“Thenyoudon\'tknowwhathewrote？You\'renotsureitWAShisname？”
Thekitchen-maidwasnotsure，butsupposeditwas，sincehehadwrittenitinanswertoherinquiryastowhomsheshouldannounce。
“AndwhenyoucarriedthepaperintoMr。Boyne，whatdidhesay？”
Thekitchen-maiddidnotthinkthatMr。Boynehadsaidanything，butshecouldnotbesure，forjustasshehadhandedhimthepaperandhewasopeningit，shehadbecomeawarethatthevisitorhadfollowedherintothelibrary，andshehadslippedout，leavingthetwogentlementogether。
“Butthen，ifyoulefttheminthelibrary，howdoyouknowthattheywentoutofthehouse？”
Thisquestionplungedthewitnessintomomentaryinarticulateness，fromwhichshewasrescuedbyTrimmle，who，bymeansofingeniouscircumlocutions，elicitedthestatementthatbeforeshecouldcrossthehalltothebackpassageshehadheardthegentlemenbehindher，andhadseenthemgooutofthefrontdoortogether。
“Then，ifyousawthegentlemantwice，youmustbeabletotellmewhathelookedlike。“
Butwiththisfinalchallengetoherpowersofexpressionitbecameclearthatthelimitofthekitchen-maid\'sendurancehadbeenreached。Theobligationofgoingtothefrontdoorto“showin“avisitorwasinitselfsosubversiveofthefundamentalorderofthingsthatithadthrownherfacultiesintohopelessdisarray，andshecouldonlystammerout，aftervariouspantingeffortsatevocation，“Hishat，mum，wasdifferent-like，asyoumightsay——“
“Different？Howdifferent？”Maryflashedoutather，herownmind，inthesameinstant，leapingbacktoanimageleftonitthatmorning，buttemporarilylostunderlayersofsubsequentimpressions。
“Hishathadawidebrim，youmean？andhisfacewaspale——ayoungishface？”Marypressedher，withawhite-lippedintensityofinterrogation。Butifthekitchen-maidfoundanyadequateanswertothischallenge，itwassweptawayforherlistenerdowntherushingcurrentofherownconvictions。Thestranger——thestrangerinthegarden！WhyhadMarynotthoughtofhimbefore？
Sheneedednoonenowtotellherthatitwashewhohadcalledforherhusbandandgoneawaywithhim。Butwhowashe，andwhyhadBoyneobeyedhiscall？
IV
Itleapedoutathersuddenly，likeagrinoutofthedark，thattheyhadoftencalledEnglandsolittle——“suchaconfoundedlyhardplacetogetlostin。“
ACONFOUNDEDLYHARDPLACETOGETLOSTIN！Thathadbeenherhusband\'sphrase。Andnow，withthewholemachineryofofficialinvestigationsweepingitsflash-lightsfromshoretoshore，andacrossthedividingstraits；now，withBoyne\'snameblazingfromthewallsofeverytownandvillage，hisportraithowthatwrungher！hawkedupanddownthecountryliketheimageofahuntedcriminal；nowthelittlecompact，populousisland，sopoliced，surveyed，andadministered，revealeditselfasaSphinx-likeguardianofabysmalmysteries，staringbackintohiswife\'sanguishedeyesasifwiththemaliciousjoyofknowingsomethingtheywouldneverknow！
InthefortnightsinceBoyne\'sdisappearancetherehadbeennowordofhim，notraceofhismovements。Eventheusualmisleadingreportsthatraiseexpectancyintorturedbosomshadbeenfewandfleeting。Noonebutthebewilderedkitchen-maidhadseenhimleavethehouse，andnooneelsehadseen“thegentleman“whoaccompaniedhim。Allinquiriesintheneighborhoodfailedtoelicitthememoryofastranger\'spresencethatdayintheneighborhoodofLyng。AndnoonehadmetEdwardBoyne，eitheraloneorincompany，inanyoftheneighboringvillages，orontheroadacrossthedowns，orateitherofthelocalrailway-stations。ThesunnyEnglishnoonhadswallowedhimascompletelyasifhehadgoneoutintoCimmeriannight。
Mary，whileeveryexternalmeansofinvestigationwasworkingatitshighestpressure，hadransackedherhusband\'spapersforanytraceofantecedentcomplications，ofentanglementsorobligationsunknowntoher，thatmightthrowafaintrayintothedarkness。ButifanysuchhadexistedinthebackgroundofBoyne\'slife，theyhaddisappearedascompletelyastheslipofpaperonwhichthevisitorhadwrittenhisname。Thereremainednopossiblethreadofguidanceexcept——ifitwereindeedanexception——theletterwhichBoynehadapparentlybeenintheactofwritingwhenhereceivedhismysterioussummons。Thatletter，readandrereadbyhiswife，andsubmittedbyhertothepolice，yieldedlittleenoughforconjecturetofeedon。
“IhavejustheardofElwell\'sdeath，andwhileIsupposethereisnownofartherriskoftrouble，itmightbesafer——“Thatwasall。The“riskoftrouble“waseasilyexplainedbythenewspaperclippingwhichhadapprisedMaryofthesuitbroughtagainstherhusbandbyoneofhisassociatesintheBlueStarenterprise。
TheonlynewinformationconveyedintheletterwasthefactofitsshowingBoyne，whenhewroteit，tobestillapprehensiveoftheresultsofthesuit，thoughhehadassuredhiswifethatithadbeenwithdrawn，andthoughtheletteritselfdeclaredthattheplaintiffwasdead。Ittookseveralweeksofexhaustivecablingtofixtheidentityofthe“Parvis“towhomthefragmentarycommunicationwasaddressed，butevenaftertheseinquirieshadshownhimtobeaWaukeshalawyer，nonewfactsconcerningtheElwellsuitwereelicited。Heappearedtohavehadnodirectconcerninit，buttohavebeenconversantwiththefactsmerelyasanacquaintance，andpossibleintermediary；andhedeclaredhimselfunabletodivinewithwhatobjectBoyneintendedtoseekhisassistance。
Thisnegativeinformation，solefruitofthefirstfortnight\'sfeverishsearch，wasnotincreasedbyajotduringtheslowweeksthatfollowed。Maryknewthattheinvestigationswerestillbeingcarriedon，butshehadavaguesenseoftheirgraduallyslackening，astheactualmarchoftimeseemedtoslacken。Itwasasthoughthedays，flyinghorror-struckfromtheshroudedimageoftheoneinscrutableday，gainedassuranceasthedistancelengthened，tillatlasttheyfellbackintotheirnormalgait。Andsowiththehumanimaginationsatworkonthedarkevent。Nodoubtitoccupiedthemstill，butweekbyweekandhourbyhouritgrewlessabsorbing，tookuplessspace，wasslowlybutinevitablycrowdedoutoftheforegroundofconsciousnessbythenewproblemsperpetuallybubblingupfromthevaporouscaldronofhumanexperience。
EvenMaryBoyne\'sconsciousnessgraduallyfeltthesameloweringofvelocity。Itstillswayedwiththeincessantoscillationsofconjecture；buttheywereslower，morerhythmicalintheirbeat。
Thereweremomentsofoverwhelminglassitudewhen，likethevictimofsomepoisonwhichleavesthebrainclear，butholdsthebodymotionless，shesawherselfdomesticatedwiththeHorror，acceptingitsperpetualpresenceasoneofthefixedconditionsoflife。
Thesemomentslengthenedintohoursanddays，tillshepassedintoaphaseofstolidacquiescence。Shewatchedthefamiliarroutineoflifewiththeincuriouseyeofasavageonwhomthemeaninglessprocessesofcivilizationmakebutthefaintestimpression。Shehadcometoregardherselfaspartoftheroutine，aspokeofthewheel，revolvingwithitsmotion；shefeltalmostlikethefurnitureoftheroominwhichshesat，aninsensateobjecttobedustedandpushedaboutwiththechairsandtables。AndthisdeepeningapathyheldherfastatLyng，inspiteoftheurgententreatiesoffriendsandtheusualmedicalrecommendationof“change。“Herfriendssupposedthatherrefusaltomovewasinspiredbythebeliefthatherhusbandwouldonedayreturntothespotfromwhichhehadvanished，andabeautifullegendgrewupaboutthisimaginarystateofwaiting。
Butinrealityshehadnosuchbelief：thedepthsofanguishinclosingherwerenolongerlightedbyflashesofhope。ShewassurethatBoynewouldnevercomeback，thathehadgoneoutofhersightascompletelyasifDeathitselfhadwaitedthatdayonthethreshold。Shehadevenrenounced，onebyone，thevarioustheoriesastohisdisappearancewhichhadbeenadvancedbythepress，thepolice，andherownagonizedimagination。Insheerlassitudehermindturnedfromthesealternativesofhorror，andsankbackintotheblankfactthathewasgone。
No，shewouldneverknowwhathadbecomeofhim——noonewouldeverknow。ButthehouseKNEW；thelibraryinwhichshespentherlong，lonelyeveningsknew。Foritwasherethatthelastscenehadbeenenacted，herethatthestrangerhadcome，andspokenthewordwhichhadcausedBoynetoriseandfollowhim。
Thefloorshetrodhadfelthistread；thebooksontheshelveshadseenhisface；andthereweremomentswhentheintenseconsciousnessoftheold，duskywallsseemedabouttobreakoutintosomeaudiblerevelationoftheirsecret。Buttherevelationnevercame，andsheknewitwouldnevercome。Lyngwasnotoneofthegarrulousoldhousesthatbetraythesecretsintrustedtothem。Itsverylegendprovedthatithadalwaysbeenthemuteaccomplice，theincorruptiblecustodianofthemysteriesithadsurprised。AndMaryBoyne，sittingfacetofacewithitsportentoussilence，feltthefutilityofseekingtobreakitbyanyhumanmeans。
V
“Idon\'tsayitWASN\'Tstraight，yetdon\'tsayitWASstraight。
Itwasbusiness。“
Mary，atthewords，liftedherheadwithastart，andlookedintentlyatthespeaker。
When，halfanhourbefore，acardwith“Mr。Parvis“onithadbeenbroughtuptoher，shehadbeenimmediatelyawarethatthenamehadbeenapartofherconsciousnesseversinceshehadreaditattheheadofBoyne\'sunfinishedletter。Inthelibraryshehadfoundawaitingherasmallneutral-tintedmanwithabaldheadandgoldeye-glasses，anditsentastrangetremorthroughhertoknowthatthiswasthepersontowhomherhusband\'slastknownthoughthadbeendirected。
Parvis，civilly，butwithoutvainpreamble，——inthemannerofamanwhohashiswatchinhishand，——hadsetforththeobjectofhisvisit。Hehad“runover“toEnglandonbusiness，andfindinghimselfintheneighborhoodofDorchester，hadnotwishedtoleaveitwithoutpayinghisrespectstoMrs。Boyne；withoutaskingher，iftheoccasionoffered，whatshemeanttodoaboutBobElwell\'sfamily。
ThewordstouchedthespringofsomeobscuredreadinMary\'sbosom。Didhervisitor，afterall，knowwhatBoynehadmeantbyhisunfinishedphrase？Sheaskedforanelucidationofhisquestion，andnoticedatoncethatheseemedsurprisedathercontinuedignoranceofthesubject。Wasitpossiblethatshereallyknewaslittleasshesaid？
“Iknownothing——youmusttellme，“shefalteredout；andhervisitorthereuponproceededtounfoldhisstory。Itthrew，eventoherconfusedperceptions，andimperfectlyinitiatedvision，aluridglareonthewholehazyepisodeoftheBlueStarMine。Herhusbandhadmadehismoneyinthatbrilliantspeculationatthecostof“gettingahead“ofsomeonelessalerttoseizethechance；thevictimofhisingenuitywasyoungRobertElwell，whohad“puthimon“totheBlueStarscheme。
Parvis，atMary\'sfirststartledcry，hadthrownherasoberingglancethroughhisimpartialglasses。
“BobElwellwasn\'tsmartenough，that\'sall；ifhehadbeen，hemighthaveturnedroundandservedBoynethesameway。It\'sthekindofthingthathappenseverydayinbusiness。Iguessit\'swhatthescientistscallthesurvivalofthefittest，“saidMr。
Parvis，evidentlypleasedwiththeaptnessofhisanalogy。
Maryfeltaphysicalshrinkingfromthenextquestionshetriedtoframe；itwasasthoughthewordsonherlipshadatastethatnauseatedher。
“Butthen——youaccusemyhusbandofdoingsomethingdishonorable？”
Mr。Parvissurveyedthequestiondispassionately。“Oh，no，I
don\'t。Idon\'tevensayitwasn\'tstraight。“Heglancedupanddownthelonglinesofbooks，asifoneofthemmighthavesuppliedhimwiththedefinitionhesought。“Idon\'tsayitWASN\'Tstraight，andyetIdon\'tsayitWASstraight。Itwasbusiness。“Afterall，nodefinitioninhiscategorycouldbemorecomprehensivethanthat。
Marysatstaringathimwithalookofterror。Heseemedtoherliketheindifferent，implacableemissaryofsomedark，formlesspower。
“ButMr。Elwell\'slawyersapparentlydidnottakeyourview，sinceIsupposethesuitwaswithdrawnbytheiradvice。“
“Oh，yes，theyknewhehadn\'talegtostandon，technically。Itwaswhentheyadvisedhimtowithdrawthesuitthathegotdesperate。Yousee，he\'dborrowedmostofthemoneyhelostintheBlueStar，andhewasupatree。That\'swhyheshothimselfwhentheytoldhimhehadnoshow。“
ThehorrorwassweepingoverMaryingreat，deafeningwaves。
“Heshothimself？HekilledhimselfbecauseofTHAT？“
“Well，hedidn\'tkillhimself，exactly。Hedraggedontwomonthsbeforehedied。“Parvisemittedthestatementasunemotionallyasagramophonegrindingoutits“record。“
“Youmeanthathetriedtokillhimself，andfailed？Andtriedagain？”
“Oh，hedidn\'thavetotryagain，“saidParvis，grimly。
Theysatoppositeeachotherinsilence，heswinginghiseye-
glassthoughtfullyabouthisfinger，she，motionless，herarmsstretchedalongherkneesinanattitudeofrigidtension。
“Butifyouknewallthis，“shebeganatlength，hardlyabletoforcehervoiceaboveawhisper，“howisitthatwhenIwroteyouatthetimeofmyhusband\'sdisappearanceyousaidyoudidn\'tunderstandhisletter？”
Parvisreceivedthiswithoutperceptiblediscomfiture。“Why，I
didn\'tunderstandit——strictlyspeaking。Anditwasn\'tthetimetotalkaboutit，ifIhad。TheElwellbusinesswassettledwhenthesuitwaswithdrawn。NothingIcouldhavetoldyouwouldhavehelpedyoutofindyourhusband。“
Marycontinuedtoscrutinizehim。“Thenwhyareyoutellingmenow？”
StillParvisdidnothesitate。“Well，tobeginwith，Isupposedyouknewmorethanyouappearto——ImeanaboutthecircumstancesofElwell\'sdeath。Andthenpeoplearetalkingofitnow；thewholematter\'sbeenrakedupagain。AndIthought，ifyoudidn\'tknow，yououghtto。“
Sheremainedsilent，andhecontinued：“Yousee，it\'sonlycomeoutlatelywhatabadstateElwell\'saffairswerein。Hiswife\'saproudwoman，andshefoughtonaslongasshecould，goingouttowork，andtakingsewingathome，whenshegottoosick——
somethingwiththeheart，Ibelieve。Butshehadhisbedriddenmothertolookafter，andthechildren，andshebrokedownunderit，andfinallyhadtoaskforhelp。Thatattractedattentiontothecase，andthepaperstookitup，andasubscriptionwasstarted。EverybodyouttherelikedBobElwell，andmostoftheprominentnamesintheplacearedownonthelist，andpeoplebegantowonderwhy——“
Parvisbrokeofftofumbleinaninnerpocket。“Here，“hecontinued，“here\'sanaccountofthewholethingfromthe\'Sentinel\'——alittlesensational，ofcourse。ButIguessyou\'dbetterlookitover。“
HeheldoutanewspapertoMary，whounfoldeditslowly，remembering，asshedidso，theeveningwhen，inthatsameroom，theperusalofaclippingfromthe“Sentinel“hadfirstshakenthedepthsofhersecurity。
Assheopenedthepaper，hereyes，shrinkingfromtheglaringhead-lines，“WidowofBoyne\'sVictimForcedtoAppealforAid，“
randownthecolumnoftexttotwoportraitsinsertedinit。Thefirstwasherhusband\'s，takenfromaphotographmadetheyeartheyhadcometoEngland。Itwasthepictureofhimthatshelikedbest，theonethatstoodonthewriting-tableup-stairsinherbedroom。Astheeyesinthephotographmethers，shefeltitwouldbeimpossibletoreadwhatwassaidofhim，andclosedherlidswiththesharpnessofthepain。
“Ithoughtifyoufeltdisposedtoputyournamedown——“sheheardParviscontinue。
Sheopenedhereyeswithaneffort，andtheyfellontheotherportrait。Itwasthatofayoungishman，slightlybuilt，inroughclothes，withfeaturessomewhatblurredbytheshadowofaprojectinghat-brim。Wherehadsheseenthatoutlinebefore？
Shestaredatitconfusedly，herhearthammeringinherthroatandears。Thenshegaveacry。
“Thisistheman——themanwhocameformyhusband！”
SheheardParvisstarttohisfeet，andwasdimlyawarethatshehadslippedbackwardintothecornerofthesofa，andthathewasbendingaboveherinalarm。Withanintenseeffortshestraightenedherself，andreachedoutforthepaper，whichshehaddropped。
“It\'stheman！Ishouldknowhimanywhere！”shecriedinavoicethatsoundedinherownearslikeascream。
Parvis\'svoiceseemedtocometoherfromfaroff，downendless，fog-muffledwindings。
“Mrs。Boyne，you\'renotverywell。ShallIcallsomebody？ShallIgetaglassofwater？”
“No，no，no！”Shethrewherselftowardhim，herhandfranticallyclenchingthenewspaper。“Itellyou，it\'stheman！IKNOWhim！
Hespoketomeinthegarden！”
Parvistookthejournalfromher，directinghisglassestotheportrait。“Itcan\'tbe，Mrs。Boyne。It\'sRobertElwell。“
“RobertElwell？”Herwhitestareseemedtotravelintospace。
“ThenitwasRobertElwellwhocameforhim。“
“CameforBoyne？Thedayhewentaway？”Parvis\'svoicedroppedashersrose。Hebentover，layingafraternalhandonher，asiftocoaxhergentlybackintoherseat。“Why，Elwellwasdead！
Don\'tyouremember？”
Marysatwithhereyesfixedonthepicture，unconsciousofwhathewassaying。
“Don\'tyourememberBoyne\'sunfinishedlettertome——theoneyoufoundonhisdeskthatday？Itwaswrittenjustafterhe\'dheardofElwell\'sdeath。“ShenoticedanoddshakeinParvis\'sunemotionalvoice。“Surelyyourememberthat！”heurgedher。
Yes，sheremembered：thatwastheprofoundesthorrorofit。
Elwellhaddiedthedaybeforeherhusband\'sdisappearance；andthiswasElwell\'sportrait；anditwastheportraitofthemanwhohadspokentoherinthegarden。Sheliftedherheadandlookedslowlyaboutthelibrary。ThelibrarycouldhavebornewitnessthatitwasalsotheportraitofthemanwhohadcomeinthatdaytocallBoynefromhisunfinishedletter。Throughthemistysurgingsofherbrainsheheardthefaintboomofhalf-
forgottenwords——wordsspokenbyAlidaStaironthelawnatPangbournebeforeBoyneandhiswifehadeverseenthehouseatLyng，orhadimaginedthattheymightonedaylivethere。
“Thiswasthemanwhospoketome，“sherepeated。
ShelookedagainatParvis。Hewastryingtoconcealhisdisturbanceunderwhatheimaginedtobeanexpressionofindulgentcommiseration；buttheedgesofhislipswereblue。
“Hethinksmemad；butI\'mnotmad，“shereflected；andsuddenlythereflasheduponherawayofjustifyingherstrangeaffirmation。
Shesatquiet，controllingthequiverofherlips，andwaitingtillshecouldtrusthervoicetokeepitshabituallevel；thenshesaid，lookingstraightatParvis：“Willyouanswermeonequestion，please？WhenwasitthatRobertElwelltriedtokillhimself？”
“When——when？”Parvisstammered。
“Yes；thedate。Pleasetrytoremember。“
Shesawthathewasgrowingstillmoreafraidofher。“Ihaveareason，“sheinsistedgently。
“Yes，yes。OnlyIcan\'tremember。Abouttwomonthsbefore，I
shouldsay。“
“Iwantthedate，“sherepeated。
Parvispickedupthenewspaper。“Wemightseehere，“hesaid，stillhumoringher。Heranhiseyesdownthepage。“Hereitis。
LastOctober——the——“
Shecaughtthewordsfromhim。“The20th，wasn\'tit？”Withasharplookather，heverified。“Yes，the20th。ThenyouDID
know？”
“Iknownow。“Herwhitestarecontinuedtotravelpasthim。
“Sunday，the20th——thatwasthedayhecamefirst。“
Parvis\'svoicewasalmostinaudible。“CameHEREfirst？”
“Yes。“
“Yousawhimtwice，then？”
“Yes，twice。“Shebreatheditathimwithdilatedeyes。“Hecamefirstonthe20thofOctober。IrememberthedatebecauseitwasthedaywewentupMeldonSteepforthefirsttime。“Shefeltafaintgaspofinwardlaughteratthethoughtthatbutforthatshemighthaveforgotten。
Parviscontinuedtoscrutinizeher，asiftryingtointercepthergaze。
“Wesawhimfromtheroof，“shewenton。“Hecamedownthelime-
avenuetowardthehouse。Hewasdressedjustasheisinthatpicture。Myhusbandsawhimfirst。Hewasfrightened，andrandownaheadofme；buttherewasnoonethere。Hehadvanished。“
“Elwellhadvanished？”Parvisfaltered。
“Yes。“Theirtwowhispersseemedtogropeforeachother。“I
couldn\'tthinkwhathadhappened。Iseenow。HeTRIEDtocomethen；buthewasn\'tdeadenough——hecouldn\'treachus。Hehadtowaitfortwomonths；andthenhecamebackagain——andNedwentwithhim。“
ShenoddedatParviswiththelookoftriumphofachildwhohassuccessfullyworkedoutadifficultpuzzle。Butsuddenlysheliftedherhandswithadesperategesture，pressingthemtoherburstingtemples。
“Oh，myGod！IsenthimtoNed——Itoldhimwheretogo！Isenthimtothisroom！”shescreamedout。
Shefeltthewallsoftheroomrushtowardher，likeinwardfallingruins；andsheheardParvis，alongwayoff，asifthroughtheruins，cryingtoher，andstrugglingtogetather。
Butshewasnumbtohistouch，shedidnotknowwhathewassaying。Throughthetumultsheheardbutoneclearnote，thevoiceofAlidaStair，speakingonthelawnatPangbourne。
“Youwon\'tknowtillafterward，“itsaid。“Youwon\'tknowtilllong，longafterward。“
TheEndofAfterwardTHEFULNESSOFLIFE
December1893
I。
Forhoursshehadlaininakindofgentletorpor，notunlikethatsweetlassitudewhichmastersoneinthehushofamidsummernoon，whentheheatseemstohavesilencedtheverybirdsandinsects，and，lyingsunkinthetasselledmeadow-grasses，onelooksupthroughalevelroofingofmaple-leavesatthevastshadowless，andunsuggestiveblue。Nowandthen，atever-
lengtheningintervals，aflashofpaindartedthroughher，liketherippleofsheet-lightningacrosssuchamidsummersky；butitwastootransitorytoshakeherstupor，thatcalm，delicious，bottomlessstuporintowhichshefeltherselfsinkingmoreandmoredeeply，withoutadisturbingimpulseofresistance，aneffortofreattachmenttothevanishingedgesofconsciousness。
Theresistance，theeffort，hadknowntheirhourofviolence；butnowtheywereatanend。Throughhermind，longharriedbygrotesquevisions，fragmentaryimagesofthelifethatshewasleaving，tormentinglinesofverse，obstinatepresentmentsofpicturesoncebeheld，indistinctimpressionsofrivers，towers，andcupolas，gatheredinthelengthofjourneyshalfforgotten——
throughhermindtherenowonlymovedafewprimalsensationsofcolorlesswell-being；avaguesatisfactioninthethoughtthatshehadswallowedhernoxiouslastdraughtofmedicine……andthatsheshouldneveragainhearthecreakingofherhusband\'sboots——thosehorribleboots——andthatnoonewouldcometobotherheraboutthenextday\'sdinner……orthebutcher\'sbook……
Atlasteventhesedimsensationsspentthemselvesinthethickeningobscuritywhichenvelopedher；adusknowfilledwithpalegeometricroses，circlingsoftly，interminablybeforeher，nowdarkenedtoauniformblue-blackness，thehueofasummernightwithoutstars。Andintothisdarknessshefeltherselfsinking，sinking，withthegentlesenseofsecurityofoneupheldfrombeneath。Likeatepidtideitrosearoundher，glidingeverhigherandhigher，foldinginitsvelvetyembraceherrelaxedandtiredbody，nowsubmergingherbreastandshoulders，nowcreepinggradually，withsoftinexorableness，overherthroattoherchin，toherears，tohermouth……Ah，nowitwasrisingtoohigh；
theimpulsetostrugglewasrenewed；……hermouthwasfull；……
shewaschoking……Help！
“Itisallover，“saidthenurse，drawingdowntheeyelidswithofficialcomposure。
Theclockstruckthree。Theyremembereditafterward。Someoneopenedthewindowandletinablastofthatstrange，neutralairwhichwalkstheearthbetweendarknessanddawn；someoneelseledthehusbandintoanotherroom。Hewalkedvaguely，likeablindman，onhiscreakingboots。
II。
Shestood，asitseemed，onathreshold，yetnotangiblegatewaywasinfrontofher。Onlyawidevistaoflight，mildyetpenetratingasthegatheredglimmerofinnumerablestars，expandedgraduallybeforehereyes，inblissfulcontrasttothecavernousdarknessfromwhichshehadoflateemerged。
Shesteppedforward，notfrightened，buthesitating，andashereyesbegantogrowmorefamiliarwiththemeltingdepthsoflightabouther，shedistinguishedtheoutlinesofalandscape，atfirstswimmingintheopalineuncertaintyofShelley\'svaporouscreations，thengraduallyresolvedintodistinctershape——thevastunrollingofasunlitplain，aerialformsofmountains，andpresentlythesilvercrescentofariverinthevalley，andabluestencillingoftreesalongitscurve——somethingsuggestiveinitsineffablehueofanazurebackgroundofLeonardo\'s，strange，enchanting，mysterious，leadingontheeyeandtheimaginationintoregionsoffabulousdelight。Asshegazed，herheartbeatwithasoftandrapturoussurprise；soexquisiteapromiseshereadinthesummonsofthathyalinedistance。
“Andsodeathisnottheendafterall，“insheergladnesssheheardherselfexclaimingaloud。“Ialwaysknewthatitcouldn\'tbe。IbelievedinDarwin，ofcourse。Idostill；butthenDarwinhimselfsaidthathewasn\'tsureaboutthesoul——atleast，Ithinkhedid——andWallacewasaspiritualist；andthentherewasSt。GeorgeMivart——“
Hergazelostitselfintheetherealremotenessofthemountains。
“Howbeautiful！Howsatisfying！”shemurmured。“PerhapsnowI
shallreallyknowwhatitistolive。“
Asshespokeshefeltasuddenthickeningofherheart-beats，andlookingupshewasawarethatbeforeherstoodtheSpiritofLife。
“Haveyouneverreallyknownwhatitistolive？”theSpiritofLifeaskedher。
“Ihaveneverknown，“shereplied，“thatfulnessoflifewhichweallfeelourselvescapableofknowing；thoughmylifehasnotbeenwithoutscatteredhintsofit，likethescentofearthwhichcomestoonesometimesfaroutatsea。“
“Andwhatdoyoucallthefulnessoflife？”theSpiritaskedagain。
“Oh，Ican\'ttellyou，ifyoudon\'tknow，“shesaid，almostreproachfully。“Manywordsaresupposedtodefineit——loveandsympathyarethoseincommonestuse，butIamnotevensurethattheyaretherightones，andsofewpeoplereallyknowwhattheymean。“
“Youweremarried，“saidtheSpirit，“yetyoudidnotfindthefulnessoflifeinyourmarriage？”
“Oh，dear，no，“shereplied，withanindulgentscorn，“mymarriagewasaveryincompleteaffair。“
“Andyetyouwerefondofyourhusband？”
“Youhavehitupontheexactword；Iwasfondofhim，yes，justasIwasfondofmygrandmother，andthehousethatIwasbornin，andmyoldnurse。Oh，Iwasfondofhim，andwewerecountedaveryhappycouple。ButIhavesometimesthoughtthatawoman\'snatureislikeagreathousefullofrooms：thereisthehall，throughwhicheveryonepassesingoinginandout；thedrawing-
room，whereonereceivesformalvisits；thesitting-room，wherethemembersofthefamilycomeandgoastheylist；butbeyondthat，farbeyond，areotherrooms，thehandlesofwhosedoorsperhapsareneverturned；nooneknowsthewaytothem，nooneknowswhithertheylead；andintheinnermostroom，theholyofholies，thesoulsitsaloneandwaitsforafootstepthatnevercomes。“
“Andyourhusband，“askedtheSpirit，afterapause，“nevergotbeyondthefamilysitting-room？”
“Never，“shereturned，impatiently；“andtheworstofitwasthathewasquitecontenttoremainthere。Hethoughtitperfectlybeautiful，andsometimes，whenhewasadmiringitscommonplacefurniture，insignificantasthechairsandtablesofahotelparlor，Ifeltlikecryingouttohim：\'Fool，willyouneverguessthatcloseathandareroomsfulloftreasuresandwonders，suchastheeyeofmanhathnotseen，roomsthatnostephascrossed，butthatmightbeyourstolivein，couldyoubutfindthehandleofthedoor？\'“
“Then，“theSpiritcontinued，“thosemomentsofwhichyoulatelyspoke，whichseemedtocometoyoulikescatteredhintsofthefulnessoflife，werenotsharedwithyourhusband？”
“Oh，no——never。Hewasdifferent。Hisbootscreaked，andhealwaysslammedthedoorwhenhewentout，andheneverreadanythingbutrailwaynovelsandthesportingadvertisementsinthepapers——and——and，inshort，weneverunderstoodeachotherintheleast。“
“Towhatinfluence，then，didyouowethoseexquisitesensations？”
“Icanhardlytell。Sometimestotheperfumeofaflower；
sometimestoaverseofDanteorofShakespeare；sometimestoapictureorasunset，ortooneofthosecalmdaysatsea，whenoneseemstobelyinginthehollowofabluepearl；sometimes，butrarely，toawordspokenbysomeonewhochancedtogiveutterance，attherightmoment，towhatIfeltbutcouldnotexpress。“
“Someonewhomyouloved？”askedtheSpirit。
“Ineverlovedanyone，inthatway，“shesaid，rathersadly，“norwasIthinkingofanyonepersonwhenIspoke，butoftwoorthreewho，bytouchingforaninstantuponacertainchordofmybeing，hadcalledforthasinglenoteofthatstrangemelodywhichseemedsleepinginmysoul。Ithasseldomhappened，however，thatIhaveowedsuchfeelingstopeople；andnooneevergavemeamomentofsuchhappinessasitwasmylottofeeloneeveningintheChurchofOrSanMichele，inFlorence。“
“Tellmeaboutit，“saidtheSpirit。
“ItwasnearsunsetonarainyspringafternooninEasterweek。
Thecloudshadvanished，dispersedbyasuddenwind，andasweenteredthechurchthefierypanesofthehighwindowsshoneoutlikelampsthroughthedusk。Apriestwasatthehighaltar，hiswhitecopealividspotintheincense-ladenobscurity，thelightofthecandlesflickeringupanddownlikefirefliesabouthishead；afewpeoplekneltnearby。WestolebehindthemandsatdownonabenchclosetothetabernacleofOrcagna。
“Strangetosay，thoughFlorencewasnotnewtome，Ihadneverbeeninthechurchbefore；andinthatmagicallightIsawforthefirsttimetheinlaidsteps，theflutedcolumns，thesculpturedbas-reliefsandcanopyofthemarvellousshrine。Themarble，wornandmellowedbythesubtlehandoftime，tookonanunspeakablerosyhue，suggestiveinsomeremotewayofthehoney-
coloredcolumnsoftheParthenon，butmoremystic，morecomplex，acolornotbornofthesun\'sinveteratekiss，butmadeupofcryptaltwilight，andtheflameofcandlesuponmartyrs\'tombs，andgleamsofsunsetthroughsymbolicpanesofchrysopraseandruby；suchalightasilluminesthemissalsinthelibraryofSiena，orburnslikeahiddenfirethroughtheMadonnaofGianBelliniintheChurchoftheRedeemer，atVenice；thelightoftheMiddleAges，richer，moresolemn，moresignificantthanthelimpidsunshineofGreece。
“Thechurchwassilent，butforthewailofthepriestandtheoccasionalscrapingofachairagainstthefloor，andasIsatthere，bathedinthatlight，absorbedinraptcontemplationofthemarblemiraclewhichrosebeforeme，cunninglywroughtasacasketofivoryandenrichedwithjewel-likeincrustationsandtarnishedgleamsofgold，Ifeltmyselfborneonwardalongamightycurrent，whosesourceseemedtobeintheverybeginningofthings，andwhosetremendouswatersgatheredastheywentallthemingledstreamsofhumanpassionandendeavor。LifeinallitsvariedmanifestationsofbeautyandstrangenessseemedweavingarhythmicaldancearoundmeasImoved，andwhereverthespiritofmanhadpassedIknewthatmyfoothadoncebeenfamiliar。
“AsIgazedthemediaevalbossesofthetabernacleofOrcagnaseemedtomeltandflowintotheirprimalformssothatthefoldedlotusoftheNileandtheGreekacanthuswerebraidedwiththerunicknotsandfish-tailedmonstersoftheNorth，andalltheplasticterrorandbeautybornofman\'shandfromtheGangestotheBalticquiveredandmingledinOrcagna\'sapotheosisofMary。Andsotheriverboremeon，pastthealienfaceofantiquecivilizationsandthefamiliarwondersofGreece，tillI
swamuponthefiercelyrushingtideoftheMiddleAges，withitsswirlingeddiesofpassion，itsheaven-reflectingpoolsofpoetryandart；Iheardtherhythmicblowofthecraftsmen\'shammersinthegoldsmiths\'workshopsandonthewallsofchurches，theparty-criesofarmedfactionsinthenarrowstreets，theorgan-
rollofDante\'sverse，thecrackleofthefagotsaroundArnoldofBrescia，thetwitteroftheswallowstowhichSt。Francispreached，thelaughteroftheladieslisteningonthehillsidetothequipsoftheDecameron，whileplague-struckFlorencehowledbeneaththem——allthisandmuchmoreIheard，joinedinstrangeunisonwithvoicesearlierandmoreremote，fierce，passionate，ortender，yetsubduedtosuchawfulharmonythatIthoughtofthesongthatthemorningstarssangtogetherandfeltasthoughitweresoundinginmyears。Myheartbeattosuffocation，thetearsburnedmylids，thejoy，themysteryofitseemedtoointolerabletobeborne。Icouldnotunderstandeventhenthewordsofthesong；butIknewthatiftherehadbeensomeoneatmysidewhocouldhavehearditwithme，wemighthavefoundthekeytoittogether。
“Iturnedtomyhusband，whowassittingbesidemeinanattitudeofpatientdejection，gazingintothebottomofhishat；butatthatmomentherose，andstretchinghisstiffenedlegs，said，mildly：\'Hadn\'twebetterbegoing？Theredoesn\'tseemtobemuchtoseehere，andyouknowthetabled\'hotedinnerisathalf-pastsixo\'clock。“
Herrecitalended，therewasanintervalofsilence；thentheSpiritofLifesaid：“Thereisacompensationinstoreforsuchneedsasyouhaveexpressed。“
“Oh，thenyouDOunderstand？”sheexclaimed。“Tellmewhatcompensation，Ientreatyou！”
“Itisordained，“theSpiritanswered，“thateverysoulwhichseeksinvainonearthforakindredsoultowhomitcanlaybareitsinmostbeingshallfindthatsoulhereandbeunitedtoitforeternity。“
Agladcrybrokefromherlips。“Ah，shallIfindhimatlast？”
shecried，exultant。
“Heishere，“saidtheSpiritofLife。
Shelookedupandsawthatamanstoodnearwhosesoulforinthatunwontedlightsheseemedtoseehissoulmoreclearlythanhisfacedrewhertowardhimwithaninvincibleforce。
“Areyoureallyhe？”shemurmured。
“Iamhe，“heanswered。
Shelaidherhandinhisanddrewhimtowardtheparapetwhichoverhungthevalley。
“Shallwegodowntogether，“sheaskedhim，“intothatmarvellouscountry；shallweseeittogether，asifwiththeself-sameeyes，andtelleachotherinthesamewordsallthatwethinkandfeel？”
“So，“hereplied，“haveIhopedanddreamed。“
“What？”sheasked，withrisingjoy。“Thenyou，too，havelookedforme？”
“Allmylife。“
“Howwonderful！Anddidyounever，neverfindanyoneintheotherworldwhounderstoodyou？”
“Notwholly——notasyouandIunderstandeachother。“
“Thenyoufeelit，too？Oh，Iamhappy，“shesighed。
Theystood，handinhand，lookingdownovertheparapetupontheshimmeringlandscapewhichstretchedforthbeneaththemintosapphirinespace，andtheSpiritofLife，whokeptwatchnearthethreshold，heardnowandthenafloatingfragmentoftheirtalkblownbackwardlikethestrayswallowswhichthewindsometimesseparatesfromtheirmigratorytribe。
“Didyouneverfeelatsunset——“
“Ah，yes；butIneverheardanyoneelsesayso。Didyou？”
“Doyourememberthatlineinthethirdcantoofthe\'Inferno？\'“
“Ah，thatline——myfavoritealways。Isitpossible——“
“YouknowthestoopingVictoryinthefriezeoftheNikeApteros？”
“Youmeantheonewhoistyinghersandal？Thenyouhavenoticed，too，thatallBotticelliandMantegnaaredormantinthoseflyingfoldsofherdrapery？”
“Afterastorminautumnhaveyouneverseen——“
“Yes，itiscurioushowcertainflowerssuggestcertainpainters——
theperfumeoftheincarnation，Leonardo；thatoftherose，Titian；thetuberose，Crivelli——“
“Ineversupposedthatanyoneelsehadnoticedit。“
“Haveyouneverthought——“
“Oh，yes，oftenandoften；butIneverdreamedthatanyoneelsehad。“
“Butsurelyyoumusthavefelt——“
“Oh，yes，yes；andyou，too——“
“Howbeautiful！Howstrange——“
Theirvoicesroseandfell，likethemurmuroftwofountainsansweringeachotheracrossagardenfullofflowers。Atlength，withacertaintenderimpatience，heturnedtoherandsaid：
“Love，whyshouldwelingerhere？Alleternityliesbeforeus。
Letusgodownintothatbeautifulcountrytogetherandmakeahomeforourselvesonsomebluehillabovetheshiningriver。“
Ashespoke，thehandshehadforgotteninhiswassuddenlywithdrawn，andhefeltthatacloudwaspassingovertheradianceofhersoul。
“Ahome，“sherepeated，slowly，“ahomeforyouandmetoliveinforalleternity？”
“Whynot，love？AmInotthesoulthatyourshassought？”
“Y-yes——yes，Iknow——but，don\'tyousee，homewouldnotbelikehometome，unless——“
“Unless？”hewonderinglyrepeated。
Shedidnotanswer，butshethoughttoherself，withanimpulseofwhimsicalinconsistency，“Unlessyouslammedthedoorandworecreakingboots。“
Buthehadrecoveredhisholduponherhand，andbyimperceptibledegreeswasleadinghertowardtheshiningstepswhichdescendedtothevalley。
“Come，Omysoul\'ssoul，“hepassionatelyimplored；“whydelayamoment？Surelyyoufeel，asIdo，thateternityitselfistooshorttoholdsuchblissasours。ItseemstomethatIcanseeourhomealready。HaveInotalwaysseemitinmydreams？Itiswhite，love，isitnot，withpolishedcolumns，andasculpturedcorniceagainsttheblue？Grovesoflaurelandoleanderandthicketsofrosessurroundit；butfromtheterracewherewewalkatsunset，theeyelooksoutoverwoodlandsandcoolmeadowswhere，deep-boweredunderancientboughs，astreamgoesdelicatelytowardtheriver。Indoorsourfavoritepictureshanguponthewallsandtheroomsarelinedwithbooks。Think，dear，atlastweshallhavetimetoreadthemall。Withwhichshallwebegin？Come，helpmetochoose。Shallitbe\'Faust\'orthe\'VitaNuova，\'the\'Tempest\'or\'LesCapricesdeMarianne，\'orthethirty-firstcantoofthe\'Paradise，\'or\'Epipsychidion\'or“Lycidas\'？Tellme，dear，whichone？”
Ashespokehesawtheanswertremblingjoyouslyuponherlips；
butitdiedintheensuingsilence，andshestoodmotionless，resistingthepersuasionofhishand。
“Whatisit？”heentreated。
“Waitamoment，“shesaid，withastrangehesitationinhervoice。“Tellmefirst，areyouquitesureofyourself？Istherenooneonearthwhomyousometimesremember？”
“NotsinceIhaveseenyou，“hereplied；for，beingaman，hehadindeedforgotten。
Stillshestoodmotionless，andhesawthattheshadowdeepenedonhersoul。
“Surely，love，“herebukedher，“itwasnotthatwhichtroubledyou？FormypartIhavewalkedthroughLethe。Thepasthasmeltedlikeacloudbeforethemoon。IneverliveduntilIsawyou。“
Shemadenoanswertohispleadings，butatlength，rousingherselfwithavisibleeffort，sheturnedawayfromhimandmovedtowardtheSpiritofLife，whostillstoodnearthethreshold。
“Iwanttoaskyouaquestion，“shesaid，inatroubledvoice。
“Ask，“saidtheSpirit。
“Alittlewhileago，“shebegan，slowly，“youtoldmethateverysoulwhichhasnotfoundakindredsoulonearthisdestinedtofindonehere。“
“Andhaveyounotfoundone？”askedtheSpirit。
“Yes；butwillitbesowithmyhusband\'ssoulalso？”
“No，“answeredtheSpiritofLife，“foryourhusbandimaginedthathehadfoundhissoul\'smateonearthinyou；andforsuchdelusionseternityitselfcontainsnocure。“
Shegavealittlecry。Wasitofdisappointmentortriumph？
“Then——thenwhatwillhappentohimwhenhecomeshere？”
“ThatIcannottellyou。Somefieldofactivityandhappinesshewilldoubtlessfind，induemeasuretohiscapacityforbeingactiveandhappy。“
Sheinterrupted，almostangrily：“Hewillneverbehappywithoutme。“
“Donotbetoosureofthat，“saidtheSpirit。
Shetooknonoticeofthis，andtheSpiritcontinued：“Hewillnotunderstandyouhereanybetterthanhedidonearth。“
“Nomatter，“shesaid；“Ishallbetheonlysufferer，forhealwaysthoughtthatheunderstoodme。“
“Hisbootswillcreakjustasmuchasever——“
“Nomatter。“
“Andhewillslamthedoor——“
“Verylikely。“
“Andcontinuetoreadrailwaynovels——“
Sheinterposed，impatiently：“Manymendoworsethanthat。“
“Butyousaidjustnow，“saidtheSpirit，“thatyoudidnotlovehim。“
“True，“sheanswered，simply；“butdon\'tyouunderstandthatI
shouldn\'tfeelathomewithouthim？Itisallverywellforaweekortwo——butforeternity！Afterall，Inevermindedthecreakingofhisboots，exceptwhenmyheadached，andIdon\'tsupposeitwillacheHERE；andhewasalwayssosorrywhenhehadslammedthedoor，onlyheneverCOULDremembernotto。Besides，nooneelsewouldknowhowtolookafterhim，heissohelpless。
Hisinkstandwouldneverbefilled，andhewouldalwaysbeoutofstampsandvisiting-cards。Hewouldneverremembertohavehisumbrellare-covered，ortoaskthepriceofanythingbeforeheboughtit。Why，hewouldn\'tevenknowwhatnovelstoread。I
alwayshadtochoosethekindheliked，withamurderoraforgeryandasuccessfuldetective。“
Sheturnedabruptlytoherkindredsoul，whostoodlisteningwithamienofwonderanddismay。
“Don\'tyousee，“shesaid，“thatIcan\'tpossiblygowithyou？”
“Butwhatdoyouintendtodo？”askedtheSpiritofLife。
“WhatdoIintendtodo？”shereturned，indignantly。“Why，I
meantowaitformyhusband，ofcourse。IfhehadcomeherefirstHEwouldhavewaitedformeforyearsandyears；anditwouldbreakhisheartnottofindmeherewhenhecomes。“Shepointedwithacontemptuousgesturetothemagicvisionofhillandvaleslopingawaytothetranslucentmountains。“Hewouldn\'tgiveafigforallthat，“shesaid，“ifhedidn\'tfindmehere。“
“Butconsider，“warnedtheSpirit，“thatyouarenowchoosingforeternity。Itisasolemnmoment。“
“Choosing！”shesaid，withahalf-sadsmile。“Doyoustillkeepupherethatoldfictionaboutchoosing？IshouldhavethoughtthatYOUknewbetterthanthat。HowcanIhelpmyself？Hewillexpecttofindmeherewhenhecomes，andhewouldneverbelieveyouifyoutoldhimthatIhadgoneawaywithsomeoneelse——
never，never。“
“Sobeit，“saidtheSpirit。“Here，asonearth，eachonemustdecideforhimself。“
Sheturnedtoherkindredsoulandlookedathimgently，almostwistfully。“Iamsorry，“shesaid。“Ishouldhavelikedtotalkwithyouagain；butyouwillunderstand，Iknow，andIdaresayyouwillfindsomeoneelseagreatdealcleverer——“
Andwithoutpausingtohearhisanswershewavedhimaswiftfarewellandturnedbacktowardthethreshold。
“Willmyhusbandcomesoon？”sheaskedtheSpiritofLife。
“Thatyouarenotdestinedtoknow，“theSpiritreplied。
“Nomatter，“shesaid，cheerfully；“Ihavealleternitytowaitin。“
Andstillseatedaloneonthethreshold，shelistensforthecreakingofhisboots。
TheEndofTheFulnessofLifeAVENETIANNIGHT\'SENTERTAINMENT
December1903
Thisisthestorythat，inthedining-roomoftheoldBeaconStreethousenowtheAldebaranClub，JudgeAnthonyBracknell，ofthefamousEastIndiafirmofBracknell&Saulsbee，whentheladieshadwithdrawntotheovalparlourandMaria\'sharpwasthrowingitsgauzywebofsoundacrosstheCommon，usedtorelatetohisgrandsons，abouttheyearthatBuonapartemarcheduponMoscow。
I
“HimVenice！”saidtheLascarwiththebigearrings；andTonyBracknell，leaningonthehighgunwaleofhisfather\'sEastIndiaman，theHepzibahB。，sawfaroff，acrossthemorningsea，afaintvisionoftowersanddomesdissolvedingoldenair。
ItwasarareFebruarydayoftheyear1760，andayoungTony，newlyofage，andboundonthegrandtouraboardthecrackmerchantmanofoldBracknell\'sfleet，felthisheartleapupasthedistantcitytrembledintoshape。VENICE！Thename，sincechildhood，hadbeenamagician\'swandtohim。InthehalloftheoldBracknellhouseatSalemtherehungaseriesofyellowingprintswhichUncleRichardSaulsbeehadbroughthomefromoneofhislongvoyages：viewsofheathenmosquesandpalaces，oftheGrandTurk\'sSeraglio，ofSt。Peter\'sChurchinRome；and，inacorner——thecornernearesttherackwheretheoldflintlockshung——abusymerrypopulousscene，entitled：ST。MARK\'SSQUAREIN
VENICE。Thispicture，fromthefirst，hadsingularlytakenlittleTony\'sfancy。Hisunformulatedcriticismontheotherswasthattheylackedaction。True，intheviewofSt。Peter\'sanexperienced-lookinggentlemaninafull-bottomedwigwaspointingoutthefairlyobviousmonumenttoabashfulcompanion，whohadpresumablynotventuredtoraisehiseyestoit；while，atthedoorsoftheSeraglio，agroupofturbanedinfidelsobservedwithlesshesitancytheapproachofaveiledladyonacamel。ButinVenicesomanythingswerehappeningatonce——more，Tonywassure，thanhadeverhappenedinBostoninatwelve-monthorinSaleminalonglifetime。Forhere，bytheirgarb，werepeopleofeverynationonearth，Chinamen，Turks，Spaniards，andmanymore，mixedwithaparti-colouredthrongofgentry，lacqueys，chapmen，hucksters，andtallpersonagesinparsons\'gownswhostalkedthroughthecrowdwithanairofmastery，astringofparasitesattheirheels。Andallthesepeopleseemedtobedivertingthemselveshugely，chafferingwiththehucksters，watchingtheanticsoftraineddogsandmonkeys，distributingdolestomaimedbeggarsorhavingtheirpocketspickedbyslippery-lookingfellowsinblack——thewholewithsuchanairofeaseandgood-humourthatonefeltthecut-pursestobeasmuchapartoftheshowasthetumblingacrobatsandanimals。
AsTonyadvancedinyearsandexperiencethischildishmumminglostitsmagic；butnotsotheearlyimaginingsithadexcited。
Fortheoldpicturehadbeenbutthespring-boardoffancy，thefirststepofacloud-ladderleadingtoalandofdreams。WiththesedreamsthenameofVeniceremainedassociated；andallthatobservationorreportsubsequentlybroughthimconcerningtheplaceseemed，onasoberwarrantyoffact，toconfirmitsclaimtostandmidwaybetweenrealityandillusion。Therewas，forinstance，aslenderVeniceglass，gold-powderedaswithlily-
pollenorthedustofsunbeams，that，standinginthecornercabinetbetwixttwoLowestoftcaddies，seemed，amongitslifelessneighbours，topalpitatelikeanimpaledbutterfly。Therewas，farther，agoldchainofhismother\'s，spunofthatsamesun-
pollen，sothread-like，impalpable，thatitslippedthroughthefingerslikelight，yetsostrongthatitcarriedaheavypendantwhichseemedheldinairasifbymagic。MAGIC！ThatwasthewordwhichthethoughtofVeniceevoked。Itwasthekindofplace，Tonyfelt，inwhichthingselsewhereimpossiblemightnaturallyhappen，inwhichtwoandtwomightmakefive，aparadoxelopewithasyllogism，andaconclusiongivethelietoitsownpremiss。Wasthereeverayoungheartthatdidnot，onceandagain，longtogetawayintosuchaworldasthat？Tony，atleast，hadfeltthelongingfromthefirsthourwhentheaxiomsinhishorn-bookhadbroughthometohimhisheavyresponsibilitiesasaChristianandasinner。Andnowherewashiswishtakingshapebeforehim，asthedistanthazeofgoldshapeditselfintotowersanddomesacrossthemorningsea！
TheReverendOziasMounce，Tony\'sgovernorandbear-leader，wasjustputtingahandtothethirdclauseofthefourthpartofasermononFree-WillandPredestinationastheHepzibahB。\'sanchorrattledoverboard。Tony，inhishastetobeashore，wouldhavemadeoneplungewiththeanchor；buttheReverendOzias，onbeingrousedfromhislucubrations，earnestlyprotestedagainstleavinghisargumentinsuspense。WhatwasthetrifleofanarrivalatsomePapisticalforeigncity，wheretheverychurchesworeturbanslikesomanyMoslemidolators，totheimportantfactofMr。Mounce\'ssumminguphisconclusionsbeforetheMuseofTheologytookflight？Heshouldbehappy，hesaid，ifthetideserved，tovisitVenicewithMr。Bracknellthenextmorning。
Thenextmorning，ha！——Tonymurmuredasubmissive“Yes，sir，“
winkedatthesubjugatedcaptain，buckledonhissword，pressedhishatdownwithaflourish，andbeforetheReverendOziashadarrivedathisnextdeduction，wasskimmingmerrilyshorewardintheHepzibah\'sgig。
Amomentmoreandhewasinthethickofit！Herewastheveryworldoftheoldprint，onlysuffusedwithsunlightandcolour，andbubblingwithmerrynoises。Whatasceneitwas！Asquareenclosedinfantasticpaintedbuildings，andpeopledwithathrongasfantastic：abawling，laughing，jostling，sweatingmob，parti-coloured，parti-speeched，cracklingandsputteringunderthehotsunlikeadishoffrittersoverakitchenfire。Tony，agape，shoulderedhiswaythroughthepress，awareatoncethat，spiteofthetumult，theshrillness，thegesticulation，therewasnoundercurrentofclownishness，notendencytohorse-play，asinsuchcrowdsonmarket-dayathome，butakindoffacetioussuavitywhichseemedtoincludeeverybodyinthecircumferenceofonehugejoke。Insuchanairthesenseofstrangenesssoonworeoff，andTonywasbeginningtofeelhimselfvastlyathome，whenaliftofthetideborehimagainstadroll-lookingbell-ringingfellowwhocarriedabovehisheadatallmetaltreehungwithsherbet-glasses。
Theencountersettheglassesspinningandthreeorfourspunoffandclatteredtothestones。Thesherbet-sellercalledonallthesaints，andTony，clappingalordlyhandtohispocket，tossedhimaducatbymistakeforasequin。Thefellow\'seyesshotoutoftheirorbits，andjustthenapersonable-lookingyoungmanwhohadobservedthetransactionsteppeduptoTonyandsaidpleasantly，inEnglish：
“Iperceive，sir，thatyouarenotfamiliarwithourcurrency。“
“Doeshewantmore？”saysTony，verylordly；whereattheotherlaughedandreplied：“Youhavegivenhimenoughtoretirefromhisbusinessandopenagaming-houseoverthearcade。“
Tonyjoinedinthelaugh，andthisincidentbridgingthepreliminaries，thetwoyoungmenwerepresentlyhobnobbingoveraglassofCanaryinfrontofoneofthecoffee-housesaboutthesquare。TonycountedhimselfluckytohaverunacrossanEnglish-speakingcompanionwhowasgood-naturedenoughtogivehimacluetothelabyrinth；andwhenhehadpaidfortheCanaryinthecoinhisfriendselectedtheysetoutagaintoviewthetown。TheItaliangentleman，whocalledhimselfCountRialto，appearedtohaveaverynumerousacquaintance，andwasabletopointouttoTonyallthechiefdignitariesofthestate，themenoftonandladiesoffashion，aswellasanumberofothercharactersofakindnotopenlymentionedintakingacensusofSalem。
Tony，whowasnotaversefromreadingwhennothingbetteroffered，hadperusedthe“MerchantofVenice“andMr。Otway\'sfinetragedy；butthoughthesepieceshadgivenhimanotionthatthesocialusagesofVenicedifferedfromthoseathome，hewasunpreparedforthesurprisingappearanceandmannersofthegreatpeoplehisfriendnamedtohim。ThegravestSenatorsoftheRepublicwentinprodigiousstripedtrousers，shortcloaksandfeatheredhats。Onenoblemanworearuffanddoctor\'sgown，anotherablackvelvettunicslashedwithrose-colour；whilethePresidentofthedreadedCouncilofTenwasaterriblestruttingfellowwitharapier-likenose，abuffleatherjerkinandatrailingscarletcloakthatthecrowdwascarefulnottostepon。
Itwasallvastlydiverting，andTonywouldgladlyhavegoneonforever；buthehadgivenhiswordtothecaptaintobeatthelanding-placeatsunset，andherewasduskalreadycreepingovertheskies！Tonywasamanofhonour；andhavingpressedontheCountahandsomedamasceneddaggerselectedfromoneofthegoldsmiths\'shopsinanarrowstreetlinedwithsuchwares，heinsistedonturninghisfacetowardtheHepzibah\'sgig。TheCountyieldedreluctantly；butastheycameoutagainonthesquaretheywerecaughtinagreatthrongpouringtowardthedoorsofthecathedral。
“TheygotoBenediction，“saidtheCount。“Abeautifulsight，withmanylightsandflowers。Itisapityyoucannottakeapeepatit。“
Tonythoughtsotoo，andinanotherminutealeglessbeggarhadpulledbacktheleathernflapofthecathedraldoor，andtheystoodinahazeofgoldandperfumethatseemedtoriseandfallonthemightyundulationsoftheorgan。Herethepresswasasthickaswithout；andasTonyflattenedhimselfagainstapillar，heheardaprettyvoiceathiselbow：——“Oh，sir，oh，sir，yoursword！”
HeturnedatsoundofthebrokenEnglish，andsawagirlwhomatchedthevoicetryingtodisengageherdressfromthetipofhisscabbard。SheworeoneofthevoluminousblackhoodswhichtheVenetianladiesaffected，andunderitsprojectingeavesherfacespiedoutathimassweetasanestingbird。
Inthedusktheirhandsmetoverthescabbard，andasshefreedherselfashredofherlaceflounceclungtoTony\'senchantedfingers。Lookingafterher，hesawshewasonthearmofapompous-lookinggraybeardinalongblackgownandscarletstockings，who，onperceivingtheexchangeofglancesbetweentheyoungpeople，drewtheladyawaywithathreateninglook。
TheCountmetTony\'seyewithasmile。“OneofourVenetianbeauties，“saidhe；“thelovelyPolixenaCador。SheisthoughttohavethefinesteyesinVenice。“
“ShespokeEnglish，“stammeredTony。
“Oh——ah——precisely：shelearnedthelanguageattheCourtofSaintJames\'s，whereherfather，theSenator，wasformerlyaccreditedasAmbassador。SheplayedasaninfantwiththeroyalprincesofEngland。“
“Andthatwasherfather？”
“Assuredly：youngladiesofDonnaPolixena\'srankdonotgoabroadsavewiththeirparentsoraduenna。“
JustthenasofthandslidintoTony\'s。Hisheartgaveafoolishbound，andheturnedabouthalf-expectingtomeetagainthemerryeyesunderthehood；butsawinsteadaslenderbrownboy，insomekindoffancifulpage\'sdress，whothrustafoldedpaperbetweenhisfingersandvanishedinthethrong。Tony，inatingle，glancedsurreptitiouslyattheCount，whoappearedabsorbedinhisprayers。Thecrowd，attheringingofabell，hadinfactbeenoversweptbyasuddenwaveofdevotion；andTonyseizedthemomenttostepbeneathalightedshrinewithhisletter。
“Iamindreadfultroubleandimploreyourhelp。Polixena“——heread；buthardlyhadheseizedthesenseofthewordswhenahandfellonhisshoulder，andastern-lookingmaninacockedhat，andbearingakindofrodormace，pronouncedafewwordsinVenetian。
Tony，withastart，thrusttheletterinhisbreast，andtriedtojerkhimselffree；buttheharderhejerkedthetightergrewtheother\'sgrip，andtheCount，presentlyperceivingwhathadhappened，pushedhiswaythroughthecrowd，andwhisperedhastilytohiscompanion：“ForGod\'ssake，makenostruggle。Thisisserious。KeepquietanddoasItellyou。“
Tonywasnochicken-heart。Hehadsomethingofanameforpugnacityamongtheladsofhisownageathome，andwasnotthemantostandinVenicewhathewouldhaveresentedinSalem；butthedevilofitwasthatthisblackfellowseemedtobepointingtotheletterinhisbreast；andthissuspicionwasconfirmedbytheCount\'sagitatedwhisper。
“ThisisoneoftheagentsoftheTen——ForGod\'ssake，nooutcry。“Heexchangedawordortwowiththemace-bearerandagainturnedtoTony。“Youhavebeenseenconcealingaletteraboutyourperson——“
“Andwhatofthat？”saysTonyfuriously。
“Gently，gently，mymaster。AletterhandedtoyoubythepageofDonnaPolixenaCador——Ablackbusiness！Oh，averyblackbusiness！ThisCadorisoneofthemostpowerfulnoblesinVenice——Ibeseechyou，notaword，sir！Letmethink——
deliberate——“
HishandonTony\'sshoulder，hecarriedonarapiddialoguewiththepotentateinthecockedhat。
“Iamsorry，sir——butouryoungladiesofrankareasjealouslyguardedastheGrandTurk\'swives，andyoumustbeanswerableforthisscandal。ThebestIcandoistohaveyoutakenprivatelytothePalazzoCador，insteadofbeingbroughtbeforetheCouncil。Ihavepleadedyouryouthandinexperience“——Tonywincedatthis——“andIthinkthebusinessmaystillbearranged。“