PREFACE
ThepeninsulacarvedbyTimeoutofasinglestone，whereonmostofthefollowingscenesarelaid，hasbeenforcenturiesimmemorialthehomeofacuriousandwell-nighdistinctpeople，cherishingstrangebeliefsandsingularcustoms，nowforthemostpartobsolescent。Fancies，likecertainsoft-woodedplantswhichcannotbearthesilentinlandfrosts，butthrivebytheseaintheroughestofweather，seemtogrowupnaturallyhere，inparticularamongstthosenativeswhohavenoactiveconcerninthelaboursofthe’Isle。’Henceitisaspotapttogenerateatypeofpersonagelikethecharacterimperfectlysketchedinthesepages——anativeofnatives——whomsomemaychoosetocallafantast（iftheyhonourhimwiththeirconsiderationsofar），butwhomothersmayseeonlyasonethatgaveobjectivecontinuityandanametoadelicatedreamwhichinavaguerformismoreorlesscommontoallmen，andisbynomeansnewtoPlatonicphilosophers。
TothosewhoknowtherockycoignofEnglandheredepicted——overlookingthegreatChannelHighwaywithallitssuggestiveness，andstandingoutsofarintomid-seathattouchesoftheGulfStreamsoftentheairtillFebruary——itismatterofsurprisethattheplacehasnotbeenmorefrequentlychosenastheretreatofartistsandpoetsinsearchofinspiration——foratleastamonthortwointheyear，thetempestuousratherthanthefineseasonsbypreference。Tobesure，onenookthereinistheretreat，attheircountry’sexpense，ofothergeniusesfromadistance；buttheirpresenceishardlydiscoverable。Yetperhapsitisaswellthattheartisticvisitorsdonotcome，ornomorewouldbeheardoflittlefreeholdhousesbeingboughtandsoldthereforacoupleofhundredpounds——builtofsolidstone，anddatingfromthesixteenthcenturyandearlier，withmullions，copings，andcorbelscomplete。Thesetransactions，bytheway，arecarriedoutandcovenanted，orweretilllately，intheparishchurch，inthefaceofthecongregation，suchbeingtheancientcustomoftheIsle。
Asforthestoryitself，itmaybeworthwhiletoremarkthat，differingfromallormostothersoftheseriesinthattheinterestaimedatisofanidealorsubjectivenature，andfranklyimaginative，verisimilitudeinthesequenceofeventshasbeensubordinatedtothesaidaim。
Thefirstpublicationofthistaleinanindependentformwasin1897；
butithadappearedintheperiodicalpressin1892，underthetitleof’ThePursuitoftheWell-Beloved。’Afewchaptersofthatexperimentalissuewererewrittenforthepresentandfinalformofthenarrative。
T。H。
August1912。
CONTENTS
PARTFIRST——AYOUNGMANOFTWENTY。
I。ASUPPOSITITIOUSPRESENTMENTOFHER
II。THEINCARNATIONISASSUMEDTOBETRUE
III。THEAPPOINTMENT
IV。ALONELYPEDESTRIAN
V。ACHARGE
VI。ONTHEBRINK
VII。HEREARLIERINCARNATIONS
VIII。’TOOLIKETHELIGHTNING’
IX。FAMILIARPHENOMENAINTHEDISTANCE
PARTSECOND——AYOUNGMANOFFORTY。
I。THEOLDPHANTOMBECOMESDISTINCT
II。SHEDRAWSCLOSEANDSATISFIES
III。SHEBECOMESANINACCESSIBLEGHOST
IV。SHETHREATENSTORESUMECORPOREALSUBSTANCE
V。THERESUMPTIONTAKESPLACE
VI。THEPASTSHINESINTHEPRESENT
VII。THENEWBECOMESESTABLISHED
VIII。HISOWNSOULCONFRONTSHIM
IX。JUXTAPOSITIONS
X。SHEFAILSTOVANISHSTILL
XI。THEIMAGEPERSISTS
XII。AGRILLEDESCENDSBETWEEN
XIII。SHEISENSHROUDEDFROMSIGHT
PARTTHIRD——AYOUNGMANOFSIXTY。
I。SHERETURNSFORTHENEWSEASON
II。MISGIVINGSONTHERE-EMBODIMENT
III。THERENEWEDIMAGEBURNSITSELFIN
IV。ADASHFORTHELASTINCARNATION
V。ONTHEVERGEOFPOSSESSION
VI。THEWELL-BELOVEDIS——WHERE？
VII。ANOLDTABERNACLEINANEWASPECT
VIII。’ALASFORTHISGREYSHADOW，ONCEAMAN！’
PARTFIRST——AYOUNGMANOFTWENTY。
——’Now，ifTimeknowsThatHer，whoseradiantbrowsWeavethemagarlandofmyvows；
HerthatdaresbeWhattheselineswishtosee：
Iseeknofurther，itisShe。’
——R。CRASHAW。
1。I。ASUPPOSITITIOUSPRESENTMENTOFHER
Apersonwhodifferedfromthelocalwayfarerswasclimbingthesteeproadwhichleadsthroughthesea-skirtedtownletdefinableastheStreetofWells，andformsapassintothatGibraltarofWessex，thesingularpeninsulaonceanisland，andstillcalledsuch，thatstretchesoutliketheheadofabirdintotheEnglishChannel。Itisconnectedwiththemainlandbyalongthinneckofpebbles’castupbyragesofthese，’andunparalleledinitskindinEurope。
Thepedestrianwaswhathelookedlike——ayoungmanfromLondonandthecitiesoftheContinent。Nobodycouldseeatpresentthathisurbanismsatuponhimonlyasagarment。Hewasjustrecollectingwithsomethingofself-reproachthatawholethreeyearsandeightmonthshadflownsincehepaidhislastvisittohisfatheratthislonelyrockofhisbirthplace，theinterveningtimehavingbeenspentamidmanycontrastingsocieties，peoples，manners，andscenes。
Whathadseemedusualintheislewhenhelivedtherealwayslookedquaintandoddafterhislaterimpressions。Morethaneverthespotseemedwhatitwassaidoncetohavebeen，theancientVindiliaIsland，andtheHomeoftheSlingers。Thetoweringrock，thehousesabovehouses，oneman’sdoorsteprisingbehindhisneighbour’schimney，thegardenshungupbyoneedgetothesky，thevegetablesgrowingonapparentlyalmostverticalplanes，theunityofthewholeislandasasolidandsingleblockoflimestonefourmileslong，werenolongerfamiliarandcommonplaceideas。Allnowstooddazzlinglyuniqueandwhiteagainstthetintedsea，andthesunflashedoninfinitelystratifiedwallsofoolite，ThemelancholyruinsOfcancelledcycles，……
withadistinctivenessthatcalledtheeyestoitasstronglyasanyspectaclehehadbeheldafar。
Afteralaboriousclamberhereachedthetop，andwalkedalongtheplateautowardstheeasternvillage。Thetimebeingabouttwoo’clock，inthemiddleofthesummerseason，theroadwasglaringanddusty，anddrawingneartohisfather’shousehesatdowninthesun。
Hestretchedouthishandupontherockbesidehim。Itfeltwarm。
Thatwastheisland’spersonaltemperaturewheninitsafternoonsleepasnow。Helistened，andheardsounds：whirr-whirr，saw-saw-saw。
Thoseweretheisland’ssnores——thenoisesofthequarrymenandstone-
sawyers。
Oppositetothespotonwhichhesatwasaroomycottageorhomestead。
Liketheislanditwasallofstone，notonlyinwallsbutinwindow-
frames，roof，chimneys，fence，stile，pigstyandstable，almostdoor。
Herememberedwhohadusedtolivethere——andprobablylivedtherenow——
theCarofamily；the’roan-mare’Caros，astheywerecalledtodistinguishthemfromotherbranchesofthesamepedigree，therebeingbuthalf-a-dozenChristianandsurnamesinthewholeisland。Hecrossedtheroadandlookedinattheopendoorway。Yes，theretheywerestill。
Mrs。Caro，whohadseenhimfromthewindow，methimintheentry，andanold-fashionedgreetingtookplacebetweenthem。Amomentafteradoorleadingfromthebackroomswasthrownopen，andayounggirlaboutseventeenoreighteencameboundingin。
’Why，’TISdearJoce！’sheburstoutjoyfully。Andrunninguptotheyoungman，shekissedhim。
Thedemonstrationwassweetenoughfromtheownerofsuchanaffectionatepairofbrighthazeleyesandbrowntressesofhair。Butitwassosudden，sounexpectedbyamanfreshfromtowns，thathewincedforamomentquiteinvoluntarily；andtherewassomeconstraintinthemannerinwhichhereturnedherkiss，andsaid，’MyprettylittleAvice，howdoyoudoaftersolong？’
Forafewsecondsherimpulsiveinnocencehardlynoticedhisstartofsurprise；butMrs。Caro，thegirl’smother，hadobserveditinstantly。
Withapainedflushsheturnedtoherdaughter。
’Avice——mydearAvice！Why——whatareyoudoing？Don’tyouknowthatyou’vegrownuptobeawomansinceJocelyn——Mr。Pierston——waslastdownhere？Ofcourseyoumustn’tdonowasyouusedtodothreeorfouryearsago！’
TheawkwardnesswhichhadarisenwashardlyremovedbyPierston’sassurancethathequiteexpectedhertokeepupthepracticeofherchildhood，followedbyseveralminutesofconversationongeneralsubjects。Hewasvexedfromhissoulthathisunawaremovementshouldsohavebetrayedhim。AthisleavingherepeatedthatifAviceregardedhimotherwisethanassheusedtodohewouldneverforgiveher；butthoughtheypartedgoodfriendsherregretattheincidentwasvisibleinherface。Jocelynpassedoutintotheroadandonwardtohisfather’shousehardby。Themotheranddaughterwereleftalone。
’Iwasquiteamazedat’ee，mychild！’exclaimedtheelder。’AyoungmanfromLondonandforeigncities，usednowtothestrictestcompanymanners，andladieswhoalmostthinkitvulgartosmilebroad！Howcouldyedoit，Avice？’
’I——Ididn’tthinkabouthowIwasaltered！’saidtheconscience-
strickengirl。’Iusedtokisshim，andheusedtokissmebeforehewentaway。’
’Butthatwasyearsago，mydear！’
’Oyes，andforthemomentIforgot！Heseemedjustthesametomeasheusedtobe。’
’Well，itcan’tbehelpednow。Youmustbecarefulinthefuture。
He’sgotlotsofyoungwomen，I’llwarrant，andhasfewthoughtsleftforyou。He’swhattheycallasculptor，andhemeanstobeagreatgeniusinthatlinesomeday，theydosay。’
’Well，I’vedoneit；anditcan’tbemended！’moanedthegirl。
MeanwhileJocelynPierston，thesculptorofbuddingfame，hadgoneonwardtothehouseofhisfather，aninartisticmanoftradeandcommercemerely，fromwhom，nevertheless，Jocelyncondescendedtoacceptayearlyallowancependingthefamousdaystocome。Buttheelder，havingreceivednowarningofhisson’sintendedvisit，wasnotathometoreceivehim。Jocelynlookedroundthefamiliarpremises，glancedacrosstheCommonatthegreatyardswithinwhicheternalsawsweregoingtoandfrouponeternalblocksofstone——theverysamesawsandtheverysameblocksthathehadseentherewhenlastintheisland，soitseemedtohim——andthenpassedthroughthedwellingintothebackgarden。
Likeallthegardensintheisleitwassurroundedbyawallofdry-
jointedspawls，andatitsfurtherextremityitranoutintoacorner，whichadjoinedthegardenoftheCaros。Hehadnosoonerreachedthisspotthanhebecameawareofamurmuringandsobbingontheothersideofthewall。ThevoiceherecognizedinamomentasAvice’s，andsheseemedtobeconfidinghertroubletosomeyoungfriendofherownsex。
’Oh，whatshallIDO！whatSHALLIdo！’shewassayingbitterly。’Soboldasitwas——soshameless！HowcouldIthinkofsuchathing！Hewillneverforgiveme——never，neverlikemeagain！He’llthinkmeaforwardhussy，andyet——andyetIquiteforgothowmuchIhadgrown。
Butthathe’llneverbelieve！’Theaccentswerethoseofonewhohadforthefirsttimebecomeconsciousofherwomanhood，asanunwontedpossessionwhichshamedandfrightenedher。
’Didheseemangryatit？’inquiredthefriend。
’Ono——notangry！Worse。Coldandhaughty。O，he’ssuchafashionablepersonnow——notatallanislandman。Butthere’snouseintalkingofit。IwishIwasdead！’
Pierstonretreatedasquicklyashecould。Hegrievedattheincidentwhichhadbroughtsuchpaintothisinnocentsoul；andyetitwasbeginningtobeasourceofvaguepleasuretohim。Hereturnedtothehouse，andwhenhisfatherhadcomebackandwelcomedhim，andtheyhadsharedamealtogether，Jocelynagainwentout，fullofanearnestdesiretosoothehisyoungneighbour’ssorrowinawayshelittleexpected；though，totellthetruth，hisaffectionforherwasratherthatofafriendthanofalover，andhefeltbynomeanssurethatthemigratory，elusiveidealizationhecalledhisLovewho，eversincehisboyhood，hadflittedfromhumanshelltohumanshellanindefinitenumberoftimes，wasgoingtotakeupherabodeinthebodyofAviceCaro。
1。II。THEINCARNATIONISASSUMEDTOBETRUE
Itwasdifficulttomeetheragain，eventhoughonthislumpofrockthedifficultylayasaruleratherinavoidancethaninmeeting。ButAvicehadbeentransformedintoaverydifferentkindofyoungwomanbytheself-consciousnessengenderedofherimpulsivegreeting，and，notwithstandingtheirnearneighbourhood，hecouldnotencounterher，tryashewould。Nosoonerdidheappearaninchbeyondhisfather’sdoorthanshewastoearthlikeafox；sheboltedupstairstoherroom。
Anxioustosootheherafterhisunintentionalslighthecouldnotstandtheseevasionslong。Themannersoftheislewereprimitiveandstraightforward，evenamongthewell-to-do，andnotingherdisappearanceonedayhefollowedherintothehouseandonwardtothefootofthestairs。
’Avice！’hecalled。
’Yes，Mr。Pierston。’
’Whydoyourunupstairslikethat？’
’Oh——onlybecauseIwantedtocomeupforsomething。’
’Well，ifyou’vegotit，can’tyoucomedownagain？’
’No，Ican’tverywell。’
’Come，DEARAvice。That’swhatyouare，youknow。’
Therewasnoresponse。
’Well，ifyouwon’t，youwon’t！’hecontinued。’Idon’twanttobotheryou。’AndPierstonwentaway。
Hewasstoppingtolookattheold-fashionedflowersunderthegardenwallswhenheheardavoicebehindhim。
’Mr。Pierston——Iwasn’tangrywithyou。WhenyouweregoneIthought——
youmightmistakeme，andIfeltIcoulddonolessthancomeandassureyouofmyfriendshipstill。’
TurninghesawtheblushingAviceimmediatelybehindhim。
’Youareagood，deargirl！’saidhe，and，seizingherhand，setuponhercheekthekindofkissthatshouldhavebeentheresponsetohersonthedayofhiscoming。
’DarlingAvice，forgivemefortheslightthatday！Sayyoudo。Come，now！AndthenI’llsaytoyouwhatIhaveneversaidtoanyotherwoman，livingordead：\"Willyouhavemeasyourhusband？\"’
’Ah！——mothersaysIamonlyoneofmany！’
’Youarenot，dear。YouknewmewhenIwasyoung，andothersdidn’t。’
Somehoworotherherobjectionsweregotover，andthoughshedidnotgiveanimmediateassent，sheagreedtomeethimlaterintheafternoon，whenshewalkedwithhimtothesouthernpointoftheislandcalledtheBeal，or，bystrangers，theBill，pausingoverthetreacherouscavernknownasCaveHole，intowhichthesearoaredandsplashednowasithaddonewhentheyvisitedittogetheraschildren。
Tosteadyherselfwhilelookinginheofferedherhisarm，andshetookit，forthefirsttimeasawoman，forthehundredthtimeashiscompanion。
Theyrambledontothelighthouse，wheretheywouldhavelingeredlongerifAvicehadnotsuddenlyrememberedanengagementtorecitepoetryfromaplatformthatveryeveningattheStreetofWells，thevillagecommandingtheentrancetotheisland——thevillagethathasnowadvancedtobeatown。
’Recite！’saidhe。’Who’dhavethoughtanybodyoranythingcouldrecitedownhereexceptthereciterwehearawaythere——theneverspeechlesssea。’
’Obutwearequiteintellectualnow。Inthewinterparticularly。
But，Jocelyn——don’tcometotherecitation，willyou？Itwouldspoilmyperformanceifyouwerethere，andIwanttobeasgoodastherest。’
’Iwon’tifyoureallywishmenotto。ButIshallmeetyouatthedoorandbringyouhome。’
’Yes！’shesaid，lookingupintohisface。Avicewasperfectlyhappynow；shecouldneverhavebelievedonthatmortifyingdayofhiscomingthatshewouldbesohappywithhim。Whentheyreachedtheeastsideoftheisletheyparted，thatshemightbesoonenoughtotakeherplaceontheplatform。Pierstonwenthome，andafterdark，whenitwasaboutthehourforaccompanyingherback，hewentalongthemiddleroadnorthwardtotheStreetofWells。
Hewasfullofmisgiving。HehadknownAviceCarosowellofoldthathisfeelingforhernowwasrathercomradeshipthanlove；andwhathehadsaidtoherinamomentofimpulsethatmorningratherappalledhiminitsconsequences。Notthatanyofthemoresophisticatedandaccomplishedwomenwhohadattractedhimsuccessivelywouldbelikelytoriseinconvenientlybetweenthem。Forhehadquitedisabusedhismindoftheassumptionthattheidolofhisfancywasanintegralpartofthepersonalityinwhichithadsojournedforalongorashortwhile。
***
TohisWell-Belovedhehadalwaysbeenfaithful；butshehadhadmanyembodiments。EachindividualityknownasLucy，Jane，Flora，Evangeline，orwhat-not，hadbeenmerelyatransientconditionofher。
Hedidnotrecognizethisasanexcuseorasadefence，butasafactsimply。Essentiallyshewasperhapsofnotangiblesubstance；aspirit，adream，afrenzy，aconception，anaroma，anepitomizedsex，alightoftheeye，apartingofthelips。Godonlyknewwhatshereallywas；Pierstondidnot。Shewasindescribable。
Nevermuchconsideringthatshewasasubjectivephenomenonvivifiedbytheweirdinfluencesofhisdescentandbirthplace，thediscoveryofherghostliness，ofherindependenceofphysicallawsandfailings，hadoccasionallygivenhimasenseoffear。Heneverknewwhereshenextwouldbe，whithershewouldleadhim，havingherselfinstantaccesstoallranksandclasses，toeveryabodeofmen。Sometimesatnighthedreamtthatshewas’thewile-weavingDaughterofhighZeus’inperson，bentontormentinghimforhissinsagainstherbeautyinhisart——theimplacableAphroditeherselfindeed。Heknewthathelovedthemasqueradingcreaturewhereverhefoundher，whetherwithblueeyes，blackeyes，orbrown；whetherpresentingherselfastall，fragile，orplump。Shewasneverintwoplacesatonce；buthithertoshehadneverbeeninoneplacelong。
Bymakingthiscleartohismindsometimebeforeto-day，hehadescapedagooddealofuglyself-reproach。Itwassimplythatshewhoalwaysattractedhim，andledhimwhithershewouldasbyasilkenthread，hadnotremainedtheoccupantofthesamefleshlytabernacleinhercareersofar。Whethershewouldultimatelysettledowntoonehecouldnotsay。
HadhefeltthatshewasbecomingmanifestinAvice，hewouldhavetriedtobelievethatthiswastheterminalspotofhermigrations，andhavebeencontenttoabidebyhiswords。ButdidheseetheWell-
BelovedinAviceatall？Thequestionwassomewhatdisturbing。
Hehadreachedthebrowofthehill，anddescendedtowardsthevillage，whereinthelongstraightRomanstreethesoonfoundthelightedhall。
Theperformancewasnotyetover；andbygoingroundtothesideofthebuildingandstandingonamoundhecouldseetheinteriorasfardownastheplatformlevel。Avice’sturn，orsecondturn，cameonalmostimmediately。Herprettyembarrassmentonfacingtheaudienceratherwonhimawayfromhisdoubts。Shewas，intruth，whatiscalleda’nice’girl；attractive，certainly，butaboveallthingsnice——oneoftheclasswithwhomtherisksofmatrimonyapproximatemostnearlytozero。Herintelligenteyes，herbroadforehead，herthoughtfulcarriage，ensuredonething，thatofallthegirlshehadknownhehadnevermetonewithmorecharmingandsolidqualitiesthanAviceCaro’s。
Thiswasnotamereconjecture——hehadknownherlongandthoroughly；
hereverymoodandtemper。
Aheavywagonpassingwithoutdrownedhersmallsoftvoiceforhim；buttheaudiencewerepleased，andsheblushedattheirapplause。Henowtookhisstationatthedoor，andwhenthepeoplehaddonepouringouthefoundherwithinawaitinghim。
TheyclimbedhomewardslowlybytheOldRoad，Pierstondragginghimselfupthesteepbythewaysidehand-railandpullingAviceafterhimuponhisarm。Atthetoptheyturnedandstoodstill。Totheleftofthemtheskywasstreakedlikeafanwiththelighthouserays，andundertheirfront，atperiodsofaquarterofaminute，therearoseadeep，hollowstrokelikethesinglebeatofadrum，theintervalsbeingfilledwithalong-drawnrattling，asofbonesbetweenhugecaninejaws。ItcamefromthevastconcaveofDeadman’sBay，risingandfallingagainstthepebbledyke。
Theeveningandnightwindsherewere，toPierston’smind，chargedwithasomethingthatdidnotburdenthemelsewhere。TheybroughtitupfromthatsinisterBaytothewest，whosemovementsheandhewerehearingnow。Itwasapresence——animaginaryshapeoressencefromthehumanmultitudelyingbelow：thosewhohadgonedowninvesselsofwar，EastIndiamen，barges，brigs，andshipsoftheArmada——selectpeople，common，anddebased，whoseinterestsandhopeshadbeenaswideasunderasthepoles，butwhohadrolledeachothertoonenessonthatrestlesssea-bed。Therecouldalmostbefeltthebrushoftheirhugecompositeghostasitranashapelessfigureovertheisle，shriekingforsomegoodgodwhowoulddisuniteitagain。
Thetwainwanderedalongwaythatnightamidtheseinfluences——sofarastotheoldHopeChurchyard，whichlayinaravineformedbyalandslipagesago。Thechurchhadslippeddownwiththerestofthecliff，andhadlongbeenaruin。ItseemedtosaythatinthislastlocalstrongholdofthePagandivinities，wherePagancustomslingeredyet，Christianityhadestablisheditselfprecariouslyatbest。InthatsolemnspotPierstonkissedher。
ThekisswasbynomeansonAvice’sinitiativethistime。Herformerdemonstrativenessseemedtohaveincreasedherpresentreserve。
***
Thatdaywasthebeginningofapleasantmonthpassedmainlyineachother’ssociety。Hefoundthatshecouldnotonlyrecitepoetryatintellectualgatherings，butplaythepianofairly，andsingtoherownaccompaniment。
Heobservedthateveryaimofthosewhohadbroughtheruphadbeentogetherawaymentallyasfaraspossiblefromhernaturalandindividuallifeasaninhabitantofapeculiarisland：tomakeheranexactcopyoftensofthousandsofotherpeople，inwhosecircumstancestherewasnothingspecial，distinctive，orpicturesque；toteachhertoforgetalltheexperiencesofherancestors；todrownthelocalballadsbysongspurchasedattheBudmouthfashionablemusic-sellers’，andthelocalvocabularybyagoverness-tongueofnocountryatall。Shelivedinahousethatwouldhavebeenthefortuneofanartist，andlearnttodrawLondonsuburbanvillasfromprintedcopies。
Avicehadseenallthisbeforehepointeditout，but，withagirl’stractability，hadacquiesced。Byconstitutionshewaslocaltothebone，butshecouldnotescapethetendencyoftheage。
ThetimeforJocelyn’sdeparturedrewnear，andshelookedforwardtoitsadly，butserenely，theirengagementbeingnowasettledthing。
Pierstonthoughtofthenativecustomonsuchoccasions，whichhadprevailedinhisandherfamilyforcenturies，bothbeingoftheoldstockoftheisle。Theinfluxof’kimberlins，’or’foreigners’（asstrangersfromthemainlandofWessexwerecalled），hadledinalargemeasuretoitsdiscontinuance；butunderneaththeveneerofAvice’seducationmanyanold-fashionedidealayslumbering，andhewonderedif，inhernaturalmelancholyathisleaving，sheregrettedthechangingmannerswhichmadeunpopulartheformalratificationofabetrothal，accordingtotheprecedentoftheirsiresandgrandsires。
1。III。THEAPPOINTMENT
’Well，’saidhe，’hereweare，arrivedatthefag-endofmyholiday。
Whatapleasantsurprisemyoldhome，whichIhavenotthoughtworthcomingtoseeforthreeorfouryears，hadinstoreforme！’
’Youmustgoto-morrow？’sheaskeduneasily。
’Yes。’
Somethingseemedtooverweighthem；somethingmorethanthenaturalsadnessofapartingwhichwasnottobelong；andhedecidedthatinsteadofleavinginthedaytimeashehadintended，hewoulddeferhisdeparturetillnight，andgobythemail-trainfromBudmouth。Thiswouldgivehimtimetolookintohisfather’squarries，andenableher，ifshechose，towalkwithhimalongthebeachasfarastoHenrytheEighth’sCastleabovethesands，wheretheycouldlingerandwatchthemoonriseoverthesea。Shesaidshethoughtshecouldcome。
SoafterspendingthenextdaywithhisfatherinthequarriesJocelynpreparedtoleave，andatthetimeappointedsetoutfromthestonehouseofhisbirthinthisstoneisletowalktoBudmouth-Regisbythepathalongthebeach，AvicehavingsometimeearliergonedowntoseesomefriendsintheStreetofWells，whichwashalfwaytowardsthespotoftheirtryst。Thedescentsoonbroughthimtothepebblebank，andleavingbehindhimthelasthousesoftheisle，andtheruinsofthevillagedestroyedbytheNovembergaleof1824，hestruckoutalongthenarrowthreadofland。Whenhehadwalkedahundredyardshestopped，turnedasidetothepebbleridgewhichwalledoutthesea，andsatdowntowaitforher。
Betweenhimandthelightsoftheshipsridingatanchorintheroadsteadtwomenpassedslowlyinthedirectionheintendedtopursue。
OneofthemrecognizedJocelyn，andbadehimgood-night，adding，’Wishyoujoy，sir，ofyourchoice，andhopetheweddenwillbesoon！’
’Thankyou，Seaborn。Well——weshallseewhatChristmaswilldotowardsbringingitabout。’
’Mywifeopeneduponitthismornen：\"PleaseGod，I’llupandseethattherewedden，\"saysshe，\"knowing’embothfromtheircrawlingdays。\"’
Themenmovedon，andwhentheywereoutofPierston’shearingtheonewhohadnotspokensaidtohisfriend，’Whowasthatyoungkimberlin？
Hedon’tseemoneo’we。’
’Oh，heis，though，everyincho’en。He’sMr。JocelynPierston，thestwone-merchant’sonlysonupatEastQuarriers。He’stobemarriedtoastylishyoungbody；hermother，awidowwoman，carriesonthesamebusinessaswellasshecan；buttheirtradeisnotatwentiethpartofPierston’s。He’sworththousandsandthousands，theysay，though’adoliveoninthesamewoldwayupinthesamewoldhouse。ThissonisdoengreatthingsinLondonasa’image-carver；andIcanmindwhen，asaboy，’afirsttooktocarvingsoldiersouto’bitso’stwonefromthesoft-bedofhisfather’squarries；andthen’amadeaseto’stwonenchess-men，andso’agoton。He’squitethegentinLondon，theytellme；andthewonderisthat’acaredtocomebackhereandpickuplittleAviceCaro——nicemaidassheisnotwithstanding……Hullo！
there’stobeachangeintheweathersoon。’
Meanwhilethesubjectoftheirremarkswaitedattheappointedplacetillseveno’clock，thehournamedbetweenhimselfandhisaffianced，hadstruck。Almostatthemomenthesawafigurecomingforwardfromthelastlampatthebottomofthehill。Butthefigurespeedilyresolveditselfintothatofaboy，who，advancingtoJocelyn，inquiredifhewereMr。Pierston，andhandedhimanote。
1。IV。ALONELYPEDESTRIAN
WhentheboyhadgoneJocelynretracedhisstepstothelastlamp，andread，inAvice’shand：
’MYDEAREST，——IshallbesorryifIgrieveyouatallinwhatIamgoingtosayaboutourarrangementtomeetto-nightintheSandsfootruin。ButIhavefanciedthatmyseeingyouagainandagainlatelyisincliningyourfathertoinsist，andyouashisheirtofeel，thatweoughttocarryoutIslandCustominourcourting——yourpeoplebeingsucholdinhabitantsinanunbrokenline。Truthtosay，mothersupposesthatyourfather，fornaturalreasons，mayhavehintedtoyouthatweought。Now，thethingiscontrarytomyfeelings：itisnearlyleftoff；andIdonotthinkitgood，evenwherethereisproperty，asinyourcase，tojustifyit，inameasure。IwouldrathertrustinProvidence。
’Onthewhole，therefore，itisbestthatIshouldnotcome——ifonlyforappearances——andmeetyouatatimeandplacesuggestingthecustom，toothersthanourselves，atleast，ifknown。
’Iamsurethatthisdecisionwillnotdisturbyoumuch；thatyouwillunderstandmymodernfeelings，andthinknoworseofmeforthem。Anddear，ifitweretobedone，andwewereunfortunateinit，wemightbothhaveenougholdfamilyfeelingtothink，likeourforefathers，andpossiblyyourfather，thatwecouldnotmarryhonourably；andhencewemightbemadeunhappy。
’However，youwillcomeagainshortly，willyounot，dearJocelyn？——andthenthetimewillsoondrawonwhennomoregood-byeswillberequired。——Alwaysandeveryours，’AVICE。’
Jocelyn，havingreadtheletter，wassurprisedatthenaiveteitshowed，andatAviceandhermother’santiquatedsimplicityinsupposingthattobestillagraveandoperatingprinciplewhichwasabygonebarbarismtohimselfandotherabsenteesfromtheisland。Hisfather，asamoney-maker，mighthavepracticalwishesonthematterofdescendantswhichlentplausibilitytotheconjectureofAviceandhermother；buttoJocelynhehadneverexpressedhimselfinfavouroftheancientways，old-fashionedashewas。
Amusedthereforeatherregardofherselfasmodern，Jocelynwasdisappointed，andalittlevexed，thatsuchanunforeseenreasonshouldhavedeprivedhimofhercompany。Howtheoldideassurvivedundertheneweducation！
Thereaderisaskedtorememberthatthedate，thoughrecentinthehistoryoftheIsleofSlingers，wasmorethanfortyyearsago。
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Findingthattheeveningseemedlouring，yetindisposedtogobackandhireavehicle，hewentonquicklyalone。Insuchanexposedspotthenightwindwasgusty，andtheseabehindthepebblebarrierkickedandflouncedincomplexrhythms，whichcouldbetranslatedequallywellasshocksofbattleorshoutsofthanksgiving。
Presentlyonthepaleroadbeforehimhediscernedafigure，thefigureofawoman。HerememberedthatawomanpassedhimwhilehewasreadingAvice’sletterbythelastlamp，andnowhewasovertakingher。
HedidhopeforamomentthatitmightbeAvice，withachangedmind。
Butitwasnotshe，noranybodylikeher。Itwasataller，squarerformthanthatofhisbetrothed，andalthoughtheseasonwasonlyautumnshewaswrappedinfurs，orinthickandheavyclothingofsomekind。
Hesoonadvancedabreastofher，andcouldgetglimpsesofherprofileagainsttheroadsteadlights。Itwasdignified，arresting，thatofaveryJuno。Nothingmoreclassicalhadheeverseen。Shewalkedataswingingpace，yetwithsucheaseandpowerthattherewasbutlittledifferenceintheirrateofspeedforseveralminutes；andduringthistimeheregardedandconjectured。However，hewasabouttopassherbywhenshesuddenlyturnedandaddressedhim。
’MrPierston，Ithink，ofEastQuarriers？’
Heassented，andcouldjustdiscernwhatahandsome，commanding，imperiousfaceitwas——quiteofapiecewiththeproudtonesofhervoice。Shewasanewtypealtogetherinhisexperience；andheraccentwasnotsolocalasAvice’s。
’Canyoutellmethetime，please？’
Helookedathiswatchbytheaidofalight，andintellingherthatitwasaquarterpastsevenobserved，bythemomentarygleamofhismatch，thathereyeslookedalittleredandchafed，asifwithweeping。
’Mr。Pierston，willyouforgivewhatwillappearverystrangetoyou，I
daresay？Thatis，mayIaskyoutolendmesomemoneyforadayortwo？Ihavebeensofoolishastoleavemypurseonthedressing-
table。’
Itdidappearstrange：andyettherewerefeaturesintheyounglady’spersonalitywhichassuredhiminamomentthatshewasnotanimpostor。
Heyieldedtoherrequest，andputhishandinhispocket。Hereitremainedforamoment。Howmuchdidshemeanbythewords’somemoney’？TheJunonianqualityofherformandmannermadehimthrowhimselfbyanimpulseintoharmonywithher，andherespondedregally。
Hescentedaromance。Hehandedherfivepounds。
Hismunificencecausedhernoapparentsurprise。’Itisquiteenough，thankyou，’sheremarkedquietly，asheannouncedthesum，lestsheshouldbeunabletoseeitforherself。
Whileovertakingandconversingwithherhehadnotobservedthattherisingwind，whichhadproceededfrompuffingtogrowling，andfromgrowlingtoscreeching，withtheaccustomedsuddennessofitschangeshere，hadatlengthbroughtwhatitpromisedbythesevagaries——rain。
Thedrops，whichhadatfirsthittheirleftcheekslikethepelletsofapopgun，soonassumedthecharacterofarakingfusilladefromthebankadjoining，oneshotofwhichwassufficientlysmarttogothroughJocelyn’ssleeve。Thetallgirlturned，andseemedtobesomewhatconcernedatanonsetwhichshehadplainlynotforeseenbeforeherstarting。
’Wemusttakeshelter，’saidJocelyn。
’Butwhere？’saidshe。
Towindwardwasthelong，monotonousbank，tooobtuselypiledtoaffordascreen，overwhichtheycouldhearthecaninecrunchingofpebblesbytheseawithout；ontheirrightstretchedtheinnerbayorroadstead，thedistantriding-lightsoftheshipsnowdimandglimmering；behindthemafaintsparkhereandthereinthelowerskyshowedwheretheislandrose；beforetherewasnothingdefinite，andcouldbenothing，tilltheyreachedaprecariouswoodbridge，amilefurtheron，HenrytheEighth’sCastlebeingalittlefurtherstill。
Butjustwithinthesummitofthebank，whitherithadapparentlybeenhauledtobeoutofthewayofthewaves，wasoneofthelocalboatscalledlerrets，bottomupwards。Assoonastheysawitthepairranupthepebblyslopetowardsitbyasimultaneousimpulse。Theythenperceivedthatithadlaintherealongtime，andwerecomfortedtofinditcapableofaffordingmoreprotectionthananybodywouldhaveexpectedfromadistantview。Itformedashelterorstoreforthefishermen，thebottomofthelerretbeingtarredasaroof。Bycreepingunderthebows，whichoverhungthebankonpropstoleeward，theymadetheirwaywithin，where，uponsomethwarts，oars，andotherfragmentarywoodwork，layamassofdrynetting——awholesein。Uponthistheyscrambledandsatdown，throughinabilitytostandupright。
1。V。ACHARGE
Therainfelluponthekeeloftheoldlerretlikecornthrowninhandfulsbysomecolossalsower，anddarknesssetintoitsfullshade。
Theycrouchedsoclosetoeachotherthathecouldfeelherfursagainsthim。Neitherhadspokensincetheylefttheroadwaytillshesaid，withattemptedunconcern：’Thisisunfortunate。’
Headmittedthatitwas，andfound，afterafewfurtherremarkshadpassed，thatshecertainlyhadbeenweeping，therebeingasuppressedgaspofpassionatenessinherutterancenowandthen。
’Itismoreunfortunateforyou，perhaps，thanforme，’hesaid，’andI
amverysorrythatitshouldbeso。’
Sherepliednothingtothis，andheaddedthatitwasratheradesolateplaceforawoman，aloneandafoot。Hehopednothingserioushadhappenedtodragheroutatsuchanuntowardtime。
Atfirstsheseemednotatalldisposedtoshowanycandouronherownaffairs，andhewaslefttoconjectureastoherhistoryandname，andhowshecouldpossiblyhaveknownhim。But，astheraingavenottheleastsignofcessation，heobserved：’Ithinkweshallhavetogoback。’
’Never！’saidshe，andthefirmnesswithwhichsheclosedherlipswasaudibleintheword。
’Whynot？’heinquired。
’Therearegoodreasons。’
’Icannotunderstandhowyoushouldknowme，whileIhavenoknowledgeofyou。’
’Oh，butyouknowme——aboutme，atleast。’
’IndeedIdon’t。HowshouldI？Youareakimberlin。’
’Iamnot。Iamarealislander——orwas，rather……Haven’tyouheardoftheBest-BedStoneCompany？’
’Ishouldthinkso！Theytriedtoruinmyfatherbygettingawayhistrade——or，atleast，thefounderofthecompanydid——oldBencomb。’
’He’smyfather！’
’Indeed。IamsorryIshouldhavespokensodisrespectfullyofhim，forIneverknewhimpersonally。Aftermakingoverhislargebusinesstothecompany，heretired，Ibelieve，toLondon？’
’Yes。Ourhouse，orratherhis，notmine，isatSouthKensington。Wehavelivedthereforyears。ButwehavebeentenantsofSylvaniaCastle，ontheislandhere，thisseason。Wetookitforamonthortwooftheowner，whoisaway。’
’ThenIhavebeenstayingquitenearyou，MissBencomb。Myfather’sisacomparativelyhumbleresidencehardby。’
’Buthecouldaffordamuchbiggeroneifhechose。’
’Youhaveheardso？Idon’tknow。Hedoesn’ttellmemuchofhisaffairs。’
’Myfather，’sheburstoutsuddenly，’isalwaysscoldingmeformyextravagance！Andhehasbeendoingitto-daymorethanever。HesaidIgoshoppingintowntosimplyadiabolicalextent，andexceedmyallowance！’
’Wasthatthisevening？’
’Yes。AndthenitreachedsuchastormofpassionbetweenusthatI
pretendedtoretiretomyroomfortherestoftheevening，butI
slippedout；andIamnevergoingbackhomeagain。’
’Whatwillyoudo？’
’IshallgofirsttomyauntinLondon；andifshewon’thaveme，I’llworkforaliving。Ihaveleftmyfatherforever！WhatIshouldhavedoneifIhadnotmetyouIcannottell——ImusthavewalkedallthewaytoLondon，Isuppose。NowIshalltakethetrainassoonasIreachthemainland。’
’Ifyoueverdointhishurricane。’
’Imustsitheretillitstops。’
Andthereonthenetstheysat。PierstonknewofoldBencombashisfather’sbitterestenemy，whohadmadeagreatfortunebyswallowingupthesmallstone-merchants，buthadfoundJocelyn’ssireatrifletoobigtodigest——thelatterbeing，infact，thechiefrivaloftheBest-
BedCompanytothatday。JocelynthoughtitstrangethatheshouldbethrownbyfateintoapositiontoplaythesonoftheMontaguestothisdaughteroftheCapulets。
Astheytalkedtherewasamutualinstincttodroptheirvoices，andonthisaccounttheroarofthestormnecessitatedtheirdrawingquiteclosetogether。Somethingtendercameintotheirtonesasquarter-hourafterquarter-hourwenton，andtheyforgotthelapseoftime。Itwasquitelatewhenshestartedup，alarmedatherposition。
’Rainornorain，Icanstaynolonger，’shesaid。
’Docomeback，’saidhe，takingherhand。’I’llreturnwithyou。Mytrainhasgone。’
’No；Ishallgoon，andgetalodginginBudmouthtown，ifeverIreachit。’
’Itissolatethattherewillbenohouseopen，exceptalittleplacenearthestationwhereyouwon’tcaretostay。However，ifyouaredeterminedIwillshowyoutheway。Icannotleaveyou。Itwouldbetooawkwardforyoutogotherealone。’
Shepersisted，andtheystartedthroughthetwangingandspinningstorm。Thesearolledandrosesohighontheirleft，andwassonearthemontheirright，thatitseemedasiftheyweretraversingitsbottomliketheChildrenofIsrael。Nothingbutthefrailbankofpebblesdividedthemfromtheraginggulfwithout，andateverybangofthetideagainstitthegroundshook，theshingleclashed，thesprayrosevertically，andwasblownovertheirheads。Quantitiesofsea-
watertrickledthroughthepebblewall，andraninrivuletsacrosstheirpathtojointheseawithin。The’Island’wasanislandstill。
Theyhadnotrealizedtheforceoftheelementstillnow。Pedestrianshadoftenbeenblownintotheseahereabout，anddrowned，owingtoasuddenbreachinthebank；which，however，hadsomethingofasupernaturalpowerinbeingabletocloseupandjoinitselftogetheragainaftersuchdisruption，likeSatan’sformwhen，cutintwobytheswordofMichael，’Theetherealsubstanceclosed，Notlongdivisible。’
Herclothingofferedmoreresistancetothewindthanhis，andshewasconsequentlyinthegreaterdanger。Itwasimpossibletorefusehisprofferedaid。Firsthegavehisarm，butthewindtorethemapartaseasilyascoupledcherries。Hesteadiedherbodilybyencirclingherwaistwithhisarm；andshemadenoobjection。
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Somewhereaboutthistime——itmighthavebeensooner，itmighthavebeenlater——hebecameconsciousofasensationwhich，initsincipientandunrecognizedform，hadlurkedwithinhimfromsomeunnoticedmomentwhenhewassittingclosetohisnewfriendunderthelerret。Thoughayoungman，hewastoooldahandnottoknowwhatthiswas，andfeltalarmed——evendismayed。ItmeantapossiblemigrationoftheWell-
Beloved。Thethinghadnot，however，takenplace；andhewentonthinkinghowsoftandwarmtheladywasinherfurcovering，asheheldhersotightly；theonlydryspotsintheclothingofeitherbeingherleftsideandhisright，wheretheyexcludedtherainbytheirmutualpressure。
Assoonastheyhadcrossedtheferry-bridgetherewasalittlemoreshelter，buthedidnotrelinquishhisholdtillsherequestedhim。
Theypassedtheruinedcastle，andhavinglefttheislandfarbehindthemtrodmileaftermiletilltheydrewneartotheoutskirtsoftheneighbouringwatering-place。Intoittheyploddedwithoutpause，crossingtheharbourbridgeaboutmidnight，wettotheskin。
Hepitiedher，and，whilehewonderedatit，admiredherdetermination。
Thehousesfacingthebaynowshelteredthemcompletely，andtheyreachedthevicinityofthenewrailwayterminus（whichthestationwasatthisdate）withoutdifficulty。Ashehadsaid，therewasonlyonehouseopenhereabout，alittletemperanceinn，wherethepeoplestayedupforthearrivalofthemorningmailandpassengersfromtheChannelboats。Theirapplicationforadmissionledtothewithdrawalofabolt，andtheystoodwithinthegaslightofthepassage。
Hecouldseenowthatthoughshewassuchafinefigure，quiteastallashimself，shewasbutinthebloomofyoungwomanhood。Herfacewascertainlystriking，thoughratherbyitsimperiousnessthanitsbeauty；
andthebeatingofthewindandrainandsprayhadinflamedhercheekstopeonyhues。
ShepersistedinthedeterminationtogoontoLondonbyanearlymorningtrain，andhethereforeofferedadviceonlessermattersonly。
’Inthatcase，’hesaid，’youmustgouptoyourroomandsenddownyourthings，thattheymaybedriedbythefireimmediately，ortheywillnotbeready。Iwilltelltheservanttodothis，andsendyouupsomethingtoeat。’
Sheassentedtohisproposal，without，however，showinganymarksofgratitude；andwhenshehadgonePierstondespatchedherthelightsupperpromisedbythesleepygirlwhowas’nightporter’atthisestablishment。Hefeltravenouslyhungryhimself，andsetaboutdryinghisclothesaswellashecould，andeatingatthesametime。
Atfirsthewasindoubtwhattodo，butsoondecidedtostaywherehewastillthemorrow。Bytheaidofsometemporarywraps，andsomeslippersfromthecupboard，hewascontrivingtomakehimselfcomfortablewhenthemaid-servantcamedownstairswithadamparmfulofwoman’sraiment。
Pierstonwithdrewfromthefire。Themaid-servantkneltdownbeforetheblazeandheldupwithextendedarmsoneofthehabilimentsoftheJunoupstairs，fromwhichacloudofsteambegantorise。Assheknelt，thegirlnoddedforward，recoveredherself，andnoddedagain。
’Youaresleepy，mygirl，’saidPierston。
’Yes，sir；Ihavebeenupalongtime。WhennobodycomesIliedownonthecouchintheotherroom。’
’ThenI’llrelieveyouofthat；goandliedownintheotherroom，justasifwewerenothere。I’lldrytheclothingandputthearticleshereinaheap，whichyoucantakeuptotheyoungladyinthemorning。’
The’nightporter’thankedhimandlefttheroom，andhesoonheardhersnoringfromtheadjoiningapartment。ThenJocelynopenedproceedings，overhaulingtherobesandextendingthemonebyone。Asthesteamwentuphefellintoareverie。Heagainbecameconsciousofthechangewhichhadbeeninitiatedduringthewalk。TheWell-Belovedwasmovinghouse——hadgoneovertothewearerofthisattire。
Inthecourseoftenminutesheadoredher。
AndhowaboutlittleAviceCaro？Hedidnotthinkofherasbefore。
HewasnotsurethathehadeverseentherealBelovedinthatfriendofhisyouth，solicitousashewasforherwelfare。But，lovingherornot，heperceivedthatthespirit，emanation，idealism，whichcalleditselfhisLovewasflittingstealthilyfromsomeremoterfiguretothenearoneinthechamberoverhead。
Avicehadnotkeptherengagementtomeethiminthelonelyruin，fearingherownimaginings。Buthe，infact，morethanshe，hadbeeneducatedoutoftheislandinnocencethathadupheldoldmanners；andthiswasthestrangeconsequenceofAvice’smisapprehension。