Theladytoldherlittlestory——whateveritwasJocelyncouldnothearit——thestatesmanlaughed：’Haugh-haugh-haugh！’
Theladyblushed。Jocelyn，wroughtuptoahightensionbytheaforesaidpresentimentthathisShelleyan’One-shape-of-many-names’wasabouttoreappear，paidlittleheedtotheothers，watchingforafullviewoftheladywhohadwonhisattention。
Thatladyremainedforthepresentpartiallyscreenedbyherneighbours。AdiversionwascausedbyLadyChannelcliffebringingupsomebodytopresenttotheex-Minister；theladiesgotmixed，andJocelynlostsightoftheonewhomhewasbeginningtosuspectasthestealthilyreturnedabsentee。
Helookedforherinakindlyyoungladyofthehouse，hishostess’srelation，whoappearedtomoreadvantagethatnightthanshehadeverdonebefore——inasky-bluedress，whichhadnothingbetweenitandthefairskinofherneck，lendingheranunusuallysoftandsylph-likeaspect。Shesawhim，andtheyconverged。Herlookof’WhatdoyouthinkofmeNOW？’wassuggested，heknew，bythethoughtthatthelasttimetheymetshehadappearedunderthedisadvantageofmourningclothes，onawetdayinacountry-house，whereeverybodywascross。
’Ihavesomenewphotographs，andIwantyoutotellmewhethertheyaregood，’shesaid。’Mindyouaretotellmetruly，andnofavour。’
Sheproducedthepicturesfromanadjoiningdrawer，andtheysatdowntogetheruponanottomanforthepurposeofexamination。Theportraits，takenbythelastfashionablephotographer，wereverygood，andhetoldherso；butashespokeandcomparedthemhismindwasfixedonsomethingelsethanthemerejudgment。Hewonderedwhethertheelusiveonewereindeedintheframeofthisgirl。
Helookedupather。Tohissurprise，hermind，too，wasonotherthingsbentthanonthepictures。Hereyeswereglancingawaytodistantpeople，shewasapparentlyconsideringtheeffectshewasproducinguponthembythiscosytete-a-tetewithPierston，andupononeinparticular，amanofthirty，ofmilitaryappearance，whomPierstondidnotknow。Quiteconvincednowthatnophantombelongingtohimwascontainedintheoutlinesofthepresentyounglady，hecouldcoollysurveyherasheresponded。Theywerebothdoingthesamething——eachwaspretendingtobedeeplyinterestedinwhattheotherwastalkingabout，theattentionofthetwoalikeflittingawaytoothercornersoftheroomevenwhentheverypointoftheirdiscoursewaspending。
No，hehadnotseenHeryet。Hewasnotgoingtoseeher，apparently，to-night；shewasscaredawaybythetwangingpoliticalatmosphere。
Buthestillmovedonsearchingly，hardlyheedingcertainspectralimpsotherthanAphroditean，whoalwayshauntedtheseplaces，andjeeringlypointedoutthatunderthewhitehairofthisorthatribandedoldman，withaforeheadgrownwrinkledovertreatieswhichhadswayedthefortunesofEurope，withavoicewhichhadnumberedsovereignsamongitsrespectfullisteners，mightbeaheartthatwouldgoinsideanut-
shell；thatbeneaththisorthatwhiteropeofpearlandpinkbosom，mightliethehalf-lungwhichhad，byhookorbycrook，tosustainitspossessorabove-groundtillthewedding-day。
Atthatmomentheencounteredhisamiablehost，andalmostsimultaneouslycaughtsightoftheladywhohadatfirstattractedhimandthenhaddisappeared。Theireyesmet，faroffastheywerefromeachother。Pierstonlaughedinwardly：itwasonlyinticklishexcitementastowhetherthiswastoproveatruetrouvaille，andwithnoinstincttomirth；forwhenundertheeyesofhisJill-o’-the-Wisphewasmoreinclinedtopalpitatelikeasheepinafair。
However，fortheminutehehadtoconversewithhishost，LordChannelcliffe，andalmostthefirstthingthatfriendsaidtohimwas：
’Whoisthatprettywomanintheblackdresswiththewhitefluffaboutitandthepearlnecklace？’
’Idon’tknow，’saidJocelyn，withincipientjealousy：’Iwasjustgoingtoaskthesamething。’
’O，weshallfindoutpresently，Isuppose。Idaresaymywifeknows。’
Theyhadparted，whenahandcameuponhisshoulder。LordChannelcliffehadturnedbackforaninstant：’Ifindsheisthegranddaughterofmyfather’soldfriend，thelastLordHengistbury。
HernameisMrs。——Mrs。Pine-Avon；shelostherhusbandtwoorthreeyearsago，veryshortlyaftertheirmarriage。’
LordChannelcliffebecameabsorbedintosomeadjoiningdignitaryoftheChurch，andPierstonwaslefttopursuehisquestalone。Ayoungfriendofhis——theLadyMabellaButtermead，whoappearedinacloudofmuslinandwasgoingontoaball——hadbeenbroughtagainsthimbythetide。Awarm-hearted，emotionalgirlwasLadyMabella，wholaughedatthehumorousnessofbeingalive。Sheaskedhimwhitherhewasbent，andhetoldher。
’Oyes，Iknowherverywell！’saidLadyMabellaeagerly。’Shetoldmeonedaythatsheparticularlywishedtomeetyou。Poorthing——sosad——
shelostherhusband。Well，itwasalongtimeagonow，certainly。
Womenoughtnottomarryandlaythemselvesopentosuchcatastrophes，oughtthey，Mr。Pierston？_I_nevershall。Iamdeterminednevertorunsucharisk！Now，doyouthinkIshall？’
’Marry？Ono；never，’saidPierstondrily。
’That’sverysatisfying。’ButMabellawasscarcelycomfortableunderhisanswer，eventhoughjestinglyreturned，andsheadded：’ButsometimesIthinkImay，justforthefunofit。Nowwe’llsteeracrosstoher，andcatchher，andI’llintroduceyou。Butweshallnevergettoheratthisrate！’
’Never，unlessweadopt\"theuglyrush，\"likethecitizenswhofollowtheLordMayor’sShow。’
Theytalked，andinchedtowardsthedesiredone，who，asshediscoursedwithaneighbour，seemedtobeofthose——
’Femaleforms，whosegesturesbeamwithmind，’
seenbythepoetinhisVisionoftheGoldenCityofIslam。
Theirprogresswascontinuallychecked。Pierstonwasashehadsometimesseemedtobeinadream，unabletoadvancetowardstheobjectofpursuitunlesshecouldhavegathereduphisfeetintotheair。
Aftertenminutesgiventoapreoccupiedregardofshoulder-blades，backhair，glitteringheadgear，neck-napes，moles，hairpins，pearl-
powder，pimples，mineralscutintofacetsofmany-colouredrays，necklace-clasps，fans，stays，thesevenstylesofelbowandarm，thethirteenvarietiesofear；andbyusingthetoesofhisdress-bootsascoulterswithwhichheploughedhiswayandthatofLadyMabellainthedirectiontheywereaimingat，hedrewneartoMrs。Pine-Avon，whowasdrinkingacupofteainthebackdrawing-room。
’MydearNichola，wethoughtweshouldnevergettoyou，becauseitisworseto-night，owingtothesedreadfulpolitics！Butwe’vedoneit。’
AndsheproceededtotellherfriendofPierston’sexistencehardby。
Itseemedthatthewidowreallydidwishtoknowhim，andthatLadyMabellaButtermeadhadnotindulgedinoneofthetoofrequentinventionsinthatkind。Whentheyoungestofthetriohadmadethepairacquaintedwitheachothersheleftthemtotalktoayoungermanthanthesculptor。
Mrs。Pine-Avon’sblackvelvetsandsilks，withtheirwhiteaccompaniments，finelysetofftheexceedingfairnessofherneckandshoulders，which，thoughunwhitenedartificially，werewithoutaspeckorblemishoftheleastdegree。Thegentle，thoughtfulcreatureshehadlookedfromadistanceshenowprovedherselftobe；sheheldalsosoundratherthancurrentopinionsontheplasticarts，andwasthefirstintellectualwomanhehadseentherethatnight，exceptoneortwoasaforesaid。
Theysoonbecamewellacquainted，andatapauseintheirconversationnoticedthefreshexcitementcausedbythearrivalofsomelatecomerswithmorenews。Thelatterhadbeenbroughtbyarippling，bright-eyedladyinblack，whomadethemenlistentoher，whethertheywouldorno。
’IamgladIamanoutsider，’saidJocelyn’sacquaintance，nowseatedonasofabesidewhichhewasstanding。’Iwouldn’tbelikemycousin，overthere，fortheworld。Shethinksherhusbandwillbeturnedoutatthenextelection，andshe’squitewild。’
’Yes；itismostlythewomenwhoarethegamesters；themenonlythecards。Thepityisthatpoliticsarelookedonasbeingagameforpoliticians，justascricketisagameforcricketers；notastheseriousdutiesofpoliticaltrustees。’
’Howfewofuseverthinkorfeelthat\"thenationofeverycountrydwellsinthecottage，\"assomebodysays！’
’Yes。ThoughIwondertohearyouquotethat。’
’O——Iamofnoparty，thoughmyrelationsare。Therecanbeonlyonebestcourseatalltimes，andthewisdomofthenationshouldbedirectedtofindingit，insteadofzigzaggingintwocourses，accordingtothewillofthepartywhichhappenstohavetheupperhand。’
Havingstartedthus，theyfoundnodifficultyinagreeingonmanypoints。WhenPierstonwentdownstairsfromthatassemblyataquartertoone，andpassedunderthesteamingnostrilsofanambassador’shorsestoahansomwhichwaitedforhimagainsttherailingofthesquare，hehadanimpressionthattheBelovedhadre-emergedfromtheshadows，withoutanyhintorinitiativefromhim——towhom，indeed，suchre-emergencewasanunquestionablyawkwardthing。
Inthishewasaware，however，thatthoughitmightbenow，asheretofore，theLovedwhodancedbeforehim，itwastheGoddessbehindherwhopulledthestringofthatJumpingJill。HehadlatelybeentryinghisartisthandagainontheDea’sformineveryconceivablephaseandmood。Hehadbecomeaone-partman——apresenterofheronly。
Buthiseffortshadresultedinfailures。Inherimplacablevanityshemightbepunishinghimanewforpresentinghersodeplorably。
2。II。SHEDRAWSCLOSEANDSATISFIES
HecouldnotforgetMrs。Pine-Avon’seyes，thoughherememberednothingofherotherfacialdetails。Theywereround，inquiring，luminous。
Howthatchestnuthairofhershadshone：itrequirednotiaratosetitoff，likethatofthedowagerhehadseenthere，whohadputtenthousandpoundsuponherheadtomakeherselflookworsethanshewouldhaveappearedwiththeninepennymuslincapofaservantwoman。
Nowthequestionwas，oughthetoseeheragain？Hehadhisdoubts。
But，unfortunatelyfordiscretion，justwhenhewascomingoutoftheroomshehadencounteredanoldladyofseventy，hisfriendMrs。
Brightwalton——theHonourableMrs。Brightwalton——andshehadhastilyaskedhimtodinnerforthedayafterthemorrow，statinginthehonestwayheknewsowellthatshehadheardhewasoutoftown，orshewouldhaveaskedhimtwoorthreeweeksago。Now，ofallsocialthingsthatPierstonlikeditwastobeaskedtodinneroff-hand，asastopgapinplaceofsomebishop，earl，orUnder-Secretarywhocouldn’tcome，andwhentheinvitationwassupplementedbythetidingsthattheladywhohadsoimpressedhimwastobeoneoftheguests，hehadpromisedinstantly。
Atthedinner，hetookdownMrs。Pine-Avonuponhisarmandtalkedtonobodyelseduringthemeal。Afterwardstheykeptapartawhileinthedrawing-roomforform’ssake；buteventuallygravitatedtogetheragain，andfinishedtheeveningineachother’scompany。When，shortlyaftereleven，hecameaway，hefeltalmostcertainthatwithinthoseluminousgreyeyestheOneofhiseternalfidelityhadverilytakenlodgings——
andforalonglease。Butthiswasnotall。Atparting，hehad，almostinvoluntarily，givenherhandapressureofapeculiarandindescribablekind；alittleresponsefromher，likeamerepulsation，ofthesamesort，toldhimthattheimpressionshehadmadeuponhimwasreciprocated。Shewas，inaword，willingtogoon。
Butwasheable？
Therehadnotbeenmuchharmintheflirtationthusfar；butdidsheknowhishistory，thecurseuponhisnature？——thathewastheWanderingJewofthelove-world，howrestlesslyidealhisfancieswere，howtheartistinhimhadconsumedthewooer，howhewasinconstantdreadlestheshouldwrongsomewomantwiceasgoodashimselfbyseemingtomeanwhathefainwouldmeanbutcouldnot，howuselesshewaslikelytobeforpracticalstepstowardshouseholding，thoughhewasallthewhilepiningfordomesticlife。Hewasnowoverforty，shewasprobablythirty；andhedarednotmakeunmeaninglovewiththecarelessselfishnessofayoungerman。Itwasunfairtogofurtherwithouttellingher，eventhough，hitherto，suchexplicitnesshadnotbeenabsolutelydemanded。
HedeterminedtocallimmediatelyontheNewIncarnation。
Shelivednotfarfromthelong，fashionableHamptonshireSquare，andhewentthitherwithexpectationsofhavingahighlyemotionaltime，atleast。Butsomehowtheverybell-pullseemedcold，althoughshehadsoearnestlyaskedhimtocome。
Asthehousespoke，sospoketheoccupant，muchtotheastonishmentofthesculptor。Thedoorshepassedthroughseemedasiftheyhadnotbeenopenedforamonth；andenteringthelargedrawing-room，hebeheld，inanarm-chair，inthefardistance，aladywhomhejourneyedacrossthecarpettoreach，andultimatelydidreach。TobesureitwasMrs。NicholaPine-Avon，butfrostedoverindescribably。Raisinghereyesinaslightlyinquiringmannerfromthebookshewasreading，sheleantbackinthechair，asifsoakingherselfinluxurioussensationswhichhadnothingtodowithhim，andrepliedtohisgreetingwithafewcommonplacewords。
TheunfortunateJocelyn，thoughrecuperativetoadegree，wasatfirstterriblyupsetbythisreception。HehaddistinctlybeguntoloveNichola，andhefeltsickandalmostresentful。Buthappilyhisaffectionwasincipientasyet，andasuddensenseoftheridiculousinhisownpositioncarriedhimtothevergeofrisibilityduringthescene。Shesignifiedachair，andbeganthecriticalstudyofsomeringsshewore。
Theytalkedovertheday’snews，andthenanorganbegantogrindoutside。Thetunewasarollickingairhehadheardatsomemusic-
hall；and，bywayofadiversion，heaskedherifsheknewthecomposition。
’No，Idon’t！’shereplied。
’Now，I’lltellyouallaboutit，’saidhegravely。’Itisbasedonasoundoldmelodycalled\"TheJilt’sHornpipe。\"JustastheyturnMadeiraintoportinthespaceofasinglenight，sothisoldairhasbeentakenanddoctored，andtwistedabout，andbroughtoutasanewpopularditty。’
’Indeed！’
’Ifyouareinthehabitofgoingmuchtothemusic-hallsortheburlesquetheatres——’
’Yes？’
’Youwouldfindthisisoftendone，withexcellenteffect。’
Shethawedalittle，andthentheywentontotalkaboutherhouse，whichhadbeennewlypainted，anddecoratedwithgreenish-bluesatinuptotheheightofaperson’shead——anarrangementthatsomewhatimprovedherslightlyfaded，thoughstillpretty，face，andwashelpedbytheawningsoverthewindows。
’Yes；Ihavehadmyhousesomeyears，’sheobservedcomplacently，’andIlikeitbettereveryyear。’
’Don’tyoufeellonelyinitsometimes？’
’Onever！’
However，beforeheroseshegrewfriendlytosomedegree，andwhenheleft，justafterthearrivalofthreeopportuneyoungladiessheseemedregretful。Sheaskedhimtocomeagain；andhethoughthewouldtellthetruth。’No：Ishallnotcaretocomeagain，’heanswered，inatoneinaudibletotheyoungladies。
Shefollowedhimtothedoor。’Whatanuncivilthingtosay！’shemurmuredinsurprise。
’Itisratheruncivil。Good-bye，’saidPierston。
Asapunishmentshedidnotringthebell，butlefthimtofindhiswayoutashecould。’NowwhatthedevilthismeansIcannottell，’hesaidtohimself，reflectingstock-stillforamomentonthestairs。
Andyetthemeaningwasstaringhimintheface。
Meanwhileoneofthethreeyoungladieshadsaid，’Whatinterestingmanwasthat，withhislovelyheadofhair？IsawhimatLadyChannelcliffe’stheothernight。’
’JocelynPierston。’
’O，Nichola，thatIStoobad！Tolethimgointhatshabbyway，whenI
wouldhavegivenanythingtoknowhim！IhavewantedtoknowhimeversinceIfoundouthowmuchhisexperienceshaddictatedhisstatuary，andIdiscoveredthembyseeinginaJerseypaperofthemarriageofapersonsupposedtobehiswife，whoranoffwithhimmanyyearsago，don’tyouknow，andthenwouldn’tmarryhim，inobediencetosomenovelsocialprinciplesshehadinventedforherself。’
’O！didn’themarryher？’saidMrs。Pine-Avon，withastart。’Why，I
heardonlyyesterdaythathedid，thoughtheyhavelivedaparteversince。’
’Quiteamistake，’saidtheyounglady。’HowIwishIcouldrunafterhim！’
ButJocelynwasrecedingfromtheprettywidow’shousewithlongstrides。Hewentoutverylittleduringthenextfewdays，butaboutaweeklaterhekeptanengagementtodinewithLadyIrisSpeedwell，whomheneverneglected，becauseshewasthebrightesthostessinLondon。
Bysomeaccidenthearrivedratherearly。LadyIrishadleftthedrawing-roomforamomenttoseethatallwasrightinthedining-room，andwhenhewasshownintherestoodaloneinthelamplightNicholaPine-Avon。Shehadbeenthefirstarrival。Hehadnotintheleastexpectedtomeetherthere，furtherthanthat，inageneralsense，atLadyIris’syouexpectedtomeeteverybody。
Shehadjustcomeoutofthecloak-room，andwassotenderandevenapologeticthathehadnotthehearttobeotherthanfriendly。Astheotherguestsdroppedin，thepairretreatedintoashadycorner，andshetalkedbesidehimtillallmovedofffortheeatinganddrinking。
Hehadnotbeenappointedtotakeheracrosstothedining-room，butatthetablefoundherexactlyopposite。Shelookedverycharmingbetweenthecandles，andthensuddenlyitdawneduponhimthatherpreviousmannermusthaveoriginatedinsomefalsereportaboutMarcia，ofwhoseexistencehehadnotheardforyears。Anyhow，hewasnotdisposedtoresentaninexplicabilityinwomankind，havingfoundthatitusuallyaroseindependentlyoffact，reason，probability，orhisowndeserts。
Sohedinedon，catchinghereyesandthefewprettywordsshemadeopportunitytoprojectacrossthetabletohimnowandthen。Hewascourteouslyresponsiveonly，butMrs。Pine-Avonherselfdistinctlymadeadvances。Here-admiredher，whileatthesametimeherconductinherownhousehadbeenenoughtocheckhisconfidence——enougheventomakehimdoubtiftheWell-Belovedreallyresidedwithinthosecontours，orhadeverbeenmorethanthemosttransitorypassengerthroughthatinterestingandaccomplishedsoul。
Hewasponderingthisquestion，yetgrowingdecidedlymovedbytheplayfulpathosofherattitudewhen，bychance，searchinghispocketforhishandkerchief，somethingcrackled，andhefeltthereanunopenedletter，whichhadarrivedatthemomenthewasleavinghishouse，andhehadslippedintohiscoattoreadinthecabashedrovealong。
Pierstondrewitsufficientlyforthtoobservebythepost-markthatitcamefromhisnatalisle。Havinghardlyacorrespondentinthatpartoftheworldnowhebegantoconjectureonthepossiblesender。
Theladyonhisright，whomhehadbroughtin，wasaleadingactressofthetown——indeed，oftheUnitedKingdomandAmerica，forthatmatter——acreatureinairyclothing，translucent，likeabalsamorsea-anemone，withoutshadows，andinmovementasresponsiveassomehighlylubricated，many-wiredmachine，which，ifonepressesaparticularspring，fliesopenandrevealsitsworks。Thespringinthepresentcasewastheartisticcommendationshedeservedandcraved。Atthisparticularmomentshewasengagedwiththemanonherownright，arepresentativeofFamily，whotalkedpositivelyandhollowly，asifshoutingdownavistaoffivehundredyearsfromtheFeudalpast。TheladyonJocelyn’sleft，wifeofaLordJusticeofAppeal，wasinlikemannertalkingtohercompanionontheouterside；sothat，forthetime，hewaslefttohimself。Hetookadvantageoftheopportunity，drewouthisletter，andreaditasitlayuponhisnapkin，nobodyobservinghim，sofarashewasaware。
Itcamefromthewifeofoneofhisfather’sformerworkmen，andwasconcerningherson，whomshebeggedJocelyntorecommendascandidateforsomepostintownthatshewishedhimtofill。Buttheendoftheletterwaswhatarrestedhim——
’Youwillbesorrytohear，Sir，thatdearlittleAviceCaro，asweusedtocallherinhermaidendays，isdead。Shemarriedhercousin，ifyoudomind，andwentawayfromhereforagood-fewyears，butwasleftawidow，andcamebackatwelvemonthago；sincewhenshefalteredandfaltered，andnowsheisgone。’
2。III。SHEBECOMESANINACCESSIBLEGHOST
Byimperceptibleandslowdegreesthesceneatthedinner-tablerecededintothebackground，behindthevividpresentmentofAviceCaro，andtheold，oldscenesonIsleVindiliawhichwereinseparablefromherpersonality。Thediningroomwasrealnomore，dissolvingundertheboldstonypromontoryandtheincomingWestSea。Thehandsomemarchionessingeranium-redanddiamonds，whowasvisibletohimonhishost’srighthandopposite，becameoneoftheglowingvermilionsunsetsthathehadwatchedsomanytimesoverDeadman’sBay，withtheformofAviceintheforeground。BetweenhiseyesandthejudgewhosatnexttoNichola，withachinsorawthathemusthaveshavedeveryquarterofanhourduringtheday，intrudedthefaceofAvice，asshehadglancedathimintheirlastparting。Thecranniedfeaturesoftheevergreensocietylady，who，ifshehadbeenafewyearsolder，wouldhavebeenasold-fashionedasherdaughter，shapedthemselvestothedustyquarriesofhisandAvice’sparents，downwhichhehadclamberedwithAvicehundredsoftimes。Theivytrailingaboutthetable-cloth，thelightsinthetallcandlesticks，andthebunchesofflowers，weretransmutedintotheiviesofthecliff-builtCastle，thetuftsofseaweed，andthelighthousesontheisle。Thesaltairsoftheoceankilledthesmelloftheviands，andinsteadoftheclatterofvoicescamethemonologueofthetideofftheBeal。
Morethanall，NicholaPine-Avonlostthebloomingradiancewhichshehadlatterlyacquired；shebecameawomanofhisacquaintancewithnodistinctivetraits；sheseemedtogrowmaterial，asuperficiesoffleshandbonemerely，apersonoflinesandsurfaces；shewasalanguageinlivingciphernomore。
Whentheladieshadwithdrawnitwasjustthesame。ThesoulofAvice——
theonlywomanhehadNEVERlovedofthosewhohadlovedhim——
surroundedhimlikeafirmament。Artdrewneartohiminthepersonofoneofthemostdistinguishedofportraitpainters；buttherewasonlyonepainterforJocelyn——hisownmemory。AllthatwaseminentinEuropeansurgeryaddressedhiminthepersonofthatharmlessandunassumingfogeywhosehandshadbeeninsidethebodiesofhundredsoflivingmen；butthelily-whitecorpseofanobscurecountry-girlchilledtheinterestofdiscoursewithsuchakingofoperators。
Reachingthedrawing-roomhetalkedtohishostess。Thoughshehadentertainedthree-and-twentyguestsathertablethatnightshehadknownnotonlywhateveryoneofthemwassayinganddoingthroughouttherepast，butwhateveryonewasthinking。So，beinganoldfriend，shesaidquietly，’Whathasbeentroublingyou？Somethinghas，Iknow。
Ihavebeentravellingoveryourfaceandhaveseenitthere。’
Nothingcouldlessexpressthemeaninghisrecentnewshadforhimthanastatementofitsfacts。Hetoldoftheopeningoftheletterandthediscoveryofthedeathofanoldacquaintance。
’TheonlywomanwhomIneverrightlyvalued，Imayalmostsay！’headded；’andthereforetheonlyoneIshalleverregret！’
Whethersheconsidereditasufficientexplanationornotthewomanofexperiencesaccepteditassuch。Shewasthesingleladyofhiscirclewhomnothingerraticinhisdoingscouldsurprise，andheoftengaveherstrayendsofhisconfidencethuswithperfectsafety。
HedidnotgonearMrs。Pine-Avonagain；hecouldnot：andonleavingthehousewalkedabstractedlyalongthestreetstillhefoundhimselfathisowndoor。Inhisroomhesatdown，andplacinghishandsbehindhisheadthoughthisthoughtsanew。
Atonesideoftheroomstoodanescritoire，andfromalowerdrawerthereinhetookoutasmallboxtightlynaileddown。Heforcedthecoverwiththepoker。Theboxcontainedavarietyofoddsandends，whichPierstonhadthrownintoitfromtimetotimeinpastyearsforfuturesorting——anintentionthathehadnevercarriedout。Fromthemelancholymassofpapers，fadedphotographs，seals，diaries，witheredflowers，andsuchlike，Jocelyndrewalittleportrait，onetakenonglassintheprimitivedaysofphotography，andframedwithtinselinthecommonestway。
ItwasAviceCaro，asshehadappearedduringthesummermonthortwowhichhehadspentwithherontheislandtwentyyearsbeforethistime，heryounglipspursedup，herhandsmeeklyfolded。Theeffectoftheglasswastolendtothepicturemuchofthesoftnesscharacteristicoftheoriginal。Herememberedwhenitwastaken——
duringoneafternoontheyhadspenttogetherataneighbouringwatering-place，whenhehadsuggestedhersittingtoatoutingartistonthesands，therebeingnothingelseforthemtodo。Alongcontemplationofthelikenesscompletedinhisemotionswhattheletterhadbegun。Helovedthewomandeadandinaccessibleashehadneverlovedherinlife。Hehadthoughtofherbutatdistantintervalsduringthetwentyyearssincethatpartingoccurred，andonlyassomebodyhecouldhavewedded。Yetnowthetimesofyouthfulfriendshipwithher，inwhichhehadlearnteverynoteofherinnocentnature，flamedupintoayearningandpassionateattachment，embitteredbyregretbeyondwords。
Thatkisswhichhadoffendedhisdignity，whichshehadsochildishlygivenhimbeforeherconsciousnessofwomanhoodhadbeenawakened；whathewouldhaveofferedtohaveaquarterofitnow！
Pierstonwasalmostangrywithhimselfforhisfeelingsofthisnight，sounreasonably，motivelesslystrongweretheytowardsthelostyoungplaymate。’Howsenselessofme！’hesaid，ashelayinhislonelybed。
Shehadbeenanotherman’swifealmostthewholetimesincehewasestrangedfromher，andnowshewasacorpse。Yettheabsurditydidnotmakehisgrieftheless：andtheconsciousnessoftheintrinsic，almostradiant，purityofthisnewsprungaffectionforaflownspiritforbadehimtocheckit。Thefleshwasabsentaltogether；itwasloverarefiedandrefinedtoitshighestattar。Hehadfeltnothinglikeitbefore。
Thenextafternoonhewentdowntotheclub；nothislargeclub，wherethemenhardlyspoketoeachother，butthehomelyonewheretheytoldstoriesofanafternoon，andwerenotashamedtoconfessamongthemselvestopersonalweaknessesandfollies，knowingwellthatsuchsecretswouldgonofurther。Buthecouldnottellthis。Sovolatileandintangiblewasthestorythattoconveyitinwordswouldhavebeenashardastocageaperfume。
Theyobservedhisalteredmanner，andsaidhewasinlove。Pierstonadmittedthathewas；andthereitended。Whenhereachedhomehelookedoutofhisbed-roomwindow，andbegantoconsiderinwhatdirectionfromwherehestoodthatdarlinglittlefigurelay。Itwasstraightacrossthere，undertheyoungpalemoon。Thesymbolsignifiedwell。Thedivinityofthesilverbowwasnotmoreexcellentlypurethanshe，thelost，hadbeen。UnderthatmoonwastheislandofAncientSlingers，andontheislandahouse，framedfrommullionstochimney-topliketheisleitself，ofstone。Insidethewindow，themoonlightirradiatingherwinding-sheet，layAvice，reachedonlybythefaintnoisesinherentintheisle；thetink-tinkofthechiselsinthequarries，thesurgingofthetidesintheBay，andthemuffledgrumblingofthecurrentsinthenever-pacifiedRace。
Hebegantodivinethetruth。Avice，thedepartedone，thoughshehadcomeshortofinspiringapassion，hadyetpossessedaground-qualityabsentfromherrivals，withoutwhichitseemedthatafixedandfull-
roundedconstancytoawomancouldnotflourishinhim。Likehisown，herfamilyhadbeenislandersforcenturies——fromNorman，Anglian，Roman，Balearic-Britishtimes。Henceinhernature，asinhis，wassomemysteriousingredientsuckedfromtheisle；otherwisearacialinstinctnecessarytotheabsoluteunisonofapair。Thus，thoughhemightneverloveawomanoftheislandrace，forlackinherofthedesiredrefinement，hecouldnotlovelongakimberlin——awomanotherthanoftheislandrace，forherlackofthisgroundworkofcharacter。
SuchwasPierston’sviewofthings。Anotherfancyofhis，anartist’ssuperstitionmerely，maybementioned。TheCaros，likesomeotherlocalfamilies，suggestedaRomanlineage，moreorlessgraftedonthestockoftheSlingers。TheirfeaturesrecalledthoseoftheItalianpeasantrytoanyoneasfamiliarashewaswiththem；andtherewereevidencesthattheRomancolonistshadbeenpopulousandlong-abidinginandnearthiscornerofBritain。TraditionurgedthatatempletoVenusoncestoodatthetopoftheRomanroadleadingupintotheisle；
andpossiblyonetothelove-goddessoftheSlingersantedatedthis。
Whatsonaturalasthatthetruestarofhissoulwouldbefoundnowherebutinoneoftheoldislandbreed？
AfterdinnerhisoldfriendSomerscameintosmoke，andwhentheyhadtalkedalittlewhileSomersalludedcasuallytosomeplaceatwhichtheywouldmeetonthemorrow。
’Isha’n’tbethere，’saidPierston。
’Butyoupromised？’
’Yes。ButIshallbeattheisland——lookingatadeadwoman’sgrave。’
Ashespokehiseyesturned，andremainedfixedonatablenear。
Somersfollowedthedirectionofhisglancetoaphotographonastand。
’Isthatshe？’heasked。
’Yes。’
’Ratherabygoneaffair，then？’
Pierstonacknowledgedit。’She’stheonlysweetheartIeverslighted，Alfred，’hesaid。’Becauseshe’stheonlyoneIoughttohavecaredfor。That’sjustthefoolIhavealwaysbeen。’
’Butifshe’sdeadandburied，youcangotohergraveatanytimeaswellasnow，tokeepupthesentiment。’
’Idon’tknowthatshe’sburied。’
’Butto-morrow——theAcademynight！Ofalldayswhygothen？’
’Idon’tcareabouttheAcademy。’
’Pierston——youareouronlyinspiredsculptor。YouareourPraxiteles，orratherourLysippus。YouarealmosttheonlymanofthisgenerationwhohasbeenabletomouldandchiselformslivingenoughtodrawtheidlepublicawayfromthepopularpaintingsintotheusuallydesertedLecture-room，andpeoplewhohaveseenyourlastpiecesofstuffsaytherehasbeennothinglikethemsincesixteenhundredand——sincethesculptors’ofthegreatrace’livedanddied——wheneverthatwas。Well，then，forthesakeofothersyououghtnottorushofftothatGod-
forgottensea-rockjustwhenyouarewantedintown，allforawomanyoulastsawahundredyearsago。’
’No——itwasonlynineteenandthreequarters，’repliedhisfriend，withabstractedliteralness。Hewentthenextmorning。
Sincethedaysofhisyoutharailwayhadbeenconstructedalongthepebblebank，sothat，exceptwhentherailswerewashedawaybythetides，whichwasratheroften，thepeninsulawasquicklyaccessible。
Attwoo’clockintheafternoonhewasrattledalongbythisnewmeansoflocomotion，underthefamiliarmonotonouslineofbran-colouredstones，andhesoonemergedfromthestation，whichstoodasastrangeexoticamongtheblacklerrets，theruinsofthewashed-awayvillage，andthewhitecubesofoolite，justcometoviewafterburialthroughunreckonablegeologicyears。
InenteringuponthepebblebeachthetrainhadpassedclosetotheruinsofHenrytheEighth’sorSandsfootCastle，whitherAvicewastohaveaccompaniedhimonthenightofhisdeparture。Hadsheappearedtheprimitivebetrothal，withitsnaturalresult，wouldprobablyhavetakenplace；and，asnoislanderhadeverbeenknowntobreakthatcompact，shewouldhavebecomehiswife。
Ascendingthesteepinclinetowherethequarrymenwerechippingjustastheyhadformerlydone，andwithinsoundofthegreatstonesaws，helookedsouthwardtowardstheBeal。
Thelevellineoftheseahorizonroseabovethesurfaceoftheisle，aruffledpatchinmid-distanceasusualmarkingtheRace，whencemanyaLycidashadgone’Visitingthebottomofthemonstrousworld；’
buthadnotbeenblestwithapoetasafriend。Againstthestretchofwater，whereaschoolofmackereltwinkledintheafternoonlight，wasdefined，inadditiontothedistantlighthouse，achurchwithitstower，standingaboutaquarterofamileoff，neartheedgeofthecliff。Thechurchyardgravestonescouldbeseeninprofileagainstthesamevastspreadofwaterybabbleandunrest。
Amongthegravesmovedtheformofamanclothedinawhitesheet，whichthewindblewandflappedcoldlyeverynowandthen。Nearhimmovedsixmenbearingalongbox，andtwoorthreepersonsinblackfollowed。Thecoffin，withitstwelvelegs，crawledacrosstheisle，whilearoundandbeneathittheflashinglightsfromtheseaandtheschoolofmackerelwerereflected；afishing-boat，faroutintheChannel，beingmomentarilydiscernibleunderthecoffinalso。
Theprocessionwanderedroundtoaparticularcorner，andhalted，andpausedtherealongwhileinthewind，theseabehindthem，thesurpliceoftheprieststillblowing。Jocelynstoodwithhishatoff：
hewaspresent，thoughhewasaquarterofamileoff；andheseemedtohearthewordsthatwerebeingsaid，thoughnothingbutthewindwasaudible。
HeinstinctivelyknewthatitwasnoneotherthanAvicewhomhewasseeinginterred；HISAvice，ashenowbeganpresumptuouslytocallher。
Presentlythelittlegroupwithdrewfrombeforethesea-shine，anddisappeared。
Hefelthimselfunabletogofurtherinthatdirection，andturningasidewentaimlesslyacrosstheopenland，visitingthevariousspotsthathehadformerlyvisitedwithher。But，asiftetheredtothechurchyardbyacord，hewasstillconsciousofbeingattheendofaradiuswhosepivotwasthegraveofAviceCaro；andastheduskthickenedhecloseduponhiscentreandenteredthechurchyardgate。
Notasoulwasnowwithintheprecincts。Thegrave，newlyshaped，waseasilydiscoverablebehindthechurch，andwhenthesameyoungmoonarosewhichhehadobservedthepreviouseveningfromhiswindowinLondonhecouldseetheyetfreshfoot-marksofthemournersandbearers。Thebreezehadfallentoacalmwiththesettingofthesun：
thelighthousehadopeneditsglaringeye，and，disinclinedtoleaveaspotsublimedbothbyearlyassociationandpresentregret，hemovedbacktothechurch-wall，warmfromtheafternoonsun，andsatdownuponawindow-sillfacingthegrave。
2。IV。SHETHREATENSTORESUMECORPOREALSUBSTANCE
Thelispingsoftheseabeneaththecliffswereallthesoundsthatreachedhim，forthequarriesweresilentnow。Howlonghesatherelonelyandthinkinghedidnotknow。Neitherdidheknow，thoughhefeltdrowsy，whetherinexpectantsadness——thatgentlesoporific——lulledhimintoashortsleep，sothathelostcountoftimeandconsciousnessofincident。ButduringsomeminuteorminutesheseemedtoseeAviceCaroherself，bendingoverandthenwithdrawingfromhergraveinthelightofthemoon。
Sheseemednotayearolder，notadigitlessslender，notalinemoreangularthanwhenhehadpartedfromhertwentyyearsearlier，inthelanehardby。Arenascentreasoningontheimpossibilityofsuchaphenomenonasthisbeingmorethanadream-fancyrousedhimwithastartfromhisheaviness。
’Imusthavebeenasleep，’hesaid。
Yetshehadseemedsoreal。Pierstonhoweverdismissedthestrangeimpression，arguingthateveniftheinformationsenthimofAvice’sdeathshouldbefalse——athingincredible——thatsweetfriendofhisyouth，despitethetransfiguringeffectsofmoonlight，wouldnotnowlookthesameasshehadappearednineteenortwentyyearsago。Werewhathesawsubstantialflesh，itmusthavebeensomeotherpersonthanAviceCaro。
Havingsatisfiedhissentimentbycomingtothegravesidetherewasnothingmoreforhimtodointheisland，andhedecidedtoreturntoLondonthatnight。Butsometimeremainingstillonhishands，JocelynbyanaturalinstinctturnedhisfeetinthedirectionofEastQuarriers，thevillageofhisbirthandofhers。Passingthemarket-
squarehepursuedthearmofroadto’SylvaniaCastle，’aprivatemansionofcomparativelymoderndate，inwhosegroundsstoodthesingleplantationoftreesofwhichtheislecouldboast。Thecottagesextendedclosetothewallsoftheenclosure，andoneofthelastofthesedwellingshadbeenAvice’s，inwhich，asitwasherfreehold，shepossiblyhaddied。
Toreachithepassedthegatesof’Sylvania，’andobservedabovethelawnwallaboardannouncingthatthehousewastobeletfurnished。A
fewstepsfurtherrevealedthecottagewhichwithitsquaintandmassivestonefeaturesoftwoorthreecenturies’antiquity，wascapableevennowoflongerresistancetotheraspofTimethanordinarynewerections。Hisattentionwasdrawntothewindow，stillunblinded，thoughalamplittheroom。Hesteppedbackagainstthewallopposite，andgazedin。
Atatablecoveredwithawhiteclothayoungwomanstoodputtingtea-
thingsawayintoacorner-cupboard。ShewasinallrespectstheAvicehehadlost，thegirlhehadseeninthechurchyardandhadfanciedtobetheillusionofadream。Andthoughtherewasthistimenodoubtaboutherreality，theisolationofherpositioninthesilenthouselentheracuriouslystartlingaspect。Diviningtheexplanationhewaitedforfootsteps，andinafewmomentsaquarrymanpassedhimonhisjourneyhome。Pierstoninquiredofthemanconcerningthespectacle。
’Oyes，sir；that’spoorMrs。Caro’sonlydaughter，anditmustbelonelyforherthereto-night，poormaid！Yes，good-now；she’stheverydapsofhermother——that’swhateverybodysays。’
’Buthowdoesshecometobesolonely？’
’Oneofherbrotherswenttoseaandwasdrowned，andt’otherisinAmerica。’
’Theywerequarryownersatonetime？’
Thequarryman’pitchedhisnitch，’andexplainedtotheseemingstrangerthattherehadbeenthreefamiliesthereaboutsinthestonetrade，whohadgotmuchinvolvedwitheachotherinthelastgeneration。TheyweretheBencombs，thePierstons，andtheCaros。TheBencombsstrainedtheirutmosttooutlifttheothertwo，andpartiallysucceeded。Theygrewenormouslyrich，soldout，anddisappearedaltogetherfromtheislandwhichhadbeentheirmaking。ThePierstonskeptadoggedmiddlecourse，throvewithoutshowornoise，andalsoretiredintheirturn。TheCaroswerepulledcompletelydowninthecompetitionwiththeothertwo，andwhenWidowCaro’sdaughtermarriedhercousinJimCaro，hetriedtoregainforthefamilyitsoriginalplaceinthethree-corneredstruggle。Hetookcontractsatlessthanhecouldprofitby，speculatedmoreandmore，tillatlastthecrashcame；hewassoldup，wentaway，andlateroncamebacktoliveinthislittlecottage，whichwashiswife’sbyinheritance。Thereheremainedtillhisdeath；andnowhiswidowwasgone。Hardshipshadhelpedonherend。
Thequarrymanproceededonhisway，andPierston，deeplyremorseful，knockedatthedooroftheminutefreehold。Thegirlherselfopenedit，lampinhand。
’Avice！’hesaidtenderly；’AviceCaro！’evennowunabletogetoverthestrangefeelingthathewastwentyyearsyounger，addressingAvicetheforsaken。
’Ann，sir，’saidshe。
’Ah，yournameisnotthesameasyourmother’s！’
’Mysecondnameis。Andmysurname。Poormothermarriedhercousin。’
’Aseverybodydoeshere……Well，Annorotherwise，youareAvicetome。Andyouhavelosthernow？’
’Ihave，sir。’
Shespokeintheverysamesweetvoicethathehadlistenedtoascoreofyearsbefore，andbenteyesofthesamefamiliarhazelinquiringlyuponhim。
’Iknewyourmotheratonetime，’hesaid；’andlearningofherdeathandburialItookthelibertyofcallinguponyou。Youwillforgiveastrangerdoingthat？’
’Yes，’shesaiddispassionately，andglancingroundtheroom：’Thiswasmother’sownhouse，andnowitismine。Iamsorrynottobeinmourningonthenightofherfuneral，butIhavejustbeentoputsomeflowersonhergrave，andItookitoffaforegoingthatthedampmidnotspoilthecrape。Yousee，shewasbadalongtime，andIhavetobecareful，anddowashingandironingforaliving。ShehurthersidewithwringingupthelargesheetsshehadtowashfortheCastlefolkshere。’
’Ihopeyouwon’thurtyourselfdoingit，mydear。’
’Ono，thatIsha’n’t！There’sCharlWoollat，andSammyScribben，andTedGibsey，andlotso’youngchaps；they’llwringanythingformeiftheyhappentocomealong。ButIcanhardlytrust’em。SamScribbent’otherdaytwistedalinentableclothintotwopieces，foralltheworldasifithadbeenapipe-light。Theyneverknowwhentostopintheirwringing。’
ThevoicetrulywashisAvice’s；butAvicetheSecondwasclearlymorematter-of-fact，unreflecting，lesscultivatedthanhermotherhadbeen。
ThisAvicewouldneverrecitepoetryfromanyplatform，localorother，withenthusiasticappreciationofitsfire。Therewasadisappointmentinhisrecognitionofthis；yetshetouchedhimasfewhaddone：hecouldnotbeartogoaway。’Howoldareyou？’heasked。
’Goinginnineteen。’
Itwasabouttheageofherdouble，AvicetheFirst，whenheandshehadstrolledtogetheroverthecliffsduringtheengagement。Buthewasnowforty，ifaday。Shebeforehimwasanuneducatedlaundress，andhewasasculptorandaRoyalAcademician，withafortuneandareputation。Yetwhywasitanunpleasantsensationtohimjustthentorecollectthathewastwoscore？
Hecouldfindnofurtherexcuseforremaining，andhavingstillhalf-
an-hourtosparehewentroundbytheroadtotheotherorwestsideofthelast-century’SylvaniaCastle，’andcametothefurthesthouseoutthereonthecliff。Itwashisearlyhome。Usedinthesummerasalodging-houseforvisitors，itnowstoodemptyandsilent，theeveningwindswayingtheeuonymusandtamariskboughsinthefront——theonlyevergreenshrubsthatcouldweatherthewhippingsaltgaleswhichspedpastthewalls。Oppositethehouse，faroutatsea，thefamiliarlightshipwinkedfromthesandbank，andallatoncetherecametohimawildwish——that，insteadofhavinganartist’sreputation，hecouldbelivinghereanilliterateandunknownman，wooing，andinafairwayofwinning，theprettylaundressinthecottagehardby。
2。V。THERESUMPTIONTAKESPLACE
HavingreturnedtoLondonhemechanicallyresumedhiscustomarylife；
buthewasnotreallylivingthere。ThephantomofAvice，nowgrowntobewarmfleshandblood，heldhismindafar。Hethoughtofnothingbuttheisle，andAvicetheSeconddwellingtherein——inhalingitssaltbreath，strokedbyitssingingrainsandbythehauntedatmosphereofRomanVenusaboutandaroundthesiteofherperishedtemplethere。
Theverydefectsinthecountrygirlbecamecharmsasviewedfromtown。
Nothingnowpleasedhimsomuchastospendthatportionoftheafternoonwhichhedevotedtoout-doorexercise，inhauntingthepurlieusofthewharvesalongtheThames，wherethestoneofhisnativerockwasunshippedfromthecoasting-craftthathadbroughtitthither。
Hewouldpassinsidethegreatgatesoftheselanding-placesontherightorleftbank，contemplatethewhitecubesandoblongs，imbibetheirassociations，callupthegeniuslociwhencetheycame，andalmostforgetthathewasinLondon。
Oneafternoonhewaswalkingawayfromthemud-splashedentrancetooneofthewharves，whenhisattentionwasdrawntoafemaleformontheoppositesideoftheway，goingtowardsthespothehadjustleft。Shewassomewhatsmall，slight，andgraceful；herattirealonewouldhavebeenenoughtoattracthim，beingsimpleandcountrifiedtopicturesqueness；buthewasmorethanattractedbyherstrongresemblancetoAviceCarotheyounger——AnnAvice，asshehadsaidshewascalled。
BeforeshehadrecededahundredyardshefeltcertainthatitwasAviceindeed；andhisunifyingmoodoftheafternoonwasnowsointensethatthelostandthefoundAviceseemedessentiallythesameperson。
Theirexternallikenesstoeachother——probablyowingtothecousinshipbetweentheelderandherhusband——wentfartonourishthefantasy。Hehastilyturned，andrediscoveredthegirlamongthepedestrians。Shekeptonherwaytothewharf，where，lookinginquiringlyaroundherforafewseconds，withthemannerofoneunaccustomedtothelocality，sheopenedthegateanddisappeared。
Pierstonalsowentuptothegateandentered。Shehadcrossedtothelanding-place，beyondwhichalumpycraftlaymoored。Drawingnearer，hediscoveredhertobeengagedinconversationwiththeskipperandanelderlywoman——bothcomestraightfromtheooliticisle，aswasapparentinamomentfromtheiraccent。Pierstonfeltnohesitationinmakinghimselfknownasanative，therupturedengagementbetweenAvice’smotherandhimselftwentyyearsbeforehavingbeenknowntofewornonenowliving。
ThepresentembodimentofAvicerecognizedhim，andwiththeartlesscandourofherraceandyearsexplainedthesituation，thoughthatwasratherhisdutyasanintruderthanhers。
’ThisisCap’nKibbs，sir，adistantrelationoffather’s，’shesaid。
’AndthisisMrs。Kibbs。We’vecomeupfromtheislandwi’enjustforatrip，andaregoingtosailbackwi’enWednesday。’
’O，Isee。Andwhereareyoustaying？’
’Here——onboard。’
’What，youliveonboardentirely？’
’Yes。’
’Lord，sir，’brokeinMrs。Kibbs，’Ishouldbeafeardo’mylifetotinemyeyesamongtheseherekimberlinsatnight-time；andevenbyday，ifsobeIventureintothestreets，Inowhenforgethowmanyturningstotherightandtotheleft’tistogetbacktoJob’svessel——
doI，Job？’
Theskippernoddedconfirmation。
’Youaresaferashorethanafloat，’saidPierston，’especiallyintheChannel，withthesewindsandthoseheavyblocksofstone。’
’Well，’saidCap’nKibbs，afterprivatelyclearingsomethingfromhismouth，’astothewinds，thereiddenmuchdangerinthematthistimeo’year。’Tistheocean-boundsteamersthatmaketherisktocraftlikeours。Ifyouhappentobeintheircourse，underyougo——cutclaneintwopieces，andtheyneverlying-totohaulinyourcarcases，andnobodytotellthetale。’
PierstonturnedtoAvice，wantingtosaymuchtoher，yetnotknowingwhattosay。Helamelyremarkedatlast：’Yougobackthesameway，Avice？’
’Yes，sir。’
’Well，takecareofyourselfafloat。’
’Oyes。’
’Ihope——Imayseeyouagainsoon——andtalktoyou。’
’Ihopeso，sir。’
Hecouldnotgetfurther，andafterawhilePierstonleftthem，andwentawaythinkingofAvicemorethanever。