Thenextdayhementallytimedthemdowntheriver，allowingforthepausetotakeinballast，andontheWednesdaypicturedthesaildowntheopensea。Thatnighthethoughtofthelittlecraftunderthebowsofthehugesteam-vessels，powerlesstomakeitselfseenorheard，andAvice，nowgrowinginexpressiblydear，sleepinginherlittleberthatthemercyofathousandchancecatastrophes。
HonestperceptionhadtoldhimthatthisAvice，fairerthanhermotherinfaceandform，washerinferiorinsoulandunderstanding。Yetthefervourwhichthefirstcouldneverkindleinhimwas，almosttohisalarm，burningupnow。HebegantohavemisgivingsastosomequeertrickthathismigratoryBelovedwasabouttoplayhim，orratherthecapriciousDivinitybehindthatideallady。
Agiganticsatireuponthemutationsofhisnymphduringthepasttwentyyearsseemedloominginthedistance。Aforsakingoftheaccomplishedandwell-connectedMrs。Pine-Avonforthelittlelaundress，underthetractionofsomemysticmagnetwhichhadnothingtodowithreason——surelythatwastheformofthesatire。
Butitwasrecklesslypleasanttoleavethesuspicionunrecognizedasyet，andfollowthelead。
InthinkinghowbesttodothisPierstonrecollectedthat，aswascustomarywhenthesummer-timeapproached，SylvaniaCastlehadbeenadvertisedforlettingfurnished。Asolitarydreamerlikehimself，whosewantsalllayinanartisticandidealdirection，didnotrequiresuchgauntaccommodationastheaforesaidresidenceoffered；butthespotwasall，andtheexpensesofafewmonthsoftenancythereinhecouldwellafford。Alettertotheagentwasdispatchedthatnight，andinafewdaysJocelynfoundhimselfthetemporarypossessorofaplacewhichhehadneverseentheinsideofsincehischildhood，andhadthendeemedtheabodeofunpleasantghosts。
2。VI。THEPASTSHINESINTHEPRESENT
ItwastheeveningofPierston’sarrivalatSylvaniaCastle，adignifiedmanor-houseinanookbythecliffs，withmoderncastellationsandbattlements；andhehadwalkedthroughtherooms，aboutthelawn，andintothesurroundingplantationofelms，whichonthisislandoftreelessrocklentauniquecharactertotheenclosure。
Inname，nature，andaccessoriesthepropertywithinthegirdlingwallformedacompleteantithesistoeverythinginitsprecincts。TofindothertreesbetweenPebble-bankandBeal，itwasnecessarytorecedealittleintime——todigdowntoaloosestratumoftheunderlyingstone-
beds，whereaforestofconiferslayaspetrifactions，theirheadsallinonedirection，asblowndownbyagaleintheSecondarygeologicepoch。
Duskhadclosedin，andhenowproceededwithwhatwas，afterall，therealbusinessofhissojourn。Thetwoservantswhohadbeenlefttotakecareofthehousewereintheirownquarters，andhewentoutunobserved。Crossingahollowoverhungbythebuddingboughsheapproachedanemptygarden-houseofElizabethandesign，whichstoodontheouterwallofthegrounds，andcommandedbyawindowthefrontsofthenearestcottages。AmongthemwasthehomeoftheresuscitatedAvice。
Hehadchosenthismomentforhisoutlookthroughknowingthatthevillagerswereinnohurrytopulldowntheirblindsatnightfall。
And，ashehaddivined，theinsideoftheyoungwoman’sliving-roomwasvisibletohimasformerly，illuminatedbytheraysofitsownlamp。
Asubduedthumpingcameeverynowandthenfromtheapartment。Shewasironinglinenonaflanneltable-cloth，arowofsuchapparelhangingonaclothes-horsebythefire。Herfacehadbeenpalewhenheencounteredher，butnowitwaswarmandpinkwithherexertionsandtheheatofthestove。Yetitwasinperfectandpassionlessrepose，whichimpartedaMinervacasttotheprofile。Whensheglancedup，herlineamentsseemedtohaveallthesoulandheartthathadcharacterizedhermother’s，andhadbeenwithheratrueindexofthespiritwithin。
Coulditbepossiblethatinthiscasethemanifestationwasfictitious？Hehadmetwithmanysuchexamplesofhereditarypersistencewithoutthequalitiessignifiedbythetraits。Heunconsciouslyhopedthatitwasatleastnotentirelysohere。
Theroomwaslessfurnishedthanwhenhehadlastbeheldit。The’bo-
fet，’ordoublecorner-cupboard，wherethechinawasformerlykept，haddisappeared，itsplacebeingtakenbyaplainboard。Thetalloldclock，withitsancientoakcarcase，archedbrow，andhumorousmouth，wasalsonottobeseen，acheap，white-dialledspecimendoingitswork。Whatthesedisplacementsmightbetokensaddenedhishumanitylessthanitcheeredhisprimitiveinstinctinpointingouthowhernecessitiesmightbringthemtogether。
Havingfixedhisresidencenearherforsomelengthytimehefeltinnohurrytoobtrudehispresencejustnow，andwentindoors。Thatthisgirl’sframewasdoomedtobearealembodimentofthatoldenseductiveone——thatProteandream-creature，whohadneverseenfittoirradiatethemother’simagetillitbecameamerememoryafterdissolution——hedoubtedlesseverymoment。
Therewasanuneasinessinrecognizingsuch。Therewassomethingabnormalinhispresentproclivity。Acertainsanityhad，afterall，accompaniedhisformeridealizingpassions：theBelovedhadseldominformedapersonalitywhich，whileenrapturinghissoul，simultaneouslyshockedhisintellect。Achange，perhaps，hadcome。
Itwasafinemorningonthemorrow。WalkinginthegroundstowardsthegatehesawAviceenteringhishiredcastlewithabroadovalwicker-basketcoveredwithawhitecloth，whichburdensheboreroundtothebackdoor。Ofcourse，shewashedforhisownhousehold：hehadnotthoughtofthat。Inthemorningsunlightsheappearedratherasasylphthanasawasherwoman；andhecouldnotbutthinkthattheslightnessofherfigurewasasilladaptedtothisoccupationashermother’shadbeen。
But，afterall，itwasnotthewasherwomanthathesawnow。Infrontofher，onthesurfaceofher，wasshiningoutthatmorereal，moreinter-penetratingbeingwhomheknewsowell！Theoccupationofthesubservingminion，theblemishesofthetemporarycreaturewhoformedthebackground，wereofthesameaccountinthepresentationoftheindispensableoneasthesupportingpostsandframeworkinapyrotechnicdisplay。
Sheleftthehouseandwenthomewardbyapathofwhichhewasnotaware，havingprobablychangedhercoursebecauseshehadseenhimstandingthere。Itmeantnothing，forshehadhardlybecomeacquaintedwithhim；yetthatsheshouldhaveavoidedhimwasanewexperience。
Hehadnoopportunityforafurtherstudyofherbydistantobservation，andhituponapretextforbringingherfacetofacewithhim。Hefoundfaultwithhislinen，anddirectedthatthelaundressshouldbesentfor。
’Sheisratheryoung，poorlittlething，’saidthehousemaidapologetically。’Butsincehermother’sdeathshehasenoughtodotokeepabovewater，andwemakeshiftwithher。ButI’lltellher，sir。’
’Iwillseehermyself。Sendherinwhenshecomes，’saidPierston。
Onemorning，accordingly，whenhewasansweringaspitefulcriticismofalateworkofhis，hewastoldthatshewaitedhispleasureinthehall。Hewentout。
’Aboutthewashing，’saidthesculptorstiffly。’Iamaveryparticularperson，andIwishnopreparationoflimetobeused。’
’Ididn’tknowfolksusedit，’repliedthemaiden，inascaredandreservedtone，withoutlookingathim。
’That’sallright。Andthen，themanglingsmashesthebuttons。’
’Ihaven’tgotamangle，sir，’shemurmured。
’Ah！that’ssatisfactory。AndIobjecttosomuchboraxinthestarch。’
’Idon’tputany，’Avicereturnedinthesamecloseway；’neverheardthenameo’tafore！’
’OIsee。’
AllthistimePierstonwasthinkingofthegirl——orasthescientificmightsay，Naturewasworkingherplansforthenextgenerationunderthecloakofadialogueonlinen。Hecouldnotreadherindividualcharacter，owingtotheconfusingeffectofherlikenesstoawomanwhomhehadvaluedtoolate。Hecouldnothelpseeinginherallthatheknewofanother，andveilinginherallthatdidnotharmonizewithhissenseofmetempsychosis。
Thegirlseemedtothinkofnothingbutthebusinessinhand。Shehadansweredtothepoint，andwashardlyawareofhissexorofhisshape。
’Iknewyourmother，Avice，’hesaid。’Youremembermytellingyouso？’
’Yes。’
’Well——Ihavetakenthishousefortwoorthreemonths，andyouwillbeveryusefultome。Youstilllivejustoutsidethewall？’
’Yes，sir，’saidtheself-containedgirl。
Demurelyanddispassionatelysheturnedtoleave——thisprettycreaturewithfeaturessostill。Therewassomethingstrangeinseeingmoveoffthusthatformwhichheknewpassingwell，shewhowasoncesothrobbinglyalivetohispresencethat，notmanyyardsfromthisspot，shehadflungherarmsroundhimandgivenhimakisswhich，despisedinitsfreshness，hadrevivedinhimlatterlyasthedearestkissofallhislife。Andnowthis’daps’ofhermother（astheycalledherinthedialecthere），thisperfectcopy，whydidsheturnaway？
’Yourmotherwasarefinedandwell-informedwoman，IthinkI
remember？’
’Shewas，sir；everybodysaidso。’
’Ihopeyouresembleher。’
Shearchlyshookherhead，anddrewwarilyaway。
’O！onethingmore，Avice。Ihavenotbroughtmuchlinen，soyoumustcometothehouseeveryday。’
’Verygood，sir。’
’Youwon’tforgetthat？’
’Ono。’
Thenhelethergo。Hewasatownman，andsheanartlessislander，yethehadopenedhimselfout，likeasea-anemone，withoutdisturbingtheepidermofhernature。Itwasmonstrousthatamaidenwhohadassumedthepersonalityofherofhistenderestmemoryshouldbesoimpervious。Perhapsitwashewhowaswanting。AvicemightbePassionmaskingasIndifference，becausehewassomanyyearsolderinoutwardshow。
Thisbroughthimtotherootofit。Inhishearthewasnotadayolderthanwhenhehadwooedthemotheratthedaughter’spresentage。
Hisrecordmovedonwiththeyears，hissentimentsstoodstill。
Whenhebeheldthoseofhisfellowswhoweredefinedasbuffersandfogeys——imperturbable，matter-of-fact，slightlyridiculousbeings，pastmastersintheartofpopulatinghomes，schools，andcolleges，andpresentadeptsinthescienceofgivingawaybrides——howheenviedthem，assumingthemtofeelastheyappearedtofeel，withtheircommerceandtheirpolitics，theirglassesandtheirpipes。Theyhadgotpastthedistractingcurrentsofpassionateness，andwereinthecalmwatersofmiddle-agedphilosophy。Buthe，theircontemporary，wastossedlikeacorkhitherandthitheruponthecrestofeveryfancy，preciselyashehadbeentossedwhenhewashalfhispresentage，withtheburdennowofdoublepaintohimselfinhisgrowingvisionofallasvanity。
Avicehadgone，andhesawhernomorethatday。Sincehecouldnotagaincalluponher，shewasasinaccessibleasifshehadenteredthemilitarycitadelonthehill-topbeyondthem。
IntheeveninghewentoutandpaceddownthelanetotheRedKing’scastleoverhangingthecliff，besidewhoseagethecastleheoccupiedwasbutathingofyesterday。Belowthecastleprecipicelayenormousblocks，whichhadfallenfromit，andseveralofthemwerecarvedoverwithnamesandinitials。Heknewthespotandtheoldtrickwell，andbysearchinginthefaintmoon-rayshefoundapairofnameswhich，asaboy，hehimselfhadcut。Theywere’AVICE’and’JOCELYN’——AviceCaro’sandhisown。Theletterswerenownearlywornawaybytheweatherandthebrine。Butcloseby，inquitefreshletters，stood’ANNAVICE，’coupledwiththename’ISAAC。’Theycouldnothavebeentheremorethantwoorthreeyears，andthe’AnnAvice’wasprobablyAvicetheSecond。WhowasIsaac？Someboyadmirerofherchild-timedoubtless。
Heretracedhissteps，andpassedtheCaros’housetowardshisown。
TherevivifiedAviceanimatedthedwelling，andthelightwithintheroomfelluponthewindow。Shewasjustinsidethatblind。
***
Wheneversheunexpectedlycametothecastlehestarted，andlostplacidity。Itwasnotatherpresenceassuch，butatthenewcondition，whichseemedtohavesomethingsinisterinit。Ontheotherhand，themostabruptencounterwithhimmovedhertonoemotionasithadmovedherprototypeintheolddays。Shewasindifferentto，almostunconsciousof，hispropinquity。Hewasnomorethanastatuetoher；shewasagrowingfiretohim。
AsuddenSapphicterroroflovewouldeverandanoncomeuponthesculptor，whenhismaturedreflectingpowerswouldinsistuponinforminghimofthefearfullapsefromreasonablenessthatlayinthisinfatuation。Itthrewhimintoasweat。Whatifnow，atlast，heweredoomedtodopenanceforhispastemotionalwanderings（inamaterialsense）bybeingchainedinfatalfidelitytoanobjectthathisintellectdespised？Onenighthedreamtthathesawdimlymaskingbehindthatyoungcountenance’theWeaverofWiles’herself，’withallhersubtlefacelaughingaloud。’
However，theWell-Belovedwasaliveagain，hadbeenlostandwasfound。
Hewasamazedatthechangeoffrontinhimself。Shehadworntheguiseofstrangewomen；shehadbeenawomanofeveryclass，fromthedignifieddaughterofsomeecclesiasticorpeertoaNubianAlmehwithherhandkerchief，undulatingtothebeatsofthetom-tom；butalltheseembodimentshadbeenendowedwithacertainsmartness，eitherofthefleshorspirit：somewithwit，afewwithtalent，andevengenius。
Butthenewimpersonationhadapparentlynothingbeyondsexandprettiness。Sheknewnothowtosportafanorhandkerchief，hardlyhowtopullonaglove。
Butherlimitedlifewasinnocent，andthatwentfar。PoorlittleAvice！hermother’simage：thereitalllay。Afterall，herparentagewasasgoodashisown；itwasmisfortunethathadsentherdowntothis。Oddasitseemedtohim，herlimitationswerelargelywhathelovedherfor。Herrejuvenatingpoweroverhimhadineffablecharm。
Hefeltashehadfeltwhenstandingbesideherpredecessor；but，alas！
hewastwentyyearsfurtherontowardstheshade。
2。VII。THENEWBECOMESESTABLISHED
Afewmorningslaterhewaslookingthroughanupperbackwindowoverascreenedpartofthegarden。Thedoorbeneathhimopened，andafigureappearedtrippingforth。Shewentroundoutofsighttowherethegardenerwasatwork，andpresentlyreturnedwithabunchofgreenstuffflutteringineachhand。ItwasAvice，herdarkhairnowbraidedupsnuglyunderacap。Shesailedonwitharaptandunconsciousface，herthoughtsathousandremovesfromhim。
Howshehadsuddenlycometobeaninmateofhisownhousehecouldnotunderstand，tillherecalledthefactthathehadgiventhecastleservantsawholeholidaytoattendareviewoftheyeomanryinthewatering-placeoverthebay，ontheirstatingthattheycouldprovideatemporarysubstitutetostayinthehouse。TheyhadevidentlycalledinAvice。Tohisgreatpleasurehediscoveredtheiropinionofhisrequirementstobesuchameanonethattheyhadcalledinnooneelse。
TheSpirit，assheseemedtohim，broughthislunchintotheroomwherehewaswriting，andhebeheldheruncoverit。Shewenttothewindowtoadjustablindwhichhadslipped，andhehadagoodviewofherprofile。ItwasnotunlikethatofoneofthethreegoddessesinRubens’s’JudgmentofParis，’andincontourwasnighperfection。Butitwasinherfullfacethatthevisionofhermotherwasmostapparent。
’Didyoucookallthis，Avice？’heasked，arousinghimself。
Sheturnedandhalf-smiled，merelymurmuring，’Yes，sir。’
Wellheknewthearrangementofthosewhiteteeth。Inthejunctionoftwooftheupperonestherewasaslightirregularity；nostrangerwouldhavenoticedit，norwouldhe，butthatheknewofthesamemarkinhermother’smouth，andlookedforithere。TillAvicetheSecondhadrevealeditthismomentbyhersmile，hehadneverbeheldthatmarksincethepartingfromAvicetheFirst，whenshehadsmiledunderhiskissasthecopyhaddonenow。
Nextmorning，whendressing，heheardherthroughtherickettyfloorofthebuildingengagedinconversationwiththeotherservants。HavingbythistimeregularlyinstalledherselfastheexponentoftheLong-
pursued——asonewho，bynoinitiativeofhisown，hadbeenchosenbysomesuperiorPowerasthevehicleofhernextdebut，sheattractedhimbythecadencesofhervoice；shewouldsuddenlydropittoarichwhisperofroguishness，whentheslightruralmonotonyofitsnarrativespeechdisappeared，andsoulandheart——orwhatseemedsoulandheart——
resounded。Thecharmlayintheintervals，usingthatwordinitsmusicalsense。Shewouldsayafewsyllablesinonenote，andendhersentenceinasoftmodulationupwards，thendownwards，thenintoherownnoteagain。Thecurveofsoundwasasartisticasanylineofbeautyeverstruckbyhispencil——assatisfyingasthecurvesofherwhowastheWorld’sDesire。
Thesubjectofherdiscoursehecarednothingabout——itwasnomorehisinterestthanhisconcern。Hetookspecialpainsthatincatchinghervoicehemightnotcomprehendherwords。Tothetoneshehadaright，nonetothearticulations。Bydegreeshecouldnotexistlongwithoutthissound。
OnSundayeveninghefoundthatshewenttochurch。Hefollowedbehindherovertheopenroad，keepinghiseyeonthelittlehatwithitsbunchofcock’sfeathersasonastar。WhenshehadpassedinPierstonobservedherpositionandtookaseatbehindher。
Engagedinthestudyofherearandthenapeofherwhiteneck，hesuddenlybecameawareofthepresenceofaladystillfurtheraheadintheaisle，whoseattire，thoughofblackmaterialsinthequietestform，wasofacutwhichrathersuggestedLondonthanthisUltimaThule。Fortheminuteheforgot，inhiscuriosity，thatAviceintervened。Theladyturnedherheadsomewhat，and，thoughshewasveiledwithunusualthicknessfortheseason，heseemedtorecognizeNicholaPine-Avonintheform。
WhyshouldMrs。Pine-Avonbethere？Pierstonaskedhimself，ifitshould，indeed，beshe。
TheendoftheservicesawhisattentionagainconcentratedonAvicetosuchadegreethatatthecriticalmomentofmovingoutheforgotthemysteriousladyinfrontofher，andfoundthatshehadleftthechurchbytheside-door。SupposingittohavebeenMrs。Pine-Avon，shewouldprobablybediscoveredstayingatoneofthehotelsatthewatering-
placeoverthebay，andtohavecomealongthePebble-banktotheislandassomanydid，foraneveningdrive。Forthepresent，however，theexplanationwasnotforthcoming；andhedidnotseekit。
WhenheemergedfromthechurchthegreatplacideyeofthelighthouseattheBealPointwasopen，andhemovedthitherwardafewstepstoescapeNichola，orherdouble，andtherestofthecongregation。
Turningatlength，hehastenedhomewardalongthenowdesertedtrackway，intendingtoovertaketherevitalizedAvice。Buthecouldseenothingofher，andconcludedthatshehadwalkedtoofastforhim。
Arrivedathisowngatehepausedamoment，andperceivedthatAvice’slittlefreeholdwasstillindarkness。Shehadnotcome。
Heretracedhissteps，butcouldnotfindher，theonlypersonsontheroadbeingamanandhiswife，asheknewthemtobethoughhecouldnotseethem，fromthewordsoftheman——
’Ifyouhadnota’readymarriedme，you’dcutmyacquaintance！That’saprettythingforawifetosay！’
Theremarkstruckhisearunpleasantly，andby-and-byhewentbackagain。Avice’scottagewasnowlighted：shemusthavecomeroundbytheotherroad。SatisfiedthatshewassafelydomiciledforthenightheopenedthegateofSylvaniaCastleandretiredtohisroomalso。
***
Eastwardfromthegroundsthecliffswereruggedandtheviewoftheoppositecoastpicturesqueintheextreme。Alittledoorfromthelawngavehimimmediateaccesstotherocksandshoreonthisside。Withoutthedoorwasadip-wellofpurewater，whichpossiblyhadsuppliedtheinmatesoftheadjoiningandnowruinousRedKing’scastleatthetimeofitserection。Onasunnymorninghewasmeditatingherewhenhediscernedafigureontheshorebelowspreadingwhitelinenuponthepebblystrand。
Jocelyndescended。Avice，ashehadsupposed，hadnowreturnedtoherownoccupation。Hershapelypinkarms，thoughslight，wereplumpenoughtoshowdimplesattheelbows，andweresetoffbyherpurplecottonprint，whichtheshore-breezelickedandtantalized。Hestoodnear，withoutspeaking。Thewinddraggedashirt-sleevefromthe’popple’orpebblewhichhelditdown。Pierstonstoopedandputaheavieroneinitsplace。
’Thankyou，’shesaidquietly。Sheturnedupherhazeleyes，andseemedgratifiedtoperceivethatherassistantwasPierston。Shehadplainlybeensowrappedinherownthoughts——gloomythoughts，bytheirsigns——thatshehadnotconsideredhimtillthen。
Theyounggirlcontinuedtoconversewithhiminfriendlyfrankness，showingneitherardournorshyness。Asforlove——itwasevidentlyfurtherfromhermindthanevendeathanddissolution。
WhenoneofthesheetsbecameintractableJocelynsaid，’Doyouholditdown，andI’llputthepopples。’
Sheacquiesced，andinplacingapebblehishandtouchedhers。
Itwasayounghand，ratherlongandthin，alittledampandcoddledfromherslopping。Insettingdownthelaststonehelaidit，byapureaccident，ratherheavilyonherfingers。
’Iamvery，verysorry！’Jocelynexclaimed。’O，Ihavebruisedtheskin，Avice！’Heseizedherfingerstoexaminethedamagedone。
’No，sir，youhaven’t！’shecriedluminously，allowinghimtoretainherhandwithouttheleastobjection。’Why——that’swhereIscratcheditthismorningwithapin。Youdidn’thurtmeabitwiththepopple-
stone！’
Althoughhergownwaspurple，therewasalittleblackcrapebowuponeacharm。Heknewwhatitmeant，anditsaddenedhim。’Doyouevervisityourmother’sgrave？’heasked。
’Yes，sir，sometimes。Iamgoingtheretonighttowaterthedaisies。’
Shehadnowfinishedhere，andtheyparted。Thatevening，whentheskywasred，heemergedbythegarden-doorandpassedherhouse。Theblindswerenotdown，andhecouldseehersewingwithin。Whilehepausedshesprangupasifshehadforgottenthehour，andtossedonherhat。Jocelynstrodeaheadandroundthecorner，andwashalfwayupthestragglingstreetbeforehediscernedherlittlefigurebehindhim。
Hehastenedpasttheladsandyoungwomenwithclinkingbucketswhoweredrawingwaterfromthefountainsbythewayside，andtookthedirectionofthechurch。Withthedisappearanceofthesunthelighthousehadagainsetupitsflameagainstthesky，thedarkchurchrisingintheforeground。Hereheallowedhertoovertakehim。
’Youlovedyourmothermuch？’saidJocelyn。
’Idid，sir；ofcourseIdid，’saidthegirl，whotrippedsolightlythatitseemedhemighthavecarriedheronhishand。
Pierstonwishedtosay，’SodidI，’butdidnotliketodiscloseeventswhichshe，apparently，neverguessed。Avicefellintothought，andcontinued——
’MotherhadaverysadlifeforsometimewhenshewasaboutasoldasI。Ishouldnotlikeminetobeashers。Heryoungmanprovedfalsetoherbecauseshewouldn’tagreetomeethimonenight，anditgrievedmotheralmostallherlife。Iwouldn’tha’frettedabouthim，ifI’dbeenshe。Shewouldnevernamehisname，butIknowhewasawicked，cruelman；andIhatetothinkofhim。’
Afterthishecouldnotgointothechurchyardwithher，andwalkedonwardalonetothesouthoftheisle。Hewaswretchedforhours。Yethewouldnothavestoodwherehedidstandintheranksofanimaginativeprofessionifhehadnotbeenatthemercyofeveryhauntingofthefancythatcanbesetman。Itwasinhisweaknessesasacitizenandanational-unitthathisstrengthlayasanartist，andhefeltitchildishtocomplainofsusceptibilitiesnotonlyinnatebutcultivated。
ButhewaspayingdearlyenoughforhisLiliths。Hesawaterriblevengeanceahead。Whathadhedonetobetormentedlikethis？TheBeloved，afterflittingfromNicholaPine-Avontothephantomofadeadwomanwhomheneveradoredinherlifetime，hadtakenupherabodeinthelivingrepresentativeofthedead，withapermanenceofholdwhichtheabsoluteindifferenceofthatlittlebrown-eyedrepresentativeonlyseemedtointensify。
Didhereallywishtoproceedtomarriagewiththischitofagirl？Hedid：thewishhadcomeatlast。Itwastruethatashestudiedherhesawdefectsinadditiontohersocialinsufficiencies。Judgment，hoodwinkedasitwas，toldhimthatshewascolderinnature，commonerincharacter，thanthatwellread，brightlittlewomanAvicetheFirst。
Buttwentyyearsmakeadifferenceinideals，andtheaddeddemandsofmiddle-ageinphysicalformaremorethanbalancedbyitsconcessionsastothespiritualcontent。Helookedathimselfintheglass，andfeltgladatthoseinnerdeficienciesinAvicewhichformerlywouldhaveimpelledhimtorejecther。
Therewasastrangedifferenceinhisregardofhispresentfollyandofhisloveinhisyouthfultime。Nowhecouldbemadwithmethod，knowingittobemadness：thenhewascompelledtomakebelievehismadnesswisdom。Inthosedaysanyflashofreasonuponhislovedone’simperfectionswasblurredoverhastilyandwithfear。Suchpenetrativevisionnowdidnotcoolhim。Heknewhewasthecreatureofatendency；andpassivelyacquiesced。
Touseapracticaleye，itappearedthat，ashehadoncethought，thisCarofamily——thoughitmightnotforcenturies，orever，furbishupanindividualnaturewhichwouldexactly，ideally，supplementhisownimperfectoneandroundwithittheperfectwhole——wasyettheonlyfamilyhehadevermet，orwaslikelytomeet，whichpossessedthematerialsforhermaking。ItwasasiftheCaroshadfoundtheclaybutnotthepotter，whileotherfamilieswhosedaughtersmightattracthimhadfoundthepotterbutnottheclay。
2。VIII。HISOWNSOULCONFRONTSHIM
FromhisroomycastleanditsgroundsandthecliffshardbyhecouldcommandeverymoveandaspectofherwhowastherejuvenatedSpiritofthePasttohim——intheeffulgenceofwhomallsordiddetailsweredisregarded。
Amongotherthingsheobservedthatshewasoftenanxiouswhenitrained。If，afterawetday，agoldenstreakappearedintheskyoverDeadman’sBay，underalidofcloud，hermannerwasjoyousandhertreadlight。
Thispuzzledhim；andhefoundthatifheendeavouredtoencounterheratthesetimessheshunnedhim——stealthilyandsubtly，butunmistakably。Oneevening，whenshehadlefthercottageandtrippedoffinthedirectionoftheunder-hilltownlet，hesetoutbythesameroute，resolvedtoawaitherreturnalongthehighroadwaywhichstretchedbetweenthatplaceandEastQuarriers。
Hereachedthetopoftheoldroadwhereitmakesasuddendescenttothetownlet，butshedidnotappear。Turningback，hesaunteredalongtillhehadnearlyreachedhisownhouseagain。Thenheretracedhissteps，andinthedimnighthewalkedbackwardsandforwardsonthebareandloftyconvexoftheisle；thestarsaboveandaroundhim，thelighthouseondutyatthedistantpoint，thelightshipwinkingfromthesandbank，thecombingofthepebblebeachbythetidebeneath，thechurchawaysouth-westward，wheretheislandfatherslay。
Hewalkedthewildsummittillhislegsached，andhisheartached——
tillheseemedtohearontheupperwindthestonesoftheslingerswhizzingpast，andthevoicesoftheinvaderswhoannihilatedthem，andmarriedtheirwivesanddaughters，andproducedAviceastheultimateflowerofthecombinedstocks。Stillshedidnotcome。Itwasmorethanfoolishtowait，yethecouldnothelpwaiting。Atlengthhediscernedadotofafigure，whichheknewtobehersratherbyitsmotionthanbyitsshape。
Howincomparablytheimmaterialdreamdwarfedthegrandestofsubstantialthings，whenhere，betweenthosethreesublimities——thesky，therock，andtheocean——theminutepersonalityofthiswasher-
girlfilledhisconsciousnesstoitsextremestboundary，andthestupendousinanimatesceneshranktoacornertherein。
Butallatoncetheapproachingfigurehaddisappeared。Helookedabout；shehadcertainlyvanished。Atonesideoftheroadwasalowwall，butshecouldnothavegonebehindthatwithoutconsiderabletroubleandsingularconduct。Helookedbehindhim；shehadreappearedfurtherontheroad。
JocelynPierstonhurriedafter；and，discerninghismovement，Avicestoodstill。Whenhecameup，shewasslilyshakingwithrestrainedlaughter。
’Well，whatdoesthismean，mydeargirl？’heasked。
Herinnermirthescapinginspiteofhersheturnedaskanceandsaid：
’WhenyouwasfollowingmetoStreeto’Wells，twohoursago，Ilookedroundandsawyou，andhuddiedbehindastone！Youpassedandbrushedmyfrockwithoutseeingme。Andwhen，onmywaybackalong，Isawyouwaitinghereaboutagain，Islippedoverthewall，andranpastyou！IfIhadnotstoppedandlookedroundat’ee，youwouldneverhavecatchedme！’
’Whatdidyoudothatfor，youelf！’
’Thatyoushouldn’tfindme。’
’That’snotexactlyareason。Giveanother，dearAvice，’hesaid，asheturnedandwalkedbesideherhomeward。
Shehesitated。’Come！’heurgedagain。
’’TwasbecauseIthoughtyouwantedtobemyyoungman，’sheanswered。
’Whatawildthoughtofyours！SupposingIdid，wouldn’tyouhaveme？’
’Notnow……Andnotforlong，evenifithadbeensoonerthannow。’
’Why？’
’IfItellyou，youwon’tlaughatmeorletanybodyelseknow？’
’Never。’
’ThenIwilltellyou，’shesaidquiteseriously。’’TisbecauseIgettiredo’myloversassoonasIgettoknowthemwell。WhatIseeinoneyoungmanforawhilesoonleaveshimandgoesintoanotheryonder，andIfollow，andthenwhatIadmirefadesoutofhimandspringsupsomewhereelse；andsoIfollowon，andneverfixtoone。IhavelovedFIFTEENa’ready！Yes，fifteen，Iamalmostashamedtosay，’sherepeated，laughing。’Ican’thelpit，sir，Iassureyou。Ofcourseitisreally，toME，thesameoneallthrough，on’yIcan’tcatchhim！’
Sheaddedanxiously，’Youwon’ttellanybodyo’thisinme，willyou，sir？BecauseifitwereknownIamafraidnomanwouldlikeme。’
Pierstonwassurprisedintostillness。Herewasthisobscureandalmostilliterategirlengagedinthepursuitoftheimpossibleideal，justashehadbeenhimselfdoingforthelasttwentyyears。Shewasdoingitquiteinvoluntarily，bysheernecessityofherorganization，puzzledallthewhileatherowninstinct。Hesuddenlythoughtofitsbearinguponhimself，andsaid，withasinkingheart——
’AmI——oneofthem？’
Sheponderedcritically。
’Youwas；foraweek；whenIfirstsawyou。’
’Onlyaweek？’
’Aboutthat。’
’Whatmadethebeingofyourfancyforsakemyformandgoelsewhere？’
’Well——thoughyouseemedhandsomeandgentlemanlyatfirst——’
’Yes？’
’Ifoundyoutoooldsoonafter。’
’Youareacandidyoungperson。’
’Butyouaskedme，sir！’sheexpostulated。
’Idid；and，havingbeenanswered，Iwon’tintrudeuponyoulonger。Socutalonghomeasfastasyoucan。Itisgettinglate。’
Whenshehadpassedoutofearshothealsofollowedhomewards。ThisseekingoftheWell-Belovedwas，then，ofthenatureofaknifewhichcouldcuttwoways。Tobetheseekerwasonething：tobeoneofthecorpsesfromwhichtheidealinhabitanthaddepartedwasanother；andthiswaswhathehadbecomenow，inthemockeryofnewDays。
ThestartlingparallelintheidiosyncraciesofAviceandhimself——
evincedbytheelusivenessoftheBelovedwithheraswithhim——meantprobablythattherehadbeensomeremoteancestorcommontobothfamilies，fromwhomthetraithadlatentlydescendedandrecrudesced。
Buttheresultwasnonethelessdisconcerting。
Drawingnearhisowngatehesmelttobacco，andcoulddiscerntwofiguresinthesidelaneleadingpastAvice’sdoor。Theydidnot，however，enterherhouse，butstrolledonwardtothenarrowpassconductingtoRed-KingCastleandthesea。HewasinmomentaryheavinessatthethoughtthattheymightbeAvicewithaworthlesslover，butafaintlyargumentativetonefromthemaninformedhimthattheywerethesamemarriedcouplegoinghomewardwhomhehadencounteredonapreviousoccasion。
Thenextdayhegavetheservantsahalf-holidaytogettheprettyAviceintothecastleagainforafewhours，thebettertoobserveher。
Whileshewaspullingdowntheblindsatsunsetawhistleofpeculiarqualitycamefromsomepointonthecliffsoutsidethelawn。Heobservedthathercolourroseslightly，thoughshebustledaboutasifshehadnoticednothing。
Pierstonsuddenlysuspectedthatshehadnotonlyfifteenpastadmirersbutacurrentone。Still，hemightbemistaken。Stimulatednowbyancientmemoriesandpresenttendernesstouseeveryefforttomakeherhiswife，despiteherconventionalunfitness，hestrunghimselfuptosiftthismystery。Ifhecouldonlywinher——andhowcouldacountrygirlrefusesuchanopportunity？——hecouldpackherofftoschoolfortwoorthreeyears，marryher，enlargehermindbyalittletravel，andtakehischanceoftherest。Astoherwantofardourforhim——sosadlyincontrastwithhersaintedmother’saffection——amantwentyyearsolderthanhisbridecouldexpectnobetter，andhewouldbewellcontenttoputupwithitinthepleasureofpossessingoneinwhomseemedtolingerasanaromaallthecharmofhisyouthandhisearlyhome。
2。IX。JUXTAPOSITIONS
Itwasasadandleadenafternoon，andPierstonpacedupthelong，steeppassorstreetoftheWells。Oneithersideoftheroadyounggirlsstoodwithpitchersatthefountainswhichbubbledthere，andbehindthehousesformingthepropylaeaoftherockrosethemassiveforeheadoftheIsle——crestedatthispartwithitsenormousrampartsaswithamuralcrown。
Asyouapproachtheupperendofthestreetallprogressseemsabouttobecheckedbythealmostverticalfaceoftheescarpment。Intoityourtrackapparentlyrunspoint-blank：aconfrontingmasswhich，ifitweretoslipdown，wouldoverwhelmthewholetown。Butinamomentyoufindthattheroad，theoldRomanhighwayintothepeninsula，turnsatasharpanglewhenitreachesthebaseofthescarp，andascendsinthestiffestofinclinestotheright。Totheleftthereisalsoanotherascendingroad，modern，almostassteepasthefirst，andperfectlystraight。Thisistheroadtotheforts。
Pierstonarrivedattheforkingoftheways，andpausedforbreath。
Beforeturningtotheright，hisproperandpicturesquecourse，helookeduptheuninterestingleftroadtothefortifications。Itwasnew，long，white，regular，taperingtoavanishingpoint，likealessoninperspective。Aboutaquarterofthewayupagirlwasrestingbesideabasketofwhitelinen：andbytheshapeofherhatandthenatureofherburdenherecognizedher。
Shedidnotseehim，andabandoningtheright-handcourseheslowlyascendedtheinclineshehadtaken。Heobservedthatherattentionwasabsorbedbysomethingaloft。Hefollowedthedirectionofhergaze。
Abovethemtoweredthegreen-greymountainofgrassystone，herelevelledatthetopbymilitaryart。Theskylinewasbrokeneverynowandthenbyalittlepeg-likeobject——asentry-box；andnearoneoftheseasmallredspotkeptcreepingbackwardsandforwardsmonotonouslyagainsttheheavysky。
Thenhedivinedthatshehadasoldier-lover。
Sheturnedherhead，sawhim，andtookupherclothes-baskettocontinuetheascent。Thesteepnesswassuchthattoclimbitunencumberedwasabreathlessbusiness；thelinenmadehertaskacrueltytoher。’You’llnevergettothefortswiththatweight，’hesaid。’Giveittome。’
Butshewouldnot，andhestoodstill，watchingherasshepanteduptheway；forthemomentanirradiatedbeing，theepitomeofawholesex：bythebeamsofhisowninfatuation’……robedinsuchexceedinggloryThathebeheldhernot；’
beheldhernotasshereallywas，asshewaseventohimselfsometimes。
Buttothesoldierwhatwasshe？Smallerandsmallershewaneduptherigidmathematicalroad，stillgazingatthesoldieraloft，asPierstongazedather。Hecouldjustdiscernsentinelsspringingupatthedifferentcoignsofvantagethatshepassed，butseeingwhoshewastheydidnotintercepther；andpresentlyshecrossedthedrawbridgeovertheenormouschasmsurroundingtheforts，passedthesentriestherealso，anddisappearedthroughthearchintotheinterior。
Pierstoncouldnotseethesentrynow，andthereoccurredtohimthehatefulideathatthisscarletrivalwasmeetingandtalkingfreelytoher，theunprotectedorphangirlofhissweetoriginalAvice；perhaps，relievedofduty，escortingheracrosstheinterior，carryingherbasket，hertenderbodyencircledbyhisarm。
’Whatthedevilareyoustaringat，asifyouwereinatrance？’
Pierstonturnedhishead：andtherestoodhisoldfriendSomers——stilllookingthelong-leasedbachelorthathewas。
’Imightsaywhatthedevildoyoudohere？ifIweren’tsogladtoseeyou。’
Somerssaidthathehadcometoseewhatwasdetaininghisfriendinsuchanout-of-the-wayplaceatthattimeofyear，andincidentallytogetsomefreshairintohisownlungs。Pierstonmadehimwelcome，andtheywenttowardsSylvaniaCastle。
’Youwerestaring，asfarasIcouldsee，ataprettylittlewasherwomanwithabasketofclothes？’resumedthepainter。
’Yes；itwasthattoyou，butnottome。Behindthemereprettyisland-girl（totheworld）is，inmyeye，theIdea，inPlatonicphraseology——theessenceandepitomeofallthatisdesirableinthisexistence……Iamunderadoom，Somers。Yes，Iamunderadoom。
TohavebeenalwaysfollowingaphantomwhomIsawinwomanafterwomanwhileshewasatadistance，butvanishingawayoncloseapproach，wasbadenough；butnowtheterriblethingisthatthephantomdoesNOT
vanish，butstaystotantalizemeevenwhenIamnearenoughtoseewhatitis！Thatgirlholdsme，THOUGHmyeyesareopen，andTHOUGHI
seethatIamafool！’
Somersregardedthevisionarylookofhisfriend，whichratherintensifiedthandecreasedashisyearsworeon，butmadenofurtherremark。WhentheyreachedthecastleSomersgazedrounduponthescenery，andPierston，signifyingthequaintlittleElizabethancottage，said：’That’swhereshelives。’
’Whataromanticplace！——andthisislandaltogether。Amanmightloveascarecroworturnip-lanternhere。’
’Butawomanmightn’t。Scenerydoesn’timpressthem，thoughtheypretenditdoes。Thisgirlisasfickleas——’
’Youoncewere。’
’Exactly——fromyourpointofview。Shehastoldmeso——candidly。Andithitsmehard。’
Somersstoodstillinsuddenthought。’Well——thatISastrangeturningofthetables！’hesaid。’Butyouwouldn’treallymarryher，Pierston？’
’Iwould——to-morrow。Whyshouldn’tI？Whatarefameandnameandsocietytome——adescendantofwreckersandsmugglers，likeher。
Besides，Iknowwhatshe’smadeof，myboy，toherinnermostfibre；I
knowtheperfectandpurequarryshewasdugfrom：andthatgivesamanconfidence。’
’Thenyou’llwin。’
***
Whiletheyweresittingafterdinnerthateveningtheirquietdiscoursewasinterruptedbythelonglowwhistlefromthecliffswithout。
Somerstooknonotice，butPierstonmarkedit。ThatwhistlealwaysoccurredatthesametimeintheeveningwhenAvicewashelpinginthehouse。Heexcusedhimselfforamomenttohisvisitorandwentoutuponthedarklawn。Acrunchingoffeetuponthegravelmixedinwiththearticulationofthesea——stepslightasiftheywerewinged。Andhesupposed，twominuteslater，thatthemouthofsomehulkingfellowwasuponhers，whichhehimselfhardlyventuredtolookat，sotouchingwasitsyoungbeauty。
Hearingpeopleabout——amongothersthebefore-mentionedmarriedcouplequarrelling，thewoman’stoneshavingakinshiptoAvice’sown——hereturnedtothehouse。NextdaySomersroamedabroadtolookforsceneryforamarinepainting，and，goingouttoseekhim，PierstonmetAvice。
’Soyouhavealover，mylady！’hesaidseverely。Sheadmittedthatitwasthefact。’Youwon’tsticktohim，’hecontinued。
’IthinkImaytoTHISone，’saidshe，inameaningtonethathefailedtofathomthen。’Hedesertedmeonce，buthewon’tagain。’
’Isupposehe’sawonderfulsortoffellow？’
’He’sgoodenoughforme。’
’Sohandsome，nodoubt。’
’Handsomeenoughforme。’
’Sorefinedandrespectable。’
’Refinedandrespectableenoughforme。’
Hecouldnotdisturbherequanimity，andletherpass。ThenextdaywasSunday，andSomershavingchosenhisviewattheotherendoftheisland，PierstondeterminedintheafternoontoseeAvice’slover。Hefoundthatshehadlefthercottagestronghold，andwentontowardsthelighthousesattheBeal。Turningbackwhenhehadreachedthenearest，hesawonthelonelyroadbetweenthequarriesayoungmanevidentlyconnectedwiththestonetrade，withAvicetheSeconduponhisarm。
Shelookedprettilyguiltyandblushedalittleunderhisglance。Theman’swasoneofthetypicalislandphysiognomies——hisfeaturesenergeticandwaryintheirexpression，andhalfcoveredwithaclose，crispblackbeard。Pierstonfanciedthatoutofhiskeendarkeyesthereglimmeredadrysenseofhumouratthesituation。
Ifso，AvicemusthavetoldhimofPierston’ssymptomsoftenderness。
Thisgirl，whom，forherdearmother’ssakemorethanforherownunquestionableattractiveness，hewouldhaveguardedastheappleofhiseye，howcouldsheestimatehimsoflippantly！
Themortificationofhavingbroughthimselftothispositionwiththeantitype，byhisearlyslightofthetype，blindedhimforthemomenttowhatstruckhimashorttimeafter。Themanuponwhosearmshehungwasnotasoldier。What，then，becameofherentrancedgazeatthesentinel？Shecouldhardlyhavetransferredheraffectionssopromptly；or，togiveherthebenefitofhisowntheory，herBelovedcouldscarcelyhaveflittedfromframetoframeinsoverybriefaninterval。Andwhichofthemhadbeenhewhowhistledsoftlyinthedusktoher？
WithoutfurtherattempttofindAlfredSomersPierstonwalkedhomeward，moodilythinkingthatthedesiretomakereparationtotheoriginalwomanbyweddingandenrichingthecopy——whichlentsuchanunprecedentedpermanencetohisnewlove——wasthwarted，asifbysetintentionofhisdestiny。
Atthedoorofthegroundsaboutthecastletherestoodacarriage。Heobservedthatitwasnotoneofthehomelyflysfromtheunder-hilltown，butapparentlyfromthepopularresortacrossthebay。Wonderingwhythevisitorhadnotdriveninheentered，tofindinthedrawing-
roomNicholaPine-Avon。
Athisfirstglanceuponher，fashionablydressedandgracefulinmovement，sheseemedbeautiful；atthesecond，whenheobservedthatherfacewaspaleandagitated，sheseemedpatheticlikewise。
Altogether，shewasnowaverydifferentfigurefromherwho，sittinginherchairwithsuchfinishedcomposure，hadsnubbedhiminherdrawing-roominHamptonshireSquare。
’Youaresurprisedatthis？Ofcourseyouare！’shesaid，inalow，pleadingvoice，languidlyliftingherheavyeyelids，whilehewasholdingherhand。’ButIcouldn’thelpit！IknowIhavedonesomethingtooffendyou——haveInot？O！whatcanitbe，thatyouhavecomeawaytothisoutlandishrock，tolivewithbarbariansinthemidstoftheLondonseason？’
’Youhavenotoffendedme，dearMrs。Pine-Avon，’hesaid。’HowsorryI
amthatyoushouldhavesupposedit！YetIamglad，too，thatyourfancyshouldhavedonemethegoodturnofbringingyouheretoseeme。’
’IamstayingatBudmouth-Regis，’sheexplained。
’ThenIdidseeyouatachurch-serviceherealittlewhileback？’
Sheblushedfaintlyuponherpallor，andshesighed。Theireyesmet。
’Well，’shesaidatlast，’Idon’tknowwhyIshouldn’tshowthevirtueofcandour。Youknowwhatitmeans。Iwasthestrongeronce；nowIamtheweaker。WhateverpainImayhavegivenyouintheupsanddownsofouracquaintanceIamsorryfor，andwouldwillinglyrepairallerrorsofthepastby——beingamenabletoreasoninthefuture。’
ItwasimpossiblethatJocelynshouldnotfeelatenderimpulsiontowardsthisattractiveandonceindependentwoman，whofromeveryworldlypointofviewwasanexcellentmatchforhim——asuperiormatch，indeed，exceptinmoney。Hetookherhandagainandhelditawhile，andafaintwaveofgladnessseemedtoflowthroughher。Butno——hecouldgonofurther。Thatislandgirl，inhercoquettishSundayfrockandlittlehatwithitsbunchofcock’sfeathersheldhimasbystrandsofManilarope。HedroppedNichola’shand。
’IamleavingBudmouthto-morrow，’shesaid。’ThatwaswhyIfeltI
mustcall。YoudidnotknowIhadbeenthereallthroughtheWhitsunholidays？’
’Ididnot，indeed；orIshouldhavecometoseeyou。’。
’Ididn’tliketowrite。IwishIhad，now！’
’Iwishyouhad，too，dearMrs。Pine-Avon。’
Butitwas’Nichola’thatshewantedtobe。Astheyreachedthelandauhetoldherthatheshouldbebackintownhimselfagainsoon，andwouldcallimmediately。AtthemomentofhiswordsAviceCaro，nowalone，passedclosealongbythecarriageontheotherside，towardsherhousehardathand。Shedidnotturnheadoreyetothepair：
theyseemedtobeinherviewobjectsofindifference。