MIRIAM，HILDA，KENYON，DONATELLO
Fourindividuals，inwhosefortunesweshouldbegladtointerestthereader，happenedtobestandinginoneofthesaloonsofthesculpture-galleryintheCapitolatRome。Itwasthatroom(thefirst，afterascendingthestaircase)inthecentreofwhichreclinesthenobleandmostpatheticfigureoftheDyingGladiator，justsinkingintohisdeath-swoon。AroundthewallsstandtheAntinous，theAmazon，theLycianApollo，theJuno；allfamousproductionsofantiquesculpture，andstillshiningintheundiminishedmajestyandbeautyoftheirideallife，althoughthemarblethatembodiesthemisyellowwithtime，andperhapscorrodedbythedampearthinwhichtheylayburiedforcenturies。Here，likewise，isseenasymbol(asaptatthismomentasitwastwothousandyearsago)oftheHumanSoul，withitschoiceofInnocenceorEvilcloseathand，intheprettyfigureofachild，claspingadovetoherbosom，butassaultedbyasnake。
Fromoneofthewindowsofthissaloon，wemayseeaflightofbroadstonesteps，descendingalongsidetheantiqueandmassivefoundationoftheCapitol，towardsthebatteredtriumphalarchofSeptimiusSeverus，rightbelow。Fartheron，theeyeskirtsalongtheedgeofthedesolateForum(whereRomanwasherwomenhangouttheirlinentothesun)，passingoverashapelessconfusionofmodernedifices，piledrudelyupwithancientbrickandstone，andoverthedomesofChristianchurches，builtontheoldpavementsofheathentemples，andsupportedbytheverypillarsthatonceupheldthem。Atadistancebeyond——yetbutalittleway，consideringhowmuchhistoryisheapedintotheinterveningspace——risesthegreatsweepoftheColiseum，withtheblueskybrighteningthroughitsuppertierofarches。Faroff，theviewisshutinbytheAlbanMountains，lookingjustthesame，amidallthisdecayandchange，aswhenRomulusgazedthitherwardoverhishalffinishedwall。
Weglancehastilyatthesethings，——atthisbrightsky，andthosebluedistantmountains，andattheruins，Etruscan，Roman，Christian，venerablewithathreefoldantiquity，andatthecompanyofworld-famousstatuesinthesaloon，——inthehopeofputtingthereaderintothatstateoffeelingwhichisexperiencedoftenestatRome。Itisavaguesenseofponderousremembrances；aperceptionofsuchweightanddensityinabygonelife，ofwhichthisspotwasthecentre，thatthepresentmomentispresseddownorcrowdedout，andourindividualaffairsandinterestsarebuthalfasrealhereaselsewhere。Viewedthroughthismedium，ournarrative——intowhicharewovensomeairyandunsubstantialthreads，intermixedwithothers，twistedoutofthecommoneststuffofhumanexistence——mayseemnotwidelydifferentfromthetextureofallourlives。
SidebysidewiththemassivenessoftheRomanPast，allmattersthatwehandleordreamofnowadayslookevanescentandvisionaryalike。
Itmightbethatthefourpersonswhomweareseekingtointroducewereconsciousofthisdreamycharacterofthepresent，ascomparedwiththesquareblocksofgranitewherewiththeRomansbuilttheirlives。Perhapsitevencontributedtothefancifulmerrimentwhichwasjustnowtheirmood。Whenwefindourselvesfadingintoshadowsandunrealities，itseemshardlyworthwhiletobesad，butrathertolaughasgaylyaswemay，andasklittlereasonwherefore。
Ofthesefourfriendsofours，threewereartists，orconnectedwithart；
and，atthismoment，theyhadbeensimultaneouslystruckbyaresemblancebetweenoneoftheantiquestatues，awell-knownmasterpieceofGreciansculpture，andayoungItalian，thefourthmemberoftheirparty。
"Youmustneedsconfess，Kenyon，"saidadark-eyedyoungwoman，whomherfriendscalledMiriam，"thatyouneverchiselledoutofmarble，norwroughtinclay，amorevividlikenessthanthis，cunningabust-makerasyouthinkyourself。Theportraitureisperfectincharacter，sentiment，andfeature。Ifitwereapicture，theresemblancemightbehalfillusiveandimaginary；buthere，inthisPentelicmarble，itisasubstantialfact，andmaybetestedbyabsolutetouchandmeasurement。OurfriendDonatelloistheveryFaunofPraxiteles。Isitnottrue，Hilda？"
"Notquite——almost——yes，Ireallythinkso，"repliedHilda，aslender，brown-haired，NewEnglandgirl，whoseperceptionsofformandexpressionwerewonderfullyclearanddelicate。"Ifthereisanydifferencebetweenthetwofaces，thereasonmaybe，Isuppose，thattheFaundweltinwoodsandfields，andconsortedwithhislike；whereasDonatellohasknowncitiesalittle，andsuchpeopleasourselves。Buttheresemblanceisveryclose，andverystrange。"
"Notsostrange，"whisperedMiriammischievously；"fornoFauninArcadiawaseveragreatersimpletonthanDonatello。Hehashardlyaman'sshareofwit，smallasthatmaybe。Itisapitytherearenolongeranyofthiscongenialraceofrusticcreaturesforourfriendtoconsortwith！"
"Hush，naughtyone！"returnedHilda。"Youareveryungrateful，foryouwellknowhehaswitenoughtoworshipyou，atallevents。"
"Thenthegreaterfoolhe！"saidMiriamsobitterlythatHilda'squieteyesweresomewhatstartled。
"Donatello，mydearfriend，"saidKenyon，inItalian，"praygratifyusallbytakingtheexactattitudeofthisstatue。"
Theyoungmanlaughed，andthrewhimselfintothepositioninwhichthestatuehasbeenstandingfortwoorthreethousandyears。Intruth，allowingforthedifferenceofcostume，andifalion'sskincouldhavebeensubstitutedforhismoderntalma，andarusticpipeforhisstick，DonatellomighthavefiguredperfectlyasthemarbleFaun，miraculouslysoftenedintofleshandblood。
"Yes；theresemblanceiswonderful，"observedKenyon，afterexaminingthemarbleandthemanwiththeaccuracyofasculptor'seye。"Thereisonepoint，however，or，rather，twopoints，inrespecttowhichourfriendDonatello'sabundantcurlswillnotpermitustosaywhetherthelikenessiscarriedintominutedetail。"
Andthesculptordirectedtheattentionofthepartytotheearsofthebeautifulstatuewhichtheywerecontemplating。
Butwemustdomorethanmerelyrefertothisexquisiteworkofart；itmustbedescribed，howeverinadequatemaybetheefforttoexpressitsmagicpeculiarityinwords。
TheFaunisthemarbleimageofayoungman，leaninghisrightarmonthetrunkorstumpofatree；onehandhangscarelesslybyhisside；intheotherheholdsthefragmentofapipe，orsomesuchsylvaninstrumentofmusic。Hisonlygarment——alion'sskin，withtheclawsuponhisshoulder——fallshalfwaydownhisback，leavingthelimbsandentirefrontofthefigurenude。Theform，thusdisplayed，ismarvellouslygraceful，buthasafullerandmoreroundedoutline，moreflesh，andlessofheroicmuscle，thantheoldsculptorswerewonttoassigntotheirtypesofmasculinebeauty。Thecharacterofthefacecorrespondswiththefigure；
itismostagreeableinoutlineandfeature，butroundedandsomewhatvoluptuouslydeveloped，especiallyaboutthethroatandchin；thenoseisalmoststraight，butveryslightlycurvesinward，therebyacquiringanindescribablecharmofgenialityandhumor。Themouth，withitsfullyetdelicatelips，seemssonearlytosmileoutright，thatitcallsfortharesponsivesmile。Thewholestatue——unlikeanythingelsethateverwaswroughtinthatseverematerialofmarble——conveystheideaofanamiableandsensualcreature，easy，mirthful，aptforjollity，yetnotincapableofbeingtouchedbypathos。Itisimpossibletogazelongatthisstoneimagewithoutconceivingakindlysentimenttowardsit，asifitssubstancewerewarmtothetouch，andimbuedwithactuallife。Itcomesveryclosetosomeofourpleasantestsympathies。
Perhapsitistheverylackofmoralseverity，ofanyhighandheroicingredientinthecharacteroftheFaun，thatmakesitsodelightfulanobjecttothehumaneyeandtothefrailtyofthehumanheart。Thebeinghererepresentedisendowedwithnoprincipleofvirtue，andwouldbeincapableofcomprehendingsuch；buthewouldbetrueandhonestbydintofhissimplicity。Weshouldexpectfromhimnosacrificeoreffortforanabstractcause；thereisnotanatomofmartyr'sstuffinallthatsoftenedmarble；buthehasacapacityforstrongandwarmattachment，andmightactdevotedlythroughitsimpulse，andevendieforitatneed。Itispossible，too，thattheFaunmightbeeducatedthroughthemediumofhisemotions，sothatthecoarseranimalportionofhisnaturemighteventuallybethrownintothebackground，thoughneverutterlyexpelled。
Theanimalnature，indeed，isamostessentialpartoftheFaun'scomposition；forthecharacteristicsofthebrutecreationmeetandcombinewiththoseofhumanityinthisstrangeyettrueandnaturalconceptionofantiquepoetryandart。Praxiteleshassubtlydiffusedthroughouthisworkthatmutemystery，whichsohopelesslyperplexesuswheneverweattempttogainanintellectualorsympatheticknowledgeofthelowerordersofcreation。Theriddleisindicated，however，onlybytwodefinitesigns：thesearethetwoearsoftheFaun，whichareleafshaped，terminatinginlittlepeaks，likethoseofsomespeciesofanimals。
Thoughnotsoseeninthemarble，theyareprobablytobeconsideredasclothedinfine，downyfur。Inthecoarserrepresentationsofthisclassofmythologicalcreatures，thereisanothertokenofbrutekindred，——acertaincaudalappendage；which，iftheFaunofPraxitelesmustbesupposedtopossessitatall，ishiddenbythelion'sskinthatformshisgarment。Thepointedandfurryears，therefore，arethesoleindicationsofhiswild，forestnature。
Onlyasculptorofthefinestimagination，themostdelicatetaste，thesweetestfeeling，andtherarestartisticskill——inaword，asculptorandapoettoo——couldhavefirstdreamedofaFauninthisguise，andthenhavesucceededinimprisoningthesportiveandfriskythinginmarble。
Neithermannoranimal，andyetnomonster，butabeinginwhombothracesmeetonfriendlyground。Theideagrowscoarseaswehandleit，andhardensinourgrasp。But，ifthespectatorbroodslongoverthestatue，hewillbeconsciousofitsspell；allthepleasantnessofsylvanlife，allthegenialandhappycharacteristicsofcreaturesthatdwellinwoodsandfields，willseemtobemingledandkneadedintoonesubstance，alongwiththekindredqualitiesinthehumansoul。Trees，grass，flowers，woodlandstreamlets，cattle，deer，andunsophisticatedman。Theessenceofallthesewascompressedlongago，andstillexists，withinthatdiscoloredmarblesurfaceoftheFaunofPraxiteles。
And，afterall，theideamayhavebeennodream，butratherapoet'sreminiscenceofaperiodwhenman'saffinitywithnaturewasmorestrict，andhisfellowshipwitheverylivingthingmoreintimateanddear。
CHAPTERII
THEFAUN
Donatello，"playfullycriedMiriam，"donotleaveusinthisperplexity！
Shakeasidethosebrowncurls，myfriend，andletusseewhetherthismarvellousresemblanceextendstotheverytipsoftheears。Ifso，weshalllikeyouallthebetter！"
"No，no，dearestsignorina，"answeredDonatello，laughing，butwithacertainearnestness。"Ientreatyoutotakethetipsofmyearsforgranted。"Ashespoke，theyoungItalianmadeaskipandjump，lightenoughforaveritablefaun；soastoplacehimselfquitebeyondthereachofthefairhandthatwasoutstretched，asiftosettlethematterbyactualexamination。"IshallbelikeawolfoftheApennines，"hecontinued，takinghisstandontheothersideoftheDyingGladiator，"ifyoutouchmyearseversosoftly。Noneofmyracecouldendureit。Ithasalwaysbeenatenderpointwithmyforefathersandme。"
HespokeinItalian，withtheTuscanrusticityofaccent，andanunshapedsortofutterance，betokeningthathemustheretoforehavebeenchieflyconversantwithruralpeople。
"Well，well，"saidMiriam，"yourtenderpoint——yourtwotenderpoints，ifyouhavethem——shallbesafe，sofarasIamconcerned。Buthowstrangethislikenessis，afterall！andhowdelightful，ifitreallyincludesthepointedears！O，itisimpossible，ofcourse，"shecontinued，inEnglish，"witharealandcommonplaceyoungmanlikeDonatello；butyouseehowthispeculiaritydefinesthepositionoftheFaun；and，whileputtinghimwherehecannotexactlyasserthisbrotherhood，stilldisposesuskindlytowardsthekindredcreature。Heisnotsupernatural，butjustonthevergeofnature，andyetwithinit。Whatisthenamelesscharmofthisidea，Hilda？YoucanfeelitmoredelicatelythanI。"
"Itperplexesme，"saidHildathoughtfully，andshrinkingalittle；
"neitherdoIquiteliketothinkaboutit。"
"But，surely，"saidKenyon，"youagreewithMiriamandmethatthereissomethingverytouchingandimpressiveinthisstatueoftheFaun。Insomelong-pastage，hemustreallyhaveexisted。Natureneeded，andstillneeds，thisbeautifulcreature；standingbetwixtmanandanimal，sympathizingwitheach，comprehendingthespeechofeitherrace，andinterpretingthewholeexistenceofonetotheother。Whatapitythathehasforevervanishedfromthehardanddustypathsoflife，——unless，"
addedthesculptor，inasportivewhisper，"Donatellobeactuallyhe！"
"Youcannotconceivehowthisfantasytakesholdofme，"respondedMiriam，betweenjestandearnest。"Imagine，now，arealbeing，similartothismythicFaun；howhappy，howgenial，howsatisfactorywouldbehislife，enjoyingthewarm，sensuous，earthysideofnature；revellinginthemerrimentofwoodsandstreams；livingasourfour-footedkindreddo，——asmankinddidinitsinnocentchildhood；beforesin，sorrowormoralityitselfhadeverbeenthoughtof！Ah！Kenyon，ifHildaandyouandI——ifI，atleast——hadpointedears！ForIsupposetheFaunhadnoconscience，noremorse，noburdenontheheart，notroublesomerecollectionsofanysort；nodarkfutureeither。"
"Whatatragictonewasthatlast，Miriam！"saidthesculptor；and，lookingintoherface，hewasstartledtobeholditpaleandtear-stained。
"Howsuddenlythismoodhascomeoveryou！"
"Letitgoasitcame，"saidMiriam，"likeathunder-showerinthisRomansky。Allissunshineagain，yousee！"
Donatello'srefractorinessasregardedhisearshadevidentlycosthimsomething，andhenowcameclosetoMiriam'sside，gazingatherwithanappealingair，asiftosolicitforgiveness。Hismute，helplessgestureofentreatyhadsomethingpatheticinit，andyetmightwellenoughexcitealaugh，solikeitwastowhatyoumayseeintheaspectofahoundwhenhethinkshimselfinfaultordisgrace。Itwasdifficulttomakeoutthecharacterofthisyoungman。Sofullofanimallifeashewas，sojoyousinhisdeportment，sohandsome，sophysicallywell-developed，hemadenoimpressionofincompleteness，ofmaimedorstintednature。Andyet，insocialintercourse，thesefamiliarfriendsofhishabituallyandinstinctivelyallowedforhim，asforachildorsomeotherlawlessthing，exactingnostrictobediencetoconventionalrules，andhardlynoticinghiseccentricitiesenoughtopardonthem。TherewasanindefinablecharacteristicaboutDonatellothatsethimoutsideofrules。
HecaughtMiriam'shand，kissedit，andgazedintohereyeswithoutsayingaword。Shesmiled，andbestowedonhimalittlecarelesscaress，singularlylikewhatonewouldgivetoapetdogwhenheputshimselfinthewaytoreceiveit。Notthatitwassodecidedacaresseither，butonlythemeresttouch，somewherebetweenapatandatapofthefinger；itmightbeamarkoffondness，orperhapsaplayfulpretenceofpunishment。
Atallevents，itappearedtoaffordDonatelloexquisitepleasure；
insomuchthathedancedquiteroundthewoodenrailingthatfencesintheDyingGladiator。
"ItistheverystepoftheDancingFaun，"saidMiriam，apart，toHilda。
"Whatachild，orwhatasimpleton，heis！IcontinuallyfindmyselftreatingDonatelloasifhewerethemerestunfledgedchicken；andyethecanclaimnosuchprivilegesintherightofhistenderage，forheisatleast——howoldshouldyouthinkhim，Hilda？"
"Twentyyears，perhaps，"repliedHilda，glancingatDonatello；"but，indeed，Icannottell；hardlysoold，onsecondthoughts，orpossiblyolder。Hehasnothingtodowithtime，buthasalookofeternalyouthinhisface。"
"Allunderwittedpeoplehavethatlook，"saidMiriamscornfully。
"Donatellohascertainlythegiftofeternalyouth，asHildasuggests，"
observedKenyon，laughing；"for，judgingbythedateofthisstatue，which，Iammoreandmoreconvinced，Praxitelescarvedonpurposeforhim，hemustbeatleasttwenty-fivecenturiesold，andhestilllooksasyoungasever。"
"Whatagehaveyou，Donatello？"askedMiriam。
"Signorina，Idonotknow，"heanswered；"nogreatage，however；forI
haveonlylivedsinceImetyou。"
"Now，whatoldmanofsocietycouldhaveturnedasillycomplimentmoresmartlythanthat！"exclaimedMiriam。"Natureandartarejustatonesometimes。ButwhatahappyignoranceisthisofourfriendDonatello！
Nottoknowhisownage！Itisequivalenttobeingimmortalonearth。IfIcouldonlyforgetmine！"
"Itistoosoontowishthat，"observedthesculptor；"youarescarcelyolderthanDonatellolooks。"
"Ishallbecontent，then，"rejoinedMiriam，"ifIcouldonlyforgetonedayofallmylife。"Thensheseemedtorepentofthisallusion，andhastilyadded，"Awoman'sdaysaresotediousthatitisaboontoleaveevenoneofthemoutoftheaccount。"
Theforegoingconversationhadbeencarriedoninamoodinwhichallimaginativepeople，whetherartistsorpoets，lovetoindulge。Inthisframeofmind，theysometimesfindtheirprofoundesttruthssidebysidewiththeidlestjest，andutteroneortheother，apparentlywithoutdistinguishingwhichisthemostvaluable，orassigninganyconsiderablevaluetoeither。TheresemblancebetweenthemarbleFaunandtheirlivingcompanionhadmadeadeep，half-serious，half-mirthfulimpressiononthesethreefriends，andhadtakenthemintoacertainairyregion，liftingup，asitissopleasanttofeelthemlifted，theirheavyearthlyfeetfromtheactualsoiloflife。Theworldhadbeensetafloat，asitwere，foramoment，andrelievedthem，forjustsolong，ofallcustomaryresponsibilityforwhattheythoughtandsaid。
Itmightbeunderthisinfluence——or，perhaps，becausesculptorsalwaysabuseoneanother'sworks——thatKenyonthrewinacriticismupontheDyingGladiator。
"Iusedtoadmirethisstatueexceedingly，"heremarked，"but，latterly，I
findmyselfgettingwearyandannoyedthatthemanshouldbesuchalengthoftimeleaningonhisarmintheveryactofdeath。Ifheissoterriblyhurt，whydoeshenotsinkdownanddiewithoutfurtherado？Flittingmoments，imminentemergencies，imperceptibleintervalsbetweentwobreaths，oughtnottobeincrustedwiththeeternalreposeofmarble；inanysculpturalsubject，thereshouldbeamoralstandstill，sincetheremustofnecessitybeaphysicalone。Otherwise，itislikeflingingablockofmarbleupintotheair，and，bysometrickofenchantment，causingittostickthere。Youfeelthatitoughttocomedown，andaredissatisfiedthatitdoesnotobeythenaturallaw。"
"Isee，"saidMiriammischievously，"youthinkthatsculptureshouldbeasortoffossilizingprocess。But，intruth，yourfrozenarthasnothinglikethescopeandfreedomofHilda'sandmine。Inpaintingthereisnosimilarobjectiontotherepresentationofbriefsnatchesoftime，——perhapsbecauseastorycanbesomuchmorefullytoldinpicture，andbuttressedaboutwithcircumstancesthatgiveitanepoch。Forinstance，apainterneverwouldhavesentdownyonderFaunoutofhisfarantiquity，lonelyanddesolate，withnocompaniontokeephissimpleheartwarm。"
"Ah，theFaun！"criedHilda，withalittlegestureofimpatience；"Ihavebeenlookingathimtoolong；andnow，insteadofabeautifulstatue，immortallyyoung，Iseeonlyacorrodedanddiscoloredstone。Thischangeisveryapttooccurinstatues。"
"Andasimilaroneinpictures，surely，"retortedthesculptor。"Itisthespectator'smoodthattransfigurestheTransfigurationitself。Idefyanypaintertomoveandelevatemewithoutmyownconsentandassistance。"
"Thenyouaredeficientofasense，"saidMiriam。
Thepartynowstrayedonwardfromhalltohallofthatrichgallery，pausinghereandthere，tolookatthemultitudeofnobleandlovelyshapes，whichhavebeendugupoutofthedeepgraveinwhicholdRomeliesburied。Andstill，therealizationoftheantiqueFaun，inthepersonofDonatello，gaveamorevividcharactertoallthesemarbleghosts。Whyshouldnoteachstatuegrowwarmwithlife！Antinousmightlifthisbrow，andtelluswhyheisforeversad。TheLycianApollomightstrikehislyre；and，atthefirstvibration，thatotherFauninredmarble，whokeepsupamotionlessdance，shouldfriskgaylyforth，leadingyonderSatyrs，withshaggygoat-shanks，toclattertheirlittlehoofsuponthefloor，andalljoinhandswithDonatello！Bacchus，too，arosyflushdiffusingitselfoverhistime-stainedsurface，couldcomedownfromhispedestal，andofferaclusterofpurplegrapestoDonatello'slips；
becausethegodrecognizeshimasthewoodlandelfwhosooftensharedhisrevels。Andhere，inthissarcophagus，theexquisitelycarvedfiguresmightassumelife，andchaseoneanotherrounditsvergewiththatwildmerrimentwhichissostrangelyrepresentedonthoseoldburialcoffers：
thoughstillwithsomesubtileallusiontodeath，carefullyveiled，butforeverpeepingforthamidemblemsofmirthandriot。
Asthefourfriendsdescendedthestairs，however，theirplayoffancysubsidedintoamuchmoresombremood；aresultapttofollowuponsuchexhilarationasthatwhichhadsorecentlytakenpossessionofthem。
"Doyouknow，"saidMiriamconfidentiallytoHilda，"IdoubttherealityofthislikenessofDonatellototheFaun，whichwehavebeentalkingsomuchabout？Tosaythetruth，itneverstruckmesoforciblyasitdidKenyonandyourself，thoughIgaveintowhateveryouwerepleasedtofancy，forthesakeofamoment'smirthandwonder。""Iwascertainlyinearnest，andyouseemedequallyso，"repliedHilda，glancingbackatDonatello，asiftoreassureherselfoftheresemblance。"Butfaceschangesomuch，fromhourtohour，thatthesamesetoffeatureshasoftennokeepingwithitself；toaneye，atleast，whichlooksatexpressionmorethanoutline。Howsadandsombrehehasgrownallofasudden！"
"Angrytoo，methinks！nay，itisangermuchmorethansadness，"saidMiriam。"IhaveseenDonatellointhismoodonceortwicebefore。Ifyouconsiderhimwell，youwillobserveanoddmixtureofthebulldog，orsomeotherequallyfiercebrute，inourfriend'scomposition；atraitofsavagenesshardlytobeexpectedinsuchagentlecreatureasheusuallyis。Donatelloisaverystrangeyoungman。Iwishhewouldnothauntmyfootstepssocontinually。"
"Youhavebewitchedthepoorlad，"saidthesculptor，laughing。"Youhaveafacultyofbewitchingpeople，anditisprovidingyouwithasingulartrainoffollowers。Iseeanotherofthembehindyonderpillar；anditishispresencethathasarousedDonatello'swrath。"
Theyhadnowemergedfromthegatewayofthepalace；andpartlyconcealedbyoneofthepillarsoftheporticostoodafiguresuchasmayoftenbeencounteredinthestreetsandpiazzasofRome，andnowhereelse。Helookedasifhemightjusthavesteppedoutofapicture，and，intruth，waslikelyenoughtofindhiswayintoadozenpictures；beingnootherthanoneofthoselivingmodels，dark，bushybearded，wildofaspectandattire，whomartistsconvertintosaintsorassassins，accordingastheirpictorialpurposesdemand。
"Miriam，"whisperedHilda，alittlestartled，"itisyourmodel！"
CHAPTERIII
SUBTERRANEANREMINISCENCES
Miriam'smodelhassoimportantaconnectionwithourstory，thatitisessentialtodescribethesingularmodeofhisfirstappearance，andhowhesubsequentlybecameaself-appointedfolloweroftheyoungfemaleartist。Inthefirstplace，however，wemustdevoteapageortwotocertainpeculiaritiesinthepositionofMiriamherself。
Therewasanambiguityaboutthisyounglady，which，thoughitdidnotnecessarilyimplyanythingwrong，wouldhaveoperatedunfavorablyasregardedherreceptioninsociety，anywherebutinRome。Thetruthwas，thatnobodyknewanythingaboutMiriam，eitherforgoodorevil。Shehadmadeherappearancewithoutintroduction，hadtakenastudio，puthercarduponthedoor，andshowedveryconsiderabletalentasapainterinoils。
Herfellowprofessorsofthebrush，itistrue，showeredabundantcriticismsuponherpictures，allowingthemtobewellenoughfortheidlehalf-effortsofanamateur，butlackingboththetrainedskillandthepracticethatdistinguishtheworksofatrueartist。
Nevertheless，betheirfaultswhattheymight，Miriam'spicturesmetwithgoodacceptanceamongthepatronsofmodernart。Whatevertechnicalmerittheylacked，itsabsencewasmorethansuppliedbyawarmthandpassionateness，whichshehadthefacultyofputtingintoherproductions，andwhichalltheworldcouldfeel。Hernaturehadagreatdealofcolor，and，inaccordancewithit，solikewisehadherpictures。
Miriamhadgreatapparentfreedomofintercourse；hermannersweresofarfromevincingshyness，thatitseemedeasytobecomeacquaintedwithher，andnotdifficulttodevelopacasualacquaintanceintointimacy。Such，atleast，wastheimpressionwhichshemade，uponbriefcontact，butnotsuchtheultimateconclusionofthosewhoreallysoughttoknowher。Soairy，free，andaffablewasMiriam'sdeportmenttowardsallwhocamewithinhersphere，thatpossiblytheymightneverbeconsciousofthefact，butsoitwas，thattheydidnotgeton，andwereseldomanyfurtheradvancedintohergoodgracesto-daythanyesterday。Bysomesubtilequality，shekeptpeopleatadistance，withoutsomuchaslettingthemknowthattheywereexcludedfromherinnercircle。Sheresembledoneofthoseimagesoflight，whichconjurersevokeandcausetoshinebeforeus，inapparenttangibility，onlyanarm'slengthbeyondourgrasp：wemakeastepinadvance，expectingtoseizetheillusion，butfinditstillpreciselysofaroutofourreach。Finally，societybegantorecognizetheimpossibilityofgettingnearertoMiriam，andgrufflyacquiesced。
Thereweretwopersons，however，whomsheappearedtoacknowledgeasfriendsinthecloserandtruersenseoftheword；andbothofthesemorefavoredindividualsdidcredittoMiriam'sselection。OnewasayoungAmericansculptor，ofhighpromiseandrapidlyincreasingcelebrity；theother，agirlofthesamecountry，apainterlikeMiriamherself，butinawidelydifferentsphereofart。Herheartflowedouttowardsthesetwo；
sherequitedherselfbytheirsocietyandfriendship(andespeciallybyHilda's)forallthelonelinesswithwhich，asregardedtherestoftheworld，shechosetobesurrounded。Hertwofriendswereconsciousofthestrong，yearninggraspwhichMiriamlaiduponthem，andgavehertheiraffectioninfullmeasure；Hilda，indeed，respondingwiththefervencyofagirl'sfirstfriendship，andKenyonwithamanlyregard，inwhichtherewasnothingakintowhatisdistinctivelycalledlove。
Asortofintimacysubsequentlygrewupbetweenthesethreefriendsandafourthindividual；itwasayoungItalian，who，casuallyvisitingRome，hadbeenattractedbythebeautywhichMiriampossessedinaremarkabledegree。Hehadsoughther，followedher，andinsisted，withsimpleperseverance，uponbeingadmittedatleasttoheracquaintance；aboonwhichhadbeengranted，whenamoreartfulcharacter，seekingitbyamoresubtlemodeofpursuit，wouldprobablyhavefailedtoobtainit。Thisyoungman，thoughanythingbutintellectuallybrilliant，hadmanyagreeablecharacteristicswhichwonhimthekindlyandhalfcontemptuousregardofMiriamandhertwofriends。ItwashewhomtheycalledDonatello，andwhosewonderfulresemblancetotheFaunofPraxitelesformsthekeynoteofournarrative。
SuchwasthepositioninwhichwefindMiriamsomefewmonthsafterherestablishmentatRome。Itmustbeadded，however，thattheworlddidnotpermithertohideherantecedentswithoutmakingherthesubjectofagooddealofconjecture；aswasnaturalenough，consideringtheabundanceofherpersonalcharms，andthedegreeofnoticethatsheattractedasanartist。ThereweremanystoriesaboutMiriam'soriginandpreviouslife，someofwhichhadaveryprobableair，whileotherswereevidentlywildandromanticfables。Weciteafew，leavingthereadertodesignatethemeitherundertheprobableortheromantichead。
Itwassaid，forexample，thatMiriamwasthedaughterandheiressofagreatJewishbanker(anideaperhapssuggestedbyacertainrichOrientalcharacterinherface)，andhadfledfromherpaternalhometoescapeaunionwithacousin，theheirofanotherofthatgoldenbrotherhood；theobjectbeingtoretaintheirvastaccumulationofwealthwithinthefamily。
AnotherstoryhintedthatshewasaGermanprincess，whom，forreasonsofstate，itwasproposedtogiveinmarriageeithertoadecrepitsovereign，oraprincestillinhiscradle。Accordingtoathirdstatement，shewastheoff-springofaSouthernAmericanplanter，whohadgivenheranelaborateeducationandendowedherwithhiswealth；buttheoneburningdropofAfricanbloodinherveinssoaffectedherwithasenseofignominy，thatsherelinquishedallandfledhercountry。BystillanotheraccountshewastheladyofanEnglishnobleman；and，outofmereloveandhonorofart，hadthrownasidethesplendorofherrank，andcometoseekasubsistencebyherpencilinaRomanstudio。
Inalltheabovecases，thefableseemedtobeinstigatedbythelargeandbounteousimpressionwhichMiriaminvariablymade，asifnecessityandshecouldhavenothingtodowithoneanother。Whateverdeprivationssheunderwentmustneedsbevoluntary。Buttherewereothersurmises，takingsuchacommonplaceviewasthatMiriamwasthedaughterofamerchantorfinancier，whohadbeenruinedinagreatcommercialcrisis；and，possessingatasteforart，shehadattemptedtosupportherselfbythepencil，inpreferencetothealternativeofgoingoutasgoverness。
Bethesethingshowtheymight，Miriam，fairasshelooked，waspluckedupoutofamystery，andhaditsrootsstillclingingtoher。Shewasabeautifulandattractivewoman，butbased，asitwere，uponacloud，andallsurroundedwithmistysubstance；sothattheresultwastorenderhersprite-likeinhermostordinarymanifestations。ThiswasthecaseeveninrespecttoKenyonandHilda，herespecialfriends。ButsuchwastheeffectofMiriam'snaturallanguage，hergenerosity，kindliness，andnativetruthofcharacter，thatthesetworeceivedherasadearfriendintotheirhearts，takinghergoodqualitiesasevidentandgenuine，andneverimaginingthatwhatwashiddenmustbethereforeevil。
Wenowproceedwithournarrative。
Thesamepartyoffriends，whomwehaveseenatthesculpture-galleryoftheCapitol，chancedtohavegonetogether，somemonthsbefore，tothecatacombofSt。Calixtus。Theywentjoyouslydownintothatvasttomb，andwanderedbytorchlightthroughasortofdream，inwhichreminiscencesofchurchaislesandgrimycellars——andchieflythelatter——seemedtobebrokenintofragments，andhopelesslyintermingled。Theintricatepassagesalongwhichtheyfollowedtheirguidehadbeenhewn，insomeforgottenage，outofadark-red，crumblystone。Oneithersidewerehorizontalniches，where，iftheyheldtheirtorchesclosely，theshapeofahumanbodywasdiscernibleinwhiteashes，intowhichtheentiremortalityofamanorwomanhadresolveditself。Amongallthisextinctdust，theremightperchancebeathigh-bone，whichcrumbledatatouch；orpossiblyaskull，grinningatitsownwretchedplight，asistheuglyandemptyhabitofthething。
Sometimestheirgloomypathwaytendedupward，sothat，throughacrevice，alittledaylightglimmereddownuponthem，orevenastreakofsunshinepeepedintoaburialniche；thenagain，theywentdownwardbygradualdescent，orbyabrupt，rudelyhewnsteps，intodeeperanddeeperrecessesoftheearth。Hereandtherethenarrowandtortuouspassageswidenedsomewhat，developingthemselvesintosmallchapels；——whichonce，nodoubt，hadbeenadornedwithmarble-workandlightedwithever-burninglampsandtapers。Allsuchilluminationandornament，however，hadlongsincebeenextinguishedandstriptaway；except，indeed，thatthelowroofsofafewoftheseancientsitesofworshipwerecoveredwithdingystucco，andfrescoedwithscripturalscenesandsubjects，inthedrearieststageofruin。
Inonesuchchapel，theguideshowedthemalowarch，beneathwhichthebodyofSt。Ceciliahadbeenburiedafterhermartyrdom，andwhereitlaytillasculptorsawit，andrendereditforeverbeautifulinmarble。
Inasimilarspottheyfoundtwosarcophagi，onecontainingaskeleton，andtheotherashrivelledbody，whichstillworethegarmentsofitsformerlifetime。
"Howdismalallthisis！"saidHilda，shuddering。"Idonotknowwhywecamehere，norwhyweshouldstayamomentlonger。"
"Ihateitall！"criedDonatellowithpeculiarenergy。"Dearfriends，letushastenbackintotheblesseddaylight！"
Fromthefirst，Donatellohadshownlittlefancyfortheexpedition；for，likemostItalians，andinespecialaccordancewiththelawofhisownsimpleandphysicallyhappynature，thisyoungmanhadaninfiniterepugnancetogravesandskulls，andtoallthatghastlinesswhichtheGothicmindlovestoassociatewiththeideaofdeath。Heshuddered，andlookedfearfullyround，drawingnearertoMiriam，whoseattractiveinfluencealonehadenticedhimintothatgloomyregion。
"Whatachildyouare，poorDonatello！"sheobserved，withthefreedomwhichshealwaysusedtowardshim。"Youareafraidofghosts！"
"Yes，signorina；terriblyafraid！"saidthetruthfulDonatello。
"Ialsobelieveinghosts，"answeredMiriam，"andcouldtrembleatthem，inasuitableplace。Butthesesepulchresaresoold，andtheseskullsandwhiteashessoverydry，thatmethinkstheyhaveceasedtobehaunted。
Themostawfulideaconnectedwiththecatacombsistheirinterminableextent，andthepossibilityofgoingastrayintothislabyrinthofdarkness，whichbroodsaroundthelittleglimmerofourtapers。"
"Hasanyoneeverbeenlosthere？"askedKenyonoftheguide。
"Surely，signor；one，nolongeragothanmyfather'stime，"saidtheguide；
andheadded，withtheairofamanwhobelievedwhathewastelling，"butthefirstthatwentastrayherewasapaganofoldRome，whohidhimselfinordertospyoutandbetraytheblessedsaints，whothendweltandworshippedinthesedismalplaces。Youhaveheardthestory，signor？
Amiraclewaswroughtupontheaccursedone；and，eversince(forfifteencenturiesatleast)，hehasbeengropinginthedarkness，seekinghiswayoutofthecatacomb。"
"Hasheeverbeenseen？"askedHilda，whohadgreatandtremulousfaithinmarvelsofthiskind。
"Theseeyesofmineneverbeheldhim，signorina；thesaintsforbid！"
answeredtheguide。"Butitiswellknownthathewatchesnearpartiesthatcomeintothecatacomb，especiallyiftheybeheretics，hopingtoleadsomestragglerastray。Whatthislostwretchpinesfor，almostasmuchasfortheblessedsunshine，isacompaniontobemiserablewithhim。"
"Suchanintensedesireforsympathyindicatessomethingamiableinthepoorfellow，atallevents，"observedKenyon。
Theyhadnowreachedalargerchapelthanthoseheretoforeseen；itwasofacircularshape，and，thoughhewnoutofthesolidmassofredsandstone，hadpillars，andacarvedroof，andothertokensofaregulararchitecturaldesign。Nevertheless，consideredasachurch，itwasexceedinglyminute，beingscarcelytwiceaman'sstatureinheight，andonlytwoorthreepacesfromwalltowall；andwhiletheircollectedtorchesilluminatedthisonesmall，consecratedspot，thegreatdarknessspreadallroundit，likethatimmensermysterywhichenvelopsourlittlelife，andintowhichfriendsvanishfromus，onebyone。"Why，whereisMiriam？"criedHilda。Thepartygazedhurriedlyfromfacetoface，andbecameawarethatoneoftheirpartyhadvanishedintothegreatdarkness，evenwhiletheywereshudderingattheremotepossibilityofsuchamisfortune。
CHAPTERIV
THESPECTREOFTHECATACOMB
Surely，shecannotbelost！"exclaimedKenyon。"Itisbutamomentsinceshewasspeaking。"
"No，no！"saidHilda，ingreatalarm。"Shewasbehindusall；anditisalongwhilesincewehaveheardhervoice！"
"Torches！torches！"criedDonatellodesperately。"Iwillseekher，bethedarknesseversodismal！"
Buttheguideheldhimback，andassuredthemallthattherewasnopossibilityofassistingtheirlostcompanion，unlessbyshoutingattheverytopoftheirvoices。Asthesoundwouldgoveryfaralongthesecloseandnarrowpassages，therewasafairprobabilitythatMiriammighthearthecall，andbeabletoretracehersteps。
Accordingly，theyall——Kenyonwithhisbassvoice；Donatellowithhistenor；theguidewiththathighandhardItaliancry，whichmakesthestreetsofRomesoresonant；andHildawithherslenderscream，piercingfartherthantheuniteduproaroftherest——begantoshriek，halloo，andbellow，withtheutmostforceoftheirlungs。And，nottoprolongthereader'ssuspense(forwedonotparticularlyseektointeresthiminthisscene，tellingitonlyonaccountofthetroubleandstrangeentanglementwhichfollowed)，theysoonheardaresponsivecall，inafemalevoice。
"Itwasthesignorina！"criedDonatellojoyfully。
"Yes；itwascertainlydearMiriam'svoice，"saidHilda。"Andhereshecomes！ThankHeaven！ThankHeaven！"
Thefigureoftheirfriendwasnowdiscerniblebyherowntorchlight，approachingoutofoneofthecavernouspassages。Miriamcameforward，butnotwiththeeagernessandtremulousjoyofafearfulgirl，justrescuedfromalabyrinthofgloomymystery。Shemadenoimmediateresponsetotheirinquiriesandtumultuouscongratulations；and，astheyafterwardsremembered，therewassomethingabsorbed，thoughtful，andself-concentratedinherdeportment。Shelookedpale，aswellshemight，andheldhertorchwithanervousgrasp，thetremorofwhichwasseenintheirregulartwinklingoftheflame。Thislastwasthechiefperceptiblesignofanyrecentagitationoralarm。
"Dearest，dearestMiriam，"exclaimedHilda，throwingherarmsaboutherfriend，"wherehaveyoubeenstrayingfromus？BlessedbeProvidence，whichhasrescuedyououtofthatmiserabledarkness！"
"Hush，dearHilda！"whisperedMiriam，withastrangelittlelaugh。"AreyouquitesurethatitwasHeaven'sguidancewhichbroughtmeback？Ifso，itwasbyanoddmessenger，asyouwillconfess。See；therehestands。"
StartledatMiriam'swordsandmanner，Hildagazedintotheduskinesswhithershepointed，andtherebeheldafigurestandingjustonthedoubtfullimitofobscurity，atthethresholdofthesmall，illuminatedchapel。Kenyondiscernedhimatthesameinstant，anddrewnearerwithhistorch；althoughtheguideattemptedtodissuadehim，averringthat，oncebeyondtheconsecratedprecinctsofthechapel，theapparitionwouldhavepowertotearhimlimbfromlimb。Itstruckthesculptor，however，whenheafterwardsrecurredtothesecircumstances，thattheguidemanifestednosuchapprehensiononhisownaccountasheprofessedonbehalfofothers；forhekeptpacewithKenyonasthelatterapproachedthefigure，thoughstillendeavoringtorestrain'him。
Infine，theybothdrewnearenoughtogetasgoodaviewofthespectreasthesmokylightoftheirtorches，strugglingwiththemassivegloom，couldsupply。
Thestrangerwasofexceedinglypicturesque，andevenmelodramaticaspect。
Hewascladinavoluminouscloak，thatseemedtobemadeofabuffalo'shide，andapairofthosegoat-skinbreeches，withthehairoutward，whicharestillcommonlywornbythepeasantsoftheRomanCampagna。Inthisgarb，theylooklikeantiqueSatyrs；and，intruth，theSpectreoftheCatacombmighthaverepresentedthelastsurvivorofthatvanishedrace，hidinghimselfinsepulchralgloom，andmourningoverhislostlifeofwoodsandstreams。
Furthermore，hehadonabroad-brimmed，conicalhat，beneaththeshadowofwhichawildvisagewasindistinctlyseen，floatingaway，asitwere，intoaduskywildernessofmustacheandbeard。Hiseyeswinked，andturneduneasilyfromthetorches，likeacreaturetowhommidnightwouldbemorecongenialthannoonday。
Onthewhole，thespectremighthavemadeaconsiderableimpressiononthesculptor'snerves，onlythathewasinthehabitofobservingsimilarfigures，almosteveryday，recliningontheSpanishsteps，andwaitingforsomeartisttoinvitethemwithinthemagicrealmofpicture。Nor，eventhusfamiliarizedwiththestranger'speculiaritiesofappearance，couldKenyonhelpwonderingtoseesuchapersonage，shapinghimselfsosuddenlyoutofthevoiddarknessofthecatacomb。
"Whatareyou？"saidthesculptor，advancinghistorchnearer。"Andhowlonghaveyoubeenwanderinghere？"
"Athousandandfivehundredyears！"mutteredtheguide，loudenoughtobeheardbyalltheparty。"ItistheoldpaganphantomthatItoldyouof，whosoughttobetraytheblessedsaints！"
"Yes；itisaphantom！"criedDonatello，withashudder。"Ah，dearestsignorina，whatafearfulthinghasbesetyouinthosedarkcorridors！"
"Nonsense，Donatello，"saidthesculptor。"Themanisnomoreaphantomthanyourself。Theonlymarvelis，howhecomestobehidinghimselfinthecatacomb。Possiblyourguidemightsolvetheriddle。"
Thespectrehimselfheresettledthepointofhistangibility，atallevents，andphysicalsubstance，byapproachingastepnearer，andlayinghishandonKenyon'sarm。
"InquirenotwhatIam，norwhereforeIabideinthedarkness，"saidhe，inahoarse，harshvoice，asifagreatdealofdampwereclusteringinhisthroat。"Henceforth，Iamnothingbutashadowbehindherfootsteps。
ShecametomewhenIsoughthernot。Shehascalledmeforth，andmustabidetheconsequencesofmyreappearanceintheworld。"
"HolyVirgin！Iwishthesignorinajoyofherprize，"saidtheguide，halftohimself。"Andinanycase，thecatacombiswellridofhim。"
Weneedfollowthescenenofurther。Somuchisessentialtothesubsequentnarrative，that，duringtheshortperiodwhileastrayinthosetortuouspassages，Miriamhadencounteredanunknownman，andledhimforthwithher，orwasguidedbackbyhim，firstintothetorchlight，thenceintothesunshine。
Itwasthefurthersingularityofthisaffair，thattheconnection，thusbrieflyandcasuallyformed，didnotterminatewiththeincidentthatgaveitbirth。Asifherservicetohim，orhisservicetoher，whicheveritmightbe，hadgivenhimanindefeasibleclaimonMiriam'sregardandprotection，theSpectreoftheCatacombneverlongallowedhertolosesightofhim，fromthatdayforward。HehauntedherfootstepswithmorethanthecustomarypersistencyofItalianmendicants，whenoncetheyhaverecognizedabenefactor。Fordaystogether，itistrue，heoccasionallyvanished，butalwaysreappeared，glidingafterherthroughthenarrowstreets，orclimbingthehundredstepsofherstaircaseandsittingatherthreshold。
Beingoftenadmittedtoherstudio，helefthisfeatures，orsomeshadoworreminiscenceofthem，inmanyofhersketchesandpictures。Themoralatmosphereoftheseproductionswastherebysoinfluenced，thatrivalpainterspronounceditacaseofhopelessmannerism，whichwoulddestroyallMiriam'sprospectsoftrueexcellenceinart。
Thestoryofthisadventurespreadabroad，andmadeitswaybeyondtheusualgossipoftheForestieri，evenintoItaliancircles，where，enhancedbyastillpotentspiritofsuperstition，itgrewfarmorewonderfulthanasaboverecounted。Thence，itcamebackamongtheAnglo-Saxons，andwascommunicatedtotheGermanartists，whosorichlysupplieditwithromanticornamentsandexcrescences，aftertheirfashion，thatitbecameafantasyworthyofTieckorHoffmann。Fornobodyhasanyconscienceaboutaddingtotheimprobabilitiesofamarvelloustale。
Themostreasonableversionoftheincident，thatcouldanywiseberenderedacceptabletotheauditors，wassubstantiallytheonesuggestedbytheguideofthecatacomb，inhisallusiontothelegendofMemmius。
Thisman，ordemon，orman-demon，wasaspyduringthepersecutionsoftheearlyChristians，probablyundertheEmperorDiocletian，andpenetratedintothecatacombofSt。Calixtus，withthemalignantpurposeoftracingoutthehiding-placesoftherefugees。But，whilehestolecraftilythroughthosedarkcorridors，hechancedtocomeuponalittlechapel，wheretaperswereburningbeforeanaltarandacrucifix，andapriestwasintheperformanceofhissacredoffice。Bydivineindulgence，therewasasinglemoment'sgraceallowedtoMemmius，duringwhich，hadhebeencapableofChristianfaithandlove，hemighthavekneltbeforethecross，andreceivedtheholylightintohissoul，andsohavebeenblestforever。
Butheresistedthesacredimpulse。Assoon，therefore，asthatonemomenthadglidedby，thelightoftheconsecratedtapers，whichrepresentalltruth，bewilderedthewretchedmanwitheverlastingerror，andtheblessedcrossitselfwasstampedasasealuponhisheart，sothatitshouldneveropentoreceiveconviction。
Thenceforth，thisheathenMemmiushashauntedthewideanddrearyprecinctsofthecatacomb，seeking，assomesay，tobeguilenewvictimsintohisownmisery；but，accordingtootherstatements，endeavoringtoprevailonanyunwaryvisitortotakehimbythehand，andguidehimoutintothedaylight。Shouldhiswilesandentreatiestakeeffect，however，theman-demonwouldremainonlyalittlewhileaboveground。Hewouldgratifyhisfiendishmalignitybyperpetratingsignalmischiefonhisbenefactor，andperhapsbringingsomeoldpestilenceorotherforgottenandlong-buriedevilonsociety；or，possibly，teachingthemodernworldsomedecayedanddustykindofcrime，whichtheantiqueRomansknew，——andthenwouldhastenbacktothecatacomb，which，aftersolonghauntingit，hasgrownhismostcongenialhome。
Miriamherself，withherchosenfriends，thesculptorandthegentleHilda，oftenlaughedatthemonstrousfictionsthathadgoneabroadinreferencetoheradventure。Hertwoconfidants(forsuchtheywere，onallordinarysubjects)hadnotfailedtoaskanexplanationofthemystery，sinceundeniablyamysterytherewas，andonesufficientlyperplexinginitself，withoutanyhelpfromtheimaginativefaculty。And，sometimesrespondingtotheirinquirieswithamelancholysortofplayfulness，MiriamletherfancyrunoffintowilderfablesthananywhichGermaningenuityorItaliansuperstitionhadcontrived。
Forexample，withastrangeairofseriousnessoverallherface，onlybeliedbyalaughlnggleaminher。darkeyes，shewouldaverthatthespectre(whohadbeenanartistinhismortallifetime)hadpromisedtoteachheralong-lost，butinvaluablesecretofoldRomanfrescopainting。
TheknowledgeofthisprocesswouldplaceMiriamattheheadofmodernart；thesoleconditionbeingagreedupon，thatsheshouldreturnwithhimintohissightlessgloom，afterenrichingacertainextentofstuccoedwallwiththemostbrilliantandlovelydesigns。Andwhattruevotaryofartwouldnotpurchaseunrivalledexcellence，evenatsovastasacrifice！
Or，ifherfriendsstillsolicitedasobereraccount，Miriamreplied，that，meetingtheoldinfidelinoneofthedismalpassagesofthecatacomb，shehadenteredintocontroversywithhim，hopingtoachievethegloryandsatisfactionofconvertinghimtotheChristianfaith。Forthesakeofsoexcellentaresult；shehadevenstakedherownsalvationagainsthis，bindingherselftoaccompanyhimbackintohispenalgloom，if，withinatwelvemonth'sspace，sheshouldnothaveconvincedhimoftheerrorsthroughwhichhehadsolonggropedandstumbled。But，alas！uptothepresenttime，thecontroversyhadgonedirefullyinfavoroftheman-demon；
andMiriam(asshewhisperedinHilda'sear)hadawfulforebodings，that，inafewmoremonths，shemusttakeaneternalfarewellofthesun！
Itwassomewhatremarkablethatallherromanticfantasiesarrivedatthisself-samedrearytermination，——itappearedimpossibleforhereventoimagineanyotherthanadisastrousresultfromherconnectionwithherill-omenedattendant。
Thissingularitymighthavemeantnothing，however，haditnotsuggestedadespondentstateofmind，whichwaslikewiseindicatedbymanyothertokens。Miriam'sfriendshadnodifficultyinperceivingthat，inonewayoranother，herhappinesswasveryseriouslycompromised。Herspiritswereoftendepressedintodeepmelancholy。Ifevershewasgay，itwasseldomwithahealthycheerfulness。Shegrewmoody，moreover，andsubjecttofitsofpassionateilltemper；whichusuallywreakeditselfontheheadsofthosewholovedherbest。NotthatMiriam'sindifferentacquaintancesweresafefromsimilaroutbreaksofherdispleasure，especiallyiftheyventureduponanyallusiontothemodel。Insuchcases，theywereleftwithlittledispositiontorenewthesubject，butinclined，ontheotherhand，tointerpretthewholematterasmuchtoherdiscreditastheleastfavorablecoloringofthefactswouldallow。
Itmayoccurtothereader，thattherewasreallynodemandforsomuchrumorandspeculationinregardtoanincident，Whichmightwellenoughhavebeenexplainedwithoutgoingmanystepsbeyondthelimitsofprobability。ThespectremighthavebeenmerelyaRomanbeggar，whosefraternityoftenharborinstrangersheltersthanthecatacombs；oroneofthosepilgrims，whostilljourneyfromremotecountriestokneelandworshipattheholysites，amongwhichthesehauntsoftheearlyChristiansareesteemedespeciallysacred。Or，aswasperhapsamoreplausibletheory，hemightbeathiefofthecity，arobberoftheCampagna，apoliticaloffender，oranassassin，withblooduponhishand；
whomthenegligenceorconnivanceofthepoliceallowedtotakerefugeinthosesubterraneanfastnesses，wheresuchoutlawshavebeenaccustomedtohidethemselvesfromafarantiquitydownward。Orhemighthavebeenalunatic，fleeinginstinctivelyfromman，andmakingithisdarkpleasuretodwellamongthetombs，likehimwhoseawfulcryechoesafartousfromScripturetimes。
And，asforthestranger'sattachinghimselfsodevotedlytoMiriam，herpersonalmagnetismmightbeallowedacertainweightintheexplanation。
Forwhatremains，hispertinacityneednotseemsoverysingulartothosewhoconsiderhowslightalinkservestoconnectthesevagabondsofidleItalywithanypersonthatmayhavetheill-haptobestowcharity，orbeotherwiseserviceabletothem，orbetraytheslightestinterestintheirfortunes。
Thuslittlewouldremaintobeaccountedfor，exceptthedeportmentofMiriamherself；herreserve，herbroodingmelancholy，herpetulance，andmoodypassion。Ifgenerouslyinterpreted，eventhesemorbidsymptomsmighthavesufficientcauseinthestimulatingandexhaustiveinfluencesofimaginativeart，exercisedbyadelicateyoungwoman，inthenervousandunwholesomeatmosphereofRome。Such，atleast，wastheviewofthecasewhichHildaandKenyonendeavoredtoimpressontheirownminds，andimparttothosewhomtheiropinionsmightinfluence。
OneofMiriam'sfriendstookthemattersadlytoheart。ThiswastheyoungItalian。Donatello，aswehaveseen，hadbeenaneyewitnessofthestranger'sfirstappearance，andhadeversincenourishedasingularprejudiceagainstthemysterious，dusky，death-scentedapparition。Itresemblednotsomuchahumandislikeorhatred，asoneofthoseinstinctive，unreasoningantipathieswhichtheloweranimalssometimesdisplay，andwhichgenerallyprovemoretrustworthythantheacutestinsightintocharacter。Theshadowofthemodel，alwaysflungintothelightwhichMiriamdiffusedaroundher，causednoslighttroubletoDonatello。Yethewasofanaturesoremarkablygenialandjoyous，sosimplyhappy，thathemightwellaffordtohavesomethingsubtractedfromhiscomfort，andmaketolerableshifttoliveuponwhatremained。
CHAPTERV
MIRIAM'SSTUDIO
ThecourtyardandstaircaseofapalacebuiltthreehundredyearsagoareapeculiarfeatureofmodernRome，andinterestthestrangermorethanmanythingsofwhichhehasheardloftierdescriptions。Youpassthroughthegrandbreadthandheightofasqualidentrance-way，andperhapsseearangeofduskypillars，formingasortofcloisterroundthecourt，andintheintervals，frompillartopillar，arestrewnfragmentsofantiquestatues，headlessandleglesstorsos，andbuststhathaveinvariablylostwhatitmightbewelliflivingmencouldlayasideinthatunfragrantatmosphere——thenose。Bas-reliefs，thespoilofsomefarolderpalace，aresetinthesurroundingwalls，everystoneofwhichhasbeenravishedfromtheColiseum，oranyotherimperialruinwhichearlierbarbarismhadnotalreadylevelledwiththeearth。Betweentwoofthepillars，moreover，standsanoldsarcophaguswithoutitslid，andwithallitsmoreprominentlyprojectingsculpturesbrokenoff；perhapsitonceheldfamousdust，andthebonyframeworkofsomehistoricman，althoughnowonlyareceptaclefortherubbishofthecourtyard，andahalf-wornbroom。
Inthecentreofthecourt，undertheblueItaliansky，andwiththehundredwindowsofthevastpalacegazingdownuponitfromfoursides，appearsafountain。Itbrimsoverfromonestonebasintoanother，orgushesfromaNaiad'surn，orspurtsitsmanylittlejetsfromthemouthsofnamelessmonsters，whichweremerelygrotesqueandartificialwhenBernini，orwhoeverwastheirunnaturalfather，firstproducedthem；butnowthepatchesofmoss，thetuftsofgrass，thetrailingmaiden-hair，andallsortsofverdantweedsthatthriveinthecracksandcrevicesofmoistmarble，tellusthatNaturetakesthefountainbackintohergreatheart，andcherishesitaskindlyasifitwereawoodlandspring。Andhark，thepleasantmurmur，thegurgle，theplash！Youmighthearjustthosetinklingsoundsfromanytinywaterfallintheforest，thoughheretheygainadeliciouspathosfromthestatelyechoesthatreverberatetheirnaturallanguage。Sothefountainisnotaltogetherglad，afterallitsthreecenturiesatplay！
Inoneoftheanglesofthecourtyard，apillareddoorwaygivesaccesstothestaircase，withitsspaciousbreadthoflowmarblesteps，upwhich，informertimes，havegonetheprincesandcardinalsofthegreatRomanfamilywhobuiltthispalace。Ortheyhavecomedown，withstillgranderandloftiermien，ontheirwaytotheVaticanortheQuirinal，theretoputofftheirscarlethatsinexchangeforthetriplecrown。But，infine，alltheseillustriouspersonageshavegonedowntheirhereditarystaircaseforthelasttime，leavingittobethethoroughfareofambassadors，Englishnoblemen，Americanmillionnaires，artists，tradesmen，washerwomen，andpeopleofeverydegree，——allofwhomfindsuchgildedandmarble-panelledsaloonsastheirpompandluxurydemand，orsuchhomelygarretsastheirnecessitycanpayfor，withinthisonemultifariousabode。
Only，innotasinglenookofthepalace(builtforsplendor，andtheaccommodationofavastretinue，butwithnovisionofahappyfiresideoranymodeofdomesticenjoyment)doesthehumblestorthehaughtiestoccupantfindcomfort。
Upsuchastaircase，onthemorningafterthesceneatthesculpturegallery，sprangthelightfootofDonatello。Heascendedfromstorytostory，passingloftydoorways，setwithinrichframesofsculpturedmarble，andclimbingunweariedlyupward，untilthegloriesofthefirstpianoandtheeleganceofthemiddleheightwereexchangedforasortofAlpineregion，coldandnakedinitsaspect。Stepsofroughstone，rudewoodenbalustrades，abrickpavementinthepassages，adingywhitewashonthewalls；thesewereherethepalatialfeatures。Finally，hepausedbeforeanoakendoor，onwhichwaspinnedacard，bearingthenameofMiriamSchaefer，artistinoils。HereDonatelloknocked，andthedoorimmediatelyfellsomewhatajar；itslatchhavingbeenpulledupbymeansofastringontheinside。Passingthroughalittleanteroom，hefoundhimselfinMiriam'spresence。
"Comein，wildFaun，"shesaid，"andtellmethelatestnewsfromArcady！"
Theartistwasnotjustthenathereasel，butwasbusiedwiththefemininetaskofmendingapairofgloves。
Thereissomethingextremelypleasant，andeventouching，——atleast，ofverysweet，soft，andwinningeffect，——inthispeculiarityofneedlework，distinguishingwomenfrommen。Ourownsexisincapableofanysuchby-playasidefromthemainbusinessoflife；butwomen——betheyofwhatearthlyranktheymay，howevergiftedwithintellectorgenius，orendowedwithawfulbeauty——havealwayssomelittlehandiworkreadytofillthetinygapofeveryvacantmoment。Aneedleisfamiliartothefingersofthemall。Aqueen，nodoubt，pliesitonoccasion；thewomanpoetcanuseitasadroitlyasherpen；thewoman'seye，thathasdiscoveredanewstar，turnsfromitsglorytosendthepolishedlittleinstrumentgleamingalongthehemofherkerchief，ortodarnacasualfrayinherdress。Andtheyhavegreatlytheadvantageofusinthisrespect。Theslenderthreadofsilkorcottonkeepsthemunitedwiththesmall，familiar，gentleinterestsoflife，thecontinuallyoperatinginfluencesofwhichdosomuchforthehealthofthecharacter，andcarryoffwhatwouldotherwisebeadangerousaccumulationofmorbidsensibility。Avastdealofhumansympathyrunsalongthiselectricline，stretchingfromthethronetothewickerchairofthehumblestseamstress，andkeepinghighandlowinaspeciesofcommunionwiththeirkindredbeings。Methinksitisatokenofhealthyandgentlecharacteristics，whenwomenofhighthoughtsandaccomplishmentslovetosew；especiallyastheyarenevermoreathomewiththeirownheartsthanwhilesooccupied。
Andwhentheworkfallsinawoman'slap，ofitsownaccord，andtheneedleinvoluntarilyceasestofly，itisasignoftrouble，quiteastrustworthyasthethroboftheheartitself。ThiswaswhathappenedtoMiriam。EvenwhileDonatellostoodgazingather，sheseemedtohaveforgottenhispresence，allowinghimtodropoutofherthoughts，andthetornglovetofallfromheridlefingers。Simpleashewas，theyoungmanknewbyhissympathiesthatsomethingwasamiss。
"Dearlady，youaresad，"saidhe，drawingclosetoher。
"Itisnothing，Donatello，"shereplied，resumingherwork；"yes；alittlesad，perhaps；butthatisnotstrangeforuspeopleoftheordinaryworld，especiallyforwomen。Youareofacheerfullerrace，myfriend，andknownothingofthisdiseaseofsadness。Butwhydoyoucomeintothisshadowyroomofmine？"
"Whydoyoumakeitsoshadowy？"askedhe。
"Weartistspurposelyexcludesunshine，andallbutapartiallight，"saidMiriam，"becausewethinkitnecessarytoputourselvesatoddswithNaturebeforetryingtoimitateher。Thatstrikesyouverystrangely，doesitnot？Butwemakeveryprettypicturessometimeswithourartfullyarrangedlightsandshadows。Amuseyourselfwithsomeofmine，Donatello，andbyandbyIshallbeinthemoodtobegintheportraitweweretalkingabout。"
Theroomhadthecustomaryaspectofapainter'sstudio；oneofthosedelightfulspotsthathardlyseemtobelongtotheactualworld，butrathertobetheoutwardtypeofapoet'shauntedimagination，wherethereareglimpses，sketches，andhalf-developedhintsofbeingsandobjectsgranderandmorebeautifulthanwecananywherefindinreality。Thewindowswereclosedwithshutters，ordeeplycurtained，exceptone，whichwaspartlyopentoasunlessportionofthesky，admittingonlyfromhighupwardthatpartiallightwhich，withitsstronglymarkedcontrastofshadow，isthefirstrequisitetowardsseeingobjectspictorially。
Pencil-drawingswerepinnedagainstthewallorscatteredonthetables。
Unframedcanvasesturnedtheirbacksonthespectator，presentingonlyablanktotheeye，andchurlishlyconcealingwhateverrichesofsceneryorhumanbeautyMiriam'sskillhaddepictedontheotherside。
IntheobscurestpartoftheroomDonatellowashalfstartledatperceivingduskilyawomanwithlongdarkhair，whothrewupherarmswithawildgestureoftragicdespair，andappearedtobeckonhimintothedarknessalongwithher。
"Donotbeafraid，Donatello，"saidMiriam，smilingtoseehimpeeringdoubtfullyintothemysteriousdusk。"Shemeansyounomischief，norcouldperpetrateanyifshewishediteversomuch。Itisaladyofexceedinglypliabledisposition；nowaheroineofromance，andnowarusticmaid；yetallforshow；beingcreated，indeed，onpurposetowearrichshawlsandothergarmentsinabecomingfashion。Thisisthetrueendofherbeing，althoughshepretendstoassumethemostvarieddutiesandperformmanypartsinlife，whilereallythepoorpuppethasnothingonearthtodo。Uponmyword，Iamsatiricalunawares，andseemtobedescribingninewomenoutofteninthepersonofmylay-figure。Formostpurposesshehastheadvantageofthesisterhood。WouldIwerelikeher！"
"Howitchangesheraspect，"exclaimedDonatello，"toknowthatsheisbutajointedfigure！Whenmyeyesfirstfelluponher，Ithoughtherarmsmoved，asifbeckoningmetohelpherinsomedirefulperil。"
"Areyouoftentroubledwithsuchsinisterfreaksoffancy？"askedMiriam。
"Ishouldnothavesupposedit。"
"Totellyouthetruth，dearestsignorina，"answeredtheyoungItalian，"I
amapttobefearfulinold，gloomyhouses，andinthedark。Ilovenodarkorduskycorners，exceptitbeinagrotto，oramongthethickgreenleavesofanarbor，orinsomenookofthewoods，suchasIknowmanyintheneighborhoodofmyhome。Eventhere，ifastraysunbeamstealin，theshadowisallthebetterforitscheerfulglimmer。"
"Yes；youareaFaun，youknow，"saidthefairartist，laughingattheremembranceofthesceneofthedaybefore。"Buttheworldissadlychangednowadays；grievouslychanged，poorDonatello，sincethosehappytimeswhenyourraceusedtodwellintheArcadianwoods，playinghideandseekwiththenymphsingrottoesandnooksofshrubbery。Youhavereappearedonearthsomecenturiestoolate。"
"Idonotunderstandyounow，"answeredDonatello，lookingperplexed；
"only，signorina，Iamgladtohavemylifetimewhileyoulive；andwhereyouare，beitincitiesorfields，Iwouldfainbetheretoo。"
"IwonderwhetherIoughttoallowyoutospeakinthisway，"saidMiriam，lookingthoughtfullyathim。"Manyyoungwomenwouldthinkitbehoovedthemtobeoffended。Hildawouldneverletyouspeakso，Idaresay。
Butheisamereboy，"sheadded，aside，"asimpleboy，puttinghisboyishhearttotheproofonthefirstwomanwhomhechancestomeet。Ifyonderlay-figurehadhadthelucktomeethimfirst，shewouldhavesmittenhimasdeeplyasI。"
"Areyouangrywithme？"askedDonatellodolorously。
"Notintheleast，"answeredMiriam，franklygivinghimherhand。"PraylookoversomeofthesesketchestillIhaveleisuretochatwithyoualittle。IhardlythinkIaminspiritsenoughtobeginyourportraitto-day。"
Donatellowasasgentleanddocileasapetspaniel；asplayful，too，inhisgeneraldisposition，orsaddeningwithhismistress'svariablemoodlikethatoranyotherkindlyanimalwhichhasthefacultyofbestowingitssympathiesmorecompletelythanmenorwomencaneverdo。
Accordingly，asMiriambadehim，hetriedtoturnhisattentiontoagreatpileandconfusionofpenandinksketchesandpencildrawingswhichlaytossedtogetheronatable。Asitchanced，however，theygavethepooryouthlittledelight。
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