Hymen，insecretorovertguise，seemedtohauntPierstonjustatthistimewithundignifiedmockerywhichsavouredratherofHarlequinthanofthetorch-bearer。TwodaysafterpartinginaloneislandfromthegirlhehadsodisinterestedlylovedhemetinPiccadillyhisfriendSomers，wonderfullysprucedup，andhasteningalongwithapreoccupiedface。
’Mydearfellow，’saidSomers，’whatdoyouthink！Iwaschargednottotellyou，but，hangit！Imayjustaswellmakeacleanbreastofitnowaslater。’
’What——youarenotgoingto……’beganPierston，withdivination。
’Yes。WhatIsaidonimpulsesixmonthsbackIamabouttocarryoutincoldblood。NicholaandIbeganinjestandendedinearnest。Wearegoingtotakeoneanothernextmonthforgoodandall。’
PARTTHIRD——AYOUNGMANOFSIXTY
’Inmethouseesttheglowingofsuchfire，ThatontheashesofhisyouthdothlieAsthedeath-bedwhereonitmustexpire，Consumedwiththatwhichitwasnourishedby。’
——W。SHAKESPEARE。
3。I。SHERETURNSFORTHENEWSEASON
TwentyyearshadspreadtheirfilmsovertheeventswhichwoundupwiththereunionofthesecondAviceandherhusband；andthehoarypeninsulacalledanislandlookedjustthesameasbefore；thoughmanywhohadformerlyprojectedtheirdailyshadowsuponitsunrelievedsummerwhitenessceasednowtodisturbthecolourlesssunlightthere。
Thegeneralchange，nevertheless，wassmall。Thesilentshipscameandwentfromthewharf，thechiselsclinkedinthequarries；fileafterfileofwhitey-brownhorses，instringsofeightorten，painfullydraggeddownthehillthesquareblocksofstoneontheantediluvianwoodenwheelsjustasusual。ThelightshipwinkedeverynightfromthequicksandstotheBealLantern，andtheBealLanternglaredthroughitseye-glassontheship。ThecaninegnawingaudibleonthePebble-bankhadbeenrepeatedeversinceateachtide，butthepebblesremainedundevoured。
Mendrank，smoked，andspatintheinnswithonlyalittlemoreadulterationintheirrefreshmentsandatriflelessdialectintheirspeechthanofyore。ButonefigurehadneverbeenseenontheChannelrockintheinterval，theformofPierstonthesculptor，whosefirstuseofthechiselthatrockhadinstigated。
Hehadlivedabroadagreatdeal，and，infact，atthisverydatehewasstayingatanhotelinRome。ThoughhehadnotonceseteyesonAvicesincepartingfromherintheroomwithherfirstborn，hehadmanagedtoobtaintidingsofherfromtimetotimeduringtheinterval。
InthiswayPierstonlearntthat，shortlyaftertheirresumptionofacommonlifeinherhouse，Ikehadill-usedher，tillfortunately，thebusinesstowhichJocelynhadassistedhimchancingtoprosper，hebecameimmersedinitsdetails，andallowedAvicetopursueherhouseholdcourseswithoutinterference，initiatingthatkindofdomesticreconciliationwhichissocalmanddurable，havingasitschiefingredientneitherhatenorlove，butanall-embracingindifference。
AtfirstPierstonhadsenthersumsofmoneyprivately，fearinglestherhusbandshoulddenyhermaterialcomforts；buthesoonfound，tohisgreatrelief，thatsuchhelpwasunnecessary，socialambitionpromptingIketosetupasquiteagentleman-islander，andtoallowAviceascopeforshowwhichhewouldneverhaveallowedinmerekindness。
BeinginRome，asaforesaid，Pierstonreturnedoneeveningtohishoteltodine，afterspendingtheafternoonamongthebustsinthelonggalleryoftheVatican。Theunconscioushabit，commontosomanypeople，oftracinglikesinunlikeshadoftenledhimtodiscern，ortofancyhediscerned，intheRomanatmosphere，initslightsandshades，andparticularlyinitsreflectedorsecondarylights，somethingresemblingtheatmosphereofhisnativepromontory。Perhapsitwasthatineachcasetheeyewasmostlyrestingonstone——thatthequarriesofruinsintheEternalCityremindedhimofthequarriesofmaidenrockathome。
Thisbeinginhismindwhenhesatdowntodinneratthecommontable，hewassurprisedtohearanAmericangentleman，whosatopposite，mentionthenameofPierston’sbirthplace。TheAmericanwastalkingtoafriendaboutalady——anEnglishwidow，whoseacquaintancetheyhadrenewedsomewhereintheChannelIslandsduringarecenttour，afterhavingknownherasayoungwomanwhocametoSanFranciscowithherfatherandmothermanyyearsbefore。Herfatherwasthenarichmanjustretiredfromthebusinessofastone-merchantintheIsleofSlingers；buthehadengagedinlargespeculations，andhadlostnearlyallhisfortune。Jocelynfurthergatheredthatthewidoweddaughter’snamewasMrs。Leverre；thatshehadastep-son，herhusbandhavingbeenaJerseygentleman，awidower；andthatthestep-sonseemedtobeapromisingandinterestingyoungman。
Pierstonwasinstantlystruckwiththeperceptionthattheseandotherallusions，thoughgeneral，wereinaccordwiththehistoryofhislong-
lostMarcia。Hehardlyfeltanydesiretohuntherupafternearlytwoscoreyearsofseparation，buthewasimpressedenoughtoresolvetoexchangeawordwiththestrangersassoonashecouldgetopportunity。
Hecouldnotwellattracttheirattentionthroughtheplantsuponthewidetable，andevenifhehadbeenablehewasdisinclinedtoaskquestionsinpublic。Hewaitedontilldinnerwasover，andwhenthestrangerswithdrewPierstonwithdrewintheirrear。
Theywerenotinthedrawing-room，andhefoundthattheyhadgoneout。
Therewasnochanceofovertakingthem，butPierston，wakedtorestlessnessbytheirremarks，wanderedupanddowntheadjoiningPiazzadiSpagna，thinkingtheymightreturn。Thestreetsbelowwereimmersedinshade，thefrontofthechurchoftheTrinitade’Montiatthetopwasfloodedwithorangelight，thegloomofeveninggraduallyintensifyinguponthebroad，longflightofsteps，whichfoot-
passengersincessantlyascendedanddescendedwiththeinsignificanceofants；theduskwrappedupthehousetotheleft，inwhichShelleyhadlived，andthattotheright，inwhichKeatshaddied。
GettingbacktothehotelhelearntthattheAmericanshadonlydroppedintodine，andwerestayingelsewhere。Hesawnomoreofthem；andonreflectionhewasnotdeeplyconcerned，forwhatearthlywoman，goingoffinafreakasMarciahaddone，andkeepingsilencesolong，wouldcareforabelatedfriendshipwithhimnowinthesere，evenifheweretotakethetroubletodiscoverher。
***
ThusmuchMarcia。TheotherthreadofhisconnectionwiththeancientIsleofSlingerswasstirredbyaletterhereceivedfromAvicealittleafterthisdate，inwhichshestatedthatherhusbandIkehadbeenkilledinhisownquarrybyanaccidentwithinthepastyear；thatsheherselfhadbeenill，andthoughwellagain，andleftamplyprovidedfor，shewouldliketoseehimifheevercamethatway。
Asshehadnotcommunicatedforseverallongyears，herexpressedwishtoseehimnowwaslikelytobepromptedbysomethingmore，somethingnewer，thanmemoriesofhim。Yetthemannerofherwritingprecludedallsuspicionthatshewasthinkingofhimasanoldloverwhosesuiteventshadnowmadepracticable。Hetoldherhewassorrytohearthatshehadbeenill，andthathewouldcertainlytakeanearlyopportunityofgoingdowntoherhomeonhisnextvisittoEngland。
Hedidmore。Herrequesthadrevivedthoughtsofhisoldhomeanditsassociations，andinsteadofawaitingotherreasonsforareturnhemadehertheoperatingone。AboutaweeklaterhestoodonceagainatthefootofthefamiliarsteepwhereonthehousesattheentrancetotheIslewereperchedlikegreypigeonsonaroof-side。
AtTop-o’-Hill——asthesummitoftherockwasmostlycalled——hestoodlookingatthebusydoingsinthequarriesbeyond，wherethenumerousblackhoisting-cranesscatteredoverthecentralplateauhadtheappearanceofaswarmofcrane-fliesrestingthere。Hewentalittlefurther，madesomegeneralinquiriesabouttheaccidentwhichhadcarriedoffAvice’shusbandinthepreviousyear，andlearntthatthoughnowawidow，shehadplentyoffriendsandsympathizersabouther，whichrenderedanyimmediateattentiontoheronhispartunnecessary。Considering，therefore，thattherewasnogreatreasonwhyheshouldcallonhersosoon，andwithoutwarning，heturnedback。
Perhapsafterallherrequesthadbeendictatedbyamomentaryfeelingonly，andaconsiderablestrangenesstoeachothermustnaturallybetheresultofascoreofdividingyears。Descendingtothebottomhetookhisseatinthetrainontheshore，whichsooncarriedhimalongtheBank，androundtothewatering-placefivemilesoff，atwhichhehadtakenuphisquartersforafewdays。
Here，ashestayedon，hislocalinterestsrevived。Wheneverhewentouthecouldseetheislandthatwasoncehishomelyinglikeagreatsnailupontheseaacrossthebay。Itwasthespringoftheyear；
localsteamershadbeguntorun，andhewasnevertiredofstandingonthethinlyoccupieddeckofoneoftheseasitskirtedtheislandandrevealedtohimonthecliffsfarupitsheighttheruinsofRed-KingCastle，behindwhichthelittlevillageofEastQuarrierslay。
Thusmatterswenton，iftheydidnotratherstandstill，forseveraldaysbeforePierstonredeemedhisvaguepromisetoseekAviceout。Andinthemeantimehewassurprisedbythearrivalofanotherletterfromherbyaroundaboutroute。Shehadheard，shesaid，thathehadbeenontheisland，andimaginedhimthereforetobestayingsomewherenear。
Whydidhenotcallashehadtoldherhewoulddo？Shewasalwaysthinkingofhim，andwishingtoseehim。
Hertonewasanxious，andtherewasnodoubtthatshereallyhadsomethingtosaywhichshedidnotwanttowrite。Hewonderedwhatitcouldbe，andstartedthesameafternoon。
Avice，whohadbeenlittleinhismindoflateyears，begantorenewforherselfadistinctpositiontherein。Hewasfullyawarethatsincehisearliermanhoodachangehadcomeoverhisregardofwomankind。
Oncetheindividualhadbeennothingmoretohimthanthetemporaryabiding-placeofthetypicalorideal；nowhisheartshoweditsbenttobeagrowingfidelitytothespecimen，withallherpatheticflawsofdetail；whichflaws，sofarfromsendinghimfurther，increasedhistenderness。Thismaturerfeeling，iffinerandhigher，waslessconvenientthantheold。Ardoursofpassioncouldbefeltasinyouthwithouttherecuperativeintervalswhichhadaccompaniedevanescence。
Thefirstsensationwastofindthatshehadlongceasedtoliveinthelittlefreeholdcottageshehadoccupiedofold。Inanswertohisinquirieshewasdirectedalongtheroadtothewestofthemoderncastle，pasttheentranceonthatside，andonwardtotheveryhousethathadoncebeenhisownhome。Thereitstoodasofyore，facinguptheChannel，acomfortableroomystructure，theeuonymusandothershrubs，whichalonewouldstandintheteethofthesaltwind，livingonataboutthesamestatureinfrontofit；butthepaint-workmuchrenewed。Athrivingmanhadresidedthereoflate，evidently。
Thewidowinmourningwhoreceivedhiminthefrontparlourwas，alas！
butthesorryshadowofAvicetheSecond。Howcouldhehavefanciedotherwiseaftertwentyyears？Yethehadbeenledtofancyotherwise，almostwithoutknowingit，byfeelinghimselfunaltered。Indeed，curiouslyenough，nearlythefirstwordsshesaidtohimwere：’Why——
youarejustthesame！’
’Justthesame。Yes，Iam，Avice，’heansweredsadly；forthisinabilitytoossifywiththerestofhisgenerationthrewhimoutofproportionwiththetime。Moreover，whilewearingtheaspectofcomedy，itwasofthenatureoftragedy。
’Itiswelltobeyou，sir，’shewenton。’Ihavehadtroublestotakethebloomoffme！’
’Yes；Ihavebeensorryforyou。’
Shecontinuedtoregardhimcuriously，withhumorousinterest；andheknewwhatwaspassinginhermind：thatthisman，towhomshehadformerlylookedupastoapersonfarinadvanceofheralongthelaneoflife，seemednowtobeawell-adjustedcontemporary，thepairofthemobservingtheworldwithfairlyleveleyes。
Hehadcometoherwithwarmthforavisionwhich，onreachingher，hefoundtohavedeparted；and，thoughfairlyweanedbythenaturalreality，hewassofarstaunchastolingerhankeringly。Theytalkedofpastdays，hisoldattachment，whichshehadthendespised，beingnowfarmoreabsorbingandpresenttoherthantohimself。
Sheunmistakablywonuponhimashesaton。Acuriousclosenessbetweenthemhadbeenproducedinhisimaginationbythediscoverythatshewaspassingherlifewithinthehouseofhisownchildhood。Hersimilarsurnamemeantlittlehere；butitwasalsohis，and，addedtotheidentityofdomicile，lentastrongsuggestivenesstotheaccident。
’ThisiswhereIusedtositwhenmyparentsoccupiedthehouse，’hesaid，placinghimselfbesidethatcornerofthefireplacewhichcommandedaviewthroughthewindow。’Icouldseeaboughoftamariskwaveoutsideatthattime，and，beyondthebough，thesameabruptgrassywastetowardsthesea，andatnightthesameoldlightshipblinkingfaroutthere。Placeyourselfonthespot，topleaseme。’
Shesetherchairwhereheindicated，andPierstonstoodclosebesideher，directinghergazetothefamiliarobjectshehadregardedthenceasaboy。Herheadandface——thelatterthoughtfulandwornenough，poorthing，tosuggestamarriedlifenonetoocomfortable——wereclosetohisbreast，and，withafewinchesfurtherincline，wouldhavetouchedit。
’Andnowyouaretheinhabitant；Ithevisitor，’hesaid。’Iamgladtoseeyouhere——soglad，Avice！Youarefairlywellprovidedfor——I
thinkImayassumethat？’Helookedroundtheroomatthesolidmahoganyfurniture，andatthemodernpianoandshowbookcase。
’Yes，Ikeleftmecomfortable。’Twashewhothoughtofmovingfrommycottagetothislargerhouse。Heboughtit，andIcanlivehereaslongasIchooseto。’
Apartfromthedeclineofhisadorationtofriendship，thereseemedtobeageneralconvergenceofpositionswhichsuggestedthathemightmakeamendsforthedesertionofAvicetheFirstbyproposingtothisAvicewhenameettimeshouldarrive。IfhedidnotloveherashehaddonewhenshewasaslimthingcatchingmiceinhisroomsinLondon，hecouldsurelybecontentathisagewithcomradeship。Afterallshewasonlyfortytohissixty。Thefeelingthathereallycouldbethuscontentwassoconvincingthathealmostbelievedtheluxuryofgettingoldandreposefulwascomingtohisrestless，wanderingheartatlast。
’Well，youhavecomeatlast，sir，’shewenton；’andIamgratefultoyou。Ididnotlikewriting，andyetIwantedtobestraightforward。
HaveyouguessedatallwhyIwishedtoseeyousomuchthatIcouldnothelpsendingtwicetoyou？’
’Ihavetried，butcannot。’
’Tryagain。Itisaprettyreason，whichIhopeyou’llforgive。’
’IamsureIsha’n’tunriddleit。ButI’llsaythisonmyownaccountbeforeyoutellme。Ihavealwaystakenalingeringinterestinyou，whichyoumustvalueforwhatitisworth。Itoriginated，sofarasitconcernsyoupersonally，withthesightofyouinthatcottageroundthecorner，nineteenortwentyyearsago，whenIbecametenantofthecastleopposite。Butthatwasnottheverybeginning。Theverybeginningwasascoreofyearsbeforethat，whenI，ayoungfellowofone-and-twenty，cominghomehere，fromLondon，toseemyfather，encounteredatenderwomanaslikeyouasyourdouble；wasmuchattractedbyherasIsawherdayafterdayflitpastthiswindow；tillImadeitmybusinesstoaccompanyherinherwalksawhile。I，asyouknow，wasnotastaunchfellow，anditallendedbadly。But，atanyrateyou，herdaughter，andIarefriends。’
’Ah！theresheis！’suddenlyexclaimedAvice，whoseattentionhadwanderedsomewhatfromhisretrospectivediscourse。Shewaslookingfromthewindowtowardsthecliffs，where，upontheopengroundquitenearathand，aslenderfemaleformwasseenramblingalong。’Sheisoutforawalk，’Avicecontinued。’Iwonderifsheisgoingtocallherethisafternoon？Sheislivingatthecastleoppositeasgoverness。’
’O，she’s——’
’Yes。Hereducationwasverythorough——bettereventhanhergrandmother’s。Iwastheneglectedone，andherfatherandmyselfbothvowedthatthereshouldbenocomplaintonthatscoreabouther。WechristenedherAvice，tokeepupthename，asyourequested。Iwishyoucouldspeaktoher——Iamsureyouwouldlikeher。’
’Isthatthebaby？’falteredJocelyn。
’Yes，thebaby。’
Thepersonsignified，nowmuchnearer，wasastillmoremodernized，up-
to-dateeditionofthetwoAvicesofthatbloodwithwhomhehadbeeninvolvedmoreorlessforthelastfortyyears。Aladylikecreaturewasshe——almostelegant。Shewasaltogetherfinerinfigurethanhermotherorgrandmotherhadeverbeen，whichmadehermoreofawomaninappearancethaninyears。Sheworealarge-diskedsun-hat，withabrimlikeawheelwhosespokeswereradiatingfoldsofmuslinliningthebrim，ablackmarginbeyondthemuslinbeingthefelloe。Beneaththisbrimherhairwasmassedlowuponherbrow，thecolourofthethicktressesbeingprobably，fromhercomplexion，repeatedintheirisesofherlarge，deepeyes。Herrathernervouslipswerethinandclosed，sothattheyonlyappearedasadelicateredline。Achangeabletemperamentwasshownbythatmouth——quicktransitionsfromaffectiontoaversion，fromapouttoasmile。
ItwasAvicetheThird。
JocelynandthesecondAvicecontinuedtogazeardentlyather。
’Ah！sheisnotcominginnow；shehasn’ttime，’murmuredthemother，withsomedisappointment。’Perhapsshemeanstorunacrossintheevening。’
Thetallgirl，infact，wentpastandontillshewasoutofsight。
Pierstonstoodasinadream。Itwastheveryshe，inallessentialparticulars，andwithanintensificationofgeneralcharm，whohadkissedhimfortyyearsbefore。WhenheturnedhisheadfromthewindowhiseyesfellagainupontheintermediateAviceathisside。BeforebuttherelicoftheWell-Beloved，shehadnowbecomeitsemptyshrine。
Warmfriendship，indeed，hefeltforher；butwhateverthatmighthavedonetowardstheinstaurationofaformerdreamwasnowhopelesslybarredbytherivalryofthethingitselfintheguiseofalinealsuccessor。
3。II。MISGIVINGSONTHERE-EMBODIMENT
Pierstonhadbeenabouttoleave，buthesatdownagainonbeingaskedifhewouldstayandhaveacupoftea。Hehardlyknewforamomentwhathedid；adimthoughtthatAvice——therenewedAvice——mightcomeintothehousemadehisreseatinghimselfanactofspontaneity。
HeforgotthattwentyyearsearlierhehadcalledthenowMrs。Pierstonanelf，awitch；andthatlapseoftimehadprobablynotdiminishedthesubtletiesimpliedbythoseepithets。Hedidnotknowthatshehadnotedeveryimpressionthatherdaughterhadmadeuponhim。
HowhecontrivedtoattenuateanddispersetherathertenderpersonalitieshehadopenedupwiththenewAvice’smother，Pierstonneverexactlydefined。Perhapsshesawmorethanhethoughtshesaw——
readsomethinginhisface——knewthatabouthisnaturewhichhegavehernocreditforknowing。Anyhow，theconversationtooktheformofafriendlygossipfromthatminute，hisremarksbeingoftengivenwhilehismindwasturnedelsewhere。
ButachillpassedthroughJocelynwhentherehadbeentimeforreflection。TherenewedstudyofhisartinRomewithoutanycounterbalancingpracticalpursuithadnourishedanddevelopedhisnaturalresponsivenesstoimpressions；henowfeltthathisoldtrouble，hisdoom——hiscurse，indeed，hehadsometimescalledit——wascomebackagain。HisdivinitywasnotyetpropitiatedforthatoriginalsinagainstherimageinthepersonofAvicetheFirst，andnow，attheageofone-and-sixty，hewasurgedonandonliketheJewAhasuerus——or，inthephraseoftheislandersthemselves，likeablindram。
TheGoddess，anabstractiontothegeneral，wasafairlyrealpersonagetoPierston。Hehadwatchedthemarbleimagesofherwhichstoodinhisworking-room，underallchangesoflightandshadeinthebrighteningofmorning，intheblackeningofeve，inmoonlight，inlamplight。Everylineandcurveofherbodynone，naturally，knewbetterthanhe；and，thoughnotabelief，itwas，ashasbeenstated，aformula，asuperstition，thatthethreeAviceswereinter-penetratedwithheressence。
’AndthenextAvice——yourdaughter，’hesaidstumblingly；’sheis，yousay，agovernessatthecastleopposite？’
Mrs。Pierstonreaffirmedthefact，addingthatthegirloftensleptathomebecauseshe，hermother，wassolonely。Sheoftenthoughtshewouldliketokeepherdaughterathomealtogether。
’Sheplaysthatinstrument，Isuppose？’saidPierston，regardingthepiano。
’Yes，sheplaysbeautifully；shehadthebestinstructionthatmasterscouldgiveher。ShewaseducatedatSandbourne。’
’Whichroomdoesshecallherswhenathome？’heaskedcuriously。
’Thelittleoneoverthis。’
Ithadbeenhisown。’Strange，’hemurmured。
Hefinishedtea，andsataftertea，buttheyouthfulAvicedidnotarrive。WiththeAvicepresentheconversedastheoldfriend——nomore。Atlastitgrewdusk，andPierstoncouldnotfindanexcuseforstayinglonger。
’Ihopetomaketheacquaintance——ofyourdaughter，’hesaidinleaving，knowingthathemighthaveaddedwithpredestinatetruth，’ofmynewtenderly-beloved。’
’Ihopeyouwill，’sheanswered。’Thiseveningsheevidentlyhasgoneforawalkinsteadofcominghere。’
’And，by-the-bye，youhavenottoldmewhatyouespeciallywantedtoseemefor？’
’Ah，no。Iwillputitoff。’
’Verywell。Idon’tpretendtoguess。’
’Imusttellyouanothertime。’
’Ifitisanylittlebusinessinconnectionwithyourlatehusband’saffairs，docommandme。I’lldoanythingIcan。’
’Thankyou。AndIshallseeyouagainsoon？’
’Certainly。Quitesoon。’
Whenhewasgoneshelookedreflectivelyatthespotwherehehadbeenstanding，andsaid：’Bestholdmytongue。Itwillworkofitself，withoutmytelling。’
Jocelynwentfromthehouse，butasthewhiteroadpassedunderhisfeethefeltinnomoodtogetbacktohislodgingsinthetownonthemainland。Helingeredaboutupontheruggedgroundforalongwhile，thinkingoftheextraordinaryreproductionoftheoriginalgirlinthisnewformhehadseen，andofhimselfasofafoolishdreamerinbeingsosuddenlyfascinatedbytherenewedimageinapersonalitynotone-
thirdofhisage。Asaphysicalfact，nodoubt，thepreservationofthelikenesswasnouncommonthinghere，butithelpedthedream。
PassingroundthewallsofthenewcastlehedeviatedfromhishomewardtrackbyturningdownthefamiliarlittlelanewhichledtotheruinedcastleoftheRedKing。IttookhimpastthecottageinwhichthenewAvicewasborn，fromwhoseprecinctshehadheardherfirstinfantinecry。Pausinghesawnearthewestbehindhimthenewmoongrowingdistinctupontheglow。
Hewassubjecttogiganticfantasiesstill。Inspiteofhimself，thesightofthenewmoon，asrepresentingonewho，byherso-calledinconstancy，acteduptohisownideaofamigratoryWell-Beloved，madehimfeelasifhiswraithinachangedsexhadsuddenlylookedoverthehorizonathim。Inacrowdsecretly，orinsolitudeboldly，hehadoftenbowedthekneethreetimestothissisterlydivinityonherfirstappearancemonthly，anddirectedakisstowardshershiningshape。Thecurseofhisqualities（ifitwerenotablessing）wasfarfromhavingspentitselfyet。
Intheotherdirectionthecastleruinsrosesquareandduskyagainstthesea。Hewentontowardsthese，aroundwhichhehadplayedasaboy，andstoodbythewallsattheedgeofthecliffpondering。Therewasnowindandbutlittletide，andhethoughthecouldhearfromyearsagoavoicethatheknew。Itcertainlywasavoice，butitcamefromtherocksbeneaththecastleruin。
’Mrs。Atway！’
Asilencefollowed，andnobodycame。Thevoicespokeagain；’JohnStoney！’
Neitherwasthissummonsattendedto。Thecrycontinued，withmoreentreaty：’WilliamScribben！’
ThevoicewasthatofaPierston——therecouldbenodoubtofit——youngAvice’s，surely？Somethingorotherseemedtobedetainingherdownthereagainstherwill。Aslopingpathbeneaththebeetlingcliffandthecastlewallsrisingsheerfromitssummit，leddowntothelowerlevelwhencethevoiceproceeded。Pierstonfollowedthepathway，andsoonbeheldagirlinlightclothing——thesamehehadseenthroughthewindow——standingupononeoftherocks，apparentlyunabletomove。
Pierstonhastenedacrosstoher。
’O，thankyouforcoming！’shemurmuredwithsometimidity。’Ihavemetwithanawkwardmishap。Ilivenearhere，andamnotfrightenedreally。Myfoothasbecomejammedinacreviceoftherock，andI
cannotgetitout，tryhowIwill。WhatSHALLIdo！’
Jocelynstoopedandexaminedthecauseofdiscomfiture。’Ithinkifyoucantakeyourbootoff，’hesaid，’yourfootmightslipout，leavingthebootbehind。’
Shetriedtoactuponthisadvice，butcouldnotdosoeffectually。
Pierstonthenexperimentedbyslippinghishandintothecrevicetillhecouldjustreachthebuttonsofherboot，which，however，hecouldnotunfastenanymorethanshe。Takinghispenknifefromhispockethetriedagain，andcutoffthebuttonsonebyone。Thebootunfastened，andoutslippedthefoot。
’O，howgladIam！’shecriedjoyfully。’IwasfearingIshouldhavetostayhereallnight。HowcanIthankyouenough？’
Hewastuggingtowithdrawtheboot，butnoskillthathecouldexercisewouldmoveitwithouttearing。Atlastshesaid：’Don’ttryanylonger。Itisnotfartothehouse。Icanwalkinmystocking。’
’I’llassistyouin，’hesaid。
Shesaidshedidnotwanthelp，neverthelessallowedhimtohelpherontheunshodside。Astheymovedonsheexplainedthatshehadcomeoutthroughthegardendoor；hadbeenstandingontheboulderstolookatsomethingoutatseajustdiscernibleintheeveninglightasassistedbythemoon，and，injumpingdown，hadwedgedherfootashehadfoundit。
WhateverPierston’syearsmighthavemadehimlookbyday，intheduskofeveninghewasfairlypresentableasapleasingmanofnomarkedantiquity，hisoutlinedifferingbutlittlefromwhatithadbeenwhenhewashalfhisyears。Hewaswellpreserved，stillupright，trimlyshaven，agileinmovement；woreatightlybuttonedsuitwhichsetofanaturallyslightfigure；inbrief，hemighthavebeenofanyageasheappearedtoheratthismoment。Shetalkedtohimwiththeco-equalityofonewhoassumedhimtobenotfaraheadofherowngeneration；and，asthegrowingdarknessobscuredhimmoreandmore，headoptedherassumptionofhisagewithincreasingboldnessoftone。
Theflippant，harmlessfreedomofthewatering-placeMiss，whichAvicehadplainlyacquiredduringhersojournattheSandbourneschool，helpedPierstongreatlyinthisroleofjeunepremierwhichhewasnotunreadytoplay。Notaworddidhesayaboutbeinganativeoftheisland；stillmorecarefullydidheconcealthefactofhishavingcourtedhergrandmother，andengagedhimselftomarrythatattractivelady。
Hefoundthatshehadcomeoutupontherocksthroughthesamelittleprivatedoorfromthelawnofthemoderncastlewhichhadfrequentlyaffordedhimegresstothesamespotinyearslongpast。Pierstonaccompaniedheracrossthegroundsalmosttotheentranceofthemansion——theplacebeingnowfarbetterkeptandplantedthanwhenhehadrenteditasalonelytenant；almost，indeed，restoredtotheorderandneatnesswhichhadcharacterizeditwhenhewasaboy。
Likehergrannyshewastooinexperiencedtobereserved，andduringthislittleclimb，leaninguponhisarm，therewastimeforagreatdealofconfidence。Whenhehadbiddenherfarewell，andshehadentered，leavinghiminthedark，arushofsadnessthroughPierston’ssoulsweptdownallthetemporarypleasurehehadfoundinthecharminggirl’scompany。HadMephistophelessprungfromthegroundthereandthenwithanoffertoJocelynofrestorationtoyouthontheusualtermsofhisfirm，thesculptormighthaveconsentedtosellapartofhimselfwhichhefeltlessimmediateneedofthanofaruddylipandcheekandanunploughedbrow。
Butwhatcouldonlyhavebeentreatedasafollybyoutsiderswasalmostasorrowforhim。Whywashebornwithsuchatemperament？Andthisconcatenatedinterestcouldhardlyhavearisen，evenwithPierston，butforaconfluxofcircumstancesonlypossiblehere。ThethreeAvices，thesecondsomethinglikethefirst，thethirdaglorificationofthefirst，atalleventsexternally，weretheoutcomeoftheimmemorialislandcustomsofintermarriageandofprenuptialunion，underwhichconditionsthetypeoffeaturewasalmostuniformfromparenttochildthroughgenerations：sothat，tillquitelatterly，tohaveseenonenativemanandwomanwastohaveseenthewholepopulationofthatisolatedrock，sonearlycutofffromthemainland。Hisownpredispositionandthesenseofhisearlyfaithlessnessdidalltherest。
Heturnedgloomilyaway，andlethimselfoutoftheprecincts。Beforewalkingalongthecoupleofmilesofroadwhichwouldconducthimtothelittlestationontheshore，heredescendedtotherockswhereonhehadfoundher，andsearchedaboutforthefissurewhichhadmadeaprisonerofthisterriblybelatededitionoftheBeloved。Kneelingdownbesidethespotheinsertedhishand，andultimately，bymuchwriggling，withdrewtheprettyboot。Hemusedoveritforamoment，putitinhispocket，andfollowedthestonyroutetotheStreetofWells。
3。III。THERENEWEDIMAGEBURNSITSELFIN
TherewasnothingtohinderPierstonincallinguponthenewAvice’smotherasoftenasheshouldchoose，beyondthefivemilesofinterveningrailwayandadditionalmileortwoofclamberingovertheheightsoftheisland。Twodayslater，therefore，herepeatedhisjourneyandknockedabouttea-timeatthewidow’sdoor。
Ashehadfeared，thedaughterwasnotathome。Hesatdownbesidetheoldsweetheartwho，havingeclipsedhermotherinpastdays，hadnoweclipsedherselfinherchild。Jocelynproducedthegirl’sbootfromhispocket。
’Then，’tisYOUwhohelpedAviceoutofherpredicament？’saidMrs。
Pierston，withsurprise。
’Yes，mydearfriend；andperhapsIshallaskyoutohelpmeoutofminebeforeIhavedone。Butnevermindthatnow。Whatdidshetellyouabouttheadventure？’
Mrs。Pierstonwaslookingthoughtfullyuponhim。’Well，’tisratherstrangeitshouldhavebeenyou，sir，’shereplied。Sheseemedtobeagooddealinterested。’Ithoughtitmighthavebeenayoungerman——amuchyoungerman。’
’Itmighthavebeenasfarasfeelingswereconcerned……Now，Avice，I’lltothepointatonce。VirtuallyIhaveknownyourdaughteranynumberofyears。WhenItalktoherIcananticipateeveryturnofherthought，everysentiment，everyact，solongdidIstudythosethingsinyourmotherandinyou。ThereforeIdonotrequiretolearnher；shewaslearntbymeinherpreviousexistences。Now，don’tbeshocked：Iamwillingtomarryher——Ishouldbeoverjoyedtodoit，iftherewouldbenothingpreposterousaboutit，orthatwouldseemlikeamanmakinghimselftoomuchofafool，andsodegradingherinconsenting。Icanmakehercomparativelyrich，asyouknow，andI
wouldindulgehereverywhim。Thereistheidea，bluntlyput。Itwouldsetrightsomethinginmymindthathasbeenwrongforfortyyears。Aftermydeathshewouldhaveplentyoffreedomandplentyofmeanstoenjoyit。’
Mrs。IsaacPierstonseemedonlyalittlesurprised；certainlynotshocked。
’Well，ifIdidn’tthinkyoumightbeabittakenwithher！’shesaidwithanarchsimplicitywhichcouldhardlybecalledunaffected。
’Knowingthesetofyourmind，frommylittletimewithyouyearsago，nothingyoucoulddointhiswaywouldastonishme。’
’Butyoudon’tthinkbadlyofmeforit？’
’Notatall……By-the-bye，didyoueverguesswhyIaskedyoutocome？……Butneverminditnow：thematterispast……Ofcourse，itwoulddependuponwhatAvicefelt……Perhapsshewouldrathermarryayoungerman。’
’Andsupposeasatisfactoryyoungermanshouldnotappear？’
Mrs。Pierstonshowedinherfacethatshefullyrecognizedthedifferencebetweenarichbirdinhandandayoungbirdinthebush。
Shelookedhimcuriouslyupanddown。
’Iknowyouwouldmakeanybodyaverynicehusband，’shesaid。’Iknowthatyouwouldbenicerthanmanymenhalfyourage；and，thoughthereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweenyouandher，therehavebeenmoreunequalmarriages，that’strue。Speakingashermother，IcansaythatIshouldn’tobjecttoyou，sir，forher，providedshelikedyou。Thatiswherethedifficultywilllie。’
’Iwishyouwouldhelpmetogetoverthatdifficulty，’hesaidgently。
’Remember，Ibroughtbackatruanthusbandtoyoutwentyyearsago。’
’Yes，youdid，’sheassented；’and，thoughImaysaynogreatthingsastohappinesscameofit，I’vealwaysseenthatyourintentionstowardsmewerenonethelessnobleonthataccount。IwoulddoforyouwhatI
woulddofornootherman，andthereisonereasoninparticularwhichinclinesmetohelpyouwithAvice——thatIshouldfeelabsolutelycertainIwashelpinghertoakindhusband。’
’Well，thatwouldremaintobeseen。Iwould，atanyrate，trytobeworthyofyouropinion。Come，Avice，foroldtimes’sake，youmusthelpme。Youneverfeltanythingbutfriendshipinthosedays，youknow，andthatmakesiteasyandproperforyoutodomeagoodturnnow。’
Afteralittlemoreconversationhisoldfriendpromisedthatshereallywoulddoeverythingthatlayinherpower。Shedidnotsayhowsimpleshethoughthimnottoperceivethatshehadalready，bywritingtohim，beendoingeverythingthatlayinherpower；hadcreatedthefeelingwhichpromptedhisentreaty。Andtoshowhergoodfaithinthispromisesheaskedhimtowaittilllaterintheevening，whenAvicemightpossiblyrunacrosstoseeher。
Pierston，whofanciedhehadwontheyoungerAvice’sinterest，atleast，bytheparthehadplayedupontherockstheweekbefore，hadadreadofencounteringherinfulllighttillheshouldhaveadvancedalittlefurtherinherregard。Heaccordinglywasperplexedatthisproposal，and，seeinghishesitation，Mrs。PierstonsuggestedthattheyshouldwalktogetherinthedirectionwhenceAvicewouldcome，ifshecameatall。
Hewelcomedtheidea，andinafewminutestheystarted，strollingalongunderthenowstrongmoonlight，andwhentheyreachedthegatesofSylvaniaCastleturningbackagaintowardsthehouse。Aftertwoorthreesuchwalksupanddownthegateofthecastlegroundsclicked，andaformcameforthwhichprovedtobetheexpectedone。
Assoonastheymetthegirlrecognizedinhermother’scompanionthegentlemanwhohadhelpedherontheshore；andsheseemedreallygladtofindthatherchivalrousassistantwasclaimedbyherparentasanoldfriend。SherememberedhearingatdiverstimesaboutthisworthyLondonmanoftalentandposition，whoseancestrywerepeopleofherownisle，andpossibly，fromthename，ofacommonstockwithherown。
’AndyouhaveactuallylivedinSylvaniaCastleyourself，Mr。
Pierston？’askedAvicethedaughter，withherinnocentyoungvoice。
’Wasitlongago？’
’Yes，itwassometimeago，’repliedthesculptor，withasinkingathisheartlestsheshouldaskhowlong。
’ItmusthavebeenwhenIwasaway——orwhenIwasverylittle？’
’Idon’tthinkyouwereaway。’
’ButIdon’tthinkIcouldhavebeenhere？’
’No，perhapsyoucouldn’thavebeenhere。’
’Ithinkshewashidingherselfintheparsley-bed，’saidAvice’smotherblandly。
TheytalkedinthisgeneralwaytilltheyreachedMrs。Pierston’shouse；butJocelynresistedboththewidow’sinvitationandthedesireofhisownheart，andwentawaywithoutentering。Torisk，byvisiblyconfrontingher，theadvantagethathehadalreadygained，orfanciedhehadgained，withthere-incarnateAvicerequiredmorecouragethanhecouldclaiminhispresentmood。
***
Sucheveningpromenadesasthesewerefrequentduringthewaxingofthatsummermoon。Ononeoccasion，astheywereallgoodwalkers，itwasarrangedthattheyshouldmeethalfwaybetweentheislandandthetowninwhichPierstonhadlodgings。Itwasimpossiblethatbythistimetheprettyyounggovernessshouldnothaveguessedtheultimatereasonoftheseramblestobeamatrimonialintention；butsheinclinedtothebeliefthatthewidowratherthanherselfwastheobjectofPierston’sregard；thoughwhythiseducatedandapparentlywealthymanshouldbeattractedbyhermother——whosehomelinesswasapparentenoughtothegirl’smoremoderntraining——shecouldnotcomprehend。
TheymetaccordinglyinthemiddleofthePebble-bank，Pierstoncomingfromthemainland，andthewomenfromthepeninsularrock。CrossingthewoodenbridgewhichconnectedthebankwiththeshorepropertheymovedinthedirectionofHenrytheEighth’sCastle，onthevergeoftherag-stonecliff。LiketheRedKing’sCastleontheisland，theinteriorwasopentothesky，andwhentheyenteredandthefullmoonstreameddownuponthemovertheedgeoftheenclosingmasonry，thewholepresentrealityfadedfromJocelyn’smindunderthepressofmemories。NeitherofhiscompanionsguessedwhatPierstonwasthinkingof。Itwasinthisveryspotthathewastohavemetthegrandmotherofthegirlathisside，andinwhichhewouldhavemetherhadshechosentokeeptheappointment，ameetingwhichmight——nay，must——havechangedthewholecurrentofhislife。
Insteadofthat，fortyyearshadpassed——fortyyearsofseverancefromAvice，tillasecondlyrenewedcopyofhissweethearthadarisentofillherplace。Buthe，alas，wasnotrenewed。Andofallthistheprettyyoungthingathissideknewnothing。
Takingadvantageoftheyoungerwoman’sretreattoviewtheseathroughanopeningofthewalls，Pierstonappealedtohermotherinawhisper：
’Haveyouevergivenherahintofwhatmymeaningis？No？ThenI
thinkyoumight，ifyoureallyhavenoobjection。’
Mrs。Pierston，asthewidow，wasfarfrombeingsocoldlydisposedinherownpersontowardsherfriendasinthedayswhenhewantedtomarryher。Hadshenowbeentheobjectofhiswisheshewouldnothaveneededtoaskhertwice。Butlikeagoodmothershestifledallthis，andsaidshewouldsoundAvicethereandthen。
’Avice，mydear，’shesaid，advancingtowherethegirlmusedinthewindow-gap，’whatdoyouthinkofMr。Pierstonpayinghisaddressestoyou——comingcourting，as_I_callitinmyold-fashionedway。
Supposinghewereto，wouldyouencouragehim？’
’ToME，mother？’saidAvice，withaninquiringlaugh。’Ithought——hemeantyou！’
’Ono，hedoesn’tmeanme，’saidhermotherhastily。’Heisnothingmorethanmyfriend。’
’Idon’twantanyaddresses，’saidthedaughter。
’Heisamaninsociety，andwouldtakeyoutoaneleganthouseinLondonsuitedtoyoureducation，insteadofleavingyoutomopehere。’
’Ishouldlikethatwellenough，’repliedAvicecarelessly。
’Thengivehimsomeencouragement。’
’Idon’tcareenoughabouthimtodoanyencouraging。Itishisbusiness，Ishouldthink，todoall。’
Shespokeinherlightestvein；buttheresultwasthatwhenPierston，whohaddiscreetlywithdrawn，returnedtothem，shewalkeddocilely，thoughperhapsgloomily，besidehim，hermotherdroppingtotherear。
Theycametoaruggeddescent，andPierstontookherhandtohelpher。
Sheallowedhimtoretainitwhentheyarrivedonlevelground。
Altogetheritwasnotanunsuccessfuleveningforthemanwiththeunanchoredheart，thoughpossiblyinitialsuccessmeantworseforhiminthelongrunthaninitialfailure。Therewasnothingmarvellousinthefactofhertractabilitythusfar。Inhismoderndressandstyle，undertheraysofthemoon，helookedaverypresentablegentlemanindeed，whilehisknowledgeofartandhistravelledmannerswerenotwithouttheirattractionsforagirlwhowithonehandtouchedtheeducatedmiddle-classandwiththeothertherudeandsimpleinhabitantsoftheisle。Herintenselymodernsympathieswerequickenedbyherpeculiaroutlook。
Pierstonwouldhaveregardedhisinterestinherasovermuchselfishiftherehadnotexistedaredeemingqualityinthesubstratumofoldpatheticmemorybywhichsuchlovehadbeencreated——whichstillpermeatedit，renderingitthetenderest，mostanxious，mostprotectiveinstincthehadeverknown。Itmayhavehadinitscompositiontoomuchoftheboyishfervourthathadcharacterizedsuchaffectionwhenhewascherry-cheeked，andlightinthefootasagirl；but，ifitwasallthisfeelingofyouth，itwasmore。
Mrs。Pierston，infearingtobefrank，lestshemightseemtobeanglingforhisfortune，didnotfullydivinehischeerfulreadinesstoofferit，ifbysodoinghecouldmakeamendsforhisinfidelitytoherfamilyfortyyearsbackinthepast。Timehadnotmadehimmercenary，andithadquenchedhisambitions；andthoughhiswishtowedAvicewasnotentirelyawishtoenrichher，theknowledgethatshewouldbeenrichedbeyondanythingthatshecouldhaveanticipatedwaswhatallowedhimtoindulgehislove。
Hewasnotexactlyoldhesaidtohimselfthenextmorningashebeheldhisfaceintheglass。Andhelookedconsiderablyyoungerthanhewas。
Buttherewashistoryinhisface——distinctchaptersofit；hisbrowwasnotthatblankpageitoncehadbeen。Heknewtheoriginofthatlineinhisforehead；ithadbeentracedinthecourseofamonthortwobypasttroubles。Herememberedthecomingofthispalewiryhair；
ithadbeenbroughtbytheillnessinRome，whenhehadwishedeachnightthathemightneverwakeagain。Thiswrinkledcorner，thatdrawnbitofskin，theyhadresultedfromthosemonthsofdespondencywhenallseemedgoingagainsthisart，hisstrength，hishappiness。’Youcannotliveyourlifeandkeepit，Jocelyn，’hesaid。Timewasagainsthimandlove，andtimewouldprobablywin。
’WhenIwentawayfromthefirstAvice，’hecontinuedwithwhimsicalmisery，’IhadapresentimentthatIshouldacheforitsomeday。AndIamaching——haveachedeversincethisjadeofanIdeallearnttheunconscionabletrickofinhabitingoneimageonly。’
Uponthewholehewasnotwithoutabodementthatitwouldbefollytopresson。
3。IV。ADASHFORTHELASTINCARNATION
Thisdesultorycourtshipofayounggirlwhichhadbeenbroughtaboutbyhermother’scontrivancewasinterruptedbytheappearanceofSomersandhiswifeandfamilyontheBudmouthEsplanade。AlfredSomers，oncetheyouthful，picturesqueashisownpaintings，wasnowamiddle-agedfamilymanwithspectacles——spectaclesworn，too，withthesingleobjectofseeingthroughthem——andarowofdaughterstailingofftoinfancy，whoatpresentaddedappreciablytotheincomeofthebathing-
machinewomenestablishedalongthesands。
Mrs。Somers——oncetheintellectual，emancipatedMrs。Pine-Avon——hadnowretrogradedtothepettyandtimidmentalpositionofhermotherandgrandmother，givingsharp，strictregardtothecurrentliteratureandartthatreachedtheinnocentpresenceofherlongperspectiveofgirls，withtheviewofhidingeveryskullandskeletonoflifefromtheirdeareyes。Shewasanotherillustrationoftherulethatsucceedinggenerationsofwomenareseldommarkedbycumulativeprogress，theiradvanceasgirlsbeinglostintheirrecessionasmatrons；sothattheymoveupanddownthestreamofintellectualdevelopmentlikeflotsaminatidalestuary。Andthisperhapsnotbyreasonoftheirfaultsasindividuals，butoftheirmisfortuneaschild-rearers。
Thelandscape-painter，nowanAcademicianlikePierstonhimself——ratherpopularthandistinguished——hadgivenupthatpeculiarandpersonaltasteinsubjectswhichhadmarkedhimintimespast，executinginsteadmanypleasingaspectsofnatureaddressedtothefurnishinghouseholderthroughthemiddlingcritic，andreallyverygoodoftheirkind。InthiswayhereceivedmanylargechequesfrompersonsofwealthinEnglandandAmerica，outofwhichhebuilthimselfasumptuousstudioandanawkwardhousearoundit，andpaidfortheeducationofthegrowingmaidens。
ThevisionofSomers’shumblepositionasjackaltothislionofafamilyandhouseandstudioandsocialreputation——Somers，towhomstrangeconceitsandwildimaginingsweredepartedjoysnevertoreturn——ledPierston，asthepainter’scontemporary，tofeelthatheoughttobeoneofthebygoneslikewise，andtoputonanairofunromanticbufferism。HerefrainedfromenteringAvice’speninsulaforthewholefortnightofSomers’sstayintheneighbouringtown，althoughitsgreypoeticaloutline——’thronedalongthesea’——greetedhiseyeseverymornandeveacrosstheroadstead。
Whenthepainterandhisfamilyhadgonebackfromtheirbathingholiday，hethoughtthathe，too，wouldleavetheneighbourhood。Todoso，however，withoutwishingatleasttheelderAvicegood-byewouldbeunfriendly，consideringtheextentoftheiracquaintance。Oneevening，knowingthistimeofdaytosuitherbest，hetookthefew-minutes’
journeytotherockalongthethinconnectingstringofjunction，andarrivedatMrs。Pierston’sdoorjustafterdark。
Alightshonefromanupperchamber。Onaskingforhiswidowedacquaintancehewasinformedthatshewasill，seriously，thoughnotdangerously。Whilelearningthatherdaughterwaswithher，andfurtherparticulars，anddoubtingifheshouldgoin，amessagewassentdowntoaskhimtoenter。Hisvoicehadbeenheard，andMrs。
Pierstonwouldliketoseehim。
Hecouldnotwithanyhumanityrefuse，butthereflashedacrosshismindtherecollectionthatAvicetheyoungesthadneveryetreallyseenhim，hadseennothingmoreofhimthananoutline，whichmighthaveappertainedaseasilytoamanthirtyyearshisjuniorastohimself，andacountenancesorenovatedbyfaintmoonlightasfairlytocorrespond。Itwaswithmisgiving，therefore，thatthesculptorascendedthestaircaseandenteredthelittleuppersitting-room，nowarrangedasasick-chamber。
Mrs。Pierstonreclinedonasofa，herfaceemaciatedtoasurprisingthinnessforthecomparativelyshortintervalsinceherattack。’Comein，sir，’shesaid，assoonasshesawhim，holdingoutherhand。
’Don’tletmefrightenyou。’
Avicewasseatedbesideher，reading。Thegirljumpedup，hardlyseemingtorecognizehim。’O！it’sMr。Pierston，’shesaidinamoment，addingquickly，withevidentsurpriseandoffherguard：’I
thoughtMr。Pierstonwas——’
Whatshehadthoughthewasdidnotpassherlips，anditremainedariddleforJocelynuntilanewdepartureinhermannertowardshimshowedthatthewords’muchyounger’wouldhaveaccuratelyendedthesentence。HadPierstonnotnowconfrontedheranew，hemighthaveenduredphilosophicallyherchangedopinionofhim。Buthewasseeingheragain，andarootedfeelingwasrevived。