Theladytoldherlittlestory——whateveritwasJocelyncouldnothearit——thestatesmanlaughed：’Haugh-haugh-haugh！’

Theladyblushed。Jocelyn，wroughtuptoahightensionbytheaforesaidpresentimentthathisShelleyan’One-shape-of-many-names’wasabouttoreappear，paidlittleheedtotheothers，watchingforafullviewoftheladywhohadwonhisattention。

Thatladyremainedforthepresentpartiallyscreenedbyherneighbours。AdiversionwascausedbyLadyChannelcliffebringingupsomebodytopresenttotheex-Minister；theladiesgotmixed，andJocelynlostsightoftheonewhomhewasbeginningtosuspectasthestealthilyreturnedabsentee。

Helookedforherinakindlyyoungladyofthehouse，hishostess’srelation，whoappearedtomoreadvantagethatnightthanshehadeverdonebefore——inasky-bluedress，whichhadnothingbetweenitandthefairskinofherneck，lendingheranunusuallysoftandsylph-likeaspect。Shesawhim，andtheyconverged。Herlookof’WhatdoyouthinkofmeNOW？’wassuggested，heknew，bythethoughtthatthelasttimetheymetshehadappearedunderthedisadvantageofmourningclothes，onawetdayinacountry-house，whereeverybodywascross。

’Ihavesomenewphotographs，andIwantyoutotellmewhethertheyaregood，’shesaid。’Mindyouaretotellmetruly，andnofavour。’

Sheproducedthepicturesfromanadjoiningdrawer，andtheysatdowntogetheruponanottomanforthepurposeofexamination。Theportraits，takenbythelastfashionablephotographer，wereverygood，andhetoldherso；butashespokeandcomparedthemhismindwasfixedonsomethingelsethanthemerejudgment。Hewonderedwhethertheelusiveonewereindeedintheframeofthisgirl。

Helookedupather。Tohissurprise，hermind，too，wasonotherthingsbentthanonthepictures。Hereyeswereglancingawaytodistantpeople，shewasapparentlyconsideringtheeffectshewasproducinguponthembythiscosytete-a-tetewithPierston，andupononeinparticular，amanofthirty，ofmilitaryappearance，whomPierstondidnotknow。Quiteconvincednowthatnophantombelongingtohimwascontainedintheoutlinesofthepresentyounglady，hecouldcoollysurveyherasheresponded。Theywerebothdoingthesamething——eachwaspretendingtobedeeplyinterestedinwhattheotherwastalkingabout，theattentionofthetwoalikeflittingawaytoothercornersoftheroomevenwhentheverypointoftheirdiscoursewaspending。

No，hehadnotseenHeryet。Hewasnotgoingtoseeher，apparently，to-night；shewasscaredawaybythetwangingpoliticalatmosphere。

Buthestillmovedonsearchingly，hardlyheedingcertainspectralimpsotherthanAphroditean，whoalwayshauntedtheseplaces，andjeeringlypointedoutthatunderthewhitehairofthisorthatribandedoldman，withaforeheadgrownwrinkledovertreatieswhichhadswayedthefortunesofEurope，withavoicewhichhadnumberedsovereignsamongitsrespectfullisteners，mightbeaheartthatwouldgoinsideanut-

shell；thatbeneaththisorthatwhiteropeofpearlandpinkbosom，mightliethehalf-lungwhichhad，byhookorbycrook，tosustainitspossessorabove-groundtillthewedding-day。

Atthatmomentheencounteredhisamiablehost，andalmostsimultaneouslycaughtsightoftheladywhohadatfirstattractedhimandthenhaddisappeared。Theireyesmet，faroffastheywerefromeachother。Pierstonlaughedinwardly：itwasonlyinticklishexcitementastowhetherthiswastoproveatruetrouvaille，andwithnoinstincttomirth；forwhenundertheeyesofhisJill-o’-the-Wisphewasmoreinclinedtopalpitatelikeasheepinafair。

However，fortheminutehehadtoconversewithhishost，LordChannelcliffe，andalmostthefirstthingthatfriendsaidtohimwas：

’Whoisthatprettywomanintheblackdresswiththewhitefluffaboutitandthepearlnecklace？’

’Idon’tknow，’saidJocelyn，withincipientjealousy：’Iwasjustgoingtoaskthesamething。’

’O，weshallfindoutpresently，Isuppose。Idaresaymywifeknows。’

Theyhadparted，whenahandcameuponhisshoulder。LordChannelcliffehadturnedbackforaninstant：’Ifindsheisthegranddaughterofmyfather’soldfriend，thelastLordHengistbury。

HernameisMrs。——Mrs。Pine-Avon；shelostherhusbandtwoorthreeyearsago，veryshortlyaftertheirmarriage。’

LordChannelcliffebecameabsorbedintosomeadjoiningdignitaryoftheChurch，andPierstonwaslefttopursuehisquestalone。Ayoungfriendofhis——theLadyMabellaButtermead，whoappearedinacloudofmuslinandwasgoingontoaball——hadbeenbroughtagainsthimbythetide。Awarm-hearted，emotionalgirlwasLadyMabella，wholaughedatthehumorousnessofbeingalive。Sheaskedhimwhitherhewasbent，andhetoldher。

’Oyes，Iknowherverywell！’saidLadyMabellaeagerly。’Shetoldmeonedaythatsheparticularlywishedtomeetyou。Poorthing——sosad——

shelostherhusband。Well，itwasalongtimeagonow，certainly。

Womenoughtnottomarryandlaythemselvesopentosuchcatastrophes，oughtthey，Mr。Pierston？_I_nevershall。Iamdeterminednevertorunsucharisk！Now，doyouthinkIshall？’

’Marry？Ono；never，’saidPierstondrily。

’That’sverysatisfying。’ButMabellawasscarcelycomfortableunderhisanswer，eventhoughjestinglyreturned，andsheadded：’ButsometimesIthinkImay，justforthefunofit。Nowwe’llsteeracrosstoher，andcatchher，andI’llintroduceyou。Butweshallnevergettoheratthisrate！’

’Never，unlessweadopt"theuglyrush，"likethecitizenswhofollowtheLordMayor’sShow。’

Theytalked，andinchedtowardsthedesiredone，who，asshediscoursedwithaneighbour，seemedtobeofthose——

’Femaleforms，whosegesturesbeamwithmind，’

seenbythepoetinhisVisionoftheGoldenCityofIslam。

Theirprogresswascontinuallychecked。Pierstonwasashehadsometimesseemedtobeinadream，unabletoadvancetowardstheobjectofpursuitunlesshecouldhavegathereduphisfeetintotheair。

Aftertenminutesgiventoapreoccupiedregardofshoulder-blades，backhair，glitteringheadgear，neck-napes，moles，hairpins，pearl-

powder，pimples，mineralscutintofacetsofmany-colouredrays，necklace-clasps，fans，stays，thesevenstylesofelbowandarm，thethirteenvarietiesofear；andbyusingthetoesofhisdress-bootsascoulterswithwhichheploughedhiswayandthatofLadyMabellainthedirectiontheywereaimingat，hedrewneartoMrs。Pine-Avon，whowasdrinkingacupofteainthebackdrawing-room。

’MydearNichola，wethoughtweshouldnevergettoyou，becauseitisworseto-night，owingtothesedreadfulpolitics！Butwe’vedoneit。’

AndsheproceededtotellherfriendofPierston’sexistencehardby。

Itseemedthatthewidowreallydidwishtoknowhim，andthatLadyMabellaButtermeadhadnotindulgedinoneofthetoofrequentinventionsinthatkind。Whentheyoungestofthetriohadmadethepairacquaintedwitheachothersheleftthemtotalktoayoungermanthanthesculptor。

Mrs。Pine-Avon’sblackvelvetsandsilks，withtheirwhiteaccompaniments，finelysetofftheexceedingfairnessofherneckandshoulders，which，thoughunwhitenedartificially，werewithoutaspeckorblemishoftheleastdegree。Thegentle，thoughtfulcreatureshehadlookedfromadistanceshenowprovedherselftobe；sheheldalsosoundratherthancurrentopinionsontheplasticarts，andwasthefirstintellectualwomanhehadseentherethatnight，exceptoneortwoasaforesaid。

Theysoonbecamewellacquainted，andatapauseintheirconversationnoticedthefreshexcitementcausedbythearrivalofsomelatecomerswithmorenews。Thelatterhadbeenbroughtbyarippling，bright-eyedladyinblack，whomadethemenlistentoher，whethertheywouldorno。

’IamgladIamanoutsider，’saidJocelyn’sacquaintance，nowseatedonasofabesidewhichhewasstanding。’Iwouldn’tbelikemycousin，overthere，fortheworld。Shethinksherhusbandwillbeturnedoutatthenextelection，andshe’squitewild。’

’Yes；itismostlythewomenwhoarethegamesters；themenonlythecards。Thepityisthatpoliticsarelookedonasbeingagameforpoliticians，justascricketisagameforcricketers；notastheseriousdutiesofpoliticaltrustees。’

’Howfewofuseverthinkorfeelthat"thenationofeverycountrydwellsinthecottage，"assomebodysays！’

’Yes。ThoughIwondertohearyouquotethat。’

’O——Iamofnoparty，thoughmyrelationsare。Therecanbeonlyonebestcourseatalltimes，andthewisdomofthenationshouldbedirectedtofindingit，insteadofzigzaggingintwocourses，accordingtothewillofthepartywhichhappenstohavetheupperhand。’

Havingstartedthus，theyfoundnodifficultyinagreeingonmanypoints。WhenPierstonwentdownstairsfromthatassemblyataquartertoone，andpassedunderthesteamingnostrilsofanambassador’shorsestoahansomwhichwaitedforhimagainsttherailingofthesquare，hehadanimpressionthattheBelovedhadre-emergedfromtheshadows，withoutanyhintorinitiativefromhim——towhom，indeed，suchre-emergencewasanunquestionablyawkwardthing。

Inthishewasaware，however，thatthoughitmightbenow，asheretofore，theLovedwhodancedbeforehim，itwastheGoddessbehindherwhopulledthestringofthatJumpingJill。HehadlatelybeentryinghisartisthandagainontheDea’sformineveryconceivablephaseandmood。Hehadbecomeaone-partman——apresenterofheronly。

Buthiseffortshadresultedinfailures。Inherimplacablevanityshemightbepunishinghimanewforpresentinghersodeplorably。

2。II。SHEDRAWSCLOSEANDSATISFIES

HecouldnotforgetMrs。Pine-Avon’seyes，thoughherememberednothingofherotherfacialdetails。Theywereround，inquiring，luminous。

Howthatchestnuthairofhershadshone：itrequirednotiaratosetitoff，likethatofthedowagerhehadseenthere，whohadputtenthousandpoundsuponherheadtomakeherselflookworsethanshewouldhaveappearedwiththeninepennymuslincapofaservantwoman。

Nowthequestionwas，oughthetoseeheragain？Hehadhisdoubts。

But，unfortunatelyfordiscretion，justwhenhewascomingoutoftheroomshehadencounteredanoldladyofseventy，hisfriendMrs。

Brightwalton——theHonourableMrs。Brightwalton——andshehadhastilyaskedhimtodinnerforthedayafterthemorrow，statinginthehonestwayheknewsowellthatshehadheardhewasoutoftown，orshewouldhaveaskedhimtwoorthreeweeksago。Now，ofallsocialthingsthatPierstonlikeditwastobeaskedtodinneroff-hand，asastopgapinplaceofsomebishop，earl，orUnder-Secretarywhocouldn’tcome，andwhentheinvitationwassupplementedbythetidingsthattheladywhohadsoimpressedhimwastobeoneoftheguests，hehadpromisedinstantly。

Atthedinner，hetookdownMrs。Pine-Avonuponhisarmandtalkedtonobodyelseduringthemeal。Afterwardstheykeptapartawhileinthedrawing-roomforform’ssake；buteventuallygravitatedtogetheragain，andfinishedtheeveningineachother’scompany。When，shortlyaftereleven，hecameaway，hefeltalmostcertainthatwithinthoseluminousgreyeyestheOneofhiseternalfidelityhadverilytakenlodgings——

andforalonglease。Butthiswasnotall。Atparting，hehad，almostinvoluntarily，givenherhandapressureofapeculiarandindescribablekind；alittleresponsefromher，likeamerepulsation，ofthesamesort，toldhimthattheimpressionshehadmadeuponhimwasreciprocated。Shewas，inaword，willingtogoon。

Butwasheable？

Therehadnotbeenmuchharmintheflirtationthusfar；butdidsheknowhishistory，thecurseuponhisnature？——thathewastheWanderingJewofthelove-world，howrestlesslyidealhisfancieswere，howtheartistinhimhadconsumedthewooer，howhewasinconstantdreadlestheshouldwrongsomewomantwiceasgoodashimselfbyseemingtomeanwhathefainwouldmeanbutcouldnot，howuselesshewaslikelytobeforpracticalstepstowardshouseholding，thoughhewasallthewhilepiningfordomesticlife。Hewasnowoverforty，shewasprobablythirty；andhedarednotmakeunmeaninglovewiththecarelessselfishnessofayoungerman。Itwasunfairtogofurtherwithouttellingher，eventhough，hitherto，suchexplicitnesshadnotbeenabsolutelydemanded。

HedeterminedtocallimmediatelyontheNewIncarnation。

Shelivednotfarfromthelong，fashionableHamptonshireSquare，andhewentthitherwithexpectationsofhavingahighlyemotionaltime，atleast。Butsomehowtheverybell-pullseemedcold，althoughshehadsoearnestlyaskedhimtocome。

Asthehousespoke，sospoketheoccupant，muchtotheastonishmentofthesculptor。Thedoorshepassedthroughseemedasiftheyhadnotbeenopenedforamonth；andenteringthelargedrawing-room，hebeheld，inanarm-chair，inthefardistance，aladywhomhejourneyedacrossthecarpettoreach，andultimatelydidreach。TobesureitwasMrs。NicholaPine-Avon，butfrostedoverindescribably。Raisinghereyesinaslightlyinquiringmannerfromthebookshewasreading，sheleantbackinthechair，asifsoakingherselfinluxurioussensationswhichhadnothingtodowithhim，andrepliedtohisgreetingwithafewcommonplacewords。

TheunfortunateJocelyn，thoughrecuperativetoadegree，wasatfirstterriblyupsetbythisreception。HehaddistinctlybeguntoloveNichola，andhefeltsickandalmostresentful。Buthappilyhisaffectionwasincipientasyet，andasuddensenseoftheridiculousinhisownpositioncarriedhimtothevergeofrisibilityduringthescene。Shesignifiedachair，andbeganthecriticalstudyofsomeringsshewore。

Theytalkedovertheday’snews，andthenanorganbegantogrindoutside。Thetunewasarollickingairhehadheardatsomemusic-

hall；and，bywayofadiversion，heaskedherifsheknewthecomposition。

’No，Idon’t！’shereplied。

’Now，I’lltellyouallaboutit，’saidhegravely。’Itisbasedonasoundoldmelodycalled"TheJilt’sHornpipe。"JustastheyturnMadeiraintoportinthespaceofasinglenight，sothisoldairhasbeentakenanddoctored，andtwistedabout，andbroughtoutasanewpopularditty。’

’Indeed！’

’Ifyouareinthehabitofgoingmuchtothemusic-hallsortheburlesquetheatres——’

’Yes？’

’Youwouldfindthisisoftendone，withexcellenteffect。’

Shethawedalittle，andthentheywentontotalkaboutherhouse，whichhadbeennewlypainted，anddecoratedwithgreenish-bluesatinuptotheheightofaperson’shead——anarrangementthatsomewhatimprovedherslightlyfaded，thoughstillpretty，face，andwashelpedbytheawningsoverthewindows。

’Yes；Ihavehadmyhousesomeyears，’sheobservedcomplacently，’andIlikeitbettereveryyear。’

’Don’tyoufeellonelyinitsometimes？’

’Onever！’

However，beforeheroseshegrewfriendlytosomedegree，andwhenheleft，justafterthearrivalofthreeopportuneyoungladiessheseemedregretful。Sheaskedhimtocomeagain；andhethoughthewouldtellthetruth。’No：Ishallnotcaretocomeagain，’heanswered，inatoneinaudibletotheyoungladies。

Shefollowedhimtothedoor。’Whatanuncivilthingtosay！’shemurmuredinsurprise。

’Itisratheruncivil。Good-bye，’saidPierston。

Asapunishmentshedidnotringthebell，butlefthimtofindhiswayoutashecould。’NowwhatthedevilthismeansIcannottell，’hesaidtohimself，reflectingstock-stillforamomentonthestairs。

Andyetthemeaningwasstaringhimintheface。

Meanwhileoneofthethreeyoungladieshadsaid，’Whatinterestingmanwasthat，withhislovelyheadofhair？IsawhimatLadyChannelcliffe’stheothernight。’

’JocelynPierston。’

’O，Nichola，thatIStoobad！Tolethimgointhatshabbyway，whenI

wouldhavegivenanythingtoknowhim！IhavewantedtoknowhimeversinceIfoundouthowmuchhisexperienceshaddictatedhisstatuary，andIdiscoveredthembyseeinginaJerseypaperofthemarriageofapersonsupposedtobehiswife，whoranoffwithhimmanyyearsago，don’tyouknow，andthenwouldn’tmarryhim，inobediencetosomenovelsocialprinciplesshehadinventedforherself。’

’O！didn’themarryher？’saidMrs。Pine-Avon，withastart。’Why，I

heardonlyyesterdaythathedid，thoughtheyhavelivedaparteversince。’

’Quiteamistake，’saidtheyounglady。’HowIwishIcouldrunafterhim！’

ButJocelynwasrecedingfromtheprettywidow’shousewithlongstrides。Hewentoutverylittleduringthenextfewdays，butaboutaweeklaterhekeptanengagementtodinewithLadyIrisSpeedwell，whomheneverneglected，becauseshewasthebrightesthostessinLondon。

Bysomeaccidenthearrivedratherearly。LadyIrishadleftthedrawing-roomforamomenttoseethatallwasrightinthedining-room，andwhenhewasshownintherestoodaloneinthelamplightNicholaPine-Avon。Shehadbeenthefirstarrival。Hehadnotintheleastexpectedtomeetherthere，furtherthanthat，inageneralsense，atLadyIris’syouexpectedtomeeteverybody。

Shehadjustcomeoutofthecloak-room，andwassotenderandevenapologeticthathehadnotthehearttobeotherthanfriendly。Astheotherguestsdroppedin，thepairretreatedintoashadycorner，andshetalkedbesidehimtillallmovedofffortheeatinganddrinking。

Hehadnotbeenappointedtotakeheracrosstothedining-room，butatthetablefoundherexactlyopposite。Shelookedverycharmingbetweenthecandles，andthensuddenlyitdawneduponhimthatherpreviousmannermusthaveoriginatedinsomefalsereportaboutMarcia，ofwhoseexistencehehadnotheardforyears。Anyhow，hewasnotdisposedtoresentaninexplicabilityinwomankind，havingfoundthatitusuallyaroseindependentlyoffact，reason，probability，orhisowndeserts。

Sohedinedon，catchinghereyesandthefewprettywordsshemadeopportunitytoprojectacrossthetabletohimnowandthen。Hewascourteouslyresponsiveonly，butMrs。Pine-Avonherselfdistinctlymadeadvances。Here-admiredher，whileatthesametimeherconductinherownhousehadbeenenoughtocheckhisconfidence——enougheventomakehimdoubtiftheWell-Belovedreallyresidedwithinthosecontours，orhadeverbeenmorethanthemosttransitorypassengerthroughthatinterestingandaccomplishedsoul。

Hewasponderingthisquestion，yetgrowingdecidedlymovedbytheplayfulpathosofherattitudewhen，bychance，searchinghispocketforhishandkerchief，somethingcrackled，andhefeltthereanunopenedletter，whichhadarrivedatthemomenthewasleavinghishouse，andhehadslippedintohiscoattoreadinthecabashedrovealong。

Pierstondrewitsufficientlyforthtoobservebythepost-markthatitcamefromhisnatalisle。Havinghardlyacorrespondentinthatpartoftheworldnowhebegantoconjectureonthepossiblesender。

Theladyonhisright，whomhehadbroughtin，wasaleadingactressofthetown——indeed，oftheUnitedKingdomandAmerica，forthatmatter——acreatureinairyclothing，translucent，likeabalsamorsea-anemone，withoutshadows，andinmovementasresponsiveassomehighlylubricated，many-wiredmachine，which，ifonepressesaparticularspring，fliesopenandrevealsitsworks。Thespringinthepresentcasewastheartisticcommendationshedeservedandcraved。Atthisparticularmomentshewasengagedwiththemanonherownright，arepresentativeofFamily，whotalkedpositivelyandhollowly，asifshoutingdownavistaoffivehundredyearsfromtheFeudalpast。TheladyonJocelyn’sleft，wifeofaLordJusticeofAppeal，wasinlikemannertalkingtohercompanionontheouterside；sothat，forthetime，hewaslefttohimself。Hetookadvantageoftheopportunity，drewouthisletter，andreaditasitlayuponhisnapkin，nobodyobservinghim，sofarashewasaware。

Itcamefromthewifeofoneofhisfather’sformerworkmen，andwasconcerningherson，whomshebeggedJocelyntorecommendascandidateforsomepostintownthatshewishedhimtofill。Buttheendoftheletterwaswhatarrestedhim——

’Youwillbesorrytohear，Sir，thatdearlittleAviceCaro，asweusedtocallherinhermaidendays，isdead。Shemarriedhercousin，ifyoudomind，andwentawayfromhereforagood-fewyears，butwasleftawidow，andcamebackatwelvemonthago；sincewhenshefalteredandfaltered，andnowsheisgone。’

2。III。SHEBECOMESANINACCESSIBLEGHOST

Byimperceptibleandslowdegreesthesceneatthedinner-tablerecededintothebackground，behindthevividpresentmentofAviceCaro，andtheold，oldscenesonIsleVindiliawhichwereinseparablefromherpersonality。Thediningroomwasrealnomore，dissolvingundertheboldstonypromontoryandtheincomingWestSea。Thehandsomemarchionessingeranium-redanddiamonds，whowasvisibletohimonhishost’srighthandopposite，becameoneoftheglowingvermilionsunsetsthathehadwatchedsomanytimesoverDeadman’sBay，withtheformofAviceintheforeground。BetweenhiseyesandthejudgewhosatnexttoNichola，withachinsorawthathemusthaveshavedeveryquarterofanhourduringtheday，intrudedthefaceofAvice，asshehadglancedathimintheirlastparting。Thecranniedfeaturesoftheevergreensocietylady，who，ifshehadbeenafewyearsolder，wouldhavebeenasold-fashionedasherdaughter，shapedthemselvestothedustyquarriesofhisandAvice’sparents，downwhichhehadclamberedwithAvicehundredsoftimes。Theivytrailingaboutthetable-cloth，thelightsinthetallcandlesticks，andthebunchesofflowers，weretransmutedintotheiviesofthecliff-builtCastle，thetuftsofseaweed，andthelighthousesontheisle。Thesaltairsoftheoceankilledthesmelloftheviands，andinsteadoftheclatterofvoicescamethemonologueofthetideofftheBeal。

Morethanall，NicholaPine-Avonlostthebloomingradiancewhichshehadlatterlyacquired；shebecameawomanofhisacquaintancewithnodistinctivetraits；sheseemedtogrowmaterial，asuperficiesoffleshandbonemerely，apersonoflinesandsurfaces；shewasalanguageinlivingciphernomore。

Whentheladieshadwithdrawnitwasjustthesame。ThesoulofAvice——

theonlywomanhehadNEVERlovedofthosewhohadlovedhim——

surroundedhimlikeafirmament。Artdrewneartohiminthepersonofoneofthemostdistinguishedofportraitpainters；buttherewasonlyonepainterforJocelyn——hisownmemory。AllthatwaseminentinEuropeansurgeryaddressedhiminthepersonofthatharmlessandunassumingfogeywhosehandshadbeeninsidethebodiesofhundredsoflivingmen；butthelily-whitecorpseofanobscurecountry-girlchilledtheinterestofdiscoursewithsuchakingofoperators。

Reachingthedrawing-roomhetalkedtohishostess。Thoughshehadentertainedthree-and-twentyguestsathertablethatnightshehadknownnotonlywhateveryoneofthemwassayinganddoingthroughouttherepast，butwhateveryonewasthinking。So，beinganoldfriend，shesaidquietly，’Whathasbeentroublingyou？Somethinghas，Iknow。

Ihavebeentravellingoveryourfaceandhaveseenitthere。’

Nothingcouldlessexpressthemeaninghisrecentnewshadforhimthanastatementofitsfacts。Hetoldoftheopeningoftheletterandthediscoveryofthedeathofanoldacquaintance。

’TheonlywomanwhomIneverrightlyvalued，Imayalmostsay！’headded；’andthereforetheonlyoneIshalleverregret！’

Whethersheconsidereditasufficientexplanationornotthewomanofexperiencesaccepteditassuch。Shewasthesingleladyofhiscirclewhomnothingerraticinhisdoingscouldsurprise，andheoftengaveherstrayendsofhisconfidencethuswithperfectsafety。

HedidnotgonearMrs。Pine-Avonagain；hecouldnot：andonleavingthehousewalkedabstractedlyalongthestreetstillhefoundhimselfathisowndoor。Inhisroomhesatdown，andplacinghishandsbehindhisheadthoughthisthoughtsanew。

Atonesideoftheroomstoodanescritoire，andfromalowerdrawerthereinhetookoutasmallboxtightlynaileddown。Heforcedthecoverwiththepoker。Theboxcontainedavarietyofoddsandends，whichPierstonhadthrownintoitfromtimetotimeinpastyearsforfuturesorting——anintentionthathehadnevercarriedout。Fromthemelancholymassofpapers，fadedphotographs，seals，diaries，witheredflowers，andsuchlike，Jocelyndrewalittleportrait，onetakenonglassintheprimitivedaysofphotography，andframedwithtinselinthecommonestway。

ItwasAviceCaro，asshehadappearedduringthesummermonthortwowhichhehadspentwithherontheislandtwentyyearsbeforethistime，heryounglipspursedup，herhandsmeeklyfolded。Theeffectoftheglasswastolendtothepicturemuchofthesoftnesscharacteristicoftheoriginal。Herememberedwhenitwastaken——

duringoneafternoontheyhadspenttogetherataneighbouringwatering-place，whenhehadsuggestedhersittingtoatoutingartistonthesands，therebeingnothingelseforthemtodo。Alongcontemplationofthelikenesscompletedinhisemotionswhattheletterhadbegun。Helovedthewomandeadandinaccessibleashehadneverlovedherinlife。Hehadthoughtofherbutatdistantintervalsduringthetwentyyearssincethatpartingoccurred，andonlyassomebodyhecouldhavewedded。Yetnowthetimesofyouthfulfriendshipwithher，inwhichhehadlearnteverynoteofherinnocentnature，flamedupintoayearningandpassionateattachment，embitteredbyregretbeyondwords。

Thatkisswhichhadoffendedhisdignity，whichshehadsochildishlygivenhimbeforeherconsciousnessofwomanhoodhadbeenawakened；whathewouldhaveofferedtohaveaquarterofitnow！

Pierstonwasalmostangrywithhimselfforhisfeelingsofthisnight，sounreasonably，motivelesslystrongweretheytowardsthelostyoungplaymate。’Howsenselessofme！’hesaid，ashelayinhislonelybed。

Shehadbeenanotherman’swifealmostthewholetimesincehewasestrangedfromher，andnowshewasacorpse。Yettheabsurditydidnotmakehisgrieftheless：andtheconsciousnessoftheintrinsic，almostradiant，purityofthisnewsprungaffectionforaflownspiritforbadehimtocheckit。Thefleshwasabsentaltogether；itwasloverarefiedandrefinedtoitshighestattar。Hehadfeltnothinglikeitbefore。

Thenextafternoonhewentdowntotheclub；nothislargeclub，wherethemenhardlyspoketoeachother，butthehomelyonewheretheytoldstoriesofanafternoon，andwerenotashamedtoconfessamongthemselvestopersonalweaknessesandfollies，knowingwellthatsuchsecretswouldgonofurther。Buthecouldnottellthis。Sovolatileandintangiblewasthestorythattoconveyitinwordswouldhavebeenashardastocageaperfume。

Theyobservedhisalteredmanner，andsaidhewasinlove。Pierstonadmittedthathewas；andthereitended。Whenhereachedhomehelookedoutofhisbed-roomwindow，andbegantoconsiderinwhatdirectionfromwherehestoodthatdarlinglittlefigurelay。Itwasstraightacrossthere，undertheyoungpalemoon。Thesymbolsignifiedwell。Thedivinityofthesilverbowwasnotmoreexcellentlypurethanshe，thelost，hadbeen。UnderthatmoonwastheislandofAncientSlingers，andontheislandahouse，framedfrommullionstochimney-topliketheisleitself，ofstone。Insidethewindow，themoonlightirradiatingherwinding-sheet，layAvice，reachedonlybythefaintnoisesinherentintheisle；thetink-tinkofthechiselsinthequarries，thesurgingofthetidesintheBay，andthemuffledgrumblingofthecurrentsinthenever-pacifiedRace。

Hebegantodivinethetruth。Avice，thedepartedone，thoughshehadcomeshortofinspiringapassion，hadyetpossessedaground-qualityabsentfromherrivals，withoutwhichitseemedthatafixedandfull-

roundedconstancytoawomancouldnotflourishinhim。Likehisown，herfamilyhadbeenislandersforcenturies——fromNorman，Anglian，Roman，Balearic-Britishtimes。Henceinhernature，asinhis，wassomemysteriousingredientsuckedfromtheisle；otherwisearacialinstinctnecessarytotheabsoluteunisonofapair。Thus，thoughhemightneverloveawomanoftheislandrace，forlackinherofthedesiredrefinement，hecouldnotlovelongakimberlin——awomanotherthanoftheislandrace，forherlackofthisgroundworkofcharacter。

SuchwasPierston’sviewofthings。Anotherfancyofhis，anartist’ssuperstitionmerely，maybementioned。TheCaros，likesomeotherlocalfamilies，suggestedaRomanlineage，moreorlessgraftedonthestockoftheSlingers。TheirfeaturesrecalledthoseoftheItalianpeasantrytoanyoneasfamiliarashewaswiththem；andtherewereevidencesthattheRomancolonistshadbeenpopulousandlong-abidinginandnearthiscornerofBritain。TraditionurgedthatatempletoVenusoncestoodatthetopoftheRomanroadleadingupintotheisle；

andpossiblyonetothelove-goddessoftheSlingersantedatedthis。

Whatsonaturalasthatthetruestarofhissoulwouldbefoundnowherebutinoneoftheoldislandbreed？

AfterdinnerhisoldfriendSomerscameintosmoke，andwhentheyhadtalkedalittlewhileSomersalludedcasuallytosomeplaceatwhichtheywouldmeetonthemorrow。

’Isha’n’tbethere，’saidPierston。

’Butyoupromised？’

’Yes。ButIshallbeattheisland——lookingatadeadwoman’sgrave。’

Ashespokehiseyesturned，andremainedfixedonatablenear。

Somersfollowedthedirectionofhisglancetoaphotographonastand。

’Isthatshe？’heasked。

’Yes。’

’Ratherabygoneaffair，then？’

Pierstonacknowledgedit。’She’stheonlysweetheartIeverslighted，Alfred，’hesaid。’Becauseshe’stheonlyoneIoughttohavecaredfor。That’sjustthefoolIhavealwaysbeen。’

’Butifshe’sdeadandburied，youcangotohergraveatanytimeaswellasnow，tokeepupthesentiment。’

’Idon’tknowthatshe’sburied。’

’Butto-morrow——theAcademynight！Ofalldayswhygothen？’

’Idon’tcareabouttheAcademy。’

’Pierston——youareouronlyinspiredsculptor。YouareourPraxiteles，orratherourLysippus。YouarealmosttheonlymanofthisgenerationwhohasbeenabletomouldandchiselformslivingenoughtodrawtheidlepublicawayfromthepopularpaintingsintotheusuallydesertedLecture-room，andpeoplewhohaveseenyourlastpiecesofstuffsaytherehasbeennothinglikethemsincesixteenhundredand——sincethesculptors’ofthegreatrace’livedanddied——wheneverthatwas。Well，then，forthesakeofothersyououghtnottorushofftothatGod-

forgottensea-rockjustwhenyouarewantedintown，allforawomanyoulastsawahundredyearsago。’

’No——itwasonlynineteenandthreequarters，’repliedhisfriend，withabstractedliteralness。Hewentthenextmorning。

Sincethedaysofhisyoutharailwayhadbeenconstructedalongthepebblebank，sothat，exceptwhentherailswerewashedawaybythetides，whichwasratheroften，thepeninsulawasquicklyaccessible。

Attwoo’clockintheafternoonhewasrattledalongbythisnewmeansoflocomotion，underthefamiliarmonotonouslineofbran-colouredstones，andhesoonemergedfromthestation，whichstoodasastrangeexoticamongtheblacklerrets，theruinsofthewashed-awayvillage，andthewhitecubesofoolite，justcometoviewafterburialthroughunreckonablegeologicyears。

InenteringuponthepebblebeachthetrainhadpassedclosetotheruinsofHenrytheEighth’sorSandsfootCastle，whitherAvicewastohaveaccompaniedhimonthenightofhisdeparture。Hadsheappearedtheprimitivebetrothal，withitsnaturalresult，wouldprobablyhavetakenplace；and，asnoislanderhadeverbeenknowntobreakthatcompact，shewouldhavebecomehiswife。

Ascendingthesteepinclinetowherethequarrymenwerechippingjustastheyhadformerlydone，andwithinsoundofthegreatstonesaws，helookedsouthwardtowardstheBeal。

Thelevellineoftheseahorizonroseabovethesurfaceoftheisle，aruffledpatchinmid-distanceasusualmarkingtheRace，whencemanyaLycidashadgone’Visitingthebottomofthemonstrousworld；’

buthadnotbeenblestwithapoetasafriend。Againstthestretchofwater，whereaschoolofmackereltwinkledintheafternoonlight，wasdefined，inadditiontothedistantlighthouse，achurchwithitstower，standingaboutaquarterofamileoff，neartheedgeofthecliff。Thechurchyardgravestonescouldbeseeninprofileagainstthesamevastspreadofwaterybabbleandunrest。

Amongthegravesmovedtheformofamanclothedinawhitesheet，whichthewindblewandflappedcoldlyeverynowandthen。Nearhimmovedsixmenbearingalongbox，andtwoorthreepersonsinblackfollowed。Thecoffin，withitstwelvelegs，crawledacrosstheisle，whilearoundandbeneathittheflashinglightsfromtheseaandtheschoolofmackerelwerereflected；afishing-boat，faroutintheChannel，beingmomentarilydiscernibleunderthecoffinalso。

Theprocessionwanderedroundtoaparticularcorner，andhalted，andpausedtherealongwhileinthewind，theseabehindthem，thesurpliceoftheprieststillblowing。Jocelynstoodwithhishatoff：

hewaspresent，thoughhewasaquarterofamileoff；andheseemedtohearthewordsthatwerebeingsaid，thoughnothingbutthewindwasaudible。

HeinstinctivelyknewthatitwasnoneotherthanAvicewhomhewasseeinginterred；HISAvice，ashenowbeganpresumptuouslytocallher。

Presentlythelittlegroupwithdrewfrombeforethesea-shine，anddisappeared。

Hefelthimselfunabletogofurtherinthatdirection，andturningasidewentaimlesslyacrosstheopenland，visitingthevariousspotsthathehadformerlyvisitedwithher。But，asiftetheredtothechurchyardbyacord，hewasstillconsciousofbeingattheendofaradiuswhosepivotwasthegraveofAviceCaro；andastheduskthickenedhecloseduponhiscentreandenteredthechurchyardgate。

Notasoulwasnowwithintheprecincts。Thegrave，newlyshaped，waseasilydiscoverablebehindthechurch，andwhenthesameyoungmoonarosewhichhehadobservedthepreviouseveningfromhiswindowinLondonhecouldseetheyetfreshfoot-marksofthemournersandbearers。Thebreezehadfallentoacalmwiththesettingofthesun：

thelighthousehadopeneditsglaringeye，and，disinclinedtoleaveaspotsublimedbothbyearlyassociationandpresentregret，hemovedbacktothechurch-wall，warmfromtheafternoonsun，andsatdownuponawindow-sillfacingthegrave。

2。IV。SHETHREATENSTORESUMECORPOREALSUBSTANCE

Thelispingsoftheseabeneaththecliffswereallthesoundsthatreachedhim，forthequarriesweresilentnow。Howlonghesatherelonelyandthinkinghedidnotknow。Neitherdidheknow，thoughhefeltdrowsy，whetherinexpectantsadness——thatgentlesoporific——lulledhimintoashortsleep，sothathelostcountoftimeandconsciousnessofincident。ButduringsomeminuteorminutesheseemedtoseeAviceCaroherself，bendingoverandthenwithdrawingfromhergraveinthelightofthemoon。

Sheseemednotayearolder，notadigitlessslender，notalinemoreangularthanwhenhehadpartedfromhertwentyyearsearlier，inthelanehardby。Arenascentreasoningontheimpossibilityofsuchaphenomenonasthisbeingmorethanadream-fancyrousedhimwithastartfromhisheaviness。

’Imusthavebeenasleep，’hesaid。

Yetshehadseemedsoreal。Pierstonhoweverdismissedthestrangeimpression，arguingthateveniftheinformationsenthimofAvice’sdeathshouldbefalse——athingincredible——thatsweetfriendofhisyouth，despitethetransfiguringeffectsofmoonlight，wouldnotnowlookthesameasshehadappearednineteenortwentyyearsago。Werewhathesawsubstantialflesh，itmusthavebeensomeotherpersonthanAviceCaro。

Havingsatisfiedhissentimentbycomingtothegravesidetherewasnothingmoreforhimtodointheisland，andhedecidedtoreturntoLondonthatnight。Butsometimeremainingstillonhishands，JocelynbyanaturalinstinctturnedhisfeetinthedirectionofEastQuarriers，thevillageofhisbirthandofhers。Passingthemarket-

squarehepursuedthearmofroadto’SylvaniaCastle，’aprivatemansionofcomparativelymoderndate，inwhosegroundsstoodthesingleplantationoftreesofwhichtheislecouldboast。Thecottagesextendedclosetothewallsoftheenclosure，andoneofthelastofthesedwellingshadbeenAvice’s，inwhich，asitwasherfreehold，shepossiblyhaddied。

Toreachithepassedthegatesof’Sylvania，’andobservedabovethelawnwallaboardannouncingthatthehousewastobeletfurnished。A

fewstepsfurtherrevealedthecottagewhichwithitsquaintandmassivestonefeaturesoftwoorthreecenturies’antiquity，wascapableevennowoflongerresistancetotheraspofTimethanordinarynewerections。Hisattentionwasdrawntothewindow，stillunblinded，thoughalamplittheroom。Hesteppedbackagainstthewallopposite，andgazedin。

Atatablecoveredwithawhiteclothayoungwomanstoodputtingtea-

thingsawayintoacorner-cupboard。ShewasinallrespectstheAvicehehadlost，thegirlhehadseeninthechurchyardandhadfanciedtobetheillusionofadream。Andthoughtherewasthistimenodoubtaboutherreality，theisolationofherpositioninthesilenthouselentheracuriouslystartlingaspect。Diviningtheexplanationhewaitedforfootsteps，andinafewmomentsaquarrymanpassedhimonhisjourneyhome。Pierstoninquiredofthemanconcerningthespectacle。

’Oyes，sir；that’spoorMrs。Caro’sonlydaughter，anditmustbelonelyforherthereto-night，poormaid！Yes，good-now；she’stheverydapsofhermother——that’swhateverybodysays。’

’Buthowdoesshecometobesolonely？’

’Oneofherbrotherswenttoseaandwasdrowned，andt’otherisinAmerica。’

’Theywerequarryownersatonetime？’

Thequarryman’pitchedhisnitch，’andexplainedtotheseemingstrangerthattherehadbeenthreefamiliesthereaboutsinthestonetrade，whohadgotmuchinvolvedwitheachotherinthelastgeneration。TheyweretheBencombs，thePierstons，andtheCaros。TheBencombsstrainedtheirutmosttooutlifttheothertwo，andpartiallysucceeded。Theygrewenormouslyrich，soldout，anddisappearedaltogetherfromtheislandwhichhadbeentheirmaking。ThePierstonskeptadoggedmiddlecourse，throvewithoutshowornoise，andalsoretiredintheirturn。TheCaroswerepulledcompletelydowninthecompetitionwiththeothertwo，andwhenWidowCaro’sdaughtermarriedhercousinJimCaro，hetriedtoregainforthefamilyitsoriginalplaceinthethree-corneredstruggle。Hetookcontractsatlessthanhecouldprofitby，speculatedmoreandmore，tillatlastthecrashcame；hewassoldup，wentaway，andlateroncamebacktoliveinthislittlecottage，whichwashiswife’sbyinheritance。Thereheremainedtillhisdeath；andnowhiswidowwasgone。Hardshipshadhelpedonherend。

Thequarrymanproceededonhisway，andPierston，deeplyremorseful，knockedatthedooroftheminutefreehold。Thegirlherselfopenedit，lampinhand。

’Avice！’hesaidtenderly；’AviceCaro！’evennowunabletogetoverthestrangefeelingthathewastwentyyearsyounger，addressingAvicetheforsaken。

’Ann，sir，’saidshe。

’Ah，yournameisnotthesameasyourmother’s！’

’Mysecondnameis。Andmysurname。Poormothermarriedhercousin。’

’Aseverybodydoeshere……Well，Annorotherwise，youareAvicetome。Andyouhavelosthernow？’

’Ihave，sir。’

Shespokeintheverysamesweetvoicethathehadlistenedtoascoreofyearsbefore，andbenteyesofthesamefamiliarhazelinquiringlyuponhim。

’Iknewyourmotheratonetime，’hesaid；’andlearningofherdeathandburialItookthelibertyofcallinguponyou。Youwillforgiveastrangerdoingthat？’

’Yes，’shesaiddispassionately，andglancingroundtheroom：’Thiswasmother’sownhouse，andnowitismine。Iamsorrynottobeinmourningonthenightofherfuneral，butIhavejustbeentoputsomeflowersonhergrave，andItookitoffaforegoingthatthedampmidnotspoilthecrape。Yousee，shewasbadalongtime，andIhavetobecareful，anddowashingandironingforaliving。ShehurthersidewithwringingupthelargesheetsshehadtowashfortheCastlefolkshere。’

’Ihopeyouwon’thurtyourselfdoingit，mydear。’

’Ono，thatIsha’n’t！There’sCharlWoollat，andSammyScribben，andTedGibsey，andlotso’youngchaps；they’llwringanythingformeiftheyhappentocomealong。ButIcanhardlytrust’em。SamScribbent’otherdaytwistedalinentableclothintotwopieces，foralltheworldasifithadbeenapipe-light。Theyneverknowwhentostopintheirwringing。’

ThevoicetrulywashisAvice’s；butAvicetheSecondwasclearlymorematter-of-fact，unreflecting，lesscultivatedthanhermotherhadbeen。

ThisAvicewouldneverrecitepoetryfromanyplatform，localorother，withenthusiasticappreciationofitsfire。Therewasadisappointmentinhisrecognitionofthis；yetshetouchedhimasfewhaddone：hecouldnotbeartogoaway。’Howoldareyou？’heasked。

’Goinginnineteen。’

Itwasabouttheageofherdouble，AvicetheFirst，whenheandshehadstrolledtogetheroverthecliffsduringtheengagement。Buthewasnowforty，ifaday。Shebeforehimwasanuneducatedlaundress，andhewasasculptorandaRoyalAcademician，withafortuneandareputation。Yetwhywasitanunpleasantsensationtohimjustthentorecollectthathewastwoscore？

Hecouldfindnofurtherexcuseforremaining，andhavingstillhalf-

an-hourtosparehewentroundbytheroadtotheotherorwestsideofthelast-century’SylvaniaCastle，’andcametothefurthesthouseoutthereonthecliff。Itwashisearlyhome。Usedinthesummerasalodging-houseforvisitors，itnowstoodemptyandsilent，theeveningwindswayingtheeuonymusandtamariskboughsinthefront——theonlyevergreenshrubsthatcouldweatherthewhippingsaltgaleswhichspedpastthewalls。Oppositethehouse，faroutatsea，thefamiliarlightshipwinkedfromthesandbank，andallatoncetherecametohimawildwish——that，insteadofhavinganartist’sreputation，hecouldbelivinghereanilliterateandunknownman，wooing，andinafairwayofwinning，theprettylaundressinthecottagehardby。

2。V。THERESUMPTIONTAKESPLACE

HavingreturnedtoLondonhemechanicallyresumedhiscustomarylife；

buthewasnotreallylivingthere。ThephantomofAvice，nowgrowntobewarmfleshandblood，heldhismindafar。Hethoughtofnothingbuttheisle，andAvicetheSeconddwellingtherein——inhalingitssaltbreath，strokedbyitssingingrainsandbythehauntedatmosphereofRomanVenusaboutandaroundthesiteofherperishedtemplethere。

Theverydefectsinthecountrygirlbecamecharmsasviewedfromtown。

Nothingnowpleasedhimsomuchastospendthatportionoftheafternoonwhichhedevotedtoout-doorexercise，inhauntingthepurlieusofthewharvesalongtheThames，wherethestoneofhisnativerockwasunshippedfromthecoasting-craftthathadbroughtitthither。

Hewouldpassinsidethegreatgatesoftheselanding-placesontherightorleftbank，contemplatethewhitecubesandoblongs，imbibetheirassociations，callupthegeniuslociwhencetheycame，andalmostforgetthathewasinLondon。

Oneafternoonhewaswalkingawayfromthemud-splashedentrancetooneofthewharves，whenhisattentionwasdrawntoafemaleformontheoppositesideoftheway，goingtowardsthespothehadjustleft。Shewassomewhatsmall，slight，andgraceful；herattirealonewouldhavebeenenoughtoattracthim，beingsimpleandcountrifiedtopicturesqueness；buthewasmorethanattractedbyherstrongresemblancetoAviceCarotheyounger——AnnAvice，asshehadsaidshewascalled。

BeforeshehadrecededahundredyardshefeltcertainthatitwasAviceindeed；andhisunifyingmoodoftheafternoonwasnowsointensethatthelostandthefoundAviceseemedessentiallythesameperson。

Theirexternallikenesstoeachother——probablyowingtothecousinshipbetweentheelderandherhusband——wentfartonourishthefantasy。Hehastilyturned，andrediscoveredthegirlamongthepedestrians。Shekeptonherwaytothewharf，where，lookinginquiringlyaroundherforafewseconds，withthemannerofoneunaccustomedtothelocality，sheopenedthegateanddisappeared。

Pierstonalsowentuptothegateandentered。Shehadcrossedtothelanding-place，beyondwhichalumpycraftlaymoored。Drawingnearer，hediscoveredhertobeengagedinconversationwiththeskipperandanelderlywoman——bothcomestraightfromtheooliticisle，aswasapparentinamomentfromtheiraccent。Pierstonfeltnohesitationinmakinghimselfknownasanative，therupturedengagementbetweenAvice’smotherandhimselftwentyyearsbeforehavingbeenknowntofewornonenowliving。

ThepresentembodimentofAvicerecognizedhim，andwiththeartlesscandourofherraceandyearsexplainedthesituation，thoughthatwasratherhisdutyasanintruderthanhers。

’ThisisCap’nKibbs，sir，adistantrelationoffather’s，’shesaid。

’AndthisisMrs。Kibbs。We’vecomeupfromtheislandwi’enjustforatrip，andaregoingtosailbackwi’enWednesday。’

’O，Isee。Andwhereareyoustaying？’

’Here——onboard。’

’What，youliveonboardentirely？’

’Yes。’

’Lord，sir，’brokeinMrs。Kibbs，’Ishouldbeafeardo’mylifetotinemyeyesamongtheseherekimberlinsatnight-time；andevenbyday，ifsobeIventureintothestreets，Inowhenforgethowmanyturningstotherightandtotheleft’tistogetbacktoJob’svessel——

doI，Job？’

Theskippernoddedconfirmation。

’Youaresaferashorethanafloat，’saidPierston，’especiallyintheChannel，withthesewindsandthoseheavyblocksofstone。’

’Well，’saidCap’nKibbs，afterprivatelyclearingsomethingfromhismouth，’astothewinds，thereiddenmuchdangerinthematthistimeo’year。’Tistheocean-boundsteamersthatmaketherisktocraftlikeours。Ifyouhappentobeintheircourse，underyougo——cutclaneintwopieces，andtheyneverlying-totohaulinyourcarcases，andnobodytotellthetale。’

PierstonturnedtoAvice，wantingtosaymuchtoher，yetnotknowingwhattosay。Helamelyremarkedatlast：’Yougobackthesameway，Avice？’

’Yes，sir。’

’Well，takecareofyourselfafloat。’

’Oyes。’

’Ihope——Imayseeyouagainsoon——andtalktoyou。’

’Ihopeso，sir。’

Hecouldnotgetfurther，andafterawhilePierstonleftthem，andwentawaythinkingofAvicemorethanever。

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