Thefirstthathetookupwasaveryimpressivesketch，inwhichtheartisthadjotteddownherroughideasforapictureofJaeldrivingthenailthroughthetemplesofSisera。Itwasdashedoffwithremarkablepower，andshowedatouchortwothatwereactuallylifelikeanddeathlike，asifMiriamhadbeenstandingbywhenJaelgavethefirststrokeofhermurderoushammer，orasifsheherselfwereJael，andfeltirresistiblyimpelledtomakeherbloodyconfessioninthisguise。
HerfirstconceptionofthesternJewesshadevidentlybeenthatofperfectwomanhood，alovelyform，andahigh，heroicfaceofloftybeauty；
but，dissatisfiedeitherwithherownworkortheterriblestoryitself，Miriamhadaddedacertainwaywardquirkofherpencil，whichatonceconvertedtheheroineintoavulgarmurderess。ItwasevidentthataJaellikethiswouldbesuretosearchSisera'spocketsassoonasthebreathwasoutofhisbody。
InanothersketchshehadattemptedthestoryofJudith，whichweseerepresentedbytheoldmasterssooften，andinsuchvariousstyles。
Here，too，beginningwithapassionateandfieryconceptionofthesubjectinallearnestness，shehadgiventhelasttouchesinutterscorn，asitwere，ofthefeelingswhichatfirsttooksuchpowerfulpossessionofherhand。TheheadofHolofernes(which，bythebye，hadapairoftwistedmustaches，likethoseofacertainpotentateoftheday)beingfairlycutoff，wasscrewingitseyesupwardandtwirlingitsfeaturesintoadiabolicalgrinoftriumphantmalice，whichitflungrightinJudith'sface。Onherpart，shehadthestartledaspectthatmightbeconceivedofacookifacalf'sheadshouldsneeratherwhenabouttobepoppedintothedinner-pot。
Overandoveragain，therewastheideaofwoman，actingthepartofarevengefulmischieftowardsman。Itwas，indeed，verysingulartoseehowtheartist'simaginationseemedtorunonthesestoriesofbloodshed，inwhichwoman'shandwascrimsonedbythestain；andhow，too，——inoneformoranother，grotesqueorsternlysad，——shefailednottobringoutthemoral，thatwomanmuststrikethroughherownhearttoreachahumanlife，whateverwerethemotivethatimpelledher。
OneofthesketchesrepresentedthedaughterofHerodiasreceivingtheheadofJohntheBaptistinacharger。ThegeneralconceptionappearedtobetakenfromBernardoLuini'spicture，intheUffizziGalleryatFlorence；
butMiriamhadimpartedtothesaint'sfacealookofgentleandheavenlyreproach，withsadandblessedeyesfixedupwardatthemaiden；bytheforceofwhichmiraculousglance，herwholewomanhoodwasatonceawakenedtoloveandendlessremorse。
ThesesketcheshadamostdisagreeableeffectonDonatello'speculiartemperament。Hegaveashudder；hisfaceassumedalookoftrouble，fear，anddisgust；hesnatcheduponesketchafteranother，asifabouttotearitinpieces。Finally，shovingawaythepileofdrawings，heshrankbackfromthetableandclaspedhishandsoverhiseyes。
"Whatisthematter，Donatello？"askedMiriam，lookingupfromaletterwhichshewasnowwriting。"Ah！Ididnotmeanyoutoseethosedrawings。
Theyareuglyphantomsthatstoleoutofmymind；notthingsthatI
created，butthingsthathauntme。See！herearesometriflesthatperhapswillpleaseyoubetter。"
Shegavehimaportfolio，thesketchesinwhichindicatedahappiermoodofmind，andone，itistobehoped，moretrulycharacteristicoftheartist。Supposingneitheroftheseclassesofsubjecttoshowanythingofherownindividuality，Miriamhadevidentlyagreatscopeoffancy，andasingularfacultyofputtingwhatlookedlikeheartintoherproductions。
Thelattersketchesweredomesticandcommonscenes，sofinelyandsubtilelyidealizedthattheyseemedsuchaswemayseeatanymoment，andeye，where；whilestilltherewastheindefinablesomethingadded，ortakenaway，whichmakesallthedifferencebetweensordidlifeandanearthlyparadise。Thefeelingandsympathyin。allofthemweredeepandtrue。
Therewasthescene，thatcomesonceineverylife，oftheloverwinningthesoftandpureavowalofbashfulaffectionfromthemaidenwhoseslenderformhalfleanstowardshisarm，halfshrinksfromit，weknownotwhich。Therewasweddedaffectioninitssuccessivestages，representedinaseriesofdelicatelyconceiveddesigns，touchedwithaholyfire，thatburnedfromyouthtoageinthosetwohearts，andgaveoneidenticalbeautytothefacesthroughoutallthechangesoffeature。
Therewasadrawingofaninfant'sshoe，halfwornout，withtheairyprintoftheblessedfootwithin；athingthatwouldmakeamothersmileorweepoutoftheverydepthsofherheart；andyetanactualmotherwouldnothavebeenlikelytoappreciatethepoetryofthelittleshoe，untilMiriamrevealedittoher。Itwaswonderful，thedepthandforcewithwhichtheabove，andotherkindredsubjects，weredepicted，andtheprofoundsignificancewhichtheyoftenacquired。Theartist，stillinherfreshyouth，couldnotprobablyhavedrawnanyofthesedearandrichexperiencesfromherownlife；unless，perchance，thatfirstsketchofall，theavowalofmaidenaffection，werearememberedincident，andnotaprophecy。Butitismoredelightfultobelievethat，fromfirsttolast，theyweretheproductionsofabeautifulimagination，dealingwiththewarmandpuresuggestionsofawoman'sheart，andthusidealizingatruerandlovelierpictureofthelifethatbelongstowoman，thananactualacquaintancewithsomeofitshardanddustyfactscouldhaveinspired。
Soconsidered，thesketchesintimatedsuchaforceandvarietyofimaginativesympathiesaswouldenableMiriamtofillherliferichlywiththeblissandsufferingofwomanhood，howeverbarrenitmightindividuallybe。
Therewasoneobservablepoint，indeed，betokeningthattheartistrelinquished，forherpersonalself，thehappinesswhichshecouldsoprofoundlyappreciateforothers。Inallthosesketchesofcommonlife，andtheaffectionsthatspiritualizeit，afigurewasportrayedapart，nowitpeepedbetweenthebranchesofashrubbery，amidwhichtwoloverssat；
nowitwaslookingthroughafrostedwindow，fromtheoutside，whileayoungweddedpairsatattheirnewfiresidewithin；andonceitleanedfromachariot，whichsixhorseswerewhirlingonwardinpompandpride，andgazedatasceneofhumbleenjoymentbyacottagedoor。Alwaysitwasthesamefigure，andalwaysdepictedwithanexpressionofdeepsadness；
andineveryinstance，slightlyastheywerebroughtout，thefaceandformhadthetraitsofMiriam'sown。
"Doyoulikethesesketchesbetter，Donatello？"askedMiriam。"Yes，"
saidDonatelloratherdoubtfully。"Notmuch，Ifear，"respondedshe，laughing。"Andwhatshouldaboylikeyou——aFauntoo，——knowaboutthejoysandsorrows，theintertwininglightandshadow，ofhumanlife？I
forgotthatyouwereaFaun。Youcannotsufferdeeply；thereforeyoucanbuthalfenjoy。Here，now，isasubjectwhichyoucanbetterappreciate。"
Thesketchrepresentedmerelyarusticdance，butwithsuchextravaganceoffunaswasdelightfultobehold；andheretherewasnodrawback，exceptthatstrangesighandsadnesswhichalwayscomewhenwearemerriest。
"Iamgoingtopaintthepictureinoils，"saidtheartist；"andIwantyou，Donatello，forthewildestdancerofthemall。Willyousitforme，someday？——or，rather，danceforme？"
"O，mostgladly，signorina！"exclaimedDonatello。"See；itshallbelikethis。"
Andforthwithhebegantodance，andflitaboutthestudio，likeanincarnatespriteofjollity，pausingatlastontheextremityofonetoe，asifthatweretheonlyportionofhimselfwherebyhisfriskynaturecouldcomeincontactwiththeearth。Theeffectinthatshadowychamber，whencetheartisthadsocarefullyexcludedthesunshine，wasasenliveningasifonebrightrayhadcontrivedtoshimmerinand。frolicaroundthewalls，andfinallyrestjustinthecentreofthefloor。
"Thatwasadmirable！"saidMiriam，withanapprovingsmile。"IfIcancatchyouonmycanvas，itwillbeagloriouspicture；onlyIamafraidyouwilldanceoutofit，bytheverytruthoftherepresentation，justwhenIshallhavegivenitthelasttouch。Wewilltryitoneofthesedays。Andnow，torewardyouforthatjollyexhibition，youshallseewhathasbeenshowntonooneelse。"
Shewenttohereasel，onwhichwasplacedapicturewithitsbackturnedtowardsthespectator。Reversingtheposition，thereappearedtheportraitofabeautifulwoman，suchasoneseesonlytwoorthree，ifevensomanytimes，inallalifetime；sobeautiful，thatsheseemedtogetintoyourconsciousnessandmemory，andcouldneverafterwardsbeshutout，buthauntedyourdreams，forpleasureorforpain；holdingyourinnerrealmasaconqueredterritory，thoughwithoutdeigningtomakeherselfathomethere。
Shewasveryyouthful，andhadwhatwasusuallythoughttobeaJewishaspect；acomplexioninwhichtherewasnoroseatebloom，yetneitherwasitpale；darkeyes，intowhichyoumightlookasdeeplyasyourglancewouldgo，andstillbeconsciousofadepththatyouhadnotsounded，thoughitlayopentotheday。Shehadblack，abundanthair，withnoneofthevulgarglossinessofotherwomen'ssablelocks；ifshewerereallyofJewishblood，thenthiswasJewishhair，andadarkglorysuchascrownsnoChristianmaiden'shead。Gazingatthisportrait，yousawwhatRachelmighthavebeen，whenJacobdeemedherworththewooingsevenyears，andsevenmore；orperchanceshemightripentobewhatJudithwas，whenshevanquishedHoloferneswithherbeauty，andslewhimfortoomuchadoringit。
MiriamwatchedDonatello'scontemplationofthepicture，andseeinghissimplerapture，asmileofpleasurebrightenedonherface，mixedwithalittlescorn；atleast，herlipscurled，andhereyesgleamed，asifshedisdainedeitherhisadmirationorherownenjoymentofit。
"Thenyoulikethepicture，Donatello？"sheasked。
"O，beyondwhatIcantell！"heanswered。"Sobeautiful！——sobeautiful！"
"Anddoyourecognizethelikeness？"
"Signorina，"exclaimedDonatello，turningfromthepicturetotheartist，inastonishmentthatsheshouldask/：hequestion，"theresemblanceisaslittletobemistakenasifyouhadbentoverthesmoothsurfaceofafountain，andpossessedthewitchcrafttocallforththeimagethatyoumadethere！Itisyourself！"
Donatellosaidthetruth；andweforeboretospeakdescriptivelyofMiriam'sbeautyearlierinournarrative，becauseweforesawthisoccasiontobringitperhapsmoreforciblybeforethereader。
Weknownotwhethertheportraitwereaflatteredlikeness；probablynot，regardingitmerelyasthedelineationofalovelyface；althoughMiriam，likeallself-painters，mayhaveendowedherselfwithcertaingraceswhichOthereyesmightnotdiscern。Artistsarefondofpaintingtheirownportraits；and，inFlorence，thereisagalleryofhundredsofthem，includingthemostillustrious，inallofwhichthereareautobiographicalcharacteristics，sotospeak，——traits，expressions，loftinesses，andamenities，whichwouldhavebeeninvisible，hadtheynotbeenpaintedfromwithin。Yettheirrealityandtrutharenonetheless。Miriam，inlikemanner，haddoubtlessconveyedsomeoftheintimateresultsofherheartknowledgeintoherown。portrait，andperhapswishedtotrywhethertheywouldbeperceptibletososimpleandnaturalanobserverasDonatello。
"Doestheexpressionpleaseyou？"sheasked。
"Yes，"saidDonatellohesitatingly；"ifitwouldonlysmilesolikethesunshineasyousometimesdo。No，itissadderthanIthoughtatfirst。
Cannotyoumakeyourselfsmilealittle，signorina？"
"Aforcedsmileisuglierthanafrown，"saidMiriam，abright，naturalsmilebreakingoutoverherfaceevenasshespoke。
"O，catchitnow！"criedDonatello，clappinghishands。"Letitshineuponthepicture！There！ithasvanishedalready！Andyouaresadagain，verysad；andthepicturegazessadlyforthatme，asifsomeevilhadbefallenitinthelittletimesinceIlookedlast。"
"Howperplexedyouseem，myfriend！"answeredMiriam。"IreallyhalfbelieveyouareaFaun，thereissuchamysteryandterrorforyouinthesedarkmoods，whicharejustasnaturalasdaylighttouspeopleofordinarymould。Iadviseyou，atallevents，tolookatotherfaceswiththoseinnocentandhappyeyes，andnevermoretogazeatmine！"
"Youspeakinvain，"repliedtheyoungman，withadeeperemphasisthanshehadeverbeforeheardinhisvoice；"shroudyourselfinwhatgloomyouwill，Imustneedsfollowyou。"
"Well，well，well，"saidMiriamimpatiently；"butleavemenow；fortospeakplainly，mygoodfriend，yougrowalittlewearisome。IwalkthisafternoonintheBorghesegrounds。Meetmethere，ifitsuitsyourpleasure。"
CHAPTERVI
THEVIRGIN'SSHRINE
AfterDonatellohadleftthestudio，Miriamherselfcameforth，andtakingherwaythroughsomeoftheintricaciesofthecity，enteredwhatmightbecalledeitherawideningofastreet，orasmallpiazza。Theneighborhoodcomprisedabaker'soven，emittingtheusualfragranceofsourbread；ashoeshop；alinen-draper'sshop；apipeandcigarshop；alotteryoffice；
astationforFrenchsoldiers，withasentinelpacinginfront；andafruit-stand，atwhichaRomanmatronwassellingthedriedkernelsofchestnuts，wretchedlittlefigs，andsomebouquetsofyesterday。Achurch，ofcourse，wasnearathand，thefacadeofwhichascendedintoloftypinnacles，whereonwereperchedtwoorthreewingedfiguresofstone，eitherangelicorallegorical，blowingstonetrumpetsinclosevicinitytotheupperwindowsofanoldandshabbypalace。ThispalacewasdistinguishedbyafeaturenotverycommoninthearchitectureofRomanedifices；thatistosay，amediaevaltower，square，massive，lofty，andbattlementedandmachicolatedatthesummit。
AtoneoftheanglesofthebattlementsstoodashrineoftheVirgin，suchasweseeeverywhereatthestreetcornersofRome，butseldomornever，exceptinthissolitary，instance，ataheightabovetheordinarylevelofmen'sviewsandaspirations。Connectedwiththisoldtoweranditsloftyshrine，thereisalegendwhichwecannotherepausetotell；butforcenturiesalamphasbeenburningbeforetheVirgin'simage，atnoon，atmidnight，andatallhoursofthetwenty-four，andmustbekeptburningforever，aslongasthetowershallstand；orelsethetoweritself，thepalace，andwhateverestatebelongstoit，shallpassfromitshereditarypossessor，inaccordancewithanancientvow，andbecomethepropertyoftheChurch。
AsMiriamapproached，shelookedupward，andsaw，——not，indeed，theflameoftheneverdyinglamp，whichwasswallowedupinthebroadsunlightthatbrightenedtheshrine，butaflockofwhitedoves，skimming，fluttering，andwheelingaboutthetopmostheightofthetower，theirsilverwingsflashinginthepuretransparencyoftheair。Severalofthemsatontheledgeoftheupperwindow，pushingoneanotheroffbytheireagerstruggleforthisfavoritestation，andalltappingtheirbeaksandflappingtheirwingstumultuouslyagainstthepanes；somehadalightedinthestreet，farbelow，butflewhastilyupward，atthesoundofthewindowbeingthrustajar，andopeninginthemiddle，onrustyhinges，asRomanwindowsdo。
Afairyounggirl，dressedinwhite，showedherselfattheapertureforasingleinstant，andthrewforthasmuchashertwosmallhandscouldholdofsomekindoffood，fortheflockofeleemosynarydoves。Itseemedgreatlytothetasteofthefeatheredpeople；fortheytriedtosnatchbeakfulsofitfromhergrasp，caughtitintheair，andrusheddownwardafterituponthepavement。
"Whataprettyscenethisis，"thoughtMiriam，withakindlysmile，"andhowlikeadovesheisherself，thefair，purecreature！Theotherdovesknowherforasister，Iamsure。"
Miriampassedbeneaththedeepportalofthepalace，andturningtotheleft，begantomountflightafterflightofastaircase，which，fortheloftinessofitsaspiration，wasworthytobeJacob'sladder，or，atallevents，thestaircaseoftheTowerofBabel。Thecitybustle，whichisheardeveninRome，therumbleofwheelsovertheuncomfortablepaving-stones，thehardharshcriesreechoinginthehighandnarrowstreets，grewfaintanddiedaway；astheturmoiloftheworldwillalwaysdie，ifwesetourfacestoclimbheavenward。Higher，andhigherstill；
andnow，glancingthroughthesuccessivewindowsthatthrewintheirnarrowlightuponthestairs，herviewstretchedacrosstheroofsofthecity，unimpededevenbythestateliestpalaces。Onlythedomesofchurchesascendintothisairyregion，andholduptheirgoldencrossesonalevelwithhereye；exceptthat，outoftheveryheartofRome，thecolumnofAntoninusthrustsitselfupward，withSt。Pauluponitssummit，thesolehumanformthatseemstohavekepthercompany。
Finally，thestaircasecametoanend；savethat，ononesideofthelittleentrywhereitterminated，aflightofadozenstepsgaveaccesstotheroofofthetowerandthelegendaryshrine。Ontheothersidewasadoor，atwhichMiriamknocked，butratherasafriendlyannouncementofherpresencethanwithanydoubtofhospitablewelcome；for，awaitingnoresponse，sheliftedthelatchandentered。
"Whatahermitageyouhavefoundforyourself，dearHilda！"she，exclaimed。"Youbreathesweetair，abovealltheevilscentsofRome；andevenso，inyourmaidenelevation，youdwellaboveourvanitiesandpassions，ourmoraldustandmud，withthedovesandtheangelsforyournearestneighbors。IshouldnotwonderiftheCatholicsweretomakeasaintofyou，likeyournamesakeofold；especiallyasyouhavealmostavowedyourselfoftheirreligion，byundertakingtokeepthelampalightbeforetheVirgin'sshrine。"
"No，no，Miriam！"saidHilda，whohadcomejoyfullyforwardtogreetherfriend。"YoumustnotcallmeaCatholic。AChristiangirl——evenadaughterofthePuritans——maysurelypayhonortotheideaofdivineWomanhood，withoutgivingupthefaithofherforefathers。Buthowkindyouaretoclimbintomydove-cote！"
"Itisnotriflingproofoffriendship，indeed，"answeredMiriam；"I
shouldthinktherewerethreehundredstairsatleast。"
"Butitwilldoyougood，"continuedHilda。"AheightofsomefiftyfeetabovetheroofsofRomegivesmealltheadvantagesthatIcouldgetfromfiftymilesofdistance。Theairsoexhilaratesmyspirits，thatsometimesIfeelhalfinclinedtoattemptaflightfromthetopofmytower，inthefaiththatIshouldfloatupward。"
"O，praydon'ttryit！"saidMiriam，laughing；"Ifitshouldturnoutthatyouarelessthananangel，youwouldfindthestonesoftheRomanpavementveryhard；andifanangel，indeed，Iamafraidyouwouldnevercomedownamongusagain。"
ThisyoungAmericangirlwasanexampleofthefreedomoflifewhichitispossibleforafemaleartisttoenjoyatRome。Shedweltinhertower，asfreetodescendintothecorruptedatmosphereofthecitybeneath，asoneofhercompaniondovestoflydownwardintothestreet；——allalone，perfectlyindependent，underherownsoleguardianship，unlesswatchedoverbytheVirgin，whoseshrineshetended；doingwhatshelikedwithoutasuspicionorashadowuponthesnowywhitenessofherfame。Thecustomsofartistlifebestowsuchlibertyuponthesex，whichiselsewhererestrictedwithinsomuchnarrowerlimits；anditisperhapsanindicationthat，wheneverweadmitwomentoawiderscopeofpursuitsandprofessions，wemustalso，removetheshacklesofourpresentconventionalrules，whichwouldthenbecomeaninsufferablerestraintoneithermaidorwife。ThesystemseemstoworkunexceptionablyinRome；andinmanyothercases，asinHilda's，purityofheartandlifeareallowedtoassertthemselves，andtobetheirownproofandsecurity，toadegreeunknowninthesocietyofothercities。
Hilda，inhernativeland，hadearlyshownwhatwaspronouncedbyconnoisseursadecidedgeniusforthepictorialart。Eveninherschooldays——stillnotsoverydistant——shehadproducedsketchesthatwereseizeduponbymenoftaste，andhoardedasamongthechoicesttreasuresoftheirportfolios；scenesdelicatelyimagined，lacking，perhaps，therealitywhichcomesonlyfromacloseacquaintancewithlife，butsosoftlytouchedwithfeelingandfancythatyouseemedtobelookingathumanitywithangels'eyes。Withyearsandexperienceshemightbeexpectedtoattainadarkerandmoreforcibletouch，whichwouldimparttoherdesignstherelieftheyneeded。HadHildaremainedinherowncountry，itisnotimprobablethatshemighthaveproducedoriginalworksworthytohanginthatgalleryofnativeartwhich，wehope，isdestinedtoextenditsrichlengththroughmanyfuturecenturies。Anorphan，however，withoutnearrelatives，andpossessedofalittleproperty，shehadfounditwithinherpossibilitiestocometoItaly；thatcentralclime，whithertheeyesandtheheartofeveryartistturn，asifpicturescouldnotbemadetoglowinanyotheratmosphere，asifstatuescouldnotassumegraceandexpression，saveinthatlandofwhitestmarble。
Hilda'sgentlecouragehadbroughthersafelyoverlandandsea；hermild，unflaggingperseverancehadmadeaplaceforherinthefamouscity，evenlikeaflowerthatfindsachinkforitself，andalittleearthtogrowin，onwhateverancientwallitsslenderrootsmayfasten。Hereshedwelt，inhertower，possessingafriendortwoinRome，butnohomecompanionexcepttheflockofdoves，whosecotewasinaruinouschambercontiguoustoherown。Theysoonbecameasfamiliarwiththefair-hairedSaxongirlasifshewereabornsisteroftheirbrood；andhercustomarywhiterobeboresuchananalogytotheirsnowyplumagethattheconfraternityofartistscalledHildatheDove，andrecognizedheraerialapartmentastheDovecote。Andwhiletheotherdovesflewfarandwideinquestofwhatwasgoodforthem，Hildalikewisespreadherwings，andsoughtsuchetherealandimaginativesustenanceasGodordainsforcreaturesofherkind。
WeknownotwhethertheresultofherItalianstudies，sofarasitcouldyetbeseen，willbeacceptedasagoodordesirableone。Certainitis，thatsinceherarrivalinthepictorialland，Hildaseemedtohaveentirelylosttheimpulseoforiginaldesign，whichbroughtherthither。
Nodoubtthegirl'searlydreamshadbeenofsendingformsandhuesofbeautyintothevisibleworldoutofherownmind；ofcompellingscenesofpoetryandhistorytolivebeforemen'seyes，throughconceptionsandbymethodsindividualtoherself。Butmoreandmore，asshegrewfamiliarwiththemiraclesofartthatenrichsomanygalleriesinRome，Hildahadceasedtoconsiderherselfasanoriginalartist。No，wonderthatthischangeshouldhavebefallenher。Shewasendowedwithadeepandsensitivefacultyofappreciation；shehadthegiftofdiscerningandworshippingexcellenceinamostunusualmeasure。Nootherperson，itisprobable，recognizedsoadequately，andenjoyedwithsuchdeepdelight，thepictorialwondersthatwereheredisplayed。Shesawno，notsaw，butfeltthroughandthroughapicture；shebestoweduponitallthewarmthandrichnessofawoman'ssympathy；notbyanyintellectualeffort，butbythisstrengthofheart，andthisguidinglightofsympathy，shewentstraighttothecentralpoint，inwhichthemasterhadconceivedhiswork。
Thussheviewedit，asitwere，withhisowneyes，andhencehercomprehensionofanypicturethatinterestedherwasperfect。
ThispoweranddepthofappreciationdependedpartlyuponHilda'sphysicalorganization，whichwasatoncehealthfulandexquisitelydelicate；and，connectedwiththisadvantage，shehadacommandofhand，anicetyandforceoftouch，whichisanendowmentseparatefrompictorialgenius，thoughindispensabletoitsexercise。
Ithasprobablyhappenedinmanyotherinstances，asitdidinHilda'scase，thatsheceasedtoaimatoriginalachievementinconsequenceoftheverygiftswhichsoexquisitelyfittedhertoprofitbyfamiliaritywiththeworksofthemightyoldmasters。Reverencingthesewonderfulmensodeeply，shewastoogratefulforalltheybestoweduponher，tooloyal，toohumble，intheirawfulpresence，tothinkofenrollingherselfintheirsociety。Beholdingthemiraclesofbeautywhichtheyhadachieved，theworldseemedalreadyrichenoughinoriginaldesigns，andnothingmorewassodesirableastodiffusethoseself-samebeautiesmorewidelyamongmankind。Alltheyouthfulhopesandambitions，thefancifulideaswhichshehadbroughtfromhome，ofgreatpicturestobeconceivedinherfemininemind，wereflungaside，and，sofarasthosemostintimatewithhercoulddiscern，relinquishedwithoutasigh。Allthatshewouldhenceforthattemptandthatmostreverently，nottosayreligiouslywastocatchandreflectsomeoftheglorywhichhadbeensheduponcanvasfromtheimmortalpencilsofold。
SoHildabecameacopyist：inthePinacothecaoftheVatican，inthegalleriesofthePam-fili-Doriapalace，theBorghese，theCorsini，theSciarra，hereaselwassetupbeforemanyafamouspicturebyGuido，Domenichino，Raphael，andthedevoutpaintersofearlierschoolsthanthese。Otherartistsandvisitorsfromforeignlandsbeheldtheslender，girlishfigureinfrontofsomeworld-knownwork，absorbed，unconsciousofeverythingaroundher，seemingtoliveonlyinwhatshesoughttodo。
Theysmiled，nodoubt，attheaudacitywhichledhertodreamofcopyingthosemightyachievements。But，iftheypausedtolookoverhershoulder，andhadsensibilityenoughtounderstandwhatwasbeforetheireyes，theysoonfeltinclinedtobelievethatthespiritsoftheoldmasterswerehoveringoverHilda，andguidingherdelicatewhitehand。Intruth，fromwhateverrealmofblissandmanycoloredbeautythosespiritsmightdescend，itwouldhavebeennounworthyerrandtohelpsogentleandpureaworshipperoftheirgeniusingivingthelastdivinetouchtoherrepetitionsoftheirworks。
Hercopieswereindeedmarvellous。Accuracywasnotthephraseforthem；
aChinesecopyisaccurate。Hilda'shadthatevanescentandethereallife——thatflittingfragrance，asitwere，oftheoriginals——whichitisasdifficulttocatchandretainasitwouldbeforasculptortogettheverymovementandvaryingcolorofalivingmanintohismarblebust。
Onlybywatchingtheeffortsofthemostskilfulcopyists——menwhospendalifetime，assomeofthemdo，inmultiplyingcopiesofasinglepicture——andobservinghowinvariablytheyleaveoutjusttheindefinablecharmthatinvolvesthelast，inestimablevalue，canweunderstandthedifficultiesofthetaskwhichtheyundertake。
ItwasnotHilda'sgeneralpracticetoattemptreproducingthewholeofagreatpicture，buttoselectsomehigh，noble，anddelicateportionofit，inwhichthespiritandessenceofthepictureculminated：theVirgin'scelestialsorrow，forexample，orahoveringangel，imbuedwithimmortallight，orasaintwiththeglowofheaveninhisdyingface，——andthesewouldberenderedwithherwholesoul。Ifapicturehaddarkenedintoanindistinctshadowthroughtimeandneglect，orhadbeeninjuredbycleaning，orretouchedbysomeprofanehand，sheseemedtopossessthefacultyofseeingitinitspristineglory。Thecopywouldcomefromherhandswithwhatthebeholderfeltmustbethelightwhichtheoldmasterhadleftupontheoriginalinbestowinghisfinalandmostetherealtouch。
Insomeinstanceseven(atleast，sothosebelievedwhobestappreciatedHilda'spowerandsensibility)shehadbeenenabledtoexecutewhatthegreatmasterhadconceivedinhisimagination，buthadnotsoperfectlysucceededinputtinguponcanvas；aresultsurelynotimpossiblewhensuchdepthofsympathyasshepossessedwasassistedbythedelicateskillandaccuracyofherslenderhand。Insuchcasesthegirlwasbutafinerinstrument，amoreexquisitelyeffectivepieceofmechanism，。bythehelpofwhichthespiritofsomegreatdepartedpainternowfirstachievedhisideal，centuriesafterhisownearthlyhand，thatothertool，hadturnedtodust。
Nottodescribeherastoomuchawonder，however，Hilda，ortheDove，asherwell-wishershalflaughinglydelightedtocallher，hadbeenpronouncedbygoodjudgesincomparablythebestcopyistinRome。Afterminuteexaminationofherworks，themostskilfulartistsdeclaredthatshehadbeenledtoherresultsbyfollowingpreciselythesameprocessstepbystepthroughwhichtheoriginalpainterhadtroddentothedevelopmentofhisidea。Othercopyists——ifsuchtheyareworthytobecalled——attemptonlyasuperficialimitation。Copiesoftheoldmastersinthissenseareproducedbythousands；thereareartists，aswehavesaid，whospendtheirlivesinpaintingtheworks，orperhapsonesinglework，ofoneillustriouspainteroverandoveragain：thustheyconvertthemselvesintoGuidomachines，orRaphaelicmachines。Theirperformances，itistrue，areoftenwonderfullydeceptivetoacarelesseye；butworkingentirelyfromtheoutside，andseekingonlytoreproducethesurface，thesemenaresuretoleaveoutthatindefinablenothing，thatinestimablesomething，thatconstitutesthelifeandsoulthroughwhichthepicturegetsitsimmortality。Hildawasnosuchmachineasthis；shewroughtreligiously，andthereforewroughtamiracle。
Itstrikesusthatthereissomethingfarhigherandnoblerinallthis，inherthussacrificingherselftothedevoutrecognitionofthehighestexcellenceinart，thantherewouldhavebeenincultivatinghernotinconsiderableshareoftalentfortheproductionofworksfromherownideas。Shemighthavesetupforherself，andwonnoignoblename；shemighthavehelpedtofillthealreadycrowdedandcumberedworldwithpictures，notdestituteofmerit，butfallingshort，ifbyeversolittle，ofthebestthathasbeendone；shemightthushavegratifiedsometastesthatwereincapableofappreciatingRaphael。Butthiscouldbedoneonlybyloweringthestandardofarttothecomprehensionofthespectator。
Shechosethebetterandloftierandmoreunselfishpart，layingherindividualhopes，herfame，herprospectsofenduringremembrance，atthefeetofthosegreatdepartedoneswhomshesolovedandvenerated；andthereforetheworldwasthericherforthisfeeblegirl。
Sincethebeautyandgloryofagreatpictureareconfinedwithinitself，shewonoutthatglorybypatientfaithandself-devotion，andmultiplieditformankind。Fromthedark，chillcornerofagallery，——fromsomecurtainedchapelinachurch，wherethelightcameseldomandaslant，——fromtheprince'scarefullyguardedcabinet，wherenotoneeyeinthousandswaspermittedtobeholdit，shebroughtthewondrouspictureintodaylight，andgaveallitsmagicsplendorfortheenjoymentoftheworld。Hilda'sfacultyofgenuineadmirationisoneoftheraresttobefoundinhumannature；andletustrytorecompenseherinkindbyadmiringhergenerousself-surrender，andherbrave，humblemagnanimityinchoosingtobethehandmaidofthoseoldmagicians，insteadofaminorenchantresswithinacircleofherown。
ThehandmaidofRaphael，whomshelovedwithavirgin'slove！WouldithavebeenworthHilda'swhiletorelinquishthisofficeforthesakeofgivingtheworldapictureortwowhichitwouldcalloriginal；prettyfanciesofsnowandmoonlight；thecounterpartinpictureofsomanyfeminineachievementsinliterature！
CHAPTERVII
BEATRICE
MiriamwasgladtofindtheDoveinherturret-home；forbeingendowedwithaninfiniteactivity，andtakingexquisitedelightinthesweetlaborofwhichherlifewasfull，itwasHilda'spracticetofleeabroadbetimes，andhauntthegalleriestilldusk。Happywerethose(buttheywereveryfew)whomsheeverchosetobethecompanionsofherday；theysawthearttreasuresofRome，underherguidance，astheyhadneverseenthembefore。
NotthatHildacoulddissertate，ortalklearnedlyaboutpictures；shewouldprobablyhavebeenpuzzledbythetechnicaltermsofherownart。
Notthatshehadmuchtosayaboutwhatshemostprofoundlyadmired；butevenhersilentsympathywassopowerfulthatitdrewyourownalongwithit，endowingyouwithasecond-sightthatenabledyoutoseeexcellenceswithalmostthedepthanddelicacyofherownperceptions。
AlltheAnglo-SaxondenizensofRome，bythistime，knewHildabysight。
Unconsciously，thepoorchildhadbecomeoneofthespectaclesoftheEternalCity，andwasoftenpointedouttostrangers，sittingathereaselamongthewild-beardedyoungmen，thewhite-hairedoldones，andtheshabbilydressed，painfullyplainwomen，whomakeupthethrongofcopyists。Theoldcustodesknewherwell，andwatchedoverherastheirownchild。Sometimesayoungartist，insteadofgoingonwithacopyofthepicturebeforewhichhehadplacedhiseasel，wouldenrichhiscanvaswithanoriginalportraitofHildaatherwork。Aloveliersubjectcouldnothavebeenselected，noronewhichrequirednicerskillandinsightindoingitanythinglikejustice。Shewasprettyatalltimes，inournativeNewEnglandstyle，withherlight-brownringlets，herdelicatelytinged，buthealthfulcheek，hersensitive，intelligent，yetmostfeminineandkindlyface。But，everyfewmoments，thisprettyandgirlishfacegrewbeautifulandstriking，assomeinwardthoughtandfeelingbrightened，rosetothesurface，andthen，asitwere，passedoutofsightagain；sothat，takingintoviewthisconstantlyrecurringchange，itreallyseemedasifHildawereonlyvisiblebythesunshineofhersoul。
Inotherrespects，shewasagoodsubjectforaportrait，beingdistinguishedbyagentlepicturesqueness，whichwasperhapsunconsciouslybestowedbysomeminutepeculiarityofdress，suchasartistsseldomfailtoassume。Theeffectwastomakeherappearlikeaninhabitantofpictureland，apartlyidealcreature，nottobehandled，norevenapproachedtooclosely。Inherfeminineself，Hildawasnatural，andofpleasantdeportment，endowedwithamildcheerfulnessoftemper，notoverflowingwithanimalspirits，butneverlongdespondent。Therewasacertainsimplicitythatmadeeveryoneherfriend，butitwascombinedwithasubtileattributeofreserve，thatinsensiblykeptthoseatadistancewhowerenotsuitedtohersphere。
Miriamwasthedearestfriendwhomshehadeverknown。Beingayearortwotheelder，oflongeracquaintancewithItaly，andbetterfittedtodealwithitscraftyandselfishinhabitants，shehadhelpedHildatoarrangeherwayoflife，andhadencouragedherthroughthosefirstweeks，whenRomeissodrearytoeverynewcomer。
"Buthowluckythatyouareathometoday，"saidMiriam，continuingtheconversationwhichwasbegun，manypagesback。"Ihardlyhopedtofindyou，thoughIhadafavortoask，——acommissiontoputintoyourcharge。
Butwhatpictureisthis？"
"See！"saidHilda，takingherfriend'shand，andleadingherinfrontoftheeasel。"Iwantedyouropinionofit。"
"Ifyouhavereallysucceeded，"observedMiriam，recognizingthepictureatthefirstglance，"itwillbethegreatestmiracleyouhaveyetachieved。"
Thepicturerepresentedsimplyafemalehead；averyyouthful，girlish，perfectlybeautifulface，envelopedinwhitedrapery，frombeneathwhichstrayedalockortwoofwhatseemedarich，thoughhiddenluxurianceofauburnhair。Theeyeswerelargeandbrown，andmetthoseofthespectator，butevidentlywithastrange，ineffectualefforttoescape。
Therewasalittlerednessabouttheeyes，veryslightlyindicated，sothatyouwouldquestionwhetherornothegirlhadbeenweeping。Thewholefacewasquiet；therewasnodistortionordisturbanceofanysinglefeature；norwasiteasytoseewhytheexpressionwasnotcheerful，orwhyasingletouchoftheartist'spencilshouldnotbrightenitintojoyousness。But，infact，itwastheverysaddestpictureeverpaintedorconceived；itinvolvedanunfathomabledepthofsorrow，thesenseofwhichcametotheobserverbyasortofintuition。Itwasasorrowthatremovedthisbeautifulgirloutofthesphereofhumanity，andsetherinafar-offregion，theremotenessofwhich——whileyetherfaceissoclosebeforeus——makesusshiverasataspectre。
"Yes，Hilda，"saidherfriend，aftercloselyexaminingthepicture，"youhavedonenothingelsesowonderfulasthis。Butbywhatunheard-ofsolicitationsorsecretinteresthaveyouobtainedleavetocopyGuido'sBeatriceCenci？Itisanunexampledfavor；andtheimpossibilityofgettingagenuinecopyhasfilledtheRomanpictureshopswithBeatrices，gay，grievous，orcoquettish，butneveratrueoneamongthem。"
"Therehasbeenoneexquisitecopy，Ihaveheard，"saidHilda，"byanartistcapableofappreciatingthespiritofthepicture。ItwasThompson，whobroughtitawaypiecemeal，beingforbidden(liketherestofus)tosetuphiseaselbeforeit。Asforme，IknewthePrinceBarberiniwouldbedeaftoallentreaties；soIhadnoresourcebuttositdownbeforethepicture，dayafterday，andletitsinkintomyheart。Idobelieveitisnowphotographedthere。Itisasadfacetokeepsoclosetoone'sheart；onlywhatissoverybeautifulcanneverbequiteapain。Well；
afterstudyingitinthisway，Iknownothowmanytimes，Icamehome，andhavedonemybesttotransfertheimagetocanvas。"
"Hereitis，then，"saidMiriam，contemplatingHilda'sworkwithgreatinterestanddelight，mixedwiththepainfulsympathythatthepictureexcited。"Everywhereweseeoil-paintings，crayonsketches，cameos，engravings，lithographs，pretendingtobeBeatrice，andrepresentingthepoorgirlwithblubberedeyes，aleerofcoquetry，amerrylookasifsheweredancing，apiteouslookasifshewerebeaten，andtwentyothermodesoffantasticmistake。ButhereisGuido'sveryBeatrice；shethatsleptinthedungeon，andawoke，betimes，toascendthescaffold，Andnowthatyouhavedoneit，Hilda，canyouinterpretwhatthefeelingis，thatgivesthispicturesuchamysteriousforce？Formypart，thoughdeeplysensibleofitsinfluence，Icannotseizeit。"
"NorcanI，inwords，"repliedherfriend。"ButwhileIwaspaintingher，Ifeltallthetimeasifsheweretryingtoescapefrommygaze。Sheknowsthathersorrowissostrangeandsoimmense，thatsheoughttobesolitaryforever，bothfortheworld'ssakeandherown；andthisisthereasonwefeelsuchadistancebetweenBeatriceandourselves，evenwhenoureyesmeethers。Itisinfinitelyheart-breakingtomeetherglance，andtofeelthatnothingcanbedonetohelporcomforther；neitherdoessheaskhelporcomfort，knowingthehopelessnessofhercasebetterthanwedo。Sheisafallenangel，——fallen，andyetsinless；anditisonlythisdepthofsorrow，withitsweightanddarkness，thatkeepsherdownuponearth，andbringsherwithinourviewevenwhileitsetsherbeyondourreach。"
"Youdeemhersinless？"askedMiriam；"thatisnotsoplaintome。IfI
canpretendtoseeatallintothatdimregion，whenceshegazessostrangelyandsadlyatus，Beatrice'sownconsciencedoesnotacquitherofsomethingevil，andnevertobeforgiven！"
"Sorrowsoblackashersoppressesherverynearlyassinwould，"saidHilda。
"Then，"inquiredMiriam，"doyouthinkthattherewasnosininthedeedforwhichshesuffered？"
"Ah！"repliedHilda，shuddering，"IreallyhadquiteforgottenBeatrice'shistory，andwasthinkingofheronlyasthepictureseemstorevealhercharacter。Yes，yes；itwasterribleguilt，aninexpiablecrime，andshefeelsittobeso。Thereforeitisthattheforlorncreaturesolongstoeludeoureyes，andforevervanishawayintonothingness！Herdoomisjust！"
"OHilda，yourinnocenceislikeasharpsteelsword！"exclaimedherfriend。"Yourjudgmentsareoftenterriblysevere，thoughyouseemallmadeupofgentlenessandmercy。Beatrice'ssinmaynothavebeensogreat：perhapsitwasnosinatall，butthebestvirtuepossibleinthecircumstances。Ifshevieweditasasin，itmayhavebeenbecausehernaturewastoofeebleforthefateimposeduponher。Ah！"continuedMiriampassionately，"ifIcouldonlygetwithinherconsciousness！——ifI
couldbutclaspBeatriceCenci'sghost，anddrawitintomyself！Iwouldgivemylifetoknowwhethershethoughtherselfinnocent，ortheonegreatcriminalsincetimebegan。"
AsMiriamgaveutterancetothesewords，Hildalookedfromthepictureintoherface，andwasstartledtoobservethatherfriend'sexpressionhadbecomealmostexactlythatofthepottrait；asifherpassionatewishandstruggletopenetratepoorBeatrice'smysteryhadbeensuccessful。
"O，forHeaven'ssake，Miriam，donotlookso！"shecried。"Whatanactressyouare！AndIneverguesseditbefore。Ah！nowyouareyourselfagain！"sheadded，kissingher。"LeaveBeatricetomeinfuture。"
"Coverupyourmagicalpicture，then，"repliedherfriend，"elseInevercanlookawayfromit。Itisstrange，dearHilda，howaninnocent，delicate，whitesoullikeyourshasbeenabletoseizethesubtlemysteryofthisportrait；asyousurelymust，inordertoreproduceitsoperfectly。Well；wewillnottalkofitanymore。Doyouknow，Ihavecometoyouthismorningonasmallmatterofbusiness。Willyouundertakeitforme？"
"O，certainly，"saidHilda，laughing；"ifyouchoosetotrustmewithbusiness。"
"Nay，itisnotamatterofanydifficulty，"answeredMiriam；"merelytotakechargeofthispacket，andkeepitformeawhile。"
"Butwhynotkeepityourself？"askedHilda。
"Partlybecauseitwillbesaferinyourcharge，"saidherfriend。"Iamacarelesssortofpersoninordinarythings；whileyou，forallyoudwellsohighabovetheworld，havecertainlittlehousewifelywaysofaccuracyandorder。Thepacketisofsomeslightimportance；andyet，itmaybe，Ishallnotaskyouforitagain。Inaweekortwo，youknow，IamleavingRome。You，settingatdefiancethemalarialfever，meantostayhereandhauntyourbelovedgalleriesthroughthesummer。Now，fourmonthshence，unlessyouhearmorefromme，Iwouldhaveyoudeliverthepacketaccordingtoitsaddress。"
Hildareadthedirection；itwastoSignoreLucaBarboni，atthePlazzoCenci，thirdpiano。
"Iwilldeliveritwithmyownhand，"saidshe，"preciselyfourmonthsfromto-day，unlessyoubidmetothecontrary。PerhapsIshallmeettheghostofBeatriceinthatgrimoldpalaceofherforefathers。"
"Inthatcase，"rejoinedMiriam，"donotfailtospeaktoher，andtrytowinherconfidence。Poorthing！shewouldbeallthebetterforpouringherheartoutfreely，andwouldbegladtodoit，ifsheweresureofsympathy。Itirksmybrainandhearttothinkofher，allshutupwithinherself。"ShewithdrewthecloththatHildahaddrawnoverthepicture，andtookanotherlonglookatit。"PoorsisterBeatrice！forshewasstillawoman，Hilda，stillasister，behersinorsorrowwhattheymight。
Howwellyouhavedoneit，Hilda！IknotnotwhetherGuidowillthankyou，orbejealousofyourrivalship。"
"Jealous，indeed！"exclaimedHilda。"IfGuidohadnotwroughtthroughme，mypainswouldhavebeenthrownaway。"
"Afterall，"resumedMiriam，"ifawomanhadpaintedtheoriginalpicture，theremighthavebeensomethinginitwhichwemissnow。Ihaveagreatmindtoundertakeacopymyself；andtrytogiveitwhatitlacks。Well；
goodby。But，stay！IamgoingforalittleairingtothegroundsoftheVillaBorghesethisafternoon。Youwillthinkitveryfoolish，butI
alwaysfeelthesaferinyourcompany，Hilda，slenderlittlemaidenasyouare。Willyoucome？"
"Ah，notto-day，dearestMiriam，"shereplied；"Ihavesetmyheartongivinganothertouchortwotothispicture，andshallnotstirabroadtillnearlysunset。"
"Farewell，then，"saidhervisitor。"Ileaveyouinyourdove-cote。Whatasweet，strangelifeyouleadhere；conversingwiththesoulsoftheoldmasters，feedingandfondlingyoursisterdoves，andtrimmingtheVirgin'slamp！Hilda，doyoueverpraytotheVirginwhileyoutendhershrine？"
"SometimesIhavebeenmovedtodoso，"repliedtheDove，blushing，andloweringhereyes；"shewasawomanonce。Doyouthinkitwouldbewrong？"
"Nay，thatisforyoutojudge，"saidMiriam；"butwhenyoupraynext，dearfriend，rememberme！"
Shewentdownthelongdescentofthelowerstaircase，andjustasshereachedthestreettheflockofdovesagaintooktheirhurriedflightfromthepavementtothetopmostwindow。ShethrewhereyesupwardandbeheldthemhoveringaboutHilda'shead；for，afterherfriend'sdeparture，thegirlhadbeenmoreimpressedthanbeforebysomethingverysadandtroubledinhermanner。Shewas，therefore，leaningforthfromherairyabode，andflingingdownakind，maidenlykiss，andagestureoffarewell，inthehopethatthesemightalightuponMiriam'sheart，andcomfortitsunknownsorrowalittle。Kenyonthesculptor，whochancedtobepassingtheheadofthestreet，tooknoteofthatetherealkiss，andwishedthathecouldhavecaughtitintheairandgotHilda'sleavetokeepit。
CHAPTERVIII
THESUBURBANVILLA
Donatello，whileitwasstilladoubtfulquestionbetwixtafternoonandmorning，setforthtokeeptheappointmentwhichMiriamhadcarelesslytenderedhiminthegroundsoftheVillaBorghese。Theentrancetothesegrounds(asallmyreadersknow，foreverybodynowadayshasbeeninRome)
isjustoutsideofthePortadelPopolo。PassingbeneaththatnotveryimpressivespecimenofMichaelAngelo'sarchitecture，aminute'swalkwilltransportthevisitorfromthesmall，uneasy，lavastonesoftheRomanpavementintobroad，gravelledcarriage-drives，whencealittlefartherstrollbringshimtothesoftturfofabeautifulseclusion。Aseclusion，butseldomasolitude；forpriest，noble，andpopulace，strangerandnative，allwhobreatheRomanair，findfreeadmission，andcomehithertotastethelanguidenjoymentoftheday-dreamthattheycalllife。
ButDonatello'senjoymentwasofalivelierkind。Hesoonbegantodrawlonganddelightfulbreathsamongthoseshadowywalks。Judgingbythepleasurewhichthesylvancharacterofthesceneexcitedinhim，itmightbenomerelyfancifultheorytosethimdownasthekinsman，notfarremote，ofthatwild，sweet，playful，rusticcreature，towhosemarbleimageheboresostrikingaresemblance。Howmirthfuladiscoverywoulditbe(andyetwithatouchofpathosinit)，ifthebreezewhichsportedfondlywithhisclusteringlocksweretowaftthemsuddenlyaside，andshowapairofleaf-shaped，furryears！Whatanhoneststrainofwildnesswoulditindicate！andintowhatregionsofrichmysterywoulditextendDonatello'ssympathies，tobethuslinked(andbynomonstrouschain)withwhatwecalltheinferiortrioesofbeing，whosesimplicity，mingledwithhishumanintelligence，mightpartlyrestorewhatmanhaslostofthedivine！
Thesceneryamidwhichtheyouthnowstrayedwassuchasarraysitselfintheimaginationwhenwereadthebeautifuloldmyths，andfancyabrightersky，asofterturf，amorepicturesquearrangementofvenerabletrees，thanwefindintherudeanduntrainedlandscapesoftheWesternworld。
Theilex-trees，soancientandtime-honoredwerethey，seemedtohavelivedforagesundisturbed，andtofeelnodreadofprofanationbytheaxeanymorethanoverthrowbythethunder-stroke。IthadalreadypassedoutoftheirdreamyoldmemoriesthatonlyafewyearsagotheyweregrievouslyimperilledbytheGaul'slastassaultuponthewallsofRome。
Asifconfidentinthelongpeaceoftheirlifetime，theyassumedattitudesofindolentrepose。Theyleanedoverthegreenturfinponderousgrace，throwingabroadtheirgreatbrancheswithoutdangerofinterferingwithothertrees，thoughothermajestictreesgrewnearenoughfordignifiedsociety，buttoodistantforconstraint。Neverwasthereamorevenerablequietudethanthatwhichsleptamongtheirshelteringboughs；neverasweetersunshinethanthatnowgladdeningthegentlegloomwhichtheseleafypatriarchsstrovetodiffuseovertheswellingandsubsidinglawns。
Inotherportionsofthegroundsthestone-pinesliftedtheirdenseclumpofbranchesuponaslenderlengthofstem，sohighthattheylookedlikegreenislandsintheair，flingingdownashadowupontheturfsofaroffthatyouhardlyknewwhichtreehadmadeit。Again，therewereavenuesofcypress，resemblingdarkflamesofhugefuneralcandles，whichspreadduskandtwilightroundabouttheminsteadofcheerfulradiance。Themoreopenspotswereallabloom，evensoearlyintheseason，withanemonesofwondroussize，bothwhiteandrose-colored，andvioletsthatbetrayedthemselvesbytheirrichfragrance，eveniftheirblueeyesfailedtomeetyourown。Daisies，too，wereabundant，butlargerthanthemodestlittleEnglishflower，andthereforeofsmallaccount。
ThesewoodedandflowerylawnsaremorebeautifulthanthefinestofEnglishparkscenery，moretouching，moreimpressive，throughtheneglectthatleavesNaturesomuchtoherownwaysandmethods。Sincemanseldominterfereswithher，shesetstoworkinherquietwayandmakesherselfathome。Thereisenoughofhumancare，itistrue，bestowed，longagoandstillbestowed，topreventwildnessfromgrowingintodeformity；andtheresultisanideallandscape，awoodlandscenethatseemstohavebeenprojectedoutofthepoet'smind。IftheancientFaunwereotherthanamerecreationofoldpoetry，andcouldhavereappearedanywhere，itmusthavebeeninsuchasceneasthis。
Intheopeningsofthewoodtherearefountainsplashingintomarblebasins，thedepthsofwhichareshaggywithwater-weeds；ortheytumblelikenaturalcascadesfromrocktorock，sendingtheirmurmurafar，tomakethequietandsilencemoreappreciable。Scatteredhereandtherewithcarelessartifice，standoldaltarsbearingRomaninscriptions。
Statues，graywiththelongcorrosionofeventhatsoftatmosphere，halfhideandhalfrevealthemselves，highonpedestals，orperhapsfallenandbrokenontheturf。Terminalfigures，columnsofmarbleorgraniteporticos，arches，areseeninthevistasofthewood-paths，eitherveritablerelicsofantiquity，orwithsoexquisiteatouchofartfulruinonthemthattheyarebetterthanifreallyantique。Atallevents，grassgrowsonthetopsoftheshatteredpillars，andweedsandflowersrootthemselvesinthechinksofthemassivearchesandfrontsoftemples，andclamberatlargeovertheirpediments，asifthiswerethethousandthsummersincetheirwingedseedsalightedthere。
Whatastrangeidea——whataneedlesslabor——toconstructartificialruinsinRome，thenativesoilofruin！Buteventhesesportiveimitations，wroughtbymaninemulationofwhattimehasdonetotemplesandpalaces，areperhapscenturiesold，and，beginningasillusions，havegrowntobevenerableinsoberearnest。Theresultofallisascene，pensive，lovely，dreamlike，enjoyableandsad，suchasistobefoundnowheresaveintheseprincelyvilla-residencesintheneighborhoodofRome；ascenethatmusthaverequiredgenerationsandages，duringwhichgrowth，decay，andman'sintelligencewroughtkindlytogether，torenderitsogentlywildaswebeholditnow。
Thefinalcharmisbestowedbythemalaria。Thereisapiercing，thrilling，deliciouskindofregretintheideaofsomuchbeautythrownaway，oronlyenjoyableatitshalf-development，inwinterandearlyspring，andnevertobedweltamongst，asthehomesceneryofanyhumanbeing。Forifyoucomehitherinsummer，andstraythroughthesegladesinthegoldensunset，feverwalksarminarmwithyou，anddeathawaitsyouattheendofthedimvista。ThusthesceneislikeEdeninitsloveliness；likeEden，too，inthefatalspellthatremovesitbeyondthescopeofman'sactualpossessions。ButDonatellofeltnothingofthisdream-likemelancholythathauntsthespot。Ashepassedamongthesunnyshadows，hisspiritseemedtoacquirenewelasticity。Theflickerofthesunshine，thesparkleofthefountain'sgush，thedanceoftheleafuponthebough，thewoodlandfragrance，thegreenfreshness，theoldsylvanpeaceandfreedom，wereallintermingledinthoselongbreathswhichhedrew。
Theancientdust，themouldinessofRome，thedeadatmosphereinwhichhehadwastedsomanymonths，thehardpavements，thesmellofruinanddecayinggenerations，thechillpalaces，theconventbells，theheavyincenseofaltars，thelifethathehadledinthosedark，narrowstreets，amongpriests，soldiers，nobles，artists，andwomen，——allthesenseofthesethingsrosefromtheyoungman'sconsciousnesslikeacloudwhichhaddarkenedoverhimwithouthisknowinghowdensely。
Hedrankinthenaturalinfluencesofthescene，andwasintoxicatedasbyanexhilaratingwine。Heranraceswithhimselfalongthegleamandshadowofthewood-paths。Heleaptuptocatchtheoverhangingboughofanilex，andswinginghimselfbyitalightedfaronward，asifhehadflownthitherthroughtheair。Inasuddenraptureheembracedthetrunkofasturdytree，andseemedtoimagineitacreatureworthyofaffectionandcapableofatenderresponse；heclaspeditcloselyinhisarms，asaFaunmighthaveclaspedthewarmfemininegraceofthenymph，whomantiquitysupposedtodwellwithinthatrough，encirclingrind。Then，inordertobringhimselfclosertothegenialearth，withwhichhiskindredinstinctslinkedhimsostrongly，hethrewhimselfatfulllengthontheturf，andpresseddownhislips，kissingthevioletsanddaisies，whichkissedhimbackagain，thoughshyly，intheirmaidenfashion。
Whilehelaythere，itwaspleasanttoseehowthegreenandbluelizards，whohadbetabaskingonsomerockoronafallenpillarthatabsorbedthewarmthofthesun，scruplednottoscrambleoverhimwiththeirsmallfeet；
andhowthebirdsalightedonthenearesttwigsandsangtheirlittleroundelaysunbrokenbyanychirrupofalarm；theyrecognizedhim，itmaybe，assomethingakintothemselves，orelsetheyfanciedthathewasrootedandgrewthere；forthesewildpetsofnaturedreadedhimnomoreinhisbuoyantlifethanifamoundofsoilandgrassandflowershadlongsincecoveredhisdeadbody，convertingitbacktothesympathiesfromwhichhumanexistencehadestrangedit。
Allofus，afteralongabodeincities，havefeltthebloodgushmorejoyouslythroughourveinswiththefirstbreathofruralair；fewcouldfeelitsomuchasDonatello，acreatureofsimpleelements，bredinthesweetsylvanlifeofTuscany，andformonthsbackdwellingamidthemouldygloomanddimsplendorofoldRome。Naturehasbeenshutoutfornumberlesscenturiesfromthosestony-heartedstreets，towhichhehadlatterlygrownaccustomed；thereisnotraceofher，exceptforwhatbladesofgrassspringoutofthepavementsofthelesstroddenpiazzas，orwhatweedsclusterandtuftthemselvesonthecornicesofruins。
Thereforehisjoywaslikethatofachildthathadgoneastrayfromhome，andfindshimsuddenlyinhismother'sarmsagain。
Atlast，deemingitfulltimeforMiriamtokeephertryst，heclimbedtothetiptopofthetallesttree，andthencelookedabouthim，swayingtoandfrointhegentlebreeze，whichwasliketherespirationofthatgreatleafy，livingthing。Donatellosawbeneathhimthewholecircuitoftheenchantedground；thestatuesandcolumnspointingupwardfromamongtheshrubbery，thefountainsflashinginthesunlight，thepathswindinghitherandthither，andcontinuallyfindingoutsomenookofnewandancientpleasantness。Hesawthevilla，too，withitsmarblefrontincrustedalloverwithbasreliefs，andstatuesinitsmanyniches。Itwasasbeautifulasafairypalace，andseemedanabodeinwhichthelordandladyofthisfairdomainmightfitlydwell，andcomefortheachmorningtoenjoyassweetalifeastheirhappiestdreamsofthepastnightcouldhavedepicted。Allthishesaw，buthisfirstglancehadtakenintoowideasweep，anditwasnottillhiseyesfellalmostdirectlybeneathhim，thatDonatellobeheldMiriamjustturningintothepaththatledacrosstherootsofhisverytree。
Hedescendedamongthefoliage，waitingforhertocomeclosetothetrunk，andthensuddenlydroppedfromanimpendingbough，andalightedatherside。Itwasasiftheswayingofthebrancheshadletarayofsunlightthrough。ThesameraylikewiseglimmeredamongthegloomymeditationsthatencompassedMiriam，andlitupthepale，darkbeautyofherface，whileitrespondedpleasantlytoDonatello'sglance。
"Ihardlyknow，"saidshe，smiling，"whetheryouhavesproutedoutoftheearth，orfallenfromtheclouds。Ineithercaseyouarewelcome。"
Andtheywalkedonwardtogether。
CHAPTERIX
THEFAUNANDNYMPH
Mirian'ssaddermood，itmightbe，hadatfirstaneffectonDonatellosspirits。Itcheckedthejoyousebullitionintowhichtheywouldotherwisehaveeffervescedwhenhefoundhimselfinhersociety，not，asheretofore，intheoldgloomofRome，butunderthatbrightsoftskyandinthoseArcadianwoods。Hewassilentforawhile；itbeing，indeed，seldomDonatello'simpulsetoexpresshimselfcopiouslyinwords。Hisusualmodesofdemonstrationwerebythenaturallanguageofgesture，theinstinctivemovementofhisagileframe，andtheunconsciousplayofhisfeatures，which，withinalimitedrangeofthoughtandemotion，wouldspeakvolumesinamoment。
Byandby，hisownmoodseemedtobrightenMiriam's，andwasreflectedbackuponhimself。Hebeganinevitably，asitwere，todancealongthewood-path；flinginghimselfintoattitudesofstrangecomicgrace。Often，too，heranalittlewayinadvanceofhiscompanion，andthenstoodtowatchherassheapproachedalongtheshadowyandsun-fleckeredpath。
Witheverystepshetook，heexpressedhisjoyathernearerandnearerpresencebywhatmightbethoughtanextravaganceofgesticulation，butwhichdoubtlesswasthelanguageofthenaturalman，thoughlaidasideandforgottenbyothermen，nowthatwordshavebeenfeeblysubstitutedintheplaceofsignsandsymbols。HegaveMiriamtheideaofabeingnotpreciselyman，noryetachild，but，inahighandbeautifulsense，ananimal，acreatureinastateofdevelopmentlessthanwhatmankindhasattained，yetthemoreperfectwithinitselfforthatverydeficiency。
Thisideafilledhermobileimaginationwithagreeablefantasies，which，aftersmilingatthemherself，shetriedtocofiveytotheyoungman。
"Whatareyou，myfriend？"sheexclaimed，alwayskeepinginmindhissingularresemblancetotheFaunoftheCapitol。"Ifyouare，ingoodtruth，thatwildandpleasantcreaturewhosefaceyouwear，praymakemeknowntoyourkindred。Theywillbefoundhereabouts，ifanywhere。Knockattheroughrindofthisilex-tree，andsummonforththeDryad！Askthewater-nymphtorisedrippingfromyonderfountain，andexchangeamoistpressureofthehandwithme！DonotfearthatIshallshrink；evenifoneofyourroughcousins，ahairySatyr，shouldcomecaperingonhisgoat-legsoutofthehauntsoffarantiquity，andproposetodancewithmeamongtheselawns！AndwillnotBacchus，——withwhomyouconsortedsofamiliarlyofold，andwholovedyousowell，——willhenotmeetushere，andsqueezerichgrapesintohiscupforyouandme？"
Donatellosmiled；helaughedheartily，indeed，insympathywiththemirththatgleamedoutofMiriam'sdeep，darkeyes。Buthedidnotseemquitetounderstandhermirthfultalk，nortobedisposedtoexplainwhatkindofcreaturehewas，ortoinquirewithwhatdivineorpoetickindredhiscompanionfeignedtolinkhim。HeappearedonlytoknowthatMiriamwasbeautiful，andthatshesmiledgraciouslyuponhim；thatthepresentmomentwasverysweet，andhimselfmosthappy，withthesunshine，thesylvanscenery，andwoman'skindlycharm，whichitenclosedwithinitssmallcircumference。ItwasdelightfultoseethetrustwhichhereposedinMiriam，andhispurejoyinherpropinquity；heaskednothing，soughtnothing，savetobenearthebelovedobject，andbrimmedoverwithecstasyatthatsimpleboon。Acreatureofthehappytribesbelowussometimesshowsthecapacityofthisenjoyment；aman，seldomornever。
"Donatello，"saidMiriam，lookingathimthoughtfully，butamused，yetnotwithoutashadeofsorrow，"youseemveryhappy；whatmakesyouso？"
"BecauseIloveyou！"answeredDonatello。
Hemadethismomentousconfessionasifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld；andonherpart，——suchwasthecontagionofhissimplicity，-
Miriamhearditwithoutangerordisturbance，thoughwithnorespondingemotion。ItwasasiftheyhadstrayedacrossthelimitsofArcadia；andcomeunderacivilpolitywhereyoungmenmightavowtheirpassionwithaslittlerestraintasabirdpipesitsnotetoasimilarpurpose。
"Whyshouldyouloveme，foolishboy？"saidshe。"Wehavenopointsofsympathyatall。Therearenottwocreaturesmoreunlike，inthiswideworld，thanyouandI！"
"Youareyourself，andIamDonatello，"repliedhe。"ThereforeIloveyou！
Thereneedsnootherreason。"
Certainly，therewasnobetterormoreexplicablereason。ItmighthavebeenimaginedthatDonatello'sunsophisticatedheartwouldbemorereadilyattractedtoafemininenatureofclearsimplicitylikehisown，thantoonealreadyturbidwithgrieforwrong，asMiriam'sseemedtobe。Perhaps，Ontheotherhand，hischaracterneededthedarkelement，whichitfoundinher。Theforceandenergyofwill，thatsometimesflashedthroughhereyes，mayhavetakenhimcaptive；or，notimprobably，thevaryinglightsandshadowsofhertemper，nowsomirthful，andanonsosadwithmysteriousgloom，hadbewitchedtheyouth。Analyzethematteraswemay，thereasonassignedbyDonatellohimselfwasassatisfactoryaswearelikelytoattain。
Miriamcouldnotthinkseriouslyoftheavowalthathadpassed。Heheldouthislovesofreely，inhisopenpalm，thatshefeltitcouldbenothingbutatoy，whichshemightplaywithforaninstant，andgivebackagain。AndyetDonatello'sheartwassofreshafountain，that，hadMiriambeenmoreworld-wornthanshewas，shemighthavefounditexquisitetoslakeherthirstwiththefeelingsthatwelledupandbrimmedoverfromit。Shewasfar，veryfar，fromthedustymediaevalepoch，whensomewomenhaveatasteforsuchrefreshment。Evenforher，however，therewasaninexpressiblecharminthesimplicitythatpromptedDonatello'swordsanddeeds；though，unlessshecaughttheminpreciselythetruelight，theyseemedbutfolly，theoffspringofamaimedorimperfectlydevelopedintellect。Alternately，shealmostadmired，orwhollyscornedhim，andknewnotwhichestimateresultedfromthedeeperappreciation。Butitcouldnot，shedecidedforherself，beotherthananinnocentpastime，iftheytwo——suretobeseparatedbytheirdifferentpathsinlife，to-morrow——weretogatherupsomeofthelittlepleasuresthatchancedtogrowabouttheirfeet，likethevioletsandwood-anemones，to-day。
YetanimpulseofrectitudeimpelledMiriamtogivehimwhatshestillheldtobeaneedlesswarningagainstanimaginaryperil。
"Ifyouwerewiser，Donatello，youwouldthinkmeadangerousperson，"
saidshe，"Ifyoufollowmyfootsteps，theywillleadyoutonogood。Yououghttobeafraidofme。"
"Iwouldassoonthinkoffearingtheairwebreathe，"hereplied。
"Andwellyoumay，foritisfullofmalaria，"saidMiriam；shewenton，hintingatanintangibleconfession，suchaspersonswithoverburdenedheartsoftenmaketochildrenordumbanimals，ortoholesintheearth，wheretheythinktheirsecretsmaybeatoncerevealedandburied。"Thosewhocometoonearmeareindangerofgreatmischiefs，Idoassureyou。
Takewarning，therefore！ItisasadfatalitythathasbroughtyoufromyourhomeamongtheApennines，——somerustyoldcastle，Isuppose，withavillageatitsfoot，andanArcadianenvironmentofvineyards，fig-trees，andoliveorchards，——asadmischance，Isay，thathastransportedyoutomyside。Youhavehadahappylifehitherto，haveyounot，Donatello？"
"O，yes，"answeredtheyoungman；and，thoughnotofaretrospectiveturn，hemadethebestefforthecouldtosendhismindbackintothepast。"I
rememberthinkingithappinesstodancewiththecontadinasatavillagefeast；totastethenew，sweetwineatvintage-time，andtheold，ripenedwine，whichourpodereisfamousfor，inthecoldwinterevenings；andtodevourgreat，lusciousfigs，andapricots，peaches，cherries，andmelons。
Iwasoftenhappyinthewoods，too，withhoundsandhorses，andveryhappyinwatchingallsorts，ofcreaturesandbirdsthathaunttheleafysolitudes。Butneverhalfsohappyasnow！"
"Inthesedelightfulgroves？"sheasked。
"Here，andwithyou，"answeredDonatello。"Justaswearenow。"
"Whatafulnessofcontentinhim！Howsilly，andhowdelightful！"saidMiriamtoherself。Thenaddressinghimagain："But，Donatello，howlongwillthishappinesslast？"
"Howlong！"heexclaimed；foritperplexedhimevenmoretothinkofthefuturethantorememberthepast。"Whyshouldithaveanyend？Howlong！
Forever！forever！forever！"
"Thechild！thesimpleton！"saidMiriam，withsuddenlaughter，andcheckingitassuddenly。"Butisheasimpletonindeed？Here，inthosefewnaturalwords，hehasexpressedthatdeepsense，thatprofoundconvictionofitsownimmortality，whichgenuineloveneverfailstobring。
Heperplexesme，——yes，andbewitchesme，——wild，gentle，beautifulcreaturethatheis！Itislikeplayingwithayounggreyhound！"
Hereyesfilledwithtears，atthesametimethatasmileshoneoutofthem。Thenfirstshebecamesensibleofadelightandgriefatonce，infeelingthiszephyrofanewaffection，withitsuntaintedfreshness，blowoverherweary，stifledheart，whichhadnorighttoberevivedbyit。
Theveryexquisitenessoftheenjoymentmadeherknowthatitoughttobeaforbiddenone。
"Donatello，"shehastilyexclaimed，"foryourownsake，leaveme！Itisnotsuchahappythingasyouimagineit，towanderinthesewoodswithme，agirlfromanotherland，burdenedwithadoomthatshetellstonone。
Imightmakeyoudreadme，——perhapshateme，——ifIchose；andImustchoose，ifIfindyoulovingmetoowell！"
"Ifearnothing！"saidDonatello，lookingintoherunfathomableeyeswithperfecttrust。"Ilovealways！"
"Ispeakinvain，"thoughtMiriamwithinherself。
"Well，then，forthisonehour，letmebesuchasheimaginesme。
To-morrowwillbetimeenoughtocomebacktomyreality。Myreality！
whatisit？Isthepastsoindestructible？thefuturesoimmitigable？
Isthedarkdream，inwhichIwalk，ofsuchsolid，stonysubstance，thattherecanbenoescapeoutofitsdungeon？Beitso！Thereis，atleast，thatetherealqualityinmyspirit，thatitcanmakemeasgayasDonatellohimself，——forthisonehour！"
Andimmediatelyshebrightenedup，asifaninwardflame，heretoforestifled，werenowpermittedtofillherwithitshappylustre，glowingthroughhercheeksanddancinginhereye-beams。
Donatello，briskandcheerfulasheseemedbefore，showedasensibilitytoMiriam'sgladdenedmoodbybreakingintostillwilderandever-varyingactivity。Hefriskedaroundher，bubblingoverwithjoy，whichclotheditselfinwordsthathadlittleindividualmeaning，andinsnatchesofsongthatseemedasnaturalasbirdnotes。Thentheybothlaughedtogether，andheardtheirownlaughterreturningintheechoes，andlaughedagainattheresponse，sothattheancientandsolemngrovebecamefullofmerrimentforthesetwoblithespirits。Abirdhappeningtosingcheerily，Donatellogaveapeculiarcall，andthelittlefeatheredcreaturecameflutteringabouthishead，asifithadknownhimthroughmanysummers。
"Howclosehestandstonature！"saidMiriam，observingthispleasantfamiliaritybetweenhercompanionandthebird。"Heshallmakemeasnaturalashimselfforthisonehour。"
Astheystrayedthroughthatsweetwilderness，shefeltmoreandmoretheinfluenceofhiselastictemperament。Miriamwasanimpressibleandimpulsivecreature，asunlikeherself，indifferentmoods，asifamelancholymaidenandagladonewerebothboundwithinthegirdleaboutherwaist，andkeptinmagicthraldombythebroochthatclaspedit。
Naturally，itistrue，shewasthemoreinclinedtomelancholy，yetfullycapableofthathighfrolicofthespiritswhichrichlycompensatesformanygloomyhours；ifhersoulwasapttolurkinthedarknessofacavern，shecouldsportmadlyinthesunshinebeforethecavern'smouth。Exceptthefreshestmirthofanimalspirits，likeDonatello's，thereisnomerriment，nowildexhilaration，comparabletothatofmelancholypeopleescapingfromthedarkregionmwhichitistheircustomtokeepthemselvesimprisoned。
SotheshadowyMiriamalmostoutdidDonatelloonhisownground。Theyranraceswitheachother，sidebyside，withshoutsandlaughter；theypeltedoneanotherwithearlyflowers，andgatheringthemuptwinedthemwithgreenleavesintogarlandsforboththeirheads。Theyplayedtogetherlikechildren，orcreaturesofimmortalyouth。Somuchhadtheyflungasidethesombrehabitudesofdailylife，thattheyseemedborntobesportiveforever，andendowedwitheternalmirthfulnessinsteadofanydeeperjoy。ItwasaglimpsefarbackwardintoArcadianlife，or，furtherstill，intotheGoldenAge，beforemankindwasburdenedwithsinandsorrow，andbeforepleasurehadbeendarkenedwiththoseshadowsthatbringitintohighrelief，andmakeithappiness。
"Hark！"criedDonatello，stoppingshort，ashewasabouttobindMiriam'sfairhandswithflowers，andleadheralongintriumph，"thereismusicsomewhereinthegrove！"
"Itisyourkinsman，Pan，mostlikely，"saidMiriam，"playingonhispipe。
Letusgoseekhim，andmakehimpuffouthisroughcheeksandpipehismerriestair！Come；thestrainofmusicwillguideusonwardlikeagaylycoloredthreadofsilk。"
"Orlikeachainofflowers，"respondedDonatello，drawingheralongbythatwhichhehadtwined。"Thisway！——Come！"
CHAPTERX
THESYLVANDANCE
Asthemusiccamefresherontheirears，theydancedtoitscadence，extemporizingnewstepsandattitudes。Eachvaryingmovementhadagracewhichmighthavebeenworthputtingintomarble，forthelongdelightofdaystocome，butvanishedwiththemovementthatgaveitbirth，andwaseffacedfrommemorybyanother。InMiriam'smotion，freelyassheflungherselfintothefrolicofthehour，therewasstillanartfulbeauty；inDonatello's，therewasacharmofindescribablegrotesquenesshandinhandwithgrace；sweet，bewitching，mostprovocativeoflaughter，andyetakintopathos，sodeeplydidittouchtheheart。Thiswastheultimatepeculiarity，thefinaltouch，distinguishingbetweenthesylvancreatureandthebeautifulcompanionathisside。Settingapartonlythis，MiriamresembledaNymph，asmuchasDonatellodidaFaun。
Therewereflittingmoments，indeed，whensheplayedthesylvancharacterasperfectlyashe。Catchingglimpsesofher，then，youwouldhavefanciedthatanoakhadsundereditsroughbarktoletherdancefreelyforth，endowedwiththesamespiritinherhumanformasthatwhichrustlesintheleaves；orthatshehademergedthroughthepebblybottomofafountain，awater-nymph，toplayandsparkleinthesunshine，flingingaquiveringlightaroundher，andsuddenlydisappearinginashowerofrainbowdrops。
Asthefountainsometimessubsidesintoitsbasin，soinMiriamthereweresymptomsthatthefrolicofherspiritswouldatlasttireitselfout。
"Ah！Donatello，"criedshe，laughing，asshestoppedtotakeabreath；
"youhaveanunfairadvantageoverme！Iamnotruecreatureofthewoods；
whileyouarearealFaun，Idobelieve。Whenyourcurlsshookjustnow，methoughtIhadapeepatthepointedears。"
Donatellosnappedhisfingersabovehishead，asfaunsandsatyrstaughtusfirsttodo，andseemedtoradiatejollityoutofhiswholenimbleperson。Nevertheless，therewasakindofdimapprehensioninhisface，asifhedreadedthatamoment'spausemightbreakthespell，andsnatchawaythesportivecompanionwhomhehadwaitedforthroughsomanydrearymonths。
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