1。VI。ONTHEBRINK

MissBencombwasleavingthehotelfortherailway，whichwasquitenearathand，andhadonlyrecentlybeenopened，asifonpurposeforthisevent。AtJocelyn’ssuggestionshewroteamessagetoinformherfatherthatshehadgonetoheraunt’s，withaviewtoallayinganxietyanddeterringpursuit。Theywalkedtogethertotheplatformandbadeeachothergood-bye；eachobtainedaticketindependently，andJocelyngothisluggagefromthecloak-room。

Ontheplatformtheyencounteredeachotheragain，andtherewasalightintheirglancesateachotherwhichsaid，asbyaflash-

telegraph：’Weareboundforthesametown，whynotenterthesamecompartment？’

Theydid。

Shetookacornerseat，withherbacktotheengine；hesatopposite。

Theguardlookedin，thoughttheywerelovers，anddidnotshowothertravellersintothatcompartment。Theytalkedonstrictlyordinarymatters；whatshethoughthedidnotknow，butateverystoppingstationhedreadedintrusion。BeforetheywerehalfwaytoLondontheeventhehadjustbeguntorealizewasapatentfact。TheBelovedwasagainembodied；shefilledeveryfibreandcurveofthiswoman’sform。

DrawingnearthegreatLondonstationwaslikedrawingnearDoomsday。

Howshouldheleaveherintheturmoilofacrowdedcitystreet？Sheseemedquiteunpreparedfortherattleofthescene。Heaskedherwhereherauntlived。

’Bayswater，’saidMissBencomb。

Hecalledacab，andproposedthatsheshouldshareittilltheyarrivedatheraunt’s，whoseresidencelaynotmuchoutofthewaytohisown。Tryashewouldhecouldnotascertainifsheunderstoodhisfeelings，butsheassentedtohisofferandenteredthevehicle。

’Weareoldfriends，’hesaid，astheydroveonward。

’Indeed，weare，’sheanswered，withoutsmiling。

’Buthereditarilywearemortalenemies，dearJuliet。’

’Yes——Whatdidyousay？’

’IsaidJuliet。’

Shelaughedinahalf-proudway，andmurmured：’Yourfatherismyfather’senemy，andmyfatherismine。Yes，itisso。’Andthentheireyescaughteachother’sglance。’Myqueenlydarling！’heburstout；

’insteadofgoingtoyouraunt’s，willyoucomeandmarryme？’

Aflushcoveredherover，whichseemedakintoaflushofrage。Itwasnotexactlythat，butshewasexcited。Shedidnotanswer，andhefearedhehadmortallyoffendedherdignity。Perhapsshehadonlymadeuseofhimasaconvenientaidtoherintentions。However，hewenton——

’Yourfatherwouldnotbeabletoreclaimyouthen！Afterall，thisisnotsoprecipitateasitseems。Youknowallaboutme，myhistory，myprospects。Iknowallaboutyou。Ourfamilieshavebeenneighboursonthatisleforhundredsofyears，thoughyouarenowsuchaLondonproduct。’

’WillyoueverbeaRoyalAcademician？’sheaskedmusingly，herexcitementhavingcalmeddown。

’Ihopetobe——IWILLbe，ifyouwillbemywife。’

Hiscompanionlookedathimlong。

’Thinkwhatashortwayoutofyourdifficultythiswouldbe，’hecontinued。’Nobotheraboutaunts，nofetchinghomebyanangryfather。’

Itseemedtodecideher。Sheyieldedtohisembrace。

’Howlongwillittaketomarry？’MissBencombaskedby-and-by，withobviousself-repression。

’Wecoulddoitto-morrow。IcouldgettoDoctors’Commonsbynoonto-

day，andthelicencewouldbereadybyto-morrowmorning。’

’Iwon’tgotomyaunt’s，Iwillbeanindependentwoman！IhavebeenreprimandedasifIwereachildofsix。I’llbeyourwifeifitisaseasyasyousay。’

Theystoppedthecabwhiletheyheldaconsultation。PierstonhadroomsandastudiointheneighbourhoodofCampdenHill；butitwouldbehardlydesirabletotakeherthithertilltheyweremarried。Theydecidedtogotoanhotel。

Changingtheirdirection，therefore，theywentbacktotheStrand，andsoonensconcedthemselvesinoneofthevenerableoldtavernsofCoventGarden，aprecinctwhichinthosedayswasfrequentedbyWest-countrypeople。Jocelynthenleftherandproceededonhiserrandeastward。

Itwasaboutthreeo’clockwhen，havingarrangedallpreliminariesnecessitatedbythissuddenchangeoffront，hebeganstrollingslowlyback；hefeltbewildered，andtowalkwasarelief。Gazingoccasionallyintothisshopwindowandthat，hecalledahansomasbyaninspiration，anddirectedthedriverto’MellstockGardens。’

Arrivedhere，herangthebellofastudio，andinaminuteortwoitwasansweredbyayoungmaninshirt-sleeves，abouthisownage，withagreatsmearedpaletteonhisleftthumb。

’O，you，Pierston！Ithoughtyouwereinthecountry。Comein。I’mawfullygladofthis。IamhereintownfinishingoffapaintingforanAmerican，whowantstotakeitbackwithhim。’

Pierstonfollowedhisfriendintothepainting-room，whereaprettyyoungwomanwassittingsewing。Atasignalfromthepaintershedisappearedwithoutspeaking。

’Icanseefromyourfaceyouhavesomethingtosay；sowe’llhaveitalltoourselves。Youareinsometrouble？What’llyoudrink？’

’Oh！itdoesn’tmatterwhat，sothatitisalcoholinsomeshapeorform……Now，Somers，youmustjustlistentome，forIHAVE

somethingtotell。’

Pierstonhadsatdowninanarm-chair，andSomershadresumedhispainting。WhenaservanthadbroughtinbrandytosoothePierston’snerves，andsodatotakeofftheinjuriouseffectsofthebrandy，andmilktotakeoffthedepletingeffectsofthesoda，Jocelynbeganhisnarrative，addressingitrathertoSomers’sGothicchimneypiece，andSomers’sGothicclock，andSomers’sGothicrugs，thantoSomershimself，whostoodathispicturealittlebehindhisfriend。

’BeforeItellyouwhathashappenedtome，’Pierstonsaid，’IwanttoletyouknowthemannerofmanIam。’

’Lord——Iknowalready。’

’No，youdon’t。Itisasortofthingonedoesn’tliketotalkof。I

lieawakeatnightthinkingaboutit。’

’No！’saidSomers，withmoresympathy，seeingthathisfriendwasreallytroubled。

’Iamunderacuriouscurse，orinfluence。Iamposed，puzzledandperplexedbythelegerdemainofacreature——adeityrather；byAphrodite，asapoetwouldputit，asIshouldputitmyselfinmarble……ButIforget——thisisnottobeadeprecatorywail，butadefence——asortofApologiaprovitamea。’

’That’sbetter。Fireaway！’

1。VII。HEREARLIERINCARNATIONS

’You，Somers，arenot，Iknow，oneofthosewhocontinuetoindulgeintheworld-wide，fondsuperstitionthattheBelovedOneofanymanalways，orevenusually，carestoremaininonecorporealnookorshellforanygreatlengthoftime，howevermuchhemaywishhertodoso。

IfIamwrong，andyoudostillholdtothatancienterror——well，mystorywillseemratherqueer。’

’SupposeyousaytheBelovedofsomemen，notofanyman。’

’Allright——I’llsayoneman，thismanonly，ifyouaresoparticular。

Weareastrange，visionaryracedownwhereIcomefrom，andperhapsthataccountsforit。TheBelovedofthisoneman，then，hashadmanyincarnations——toomanytodescribeindetail。Eachshape，orembodiment，hasbeenatemporaryresidenceonly，whichshehasentered，livedinawhile，andmadeherexitfrom，leavingthesubstance，sofarasIhavebeenconcerned，acorpse，worseluck！Now，thereisnospiritualisticnonsenseinthis——itissimplefact，putintheplainformthattheconventionalpublicareafraidof。Somuchfortheprinciple。’

’Good。Goon。’

’Well；thefirstembodimentofheroccurred，sonearlyasIcanrecollect，whenIwasabouttheageofnine。Hervehiclewasalittleblue-eyedgirlofeightorso，oneofafamilyofeleven，withflaxenhairabouthershoulders，whichattemptedtocurl，butignominiouslyfailed，hanginglikechimney-crooksonly。Thisdefectusedrathertotroubleme；andwas，Ibelieve，oneofthemainreasonsofmyBeloved’sdeparturefromthattenement。Icannotrememberwithanyexactnesswhenthedepartureoccurred。IknowitwasafterIhadkissedmylittlefriendinagarden-seatonahotnoontide，underablueginghamumbrella，whichwehadopenedoverusaswesat，thatpassersthroughEastQuarriersmightnotobserveourmarksofaffection，forgettingthatourscreenmustattractmoreattentionthanourpersons。

’Whenthewholedreamcametoanendthroughherfatherleavingtheisland，IthoughtmyWell-Belovedhadgoneforever（beingthenintheunpractisedconditionofAdamatsightofthefirstsunset）。Butshehadnot。Laurahadgoneforever，butnotmyBeloved。

’ForsomemonthsafterIhaddonecryingfortheflaxen-hairededitionofher，myLovedidnotreappear。Thenshecamesuddenly，unexpectedly，inasituationIshouldneverhavepredicted。IwasstandingonthekerbstoneofthepavementinBudmouth-Regis，outsidethePreparatorySchool，lookingacrosstowardsthesea，whenamiddle-

agedgentlemanonhorseback，andbesidehimayounglady，alsomounted，passeddownthestreet。Thegirlturnedherhead，and——possiblybecauseIwasgapingatherinawkwardadmiration，orsmilingmyself——

smiledatme。Havingriddenafewpaces，shelookedroundagainandsmiled。

’Itwasenough，morethanenough，tosetmeonfire。Iunderstoodinamomenttheinformationconveyedtomebymyemotion——theWell-Belovedhadreappeared。Thissecondforminwhichithadpleasedhertotakeupherabodewasquiteagrownyoungwoman’s，darkerincomplexionthanthefirst。Herhair，alsoworninaknot，wasofanordinarybrown，andso，Ithink，werehereyes，butthenicetiesofherfeatureswerenottobegatheredsocursorily。However，theresatmycovetedone，re-embodied；and，biddingmyschoolmatesahastyfarewellassoonasI

coulddosowithoutsuspicion，IhurriedalongtheEsplanadeinthedirectionsheandherfatherhadridden。Buttheyhadputtheirhorsestoacanter，andIcouldnotseewhichwaytheyhadgone。InthegreatestmiseryIturneddownasidestreet，butwassoonelevatedtoastateofexcitementbyseeingthesamepairgallopingtowardsme。

Flushinguptomyhair，Istoppedandheroicallyfacedherasshepassed。Shesmiledagain，but，alas！uponmyLove’scheektherewasnoblushofpassionforme。’

Pierstonpaused，anddrankfromhisglass，ashelivedforabriefmomentinthescenehehadconjuredup。Somersreservedhiscomments，andJocelyncontinued——

’ThatafternoonIidledaboutthestreets，lookingforherinvain。

WhenInextsawoneoftheboyswhohadbeenwithmeatherfirstpassingIstealthilyremindedhimoftheincident，andaskedifheknewtheriders。

’"Oyes，"hesaid。"ThatwasColonelTargeandhisdaughterElsie。"

’"Howolddoyouthinksheis？"saidI，asenseofdisparityinouragesdisturbingmymind。

’"O——nineteen，Ithinktheysay。She’sgoingtobemarriedthedayafterto-morrowtoCaptainPopp，ofthe501st，andtheyareorderedofftoIndiaatonce。"

’ThegriefwhichIexperiencedatthisintelligencewassuchthatatduskIwentawaytotheedgeoftheharbour，intendingtoputanendtomyselfthereandthen。ButIhadbeentoldthatcrabshadbeenfoundclingingtothedeadfacesofpersonswhohadfalleninthereabout，leisurelyeatingthem，andtheideaofsuchanunpleasantcontingencydeterredme。IshouldstatethatthemarriageofmyBelovedconcernedmelittle；itwasherdeparturethatbrokemyheart。Ineversawheragain。

’ThoughIhadalreadylearntthattheabsenceofthecorporealmatterdidnotinvolvetheabsenceoftheinformingspirit，Icouldscarcebringmyselftobelievethatinthiscaseitwaspossibleforhertoreturntomyviewwithouttheformshehadlastinhabited。

’Butshedid。

’Itwasnot，however，tillafteragoodspaceoftime，duringwhichI

passedthroughthatbearishageinboys，theirearlyteens，whengirlsaretheirespecialcontempt。Iwasaboutseventeen，andwassittingoneeveningoveracupofteainaconfectioner’sattheverysamewatering-place，whenoppositemealadytookherseatwithalittlegirl。Welookedateachotherawhile，thechildmadeadvances，tillI

said："She’sagoodlittlething。"

’Theladyassented，andmadeafurtherremark。

’"Shehasthesoftfineeyesofhermother，"saidI。

’"Doyouthinkhereyesaregood？"asksthelady，asifshehadnotheardwhatshehadheardmost——thelastthreewordsofmyopinion。

’"Yes——forcopies，"saidI，regardingher。

’Afterthiswegotonverywell。Sheinformedmethatherhusbandhadgoneoutinayacht，andIsaiditwasapityhedidn’ttakeherwithhimfortheairing。Shegraduallydisclosedherselfinthecharacterofadesertedyoungwife，andlateronImetherinthestreetwithoutthechild。Shewasgoingtothelanding-stagetomeetherhusband，soshetoldme；butshedidnotknowtheway。

’Iofferedtoshowher，anddidso。Iwillnotgointoparticulars，butIafterwardssawherseveraltimes，andsoondiscoveredthattheBeloved（astowhosewhereaboutsIhadbeenatfaultsolong）lurkedhere。Thoughwhyshehadchosenthistantalizingsituationofaninaccessiblematron’sformwhensomanyothersoffered，itwasbeyondmetodiscover。Thewholeaffairendedinnocentlyenough，whentheladyleftthetownwithherhusbandandchild：sheseemedtoregardouracquaintanceasaflirtation；yetitwasanythingbutaflirtationforme！

***

’WhyshouldItelltherestofthetantalizingtale！Afterthis，theWell-Belovedputherselfinevidencewithgreaterandgreaterfrequency，anditwouldbeimpossibleformetogiveyoudetailsofhervariousincarnations。Shecameninetimesinthecourseofthetwoorthreeensuingyears。Fourtimesshemasqueradedasabrunette，twiceasapale-hairedcreature，andtwoorthreetimesunderacomplexionneitherlightnordark。Sometimesshewasatall，finegirl，butmoreoften，Ithink，shepreferredtoslipintotheskinofalitheairybeing，ofnogreatstature。IgrewsoaccustomedtotheseexitsandentrancesthatIresignedmyselftothemquitepassively，talkedtoher，kissedher，correspondedwithher，achedforher，ineachofherseveralguises。Soitwentonuntilamonthago。AndthenforthefirsttimeIwaspuzzled。Sheeitherhad，orshehadnot，enteredthepersonofAviceCaro，ayounggirlIhadknownfrominfancy。Uponthewhole，Ihavedecidedthat，afterall，shedidnotentertheformofAviceCaro，becauseIretainsogreatarespectforherstill。’

PierstonheregaveinbriefthehistoryofhisrevivedcomradeshipwithAvice，thevergeoftheengagementtowhichtheyhadreached，anditsunexpectedrupturebyhim，merelythroughhismeetingwithawomanintowhomtheWell-Belovedunmistakablymovedunderhisveryeyes——bynameMissMarciaBencomb。Hedescribedtheirspontaneousdecisiontomarryoffhand；andthenheputittoSomerswhetherheoughttomarryornot——

heroranybodyelse——insuchcircumstances。

’Certainlynot，’saidSomers。’Though，ifanybody，littleAvice。Butnotevenher。Youarelikeothermen，onlyratherworse。Essentially，allmenarefickle，likeyou；butnotwithsuchperceptiveness。’

’Surelyfickleisnottheword？Ficklenessmeansgettingwearyofathingwhilethethingremainsthesame。ButIhavealwaysbeenfaithfultotheelusivecreaturewhomIhaveneverbeenabletogetafirmholdof，unlessIhavedonesonow。Andletmetellyouthatherflittingfromeachtoeachindividualhasbeenanythingbutapleasureforme——certainlynotawantongameofmyinstigation。Toseethecreaturewhohashithertobeenperfect，divine，loseunderyourverygazethedivinitywhichhasinformedher，growcommonplace，turnfromflametoashes，fromaradiantvitalitytoarelic，isanythingbutapleasureforanyman，andhasbeennothinglessthanarackingspectacletomysight。Eachmournfulemptiedshapestandseverafterlikethenestofsomebeautifulbirdfromwhichtheinhabitanthasdepartedandleftittofillwithsnow。IhavebeenabsolutelymiserablewhenIhavelookedinafaceforherIusedtoseethere，andcouldseehertherenomore。’

’Yououghtnottomarry，’repeatedSomers。

’PerhapsIoughtn’tto！ThoughpoorMarciawillbecompromised，I’mafraid，ifIdon’t……WasInotrightinsayingIamaccursedinthisthing？Fortunatelynobodybutmyselfhassufferedonaccountofittillnow。Knowingwhattoexpect，Ihaveseldomventuredonacloseacquaintancewithanywoman，infearofprematurelydrivingawaythedearoneinher；who，however，hasintimegoneoffjustthesame。’

Pierstonsoonaftertookhisleave。Afriend’sadviceonsuchasubjectweighslittle。HequicklyreturnedtoMissBencomb。

Shewasdifferentnow。Anxietyhadvisiblybroughtherdownanotchortwo，undoneafewdegreesofthathaughtycurlwhichherlipcouldoccasionallyassume。’Howlongyouhavebeenaway！’shesaidwithashowofimpatience。

’Nevermind，darling。Itisallarranged，’saidhe。’Weshallbeabletomarryinafewdays。’

’Notto-morrow？’

’Wecan’tto-morrow。Wehavenotbeenherequitelongenough。’

’ButhowdidthepeopleatDoctors’Commonsknowthat？’

’Well——Iforgotthatresidence，realorassumed，wasnecessary，andunfortunatelyadmittedthatwehadonlyjustarrived。’

’Ohowstupid！Butitcan’tbehelpednow。Ithink，dear，Ishouldhaveknownbetter，however！’

1。VIII。’TOOLIKETHELIGHTNING’

Theylivedonatthehotelsomedayslonger，eyedcuriouslybythechambermaids，andburstinuponeverynowandthenbythewaitersasifaccidentally。Whentheywerewalkingtogether，mostlyinbackstreetsforfearofbeingrecognized，Marciawasoftensilent，andherimperiousfacelookedgloomy。

’Dummy！’hesaidplayfully，ononeoftheseoccasions。

’IamvexedthatbyyouradmissionsatDoctors’Commonsyoupreventedthemgivingyouthelicenceatonce！Itisnotnice，mylivingonwithyoulikethis！’

’Butwearegoingtomarry，dear！’

’Yes，’shemurmured，andfellintoreverieagain。’Whatasuddenresolveitwasofours！’shecontinued。’IwishIcouldgetmyfatherandmother’sconsenttoourmarriage……Aswecan’tcompleteitforanotherdayortwo，alettermightbesenttothemandtheiranswerreceived？Ihaveamindtowrite。’

Pierstonexpressedhisdoubtsofthewisdomofthiscourse，whichseemedtomakeherdesireitthemore，andtheresultwasatiffbetweenthem。’Sinceweareobligedtodelayit，Iwon’tmarrywithouttheirconsent！’shecriedatlastpassionately。

’Verywellthen，dear。Write，’hesaid。

Whentheywereagainindoors，shesatdowntoanote，butafterawhilethrewasideherpendespairingly。’No：Icannotdoit！’shesaid。’I

can’tbendmypridetosuchajob。WillYOUwriteforme，Jocelyn？’

’I？Idon’tseewhyIshouldbetheone，particularlyasIthinkitpremature。’

’ButyouhavenotquarrelledwithmyfatherasIhavedone。’

’Wellno。Butthereisalong-standingantagonism，whichwouldmakeitoddinmetobethewriter。Waittillwearemarried，andthenIwillwrite。Nottillthen。’

’ThenIsupposeImust。Youdon’tknowmyfather。Hemightforgivememarryingintoanyotherfamilywithouthisknowledge，buthethinksyourssuchameanone，andsoresentsthetraderivalry，thathewouldneverpardontillthedayofhisdeathmybecomingaPierstonsecretly。

Ididn’tseeitatfirst。’

ThisremarkcausedanunpleasantjaronthemindofPierston。DespitehisindependentartisticpositioninLondon，hewasstaunchtothesimpleoldparentwhohadstubbornlyheldoutforsomanyyearsagainstBencomb’sencroachingtrade，andwhosemoneyhadeducatedandmaintainedJocelynasanart-studentinthebestschools。Sohebeggedhertosaynomoreabouthismeanfamily，andshesilentlyresumedherletter，givinganaddressatapost-officethattheirquartersmightnotbediscovered，atleastjustyet。

Noreplycamebyreturnofpost；but，ratherominously，somelettersforMarciathathadarrivedatherfather’ssinceherdepartureweresentoninsilencetotheaddressgiven。Sheopenedthemonebyone，tillonreadingthelast，sheexclaimed，’Goodgracious！’andburstintolaughter。

’Whatisit？’askedPierston。

Marciabegantoreadtheletteraloud。Itcamefromafaithfulloverofhers，ayouthfulJerseygentleman，whostatedthathewassoongoingtostartforEnglandtoclaimhisdarling，accordingtoherplightedword。

Shewashalfrisible，halfconcerned。’WhatshallIdo？’shesaid。

’Do？Mydeargirl，itseemstomethatthereisonlyonethingtodo，andthataveryobviousthing。Tellhimassoonaspossiblethatyouarejustonthepointofmarriage。’

Marciathereuponwroteoutareplytothateffect，Jocelynhelpinghertoshapethephrasesasgentlyaspossible。

’Irepeat’（herletterconcluded）’thatIhadquiteforgotten！Iamdeeplysorry；butthatisthetruth。Ihavetoldmyintendedhusbandeverything，andheislookingovermyshoulderasIwrite。’

SaidJocelynwhenhesawthissetdown：’Youmightleaveoutthelastfewwords。Theyareratheranextrastabforthepoorboy。’

’Stab？Itisnotthat，dear。Whydoeshewanttocomebotheringme？

Jocelyn，yououghttobeveryproudthatIhaveputyouinmyletteratall。YousaidyesterdaythatIwasconceitedindeclaringImighthavemarriedthatscience-manItoldyouof。Butnowyouseetherewasyetanotheravailable。’

He，gloomily：’Well，Idon’tcaretohearaboutthat。Tomymindthissortofthingisdecidedlyunpleasant，thoughyoutreatitsolightly。’

’Well，’shepouted，’Ihaveonlydonehalfwhatyouhavedone！’

’What’sthat？’

’Ihaveonlyprovedfalsethroughforgetfulness，butyouhavewhileremembering！’

’Oyes；ofcourseyoucanuseAviceCaroasaretort。Butdon’tvexmeabouther，andmakemedosuchanunexpectedthingasregretthefalseness。’

Sheshuthermouthtight，andherfaceflushed。

Thenextmorningtheredidcomeananswertotheletteraskingherparents’consenttoherunionwithhim；buttoMarcia’samazementherfathertookalinequiteotherthantheoneshehadexpectedhimtotake。Whethershehadcompromisedherselforwhethershehadnotseemedaquestionforthefutureratherthanthepresentwithhim，anativeislander，bornwhenoldislandmarriageviewsprevailedinfamilies；hewasfixedinhisdisapprovalofhermarriagewithahatedPierston。Hedidnotconsent；hewouldnotsaymoretillhecouldseeher：ifshehadanysenseatallshewould，ifstillunmarried，returntothehomefromwhichshehadevidentlybeenenticed。Hewouldthenseewhathecoulddoforherinthedesperatecircumstancesshehadmadeforherself；otherwisehewoulddonothing。

Pierstoncouldnothelpbeingsarcasticatherfather’sevidentlylowestimateofhimandhisbelongings；andMarciatookumbrageathissarcasms。

’Iamtheonedeservingofsatireifanybody！’shesaid。’IbegintofeelIwasafoolishgirltorunawayfromafatherforsuchatrumperyreasonasalittlescoldingbecauseIhadexceededmyallowance。’

’Iadvisedyoutogoback，Marcie。’

’Inasortofway：notintherighttone。Youspokemostcontemptuouslyofmyfather’shonestyasamerchant。’

’Icouldn’tspeakotherwiseofhimthanIdid，I’mafraid，knowingwhat——’。

’Whathaveyoutosayagainsthim？’

’Nothing——toyou，Marcie，beyondwhatismatterofcommonnotoriety。

Everybodyknowsthatatonetimehemadeitthebusinessofhislifetoruinmyfather；andthewayhealludestomeinthatlettershowsthathisenmitystillcontinues。’

’Thatmiserruinedbyanopen-handedmanlikemyfather！’saidshe。

’Itislikeyourpeople’smisrepresentationstosaythat！’

Marcia’seyesflashed，andherfaceburntwithanangryheat，theenhancedbeautywhichthiswarmthmighthavebroughtbeingkilledbytherectilinearsternnessofcountenancethatcametherewith。

’Marcia——thistemperistooexasperating！Icouldgiveyoueverystepoftheproceedingindetail——anybodycould——thegettingthequarriesonebyone，andeverything，myfatheronlyholdinghisownbythemostdesperatecourage。Thereisnoblinkingfacts。Ourparents’relationsareanuglyfactinthecircumstancesofustwopeoplewhowanttomarry，andwearejustbeginningtoperceiveit；andhowwearegoingtogetoveritIcannottell。’

Shesaidsteadily：’Idon’tthinkweshallgetoveritatall！’

’Wemaynot——wemaynot——altogether，’Pierstonmurmured，ashegazedatthefinepictureofscornpresentedbyhisJuno’sclassicalfaceanddarkeyes。

’Unlessyoubegmypardonforhavingbehavedso！’

Pierstoncouldnotquitebringhimselftoseethathehadbehavedbadlytohistooimperiouslady，anddeclinedtoaskforgivenessforwhathehadnotdone。

Shethereuponlefttheroom。Laterinthedayshere-enteredandbrokeasilencebysayingbitterly：’Ishowedtemperjustnow，asyoutoldme。Butthingshavecauses，anditisperhapsamistakethatyoushouldhavedesertedAviceforme。InsteadofweddingRosaline，RomeomustneedsgoelopingwithJuliet。ItwasafortunatethingfortheaffectionsofthosetwoVeroneseloversthattheydiedwhentheydid。

Inashorttimetheenmityoftheirfamilieswouldhaveprovedafruitfulsourceofdissension；Julietwouldhavegonebacktoherpeople，hetohis；thesubjectwouldhavesplitthemasmuchasitsplitsus。’

Pierstonlaughedalittle。ButMarciawaspainfullyserious，ashefoundattea-time，whenshesaidthatsincehisrefusaltobegherpardonshehadbeenthinkingoverthematter，andhadresolvedtogotoheraunt’safterall——atanyratetillherfathercouldbeinducedtoagreetotheirunion。Pierstonwasaschilledbythisresolveofhersashewassurprisedatherindependenceincircumstanceswhichusuallymakewomenthereverse。Butheputnoobstaclesinherway，and，withakissstrangelycoldaftertheirrecentardour，theRomeoofthefreestoneMontagueswentoutofthehotel，toavoideventheappearanceofcoercinghisJulietoftherivalhouse。Whenhereturnedshewasgone。

***

Acorrespondencebeganbetweenthesetoo-hastilypledgedones；anditwascarriedonintermsofseriousreasoningupontheirawkwardsituationonaccountofthefamilyfeud。Theysawtheirrecentloveaswhatitwas：

’Toorash，toounadvised，toosudden；

Toolikethelightning……’

Theysawitwithaneyewhosecalmness，coldness，and，itmustbeadded，wisdom，didnotpromisewellfortheirreunion。

TheirdebateswereclinchedbyafinalletterfromMarcia，sentfromnootherplacethanherrecentlylefthomeintheIsle。Sheinformedhimthatherfatherhadappearedsuddenlyatheraunt’s，andhadinducedhertogohomewithhim。Shehadtoldherfatherallthecircumstancesoftheirelopement，andwhatmereaccidentshadcausedit：hehadpersuadedheronwhatshehadalmostbeenconvincedofbytheirdisagreement，thatallthoughtoftheirmarriageshouldbeatleastpostponedforthepresent；anyawkwardnessandevenscandalbeingbetterthanthattheyshouldimmediatelyunitethemselvesforlifeonthestrengthofatwoorthreedays’resultlesspassion，andbethewretchedvictimsofasituationtheycouldneverchange。

Pierstonsawplainlyenoughthatheowedittoherfatherbeingabornislander，withalltheancientislandnotionsofmatrimonylyingunderneathhisacquiredconventions，thatthestone-merchantdidnotimmediatelyinsistupontheusualremedyforadaughter’sprecipitancyinsuchcases，butpreferredtoawaitissues。

ButtheyoungmanstillthoughtthatMarciaherself，whenhertemperhadquitecooled，andshewasmoreconsciousofherrealposition，wouldreturntohim，inspiteofthefamilyhostility。Therewasnosocialreasonagainstsuchastep。Inbirththepairwereaboutononeplane；andthoughMarcia’sfamilyhadgainedastartintheaccumulationofwealth，andinthebeginningsofsocialdistinction，whichlentcolourtothefeelingthattheadvantagesofthematchwouldbemainlyononeside，Pierstonwasasculptorwhomightrisetofame；

sothatpotentiallytheirmarriagecouldnotbeconsideredinauspiciousforawomanwho，beyondbeingtheprobableheiresstoaconsiderablefortune，hadnoexceptionalopportunities。

Thus，thoughdisillusioned，hefeltboundinhonourtoremainoncallathisLondonaddressaslongastherewastheslightestchanceofMarcia’sreappearance，orofthearrivalofsomemessagerequestinghimtojoinher，thattheymight，afterall，gotothealtartogether。Yetinthenightheseemedtohearsardonicvoices，andlaughterinthewindatthisdevelopmentofhislittleromance，andduringtheslowandcolourlessdayshehadtositandbeholdthemournfuldepartureofhisWell-Belovedfromtheformhehadlatelycherished，tillshehadalmostvanishedaway。TheexactmomentofhercompletewithdrawalPierstonknewnot，butnotmanylinesofherwerelongerdiscernibleinMarcia’srememberedcontours，normanysoundsofherinMarcia’srecalledaccents。Theiracquaintance，thoughsofervid，hadbeentoobriefforsuchlingering。

Therecameatimewhenhelearnt，throughatrustworthychannel，twopiecesofnewsaffectinghimself。OnewasthemarriageofAviceCarowithhercousin，theotherthattheBencombshadstartedonatourroundtheworld，whichwastoincludeavisittoarelationofMr。

Bencomb’swhowasabankerinSanFrancisco。Sinceretiringfromhisformerlargebusinessthestonemerchanthadnotknownwhattodowithhisleisure，andfindingthattravelbenefitedhishealthhehaddecidedtoindulgehimselfthus。Althoughhewasnotsoinformed，PierstonconcludedthatMarciahaddiscoveredthatnothingwaslikelytohappenasaconsequenceoftheirelopement，andthatshehadaccompaniedherparents。Hewasmorethaneverstruckwithwhatthissignified——herfather’sobstinateantagonismtoherunionwithoneofhisbloodandname。

1。IX。FAMILIARPHENOMENAINTHEDISTANCE

BydegreesPierstonbegantotraceagainthecustomarylinesofhisexistence；andhisprofessionoccupiedhimmuchasofold。Thenextyearortwoonlyoncebroughthimtidings，throughsomeresidentsathisformerhome，ofthemovementsoftheBencombs。TheextendedvoyageofMarcia’sparentshadgiventhemquiteazestforotherscenesandcountries；anditwassaidthatherfather，amanstillinvigoroushealthexceptatbriefintervals，wasutilizingtheoutlookwhichhiscosmopolitanismaffordedhimbyinvestingcapitalinforeignundertakings。Whathehadsupposedturnedouttobetrue；Marciawaswiththem；nonecessityforjoininghimhadarisen；andthustheseparationofhimselfandhisnearlymarriedwifebycommonconsentwaslikelytobeapermanentone。

Itseemedasifhewouldscarceeveragaindiscoverthecarnatedwelling-placeofthehauntingminionofhisimagination。HavinggonesoneartomatrimonywithMarciaastoapplyforalicence，hehadfeltforalongwhilemorallyboundtoherbytheincipientcontract，andwouldnotintentionallylookabouthiminsearchofthevanishedIdeality。ThusduringthefirstyearofMissBencomb’sabsence，whenabsolutelyboundtokeepfaithwiththeelusiveone’slateincarnationifsheshouldreturntoclaimhim，thismanoftheoddfancywouldsometimestrembleatthethoughtofwhatwouldbecomeofhissolemnintentionifthePhantomweresuddenlytodiscloseherselfinanunexpectedquarter，andseducehimbeforehewasaware。Onceortwiceheimaginedthathesawherinthedistance——attheendofastreet，onthefarsandsofashore，inawindow，inameadow，attheoppositesideofarailwaystation；buthedeterminedlyturnedonhisheel，andwalkedtheotherway。

DuringthemanyuneventfulseasonsthatfollowedMarcia’sstrokeofindependence（forwhichhewasnotwithoutasecretadmirationattimes），Jocelynthrewintoplasticcreationsthatever-bubblingspringofemotionwhich，withoutsomeconduitintospace，willsurgeupwardsandruinallbutthegreatestmen。Itwasprobablyowingtothis，certainlynotonaccountofanycareoranxietyforsucharesult，thathewassuccessfulinhisart，successfulbyaseeminglysuddenspurt，whichcarriedhimatoneboundoverthehindrancesofyears。

Heprosperedwithouteffort。HewasA。R。A。

Butrecognitionsofthissort，socialdistinctions，whichhehadoncecovetedsokeenly，seemedtohavenoutilityforhimnow。Bytheaccidentofbeingabachelor，hewasfloatinginsocietywithoutanysoul-anchorageorshrinethathecouldcallhisown；and，forwantofadomesticcentreroundwhichhonoursmightcrystallize，theydispersedimpalpablywithoutaccumulatingandaddingweighttohismaterialwell-

being。

Hewouldhavegoneonworkingwithhischiselwithjustasmuchzestifhiscreationshadbeendoomedtomeetnomortaleyebuthisown。Thisindifferencetothepopularreceptionofhisdream-figureslenthimacuriousartisticaplombthatcarriedhimthroughthegustsofopinionwithoutsufferingthemtodisturbhisinherentbias。

Thestudyofbeautywashisonlyjoyforyearsonward。Inthestreetshewouldobserveaface，orafractionofaface，whichseemedtoexpresstoahair’s-breadthinmutablefleshwhathewasatthatmomentwishingtoexpressindurableshape。Hewoulddodgeandfollowtheownerlikeadetective；inomnibus，incab，insteam-boat，throughcrowds，intoshops，churches，theatres，public-houses，andslums——

mostly，whenatclosequarters，tobedisappointedforhispains。

Intheseprofessionalbeauty-chaseshesometimescasthiseyeacrosstheThamestothewharvesonthesouthside，andtothatparticularonewhereathisfather’stonsoffreestoneweredailylandedfromtheketchesofthesouthcoast。Hecouldoccasionallydiscernthewhiteblockslyingthere，vastcubessopersistentlynibbledbyhisparentfromhisislandrockintheEnglishChannel，thatitseemedasifintimeitwouldbenibbledallaway。

Onethingitpassedhimtounderstand：onwhatfieldofobservationthepoetsandphilosophersbasedtheirassumptionthatthepassionoflovewasintensestinyouthandburntlowerasmaturityadvanced。Itwaspossiblybecauseofhisutterdomesticlonelinessthat，duringtheproductiveintervalwhichfollowedthefirstyearsofMarcia’sdeparture，whenhewasdriftingalongfromfive-and-twentytoeight-

and-thirty，Pierstonoccasionallylovedwithanardour——though，itistrue，alsowithaself-control——unknowntohimwhenhewasgreeninjudgment。

***

Hiswhimsicalisle-bredfancyhadgrowntobesuchanemotionthattheWell-Beloved——nowagainvisible——wasalwaysexistingsomewherenearhim。Formonthshewouldfindheronthestageofatheatre：thenshewouldflitaway，leavingthepoor，emptycarcasethathadlodgedhertomummonasbestitcouldwithouther——asorrylayfiguretohiseyes，heapedwithimperfectionsandsulliedwithcommonplace。Shewouldreappear，itmightbe，inanatfirstunnoticedlady，metatsomefashionableeveningparty，exhibition，bazaar，ordinner；toflitfromher，inturn，afterafewmonths，andstandasagracefulshop-girlatsomelargedraperywarehouseintowhichhehadstrayedonanunaccustomederrand。Thenshewouldforsakethisfigureandrediscloseherselfintheguiseofsomepopularauthoress，piano-player，orfiddleress，atwhoseshrinehewouldworshipforperhapsatwelvemonth。

Onceshewasadancing-girlattheRoyalMoorishPalaceofVarieties，thoughduringherwholecontinuanceatthatestablishmentheneveronceexchangedawordwithher，nordidshefirstorlasteverdreamofhisexistence。Heknewthataten-minutes’conversationinthewingswiththesubstancewouldsendtheelusivehaunterscurryingfearfullyawayintosomeotherevenlessaccessiblemask-figure。

Shewasablonde，abrunette，tall，petite，svelte，straight-featured，full，curvilinear。Onlyonequalityremainedunalterable：herinstabilityoftenure。InBorne’sphrase，nothingwaspermanentinherbutchange。

’Itisodd，’hesaidtohimself，’thatthisexperienceofmine，oridiosyncrasy，orwhateveritis，whichwouldbesheerwasteoftimeforothermen，createssoberbusinessforme。’Forallthesedreamshetranslatedintoplaster，andfoundthatbythemhewashittingapublictastehehadneverdeliberatelyaimedat，andmostlydespised。Hewas，inshort，indangerofdriftingawayfromasolidartisticreputationtoapopularitywhichmightpossiblybeasbriefasitwouldbebrilliantandexciting。

’Youwillbecaughtsomeday，myfriend，’Somerswouldoccasionallyobservetohim。’Idon’tmeantosayentangledinanythingdiscreditable，forIadmitthatyouareinpracticeasidealasintheory。Imeantheprocesswillbereversed。Somewoman，whoseWell-

Belovedflitsaboutasyoursdoesnow，willcatchyoureye，andyou’llsticktoherlikealimpet，whileshefollowsherPhantomandleavesyoutoacheasyouwill。’

’Youmayberight；butIthinkyouarewrong，’saidPierston。’Asfleshshediesdaily，liketheApostle’scorporealself；becausewhenI

grapplewiththerealityshe’snolongerinit，sothatIcannotsticktooneincarnationifIwould。’

’Waittillyouareolder，’saidSomers。

PARTSECOND——AYOUNGMANOFFORTY

’SinceLovewillneedsthatIshalllove，OfveryforceImustagree：

AndsincenochancemayitremoveInwealthandinadversityIshallalwaymyselfapplyToserveandsufferpatiently。’

——SirT。Wyatt。

2。I。THEOLDPHANTOMBECOMESDISTINCT

InthecourseoftheselongyearsPierston’sartisticemotionswereabruptlysuspendedbythenewsofhisfather’ssuddendeathatSandbourne，whitherthestone-merchanthadgoneforachangeofairbytheadviceofhisphysician。

Mr。Pierston，senior，itmustbeadmitted，hadbeensomethingmiserlyinhishomelife，asMarciahadsorashlyremindedhisson。ButhehadneverstintedJocelyn。Hehadbeenratherahardtaskmaster，thoughasapaymastertrustworthy；aready-moneyman，justandungenerous。Toeveryone’ssurprise，thecapitalhehadaccumulatedinthestonetradewasoflargeamountforabusinesssounostentatiouslycarriedon——muchlargerthanJocelynhadeverregardedaspossible。Whilethesonhadbeenmodellingandchippinghisephemeralfanciesintoperennialshapes，thefatherhadbeenpersistentlychisellingforhalfacenturyatthecrudeoriginalmatterofthoseshapes，thestern，isolatedrockintheChannel；andbytheaidofhiscranesandpulleys，histrolleysandhisboats，hadsentoffhisspoiltoallpartsofGreatBritain。

WhenJocelynhadwoundupeverythinganddisposedofthebusiness，asrecommendedbyhisfather’swill，hefoundhimselfenabledtoaddabouteightythousandpoundstothetwelvethousandwhichhealreadypossessedfromprofessionalandothersources。

Afterarrangingforthesaleofsomefreeholdpropertiesintheislandotherthanquarries——forhedidnotintendtoresidethere——hereturnedtotown。HeoftenwonderedwhathadbecomeofMarcia。Hehadpromisednevertotroubleher；norforawholetwentyyearshadhedoneso；

thoughhehadoftensighedforherasafriendofsterlingcommonsenseinpracticaldifficulties。

Herparentswere，hebelieved，dead；andshe，heknew，hadnevergonebacktotheisle。Possiblyshehadformedsomenewtieabroad，andhadmadeitnexttoimpossibletodiscoverherbyheroldname。

Areposefultimeensued。Almosthisfirstentryintosocietyafterhisfather’sdeathoccurredoneevening，when，forwantofknowingwhatbettertodo，herespondedtoaninvitationsentbyoneofthefewladiesofrankwhomhenumberedamonghisfriends，andsetoutinacabforthesquarewhereinshelivedduringthreeorfourmonthsoftheyear。

Thehansomturnedthecorner，andheobtainedarakingviewofthehousesalongthenorthside，ofwhichherswasone，withthefamiliarlinkmanatthedoor。TherewereChineselanterns，too，onthebalcony。

Heperceivedinamomentthatthecustomary’smallandearly’receptionhadresolveditselfonthisoccasionintosomethingverylikegreatandlate。Herememberedthattherehadjustbeenapoliticalcrisis，whichaccountedfortheenlargementoftheCountessofChannelcliffe’sassembly；forherswasoneoftheneutralornon-politicalhousesatwhichpartypoliticsaremorefreelyagitatedthanattheprofessedlypartygatherings。

TherewassuchastringofcarriagesthatPierstondidnotwaittotakehisturnatthedoor，butunobtrusivelyalightedsomeyardsoffandwalkedforward。Hehadtopauseamomentbehindthewallofspectatorswhichbarredhisway，andashepausedsomeladiesinwhitecloakscrossedfromtheircarriagestothedooronthecarpetlaidforthepurpose。Hehadnotseentheirfaces，nothingofthembutvagueforms，andyethewassuddenlyseizedwithapresentiment。Itsgistwasthathemightbegoingtore-encountertheWell-Belovedthatnight：afterherrecentlonghidingshemeanttoreappearandintoxicatehim。Thatliquidsparkleofhereye，thatlingualmusic，thatturnofthehead，howwellheknewitall，despitethemanysuperficialchanges，andhowinstantlyhewouldrecognizeitunderwhatevercomplexion，contour，accent，height，orcarriagethatitmightchoosetomasquerade！

Pierston’sotherconjecture，thatthenightwastobealivelypoliticalone，receivedconfirmationassoonashereachedthehall，whereasimmerofexcitementwasperceptibleassurplusoroverflowfromabovedownthestaircase——afeaturewhichhehadalwaysnoticedtobepresentwhenanyclimaxorsensationhadbeenreachedintheworldofpartyandfaction。

’Andwherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourselfsolong，youngman？’saidhishostessarchly，whenhehadshakenhandswithher。（Pierstonwasalwaysregardedasayoungman，thoughhewasnowaboutforty。）’O

yes，ofcourse，Iremember，’sheadded，lookingseriousinamomentatthoughtofhisloss。TheCountesswasawomanwithagood-naturedmannervergingonthatoft-claimedfemininequality，humour，andwasquicklysympathetic。

Shethenbegantotellhimofascandalinthepoliticalsidetowhichshenominallybelonged，onethathadcomeoutofthepresentcrisis；

andthat，asforherself，shehadsworntoabjurepoliticsforeveronaccountofit，sothathewastoregardherforthwithasamoreneutralhouseholderthanever。Bythistimesomemorepeoplehadsurgedupstairs，andPierstonpreparedtomoveon。

’Youarelookingforsomebody——Icanseethat，’saidshe。

’Yes——alady，’saidPierston。

’Tellmehername，andI’lltrytothinkifshe’shere。’

’Icannot；Idon’tknowit，’hesaid。

’Indeed！Whatisshelike？’

’Icannotdescribeher，notevenhercomplexionordress。’

LadyChannelcliffelookedapout，asifshethoughthewereteasingher，andhemovedoninthecurrent。Thefactwasthat，foramoment，PierstonfanciedhehadmadethesensationaldiscoverythattheOnehewasinsearchoflurkedinthepersonoftheveryhostesshehadconversedwith，whowascharmingalways，andparticularlycharmingto-

night；hewasjustfeelinganincipientconsternationatthepossibilityofsuchajade’strickinhisBeloved，whohadoncebeforechosentoembodyherselfasamarriedwoman，though，happily，atthattimewithnoseriousresults。However，hefeltthathehadbeenmistaken，andthatthefancyhadbeensolelyowingtothehighlychargedelectricconditioninwhichhehadarrivedbyreasonofhisrecentisolation。

Thewholesetofroomsformedonegreatutteranceoftheopinionsofthehour。Thegodsofpartywerepresentwiththeirembattledseraphim，butthebrilliancyofmannerandforminthehandlingofpublicquestionswasonlylessconspicuousthanthepaucityoforiginalideas。Noprinciplesofwisegovernmenthadplaceinanymind，abluntandjollypersonalismastotheInsandOutsanimatingall。ButJocelyn’sinterestdidnotruninthisstream：hewaslikeastoneinapurlingbrook，waitingforsomepeculiarfloatingobjecttobebroughttowardshimandtostickuponhismentalsurface。

Thuslookingforthenextnewversionofthefairfigure，hedidnotconsideratthemoment，thoughhehaddonesoatothertimes，thatthispresentimentofmeetingherwas，ofallpresentiments，justthesortofonetoworkoutitsownfulfilment。

HelookedforherintheknotofpersonsgatheredroundapastPrimeMinisterwhowasstandinginthemiddleofthelargestroomdiscoursinginthegenial，almostjovial，mannernaturaltohimatthesetimes。

Thetwoorthreeladiesforminghisaudiencehadbeenjoinedbyanotherinblackandwhite，anditwasonherthatPierston’sattentionwasdirected，aswellasthegreatstatesman’s，whosefirstsheergazeather，expressing’Whoareyou？’almostaudibly，changedintoaninterested，listeninglookasthefewwordsshespokewereuttered——fortheMinisterdifferedfrommanyofhisstandinginbeingextremelycarefulnottointerruptatimidspeaker，givingwayinaninstantifanybodyelsebeganwithhim。Nobodyknewbetterthanhimselfthatallmaylearn，andhismannerwasthatofanunconceitedmanwhocouldcatchanideareadily，evenifhecouldnotundertaketocreateone。

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