Pierstonnowlearntforthefirsttimethatthewidowhadbeenvisitedbysuddenattacksofthissortnotinfrequentlyoflateyears。Theyweresaidtobeduetoanginapectoris，thelatterparoxysmshavingbeenthemostsevere。Shewasatthepresentmomentoutofpain，thoughweak，exhausted，andnervous。Shewouldnot，however，converseaboutherself，buttookadvantageofherdaughter’sabsencefromtheroomtobroachthesubjectmostinherthoughts。
Nocompunctionshadstirredherastheyhadhervisitorontheexpediencyofhissuitinviewofhisyears。HerfeverofanxietylestafterallheshouldnotcometoseeAviceagainhadbeennotwithoutaneffectuponherhealth；anditmadehermorecandidthanshehadintendedtobe。
’Troublesandsicknessraiseallsortsoffears，Mr。Pierston，’shesaid。’WhatIfeltonlyawishfor，whenyoufirstnamedit，Ihavehopedforagooddealsince；andIhavebeensoanxiousthat——thatitshouldcometosomething！Iamgladindeedthatyouarecome。’
’MywantingtomarryAvice，youmean，dearMrs。Pierston？’
’Yes——that’sit。Iwonderifyouarestillinthesamemind？Youare？
ThenIwishsomethingcouldbedone——tomakeheragreetoit——soastogetitsettled。Idreadotherwisewhatwillbecomeofher。SheisnotapracticalgirlasIwas——shewouldhardlylikenowtosettledownasanislander’swife；andtoleaveherlivingherealonewouldtroubleme。’
’Nothingwillhappentoyouyet，Ihope，mydearoldfriend。’
’Well，itisariskycomplaint；andtheattacks，whentheycome，aresoagonizingthattoendurethemIoughttogetridofalloutsideanxieties，folksay。Now——doyouwanther，sir？’
’Withallmysoul！Butshedoesn’twantme。’
’Idon’tthinksheissoagainstyouasyouimagine。Ifancyifitwereputtoherplainly，nowIaminthisstate，itmightbedone。’
Theylapsedintoconversationontheearlydaysoftheiracquaintance，untilMrs。Pierston’sdaughterre-enteredtheroom。
’Avice，’saidhermother，whenthegirlhadbeenwiththemafewminutes。’AboutthismatterthatIhavetalkedoverwithyousomanytimessincemyattack。HereisMr。Pierston，andhewishestobeyourhusband。Heismucholderthanyou；but，inspiteofit，thatyouwillevergetabetterhusbandIdon’tbelieve。Now，willyoutakehim，seeingthestateIamin，andhownaturallyanxiousIamtoseeyousettledbeforeIdie？’
’Butyouwon’tdie，mother！Youaregettingbetter！’
’Justforthepresentonly。Come，heisagoodmanandacleverman，andarichman。Iwantyou，Osomuch，tobehiswife！Icansaynomore。’
Avicelookedappealinglyatthesculptor，andthenonthefloor。’Doeshereallywishmeto？’sheaskedalmostinaudibly，turningasshespoketoPierston。’Hehasneverquitesaidsotome。’
’Mydearone，howcanyoudoubtit？’saidJocelynquickly。’ButI
won’tpressyoutomarrymeasafavour，againstyourfeelings。’
’IthoughtMr。Pierstonwasyounger！’shemurmuredtohermother。
’Thatcountsforlittle，whenyouthinkhowmuchthereisontheotherside。Thinkofourposition，andofhis——asculptor，withamansion，andastudiofullofbustsandstatuesthatIhavedustedinmytime，andofthebeautifulstudiesyouwouldbeabletotakeup。Surelythelifewouldjustsuityou？Yourexpensiveeducationiswasteddownhere！’
Avicedidnotcaretoargue。Shewasoutwardlygentleashergrandmotherhadbeen，anditseemedjustaquestionwithherofwhethershemustormustnot。’Verywell——IfeelIoughttoagreetomarryhim，sinceyoutellmeto，’sheansweredquietly，aftersomethought。
’Iseethatitwouldbeawisethingtodo，andthatyouwishit，andthatMr。Pierstonreallydoes——likeme。So——sothat——’
Pierstonwasnotbackwardatthiscriticaljuncture，despiteunpleasantsensations。Butitwasthehistoricingredientinthisgenealogicalpassion——ifitscontinuitythroughthreegenerationsmaybesodescribed——whichappealedtohisperseveranceattheexpenseofhiswisdom。Themotherwasholdingthedaughter’shand；shetookPierston’s，andlaidAvice’sinit。
Nomorewassaidinargument，andthethingwasregardedasdetermined。
Afterwardsanoisewashearduponthewindow-panes，asoffinesandthrown；and，liftingtheblind，Pierstonsawthatthedistantlightshipwinkedwithablearedandindistincteye。Adrizzlingrainhadcomeonwiththedark，anditwasstrikingthewindowinhandfuls。Hehadintendedtowalkthetwomilesbacktothestation，butitmeantadrenchingtodoitnow。Hewaitedandhadsupper；and，findingtheweathernobetter，acceptedMrs。Pierston’sinvitationtostayoverthenight。
Thusitfelloutthatagainhelodgedinthehousehehadbeenaccustomedtoliveinasaboy，beforehisfatherhadmadehisfortune，andbeforehisownnamehadbeenheardofoutsidetheboundariesoftheisle。
Hesleptbutlittle，andinthefirstmovementofthedawnsatupinbed。WhyshouldheeverliveinLondonoranyotherfashionablecityifthisplanofmarriagecouldbecarriedout？Surely，withthisyoungwife，theislandwouldbethebestplaceforhim。ItmightbepossibletorentSylvaniaCastleashehadformerlydone——betterstilltobuyit。IflifecouldofferhimanythingworthhavingitwouldbeahomewithAvicethereonhisnativecliffstotheendofhisdays。
Ashesatthusthinking，andthedaylightincreased，hediscerned，ashortdistancebeforehim，amovementofsomethingghostly。Hispositionwasfacingthewindow，andhefoundthatbychancethelooking-glasshadswungitselfvertical，sothatwhathesawwashisownshape。Therecognitionstartledhim。Thepersonheappearedwastoogrievouslyfar，chronologically，inadvanceofthepersonhefelthimselftobe。Pierstondidnotcaretoregardthefigureconfrontinghimsomockingly。Itsvoiceseemedtosay’There’stragedyhangingontothis！’Butthequestionofagebeingpertinenthecouldnotgivethespectreup，andultimatelygotoutofbedundertheweirdfascinationofthereflection。Whetherhehadoverwalkedhimselflately，orwhathehaddone，heknewnot；butneverhadheseemedsoagedbyascoreofyearsashewasrepresentedintheglassinthatcoldgreymorninglight。Whilehissoulwaswhatitwas，whyshouldhehavebeenencumberedwiththatwitheringcarcase，withouttheabilitytoshiftitoffforanother，ashisidealBelovedhadsofrequentlydone？
Byreasonofhermother’sillnessAvicewasnowlivinginthehouse，and，ongoingdownstairs，hefoundthattheyweretobreakfastentete-
a-tete。Shewasnotthenintheroom，butsheenteredinthecourseofafewminutes。Pierstonhadalreadyheardthatthewidowfeltbetterthismorning，andelatedbytheprospectofsittingwithAviceatthismealhewentforwardtoherjoyously。Assoonasshesawhiminthefullstrokeofdayfromthewindowshestarted；andhethenrememberedthatitwastheirfirstmeetingunderthesolarrays。
Shewassoovercomethatsheturnedandlefttheroomasifshehadforgottensomething；whenshere-enteredshewasvisiblypale。Sherecoveredherself，andapologized。Shehadbeensittingupthenightbeforethelast，shesaid，andwasnotquitesowellasusual。
Theremayhavebeensometruthinthis；butPierstoncouldnotgetoverthatfirstscaredlookofhers。Itwasenoughtogivedaytimestabilitytohisnightviewsofapossibletragedylurkinginthisweddingproject。Hedeterminedthat，atanycosttohisheart，thereshouldbenomisapprehensionabouthimfromthismoment。
’MissPierston，’hesaidastheysatdown，’sinceitiswellyoushouldknowallthetruthbeforewegoanyfurther，thattheremaybenoawkwarddiscoveriesafterwards，Iamgoingtotellyousomethingaboutmyself——ifyouarenottoodistressedtohearit？’
’No——letmehearit。’
’Iwasoncetheloverofyourmother，andwantedtomarryher，onlyshewouldn’t，orrathercouldn’t，marryme。’
’Ohowstrange！’saidthegirl，lookingfromhimtothebreakfastthings，andfromthebreakfastthingstohim。’Motherhasnevertoldmethat。Yetofcourse，youmighthavebeen。Imean，youareoldenough。’
Hetooktheremarkasasatireshehadnotintended。’Oyes——quiteoldenough，’hesaidgrimly。’Almosttooold。’
’Toooldformother？How’sthat？’
’BecauseIbelongedtoyourgrandmother。’
’No？Howcanthatbe？’
’Iwasherloverlikewise。IshouldhavemarriedherifIhadgonestraightoninsteadofroundthecorner。’
’Butyoucouldn’thavebeen，Mr。Pierston！Youarenotoldenough？
Why，howoldareyou？——youhavenevertoldme。’
’Iamveryold。’
’Mymother’s，andmygrandmother’s，’saidshe，lookingathimnolongerasatapossiblehusband，butasastrangefossilizedrelicinhumanform。Pierstonsawit，butmeaningtogiveupthegamehedidnotcaretosparehimself。
’Yourmother’sandyourgrandmother’syoungman，’herepeated。
’Andwereyoumygreat-grandmother’stoo？’sheasked，withanexpectantinterestinhiscaseasadramathatovercameherpersonalconsiderationsforamoment。
’No——notyourgreat-grandmother’s。Yourimaginationbeatsevenmyconfessions！……ButIamVERYold，asyousee。’
’Ididnotknowit！’saidsheinanappalledmurmur。’Youdonotlookso；andIthoughtthatwhatyoulookedyouwere。’
’Andyou——youareveryyoung，’hecontinued。
Astillnessfollowed，duringwhichshesatinatroubledconstraint，regardinghimnowandthenwithsomethinginheropeneyesandlargepupilsthatmighthavebeensympathyornervousness。Pierstonatescarceanybreakfast，andrisingabruptlyfromthetablesaidhewouldtakeawalkonthecliffsasthemorningwasfine。
Hedidso，proceedingalongthenorth-eastheightsfornearlyamile。
HehadvirtuallygivenAviceup，butnotformally。Hisintentionhadbeentogobacktothehouseinhalf-an-hourandpayamorningvisittotheinvalid；butbynotreturningtheplansofthepreviouseveningmightbeallowedtolapsesilently，asmerepourparlersthathadcometonothinginthefaceofAvice’swantofloveforhim。Pierstonaccordinglywentstraightalong，andinthecourseofanhourwasathisBudmouthlodgings。
Nothingoccurredtilltheeveningtoinformhimhowhisabsencehadbeentaken。ThenanotearrivedfromMrs。Pierston；itwaswritteninpencil，evidentlyasshelay。
’Iamalarmed，’shesaid，’atyourgoingsosuddenly。Aviceseemstothinkshehasoffendedyou。Shedidnotmeantodothat，Iamsure。
Itmakesmedreadfullyanxious！Willyousendaline？Surelyyouwillnotdesertusnow——myheartissosetonmychild’swelfare！’
’DesertyouIwon’t，’saidJocelyn。’Itistoomuchliketheoriginalcase。ButImustletherdesertme！’
Onhisreturn，withnootherobjectthanthatofwishingMrs。Pierstongood-bye，hefoundherpainfullyagitated。Sheclaspedhishandandwetteditwithhertears。
’Odon’tbeoffendedwithher！’shecried。’She’syoung。Weareonepeople——don’tmarryakimberlin！Itwillbreakmyheartifyouforsakehernow！Avice！’
Thegirlcame。’Mymannerwashastyandthoughtlessthismorning，’shesaidinalowvoice。’Pleasepardonme。Iwishtoabidebymypromise。’
Hermother，stilltearful，againjoinedtheirhands；andtheengagementstoodasbefore。
PierstonwentbacktoBudmouth，butdimlyseeinghowcuriously，throughhisbeingarichsuitor，ideasofbeneficenceandreparationwereretaininghiminthecoursearrangedbyhermother，andurgedbyhisowndesireinthefaceofhisunderstanding。
3。V。ONTHEVERGEOFPOSSESSION
InanticipationofhismarriagePierstonhadtakenanewredhouseoftheapprovedKensingtonpattern，withanewstudioatthebackaslargeasamediaevalbarn。Hither，incollusionwiththeelderAvice——whosehealthhadmendedsomewhat——heinvitedmotheranddaughtertospendaweekortwowithhim，thinkingtherebytoexerciseonthelatter’simaginationaninfluencewhichwasnotpracticablewhilehewasaguestattheirhouse；andbyinterestinghisbetrothedinthefittingandfurnishingofthisresidencetocreateinheranambitiontobeitsmistress。
Itwasapleasant，reposefultimetobeintown。Therewasnobodytointerruptthemintheirproceedings，and，itbeingoutoftheseason，thelargesttradesmenwereasattentivetotheirwantsasifthosefirmshadneverbeforebeenhonouredwithasinglecustomerwhomtheyreallyliked。Pierstonandhisguests，almostequallyinexperienced——
forthesculptorhadnearlyforgottenwhatknowledgeofhouseholdinghehadacquiredearlierinlife——couldconsiderandpractisethoroughlyaspeciesofskeleton-drillinreceivingvisitorswhenthepairshouldannouncethemselvesasmarriedandathomeinthecomingwinterseason。
Avicewascharming，evenifalittlecold。Hecongratulatedhimselfyetagainthattimeshouldhavereservedforhimthisfinalchanceforoneoftheline。Shewassomewhatlikehermother，whomhehadlovedintheflesh，butshehadthesoulofhergrandmother，whomhehadlovedinthespirit——and，forthatmatter，lovednow。Onlyonecriticismhadhetopassuponhischoice：thoughinoutwardsemblancehergrandamidealized，shehadnotthefirstAvice’scandour，butratherhermother’scloseness。Heneverknewexactlywhatshewasthinkingandfeeling。Yetheseemedtohavesuchprescriptiverightsinwomenofherbloodthatheroccasionalwantofconfidencedidnotdeeplytroublehim。
ItwasoneofthoseripeandmellowafternoonsthatsometimescolourLondonwiththeirgoldenlightatthistimeoftheyear，andproducethosemarvelloussunseteffectswhich，iftheywerenotknowntobemadeupofkitchencoal-smokeandanimalexhalations，wouldberapturouslyapplauded。Behindtheperpendicular，oblique，zigzagged，andcurvedzinc’tall-boys，’thatformedagreypatternnotunlikeearlyGothicnumeralsagainstthesky，themenandwomenonthetopsoftheomnibusessawanirradiationoftopazhues，darkenedhereandthereintorichestrusset。
Therehadbeenasharpshowerduringtheafternoon，andPierston——whohadtotakecareofhimself——hadwornapairofgoloshesonhisshortwalkinthestreet。Henoiselesslyenteredthestudio，insidewhichsomegleamsofthesamemellowlighthadmanagedtocreep，andwhereheguessedheshouldfindhisprospectivewifeandmother-in-lawawaitinghimwithtea。ButonlyAvicewasthere，seatedbesidetheteapotofbrowndelf，which，asartists，theyaffected，herbackbeingtowardhim。Shewasholdingherhandkerchieftohereyes，andhesawthatshewasweepingsilently。
Inanothermomentheperceivedthatshewasweepingoverabook。Bythistimeshehadheardhim，andcameforward。Hemadeitappearthathehadnotnoticedherdistress，andtheydiscussedsomearrangementsoffurniture。Whenhehadtakenacupofteashewentaway，leavingthebookbehindher。
Pierstontookitup。Thevolumewasanoldschool-book；Stievenard’s’LecturesFrancaises，’withhernameinitasapupilatSandbourneHighSchool，anddate-markingsdenotinglessonstakenatacomparativelyrecenttime，forAvicehadbeenbutanoviceasgovernesswhenhediscoveredher。
Foraschool-girl——whichshevirtuallywas——toweepoveraschool-bookwasstrange。Couldshehavebeenaffectedbysomesubjectinthereadings？Impossible。Pierstonfelltothinking，andzestdiedfortheprocessoffurnishing，whichhehadundertakensogaily。Somehow，thebloomwasagaindisappearingfromhisapproachingmarriage。YethelovedAvicemoreandmoretenderly；hefearedsometimesthatinthesolicitousnessofhisaffectionhewasspoilingherbyindulginghereverywhim。
Helookedroundthelargeandambitiousapartment，nowbecomingcloudedwithshades，outofwhichthewhiteandcadaverouscountenancesofhisstudies，casts，andotherlumberpeeredmeditativelyathim，asiftheyweresaying，’Whatareyougoingtodonow，oldboy？’Theyhadneverlookedlikethatwhilestandinginhispasthomelyworkshop，whereallthereallaboursofhislifehadbeencarriedout。Whatshouldamanofhisage，whohadnotforyearsdoneanythingtospeakof——certainlynottoaddtohisreputationasanartist——wantwithanewplacelikethis？Itwasallbecauseoftheelectlady，andsheapparentlydidnotwanthim。
PierstondidnotobserveanythingfurtherinAvicetocausehimmisgivingtillonedinner-time，aweeklater，towardstheendofthevisit。Then，ashesathimselfbetweenherandhermotherattheirlimitedtable，hewasstruckwithhernervousness，andwastemptedtosay，’Whyareyoutroubled，mylittledearest？’intoneswhichdisclosedthathewasastroubledasshe。
’AmItroubled？’shesaidwithastart，turninghergentlehazeleyesuponhim。’Yes，IsupposeIam。ItisbecauseIhavereceivedaletter——fromanoldfriend。’
’Youdidn’tshowittome，’saidhermother。
’No——Itoreitup。’
’Why？’
’Itwasnotnecessarytokeepit，soIdestroyedit。’
Mrs。Pierstondidnotpressherfurtheronthesubject，andAviceshowednodispositiontocontinueit。Theyretiredratherearly，astheyalwaysdid，butPierstonremainedpacingabouthisstudioalongwhile，musingonmanythings，nottheleastbeingtheperceptionthattowedawomanmaybebynomeansthesamethingastobeunitedwithher。The’oldfriend’ofAvice’sremarkhadsoundedverymuchlike’lover。’Otherwisewhyshouldtheletterhavesogreatlydisturbedher？
Thereseemedtobesomethinguncanny，afterall，aboutLondon，initsrelationtohiscontemplatedmarriage。Whenshehadfirstcomeupshewaseasierwithhimthannow。Andyethisbringinghertherehadhelpedhiscause；thehousehaddecidedlyimpressedher——almostoverawedher，andthoughheownedthatbynolawofnatureorreasonhadhermotherorhimselfanyrighttourgeonAvicepartnershipwithhimagainstherinclination，heresolvedtomakethemostofhavingherunderhisinfluencebygettingtheweddingdetailssettledbeforesheandhermotherleft。
Thenextmorningheproceededtodothis。WhenheencounteredAvicetherewasatraceofapprehensiononherface；buthesetthatdowntoafearthatshehadoffendedhimthenightbeforebyhertaciturnity。
Directlyherequestedhermother，inAvice’spresence，togethertofixthedayquiteearly，Mrs。Pierstonbecamebrighterandbrisker。
She，too，plainlyhaddoubtsaboutthewisdomofdelay，andturningtoherdaughtersaid，’Now，mydear，doyouhear？’
Itwasultimatelyagreedthatthewidowandherdaughtershouldgobackinadayortwo，toawaitPierston’sarrivalonthewedding-eve，immediatelyaftertheirreturn。
***
InpursuanceofthearrangementPierstonfoundhimselfonthesouthshoreofEnglandinthegloomoftheaforesaidevening，theisle，ashelookedacrossatitwithhisapproach，beingjustdiscernibleasamopingcountenance，acreaturesullenwithasensethathewasabouttowithdrawfromitskeepingtherarestobjectithadeverowned。Hehadcomealone，nottoembarrassthem，andhadintendedtohaltacoupleofhoursintheneighbouringseaporttogivesomeordersrelatingtothewedding，butthelittlerailwaytrainbeinginwaitingtotakehimon，heproceededwithanaturalimpatience，resolvingtodohisbusinessherebymessengerfromtheisle。
HepassedtheruinsoftheTudorcastleandthelongfeaturelessribofgrindingpebblesthatscreenedofftheoutersea，whichcouldbeheardliftinganddippingrhythmicallyinthewidevaguenessoftheBay。Attheunder-hillislandtownletoftheWellstherewerenoflys，andleavinghisthingstobebroughton，asheoftendid，heclimbedtheeminenceonfoot。
Half-wayupthesteepestpartofthepasshesawintheduskafigurepausing——thesinglepersonontheincline。Thoughitwastoodarktoidentifyfaces，Pierstongatheredfromthewayinwhichthehaltingstrangerwassupportinghimselfbythehandrail，whichhereborderedtheroadtoassistclimbers，thatthepersonwasexhausted。
’Anythingthematter？’hesaid。
’Ono——notmuch，’wasreturnedbytheother。’Butitissteepjusthere。’
TheaccentwasnotquitethatofanEnglishman，andstruckhimashailingfromoneoftheChannelIslands。’Can’tIhelpyouuptothetop？’hesaid，forthevoice，thoughthatofayoungman，seemedfaintandshaken。
’No，thankyou。Ihavebeenill；butIthoughtIwasallrightagain；
andasthenightwasfineIwalkedintotheislandbytheroad。Itturnedouttoberathertoomuchforme，asthereissomeweaknessleftstill；andthisstiffinclinebroughtitout。’
’Naturally。You’dbettertakeholdofmyarm——atanyratetothebrowhere。’
Thuspressedthestrangerdidso，andtheywentontowardstheridge，till，reachingthelime-kilnstandingtherethestrangerabandonedhishold，saying：’Thankyouforyourassistance，sir。Good-night。’
’Idon’tthinkIrecognizeyourvoiceasanative’s？’
’No，itisnot。IamaJerseyman。Goodnight，sir。’
’Good-night，ifyouaresureyoucangeton。Here，takethisstick——itisnousetome。’Sayingwhich，Pierstonputhiswalking-stickintotheyoungman’shand。
’Thankyouagain。IshallbequiterecoveredwhenIhaverestedaminuteortwo。Don’tletmedetainyou，please。’
Thestrangerashespoketurnedhisfacetowardsthesouth，wheretheBeallighthadjustcomeintoview，andstoodregardingitwithanobstinatefixity。AsheevidentlywishedtobelefttohimselfJocelynwenton，andtroublednomoreabouthim，thoughthedesireoftheyoungmantoberidofhiscompany，afteracceptinghiswalking-stickandhisarm，hadcomewithasuddennessthatwasalmostemotional；andimpressionableasJocelynwas，nolessnowthaninyouth，hewassaddenedforaminutebythesensethattherewerepeopleintheworldwhodidnotlikeevenhissympathy。
However，apleasurewhichobliteratedallthisarosewhenPierstondrewneartothehousethatwaslikelytobehisdearhomeonallfuturevisitstotheisle，perhapsevenhispermanenthomeashegrewolderandtheassociationsofhisyouthre-assertedthemselves。Ithadbeen，too，hisfather’shouse，thehouseinwhichhewasborn，andheamusedhisfancywithplansforitsenlargementunderthesupervisionofAviceandhimself。Itwasastillgreaterpleasuretobeholdatallandshapelyfigurestandingagainstthelightoftheopendoorandpresumablyawaitinghim。
Avice，whoitwas，gavealittlejumpwhensherecognizedhim，butdutifullyallowedhimtokissherwhenhereachedherside；thoughhernervousnesswasonlytooapparent，andwaslikeachild’stowardsaparentwhomayprovestern。
’HowdearofyoutoguessthatImightcomeonatonceinsteadoflater！’saidJocelyn。’Well，ifIhadstayedinthetowntogototheshopsandsoon，Icouldnothavegotheretillthelasttrain。Howismother？——ourmother，asIshallcallhersoon。’
Avicesaidthathermotherhadnotbeensowell——shefearednotnearlysowellsinceherreturnfromLondon，sothatshewasobligedtokeepherroom。Thevisithadperhapsbeentoomuchforher。’Butshewillnotacknowledgethatsheismuchweaker，becauseshewillnotdisturbmyhappiness。’
Jocelynwasinamoodtolettriflesofmannerpass，andhetooknonoticeoftheeffortwhichhadaccompaniedthelastword。TheywentupstairstoMrs。Pierston，whoseobviousreliefandthankfulnessatsightofhimwasgratefultohervisitor。
’Iamso，Osogladyouarecome！’shesaidhuskily，assheheldoutherthinhandandstifledasob。’Ihavebeenso——’
Shecouldgetnofurtherforamoment，andAviceturnedawayweeping，andabruptlylefttheroom。
’Ihavesosetmyheartonthis，’Mrs。Pierstonwenton，’thatIhavenotbeenabletosleepoflate，forIhavefearedImightdropoffsuddenlybeforesheisyours，andlosethecomfortofseeingyouactuallyunited。Yourbeingsokindtomeinoldtimeshasmademesosurethatshewillfindagoodhusbandinyou，thatIamoveranxious，Iknow。Indeed，IhavenotlikedtoletherknowquitehowanxiousI
am。’
ThustheytalkedtillJocelynbadehergoodnight，itbeingnoticeablethatMrs。Pierston，chastenedbyherillnesses，maintainednolongeranyreserveonhergladnesstoacquirehimasherson-in-law；andherfeelingsdestroyedanyremainingscrupleshemighthavehadfromperceivingthatAvice’sconsentwasratheranobediencethanadesire。
Ashewentdownstairs，andfoundAviceawaitinghisdescent，hewonderedifanythinghadoccurredhereduringhisabsencetogiveMrs。
Pierstonnewuneasinessaboutthemarriage，butitwasaninquiryhecouldnotaddresstoagirlwhoseactionscouldalonebethecauseofsuchuneasiness。
Helookedroundforherashesupped，butthoughshehadcomeintotheroomwithhimshewasnottherenow。Herememberedhertellinghimthatshehadhadsupperwithhermother，andJocelynsatonquietlymusingandsippinghiswineforsomethingnearhalf-an-hour。Wonderingthenforthefirsttimewhathadbecomeofher，heroseandwenttothedoor。Avicewasquitenearhimafterall——onlystandingatthefrontdoorasshehadbeendoingwhenhecame，lookingintothelightofthefullmoon，whichhadrisensincehisarrival。Hissuddenopeningofthedining-roomdoorseemedtoagitateher。
’Whatisit，dear？’heasked。
’Asmotherismuchbetteranddoesn’twantme，IoughttogoandseesomebodyIpromisedtotakeaparcelto——IfeelIought。Andyet，asyouhavejustcometoseeme——Isupposeyoudon’tapproveofmygoingoutwhileyouarehere？’
’Whoistheperson？’
’Somebodydownthatway，’shesaidindefinitely。’Itisnotveryfaroff。Iamnotafraid——Igooutoftenbymyselfatnighthereabout。’
Hereassuredhergood-humouredly。’Ifyoureallywishtogo，mydear，ofcourseIdon’tobject。Ihavenoauthoritytodothattilltomorrow，andyouknowthatifIhaditIshouldn’tuseit。’
’Obutyouhave！Motherbeinganinvalid，youareinherplace，apartfrom——to-morrow。’
’Nonsense，darling。Runacrosstoyourfriend’shousebyallmeansifyouwantto。’
’Andyou’llbeherewhenIcomein？’
’No，Iamgoingdowntotheinntoseeifmythingsarebroughtup。’
’Buthasn’tmotheraskedyoutostayhere？Thespareroomwasgotreadyforyou……Dearme，IamafraidIoughttohavetoldyou。’
’Shedidaskme。ButIhavesomethingscoming，directedtotheinn，andIhadbetterbethere。SoI’llwishyougood-night，thoughitisnotlate。Iwillcomeinquiteearlyto-morrow，toinquirehowyourmotherisgoingon，andtowishyougood-morning。Youwillbebackagainquicklythisevening？’
’Oyes。’
’AndIneedn’tgowithyouforcompany？’
’Ono，thankyou。Itisnodistance。’
Pierstonthendeparted，thinkinghowentirelyhermannerwasthatofonetowhomaquestionofdoinganythingwasaquestionofpermissionandnotofjudgment。HehadnosoonergonethanAvicetookaparcelfromacupboard，putonherhatandcloak，andfollowingbythewayhehadtakentillshereachedtheentrancetoSylvaniaCastle，therestoodstill。ShecouldhearPierston’sfootstepspassingdownEastQuarrierstotheinn；butshewentnofurtherinthatdirection。Turningintothelaneontheright，ofwhichmentionhassooftenbeenmade，shewentquicklypastthelastcottage，andhavingenteredthegorgebeyondsheclamberedintotheruinoftheRedKing’sorBow-and-ArrowCastle，standingasasquareblackmassagainstthemoonlit，indefinitesea。
3。VI。THEWELL-BELOVEDIS——WHERE？
Mrs。Pierstonpassedarestlessnight，butthissheletnobodyknow；
nor，whatwaspainfullyevidenttoherself，thatherprostrationwasincreasedbyanxietyandsuspenseabouttheweddingonwhichshehadtoomuchsetherheart。
DuringtheverybriefspaceinwhichshedozedAvicecameintoherroom。Asitwasnotinfrequentforherdaughtertolookinuponherthusshetooklittlenotice，merelysayingtoassurethegirl：’Iambetter，dear。Don’tcomeinagain。Gettosleepyourself。’
Themother，however，wentthinkinganew。Shehadnoapprehensionsaboutthismarriage。Shefeltperfectlysurethatitwasthebestthingshecoulddoforhergirl。NotayoungwomanontheislandbutwasenvyingAviceatthatmoment；forJocelynwasabsurdlyyoungforthreescore，agood-lookingman，onewhosehistorywasgenerallyknownhere；asalsoweretheexactfiguresofthefortunehehadinheritedfromhisfather，andthesocialstandinghecouldclaim——astanding，however，whichthatfortunewouldnothavebeenlargeenoughtoprocureunassistedbyhisreputationinhisart。
ButAvicehadbeenweakenough，ashermotherknew，toindulgeinfanciesforlocalyouthsfromtimetotime，andMrs。Pierstoncouldnothelpcongratulatingherselfthatherdaughterhadbeensodocileinthecircumstances。Yettoeveryoneexcept，perhaps，Aviceherself，Jocelynwasthemostromanticoflovers。Indeedwasthereeversucharomanceasthatmanembodiedinhisrelationstoherhouse？RejectingthefirstAvice，thesecondhadrejectedhim，andtorallytothethirdwithfinalachievementwasanartisticandtenderfinishtowhichitwasungratefulinanybodytobeblind。
ThewidowthoughtthatthesecondAvicemightprobablynothaverejectedPierstononthatoccasionintheLondonstudiosomanyyearsagoifdestinyhadnotarrangedthatsheshouldhavebeensecretlyunitedtoanotherwhentheproposingmomentcame。
Butwhathadcomewasbest。’MyGod，’shesaidattimesthatnight，’tothinkmyaiminwritingtohimshouldbefulfillingitselflikethis！’
Whenallwasrightanddone，whatasuccessuponthewholeherlifewouldhavebeen。Shewhohadbegunhercareerasacottage-girl，asmallquarry-owner’sdaughter，hadsunksolowastothepositionoflaundress，hadengagedinvariousmenialoccupations，hadmadeanunhappymarriageforlovewhichhad，however，inthelongrun，thankstoJocelyn’smanagement，muchimprovedherposition，wasatlasttoseeherdaughtersecurewhatsheherselfhadjustmissedsecuring，andestablishedinahomeofaffluenceandrefinement。
Thusthesickwomanexcitedherselfasthehourswenton。Atlast，inhertensenessitseemedtoherthatthetimehadalreadycomeatwhichthehouseholdwasstirring，andshefanciedsheheardconversationinherdaughter’sroom。Butshefoundthatitwasonlyfiveo’clock，andnotyetdaylight。Herstatewassuchthatshecouldseethehangingsofthebedtremblewithhertremors。Shehaddeclaredovernightthatshedidnotrequireanyonetositupwithher，butshenowrangalittlehandbell，andinafewminutesanurseappeared；RuthStockwool，anislandwomanandneighbour，whomMrs。Pierstonknewwell，andwhoknewallMrs。Pierston’shistory。
’IamsonervousthatIcan’tstaybymyself，’saidthewidow。’AndI
thoughtIheardBeckydressingMissAviceinherweddingthings。’
’Ono——notyet，ma’am。There’snobodyup。ButI’llgetyousomething。’
WhenMrs。Pierstonhadtakenalittlenourishmentshewenton：’I
can’thelpfrighteningmyselfwiththoughtsthatshewon’tmarryhim。
YouseeheisolderthanAvice。’
’Yes，heis，’saidherneighbour。’ButIdon’tseehowanythingcanhendertheweddennow。’
’Avice，youknow，hadfancies；atleastonefancyforanotherman；ayoungfellowoffive-and-twenty。Andshe’sbeenverysecretandoddaboutit。Iwishshehadravedandcriedandhaditout；butshe’sbeenquitetheotherway。Iknowshe’sfondofhimstill。’
’What——thatyoungFrenchman，Mr。Leverreo’Sandbourne？I’veheardalittleofit。ButIshouldsaytherewaddenmuchbetween’em。’
’Idon’tthinktherewas。ButI’veasortofconvictionthatshesawhimlastnight。Ibelieveitwasonlytobidhimgood-bye，andreturnhimsomebookshehadgivenher；butIwishshehadneverknownhim；heisratheranexcitable，impulsiveyoungman，andhemightmakemischief。Heisn’taFrenchman，thoughhehaslivedinFrance。HisfatherwasaJerseygentleman，andonhisbecomingawidowerhemarriedashissecondwifeanativeofthisveryisland。That’smainlywhytheyoungmanissoathomeintheseparts。’
’Ah——nowIfollow’ee。ShewasaBencomb，hisstepmother：Iheardsomethingaboutheryearsago。’
’Yes；herfatherhadthebiggeststone-tradeontheislandatonetime；
butthenameisforgottenherenow。HeretiredyearsbeforeIwasborn。However，motherusedtotellmethatshewasahandsomeyoungwoman，whotriedtocatchMr。Pierstonwhenhewasayoungman，andscandalizedherselfabitwithhim。Shewentoffabroadwithherfather，whohadmadeafortunehere；butwhenhegotovertherehelostitnearlyallinsomeway。YearsaftershemarriedthisJerseyman，Mr。
Leverre，whohadbeenfondofherasagirl，andshebroughtuphischildasherown。’
Mrs。Pierstonpaused，butasRuthdidnotaskanyquestionshepresentlyresumedherself-relievingmurmur：
’HowMissAvicegottoknowtheyoungmanwasinthisway。WhenMrs。
Leverre’shusbanddiedshecamefromJerseytoliveatSandbourne；andmadeitherbusinessonedaytocrossovertothisplacetomakeinquiriesaboutMr。JocelynPierston。AsmynamewasPierstonshecalleduponmewithherson，andsoAviceandhegotacquainted。WhenAvicewentbacktoSandbournetothefinishingschooltheykeptuptheacquaintanceinsecret。HetaughtFrenchsomewherethere，anddoesstill，Ibelieve。’
’Well，Ihopeshe’llforgeten。Heiddengoodenough。’
’Ihopeso——Ihopeso……NowI’lltrytogetalittlenap。’
RuthStockwoolwentbacktoherroom，where，findingitwouldnotbenecessarytogetupforanotherhour，shelaydownagainandsoonslept。Herbedwasclosetothestaircase，fromwhichitwasdividedbyalathpartitiononly，andherconsciousnesseitherwasorseemedtobearousedbylightbrushingtouchesontheoutsideofthepartition，asoffingersfeelingthewaydownstairsinthedark。Theslightnoisepassed，andinafewsecondsshedreamtorfanciedshecouldheartheunfasteningofthebackdoor。
Shehadnearlysunkintoanothersoundsleepwhenpreciselythesamephenomenawererepeated；fingersbrushingalongthewallclosetoherhead，down，downward，thesoftopeningofthedoor，itsclose，andsilenceagain。
Shenowbecameclearlyawake。Therepetitionoftheprocesshadmadethewholematterasingularone。Earlyasitwasthefirstsoundsmighthavebeenthoseofthehousemaiddescending，thoughwhysheshouldhavecomedownsostealthilyandinthedarkdidnotmakeitselfclear。Butthesecondperformancewasinexplicable。Ruthgotoutofbedandliftedherblind。Thedawnwashardlyyetpink，andthelightfromthesandbankwasnotyetextinguished。Butthebushesofeuonymusagainstthewhitepalingsofthefrontgardencouldbeseen，alsothelightsurfaceoftheroadwindingawaylikearibandtothenorthentranceofSylvaniaCastle，thenceroundtothevillage，thecliffs，andtheCovebehind。Upontheroadtwodarkfigurescouldjustbediscerned，onealittlewaybehindtheother，butovertakingandjoiningtheforemostasRuthlooked。Afteralltheymightbequarriersorlighthouse-keepersfromthesouthoftheisland，orfishermenjustlandedfromanight’swork。Therebeingnothingtoconnectthemwiththenoisesshehadheardindoorsshedismissedthewholesubject，andwenttobedagain。
***
JocelynhadpromisedtopayanearlyvisittoascertainthestateofMrs。Pierston’shealthafterhernight’srest，herprecariousconditionbeingmoreobvioustohimthantoAvice，andmakinghimalittleanxious。Subsequenteventscausedhimtorememberthatwhilehewasdressinghecasuallyobservedtwoorthreeboatmenstandingnearthecliffbeyondthevillage，andapparentlywatchingwithdeepinterestwhatseemedtobeaboatfarawaytowardstheoppositeshoreofSouthWessex。Athalf-pasteighthecamefromthedooroftheinnandwentstraighttoMrs。Pierston’s。Onapproachinghediscoveredthatastrangeexpressionwhichseemedtohangaboutthehouse-frontthatmorningwasmorethanafancy，thegate，door，andtwowindowsbeingopen，thoughtheblindsofotherwindowswerenotdrawnup，thewholelendingavacant，dazedlooktothedomicile，asofapersongapinginsuddenstultification。Nobodyansweredhisknock，andwalkingintothedining-roomhefoundthatnobreakfasthadbeenlaid。Hisflashingthoughtwas，’Mrs。Pierstonisdead。’
Whilestandingintheroomsomebodycamedownstairs，andJocelynencounteredRuthStockwool，anopenletterflutteringinherhand。
’OMr。Pierston，Mr。Pierston！TheLord-a-Lord！’
’What？Mrs。Pierston——’
’No，no！MissAvice！Sheisgone！——yes——gone！Readyethis，sir。Itwasleftinherbedroom，andwebefairlygalliedoutofoursenses！’
Hetooktheletterandconfusedlybeheldthatitwasintwohandwritings，thefirstsectionbeinginAvice’s：
’MYDEARMOTHER，——HoweverwillyouforgivemeforwhatIhavedone！
Sodeceitfulasitseems。AndyettillthisnightIhadnoideaofdeceivingeitheryouorMr。Pierston。
’Lastnightatteno’clockIwentout，asyoumayhaveguessed，toseeMr。Leverreforthelasttime，andtogivehimbackhisbooks，letters，andlittlepresentstome。Iwentonlyafewsteps——toBow-and-ArrowCastle，wherewemetaswehadagreedtodo，sincehecouldnotcall。
WhenIreachedtheplaceIfoundhimtherewaiting，butquiteill。Hehadbeenunwellathismother’shouseforsomedays，andhadbeenobligedtostayinbed，buthehadgotuponpurposetocomeandbidmegood-bye。Theover-exertionofthejourneyupsethim，andthoughwestayedandstayedtilltwelveo’clockhefeltquiteunabletogobackhome——unable，indeed，tomovemorethanafewyards。Ihadtriedsohardnottolovehimanylonger，butIlovedhimsonowthatIcouldnotdeserthimandleavehimouttheretocatchhisdeath。SoIhelpedhim——nearlycarryinghim——onandontoourdoor，andthenroundtotheback。Herehegotalittlebetter，andashecouldnotstaythere，andeverybodywasnowasleep，IhelpedhimupstairsintotheroomwehadpreparedforMr。Pierstonifheshouldhavewantedone。Igothimintobed，andthenfetchedsomebrandyandalittleofyourtonic。Didyouseemecomeintoyourroomforit，orwereyouasleep？
’Isatbyhimallnight。Heimprovedslowly，andwetalkedoverwhatwehadbetterdo。Ifeltthat，thoughIhadintendedtogivehimup，I
couldnotnowbecominglymarryanyotherman，andthatIoughttomarryhim。Wedecidedtodoitatonce，beforeanybodycouldhinderus。Sowecamedownbeforeitwaslight，andhavegoneawaytogettheceremonysolemnized。
’TellMr。Pierstonitwasnotpremeditated，buttheresultofanaccident。Iamsincerelysorrytohavetreatedhimwithwhathewillthinkunfairness，butthoughIdidnotlovehimImeanttoobeyyouandmarryhim。ButGodsentthisnecessityofmyhavingtogivesheltertomyLove，toprevent，Ithink，mydoingwhatIamnowconvincedwouldhavebeenwrong——Everyourlovingdaughter，AVICE。’
Thesecondwasinaman’shand：
’DEARMOTHER（asyouwillsoonbetome），——AvicehasclearlyexplainedabovehowithappenedthatIhavenotbeenabletogiveheruptoMr。
Pierston。IthinkIshouldhavediedifIhadnotacceptedthehospitalityofaroominyourhousethisnight，andyourdaughter’stendernursingthroughthedarkdrearyhours。Weloveeachotherbeyondexpression，anditisobviousthat，ifwearehuman，wecannotresistmarryingnow，inspiteoffriends’wishes。Willyoupleasesendthenotelyingbesidethistomymother。ItismerelytoexplainwhatIhavedone——Yourswithwarmestregard，HENRILEVERRE。’
Jocelynturnedawayandlookedoutofthewindow。
’Mrs。Pierstonthoughtsheheardsometalkinginthenight，butofcoursesheputitdowntofancy。AndsheremembersMissAvicecomingintoherroomatoneo’clockinthemorning，andgoingtothetablewherethemedicinewasstanding。Aslygirl——allthetimeheryoungmanwithinayardortwo，intheveryroom，andausingtheverycleansheetsthatyou，sir，weretohaveused！Theyareourbestlinenones，gotupbeautiful，andakeptwi’rosemary。Really，sir，onewouldsayyoustayedouto’yourchammero’purposetoobligetheyoungmanwithabed！’
’Don’tblamethem，don’tblamethem！’saidJocelyninanevenandcharacterlessvoice。’Don’tblameher，particularly。Shedidn’tmakethecircumstances。Idid……ItwashowIservedhergrandmother……Well，she’sgone！Youneedn’tmakeamysteryofit。Tellittoalltheisland：saythatamancametomarryawife，anddidn’tfindherathome。Telleverybodythatshe’srunaway。Itmustbeknownsoonerorlater。’
Oneoftheservantssaid，afterwaitingafewmoments：’Weshan’tdothat，sir。’
’Oh——Whywon’tyou？’
’Welikedhertoowell，withallherfaults。’
’Ah——didyou，’saidhe；andhesighed。HeperceivedthattheyoungermaidsweresecretlyonAvice’sside。
’Howdoeshermotherbearit？’Jocelynasked。’Issheawake？’
Mrs。Pierstonhadhardlyslept，and，havinglearntthetidingsinadvertently，becamesodistractedandincoherentastobelikeapersoninadelirium；till，afewmomentsbeforehearrived，allherexcitementceased，andshelayinaweak，quietsilence。
’Letmegoup，’Pierstonsaid。’Andsendforthedoctor。’
PassingAvice’schamberheperceivedthatthelittlebedhadnotbeenslepton。Atthedoorofthespareroomhelookedin。Inonecornerstoodawalking-stick——hisown。
’Wheredidthatcomefrom？’
’Wefounditthere，sir。’
’Ahyes——Igaveittohim。’Tislikemetoplayanother’sgame！’
ItwasthelastspurtofbitternessthatJocelynletescapehim。HewentontowardsMrs。Pierston’sroom，precededbytheservant。
’Mr。Pierstonhascome，ma’am，’heheardhersaytotheinvalid。Butasthelattertooknonoticethewomanrushedforwardtothebed。
’Whathashappenedtoher，Mr。Pierston？Owhatdoitmean？’
AvicetheSecondwaslyingplacidlyinthepositioninwhichthenursehadlefther；butnobreathcamefromherlips，andarigidityoffeaturewasaccompaniedbythepreciseexpressionwhichhadcharacterizedherfacewhenPierstonhadherasagirlinhisstudio。
Hesawthatitwasdeath，thoughsheappearedtohavebreathedherlastonlyafewmomentsbefore。
RuthStockwool’scomposuredesertedher。’’TistheshockoffindingMissAvicegonethathasdoneit！’shecried。’Shehaskilledhermother！’
’Don’tsaysuchaterriblething！’exclaimedJocelyn。
’Butsheoughttohaveobeyedhermother——agoodmotherasshewas！
Howshehadsetherheartuponthewedding，poorsoul；andwecouldn’thelpherknowingwhathadhappened！Ohowungratefulyoungfolkbe！
Thatgirlwillruethismorning’swork！’
’Wemustgetthedoctor，’saidPierston，mechanically，hasteningfromtheroom。
Whenthelocalpractitionercamehemerelyconfirmedtheirownverdict，andthoughtherdeathhadundoubtedlybeenhastenedbytheshockoftheillnewsuponafeebleheart，followingalongstrainofanxietyaboutthewedding。Hedidnotconsiderthataninquestwouldbenecessary。