第11章

Thisantiquesplendorhaslongsincebeenstolenfromthedead，todecoratethepalacesandchurchesoftheliving。Nothingremainstothedishonoredsepulchres，excepttheirmassiveness。

Eventhepyramidsformhardlyastrangerspectacle，oraremorealienfromhumansympathies，thanthetombsoftheAppianWay，withtheirgiganticheight，breadth，andsolidity，defyingtimeandtheelements，andfartoomightytobedemolishedbyanordinaryearthquake。Hereyoumayseeamoderndwelling，andagardenwithitsvinesandolive-trees，perchedontheloftydilapidationofatomb，whichformsaprecipiceoffiftyfeetindepthoneachofthefoursides。Thereisahomeonthatfunerealmound，wheregenerationsofchildrenhavebeenborn，andsuccessivelivesbeenspent，undisturbedbytheghostofthesternRomanwhoseashesweresopreposterouslyburdened。Othersepulchreswearacrownofgrass，shrubbery，andforest-trees，whichthrowoutabroadsweepofbranches，havinghadtime，twiceover，tobeathousandyearsofage。Ononeofthemstandsatower，which，thoughimmemoriallymoremodernthanthetomb，wasitselfbuiltbyimmemorialhands，andisnowriftedquitefromtoptobottombyavastfissureofdecay；thetomb-hillock，itsfoundation，beingstillasfirmasever，andlikelytoendureuntilthelasttrumpshallrenditwideasunder，andsummonforthitsunknowndead。

Yes；itsunknowndead！For，exceptinoneortwodoubtfulinstances，thesemountainoussepulchraledificeshavenotavailedtokeepsomuchasthebarenameofanindividualorafamilyfromoblivion。

Ambitiousofeverlastingremembrance，astheywere，theslumberersmightjustaswellhavegonequietlytorest，eachinhispigeon-holeofacolumbarium，orunderhislittlegreenhillockinagraveyard，withoutaheadstonetomarkthespot。Itisrathersatisfactorythanotherwise，tothinkthatalltheseidlepainshaveturnedoutsoutterlyabortive。

Abouttwomiles，ormore，fromthecitygate，andrightupontheroadside，Kenyonpassedanimmenseroundpile，sepulchralinitsoriginalpurposes，likethosealreadymentioned。Itwasbuiltofgreatblocksofhewnstone，onavast，squarefoundationofrough，agglomeratedmaterial，suchascomposesthemassofalltheotherruinoustombs。Butwhatevermightbethecause，itwasinafarbetterstateofpreservationthanthey。Onitsbroadsummitrosethebattlementsofamediaevalfortress，outofthemidstofwhich(solongsincehadtimebeguntocrumblethesupplementalstructure，andcoveritwithsoil，bymeansofwaysidedust)grewtrees，bushes，andthickfestoonsofivy。Thistombofawomanhadbecomethecitadelanddonjon-keepofacastle；andallthecarethatCeciliaMetella\'shusbandcouldbestow，tosecureendlesspeaceforherbelovedrelics，hadonlysufficedtomakethathandfulofpreciousashesthenucleusofbattles，longagesafterherdeath。

Alittlebeyondthispoint，thesculptorturnedasidefromtheAppianWay，anddirectedhiscourseacrosstheCampagna，guidedbytokensthatwereobviousonlytohimself。Ononesideofhim，butatadistance，theClaudianaqueductwasstridingoverfieldsandwatercourses。Beforehim，manymilesaway，withablueatmospherebetween，rosetheAlbanhills，brilliantlysilveredwithsnowandsunshine。

Hewasnotwithoutacompanion。Abuffalo-calf，thatseemedshyandsociablebytheselfsameimpulse，hadbeguntomakeacquaintancewithhim，fromthemomentwhenhelefttheroad。Thisfrolicsomecreaturegambolledalong，nowbefore，nowbehind；standingamomenttogazeathim，withwild，curiouseyes，heleapedasideandshookhisshaggyhead，asKenyonadvancedtoonigh；then，afterloiteringintherear，hecamegallopingup，likeachargeofcavalry，buthalted，allofasudden，whenthesculptorturnedtolook，andboltedacrosstheCampagnaattheslightestsignalofnearerapproach。Theyoung，sportivething，Kenyonhalffancied，wasservinghimasaguide，liketheheiferthatledCadmustothesiteofhisdestinedcity；for，inspiteofahundredvagaries，hisgeneralcoursewasintherightdirection，andalongbyseveralobjectswhichthesculptorhadnotedaslandmarksofhisway。

Inthisnaturalintercoursewitharudeandhealthyformofanimallife，therewassomethingthatwonderfullyrevivedKenyon\'sspirits。

Thewarmraysofthesun，too，werewholesomeforhiminbodyandsoul；

andsowasabreezethatbestirreditselfoccasionally，asifforthesolepurposeofbreathinguponhischeekanddyingsoftlyaway，whenhewouldfainhavefeltalittlemoredecidedkiss。ThisshybutlovingbreezeremindedhimstrangelyofwhatHilda\'sdeportmenthadsometimesbeentowardshimself。

Theweatherhadverymuchtodo，nodoubt，withthesegenialanddelightfulsensations，thatmadethesculptorsohappywithmerelife，inspiteofaheadandheartfullofdolefulthoughts，anxieties，andfears，whichoughtinallreasontohavedepressedhim。Itwaslikenoweatherthatexistsanywhere，saveinParadiseandinItaly；

certainlynotinAmerica，whereitisalwaystoostrenuousonthesideeitherofheatorcold。Youngastheseasonwas，andwintry，asitwouldhavebeenunderamorerigidsky，itresembledsummerratherthanwhatweNewEnglandersrecognizeinourideaofspring。Buttherewasanindescribablesomething，sweet，fresh，andremotelyaffectionate，whichthematronlysummerloses，andwhichthrilled，and，asitwere，tickledKenyon\'sheartwithafeelingpartlyofthesenses，yetfarmoreaspiritualdelight。Inaword，itwasasifHilda\'sdelicatebreathwereonhischeek。

Afterwalkingatabriskpaceforabouthalfanhour，hereachedaspotwhereanexcavationappearedtohavebeenbegun，atsomenotverydistantperiod。Therewasahollowspaceintheearth，lookingexceedinglylikeadesertedcellar，beingenclosedwithinoldsubterraneanwalls，constructedofthinRomanbricks，andmadeaccessiblebyanarrowflightofstonesteps。Asuburbanvillahadprobablystoodoverthissite，intheimperialdaysofRome，andthesemighthavebeentheruinsofabathroom，orsomeotherapartmentthatwasrequiredtobewhollyorpartlyunderground。Aspadecanscarcelybeputintothatsoil，sorichinlostandforgottenthings，withouthittinguponsomediscoverywhichwouldattractalleyes，inanyotherland。Ifyoudigbutalittleway，yougatherbitsofpreciousmarble，coins，rings，andengravedgems；ifyougodeeper，youbreakintocolumbaria，orintosculpturedandrichlyfrescoedapartmentsthatlooklikefestivehalls，butwereonlysepulchres。

Thesculptordescendedintothecellar-likecavity，andsatdownonablockofstone。Hiseagernesshadbroughthimthithersoonerthantheappointedhour。Thesunshinefellslantwiseintothehollow，andhappenedtoberestingonwhatKenyonatfirsttooktobeashapelessfragmentofstone，possiblymarble，whichwaspartlyconcealedbythecrumblingdownofearth。

Buthispractisedeyewassoonawareofsomethingartisticinthisrudeobject。Torelievetheanxioustediumofhissituation，heclearedawaysomeofthesoil，whichseemedtohavefallenveryrecently，anddiscoveredaheadlessfigureofmarble。Itwasearthstained，aswellitmightbe，andhadaslightlycorrodedsurface，butatonceimpressedthesculptorasaGreekproduction，andwonderfullydelicateandbeautiful。Theheadwasgone；botharmswerebrokenoffattheelbow。Protrudingfromthelooseearth，however，Kenyonbeheldthefingersofamarblehand；itwasstillappendedtoitsarm，andalittlefurthersearchenabledhimtofindtheother。Placingtheselimbsinwhattheniceadjustmentofthefracturesprovedtobetheirtrueposition，thepoor，fragmentarywomanforthwithshowedthatsheretainedhermodestinstinctstothelast。Shehadperishedwiththem，andsnatchedthembackatthemomentofrevival。Fortheselong-buriedhandsimmediatelydisposedthemselvesinthemannerthatnatureprompts，astheantiqueartistknew，andasalltheworldhasseen，intheVenusde\'Medici。

"Whatadiscoveryishere！"thoughtKenyontohimself。"IseekforHilda，andfindamarblewoman！Istheomengoodorill？"

Inacorneroftheexcavationlayasmallroundblockofstone，muchincrustedwithearththathaddriedandhardeneduponit。So，atleast，youwouldhavedescribedthisobject，untilthesculptorliftedit，turnedithitherandthitherinhishands，brushedofftheclingingsoil，andfinallyplaceditontheslenderneckofthenewlydiscoveredstatue。Theeffectwasmagical。Itimmediatelylightedupandvivifiedthewholefigure，endowingitwithpersonality，soul，andintelligence。ThebeautifulIdeaatonceasserteditsimmortality，andconvertedthatheapofforlornfragmentsintoawhole，asperfecttothemind，ifnottotheeye，aswhenthenewmarblegleamedwithsnowylustre；norwastheimpressionmarredbytheearththatstillhungupontheexquisitelygracefullimbs，andevenfilledthelovelycreviceofthelips。Kenyoncleareditawayfrombetweenthem，andalmostdeemedhimselfrewardedwithalivingsmile。

ItwaseithertheprototypeorabetterrepetitionoftheVenusoftheTribune。Butthosewhohavebeendissatisfiedwiththesmallhead，thenarrow，soullessface，thebutton-holeeyelids，ofthatfamousstatue，anditsmouthsuchasnaturenevermoulded，shouldseethegenialbreadthofthisfarnoblerandsweetercountenance。Itisoneofthefewworksofantiquesculptureinwhichwerecognizewomanhood，andthat，moreover，withoutprejudicetoitsdivinity。

Here，then，wasatreasureforthesculptortohavefound！Howhappenedittobelyingthere，besideitsgraveoftwentycenturies？

Whywerenotthetidingsofitsdiscoveryalreadynoisedabroad？Theworldwasricherthanyesterday，bysomethingfarmorepreciousthangold。Forgottenbeautyhadcomeback，asbeautifulasever；agoddesshadrisenfromherlongslumber，andwasagoddessstill。AnothercabinetintheVaticanwasdestinedtoshineaslustrouslyasthatoftheApolloBelvedere；or，iftheagedpopeshouldresignhisclaim，anemperorwouldwoothistendermarble，andwinherasproudlyasanimperialbride！

SuchwerethethoughtswithwhichKenyonexaggeratedtohimselftheimportanceofthenewlydiscoveredstatue，andstrovetofeelatleastaportionoftheinterestwhichthiseventwouldhaveinspiredinhimalittlewhilebefore。But，inreality，hefounditdifficulttofixhisminduponthesubject。Hecouldhardly，wefear，bereckonedaconsummateartist，becausetherewassomethingdearertohimthanhisart；and，bythegreaterstrengthofahumanaffection，thedivinestatueseemedtofallasunderagain，andbecomeonlyaheapofworthlessfragments。

Whilethesculptorsatlistlesslygazingatit，therewasasoundofsmallhoofs，clumsilygallopingontheCampagna；andsoonhisfriskyacquaintance，thebuffalo-calf，cameandpeepedovertheedgeoftheexcavation。Almostatthesamemomentheheardvoices，whichapproachednearerandnearer；aman\'svoice，andafeminineone，talkingthemusicaltongueofItaly。Besidesthehairyvisageofhisfourfootedfriend，Kenyonnowsawthefiguresofapeasantandacontadina，makinggesturesofsalutationtohim，ontheoppositevergeofthehollowspace。

CHAPTERXLVII

THEPEASANTANDCONTADINA

Theydescendedintotheexcavation：ayoungpeasant，intheshortbluejacket，thesmall-clothesbuttonedattheknee，andbuckledshoes，thatcomposeoneoftheugliestdresseseverwornbyman，exceptthewearer\'sformhaveagracewhichanygarb，orthenudityofanantiquestatue，wouldequallysetoff；and，handinhandwithhim，avillagegirl，inoneofthosebrilliantcostumeslargelykindledupwithscarlet，anddecoratedwithgoldembroidery，inwhichthecontadinasarraythemselvesonfeast-days。ButKenyonwasnotdeceived；hehadrecognizedthevoicesofhisfriends，indeed，evenbeforetheirdisguisedfigurescamebetweenhimandthesunlight。Donatellowasthepeasant；thecontadina，withtheairysmile，halfmirthful，thoughitshoneoutofmelancholyeyes，——wasMiriam。

TheybothgreetedthesculptorwithafamiliarkindnesswhichremindedhimofthedayswhenHildaandtheyandhehadlivedsohappilytogether，beforethemysteriousadventureofthecatacomb。Whatasuccessionofsinistereventshadfollowedonespectralfigureoutofthatgloomylabyrinth。

"Itiscarnivaltime，youknow，"saidMiriam，asifinexplanationofDonatello\'sandherowncostume。"DoyourememberhowmerrilywespenttheCarnival，lastyear？"

"Itseemsmanyyearsago，"repliedKenyon。Weareallsochanged！"

Whenindividualsapproachoneanotherwithdeeppurposesonbothsides，theyseldomcomeatoncetothematterwhichtheyhavemostatheart。

Theydreadtheelectricshockofatoosuddencontactwithit。A

naturalimpulseleadsthemtostealgraduallyonward，hidingthemselves，asitwere，behindacloser，andstillaclosertopic，untiltheystandfacetofacewiththetruepointofinterest。Miriamwasconsciousofthisimpulse，andpartiallyobeyedit。

"Soyourinstinctsasasculptorhavebroughtyouintothepresenceofournewlydiscoveredstatue，"sheobserved。"Isitnotbeautiful？A

fartruerimageofimmortalwomanhoodthanthepoorlittledamselatFlorence，worldfamousthoughshebe。"

"Mostbeautiful，"saidKenyon，castinganindifferentglanceattheVenus。"Thetimehasbeenwhenthesightofthisstatuewouldhavebeenenoughtomakethedaymemorable。"

"Andwillitnotdosonow？"Miriamasked。

"Ifanciedso，indeed，whenwediscoveredittwodaysago。ItisDonatello\'sprize。Weweresittingheretogether，planninganinterviewwithyou，whenhiskeeneyesdetectedthefallengoddess，almostentirelyburiedunderthatheapofearth，whichtheclumsyexcavatorsshowereddownuponher，Isuppose。Wecongratulatedourselves，chieflyforyoursake。Theeyesofusthreearetheonlyonestowhichshehasyetrevealedherself。Doesitnotfrightenyoualittle，liketheapparitionofalovelywomanthatlividofold，andhaslonglaininthegrave？"

"Ah，Miriam！Icannotrespondtoyou，"saidthesculptor，withirrepressibleimpatience。"Imaginationandtheloveofarthavebothdiedoutofme。"

"Miriam，"interposedDonatellowithgentlegravity，"whyshouldwekeepourfriendinsuspense？Weknowwhatanxietyhefeels。Letusgivehimwhatintelligencewecan。"

"Youaresodirectandimmediate，mybelovedfriend！"answeredMiriamwithanunquietsmile。"ThereareseveralreasonswhyIshouldliketoplayroundthismatteralittlewhile，andcoveritwithfancifulthoughts，aswestrewagravewithflowers。"

"Agrave！"exclaimedthesculptor。

"Nograveinwhichyourheartneedbeburied，"shereplied；"youhavenosuchcalamitytodread。ButIlingerandhesitate，becauseeverywordIspeakbringsmenearertoacrisisfromwhichIshrink。Ah，Donatello！letuslivealittlelongerthelifeoftheselastfewdays！

Itissobright，soairy，sochildlike，sowithouteitherpastorfuture！Here，onthewildCampagna，youseemtohavefound，bothforyourselfandme，thelifethatbelongedtoyouinearlyyouth；thesweetirresponsiblelifewhichyouinheritedfromyourmythicancestry，theFaunsofMonteBeni。Oursternandblackrealitywillcomeuponusspeedilyenough。But，first，abrieftimemoreofthisstrangehappiness。"

"Idarenotlingeruponit，"answeredDonatello，withanexpressionthatremindedthesculptorofthegloomiestdaysofhisremorseatMonteBeni。"Idaretobesohappyasyouhaveseenme，onlybecauseIhavefeltthetimetobesobrief。"

"Oneday，then！"pleadedMiriam。"Onemoredayinthewildfreedomofthissweet-scentedair。"

"Well，onemoreday，"saidDonatello，smiling；andhissmiletouchedKenyonwithapathosbeyondwords，therebeinggayetyandsadnessbothmeltedintoit；"buthereisHilda\'sfriend，andourown。Comforthim，atleast，andsethisheartatrest，sinceyouhaveitpartlyinyourpower。"

"Ah，surelyhemightendurehispangsalittlelonger！"criedMiriam，turningtoKenyonwithatricksy，fitfulkindofmirth，thatservedtohidesomesolemnnecessity，toosadandserioustobelookedatinitsnakedaspect。"Youloveusboth，Ithink，andwillbecontenttosufferforoursakes，oneotherday。DoIasktoomuch？"

"TellmeofHilda，"repliedthesculptor；"tellmeonlythatsheissafe，andkeepbackwhatelseyouwill。"

"Hildaissafe，"saidMiriam。"ThereisaProvidencepurposelyforHilda，asIremembertohavetoldyoulongago。Butagreattrouble——anevildeed，letusacknowledgeithasspreadoutitsdarkbranchessowidely，thattheshadowfallsoninnocenceaswellasguilt。TherewasoneslightlinkthatconnectedyoursweetHildawithacrimewhichitwasherunhappyfortunetowitness，butofwhichI

neednotsayshewasasguiltlessastheangelsthatlookedoutofheaven，andsawittoo。Nomatter，now，whattheconsequencehasbeen。

YoushallhaveyourlostHildaback，and——whoknows？——perhapstendererthanshewas。"

"Butwhenwillshereturn？"persistedthesculptor；"tellmethewhen，andwhere，andhow！"

"Alittlepatience。Donotpressmeso，"saidMiriam；andagainKenyonwasstruckbythesprite-like，fitfulcharacteristicofhermanner，andasortofhystericgayety，whichseemedtobeawill-o\'-the-wispfromasorrowstagnantatherheart。"YouhavemoretimetosparethanI。First，listentosomethingthatIhavetotell。

WewilltalkofHildabyandby。"

ThenMiriamspokeofherownlife，andtoldfactsthatthrewagleamoflightovermanythingswhichhadperplexedthesculptorinallhispreviousknowledgeofher。ShedescribedherselfasspringingfromEnglishparentage，onthemother\'sside，butwithavein，likewise，ofJewishblood；yetconnected，throughherfather，withoneofthosefewprincelyfamiliesofSouthernItaly，whichstillretaingreatwealthandinfluence。Andsherevealedanameatwhichherauditorstartedandgrewpale；foritwasonethat，onlyafewyearsbefore，hadbeenfamiliartotheworldinconnectionwithamysteriousandterribleevent。Thereader，ifhethinkitworthwhiletorecallsomeofthestrangeincidentswhichhavebeentalkedof，andforgotten，withinnolongtimepast，willrememberMiriam\'sname。

"Youshudderatme，Iperceive，"saidMiriam，suddenlyinterruptinghernarrative。

"No；youwereinnocent，"repliedthesculptor。"Ishudderatthefatalitythatseemstohauntyourfootsteps，andthrowsashadowofcrimeaboutyourpath，youbeingguiltless。"

"Therewassuchafatality，"saidMiriam；"yes；theshadowfelluponme，innocent，butIwentastrayinit，andwandered——asHildacouldtellyou——intocrime。"

Shewentontosaythat，whileyetachild，shehadlostherEnglishmother。Fromaveryearlyperiodofherlife，therehadbeenacontractofbetrothalbetweenherselfandacertainmarchese，therepresentativeofanotherbranchofherpaternalhouse，——afamilyarrangementbetweentwopersonsofdisproportionedages，andinwhichfeelingwentfornothing。MostItaliangirlsofnoblerankwouldhaveyieldedthemselvestosuchamarriageasanaffairofcourse。ButtherewassomethinginMiriam\'sblood，inhermixedrace，inherrecollectionsofhermother，——somecharacteristic，finally，inherownnature，——whichhadgivenherfreedomofthought，andforceofwill，andmadethisprearrangedconnectionodioustoher。Moreover，thecharacterofherdestinedhusbandwouldhavebeenasufficientandinsuperableobjection；foritbetrayedtraitssoevil，sotreacherous，sovile，andyetsostrangelysubtle，ascouldonlybeaccountedforbytheinsanitywhichoftendevelopsitselfinold，close-keptracesofmen，whenlongunmixedwithnewerblood。Reachingtheagewhenthemarriagecontractshouldhavebeenfulfilled，Miriamhadutterlyrepudiatedit。

SometimeafterwardshadoccurredthatterribleeventtowhichMiriamhadalludedwhensherevealedhername；anevent，thefrightfulandmysteriouscircumstancesofwhichwillrecurtomanyminds，butofwhichfewornonecanhavefoundforthemselvesasatisfactoryexplanation。Itonlyconcernsthepresentnarrative，inasmuchasthesuspicionofbeingatleastanaccompliceinthecrimefelldarklyanddirectlyuponMiriamherself。

"ButyouknowthatIaminnocent！"shecried，interruptingherselfagain，andlookingKenyonintheface。

"Iknowitbymydeepestconsciousness，"heanswered；"andIknowitbyHilda\'strustandentireaffection，whichyounevercouldhavewonhadyoubeencapableofguilt。"

"Thatissureground，indeed，forpronouncingmeinnocent，"saidMiriam，withthetearsgushingintohereyes。"YetIhavesincebecomeahorrortoyoursaint-likeHilda，byacrimewhichsheherselfsawmehelptoperpetrate！"

Sheproceededwithherstory。Thegreatinfluenceofherfamilyconnectionshadshieldedherfromsomeoftheconsequencesofherimputedguilt。But，inherdespair，shehadfledfromhome，andhadsurroundedherflightwithsuchcircumstancesasrendereditthemostprobableconclusionthatshehadcommittedsuicide。Miriam，however，wasnotofthefeeblenaturewhichtakesadvantageofthatobviousandpoorresourceinearthlydifficulties。Sheflungherselfupontheworld，andspeedilycreatedanewsphere，inwhichHilda\'sgentlepurity，thesculptor\'ssensibility，clearthought，andgenius，andDonatello\'sgenialsimplicityhadgivenheralmostherfirstexperienceofhappiness。Thencamethatill-omenedadventureofthecatacomb，Thespectralfigurewhichsheencounteredtherewastheevilfatethathadhauntedherthroughlife。

Lookingbackuponwhathadhappened，Miriamobserved，shenowconsideredhimamadman。Insanitymusthavebeenmixedupwithhisoriginalcomposition，anddevelopedbythoseveryactsofdepravitywhichitsuggested，andstillmoreintensified，bytheremorsethatultimatelyfollowedthem。Nothingwasstrangerinhisdarkcareerthanthepenitencewhichoftenseemedtogohandinhandwithcrime。

Sincehisdeathshehadascertainedthatitfinallyledhimtoaconvent，wherehissevereandself-inflictedpenancehadevenacquiredhimthereputationofunusualsanctity，andhadbeenthecauseofhisenjoyinggreaterfreedomthaniscommonlyallowedtomonks。

"NeedItellyoumore？"askedMiriam，afterproceedingthusfar。"Itisstilladimanddrearymystery，agloomytwilightintowhichI

guideyou；butpossiblyyoumaycatchaglimpseofmuchthatImyselfcanexplainonlybyconjecture。Atallevents，youcancomprehendwhatmysituationmusthavebeen，afterthatfatalinterviewinthecatacomb。Mypersecutorhadgonethitherforpenance，butfollowedmeforthwithfreshimpulsestocrime。Hehadmeinhispower。Madashewas，andwickedashewas，withonewordhecouldhaveblastedmeinthebeliefofalltheworld。Inyourbelieftoo，andHilda\'s！

EvenDonatellowouldhaveshrunkfrommewithhorror！"

"Never，"saidDonatello，"myinstinctwouldhaveknownyouinnocent。"

"HildaandDonatelloandmyself，——wethreewouldhaveacquittedyou，"

saidKenyon，"lettheworldsaywhatitmight。Ah，Miriam，youshouldhavetoldusthissadstorysooner！"

"Ithoughtoftenofrevealingittoyou，"answeredMiriam；"ononeoccasion，especially，——itwasafteryouhadshownmeyourCleopatra；

itseemedtoleapoutofmyheart，andgotasfarasmyverylips。

Butfindingyoucoldtoacceptmyconfidence，Ithrustitbackagain。

HadIobeyedmyfirstimpulse，allwouldhaveturnedoutdifferently。"

"AndHilda！"resumedthesculptor。"Whatcanhavebeenherconnectionwiththesedarkincidents？"

"Shewill，doubtless，tellyouwithherownlips，"repliedMiriam。

"ThroughsourcesofinformationwhichIpossessinRome，Icanassureyouofhersafety。Intwodaysmore——bythehelpofthespecialProvidencethat，asIlovetotellyou，watchesoverHilda——sheshallrejoinyou。"

"Stilltwodaysmorel"murmuredthesculptor。

"Ah，youarecruelnow！Morecruelthanyouknow！"exclaimedMiriam，withanothergleamofthatfantastic，fitfulgayety，whichhadmorethanoncemarkedhermannerduringthisinterview。"Spareyourpoorfriends！"

"Iknownotwhatyoumean，Miriam，"saidKenyon。

"Nomatter，"shereplied；"youwillunderstandhereafter。Butcouldyouthinkit？HereisDonatellohauntedwithstrangeremorse，andanunmitigableresolvetoobtainwhathedeemsjusticeuponhimself。Hefancies，withakindofdirectsimplicity，whichIhavevainlytriedtocombat，that，whenawronghasbeendone，thedoerisboundtosubmithimselftowhatsoevertribunaltakescognizanceofsuchthings，andabideitsjudgment。Ihaveassuredhimthatthereisnosuchthingasearthlyjustice，andespeciallynonehere，undertheheadofChristendom。"

"Wewillnotarguethepointagain，"saidDonatello，smiling。"Ihavenoheadforargument，butonlyasense，animpulse，aninstinct，I

believe，whichsometimesleadsmeright。Butwhydowetalknowofwhatmaymakeussorrowful？Therearestilltwodaysmore。Letusbehappy！"

ItappearedtoKenyonthatsincehelastsawDonatello，someofthesweetanddelightfulcharacteristicsoftheantiqueFaunhadreturnedtohim。Therewereslight，carelessgraces，pleasantandsimplepeculiarities，thathadbeenobliteratedbytheheavygriefthroughwhichhewaspassingatMonteBeni，andoutofwhichhehadhardlyemergedwhenthesculptorpartedwithMiriamandhimbeneaththebronzepontiffsoutstretchedhand。Thesehappyblossomshadnowreappeared。Aplayfulnesscameoutofhisheart，andglimmeredlikefirelightinhisactions，alternating，orevencloselyintermingled，withprofoundsympathyandseriousthought。

"Ishenotbeautiful？"saidMiriam，watchingthesculptor\'seyeasitdweltadmiringlyonDonatello。"Sochanged，yetstill，inadeepersense，somuchthesame！Hehastravelledinacircle，asallthingsheavenlyandearthlydo，andnowcomesbacktohisoriginalself，withaninestimabletreasureofimprovementwonfromanexperienceofpain。

Howwonderfulisthis！Itrembleatmyownthoughts，yetmustneedsprobethemtotheirdepths。Wasthecrime——inwhichheandIwerewedded——wasitablessing，inthatstrangedisguise？Wasitameansofeducation，bringingasimpleandimperfectnaturetoapointoffeelingandintelligencewhichitcouldhavereachedundernootherdiscipline？"

"Youstirupdeepandperilousmatter，Miriam，"repliedKenyon。"I

darenotfollowyouintotheunfathomableabysseswhitheryouaretending。"

"Yetthereisapleasureinthem！Idelighttobroodonthevergeofthisgreatmystery，"returnedshe。"Thestoryofthefallofman！IsitnotrepeatedinourromanceofMonteBeni？Andmaywefollowtheanalogyyetfurther？Wasthatverysin，——intowhichAdamprecipitatedhimselfandallhisrace，wasitthedestinedmeansbywhich，overalongpathwayoftoilandsorrow，wearetoattainahigher，brighter，andprofounderhappiness，thanourlostbirthrightgave？Willnotthisideaaccountforthepermittedexistenceofsin，asnoothertheorycan？"

"Itistoodangerous，Miriam！Icannotfollowyou！"repeatedthesculptor。"Mortalmanhasnorighttotreadonthegroundwhereyounowsetyourfeet。"

"AskHildawhatshethinksofit，"saidMiriam，withathoughtfulsmile。"Atleast，shemightconcludethatsin——whichmanchoseinsteadofgood——hasbeensobeneficentlyhandledbyomniscienceandomnipotence，that，whereasourdarkenemysoughttodestroyusbyit，ithasreallybecomeaninstrumentmosteffectiveintheeducationofintellectandsoul。"

Miriampausedalittlelongeramongthesemeditations，whichthesculptorrightlyfelttobesoperilous；shethenpressedhishand，intokenoffarewell。

"Thedayafterto-morrow，"saidshe，"anhourbeforesunset，gototheCorso，andstandinfrontofthefifthhouseonyourleft，beyondtheAntoninecolumn。Youwilllearntidingsofafriend。"

Kenyonwouldhavebesoughtherformoredefiniteintelligence，butsheshookherhead，putherfingeronherlips，andturnedawaywithanillusivesmile。Thefancyimpressedhimthatshetoo，likeDonatello，hadreachedawaysideparadise，intheirmysteriouslifejourney，wheretheyboththrewdowntheburdenofthebeforeandafter，and，exceptforthisinterviewwithhimself，werehappyintheflittingmoment。To-dayDonatellowasthesylvanFaun；to-dayMiriamwashisfitcompanion，aNymphofgroveorfountain；to-morrow——aremorsefulmanandwoman，linkedbyamarriagebondofcrime——theywouldsetforthtowardsaninevitablegoal。

CHAPTERXLVIII

ASCENEINTHECORSO

Ontheappointedafternoon，KenyonfailednottomakehisappearanceintheCorso，andatanhourmuchearlierthanMiriamhadnamed。

Itwascarnivaltime。Themerrimentofthisfamousfestivalwasinfullprogress；andthestatelyavenueoftheCorsowaspeopledwithhundredsoffantasticshapes，someofwhichprobablyrepresentedthemirthofancienttimes，survivingthroughallmannerofcalamity，eversincethedaysoftheRomanEmpire。Forafewafternoonsofearlyspring，thismouldygayetystraysintothesunshine；alltheremainderoftheyear，itseemstobeshutupinthecatacombsorsomeothersepulchralstorehouseofthepast。

Besidesthesehereditaryforms，atwhichahundredgenerationshavelaughed，therewereothersofmoderndate，thehumorouseffluenceofthedaythatwasnowpassing。Itisaday，however，andanage，thatappearstoberemarkablybarren，whencomparedwiththeprolificoriginalityofformertimes，inproductionsofascenicandceremonialcharacter，whethergraveorgay。Toownthetruth，theCarnivalisalive，thispresentyear，onlybecauseithasexistedthroughcenturiesgoneby。Itistraditionary，notactual。IfdecrepitandmelancholyRomesmiles，andlaughsbroadly，indeed，atcarnivaltime，itisnotintheoldsimplicityofrealmirth，butwithahalf-consciouseffort，likeourself-deceptivepretenceofjollityatathreadbarejoke。Whateveritmayoncehavebeen，itisnowbutanarrowstreamofmerriment，noisyofsetpurpose，runningalongthemiddleoftheCorso，throughthesolemnheartofthedecayedcity，withoutextendingitsshallowinfluenceoneitherside。Nor，evenwithinitsownlimits，doesitaffectthemassofspectators，butonlyacomparativelyfew，instreetandbalcony，whocarryonthewarfareofnosegaysandcounterfeitsugarplums。Thepopulacelookonwithstaidcomposure；thenobilityandpriesthoodtakelittleornopartinthematter；and，butforthehordesofAnglo-Saxonswhoannuallytakeuptheflaggingmirth，theCarnivalmightlongagohavebeensweptaway，withthesnowdriftsofconfettithatwhitenallthepavement。

Nodoubt，however，theworn-outfestivalisstillnewtotheyouthfulandlighthearted，whomaketheworn-outworlditselfasfreshasAdamfounditonhisfirstforenooninParadise。Itmaybeonlyageandcarethatchillthelifeoutofitsgrotesqueandairyriot，withtheimpertinenceoftheircoldcriticism。

Kenyon，thoughyoung，hadcareenoughwithinhisbreasttorendertheCarnivaltheemptiestofmockeries。Contrastingthesternanxietyofhispresentmoodwiththefrolicspiritoftheprecedingyear，hefanciedthatsomuchtroublehad，atallevents，broughtwisdominitstrain。Butthereisawisdomthatlooksgrave，andsneersatmerriment；andagainadeeperwisdom，thatstoopstobegayasoftenasoccasionserves，andoftenestavailsitselfofshallowandtriflinggroundsofmirth；because，ifwewaitformoresubstantialones，weseldomcanbegayatall。Therefore，haditbeenpossible，Kenyonwouldhavedonewelltomaskhimselfinsomewild，hairyvisage，andplungeintothethrongofothermaskers，asattheCarnivalbefore。

ThenDonatellohaddancedalongtheCorsoinalltheequipmentofaFaun，doingthepartwithwonderfulfelicityofexecution，andrevealingfurryears，whichlookedabsolutelyreal；andMiriamhadbeenalternatelyaladyoftheantiqueregime，inpowderandbrocade，andtheprettiestpeasantgirloftheCampagna，inthegayestofcostumes；whileHilda，sittingdemurelyinabalcony，hadhitthesculptorwithasinglerosebud，——sosweetandfreshabudthatheknewatoncewhosehandhadflungit。

Thesewereallgone；allthosedearfriendswhosesympatheticmirthhadmadehimgay。KenyonfeltasifanintervalofmanyyearshadpassedsincethelastCarnival。Hehadgrownold，thenimblejollitywastame，andthemaskersdullandheavy；theCorsowasbutanarrowandshabbystreetofdecayingpalaces；andeventhelong，bluestreamerofItaliansky，aboveit，nothalfsobrightlyblueasformerly。

Yet，ifhecouldhavebeheldthescenewithhisclear，naturaleyesight，hemightstillhavefoundbothmerrimentandsplendorinit。

Everywhere，andalldaylong，therehadbeentokensofthefestival，inthebasketsbrimmingoverwithbouquets，forsaleatthestreetcorners，orborneaboutonpeople\'sheads；whilebushelsuponbushelsofvariouslycoloredconfettiweredisplayed，lookingjustlikeveritablesugarplums；sothatastrangerwouldhaveimaginedthatthewholecommerceandbusinessofsternoldRomelayinflowersandsweets。Andnow，inthesunnyafternoon，therecouldhardlybeaspectaclemorepicturesquethanthevistaofthatnoblestreet，stretchingintotheinterminabledistancebetweentworowsofloftyedifices，fromeverywindowofwhich，andmanyabalcony，flauntedgayandgorgeouscarpets，brightsilks，scarletclothswithrichgoldenfringes，andGobelintapestry，stilllustrouswithvariedhues，thoughtheproductofantiquelooms。Eachseparatepalacehadputonagaladress，andlookedfestivefortheoccasion，whateversadorguiltysecretitmighthidewithin。Everywindow，moreover，wasalivewiththefacesofwomen，rosygirls，andchildren，allkindledintobriskandmirthfulexpression，bytheincidentsinthestreetbelow。Inthebalconiesthatprojectedalongthepalacefrontsstoodgroupsofladies，somebeautiful，allrichlydressed，scatteringforththeirlaughter，shrill，yetsweet，andthemusicalbabbleoftheirvoices，tothickenintoanairytumultovertheheadsofcommonmortals。

Alltheseinnumerableeyeslookeddownintothestreet，thewholecapacityofwhichwasthrongedwithfestalfigures，insuchfantasticvarietythatithadtakencenturiestocontrivethem；andthroughthemidstofthemad，merrystreamofhumanliferolledslowlyonwardanever-endingprocessionofallthevehiclesinRome，fromtheducalcarriage，withthepowderedcoachmanhighinfront，andthethreegoldenlackeysclingingintherear，downtotherusticcartdrawnbyitssingledonkey。Amongthisvariouscrowd，atwindowsandinbalconies，incart，cab，barouche，orgorgeousequipage，orbustlingtoandfroafoot，therewasasympathyofnonsense；atrueandgenialbrotherhoodandsisterhood，basedonthehonestpurpose——andawiseone，too——ofbeingfoolish，alltogether。Thesportofmankind，likeitsdeepestearnest，isabattle；sothesefestivepeoplefoughtoneanotherwithanammunitionofsugarplumsandflowers。

Notthattheywereveritablesugarplums，however，butsomethingthatresembledthemonlyastheapplesofSodomlooklikebetterfruit。

Theywereconcoctedmostlyoflime，withagrainofoat，orsomeotherworthlesskernel，inthemidst。Besidesthehailstormofconfetti，thecombatantsthrewhandfulsofflourorlimeintotheair，whereithunglikesmokeoverabattlefield，or，descending，whitenedablackcoatorpriestlyrobe，andmadethecurlylocksofyouthirreverentlyhoary。

Atthesametimewiththisacridcontestofquicklime，whichcausedmucheffusionoftearsfromsufferingeyes，agentlerwarfareofflowerswascarriedon，principallybetweenknightsandladies。

Originally，nodoubt，whenthisprettycustomwasfirstinstituted，itmayhavehadasincereandmodestimport。Eachyouthanddamsel，gatheringbouquetsoffieldflowers，orthesweetestandfairestthatgrewintheirowngardens，allfreshandvirginblossoms，flungthemwithtrueaimattheone，orfew，whomtheyregardedwithasentimentofshypartialityatleast，ifnotwithlove。Often，theloverintheCorsomaythushavereceivedfromhisbrightmistress，inherfather\'sprincelybalcony，thefirstsweetintimationthathispassionateglanceshadnotstruckagainstaheartofmarble。Whatmoreappropriatemodeofsuggestinghertendersecretcouldamaidenfindthanbythesofthitofarosebudagainstayoungman\'scheek？

Thiswasthepastimeandtheearnestofamoreinnocentandhomelierage。Nowadaysthenosegaysaregatheredandtiedupbysordidhands，chieflyofthemostordinaryflowers，andaresoldalongtheCorso，atmeanprice，yetmorethansuchVenalthingsareworth。Buyingabasketful，youfindthemmiserablywilted，asiftheyhadflownhitherandthitherthroughtwoorthreecarnivaldaysalready；muddy，too，havingbeenfishedupfromthepavement，whereahundredfeethavetrampledonthem。Youmayseethrongsofmenandboyswhothrustthemselvesbeneaththehorses\'hoofstogatherupbouquetsthatwereaimedamissfrombalconyandcarriage；thesetheysellagain，andyetoncemore，andtentimesover，defiledastheyallarewiththewickedfilthofRome。

Sucharethefloweryfavors——thefragrantbunchesofsentiment——thatflybetweencavalieranddame，andbackagain，fromoneendoftheCorsototheother。Perhapstheymaysymbolize，moreaptlythanwasintended，thepoor，battered，wiltedheartsofthosewhoflingthem；

heartswhich——crumpledandcrushedbyformerpossessors，andstainedwithvariousmishap——havebeenpassedfromhandtohandalongthemuddystreet-wayoflife，insteadofbeingtreasuredinonefaithfulbosom。

Thesevenalandpollutedflowers，therefore，andthosedeceptivebonbons，aretypesofthesmallrealitythatstillsubsistsintheobservanceoftheCarnival。Yetthegovernmentseemedtoimaginethattheremightbeexcitementenough，——wildmirth，perchance，followingitsanticsbeyondlaw，andfriskingfromfrolicintoearnest，——torenderitexpedienttoguardtheCorsowithanimposingshowofmilitarypower。Besidestheordinaryforceofgendarmes，astrongpatrolofpapaldragoons，insteelhelmetsandwhitecloaks，werestationedatallthestreetcorners。DetachmentsofFrenchinfantrystoodbytheirstackedmusketsinthePiazzadelPopolo，atoneextremityofthecourse，andbeforethepalaceoftheAustrianembassy，attheother，andbythecolumnofAntoninus，midwaybetween。Hadthatchainedtiger-cat，theRomanpopulace，shownonlysomuchasthetipofhisclaws，thesabreswouldhavebeenflashingandthebulletswhistling，inrightearnest，amongthecombatantswhonowpeltedoneanotherwithmocksugarplumsandwiltedflowers。

But，todotheRomanpeoplejustice，theywererestrainedbyabettersafeguardthanthesabreorthebayonet；itwastheirowngentlecourtesy，whichimpartedasortofsacrednesstothehereditaryfestival。Atfirstsightofaspectaclesofantasticandextravagant，acoolobservermighthaveimaginedthewholetowngonemad；but，intheend，hewouldseethatallthisapparentlyunboundedlicenseiskeptstrictlywithinalimitofitsown；hewouldadmireapeoplewhocansofreelyletloosetheirmirthfulpropensities，whilemuzzlingthosefierceronesthattendtomischief。Everybodyseemedlawless；

nobodywasrude。Ifanyrevelleroversteppedthemark，itwassuretobenoRoman，butanEnglishmanoranAmerican；andeventherougherplayofthisGothicracewasstillsoftenedbytheinsensibleinfluenceofamoralatmospheremoredelicate，insomerespects，thanwebreatheathome。Notthat，afterall，welikethefineItalianspiritbetterthanourown；popularrudenessissometimesthesymptomofrudemoralhealth。But，whereaCarnivalisinquestion，itwouldprobablypassoffmoredecorously，aswellasmoreairilyanddelightfully，inRome，thaninanyAnglo-Saxoncity。

WhenKenyonemergedfromasidelaneintotheCorso，themirthwasatitsheight。Outoftheseclusionofhisownfeelings，helookedforthatthetapestriedanddamask-curtainedpalaces，theslow-movingdoublelineofcarriages，andthemotleymaskersthatswarmedonfoot，asifheweregazingthroughtheironlatticeofaprisonwindow。Soremotefromthescenewerehissympathies，thatitaffectedhimlikeathindream，throughthedim，extravagantmaterialofwhichhecoulddiscernmoresubstantialobjects，whiletoomuchunderitscontroltostartforthbroadawake。Justatthatmoment，too，therecameanotherspectacle，makingitswayrightthroughthemasqueradingthrong。

Itwas，firstandforemost，afullbandofmartialmusic，reverberating，inthatnarrowandconfinedthoughstatelyavenue，betweenthewallsoftheloftypalaces，androaringupwardtotheskywithmelodysopowerfulthatitalmostgrewtodiscord。Nextcameabodyofcavalryandmountedgendarmes，withgreatdisplayofmilitarypomp。Theywereescortingalongtrainofequipages，eachandallofwhichshoneasgorgeouslyasCinderella\'scoach，withpaintandgilding。Likethat，too，theywereprovidedwithcoachmenofmightybreadth，andenormouslytallfootmen，inimmensepowderedwigs，andallthesplendorofgold-laced，threecorneredhats，andembroideredsilkcoatsandbreeches。Bytheold-fashionedmagnificenceofthisprocession，itmightworthilyhaveincludedhisHolinessinperson，withasuiteofattendantCardinals，ifthosesacreddignitarieswouldkindlyhavelenttheiraidtoheightenthefrolicoftheCarnival。

But，forallitsshowofamartialescort，anditsantiquesplendorofcostume，itwasbutatrainofthemunicipalauthoritiesofRome，——illusiveshadows，everyone，andamongthemaphantom，styledtheRomanSenator，——proceedingtotheCapitol。

Theriotousinterchangeofnosegaysandconfettiwaspartiallysuspended，whiletheprocessionpassed。Onewell-directedshot，however，——itwasadoublehandfulofpowderedlime，flungbyanimpiousNewEnglander，——hitthecoachmanoftheRomanSenatorfullintheface，andhurthisdignityamazingly。ItappearedtobehisopinionthattheRepublicwasagaincrumblingintoruin，andthatthedustofitnowfilledhisnostrils；though，infact，itwouldhardlybedistinguishedfromtheofficialpowderwithwhichhewasalreadyplentifullybestrewn。

Whilethesculptor，withhisdreamyeyes，wastakingidlenoteofthistriflingcircumstance，twofigurespassedbeforehim，handinhand。

Thecountenanceofeachwascoveredwithanimpenetrableblackmask；

butoneseemedapeasantoftheCampagna；theother，acontadinainherholidaycostume。

CHAPTERXLIX

AFROLICOFTHECARNIVAL

Thecrowdandconfusion，justatthatmoment，hinderedthesculptorfrompursuingthesefigures，——thepeasantandcontadina，——who，indeed，werebuttwoofanumeroustribethatthrongedtheCorso，insimilarcostume。Assoonashecouldsqueezeapassage，Kenyontriedtofollowintheirfootsteps，butquicklylostsightofthem，andwasthrownoffthetrackbystoppingtoexaminevariousgroupsofmasqueraders，inwhichhefanciedtheobjectsofhissearchtobeincluded。HefoundmanyasallowpeasantorherdsmanoftheCampagna，insuchadressasDonatellowore；manyacontadina，too，brown，broad，andsturdy，inherfineryofscarlet，anddeckedoutwithgoldorcoralbeads，apairofheavyearrings，acuriouslywroughtcameoormosaicbrooch，andasilvercomborlongstilettoamongherglossyhair。Butthoseshapesofgraceandbeautywhichhesoughthadvanished。

AssoonastheprocessionoftheSenatorhadpassed，themerry-makersresumedtheiranticswithfreshspirit，andtheartilleryofbouquetsandsugarplums，suspendedforamoment，begananew。Thesculptorhimself，beingprobablythemostanxiousandunquietspectatorthere，wasespeciallyamarkformissilesfromallquarters，andforthepracticaljokeswhichthelicenseoftheCarnivalpermits。Infact，hissadandcontractedbrowsoillaccordedwiththescene，thattherevellersmightbepardonedforthususinghimasthebuttoftheiridlemirth，sinceheevidentlycouldnototherwisecontributetoit。

Fantasticfigures，withbulbousheads，thecircumferenceofabushel，grinnedenormouslyinhisface。Harlequinsstruckhimwiththeirwoodenswords，andappearedtoexpecthisimmediatetransformationintosomejolliershape。Alittle，long-tailed，hornedfiendsidleduptohimandsuddenlyblewathimthroughatube，envelopingourpoorfriendinawholeharvestofwingedseeds。Abiped，withanass\'ssnout，brayedclosetohisear，endinghisdiscordantuproarwithapealofhumanlaughter。Fivestrappingdamsels——so，atleast，theirpetticoatsbespokethem，inspiteofanawfulfreedomintheflourishoftheirlegs——joinedhands，anddancedaroundhim，invitinghimbytheirgesturestoperformahornpipeinthemidst。Releasedfromthesegaypersecutors，aclowninmotleyrappedhimonthebackwithablownbladder，inwhichahandfulofdriedpeasrattledhorribly。

Unquestionably，acare-strickenmortalhasnobusinessabroad，whentherestofmankindareathighcarnival；theymusteitherpelthimandabsolutelymartyrhimwithjests，andfinallyburyhimbeneaththeaggregateheap；orelsethepotencyofhisdarkermood，becausethetissueofhumanlifetakesasaddyemorereadilythanagayone，willquelltheirholidayhumors，liketheaspectofadeath\'s-headatabanquet。OnlythatweknowKenyon\'serrand，wecouldhardlyforgivehimforventuringintotheCorsowiththattroubledface。

Evenyet，hismerrymartyrdomwasnothalfover。Therecamealongagiganticfemalefigure，sevenfeethigh，atleast，andtakingupathirdofthestreet\'sbreadthwiththepreposterouslyswellingsphereofhercrinolineskirts。Singlingoutthesculptor，shebegantomakeaponderousassaultuponhisheart，throwingamorousglancesathimoutofhergreatgoggleeyes，offeringhimavastbouquetofsunflowersandnettles，andsolicitinghispitybyallsortsofpatheticandpassionatedumb-show。Hersuitmeetingnofavor，therejectedTitanessmadeagestureofdespairandrage；thensuddenlydrawingahugepistol，shetookaimrightattheobduratesculptor\'sbreast，andpulledthetrigger。Theshottookeffect，fortheabominableplaythingwentoffbyaspring，likeaboy\'spopgun，coveringKenyonwithacloudoflimedust，undershelterofwhichtherevengefuldamselstrodeaway。

Hereupon，awholehostofabsurdfiguressurroundedhim，pretendingtosympathizeinhismishap。Clownsandparty-coloredharlequins；

orang-outangs；bear-headed，bull-headed，anddog-headedindividuals；

facesthatwouldhavebeenhuman，butfortheirenormousnoses；oneterrificcreature，withavisagerightinthecentreofhisbreast；

andallotherimaginablekindsofmonstrosityandexaggeration。Theseapparitionsappearedtobeinvestigatingthecase，afterthefashionofacoroner\'sjury，pokingtheirpasteboardcountenancesclosetothesculptor\'swithanunchangeablegrin，thatgavestillmoreludicrouseffecttothecomicalarmandsorrowoftheirgestures。Justthen，afigurecameby，inagraywigandrustygown，withaninkhornathisbuttonholeandapenbehindhisear；heannouncedhimselfasanotary，andofferedtomakethelastwillandtestamentoftheassassinatedman。Thissolemnduty，however，wasinterruptedbyasurgeon，whobrandishedalancet，threefeetlong，andproposedtohimtolethimtakeblood。

Theaffairwassolikeafeverishdream，thatKenyonresignedhimselftoletittakeitscourse。FortunatelythehumorsoftheCarnivalpassfromoneabsurditytoanother，withoutlingeringlongenoughonany，towearouteventheslightestofthem。Thepassivenessofhisdemeanoraffordedtoolittlescopeforsuchbroadmerrimentasthemasqueraderssought。Inafewmomentstheyvanishedfromhim，asdreamsandspectresdo，leavinghimatlibertytopursuehisquest，withnoimpedimentexceptthecrowdthatblockedupthefootway。

Hehadnotgonefarwhenthepeasantandthecontadinamethim。Theywerestillhandinhand，andappearedtobestrayingthroughthegrotesqueandanimatedscene，takingaslittlepartinitashimself。

Itmightbebecauseherecognizedthem，andknewtheirsolemnsecret，thatthesculptorfanciedamelancholyemotiontobeexpressedbytheverymovementandattitudesofthesetwofigures；andeventhegraspoftheirhands，unitingthemsoclosely，seemedtosettheminasadremotenessfromtheworldatwhichtheygazed。

"Irejoicetomeetyou，"saidKenyon。Buttheylookedathimthroughtheeye-holesoftheirblackmasks，withoutansweringaword。

"PraygivemealittlelightonthematterwhichIhavesomuchatheart，"saidhe；"ifyouknowanythingofHilda，forHeaven\'ssake，speak！"

Stilltheyweresilent；andthesculptorbegantoimaginethathemusthavemistakentheidentityofthesefigures，therebeingsuchamultitudeinsimilarcostume。YettherewasnootherDonatello，nootherMiriam。Hefelt，too，thatspiritualcertaintywhichimpressesuswiththepresenceofourfriends，apartfromanytestimonyofthesenses。

"Youareunkind，"resumedhe，——"knowingtheanxietywhichoppressesme，——nottorelieveit，ifinyourpower。"

Thereproachevidentlyhaditseffect；forthecontadinanowspoke，anditwasMiriam\'svoice。

"Wegaveyouallthelightwecould，"saidshe。"Youareyourselfunkind，thoughyoulittlethinkhowmuchso，tocomebetweenusatthishour。Theremaybeasacredhour，evenincarnivaltime。"

Inanotherstateofmind，Kenyoncouldhavebeenamusedbytheimpulsivenessofthisresponse，andasortofvivacitythathehadoftennotedinMiriam\'sconversation。Buthewasconsciousofaprofoundsadnessinhertone，overpoweringitsmomentaryirritation，andassuringhimthatapale，tear-stainedfacewashiddenbehindhermask。

"Forgiveme！"saidhe。

Donatellohereextendedhishand，——notthatwhichwasclaspingMiriam\'s，——andshe，too，putherfreeoneintothesculptor\'sleft；sothattheywerealinkedcircleofthree，withmanyreminiscencesandforebodingsflashingthroughtheirhearts。Kenyonknewintuitivelythattheseoncefamiliarfriendswerepartingwithhimnow。

"Farewell！"theyallthreesaid，inthesamebreath。

Nosoonerwasthewordspoken，thantheyloosedtheirhands；andtheuproaroftheCarnivalsweptlikeatempestuousseaoverthespotwhichtheyhadincludedwithintheirsmallcircleofisolatedfeeling。

Bythisinterview，thesculptorhadlearnednothinginreferencetoHilda；butheunderstoodthathewastoadheretotheinstructionsalreadyreceived，andawaitasolutionofthemysteryinsomemodethathecouldnotyetanticipate。Passinghishandsoverhiseyes，andlookingabouthim，——fortheeventjustdescribedhadmadethesceneevenmoredreamlikethanbefore，——henowfoundhimselfapproachingthatbroadpiazzaborderingontheCorso，whichhasforitscentralobjectthesculpturedcolumnofAntoninus。ItwasnotfarfromthisvicinitythatMiriamhadbidhimwait。Strugglingonwardasfastasthetideofmerrymakers，settingstrongagainsthim，wouldpermit，hewasnowbeyondthePalazzoColonna，andbegantocountthehouses。Thefifthwasapalace，withalongfrontupontheCorso，andofstatelyheight，butsomewhatgrimwithage。

Overitsarchedandpillaredentrancetherewasabalcony，richlyhungwithtapestryanddamask，andtenanted，forthetime，byagentlemanofvenerableaspectandagroupofladies。Thewhitehairandwhiskersoftheformer，andthewinterrosesinhischeeks，hadanEnglishlook；theladies，too，showedafair-hairedSaxonbloom，andseemedtotastethemirthoftheCarnivalwiththefreshnessofspectatorstowhomthescenewasnew。Alltheparty，theoldgentlemanwithgraveearnestness，asifheweredefendingarampart，andhisyoungcompanionswithexuberanceoffrolic，showeredconfettiinexhaustiblyuponthepassers-by。

Intherearofthebalcony，abroad-brimmed，ecclesiasticalbeaverwasvisible。Anabbate，probablyanacquaintanceandciceroneoftheEnglishfamily，wassittingthere，andenjoyingthescene，thoughpartiallywithdrawnfromview，asthedecorumforhisorderdictated。

ThereseemednobetternorothercourseforKenyonthantokeepwatchatthisappointedspot，waitingforwhatevershouldhappennext。

Claspinghisarmroundalamp-post，topreventbeingcarriedawaybytheturbulentstreamofwayfarers，hescrutinizedeveryface，withtheideathatsomeoneofthemmightmeethiseyeswithaglanceofintelligence。Helookedateachmask，——harlequin，ape，bulbous-headedmonster，oranythingthatwasabsurdest，——notknowingbutthatthemessengermightcome，eveninsuchfantasticguise。Orperhapsoneofthosequaintfigures，inthestatelyruff，thecloak，tunic，andtrunk-hoseofthreecenturiesago，mightbringhimtidingsofHilda，outofthatlong-pastage。Attimeshisdisquietudetookahopefulaspect；andhefanciedthatHildamightcomeby，herownsweetself，insomeshydisguisewhichtheinstinctOfhislovewouldbesuretopenetrate。Or，shemightbebornepastonatriumphalcar，liketheonejustnowapproaching，itsslow-movingwheelsencircledandspokedwithfoliage，anddrawnbyhorses，thatwereharnessedandwreathedwithflowers。Being，atbest，sofarbeyondtheboundsofreasonableconjecture，hemightanticipatethewildestevent，orfindeitherhishopesorfearsdisappointedinwhatappearedmostprobable。

TheoldEnglishmanandhisdaughters，intheoppositebalcony，musthaveseensomethingunutterablyabsurdinthesculptor\'sdeportment，poringintothiswhirlpoolofnonsensesoearnestly，inquestofwhatwastomakehislifedarkorbright。Earnestpeople，whotrytogetarealityoutofhumanexistence，arenecessarilyabsurdintheviewoftherevellersandmasqueraders。Atallevents，afteragooddealofmirthattheexpenseofhismelancholyvisage，thefairoccupantsofthebalconyfavoredKenyonwithasalvoofconfetti，whichcamerattlingabouthimlikeahailstorm。Lookingupinstinctively，hewassurprisedtoseetheabbateinthebackgroundleanforwardandgiveacourteoussignofrecognition。

ItwasthesameoldpriestwithwhomhehadseenHilda，attheconfessional；thesamewithwhomhehadtalkedofherdisappearanceonmeetinghiminthestreet。

Yet，whatevermightbethereason，KenyondidnotnowassociatethisecclesiasticalpersonagewiththeideaofHilda。Hiseyeslightedontheoldman，justforaninstant，andthenreturnedtotheeddyingthrongoftheCorso，onhisminutescrutinyofwhichdepended，foraughtheknew，thesolechanceofeverfindinganytraceofher。

Therewas，aboutthismoment，abustleontheothersideofthestreet，thecauseofwhichKenyondidnotsee，norexerthimselftodiscover。

Asmallpartyofsoldiersorgendarmesappearedtobeconcernedinit；

theywereperhapsarrestingsomedisorderlycharacter，who，undertheinfluenceofanextraflaskofwine，mighthavereeledacrossthemysticlimitationofcarnivalproprieties。

Thesculptorheardsomepeoplenearhimtalkingoftheincident。

"Thatcontadina，inablackmask，wasafinefigureofawoman。"

"Shewasnotamiss，"repliedafemalevoice；"buthercompanionwasfarthehandsomerfigureofthetwo。Couldtheybereallyapeasantandacontadina，doyouimagine？"

"No，no，"saidtheother。"ItissomefrolicoftheCarnival，carriedalittletoofar。"

ThisconversationmighthaveexcitedKenyon\'sinterest；onlythat，justasthelastwordswerespoken，hewashitbytwomissiles，bothofakindthatwereflyingabundantlyonthatgaybattlefield。One，weareashamedtosay，wasacauliflower，which，flungbyayoungmanfromapassingcarriage，camewithaprodigiousthumpagainsthisshoulder；theotherwasasinglerosebud，sofreshthatitseemedthatmomentgathered。Itflewfromtheoppositebalcony，smotegentlyonhislips，andfellintohishand。Helookedupward，andbeheldthefaceofhislostHilda！

Shewasdressedinawhitedomino，andlookedpaleandbewildered，andyetfulloftenderjoy。Moreover，therewasagleamofdelicatemirthfulnessinhereyes，whichthesculptorhadseenthereonlytwoorthreetimesinthecourseoftheiracquaintance，butthoughtitthemostbewitchingandfairylikeofallHilda\'sexpressions。Thatsoft，mirthfulsmilecausedhertomelt，asitwere，intothewildfrolicoftheCarnival，andbecomenotsostrangeandalientothescene，asherunexpectedapparitionmustotherwisehavemadeher。

Meanwhile，thevenerableEnglishmanandhisdaughterswerestaringatpoorHildainawaythatprovedthemaltogetherastonished，aswellasinexpressiblyshocked，byhersuddenintrusionintotheirprivatebalcony。Theylooked，——as，indeed，Englishpeopleofrespectabilitywould，ifanangelweretoalightintheircircle，withoutdueintroductionfromsomebodywhomtheyknew，inthecourtabove，——theylookedasifanunpardonablelibertyhadbeentaken，andasuitableapologymustbemade；afterwhich，theintruderwouldbeexpectedtowithdraw。

Theabbate，however，drewtheoldgentlemanaside，andwhisperedafewwordsthatservedtomollifyhim；hebestowedonHildaasufficientlybenignant，thoughstillaperplexedandquestioningregard，andinvitedher，indumb-show，toputherselfatherease。

But，whoeverwasinfault，ourshyandgentleHildahaddreamedofnointrusion。Whenceshehadcome，orwhereshehadbeenhidden，duringthismysteriousinterval，wecanbutimperfectlysurmise，anddonotmean，atpresent，tomakeitamatterofformalexplanationwiththereader。Itisbetter，perhaps，tofancythatshehadbeensnatchedawaytoalandofpicture；thatshehadbeenstrayingwithClaudeinthegoldenlightwhichheusedtoshedoverhislandscapes，butwhichhecouldneverhavebeheldwithhiswakingeyestillheawokeinthebetterclime。Wewillimaginethat，forthesakeofthetruesimplicitywithwhichshelovedthem，Hildahadbeenpermitted，foraseason，toconversewiththegreat，departedmastersofthepencil，andbeholdthedivinerworkswhichtheyhavepaintedinheavenlycolors。GuidohadshownheranotherportraitofBeatriceCenci，donefromthecelestiallife，inwhichthatforlornmysteryoftheearthlycountenancewasexchangedforaradiantjoy。Peruginohadallowedheraglimpseathiseasel，onwhichshediscernedwhatseemedawoman\'sface，butsodivine，bytheverydepthandsoftnessofitswomanhood，thatagushofhappytearsblindedthemaiden\'seyesbeforeshehadtimetolook。RaphaelhadtakenHildabythehand，thatfine，forciblehandwhichKenyonsculptured，——anddrawnasidethecurtainofgold-fringedcloudthathungbeforehislatestmasterpiece。Onearth，RaphaelpaintedtheTransfiguration。Whathigherscenemayhehavesincedepicted，notfromimagination，butasrevealedtohisactualsight！

Neitherwillweretracethestepsbywhichshereturnedtotheactualworld。Forthepresent，beitenoughtosaythatHildahadbeensummonedforthfromasecretplace，andledweknownotthroughwhatmysteriouspassages，toapointwherethetumultoflifeburstsuddenlyuponherears。Sheheardthetrampoffootsteps，therattleofwheels，andthemingledhumofamultitudeofvoices，withstrainsofmusicandloudlaughterbreakingthrough。Emergingintoagreat，gloomyhall，acurtainwasdrawnaside；shefoundherselfgentlypropelledintoanopenbalcony，whenceshelookedoutuponthefestalstreet，withgaytapestriesflauntingoverallthepalacefronts，thewindowsthrongedwithmerryfaces，andacrowdofmaskersriotinguponthepavementbelow。

Immediatelysheseemedtobecomeaportionofthescene。Herpale，large-eyed，fragilebeauty，herwonderingaspectandbewilderedgrace，attractedthegazeofmany；andtherefellaroundherashowerofbouquetsandbonbons——freshestblossomsandsweetestsugarplums，sweetstothesweet——suchastherevellersoftheCarnivalreserveastributestoespecialloveliness。Hildapressedherhandacrossherbrow；shelethereyelidsfall，and，liftingthemagain，lookedthroughthegrotesqueandgorgeousshow，thechaosofmadjollity，inquestofsomeobjectbywhichshemightassureherselfthatthewholespectaclewasnotanillusion。

Beneaththebalcony，sherecognizedafamiliarandfondlyrememberedface。Thespiritofthehourandthesceneexerciseditsinfluenceoverherquickandsensitivenature；shecaughtuponeoftherosebudsthathadbeenshowereduponher，andaimeditatthesculptor；Ithitthemark；heturnedhissadeyesupward，andtherewasHilda，inwhosegentlepresencehisownsecretsorrowandtheobtrusiveuproaroftheCarnivalalikediedawayfromhisperception。

Thatnight，thelampbeneaththeVirgin\'sshrineburnedasbrightlyasifithadneverbeenextinguished；andthoughtheonefaithfuldovehadgonetohermelancholyperch，shegreetedHildarapturouslythenextmorning，andsummonedherlessconstantcompanions，whithersoevertheyhadflown，torenewtheirhomage。

CHAPTERL

MIRIAM，HILDA，KENYON，DONATELLO

Thegentlereader，wetrust，wouldnotthankusforoneofthoseminuteelucidations，whicharesotedious，and，afterall，sounsatisfactory，inclearinguptheromanticmysteriesofastory。Heistoowisetoinsistuponlookingcloselyatthewrongsideofthetapestry，aftertherightonehasbeensufficientlydisplayedtohim，wovenwiththebestoftheartist\'sskill，andcunninglyarrangedwithaviewtotheharmoniousexhibitionofitscolors。Ifanybrilliant，orbeautiful，oreventolerableeffecthavebeenproduced，thispatternofkindlyreaderswillacceptitatitsworth，withouttearingitswebapart，withtheidlepurposeofdiscoveringhowthethreadshavebeenknittogether；forthesagacitybywhichheisdistinguishedwilllongagohavetaughthimthatanynarrativeofhumanactionandadventurewhetherwecallithistoryorromance——iscertaintobeafragilehandiwork，moreeasilyrentthanmended。Theactualexperienceofeventhemostordinarylifeisfullofeventsthatneverexplainthemselves，eitherasregardstheiroriginortheirtendency。

Itwouldbeeasy，fromconversationswhichwehaveheldwiththesculptor，tosuggestaclewtothemysteryofHilda\'sdisappearance；

although，aslongassheremainedinItaly，therewasaremarkablereserveinhercommunicationsuponthissubject，eventohermostintimatefriends。Eitherapledgeofsecrecyhadbeenexacted，oraprudentialmotivewarnedhernottorevealthestratagemsofareligiousbody，orthesecretactsofadespoticgovernment——whichevermightberesponsibleinthepresentinstance——whilestillwithinthescopeoftheirjurisdiction。Possibly，shemightnotherselfbefullyawarewhatpowerhadlaiditsgraspuponherperson。Whathaschieflyperplexedus，however，amongHilda\'sadventures，isthemodeofherrelease，inwhichsomeinscrutabletyrannyorotherseemedtotakepartinthefrolicoftheCarnival。Wecanonlyaccountforit，bysupposingthatthefitfulandfantasticimaginationofawoman——sportive，becauseshemustotherwisebedesperate——hadarrangedthisincident，andmadeittheconditionofastepwhichherconscience，ortheconscienceofanother，requiredhertotake。

AfewdaysafterHilda\'sreappearance，sheandthesculptorwerestrayingtogetherthroughthestreetsofRome。Beingdeepintalk，itsohappenedthattheyfoundthemselvesnearthemajestic，pillaredportico，andhuge，blackrotundityofthePantheon。Itstandsalmostatthecentralpointofthelabyrinthineintricaciesofthemoderncity，andoftenpresentsitselfbeforethebewilderedstranger，whenheisinsearchofotherobjects。Hilda，lookingup，proposedthattheyshouldenter。

"Ineverpassitwithoutgoingin，"shesaid，"topaymyhomageatthetombofRaphael。"

"NorI，"saidKenyon，"withoutstoppingtoadmirethenoblestedificewhichthebarbarismoftheearlyages，andthemorebarbarouspontiffsandprincesoflaterones，havesparedtous。"

Theywentinaccordingly，andstoodinthefreespaceofthatgreatcircle，aroundwhicharerangedthearchedrecessesandstatelyaltars，formerlydedicatedtoheathengods，butChristianizedthroughtwelvecenturiesgoneby。TheworldhasnothingelselikethePantheon。Sogranditis，thatthepasteboardstatuesovertheloftycornicedonotdisturbtheeffect，anymorethanthetincrownsandhearts，thedustyartificialflowers，andallmanneroftrumperygew-gaws，hangingatthesaintlyshrines。Therustanddinginessthathavedimmedthepreciousmarbleonthewalls；thepavement，withitsgreatsquaresandroundsofporphyryandgranite，crackedcrosswiseandinahundreddirections，showinghowroughlythetroublesomeageshavetrampledhere；thegraydomeabove，withitsopeningtothesky，asifheavenwerelookingdownintotheinteriorofthisplaceofworship，leftunimpededforprayerstoascendthemorefreely；allthesethingsmakeanimpressionofsolemnity，whichSt。Peter\'sitselffailstoproduce。

"Ithink，"saidthesculptor，"itistotheapertureinthedome——thatgreatEye，gazingheavenwardthatthePantheonowesthepeculiarityofitseffect。Itissoheathenish，asitwere，——sounlikeallthesnugnessofourmoderncivilization！Look，too，atthepavement，directlybeneaththeopenspace！Somuchrainhasfallenthere，inthelasttwothousandyears，thatitisgreenwithsmall，finemoss，suchasgrowsovertombstonesinadampEnglishchurchyard。"

"Ilikebetter，"repliedHilda，"tolookatthebright，bluesky，roofingtheedificewherethebuildersleftitopen。Itisverydelightful，inabreezyday，toseethemassesofwhitecloudfloatovertheopening，andthenthesunshinefallthroughitagain，fitfully，asitdoesnow。Woulditbeanywonderifweweretoseeangelshoveringthere，partlyinandpartlyout，withgenial，heavenlyfaces，notinterceptingthelight，butonlytransmutingitintobeautifulcolors？Lookatthatbroad，goldenbeam——aslopingcataractofsunlight——whichcomesdownfromtheapertureandrestsupontheshrine，attherighthandoftheentrance！"

"Thereisaduskypictureoverthataltar，"observedthesculptor。

"Letusgoandseeifthisstrongilluminationbringsoutanymeritinit。"

Approachingtheshrine，theyfoundthepicturelittleworthlookingat，butcouldnotforbearsmiling，toseethataveryplumpandcomfortabletabby-cat——whomweourselveshaveoftenobservedhauntingthePantheon——hadestablishedherselfonthealtar，inthegenialsunbeam，andwasfastasleepamongtheholytapers。Theirfootstepsdisturbingher，sheawoke，raisedherself，andsatblinkinginthesun，yetwithacertaindignityandself-possession，asifconsciousofrepresentingasaint。

"Ipresume，"remarkedKenyon，"thatthisisthefirstofthefelineracethathaseversetherselfupasanobjectofworship，inthePantheonorelsewhere，sincethedaysofancientEgypt。See；thereisapeasantfromtheneighboringmarket，actuallykneelingtoher！Sheseemsagraciousandbenignantsaintenough。"

"Donotmakemelaugh，"saidHildareproachfully，"buthelpmetodrivethecreatureaway。Itdistressesmetoseethatpoorman，oranyhumanbeing，directinghisprayerssomuchamiss。"

"Then，Hilda，"answeredthesculptormoreseriously，"theonlyPlaceinthePantheonforyouandmetokneelisonthepavementbeneaththecentralaperture。Ifweprayatasaint\'sshrine，weshallgiveutterancetoearthlywishes；butifweprayfacetofacewiththeDeity，weshallfeelitimpioustopetitionforaughtthatisnarrowandselfish。MethinksitisthisthatmakestheCatholicssodelightintheworshipofsaints；theycanbringupalltheirlittleworldlywantsandwhims，theirindividualitiesandhumanweaknesses，notasthingstoberepentedof，buttobehumoredbythecanonizedhumanitytowhichtheypray。Indeed，itisverytempting！"

WhatHildamighthaveansweredmustbelefttoconjecture；forassheturnedfromtheshrine，hereyeswereattractedtothefigureofafemalepenitent，kneelingonthepavementjustbeneaththegreatcentraleye，intheveryspotwhichKenyonhaddesignatedastheonlyonewhenceprayersshouldascend。Theupturnedfacewasinvisible，behindaveilormask，whichformedapartofthegarb。

"Itcannotbe！"whisperedHilda，withemotion。"No；itcannotbe！"

"Whatdisturbsyou？"askedKenyon。"Whydoyoutrembleso？"

"Ifitwerepossible，"shereplied，"IshouldfancythatkneelingfiguretobeMiriam！"

"Asyousay，itisimpossible，"rejoinedthesculptor；"WeknowtoowellwhathasbefallenbothherandDonatello。""Yes；itisimpossible！"repeatedHilda。Hervoicewasstilltremulous，however，andsheseemedunabletowithdrawherattentionfromthekneelingfigure。Suddenly，andasiftheideaofMiriamhadopenedthewholevolumeofHilda\'sreminiscences，sheputthisquestiontothesculptor：

"WasDonatelloreallyaFaun？"

"Ifyouhadeverstudiedthepedigreeofthefar-descendedheirofMonteBeni，asIdid，"answeredKenyon，withanirrepressiblesmile，"youwouldhaveretainedfewdoubtsonthatpoint。Faunornot，hehadagenialnature，which，hadtherestofmankindbeeninaccordancewithit，wouldhavemadeearthaparadisetoourpoorfriend。Itseemsthemoralofhisstory，thathumanbeingsofDonatello\'scharacter，compoundedespeciallyforhappiness，havenolongeranybusinessonearth，orelsewhere。Lifehasgrownsosadlyserious，thatsuchmenmustchangetheirnature，orelseperish，liketheantediluviancreaturesthatrequired，astheconditionoftheirexistence，amoresummerlikeatmospherethanours。"

"Iwillnotacceptyourmoral！"repliedthehopefulandhappy-naturedHilda。

"Thenhereisanother；takeyourchoice！"saidthesculptor，rememberingwhatMiriamhadrecentlysuggested，inreferencetothesamepoint。"Heperpetratedagreatcrime；andhisremorse，gnawingintohissoul，hasawakenedit；developingathousandhighcapabilities，moralandintellectual，whichwenevershouldhavedreamedofaskingfor，withinthescantycompassoftheDonatellowhomweknew。"

"Iknownotwhetherthisisso，"saidHilda。"Butwhatthen？"

"Herecomesmyperplexity，"continuedKenyon。"SinhaseducatedDonatello，andelevatedhim。Issin，then，——whichwedeemsuchadreadfulblacknessintheuniverse，——isit，likesorrow，merelyanelementofhumaneducation，throughwhichwestruggletoahigherandpurerstatethanwecouldotherwisehaveattained？DidAdamfall，thatwemightultimatelyrisetoafarloftierparadisethanhis？""O

hush！"criedHilda，shrinkingfromhimwithanexpressionofhorrorwhichwoundedthepoor，speculativesculptortothesoul。"Thisisterrible；andIcouldweepforyou，ifyouindeedbelieveit。Donotyouperceivewhatamockeryyourcreedmakes，notonlyofallreligioussentiments，butofmorallaw？AndhowitannulsandobliterateswhateverpreceptsofHeavenarewrittendeepestwithinus？

Youhaveshockedmebeyondwords！"

"Forgiveme，Hilda！"exclaimedthesculptor，startledbyheragitation；

"Ineverdidbelieveit！Butthemindwanderswildandwide；and，solonelyasIliveandwork，Ihaveneitherpole-starabovenorlightofcottagewindowsherebelow，tobringmehome。Wereyoumyguide，mycounsellor，myinmostfriend，withthatwhitewisdomwhichclothesyouasacelestialgarment，allwouldgowell。OHilda，guidemehome！"

"Wearebothlonely；bothfarfromhome！"saidHilda，hereyesfillingwithtears。"Iamapoor，weakgirl，andhavenosuchwisdomasyoufancyinme。"

Whatfurthermayhavepassedbetweentheselovers，whilestandingbeforethepillaredshrine，andthemarbleMadonnathatmarksRaphael\'stomb；whithertheyhadnowwandered，weareunabletorecord。

ButwhenthekneelingfigurebeneaththeopeneyeofthePantheonarose，shelookedtowardsthepairandextendedherhandswithagestureofbenediction。ThentheyknewthatitwasMiriam。Theysufferedhertoglideoutoftheportal，however，withoutagreeting；

forthoseextendedhands，evenwhiletheyblessed，seemedtorepel，asifMiriamstoodontheothersideofafathomlessabyss，andwarnedthemfromitsverge。

SoKenyonwonthegentleHilda\'sshyaffection，andherconsenttobehisbride。AnotherhandmusthenceforthtrimthelampbeforetheVirgin\'sshrine；forHildawascomingdownfromheroldtower，tobeherselfenshrinedandworshippedasahouseholdsaint，inthelightofherhusband\'sfireside。And，nowthatlifehadsomuchhumanpromiseinit，theyresolvedtogobacktotheirownland；becausetheyears，afterall，haveakindofemptiness，whenwespendtoomanyofthemonaforeignshore。Wedefertherealityoflife，insuchcases，untilafuturemoment，whenweshallagainbreatheournativeair；but，byandby，therearenofuturemoments；or，ifwedoreturn，wefindthatthenativeairhaslostitsinvigoratingquality，andthatlifehasshifteditsrealitytothespotwherewehavedeemedourselvesonlytemporaryresidents。Thus，betweentwocountries，wehavenoneatall，oronlythatlittlespaceofeitherinwhichwefinallylaydownourdiscontentedbones。Itiswise，therefore，tocomebackbetimes，ornever。

BeforetheyquittedRome，abridalgiftwaslaidonHilda\'stable。Itwasabracelet，evidentlyofgreatcost，beingcomposedofsevenancientEtruscangems，dugoutofsevensepulchres，andeachoneofthemthesignetofsomeprincelypersonage，whohadlivedanimmemorialtimeago。Hildarememberedthispreciousornament。IthadbeenMiriam\'s；andonce，withtheexuberanceoffancythatdistinguishedher，shehadamusedherselfwithtellingamythicalandmagiclegendforeachgem，comprisingtheimaginaryadventuresandcatastropheofitsformerwearer。ThustheEtruscanbraceletbecametheconnectingbondofaseriesofsevenwondroustales，allofwhich，astheyweredugoutofsevensepulchres，werecharacterizedbyasevenfoldsepulchralgloom；suchasMiriam\'simagination，shadowedbyherownmisfortunes，waswonttoflingoveritsmostsportiveflights。

Andnow，happyasHildawas，thebraceletbroughtthetearsintohereyes，asbeing，initsentirecircle，thesymbolofassadamysteryasanythatMiriamhadattachedtotheseparategems。For，whatwasMiriam\'slifetobe？AndwherewasDonatello？ButHildahadahopefulsoul，andsawsunlightonthemountain-tops。

CONCLUSION

Therecomestotheauthor，frommanyreadersoftheforegoingpages，ademandforfurtherelucidationsrespectingthemysteriesofthestory。

Hereluctantlyavailshimselfoftheopportunityaffordedbyanewedition，toexplainsuchincidentsandpassagesasmayhavebeenlefttoomuchinthedark；reluctantly，herepeats，becausethenecessitymakeshimsensiblethathecanhavesucceededbutimperfectly，atbest，inthrowingaboutthisRomancethekindofatmosphereessentialtotheeffectatwhichheaimed。

Hedesignedthestoryandthecharacterstobear，ofcourse，acertainrelationtohumannatureandhumanlife，butstilltobesoartfullyandairilyremovedfromourmundanesphere，thatsomelawsandproprietiesoftheirownshouldbeimplicitlyandinsensiblyacknowledged。

TheideaofthemodernFaun，forexample，losesallthepoetryandbeautywhichtheAuthorfanciedinit，andbecomesnothingbetterthanagrotesqueabsurdity，ifwebringitintotheactuallightofday。

HehadhopedtomystifythisanomalouscreaturebetweentheRealandtheFantastic，insuchamannerthatthereader\'ssympathiesmightbeexcitedtoacertainpleasurabledegree，withoutimpellinghimtoaskhowCuvierwouldhaveclassifiedpoorDonatello，ortoinsistuponbeingtold，insomanywords，whetherhehadfurryearsorno。Asrespectsallwhoasksuchquestions，thebookis，tothatextent，afailure。

Nevertheless，theAuthorfortunatelyhasitinhispowertothrowlightuponseveralmattersinwhichsomeofhisreadersappeartofeelaninterest。Toconfessthetruth，hewashimselftroubledwithacuriositysimilartothatwhichhehasjustdeprecatedonthepartofhisreaders，andoncetookoccasiontocross-examinehisfriends，Hildaandthesculptor，andtopryintoseveraldarkrecessesofthestory，withwhichtheyhadheretoforeimperfectlyacquaintedhim。

WethreehadclimbedtothetopofSt。Peter\'s，andwerelookingdownupontheRomeweweresoontoleave，butwhich(havingalreadysinnedsufficientlyinthatway)itisnotmypurposefurthertodescribe。

Itoccurredtome，that，beingsoremoteintheupperair，myfriendsmightsafelyutterherethesecretswhichitwouldbeperilouseventowhisperonlowerearth。

"Hilda，"Ibegan，"canyoutellmethecontentsofthatmysteriouspacketwhichMiriamentrustedtoyourcharge，andwhichwasaddressedtoSignoreLucaBarboni，atthePalazzoCenci？"

"Ineverhadanyfurtherknowledgeofit，"repliedHilda，"norfeltitrighttoletmyselfbecuriousuponthesubject。"

"Astoitsprecisecontents，"interposedKenyon，"itisimpossibletospeak。ButMiriam，isolatedassheseemed，hadfamilyconnectionsinRome，oneofwhom，thereisreasontobelieve，occupiedapositioninthepapalgovernment。

"ThisSignoreLucaBarboniwaseithertheassumednameofthepersonageinquestion，orthemediumofcommunicationbetweenthatindividualandMiriam。Now，undersuchagovernmentasthatofRome，itisobviousthatMiriam\'sprivacyandisolatedlifecouldonlybemaintainedthroughtheconnivanceandsupportofsomeinfluentialpersonconnectedwiththeadministrationofaffairs。Freeandself-controlledassheappeared，hereverymovementwaswatchedandinvestigatedfarmorethoroughlybythepriestlyrulersthanbyherdearestfriends。

"Miriam，ifImistakenot，hadapurposetowithdrawherselffromthisirksomescrutiny，andtoseekrealobscurityinanotherland；andthepacket，tobedeliveredlongafterherdeparture，containedareferencetothisdesign，besidescertainfamilydocuments，whichweretobeimpartedtoherrelativeasfromonedeadandgone。"

"Yes，itisclearasaLondonfog，"Iremarked。"Onthisheadnofurtherelucidationcanbedesired。ButwhenHildawentquietlytodeliverthepacket，whydidshesomysteriouslyvanish？"

"Youmustrecollect，"repliedKenyon，withaglanceoffriendlycommiserationatmyobtuseness，"thatMiriamhadutterlydisappeared，leavingnotracebywhichherwhereaboutscouldbeknown。Inthemeantime，themunicipalauthoritieshadbecomeawareofthemurderoftheCapuchin；andfrommanyprecedingcircumstances，suchashispersecutionofMiriam，theymusthaveseenanobviousconnectionbetweenherselfandthattragicalevent。Furthermore，thereisreasontobelievethatMiriamwassuspectedofconnectionwithsomeplot，orpoliticalintrigue，ofwhichtheremayhavebeentokensinthepacket。

AndwhenHildaappearedasthebearerofthismissive，itwasreallyquiteamatterofcourse，underadespoticgovernment，thatsheshouldbedetained。"

"Ah，quiteamatterofcourse，asyousay，"answeredI。"Howexcessivelystupidinmenottohaveseenitsooner！Butthereareotherriddles。Onthenightoftheextinctionofthelamp，youmetDonatello，inapenitent\'sgarb，andafterwardssawandspoketoMiriam，inacoach，withagemglowingonherbosom。WhatwasthebusinessofthesetwoguiltyonesinRome，andwhowasMiriam\'scompanion？"

"Who！"repeatedKenyon，"why，herofficialrelative，tobesure；andastotheirbusiness，Donatello\'sstillgnawingremorsehadbroughthimhitherward，inspiteofMiriam\'sentreaties，andkepthimlingeringintheneighborhoodofRome，withtheultimatepurposeofdeliveringhimselfuptojustice。Hilda\'sdisappearance，whichtookplacethedaybefore，wasknowntothemthroughasecretchannel，andhadbroughtthemintothecity，whereMiriam，asIsurmise，begantomakearrangements，eventhen，forthatsadfrolicoftheCarnival。"

"AndwherewasHildaallthatdrearytimebetween？"inquiredI。

"Wherewereyou，Hilda？"askedKenyon，smiling。

Hildathrewhereyesonallsides，andseeingthattherewasnotevenabirdoftheairtoflyawaywiththesecret，noranyhumanbeingnearerthantheloiterersbytheobeliskinthepiazzabelow，shetoldusabouthermysteriousabode。

"IwasaprisonerintheConventoftheSacreCoeur，intheTrinitadeMonte，"saidshe，"butinsuchkindlycustodyofpiousmaidens，andwatchedoverbysuchadearoldpriest，that——haditnotbeenforoneortwodisturbingrecollections，andalsobecauseIamadaughterofthePuritansIcouldwillinglyhavedweltthereforever。

"MyentanglementwithMiriam\'smisfortunes，andthegoodabbate\'smistakenhopeofaproselyte，seemtomeasufficientclewtothewholemystery。"

"Theatmosphereisgettingdelightfullylucid，"observedI，"butthereareoneortwothingsthatstillpuzzleme。Couldyoutellme——anditshallbekeptaprofoundsecret，IassureyouwhatwereMiriam\'srealnameandrank，andpreciselythenatureofthetroublesthatledtoallthosedirefulconsequences？"

"Isitpossiblethatyouneedananswertothosequestions？"exclaimedKenyon，withanaspectofvastsurprise。"HaveyounotevensurmisedMiriam\'sname？Thinkawhile，andyouwillassuredlyrememberit。Ifnot，Icongratulateyoumostsincerely；foritindicatesthatyourfeelingshaveneverbeenharrowedbyoneofthemostdreadfulandmysteriouseventsthathaveoccurredwithinthepresentcentury！"

"Well，"resumedI，afteranintervalofdeepconsideration，"Ihavebutfewthingsmoretoask。Where，atthismoment，isDonatello？"

"TheCastleofSaintAngelo，"saidKenyonsadly，turninghisfacetowardsthatsepulchralfortress，"isnolongeraprison；butthereareotherswhichhavedungeonsasdeep，andinoneofthem，Ifear，liesourpoorFaun。"

"Andwhy，then，isMiriamatlarge？"Iasked。

"Callitcrueltyifyoulike，notmercy，"answeredKenyon。"But，afterall，hercrimelaymerelyinaglance。Shedidnomurder！"

"Onlyonequestionmore，"saidI，withintenseearnestness。"DidDonatello\'searsresemblethoseoftheFaunofPraxiteles？"

"Iknow，butmaynottell，"repliedKenyon，smilingmysteriously。"Onthatpoint，atallevents，thereshallbenotonewordofexplanation。"

Leamington，March14，1860。

End