaman\'sstatureinheight，andonlytwoorthreepacesfromwalltowall；andwhiletheircollectedtorchesilluminatedthisonesmall，consecratedspot，thegreatdarknessspreadallroundit，likethatimmensermysterywhichenvelopsourlittlelife，andintowhichfriendsvanishfromus，onebyone。\"Why，whereisMiriam？\"criedHilda。Thepartygazedhurriedlyfromfacetoface，andbecameawarethatoneoftheirpartyhadvanishedintothegreatdarkness，evenwhiletheywereshudderingattheremotepossibilityofsuchamisfortune。
CHAPTERIV
THESPECTREOFTHECATACOMB
Surely，shecannotbelost！\"exclaimedKenyon。\"Itisbutamomentsinceshewasspeaking。\"
\"No，no！\"saidHilda，ingreatalarm。\"Shewasbehindusall；anditisalongwhilesincewehaveheardhervoice！\"
\"Torches！torches！\"criedDonatellodesperately。\"Iwillseekher，bethedarknesseversodismal！\"
Buttheguideheldhimback，andassuredthemallthattherewasnopossibilityofassistingtheirlostcompanion，unlessbyshoutingattheverytopoftheirvoices。Asthesoundwouldgoveryfaralongthesecloseandnarrowpassages，therewasafairprobabilitythatMiriammighthearthecall，andbeabletoretracehersteps。
Accordingly，theyall——Kenyonwithhisbassvoice；Donatellowithhistenor；theguidewiththathighandhardItaliancry，whichmakesthestreetsofRomesoresonant；andHildawithherslenderscream，piercingfartherthantheuniteduproaroftherest——begantoshriek，halloo，andbellow，withtheutmostforceoftheirlungs。And，nottoprolongthereader\'ssuspenseforwedonotparticularlyseektointeresthiminthisscene，tellingitonlyonaccountofthetroubleandstrangeentanglementwhichfollowed，theysoonheardaresponsivecall，inafemalevoice。
\"Itwasthesignorina！\"criedDonatellojoyfully。
\"Yes；itwascertainlydearMiriam\'svoice，\"saidHilda。\"Andhereshecomes！ThankHeaven！ThankHeaven！\"
Thefigureoftheirfriendwasnowdiscerniblebyherowntorchlight，approachingoutofoneofthecavernouspassages。Miriamcameforward，butnotwiththeeagernessandtremulousjoyofafearfulgirl，justrescuedfromalabyrinthofgloomymystery。Shemadenoimmediateresponsetotheirinquiriesandtumultuouscongratulations；and，astheyafterwardsremembered，therewassomethingabsorbed，thoughtful，andself-concentratedinherdeportment。Shelookedpale，aswellshemight，andheldhertorchwithanervousgrasp，thetremorofwhichwasseenintheirregulartwinklingoftheflame。Thislastwasthechiefperceptiblesignofanyrecentagitationoralarm。
\"Dearest，dearestMiriam，\"exclaimedHilda，throwingherarmsaboutherfriend，\"wherehaveyoubeenstrayingfromus？BlessedbeProvidence，whichhasrescuedyououtofthatmiserabledarkness！\"
\"Hush，dearHilda！\"whisperedMiriam，withastrangelittlelaugh。\"AreyouquitesurethatitwasHeaven\'sguidancewhichbroughtmeback？Ifso，itwasbyanoddmessenger，asyouwillconfess。See；therehestands。\"
StartledatMiriam\'swordsandmanner，Hildagazedintotheduskinesswhithershepointed，andtherebeheldafigurestandingjustonthedoubtfullimitofobscurity，atthethresholdofthesmall，illuminatedchapel。Kenyondiscernedhimatthesameinstant，anddrewnearerwithhistorch；althoughtheguideattemptedtodissuadehim，averringthat，oncebeyondtheconsecratedprecinctsofthechapel，theapparitionwouldhavepowertotearhimlimbfromlimb。Itstruckthesculptor，however，whenheafterwardsrecurredtothesecircumstances，thattheguidemanifestednosuchapprehensiononhisownaccountasheprofessedonbehalfofothers；forhekeptpacewithKenyonasthelatterapproachedthefigure，thoughstillendeavoringtorestrain\'him。
Infine，theybothdrewnearenoughtogetasgoodaviewofthespectreasthesmokylightoftheirtorches，strugglingwiththemassivegloom，couldsupply。
Thestrangerwasofexceedinglypicturesque，andevenmelodramaticaspect。
Hewascladinavoluminouscloak，thatseemedtobemadeofabuffalo\'shide，andapairofthosegoat-skinbreeches，withthehairoutward，whicharestillcommonlywornbythepeasantsoftheRomanCampagna。Inthisgarb，theylooklikeantiqueSatyrs；and，intruth，theSpectreoftheCatacombmighthaverepresentedthelastsurvivorofthatvanishedrace，hidinghimselfinsepulchralgloom，andmourningoverhislostlifeofwoodsandstreams。
Furthermore，hehadonabroad-brimmed，conicalhat，beneaththeshadowofwhichawildvisagewasindistinctlyseen，floatingaway，asitwere，intoaduskywildernessofmustacheandbeard。Hiseyeswinked，andturneduneasilyfromthetorches，likeacreaturetowhommidnightwouldbemorecongenialthannoonday。
Onthewhole，thespectremighthavemadeaconsiderableimpressiononthesculptor\'snerves，onlythathewasinthehabitofobservingsimilarfigures，almosteveryday，recliningontheSpanishsteps，andwaitingforsomeartisttoinvitethemwithinthemagicrealmofpicture。Nor，eventhusfamiliarizedwiththestranger\'speculiaritiesofappearance，couldKenyonhelpwonderingtoseesuchapersonage，shapinghimselfsosuddenlyoutofthevoiddarknessofthecatacomb。
\"Whatareyou？\"saidthesculptor，advancinghistorchnearer。\"Andhowlonghaveyoubeenwanderinghere？\"
\"Athousandandfivehundredyears！\"mutteredtheguide，loudenoughtobeheardbyalltheparty。\"ItistheoldpaganphantomthatItoldyouof，whosoughttobetraytheblessedsaints！\"
\"Yes；itisaphantom！\"criedDonatello，withashudder。\"Ah，dearestsignorina，whatafearfulthinghasbesetyouinthosedarkcorridors！\"
\"Nonsense，Donatello，\"saidthesculptor。\"Themanisnomoreaphantomthanyourself。Theonlymarvelis，howhecomestobehidinghimselfinthecatacomb。Possiblyourguidemightsolvetheriddle。\"
Thespectrehimselfheresettledthepointofhistangibility，atallevents，andphysicalsubstance，byapproachingastepnearer，andlayinghishandonKenyon\'sarm。
\"InquirenotwhatIam，norwhereforeIabideinthedarkness，\"saidhe，inahoarse，harshvoice，asifagreatdealofdampwereclusteringinhisthroat。\"Henceforth，Iamnothingbutashadowbehindherfootsteps。
ShecametomewhenIsoughthernot。Shehascalledmeforth，andmustabidetheconsequencesofmyreappearanceintheworld。\"
\"HolyVirgin！Iwishthesignorinajoyofherprize，\"saidtheguide，halftohimself。\"Andinanycase，thecatacombiswellridofhim。\"
Weneedfollowthescenenofurther。Somuchisessentialtothesubsequentnarrative，that，duringtheshortperiodwhileastrayinthosetortuouspassages，Miriamhadencounteredanunknownman，andledhimforthwithher，orwasguidedbackbyhim，firstintothetorchlight，thenceintothesunshine。
Itwasthefurthersingularityofthisaffair，thattheconnection，thusbrieflyandcasuallyformed，didnotterminatewiththeincidentthatgaveitbirth。Asifherservicetohim，orhisservicetoher，whicheveritmightbe，hadgivenhimanindefeasibleclaimonMiriam\'sregardandprotection，theSpectreoftheCatacombneverlongallowedhertolosesightofhim，fromthatdayforward。HehauntedherfootstepswithmorethanthecustomarypersistencyofItalianmendicants，whenoncetheyhaverecognizedabenefactor。Fordaystogether，itistrue，heoccasionallyvanished，butalwaysreappeared，glidingafterherthroughthenarrowstreets，orclimbingthehundredstepsofherstaircaseandsittingatherthreshold。
Beingoftenadmittedtoherstudio，helefthisfeatures，orsomeshadoworreminiscenceofthem，inmanyofhersketchesandpictures。Themoralatmosphereoftheseproductionswastherebysoinfluenced，thatrivalpainterspronounceditacaseofhopelessmannerism，whichwoulddestroyallMiriam\'sprospectsoftrueexcellenceinart。
Thestoryofthisadventurespreadabroad，andmadeitswaybeyondtheusualgossipoftheForestieri，evenintoItaliancircles，where，enhancedbyastillpotentspiritofsuperstition，itgrewfarmorewonderfulthanasaboverecounted。Thence，itcamebackamongtheAnglo-Saxons，andwascommunicatedtotheGermanartists，whosorichlysupplieditwithromanticornamentsandexcrescences，aftertheirfashion，thatitbecameafantasyworthyofTieckorHoffmann。Fornobodyhasanyconscienceaboutaddingtotheimprobabilitiesofamarvelloustale。
Themostreasonableversionoftheincident，thatcouldanywiseberenderedacceptabletotheauditors，wassubstantiallytheonesuggestedbytheguideofthecatacomb，inhisallusiontothelegendofMemmius。
Thisman，ordemon，orman-demon，wasaspyduringthepersecutionsoftheearlyChristians，probablyundertheEmperorDiocletian，andpenetratedintothecatacombofSt。Calixtus，withthemalignantpurposeoftracingoutthehiding-placesoftherefugees。But，whilehestolecraftilythroughthosedarkcorridors，hechancedtocomeuponalittlechapel，wheretaperswereburningbeforeanaltarandacrucifix，andapriestwasintheperformanceofhissacredoffice。Bydivineindulgence，therewasasinglemoment\'sgraceallowedtoMemmius，duringwhich，hadhebeencapableofChristianfaithandlove，hemighthavekneltbeforethecross，andreceivedtheholylightintohissoul，andsohavebeenblestforever。
Butheresistedthesacredimpulse。Assoon，therefore，asthatonemomenthadglidedby，thelightoftheconsecratedtapers，whichrepresentalltruth，bewilderedthewretchedmanwitheverlastingerror，andtheblessedcrossitselfwasstampedasasealuponhisheart，sothatitshouldneveropentoreceiveconviction。
Thenceforth，thisheathenMemmiushashauntedthewideanddrearyprecinctsofthecatacomb，seeking，assomesay，tobeguilenewvictimsintohisownmisery；but，accordingtootherstatements，endeavoringtoprevailonanyunwaryvisitortotakehimbythehand，andguidehimoutintothedaylight。Shouldhiswilesandentreatiestakeeffect，however，theman-demonwouldremainonlyalittlewhileaboveground。Hewouldgratifyhisfiendishmalignitybyperpetratingsignalmischiefonhisbenefactor，andperhapsbringingsomeoldpestilenceorotherforgottenandlong-buriedevilonsociety；or，possibly，teachingthemodernworldsomedecayedanddustykindofcrime，whichtheantiqueRomansknew，——andthenwouldhastenbacktothecatacomb，which，aftersolonghauntingit，hasgrownhismostcongenialhome。
Miriamherself，withherchosenfriends，thesculptorandthegentleHilda，oftenlaughedatthemonstrousfictionsthathadgoneabroadinreferencetoheradventure。Hertwoconfidantsforsuchtheywere，onallordinarysubjectshadnotfailedtoaskanexplanationofthemystery，sinceundeniablyamysterytherewas，andonesufficientlyperplexinginitself，withoutanyhelpfromtheimaginativefaculty。And，sometimesrespondingtotheirinquirieswithamelancholysortofplayfulness，MiriamletherfancyrunoffintowilderfablesthananywhichGermaningenuityorItaliansuperstitionhadcontrived。
Forexample，withastrangeairofseriousnessoverallherface，onlybeliedbyalaughlnggleaminher。darkeyes，shewouldaverthatthespectrewhohadbeenanartistinhismortallifetimehadpromisedtoteachheralong-lost，butinvaluablesecretofoldRomanfrescopainting。
TheknowledgeofthisprocesswouldplaceMiriamattheheadofmodernart；thesoleconditionbeingagreedupon，thatsheshouldreturnwithhimintohissightlessgloom，afterenrichingacertainextentofstuccoedwallwiththemostbrilliantandlovelydesigns。Andwhattruevotaryofartwouldnotpurchaseunrivalledexcellence，evenatsovastasacrifice！
Or，ifherfriendsstillsolicitedasobereraccount，Miriamreplied，that，meetingtheoldinfidelinoneofthedismalpassagesofthecatacomb，shehadenteredintocontroversywithhim，hopingtoachievethegloryandsatisfactionofconvertinghimtotheChristianfaith。Forthesakeofsoexcellentaresult；shehadevenstakedherownsalvationagainsthis，bindingherselftoaccompanyhimbackintohispenalgloom，if，withinatwelvemonth\'sspace，sheshouldnothaveconvincedhimoftheerrorsthroughwhichhehadsolonggropedandstumbled。But，alas！uptothepresenttime，thecontroversyhadgonedirefullyinfavoroftheman-demon；
andMiriamasshewhisperedinHilda\'searhadawfulforebodings，that，inafewmoremonths，shemusttakeaneternalfarewellofthesun！
Itwassomewhatremarkablethatallherromanticfantasiesarrivedatthisself-samedrearytermination，——itappearedimpossibleforhereventoimagineanyotherthanadisastrousresultfromherconnectionwithherill-omenedattendant。
Thissingularitymighthavemeantnothing，however，haditnotsuggestedadespondentstateofmind，whichwaslikewiseindicatedbymanyothertokens。Miriam\'sfriendshadnodifficultyinperceivingthat，inonewayoranother，herhappinesswasveryseriouslycompromised。Herspiritswereoftendepressedintodeepmelancholy。Ifevershewasgay，itwasseldomwithahealthycheerfulness。Shegrewmoody，moreover，andsubjecttofitsofpassionateilltemper；whichusuallywreakeditselfontheheadsofthosewholovedherbest。NotthatMiriam\'sindifferentacquaintancesweresafefromsimilaroutbreaksofherdispleasure，especiallyiftheyventureduponanyallusiontothemodel。Insuchcases，theywereleftwithlittledispositiontorenewthesubject，butinclined，ontheotherhand，tointerpretthewholematterasmuchtoherdiscreditastheleastfavorablecoloringofthefactswouldallow。
Itmayoccurtothereader，thattherewasreallynodemandforsomuchrumorandspeculationinregardtoanincident，Whichmightwellenoughhavebeenexplainedwithoutgoingmanystepsbeyondthelimitsofprobability。ThespectremighthavebeenmerelyaRomanbeggar，whosefraternityoftenharborinstrangersheltersthanthecatacombs；oroneofthosepilgrims，whostilljourneyfromremotecountriestokneelandworshipattheholysites，amongwhichthesehauntsoftheearlyChristiansareesteemedespeciallysacred。Or，aswasperhapsamoreplausibletheory，hemightbeathiefofthecity，arobberoftheCampagna，apoliticaloffender，oranassassin，withblooduponhishand；
whomthenegligenceorconnivanceofthepoliceallowedtotakerefugeinthosesubterraneanfastnesses，wheresuchoutlawshavebeenaccustomedtohidethemselvesfromafarantiquitydownward。Orhemighthavebeenalunatic，fleeinginstinctivelyfromman，andmakingithisdarkpleasuretodwellamongthetombs，likehimwhoseawfulcryechoesafartousfromScripturetimes。
And，asforthestranger\'sattachinghimselfsodevotedlytoMiriam，herpersonalmagnetismmightbeallowedacertainweightintheexplanation。
Forwhatremains，hispertinacityneednotseemsoverysingulartothosewhoconsiderhowslightalinkservestoconnectthesevagabondsofidleItalywithanypersonthatmayhavetheill-haptobestowcharity，orbeotherwiseserviceabletothem，orbetraytheslightestinterestintheirfortunes。
Thuslittlewouldremaintobeaccountedfor，exceptthedeportmentofMiriamherself；herreserve，herbroodingmelancholy，herpetulance，andmoodypassion。Ifgenerouslyinterpreted，eventhesemorbidsymptomsmighthavesufficientcauseinthestimulatingandexhaustiveinfluencesofimaginativeart，exercisedbyadelicateyoungwoman，inthenervousandunwholesomeatmosphereofRome。Such，atleast，wastheviewofthecasewhichHildaandKenyonendeavoredtoimpressontheirownminds，andimparttothosewhomtheiropinionsmightinfluence。
OneofMiriam\'sfriendstookthemattersadlytoheart。ThiswastheyoungItalian。Donatello，aswehaveseen，hadbeenaneyewitnessofthestranger\'sfirstappearance，andhadeversincenourishedasingularprejudiceagainstthemysterious，dusky，death-scentedapparition。Itresemblednotsomuchahumandislikeorhatred，asoneofthoseinstinctive，unreasoningantipathieswhichtheloweranimalssometimesdisplay，andwhichgenerallyprovemoretrustworthythantheacutestinsightintocharacter。Theshadowofthemodel，alwaysflungintothelightwhichMiriamdiffusedaroundher，causednoslighttroubletoDonatello。Yethewasofanaturesoremarkablygenialandjoyous，sosimplyhappy，thathemightwellaffordtohavesomethingsubtractedfromhiscomfort，andmaketolerableshifttoliveuponwhatremained。
CHAPTERV
MIRIAM\'SSTUDIO
ThecourtyardandstaircaseofapalacebuiltthreehundredyearsagoareapeculiarfeatureofmodernRome，andinterestthestrangermorethanmanythingsofwhichhehasheardloftierdescriptions。Youpassthroughthegrandbreadthandheightofasqualidentrance-way，andperhapsseearangeofduskypillars，formingasortofcloisterroundthecourt，andintheintervals，frompillartopillar，arestrewnfragmentsofantiquestatues，headlessandleglesstorsos，andbuststhathaveinvariablylostwhatitmightbewelliflivingmencouldlayasideinthatunfragrantatmosphere——thenose。Bas-reliefs，thespoilofsomefarolderpalace，aresetinthesurroundingwalls，everystoneofwhichhasbeenravishedfromtheColiseum，oranyotherimperialruinwhichearlierbarbarismhadnotalreadylevelledwiththeearth。Betweentwoofthepillars，moreover，standsanoldsarcophaguswithoutitslid，andwithallitsmoreprominentlyprojectingsculpturesbrokenoff；perhapsitonceheldfamousdust，andthebonyframeworkofsomehistoricman，althoughnowonlyareceptaclefortherubbishofthecourtyard，andahalf-wornbroom。
Inthecentreofthecourt，undertheblueItaliansky，andwiththehundredwindowsofthevastpalacegazingdownuponitfromfoursides，appearsafountain。Itbrimsoverfromonestonebasintoanother，orgushesfromaNaiad\'surn，orspurtsitsmanylittlejetsfromthemouthsofnamelessmonsters，whichweremerelygrotesqueandartificialwhenBernini，orwhoeverwastheirunnaturalfather，firstproducedthem；butnowthepatchesofmoss，thetuftsofgrass，thetrailingmaiden-hair，andallsortsofverdantweedsthatthriveinthecracksandcrevicesofmoistmarble，tellusthatNaturetakesthefountainbackintohergreatheart，andcherishesitaskindlyasifitwereawoodlandspring。Andhark，thepleasantmurmur，thegurgle，theplash！Youmighthearjustthosetinklingsoundsfromanytinywaterfallintheforest，thoughheretheygainadeliciouspathosfromthestatelyechoesthatreverberatetheirnaturallanguage。Sothefountainisnotaltogetherglad，afterallitsthreecenturiesatplay！
Inoneoftheanglesofthecourtyard，apillareddoorwaygivesaccesstothestaircase，withitsspaciousbreadthoflowmarblesteps，upwhich，informertimes，havegonetheprincesandcardinalsofthegreatRomanfamilywhobuiltthispalace。Ortheyhavecomedown，withstillgranderandloftiermien，ontheirwaytotheVaticanortheQuirinal，theretoputofftheirscarlethatsinexchangeforthetriplecrown。But，infine，alltheseillustriouspersonageshavegonedowntheirhereditarystaircaseforthelasttime，leavingittobethethoroughfareofambassadors，Englishnoblemen，Americanmillionnaires，artists，tradesmen，washerwomen，andpeopleofeverydegree，——allofwhomfindsuchgildedandmarble-panelledsaloonsastheirpompandluxurydemand，orsuchhomelygarretsastheirnecessitycanpayfor，withinthisonemultifariousabode。
Only，innotasinglenookofthepalacebuiltforsplendor，andtheaccommodationofavastretinue，butwithnovisionofahappyfiresideoranymodeofdomesticenjoymentdoesthehumblestorthehaughtiestoccupantfindcomfort。
Upsuchastaircase，onthemorningafterthesceneatthesculpturegallery，sprangthelightfootofDonatello。Heascendedfromstorytostory，passingloftydoorways，setwithinrichframesofsculpturedmarble，andclimbingunweariedlyupward，untilthegloriesofthefirstpianoandtheeleganceofthemiddleheightwereexchangedforasortofAlpineregion，coldandnakedinitsaspect。Stepsofroughstone，rudewoodenbalustrades，abrickpavementinthepassages，adingywhitewashonthewalls；thesewereherethepalatialfeatures。Finally，hepausedbeforeanoakendoor，onwhichwaspinnedacard，bearingthenameofMiriamSchaefer，artistinoils。HereDonatelloknocked，andthedoorimmediatelyfellsomewhatajar；itslatchhavingbeenpulledupbymeansofastringontheinside。Passingthroughalittleanteroom，hefoundhimselfinMiriam\'spresence。
\"Comein，wildFaun，\"shesaid，\"andtellmethelatestnewsfromArcady！\"
Theartistwasnotjustthenathereasel，butwasbusiedwiththefemininetaskofmendingapairofgloves。
Thereissomethingextremelypleasant，andeventouching，——atleast，ofverysweet，soft，andwinningeffect，——inthispeculiarityofneedlework，distinguishingwomenfrommen。Ourownsexisincapableofanysuchby-playasidefromthemainbusinessoflife；butwomen——betheyofwhatearthlyranktheymay，howevergiftedwithintellectorgenius，orendowedwithawfulbeauty——havealwayssomelittlehandiworkreadytofillthetinygapofeveryvacantmoment。Aneedleisfamiliartothefingersofthemall。Aqueen，nodoubt，pliesitonoccasion；thewomanpoetcanuseitasadroitlyasherpen；thewoman\'seye，thathasdiscoveredanewstar，turnsfromitsglorytosendthepolishedlittleinstrumentgleamingalongthehemofherkerchief，ortodarnacasualfrayinherdress。Andtheyhavegreatlytheadvantageofusinthisrespect。Theslenderthreadofsilkorcottonkeepsthemunitedwiththesmall，familiar，gentleinterestsoflife，thecontinuallyoperatinginfluencesofwhichdosomuchforthehealthofthecharacter，andcarryoffwhatwouldotherwisebeadangerousaccumulationofmorbidsensibility。Avastdealofhumansympathyrunsalongthiselectricline，stretchingfromthethronetothewickerchairofthehumblestseamstress，andkeepinghighandlowinaspeciesofcommunionwiththeirkindredbeings。Methinksitisatokenofhealthyandgentlecharacteristics，whenwomenofhighthoughtsandaccomplishmentslovetosew；especiallyastheyarenevermoreathomewiththeirownheartsthanwhilesooccupied。
Andwhentheworkfallsinawoman\'slap，ofitsownaccord，andtheneedleinvoluntarilyceasestofly，itisasignoftrouble，quiteastrustworthyasthethroboftheheartitself。ThiswaswhathappenedtoMiriam。EvenwhileDonatellostoodgazingather，sheseemedtohaveforgottenhispresence，allowinghimtodropoutofherthoughts，andthetornglovetofallfromheridlefingers。Simpleashewas，theyoungmanknewbyhissympathiesthatsomethingwasamiss。
\"Dearlady，youaresad，\"saidhe，drawingclosetoher。
\"Itisnothing，Donatello，\"shereplied，resumingherwork；\"yes；alittlesad，perhaps；butthatisnotstrangeforuspeopleoftheordinaryworld，especiallyforwomen。Youareofacheerfullerrace，myfriend，andknownothingofthisdiseaseofsadness。Butwhydoyoucomeintothisshadowyroomofmine？\"
\"Whydoyoumakeitsoshadowy？\"askedhe。
\"Weartistspurposelyexcludesunshine，andallbutapartiallight，\"saidMiriam，\"becausewethinkitnecessarytoputourselvesatoddswithNaturebeforetryingtoimitateher。Thatstrikesyouverystrangely，doesitnot？Butwemakeveryprettypicturessometimeswithourartfullyarrangedlightsandshadows。Amuseyourselfwithsomeofmine，Donatello，andbyandbyIshallbeinthemoodtobegintheportraitweweretalkingabout。\"
Theroomhadthecustomaryaspectofapainter\'sstudio；oneofthosedelightfulspotsthathardlyseemtobelongtotheactualworld，butrathertobetheoutwardtypeofapoet\'shauntedimagination，wherethereareglimpses，sketches，andhalf-developedhintsofbeingsandobjectsgranderandmorebeautifulthanwecananywherefindinreality。Thewindowswereclosedwithshutters，ordeeplycurtained，exceptone，whichwaspartlyopentoasunlessportionofthesky，admittingonlyfromhighupwardthatpartiallightwhich，withitsstronglymarkedcontrastofshadow，isthefirstrequisitetowardsseeingobjectspictorially。
Pencil-drawingswerepinnedagainstthewallorscatteredonthetables。
Unframedcanvasesturnedtheirbacksonthespectator，presentingonlyablanktotheeye，andchurlishlyconcealingwhateverrichesofsceneryorhumanbeautyMiriam\'sskillhaddepictedontheotherside。
IntheobscurestpartoftheroomDonatellowashalfstartledatperceivingduskilyawomanwithlongdarkhair，whothrewupherarmswithawildgestureoftragicdespair，andappearedtobeckonhimintothedarknessalongwithher。
\"Donotbeafraid，Donatello，\"saidMiriam，smilingtoseehimpeeringdoubtfullyintothemysteriousdusk。\"Shemeansyounomischief，norcouldperpetrateanyifshewishediteversomuch。Itisaladyofexceedinglypliabledisposition；nowaheroineofromance，andnowarusticmaid；yetallforshow；beingcreated，indeed，onpurposetowearrichshawlsandothergarmentsinabecomingfashion。Thisisthetrueendofherbeing，althoughshepretendstoassumethemostvarieddutiesandperformmanypartsinlife，whilereallythepoorpuppethasnothingonearthtodo。Uponmyword，Iamsatiricalunawares，andseemtobedescribingninewomenoutofteninthepersonofmylay-figure。Formostpurposesshehastheadvantageofthesisterhood。WouldIwerelikeher！\"
\"Howitchangesheraspect，\"exclaimedDonatello，\"toknowthatsheisbutajointedfigure！Whenmyeyesfirstfelluponher，Ithoughtherarmsmoved，asifbeckoningmetohelpherinsomedirefulperil。\"
\"Areyouoftentroubledwithsuchsinisterfreaksoffancy？\"askedMiriam。
\"Ishouldnothavesupposedit。\"
\"Totellyouthetruth，dearestsignorina，\"answeredtheyoungItalian，\"I
amapttobefearfulinold，gloomyhouses，andinthedark。Ilovenodarkorduskycorners，exceptitbeinagrotto，oramongthethickgreenleavesofanarbor，orinsomenookofthewoods，suchasIknowmanyintheneighborhoodofmyhome。Eventhere，ifastraysunbeamstealin，theshadowisallthebetterforitscheerfulglimmer。\"
\"Yes；youareaFaun，youknow，\"saidthefairartist，laughingattheremembranceofthesceneofthedaybefore。\"Buttheworldissadlychangednowadays；grievouslychanged，poorDonatello，sincethosehappytimeswhenyourraceusedtodwellintheArcadianwoods，playinghideandseekwiththenymphsingrottoesandnooksofshrubbery。Youhavereappearedonearthsomecenturiestoolate。\"
\"Idonotunderstandyounow，\"answeredDonatello，lookingperplexed；
\"only，signorina，Iamgladtohavemylifetimewhileyoulive；andwhereyouare，beitincitiesorfields，Iwouldfainbetheretoo。\"
\"IwonderwhetherIoughttoallowyoutospeakinthisway，\"saidMiriam，lookingthoughtfullyathim。\"Manyyoungwomenwouldthinkitbehoovedthemtobeoffended。Hildawouldneverletyouspeakso，Idaresay。
Butheisamereboy，\"sheadded，aside，\"asimpleboy，puttinghisboyishhearttotheproofonthefirstwomanwhomhechancestomeet。Ifyonderlay-figurehadhadthelucktomeethimfirst，shewouldhavesmittenhimasdeeplyasI。\"
\"Areyouangrywithme？\"askedDonatellodolorously。
\"Notintheleast，\"answeredMiriam，franklygivinghimherhand。\"PraylookoversomeofthesesketchestillIhaveleisuretochatwithyoualittle。IhardlythinkIaminspiritsenoughtobeginyourportraitto-day。\"
Donatellowasasgentleanddocileasapetspaniel；asplayful，too，inhisgeneraldisposition，orsaddeningwithhismistress\'svariablemoodlikethatoranyotherkindlyanimalwhichhasthefacultyofbestowingitssympathiesmorecompletelythanmenorwomencaneverdo。
Accordingly，asMiriambadehim，hetriedtoturnhisattentiontoagreatpileandconfusionofpenandinksketchesandpencildrawingswhichlaytossedtogetheronatable。Asitchanced，however，theygavethepooryouthlittledelight。