第4章

EventhestiffEgyptianhead-dresswasadheredto，buthadbeensoftenedintoarichfeminineadornment，withoutlosingaparticleofitstruth。

Difficultiesthatmightwellhaveseemedinsurmountablehadbeencourageouslyencounteredandmadeflexibletopurposesofgraceanddignity；sothatCleopatrasatattiredinagarbpropertoherhistoricandqueenlystate，asadaughterofthePtolemies，andyetsuchasthebeautifulwomanwouldhaveputonasbestadaptedtoheightenthemagnificenceofhercharms，andkindleatropicfireinthecoldeyesofOctavius。

Amarvellousrepose——thatraremeritinstatuary，exceptitbethelumpishreposenativetotheblockofstone——wasdiffusedthroughoutthefigure。

ThespectatorfeltthatCleopatrahadsunkdownoutofthefeverandturmoilofherlife，andforoneinstant——asitwere，betweentwopulsethrobs——hadrelinquishedallactivity，andwasrestingthroughouteveryveinandmuscle。Itwasthereposeofdespair，indeed；forOctaviushadseenher，andremainedinsensibletoherenchantments。Butstilltherewasagreatsmoulderingfurnacedeepdowninthewoman\'sheart。Therepose，nodoubt，wasascompleteasifshewerenevertostirhandorfootagain；andyet，suchwasthecreature\'slatentenergyandfierceness，shemightspringuponyoulikeatigress，andstoptheverybreaththatyouwerenowdrawingmidwayinyourthroat。

Thefacewasamiraculoussuccess。ThesculptorhadnotshunnedtogivethefullNubianlips，andothercharacteristicsoftheEgyptianphysiognomy。Hiscourageandintegrityhadbeenabundantlyrewarded；forCleopatra\'sbeautyshoneoutricher，warmer，moretriumphantlybeyondcomparison，thanif，shrinkingtimidlyfromthetruth，hehadchosenthetameGreciantype。Theexpressionwasofprofound，gloomy，heavilyrevolvingthought；aglanceintoherpastlifeandpresentemergencies，whileherspiritgathereditselfupforsomenewstruggle，orwasgettingsternlyreconciledtoimpendingdoom。Inoneview，therewasacertainsoftnessandtenderness，——howbreathedintothestatue，amongsomanystrongandpassionateelements，itisimpossibletosay。Catchinganotherglimpse，youbeheldherasimplacableasastoneandcruelasfire。

Inaword，allCleopatra——fierce，voluptuous，passionate，tender，wicked，terrible，andfullofpoisonousandrapturousenchantment——waskneadedintowhat，onlyaweekortwobefore，hadbeenalumpofwetclayfromtheTiber。Soon，apotheosizedinanindestructiblematerial，shewouldbeoneoftheimagesthatmenkeepforever，findingaheatinthemwhichdoesnotcooldown，throughoutthecenturies？

"Whatawomanisthis！"exclaimedMiriam，afteralongpause。"Tellme，didsheevertry，evenwhileyouwerecreatingher，toovercomeyouwithherfuryorherlove？Wereyounotafraidtotouchher，asshegrewmoreandmoretowardshotlifebeneathyourhand？Mydearfriend，itisagreatwork！Howhaveyoulearnedtodoit？"

"Itistheconcretionofagooddealofthought，emotion，andtoilofbrainandhand，"saidKenyon，notwithoutaperceptionthathisworkwasgood；"butIknownothowitcameaboutatlast。Ikindledagreatfirewithinmymind，andthrewinthematerial，——asAaronthrewthegoldoftheIsraelitesintothefurnace，——andinthemidmostheatuproseCleopatra，asyouseeher。"

"WhatImostmarvelat，"saidMiriam，"isthewomanhoodthatyouhavesothoroughlymixedupwithallthoseseeminglydiscordantelements。Wheredidyougetthatsecret？YouneverfounditinyourgentleHilda，yetI

recognizeitstruth。"

"No，surely，itwasnotinHilda，"saidKenyon。"Herwomanhoodisoftheetherealtype，andincompatiblewithanyshadowofdarknessorevil。"

"Youareright，"rejoinedMiriam；"therearewomenofthatetherealtype，asyoutermit，andHildaisoneofthem。Shewoulddieofherfirstwrong-doing，——supposingforamomentthatshecouldbecapableofdoingwrong。Ofsorrow，slenderassheseems，Hildamightbearagreatburden；

ofsin，notafeather\'sweight。Methinksnow，wereitmydoom，Icouldbeareither，orbothatonce；butmyconscienceisstillaswhiteasHilda\'s。Doyouquestionit？"

"Heavenforbid，Miriam！"exclaimedthesculptor。

Hewasstartledatthestrangeturnwhichshehadsosuddenlygiventotheconversation。Hervoice，too，——somuchemotionwasstifledratherthanexpressedinit，soundedunnatrural。

"O，myfriend，"criedshe，withsuddenpassion，"willyoubemyfriendindeed？Iamlonely，lonely，lonely！Thereisasecretinmyheartthatburnsme，——thattorturesme！SometimesIfeartogomadofit；sometimesI

hopetodieofit；butneitherofthetwohappens。Ah，ifIcouldbutwhisperittoonlyonehumansoul！Andyou——youseefarintowomanhood；

youreceiveitwidelyintoyourlargeview。Perhaps——perhaps，butHeavenonlyknows，youmightunderstandme！O，letmespeak！"

"Miriam，dearfriend，"repliedthesculptor，"ifIcanhelpyou，speakfreely，astoabrother。"

"Helpme？No！"saidMiriam。

Kenyon\'sresponsehadbeenperfectlyfrankandkind；andyetthesubtletyofMiriam\'semotiondetectedacertainreserveandalarminhiswarmlyexpressedreadinesstohearherstory。Inhissecretsoul，tosaythetruth，thesculptordoubtedwhetheritwerewellforthispoor，sufferinggirltospeakwhatshesoyearnedtosay，orforhimtolisten。Iftherewereanyactivedutyoffriendshiptobeperformed，then，indeed，hewouldjoyfullyhavecomeforwardtodohisbest。Butifitwereonlyapent-upheartthatsoughtanoutlet？inthatcaseitwasbynomeanssocertainthataconfessionwoulddogood。Themorehersecretstruggledandfoughttobetold，themorecertainwoulditbetochangeallformerrelationsthathadsubsistedbetweenherselfandthefriendtowhomshemightrevealit。Unlesshecouldgiveherallthesympathy，andjustthekindofsympathythattheoccasionrequired，Miriamwouldhatehimbyandby，andherselfstillmore，ifheletherspeak。

ThiswaswhatKenyonsaidtohimself；buthisreluctance，afterall，andwhetherhewereconsciousofitorno，resultedfromasuspicionthathadcreptintohisheartandlaythereinadarkcorner。Obscureasitwas，whenMiriamlookedintohiseyes，shedetecteditatonce。

"Ah，Ishallhateyou！"criedshe，echoingthethoughtwhichhehadnotspoken；shewashalfchokedwiththegushofpassionthatwasthusturnedbackuponher。"Youareascoldandpitilessasyourownmarble。"

"No；butfullofsympathy，Godknows！"repliedhe。

Intruth，hissuspicions，howeverwarrantedbythemysteryinwhichMiriamwasenveloped，hadvanishedintheearnestnessofhiskindlyandsorrowfulemotion。Hewasnowreadytoreceivehertrust。

"Keepyoursympathy，then，forsorrowsthatadmitofsuchsolace，"saidshe，makingastrongefforttocomposeherself。"Asformygriefs，Iknowhowtomanagethem。Itwasallamistake：youcandonothingforme，unlessyoupetrifymeintoamarblecompanionforyourCleopatrathere；

andIamnotofhersisterhood，Ido。assureyou。Forgetthisfoolishscene，myfriend，andneverletmeseeareferencetoitinyoureyeswhentheymeetminehereafter。"

"Sinceyoudesireit，allshallbeforgotten，"answeredthesculptor，pressingherhandasshedeparted；"or，ifeverIcanserveyou，letmyreadinesstodosoberemembered。Meanwhile，dearMiriam，letusmeetinthesameclear，friendlylightasheretofore。"

"YouarelesssincerethanIthoughtyou，"saidMiriam，"ifyoutrytomakemethinkthattherewillbenochange。"

Asheattendedherthroughtheantechamber，shepointedtothestatueofthepearl-diver。

"Mysecretisnotapearl，"saidshe；"yetamanmightdrownhimselfinplungingafterit。"

AfterKenyonhadclosedthedoor，shewentwearilydownthestaircase，butpausedmidway，asifdebatingwithherselfwhethertoreturn。

"Themischiefwasdone，"thoughtshe；"andImightaswellhavehadthesolacethatoughttocomewithit。Ihavelost，——bystaggeringalittlewaybeyondthemark，intheblindnessofmydistress，Ihavelost，asweshallhereafterfind，thegenuinefriendshipofthisclear-minded，honorable，true-heartedyoungman，andallfornothing。WhatifIshouldgobackthismomentandcompelhimtolisten？"

Sheascendedtwoorthreeofthestairs，butagainpaused，murmuredtoherself，andshookherhead。

"No，no，no，"shethought；"andIwonderhowIevercametodreamofit。

UnlessIhadhisheartformyown，——andthatisHilda\'s，norwouldIstealitfromher，——itshouldneverbethetreasurePlaceofmysecret。Itisnopreciouspearl，asIjustnowtoldhim；butmydark-redcarbuncle——redasblood——istoorichagemtoputintoastranger\'scasket。"

Shewentdownthestairs，andfoundhershadowwaitingforherinthestreet。

CHAPTERXV

ANAESTHETICCOMPANY

OntheeveningafterMiriam\'svisittoKenyon\'sstudio，therewasanassemblagecomposedalmostentirelyofAnglo-Saxons，andchieflyofAmericanartists，withasprinklingoftheirEnglishbrethren；andsomefewofthetouristswhostilllingeredinRome，nowthatHolyWeekwaspast。Miriam，Hilda，andthesculptorwereallthreepresent，andwiththemDonatello，whoselifewassofarturnedfromfitsnaturalbentthat，likeapetspaniel，hefollowedhisbelovedmistresswhereverhecouldgainadmittance。

Theplaceofmeetingwasinthepalatial，butsomewhatfadedandgloomyapartmentofaneminentmemberoftheaestheticbody。Itwasnomoreformalanoccasionthanoneofthoseweeklyreceptions，commonamongtheforeignresidentsofRome，atwhichpleasantpeople——ordisagreeableones，asthecasemaybe——encounteroneanotherwithlittleceremony。

Ifanywiseinterestedinart，amanmustbedifficulttopleasewhocannotfindfitcompanionshipamongacrowdofpersons，whoseideasandpursuitsalltendtowardsthegeneralpurposeofenlargingtheworld\'sstockofbeautifulproductions。

OneofthechiefcausesthatmakeRomethefavoriteresidenceofartists——theiridealhomewhichtheysighforinadvance，andaresoloathtomigratefrom，afteroncebreathingitsenchantedair——is，doubtless，thattheytherefindthemselvesinforce，andarenumerousenoughtocreateacongenialatmosphere。Ineveryotherclimetheyareisolatedstrangers；inthislandofart，theyarefreecitizens。

Notthat，individually，orinthemass，thereappearstobeanylargestockofmutualaffectionamongthebrethrenofthechiselandthepencil。

Onthecontrary，itwillimpresstheshrewdobserverthatthejealousiesandpettyanimosities，whichthepoetsofourdayhaveflungaside，stillirritateandgnawintotheheartsofthiskindredclassofimaginativemen。

Itisnotdifficulttosuggestreasonswhythisshouldbethefact。Thepublic，inwhosegoodgracesliethesculptor\'sorthepainter\'sprospectsofsuccess，isinfinitelysmallerthanthepublictowhichliterarymenmaketheirappeal。Itiscomposedofaverylimitedbodyofwealthypatrons；andthese，astheartistwellknows，arebutblindjudgesinmattersthatrequiretheutmostdelicacyofperception。Thus，successinartisapttobecomepartlyanaffairofintrigue；anditisalmostinevitablethatevenagiftedartistshouldlookaskanceathisgiftedbrother\'sfame，andbecharyofthegoodwordthatmighthelphimtosellstillanotherstatueorpicture。Youseldomhearapainterheapgenerouspraiseonanythinginhisspeciallineofart；asculptorneverhasafavorableeyeforanymarblebuthisown。

Nevertheless，inspiteofalltheseprofessionalgrudges，artistsareconsciousofasocialwarmthfromeachother\'spresenceandcontiguity。

Theyshiverattheremembranceoftheirlonelystudiosintheunsympathizingcitiesoftheirnativeland。Forthesakeofsuchbrotherhoodastheycanfind，morethanforanygoodthattheygetfromgalleries，theylingeryearafteryearinItaly，whiletheiroriginalitydiesoutofthem，orispolishedawayasabarbarism。

Thecompanythiseveningincludedseveralmenandwomenwhomtheworldhasheardof，andmanyothers，beyondallquestion，whomitoughttoknow。Itwouldbeapleasuretointroducethemuponourhumblepages，namebyname，andhadweconfidenceenoughinourowntaste——tocrowneachwell-deservingbrowaccordingtoitsdeserts。Theopportunityistempting，butnoteasilymanageable，andfartooperilous，bothinrespecttothoseindividualswhomwemightbringforward，andthefargreaternumberthatmustneedsbeleftintheshade。Ink，moreover，isapttohaveacorrosivequality，andmightchancetoraiseablister，insteadofanymoreagreeabletitillation，onskinssosensitiveasthoseofartists。Wemustthereforeforegothedelightofilluminatingthischapterwithpersonalallusionstomenwhoserenownglowsrichlyoncanvas，orgleamsinthewhitemoonlightofmarble。

OtherWisewemightpointtoanartistwhohasstudiedNaturewithsuchtenderlovethatshetakeshimtoherintimacy，enablinghimtoreproduceherinlandscapesthatseemtherealityofabetterearth，andyetarebutthetruthoftheveryscenesaroundus，observedbythepainter\'sinsightandinterpretedforusbyhisskill。Byhismagic，themoonthrowsherlightfaroutofthepicture，andthecrimsonofthesummernightabsolutelyglimmersonthebeholder\'sface。Orwemightindicateapoetpainter，whosesonghasthevividnessofpicture，andwhosecanvasispeopledwithangels，fairies，andwatersprites，donetotheethereallife，becausehesawthemfacetofaceinhispoeticmood。Orwemightbowbeforeanartist，whohaswroughttoosincerely，tooreligiously，withtooearnestafeeling，andtoodelicateatouch，fortheworldatoncetorecognizehowmuchtoilandthoughtarecompressedintothestatelybrowofProspero，andMiranda\'smaidenloveliness；orfromwhatadepthwithinthispainter\'shearttheAngelisleadingforthSt。Peter。

Thusitwouldbeeasytogoon，perpetratingascoreoflittleepigrammaticalallusions，liketheabove，allkindlymeant，butnoneofthemquitehittingthemark，andoftenstrikingwheretheywerenotaimed。

Itmaybeallowabletosay，however，thatAmericanartismuchbetterrepresentedatRomeinthepictorialthaninthesculpturesquedepartment。

Yetthemenofmarbleappeartohavemoreweightwiththepublicthanthemenofcanvas；perhapsonaccountofthegreaterdensityandsolidsubstanceofthematerialinwhichtheywork，andthesortofphysicaladvantagewhichtheirlaborsthusacquireovertheillusiveunrealityofcolor。Tobeasculptorseemsadistinctioninitself；whereasapainterisnothing，unlessindividuallyeminent。

Onesculptortherewas，anEnglishman，endowedwithabeautifulfancy，andpossessingathisfingers\'endsthecapabilityofdoingbeautifulthings。

Hewasaquiet，simple，elderlypersonage，witheyesbrownandbright，underaslightlyimpendingbrow，andaGrecianprofile，suchashemighthavecutwithhisownchisel。Hehadspenthislife，forfortyyears，inmakingVenuses，Cupids，Bacchuses，andavastdealofothermarbleprogenyofdreamwork，orratherfrostwork：itwasallavaporyexhalationoutoftheGrecianmythology，crystallizingonthedullwindow-panesofto-day。

Giftedwithamoredelicatepowerthananyothermanalive，hehadforegonetobeaChristianreality，andpervertedhimselfintoaPaganidealist，whosebusinessorefficacy，inourpresentworld，itwouldbeexceedinglydifficulttodefine。And，lovingandreverencingthepurematerialinwhichhewrought，assurelythisadmirablesculptordid，hehadneverthelessrobbedthemarbleofitschastity，bygivingitanartificialwarmthofhue。Thusitbecameasinandshametolookathisnudegoddesses。Theyhadrevealedthemselvestohisimagination，nodoubt，withalltheirdeityaboutthem；but，bedaubedwithbuffcolor，theystoodforthtotheeyesoftheprofaneintheguiseofnakedwomen。But，whatevercriticismmaybeventuredonhisstyle，itwasgoodtomeetamansomodestandyetimbuedwithsuchthoroughandsimpleconvictionofhisownrightprinciplesandpractice，andsoquietlysatisfiedthathiskindofantiqueachievementwasallthatsculpturecouldeffectformodernlife。

Thiseminentperson\'sweightandauthorityamonghisartisticbrethrenwereveryevident；forbeginningunobtrusivelytoutterhimselfonatopicofart，hewassoonthecentreofalittlecrowdofyoungersculptors。

Theydrankinhiswisdom，asifitwouldserveallthepurposesoforiginalinspiration；he，meanwhile，discoursingwithgentlecalmness，asiftherecouldpossiblybenootherside，andoftenratifying，asitwere，hisownconclusionsbyamildlyemphatic"Yes。"

TheveteranSculptor\'sunsoughtaudiencewascomposedmostlyofourowncountrymen。Itisfairtosay，thattheywereabodyofverydexterousandcapableartists，eachofwhomhadprobablygiventhedelightedpublicanudestatue，orhadwoncreditforevenhigherskillbythenicecarvingofbuttonholes，shoe-ties，coat-seams，shirt-bosoms，andothersuchgracefulpeculiaritiesofmoderncostume。Smart，practicalmentheydoubtlesswere，andsomeofthemfarmorethanthis，butstillnotpreciselywhatanuninitiatedpersonlooksforinasculptor。Asculptor，indeed，tomeetthedemandswhichourpreconceptionsmakeuponhim，shouldbeevenmoreindispensablyapoetthanthosewhodealinmeasuredverseandrhyme。Hismaterial，orinstrument，whichserveshiminthesteadofshiftingandtransitorylanguage，isapure，white，undecayingsubstance。

Itinsuresimmortalitytowhateveriswroughtinit，andthereforemakesitareligiousobligationtocommitnoideatoitsmightyguardianship，savesuchasmayrepaythemarbleforitsfaithfulcare，itsincorruptiblefidelity，bywarmingitwithanethereallife。Underthisaspect，marbleassumesasacredcharacter；andnomanshoulddaretotouchitunlesshefeelswithinhimselfacertainconsecrationandapriesthood，theonlyevidenceofwhich，forthepubliceye，willhethehightreatmentofheroicsubjects，orthedelicateevolutionofspiritual，throughmaterialbeauty。

Noideassuchastheforegoing——nomisgivingssuggestedbythemprobably，troubledtheself-complacencyofmostofthesecleversculptors。Marble，intheirview，hadnosuchsanctityasweimputetoit。ItwasmerelyasortofwhitelimestonefromCarrara，cutintoconvenientblocks，andworth，inthatstate，abouttwoorthreedollarsperpound；anditwassusceptibleofbeingwroughtintocertainshapes(bytheirownmechanicalingenuity，orthatofartisansintheiremployment)whichwouldenablethemtosellitagainatamuchhigherfigure。Suchmen，onthestrengthofsomesmallknackinhandlingclay，whichmighthavebeenfitlyemployedinmakingwax-work，areboldtocallthemselvessculptors。Howterribleshouldbethethoughtthatthenudewomanwhomthemodernartistpatchestogether，bitbybit，fromadozenheterogeneousmodels，meaningnothingbyher，shalllastaslongastheVenusoftheCapitol！——thathisgroupof——nomatterwhat，sinceithasnomoralorintellectualexistencewillnotphysicallycrumbleanysoonerthantheimmortalagonyoftheLaocoon！

Yetwelovetheartists，ineverykind；eventhese，whosemeritswearenotquiteabletoappreciate。Sculptors，painters，crayonsketchers，orwhateverbranchofaestheticstheyadopted，werecertainlypleasanterpeople，aswesawthemthatevening，thantheaveragewhomwemeetinordinarysociety。Theywerenotwhollyconfinedwithinthesordidcompassofpracticallife；theyhadapursuitwhich，iffollowedfaithfullyout，wouldleadthemtothebeautiful，andalwayshadatendencythitherward，eveniftheylingeredtogatherupgoldendrossbythewayside。Theiractualbusiness(thoughtheytalkedaboutitverymuchasothermentalkofcotton，politics，flourbarrels，andsugar)necessarilyilluminatedtheirconversationwithsomethingakintotheideal。So，whentheguestscollectedthemselvesinlittlegroups，hereandthere，inthewidesaloon，acheerfulandairygossipbegantobeheard。Theatmosphereceasedtobepreciselythatofcommonlife；ahint，mellowtinge，suchasweseeinpictures，mingleditselfwiththelamplight。

Thisgoodeffectwasassistedbymanycuriouslittletreasuresofart，whichthehosthadtakencaretostrewuponhistables。TheywereprincipallysuchbitsofantiquityasthesoilofRomeanditsneighborhoodarestillrichin；seals，gems，smallfiguresofbronze，mediaevalcarvingsinivory；thingswhichhadbeenobtainedatlittlecost，yetmighthavebornenoinconsiderablevalueinthemuseumofavirtuoso。

Asinterestingasanyoftheserelicswasalargeportfolioofolddrawings，someofwhich，intheopinionoftheirpossessor，boreevidenceontheirfacesofthetouchofmaster-hands。Veryraggedandillconditionedtheymostlywere，yellowwithtime，andtatteredwithroughusage；and，intheirbestestate，thedesignshadbeenscratchedrudelywithpenandink，oncoarsepaper，or，ifdrawnwithcharcoalorapencil，werenowhalfrubbedout。Youwouldnotanywhereseerougherandhomelierthingsthanthese。Butthishastyrudenessmadethesketchesonlythemorevaluable；becausetheartistseemedtohavebestirredhimselfatthepinchofthemoment，snatchingupwhatevermaterialwasnearest，soastoseizethefirstglimpseofanideathatmightvanishinthetwinklingofaneye。Thus，bythespellofacreased，soiled，anddiscoloredscrapofpaper，youwereenabledtostealclosetoanoldmaster，andwatchhimintheveryeffervescenceofhisgenius。

Accordingtothejudgmentofseveralcon-，noisseurs，Raphael\'sownhandhadcommunidateditsmagnetismtooneofthesesketches；and，ifgenuine，itwasevidentlyhisfirstconceptionofafavoriteMadonna，nowhangingintheprivateapartmentoftheGrandDuke，atFlorence。AnotherdrawingwasattributedtoLeonardodaVinci，andappearedtobeasomewhatvarieddesignforhispictureofModestyandVanity，intheSciarraPalace。

Therewereatleasthalfadozenothers，towhichtheownerassignedashighanorigin。Itwasdelightfultobelieveintheirauthenticity，atallevents；forthesethingsmakethespectatormorevividlysensibleofagreatpainter\'spower，thanthefinalglowandperfectedartofthemostconsummatepicturethatmayhavebeenelaboratedfromthem。Thereisaneffluenceofdivinityinthefirstsketch；andthere，ifanywhere，youfindthepurelightofinspiration，whichthesubsequenttoiloftheartistservestobringoutinstrongerlustre，indeed，butlikewiseadulteratesitwithwhatbelongstoaninferiormood。Thearomaandfragranceofnewthoughtswereperceptibleinthesedesigns，afterthreecenturiesofwearandtear。Thecharmlaypartlyintheirveryimperfection；forthisissuggestive，andsetstheimaginationatwork；

whereas，thefinishedpicture，ifagoodone，leavesthespectatornothingtodo，and，ifbad，confuses，stupefies，disenchants，anddisheartenshim。

Hildawasgreatlyinterestedinthisrichportfolio。Shelingeredsolongoveroneparticularsketch，thatMiriamaskedherwhatdiscoveryshehadmade。

"Lookatitcarefully，"repliedHilda，puttingthesketchintoherhands。

"Ifyoutakepainstodisentanglethedesignfromthosepencil~marksthatseemtohavebeenscrawledoverit，Ithinkyouwillseesomethingverycurious。"

"Itisahopelessaffair，Iamafraid，"saidMiriam。"Ihaveneitheryourfaith，dearHilda，noryourperceptivefaculty。Fie！whatablurredscrawlitisindeed！"

Thedrawinghadoriginallybeenveryslight，andhadsufferedmorefromtimeandhardusagethanalmostanyotherinthecollection；itappeared，too，thattherehadbeenanattempt(perhapsbytheveryhandthatdrewit)toobliteratethedesign。ByHilda\'shelp，however，Miriamprettydistinctlymadeoutawingedfigurewithadrawnsword，andadragon，orademon，prostrateathisfeet。

"Iamconvinced，"saidHildainalow，reverentialtone，"thatGuido\'sowntouchesareonthatancientscrapofpaper！Ifso，itmustbehisoriginalsketchforthepictureoftheArchangelMichaelsettinghisfootuponthedemon，intheChurchoftheCappuccini。Thecompositionandgeneralarrangementofthesketcharethesamewiththoseofthepicture；

theonlydifferencebeing，thatthedemonhasamoreupturnedface，andscowlsvindictivelyattheArchangel，whoturnsawayhiseyesinpainfuldisgust。"

"Nowonder！"respondedMiriam。"TheexpressionsuitsthedaintinessofMichael\'scharacter，asGuidorepresentshim。Henevercouldhavelookedthedemonintheface！"

"Miriam！"exclaimedherfriendreproachfully，"yougrieveme，andyouknowit，bypretendingtospeakcontemptuouslyofthemostbeautifulandthedivinestfigurethatmortalpaintereverdrew。"

"Forgiveme，Hilda！"saidMiriam。"YoutakethesemattersmorereligiouslythanIcan，formylife。Guido\'sArchangelisafinepicture，ofcourse，butitneverimpressedmeasitdoesyOU。"

"Well；wewillnottalkofthat，"answeredHilda。"WhatIwantedyoutonotice，inthissketch，isthefaceofthedemon。Itisentirelyunlikethedemonofthefinishedpicture。Guido，youknow，alwaysaffirmedthattheresemblancetoCardinalPamfiliwaseithercasualorimaginary。Now，hereisthefaceashefirstconceivedit。"

"Andamoreenergeticdemon，altogether，thanthatofthefinishedpicture，"

saidKenyon，takingthesketchintohishand。"Whataspiritisconveyedintotheuglinessofthisstrong，writhing，squirmingdragon，undertheArchangel\'sfoot！Neitheristhefaceanimpossibleone。Uponmyword，Ihaveseenitsomewhere，andontheshouldersofalivingman！"

"AndsohaveI，"saidHilda。"Itwaswhatstruckmefromthefirst。"

"Donatello，lookatthisface！"criedKenyon。

TheyoungItalian，asmaybesupposed，tooklittleinterestinmattersofart，andseldomorneverventuredanopinionrespectingthem。Afterholdingthesketchasingleinstantinhishand，heflungitfromhimwithashudderofdisgustandrepugnance，andafrownthathadallthebitternessofhatred。

"Iknowthefacewell！"whisperedhe。"ItisMiriam\'smodel！"

ItwasacknowledgedbothbyKenyonandHildathattheyhaddetected，orfancied，theresemblancewhichDonatellosostronglyaffirmed；anditaddednotalittletothegrotesqueandweirdcharacterwhich，halfplayfully，halfseriously，theyassignedtoMiriam\'sattendant，tothinkofhimaspersonatingthedemon\'spartinapictureofmorethantwocenturiesago。HadGuido，inhisefforttoimaginetheutmostofsinandmisery，whichhispencilcouldrepresent，hitideallyuponjustthisface？

Orwasitanactualportraitofsomebody，thathauntedtheoldmaster，asMiriamwashauntednow？Didtheominousshadowfollowhimthroughallthesunshineofhisearliercareer，andintothegloomthatgatheredaboutitsclose？AndwhenGuidodied，didthespectrebetakehimselftothoseancientsepulchres，thereawaitinganewvictim，tillitwasMiriam\'sill-haptoencounterhim？

"Idonotacknowledgetheresemblanceatall，"saidMiriam，lookingnarrowlyatthesketch；"and，asIhavedrawnthefacetwentytimes，I

thinkyouwillownthatIamthebestjudge。"

Adiscussionherearose，inreferencetoGuido\'sArchangel，anditwasagreedthatthesefourfriendsshouldvisittheChurchoftheCappuccinithenextmorning，andcriticallyexaminethepictureinquestion；thesimilaritybetweenitandthesketchbeing，atallevents，averycuriouscircumstance。

Itwasnowalittlepastteno\'clock，whensomeofthecompany，whohadbeenstandinginabalcony，declaredthemoonlighttoberesplendent。

Theyproposedaramblethroughthestreets，takingintheirwaysomeofthosescenesofruinwhichproducedtheirbesteffectsunderthesplendoroftheItalianmoon。

CHAPTERXVI

AMOONLIGHTRAMBLE

Theproposalforamoonlightramblewasreceivedwithacclamationbyalltheyoungerportionofthecompany。Theyimmediatelysetforthanddescendedfromstorytostory，dimlylightingtheirwaybywaxentapers，whichareanecessaryequipmenttothosewhosethoroughfare，inthenight-time，liesupanddownaRomanstaircase。Emergingfromthecourtyardoftheedifice，theylookedupwardandsawtheskyfulloflight，whichseemedtohaveadelicatepurpleorcrimsonlustre，or，atleastsomerichertingethanthecold，whitemoonshineofotherskies。Itgleamedoverthefrontoftheoppositepalace，showingthearchitecturalornamentsofitscorniceandpillaredportal，aswellastheironbarredbasementwindows，thatgavesuchaprison-likeaspecttothestructure，andtheshabbinessandSqualorthatlayalongitsbase。Acobblerwasjustshuttinguphislittleshop，inthebasementofthepalace；acigarvender\'slanternflaredintheblastthatcamethroughthearchway；aFrenchsentinelpacedtoandfrobeforetheportal；ahomelessdog，thathauntedthereabouts，barkedasobstreperouslyatthepartyasifhewerethedomesticguardianoftheprecincts。

Theairwasquietlyfullofthenoiseoffallingwater，thecauseofwhichwasnowherevisible，thoughapparentlynearathand。Thispleasant，naturalsound，notunlikethatofadistantcascadeintheforest，maybeheardinmanyoftheRomanstreetsandpiazzas，whenthetumultofthecityishushed；forconsuls，emperors，andpopes，thegreatmenofeveryage，havefoundnobetterwayofimmortalizingtheirmemoriesthanbytheshifting，indestructible，evernew，yetunchanging，upgushanddownfallofwater。Theyhavewrittentheirnamesinthatunstable。element，andproveditamoredurablerecordthanbrassormarble。

"Donatello，youhadbettertakeoneofthosegay，boyishartistsforyourcompanion，"saidMiriam，whenshefoundtheItalianyouthatherside。"I

amnotnowinamerrymood，aswhenwesetalltheworlda-dancingtheotherafternoon，intheBorghesegrounds。"

"Ineverwishtodanceanymore，"answeredDonatello。

"Whatamelancholywasinthattone！"exclaimedMiriam。"YouaregettingspoiltinthisdrearyRome，andwillbeaswiseandaswretchedasalltherestofmankind，unlessyougobacksoontoyourTuscanvineyards。Well；

givemeyourarm，then！Buttakecarethatnofriskinesscomesoveryou。

Wemustwalkevenlyandheavilyto-night！"

Thepartyarrangeditselfaccordingtoitsnaturalaffinitiesorcasuallikings；asculptorgenerallychoosingapainter，andapainterasculp——tor，forhiscompanion，inpreferencetobrethrenoftheirownart。

KenyonwouldgladlyhavetakenHildatohimself，andhavedrawnheralittleasidefromthethrongofmerrywayfarers。ButshekeptnearMiriam，andseemed，inhergentleandquietway，todeclineaseparateallianceeitherwithhimoranyotherofheracquaintances。

Sotheysetforth，andhadgonebutalittleway，whenthenarrowstreetemergedintoapiazza，ononesideofwhich，glisteninganddimplinginthemoonlight，wasthemostfamousfountaininRome。Itsmurmur——nottosayitsuproar——hadbeenintheearsofthecompany，eversincetheycameintotheopenair。ItwastheFountainofTrevi，whichdrawsitspreciouswaterfromasourcefarbeyondthewalls，whenceitflowshitherwardthrougholdsubterraneanaqueducts，andsparklesforthaspureasthevirginwhofirstledAgrippatoitswell-spring，byherfather\'sdoor。

"Ishallsipasmuchofthiswaterasthehollowofmyhandwillhold，"

saidMiriam。

"IamleavingRomeinafewdays；andthetraditiongoes，thatapartingdraughtattheFountainofTreviinsuresthetraveller\'sreturn，whateverobstaclesandimprobabilitiesmayseemtobesethim。Willyoudrink，Donatello？"

"Signorina，whatyoudrink，Idrink，"saidtheyouth。

Theyandtherestofthepartydescendedsomestepstothewater\'sbrim，and，afterasiportwo，stoodgazingattheabsurddesignofthefountain，wheresomesculptorofBernini\'sschoolhadgoneabsolutelymadinmarble。

Itwasagreatpalacefront，withnichesandmanybas-reliefs，outofwhichlookedAgrippa\'slegendaryvirgin，andseveraloftheallegoricsisterhood；while，atthebase，appearedNeptune，withhisflounderingsteeds，andTritonsblowingtheirhornsabouthim，andtwentyotherartificialfantasies，whichthecalmmoonlightsoothedintobettertastethanwasnativetothem。

And，afterall，itwasasmagnificentapieceofworkaseverhumanskillcontrived。Atthefootofthepalatialfacadewasstrewn，withcarefulartandorderedirregularity，abroadandbrokenheapofmassiverock，lookingisifitmighthavelaintheresincethedeluge。Overacentralprecipicefellthewater，inasemicircularcascade；andfromahundredcrevices，onallsides，snowyjetsgushedup，andstreamsspoutedoutofthemouthsandnostrilsofstonemonsters，andfellinglisteningdrops；

whileotherrivulets，thathadrunwild，cameleapingfromonerudesteptoanother，overstonesthatweremossy，slimy，andgreenwithsedge，because，inaCenturyoftheirwildplay，NaturehadadoptedtheFountainofTrevi，withallitselaboratedevices，forherown。Finally，thewater，tumbling，sparkling，anddashing，withjoyoushasteandnever-ceasingmurmur，poureditselfintoagreatmarble-brimmedreservoir，andfilleditwithaquiveringtide；onwhichwasseen，continually，asnowysemicircleofmomentaryfoamfromtheprincipalcascade，aswellasamultitudeofsnowpointsfromsmallerjets。Thebasinoccupiedthewholebreadthofthepiazza，whenceflightsofstepsdescendedtoitsborder。Aboatmightfloat，andmakevoyagesfromoneshoretoanotherinthismimiclake。

Inthedaytime，thereishardlyaliveliersceneinRomethantheneighborhoodoftheFountainofTrevi；forthepiazzaisthenfilledwiththestallsofvegetableandfruitdealers，chestnutroasters，cigarvenders，andotherpeople，whosepettyandwanderingtrafficistransactedintheopenair。Itislikewisethrongedwithidlers，loungingovertheironrailing，andwithForestieri，whocamehithertoseethefamousfountain。Here，also，areseenmenwithbuckets，urchinswithcans，andmaidens(apictureasoldasthepatriarchaltimes)bearingtheirpitchersupontheirheads。ForthewaterofTreviisinrequest，farandwide，asthemostrefreshingdraughtforfeverishlips，thepleasantesttominglewithwine，andthewholesomesttodrink，initsnativepurity，thatcananywherebefound。Butnow，atearlymidnight，thepiazzawasasolitude；

anditwasadelighttobeholdthisuntamablewater，sportingbyitselfinthemoonshine，andcompellingalltheelaboratetrivialitiesofarttoassumeanaturalaspect，inaccordancewithitsownpowerfulsimplicity。

"Whatwouldbedonewiththiswaterpower，"suggestedanartist，"ifwehaditinoneofourAmericancities？Wouldtheyemployittoturnthemachineryofacottonmill，Iwonder？"

"Thegoodpeoplewouldpulldownthoserampantmarbledeities，"saidKenyon，"and，possibly，theywouldgivemeacommissiontocarvetheone-and-thirty(isthatthenumber？)sisterStates，eachpouringasilverstreamfromaseparatecanintoonevastbasin，whichshouldrepresentthegrandreservoirofnationalprosperity。"

"Or，iftheywantedabitofsatire，"remarkedanEnglishartist，"youcouldsetthosesameone-and-thirtyStatestocleansingthenationalflagofanystainsthatitmayhaveincurred。TheRomanwasherwomenatthelavatoryyonder，plyingtheirlaborintheopenair，wouldserveadmirablyasmodels。"

"Ihaveoftenintendedtovisitthisfountainbymoonlight，"，saidMiriam，"becauseitwasherethattheinterviewtookplacebetweenCorinneandLordNeville，aftertheirseparationandtemporaryestrangement。Praycomebehindme，oneofyou，andletmetrywhetherthefacecanberecognizedinthewater。"

Leaningoverthestonebrimofthebasin，sheheardfootstepsstealingbehindher，andknewthatsomebodywaslookingoverhershoulder。ThemoonshinefelldirectlybehindMiriam，illuminatingthepalacefrontandthewholesceneofstatuesandrocks，andfillingthebasin，asitwere，withtremulousandpalpablelight。Corinne，itwillberemembered，knewLordNevillebythereflectionofhisfaceinthewater。InMiriam\'scase，however(owingtotheagitationofthewater，itstransparency，andtheangleatwhichshewascompelledtoleanover)，noreflectedimageappeared；nor，fromthesamecauses，wouldithavebeenpossiblefortherecognitionbetweenCorinneandherlovertotakeplace。Themoon，indeed，flungMiriam\'sshadowatthebottomofthebasin，aswellastwomoreshadowsofpersonswhohadfollowedher，oneitherside，"Threeshadows！"exclaimedMiriam——"threeseparateshadows，allsoblackandheavythattheysinkinthewater！Theretheylieonthebottom，asifallthreeweredrownedtogether。ThisshadowonmyrightisDonatello；

Iknowhimbyhiscurls，andtheturnofhishead。Myleft-handcompanionpuzzlesme；ashapelessmass，asindistinctasthepremonitionofcalamity！Whichofyoucanitbe？Ah！"

Shehadturnedround，whilespeaking，andsawbesideherthestrangecreaturewhoseattendanceonherwasalreadyfamiliar，asamarvelandajest；tothewholecompanyofartists。Ageneralburstoflaughterfollowedtherecognition；whilethemodelleanedtowardsMiriam，assheshrankfromhim，andmutteredsomethingthatwasinaudibletothosewhowitnessedthescene。Byhisgestures，however，theyconcludedthathewasinvitinghertobatheherhands。

"HecannotbeanItalian；atleastnotaRoman，"observedanartist。"I

neverknewoneofthemtocareaboutablution。Seehimnow！Itisasifheweretryingtowashoff\'thetime-stainsandearthlysoilofathousandyears！"

Dippinghishandsintothecapaciouswashbowlbeforehim，themodelrubbedthemtogetherwiththeutmostvehemence。Everandanon，too，hepeepedintothewater，asifexpectingtoseethewholeFountainofTreviturbidwiththeresultsofhisablution。Miriamlookedathim，somelittletime，withanaspectofrealterror，andevenimitatedhimbyleaningovertopeepintothebasin。Recoveringherself，shetookupsomeofthewaterinthehollowofherhand，andpractisedanoldformofexorcismbyflingingitinherpersecutor\'sface。

"InthenameofalltheSaints，"criedshe，"vanish，Demon，andletmebefreeofyounowandforever！"

"Itwillnotsuffice，"saidsomeofthemirthfulparty，"unlesstheFountainofTrevigusheswithholywater。"

Infact，theexorcismwasquiteineffectualuponthepertinaciousdemon，orwhatevertheapparitionmightbe。Stillhewashedhisbrown，bonytalons；stillhepeeredintothevastbasin，asifallthewaterofthatgreatdrinking-cupofRomemustneedsbestainedblackorsanguine；andstillhegesticulatedtoMiriamtofollowhisexample。Thespectatorslaughedloudly，butyetwithakindofconstraint；forthecreature\'saspectwasstrangelyrepulsiveandhideous。

MiriamfeltherarmseizedviolentlybyDonatello。Shelookedathim，andbeheldatigerlikefurygleamingfromhiswildeyes。

"Bidmedrownhim！"whisperedhe，shudderingbetweenrageandhorribledisgust。"Youshallhearhisdeathgurgleinanotherinstant！"

"Peace，peace，Donatello！"saidMiriamsoothingly，forthisnaturallygentleandsportivebeingseemedallaflamewithanimalrage。"Dohimnomischief！Heismad；andweareasmadashe，ifwesufferourselvestobedisquietedbyhisantics。Letusleavehimtobathehishandstillthefountainrundry，ifhefindsolaceandpastimeinit。Whatisittoyouorme，Donatello？There，there！Bequiet，foolishboy！"

Hertoneandgestureweresuchasshemighthaveusedintamingdownthewrathofafaithfulhound，thathadtakenuponhimselftoavengesomesupposedaffronttohismistress。Shesmoothedtheyoungman\'scurls(forhisfierceandsuddenfuryseemedtobristleamonghishair)，andtouchedhischeekwithhersoftpalm，tillhisangrymoodwasalittleassuaged。

"Signorina，doIlookaswhenyoufirstknewme？"askedhe，withaheavy，tremuloussigh，astheywentonward，somewhatapartfromtheircompanions。

"Methinkstherehasbeenachangeuponme，thesemanymonths；andmoreandmore，theselastfewdays。Thejoyisgoneoutofmylife；allgone！

allgone！Feelmyhand！Isitnotveryhot？Ah；andmyheartburnshotterstill！"

"MypoorDonatello，youareill！"saidMiriam，withdeepsympathyandpity。"ThismelancholyandsicklyRomeisstealingawaytherich，joyouslifethatbelongstoyou。Goback，mydearfriend，toyourhomeamongthehills，where(asIgatherfromwhatyouhavetoldme)yourdayswerefilledwithsimpleandblamelessdelights。Haveyoufoundaughtintheworldthatisworth\'whatyouthereenjoyed？Tellmetruly，Donatello！"

"Yes！"repliedtheyoungman。

"Andwhat，inHeaven\'sname？"askedshe。

"Thisburningpaininmyheart，"saidDonatello；"foryouareinthemidstofit。"

Bythistime，theyhadlefttheFountainofTreviconsiderablybehindthem。

Littlefurtherallusionwasmadetothesceneatitsmargin；forthepartyregardedMiriam\'spersecutorasdiseasedinhiswits，andwerehardlytobesurprisedbyanyeccentricityinhisdeportment。

Threadingseveralnarrowstreets，theypassedthroughthePiazzaoftheHolyApostles，andsooncametoTrajan\'sForum。AlloverthesurfaceofwhatoncewasRome，itseemstobetheeffortofTimetoburyuptheancientcity，asifitwereacorpse，andhethesexton；sothat，ineighteencenturies，thesoiloveritsgravehasgrownverydeep，bytheslowscatteringofdust，andtheaccumulationofmoremoderndecayuponolderruin。

Thiswasthefate，also，ofTrajan\'sForum，untilsomepapalantiquary，afewhundredyearsago，begantohollowitoutagain，anddisclosedthefullheightofthegiganticcolumnwreathedroundwithbas-reliefsoftheoldemperor\'swarlikedeeds。Intheareabeforeitstandsagroveofstone，consistingofthebrokenandunequalshaftsofavanishedtemple，stillkeepingamajesticorder，andapparentlyincapableoffurtherdemolition。Themodernedificesofthepiazza(whollybuilt，nodoubt，outofthespoilofitsoldmagnificence)lookdownintothehollowspacewhencethesepillarsrise。

Oneoftheimmensegraygraniteshaftslayinthepiazza，onthevergeofthearea。Itwasagreat，solidfactofthePast，makingoldRomeactuallysensibletothetouchandeye；andnostudyofhistory，norforceofthought，normagicofsong，couldsovitallyassureusthatRomeonceexisted，asthissturdyspecimenofwhatitsrulersandpeoplewrought。

"Andsee！"saidKenyon，layinghishanduponit，"thereisstillapolishremainingonthehardsubstanceofthepillar；andevennow，lateasitis，Icanfeelverysensiblythewarmthofthenoondaysun，whichdiditsbesttoheatitthrough。Thisshaftwillendureforever。Thepolishofeighteencenturiesago，asyetbuthalfrubbedoff，andtheheatofto-day\'ssunshine，lingeringintothenight，seemalmostequallyephemeralinrelationtoit。"

"Thereiscomforttobefoundinthepillar，"remarkedMiriam，"hardandheavyasitis。Lyinghereforever，asitwill，itmakesallhumantroubleappearbutamomentaryannoyance。"

"Andhumanhappinessasevanescenttoo，"observedHilda，sighing；"andbeautifularthardlylessso！Idonotlovetothinkthatthisdullstone，merelybyitsmassiveness，willlastinfinitelylongerthananypicture，inspiteofthespirituallifethatoughttogiveitimmortality！"

"MypoorlittleHilda，"saidMiriam，kissinghercompassionately，"wouldyousacrificethisgreatestmortalconsolation，whichwederivefromthetransitorinessofallthings，fromtherightofsaying，ineveryconjecture，\'This，too，willpassaway，\'wouldyougiveupthisunspeakableboon，forthesakeofmakingapictureeternal？"

Theirmoralizingstrainwasinterruptedbyademonstrationfromtherestoftheparty，who，aftertalkingandlaughingtogether，suddenlyjoinedtheirvoices，andshoutedatfullpitch，"Trajan！Trajan！"

"Whydoyoudeafenuswithsuchanuproar？"inquiredMiriam。

Intruth，thewholepiazzahadbeenfilledwiththeiridlevociferation；

theechoesfromthesurroundinghousesreverberatingthecryof"Trajan，"

onallsides；asiftherewasagreatsearchforthatimperialpersonage，andnotsomuchasahandfulofhisashestobefound。

"Why，itwasagoodopportunitytoairourvoicesinthisresoundingpiazza，"repliedoneoftheartists。"Besides，wehadreallysomehopesofsummoningTrajantolookathiscolumn，which，youknow，heneversawinhislifetime。Hereisyourmodel(who，theysay，livedandsinnedbeforeTrajan\'sdeath)stillwanderingaboutRome；andwhynottheEmperorTrajan？"

"Deademperorshaveverylittledelightintheircolumns，Iamafraid，"

observedKenyon。"AllthatrichsculptureofTrajan\'sbloodywarfare，twiningfromthebaseofthepillartoitscapital，maybebutanuglyspectacleforhisghostlyeyes，ifheconsidersthatthishuge，storiedshaftmustbelaidbeforethejudgment-seat，asapieceoftheevidenceofwhathedidintheflesh。IfeverIamemployedtosculptureahero\'smonument，Ishallthinkofthis，asIputinthebas-reliefsofthepedestal！"

"Therearesermonsinstones，"saidHildathoughtfully，smilingatKenyon\'smorality；"andespeciallyinthestonesofRome。"

Thepartymovedon，butdeviatedalittlefromthestraightway，inordertoglanceattheponderousremainsofthetempleofMarsUltot，withinwhichaconventofnunsisnowestablished，——adove-cote，inthewar-god\'smansion。Atonlyalittledistance，theypassedtheporticoofaTempleofMinerva，mostrichandbeautifulinarchitecture，butwoefullygnawedbytimeandshatteredbyviolence，besidesbeingburiedmidwayintheaccumulationofsoil，thatrisesoverdeadRomelikeafloodtide。Withinthisedificeofantiquesanctity，abaker\'sshopwasnowestablished，withanentranceononeside；for，everywhere，theremnantsofoldgrandeuranddivinityhavebeenmadeavailableforthemeanestnecessitiesoftoday。

"Thebakerisjustdrawinghisloavesoutoftheoven，"remarkedKenyon。

"Doyousmellhowsourtheyare？IshouldfancythatMinerva(inrevengeforthedesecrationofhertemple)hadslylypouredvinegarintothebatch，ifIdidnotknowthatthemodernRomansprefertheirbreadintheacetousfermentation。"

TheyturnedintotheViaAlessandria，andthusgainedtherearoftheTempleofPeace，and，passingbeneathitsgreatarches，pursuedtheirwayalongahedge-borderedlane。Inallprobability，astatelyRomanstreetlayburiedbeneaththatrustic-lookingpathway；fortheyhadnowemergedfromthecloseandnarrowavenuesofthemoderncity，andweretreadingonasoilwheretheseedsofantiquegrandeurhadnotyetproducedthesqualidcropthatelsewheresproutsfromthem。Grassyasthelanewas，itskirtedalongheapsofshapelessruin，andthebaresiteofthevasttemplethatHadrianplannedandbuilt。Itterminatedontheedgeofasomewhatabruptdescent，atthefootofwhich，withamuddyditchbetween，rose，inthebrightmoonlight，thegreatcurvingwallandmultitudinousarchesoftheColiseum。

CHAPTERXVII

MIRIAM\'STROUBLE

Asusualofamoonlightevening，severalcarriagesstoodattheentranceofthisfamousruin，andtheprecinctsandinteriorwereanythingbutasolitude。TheFrenchsentinelondutybeneaththeprincipalarchwayeyedourpartycuriously，butofferednoobstacletotheiradmission。Within，themoonlightfilledandfloodedthegreatemptyspace；itglowedupontierabovetierofruined，grass-grownarches，andmadethemeventoodistinctlyvisible。ThesplendoroftherevelationtookawaythatinestimableeffectofdimnessandmysterybywhichtheimaginationmightbeassistedtobuildagranderstructurethantheColiseum，andtoshatteritwithamorepicturesquedecay。Byron\'scelebrateddescriptionisbetterthanthereality。Hebeheldthesceneinhismind\'seye，throughthewitcheryofmanyinterveningyears，andfaintlyilluminateditasifwithstarlightinsteadofthisbroadglowofmoonshine。

Thepartyofourfriendssatdown，threeorfourofthemonaprostratecolumn，anotheronashapelesslumpofmarble，onceaRomanaltar；othersonthestepsofoneoftheChristianshrines。Gothsandbarbariansthoughtheywere，theychattedasgaylytogetherasiftheybelongedtothegentleandpleasantraceofpeoplewhonowinhabitItaly。TherewasmuchpastimeandgayetyjustthenintheareaoftheColiseum，wheresomanygladiatorsandWildbeastshadfoughtanddied，andwheresomuchbloodofChristianmartyrshadbeenlappedupbythatfiercestofwildbeasts，theRomanpopulaceofyore。Someyouthsandmaidenswererunningmerryracesacrosstheopenspace，andplayingathideandseekalittlewaywithintheduskinessofthegroundtierofarches，whencenowandthenyoucouldhearthehalf-shriek，halflaughofafrolicsomegirl，whomtheshadowhadbetrayedintoayoungman\'sarms。Eldergroupswereseatedonthefragmentsofpillarsandblocksofmarblethatlayroundthevergeofthearena，talkinginthequick，shortrippleoftheItaliantongue。OnthestepsofthegreatblackcrossinthecentreoftheColiseumsatapartysingingscrapsofsongs，withmuchlaughterandmerrimentbetweenthestanzas。

Itwasastrangeplaceforsongandmirth。Thatblackcrossmarksoneofthespecialblood-spotsoftheearthwhere，thousandsoftimesover，thedyinggladiatorfell，andmoreofhumanagonyhasbeenenduredforthemerepastimeofthemultitudethanonthebreadthofmanybattlefields。

Fromallthiscrimeandsuffering，however，thespothasderivedamorethancommonsanctity。Aninscriptionpromisessevenyears\'indulgence，sevenyearsofremissionfromthepainsofpurgatory，andearlierenjoymentofheavenlybliss，foreachseparatekissimprintedontheblackcross。Whatbetterusecouldbemadeoflife，aftermiddleage，whentheaccumulatedsinsaremanyandtheremainingtemptationsfew，thantospenditallinkissingtheblackcrossoftheColiseum！

Besidesitscentralconsecration，thewholeareahasbeenmadesacredbyarangeofshrines，whichareerectedroundthecircle，eachcommemoratingsomesceneorcircumstanceoftheSaviour\'spassionandsuffering。Inaccordancewithanordinarycustom，apilgrimwasmakinghisprogressfromshrinetoshrineuponhisknees，andsayingapenitentialprayerateach。

Light-footedgirlsranacrossthepathalongwhichhecrept，orsportedwiththeirfriendsclosebytheshrineswherehewaskneeling。Thepilgrimtooknoheed，andthegirlsmeantnoirreverence；forinItalyreligionjostlesalongsidebysidewithbusinessandsport，afterafashionofitsown，andpeopleareaccustomedtokneeldownandpray，orseeotherspraying，betweentwofitsofmerriment，orbetweentwosins。

Tomakeanendofourdescription，aredtwinkleoflightwasvisibleamidthebreadthofshadowthatfellacrosstheupperpartoftheColiseum。

Nowitglimmeredthroughalineofarches，orthrewabroadergleamasitroseoutofsomeprofoundabyssofruin；nowitwasmuffledbyaheapofshrubberywhichhadadventurouslyclamberedtothatdizzyheight；andsotheredlightkeptascendingtoloftierandloftierrangesofthestructure，untilitstoodlikeastarwheretheblueskyrestedagainsttheColiseum\'stopmostwall。ItindicatedapartyofEnglishorAmericanspayingtheinevitablevisitbymoonlight，andexaltingthemselveswithrapturesthatwereByron\'s，nottheirown。

Ourcompanyofartistssatonthefallencolumn，thepaganaltar，andthestepsoftheChristianshrine，enjoyingthemoonlightandshadow，thepresentgayetyandthegloomyreminiscencesofthescene，inalmostequalshare。Artists，indeed，areliftedbytheidealityoftheirpursuitsalittlewayofftheearth，andarethereforeabletocatchtheevanescentfragrancethatfloatsintheatmosphereoflifeabovetheheadsoftheordinarycrowd。Eveniftheyseemendowedwithlittleimaginationindividually，yetthereisaproperty，agift，atalisman，commontotheirclass，entitlingthemtopartakesomewhatmorebountifullythanotherpeopleinthethindelightsofmoonshineandromance。

"Howdelightfulthisis！"saidHilda；andshesighedforverypleasure。

"Yes，"saidKenyon，whosatonthecolumn，atherside。"TheColiseumisfarmoredelightful，asweenjoyitnow，thanwheneightythousandpersonssatsqueezedtogether，rowaboverow，toseetheirfellowcreaturestornbylionsandtigerslimbfromlimb。WhatastrangethoughtthattheColiseumwasreallybuiltforus，andhasnotcometoitsbestusestillalmosttwothousandyearsafteritwasfinished！"

"TheEmperorVespasianscarcelyhadusinhismind，"saidHilda，smiling；

"butIthankhimnonethelessforbuildingit。"

"Hegetssmallthanks，Ifear，fromthepeoplewhosebloodyinstinctshepampered，"rejoinedKenyon。"Fancyanightlyassemblageofeightythousandmelancholyandremorsefulghosts，lookingdownfromthosetiersofbrokenarches，strivingtorepentofthesavagepleasureswhichtheyonceenjoyed，butstilllongingtoenjoythemoveragain。"

"YoubringaGothichorrorintothispeacefulmoonlightscene，"saidHilda。

"Nay，IhavegoodauthorityforpeoplingtheColiseumwithphantoms，"

repliedthesculptor。"DoyourememberthatveritablesceneinBenvenutoCellini\'sautobiography，inwhichanecromancerofhisacquaintancedrawsamagiccircle——justwheretheblackcrossstandsnow，Isuppose——andraisesmyriadsofdemons？Benvenutosawthemwithhisowneyes，——giants，pygmies，andothercreaturesoffrightfulaspect，caperinganddancingonyonderwalls。ThosespectresmusthavebeenRomans，intheirlifetime，andfrequentersofthisbloodyamphitheatre。"

"Iseeaspectre，now！"saidHilda，withalittlethrillofuneasiness。

"Haveyouwatchedthatpilgrim，whoisgoingroundthewholecircleofshrines，onhisknees，andprayingwithsuchfervencyateveryone？Nowthathehasrevolvedsofarinhisorbit，andhasthemoonshineonhisfaceasheturnstowardsus，methinksIrecognizehim！"

"AndsodoI，"saidKenyon。"PoorMiriam！Doyouthinksheseeshim？"

Theylookedround，andperceivedthatMiriamhadrisenfromthestepsoftheshrineanddisappeared。Shehadshrunkback，infact，intothedeepobscurityofanarchthatopenedjustbehindthem。

Donatello，whosefaithfulwatchwasnomoretobeeludedthanthatofahound，hadstolenafterher，andbecametheinnocentwitnessofaspectaclethathaditsownkindofhorror。Unawareofhispresence，andfancyingherselfwhollyunseen，thebeautifulMiriambegantogesticulateextravagantly，gnashingherteeth，flingingherarmswildlyabroad，stampingwithherfoot。

Itwasasifshehadsteppedasideforaninstant，solelytosnatchthereliefofabrieffitofmadness。Personsinacutetrouble，orlaboringunderstrongexcitement，withanecessityforconcealingit，arepronetorelievetheirnervesinthiswildway；although，whenpracticable，theyfindamoreeffectualsolaceinshriekingaloud。

Thus，assoonasshethrewoffherself-control，undertheduskyarchesoftheColiseum，wemayconsiderMiriamasamadwoman，concentratingtheelementsofalonginsanityintothatinstant。

"Signorina！signorina！havepityonme！"criedDonatello，approachingher；"thisistooterrible！"

"Howdareyoulook，atme！"exclaimedMiriam，withastart；then，whisperingbelowherbreath，"menhavebeenstruckdeadforalessoffence！"

"Ifyoudesireit，orneedit，"saidDonatellohumbly，"Ishallnotbeloathtodie。"

"Donatello，"saidMiriam，comingclosetotheyoungman，andspeakinglow，butstillthealmostinsanityofthemomentvibratinginhervoice，"ifyouloveyourself；ifyoudesirethoseearthlyblessings，suchasyou，ofallmen，weremadefor；ifyouwouldcometoagoodoldageamongyouroliveorchardsandyourTuscanvines，asyourforefathersdid；ifyouwouldleavechildrentoenjoythesamepeaceful，happy，innocentlife，thenfleefromme。Looknotbehindyou！Getyougonewithoutanotherword。"Hegazedsadlyather，butdidnotstir。"Itellyou，"Miriamwenton，"thereisagreatevilhangingoverme！Iknowit；Iseeitinthesky；Ifeelitintheair！Itwilloverwhelmmeasutterlyasifthisarchshouldcrumbledownuponourheads！Itwillcrushyou，too，ifyoustandatmyside！Depart，then；andmakethesignofthecross，asyourfaithbidsyou，whenanevilspiritisnigh。Castmeoff，oryouarelostforever。"

AhighersentimentbrighteneduponDonatello\'sfacethanhadhithertoseemedtobelongtoitssimpleexpressionandsensuousbeauty。

"Iwillneverquityou，"hesaid；"youcannotdrivemefromyou。"

"PoorDonatello！"saidMiriaminachangedtone，andrathertoherselfthanhim。"Istherenootherthatseeksmeout，followsme，——isobstinatetosharemyafflictionandmydoom，——butonlyyou！Theycallmebeautiful；andIusedtofancythat，atmyneed，Icouldbringthewholeworldtomyfeet。Andlo！hereismyutmostneed；andmybeautyandmygiftshavebroughtmeonlythispoor，simpleboy。Half-witted，theycallhim；andsurelyfitfornothingbuttobehappy。AndIaccepthisaid！

To-morrow，to-morrow，Iwilltellhimall！Ah！whatasintostainhisjoyousnaturewiththeblacknessofawoelikemine！"

Sheheldoutherhandtohim，andsmiledsadlyasDonatellopressedittohislips。Theywerenowabouttoemergefromthedepthofthearch；butjustthenthekneelingpilgrim，inhisrevolutionroundtheorbitoftheshrines，hadreachedtheoneonthestepsofwhichMiriamhadbeensitting。

There，asattheothershrines，heprayed，orseemedtopray。ItstruckKenyon，however，——whosatcloseby，andsawhisfacedistinctly，thatthesuppliantwasmerelyperforminganenjoinedpenance，andwithoutthepenitencethatoughttohavegiveniteffectuallife。Evenasheknelt，hiseyeswandered，andMiriamsoonfeltthathehaddetectedher，halfhiddenasshewaswithintheobscurityofthearch。

"HeisevidentlyagoodCatholic，however，"whisperedoneoftheparty。

"Afterall，Ifearwecannotidentifyhimwiththeancientpaganwhohauntsthecatacombs。"

"ThedoctorsofthePropagandamayhaveconvertedhim，"saidanother；

"theyhavehadfifteenhundredyearstoperformthetask。"

Thecompanynowdeemedittimetocontinuetheirramble。EmergingfromasideentranceoftheColiseum，theyhadontheirlefttheArchofConstantine，andaboveittheshapelessruinsofthePalaceoftheCaesars；

portionsofwhichhavetakenshapeanew，inmediaevalconventsandmodernvillas。Theyturnedtheirfacescityward，and，treadingoverthebroadflagstonesoftheoldRomanpavement，passedthroughtheArchofTitus。

Themoonshonebrightlyenoughwithinittoshowtheseven-branchedJewishcandlestick，cutinthemarbleoftheinterior。Theoriginalofthatawfultrophyliesburied，atthismoment，intheyellowmudoftheTiber；

and，coulditsgoldofOphiragainbebroughttolight，itwouldbethemostpreciousrelicofpastages，intheestimationofbothJewandGentile。

Standingamidsomuchancientdust，itisdifficulttosparethereaderthecommonplacesofenthusiasm，onwhichhundredsoftouristshavealreadyinsisted。Overthishalf-wornpavement，andbeneaththisArchofTitus，theRomanarmieshadtroddenintheiroutwardmarch，tofightbattlesaworld\'swidthaway。Returningvictorious，withroyalcaptivesandinestimablespoil，aRomantriumph，thatmostgorgeouspageantofearthlypride，hadstreamedandflauntedinhundred-foldsuccessionoverthesesameflagstones，andthroughthisyetstalwartarchway。Itispolitic，however，tomakefewallusionstosuchapast；nor，ifwewouldcreateaninterestinthecharactersofourstory，isitwisetosuggesthowCicero\'sfootmayhavesteppedonyonderstone，orhowHoracewaswonttostrollnearby，makinghisfootstepschimewiththemeasureoftheodethatwasringinginhismind。Theveryghostsofthatmassiveandstatelyepochhavesomuchdensitythattheactualpeopleofto-dayseemthethinnerofthetwo，andstandmoreghost-likebythearchesandcolumns，lettingtherichsculpturebediscernedthroughtheirill-compactedsubstance。

Thepartykeptonward，oftenmeetingpairsandgroupsofmidnightstrollerslikethemselves。Onsuchamoonlightnightasthis，Romekeepsitselfawakeandstirring，andisfullofsongandpastime，thenoiseofwhichmingleswithyourdreams，ifyouhavegonebetimestobed。Butitisbettertobeabroad，andtakeourownshareoftheenjoyabletime；forthelanguorthatweighssoheavilyintheRomanatmospherebydayislightenedbeneaththemoonandstars。

TheyhadnowreachedtheprecinctsoftheForum。

CHAPTERXVIII

ONTHEEDGEOFAPRECIPICE

"Letussettleit，"saidKenyon，stampinghisfootfirmlydown，"thatthisispreciselythespotwherethechasmopened，intowhichCurtiusprecipitatedhisgoodsteedandhimself。Imaginethegreat，duskygap，impenetrablydeep，andwithhalf-shapedmonstersandhideousfacesloomingupwardoutofit，tothevastaffrightofthegoodcitizenswhopeepedoverthebrim！There，now，isasubject，hithertounthoughtof，foragrimandghastlystory，and，methinks，withamoralasdeepasthegulfitself。Withinit，beyondaquestion，therewerepropheticvisions，——intimationsofallthefuturecalamitiesofRome，——shadesofGoths，andGauls，andevenoftheFrenchsoldiersofto-day。Itwasapitytocloseitupsosoon！Iwouldgivemuchforapeepintosuchachasm。"

"Ifancy，"remarkedMiriam，"thateverypersontakesapeepintoitinmomentsofgloomanddespondency；thatistosay，inhismomentsofdeepestinsight。"

"Whereisit，then？"askedHilda。"Ineverpeepedintoit。"

"Wait，anditwillopenforyou，"repliedherfriend。"Thechasmwasmerelyoneoftheorificesofthatpitofblacknessthatliesbeneathus，everywhere。Thefirmestsubstanceofhumanhappinessisbutathincrustspreadoverit，withjustrealityenoughtobearuptheillusivestagesceneryamidwhichwetread。Itneedsnoearthquaketoopenthechasm。A

footstep，alittleheavierthanordinary，willserve；andwemuststepverydaintily，nottobreakthroughthecrustatanymoment。Byandby，weinevitablysink！ItwasafoolishpieceofheroisminCurtiustoprecipitatehimselfthere，inadvance；forallRome，yousee，hasbeenswallowedupinthatgulf，inspiteofhim。ThePalaceoftheCaesarshasgonedownthither，withahollow，rumblingsoundofitsfragments！Allthetempleshavetumbledintoit；andthousandsofstatueshavebeenthrownafter！Allthearmiesandthetriumphshavemarchedintothegreatchasm，withtheirmartialmusicplaying，astheysteppedoverthebrink。

Alltheheroes，thestatesmen，andthepoets！AllpileduponpoorCurtius，whothoughttohavesavedthemall！Iamloathtosmileattheself-conceitofthatgallanthorseman，butcannotwellavoidit。"

"Itgrievesmetohearyouspeakthus，Miriam，"saidHilda，whosenaturalandcheerfulpietywasshockedbyherfriend\'sgloomyviewofhumandestinies。"Itseemstomethatthereisnochasm，noranyhideousemptinessunderourfeet，exceptwhattheevilwithinusdigs。Iftherebesuchachasm，letusbridgeitoverwithgoodthoughtsanddeeds，andweshalltreadsafelytotheotherside。ItwastheguiltofRome，nodoubt，thatcausedthisgulftoopen；andCurtiusfilleditupwithhisheroicself-sacrificeandpatriotism，whichwasthebestvirtuethattheoldRomansknew。Everywrongthingmakesthegulfdeeper；everyrightonehelpstofillitup。AstheevilofRomewasfarmorethanitsgood，thewholecommonwealthfinallysankintoit，indeed，butofnooriginalnecessity。"

"Well，Hilda，itcametothesamethingatlast，"answeredMiriamdespondingly。

"Doubtless，too，"resumedthesculptor(forhisimaginationwasgreatlyexcitedbytheideaofthiswondrouschasm)，"allthebloodthattheRomansshed，whetheronbattlefields，orintheColiseum，oronthecross，——inwhateverpublicorprivatemurder，——ranintothisfatalgulf，andformedamightysubterraneanlakeofgore，rightbeneathourfeet。ThebloodfromthethirtywoundsinCaesar\'sbreastflowedhitherward，andthatpurelittlerivuletfromVirginia\'sbosom，too！Virginia，beyondallquestion，wasstabbedbyherfather，preciselywherewearestanding。"

"Thenthespotishallowedforever！"saidHilda。

"Istheresuchblessedpotencyinbloodshed？"askedMiriam。"Nay，Hilda，donotprotest！Itakeyourmeaningrightly。"

Theyagainmovedforward。Andstill，fromtheForumandtheViaSacra，frombeneaththearchesoftheTempleofPeaceononeside，andtheacclivityofthePalaceoftheCaesarsontheother，therearosesingingvoicesofpartiesthatwerestrollingthroughthemoonlight。Thus，theairwasfullofkindredmelodiesthatencounteredone。another，andtwinedthemselvesintoabroad，vaguemusic，outofwhichnosinglestraincouldbedisentangled。Thesegoodexamples，aswellastheharmoniousinfluencesofthehour，incitedourartistfriendstomakeproofoftheirownvocalpowers。Withwhatskillandbreaththeyhad，theysetupachoralstrain，——"Hail，Columbia！"webelieve，whichthoseoldRomanechoesmusthavefounditexceedingdifficulttorepeataright。EvenHildapouredtheslendersweetnessofhernoteintohercountry\'ssong。

Miriamwasatfirstsilent，beingperhapsunfamiliarwiththeairandburden。Butsuddenlyshethrewoutsuchaswellandgushofsound，thatitseemedtopervadethewholechoirofothervoices，andthentoriseabovethemall，andbecomeaudibleinwhatwouldelsehavebeentheesilenceofanupperregion。Thatvolumeofmelodiousvoicewasoneofthetokensofagreattrouble。Therehadlongbeenanimpulseuponher——amounting，atlast，toanecessitytoshriekaloud；butshehadstruggledagainstit，tillthethunderousanthemgaveheranopportunitytorelieveherheartbyagreatcry。

TheypassedthesolitaryColumnofPhocas，andlookeddownintotheexcavatedspace，whereaconfusionofpillars，arches，pavements，andshatteredblocksandshafts——thecrumbsofvariousruindroppedfromthedevouringmawofTimestand，orlie，atthebaseoftheCapitolineHill。

Thatrenownedhillock(foritislittlemore)nowaroseabruptlyabovethem。Theponderousmasonry，withwhichthehillsideisbuiltup，isasoldasRomeitself，andlookslikelytoendurewhiletheworldretainsanysubstanceorpermanence。ItoncesustainedtheCapitol，andnowbearsupthegreatpilewhichthemediaevalbuildersraisedontheantiquefoundation，andthatstillloftiertower，whichlooksabroaduponalargerpageofdeeperhistoricinterestthananyotherscenecanshow。OnthesamepedestalofRomanmasonry，otherstructureswilldoubtlessrise，andvanishlikeephemeralthings。

Toaspectatoronthespot，itisremarkablethattheeventsofRomanhistory，andRomanlifeitself，appearnotsodistantastheGothicageswhichsucceededthem。WestandintheForum，orontheheightoftheCapitol，andseemtoseetheRomanepochcloseathand。Weforgetthatachasmextendsbetweenitandourselves，inwhichlieallthosedark，rude，unletteredcenturies，aroundthebirth-timeofChristianity，aswellastheageofchivalryandromance，thefeudalsystem，andtheinfancyofabettercivilizationthanthatofRome。Or，ifwerememberthesemediaevaltimes，theylookfurtheroffthantheAugustanage。Thereasonmaybe，thattheoldRomanliteraturesurvives，andcreatesforusanintimacywiththeclassicages，whichwehavenomeansofformingwiththesubsequentones。

TheItalianclimate，moreover，robsageofitsreverenceandmakesitlooknewerthanitis。NottheColiseum，northetombsoftheAppianWay，northeoldestpillarintheForum，noranyotherRomanruin，beitasdilapidatedasitmay，evergivetheimpressionofvenerableantiquitywhichwegather，alongwiththeivy，fromthegraywallsofanEnglishabbeyorcastle。Andyeteverybrickorstone，whichwepickupamongtheformer，hadfallenagesbeforethefoundationofthelatterwasbegun。

ThisisowingtothekindlinesswithwhichNaturestakesanEnglishruintoherheart，coveringitwithivy，astenderlyasRobinRedbreastcoveredthedeadbabeswithforestleaves。Shestrivestomakeitapartofherself，graduallyobliteratingthehandiworkofman，andsupplantingitwithherownmossesandtrailingverdure，tillshehaswonthewholestructureback。But，inItaly，whenevermanhasoncehewnastone，Natureforthwithrelinquishesherrighttoit，andneverlaysherfingeronitagain。Ageafteragefindsitbareandnaked，inthebarrensunshine，andleavesitso。Besidesthisnaturaldisadvantage，too，eachsucceedingcentury，inRome，hasdoneitsbesttoruintheveryruins，sofarastheirpicturesqueeffectisconcerned，bystealingawaythemarbleandhewnstone，andleavingonlyyellowbricks，whichnevercanlookvenerable。

ThepartyascendedthewindingwaythatleadsfromtheForumtothePiazzaoftheCampidoglioonthesummitoftheCapitolineHill。TheystoodawhiletocontemplatethebronzeequestrianstatueofMarcusAurelius。