\"Dance！dance！\"criedhejoyously。\"Ifwetakebreath，weshallbeaswewereyesterday。There，now，isthemusic，justbeyondthisclumpoftrees。Dance，Miriam，dance！\"
Theyhadnowreachedanopen，grassygladeofwhichtherearemanyinthatartfullyconstructedwilderness，setroundwithstoneseats，onwhichtheagedmosshadkindlyessayedtospreaditselfinsteadofcushions。Ononeofthestonebenchessatthemusicians，whosestrainshadenticedourwildcouplethitherward。Theyprovedtobeavagrantband，suchasRome，andallItaly，aboundswith；comprisingaharp，aflute，andaviolin，which，thoughgreatlytheworseforwear，theperformershadskillenoughtoprovokeandmodulateintotolerableharmony。Itchancedtobeafeast-day；and，insteadofplayinginthesun-scorchedpiazzasofthecity，orbeneaththewindowsofsomeunresponsivepalace，theyhadbethoughtthemselvestotrytheechoesofthesewoods；for，onthefestasoftheChurch，Romescattersitsmerrymakersallabroad，ripeforthedanceoranyotherpastime。
AsMiriamandDonatelloemergedfromamongthetrees，themusiciansscraped，tinkled，orblew，eachaccordingtohisvariouskindofinstrument，moreinspiringlythanever。Adarkcheckedlittlegirl，withbrightblackeyes，stoodby，shakingatambourinesetroundwithtinklingbells，andthumpingitonitsparchmenthead。Withoutinterruptinghisbrisk，thoughmeasuredmovement，Donatellosnatchedawaythisunmelodiouscontrivance，and，flourishingitabovehishead，producedmusicofindescribablepotency，stilldancingwithfriskystep，andstrikingthetambourine，andringingitslittlebells，allinonejovialact。
Itmightbethattherewasmagicinthesound，orcontagion，atleast，inthespiritwhichhadgotpossessionofMiriamandhimself，forverysoonanumberoffestalpeopleweredrawntothespot，andstruckintothedance，singlyorinpairs，asiftheywereallgonemadwithjollity。AmongthemweresomeoftheplebeiandamselswhomwemeetbareheadedintheRomanstreets，withsilverstilettosthrustthroughtheirglossyhair；thecontadinas，too，fromtheCampagnaandthevillages，withtheirrichandpicturesquecostumesofscarletandallbrighthues，suchasfairermaidensmightnotventuretoputon。ThencamethemodernRomanfromTrastevere，perchance，withhisoldcloakdrawnabouthimlikeatoga，whichanon，ashisactivemotionheatedhim，heflungaside。ThreeFrenchsoldierscaperedfreelyintothethrong，inwidescarlettrousers，theirshortswordsdanglingattheirsides；andthreeGermanartistsingrayflaccidhatsandflauntingbeards；andoneofthePope\'sSwissguardsmeninthestrangemotleygarbwhichMichaelAngelocontrivedforthem。TwoyoungEnglishtouristsoneofthemalordtookcontadinepartnersanddashedin，asdidalsoashaggymaningoat-skinbreeches，wholookedlikerusticPaninperson，andfooteditasmerrilyashe。BesidestheabovetherewasaherdsmanortwofromtheCampagna，andafewpeasantsinsky-bluejackets，andsmall-clothestiedwithribbonsattheknees；
haggardandsallowweretheselast，poorserfs，havinglittletoeatandnothingbutthemalariatobreathe；butstilltheypluckedupamomentaryspiritandjoinedhandsinDonatello\'sdance。
Here，asitseemed，hadtheGoldenAgecomebackagainwithinthePrecinctsofthissunnyglade，thawingmankindoutoftheircoldformalities，releasingthemfromirksomerestraint，minglingthemtogetherinsuchchildlikegayetythatnewflowersofwhichtheoldbosomoftheearthisfullsprangupbeneaththeirfootsteps。Thesoleexceptiontothegenialityofthemoment，aswehaveunderstood，wasseeninacountrymanofourown，whosneeredatthespectacle，anddeclinedtocompromisehisdignitybymakingpartofit。
Theharperthrummedwithrapidfingers；theviolinplayerflashedhisbowbackandforthacrossthestrings；theflautistpouredhisbreathinquickpuffsofjollity，whileDonatelloshookthetambourineabovehishead，andledthemerrythrongwithunweariablesteps。Astheyfollowedoneanotherinawildringofmirth，itseemedtherealizationofoneofthosebas-reliefswhereadanceofnymphs，satyrs，orbacchanalsistwinedaroundthecircleofanantiquevase；oritwaslikethesculpturedsceneonthefrontandsidesofasarcophagus，where，asoftenasanyotherdevice，afestiveprocessionmockstheashesandwhitebonesthataretreasuredupwithin。Youmighttakeitforamarriagepageant；butafterawhile，ifyoulookatthesemerry-makers，followingthemfromendtoendofthemarblecoffin，youdoubtwhethertheirgaymovementisleadingthemtoahappyclose。Ayouthhassuddenlyfalleninthedance；achariotisoverturnedandbroken，flingingthecharioteerheadlongtotheground；amaidenseemstohavegrownfaintorweary，andisdroopingonthebosomofafriend。Alwayssometragicincidentisshadowedforthorthrustsidelongintothespectacle；andwhenonceithascaughtyoureyeyoucanlooknomoreatthefestalportionsofthescene，exceptwithreferencetothisoneslightlysuggesteddoomandsorrow。
Asinitsmirth，sointhedarkercharacteristicherealludedto，therewasananalogybetweenthesculpturedsceneonthesarcophagusandthewilddancewhichwehavebeendescribing。InthemidstofitsmadnessandriotMiriamfoundherselfsuddenlyconfrontedbyastrangefigurethatshookitsfantasticgarmentsintheair，andprancedbeforeheronitstiptoes，almostvyingwiththeagilityofDonatellohimself。Itwasthemodel。
AmomentafterwardsDonatellowasawarethatshehadretiredfromthedance。Hehastenedtowardsher，andflunghimselfonthegrassbesidethestonebenchonwhichMiriamwassitting。Butastrangedistanceandunapproachablenesshadallatonceenvelopedher；andthoughhesawherwithinreachofhisarm，yetthelightofhereyesseemedasfaroffasthatofastar，norwasthereanywarmthinthemelancholysmilewithwhichsheregardedhim。
\"Comeback！\"criedhe。\"Whyshouldthishappyhourendsosoon？\"
\"Itmustendhere，Donatello，\"saidshe，inanswertohiswordsandoutstretchedhand；\"andsuchhours，Ibelieve，donotoftenrepeatthemselvesinalifetime。Letmego，myfriend；letmevanishfromyouquietlyamongtheshadowsofthesetrees。See，thecompanionsofourpastimearevanishingalready！\"
Whetheritwasthattheharp-stringswerebroken，theviolinoutoftune，ortheflautistoutofbreath，soitchancedthatthemusichadceased，andthedancerscomeabruptlytoapause。Allthatmotleythrongofrioterswasdissolvedassuddenlyasithadbeendrawntogether。InMiriam\'sremembrancethescenehadacharacteroffantasy。Itwasasifacompanyofsatyrs，fauns，andnymphs，withPaninthemidstofthem，hadbeendisportingthemselvesinthesevenerablewoodsonlyamomentago；andnowinanothermoment，becausesomeprofaneeyehadlookedatthemtooclosely，orsomeintruderhadcastashadowontheirmirth，thesylvanpageanthadutterlydisappeared。Ifafewofthemerry-makerslingeredamongthetrees，theyhadhiddentheirracypeculiaritiesunderthegarbandaspectofordinarypeople，andshelteredthemselvesinthewearycommonplaceofdailylife。JustaninstantbeforeitwasArcadiaandtheGoldenAge。Thespellbeingbroken，itwasnowonlythatoldtractofpleasureground，closebythepeople\'sgat：eofRome，——atractwherethecrimesandcalamitiesofages，themanybattles，bloodrecklesslypouredout，anddeathsofmyriads，havecorruptedallthesoil，creatinganinfluencethatmakestheairdeadlytohumanlungs。
\"Youmustleaveme，\"saidMiriamtoDonatellomoreimperativelythanbefore；\"haveInotsaidit？Go；andlooknotbehindyou。\"
\"Miriam，\"whisperedDonatello，graspingherhandforcibly，\"whoisitthatstandsintheshadowyonder，beckoningyoutofollowhim？\"
\"Hush；leaveme！\"repeatedMiriam。\"Yourhourispast；hishourhascome。\"
Donatellostillgazedinthedirectionwhichhehadindicated，andtheexpressionofhisfacewasfearfullychanged，beingsodisordered，perhapswithterror，——atalleventswithangerandinvinciblerepugnance，——thatMiriamhardlyknewhim。Hislipsweredrawnapartsoastodisclosehissetteeth，thusgivinghimalookofanimalrage，whichweseldomseeexceptinpersonsofthesimplestandrudestnatures。Ashudderseemedtopassthroughhisverybones。
\"Ihatehim！\"mutteredhe。
\"Besatisfied；Ihatehimtoo！\"saidMiriam。
Shehadnothoughtofmakingthisavowal，butwasirresistiblydrawntoitbythesympathyofthedarkemotioninherownbreastwiththatsostronglyexpressedbyDonatello。Twodropsofwaterorofblooddonotmorenaturallyflowintoeachotherthandidherhatredintohis。
\"ShallIclutchhimbythethroat？\"whisperedDonatello，withasavagescowl。\"Bidmedoso，andweareridofhimforever。\"
\"InHeaven\'sname，noviolence！\"exclaimedMiriam，affrightedoutofthescornfulcontrolwhichshehadhithertoheldoverhercompanion，bythefiercenessthathesosuddenlydeveloped。\"O，havepityonme，Donatello，iffornothingelse，yetbecauseinthemidstofmywretchednessIletmyselfbeyourplaymateforthisonewildhour！Followmenofarther。
Henceforthleavemetomydoom。Dearfriend，——kind，simple，lovingfriend，——makemenotmorewretchedbytheremembranceofhavingthrownfiercehatesorlovesintothewellspringofyourhappylife！\"
\"Notfollowyou！\"repeatedDonatello，soothedfromangerintosorrow，lessbythepurportofwhatshesaid，thanbythemelancholysweetnessofhervoice，——\"notfollowyou！WhatotherpathhaveI？\"
\"Wewilltalkofitonceagain，\"saidMiriamstillsoothingly；
\"soon——to-morrowwhenyouwill；onlyleavemenow。\"
CHAPTERXI
FRAGMENTARYSENTENCES
IntheBorgheseGrove，sorecentlyuproariouswithmerrimentandmusic，thereremainedonlyMiriamandherstrangefollower。
Asolitudehadsuddenlyspreaditselfaroundthem。Itperhapssymbolizedapeculiarcharacterintherelationofthesetwo，insulatingthem，andbuildingupaninsuperablebarrierbetweentheirlife-streamsandothercurrents，whichmightseemtoflowinclosevicinity。Foritisoneofthechiefearthlyincommoditiesofsomespeciesofmisfortune，orofagreatcrime，thatitmakestheactorintheone，orthesuffereroftheother，analienintheworld，byinterposingawhollyunsympatheticmediumbetwixthimselfandthosewhomheyearnstomeet。
Owing，itmaybe，tothismoralestrangement，——thischillremotenessoftheirposition，——therehavecometousbutafewvaguewhisperingsofwhatpassedinMiriam\'sinterviewthatafternoonwiththesinisterpersonagewhohaddoggedherfootstepseversincethevisittothecatacomb。Inweavingthesemysticutterancesintoacontinuousscene，weundertakeataskresemblinginitsperplexitythatofgatheringupandpiecingtogetherthefragmentsoraletterwhichhasbeentornandscatteredtothewinds。Manywordsofdeepsignificance，manyentiresentences，andthosepossiblythemostimportantones，haveflowntoofaronthewingedbreezetoberecovered。Ifweinsertourownconjecturalamendments，weperhapsgiveapurportutterlyatvariancewiththetrueone。Yetunlessweattemptsomethinginthisway，theremustremainanunsightlygap，andalackofcontinuousnessanddependenceinournarrative；sothatitwouldarriveatcertaininevitablecatastropheswithoutduewarningoftheirimminence。
Ofsomuchwearesure，thatthereseemedtobeasadlymysteriousfascinationintheinfluenceofthisill-omenedpersonoverMiriam；itwassuchasbeastsandreptilesofsubtleandevilnaturesometimesexerciseupontheirvictims。Marvellousitwastoseethehopelessnesswithwhichbeingnaturallyofsocourageousaspiritsheresignedherselftothethraldominwhichheheldher。Thatironchain，ofwhichsomeofthemassivelinkswereroundherfemininewaist，andtheothersinhisruthlesshand，——orwhich，perhaps，boundthepairtogetherbyabondequallytorturingtoeach，——musthavebeenforgedinsomesuchunhallowedfurnaceasisonlykindledbyevilpassions，andfedbyevildeeds。
Yet，letustrust，theremayhavebeennocrimeinMiriam，butonlyoneofthosefatalitieswhichareamongthemostinsolubleriddlespropoundedtomortalcomprehension；thefataldecreebywhicheverycrimeismadetobetheagonyofmanyinnocentpersons，aswellasofthesingleguiltyone。
Itwas，atanyrate，butafeebleanddespairingkindofremonstrancewhichshehadnowtheenergytoopposeagainsthispersecution。
\"Youfollowmetooclosely，\"shesaid，inlow，falteringaccents；\"youallowmetooscantyroomtodrawmybreath。Doyouknowwhatwillbetheendofthis？\"\"Iknowwellwhatmustbetheend，\"hereplied。
\"Tellme，then，\"saidMiriam，\"thatImaycompareyourforebodingwithmyown。Mineisaverydarkone。\"
\"Therecanbebutoneresult，andthatsoon，\"answeredthemodel。\"Youmustthrowoffyourpresentmaskandassumeanother。Youmustvanishoutofthescene：quitRomewithme，andleavenotracewherebytofollowyou。
Itisinmypower，asyouwellknow，tocompelyouracquiescenceinmybidding。Youareawareofthepenaltyofarefusal。\"
\"Notthatpenaltywithwhichyouwouldterrifyme，\"saidMiriam；\"anothertheremaybe，butnotsogrievous。\"\"Whatisthatother？\"heinquired。
\"Death！simplydeath！\"sheanswered。\"Death，\"saidherpersecutor，\"isnotsosimpleandopportuneathingasyouimagine。Youarestrongandwarmwithlife。Sensitiveandirritableasyourspiritis，thesemanymonthsoftrouble，thislatterthraldominwhichIholdyou，havescarcelymadeyourcheekpalerthanIsawitinyourgirlhood。Miriam，——forI
forbeartospeakanothername，atwhichtheseleaveswouldshiveraboveourheads，——Miriam，youcannotdie！\"
\"Mightnotadaggerfindmyheart？\"saidshe，forthefirsttimemeetinghiseyes。\"Wouldnotpoisonmakeanendofme？WillnottheTiberdrownme？\"
\"Itmight，\"heanswered；\"forIallowthatyouaremortal。But，Miriam，believeme，itisnotyourfatetodiewhilethereremainssomuchtobesinnedandsufferedintheworld。Wehaveadestinywhichwemustneedsfulfiltogether。I，too，havestruggledtoescapeit。Iwasasanxiousasyourselftobreakthetiebetweenus，——toburythepastinafathomlessgrave，——tomakeitimpossiblethatweshouldevermeet，untilyouconfrontmeatthebarofJudgment！YoulittlecanimaginewhatstepsItooktorenderallthissecure；andwhatwastheresult？Ourstrangeinterviewinthebowelsoftheearthconvincedmeofthefutilityofmydesign。\"
\"Ah，fatalchance！\"criedMiriam，coveringherfacewithherhands。
\"Yes，yourhearttrembledwithhorrorwhenyourecognizedme，\"rejoinedhe；
\"butyoudidnotguessthattherewasanequalhorrorinmyown！\"
\"Whywouldnottheweightofearthaboveourheadshavecrumbleddownuponusboth，forcingusapart，butburyingusequally？\"criedMiriam，inaburstofvehementpassion。\"O，thatwecouldhavewanderedinthosedismalpassagestillwebothperished，takingoppositepathsinthedarkness，sothatwhenwelaydowntodie，ourlast。breathsmightnotmingle！\"
\"Itwerevaintowishit，\"saidthemodel。\"Inallthatlabyrinthofmidnightpaths，weshouldhavefoundoneanotherouttoliveordietogether。Ourfatescrossandareentangled。Thethreadsaretwistedintoastrongcord，whichisdraggingustoanevildoom。Couldtheknotsbesevered，wemightescape。Butneithercanyourslenderfingersuntietheseknots，normymasculineforcebreakthem。Wemustsubmit！\"
\"Prayforrescue，asIhave，\"exclaimedMiriam。\"Prayfordeliverancefromme，sinceIamyourevilgenius，asyoumine。Darkasyourlifehasbeen，Ihaveknownyoutoprayintimespast！\"
AtthesewordsofMiriam，atremorandhorrorappearedtoseizeuponherpersecutor，insomuchthatheshookandgrewashypalebeforehereyes。Inthisman\'smemorytherewassomethingthatmadeitawfulforhimtothinkofprayer；norwouldanytorturebemoreintolerablethantoberemindedofsuchdivinecomfortandsuccorasawaitpioussoulsmerelyfortheasking；Thistormentwasperhapsthetokenofanativetemperamentdeeplysusceptibleofreligiousimpressions，butwhichhadbeenwronged，violated，anddebased，until，atlength，itwascapableonlyofterrorfromthesourcesthatwereintendedforourpurestandloftiestconsolation。Helookedsofearfullyather，andwithsuchintensepainstrugglinginhiseyes，thatMiriamfeltpity。
Andnow，allatonce，itstruckherthathemightbemad。Itwasanideathathadneverbeforeseriouslyoccurredtohermind，although，assoonassuggested，itfittedmarvellouslyintomanycircumstancesthatlaywithinherknowledge。But，alas！suchwasherevilfortune，that，whethermadorno，hispoweroverherremainedthesame，andwaslikelytobeusedonlythemoretyrannously，ifexercisedbyalunatic。
Iwouldnotgiveyoupain，\"shesaid，soothingly；\"yourfaithallowsyoutheconsolationsofpenanceandabsolution。Trywhathelptheremaybeinthese，andleavemetomyself。\"
\"Donotthinkit，Miriam，\"saidhe；\"weareboundtogether，andcanneverpartagain。\"\"Whyshoulditseemsoimpossible？\"sherejoined。\"ThinkhowIhadescapedfromallthepast！Ihadmadeformyselfanewsphere，andfoundnewfriends，newoccupations，newhopesandenjoyments。Myheart，methinks，wasalmostasunburdenedasiftherehadbeennomiserablelifebehindme。Thehumanspiritdoesnotperishofasinglewound，norexhaustitselfinasingletrialoflife。Letusbutkeepasunder，andallmaygowellforboth。\"\"Wefanciedourselvesforeversundered，\"hereplied。\"Yetwemetonce，inthebowelsoftheearth；and，werewetopartnow，ourfateswouldflingustogetheragaininadesert，onamountain-top，orinwhateverspotseemedsafest。Youspeakinvain，therefore。\"
\"Youmistakeyourownwillforanironnecessity，\"saidMiriam；\"otherwise，youmighthavesufferedmetoglidepastyoulikeaghost，whenwemetamongthoseghostsofancientdays。Evennowyoumightbidmepassasfreely。\"
\"Never！\"saidhe，withunmitigablewill；\"yourreappearancehasdestroyedtheworkofyears。YouknowthepowerthatIhaveoveryou。Obeymybidding；or，withinashorttime，itshallbeexercised：norwillIceasetohauntyoutillthemomentcomes。\"
\"Then，\"saidMiriammorecalmly，\"Iforeseetheend，andhavealreadywarnedyouofit。Itwillbedeath！\"
\"Yourowndeath，Miriam，——ormine？\"heasked，lookingfixedlyather。
\"Doyouimaginemeamurderess？\"saidshe，shuddering；\"you，atleast，havenorighttothinkmeso！\"
\"Yet，\"rejoinedhe，withaglanceofdarkmeaning，\"menhavesaidthatthiswhitehandhadonceacrimsonstain。\"Hetookherhandashespoke，andhelditinhisown，inspiteoftherepugnance，amountingtonothingshortofagony，withwhichshestruggledtoregainit。Holdingituptothefadinglightfortherewasalreadydimnessamongthetrees，heappearedtoexamineitclosely，asiftodiscovertheimaginaryblood-stainwithwhichhetauntedher。Hesmiledasheletitgo。\"Itlooksverywhite，\"saidhe；\"butIhaveknownhandsaswhite，whichallthewaterintheoceanwouldnothavewashedclean。\"
\"Ithadnostain，\"retortedMiriambitterly，\"untilyougraspeditinyourown。\"
Thewindhasblownawaywhateverelsetheymayhavespoken。
Theywenttogethertowardsthetown，and，ontheirway，continuedtomakereference，nodoubt，tosomestrangeanddreadfulhistoryoftheirformerlife，belongingequallytothisdarkmanandtothefairandyouthfulwomanwhomhepersecuted。Intheirwords，orinthebreaththatutteredthem，thereseemedtobeanodorofguilt，andascentofblood。Yet，howcanweimaginethatastainofensanguinedcrimeshouldattachtoMiriam！
Orhow，ontheotherhand，shouldspotlessinnocencebesubjectedtoathraldomlikethatwhichsheenduredfromthespectre，whomsheherselfhadevokedoutofthedarkness！Bethisasitmight，Miriam，wehavereasontobelieve，stillcontinuedtobeseechhim，humbly，passionately，wildly，onlytogohisway，andleaveherfreetofollowherownsadpath。
ThustheystrayedonwardthroughthegreenwildernessoftheBorghesegrounds，andsooncamenearthecitywall，where，hadMiriamraisedhereyes，shemighthaveseenHildaandthesculptorleaningontheparapet。
Butshewalkedinamistoftrouble，andcoulddistinguishlittlebeyonditslimits。Astheycamewithinpublicobservation，herpersecutorfellbehind，throwingofftheimperiousmannerwhichhehadassumedduringtheirsolitaryinterview。ThePortadelPopoloswarmedwithlife。Themerry-makers，whohadspentthefeast-dayoutsidethewalls，werenowthrongingin；apartyofhorsemenwereenteringbeneaththearch；atravellingcarriagehadbeendrawnupjustwithintheverge，andwaspassingthroughthevillainousordealofthepapalcustom-house。Inthebroadpiazza，too，therewasamotleycrowd。
ButthestreamofMiriam\'stroublekeptitswaythroughthisfloodofhumanlife，andneithermingledwithitnorwasturnedaside。Withasadkindoffeminineingenuity，shefoundawaytokneelbeforehertyrantundetected，thoughinfullsightofallthepeople，stillbeseechinghimforfreedom，andinvain。
CHAPTERXII
ASTROLLONTHEPINCIAN
Hilda，aftergivingthelasttouchestothepictureofBeatriceCenci，hadflowndownfromherdove-cote，lateintheafternoon，andgonetothePincianHill，inthehopeofhearingastrainortwoofexhilaratingmusic。
There，asithappened，shemetthesculptor，for，tosaythetruth，Kenyonhadwellnotedthefairartist\'sordinarywayoflife，andwasaccustomedtoshapehisownmovementssoastobringhimoftenwithinhersphere。
ThePincianHillisthefavoritepromenadeoftheRomanaristocracy。Atthepresentday，however，likemostotherRomanpossessions，itbelongslesstothenativeinhabitantsthantothebarbariansfromGaul，GreatBritain，antibeyondthesea，whohaveestablishedapeacefulusurpationoverwhateverisenjoyableormemorableintheEternalCity。Theseforeignguestsareindeedungrateful，iftheydonotbreatheaprayerforPopeClement，orwhateverHolyFatheritmayhavebeen，wholevelledthesummitofthemountsoskilfully，andboundeditwiththeparapetofthecitywall；wholaidoutthosebroadwalksanddrives，andoverhungthemwiththedeepeningshadeofmanykindsoftree；whoscatteredtheflowers，ofallseasonsandofeveryclime，abundantlyoverthosegreen，centrallawns；whoscoopedouthollowsinfitplaces，and，settinggreatbasinsofmarbleinthem，causedever-gushingfountainstofillthemtothebrim；
whoreareduptheimmemorialobeliskoutofthesoilthathadlonghiddenit；whoplacedpedestalsalongthebordersoftheavenues，andcrownedthemwithbustsofthatmultitudeofworthies——statesmen，heroes，artists，menoflettersandofsong——whomthewholeworldclaimsasitschiefornaments，thoughItalyproducedthemall。Inaword，thePinciangardenisoneofthethingsthatreconcilethestrangersincehefullyappreciatestheenjoyment，andfeelsnothingofthecosttotheruleofanirresponsibledynastyofHolyFathers，whoseemtohaveaimedatmakinglifeasagreeableanaffairasitcanwellbe。
Inthispleasantspot，thered-trouseredFrenchsoldiersarealwaystobeseen；beardedandgrizzledveterans，perhapswithmedalsofAlgiersortheCrimeaontheirbreasts。Tothemisassignedthepeacefuldutyofseeingthatchildrendonottrampleontheflowerbeds，noranyyouthfulloverriflethemoftheirfragrantblossomstostickinthebelovedone\'shair。
Heresitsdroopinguponsomemarblebench，inthetreacheroussunshine
theconsumptivegirl，whosefriendshavebroughther，forcure，toaclimatethatinstilspoisonintoitsverypurestbreath。Here，allday，comenursery-maids，burdenedwithrosyEnglishbabies，orguidingthefootstepsoflittletravellersfromthefarWesternworld。Here，inthesunnyafternoons，rollandrumbleallkindsofequipages，fromthecardinal\'sold-fashionedandgorgeouspurplecarriagetothegaybaroucheofmoderndate。Herehorsemengalloponthoroughbredsteeds。Here，inshort，allthetransitorypopulationofRome，theworld\'sgreatwatering-place，rides，drives，orpromenades！Herearebeautifulsunsets；
andhere，whicheverwayyouturnyoureyes，arescenesaswellworthgazingat，bothinthemselvesandfortheirhistoricinterest，asanythatthesuneverroseandsetupon。Here，too，oncertainafternoonsoftheweek，aFrenchmilitarybandflingsoutrichmusicoverthepooroldcity，floatingherwithstrainsasloudasthoseofherownecholesstriumphs。
Hildaandthesculptorbythecontrivanceofthelatter，wholovedbesttobealonewithhisyoungcountrywomanhadwanderedbeyondthethrongofpromenaders，whomtheyleftinadenseclusteraroundthemusic。Theystrayed，indeed，tothefarthestpointofthePincianHill，andleanedovertheparapet，lookingdownupontheMuroTorto，amassivefragmentoftheoldestRomanwall，whichjutsover，asifreadytotumbledownbyitsownweight，yetseemsstillthemostindestructiblepieceofworkthatmen\'shandseverpiledtogether。InthebluedistanceroseSoracte，andotherheights，whichhavegleamedafar，toourimaginations，butlookscarcelyrealtoourbodilyeyes，because，beingdreamedaboutsomuch，theyhavetakentheaerialtintswhichbelongonlytoadream。These，nevertheless，arethesolidframeworkofhillsthatshutinRome，anditswidesurroundingCampagna，——nolandofdreams，butthebroadestpageofhistory，crowdedsofullwithmemorableeventsthatoneobliteratesanother；asifTimehadcrossedandrecrossedhisownrecordstilltheygrewillegible。
But，nottomeddlewithhistory，——withwhichournarrativeisnootherwiseconcerned，thanthattheverydustofRomeishistoric，andinevitablysettlesonourpageandmingleswithourink，——wewillreturntoourtwofriends，whowerestillleaningoverthewall。BeneaththemlaythebroadsweepoftheBorghesegrounds，coveredwithtrees，amidwhichappearedthewhitegleamofpillarsandstatues，andtheflashofanupspringingfountain，alltobeovershadowedatalaterperiodoftheyearbythethickergrowthoffoliage。
Theadvanceofvegetation，inthissofterclimate，islessabruptthantheinhabitantofthecoldNorthisaccustomedtoobserve。Beginningearlier，——eveninFebruary，——SpringisnotcompelledtoburstintoSummerwithsuchheadlonghaste；thereistimetodwelluponeachopeningbeauty，andtoenjoythebuddingleaf，thetendergreen，thesweetyouthandfreshnessoftheyear；itgivesusits。maidencharm，before，settlingintothemarriedSummer，which，again，doesnotsosoonsoberitselfintomatronlyAutumn。Inourowncountry，thevirginSpringhastenstoitsbridaltooabruptly。Buthere，afteramonthortwoofkindlygrowth，theleavesoftheyoungtrees，whichcoverthatportionoftheBorghesegroundsnearestthecitywall，werestillintheirtenderhalfdevelopment。
Intheremoterdepths，amongtheoldgrovesofilex-trees，HildaandKenyonheardthefaintsoundofmusic，laughter，andminglingvoices。Itwasprobablytheuproar——spreadingevensofarasthewallsofRome，andgrowingfadedandmelancholyinitspassage——ofthatwildsylvanmerriment，whichwehavealreadyattemptedtodescribe。Byandbyitceased——althoughthetwolistenersstilltriedtodistinguishitbetweentheburstsofnearermusicfromthemilitaryband。Buttherewasnorenewalofthatdistantmirth。Soonafterwardstheysawasolitaryfigureadvancingalongoneofthepathsthatleadfromtheobscurerpartofthegroundtowardsthegateway。
\"Look！isitnotDonatello？\"saidHilda。
\"Heitis，beyondadoubt，\"repliedthesculptor。\"Buthowgravelyhewalks，andwithwhatlonglooksbehindhim！Heseemseitherveryweary，orverysad。Ishouldnothesitatetocallitsadness，ifDonatellowereacreaturecapableofthesinandfollyoflowspirits。Inallthesehundredpaces，whilewehavebeenwatchinghim，hehasnotmadeoneofthoselittlecapriolesintheairwhicharecharacteristicofhisnaturalgait。IbegintodoubtwhetherheisaveritableFaun。\"
\"Then，\"saidHilda，withperfectsimplicity，\"youhavethoughthim——anddothinkhim——oneofthatstrange，wild，happyraceofcreatures，thatusedtolaughandsportinthewoods，intheold，oldtimes？SodoI，indeed！
ButIneverquitebelieved，tillnow，thatfaunsexistedanywherebutinpoetry。\"
Thesculptoratfirstmerelysmiled。Then，astheideatookfurtherpossessionofhismind，helaughedoutright，andwishedfromthebottomofhisheartbeinginlovewithHilda，thoughhehadnevertoldhersothathecouldhaverewardedorpunishedherforitsprettyabsurditywithakiss。
\"OHilda，whatatreasureofsweetfaithandpureimaginationyouhideunderthatlittlestrawhat！\"criedhe，atlength。\"AFaun！aFaun！
GreatPanisnotdead，then，afterall！Thewholetribeofmythicalcreaturesyetliveinthemoonlitseclusionofayounggirl\'sfancy，andfinditalovelierabodeandplay-place，Idoubtnot，thantheirArcadianhauntsofyore。Whatbliss，ifamanofmarble，likemyself，couldstraythither，too！\"
\"Whydoyoulaughso？\"askedHilda，reddening；forshewasalittledisturbedatKenyon\'sridicule，howeverkindlyexpressed。\"WhatcanI
havesaid，thatyouthinksoveryfoolish？\"
\"Well，notfoolish，then，\"rejoinedthesculptor，\"butwiser，itmaybe，thanIcanfathom。Really，however，theideadoesstrikeoneasdelightfullyfresh，whenweconsiderDonatello\'spositionandexternalenvironment。Why，mydearHilda，heisaTuscanborn，ofanoldnobleraceinthatpartofItaly；andhehasamoss-growntoweramongtheApennines，whereheandhisforefathershavedwelt，undertheirownvinesandfig-trees，fromanunknownantiquity。HisboyishpassionforMiriamhasintroducedhimfamiliarlytoourlittlecircle；andourrepublicanandartisticsimplicityofintercoursehasincludedthisyoungItalian，onthesametermsasoneofourselves。But，ifwepaidduerespecttorankandtitle，weshouldbendreverentiallytoDonatello，andsalutehimashisExcellencytheCountdiMonteBeni。\"
\"Thatisadrollidea，muchdrollerthanhisbeingaFaun！\"saidHilda，laughinginherturn。\"Thisdoesnotquitesatisfyme，however，especiallyasyouyourselfrecognizedandacknowledgedhiswonderfulresemblancetothestatue。\"
\"Exceptasregardsthepointedears，\"saidKenyon；adding，aside，\"andoneotherlittlepeculiarity，generallyobservableinthestatuesoffauns。\"
\"AsforhisExcellencytheCountdiMonteBeni\'sears，\"repliedHilda，smilingagainatthedignitywithwhichthistitleinvestedtheirplayfulfriend，\"youknowwecouldneverseetheirshape，onaccountofhisclusteringcurls。Nay，Iremember，heoncestartedback，asshylyasawilddeer，whenMiriammadeapretenceofexaminingthem。Howdoyouexplainthat？\"
\"O，Icertainlyshallnotcontendagainstsuchaweightofevidence，thefactofhisfaunshipbeingotherwisesoprobable，\"answeredthesculptor，stillhardlyretaininghisgravity。\"Faunornot，DonatelloortheCountdiMonteBeni——isasingularlywildcreature，and，asIhaveremarkedonotheroccasions，thoughverygentle，doesnotlovetobetouched。
Speakinginnoharshsense，thereisagreatdealofanimalnatureinhim，asifhehadbeenborninthewoods，andhadrunwildallhischildhood，andwereasyetbutimperfectlydomesticated。Life，eveninourday，isverysimpleandunsophisticatedinsomeoftheshaggynooksoftheApennines。\"
\"Itannoysmeverymuch，\"saidHilda，\"thisinclination，whichmostpeoplehave，toexplainawaythewonderandthemysteryoutofeverything。Whycouldnotyouallowme——andyourself，too——thesatisfactionofthinkinghimaFaun？\"
\"Praykeepyourbelief，dearHilda，ifitmakesyouanyhappier，\"saidthesculptor；\"andIshalldomybesttobecomeaconvert。Donatellohasaskedmetospendthesummerwithhim，inhisancestraltower，whereI
purposeinvestigatingthepedigreeofthesesylvancounts，hisforefathers；
andiftheirshadowsbeckonmeintodreamland，Ishallwillinglyfollow。
Bythebye，speakingofDonatello，thereisapointonwhichIshouldliketobeenlightened。\"
\"CanIhelpyou，then？\"saidHilda，inanswertohislook。
\"IstheretheslightestchanceofhiswinningMiriam\'saffections？\"
suggestedKenyon。
\"Miriam！she，soaccomplishedandgifted！\"exclaimedHilda；\"andhe，arude，uncultivatedboy！No，no，no！\"
\"Itwouldseemimpossible，\"saidthesculptor。\"But，ontheotherhand，agiftedwomanflingsawayheraffectionssounaccountably，sometimes！
Miriamoflatehasbeenverymorbidandmiserable，aswebothknow。Youngassheis，themorninglightseemsalreadytohavefadedoutofherlife；
andnowcomesDonatello，withnaturalsunshineenoughforhimselfandher，andoffershertheopportunityofmakingherheartandlifeallnewandcheeryagain。Peopleofhighintellectualendowmentsdonotrequiresimilaronesinthosetheylove。Theyarejustthepersonstoappreciatethewholesomegushofnaturalfeeling，thehonestaffection，thesimplejoy，thefulnessofcontentmentwithwhatheloves，whichMiriamseesinDonatello。True；shemaycallhimasimpleton。Itisanecessityofthecase；foramanlosesthecapacityforthiskindofaffection，inproportionashecultivatesandrefineshimself。\"
\"Dearme！\"saidHilda，drawingimperceptiblyawayfromhercompanion。
\"Isthisthepenaltyofrefinement？Pardonme；Idonotbelieveit。Itisbecauseyouareasculptor，thatyouthinknothingcanbefinelywroughtexceptitbecoldandhard，likethemarbleinwhichyourideastakeshape。Iamapainter，andknowthatthemostdelicatebeautymaybesoftenedandwarmedthroughout。\"
\"Isaidafoolishthing，indeed，\"answeredthesculptor。\"Itsurprisesme，forImighthavedrawnawiserknowledgeoutofmyownexperience。Itisthesuresttestofgenuinelove，thatitbringsbackourearlysimplicitytotheworldliestofus。\"
Thustalking，theyloiteredslowlyalongbesidetheparapetwhichbordersthelevelsummitofthePincianwithitsirregularsweep。Atintervalstheylookedthroughthelattice-workoftheirthoughtsatthevariedprospectsthatlaybeforeandbeneaththem。
FromtheterracewheretheynowstoodthereisanabruptdescenttowardsthePiazzadelPopolo；andlookingdownintoitsbroadspacetheybeheldthetallpalatialedifices，thechurchdomes，andtheornamentedgateway，whichgrewandwereconsolidatedoutofthethoughtofMichaelAngelo。
Theysaw，too，theredgraniteobelisk，oldestofthings，eveninRome，whichrisesinthecentreofthepiazza，withafourfoldfountainatitsbase。AllRomanworksandruinswhetheroftheempire，thefar-offrepublic，orthestillmoredistantkingsassumeatransient，visionary，andimpalpablecharacterwhenwethinkthatthisindestructiblemonumentsuppliedoneoftherecollectionswhichMosesandtheIsraelitesborefromEgyptintothedesert。Perchance，onbeholdingthecloudypillarandthefierycolumn，theywhisperedawestrickentooneanother，\"InitsshapeitislikethatoldobeliskwhichweandourfathershavesooftenseenonthebordersoftheNile。\"Andnowthatveryobelisk，withhardlyatraceofdecayuponit，isthefirstthingthatthemoderntravellerseesafterenteringtheFlaminianGate！
Liftingtheireyes，Hildaandhercompaniongazedwestward，andsawbeyondtheinvisibleTibertheCastleofSt。Angelo；thatimmensetombofapaganemperor，withthearchangelatitssummit。
Stillfartheroffappearedamightypileofbuildings，surmountedbythevastdome，whichallofushaveshapedandswelledoutward，likeahugebubble，totheutmostScopeofourimaginations，longbeforeweseeitfloatingovertheworshipofthecity。Itmaybemostworthilyseenfrompreciselythepointwhereourtwofriendswerenowstanding。AtanynearerviewthegrandeurofSt。Peter\'shidesitselfbehindtheimmensityofitsseparateparts，——sothatweseeonlythefront，onlythesides，onlythepillaredlengthandloftinessoftheportico，andnotthemightywhole。Butatthisdistancetheentireoutlineoftheworld\'scathedral，aswellasthatofthepalaceoftheworld\'schiefpriest，istakeninatonce。Insuchremoteness，moreover，theimaginationisnotdebarredfromlendingitsassistance，evenwhilewehavetherealitybeforeoureyes，andhelpingtheweaknessofhumansensetodojusticetosograndanobject。Itrequiresbothfaithandfancytoenableustofeel，whatisneverthelesssotrue，thatyonder，infrontofthepurpleoutlineofhills，isthegrandestedificeeverbuiltbyman，paintedagainstGod\'sloveliestsky。
AftercontemplatingalittlewhileascenewhichtheirlongresidenceinRomehadmadefamiliartothem，KenyonandHildaagainlettheirglancesfallintothepiazzaattheirfeet。TheytherebeheldMiriam，whohadjustenteredthePortadelPopolo，andwasstandingbytheobeliskandfountain。WithagesturethatimpressedKenyonasatoncesuppliantandimperious，sheseemedtointimatetoafigurewhichhadattendedherthusfar，thatitwasnowherdesiretobeleftalone。Thepertinaciousmodel，however，remainedimmovable。
Andthesculptorherenotedacircumstance，which，accordingtotheinterpretationhemightputuponit，waseithertootrivialtobementioned，orelsesomysteriouslysignificantthathefounditdifficulttobelievehiseyes。Miriamkneltdownonthestepsofthefountain；sofartherecouldbenoquestionofthefact。Tootherobservers，ifanytherewere，sheprobablyappearedtotakethisattitudemerelyfortheconvenienceofdippingherfingersintothegushofwaterfromthemouthofoneofthestonelions。Butassheclaspedherhandstogetherafterthusbathingthem，andglancedupwardatthemodel，anideatookstrongpossessionofKenyon\'smindthatMiriamwaskneelingtothisdarkfollowerthereintheworld\'sface！
\"Doyouseeit？\"hesaidtoHilda。
\"Seewhat？\"askedshe，surprisedattheemotionofhistone。\"IseeMiriam，whohasjustbathedherhandsinthatdelightfullycoolwater。I
oftendipmyfingersintoaRomanfountain，andthinkofthebrookthatusedtobeoneofmyplaymatesinmyNewEnglandvillage。\"
\"IfanciedIsawsomethingelse，\"saidKenyon；\"butitwasdoubtlessamistake。\"
But，allowingthathehadcaughtatrueglimpseintothehiddensignificanceofMiriam\'sgesture，whataterriblethraldomdiditsuggest！
Freeassheseemedtobe，——beggarashelooked，——thenamelessvagrantmustthenbedraggingthebeautifulMiriamthroughthestreetsofRome，fetteredandshackledmorecruellythananycaptivequeenofyorefollowinginanemperor\'striumph。Andwasitconceivablethatshewouldhavebeenthusenthralledunlesssomegreaterror——howgreatKenyondarednotthink——orsomefatalweaknesshadgiventhisdarkadversaryavantageground？
\"Hilda，\"saidheabruptly，\"whoandwhatisMiriam？Pardonme；butareyousureofher？\"
\"Sureofher！\"repeatedHilda，withanangryblush，forherfriend\'ssake。
\"Iamsurethatsheiskind，good，andgenerous；atrueandfaithfulfriend，whomIlovedearly，andwholovesmeaswell！WhatmorethanthisneedIbesureof？\"
\"Andyourdelicateinstinctssayallthisinherfavor？——nothingagainsther？\"continuedthesculptor，withoutheedingtheirritationofHilda\'stone。\"Thesearemyownimpressions，too。Butsheissuchamystery！Wedonotevenknowwhethersheisacountrywomanofours，oranEnglishwoman，oraGerman。ThereisAnglo-Saxonbloodinherveins，onewouldsay，andarightEnglishaccentonhertongue，butmuchthatisnotEnglishbreeding，norAmerican。NowhereelsebutinRome，andasanartist，couldsheholdaplaceinsocietywithoutgivingsomeclewtoherpastlife。\"
\"Iloveherdearly，\"saidHilda，stillwithdispleasureinhertone，\"andtrusthermostentirely。\"
\"Myhearttrustsheratleast，whatevermyheadmaydo，\"repliedKenyon；
\"andRomeisnotlikeoneofourNewEnglandvillages，whereweneedthepermissionofeachindividualneighborforeveryactthatwedo，everywordthatweutter，andeveryfriendthatwemakeorkeep。Intheseparticularsthepapaldespotismallowsusfreerbreaththanournativeair；
andifweliketotakegenerousviewsofourassociates，wecandoso，toareasonableextent，withoutruiningourselves。\"
\"Themusichasceased，\"saidHilda；\"Iamgoingnow。\"
Therearethreestreetsthat，beginningclosebesideeachother，divergefromthePiazzadelPopolotowardstheheartofRome：ontheleft，theViadelBabuino；ontheright，theViadellaRipetta；andbetweenthesetwothatworldfamousavenue，theCorso。ItappearedthatMiriamandherstrangecompanionwerepassingupthefirstmentionedofthesethree，andweresoonhiddenfromHildaandthesculptor。
ThetwolatterleftthePincianbythebroadandstatelywalkthatskirtsalongitsbrow。Beneaththem，fromthebaseoftheabruptdescent，thecityspreadwideawayinaclosecontiguityofred-earthenroofs，abovewhichroseeminentthedomesofahundredchurches，besidehereandthereatower，andtheupperwindowsofsometallerorhighersituatedpalace，lookingdownonamultitudeofpalatialabodes。Atadistance，ascendingoutofthecentralmassofedifices，theycouldseethetopoftheAntoninecolumn，andnearitthecircularroofofthePantheonlookingheavenwardwithitsever-openeye。
Exceptthesetwoobjects，almosteverythingthattheybeheldwasmediaeval，thoughbuilt，indeed，ofthemassiveoldstonesandindestructiblebricksofimperialRome；fortheruinsoftheColiseum，theGoldenHouse，andinnumerabletemplesofRomangods，andmansionsofCaesarsandsenators，hadsuppliedthematerialforallthosegigantichovels，andtheirwallswerecementedwithmortarofinestimablecost，beingmadeofpreciousantiquestatues，burntlongagoforthispettypurpose。
Rome，asitnowexists，hasgrownupunderthePopes，andseemslikenothingbutaheapofbrokenrubbish，thrownintothegreatchasmbetweenourowndaysandtheEmpire，merelytofillitup；and，forthebetterpartoftwothousandyears，itsannalsofobscurepolicies，andwars，andcontinuallyrecurringmisfortunes，seemalsobutbrokenrubbish，ascomparedwithitsclassichistory。
Ifweconsiderthepresentcityasatallconnectedwiththefamousoneofold，itisonlybecausewefinditbuiltoveritsgrave。AdepthofthirtyfeetofsoilhascovereduptheRomeofancientdays，sothatitlieslikethedeadcorpseofagiant，decayingforcenturies，withnosurvivormightyenougheventoburyit，untilthedustofallthoseyearshasgatheredslowlyoveritsrecumbentformandmadeacasualsepulchre。
Weknownothowtocharacterize，inanyaccordantandcompatibleterms，theRomethatliesbeforeus；itssunlessalleys，andstreetsofpalaces；
itschurches，linedwiththegorgeousmarblesthatwereoriginallypolishedfortheadornmentofpagantemples；itsthousandsofevilsmells，mixedupwithfragranceofrichincense，diffusedfromasmanycensers；
itslittlelife，derivingfeeblenutrimentfromwhathaslongbeendead。
Everywhere，somefragmentofruinsuggestingthemagnificenceofaformerepoch；everywhere，moreover，aCross，——andnastinessatthefootofit。
Asthesumofall，therearerecollectionsthatkindlethesoul，andagloomandlanguorthatdepressitbeyondanydepthofmelancholicsentimentthatcanbeelsewhereknown。
YethowisitpossibletosayanunkindorirreverentialwordofRome？
Thecityofailtime，andofalltheworld！Thespotforwhichman\'sgreatlifeanddeedshavedonesomuch，andforwhichdecayhasdonewhatevergloryanddominioncouldnotdo！Atthismoment，theeveningsunshineisflingingitsgoldenmantleoverit，makingallthatwethoughtmeanmagnificent；thebellsofallthechurchessuddenlyringout，asifitwereapealoftriumphbecauseRomeisstillimperial。
\"Isometimesfancy，\"saidHilda，onwhosesusceptibilitythescenealwaysmadeastrongimpression，\"thatRome——mereRome——willcrowdeverythingelseoutofmyheart。\"
\"Heavenforbid！\"ejaculatedthesculptor。TheyhadnowreachedthegrandstairsthatascendfromthePiazzadiSpagnatothehitherbrowofthePincianHill。OldBeppo，themillionnaireofhisraggedfraternity，itisawonderthatnoartistpaintshimasthecripplewhomSt。PeterhealsattheBeautifulGateoftheTemple，——wasjustmountinghisdonkeytodepart，ladenwiththerichspoiloftheday\'sbeggary。
Upthestairs，drawinghistatteredcloakabouthisface，camethemodel，atwhomBeppolookedaskance，jealousofanencroacheronhisrightfuldomain。Thefigurepassedaway，however，uptheViaSistina。Inthepiazzabelow，nearthefootofthemagnificentsteps，stoodMiriam，withhereyesbentontheground，asifshewerecountingthoselittle，square，uncomfortablepaving-stones，thatmakeitapenitentialpilgrimagetowalkinRome。Shekeptthisattitudeforseveralminutes，andwhen，atlast，theimportunitiesofabeggardisturbedherfromit，sheseemedbewilderedandpressedherhanduponherbrow。
\"Shehasbeeninsomesaddreamorother，poorthing！\"saidKenyonsympathizingly；\"andevennowsheisimprisonedthereinakindofcage，theironbarsofwhicharemadeofherownthoughts。\"
\"Ifearsheisnotwell，\"saidHilda。\"Iamgoingdownthestairs，andwilljoinMiriam。\"
\"Farewell，then，\"saidthesculptor。\"DearHilda，thisisaperplexedandtroubledworld！Itsoothesmeinexpressiblytothinkofyouinyourtower，withwhitedovesandwhitethoughtsforyourcompanions，sohighaboveusall，andWiththeVirginforyourhouseholdfriend。Youknownothowfaritthrowsitslight，thatlampwhichyoukeepburningathershrine！I
passedbeneaththetowerlastnight，andtheraycheeredme，becauseyoulightedit。\"
\"Ithasformeareligioussignificance，\"repliedHildaquietly，\"andyetIamnoCatholic。\"
Theyparted，andKenyonmadehastealongtheViaSistina，inthehopeofovertakingthemodel，whosehauntsandcharacterhewasanxioustoinvestigate，forMiriam\'ssake。Hefanciedthathesawhimalongwayinadvance，butbeforehereachedtheFountainoftheTritontheduskyfigurehadvanished。
CHAPTERXIII
ASCULPTOR\'SSTUDIO
Aboutthisperiod，Miriamseemstohavebeengoadedbyawearyrestlessnessthatdroveherabroadonanyerrandornone。ShewentonemorningtovisitKenyoninhisstudio，whitherhehadinvitedhertoseeanewstatue，onwhichhehadstakedmanyhopes，andwhichwasnowalmostcompletedintheclay。NexttoHilda，thepersonforwhomMiriamfeltmostaffectionandconfidencewasKenyon；andinallthedifficultiesthatbesetherlife，itwasherimpulsetodrawnearHildaforfemininesympathy，andthesculptorforbrotherlycounsel。
Yetitwastolittlepurposethatsheapproachedtheedgeofthevoicelessgulfbetweenherselfandthem。Standingontheutmostvergeofthatdarkchasm，shemightstretchoutherhand，andneverclaspahandoftheirs；
shemightstrivetocallout，\"Help，friends！help！\"but，aswithdreamerswhentheyshout，hervoicewouldperishinaudiblyintheremotenessthatseemedsuchalittleway。Thisperceptionofaninfinite，shiveringsolitude，amidwhichwecannotcomecloseenoughtohumanbeingstobewarmedbythem，andwheretheyturntocold，chillyshapesofmist，isoneofthemostforlornresultsofanyaccident，misfortune，crime，orpeculiarityofcharacter，thatputsanindividualajarwiththeworld。
Veryoften，asinMiriam\'scase，thereisaninsatiableinstinctthatdemandsfriendship，love，andintimatecommunion，butisforcedtopineinemptyforms；ahungeroftheheart，whichfindsonlyshadowstofeedupon。
Kenyon\'sstudiowasinacross-street，or，rather，anuglyanddirtylittlelane，betweentheCorsoandtheViadellaRipetta；andthoughchill，narrow，gloomy，andborderedwithtallandshabbystructures，thelanewasnotawhitmoredisagreeablethanninetenthsoftheRomanstreets。
Overthedoorofoneofthehouseswasamarbletablet，bearinganinscription，tothepurportthatthesculpture-roomswithinhadformerlybeenoccupiedbytheillustriousartistCanova。IntheseprecinctswhichCanova\'sgeniuswasnotquiteofacharactertorendersacred，thoughitcertainlymadetheminterestingtheyoungAmericansculptorhadnowestablishedhimself。
Thestudioofasculptorisgenerallybutaroughanddreary-lookingplace，withagooddealtheaspect，indeed，ofastone-mason\'sworkshop。Barefloorsofbrickorplank，andplasteredwalls，——anoldchairortwo，orperhapsonlyablockofmarblecontaining，however，thepossibilityofidealgracewithinittositdownupon；somehastilyscrawledsketchesofnudefiguresonthewhitewashofthewall。Theselastareprobablythesculptor\'searliestglimpsesofideasthatmayhereafterbesolidifiedintoimperishablestone，orperhapsmayremainasimpalpableasadream。
Nextthereareafewveryroughlymodelledlittlefiguresinclayorplaster，exhibitingthesecondstageoftheideaasitadvancestowardsamarbleimmortality；andthenisseentheexquisitelydesignedshapeofclay，moreinterestingthaneventhefinalmarble，asbeingtheintimateproductionofthesculptorhimself，mouldedthroughoutwithhislovinghands，andnearesttohisimaginationandheart。Intheplaster-cast，fromthisclaymodel，thebeautyofthestatuestrangelydisappears，toshineforthagainwithpurewhiteradiance，inthepreciousmarbleofCarrara。Worksinallthesestagesofadvancement，andsomewiththefinaltouchuponthem，mightbefoundinKenyon\'sstudio。
Heremightbewitnessedtheprocessofactuallychisellingthemarble，withwhichasitisnotquitesatisfactorytothinkasculptorinthesedayshasverylittletodo。InItaly，thereisaclassofmenwhosemerelymechanicalskillisperhapsmoreexquisitethanwaspossessedbytheancientartificers，whowroughtoutthedesignsofPraxiteles；or，verypossibly，byPraxiteleshimself。Whateverofillusiverepresentationcanbeeffectedinmarble，theyarecapableofachieving，iftheobjectbebeforetheireyes。Thesculptorhasbuttopresentthesemenwithaplaster-castofhisdesign，andasufficientblockofmarble，andtellthemthatthefigureisimbeddedinthestone，andmustbefreedfromitsencumberingsuperfluities；and，induetime，withoutthenecessityofhistouchingtheworkwithhisownfinger，hewillseebeforehimthestatuethatistomakehimrenowned。Hiscreativepowerhaswroughtitwithaword。
Innootherart，surely，doesgeniusfindsucheffectiveinstruments，andsohappilyrelieveitselfofthedrudgery，ofactualperformance；doingwonderfullynicethingsbythehandsofotherpeople，whenitmaybesuspectedtheycouldnotalwaysbedonebythesculptor\'sown。Andhowmuchoftheadmirationwhichourartistsgetfortheirbuttonsandbuttonholes，theirshoe-ties，theirneckcloths，——andthese，atourpresentepochoftaste，makealargeshareoftherenown，——wouldbeabated，ifweweregenerallyawarethatthesculptorcanclaimnocreditforsuchprettyperformances，asimmortalizedinmarble！Theyarenothiswork，butthatofsomenamelessmachineinhumanshape。
Miriamstoppedaninstantinanantechamber，tolookatahalf-finishedbust，thefeaturesofwhichseemedtobestrugglingoutofthestone；and，asitwere，scatteringanddissolvingitshardsubstancebytheglowoffeelingandintelligence。Astheskilfulworkmangavestrokeafterstrokeofthechiselwithapparentcarelessness，butsureeffect，itwasimpossiblenottothinkthattheoutermarblewasmerelyanextraneousenvironment；thehumancountenancewithinitsembracemusthaveexistedtheresincethelimestoneledgesofCarrarawerefirstmade。Anotherbustwasnearlycompleted，thoughstilloneofKenyon\'smosttrustworthyassistantswasatwork，givingdelicatetouches，shavingoffanimpalpablesomething，andleavinglittleheapsofmarbledusttoattestit。
\"Asthesebustsintheblockofmarble，\"thoughtMiriam，\"sodoesourindividualfateexistinthelimestoneoftime。Wefancythatwecarveitout；butitsultimateshapeispriortoallouraction。\"
Kenyonwasintheinnerroom，but，hearingastepintheantechamber，hethrewaveiloverwhathewasatworkupon，andcameouttoreceivehisvisitor。Hewasdressedinagrayblouse，withalittlecaponthetopofhishead；acostumewhichbecamehimbetterthanthoformalgarmentswhichheworewheneverhepassedoutofhisowndomains。Thesculptorhadafacewhich，whentimehaddonealittlemoreforit，wouldofferaworthysubjectforasgoodanartistashimself：featuresfinelycut，asifalreadymarble；anidealforehead，deeplyseteyes，andamouthmuchhiddeninalightbrownbeard，butapparentlysensitiveanddelicate。
\"Iwillnotofferyoumyhand，\"saidhe；\"itisgrimywithCleopatra\'sclay。\"
\"No；Iwillnottouchclay；itisearthyandhuman，\"answeredMiriam。\"I
havecometotrywhetherthereisanycalmandcoolnessamongyourmarbles。
Myownartistoonervous，toopassionate，toofullofagitation，formetoworkatitwholedaystogether，withoutintervalsofrepose。So，whathaveyoutoshowme？\"
\"Praylookateverythinghere，\"saidKenyon。\"Ilovetohavepaintersseemywork。Theirjudgmentisunprejudiced，andmorevaluablethanthatoftheworldgenerally，fromthelightwhichtheirownartthrowsonmine。
Morevaluable，too，thanthatofmybrothersculptors，whoneverjudgemefairly，——norIthem，perhaps。\"
Togratifyhim，Miriamlookedroundatthespecimensinmarbleorplaster，ofwhichtherewereseveralintheroom，comprisingoriginalsorcastsofmostofthedesignsthatKenyonhadthusfarproduced。Hewasstilltooyoungtohaveaccumulatedalargegalleryofsuchthings。Whathehadtoshowwerechieflytheattemptsandexperiments，invariousdirections，ofabeginnerinart，actingasasterntutortohimself，andprofitingmorebyhisfailuresthanbyanysuccessesofwhichhewasyetcapable。Someofthem，however，hadgreatmerit；andinthepure，fineglowofthenewmarble，itmaybe，theydazzledthejudgmentintoawardingthemhigherpraisethantheydeserved。Miriamadmiredthestatueofabeautifulyouth，apearlfisher；whohadgotentangledintheweedsatthebottomofthesea，andlaydeadamongthepearl-oysters，therichshells，andtheseaweeds，alloflikevaluetohimnow。
\"Thepooryoungmanhasperishedamongtheprizesthathesought，\"
remarkedshe。\"Butwhatastrangeefficacythereisindeath！Ifwecannotallwinpearls，itcausesanemptyshelltosatisfyusjustaswell。
Ilikethisstatue，thoughitistoocoldandsterninitsmorallesson；
and，physically，theformhasnotsettleditselfintosufficientrepose。\"
Inanotherstyle，therewasagrand，calmheadofMilton，notcopiedfromanyonebustorpicture，yetmoreauthenticthananyofthem，becauseallknownrepresentationsofthepoethadbeenprofoundlystudied，andsolvedintheartist\'smind。ThebustoverthetombinGreyFriarsChurch，theoriginalminiaturesandpictures，wherevertobefound，hadmingledeachitsspecialtruthinthisonework；wherein，likewise，bylongperusalanddeeploveoftheParadiseLost，theComus，theLycidas，andL\'Allegro，thesculptorhadsucceeded，evenbetterthanheknew，inspiritualizinghismarblewiththepoet\'smightygenius。Andthiswasagreatthingtohaveachieved，suchalengthoftimeafterthedrybonesanddustofMiltonwerelikethoseofanyotherdeadman。
Therewerealsoseveralportrait-busts，comprisingthoseoftwoorthreeoftheillustriousmenofourowncountry，whomKenyon，beforeheleftAmerica，hadaskedpermissiontomodel。Hehaddoneso，becausehesincerelybelievedthat，whetherhewroughtthebustsinmarbleorbronze，theonewouldcorrodeandtheothercrumbleinthelonglapseoftime，beneaththesegreatmen\'simmortality。Possibly，however，theyoungartistmayhaveunderestimatedthedurabilityofhismaterial。Otherfacestherewere，too，ofmenwhoifthebrevityoftheirremembrance，afterdeath，canbeauguredfromtheirlittlevalueinlifeshouldhavebeenrepresentedinsnowratherthanmarble。Posteritywillbepuzzledwhattodowithbustslikethese，theconcretionsandpetrifactionsofavainselfestimate；butwillfind，nodoubt，thattheyservetobuildintostonewalls，orburnintoquicklime，aswellasifthemarblehadneverbeenblockedintotheguiseofhumanheads。
Butitisanawfulthing，indeed，thisendlessendurance，thisalmostindestructibility，ofamarblebust！Whetherinourowncase，orthatofothermen，itbidsussadlymeasurethelittle，littletimeduringwhichourlineamentsarelikelytobeofinteresttoanyhumanbeing。ItisespeciallysingularthatAmericansshouldcareaboutperpetuatingthemselvesinthismode。Thebriefdurationofourfamilies，asahereditaryhousehold，rendersitnexttoacertaintythatthegreat-grandchildrenwillnotknowtheirfather\'sgrandfather，andthathalfacenturyhenceatfurthest，thehammeroftheauctioneerwillthumpitsknock-downblowagainsthisblockhead，soldatsomuchforthepoundofstone！Anditoughttomakeusshiver，theideaofleavingourfeaturestobeadusty-whiteghostamongstrangersofanothergeneration，whowilltakeournosebetweentheirthumbandfingersaswehaveseenmendobyCaesar\'s，andinfalliblybreakitoffiftheycandosowithoutdetection！
\"Yes，\"saidMiriam，whohadbeenrevolvingsomesuchthoughtsastheabove，\"itisagoodstateofmindformortalman，whenheiscontenttoleavenomoredefinitememorialthanthegrass，whichwillsproutkindlyandspeedilyoverhisgrave，ifwedonotmakethespotbarrenwithmarble。
Methinks，too，itwillbeafresherandbetterworld，whenitflingsoffthisgreatburdenofstonymemories，whichtheageshavedeemeditapietytoheapuponitsback。\"
\"Whatyousay，\"remarkedKenyon，\"goesagainstmywholeart。Sculpture，andthedelightwhichmennaturallytakeinit，appeartomeaproofthatitisgoodtoworkwithalltimebeforeourview。\"
\"Well，well，\"answeredMiriam，\"ImustnotquarrelwithyouforflingingyourheavystonesatpoorPosterity；and，tosaythetruth，Ithinkyouareaslikelytohitthemarkasanybody。Thesebusts，now，muchasI
seemtoscornthem，makemefeelasifyouwereamagician……Youturnfeverishmenintocool，quietmarble。Whatablessedchangeforthem！
Wouldyoucoulddoasmuchforme！\"
\"O，gladly！\"criedKenyon，whohadlongwishedtomodelthatbeautifulandmostexpressiveface。\"Whenwillyoubegintosit？\"
\"Poh！thatwasnotwhatImeant，\"saidMiriam。\"Come，showmesomethingelse。\"
\"Doyourecognizethis？\"askedthesculptor。
Hetookoutofhisdeskalittleold-fashionedivorycoffer，yellowwithage；itwasrichlycarvedwithantiquefiguresandfoliage；andhadKenyonthoughtfittosaythatBenvenutoCelliniwroughtthispreciousbox，theskillandelaboratefancyoftheworkwouldbynomeanshavediscreditedhisword，northeoldartist\'sfame。Atleast，itwasevidentlyaproductionofBenvenuto\'sschoolandcentury，andmightoncehavebeenthejewel-caseofsomegrandladyatthecourtoftheDe\'Medici。
Liftingthelid，however，noblazeofdiamondswasdisclosed，butonly，lappedinfleecycotton，asmall，beautifullyshapedhand，mostdelicatelysculpturedinmarble。Suchlovingcareandnicestarthadbeenlavishedhere，thatthepalmreallyseemedtohaveatendernessinitsverysubstance。Touchingthoselovelyfingers，——hadthejealoussculptorallowedyoutotouch，——youcouldhardlybelievethatavirginwarmthwouldnotstealfromthemintoyourheart。
\"Ah，thisisverybeautiful！\"exclaimedMiriam，withagenialsmile。\"ItisasgoodinitswayasLoulie\'shandwithitsbaby-dimples，whichPowersshowedmeatFlorence，evidentlyvaluingitasmuchasifhehadwroughtitoutofapieceofhisgreatheart。AsgoodasHarrietHosmer\'sclaspedhandsofBrowningandhiswife，symbolizingtheindividualityandheroicunionoftwohigh，poeticlives！Nay，Idonotquestionthatitisbetterthaneitherofthose，becauseyoumusthavewroughtitpassionately，inspiteofitsmaidenpalmanddaintyfingertips。\"
\"Thenyoudorecognizeit？\"askedKenyon。
\"Thereisbutonerighthandonearththatcouldhavesuppliedthemodel，\"
answeredMiriam；\"sosmallandslender，soperfectlysymmetrical，andyetwithacharacterofdelicateenergy。Ihavewatcheditahundredtimesatitswork；butIdidnotdreamthatyouhadwonHildasofar！Howhaveyoupersuadedthatshymaidentoletyoutakeherhandinmarble？\"
\"Never！Sheneverknewit！\"hastilyrepliedKenyon，anxioustovindicatehismistress\'smaidenlyreserve。\"Istoleitfromher。Thehandisareminiscence。Aftergazingatitsooften，andevenholdingitonceforaninstant，whenHildawasnotthinkingofme，Ishouldbeabunglerindeed，ifIcouldnotnowreproduceittosomethinglikethelife。\"
\"Mayyouwintheoriginaloneday！\"saidMiriamkindly。
\"Ihavelittlegroundtohopeit，\"answeredthesculptordespondingly；
\"Hildadoesnotdwellinourmortalatmosphere；andgentleandsoftassheappears，itwillbeasdifficulttowinherheartastoenticedownawhitebirdfromitssunnyfreedominthesky。Itisstrange，withallherdelicacyandfragility，theimpressionshemakesofbeingutterlysufficienttoherself。No；Ishallneverwinher。Sheisabundantlycapableofsympathy，anddelightstoreceiveit，butshehasnoneedoflove。\"
\"Ipartlyagreewithyou，\"saidMiriam。\"Itisamistakenidea，whichmengenerallyentertain，thatnaturehasmadewomenespeciallypronetothrowtheirwholebeingintowhatistechnicallycalledlove。Wehave，tosaytheleast，nomorenecessityforitthanyourselves；onlywehavenothingelsetodowithourhearts。Whenwomenhaveotherobjectsinlife，theyarenotapttofallinlove。Icanthinkofmanywomendistinguishedinart，literature，andscience，——andmultitudeswhoseheartsandmindsfindgoodemploymentinlessostentatiousways，——wholeadhigh，lonelylives，andareconsciousofnosacrificesofarasyoursexisconcerned。\"
\"AndHildawillbeoneofthese！\"saidKenyonsadly；\"thethoughtmakesmeshiverformyself，andandforher，too。\"
\"Well，\"saidMiriam，smiling，\"perhapsshemaysprainthedelicatewristwhichyouhavesculpturedtosuchperfection。Inthatcaseyoumayhope。
Theseoldmasterstowhomshehasvowedherself，andwhomherslenderhandandwoman\'sheartservesofaithfully，areyouronlyrivals。\"
ThesculptorsighedasheputawaythetreasureofHilda\'smarblehandintotheivorycoffer，andthoughthowslightwasthepossibilitythatheshouldeverfeelresponsivetohisownthetenderclaspoftheoriginal。
Hedarednotevenkisstheimagethathehimselfhadmade：ithadassumeditsshareofHilda\'sremoteandshydivinity。
\"Andnow，\"saidMiriam，\"showmethenewstatuewhichyouaskedmehithertosee。\"
CHAPTERXIV
CLEOPATRA
Mynewstatue！\"saidKenyon，whohadpositivelyforgottenitinthethoughtofHilda；\"hereitis，underthisveil。\"\"Notanudefigure，I
hope，\"observedMiriam。\"Everyyoungsculptorseemstothinkthathemustgivetheworldsomespecimenofindecorouswomanhood，andcallitEve，Venus，aNymph，oranynamethatmayapologizeforalackofdecentclothing。Iamweary，evenmorethanIamashamed，ofseeingsuchthings。
Nowadayspeopleareasgoodasbornintheirclothes，andthereispracticallynotanudehumanbeinginexistence。Anartist，therefore，asyoumustcandidlyconfess，cannotsculpturenuditywithapureheart，ifonlybecauseheiscompelledtostealguiltyglimpsesathiredmodels。
Themarbleinevitablylosesitschastityundersuchcircumstances。AnoldGreeksculptor，nodoubt，foundhismodelsintheopensunshine，andamongpureandprincelymaidens，andthusthenudestatuesofantiquityareasmodestasviolets，andsufficientlydrapedintheirownbeauty。ButasforMr。Gibson\'scoloredVenusesstained，Ibelieve，withtobaccojuice，andallothernuditiesofto-day，Ireallydonotunderstandwhattheyhavetosaytothisgeneration，andwouldbegladtoseeasmanyheapsofquicklimeintheirstead。\"
\"Youaresevereupontheprofessorsofmyart，\"saidKenyon，halfsmiling，halfseriously；\"notthatyouarewhollywrong，either。Weareboundtoacceptdraperyofsomekind，andmakethebestofit。Butwhatarewetodo？Mustweadoptthecostumeofto-day，andcarve，forexample，aVenusinahoop-petticoat？\"
\"Thatwouldbeaboulder，indeed！\"rejoinedMiriam，laughing。\"Butthedifficultygoestoconfirmmeinmybeliefthat，exceptforportrait-busts，sculpturehasnolongerarighttoclaimanyplaceamonglivingarts。Ithaswroughtitselfout，andcomefairlytoanend。Thereisneveranewgroupnowadays；neverevensomuchasanewattitude。GreenoughItakemyexamplesamongmenofmeritimaginednothingnew；norCrawfordeither，exceptinthetailoringline。Therearenot，asyouwillown，morethanhalfadozenpositivelyoriginalstatuesorgroupsintheworld，andthesefewareofimmemorialantiquity。ApersonfamiliarwiththeVatican，theUffizziGallery，theNaplesGallery，andtheLouvre，willatoncereferanymodernproductiontoitsantiqueprototype；which，moreover，hadbeguntogetoutoffashion，eveninoldRomandays。\"
\"Praystop，Miriam，\"criedKenyon，\"orIshallflingawaythechiselforever！\"
\"Fairlyowntome，then，myfriend，\"rejoinedMiriam，whosedisturbedmindfoundacertainreliefinthisdeclamation，\"thatyousculptorsare，ofnecessity，thegreatestplagiaristsintheworld。\"
\"Idonotownit，\"saidKenyon，\"yetcannotutterlycontradictyou，asregardstheactualstateoftheart。ButaslongastheCarraraquarriesstillyieldpureblocks，andwhilemyowncountryhasmarblemountains，probablyasfineinquality，Ishallsteadfastlybelievethatfuturesculptorswillrevivethisnoblestofthebeautifularts，andpeopletheworldwithnewshapesofdelicategraceandmassivegrandeur。Perhaps，\"
headded，smiling，\"mankindwillconsenttowearamoremanageablecostume；
or，atworst，wesculptorsshallgettheskilltomakebroadclothtransparent，andrenderamajestichumancharactervisiblethroughthecoatsandtrousersofthepresentday。\"
\"Beitso！\"saidMiriam；\"youarepastmycounsel。Showmetheveiledfigure，which，Iamafraid，Ihavecriticisedbeforehand。Tomakeamends，Iaminthemoodtopraiseitnow。\"
But，asKenyonwasabouttotaketheclothofftheclaymodel，shelaidherhandonhisarm。
\"Tellmefirstwhatisthesubject，\"saidshe，\"forIhavesometimesincurredgreatdispleasurefrommembersofyourbrotherhoodbybeingtooobtusetopuzzleoutthepurportoftheirproductions。Itissodifficult，youknow，tocompressanddefineacharacterorstory，andmakeitpatentataglance，withinthenarrowscopeattainablebysculpture！Indeed，I
fancyitisstilltheordinaryhabitwithsculptors，firsttofinishtheirgroupofstatuary，——insuchdevelopmentastheparticularblockofmarblewillallow，——andthentochoosethesubject；asJohnofBolognadidwithhisRapeoftheSabines。Haveyoufollowedthatgoodexample？\"
\"No；mystatueisintendedforCleopatra，\"repliedKenyon，alittledisturbedbyMiriam\'sraillery。\"Thespecialepochofherhistoryyoumustmakeoutforyourself。\"
Hedrewawaythecloththathadservedtokeepthemoistureoftheclaymodelfrombeingexhaled。Thesittingfigureofawomanwasseen。ShewasdrapedfromheadtofootinacostumeminutelyandscrupulouslystudiedfromthatofancientEgypt，asrevealedbythestrangesculptureofthatcountry，itscoins，drawings，paintedmummy-cases，andwhateverothertokenshavebeendugoutofitspyramids，graves，andcatacombs。