第10章

"Thatsoundslikeabittergibe，"saidHilda，withthetearsspringingintohereyes。"ButIcannothelpit。Itdoesnotaltermyperceptionofthetruth。Iftherebeanysuchdreadfulmixtureofgoodandevilasyouaffirm，——andwhichappearstomealmostmoreshockingthanpureevil，——thenthegoodisturnedtopoison，nottheeviltowholesomeness。"

Thesculptorseemeddisposedtosaysomethingmore，butyieldedtothegentlesteadfastnesswithwhichHildadeclinedtolisten。Shegrewverysad；forareferencetothisonedismaltopichadset，asitwere，aprisondoorajar，andallowedathrongoftorturingrecollectionstoescapefromtheirdungeonsintothepureairandwhiteradianceofhersoul。ShebadeKenyonabrieferfarewellthanordinary，andwenthomewardtohertower。

Inspiteofhereffortstowithdrawthemtoothersubjects，herthoughtsdweltuponMiriam；and，ashadnotheretoforehappened，theybroughtwiththemapainfuldoubtwhetherawronghadnotbeencommittedonHilda\'spart，towardsthefriendoncesobeloved。

SomethingthatMiriamhadsaid，intheirfinalconversation，recurredtohermemory，andseemednowtodeservemoreweightthanHildahadassignedtoit，inherhorroratthecrimejustperpetrated。Itwasnotthatthedeedlookedlesswickedandterribleintheretrospect；

butsheaskedherselfwhethertherewerenototherquestionstobeconsidered，asidefromthatsingleoneofMiriam\'sguiltorinnocence；

as，forexample，whetheraclosebondoffriendship，inwhichweoncevoluntarilyengage，oughttobeseveredonaccountofanyunworthiness，whichwesubsequentlydetectinourfriend。For，intheseunionsofhearts，——callthemmarriage，orwhateverelse，——wetakeeachotherforbetterforworse。Availingourselvesofourfriend\'sintimateaffection，wepledgeourown，astoberelieduponineveryemergency。

Andwhatsadder，moredesperateemergencycouldtherebe，thanhadbefallenMiriam？Whomoreneedthetendersuccoroftheinnocent，thanwretchesstainedwithguilt！Andmustaselfishcareforthespotlessnessofourowngarmentskeepusfrompressingtheguiltyonesclosetoourhearts，wherein，fortheveryreasonthatweareinnocent，liestheirsecurestrefugefromfurtherill？

ItwasasadthingforHildatofindthismoralenigmapropoundedtoherconscience；andtofeelthat，whicheverwayshemightsettleit，therewouldbeacryofwrongontheotherside。Still，theideastubbornlycameback，thatthetiebetweenMiriamandherselfhadbeenreal，theaffectiontrue，andthatthereforetheimpliedcompactwasnottobeshakenoff。

"Miriamlovedmewell，"thoughtHildaremorsefully，"andIfailedherathersorestneed。"

Miriamlovedherwell；andnotlessardenthadbeentheaffectionwhichMiriam\'swarm，tender，andgenerouscharacteristicshadexcitedinHilda\'smorereservedandquietnature。Ithadneverbeenextinguished；for，inpart，thewretchednesswhichHildahadsinceenduredwasbutthestruggleandwrithingofhersensibility，stillyearningtowardsherfriend。Andnow，attheearliestencouragement，itawokeagain，andcriedoutpiteously，complainingoftheviolencethathadbeendoneit。

Recurringtothedelinquenciesofwhichshefancied(wesay"fancied，"

becausewedonotunhesitatinglyadoptHilda\'spresentview，butrathersupposehermisledbyherfeelings)——ofwhichshefanciedherselfguiltytowardsherfriend，shesuddenlyrememberedasealedpacketthatMiriamhadconfidedtoher。Ithadbeenputintoherhandswithearnestinjunctionsofsecrecyandcare，andifunclaimedafteracertainperiod，wastobedeliveredaccordingtoitsaddress。

Hildahadforgottenit；or，rather，shehadkeptthethoughtofthiscommissioninthebackgroundofherconsciousness，withallotherthoughtsreferringtoMiriam。

Butnowtherecollectionofthispacket，andtheevidentstresswhichMiriamlaiduponitsdeliveryatthespecifiedtime，impelledHildatohurryupthestaircaseofhertower，dreadinglesttheperiodshouldalreadyhaveelapsed。

No；thehourhadnotgoneby，butwasontheverypointofpassing。

Hildareadthebriefnoteofinstruction，onacorneroftheenvelope，anddiscovered，that，incaseofMiriam\'sabsencefromRome，thepacketwastobetakentoitsdestinationthatveryday。

"HownearlyIhadviolatedmypromise！"saidHilda。"And，sinceweareseparatedforever，ithasthesacrednessofaninjunctionfromadeadfriend。Thereisnotimetobelost。"

SoHildasetforthinthedeclineoftheafternoon，andpursuedherwaytowardsthequarterofthecityinwhichstandsthePalazzoCenci。

Herhabitofself-reliancewassosimplystrong，sonatural，andnowsowellestablishedbylonguse，thattheideaofperilseldomorneveroccurredtoHilda，inherlonelylife。

Shediffered，inthisparticular，fromthegeneralityofhersex，——althoughthecustomsandcharacterofhernativelandoftenproducewomenwhomeettheworldwithgentlefearlessness，anddiscoverthatitsterrorshavebeenabsurdlyexaggeratedbythetraditionofmankind。

Inninety-ninecasesoutofahundred，theapprehensivenessofwomenisquitegratuitous。Evenasmattersnowstand，theyarereallysaferinperiloussituationsandemergenciesthanmen；andmightbestillmoreso，iftheytrustedthemselvesmoreconfidinglytothechivalryofmanhood。InallherwanderingsaboutRome，HildahadgoneandreturnedassecurelyasshehadbeenaccustomedtotreadthefamiliarstreetofherNewEnglandvillage，whereeveryfaceworealookofrecognition。Withrespecttowhateverwasevil，foul，andugly，inthispopulousandcorruptcity，shetrodasifinvisible，andnotonlyso，butblind。Shewasaltogetherunconsciousofanythingwickedthatwentalongthesamepathway，butwithoutjostlingorimpedingher，anymorethangrosssubstancehindersthewanderingsofaspirit。Thusitis，that，badastheworldissaidtohavegrown，innocencecontinuestomakeaparadisearounditself，andkeepitstillunfallen。

Hilda\'spresentexpeditionledherintowhatwas——physically，atleast——thefoulestandugliestpartofRome。InthatvicinityliestheGhetto，wherethousandsofJewsarecrowdedwithinanarrowcompass，andleadaclose，unclean，andmultitudinouslife，resemblingthatofmaggotswhentheyover-populateadecayingcheese。

Hildapassedonthebordersofthisregion，buthadnooccasiontostepwithinit。Itsneighborhood，however，naturallypartookofcharacteristics\'likeitsown。Therewasaconfusionofblackandhideoushouses，piledmassivelyoutoftheruinsofformerages；rudeanddestituteofplan，asapauperwouldbuildhishovel，andyetdisplayinghereandthereanarchedgateway，acornice，apillar，orabrokenarcade，thatmighthaveadornedapalace。Manyofthehouses，indeed，astheystood，mightoncehavebeenpalaces，andpossessedstillasqualidkindofgrandeur。Dirtwaseverywhere，strewingthenarrowstreets，andincrustingthetallshabbinessoftheedifices，fromthefoundationstotheroofs；itlayuponthethresholds，andlookedoutofthewindows，andassumedtheguiseofhumanlifeinthechildrenthatSeemedtobeengenderedoutofit。Theirfatherwasthesun，andtheirmother——aheapofRomanmud。

Itisaquestionofspeculativeinterest，whethertheancientRomanswereasuncleanapeopleasweeverywherefindthosewhohavesucceededthem。Thereappearstobeakindofmalignantspellinthespotsthathavebeeninhabitedbythesemastersoftheworld，ormadefamousintheirhistory；aninheritedandinalienablecurse，impellingtheirsuccessorstoflingdirtanddefilementuponwhatevertemple，column，minedpalace，ortriumphalarchmaybenearestathand，andoneverymonumentthattheoldRomansbuilt。Itismostprobablyaclassictrait，regularlytransmitteddownward，andperhapsalittlemodifiedbythebettercivilizationofChristianity；sothatCaesarmayhavetrodnarrowerandfilthierwaysinhispathtotheCapitol，thaneventhoseofmodernRome。

AsthepaternalabodeofBeatrice，thegloomyoldpalaceoftheCencishadaninterestforHilda，althoughnotsufficientlystrong，hitherto，toovercomethedishearteningeffectoftheexterior，anddrawheroveritsthreshold。Theadjacentpiazza，ofpooraspect，containedonlyanoldwomansellingroastedchestnutsandbakedsquash-seeds；

shelookedsharplyatHilda，andinquiredwhethershehadlostherway。

"No，"saidHilda；"IseekthePalazzoCenci。"

"Yonderitis，fairsignorina，"repliedtheRomanmatron。"Ifyouwishthatpacketdelivered，whichIseeinyourhand，mygrandsonPietroshallrunwithitforabaiocco。TheCencipalaceisaspotofillomenforyoungmaidens。"

Hildathankedtheolddame，butallegedthenecessityofdoinghererrandinperson。Sheapproachedthefrontofthepalace，which，withallitsimmensity，hadbutameanappearance，andseemedanabodewhichthelovelyshadeofBeatricewouldnotbeapttohaunt，unlessherdoommadeitinevitable。Somesoldiersstoodabouttheportal，andgazedatthebrown-haired，fair-cheekedAnglo-Saxongirl，withapprovingglances，butnotindecorously。Hildabegantoascendthestaircase，threeloftyflightsofwhichweretobesurmounted，beforereachingthedoorwhithershewasbound。

CHAPTERXLIII

THEEXTINCTIONOFALAMP

BetweenHildaandthesculptortherehadbeenakindofhalf-expressedunderstanding，thatbothweretovisitthegalleriesoftheVaticanthedaysubsequenttotheirmeetingatthestudio。Kenyon，accordingly，failednottobethere，andwanderedthroughthevastrangesofapartments，butsawnothingofhisexpectedfriend。Themarblefaces，whichstandinnumerablealongthewalls，andhavekeptthemselvessocalmthroughthevicissitudesoftwentycenturies，hadnosympathyforhisdisappointment；andhe，ontheotherhand，strodepastthesetreasuresandmarvelsofantiqueart，withtheindifferencewhichanypreoccupationofthefeelingsisapttoproduce，inreferencetoobjectsofsculpture。Beingofsocoldandpureasubstance，andmostlyderivingtheirvitalitymorefromthoughtthanpassion，theyrequiretobeseenthroughaperfectlytransparentmedium。

And，moreover，KenyonhadcountedsomuchuponHilda\'sdelicateperceptionsinenablinghimtolookattwoorthreeofthestatues，aboutwhichtheyhadtalkedtogether，thattheentirepurposeofhisvisitwasdefeatedbyherabsence。Itisadelicioussortofmutualaid，whentheunitedpoweroftwosympathetic，yetdissimilar，intelligencesisbroughttobearuponapoembyreadingitaloud，oruponapictureorstatuebyviewingitineachother\'scompany。Evenifnotawordofcriticismbeuttered，theinsightofeitherpartyiswonderfullydeepened，andthecomprehensionbroadened；sothattheinnermysteryofaworkofgenius，hiddenfromone，willoftenrevealitselftotwo。Missingsuchhelp，KenyonsawnothingattheVaticanwhichhehadnotseenathousandtimesbefore，andmoreperfectlythannow。

Inthechiliofhisdisappointment，hesuspectedthatitwasaverycoldarttowhichhehaddevotedhimself。Hequestioned，atthatmoment，whethersculpturereallyeversoftensandwarmsthematerialwhichithandles；whethercarvedmarbleisanythingbutlimestone，afterall；andwhethertheApolloBelvedereitselfpossessesanymeritaboveitsphysicalbeauty，orisbeyondcriticismeveninthatgenerallyacknowledgedexcellence。Inflittingglances，heretofore，hehadseemedtobeholdthisstatue，assomethingetherealandgodlike，butnotnow。

Nothingpleasedhim，unlessitwerethegroupoftheLaocoon，which，initsimmortalagony，impressedKenyonasatypeofthelong，fiercestruggleofman，involvedintheknottedentanglementsofErrorandEvil，thosetwosnakes，which，ifnodivinehelpintervene，willbesuretostranglehimandhischildrenintheend。Whathemostadmiredwasthestrangecalmnessdiffusedthroughthisbitterstrife；

sothatitresembledtherageoftheseamadecalmbyitsimmensity，\'

orthetumultofNiagarawhichceasestobetumultbecauseitlastsforever。Thus，intheLaocoon，thehorrorofamomentgrewtobethefateofinterminableages。Kenyonlookeduponthegroupastheonetriumphofsculpture，creatingtherepose，whichisessentialtoit，intheveryacmeofturbulenteffort；but，intruth，itwashismoodofunwonteddespondencythatmadehimsosensitivetotheterriblemagnificence，aswellastothesadmoral，ofthiswork。Hildaherselfcouldnothavehelpedhimtoseeitwithnearlysuchintelligence。

Agooddealmoredepressedthanthenatureofthedisappointmentwarranted，Kenyonwenttohisstudio，andtookinhandagreatlumpofclay。Hesoonfound，however，thathisplasticcunninghaddepartedfromhimforthetime。SohewanderedforthagainintotheuneasystreetsofRome，andwalkedupanddowntheCorso，where，atthatperiodoftheday，athrongofpassers-byandloitererschokedupthenarrowsidewalk。Apenitentwasthusbroughtincontactwiththesculptor。

Itwasafigureinawhiterobe，withakindoffeaturelessmaskovertheface，throughtheaperturesofwhichtheeyesthrewanunintelligiblelight。Suchodd，questionableshapesareoftenseenglidingthroughthestreetsofItaliancities，andareunderstoodtobeusuallypersonsofrank，whoquittheirpalaces，theirgayeties，theirpompandpride，andassumethepenitentialgarbforaseason，withaviewofthusexpiatingsomecrime，oratoningfortheaggregateofpettysinsthatmakeupaworldlylife。Itistheircustomtoaskalms，andperhapstomeasurethedurationoftheirpenancebythetimerequisitetoaccumulateasumofmoneyoutofthelittledroppingsofindividualcharity。Theavailsaredevotedtosomebeneficentorreligiouspurpose；sothatthebenefitaccruingtotheirownsoulsis，inamanner，linkedwithagooddone，orintended，totheirfellow-men。

Thesefigureshaveaghastlyandstartlingeffect，notsomuchfromanyveryimpressivepeculiarityinthegarb，asfromthemysterywhichtheybearaboutwiththem，andthesensethatthereisanacknowledgedsinfulnessasthenucleusofit。

Inthepresentinstance，however，thepenitentaskednoalmsofKenyon；

although，forthespaceofaminuteortwo，theystoodfacetoface，theholloweyesofthemaskencounteringthesculptor\'sgaze。But，justasthecrowdwasabouttoseparatethem，theformerspoke，inavoicenotunfamiliartoKenyon，thoughrenderedremoteandstrangebytheguiltyveilthroughwhichitpenetrated。

"Isallwellwithyou，Signore？"inquiredthepenitent，outofthecloudinwhichhewalked。

"Alliswell，"answeredKenyon。"Andwithyou？"

Butthemaskedpenitentreturnednoanswer，beingborneawaybythepressureofthethrong。

Thesculptorstoodwatchingthefigure，andwasalmostofamindtohurryafterhimandfollowuptheconversationthathadbeenbegun；

butitoccurredtohimthatthereisasanctity(or，aswemightrathertermit，aninviolableetiquette)whichprohibitstherecognitionofpersonswhochoosetowalkundertheveilofpenitence。

"Howstrange！"thoughtKenyontohimself。"ItwassurelyDonatello！

WhatcanbringhimtoRome，wherehisrecollectionsmustbesopainful，andhispresencenotwithoutperil？AndMiriam！Canshehaveaccompaniedhim？"

Hewalkedon，thinkingofthevastchangeinDonatello，sincethosedaysofgayetyandinnocence，whentheyoungItalianwasnewinRome，andwasjustbeginningtobesensibleofamorepoignantfelicitythanhehadyetexperienced，inthesunnywarmthofMiriam\'ssmile。Thegrowthofasoul，whichthesculptorhalfimaginedthathehadwitnessedinhisfriend，seemedhardlyworththeheavypricethatithadcost，inthesacrificeofthosesimpleenjoymentsthatweregoneforever。Acreatureofantiquehealthfulnesshadvanishedfromtheearth；and，inhisstead，therewasonlyoneothermorbidandremorsefulman，amongmillionsthatwerecastinthesameindistinguishablemould。

TheaccidentofthusmeetingDonatellothegladFaunofhisimaginationandmemory，nowtransformedintoagloomypenitent——contributedtodeepenthecloudthathadfallenoverKenyon\'sspirits。Itcausedhimtofancy，aswegenerallydo，inthepettytroubleswhichextendnotahand\'s-breadthbeyondourownsphere，thatthewholeworldwassaddeningaroundhim。Ittookthesinisteraspectofanomen，althoughhecouldnotdistinctlyseewhattroubleitmightforebode。

Ifithadnotbeenforapeculiarsortofpique，withwhichloversaremuchconversant，apreposterouskindofresentmentwhichendeavorstowreakitselfonthebelovedobject，andonone\'sownheart，inrequitalofmishapsforwhichneitherareinfault，KenyonmightatoncehavebetakenhimselftoHilda\'sstudio，andaskedwhytheappointmentwasnotkept。Buttheinterviewofto-daywastohavebeensorichinpresentjoy，anditsresultssoimportanttohisfuturelife，thatthebleakfailurewastoomuchforhisequanimity。

HewasangrywithpoorHilda，andcensuredherwithoutahearing；

angrywithhimself，too，andthereforeinflictedonthislattercriminaltheseverestpenaltyinhispower；angrywiththedaythatwaspassingoverhim，andwouldnotpermititslatterhourstoredeemthedisappointmentofthemorning。

Toconfessthetruth，ithadbeenthesculptor\'spurposetostakeallhishopesonthatinterviewinthegalleriesoftheVatican。StrayingwithHildathroughthoselongvistasofidealbeauty，hemeant，atlast，toutterhimselfuponthatthemewhichloversarefaintodiscussinvillagelanes，inwoodpaths，onseasidesands，incrowdedstreets；itlittlematterswhere，indeed，sincerosesaresuretoblushalongtheway，anddaisiesandvioletstospringbeneaththefeet，ifthespokenwordbegraciouslyreceived。HewasresolvedtomakeproofwhetherthekindnessthatHildaevincedforhimwastheprecioustokenofanindividualpreference，ormerelythesweetfragranceofherdisposition，whichotherfriendsmightshareaslargelyashimself。Hewouldtryifitwerepossibletotakethisshy，yetfrank，andinnocentlyfearlesscreaturecaptive，andimprisonherinhisheart，andmakehersensibleofawiderfreedomthere，thaninalltheworldbesides。

Itwashard，wemustallow，toseetheshadowofawintrysunsetfallinguponadaythatwastohavebeensobright，andtofindhimselfjustwhereyesterdayhadlefthim，onlywithasenseofbeingdrearilybalked，anddefeatedwithoutanopportunityforstruggle。Somuchhadbeenanticipatedfromthesenowvanishedhours，thatitseemedasifnootherdaycouldbringbackthesamegoldenhopes。

Inacaselikethis，itisdoubtfulwhetherKenyoncouldhavedoneamuchbetterthingthanheactuallydid，bygoingtodineattheCafeNuovo，anddrinkingaflaskofMontefiascone；longing，thewhile，forabeakerortwoofDonatello\'sSunshine。Itwouldhavebeenjustthewinetocurealover\'smelancholy，byilluminatinghisheartwithtenderlightandwarmth，andsuggestionsofundefinedhopes，tooetherealforhismorbidhumortoexamineandrejectthem。

NodecidedimprovementresultingfromthedraughtofMontefiascone，hewenttotheTeatroArgentino，andsatgloomilytoseeanItaliancomedy，whichoughttohavecheeredhimsomewhat，beingfullofglancingmerriment，andeffectiveovereverybody\'sdisabilitiesexcepthisown。Thesculptorcameout，however，beforethecloseoftheperformance，asdisconsolateashewentin。

Ashemadehiswaythroughthecomplicationofnarrowstreets，whichperplexthatportionofthecity，acarriagepassedhim。Itwasdrivenrapidly，butnottoofastforthelightofagas-lamptoflareuponafacewithin——especiallyasitwasbentforward，appearingtorecognizehim，whileabeckoninghandwasprotrudedfromthewindow。

Onhispart，Kenyonatonceknewtheface，andhastenedtothecarriage，whichhadnowstopped。

"Miriam！youinRome？"heexclaimed"Andyourfriendsknownothingofit？"

"Isallwellwithyou？"sheasked。

Thisinquiry，intheidenticalwordswhichDonatellohadsorecentlyaddressedtohimfrombeneaththepenitent\'smask，startledthesculptor。Eitherthepreviousdisquietudeofhismind，orsometoneinMiriam\'svoice，ortheunaccountablenessofbeholdingherthereatall，madeitseemominous。

"Alliswell，Ibelieve，"answeredhedoubtfully。"Iamawareofnomisfortune。Haveyouanytoannounce\'？"

HelookedstillmoreearnestlyatMiriam，andfeltadreamyuncertaintywhetheritwasreallyherselftowhomhespoke。True；

therewerethosebeautifulfeatures，thecontourofwhichhehadstudiedtoooften，andwithasculptor\'saccuracyofperception，tobeinanydoubtthatitwasMiriam\'sidenticalface。Buthewasconsciousofachange，thenatureofwhichhecouldnotsatisfactorilydefine；itmightbemerelyherdress，which，imperfectasthelightwas，hesawtobericherthanthesimplegarbthatshehadusuallyworn。Theeffect，hefancied，waspartlyowingtoagemwhichshehadonherbosom；notadiamond，butsomethingthatglimmeredwithaclear，redlustre，likethestarsinasouthernsky。Somehoworother，thiscoloredlightseemedanemanationofherself，asifallthatwaspassionateandglowinginhernativedispositionhadcrystallizeduponherbreast，andwerejustnowscintillatingmorebrilliantlythanever，insympathywithsomeemotionofherheart。

OfcoursetherecouldbenorealdoubtthatitwasMiriam，hisartistfriend，withwhomandHildahehadspentsomanypleasantandfamiliarhours，andwhomhehadlastseenatPerugia，bendingwithDonatellobeneaththebronzepope\'sbenediction。ItmustbethatselfsameMiriam；butthesensitivesculptorfeltadifferenceofmanner，whichimpressedhimmorethanheconceiveditpossibletobeaffectedbysoexternalathing。HerememberedthegossipsoprevalentinRomeonMiriam\'sfirstappearance；howthatshewasnorealartist，butthedaughterofanillustriousorgoldenlineage，whowasmerelyplayingatnecessity；minglingwithhumanstruggleforherpastime；steppingoutofhernativesphereonlyforaninterlude，justasaprincessmightalightfromhergildedequipagetogoonfootthrougharusticlane。Andnow，afteramaskinwhichloveanddeathhadperformedtheirseveralparts，shehadresumedherpropercharacter。

"Haveyouanythingtotellme？"criedheimpatiently；fornothingcausesamoredisagreeablevibrationofthenervesthanthisperceptionofambiguousnessinfamiliarpersonsoraffairs。"Speak；

formyspiritsandpatiencehavebeenmuchtriedto-day。"

Miriamputherfingeronherlips，andseemeddesirousthatKenyonshouldknowofthepresenceofathirdperson。Henowsaw，indeed，that，therewassomeonebesideherinthecarriage，hithertoconcealedbyherattitude；aman，itappeared，withasallowItalianface，whichthesculptordistinguishedbutimperfectly，anddidnotrecognize。

"Icantellyounothing，"shereplied；andleaningtowardshim，shewhispered，——appearingthenmoreliketheMiriamwhomheknewthaninwhathadbeforepassed，——"Only，whenthelampgoesoutdonotdespair。"

Thecarriagedroveon，leavingKenyontomuseoverthisunsatisfactoryinterview，whichseemedtohaveservednobetterpurposethantofillhismindwithmoreominousforebodingsthanbefore。WhywereDonatelloandMiriaminRome，whereboth，inalllikelihood，mighthavemuchtodread？Andwhyhadoneandtheotheraddressedhimwithaquestionthatseemedpromptedbyaknowledgeofsomecalamity，eitheralreadyfallenonhisunconscioushead，orimpendingcloselyoverhim？

"Iamsluggish，"mutteredKenyon，tohimself；"aweak，nervelessfool，devoidofenergyandpromptitude；orneitherDonatellonorMiriamcouldhaveescapedmethus！Theyareawareofsomemisfortunethatconcernsmedeeply。HowsoonamItoknowittoo？"

Thereseemedbutasinglecalamitypossibletohappenwithinsonarrowasphereasthatwithwhichthesculptorwasconnected；andeventothatonemodeofevilhecouldassignnodefiniteshape，butonlyfeltthatitmusthavesomereferencetoHilda。

Flingingasidethemorbidhesitation，andthedallyingswithhisownwishes，whichhehadpermittedtoinfluencehismindthroughouttheday，henowhastenedtotheViaPortoghese。Soontheoldpalacestoodbeforehim，withitsmassivetowerrisingintothecloudednight；

obscuredfromviewatitsmidmostelevation，butrevealedagain，higherupward，bytheVirgin\'slampthattwinkledonthesummit。

Feebleasitwas，inthebroad，surroundinggloom，thatlittleraymadenoinconsiderableilluminationamongKenyon\'ssombrethoughts；

for；rememberingMiriam\'slastwords，afantasyhadseizedhimthatheshouldfindthesacredlampextinguished。

Andevenwhilehestoodgazing，asamarineratthestarinwhichheputhistrust，thelightquivered，sank，gleamedupagain，andfinallywentout，leavingthebattlementsofHilda\'stowerinutterdarkness。

Forthefirsttimeincenturies，theconsecratedandlegendaryflamebeforetheloftiestshrineinRomehadceasedtoburn。

CHAPTERXLIV

THEDESERTEDSHRINE

KenyonknewthesanctitywhichHilda(faithfulProtestant，anddaughterofthePuritans，asthegirlwas)imputedtothisshrine。Hewasawareoftheprofoundfeelingofresponsibility，aswellearthlyasreligious，withwhichherconsciencehadbeenimpressed，whenshebecametheoccupantofheraerialchamber，andundertookthetaskofkeepingtheconsecratedlampalight。TherewasanaccuracyandacertaintyaboutHilda\'smovements，asregardedallmattersthatlaydeepenoughtohavetheirrootsinrightorwrong，whichmadeitaspossibleandsafetorelyuponthetimelyandcarefultrimmingofthislamp(ifshewereinlife，andabletocreepupthesteps)，asupontherisingofto-morrow\'ssun，withlustre-undiminishedfromto-day。

Thesculptorcouldscarcelybelievehiseyes，therefore，whenhesawtheflameflickerandexpire。Hissighthadsurelydeceivedhim。Andnow，sincethelightdidnotreappear，theremustbesomesmokewreathorimpenetrablemistbroodingaboutthetower\'sgrayoldhead，andobscuringitfromthelowerworld。Butno！Forrightoverthedimbattlements，asthewindchasedawayamassofclouds，hebeheldastar，andmoreover，byanearnestconcentrationofhissight，wassoonabletodiscerneventhedarkenedshrineitself。Therewasnoobscurityaroundthetower；noinfirmityofhisownvision。Theflamehadexhausteditssupplyofoil，andbecomeextinct。ButwherewasHilda？

Amaninacloakhappenedtobepassing；andKenyon——anxioustodistrustthetestimonyofhissenses，ifhecouldgetmoreacceptableevidenceontheotherside——appealedtohim。

"Domethefavor，Signore，"saidhe，"tolookatthetopofyondertower，andtellmewhetheryouseethelampburningattheVirgin\'sshrine。"

"Thelamp，Signore？"answeredtheman，withoutatfirsttroublinghimselftolookup。"Thelampthathasburnedthesefourhundredyears！Howisitpossible，Signore，thatitshouldnotbeburningnow？""Butlook！"saidthesculptorimpatiently。Withgood-naturedindulgenceforwhatheseemedtoconsiderasthewhimofaneccentricForestiero，theItaliancarelesslythrewhiseyesupwards；but，assoonasheperceivedthattherewasreallynolight，heliftedhishandswithavividexpressionofwonderandalarm。

"Thelampisextinguished！"criedhe。"Thelampthathasbeenburningthesefourhundredyears！Thissurelymustportendsomegreatmisfortune；and，bymyadvice，Signore，youwillhastenhence，lestthetowertumbleonourheads。Apriestoncetoldmethat，iftheVirginwithdrewherblessingandthelightwentout，theoldPalazzodelTortewouldsinkintotheearth，withallthatdwellinit。Therewillbeaterriblecrashbeforemorning！"

Thestrangermadethebestofhiswayfromthedoomedpremises；whileKenyon——whowouldwillinglyhaveseenthetowercrumbledownbeforehiseyes，onconditionofHilda\'ssafety——determined，lateasitwas，toattemptascertainingifshewereinherdove-cote。

Passingthroughthearchedentrance，——which，asisoftenthecasewithRomanentrances，wasasaccessibleatmidnightasatnoon，——hegropedhiswaytothebroadstaircase，and，lightinghiswaxtaper，wentglimmeringupthemultitudeofstepsthatledtoHilda\'sdoor。Thehourbeingsounseasonable，heintendedmerelytoknock，and，assoonashervoicefromwithinshouldreassurehim，toretire，keepinghisexplanationsandapologiesforafittertime。Accordingly，reachingtheloftyheightwherethemaiden，ashetrusted，layasleep，withangelswatchingoverher，thoughtheVirginseemedtohavesuspendedhercare，hetappedlightlyatthedoorpanels，——thenknockedmoreforcibly，——thenthunderedanimpatientsummons。Noanswercame；Hilda，evidently，wasnotthere。

Afterassuringhimselfthatthismustbethefact，Kenyondescendedthestairs，butmadeapauseateverysuccessivestage，andknockedatthedoorofitsapartment，regardlesswhoseslumbershemightdisturb，inhisanxietytolearnwherethegirlhadlastbeenseen。But，ateachclosedentrance，therecamethosehollowechoes，whichachamber，oranydwelling，greatorsmall，neversendsout，inresponsetohumanknucklesorironhammer，aslongasthereislifewithintokeepitsheartfromgettingdreary。

Onceindeed，onthelowerlanding-place，thesculptorfanciedthattherewasamomentarystirinsidethedoor，asifsomebodywerelisteningatthethreshold。Hehoped，atleast，thatthesmalliron-barredaperturewouldbeunclosed，throughwhichRomanhousekeepersarewonttotakecarefulcognizanceofapplicantsforadmission，fromatraditionarydread，perhaps，oflettinginarobberorassassin。Butitremainedshut；neitherwasthesoundrepeated；

andKenyonconcludedthathisexcitednerveshadplayedatrickuponhissenses，astheyareapttodowhenwemostwishfortheclearevidenceofthelatter。

Therewasnothingtobedone，savetogoheavilyaway，andawaitwhatevergoodorillto-morrow\'sdaylightmightdisclose。

Betimesinthemorning，therefore，KenyonwentbacktotheViaPortoghese，beforetheslantraysofthesunhaddescendedhalfwaydownthegrayfrontofHilda\'stower。Ashedrewnearitsbase，hesawthedovesperchedinfullsession，onthesunnyheightofthebattlements，andapairofthem——whowereprobablytheirmistress\'sespecialpets，andtheconfidantsofherbosomsecrets，ifHildahadany——cameshootingdown，andmadeafeintofalightingonhisshoulder。

But，thoughtheyevidentlyrecognizedhim，theirshynesswouldnotyetallowsodecidedademonstration。Kenyon\'seyesfollowedthemastheyflewupward，hopingthattheymighthavecomeasjoyfulmessengersofthegirl\'ssafety，andthatheshoulddiscernherslenderform，halfhiddenbytheparapet，trimmingtheextinguishedlampattheVirgin\'sshrine，justasothermaidenssetaboutthelittledutiesofahousehold。Or，perhaps，hemightseehergentleandsweetfacesmilingdownuponhim，midwaytowardsheaven，asifshehadflownthitherforadayortwo，justtovisitherkindred，buthadbeendrawnearthwardagainbythespellofunacknowledgedlove。

Buthiseyeswereblessedbynosuchfairvisionorreality；nor，intruth，weretheeager，unquietflutteringsofthedovesindicativeofanyjoyfulintelligence，whichtheylongedtosharewithHilda\'sfriend，butofanxiousinquiriesthattheyknewnothowtoutter。

Theycouldnottell，anymorethanhe，whithertheirlostcompanionhadwithdrawnherself，butwereinthesamevoiddespondencywithhim，feelingtheirsunnyandairylivesdarkenedandgrownimperfect，nowthathersweetsocietywastakenoutofit。

Inthebriskmorningair，Kenyonfounditmucheasiertopursuehisresearchesthanattheprecedingmidnight，when，ifanyslumberersheardtheclamorthathemade，theyhadrespondedonlywithsullenanddrowsymaledictions，andturnedtosleepagain。Itmustbeaverydearandintimaterealityforwhichpeoplewillbecontenttogiveupadream。Whenthesunwasfairlyup，however，itwasquiteanotherthing。Theheterogeneouspopulation，inhabitingthelowerflooroftheoldtower，andtheotherextensiveregionsofthepalace，werenowwillingtotellalltheyknew，andimagineagreatdealmore。TheamiabilityoftheseItalians，assistedbytheirsharpandnimblewits，causedthemtooverflowwithplausiblesuggestions，andtobeverybounteousintheiravowalsofinterestforthelostHilda。Inalessdemonstrativepeople，suchexpressionswouldhaveimpliedaneagernesstosearchlandandsea，andneverresttillshewerefound。Inthemouthsthatutteredthemtheymeantgoodwishes，andwere，sofar，betterthanindifference。Therewaslittledoubtthatmanyofthemfeltagenuinekindnessfortheshy，brown-haired，delicateyoungforeignmaiden，whohadflownfromsomedistantlandtoalightupontheirtower，wheresheconsortedonlywiththedoves。Buttheirenergyexpendeditselfinexclamation，andtheywerecontenttoleaveallmoreactivemeasurestoKenyon，andtotheVirgin，whoseaffairitwastoseethatthefaithfulvotaryofherlampreceivednoharm。

InagreatParisiandomicile，multifariousasitsinhabitantsmightbe，theconciergeunderthearchwaywouldbecognizantofalltheirincomingsandissuingsforth。Butexceptinrarecases，thegeneralentranceandmainstaircaseofaRomanhouseareleftasfreeasthestreet，ofwhichtheyformasortofby-lane。Thesculptor，therefore，couldhopetofindinformationaboutHilda\'smovementsonlyfromcasualobservers。

Onprobingtheknowledgeofthesepeopletothebottom，therewasvarioustestimonyastotheperiodwhenthegirlhadlastbeenseen。

Somesaidthatitwasfourdayssincetherehadbeenatraceofher；

butanEnglishlady，inthesecondpianoofthepalace，wasratherofopinionthatshehadmether，themorningbefore，withadrawing-bookinherhand。Havingnoacquaintancewiththeyoungperson，shehadtakenlittlenoticeandmighthavebeenmistaken。Acount，onthepianonextabove，wasverycertainthathehadliftedhishattoHilda，underthearchway，twoafternoonsago。Anoldwoman，whohadformerlytendedtheshrine，threwsomelightuponthematter，bytestifyingthatthelamprequiredtobereplenishedonce，atleast，inthreedays，thoughitsreservoirofoilwasexceedinglycapacious。

Onthewhole，thoughtherewasotherevidenceenoughtocreatesomeperplexity，Kenyoncouldnotsatisfyhimselfthatshehadbeenvisiblesincetheafternoonofthethirdprecedingday，whenafruitsellerrememberedhercomingoutofthearchedpassage，withasealedpacketinherhand。Asnearlyashecouldascertain，thiswaswithinanhourafterHildahadtakenleaveofthesculptorathisownstudio，withtheunderstandingthattheyweretomeetattheVaticanthenextday。

Twonights，therefore，hadintervened，duringwhichthelostmaidenwasunaccountedfor。

ThedoorofHilda\'sapartmentswasstilllocked，asontheprecedingnight；butKenyonsoughtoutthewifeofthepersonwhosubletthem，andprevailedonhertogivehimadmittancebymeansoftheduplicatekeywhichthegoodwomanhadinherpossession。Onentering，themaidenlyneatnessandsimplegrace，recognizableinallthearrangements，madehimvisiblysensiblethatthiswasthedailyhauntofapuresoul，inwhomreligionandtheloveofbeautywereatone。

Thence，thesturdyRomanmatronledthesculptoracrossanarrowpassage，andthrewopenthedoorofasmallchamber，onthethresholdofwhichhereverentlypaused。Within，therewasabed，coveredwithwhitedrapery，enclosedwithsnowycurtainslikeatent，andofbarelywidthenoughforaslenderfiguretoreposeuponit。Thesightofthiscool，airy，andsecludedbowercausedthelover\'shearttostirasifenoughofHilda\'sgentledreamswerelingeringtheretomakehimhappyforasingleinstant。Butthencamethecloserconsciousnessofherloss，bringingalongwithitasharpstingofanguish。

"Behold，Signore，"saidthematron；"hereisthelittlestaircasebywhichthesignorinausedtoascendandtrimtheBlessedVirgin\'slamp。

ShewasworthytobeaCatholic，suchpainsthegoodchildbestowedtokeepitburning；anddoubtlesstheBlessedMarywillintercedeforher，inconsiderationofherpiousoffices，hereticthoughshewas。

Whatwillbecomeoftheoldpalazzo，nowthatthelampisextinguished，thesaintsaboveusonlyknow！Willyoumount，Signore，tothebattlements，andseeifshehaveleftanytraceofherselfthere？"

Thesculptorsteppedacrossthechamberandascendedthelittlestaircase，whichgavehimaccesstothebreezysummitofthetower。

Itaffectedhiminexpressiblytoseeabouquetofbeautifulflowersbeneaththeshrine，andtorecognizeinthemanofferingofhisowntoHilda，whohadputtheminavaseofwater，anddedicatedthemtotheVirgin，inaspiritpartlyfanciful，perhaps，butstillpartakingofthereligioussentimentwhichsoprofoundlyinfluencedhercharacter。

Onerosebud，indeed，shehadselectedforherselffromtherichmassofflowers；forKenyonwellrememberedrecognizingitinherbosomwhenhelastsawherathisstudio。

"Thatlittlepartofmygreatloveshetook，"saidhetohimself。

"TheremaindershewouldhavedevotedtoHeaven；buthasleftitwitheringinthesunandwind。Ah！Hilda，Hilda，hadyougivenmearighttowatchoveryou，thisevilhadnotcome！"

"Benotdowncast，signorinomio，"saidtheRomanmatron，inresponsetothedeepsighwhichstruggledoutofKenyon\'sbreast。"Thedearlittlemaiden，aswesee，hasdeckedyonderblessedshrineasdevoutlyasImyself，oranyOthergoodCatholicwoman，couldhavedone。Itisareligiousact，andhasmorethantheefficacyofaprayer。Thesignorinawillassurelycomebackasthesunwillfallthroughthewindowto-morrownolessthanto-day。Herowndoveshaveoftenbeenmissingforadayortwo，buttheyweresuretocomeflutteringaboutherheadagain，whensheleastexpectedthem。Sowillitbewiththisdove-likechild。"

"Itmightbeso，"thoughtKenyon，withyearninganxiety，"ifapuremaidenwereassafeasadove，inthisevilworldofours。"

Astheyreturnedthroughthestudio，withthefurnitureandarrangementsofwhichthesculptorwasfamiliar，hemissedasmallebonywriting-deskthatherememberedashavingalwaysbeenplacedonatablethere。HeknewthatitwasHilda\'scustomtodepositherlettersinthisdesk，aswellasotherlittleobjectsofwhichshewishedtobespeciallycareful。

"Whathasbecomeofit？"hesuddenlyinquired，layinghishandonthetable。

"Becomeofwhat，pray？"exclaimedthewoman，alittledisturbed。

"DoestheSignoresuspectarobbery，then？"

"Thesignorina\'swriting-deskisgone，"repliedKenyon；"italwaysstoodonthistable，andImyselfsawitthereonlyafewdaysago。"

"Ah，well！"saidthewoman，recoveringhercomposure，whichsheseemedpartlytohavelost。"Thesignorinahasdoubtlesstakenitawaywithher。Thefactisofgoodomen；foritprovesthatshedidnotgounexpectedly，andislikelytoreturnwhenitmaybestsuitherconvenience。"

"Thisisverysingular，"observedKenyon。"Havetheroomsbeenenteredbyyourself，oranyotherperson，sincethesignorina\'sdisappearance？"

"Notbyme，Signore，sohelpmeHeavenandthesaints！"saidthematron。"AndIquestionwhethertherearemorethantwokeysinRomethatwillsuitthisstrangeoldlock。Hereisone；andasfortheother，thesignorinacarliesitinherpocket。"

Thesculptorhadnoreasontodoubtthewordofthisrespectabledame。

Sheappearedtobewellmeaningandkindhearted，asRomanmatronsgenerallyare；exceptwhenafitofpassionincitesthemtoshowerhorriblecursesonanobnoxiousindividual，orperhapstostabhimwiththesteelstilettothatservesthemforahairpin。ButItalianasseverationsofanyquestionablefact，howevertruetheymaychancetobe，havenowitnessoftheirtruthinthefacesofthosewhoutterthem。Theirwordsarespokenwithstrangeearnestness，andyetdonotvouchforthemselvesascomingfromanydepth，likerootsdrawnoutofthesubstanceofthesoul，withsomeofthesoilclingingtothem。

Thereisalwaysasomethinginscrutable，insteadoffrankness，intheireyes。Inshort，theyliesomuchliketruth，andspeaktruthsomuchasiftheyweretellingalie，thattheirauditorsuspectshimselfinthewrong，whetherhebelievesordisbelievesthem；itbeingtheonethingcertain，thatfalsehoodisseldomanintolerableburdentothetenderestofItalianconsciences。

"Itisverystrangewhatcanhavebecomeofthedesk！"repeatedKenyon，lookingthewomanintheface。

"Verystrange，indeed，Signore，"sherepliedmeekly，withoutturningawayhereyesintheleast，butcheckinghisinsightofthematabouthalfaninchbelowthesurface。"Ithinkthesignorinamusthavetakenitwithher。"

Itseemedidletolingerhereanylonger。Kenyonthereforedeparted，aftermakinganarrangementwiththewoman，bythetermsofwhichshewastoallowtheapartmentstoremainintheirpresentstate，onhisassumingtheresponsibilityfortherent。

Hespentthedayinmakingsuchfurthersearchandinvestigationashefoundpracticable；and，thoughatfirsttrammelledbyanunwillingnesstodrawpublicattentiontoHilda\'saffairs，theurgencyofthecircumstancessooncompelledhimtobethoroughlyinearnest。Inthecourseofaweek，hetriedallconceivablemodesoffathomingthemystery，notmerelybyhispersonaleffortsandthoseofhisbrotherartistsandfriends，butthroughthepolice，whoreadilyundertookthetask，andexpressedstrongconfidenceofsuccess。ButtheRomanpolicehasverylittleefficiency，exceptintheinterestofthedespotismofwhichitisatool。Withtheircockedhats，shoulderbelts，andswords，theywearasufficientlyimposingaspect，anddoubtlesskeeptheireyesopenwideenoughtotrackapoliticaloffender，butaretoooftenblindtoprivateoutrage，beitmurderoranylessercrime。Kenyoncountedlittleupontheirassistance，andprofitedbyitnotatall。

RememberingthemysticwordswhichMiriamhadaddressedtohim，hewasanxioustomeether，butknewnotwhithershehadgone，norhowtoobtainanintervieweitherwithherselforDonatello。Thedaysworeaway，andstilltherewerenotidingsofthelostone；nolamprekindledbeforetheVirgin\'sshrine；nolightshiningintothelover\'sheart；nostarofHope——hewasreadytosay，asheturnedhiseyesalmostreproachfullyupward——inheavenitself！

CHAPTERXLV

THEFLIGHTOFHILDA\'SDOVES

AlongwiththelamponHilda\'stower，thesculptornowfeltthatalighthadgoneout，or，atleast，wasominouslyobscured，towhichheowedwhatevercheerfulnesshadheretoforeilluminatedhiscold，artisticlife。Theideaofthisgirlhadbeenlikeataperofvirginwax，burningwithapureandsteadyflame，andchasingawaytheevilspiritsoutofthemagiccircleofitsbeams。Ithaddarteditsraysafar，andmodifiedthewholesphereinwhichKenyonhadhisbeing。

Beholdingitnomore，heatoncefoundhimselfindarknessandastray。

Thiswasthetime，perhaps，whenKenyonfirstbecamesensiblewhatadrearycityisRome，andwhataterribleweightisthereimposedonhumanlife，whenanygloomwithintheheartcorrespondstothespellofruinthathasbeenthrownoverthesiteofancientempire。Hewandered，asitwere，andstumbledoverthefallencolumns，andamongthetombs，andgropedhiswayintothesepulchraldarknessofthecatacombs，andfoundnopathemergingfromthem。Thehappymaywellenoughcontinuetobesuch，beneaththebrilliantskyofRome。But，ifyougothitherinmelancholymood，ifyougowitharuininyourheart，orwithavacantsitethere，whereoncestoodtheairyfabricofhappiness，nowvanished，——alltheponderousgloomoftheRomanPastwillpileitselfuponthatspot，andcrushyoudownaswiththeheaped-upmarbleandgranite，theearth-mounds，andmultitudinousbricksofitsmaterialdecay。

Itmightbesupposedthatamelancholymanwouldheremakeacquaintancewithagrimphilosophy。Heshouldlearntobearpatientlyhisindividualgriefs，thatendureonlyforonelittlelifetime，whenherearethetokensofsuchinfinitemisfortuneonanimperialscale，andwhensomanyfarlandmarksoftime，allaroundhim，arebringingtheremotenessofathousandyearsagointothesphereofyesterday。Butitisinvainthatyouseekthisshrubofbittersweetnessamongtheplantsthatrootthemselvesontheroughnessofmassivewalls，ortraildownwardfromthecapitalsofpillars，orspringoutofthegreenturfinthepalaceoftheCaesars。ItdoesnotgrowinRome；notevenamongthefivehundredvariousweedswhichdeckthegrassyarchesoftheColiseum。Youlookthroughavistaofcenturybeyondcentury，——throughmuchshadow，andalittlesunshine，——throughbarbarismandcivilization，alternatingwithoneanotherlikeactorsthathaveprearrangedtheirparts：throughabroadpathwayofprogressivegenerationsborderedbypalacesandtemples，andbestriddenbyold，triumphalarches，until，inthedistance，youbeholdtheobelisks，withtheirunintelligibleinscriptions，hintingatapastinfinitelymoreremotethanhistorycandefine。Yourownlifeisasnothing，whencomparedwiththatimmeasurabledistance；butstillyoudemand，nonethelessearnestly，agleamofsunshine，insteadofaspeckofshadow，onthesteportwothatwillbringyoutoyourquietrest。

Howexceedinglyabsurd！Allmen，fromthedateoftheearliestobelisk，——andofthewholeworld，moreover，sincethatfarepoch，andbefore，——havemadeasimilardemand，andseldomhadtheirwish。Iftheyhadit，whataretheythebetternow？But，evenwhileyoutauntyourselfwiththissadlesson，yourheartcriesoutobstreperouslyforitssmallshareofearthlyhappiness，andwillnotbeappeasedbythemyriadsofdeadhopesthatliecrushedintothesoilofRome。HowwonderfulthatthisournarrowfootholdofthePresentshouldholditsownsoconstantly，and，whileeverymomentchanging，shouldstillbelikearockbetwixttheencounteringtidesofthelongPastandtheinfiniteTo-come！

Manofmarblethoughhewas，thesculptorgrievedfortheIrrevocable。

LookingbackuponHilda\'swayoflife，hemarvelledathisownblindstupidity，whichhadkepthimfromremonstratingasafriend，ifwithnostrongerrightagainsttherisksthatshecontinuallyencountered。

Beingsoinnocent，shehadnomeansofestimatingthoserisks，norevenapossibilityofsuspectingtheirexistence。Buthe——whohadspentyearsinRome，withaman\'sfarwiderscopeofobservationandexperience——knewthingsthatmadehimshudder。ItseemedtoKenyon，lookingthroughthedarklycoloredmediumofhisfears，thatallmodesofcrimewerecrowdedintothecloseintricacyofRomanstreets，andthattherewasnoredeemingelement，suchasexistsinotherdissoluteandwickedcities。

Forherewasapriesthood，pampered，sensual，withredandbloatedcheeks，andcarnaleyes。Withapparentlyagrosserdevelopmentofanimallifethanmostmen，theywereplacedinanunnaturalrelationwithwoman，andtherebylostthehealthy，humanconsciencethatpertainstootherhumanbeings，whoownthesweethouseholdtiesconnectingthemwithwifeanddaughter。Andherewasanindolentnobility，withnohighaimsoropportunities，butcultivatingaviciouswayoflife，asifitwereanart，andtheonlyonewhichtheycaredtolearn。Herewasapopulation，highandlow，thathadnogenuinebeliefinvirtue；andiftheyrecognizedanyactascriminal，theymightthrowoffallcare，remorse，andmemoryofit，bykneelingalittlewhileattheconfessional，andrisingunburdened，active，elastic，andincitedbyfreshappetiteforthenextensuingsin。HerewasasoldierywhofeltRometobetheirconqueredcity，anddoubtlessconsideredthemselvesthelegalinheritorsofthefoullicensewhichGaul，Goth，andVandalhavehereexercisedindaysgoneby。

Andwhatlocalitiesfornewcrimeexistedinthoseguiltysites，wherethecrimeofdepartedagesusedtobeathome，andhaditslong，hereditaryhaunt！WhatstreetinRome，whatancientruin，whatoneplacewheremanhadstanding-room，whatfallenstonewasthere，unstainedwithoneoranotherkindofguilt！Insomeofthevicissitudesofthecity\'sprideoritscalamity，thedarktideofhumanevilhadswelledoverit，farhigherthantheTibereverroseagainsttheacclivitiesofthesevenhills。ToKenyon\'smorbidview，thereappearedtobeacontagiouselement，risingfog-likefromtheancientdepravityofRome，andbroodingoverthedeadandhalf-rottencity，asnowhereelseonearth。Itprolongedthetendencytocrime，anddevelopedaninstantaneousgrowthofit，wheneveranopportunitywasfound；Andwherecoulditbefoundsoreadilyashere！Inthosevastpalaces，therewereahundredremotenookswhereInnocencemightshriekinvain。Beneathmeanerhousestherewereunsuspecteddungeonsthathadoncebeenprincelychambers，andopentothedaylight；but，onaccountofsomewickednessthereperpetrated，eachpassingagehadthrownitshandfulofdustuponthespot，andburieditfromsight。

Onlyruffiansknewofitsexistence，andkeptitformurder，andworsecrime。

SuchwasthecitythroughwhichHilda，forthreeyearspast，hadbeenwanderingwithoutaprotectororaguide。Shehadtroddenlightlyoverthecrumbleofoldcrimes；shehadtakenherwayamidthegrimeandcorruptionwhichPaganismhadleftthere，andapervertedChristianityhadmademorenoisome；walkingsaint-likethroughitall，withwhite，innocentfeet；until，insomedarkpitfallthatlayrightacrossherpath，shehadvanishedoutofsight。Itwasterribletoimaginewhathideousoutragemighthavethrustherintothatabyss！

ThenthelovertriedtocomforthimselfwiththeideathatHilda\'ssanctitywasasufficientsafeguard。Ah，yes；shewassopure！Theangels，thatwereofthesamesisterhood，wouldneverletHildacometoharm。Amiraclewouldbewroughtonherbehalf，asnaturallyasafatherwouldstretchouthishandtosaveabest-belovedchild。

Providencewouldkeepalittleareaandatmosphereaboutherassafeandwholesomeasheavenitself，althoughthefloodofperilousiniquitymighthemherround，anditsblackwaveshangcurlingaboveherhead！Butthesereflectionswereofslightavail。Nodoubttheywerethereligioustruth。YetthewaysofProvidenceareutterlyinscrutable；andmanyamurderhasbeendone，andmanyaninnocentvirginhasliftedherwhitearms，beseechingitsaidinherextremity，andallinvain；sothat，thoughProvidenceisinfinitelygoodandwise，andperhapsforthatveryreason，itmaybehalfaneternitybeforethegreatcircleofitsschemeshallbringusthesuperabundantrecompenseforallthesesorrows！Butwhattheloveraskedwassuchpromptconsolationasmightconsistwiththebriefspanofmortallife；

theassuranceofHilda\'spresentsafety，andherrestorationwithinthatveryhour。

Animaginativeman，hesufferedthepenaltyofhisendowmentinthehundred-foldvarietyofgloomilytintedscenesthatitpresentedtohim，inwhichHildawasalwaysacentralfigure。Thesculptorforgothismarble。Romeceasedtobeanything，forhim，butalabyrinthofdismalstreets，inoneoranotherofwhichthelostgirlhaddisappeared。Hewashauntedwiththeideathatsomecircumstance，mostimportanttobeknown，andperhapseasilydiscoverable，hadhithertobeenoverlooked，andthat，ifhecouldlayholdofthisoneclew，itwouldguidehimdirectlyinthetrackofHilda\'sfootsteps。

Withthispurposeinview，hewent，everymorning，totheViaPortoghese，andmadeitthestarting-pointoffreshinvestigations。

Afternightfall，too，heinvariablyreturnedthither，withafainthopeflutteringathisheartthatthelampmightagainbeshiningonthesummitofthetower，andwoulddispelthisuglymysteryoutofthecircleconsecratedbyitsrays。Therebeingnopointofwhichhecouldtakefirmhold，hismindwasfilledwithunsubstantialhopesandfears。OnceKenyonhadseemedtocuthislifeinmarble；nowhevaguelyclutchedatit，andfounditvapor。

Inhisunstrunganddespondentmood，onetriflingcircumstanceaffectedhimwithanidlepang。Thedoveshadatfirstbeenfaithfultotheirlostmistress。Theyfailednottositinarowuponherwindow-sill，ortoalightontheshrine，orthechurch-angels，andontheroofsandportalsoftheneighboringhouses，inevidentexpectationofherreappearance。Afterthesecondweek，however，theybegantotakeflight，anddroppingoffbypairs，betookthemselvestootherdove-cotes。Onlyasingledoveremained，andbroodeddrearilybeneaththeshrine。TheflockthathaddepartedwerelikethemanyhopesthathadvanishedfromKenyon\'sheart；theonethatstilllingered，andlookedsowretched，——wasitaHope，oralreadyaDespair？

Inthestreet，oneday，thesculptormetapriestofmildandvenerableaspect；andashisminddweltcontinuallyuponHilda，andwasespeciallyactiveinbringingupallincidentsthathadeverbeenconnectedwithher，itimmediatelystruckhimthatthiswastheveryfatherwithwhomhehadseenherattheconfessional。SuchtrustdidHildainspireinhim，thatKenyonhadneveraskedwhatwasthesubjectofthecommunicationbetweenherselfandthisoldpriest。Hehadnoreasonforimaginingthatitcouldhaveanyrelationwithherdisappearance，solongsubsequently；but，beingthusbroughtfacetofacewithapersonage，mysteriouslyassociated，ashenowremembered，withherwhomhehadlost，animpulseranbeforehisthoughtsandledthesculptortoaddresshim。

Itmightbethatthereverendkindlinessoftheoldman\'sexpressiontookKenyon\'sheartbysurprise；atallevents，hespokeasiftherewerearecognizedacquaintanceship，andanobjectofmutualinterestbetweenthem。

"Shehasgonefromme，father，"saidhe。

"Ofwhomdoyouspeak，myson？"inquiredthepriest。

"Ofthatsweetgirl，"answeredKenyon，"whoknelttoyouattheconfessional。Surelyyourememberher，amongallthemortalstowhoseconfessionsyouhavelistened！Forshealonecouldhavehadnosinstoreveal。"

"Yes；Iremember，"saidthepriest，withagleamofrecollectioninhiseyes。"ShewasmadetobearamiraculoustestimonytotheefficacyofthedivineordinancesoftheChurch，byseizingforciblyupononeofthem，andfindingimmediaterelieffromit，hereticthoughshewas。Itismypurposetopublishabriefnarrativeofthismiracle，fortheedificationofmankind，inLatin，Italian，andEnglish，fromtheprintingpressofthePropaganda。Poorchild！

Settingapartherheresy，shewasspotless，asyousay。Andisshedead？"

"Heavenforbid，father！"exclaimedKenyon，shrinkingback。"Butshehasgonefromme，Iknownotwhither。Itmaybe——yes，theideaseizesuponmymind——thatwhatsherevealedtoyouwillsuggestsomeclewtothemysteryofherdisappearance。\'"

"None，myson，none，"answeredthepriest，shakinghishead；

"nevertheless，Ibidyoubeofgoodcheer。Thatyoungmaidenisnotdoomedtodieaheretic。WhoknowswhattheBlessedVirginmayatthismomentbedoingforhersoul！Perhaps，whenyounextbeholdher，shewillbecladintheshiningwhiterobeofthetruefaith。"

Thislattersuggestiondidnotconveyallthecomfortwhichtheoldpriestpossiblyintendedbyit；butheimpartedittothesculptor，alongwithhisblessing，asthetwobestthingsthathecouldbestow，andsaidnothingfurther，excepttobidhimfarewell。

Whentheyhadparted，however，theideaofHilda\'sconversiontoCatholicismrecurredtoherlover\'smind，bringingwithitcertainreflections，thatgaveanewturntohissurmisesaboutthemysteryintowhichshehadvanished。Notthatheseriouslyapprehended——althoughthesuperabundanceofherreligioussentimentmightmisleadherforamoment——thattheNewEnglandgirlwouldpermanentlysuccumbtothescarletsuperstitionswhichsurroundedherinItaly。Buttheincidentoftheconfessionalifknown，asprobablyitwas，totheeagerpropagandistswhoprowlaboutforsouls，ascatstocatchamouse——wouldsurelyinspirethemostconfidentexpectationsofbringingherovertothefaith。Withsopiousanendinview，wouldJesuiticalmoralitybeshockedatthethoughtofkidnappingthemortalbody，forthesakeoftheimmortalspiritthatmightotherwisebelostforever？Wouldnotthekindoldpriest，himself，deemthistobeinfinitelythekindestservicethathecouldperformforthestraylamb，whohadsostrangelysoughthisaid？

Ifthesesuppositionswerewellfounded，HildawasmostlikelyaprisonerinoneofthereligiousestablishmentsthataresonumerousinRome。Theidea，accordingtotheaspectinwhichitwasviewed，broughtnowadegreeofcomfort，andnowanadditionalperplexity。Ontheonehand，Hildawassafefromanybutspiritualassaults；ontheother，wherewasthepossibilityofbreakingthroughallthosebarredportals，andsearchingathousandconventcells，tosetherfree？

Kenyon，however，asithappened，waspreventedfromendeavoringtofollowoutthissurmise，whichonlythestateofhopelessuncertainty，thatalmostbewilderedhisreason，couldhaveledhimforamomenttoentertain。Acommunicationreachedhimbyanunknownhand，inconsequenceofwhich，andwithinanhourafterreceivingit，hetookhiswaythroughoneofthegatesofRome。

CHAPTERXLVI

AWALKONTHECAMPAGNA

ItwasabrightforenoonofFebruary；amonthinwhichthebriefseverityofaRomanwinterisalreadypast，andwhenvioletsanddaisiesbegintoshowthemselvesinspotsfavoredbythesun。ThesculptorcameoutofthecitybythegateofSanSebastiano，andwalkedbrisklyalongtheAppianWay。

Forthespaceofamileortwobeyondthegate，thisancientandfamousroadisasdesolateanddisagreeableasmostoftheotherRomanavenues。Itextendsoversmall，uncomfortablepaving-stones，betweenbrickandplasteredwalls，whichareverysolidlyconstructed，andsohighasalmosttoexcludeaviewofthesurroundingcountry。Thehousesareofmostuninvitingaspect，neitherpicturesque，norhomelikeandsocial；theyhaveseldomorneveradooropeningonthewayside，butareaccessibleonlyfromtherear，andfrowninhospitablyuponthetravellerthroughiron-gratedwindows。Hereandthereappearsadrearyinnorawine-shop，designatedbythewitheredbushbesidetheentrance，withinwhichyoudiscernastone-builtandsepulchralinterior，whereguestsrefreshthemselveswithsourbreadandgoats\'-milkcheese，washeddownwithwineofdolorousacerbity。

Atfrequentintervalsalongtheroadsideup-risestheruinofanancienttomb。Astheystandnow，thesestructuresareimmenselyhighandbrokenmoundsofconglomeratedbrick，stone，pebbles，andearth，allmoltenbytimeintoamassassolidandindestructibleasifeachtombwerecomposedofasingleboulderofgranite。Whenfirsterected，theywerecasedexternally，nodoubt，withslabsofpolishedmarble，artfullywroughtbas-reliefs，andallsuchsuitableadornments，andwererenderedmajesticallybeautifulbygrandarchitecturaldesigns。