EventhestiffEgyptianhead-dresswasadheredto，buthadbeensoftenedintoarichfeminineadornment，withoutlosingaparticleofitstruth。
Difficultiesthatmightwellhaveseemedinsurmountablehadbeencourageouslyencounteredandmadeflexibletopurposesofgraceanddignity；sothatCleopatrasatattiredinagarbpropertoherhistoricandqueenlystate，asadaughterofthePtolemies，andyetsuchasthebeautifulwomanwouldhaveputonasbestadaptedtoheightenthemagnificenceofhercharms，andkindleatropicfireinthecoldeyesofOctavius。
Amarvellousrepose——thatraremeritinstatuary，exceptitbethelumpishreposenativetotheblockofstone——wasdiffusedthroughoutthefigure。
ThespectatorfeltthatCleopatrahadsunkdownoutofthefeverandturmoilofherlife，andforoneinstant——asitwere，betweentwopulsethrobs——hadrelinquishedallactivity，andwasrestingthroughouteveryveinandmuscle。Itwasthereposeofdespair，indeed；forOctaviushadseenher，andremainedinsensibletoherenchantments。Butstilltherewasagreatsmoulderingfurnacedeepdowninthewoman\'sheart。Therepose，nodoubt，wasascompleteasifshewerenevertostirhandorfootagain；andyet，suchwasthecreature\'slatentenergyandfierceness，shemightspringuponyoulikeatigress，andstoptheverybreaththatyouwerenowdrawingmidwayinyourthroat。
Thefacewasamiraculoussuccess。ThesculptorhadnotshunnedtogivethefullNubianlips，andothercharacteristicsoftheEgyptianphysiognomy。Hiscourageandintegrityhadbeenabundantlyrewarded；forCleopatra\'sbeautyshoneoutricher，warmer，moretriumphantlybeyondcomparison，thanif，shrinkingtimidlyfromthetruth，hehadchosenthetameGreciantype。Theexpressionwasofprofound，gloomy，heavilyrevolvingthought；aglanceintoherpastlifeandpresentemergencies，whileherspiritgathereditselfupforsomenewstruggle，orwasgettingsternlyreconciledtoimpendingdoom。Inoneview，therewasacertainsoftnessandtenderness，——howbreathedintothestatue，amongsomanystrongandpassionateelements，itisimpossibletosay。Catchinganotherglimpse，youbeheldherasimplacableasastoneandcruelasfire。
Inaword，allCleopatra——fierce，voluptuous，passionate，tender，wicked，terrible，andfullofpoisonousandrapturousenchantment——waskneadedintowhat，onlyaweekortwobefore，hadbeenalumpofwetclayfromtheTiber。Soon，apotheosizedinanindestructiblematerial，shewouldbeoneoftheimagesthatmenkeepforever，findingaheatinthemwhichdoesnotcooldown，throughoutthecenturies？
\"Whatawomanisthis！\"exclaimedMiriam，afteralongpause。\"Tellme，didsheevertry，evenwhileyouwerecreatingher，toovercomeyouwithherfuryorherlove？Wereyounotafraidtotouchher，asshegrewmoreandmoretowardshotlifebeneathyourhand？Mydearfriend，itisagreatwork！Howhaveyoulearnedtodoit？\"
\"Itistheconcretionofagooddealofthought，emotion，andtoilofbrainandhand，\"saidKenyon，notwithoutaperceptionthathisworkwasgood；\"butIknownothowitcameaboutatlast。Ikindledagreatfirewithinmymind，andthrewinthematerial，——asAaronthrewthegoldoftheIsraelitesintothefurnace，——andinthemidmostheatuproseCleopatra，asyouseeher。\"
\"WhatImostmarvelat，\"saidMiriam，\"isthewomanhoodthatyouhavesothoroughlymixedupwithallthoseseeminglydiscordantelements。Wheredidyougetthatsecret？YouneverfounditinyourgentleHilda，yetI
recognizeitstruth。\"
\"No，surely，itwasnotinHilda，\"saidKenyon。\"Herwomanhoodisoftheetherealtype，andincompatiblewithanyshadowofdarknessorevil。\"
\"Youareright，\"rejoinedMiriam；\"therearewomenofthatetherealtype，asyoutermit，andHildaisoneofthem。Shewoulddieofherfirstwrong-doing，——supposingforamomentthatshecouldbecapableofdoingwrong。Ofsorrow，slenderassheseems，Hildamightbearagreatburden；
ofsin，notafeather\'sweight。Methinksnow，wereitmydoom，Icouldbeareither，orbothatonce；butmyconscienceisstillaswhiteasHilda\'s。Doyouquestionit？\"
\"Heavenforbid，Miriam！\"exclaimedthesculptor。
Hewasstartledatthestrangeturnwhichshehadsosuddenlygiventotheconversation。Hervoice，too，——somuchemotionwasstifledratherthanexpressedinit，soundedunnatrural。
\"O，myfriend，\"criedshe，withsuddenpassion，\"willyoubemyfriendindeed？Iamlonely，lonely，lonely！Thereisasecretinmyheartthatburnsme，——thattorturesme！SometimesIfeartogomadofit；sometimesI
hopetodieofit；butneitherofthetwohappens。Ah，ifIcouldbutwhisperittoonlyonehumansoul！Andyou——youseefarintowomanhood；
youreceiveitwidelyintoyourlargeview。Perhaps——perhaps，butHeavenonlyknows，youmightunderstandme！O，letmespeak！\"
\"Miriam，dearfriend，\"repliedthesculptor，\"ifIcanhelpyou，speakfreely，astoabrother。\"
\"Helpme？No！\"saidMiriam。
Kenyon\'sresponsehadbeenperfectlyfrankandkind；andyetthesubtletyofMiriam\'semotiondetectedacertainreserveandalarminhiswarmlyexpressedreadinesstohearherstory。Inhissecretsoul，tosaythetruth，thesculptordoubtedwhetheritwerewellforthispoor，sufferinggirltospeakwhatshesoyearnedtosay，orforhimtolisten。Iftherewereanyactivedutyoffriendshiptobeperformed，then，indeed，hewouldjoyfullyhavecomeforwardtodohisbest。Butifitwereonlyapent-upheartthatsoughtanoutlet？inthatcaseitwasbynomeanssocertainthataconfessionwoulddogood。Themorehersecretstruggledandfoughttobetold，themorecertainwoulditbetochangeallformerrelationsthathadsubsistedbetweenherselfandthefriendtowhomshemightrevealit。Unlesshecouldgiveherallthesympathy，andjustthekindofsympathythattheoccasionrequired，Miriamwouldhatehimbyandby，andherselfstillmore，ifheletherspeak。
ThiswaswhatKenyonsaidtohimself；buthisreluctance，afterall，andwhetherhewereconsciousofitorno，resultedfromasuspicionthathadcreptintohisheartandlaythereinadarkcorner。Obscureasitwas，whenMiriamlookedintohiseyes，shedetecteditatonce。
\"Ah，Ishallhateyou！\"criedshe，echoingthethoughtwhichhehadnotspoken；shewashalfchokedwiththegushofpassionthatwasthusturnedbackuponher。\"Youareascoldandpitilessasyourownmarble。\"
\"No；butfullofsympathy，Godknows！\"repliedhe。
Intruth，hissuspicions，howeverwarrantedbythemysteryinwhichMiriamwasenveloped，hadvanishedintheearnestnessofhiskindlyandsorrowfulemotion。Hewasnowreadytoreceivehertrust。
\"Keepyoursympathy，then，forsorrowsthatadmitofsuchsolace，\"saidshe，makingastrongefforttocomposeherself。\"Asformygriefs，Iknowhowtomanagethem。Itwasallamistake：youcandonothingforme，unlessyoupetrifymeintoamarblecompanionforyourCleopatrathere；
andIamnotofhersisterhood，Ido。assureyou。Forgetthisfoolishscene，myfriend，andneverletmeseeareferencetoitinyoureyeswhentheymeetminehereafter。\"
\"Sinceyoudesireit，allshallbeforgotten，\"answeredthesculptor，pressingherhandasshedeparted；\"or，ifeverIcanserveyou，letmyreadinesstodosoberemembered。Meanwhile，dearMiriam，letusmeetinthesameclear，friendlylightasheretofore。\"
\"YouarelesssincerethanIthoughtyou，\"saidMiriam，\"ifyoutrytomakemethinkthattherewillbenochange。\"
Asheattendedherthroughtheantechamber，shepointedtothestatueofthepearl-diver。
\"Mysecretisnotapearl，\"saidshe；\"yetamanmightdrownhimselfinplungingafterit。\"
AfterKenyonhadclosedthedoor，shewentwearilydownthestaircase，butpausedmidway，asifdebatingwithherselfwhethertoreturn。
\"Themischiefwasdone，\"thoughtshe；\"andImightaswellhavehadthesolacethatoughttocomewithit。Ihavelost，——bystaggeringalittlewaybeyondthemark，intheblindnessofmydistress，Ihavelost，asweshallhereafterfind，thegenuinefriendshipofthisclear-minded，honorable，true-heartedyoungman，andallfornothing。WhatifIshouldgobackthismomentandcompelhimtolisten？\"
Sheascendedtwoorthreeofthestairs，butagainpaused，murmuredtoherself，andshookherhead。
\"No，no，no，\"shethought；\"andIwonderhowIevercametodreamofit。
UnlessIhadhisheartformyown，——andthatisHilda\'s，norwouldIstealitfromher，——itshouldneverbethetreasurePlaceofmysecret。Itisnopreciouspearl，asIjustnowtoldhim；butmydark-redcarbuncle——redasblood——istoorichagemtoputintoastranger\'scasket。\"
Shewentdownthestairs，andfoundhershadowwaitingforherinthestreet。
CHAPTERXV
ANAESTHETICCOMPANY
OntheeveningafterMiriam\'svisittoKenyon\'sstudio，therewasanassemblagecomposedalmostentirelyofAnglo-Saxons，andchieflyofAmericanartists，withasprinklingoftheirEnglishbrethren；andsomefewofthetouristswhostilllingeredinRome，nowthatHolyWeekwaspast。Miriam，Hilda，andthesculptorwereallthreepresent，andwiththemDonatello，whoselifewassofarturnedfromfitsnaturalbentthat，likeapetspaniel，hefollowedhisbelovedmistresswhereverhecouldgainadmittance。
Theplaceofmeetingwasinthepalatial，butsomewhatfadedandgloomyapartmentofaneminentmemberoftheaestheticbody。Itwasnomoreformalanoccasionthanoneofthoseweeklyreceptions，commonamongtheforeignresidentsofRome，atwhichpleasantpeople——ordisagreeableones，asthecasemaybe——encounteroneanotherwithlittleceremony。
Ifanywiseinterestedinart，amanmustbedifficulttopleasewhocannotfindfitcompanionshipamongacrowdofpersons，whoseideasandpursuitsalltendtowardsthegeneralpurposeofenlargingtheworld\'sstockofbeautifulproductions。
OneofthechiefcausesthatmakeRomethefavoriteresidenceofartists——theiridealhomewhichtheysighforinadvance，andaresoloathtomigratefrom，afteroncebreathingitsenchantedair——is，doubtless，thattheytherefindthemselvesinforce，andarenumerousenoughtocreateacongenialatmosphere。Ineveryotherclimetheyareisolatedstrangers；inthislandofart，theyarefreecitizens。
Notthat，individually，orinthemass，thereappearstobeanylargestockofmutualaffectionamongthebrethrenofthechiselandthepencil。
Onthecontrary，itwillimpresstheshrewdobserverthatthejealousiesandpettyanimosities，whichthepoetsofourdayhaveflungaside，stillirritateandgnawintotheheartsofthiskindredclassofimaginativemen。
Itisnotdifficulttosuggestreasonswhythisshouldbethefact。Thepublic，inwhosegoodgracesliethesculptor\'sorthepainter\'sprospectsofsuccess，isinfinitelysmallerthanthepublictowhichliterarymenmaketheirappeal。Itiscomposedofaverylimitedbodyofwealthypatrons；andthese，astheartistwellknows，arebutblindjudgesinmattersthatrequiretheutmostdelicacyofperception。Thus，successinartisapttobecomepartlyanaffairofintrigue；anditisalmostinevitablethatevenagiftedartistshouldlookaskanceathisgiftedbrother\'sfame，andbecharyofthegoodwordthatmighthelphimtosellstillanotherstatueorpicture。Youseldomhearapainterheapgenerouspraiseonanythinginhisspeciallineofart；asculptorneverhasafavorableeyeforanymarblebuthisown。
Nevertheless，inspiteofalltheseprofessionalgrudges，artistsareconsciousofasocialwarmthfromeachother\'spresenceandcontiguity。
Theyshiverattheremembranceoftheirlonelystudiosintheunsympathizingcitiesoftheirnativeland。Forthesakeofsuchbrotherhoodastheycanfind，morethanforanygoodthattheygetfromgalleries，theylingeryearafteryearinItaly，whiletheiroriginalitydiesoutofthem，orispolishedawayasabarbarism。
Thecompanythiseveningincludedseveralmenandwomenwhomtheworldhasheardof，andmanyothers，beyondallquestion，whomitoughttoknow。Itwouldbeapleasuretointroducethemuponourhumblepages，namebyname，andhadweconfidenceenoughinourowntaste——tocrowneachwell-deservingbrowaccordingtoitsdeserts。Theopportunityistempting，butnoteasilymanageable，andfartooperilous，bothinrespecttothoseindividualswhomwemightbringforward，andthefargreaternumberthatmustneedsbeleftintheshade。Ink，moreover，isapttohaveacorrosivequality，andmightchancetoraiseablister，insteadofanymoreagreeabletitillation，onskinssosensitiveasthoseofartists。Wemustthereforeforegothedelightofilluminatingthischapterwithpersonalallusionstomenwhoserenownglowsrichlyoncanvas，orgleamsinthewhitemoonlightofmarble。
OtherWisewemightpointtoanartistwhohasstudiedNaturewithsuchtenderlovethatshetakeshimtoherintimacy，enablinghimtoreproduceherinlandscapesthatseemtherealityofabetterearth，andyetarebutthetruthoftheveryscenesaroundus，observedbythepainter\'sinsightandinterpretedforusbyhisskill。Byhismagic，themoonthrowsherlightfaroutofthepicture，andthecrimsonofthesummernightabsolutelyglimmersonthebeholder\'sface。Orwemightindicateapoetpainter，whosesonghasthevividnessofpicture，andwhosecanvasispeopledwithangels，fairies，andwatersprites，donetotheethereallife，becausehesawthemfacetofaceinhispoeticmood。Orwemightbowbeforeanartist，whohaswroughttoosincerely，tooreligiously，withtooearnestafeeling，andtoodelicateatouch，fortheworldatoncetorecognizehowmuchtoilandthoughtarecompressedintothestatelybrowofProspero，andMiranda\'smaidenloveliness；orfromwhatadepthwithinthispainter\'shearttheAngelisleadingforthSt。Peter。
Thusitwouldbeeasytogoon，perpetratingascoreoflittleepigrammaticalallusions，liketheabove，allkindlymeant，butnoneofthemquitehittingthemark，andoftenstrikingwheretheywerenotaimed。
Itmaybeallowabletosay，however，thatAmericanartismuchbetterrepresentedatRomeinthepictorialthaninthesculpturesquedepartment。
Yetthemenofmarbleappeartohavemoreweightwiththepublicthanthemenofcanvas；perhapsonaccountofthegreaterdensityandsolidsubstanceofthematerialinwhichtheywork，andthesortofphysicaladvantagewhichtheirlaborsthusacquireovertheillusiveunrealityofcolor。Tobeasculptorseemsadistinctioninitself；whereasapainterisnothing，unlessindividuallyeminent。
Onesculptortherewas，anEnglishman，endowedwithabeautifulfancy，andpossessingathisfingers\'endsthecapabilityofdoingbeautifulthings。
Hewasaquiet，simple，elderlypersonage，witheyesbrownandbright，underaslightlyimpendingbrow，andaGrecianprofile，suchashemighthavecutwithhisownchisel。Hehadspenthislife，forfortyyears，inmakingVenuses，Cupids，Bacchuses，andavastdealofothermarbleprogenyofdreamwork，orratherfrostwork：itwasallavaporyexhalationoutoftheGrecianmythology，crystallizingonthedullwindow-panesofto-day。
Giftedwithamoredelicatepowerthananyothermanalive，hehadforegonetobeaChristianreality，andpervertedhimselfintoaPaganidealist，whosebusinessorefficacy，inourpresentworld，itwouldbeexceedinglydifficulttodefine。And，lovingandreverencingthepurematerialinwhichhewrought，assurelythisadmirablesculptordid，hehadneverthelessrobbedthemarbleofitschastity，bygivingitanartificialwarmthofhue。Thusitbecameasinandshametolookathisnudegoddesses。Theyhadrevealedthemselvestohisimagination，nodoubt，withalltheirdeityaboutthem；but，bedaubedwithbuffcolor，theystoodforthtotheeyesoftheprofaneintheguiseofnakedwomen。But，whatevercriticismmaybeventuredonhisstyle，itwasgoodtomeetamansomodestandyetimbuedwithsuchthoroughandsimpleconvictionofhisownrightprinciplesandpractice，andsoquietlysatisfiedthathiskindofantiqueachievementwasallthatsculpturecouldeffectformodernlife。
Thiseminentperson\'sweightandauthorityamonghisartisticbrethrenwereveryevident；forbeginningunobtrusivelytoutterhimselfonatopicofart，hewassoonthecentreofalittlecrowdofyoungersculptors。
Theydrankinhiswisdom，asifitwouldserveallthepurposesoforiginalinspiration；he，meanwhile，discoursingwithgentlecalmness，asiftherecouldpossiblybenootherside，andoftenratifying，asitwere，hisownconclusionsbyamildlyemphatic\"Yes。\"
TheveteranSculptor\'sunsoughtaudiencewascomposedmostlyofourowncountrymen。Itisfairtosay，thattheywereabodyofverydexterousandcapableartists，eachofwhomhadprobablygiventhedelightedpublicanudestatue，orhadwoncreditforevenhigherskillbythenicecarvingofbuttonholes，shoe-ties，coat-seams，shirt-bosoms，andothersuchgracefulpeculiaritiesofmoderncostume。Smart，practicalmentheydoubtlesswere，andsomeofthemfarmorethanthis，butstillnotpreciselywhatanuninitiatedpersonlooksforinasculptor。Asculptor，indeed，tomeetthedemandswhichourpreconceptionsmakeuponhim，shouldbeevenmoreindispensablyapoetthanthosewhodealinmeasuredverseandrhyme。Hismaterial，orinstrument，whichserveshiminthesteadofshiftingandtransitorylanguage，isapure，white，undecayingsubstance。
Itinsuresimmortalitytowhateveriswroughtinit，andthereforemakesitareligiousobligationtocommitnoideatoitsmightyguardianship，savesuchasmayrepaythemarbleforitsfaithfulcare，itsincorruptiblefidelity，bywarmingitwithanethereallife。Underthisaspect，marbleassumesasacredcharacter；andnomanshoulddaretotouchitunlesshefeelswithinhimselfacertainconsecrationandapriesthood，theonlyevidenceofwhich，forthepubliceye，willhethehightreatmentofheroicsubjects，orthedelicateevolutionofspiritual，throughmaterialbeauty。
Noideassuchastheforegoing——nomisgivingssuggestedbythemprobably，troubledtheself-complacencyofmostofthesecleversculptors。Marble，intheirview，hadnosuchsanctityasweimputetoit。ItwasmerelyasortofwhitelimestonefromCarrara，cutintoconvenientblocks，andworth，inthatstate，abouttwoorthreedollarsperpound；anditwassusceptibleofbeingwroughtintocertainshapesbytheirownmechanicalingenuity，orthatofartisansintheiremploymentwhichwouldenablethemtosellitagainatamuchhigherfigure。Suchmen，onthestrengthofsomesmallknackinhandlingclay，whichmighthavebeenfitlyemployedinmakingwax-work，areboldtocallthemselvessculptors。Howterribleshouldbethethoughtthatthenudewomanwhomthemodernartistpatchestogether，bitbybit，fromadozenheterogeneousmodels，meaningnothingbyher，shalllastaslongastheVenusoftheCapitol！——thathisgroupof——nomatterwhat，sinceithasnomoralorintellectualexistencewillnotphysicallycrumbleanysoonerthantheimmortalagonyoftheLaocoon！
Yetwelovetheartists，ineverykind；eventhese，whosemeritswearenotquiteabletoappreciate。Sculptors，painters，crayonsketchers，orwhateverbranchofaestheticstheyadopted，werecertainlypleasanterpeople，aswesawthemthatevening，thantheaveragewhomwemeetinordinarysociety。Theywerenotwhollyconfinedwithinthesordidcompassofpracticallife；theyhadapursuitwhich，iffollowedfaithfullyout，wouldleadthemtothebeautiful，andalwayshadatendencythitherward，eveniftheylingeredtogatherupgoldendrossbythewayside。Theiractualbusinessthoughtheytalkedaboutitverymuchasothermentalkofcotton，politics，flourbarrels，andsugarnecessarilyilluminatedtheirconversationwithsomethingakintotheideal。So，whentheguestscollectedthemselvesinlittlegroups，hereandthere，inthewidesaloon，acheerfulandairygossipbegantobeheard。Theatmosphereceasedtobepreciselythatofcommonlife；ahint，mellowtinge，suchasweseeinpictures，mingleditselfwiththelamplight。
Thisgoodeffectwasassistedbymanycuriouslittletreasuresofart，whichthehosthadtakencaretostrewuponhistables。TheywereprincipallysuchbitsofantiquityasthesoilofRomeanditsneighborhoodarestillrichin；seals，gems，smallfiguresofbronze，mediaevalcarvingsinivory；thingswhichhadbeenobtainedatlittlecost，yetmighthavebornenoinconsiderablevalueinthemuseumofavirtuoso。
Asinterestingasanyoftheserelicswasalargeportfolioofolddrawings，someofwhich，intheopinionoftheirpossessor，boreevidenceontheirfacesofthetouchofmaster-hands。Veryraggedandillconditionedtheymostlywere，yellowwithtime，andtatteredwithroughusage；and，intheirbestestate，thedesignshadbeenscratchedrudelywithpenandink，oncoarsepaper，or，ifdrawnwithcharcoalorapencil，werenowhalfrubbedout。Youwouldnotanywhereseerougherandhomelierthingsthanthese。Butthishastyrudenessmadethesketchesonlythemorevaluable；becausetheartistseemedtohavebestirredhimselfatthepinchofthemoment，snatchingupwhatevermaterialwasnearest，soastoseizethefirstglimpseofanideathatmightvanishinthetwinklingofaneye。Thus，bythespellofacreased，soiled，anddiscoloredscrapofpaper，youwereenabledtostealclosetoanoldmaster，andwatchhimintheveryeffervescenceofhisgenius。
Accordingtothejudgmentofseveralcon-，noisseurs，Raphael\'sownhandhadcommunidateditsmagnetismtooneofthesesketches；and，ifgenuine，itwasevidentlyhisfirstconceptionofafavoriteMadonna，nowhangingintheprivateapartmentoftheGrandDuke，atFlorence。AnotherdrawingwasattributedtoLeonardodaVinci，andappearedtobeasomewhatvarieddesignforhispictureofModestyandVanity，intheSciarraPalace。
Therewereatleasthalfadozenothers，towhichtheownerassignedashighanorigin。Itwasdelightfultobelieveintheirauthenticity，atallevents；forthesethingsmakethespectatormorevividlysensibleofagreatpainter\'spower，thanthefinalglowandperfectedartofthemostconsummatepicturethatmayhavebeenelaboratedfromthem。Thereisaneffluenceofdivinityinthefirstsketch；andthere，ifanywhere，youfindthepurelightofinspiration，whichthesubsequenttoiloftheartistservestobringoutinstrongerlustre，indeed，butlikewiseadulteratesitwithwhatbelongstoaninferiormood。Thearomaandfragranceofnewthoughtswereperceptibleinthesedesigns，afterthreecenturiesofwearandtear。Thecharmlaypartlyintheirveryimperfection；forthisissuggestive，andsetstheimaginationatwork；
whereas，thefinishedpicture，ifagoodone，leavesthespectatornothingtodo，and，ifbad，confuses，stupefies，disenchants，anddisheartenshim。
Hildawasgreatlyinterestedinthisrichportfolio。Shelingeredsolongoveroneparticularsketch，thatMiriamaskedherwhatdiscoveryshehadmade。
\"Lookatitcarefully，\"repliedHilda，puttingthesketchintoherhands。
\"Ifyoutakepainstodisentanglethedesignfromthosepencil~marksthatseemtohavebeenscrawledoverit，Ithinkyouwillseesomethingverycurious。\"
\"Itisahopelessaffair，Iamafraid，\"saidMiriam。\"Ihaveneitheryourfaith，dearHilda，noryourperceptivefaculty。Fie！whatablurredscrawlitisindeed！\"
Thedrawinghadoriginallybeenveryslight，andhadsufferedmorefromtimeandhardusagethanalmostanyotherinthecollection；itappeared，too，thattherehadbeenanattemptperhapsbytheveryhandthatdrewittoobliteratethedesign。ByHilda\'shelp，however，Miriamprettydistinctlymadeoutawingedfigurewithadrawnsword，andadragon，orademon，prostrateathisfeet。
\"Iamconvinced，\"saidHildainalow，reverentialtone，\"thatGuido\'sowntouchesareonthatancientscrapofpaper！Ifso，itmustbehisoriginalsketchforthepictureoftheArchangelMichaelsettinghisfootuponthedemon，intheChurchoftheCappuccini。Thecompositionandgeneralarrangementofthesketcharethesamewiththoseofthepicture；
theonlydifferencebeing，thatthedemonhasamoreupturnedface，andscowlsvindictivelyattheArchangel，whoturnsawayhiseyesinpainfuldisgust。\"
\"Nowonder！\"respondedMiriam。\"TheexpressionsuitsthedaintinessofMichael\'scharacter，asGuidorepresentshim。Henevercouldhavelookedthedemonintheface！\"
\"Miriam！\"exclaimedherfriendreproachfully，\"yougrieveme，andyouknowit，bypretendingtospeakcontemptuouslyofthemostbeautifulandthedivinestfigurethatmortalpaintereverdrew。\"
\"Forgiveme，Hilda！\"saidMiriam。\"YoutakethesemattersmorereligiouslythanIcan，formylife。Guido\'sArchangelisafinepicture，ofcourse，butitneverimpressedmeasitdoesyOU。\"
\"Well；wewillnottalkofthat，\"answeredHilda。\"WhatIwantedyoutonotice，inthissketch，isthefaceofthedemon。Itisentirelyunlikethedemonofthefinishedpicture。Guido，youknow，alwaysaffirmedthattheresemblancetoCardinalPamfiliwaseithercasualorimaginary。Now，hereisthefaceashefirstconceivedit。\"
\"Andamoreenergeticdemon，altogether，thanthatofthefinishedpicture，\"
saidKenyon，takingthesketchintohishand。\"Whataspiritisconveyedintotheuglinessofthisstrong，writhing，squirmingdragon，undertheArchangel\'sfoot！Neitheristhefaceanimpossibleone。Uponmyword，Ihaveseenitsomewhere，andontheshouldersofalivingman！\"
\"AndsohaveI，\"saidHilda。\"Itwaswhatstruckmefromthefirst。\"
\"Donatello，lookatthisface！\"criedKenyon。
TheyoungItalian，asmaybesupposed，tooklittleinterestinmattersofart，andseldomorneverventuredanopinionrespectingthem。Afterholdingthesketchasingleinstantinhishand，heflungitfromhimwithashudderofdisgustandrepugnance，andafrownthathadallthebitternessofhatred。
\"Iknowthefacewell！\"whisperedhe。\"ItisMiriam\'smodel！\"
ItwasacknowledgedbothbyKenyonandHildathattheyhaddetected，orfancied，theresemblancewhichDonatellosostronglyaffirmed；anditaddednotalittletothegrotesqueandweirdcharacterwhich，halfplayfully，halfseriously，theyassignedtoMiriam\'sattendant，tothinkofhimaspersonatingthedemon\'spartinapictureofmorethantwocenturiesago。HadGuido，inhisefforttoimaginetheutmostofsinandmisery，whichhispencilcouldrepresent，hitideallyuponjustthisface？
Orwasitanactualportraitofsomebody，thathauntedtheoldmaster，asMiriamwashauntednow？Didtheominousshadowfollowhimthroughallthesunshineofhisearliercareer，andintothegloomthatgatheredaboutitsclose？AndwhenGuidodied，didthespectrebetakehimselftothoseancientsepulchres，thereawaitinganewvictim，tillitwasMiriam\'sill-haptoencounterhim？
\"Idonotacknowledgetheresemblanceatall，\"saidMiriam，lookingnarrowlyatthesketch；\"and，asIhavedrawnthefacetwentytimes，I
thinkyouwillownthatIamthebestjudge。\"
Adiscussionherearose，inreferencetoGuido\'sArchangel，anditwasagreedthatthesefourfriendsshouldvisittheChurchoftheCappuccinithenextmorning，andcriticallyexaminethepictureinquestion；thesimilaritybetweenitandthesketchbeing，atallevents，averycuriouscircumstance。
Itwasnowalittlepastteno\'clock，whensomeofthecompany，whohadbeenstandinginabalcony，declaredthemoonlighttoberesplendent。
Theyproposedaramblethroughthestreets，takingintheirwaysomeofthosescenesofruinwhichproducedtheirbesteffectsunderthesplendoroftheItalianmoon。
CHAPTERXVI
AMOONLIGHTRAMBLE
Theproposalforamoonlightramblewasreceivedwithacclamationbyalltheyoungerportionofthecompany。Theyimmediatelysetforthanddescendedfromstorytostory，dimlylightingtheirwaybywaxentapers，whichareanecessaryequipmenttothosewhosethoroughfare，inthenight-time，liesupanddownaRomanstaircase。Emergingfromthecourtyardoftheedifice，theylookedupwardandsawtheskyfulloflight，whichseemedtohaveadelicatepurpleorcrimsonlustre，or，atleastsomerichertingethanthecold，whitemoonshineofotherskies。Itgleamedoverthefrontoftheoppositepalace，showingthearchitecturalornamentsofitscorniceandpillaredportal，aswellastheironbarredbasementwindows，thatgavesuchaprison-likeaspecttothestructure，andtheshabbinessandSqualorthatlayalongitsbase。Acobblerwasjustshuttinguphislittleshop，inthebasementofthepalace；acigarvender\'slanternflaredintheblastthatcamethroughthearchway；aFrenchsentinelpacedtoandfrobeforetheportal；ahomelessdog，thathauntedthereabouts，barkedasobstreperouslyatthepartyasifhewerethedomesticguardianoftheprecincts。
Theairwasquietlyfullofthenoiseoffallingwater，thecauseofwhichwasnowherevisible，thoughapparentlynearathand。Thispleasant，naturalsound，notunlikethatofadistantcascadeintheforest，maybeheardinmanyoftheRomanstreetsandpiazzas，whenthetumultofthecityishushed；forconsuls，emperors，andpopes，thegreatmenofeveryage，havefoundnobetterwayofimmortalizingtheirmemoriesthanbytheshifting，indestructible，evernew，yetunchanging，upgushanddownfallofwater。Theyhavewrittentheirnamesinthatunstable。element，andproveditamoredurablerecordthanbrassormarble。
\"Donatello，youhadbettertakeoneofthosegay，boyishartistsforyourcompanion，\"saidMiriam，whenshefoundtheItalianyouthatherside。\"I
amnotnowinamerrymood，aswhenwesetalltheworlda-dancingtheotherafternoon，intheBorghesegrounds。\"
\"Ineverwishtodanceanymore，\"answeredDonatello。
\"Whatamelancholywasinthattone！\"exclaimedMiriam。\"YouaregettingspoiltinthisdrearyRome，andwillbeaswiseandaswretchedasalltherestofmankind，unlessyougobacksoontoyourTuscanvineyards。Well；
givemeyourarm，then！Buttakecarethatnofriskinesscomesoveryou。
Wemustwalkevenlyandheavilyto-night！\"
Thepartyarrangeditselfaccordingtoitsnaturalaffinitiesorcasuallikings；asculptorgenerallychoosingapainter，andapainterasculp——tor，forhiscompanion，inpreferencetobrethrenoftheirownart。
KenyonwouldgladlyhavetakenHildatohimself，andhavedrawnheralittleasidefromthethrongofmerrywayfarers。ButshekeptnearMiriam，andseemed，inhergentleandquietway，todeclineaseparateallianceeitherwithhimoranyotherofheracquaintances。
Sotheysetforth，andhadgonebutalittleway，whenthenarrowstreetemergedintoapiazza，ononesideofwhich，glisteninganddimplinginthemoonlight，wasthemostfamousfountaininRome。Itsmurmur——nottosayitsuproar——hadbeenintheearsofthecompany，eversincetheycameintotheopenair。ItwastheFountainofTrevi，whichdrawsitspreciouswaterfromasourcefarbeyondthewalls，whenceitflowshitherwardthrougholdsubterraneanaqueducts，andsparklesforthaspureasthevirginwhofirstledAgrippatoitswell-spring，byherfather\'sdoor。
\"Ishallsipasmuchofthiswaterasthehollowofmyhandwillhold，\"
saidMiriam。
\"IamleavingRomeinafewdays；andthetraditiongoes，thatapartingdraughtattheFountainofTreviinsuresthetraveller\'sreturn，whateverobstaclesandimprobabilitiesmayseemtobesethim。Willyoudrink，Donatello？\"
\"Signorina，whatyoudrink，Idrink，\"saidtheyouth。
Theyandtherestofthepartydescendedsomestepstothewater\'sbrim，and，afterasiportwo，stoodgazingattheabsurddesignofthefountain，wheresomesculptorofBernini\'sschoolhadgoneabsolutelymadinmarble。
Itwasagreatpalacefront，withnichesandmanybas-reliefs，outofwhichlookedAgrippa\'slegendaryvirgin，andseveraloftheallegoricsisterhood；while，atthebase，appearedNeptune，withhisflounderingsteeds，andTritonsblowingtheirhornsabouthim，andtwentyotherartificialfantasies，whichthecalmmoonlightsoothedintobettertastethanwasnativetothem。
And，afterall，itwasasmagnificentapieceofworkaseverhumanskillcontrived。Atthefootofthepalatialfacadewasstrewn，withcarefulartandorderedirregularity，abroadandbrokenheapofmassiverock，lookingisifitmighthavelaintheresincethedeluge。Overacentralprecipicefellthewater，inasemicircularcascade；andfromahundredcrevices，onallsides，snowyjetsgushedup，andstreamsspoutedoutofthemouthsandnostrilsofstonemonsters，andfellinglisteningdrops；
whileotherrivulets，thathadrunwild，cameleapingfromonerudesteptoanother，overstonesthatweremossy，slimy，andgreenwithsedge，because，inaCenturyoftheirwildplay，NaturehadadoptedtheFountainofTrevi，withallitselaboratedevices，forherown。Finally，thewater，tumbling，sparkling，anddashing，withjoyoushasteandnever-ceasingmurmur，poureditselfintoagreatmarble-brimmedreservoir，andfilleditwithaquiveringtide；onwhichwasseen，continually，asnowysemicircleofmomentaryfoamfromtheprincipalcascade，aswellasamultitudeofsnowpointsfromsmallerjets。Thebasinoccupiedthewholebreadthofthepiazza，whenceflightsofstepsdescendedtoitsborder。Aboatmightfloat，andmakevoyagesfromoneshoretoanotherinthismimiclake。
Inthedaytime，thereishardlyaliveliersceneinRomethantheneighborhoodoftheFountainofTrevi；forthepiazzaisthenfilledwiththestallsofvegetableandfruitdealers，chestnutroasters，cigarvenders，andotherpeople，whosepettyandwanderingtrafficistransactedintheopenair。Itislikewisethrongedwithidlers，loungingovertheironrailing，andwithForestieri，whocamehithertoseethefamousfountain。Here，also，areseenmenwithbuckets，urchinswithcans，andmaidensapictureasoldasthepatriarchaltimesbearingtheirpitchersupontheirheads。ForthewaterofTreviisinrequest，farandwide，asthemostrefreshingdraughtforfeverishlips，thepleasantesttominglewithwine，andthewholesomesttodrink，initsnativepurity，thatcananywherebefound。Butnow，atearlymidnight，thepiazzawasasolitude；
anditwasadelighttobeholdthisuntamablewater，sportingbyitselfinthemoonshine，andcompellingalltheelaboratetrivialitiesofarttoassumeanaturalaspect，inaccordancewithitsownpowerfulsimplicity。
\"Whatwouldbedonewiththiswaterpower，\"suggestedanartist，\"ifwehaditinoneofourAmericancities？Wouldtheyemployittoturnthemachineryofacottonmill，Iwonder？\"
\"Thegoodpeoplewouldpulldownthoserampantmarbledeities，\"saidKenyon，\"and，possibly，theywouldgivemeacommissiontocarvetheone-and-thirtyisthatthenumber？sisterStates，eachpouringasilverstreamfromaseparatecanintoonevastbasin，whichshouldrepresentthegrandreservoirofnationalprosperity。\"
\"Or，iftheywantedabitofsatire，\"remarkedanEnglishartist，\"youcouldsetthosesameone-and-thirtyStatestocleansingthenationalflagofanystainsthatitmayhaveincurred。TheRomanwasherwomenatthelavatoryyonder，plyingtheirlaborintheopenair，wouldserveadmirablyasmodels。\"
\"Ihaveoftenintendedtovisitthisfountainbymoonlight，\"，saidMiriam，\"becauseitwasherethattheinterviewtookplacebetweenCorinneandLordNeville，aftertheirseparationandtemporaryestrangement。Praycomebehindme，oneofyou，andletmetrywhetherthefacecanberecognizedinthewater。\"
Leaningoverthestonebrimofthebasin，sheheardfootstepsstealingbehindher，andknewthatsomebodywaslookingoverhershoulder。ThemoonshinefelldirectlybehindMiriam，illuminatingthepalacefrontandthewholesceneofstatuesandrocks，andfillingthebasin，asitwere，withtremulousandpalpablelight。Corinne，itwillberemembered，knewLordNevillebythereflectionofhisfaceinthewater。InMiriam\'scase，howeverowingtotheagitationofthewater，itstransparency，andtheangleatwhichshewascompelledtoleanover，noreflectedimageappeared；nor，fromthesamecauses，wouldithavebeenpossiblefortherecognitionbetweenCorinneandherlovertotakeplace。Themoon，indeed，flungMiriam\'sshadowatthebottomofthebasin，aswellastwomoreshadowsofpersonswhohadfollowedher，oneitherside，\"Threeshadows！\"exclaimedMiriam——\"threeseparateshadows，allsoblackandheavythattheysinkinthewater！Theretheylieonthebottom，asifallthreeweredrownedtogether。ThisshadowonmyrightisDonatello；
Iknowhimbyhiscurls，andtheturnofhishead。Myleft-handcompanionpuzzlesme；ashapelessmass，asindistinctasthepremonitionofcalamity！Whichofyoucanitbe？Ah！\"
Shehadturnedround，whilespeaking，andsawbesideherthestrangecreaturewhoseattendanceonherwasalreadyfamiliar，asamarvelandajest；tothewholecompanyofartists。Ageneralburstoflaughterfollowedtherecognition；whilethemodelleanedtowardsMiriam，assheshrankfromhim，andmutteredsomethingthatwasinaudibletothosewhowitnessedthescene。Byhisgestures，however，theyconcludedthathewasinvitinghertobatheherhands。
\"HecannotbeanItalian；atleastnotaRoman，\"observedanartist。\"I
neverknewoneofthemtocareaboutablution。Seehimnow！Itisasifheweretryingtowashoff\'thetime-stainsandearthlysoilofathousandyears！\"
Dippinghishandsintothecapaciouswashbowlbeforehim，themodelrubbedthemtogetherwiththeutmostvehemence。Everandanon，too，hepeepedintothewater，asifexpectingtoseethewholeFountainofTreviturbidwiththeresultsofhisablution。Miriamlookedathim，somelittletime，withanaspectofrealterror，andevenimitatedhimbyleaningovertopeepintothebasin。Recoveringherself，shetookupsomeofthewaterinthehollowofherhand，andpractisedanoldformofexorcismbyflingingitinherpersecutor\'sface。
\"InthenameofalltheSaints，\"criedshe，\"vanish，Demon，andletmebefreeofyounowandforever！\"
\"Itwillnotsuffice，\"saidsomeofthemirthfulparty，\"unlesstheFountainofTrevigusheswithholywater。\"
Infact，theexorcismwasquiteineffectualuponthepertinaciousdemon，orwhatevertheapparitionmightbe。Stillhewashedhisbrown，bonytalons；stillhepeeredintothevastbasin，asifallthewaterofthatgreatdrinking-cupofRomemustneedsbestainedblackorsanguine；andstillhegesticulatedtoMiriamtofollowhisexample。Thespectatorslaughedloudly，butyetwithakindofconstraint；forthecreature\'saspectwasstrangelyrepulsiveandhideous。
MiriamfeltherarmseizedviolentlybyDonatello。Shelookedathim，andbeheldatigerlikefurygleamingfromhiswildeyes。
\"Bidmedrownhim！\"whisperedhe，shudderingbetweenrageandhorribledisgust。\"Youshallhearhisdeathgurgleinanotherinstant！\"
\"Peace，peace，Donatello！\"saidMiriamsoothingly，forthisnaturallygentleandsportivebeingseemedallaflamewithanimalrage。\"Dohimnomischief！Heismad；andweareasmadashe，ifwesufferourselvestobedisquietedbyhisantics。Letusleavehimtobathehishandstillthefountainrundry，ifhefindsolaceandpastimeinit。Whatisittoyouorme，Donatello？There，there！Bequiet，foolishboy！\"
Hertoneandgestureweresuchasshemighthaveusedintamingdownthewrathofafaithfulhound，thathadtakenuponhimselftoavengesomesupposedaffronttohismistress。Shesmoothedtheyoungman\'scurlsforhisfierceandsuddenfuryseemedtobristleamonghishair，andtouchedhischeekwithhersoftpalm，tillhisangrymoodwasalittleassuaged。
\"Signorina，doIlookaswhenyoufirstknewme？\"askedhe，withaheavy，tremuloussigh，astheywentonward，somewhatapartfromtheircompanions。
\"Methinkstherehasbeenachangeuponme，thesemanymonths；andmoreandmore，theselastfewdays。Thejoyisgoneoutofmylife；allgone！
allgone！Feelmyhand！Isitnotveryhot？Ah；andmyheartburnshotterstill！\"
\"MypoorDonatello，youareill！\"saidMiriam，withdeepsympathyandpity。\"ThismelancholyandsicklyRomeisstealingawaytherich，joyouslifethatbelongstoyou。Goback，mydearfriend，toyourhomeamongthehills，whereasIgatherfromwhatyouhavetoldmeyourdayswerefilledwithsimpleandblamelessdelights。Haveyoufoundaughtintheworldthatisworth\'whatyouthereenjoyed？Tellmetruly，Donatello！\"
\"Yes！\"repliedtheyoungman。
\"Andwhat，inHeaven\'sname？\"askedshe。
\"Thisburningpaininmyheart，\"saidDonatello；\"foryouareinthemidstofit。\"
Bythistime，theyhadlefttheFountainofTreviconsiderablybehindthem。
Littlefurtherallusionwasmadetothesceneatitsmargin；forthepartyregardedMiriam\'spersecutorasdiseasedinhiswits，andwerehardlytobesurprisedbyanyeccentricityinhisdeportment。
Threadingseveralnarrowstreets，theypassedthroughthePiazzaoftheHolyApostles，andsooncametoTrajan\'sForum。AlloverthesurfaceofwhatoncewasRome，itseemstobetheeffortofTimetoburyuptheancientcity，asifitwereacorpse，andhethesexton；sothat，ineighteencenturies，thesoiloveritsgravehasgrownverydeep，bytheslowscatteringofdust，andtheaccumulationofmoremoderndecayuponolderruin。
Thiswasthefate，also，ofTrajan\'sForum，untilsomepapalantiquary，afewhundredyearsago，begantohollowitoutagain，anddisclosedthefullheightofthegiganticcolumnwreathedroundwithbas-reliefsoftheoldemperor\'swarlikedeeds。Intheareabeforeitstandsagroveofstone，consistingofthebrokenandunequalshaftsofavanishedtemple，stillkeepingamajesticorder，andapparentlyincapableoffurtherdemolition。Themodernedificesofthepiazzawhollybuilt，nodoubt，outofthespoilofitsoldmagnificencelookdownintothehollowspacewhencethesepillarsrise。
Oneoftheimmensegraygraniteshaftslayinthepiazza，onthevergeofthearea。Itwasagreat，solidfactofthePast，makingoldRomeactuallysensibletothetouchandeye；andnostudyofhistory，norforceofthought，normagicofsong，couldsovitallyassureusthatRomeonceexisted，asthissturdyspecimenofwhatitsrulersandpeoplewrought。
\"Andsee！\"saidKenyon，layinghishanduponit，\"thereisstillapolishremainingonthehardsubstanceofthepillar；andevennow，lateasitis，Icanfeelverysensiblythewarmthofthenoondaysun，whichdiditsbesttoheatitthrough。Thisshaftwillendureforever。Thepolishofeighteencenturiesago，asyetbuthalfrubbedoff，andtheheatofto-day\'ssunshine，lingeringintothenight，seemalmostequallyephemeralinrelationtoit。\"
\"Thereiscomforttobefoundinthepillar，\"remarkedMiriam，\"hardandheavyasitis。Lyinghereforever，asitwill，itmakesallhumantroubleappearbutamomentaryannoyance。\"
\"Andhumanhappinessasevanescenttoo，\"observedHilda，sighing；\"andbeautifularthardlylessso！Idonotlovetothinkthatthisdullstone，merelybyitsmassiveness，willlastinfinitelylongerthananypicture，inspiteofthespirituallifethatoughttogiveitimmortality！\"
\"MypoorlittleHilda，\"saidMiriam，kissinghercompassionately，\"wouldyousacrificethisgreatestmortalconsolation，whichwederivefromthetransitorinessofallthings，fromtherightofsaying，ineveryconjecture，\'This，too，willpassaway，\'wouldyougiveupthisunspeakableboon，forthesakeofmakingapictureeternal？\"
Theirmoralizingstrainwasinterruptedbyademonstrationfromtherestoftheparty，who，aftertalkingandlaughingtogether，suddenlyjoinedtheirvoices，andshoutedatfullpitch，\"Trajan！Trajan！\"
\"Whydoyoudeafenuswithsuchanuproar？\"inquiredMiriam。
Intruth，thewholepiazzahadbeenfilledwiththeiridlevociferation；
theechoesfromthesurroundinghousesreverberatingthecryof\"Trajan，\"
onallsides；asiftherewasagreatsearchforthatimperialpersonage，andnotsomuchasahandfulofhisashestobefound。
\"Why，itwasagoodopportunitytoairourvoicesinthisresoundingpiazza，\"repliedoneoftheartists。\"Besides，wehadreallysomehopesofsummoningTrajantolookathiscolumn，which，youknow，heneversawinhislifetime。Hereisyourmodelwho，theysay，livedandsinnedbeforeTrajan\'sdeathstillwanderingaboutRome；andwhynottheEmperorTrajan？\"
\"Deademperorshaveverylittledelightintheircolumns，Iamafraid，\"
observedKenyon。\"AllthatrichsculptureofTrajan\'sbloodywarfare，twiningfromthebaseofthepillartoitscapital，maybebutanuglyspectacleforhisghostlyeyes，ifheconsidersthatthishuge，storiedshaftmustbelaidbeforethejudgment-seat，asapieceoftheevidenceofwhathedidintheflesh。IfeverIamemployedtosculptureahero\'smonument，Ishallthinkofthis，asIputinthebas-reliefsofthepedestal！\"
\"Therearesermonsinstones，\"saidHildathoughtfully，smilingatKenyon\'smorality；\"andespeciallyinthestonesofRome。\"
Thepartymovedon，butdeviatedalittlefromthestraightway，inordertoglanceattheponderousremainsofthetempleofMarsUltot，withinwhichaconventofnunsisnowestablished，——adove-cote，inthewar-god\'smansion。Atonlyalittledistance，theypassedtheporticoofaTempleofMinerva，mostrichandbeautifulinarchitecture，butwoefullygnawedbytimeandshatteredbyviolence，besidesbeingburiedmidwayintheaccumulationofsoil，thatrisesoverdeadRomelikeafloodtide。Withinthisedificeofantiquesanctity，abaker\'sshopwasnowestablished，withanentranceononeside；for，everywhere，theremnantsofoldgrandeuranddivinityhavebeenmadeavailableforthemeanestnecessitiesoftoday。
\"Thebakerisjustdrawinghisloavesoutoftheoven，\"remarkedKenyon。
\"Doyousmellhowsourtheyare？IshouldfancythatMinervainrevengeforthedesecrationofhertemplehadslylypouredvinegarintothebatch，ifIdidnotknowthatthemodernRomansprefertheirbreadintheacetousfermentation。\"
TheyturnedintotheViaAlessandria，andthusgainedtherearoftheTempleofPeace，and，passingbeneathitsgreatarches，pursuedtheirwayalongahedge-borderedlane。Inallprobability，astatelyRomanstreetlayburiedbeneaththatrustic-lookingpathway；fortheyhadnowemergedfromthecloseandnarrowavenuesofthemoderncity，andweretreadingonasoilwheretheseedsofantiquegrandeurhadnotyetproducedthesqualidcropthatelsewheresproutsfromthem。Grassyasthelanewas，itskirtedalongheapsofshapelessruin，andthebaresiteofthevasttemplethatHadrianplannedandbuilt。Itterminatedontheedgeofasomewhatabruptdescent，atthefootofwhich，withamuddyditchbetween，rose，inthebrightmoonlight，thegreatcurvingwallandmultitudinousarchesoftheColiseum。
CHAPTERXVII
MIRIAM\'STROUBLE
Asusualofamoonlightevening，severalcarriagesstoodattheentranceofthisfamousruin，andtheprecinctsandinteriorwereanythingbutasolitude。TheFrenchsentinelondutybeneaththeprincipalarchwayeyedourpartycuriously，butofferednoobstacletotheiradmission。Within，themoonlightfilledandfloodedthegreatemptyspace；itglowedupontierabovetierofruined，grass-grownarches，andmadethemeventoodistinctlyvisible。ThesplendoroftherevelationtookawaythatinestimableeffectofdimnessandmysterybywhichtheimaginationmightbeassistedtobuildagranderstructurethantheColiseum，andtoshatteritwithamorepicturesquedecay。Byron\'scelebrateddescriptionisbetterthanthereality。Hebeheldthesceneinhismind\'seye，throughthewitcheryofmanyinterveningyears，andfaintlyilluminateditasifwithstarlightinsteadofthisbroadglowofmoonshine。
Thepartyofourfriendssatdown，threeorfourofthemonaprostratecolumn，anotheronashapelesslumpofmarble，onceaRomanaltar；othersonthestepsofoneoftheChristianshrines。Gothsandbarbariansthoughtheywere，theychattedasgaylytogetherasiftheybelongedtothegentleandpleasantraceofpeoplewhonowinhabitItaly。TherewasmuchpastimeandgayetyjustthenintheareaoftheColiseum，wheresomanygladiatorsandWildbeastshadfoughtanddied，andwheresomuchbloodofChristianmartyrshadbeenlappedupbythatfiercestofwildbeasts，theRomanpopulaceofyore。Someyouthsandmaidenswererunningmerryracesacrosstheopenspace，andplayingathideandseekalittlewaywithintheduskinessofthegroundtierofarches，whencenowandthenyoucouldhearthehalf-shriek，halflaughofafrolicsomegirl，whomtheshadowhadbetrayedintoayoungman\'sarms。Eldergroupswereseatedonthefragmentsofpillarsandblocksofmarblethatlayroundthevergeofthearena，talkinginthequick，shortrippleoftheItaliantongue。OnthestepsofthegreatblackcrossinthecentreoftheColiseumsatapartysingingscrapsofsongs，withmuchlaughterandmerrimentbetweenthestanzas。
Itwasastrangeplaceforsongandmirth。Thatblackcrossmarksoneofthespecialblood-spotsoftheearthwhere，thousandsoftimesover，thedyinggladiatorfell，andmoreofhumanagonyhasbeenenduredforthemerepastimeofthemultitudethanonthebreadthofmanybattlefields。
Fromallthiscrimeandsuffering，however，thespothasderivedamorethancommonsanctity。Aninscriptionpromisessevenyears\'indulgence，sevenyearsofremissionfromthepainsofpurgatory，andearlierenjoymentofheavenlybliss，foreachseparatekissimprintedontheblackcross。Whatbetterusecouldbemadeoflife，aftermiddleage，whentheaccumulatedsinsaremanyandtheremainingtemptationsfew，thantospenditallinkissingtheblackcrossoftheColiseum！
Besidesitscentralconsecration，thewholeareahasbeenmadesacredbyarangeofshrines，whichareerectedroundthecircle，eachcommemoratingsomesceneorcircumstanceoftheSaviour\'spassionandsuffering。Inaccordancewithanordinarycustom，apilgrimwasmakinghisprogressfromshrinetoshrineuponhisknees，andsayingapenitentialprayerateach。
Light-footedgirlsranacrossthepathalongwhichhecrept，orsportedwiththeirfriendsclosebytheshrineswherehewaskneeling。Thepilgrimtooknoheed，andthegirlsmeantnoirreverence；forinItalyreligionjostlesalongsidebysidewithbusinessandsport，afterafashionofitsown，andpeopleareaccustomedtokneeldownandpray，orseeotherspraying，betweentwofitsofmerriment，orbetweentwosins。
Tomakeanendofourdescription，aredtwinkleoflightwasvisibleamidthebreadthofshadowthatfellacrosstheupperpartoftheColiseum。
Nowitglimmeredthroughalineofarches，orthrewabroadergleamasitroseoutofsomeprofoundabyssofruin；nowitwasmuffledbyaheapofshrubberywhichhadadventurouslyclamberedtothatdizzyheight；andsotheredlightkeptascendingtoloftierandloftierrangesofthestructure，untilitstoodlikeastarwheretheblueskyrestedagainsttheColiseum\'stopmostwall。ItindicatedapartyofEnglishorAmericanspayingtheinevitablevisitbymoonlight，andexaltingthemselveswithrapturesthatwereByron\'s，nottheirown。
Ourcompanyofartistssatonthefallencolumn，thepaganaltar，andthestepsoftheChristianshrine，enjoyingthemoonlightandshadow，thepresentgayetyandthegloomyreminiscencesofthescene，inalmostequalshare。Artists，indeed，areliftedbytheidealityoftheirpursuitsalittlewayofftheearth，andarethereforeabletocatchtheevanescentfragrancethatfloatsintheatmosphereoflifeabovetheheadsoftheordinarycrowd。Eveniftheyseemendowedwithlittleimaginationindividually，yetthereisaproperty，agift，atalisman，commontotheirclass，entitlingthemtopartakesomewhatmorebountifullythanotherpeopleinthethindelightsofmoonshineandromance。
\"Howdelightfulthisis！\"saidHilda；andshesighedforverypleasure。
\"Yes，\"saidKenyon，whosatonthecolumn，atherside。\"TheColiseumisfarmoredelightful，asweenjoyitnow，thanwheneightythousandpersonssatsqueezedtogether，rowaboverow，toseetheirfellowcreaturestornbylionsandtigerslimbfromlimb。WhatastrangethoughtthattheColiseumwasreallybuiltforus，andhasnotcometoitsbestusestillalmosttwothousandyearsafteritwasfinished！\"
\"TheEmperorVespasianscarcelyhadusinhismind，\"saidHilda，smiling；
\"butIthankhimnonethelessforbuildingit。\"
\"Hegetssmallthanks，Ifear，fromthepeoplewhosebloodyinstinctshepampered，\"rejoinedKenyon。\"Fancyanightlyassemblageofeightythousandmelancholyandremorsefulghosts，lookingdownfromthosetiersofbrokenarches，strivingtorepentofthesavagepleasureswhichtheyonceenjoyed，butstilllongingtoenjoythemoveragain。\"
\"YoubringaGothichorrorintothispeacefulmoonlightscene，\"saidHilda。
\"Nay，IhavegoodauthorityforpeoplingtheColiseumwithphantoms，\"
repliedthesculptor。\"DoyourememberthatveritablesceneinBenvenutoCellini\'sautobiography，inwhichanecromancerofhisacquaintancedrawsamagiccircle——justwheretheblackcrossstandsnow，Isuppose——andraisesmyriadsofdemons？Benvenutosawthemwithhisowneyes，——giants，pygmies，andothercreaturesoffrightfulaspect，caperinganddancingonyonderwalls。ThosespectresmusthavebeenRomans，intheirlifetime，andfrequentersofthisbloodyamphitheatre。\"
\"Iseeaspectre，now！\"saidHilda，withalittlethrillofuneasiness。
\"Haveyouwatchedthatpilgrim，whoisgoingroundthewholecircleofshrines，onhisknees，andprayingwithsuchfervencyateveryone？Nowthathehasrevolvedsofarinhisorbit，andhasthemoonshineonhisfaceasheturnstowardsus，methinksIrecognizehim！\"
\"AndsodoI，\"saidKenyon。\"PoorMiriam！Doyouthinksheseeshim？\"
Theylookedround，andperceivedthatMiriamhadrisenfromthestepsoftheshrineanddisappeared。Shehadshrunkback，infact，intothedeepobscurityofanarchthatopenedjustbehindthem。
Donatello，whosefaithfulwatchwasnomoretobeeludedthanthatofahound，hadstolenafterher，andbecametheinnocentwitnessofaspectaclethathaditsownkindofhorror。Unawareofhispresence，andfancyingherselfwhollyunseen，thebeautifulMiriambegantogesticulateextravagantly，gnashingherteeth，flingingherarmswildlyabroad，stampingwithherfoot。
Itwasasifshehadsteppedasideforaninstant，solelytosnatchthereliefofabrieffitofmadness。Personsinacutetrouble，orlaboringunderstrongexcitement，withanecessityforconcealingit，arepronetorelievetheirnervesinthiswildway；although，whenpracticable，theyfindamoreeffectualsolaceinshriekingaloud。
Thus，assoonasshethrewoffherself-control，undertheduskyarchesoftheColiseum，wemayconsiderMiriamasamadwoman，concentratingtheelementsofalonginsanityintothatinstant。
\"Signorina！signorina！havepityonme！\"criedDonatello，approachingher；\"thisistooterrible！\"
\"Howdareyoulook，atme！\"exclaimedMiriam，withastart；then，whisperingbelowherbreath，\"menhavebeenstruckdeadforalessoffence！\"
\"Ifyoudesireit，orneedit，\"saidDonatellohumbly，\"Ishallnotbeloathtodie。\"
\"Donatello，\"saidMiriam，comingclosetotheyoungman，andspeakinglow，butstillthealmostinsanityofthemomentvibratinginhervoice，\"ifyouloveyourself；ifyoudesirethoseearthlyblessings，suchasyou，ofallmen，weremadefor；ifyouwouldcometoagoodoldageamongyouroliveorchardsandyourTuscanvines，asyourforefathersdid；ifyouwouldleavechildrentoenjoythesamepeaceful，happy，innocentlife，thenfleefromme。Looknotbehindyou！Getyougonewithoutanotherword。\"Hegazedsadlyather，butdidnotstir。\"Itellyou，\"Miriamwenton，\"thereisagreatevilhangingoverme！Iknowit；Iseeitinthesky；Ifeelitintheair！Itwilloverwhelmmeasutterlyasifthisarchshouldcrumbledownuponourheads！Itwillcrushyou，too，ifyoustandatmyside！Depart，then；andmakethesignofthecross，asyourfaithbidsyou，whenanevilspiritisnigh。Castmeoff，oryouarelostforever。\"
AhighersentimentbrighteneduponDonatello\'sfacethanhadhithertoseemedtobelongtoitssimpleexpressionandsensuousbeauty。
\"Iwillneverquityou，\"hesaid；\"youcannotdrivemefromyou。\"
\"PoorDonatello！\"saidMiriaminachangedtone，andrathertoherselfthanhim。\"Istherenootherthatseeksmeout，followsme，——isobstinatetosharemyafflictionandmydoom，——butonlyyou！Theycallmebeautiful；andIusedtofancythat，atmyneed，Icouldbringthewholeworldtomyfeet。Andlo！hereismyutmostneed；andmybeautyandmygiftshavebroughtmeonlythispoor，simpleboy。Half-witted，theycallhim；andsurelyfitfornothingbuttobehappy。AndIaccepthisaid！
To-morrow，to-morrow，Iwilltellhimall！Ah！whatasintostainhisjoyousnaturewiththeblacknessofawoelikemine！\"
Sheheldoutherhandtohim，andsmiledsadlyasDonatellopressedittohislips。Theywerenowabouttoemergefromthedepthofthearch；butjustthenthekneelingpilgrim，inhisrevolutionroundtheorbitoftheshrines，hadreachedtheoneonthestepsofwhichMiriamhadbeensitting。
There，asattheothershrines，heprayed，orseemedtopray。ItstruckKenyon，however，——whosatcloseby，andsawhisfacedistinctly，thatthesuppliantwasmerelyperforminganenjoinedpenance，andwithoutthepenitencethatoughttohavegiveniteffectuallife。Evenasheknelt，hiseyeswandered，andMiriamsoonfeltthathehaddetectedher，halfhiddenasshewaswithintheobscurityofthearch。
\"HeisevidentlyagoodCatholic，however，\"whisperedoneoftheparty。
\"Afterall，Ifearwecannotidentifyhimwiththeancientpaganwhohauntsthecatacombs。\"
\"ThedoctorsofthePropagandamayhaveconvertedhim，\"saidanother；
\"theyhavehadfifteenhundredyearstoperformthetask。\"
Thecompanynowdeemedittimetocontinuetheirramble。EmergingfromasideentranceoftheColiseum，theyhadontheirlefttheArchofConstantine，andaboveittheshapelessruinsofthePalaceoftheCaesars；
portionsofwhichhavetakenshapeanew，inmediaevalconventsandmodernvillas。Theyturnedtheirfacescityward，and，treadingoverthebroadflagstonesoftheoldRomanpavement，passedthroughtheArchofTitus。
Themoonshonebrightlyenoughwithinittoshowtheseven-branchedJewishcandlestick，cutinthemarbleoftheinterior。Theoriginalofthatawfultrophyliesburied，atthismoment，intheyellowmudoftheTiber；
and，coulditsgoldofOphiragainbebroughttolight，itwouldbethemostpreciousrelicofpastages，intheestimationofbothJewandGentile。
Standingamidsomuchancientdust，itisdifficulttosparethereaderthecommonplacesofenthusiasm，onwhichhundredsoftouristshavealreadyinsisted。Overthishalf-wornpavement，andbeneaththisArchofTitus，theRomanarmieshadtroddenintheiroutwardmarch，tofightbattlesaworld\'swidthaway。Returningvictorious，withroyalcaptivesandinestimablespoil，aRomantriumph，thatmostgorgeouspageantofearthlypride，hadstreamedandflauntedinhundred-foldsuccessionoverthesesameflagstones，andthroughthisyetstalwartarchway。Itispolitic，however，tomakefewallusionstosuchapast；nor，ifwewouldcreateaninterestinthecharactersofourstory，isitwisetosuggesthowCicero\'sfootmayhavesteppedonyonderstone，orhowHoracewaswonttostrollnearby，makinghisfootstepschimewiththemeasureoftheodethatwasringinginhismind。Theveryghostsofthatmassiveandstatelyepochhavesomuchdensitythattheactualpeopleofto-dayseemthethinnerofthetwo，andstandmoreghost-likebythearchesandcolumns，lettingtherichsculpturebediscernedthroughtheirill-compactedsubstance。
Thepartykeptonward，oftenmeetingpairsandgroupsofmidnightstrollerslikethemselves。Onsuchamoonlightnightasthis，Romekeepsitselfawakeandstirring，andisfullofsongandpastime，thenoiseofwhichmingleswithyourdreams，ifyouhavegonebetimestobed。Butitisbettertobeabroad，andtakeourownshareoftheenjoyabletime；forthelanguorthatweighssoheavilyintheRomanatmospherebydayislightenedbeneaththemoonandstars。
TheyhadnowreachedtheprecinctsoftheForum。
CHAPTERXVIII
ONTHEEDGEOFAPRECIPICE
\"Letussettleit，\"saidKenyon，stampinghisfootfirmlydown，\"thatthisispreciselythespotwherethechasmopened，intowhichCurtiusprecipitatedhisgoodsteedandhimself。Imaginethegreat，duskygap，impenetrablydeep，andwithhalf-shapedmonstersandhideousfacesloomingupwardoutofit，tothevastaffrightofthegoodcitizenswhopeepedoverthebrim！There，now，isasubject，hithertounthoughtof，foragrimandghastlystory，and，methinks，withamoralasdeepasthegulfitself。Withinit，beyondaquestion，therewerepropheticvisions，——intimationsofallthefuturecalamitiesofRome，——shadesofGoths，andGauls，andevenoftheFrenchsoldiersofto-day。Itwasapitytocloseitupsosoon！Iwouldgivemuchforapeepintosuchachasm。\"
\"Ifancy，\"remarkedMiriam，\"thateverypersontakesapeepintoitinmomentsofgloomanddespondency；thatistosay，inhismomentsofdeepestinsight。\"
\"Whereisit，then？\"askedHilda。\"Ineverpeepedintoit。\"
\"Wait，anditwillopenforyou，\"repliedherfriend。\"Thechasmwasmerelyoneoftheorificesofthatpitofblacknessthatliesbeneathus，everywhere。Thefirmestsubstanceofhumanhappinessisbutathincrustspreadoverit，withjustrealityenoughtobearuptheillusivestagesceneryamidwhichwetread。Itneedsnoearthquaketoopenthechasm。A
footstep，alittleheavierthanordinary，willserve；andwemuststepverydaintily，nottobreakthroughthecrustatanymoment。Byandby，weinevitablysink！ItwasafoolishpieceofheroisminCurtiustoprecipitatehimselfthere，inadvance；forallRome，yousee，hasbeenswallowedupinthatgulf，inspiteofhim。ThePalaceoftheCaesarshasgonedownthither，withahollow，rumblingsoundofitsfragments！Allthetempleshavetumbledintoit；andthousandsofstatueshavebeenthrownafter！Allthearmiesandthetriumphshavemarchedintothegreatchasm，withtheirmartialmusicplaying，astheysteppedoverthebrink。
Alltheheroes，thestatesmen，andthepoets！AllpileduponpoorCurtius，whothoughttohavesavedthemall！Iamloathtosmileattheself-conceitofthatgallanthorseman，butcannotwellavoidit。\"
\"Itgrievesmetohearyouspeakthus，Miriam，\"saidHilda，whosenaturalandcheerfulpietywasshockedbyherfriend\'sgloomyviewofhumandestinies。\"Itseemstomethatthereisnochasm，noranyhideousemptinessunderourfeet，exceptwhattheevilwithinusdigs。Iftherebesuchachasm，letusbridgeitoverwithgoodthoughtsanddeeds，andweshalltreadsafelytotheotherside。ItwastheguiltofRome，nodoubt，thatcausedthisgulftoopen；andCurtiusfilleditupwithhisheroicself-sacrificeandpatriotism，whichwasthebestvirtuethattheoldRomansknew。Everywrongthingmakesthegulfdeeper；everyrightonehelpstofillitup。AstheevilofRomewasfarmorethanitsgood，thewholecommonwealthfinallysankintoit，indeed，butofnooriginalnecessity。\"
\"Well，Hilda，itcametothesamethingatlast，\"answeredMiriamdespondingly。
\"Doubtless，too，\"resumedthesculptorforhisimaginationwasgreatlyexcitedbytheideaofthiswondrouschasm，\"allthebloodthattheRomansshed，whetheronbattlefields，orintheColiseum，oronthecross，——inwhateverpublicorprivatemurder，——ranintothisfatalgulf，andformedamightysubterraneanlakeofgore，rightbeneathourfeet。ThebloodfromthethirtywoundsinCaesar\'sbreastflowedhitherward，andthatpurelittlerivuletfromVirginia\'sbosom，too！Virginia，beyondallquestion，wasstabbedbyherfather，preciselywherewearestanding。\"
\"Thenthespotishallowedforever！\"saidHilda。
\"Istheresuchblessedpotencyinbloodshed？\"askedMiriam。\"Nay，Hilda，donotprotest！Itakeyourmeaningrightly。\"
Theyagainmovedforward。Andstill，fromtheForumandtheViaSacra，frombeneaththearchesoftheTempleofPeaceononeside，andtheacclivityofthePalaceoftheCaesarsontheother，therearosesingingvoicesofpartiesthatwerestrollingthroughthemoonlight。Thus，theairwasfullofkindredmelodiesthatencounteredone。another，andtwinedthemselvesintoabroad，vaguemusic，outofwhichnosinglestraincouldbedisentangled。Thesegoodexamples，aswellastheharmoniousinfluencesofthehour，incitedourartistfriendstomakeproofoftheirownvocalpowers。Withwhatskillandbreaththeyhad，theysetupachoralstrain，——\"Hail，Columbia！\"webelieve，whichthoseoldRomanechoesmusthavefounditexceedingdifficulttorepeataright。EvenHildapouredtheslendersweetnessofhernoteintohercountry\'ssong。
Miriamwasatfirstsilent，beingperhapsunfamiliarwiththeairandburden。Butsuddenlyshethrewoutsuchaswellandgushofsound，thatitseemedtopervadethewholechoirofothervoices，andthentoriseabovethemall，andbecomeaudibleinwhatwouldelsehavebeentheesilenceofanupperregion。Thatvolumeofmelodiousvoicewasoneofthetokensofagreattrouble。Therehadlongbeenanimpulseuponher——amounting，atlast，toanecessitytoshriekaloud；butshehadstruggledagainstit，tillthethunderousanthemgaveheranopportunitytorelieveherheartbyagreatcry。
TheypassedthesolitaryColumnofPhocas，andlookeddownintotheexcavatedspace，whereaconfusionofpillars，arches，pavements，andshatteredblocksandshafts——thecrumbsofvariousruindroppedfromthedevouringmawofTimestand，orlie，atthebaseoftheCapitolineHill。
Thatrenownedhillockforitislittlemorenowaroseabruptlyabovethem。Theponderousmasonry，withwhichthehillsideisbuiltup，isasoldasRomeitself，andlookslikelytoendurewhiletheworldretainsanysubstanceorpermanence。ItoncesustainedtheCapitol，andnowbearsupthegreatpilewhichthemediaevalbuildersraisedontheantiquefoundation，andthatstillloftiertower，whichlooksabroaduponalargerpageofdeeperhistoricinterestthananyotherscenecanshow。OnthesamepedestalofRomanmasonry，otherstructureswilldoubtlessrise，andvanishlikeephemeralthings。
Toaspectatoronthespot，itisremarkablethattheeventsofRomanhistory，andRomanlifeitself，appearnotsodistantastheGothicageswhichsucceededthem。WestandintheForum，orontheheightoftheCapitol，andseemtoseetheRomanepochcloseathand。Weforgetthatachasmextendsbetweenitandourselves，inwhichlieallthosedark，rude，unletteredcenturies，aroundthebirth-timeofChristianity，aswellastheageofchivalryandromance，thefeudalsystem，andtheinfancyofabettercivilizationthanthatofRome。Or，ifwerememberthesemediaevaltimes，theylookfurtheroffthantheAugustanage。Thereasonmaybe，thattheoldRomanliteraturesurvives，andcreatesforusanintimacywiththeclassicages，whichwehavenomeansofformingwiththesubsequentones。
TheItalianclimate，moreover，robsageofitsreverenceandmakesitlooknewerthanitis。NottheColiseum，northetombsoftheAppianWay，northeoldestpillarintheForum，noranyotherRomanruin，beitasdilapidatedasitmay，evergivetheimpressionofvenerableantiquitywhichwegather，alongwiththeivy，fromthegraywallsofanEnglishabbeyorcastle。Andyeteverybrickorstone，whichwepickupamongtheformer，hadfallenagesbeforethefoundationofthelatterwasbegun。
ThisisowingtothekindlinesswithwhichNaturestakesanEnglishruintoherheart，coveringitwithivy，astenderlyasRobinRedbreastcoveredthedeadbabeswithforestleaves。Shestrivestomakeitapartofherself，graduallyobliteratingthehandiworkofman，andsupplantingitwithherownmossesandtrailingverdure，tillshehaswonthewholestructureback。But，inItaly，whenevermanhasoncehewnastone，Natureforthwithrelinquishesherrighttoit，andneverlaysherfingeronitagain。Ageafteragefindsitbareandnaked，inthebarrensunshine，andleavesitso。Besidesthisnaturaldisadvantage，too，eachsucceedingcentury，inRome，hasdoneitsbesttoruintheveryruins，sofarastheirpicturesqueeffectisconcerned，bystealingawaythemarbleandhewnstone，andleavingonlyyellowbricks，whichnevercanlookvenerable。
ThepartyascendedthewindingwaythatleadsfromtheForumtothePiazzaoftheCampidoglioonthesummitoftheCapitolineHill。TheystoodawhiletocontemplatethebronzeequestrianstatueofMarcusAurelius。