第6章

Itwaslongpastnoon，whenastepcameupthestaircase。Ithadpassedbeyondthelimitswheretherewascommunicationwiththelowerregionsofthepalace，andwasmountingthesuccessiveflightswhichledonlytoHilda\'sprecincts。Faintasthetreadwas，sheheardandrecognizedit。

Itstartledherintosuddenlife。Herfirstimpulsewastospringtothedoorofthestudio，andfastenitwithlockandbolt。Butasecondthoughtmadeherfeelthatthiswouldbeanunworthycowardice，onherownpart，andalsothatMiriam-onlyyesterdayherclosestfriendhadarighttobetold，facetoface，thatthenceforththeymustbeforeverstrangers。

SheheardMiriampause，outsideofthedoor。Wehavealreadyseenwhatwasthelatter\'sresolvewithrespecttoanykissorpressureofthehandbetweenHildaandherself。Weknownotwhatbecameoftheresolution。AsMiriamwasofahighlyimpulsivecharacter，itmayhavevanishedatthefirstsightofHilda；but，atallevents，sheappearedtohavedressedherselfupinagarbofsunshine，andwasdisclosed，asthedoorswungopen，inalltheglowofherremarkablebeauty。Thetruthwas，herheartleapedconclusivelytowardstheonlyrefugethatithad，orhoped。Sheforgot，justoneinstant，allcauseforholdingherselfaloof。OrdinarilytherewasacertainreserveinMiriam\'sdemonstrationsofaffection，inconsonancewiththedelicacyofherfriend。To-day，sheopenedherarmstotakeHildain。

"Dearest，darlingHilda！"sheexclaimed。"Itgivesmenewlifetoseeyou！"

Hildawasstandinginthemiddleoftheroom。Whenherfriendmadeasteportwofromthedoor，sheputforthherhandswithaninvoluntaryrepellentgesture，soexpressivethatMiriamatoncefeltagreatchasmopeningitselfbetweenthemtwo。Theymightgazeatoneanotherfromtheoppositeside，butwithoutthepossibilityofevermeetingmore；or，atleast，sincethechasmcouldneverbebridgedover，theymusttreadthewholeroundofEternitytomeetontheotherside。Therewasevenaterrorinthethoughtoftheirmeetingagain。ItwasasifHildaorMiriamweredead，andcouldnolongerholdintercoursewithoutviolatingaspirituallaw。

Yet，inthewantonnessofherdespair，Miriammadeonemoresteptowardsthefriendwhomshehadlost。"Donotcomenearer，Miriam！"saidHilda。

Herlookandtonewerethoseofsorrowfulentreaty，andyettheyexpressedakindofconfidence，asifthegirlwereconsciousofasafeguardthatcouldnotbeviolated。

"Whathashappenedbetweenus，Hilda？"askedMiriam。"Arewenotfriends？"

"No，no！"saidHilda，shuddering。

"Atleastwehavebeenfriends，"continuedMiriam。"Ilovedyoudearly！

Iloveyoustill！Youweretomeasayoungersister；yes，dearerthansistersofthesameblood；foryouandIweresolonely，Hilda，thatthewholeworldpressedustogetherbyitssolitudeandstrangeness。Then，willyounottouchmyhand？AmInotthesameasyesterday？"

"Alas！no，Miriam！"saidHilda。

"Yes，thesame，thesameforyou，Hilda，"rejoinedherlostfriend。"Wereyoutotouchmyhand，youwouldfinditaswarmtoyourgraspasever。Ifyouweresickorsuffering，Iwouldwatchnightanddayforyou。Itisinsuchsimpleofficesthattrueaffectionshowsitself；andsoIspeakofthem。Yetnow，Hilda，yourverylookseemstoputmebeyondthelimitsofhumankind！"

"ItisnotI，Miriam，"saidHilda；"notIthathavedonethis。"

"You，andyouonly，Hilda，"repliedMiriam，stirreduptomakeherowncausegoodbytherepellentforcewhichherfriendopposedtoher。"Iamawoman，asIwasyesterday；endowedwiththesametruthofnature，thesamewarmthofheart，thesamegenuineandearnestlove，whichyouhavealwaysknowninme。Inanyregardthatconcernsyourself，Iamnotchanged。Andbelieveme，Hilda，whenahumanbeinghaschosenafriendoutofalltheworld，itisonlysomefaithlessnessbetweenthemselves，renderingtrueintercourseimpossible，thatcanjustifyeitherfriendinseveringthebond。HaveIdeceivedyou？Thencastmeoff！HaveI

wrongedyoupersonally？Thenforgiveme，ifyoucan。But，haveIsinnedagainstGodandman，anddeeplysinned？Thenbemoremyfriendthanever，forIneedyoumore。"

"Donotbewildermethus，Miriam！"exclaimedHilda，whohadnotforbornetoexpress，bylookandgesture，theanguishwhichthisinterviewinflictedonher。"IfIwereoneofGod\'sangels，withanatureincapableofstain，andgarmentsthatnevercouldbespotted，Iwouldkeepeveratyourside，andtrytoleadyouupward。ButIamapoor，lonelygirl，whomGodhassethereinanevilworld，andgivenheronlyawhiterobe，andbidherwearitbacktoHim，aswhiteaswhensheputiton。Yourpowerfulmagnetismwouldbetoomuchforme。Thepure，whiteatmosphere，inwhichItrytodiscernwhatthingsaregoodandtrue，wouldbediscolored。Andtherefore，Miriam，beforeitistoolate，Imeantoputfaithinthisawfulheartquakewhichwarnsmehenceforthtoavoidyou。"

"Ah，thisishard！Ah，thisisterrible！"murmuredMiriam，droppingherforeheadinherhands。Inamomentortwoshelookedupagain，aspaleasdeath，butwithacomposedcountenance："Ialwayssaid，Hilda，thatyouweremerciless；forIhadaperceptionofit，evenwhileyoulovedmebest。

Youhavenosin，noranyconceptionofwhatitis；andthereforeyouaresoterriblysevere！Asanangel，youarenotamiss；but，asahumancreature，andawomanamongearthlymenandwomen，youneedasintosoftenyou。"

"Godforgiveme，"saidHilda，"ifIhavesaidaneedlesslycruelword！"

"Letitpass，"answeredMiriam；"I，whoseheartithassmittenupon，forgiveyou。Andtellme，beforewepartforever，whathaveyouseenorknownofme，sincewelastmet？"

"Aterriblething，Miriam，"saidHilda，growingpalerthanbefore。

"Doyouseeitwritteninmyface，orpaintedinmyeyes？"inquiredMiriam，hertroubleseekingreliefinahalf-frenziedraillery。"IwouldfainknowhowitisthatProvidence，orfate，bringseye-witnessestowatchus，whenwefancyourselvesactingintheremotestprivacy。DidallRomeseeit，then？Or，atleast，ourmerrycompanyofartists？Orisitsomeblood-stainonme，ordeath-scentinmygarments？Theysaythatmonstrousdeformitiessproutoutoffiends，whooncewerelovelyangels。

Doyouperceivesuchinmealready？Tellme，byourpastfriendship，Hilda，allyouknow。"

Thusadjured，andfrightenedbythewildemotionwhichMiriamcouldnotsuppress，Hildastrovetotellwhatshehadwitnessed。

"Aftertherestofthepartyhadpassedon，Iwentbacktospeaktoyou，"

shesaid；"forthereseemedtobeatroubleonyourmind，andIwishedtoshareitwithyou，ifyoucouldpermitme。Thedoorofthelittlecourtyardwaspartlyshut；butIpusheditopen，andsawyouwithin，andDonatello，andathirdperson，whomIhadbeforenoticedintheshadowofaniche。Heapproachedyou，Miriam。Youknelttohim！IsawDonatellospringuponhim！Iwouldhaveshrieked，butmythroatwasdry。Iwouldhaverushedforward，butmylimbsseemedrootedtotheearth。Itwaslikeaflashoflightning。AlookpassedfromyoureyestoDonatello\'s——alook"——"Yes，Hilda，yes！"exclaimedMiriam，withintenseeagerness。"Donotpausenow！Thatlook？"

"Itrevealedallyourheart，Miriam，"continuedHilda，coveringhereyesasiftoshutouttherecollection；"alookofhatred，triumph，vengeance，and，asitwere，joyatsomeunhoped-forrelief。"

"Ah！Donatellowasright，then，"murmuredMiriam，whoshookthroughoutallherframe。"Myeyesbadehimdoit！Goon，Hilda。"

"Itallpassedsoquickly，alllikeaglareoflightning，"saidHilda，"andyetitseemedtomethatDonatellohadpaused，whileonemightdrawabreath。Butthatlook！Ah，Miriam，spareme。NeedItellmore？"

"Nomore；thereneedsnomore，Hilda，"repliedMiriam，bowingherhead，asiflisteningtoasentenceofcondemnationfromasupremetribunal。"Itisenough！Youhavesatisfiedmymindonapointwhereitwasgreatlydisturbed。HenceforwardIshallbequiet。Thankyou，Hilda。"

Shewasonthepointofdeparting，butturnedbackagainfromthethreshold。

"Thisisaterriblesecrettobekeptinayounggirl\'sbosom，"sheobserved；"whatwillyoudowithit，mypoorchild？"

"Heavenhelpandguideme，"answeredHilda，burstingintotears；"fortheburdenofitcrushesmetotheearth！Itseemsacrimetoknowofsuchathing，andtokeepittomyself。Itknockswithinmyheartcontinually，threatening，imploring，insistingtobeletout！Omymother！——mymother！

Weresheyetliving，Iwouldtraveloverlandandseatotellherthisdarksecret，asItoldallthelittletroublesofmyinfancy。ButIamalone——alone！Miriam，youweremydearest，onlyfriend。Advisemewhattodo。"

Thiswasasingularappeal，nodoubt，fromthestainlessmaidentotheguiltywoman，whomshehadjustbanishedfromherheartforever。ButitborestrikingtestimonytotheimpressionwhichMiriam\'snaturaluprightnessandimpulsivegenerosityhadmadeonthefriendwhoknewherbest；anditdeeplycomfortedthepoorcriminal，byprovingtoherthatthebondbetweenHildaandherselfwasvitalyet。

Asfarasshewasable，Miriamatoncerespondedtothegirl\'scryforhelp。

"IfIdeemeditgoodforyourpeaceofmind，"shesaid，"tobeartestimonyagainstmeforthisdeedinthefaceofalltheworld，noconsiderationofmyselfshouldweighwithmeaninstant。ButIbelievethatyouwouldfindnoreliefinsuchacourse。Whatmencalljusticelieschieflyinoutwardformalities，andhasneverthecloseapplicationandfitnessthatwouldbesatisfactorytoasoullikeyours。Icannotbefairlytriedandjudgedbeforeanearthlytribunal；andofthis，Hilda，youwouldperhapsbecomefatallyconsciouswhenitwastoolate。Romanjustice，aboveallthings，isabyword。Whathaveyoutodowithit？Leaveallsuchthoughtsaside！Yet，Hilda，Iwouldnothaveyoukeepmysecretimprisonedinyourheartifittriestoleapout，andstingsyou，likeawild，venomousthing，whenyouthrustitbackagain。Haveyounootherfriend，nowthatyouhavebeenforcedtogivemeup？"

"Noother，"answeredHildasadly。

"Yes；Kenyon！"rejoinedMiriam。

"Hecannotbemyfriend，"saidHilda，"because——because——Ihavefanciedthathesoughttobesomethingmore。"

"Fearnothing！"repliedMiriam，shakingherhead，withastrangesmile。

"Thisstorywillfrightenhisnew-bornloveoutofitslittlelife，ifthatbewhatyouwish。Tellhimthesecret，then，andtakehiswiseandhonorablecounselastowhatshouldnextbedone。Iknownotwhatelsetosay。"

"Ineverdreamed，"saidHilda，——"howcouldyouthinkit？——ofbetrayingyoutojustice。ButIseehowitis，Miriam。Imustkeepyoursecret，anddieofit，unlessGodsendsmesomereliefbymethodswhicharenowbeyondmypowertoimagine。Itisverydreadful。Ah！nowIunderstandhowthesinsofgenerationspasthavecreatedanatmosphereofsinforthosethatfollow。Whilethereisasingleguiltypersonintheuniverse，eachinnocentonemustfeelhisinnocencetorturedbythatguilt。Yourdeed，Miriam，hasdarkenedthewholesky！"

PoorHildaturnedfromherunhappyfriend，and，sinkingonherkneesinacornerofthechamber，couldnotbeprevailedupontoutteranotherword。

AndMiriam，withalongregardfromthethreshold，badefarewelltothisdoves\'nest，thisonelittlenookofpurethoughtsandinnocententhusiasms，intowhichshehadbroughtsuchtrouble。EverycrimedestroysmoreEdensthanourown！

EndTheMarbleFaun，Volume1

TheMarbleFaun，VOL。II

byNathanielHawthorneTHEMARBLEFAUN，VOL。II

orTheRomanceofMonteBeniINTWOVOLUMES

TableofContentsVolumeI

IMIRIAM，HILDA，KENYON，DONATELLO

IITHEFAUN

IIISUBTERRANEANREMINISCENCES

IVTHESPECTREOFTHECATACOMB

VMIRIAM\'SSTUDIO

VITHEVIRGIN\'SSHRINE

VIIBEATRICE

VIIITHESUBURBANVILLA

IXTHEFAUNANDNYMPH

XTHESYLVANDANCE

XIFRAGMENTARYSENTENCES

XIIASTROLLONTHEPINCIAN

XIIIASCULPTOR\'SSTUDIO

XIVCLEOPATRA

XVANAESTHETICCOMPANY

XVIAMOONLIGHTRAMBLE

XVIIMIRIAM\'STROUBLE

XVIIIONTHEEDGEOFAPRECIPICE

XIXTHEFAUN\'STRANSFORMATION

XXTHEBURIALCHANT

XXITHEDEADCAPUCHIN

XXIITHEMEDICIGARDENS

XXIIIMIRIAMANDHILDA

VolumeII

XXIVTHETOWERAMONGTHEAPENNINES

XXVSUNSHINE

XXVITHEPEDIGREEOFMONTEBENI

XXVIIMYTHS

XXVIIITHEOWLTOWER

XXIXONTHEBATTLEMENTS

XXXDONATELLO\'SBUST

XXXITHEMARBLESALOON

XXXIISCENESBYTHEWAY

XXXIIIPICTUREDWINDOWS

XXXIVMARKET-DAYINPERUGIA

XXXVTHEBRONZEPONTIFF\'SBENEDICTION

XXXVIHILDA\'STOWER

XXXVIITHEEMPTINESSOFPICTUREGALLERIES

XXXVIIIALTARSANDINCENSE

XXXIXTHEWORLD\'SCATHEDRAL

XLHILDAANDAFRIEND

XLISNOWDROPSANDMAIDENLYDELIGHTS

XLIIREMINISCENCESOFMIRIAM

XLIIITHEEXTINCTIONOFALAMP

XLIVTHEDESERTEDSHRINE

XLVTHEFLIGHTOFHILDA\'SDOVES

XLVIAWALKONTHECAMPAGNA

XLVIITHEPEASANTANDCONTADINA

XLVIIIASCENEINTHECORSO

XLIXAFROLICOFTHECARNIVAL

LMIRIAM，HILDA，KENYON，DONATELLO

THEMARBLEFAUN

VolumeII

CHAPTERXXIV

THETOWERAMONGTHEAPENNINES

ItwasinJunethatthesculptor，Kenyon，arrivedonhorsebackatthegateofanancientcountryhouse(which，fromsomeofitsfeatures，mightalmostbecalledacastle)situatedinapartofTuscanysomewhatremotefromtheordinarytrackoftourists。Thitherwemustnowaccompanyhim，andendeavortomakeourstoryflowonward，likeastreamlet，pastagraytowerthatrisesonthehillside，overlookingaspaciousvalley，whichissetinthegrandframeworkoftheApennines。

ThesculptorhadleftRomewiththeretreatingtideofforeignresidents。For，assummerapproaches，theNiobeofNationsismadetobewailanew，anddoubtlesswithsincerity，thelossofthatlargepartofherpopulationwhichshederivesfromotherlands，andonwhomdependsmuchofwhateverremnantofprosperityshestillenjoys。Rome，atthisseason，ispervadedandoverhungwithatmosphericterrors，andinsulatedwithinacharmedanddeadlycircle。ThecrowdofwanderingtouristsbetakethemselvestoSwitzerland，totheRhine，or，fromthiscentralhomeoftheworld，totheirnativehomesinEnglandorAmerica，whichtheyareaptthenceforwardtolookuponasprovincial，afteroncehavingyieldedtothespelloftheEternalCity。

Theartist，whocontemplatesanindefinitesuccessionofwintersinthishomeofart(thoughhisfirstthoughtwasmerelytoimprovehimselfbyabriefvisit)，goesforth，inthesummertime，tosketchsceneryandcostumeamongtheTuscanhills，andpour，ifhecan，thepurpleairofItalyoverhiscanvas。Hestudiestheoldschoolsofartinthemountaintownswheretheywereborn，andwheretheyarestilltobeseeninthefadedfrescosofGiottoandCimabue，onthewallsofmanyachurch，orinthedarkchapels，inwhichthesacristandrawsasidetheveilfromatreasuredpictureofPerugino。Thence，thehappypaintergoestowalkthelong，brightgalleriesofFlorence，ortostealglowingcolorsfromthemiraculousworks，whichhefindsinascoreofVenetianpalaces。Suchsummersasthese，spentamidwhateverisexquisiteinart，orwildandpicturesqueinnature，maynotinadequatelyrepayhimforthechillneglectanddisappointmentthroughwhichhehasprobablylanguished，inhisRomanwinter。Thissunny，shadowy，breezy，wanderinglife，inwhichheseeksforbeautyashistreasure，andgathersforhiswinter\'shoneywhatisbutapassingfragrancetoallothermen，isworthlivingfor，comeafterwardswhatmay。Evenifhedieunrecognized，theartisthashadhisshareofenjoymentandsuccess。

Kenyonhadseen，atadistanceofmanymiles，theoldvillaorcastletowardswhichhisjourneylay，lookingfromitsheightoverabroadexpanseofvalley。Ashedrewnearer，however，ithadbeenhiddenamongtheinequalitiesofthehillside，untilthewindingroadbroughthimalmosttotheirongateway。Thesculptorfoundthissubstantialbarrierfastenedwithlockandbolt。Therewasnobell，norotherinstrumentofsound；and，aftersummoningtheinvisiblegarrisonwithhisvoice，insteadofatrumpet，hehadleisuretotakeaglanceattheexteriorofthefortress。

Aboutthirtyyardswithinthegatewayroseasquaretower，loftyenoughtobeaveryprominentobjectinthelandscape，andmorethansufficientlymassiveinproportiontoitsheight。Itsantiquitywasevidentlysuchthat，inaclimateofmoreabundantmoisture，theivywouldhavemantleditfromheadtofootinagarmentthatmight，bythistime，havebeencenturiesold，thoughevernew。InthedryItalianair，however，Naturehadonlysofaradoptedthisoldpileofstoneworkastocoveralmosteveryhand\'s-breadthofitwithclose-clinginglichensandyellowmoss；andtheimmemorialgrowthofthesekindlyproductionsrenderedthegeneralhueofthetowersoftandvenerable，andtookawaytheaspectofnakednesswhichwouldhavemadeitsagedrearierthannow。

Upanddowntheheightofthetowerwerescatteredthreeorfourwindows，theloweronesgratedwithironbars，theupperonesvacantbothofwindowframesandglass。Besidestheselargeropenings，therewereseveralloopholesandlittlesquareapertures，whichmightbesupposedtolightthestaircase，thatdoubtlessclimbedtheinteriortowardsthebattlementedandmachicolatedsummit。Withthislast-mentionedwarlikegarnitureuponitssternoldheadandbrow，thetowerseemedevidentlyastrongholdoftimeslongpast。Manyacrossbowmanhadshothisshaftsfromthosewindowsandloop-holes，andfromthevantageheightofthosegraybattlements；manyaflightofarrows，too，hadhitallroundabouttheembrasuresabove，ortheaperturesbelow，wherethehelmetofadefenderhadmomentarilyglimmered。Onfestalnights，moreover，ahundredlampshadoftengleamedafaroverthevalley，suspendedfromtheironhooksthatwererangedforthepurposebeneaththebattlementsandeverywindow。

Connectedwiththetower，andextendingbehindit，thereseemedtobeaveryspaciousresidence，chieflyofmoremoderndate。Itperhapsowedmuchofitsfresherappearance，however，toacoatofstuccoandyellowwash，whichisasortofrenovationverymuchinvoguewiththeItalians。Kenyonnoticedoveradoorway，intheportionoftheedificeimmediatelyadjacenttothetower，across，which，withabellsuspendedabovetheroof，indicatedthatthiswasaconsecratedprecinct，andthechapelofthemansion。

Meanwhile，thehotsunsoincommodedtheunshelteredtraveller，thatheshoutedforthanotherimpatientsummons。Happening，atthesamemoment，tolookupward，hesawafigureleaningfromanembrasureofthebattlements，andgazingdownathim。

"Ho，SignoreCount！"criedthesculptor，wavinghisstrawhat，forherecognizedtheface，afteramoment\'sdoubt。"Thisisawarmreception，truly！Praybidyourporterletmein，beforethesunshrivelsmequiteintoacinder。"

"Iwillcomemyself，"respondedDonatello，flingingdownhisvoiceoutoftheclouds，asitwere；"oldTomasoandoldStellaarebothasleep，nodoubt，andtherestofthepeopleareinthevineyard。ButIhaveexpectedyou，andyouarewelcome！"

TheyoungCount——asperhapswehadbetterdesignatehiminhisancestraltower——vanishedfromthebattlements；andKenyonsawhisfigureappearsuccessivelyateachofthewindows，ashedescended。

Oneveryreappearance，heturnedhisfacetowardsthesculptorandgaveanodandsmile；forakindlyimpulsepromptedhimthustoassurehisvisitorofawelcome，afterkeepinghimsolongataninhospitablethreshold。

Kenyon，however(naturallyandprofessionallyexpertatreadingtheexpressionofthehumancountenance)，hadavaguesensethatthiswasnottheyoungfriendwhomhehadknownsofamiliarlyinRome；notthesylvananduntutoredyouth，whomMiriam，Hilda，andhimselfhadliked，laughedat，andsportedwith；nottheDonatellowhoseidentitytheyhadsoplayfullymixedupwiththatoftheFaunofPraxiteles。

Finally，whenhishosthademergedfromasideportalofthemansion，andapproachedthegateway，thetravellerstillfeltthattherewassomethinglost，orsomethinggained(hehardlyknewwhich)，thatsettheDonatelloofto-dayirreconcilablyatoddswithhimofyesterday。

Hisverygaitshowedit，inacertaingravity，aweightandmeasureofstep，thathadnothingincommonwiththeirregularbuoyancywhichusedtodistinguishhim。Hisfacewaspalerandthinner，andthelipslessfullandlessapart。

"Ihavelookedforyoualongwhile，"saidDonatello；and，thoughhisvoicesoundeddifferently，andcutoutitswordsmoresharplythanhadbeenitswont，stilltherewasasmileshiningonhisface，that，forthemoment，quitebroughtbacktheFaun。"Ishallbemorecheerful，perhaps，nowthatyouhavecome。Itisverysolitaryhere。"

"Ihavecomeslowlyalong，oftenlingering，oftenturningaside，"

repliedKenyon；"forIfoundagreatdealtointerestmeinthemediaevalsculpturehiddenawayinthechurcheshereabouts。Anartist，whetherpainterorsculptor，maybepardonedforloiteringthroughsucharegion。Butwhatafineoldtower！Itstallfrontislikeapageofblackletter，takenfromthehistoryoftheItalianrepublics。"

"Iknowlittleornothingofitshistory，"saidtheCount，glancingupwardatthebattlements，wherehehadjustbeenstanding。"ButI

thankmyforefathersforbuildingitsohigh。Ilikethewindysummitbetterthantheworldbelow，andspendmuchofmytimethere，nowadays。"

"Itisapityyouarenotastar-gazer，"observedKenyon，alsolookingup。"ItishigherthanGalileo\'stower，whichIsaw，aweekortwoago，outsideofthewallsofFlorence。"

"Astar-gazer？Iamone，"repliedDonatello。"Isleepinthetower，andoftenwatchverylateonthebattlements。Thereisadismaloldstaircasetoclimb，however，beforereachingthetop，andasuccessionofdismalchambers，fromstorytostory。Someofthemwereprisonchambersintimespast，asoldTomasowilltellyou。"

Therepugnanceintimatedinhistoneattheideaofthisgloomystaircaseandtheseghostly，dimlylightedrooms，remindedKenyonoftheoriginalDonatello，muchmorethanhispresentcustomofmidnightvigilsonthebattlements。

"Ishallbegladtoshareyourwatch，"saidtheguest；"especiallybymoonlight。Theprospectofthisbroadvalleymustbeveryfine。ButIwasnotaware，myfriend，thatthesewereyourcountryhabits。I

havefanciedyouinasortofArcadianlife，tastingrichfigs，andsqueezingthejuiceoutofthesunniestgrapes，andsleepingsoundlyallnight，afteradayofsimplepleasures。"

"Imayhaveknownsuchalife，whenIwasyounger，"answeredtheCountgravely。"Iamnotaboynow。Timefliesoverus，butleavesitsshadowbehind。"

Thesculptorcouldnotbutsmileatthetritenessoftheremark，which，nevertheless，hadakindoforiginalityascomingfromDonatello。Hehadthoughtitoutfromhisownexperience，andperhapsconsideredhimselfascommunicatinganewtruthtomankind。

Theywerenowadvancingupthecourtyard；andthelongextentofthevilla，withitsironbarredlowerwindowsandbalconiedupperones，becamevisible，stretchingbacktowardsagroveoftrees。

"Atsomeperiodofyourfamilyhistory，"observedKenyon，"theCountsofMonteBenimusthaveledapatriarchallifeinthisvasthouse。A

great-grandsireandallhisdescendantsmightfindamplevergehere，andwithspace，too，foreachseparatebroodoflittleonestoplaywithinitsownprecincts。Isyourpresenthouseholdalargeone？"

"Onlymyself，"answeredDonatello，"andTomaso，whohasbeenbutlersincemygrandfather\'stime，andoldStella，whogoessweepinganddustingaboutthechambers，andGirolamo，thecook，whohasbutanidlelifeofit。Heshallsendyouupachickenforthwith。But，firstofall，Imustsummononeofthecontadinifromthefarmhouseyonder，totakeyourhorsetothestable。"

Accordingly，theyoungCountshoutedagain，andwithsucheffectthat，afterseveralrepetitionsoftheoutcry，anoldgraywomanprotrudedherheadandabroom-handlefromachamberwindow；thevenerablebutleremergedfromarecessinthesideofthehouse，wherewasawell，orreservoir，inwhichhehadbeencleansingasmallwinecask；

andasunburntcontadino，inhisshirt-sleeves，showedhimselfontheoutskirtsofthevineyard，withsomekindofafarmingtoolinhishand。Donatellofoundemploymentforalltheseretainersinprovidingaccommodationforhisguestandsteed，andthenusheredthesculptorintothevestibuleofthehouse。

Itwasasquareandloftyentrance-room，which，bythesolidityofitsconstruction，mighthavebeenanEtruscantomb，beingpavedandwalledwithheavyblocksofstone，andvaultedalmostasmassivelyoverhead。

Ontwosidesthereweredoors，openingintolongsuitesofanteroomsandsaloons；onthethirdside，astonestaircaseofspaciousbreadth，ascending，bydignifieddegreesandwithwideresting-places，toanotherfloorofsimilarextent。Throughoneofthedoors，whichwasajar，Kenyonbeheldanalmostinterminablevistaofapartments，openingonebeyondtheother，andremindinghimofthehundredroomsinBlueBeard\'scastle，orthecountlesshallsinsomepalaceoftheArabianNights。

Itmusthavebeenanumerousfamily，indeed，thatcouldeverhavesufficedtopeoplewithhumanlifesolargeanabodeasthis，andimpartsocialwarmthtosuchawideworldwithindoors。Thesculptorconfessedtohimself，thatDonatellocouldallegereasonenoughforgrowingmelancholy，havingonlyhisownpersonalitytovivifyitall。

"Howawoman\'sfacewouldbrightenitup！"heejaculated，notintendingtobeoverheard。

But，glancingatDonatello，hesawasternandsorrowfullookinhiseyes，whichalteredhisyouthfulfaceasifithadseenthirtyyearsoftrouble；and，atthesamemoment，oldStellashowedherselfthroughoneofthedoorways，astheonlyrepresentativeofhersexatMonteBeni。

CHAPTERXXV

SUNSHINE

"Come，"saidtheCount，"Iseeyoualreadyfindtheoldhousedismal。

SodoI，indeed！Andyetitwasacheerfulplaceinmyboyhood。But，yousee，inmyfather\'sdays(andthesamewastrueofallmyendlesslineofgrandfathers，asIhaveheard)，thereusedtobeuncles，aunts，andallmannerofkindred，dwellingtogetherasonefamily。Theywereamerryandkindlyraceofpeople，forthemostpart，andkeptoneanother\'sheartswarm。"

"Twoheartsmightbeenoughforwarmth，"observedthesculptor，"eveninsolargeahouseasthis。Onesolitaryheart，itistrue，maybeapttoshiveralittle。But，Itrust，myfriend，thatthegenialbloodofyourracestillflowsinmanyveinsbesidesyourown？"

"Iamthelast，"saidDonatellogloomily。"Theyhaveallvanishedfromme，sincemychildhood。OldTomasowilltellyouthattheairofMonteBeniisnotsofavorabletolengthofdaysasitusedtobe。

Butthatisnotthesecretofthequickextinctionofmykindred。"

"Thenyouareawareofamoresatisfactoryreason？"suggestedKenyon。

"Ithoughtofone，theothernight，whileIwasgazingatthestars，"

answeredDonatello；"but，pardonme，Idonotmeantotellit。Onecause，however，ofthelongerandhealthierlifeofmyforefatherswas，thattheyhadmanypleasantcustoms，andmeansofmakingthemselvesglad，andtheirguestsandfriendsalongwiththem。Nowadayswehavebutone！"

"Andwhatisthat？"askedthesculptor。

"Youshallsee！"saidhisyounghost。

Bythistime，hehadusheredthesculptorintooneofthenumberlesssaloons；and，callingforrefreshment，oldStellaplacedacoldfowluponthetable，andquicklyfolloweditwithasavoryomelet，whichGirolamohadlostnotimeinpreparing。Shealsobroughtsomecherries，plums，andapricots，andaplatefullofparticularlydelicatefigs，oflastyear\'sgrowth。Thebutlershowinghiswhiteheadatthedoor，hismasterbeckonedtohim。"Tomaso，bringsomeSunshine！"saidhe。Thereadiestmethodofobeyingthisorder，onemightsuppose，wouldhavebeentoflingwidethegreenwindow-blinds，andlettheglowofthesummernoonintothecarefullyshadedroom。But，atMonteBeni，withprovidentcautionagainstthewintrydays，whenthereislittlesunshine，andtherainyones，whenthereisnone，itwasthehereditarycustomtokeeptheirSunshinestoredawayinthecellar。OldTomasoquicklyproducedsomeofitinasmall，straw-coveredflask，outofwhichheextractedthecork，andinsertedalittlecottonwool，toabsorbtheoliveoilthatkeptthepreciousliquidfromtheair。

"Thisisawine，"observedtheCount，"thesecretofmakingwhichhasbeenkeptinourfamilyforcenturiesuponcenturies；norwoulditavailanymantostealthesecret，unlesshecouldalsostealthevineyard，inwhichalonetheMonteBenigrapecanbeproduced。Thereislittleelseleftme，savethatpatchofvines。Tastesomeoftheirjuice，andtellmewhetheritisworthytobecalledSunshine！forthatisitsname。""Agloriousname，too！"criedthesculptor。

"Tasteit，"saidDonatello，fillinghisfriend\'sglass，andpouringlikewisealittleintohisown。"Butfirstsmellitsfragrance；forthewineisverylavishofit，andwillscatteritallabroad。"

"Ah，howexquisite！"saidKenyon。"Nootherwinehasabouquetlikethis。Theflavormustberare，indeed，ifitfulfillthepromiseofthisfragrance，whichisliketheairysweetnessofyouthfulhopes，thatnorealitieswilleversatisfy！"

Thisinvaluableliquorwasofapalegoldenhue，likeotheroftherarestItalianwines，and，ifcarelesslyandirreligiouslyquaffed，mighthavebeenmistakenforaveryfinesortofchampagne。Itwasnot，however，aneffervescingwine，althoughitsdelicatepiquancyproducedasomewhatsimilareffectuponthepalate。Sipping，theguestlongedtosipagain；butthewinedemandedsodeliberateapause，inordertodetectthehiddenpeculiaritiesandsubtileexquisitenessofitsflavor，thattodrinkitwasreallymoreamoralthanaphysicalenjoyment。Therewasadeliciousnessinitthateludedanalysis，and——likewhateverelseissuperlativelygood——wasperhapsbetterappreciatedinthememorythanbypresentconsciousness。

Oneofitsmostetherealcharmslayinthetransitorylifeofthewine\'srichestqualities；for，whileitrequiredacertainleisureanddelay，yet，ifyoulingeredtoolonguponthedraught，itbecamedisenchantedbothofitsfragranceanditsflavor。

Thelustreshouldnotbeforgotten，amongtheotheradmirableendowmentsoftheMonteBeniwine；for，asitstoodinKenyon\'sglass，alittlecircleoflightglowedonthetableroundaboutit，asifitwerereallysomuchgoldensunshine。

"Ifeelmyselfabettermanforthatetherealpotation，"observedthesculptor。"ThefinestOrvieto，orthatfamouswine，theEstEstEstofMontefiascone，isvulgarincomparison。ThisissurelythewineoftheGoldenAge，suchasBacchushimselffirsttaughtmankindtopressfromthechoicestofhisgrapes。MydearCount，whyisitnotillustrious？Thepale，liquidgold，ineverysuchflaskasthat，mightbesolidifiedintogoldenscudi，andwouldquicklymakeyouamillionaire！"

Tomaso，theoldbutler，whowasstandingbythetable，andenjoyingthepraisesofthewinequiteasmuchasifbestoweduponhimself，madeanswer，——"Wehaveatradition，Signore，"saidhe，"thatthisrarewineofourvineyardwouldloseallitswonderfulqualities，ifanyofitweresenttomarket。TheCountsofMonteBenihaveneverpartedwithasingleflaskofitforgold。Attheirbanquets，intheoldentime，theyhaveentertainedprinces，cardinals，andonceanemperorandonceapope，withthisdeliciouswine，andalways，eventothisday，ithasbeentheircustomtoletitflowfreely，whenthosewhomtheyloveandhonorsitattheboard。Butthegranddukehimselfcouldnotdrinkthatwine，exceptitwereunderthisveryroof！"

"Whatyoutellme，mygoodfriend，"repliedKenyon，"makesmeveneratetheSunshineofMonteBenievenmoreabundantlythanbefore。AsI

understandyou，itisasortofconsecratedjuice，andsymbolizestheholyvirtuesofhospitalityandsocialkindness？"

"Why，partlyso，Signore，"saidtheoldbutler，withashrewdtwinkleinhiseye；"but，tospeakoutallthetruth，thereisanotherexcellentreasonwhyneitheracasknoraflaskofourpreciousvintageshouldeverbesenttomarket。Thewine，Signore，issofondofitsnativehome，thatatransportationofevenafewmilesturnsitquitesour。Andyetitisawinethatkeepswellinthecellar，underneaththisfloor，andgathersfragrance，flavor，andbrightness，initsdarkdungeon。ThatveryflaskofSunshine，now，haskeptitselfforyou，sirguest(asamaidreserveshersweetnesstillherlovercomesforit)，eversinceamerryvintage-time，whentheSignoreCountherewasaboy！"

"YoumustnotwaitforTomasotoendhisdiscourseaboutthewine，beforedrinkingoffyourglass，"observedDonatello。"Whenoncetheflaskisuncorked，itsfinestqualitiesloselittletimeinmakingtheirescape。Idoubtwhetheryourlastsipwillbequitesodeliciousasyoufoundthefirst。"

And，intruth，thesculptorfanciedthattheSunshinebecamealmostimperceptiblyclouded，asheapproachedthebottomoftheflask。Theeffectofthewine，however，wasagentleexhilaration，whichdidnotsospeedilypassaway。

Beingthusrefreshed，Kenyonlookedaroundhimattheantiquesalooninwhichtheysat。Itwasconstructedinamostponderousstyle，withastonefloor，onwhichheavypilasterswereplantedagainstthewall，supportingarchesthatcrossedoneanotherinthevaultedceiling。

Theuprightwalls，aswellasthecompartmentsoftheroof，werecompletelyCoveredwithfrescos，whichdoubtlesshadbeenbrilliantwhenfirstexecuted，andperhapsforgenerationsafterwards。Thedesignswereofafestiveandjoyouscharacter，representingArcadianscenes，wherenymphs，fauns，andsatyrsdisportedthemselvesamongmortalyouthsandmaidens；andPan，andthegodofwine，andheofsunshineandmusic，disdainednottobrightensomesylvanmerry-makingwiththescarcelyveiledgloryoftheirpresence。Awreathofdancingfigures，inadmirablevarietyofshapeandmotion，wasfestoonedquiteroundthecorniceoftheroom。

Initsfirstsplendor，thesaloonmusthavepresentedanaspectbothgorgeousandenlivening；foritinvestedsomeofthecheerfullestideasandemotionsofwhichthehumanmindissusceptiblewiththeexternalrealityofbeautifulform，andrich，harmoniousglowandvarietyofcolor。Butthefrescoswerenowveryancient。TheyhadbeenrubbedandscrubbedbyoldSteinandmanyapredecessor，andhadbeendefacedinonespot，andretouchedinanother，andhadpeeledfromthewallinpatches，andhadhiddensomeoftheirbrightestportionsunderdrearydust，tillthejoyousnesshadquitevanishedoutofthemall。Itwasoftendifficulttopuzzleoutthedesign；andevenwhereitwasmorereadilyintelligible，thefiguresshowedliketheghostsofdeadandburiedjoys，——theclosertheirresemblancetothehappypast，thegloomiernow。Foritisthus，thatwithonlyaninconsiderablechange，thegladdestobjectsandexistencesbecomethesaddest；hopefadingintodisappointment；joydarkeningintogrief，andfestalsplendorintofunerealduskiness；andallevolving，astheirmoral，agrimidentitybetweengaythingsandsorrowfulones。

Onlygivethemalittletime，andtheyturnouttobejustalike！

"Therehasbeenmuchfestivityinthissaloon，ifImayjudgebythecharacterofitsfrescos，"remarkedKenyon，whosespiritswerestillupheldbythemildpotencyoftheMonteBeniwine。"Yourforefathers，mydearCount，musthavebeenjoyousfellows，keepingupthevintagemerrimentthroughouttheyear。Itdoesmegoodtothinkofthemgladdeningtheheartsofmenandwomen，withtheirwineofSunshine，evenintheIronAge，asPanandBacchus，whomweseeyonder，didintheGoldenone！"

"Yes；therehavebeenmerrytimesinthebanquethallofMonteBeni，evenwithinmyownremembrance，"repliedDonatello，lookinggravelyatthepaintedwalls。"Itwasmeantformirth，asyousee；andwhenI

broughtmyowncheerfulnessintothesaloon，thesefrescoslookedcheerfultoo。But，methinks，theyhaveallfadedsinceIsawthemlast。"

"Itwouldbeagoodidea，"saidthesculptor，fallingintohiscompanion\'svein，andhelpinghimoutwithanillustrationwhichDonatellohimselfcouldnothaveputintoshape，"toconvertthissaloonintoachapel；andwhenthepriesttellshishearersoftheinstabilityofearthlyjoys，andwouldshowhowdrearilytheyvanish，hemaypointtothesepictures，thatweresojoyousandaresodismal。

Hecouldnotillustratehisthemesoaptlyinanyotherway。"

"True，indeed，"answeredtheCount，hisformersimplicitystrangelymixingitselfupwithahexperiencethathadchangedhim；"andyonder，wheretheminstrelsusedtostand，thealtarshallbeplaced。A

sinfulmanmightdoallthemoreeffectivepenanceinthisoldbanquethall。"

"ButIshouldregrettohavesuggestedsoungenialatransformationinyourhospitablesaloon，"continuedKenyon，dulynotingthechangeinDonatello\'scharacteristics。"Youstartleme，myfriend，bysoasceticadesign！Itwouldhardlyhaveenteredyourhead，whenwefirstmet。Praydonot，——ifImaytakethefreedomofasomewhateldermantoadviseyou，"addedhe，smiling，——"praydonot，underanotionofimprovement，takeuponyourselftobesombre，thoughtful，andpenitential，likealltherestofus。"

Donatellomadenoanswer，butsatawhile，appearingtofollowwithhiseyesoneofthefigures，whichwasrepeatedmanytimesoverinthegroupsuponthewallsandceiling。Itformedtheprincipallinkofanallegory，bywhich(asisoftenthecaseinsuchpictorialdesigns)

thewholeseriesoffrescoswereboundtogether，butwhichitwouldbeimpossible，or，atleast，verywearisome，tounravel。Thesculptor\'seyestookasimilardirection，andsoonbegantotracethroughthevicissitudes，——oncegay，nowsombre，——inwhichtheoldartisthadinvolvedit，thesameindividualfigure。HefanciedaresemblanceinittoDonatellohimself；anditputhiminmindofoneofthepurposeswithwhichhehadcometoMonteBeni。

"MydearCount，"saidhe，"Ihaveaproposaltomake。Youmustletmeemployalittleofmyleisureinmodellingyourbust。Yourememberwhatastrikingresemblanceweallofus——Hilda，Miriam，andI——foundbetweenyourfeaturesandthoseoftheFaunofPraxiteles。Then，itseemedanidentity；butnowthatIknowyourfacebetter，thelikenessisfarlessapparent。Yourheadinmarblewouldbeatreasuretome。

ShallIhaveit？"

"IhaveaweaknesswhichIfearIcannotovercome，"repliedtheCount，turningawayhisface。"Ittroublesmetobelookedatsteadfastly。"

"Ihaveobserveditsincewehavebeensittinghere，thoughneverbefore，"rejoinedthesculptor。"Itisakindofnervousness，I

apprehend，which，youcaughtintheRomanair，andwhichgrowsuponyou，inyoursolitarylife。Itneedbenohindrancetomytakingyourbust；forIwillcatchthelikenessandexpressionbysideglimpses，which(ifportraitpaintersandbustmakersdidbutknowit)alwaysbringhomericherresultsthanabroadstare。"

"Youmaytakemeifyouhavethepower，"saidDonatello；but，evenashespoke，heturnedawayhisface；"andifyoucanseewhatmakesmeshrinkfromyou，youarewelcometoputitinthebust。Itisnotmywill，butmynecessity，toavoidmen\'seyes。Only，"headded，withasmilewhichmadeKenyondoubtwhetherhemightnotaswellcopytheFaunasmodelanewbust，——"only，youknow，youmustnotinsistonmyuncoveringtheseearsofmine！"

"Nay；Inevershoulddreamofsuchathing，"answeredthesculptor，laughing，astheyoungCountshookhisclusteringcurls。"Icouldnothopetopersuadeyou，rememberinghowMiriamoncefailed！"

Nothingismoreunaccountablethanthespellthatoftenlurksinaspokenword。Athoughtmaybepresenttothemind，sodistinctlythatnoutterancecouldmakeitmoreso；andtwomindsmaybeconsciousofthesamethought，inwhichoneorbothtaketheprofoundestinterest；

butaslongasitremainsunspoken，theirfamiliartalkflowsquietlyoverthehiddenidea，asarivuletmaysparkleanddimpleoversomethingsunkeninitsbed。Butspeaktheword，anditislikebringingupadrownedbodyoutofthedeepestpooloftherivulet，whichhasbeenawareofthehorriblesecretallalong，inspiteofitssmilingsurface。

Andevenso，whenKenyonchancedtomakeadistinctreferencetoDonatello\'srelationswithMiriam(thoughthesubjectwasalreadyinboththeirminds)，aghastlyemotionroseupoutofthedepthsoftheyoungCount\'sheart。Hetrembledeitherwithangerorterror，andglaredatthesculptorwithwildeyes，likeawolfthatmeetsyouintheforest，andhesitateswhethertofleeorturntobay。But，asKenyonstilllookedcalmlyathim，hisaspectgraduallybecamelessdisturbed，thoughfarfromresumingitsformerquietude。

"Youhavespokenhername，"saidhe，atlast，inanalteredandtremuloustone；"tellme，now，allthatyouknowofher。"

"IscarcelythinkthatIhaveanylaterintelligencethanyourself，"

answeredKenyon；"MiriamleftRomeataboutthetimeofyourowndeparture。WithinadayortwoafterourlastmeetingattheChurchoftheCapuchins，Icalledatherstudioandfounditvacant。Whithershehasgone，Icannottell。"

Donatelloaskednofurtherquestions。

Theyrosefromtable，andstrolledtogetheraboutthepremises，whilingawaytheafternoonwithbriefintervalsofunsatisfactoryconversation，andmanyshadowysilences。Thesculptorhadaperceptionofchangeinhiscompanion，——possiblyofgrowthanddevelopment，butcertainlyofchange，——whichsaddenedhim，becauseittookawaymuchofthesimplegracethatwasthebestofDonatello\'speculiarities。

Kenyonbetookhimselftoreposethatnightinagrim，old，vaultedapartment，which，inthelapseoffiveorsixcenturies，hadprobablybeenthebirth，bridal，anddeathchamberofagreatmanygenerationsoftheMonteBenifamily。Hewasaroused，soonafterdaylight，bytheclamorofatribeofbeggarswhohadtakentheirstandinalittlerusticlanethatcreptbesidethatportionofthevilla，andwereaddressingtheirpetitionstotheopenwindows。Byandbytheyappearedtohavereceivedalms，andtooktheirdeparture。

"SomecharitableChristianhassentthosevagabondsaway，"thoughtthesculptor，asheresumedhisinterruptednap；"whocoulditbe？

Donatellohashisownroomsinthetower；Stella，Tomaso，andthecookareaworld\'swidthoff；andIfanciedmyselftheonlyinhabitantinthispartofthehouse。"

InthebreadthandspacewhichsodelightfullycharacterizeanItalianvilla，adozenguestsmighthavehadeachhissuiteofapartmentswithoutinfringingupononeanother\'sampleprecincts。But，sofarasKenyonknew，hewastheonlyvisitorbeneathDonatello\'swidelyextendedroof。

CHAPTERXXVI

THEPEDIGREEOFMONTEBENI

Fromtheoldbutler，whomhefoundtobeaverygraciousandaffablepersonage，KenyonsoonlearnedmanycuriousparticularsaboutthefamilyhistoryandhereditarypeculiaritiesoftheCountsofMonteBeni。Therewasapedigree，thelaterportionofwhich——thatistosay，foralittlemorethanathousandyears——agenealogistwouldhavefounddelightintracingout，linkbylink，andauthenticatingbyrecordsanddocumentaryevidences。Itwouldhavebeenasdifficult，however，tofollowupthestreamofDonatello\'sancestrytoitsdimsource，astravellershavefoundittoreachthemysteriousfountainsoftheNile。And，farbeyondtheregionofdefiniteanddemonstrablefact，aromancermighthavestrayedintoaregionofoldpoetry，wheretherichsoil，solonguncultivatedanduntrodden，hadlapsedintonearlyitsprimevalstateofwilderness。Amongthoseantiquepaths，nowovergrownwithtangledandriotousvegetation，thewanderermustneedsfollowhisownguidance，andarrivenowhitheratlast。

TheraceofMonteBeni，beyondadoubt，wasoneoftheoldestinItaly，wherefamiliesappeartosurviveatleast，ifnottoflourish，ontheirhalf-decayedroots，oftenerthaninEnglandorFrance。ItcamedowninabroadtrackfromtheMiddleAges；but，atepochsanteriortothose，itwasdistinctlyvisibleinthegloomoftheperiodbeforechivalryputforthitsflower；andfurtherstill，wearealmostafraidtosay，itwasseen，thoughwithafainterandwaveringcourse，intheearlymornofChristendom，whentheRomanEmpirehadhardlybeguntoshowsymptomsofdecline。Atthatvenerabledistance，theheraldsgaveupthelineageindespair。

ButwherewrittenrecordleftthegenealogyofMonteBeni，traditiontookitup，andcarrieditwithoutdreadorshamebeyondtheImperialagesintothetimesoftheRomanrepublic；beyondthose，again，intotheepochofkinglyrule。Norevensoremotelyamongthemossycenturiesdiditpause，butstrayedonwardintothatgrayantiquityofwhichthereisnotokenleft，saveitscavernoustombs，andafewbronzes，andsomequaintlywroughtornamentsofgold，andgemswithmysticfiguresandinscriptions。There，orthereabouts，thelinewassupposedtohavehaditsorigininthesylvanlifeofEtruria，whileItalywasyetguiltlessofRome。

Ofcourse，asweregrettosay，theearlierandverymuchthelargerportionofthisrespectabledescent——andthesameistrueofmanybrieferpedigrees——mustbelookeduponasaltogethermythical。Still，itthrewaromanticinterestaroundtheunquestionableantiquityoftheMonteBenifamily，andoverthattractoftheirownvinesandfig-treesbeneaththeshadeofwhichtheyhadunquestionablydweltforimmemorialages。Andtheretheyhadlaidthefoundationsoftheirtower，solongagothatonehalfofitsheightwassaidtobesunkenunderthesurfaceandtohidesubterraneanchamberswhichoncewerecheerfulwiththeoldensunshine。

Onestory，ormyth，thathadmixeditselfupwiththeirmouldygenealogy，interestedthesculptorbyitswild，andperhapsgrotesque，yetnotunfascinatingpeculiarity。Hecaughtatitthemoreeagerly，asitaffordedashadowyandwhimsicalsemblanceofexplanationforthelikenesswhichhe，withMiriamandHilda，hadseenorfanciedbetweenDonatelloandtheFaunofPraxiteles。

TheMonteBenifamily，asthislegendaverred，drewtheiroriginfromthePelasgicrace，whopeopledItalyintimesthatmaybecalledprehistoric。Itwasthesamenoblebreedofmen，ofAsiaticbirth，thatsettledinGreece；thesamehappyandpoetickindredwhodweltinArcadia，and——whethertheyeverlivedsuchlifeornot——enrichedtheworldwithdreams，atleast，andfables，lovely，ifunsubstantial，ofaGoldenAge。Inthosedelicioustimes，whendeitiesanddemigodsappearedfamiliarlyonearth，minglingwithitsinhabitantsasfriendwithfriend，——whennymphs，satyrs，andthewholetrainofclassicfaithorfablehardlytookpainstohidethemselvesintheprimevalwoods，——atthatauspiciousperiodthelineageofMonteBenihaditsrise。Itsprogenitorwasabeingnotaltogetherhuman，yetpartakingsolargelyofthegentlesthumanqualities，astobeneitherawfulnorshockingtotheimagination。Asylvancreature，nativeamongthewoods，hadlovedamortalmaiden，and——perhapsbykindness，andthesubtilecourtesieswhichlovemightteachtohissimplicity，orpossiblybyaruderwooing——hadwonhertohishaunts。Induetimehegainedherwomanlyaffection；and，makingtheirbridalbower，foraughtweknow，inthehollowofagreattree，thepairspentahappyweddedlifeinthatancientneighborhoodwherenowstoodDonatello\'stower。

Fromthisunionsprangavigorousprogenythattookitsplaceunquestionedamonghumanfamilies。Inthatage，however，andlongafterwards，itshowedtheineffaceablelineamentsofitswildpaternity：itwasapleasantandkindlyraceofmen，butcapableofsavagefierceness，andneverquiterestrainablewithinthetrammelsofsociallaw。Theywerestrong，active，genial，cheerfulasthesunshine，passionateasthetornado。Theirliveswererenderedblissfulbyartunsoughtharmonywithnature。

But，ascenturiespassedaway，theFaun\'swildbloodhadnecessarilybeenattemperedwithconstantintermixturesfromthemoreordinarystreamsofhumanlife。Itlostmanyofitsoriginalqualities，andservedforthemostpartonlytobestowanunconquerablevigor，whichkeptthefamilyfromextinction，andenabledthemtomaketheirownpartgoodthroughouttheperilsandrudeemergenciesoftheirinterminabledescent。IntheconstantwarswithwhichItalywasplagued，bythedissensionsofherpettystatesandrepublics，therewasademandfornativehardihood。

ThesuccessivemembersoftheMonteBenifamilyshowedvalorandpolicyenough\'atallevents，tokeeptheirhereditarypossessionsoutoftheclutchofgraspingneighbors，andprobablydifferedverylittlefromtheotherfeudalbaronswithwhomtheyfoughtandfeasted。Suchadegreeofconformitywiththemannersofthegenerationsthroughwhichitsurvived，musthavebeenessentialtotheprolongedcontinuanceoftherace。

Itiswellknown，however，thatanyhereditarypeculiarity——asasupernumeraryfinger，orananomalousshapeoffeature，liketheAustrianlip——iswonttoshowitselfinafamilyafteraverywaywardfashion。Itskipsatitsownpleasurealongtheline，and，latentforhalfacenturyorso，cropsoutagaininagreat-grandson。Andthus，itwassaid，fromaperiodbeyondmemoryorrecord，therehadeverandanonbeenadescendantoftheMonteBenisbearingnearlyallthecharacteristicsthatwereattributedtotheoriginalfounderoftherace。Sometraditionsevenwentsofarastoenumeratetheears，coveredwithadelicatefur，andshapedlikeapointedleaf，amongtheproofsofauthenticdescentwhichwereseeninthesefavoredindividuals。Weappreciatethebeautyofsuchtokensofanearerkindredtothegreatfamilyofnaturethanothermortalsbear；butitwouldbeidletoaskcreditforastatementwhichmightbedeemedtopartakesolargelyofthegrotesque。

Butitwasindisputablethat，onceinacenturyoroftener，asonofMonteBenigatheredintohimselfthescatteredqualitiesofhisrace，andreproducedthecharacterthathadbeenassignedtoitfromimmemorialtimes。Beautiful，strong，brave，kindly，sincere，ofhonestimpulses，andendowedwithsimpletastesandtheloveofhomelypleasures，hewasbelievedtopossessgiftsbywhichhecouldassociatehimselfwiththewildthingsoftheforests，andwiththefowlsoftheair，andcouldfeelasympathyevenwiththetrees；amongwhichitwashisjoytodwell。Ontheotherhand，thereweredeficienciesbothofintellectandheart，andespecially，asitseemed，inthedevelopmentofthehigherportionofman\'snature。Thesedefectswerelessperceptibleinearlyyouth，butshowedthemselvesmorestronglywithadvancingage，when，astheanimalspiritssettleddownuponalowerlevel，therepresentativeoftheMonteBeniswasapttobecomesensual，addictedtogrosspleasures，heavy，unsympathizing，andinsulatedwithinthenarrowlimitsofasurlyselfishness。

Asimilarchange，indeed，isnomorethanwhatweconstantlyobservetotakeplaceinpersonswhoarenotcarefultosubstituteothergracesforthosewhichtheyinevitablylosealongwiththequicksensibilityandjoyousvivacityofyouth。Atworst，thereigningCountofMonteBeni，ashishairgrewwhite，wasstillajollyoldfellowoverhisflaskofwine，thewinethatBacchushimselfwasfabledtohavetaughthissylvanancestorhowtoexpress，andfromwhatchoicestgrapes，whichwouldripenonlyinacertaindivinelyfavoredportionoftheMonteBenivineyard。

Thefamily，beitobserved，werebothproudandashamedoftheselegends；butwhateverpartofthemtheymightconsenttoincorporateintotheirancestralhistory，theysteadilyrepudiatedallthatreferredtotheironedistinctivefeature，thepointedandfurryears。

Inagreatmanyyearspast，nosobercredencehadbeenyieldedtothemythicalportionofthepedigree。Itmight，however，beconsideredastypifyingsomesuchassemblageofqualities——inthiscase，chieflyremarkablefortheirsimplicityandnaturalness——as，whentheyreappearinsuccessivegenerations，constitutewhatwecallfamilycharacter。Thesculptorfound，moreover，ontheevidenceofsomeoldportraits，thatthephysicalfeaturesoftheracehadlongbeensimilartowhathenowsawtheminDonatello。Withaccumulatingyears，itistrue，theMonteBenifacehadatendencytolookgrimandsavage；and，intwoorthreeinstances，thefamilypicturesglaredatthespectatorintheeyeslikesomesurlyanimal，thathadlostitsgoodhumorwhenitoutliveditsplayfulness。

TheyoungCountaccordedhisguestfulllibertytoinvestigatethepersonalannalsofthesepicturedworthies，aswellasalltherestofhisprogenitors；andamplematerialswereathandinmanychestsofworm-eatenpapersandyellowparchments，thathadbeengatheringintolargeranddustierpileseversincethedarkages。But，toconfessthetruth，theinformationaffordedbythesemustydocumentswassomuchmoreprosaicthanwhatKenyonacquiredfromTomaso\'slegends，thateventhesuperiorauthenticityoftheformercouldnotreconcilehimtoitsdullness。WhatespeciallydelightedthesculptorwastheanalogybetweenDonatello\'scharacter，ashehimselfknewit，andthosepeculiartraitswhichtheoldbutler\'snarrativeassumedtohavebeenlonghereditaryintherace。Hewasamusedatfinding，too，thatnotonlyTomasobutthepeasantryoftheestateandneighboringvillagerecognizedhisfriendasagenuineMonteBeni，oftheoriginaltype。TheyseemedtocherishagreataffectionfortheyoungCount，andwerefullofstoriesabouthissportivechildhood；howhehadplayedamongthelittlerustics，andbeenatoncethewildestandthesweetestofthemall；andhow，inhisveryinfancy，hehadplungedintothedeeppoolsofthestreamletsandneverbeendrowned，andhadclamberedtothetopmostbranchesoftalltreeswithouteverbreakinghisneck。Nosuchmischancecouldhappentothesylvanchildbecause，handlingalltheelementsofnaturesofearlesslyandfreely，nothinghadeitherthepowerorthewilltodohimharm。

Hegrewup，saidthesehumblefriends，theplaymatenotonlyofallmortalkind，butofcreaturesofthewoods；although，whenKenyonpressedthemforsomeparticularsofthislattermodeofcompanionship，theycouldrememberlittlemorethanafewanecdotesofapetfox，whichusedtogrowlandsnapateverybodysaveDonatellohimself。

Buttheyenlarged——andneverwerewearyofthetheme——upontheblithesomeeffectsofDonatello\'spresenceinhisrosychildhoodandbuddingyouth。Theirhovelshadalwaysglowedlikesunshinewhenheenteredthem；sothat，asthepeasantsexpressedit，theiryoungmasterhadneverdarkenedadoorwayinhislife。Hewasthesoulofvintagefestivals。Whilehewasamereinfant，scarcelyabletorunalone，ithadbeenthecustomtomakehimtreadthewinepresswithhistenderlittlefeet，ifitwereonlytocrushoneclusterofthegrapes。

Andthegrape-juicethatgushedbeneathhischildishtread，beiteversosmallinquantity，sufficedtoimpartapleasantflavortoawholecaskofwine。TheraceofMonteBeni——sotheserusticchroniclersassuredthesculptor——hadpossessedthegiftfromtheoldestofoldtimesofexpressinggoodwinefromordinarygrapes，andaravishingliquorfromthechoicegrowthoftheirvineyard。

Inaword，ashelistenedtosuchtalesasthese，KenyoncouldhaveimaginedthatthevalleysandhillsidesabouthimwereaveritableArcadia；andthatDonatellowasnotmerelyasylvanfaun，butthegenialwinegodinhisveryperson。MakingmanyallowancesforthepoeticfanciesofItalianpeasants，hesetitdownforfactthathisfriend，inasimplewayandamongrusticfolks，hadbeenanexceedinglydelightfulfellowinhisyoungerdays。

Butthecontadinisometimesadded，shakingtheirheadsandsighing，thattheyoungCountwassadlychangedsincehewenttoRome。Thevillagegirlsnowmissedthemerrysmilewithwhichheusedtogreetthem。

ThesculptorinquiredofhisgoodfriendTomaso，whetherhe，too，hadnoticedtheshadowwhichwassaidtohaverecentlyfallenoverDonatello\'slife。

"Ah，yes，Signore！"answeredtheoldbutler，"itisevenso，sincehecamebackfromthatwickedandmiserablecity。Theworldhasgrowneithertooevil，orelsetoowiseandsad，forsuchmenastheoldCountsofMonteBeniusedtobe。Hisveryfirsttasteofit，asyousee，haschangedandspoiltmypooryounglord。Therehadnotbeenasinglecountinthefamilythesehundredyearsormore，whowassotrueaMonteBeni，oftheantiquestamp，asthispoorsignorino；andnowitbringsthetearsintomyeyestohearhimsighingoveracupofSunshine！Ah，itisasadworldnow！"

"Thenyouthinktherewasamerrierworldonce？"askedKenyon。

"Surely，Signore，"saidTomaso；"amerrierworld，andmerrierCountsofMonteBenitoliveinit！SuchtalesofthemasIhaveheard，whenIwasachildonmygrandfather\'sknee！ThegoodoldmanrememberedalordofMonteBeni——atleast，hehadheardofsuchaone，thoughI

willnotmakeoathupontheholycrucifixthatmygrandsirelivedinhistimewhousedtogointothewoodsandcallprettydamselsoutofthefountains，andoutofthetrunksoftheoldtrees。Thatmerrylordwasknowntodancewiththemawholelongsummerafternoon！Whenshallweseesuchfrolicsinourdays？"

"Notsoon，Iamafraid，"acquiescedthesculptor。"Youareright，excellentTomaso；theworldissaddernow！"

And，intruth，whileourfriendsmiledatthesewildfables，hesighedinthesamebreathtothinkhowtheoncegenialearthproduces，ineverysuccessivegeneration，fewerflowersthanusedtogladdentheprecedingones。Notthatthemodesandseemingpossibilitiesofhumanenjoymentarerarerinourrefinedandsoftenedera，——onthecontrary，theyneverbeforewerenearlysoabundant，——butthatmankindaregettingsofarbeyondthechildhoodoftheirracethattheyscorntobehappyanylonger。Asimpleandjoyouscharactercanfindnoplaceforitselfamongthesageandsombrefiguresthatwouldputhisunsophisticatedcheerfulnesstoshame。Theentiresystemofman\'saffairs，asatpresentestablished，isbuiltuppurposelytoexcludethecarelessandhappysoul。Theverychildrenwouldupbraidthewretchedindividualwhoshouldendeavortotakelifeandtheworldaswwhatwemightnaturallysupposethemmeantfor——aplaceandopportunityforenjoyment。

Itistheironruleinourdaytorequireanobjectandapurposeinlife。Itmakesusallpartsofacomplicatedschemeofprogress，whichcanonlyresultinourarrivalata，colderanddrearierregionthanwewerebornin。Itinsistsuponeverybody\'saddingsomewhat——amite，perhaps，butearnedbyincessanteffort——toanaccumulatedpileofusefulness，ofwhichtheonlyusewillbe，toburdenourposteritywithevenheavierthoughtsandmoreinordinatelaborthanourown。Nolifenowwanderslikeanunfetteredstream；thereisamill-wheelforthetiniestrivulettoturn。Wegoallwrong，bytoostrenuousaresolutiontogoallright。

Thereforeitwas——so，atleast，thesculptorthought，althoughpartlysuspiciousofDonatello\'sdarkermisfortune——thattheyoungCountfounditimpossiblenowadaystobewhathisforefathershadbeen。Hecouldnotlivetheirhealthylifeofanimalspirits，intheirsympathywithnature，andbrotherhoodwithallthatbreathedaroundthem。

Nature，inbeast，fowl，andtree，andearth，flood，andsky，iswhatitwasofold；butsin，care，andself-consciousnesshavesetthehumanportionoftheworldaskew；andthusthesimplestcharacteriseverthesoonesttogoastray。

"Atanyrate，Tomaso，"saidKenyon，doinghisbesttocomforttheoldman，"letushopethatyouryounglordwillstillenjoyhimselfatvintagetime。Bytheaspectofthevineyard，IjudgethatthiswillbeafamousyearforthegoldenwineofMonteBeni。Aslongasyourgrapesproducethatadmirableliquor，sadasyouthinktheworld，neithertheCountnorhisguestswillquiteforgettosmile。"

"Ah，Signore，"rejoinedthebutlerwithasigh，"buthescarcelywetshislipswiththesunnyjuice。"

"Thereisyetanotherhope，"observedKenyon；"theyoungCountmayfallinlove，andbringhomeafairandlaughingwifetochasethegloomoutofyonderoldfrescoedsaloon。Doyouthinkhecoulddoabetterthing，mygoodTomaso？"

"Maybenot，Signore，"saidthesagebutler，lookingearnestlyathim；

"and，maybe，notaworse！"

Thesculptorfanciedthatthegoodoldmanhaditpartlyinhismindtomakesomeremark，orcommunicatesomefact，which，onsecondthoughts，heresolvedtokeepconcealedinhisownbreast。Henowtookhisdeparturecellarward，shakinghiswhiteheadandmutteringtohimself，anddidnotreappeartilldinner-time，whenhefavoredKenyon，whomhehadtakenfarintohisgoodgraces，withachoicerflaskofSunshinethanhadyetblessedhispalate。

Tosaythetruth，thisgoldenwinewasnounnecessaryingredienttowardsmakingthelifeofMonteBenipalatable。ItseemedapitythatDonatellodidnotdrinkalittlemoreofit，andgojollilytobedatleast，evenifheshouldawakewithanaccessionofdarkermelancholythenextmorning。

Nevertheless，therewasnolackofoutwardmeansforleadinganagreeablelifeintheoldvilla。WanderingmusicianshauntedtheprecinctsofMonteBeni，wheretheyseemedtoclaimaprescriptiveright；theymadethelawnandshrubberytunefulwiththesoundoffiddle，harp，andflute，andnowandthenwiththetangledsqueakingofabagpipe。Improvisatorilikewisecameandtoldtalesorrecitedversestothecontadini——amongwhomKenyonwasoftenanauditor——aftertheirday\'sworkinthevineyard。Jugglers，too，obtainedpermissiontodofeatsofmagicinthehall，wheretheyseteventhesageTomaso，andStella，Girolamo，andthepeasantgirlsfromthefarmhouse，allofabroadgrin，betweenmerrimentandwonder。Thesegoodpeoplegotfoodandlodgingfortheirpleasantpains，andsomeofthesmallwineofTuscany，andareasonablehandfuloftheGrandDuke\'scoppercoin，tokeepupthehospitablerenownofMonteBeni。ButveryseldomhadtheytheyoungCountasalisteneroraspectator。

Thereweresometimesdancesbymoonlightonthelawn，butneversincehecamefromRomedidDonatello\'spresencedeepentheblushesoftheprettycontadinas，orhisfootstepwearyoutthemostagilepartnerorcompetitor，asonceitwassuretodo。

Paupers——forthiskindofvermininfestedthehouseofMonteBeniworsethananyotherspotinbeggar-hauntedItaly——stoodbeneathallthewindows，makingloudsupplication，orevenestablishingthemselvesonthemarblestepsofthegrandentrance。Theyateanddrank，andfilledtheirbags，andpocketedthelittlemoneythatwasgiventhem，andwentforthontheirdeviousways，showeringblessingsinnumerableonthemansionanditslord，andonthesoulsofhisdeceasedforefathers，whohadalwaysbeenjustsuchsimpletonsastobecompassionatetobeggary。But，inspiteoftheirfavorableprayers，bywhichItalianphilanthropistssetgreatstore，acloudseemedtohangovertheseonceArcadianprecincts，andtobedarkestaroundthesummitofthetowerwhereDonatellowaswonttositandbrood。

CHAPTERXXVII

MYTHS

Afterthesculptor\'sarrival，however，theyoungCountsometimescamedownfromhisforlornelevation，andrambledwithhimamongtheneighboringwoodsandhills。Heledhisfriendtomanyenchantingnooks，withwhichhehimselfhadbeenfamiliarinhischildhood。Butoflate，asheremarkedtoKenyon，asortofstrangenesshadovergrownthem，likeclustersofdarkshrubbery，sothathehardlyrecognizedtheplaceswhichhehadknownandlovedsowell。

Tothesculptor\'seye，nevertheless，theywerestillrichwithbeauty。

Theywerepicturesqueinthatsweetlyimpressivewaywherewildness，inalonglapseofyears，hascreptoverscenesthathavebeenonceadornedwiththecarefulartandtoilofman；andwhenmancoulddonomoreforthem，timeandnaturecame，andwroughthandinhandtobringthemtoasoftandvenerableperfection。Theregrewthefig-treethathadrunwildandtakentowifethevine，whichlikewisehadgonerampantoutofallhumancontrol；sothatthetwowildthingshadtangledandknottedthemselvesintoawildmarriagebond，andhungtheirvariousprogeny——thelusciousfigs，thegrapes，oozywiththeSouthernjuice，andbothendowedwithawildflavorthataddedthefinalcharm——onthesameboughtogether。

InKenyon\'sopinion，neverwasanyothernooksolovelyasacertainlittledellwhichheandDonatellovisited。Itwashollowedinamongthehills，andopentoaglimpseofthebroad，fertilevalley。A

fountainhaditsbirthhere，andfellintoamarblebasin，whichwasallcoveredwithmossandshaggywithwater-weeds。Overthegushofthesmallstream，withanurninherarms，stoodamarblenymph，whosenakednessthemosshadkindlyclothedaswithagarment；andthelongtrailsandtressesofthemaidenhairhaddonewhattheycouldinthepoorthing\'sbehalf，byhangingthemselvesaboutherwaist，Informerdays——itmightbearemoteantiquity——thisladyofthefountainhadfirstreceivedtheinfanttideintoherurnandpoureditthenceintothemarblebasin。Butnowthesculpturedurnhadagreatcrackfromtoptobottom；andthediscontentednymphwascompelledtoseethebasinfillitselfthroughachannelwhichshecouldnotcontrol，althoughwithwaterlongagoconsecratedtoher。

Forthisreason，orsomeother，shelookedterriblyforlorn；andyoumighthavefanciedthatthewholefountainwasbuttheoverflowofherlonelytears。

"ThiswasaplacethatIusedgreatlytodelightin，"remarkedDonatello，sighing。"Asachild，andasaboy，Ihavebeenveryhappyhere。"

"And，asaman，Ishouldasknofitterplacetobehappyin，"answeredKenyon。"Butyou，myfriend，areofsuchasocialnature，thatI

shouldhardlyhavethoughttheselonelyhauntswouldtakeyourfancy。

Itisaplaceforapoettodreamin，andpeopleitwiththebeingsofhisimagination。"

"Iamnopoet，thatIknowof，"saidDonatello，"butyet，asItellyou，Ihavebeenveryhappyhere，inthecompanyofthisfountainandthisnymph。ItissaidthataFaun，myoldestforefather，broughthomehithertothisveryspotahumanmaiden，whomhelovedandwedded。

Thisspringofdeliciouswaterwastheirhouseholdwell。"

"Itisamostenchantingfable！"exclaimedKenyon；"thatis，ifitbenotafact。"

"Andwhynotafact？"saidthesimpleDonatello。"Thereis，likewise，anothersweetoldstoryconnectedwiththisspot。But，nowthatI

rememberit，itseemstomemoresadthansweet，thoughformerlythesorrow，inwhichitcloses，didnotsomuchimpressme。IfIhadthegiftoftale-telling，thisonewouldbesuretointerestyoumightily。"

"Praytellit，"saidKenyon；"nomatterwhetherwellorill。Thesewildlegendshaveoftenthemostpowerfulcharmwhenleastartfullytold。"

SotheyoungCountnarratedamythofoneofhisProgenitors，——hemighthavelivedacenturyago，orathousandyears，orbeforetheChristianepoch，foranythingthatDonatelloknewtothecontrary，——whohadmadeacquaintancewithafaircreaturebelongingtothisfountain。Whetherwomanorspritewasamystery，aswasallelseabouther，exceptthatherlifeandsoulweresomehowinterfusedthroughoutthegushingwater。Shewasafresh，cool，dewything，sunnyandshadowy，fullofpleasantlittlemischiefs，fitfulandchangeablewiththewhimofthemoment，butyetasconstantashernativestream，whichkeptthesamegushandflowforever，whilemarblecrumbledoverandaroundit。Thefountainwomanlovedtheyouth，——aknight，asDonatellocalledhim，——for，accordingtothelegend，hisracewasakintohers。Atleast，whetherkinorno，therehadbeenfriendshipandsympathyofoldbetwixtanancestorofhis，withfurryears，andthelong-livedladyofthefountain。And，afterallthoseages，shewasstillasyoungasaMaymorning，andasfrolicsomeasabirduponatree，orabreezethatmakesmerrywiththeleaves。

Shetaughthimhowtocallherfromherpebblysource，andtheyspentmanyahappyhourtogether，moreespeciallyinthefervorofthesummerdays。Foroftenashesatwaitingforherbythemarginofthespring，shewouldsuddenlyfalldownaroundhiminashowerofsunnyraindrops，witharainbowglancingthroughthem，andforthwithgatherherselfupintothelikenessofabeautifulgirl，laughing——orwasitthewarbleoftherilloverthepebbles？——toseetheyouth\'samazement。

Thus，kindmaidenthatshewas，thehotatmospherebecamedeliciouslycoolandfragrantforthisfavoredknight；and，furthermore，whenhekneltdowntodrinkoutofthespring，nothingwasmorecommonthanforapairofrosylipstocomeupoutofitslittledepths，andtouchhismouthwiththethrillofasweet，cool，dewykiss！

"ItisadelightfulstoryforthehotnoonofyourTuscansummer，"

observedthesculptor，atthispoint。"Butthedeportmentofthewateryladymusthavehadamostchillinginfluenceinmidwinter。Herloverwouldfindit，veryliterally，acoldreception！"

"Isuppose，"saidDonatellorathersulkily，"youaremakingfunofthestory。ButIseenothinglaughableinthethingitself，norinwhatyousayaboutit。"

Hewentontorelate，thatforalongWhiletheknightfoundinfinitepleasureandcomfortinthefriendshipofthefountainnymph。Inhismerriesthours，shegladdenedhimwithhersportivehumor。Ifeverhewasannoyedwithearthlytrouble，shelaidhermoisthanduponhisbrow，andcharmedthefretandfeverquiteaway。

Butoneday——onefatalnoontide——theyoungknightcamerushingwithhastyandirregularstepstotheaccustomedfountain。Hecalledthenymph；but——nodoubtbecausetherewassomethingunusualandfrightfulinhistoneshedidnotappear，noranswerhim。Heflunghimselfdown，andwashedhishandsandbathedhisfeverishbrowinthecool，purewater。Andthentherewasasoundofwoe；itmighthavebeenawoman\'svoice；itmighthavebeenonlythesighingofthebrookoverthepebbles。Thewatershrankawayfromtheyouth\'shands，andlefthisbrowasdryandfeverishasbefore。

Donatelloherecametoadeadpause。

"Whydidthewatershrinkfromthisunhappyknight？"inquiredthesculptor。

"Becausehehadtriedtowashoffabloodstain！"saidtheyoungCount，inahorror-strickenwhisper。"Theguiltymanhadpollutedthepurewater。Thenymphmighthavecomfortedhiminsorrow，butcouldnotcleansehisconscienceofacrime。"

"Anddidheneverbeholdhermore？"askedKenyon。

"Neverbutonce，"repliedhisfriend。"Heneverbeheldherblessedfacebutonceagain，andthentherewasablood-stainonthepoornymph\'sbrow；itwasthestainhisguilthadleftinthefountainwherehetriedtowashitoff。Hemournedforherhiswholelifelong，andemployedthebestsculptorofthetimetocarvethisstatueofthenymphfromhisdescriptionofheraspect。But，thoughmyancestorwouldfainhavehadtheimagewearherhappiestlook，theartist，unlikeyourself，wassoimpressedwiththemournfulnessofthestory，that，inspiteofhisbestefforts，hemadeherforlorn，andforeverweeping，asyousee！"

Kenyonfoundacertaincharminthissimplelegend。Whethersointendedornot，heunderstooditasanapologue，typifyingthesoothingandgenialeffectsofanhabitualintercoursewithnatureinallordinarycaresandgriefs；while，ontheotherhand，hermildinfluencesfallshortintheireffectupontheruderpassions，andarealtogetherpowerlessinthedreadfever-fitordeadlychillofguilt。

"Doyousay，"heasked，"thatthenymph\'sracehasneversincebeenshowntoanymortal？Methinksyou，byyournativequalities，areaswellentitledtoherfavoraseveryourprogenitorcouldhavebeen。

Whyhaveyounotsummonedher？"

"IcalledheroftenwhenIwasasillychild，"answeredDonatello；andheadded，inaninwardvoice，"ThankHeaven，shedidnotcome！"

"Thenyouneversawher？"saidthesculptor。

"Neverinmylife！"rejoinedtheCount。"No，mydearfriend，Ihavenotseenthenymph；althoughhere，byherfountain，Iusedtomakemanystrangeacquaintances；for，frommyearliestchildhood，Iwasfamiliarwithwhatevercreatureshauntthewoods。YouwouldhavelaughedtoseethefriendsIhadamongthem；yes，amongthewild，nimblethings，thatreckonmantheirdeadliestenemy！Howitwasfirsttaughtme，Icannottell；buttherewasacharm——avoice，amurmur，akindofchant——bywhichIcalledthewoodlandinhabitants，thefurrypeople，andthefeatheredpeople，inalanguagethattheyseemedtounderstand。"

"Ihaveheardofsuchagift，"respondedthesculptorgravely，"butneverbeforemetwithapersonendowedwithit。Praytrythecharm；

andlestIshouldfrightenyourfriendsaway，Iwillwithdrawintothisthicket，andmerelypeepatthem。"

"Idoubt，"saidDonatello，"whethertheywillremembermyvoicenow。

Itchanges，youknow，astheboygrowstowardsmanhood。"

Nevertheless，astheyoungCount\'sgood-natureandeasypersuadabilitywereamonghisbestcharacteristics，hesetaboutcomplyingwithKenyon\'srequest。Thelatter，inhisconcealmentamongtheshrubberies，heardhimsendforthasortofmodulatedbreath，wild，rude，yetharmonious。Itstrucktheauditorasatoncethestrangestandthemostnaturalutterancethathadeverreachedhisears。Anyidleboy，itshouldseem，singingtohimselfandsettinghiswordlesssongtonootherormoredefinitetunethantheplayofhisownpulses，mightproduceasoundalmostidenticalwiththis；andyet，itwasasindividualasamurmurofthebreeze。Donatellotriedit，overandoveragain，withmanybreaks，atfirst，andpausesofuncertainty；

thenwithmoreconfidence，andafullerswell，likeawayfarergropingoutofobscurityintothelight，andmovingwithfreerfootstepsasitbrightensaroundhim。

Anon，hisvoiceappearedtofilltheair，yetnotwithanobtrusiveclangor。Thesoundwasofamurmurouscharacter，soft，attractive，persuasive，friendly。Thesculptorfanciedthatsuchmighthavebeentheoriginalvoiceandutteranceofthenaturalman，beforethesophisticationofthehumanintellectformedwhatwenowcalllanguage。

Inthisbroaddialect——broadasthesympathiesofnature——thehumanbrothermighthavespokentohisinarticulatebrotherhoodthatprowlthewoods，orsoaruponthewing，andhavebeenintelligibletosuchextentastowintheirconfidence。

Thesoundhaditspathostoo。Atsomeofitssimplecadences，thetearscamequietlyintoKenyon\'seyes。Theywelledupslowlyfromhisheart，whichwasthrillingwithanemotionmoredelightfulthanhehadoftenfeltbefore，butwhichheforboretoanalyze，lest，ifheseizedit，itshouldatonceperishinhisgrasp。

Donatellopausedtwoorthreetimes，andseemedtolisten，——then，recommencing，hepouredhisspiritandlifemoreearnestlyintothestrain。Andfinally，——orelsethesculptor\'shopeandimaginationdeceivedhim，——softtreadswereaudibleuponthefallenleaves。Therewasarustlingamongtheshrubbery；awhirofwings，moreover，thathoveredintheair。Itmayhavebeenallanillusion；butKenyonfanciedthathecoulddistinguishthestealthy，cat-likemovementofsomesmallforestcitizen，andthathecouldevenseeitsdoubtfulshadow，ifnotreallyitssubstance。But，allatonce，whatevermightbethereason，thereensuedahurriedrushandscamperoflittlefeet；

andthenthesculptorheardawild，sorrowfulcry，andthroughthecrevicesofthethicketbeheldDonatelloflinghimselfontheground。

Emergingfromhishiding-place，hesawnolivingthing，saveabrownlizard(itwasofthetarantulaspecies)rustlingawaythroughthesunshine。Toallpresentappearance，thisvenomousreptilewastheonlycreaturethathadrespondedtotheyoungCount\'seffortstorenewhisintercoursewiththelowerordersofnature。

"Whathashappenedtoyou？"exclaimedKenyon，stoopingdownoverhisfriend，andwonderingattheanguishwhichhebetrayed。

"Death，death！"sobbedDonatello。"Theyknowit！"

Hegrovelledbesidethefountain，inafitofsuchpassionatesobbingandweeping，thatitseemedasifhishearthadbroken，andspiltitswildsorrowsupontheground。HisunrestrainedgriefandchildishtearsmadeKenyonsensibleinhowsmalladegreethecustomsandrestraintsofsocietyhadreallyacteduponthisyoungman，inspiteofthequietudeofhisordinarydeportment。Inresponsetohisfriend\'seffortstoconsolehim，hemurmuredwordshardlymorearticulatethanthestrangechantwhichhehadsorecentlybeenbreathingintotheair。

"Theyknowit！"wasallthatKenyoncouldyetdistinguish，——"theyknowit！"

"Whoknowit？"askedthesculptor。"Andwhatisittheirknow？"

"Theyknowit！"repeatedDonatello，trembling。"Theyshunme！Allnatureshrinksfromme，andshuddersatme！Iliveinthemidstofacurse，thathemsmeroundwithacircleoffire！Noinnocentthingcancomenearme。"

"Becomforted，mydearfriend，"saidKenyon，kneelingbesidehim。

"Youlaborundersomeillusion，butnocurse。Asforthisstrange，naturalspell，whichyouhavebeenexercising，andofwhichIhaveheardbefore，thoughIneverbelievedin，norexpectedtowitnessit，Iamsatisfiedthatyoustillpossessit。Itwasmyownhalf-concealedpresence，nodoubt，andsomeinvoluntarylittlemovementofmine，thatscaredawayyourforestfriends。"

"Theyarefriendsofminenolonger，"answeredDonatello。

"Weallofus，aswegrowolder，"rejoinedKenyon，"losesomewhatofourproximitytonature。Itisthepricewepayforexperience。"

"Aheavyprice，then！"saidDonatello，risingfromtheground。"Butwewillspeaknomoreofit。Forgetthisscene，mydearfriend。Inyoureyes，itmustlookveryabsurd。Itisagrief，Ipresume，toallmen，tofindthepleasantprivilegesandpropertiesofearlylifedepartingfromthem。Thatgriefhasnowbefallenme。Well；Ishallwastenomoretearsforsuchacause！"

NothingelsemadeKenyonsosensibleofachangeinDonatello，ashisnewlyacquiredpowerofdealingwithhisownemotions，and，afterastrugglemoreorlessfierce，thrustingthemdownintotheprisoncellswhereheusuallykeptthemconfined。Therestraint，whichhenowputuponhimself，andthemaskofdullcomposurewhichhesucceededinclaspingoverhisstillbeautiful，andoncefaun-likeface，affectedthesensitivesculptormoresadlythaneventheunrestrainedpassionoftheprecedingscene。Itisaverymiserableepoch，whentheevilnecessitiesoflife，inourtortuousworld，firstgetthebetterofussofarastocompelustoattemptthrowingacloudoverourtransparency。Simplicityincreasesinvaluethelongerwecankeepit，andthefurtherwecarryitonwardintolife；thelossofachild\'ssimplicity，intheinevitablelapseofyears，causesbutanaturalsighortwo，becauseevenhismotherfearedthathecouldnotkeepitalways。Butafterayoungmanhasbroughtitthroughhischildhood，andhasstillwornitinhisbosom，notasanearlydewdrop，butasadiamondofpurewhitelustre，——itisapitytoloseit，then。

Andthus，whenKenyonsawhowmuchhisfriendhadnowtohide，andhowwellhehidit，hewouldhavewept，althoughhistearswouldhavebeenevenidlerthanthosewhichDonatellohadjustshed。