1。VI。ONTHEBRINK
MissBencombwasleavingthehotelfortherailway，whichwasquitenearathand，andhadonlyrecentlybeenopened，asifonpurposeforthisevent。AtJocelyn’ssuggestionshewroteamessagetoinformherfatherthatshehadgonetoheraunt’s，withaviewtoallayinganxietyanddeterringpursuit。Theywalkedtogethertotheplatformandbadeeachothergood-bye；eachobtainedaticketindependently，andJocelyngothisluggagefromthecloak-room。
Ontheplatformtheyencounteredeachotheragain，andtherewasalightintheirglancesateachotherwhichsaid，asbyaflash-
telegraph：’Weareboundforthesametown，whynotenterthesamecompartment？’
Theydid。
Shetookacornerseat，withherbacktotheengine；hesatopposite。
Theguardlookedin，thoughttheywerelovers，anddidnotshowothertravellersintothatcompartment。Theytalkedonstrictlyordinarymatters；whatshethoughthedidnotknow，butateverystoppingstationhedreadedintrusion。BeforetheywerehalfwaytoLondontheeventhehadjustbeguntorealizewasapatentfact。TheBelovedwasagainembodied；shefilledeveryfibreandcurveofthiswoman’sform。
DrawingnearthegreatLondonstationwaslikedrawingnearDoomsday。
Howshouldheleaveherintheturmoilofacrowdedcitystreet？Sheseemedquiteunpreparedfortherattleofthescene。Heaskedherwhereherauntlived。
’Bayswater，’saidMissBencomb。
Hecalledacab，andproposedthatsheshouldshareittilltheyarrivedatheraunt’s，whoseresidencelaynotmuchoutofthewaytohisown。Tryashewouldhecouldnotascertainifsheunderstoodhisfeelings，butsheassentedtohisofferandenteredthevehicle。
’Weareoldfriends，’hesaid，astheydroveonward。
’Indeed，weare，’sheanswered，withoutsmiling。
’Buthereditarilywearemortalenemies，dearJuliet。’
’Yes——Whatdidyousay？’
’IsaidJuliet。’
Shelaughedinahalf-proudway，andmurmured：’Yourfatherismyfather’senemy，andmyfatherismine。Yes，itisso。’Andthentheireyescaughteachother’sglance。’Myqueenlydarling！’heburstout；
’insteadofgoingtoyouraunt’s，willyoucomeandmarryme？’
Aflushcoveredherover，whichseemedakintoaflushofrage。Itwasnotexactlythat，butshewasexcited。Shedidnotanswer，andhefearedhehadmortallyoffendedherdignity。Perhapsshehadonlymadeuseofhimasaconvenientaidtoherintentions。However，hewenton——
’Yourfatherwouldnotbeabletoreclaimyouthen！Afterall，thisisnotsoprecipitateasitseems。Youknowallaboutme，myhistory，myprospects。Iknowallaboutyou。Ourfamilieshavebeenneighboursonthatisleforhundredsofyears，thoughyouarenowsuchaLondonproduct。’
’WillyoueverbeaRoyalAcademician？’sheaskedmusingly，herexcitementhavingcalmeddown。
’Ihopetobe——IWILLbe，ifyouwillbemywife。’
Hiscompanionlookedathimlong。
’Thinkwhatashortwayoutofyourdifficultythiswouldbe，’hecontinued。’Nobotheraboutaunts，nofetchinghomebyanangryfather。’
Itseemedtodecideher。Sheyieldedtohisembrace。
’Howlongwillittaketomarry？’MissBencombaskedby-and-by，withobviousself-repression。
’Wecoulddoitto-morrow。IcouldgettoDoctors’Commonsbynoonto-
day，andthelicencewouldbereadybyto-morrowmorning。’
’Iwon’tgotomyaunt’s，Iwillbeanindependentwoman！IhavebeenreprimandedasifIwereachildofsix。I’llbeyourwifeifitisaseasyasyousay。’
Theystoppedthecabwhiletheyheldaconsultation。PierstonhadroomsandastudiointheneighbourhoodofCampdenHill；butitwouldbehardlydesirabletotakeherthithertilltheyweremarried。Theydecidedtogotoanhotel。
Changingtheirdirection，therefore，theywentbacktotheStrand，andsoonensconcedthemselvesinoneofthevenerableoldtavernsofCoventGarden，aprecinctwhichinthosedayswasfrequentedbyWest-countrypeople。Jocelynthenleftherandproceededonhiserrandeastward。
Itwasaboutthreeo’clockwhen，havingarrangedallpreliminariesnecessitatedbythissuddenchangeoffront，hebeganstrollingslowlyback；hefeltbewildered，andtowalkwasarelief。Gazingoccasionallyintothisshopwindowandthat，hecalledahansomasbyaninspiration，anddirectedthedriverto’MellstockGardens。’
Arrivedhere，herangthebellofastudio，andinaminuteortwoitwasansweredbyayoungmaninshirt-sleeves，abouthisownage，withagreatsmearedpaletteonhisleftthumb。
’O，you，Pierston！Ithoughtyouwereinthecountry。Comein。I’mawfullygladofthis。IamhereintownfinishingoffapaintingforanAmerican，whowantstotakeitbackwithhim。’
Pierstonfollowedhisfriendintothepainting-room，whereaprettyyoungwomanwassittingsewing。Atasignalfromthepaintershedisappearedwithoutspeaking。
’Icanseefromyourfaceyouhavesomethingtosay；sowe’llhaveitalltoourselves。Youareinsometrouble？What’llyoudrink？’
’Oh！itdoesn’tmatterwhat，sothatitisalcoholinsomeshapeorform……Now，Somers，youmustjustlistentome，forIHAVE
somethingtotell。’
Pierstonhadsatdowninanarm-chair，andSomershadresumedhispainting。WhenaservanthadbroughtinbrandytosoothePierston’snerves，andsodatotakeofftheinjuriouseffectsofthebrandy，andmilktotakeoffthedepletingeffectsofthesoda，Jocelynbeganhisnarrative，addressingitrathertoSomers’sGothicchimneypiece，andSomers’sGothicclock，andSomers’sGothicrugs，thantoSomershimself，whostoodathispicturealittlebehindhisfriend。
’BeforeItellyouwhathashappenedtome，’Pierstonsaid，’IwanttoletyouknowthemannerofmanIam。’
’Lord——Iknowalready。’
’No，youdon’t。Itisasortofthingonedoesn’tliketotalkof。I
lieawakeatnightthinkingaboutit。’
’No！’saidSomers，withmoresympathy，seeingthathisfriendwasreallytroubled。
’Iamunderacuriouscurse，orinfluence。Iamposed，puzzledandperplexedbythelegerdemainofacreature——adeityrather；byAphrodite，asapoetwouldputit，asIshouldputitmyselfinmarble……ButIforget——thisisnottobeadeprecatorywail，butadefence——asortofApologiaprovitamea。’
’That’sbetter。Fireaway！’
1。VII。HEREARLIERINCARNATIONS
’You，Somers，arenot，Iknow，oneofthosewhocontinuetoindulgeintheworld-wide，fondsuperstitionthattheBelovedOneofanymanalways，orevenusually，carestoremaininonecorporealnookorshellforanygreatlengthoftime，howevermuchhemaywishhertodoso。
IfIamwrong，andyoudostillholdtothatancienterror——well，mystorywillseemratherqueer。’
’SupposeyousaytheBelovedofsomemen，notofanyman。’
’Allright——I’llsayoneman，thismanonly，ifyouaresoparticular。
Weareastrange，visionaryracedownwhereIcomefrom，andperhapsthataccountsforit。TheBelovedofthisoneman，then，hashadmanyincarnations——toomanytodescribeindetail。Eachshape，orembodiment，hasbeenatemporaryresidenceonly，whichshehasentered，livedinawhile，andmadeherexitfrom，leavingthesubstance，sofarasIhavebeenconcerned，acorpse，worseluck！Now，thereisnospiritualisticnonsenseinthis——itissimplefact，putintheplainformthattheconventionalpublicareafraidof。Somuchfortheprinciple。’
’Good。Goon。’
’Well；thefirstembodimentofheroccurred，sonearlyasIcanrecollect，whenIwasabouttheageofnine。Hervehiclewasalittleblue-eyedgirlofeightorso，oneofafamilyofeleven，withflaxenhairabouthershoulders，whichattemptedtocurl，butignominiouslyfailed，hanginglikechimney-crooksonly。Thisdefectusedrathertotroubleme；andwas，Ibelieve，oneofthemainreasonsofmyBeloved’sdeparturefromthattenement。Icannotrememberwithanyexactnesswhenthedepartureoccurred。IknowitwasafterIhadkissedmylittlefriendinagarden-seatonahotnoontide，underablueginghamumbrella，whichwehadopenedoverusaswesat，thatpassersthroughEastQuarriersmightnotobserveourmarksofaffection，forgettingthatourscreenmustattractmoreattentionthanourpersons。
’Whenthewholedreamcametoanendthroughherfatherleavingtheisland，IthoughtmyWell-Belovedhadgoneforever（beingthenintheunpractisedconditionofAdamatsightofthefirstsunset）。Butshehadnot。Laurahadgoneforever，butnotmyBeloved。
’ForsomemonthsafterIhaddonecryingfortheflaxen-hairededitionofher，myLovedidnotreappear。Thenshecamesuddenly，unexpectedly，inasituationIshouldneverhavepredicted。IwasstandingonthekerbstoneofthepavementinBudmouth-Regis，outsidethePreparatorySchool，lookingacrosstowardsthesea，whenamiddle-
agedgentlemanonhorseback，andbesidehimayounglady，alsomounted，passeddownthestreet。Thegirlturnedherhead，and——possiblybecauseIwasgapingatherinawkwardadmiration，orsmilingmyself——
smiledatme。Havingriddenafewpaces，shelookedroundagainandsmiled。
’Itwasenough，morethanenough，tosetmeonfire。Iunderstoodinamomenttheinformationconveyedtomebymyemotion——theWell-Belovedhadreappeared。Thissecondforminwhichithadpleasedhertotakeupherabodewasquiteagrownyoungwoman’s，darkerincomplexionthanthefirst。Herhair，alsoworninaknot，wasofanordinarybrown，andso，Ithink，werehereyes，butthenicetiesofherfeatureswerenottobegatheredsocursorily。However，theresatmycovetedone，re-embodied；and，biddingmyschoolmatesahastyfarewellassoonasI
coulddosowithoutsuspicion，IhurriedalongtheEsplanadeinthedirectionsheandherfatherhadridden。Buttheyhadputtheirhorsestoacanter，andIcouldnotseewhichwaytheyhadgone。InthegreatestmiseryIturneddownasidestreet，butwassoonelevatedtoastateofexcitementbyseeingthesamepairgallopingtowardsme。
Flushinguptomyhair，Istoppedandheroicallyfacedherasshepassed。Shesmiledagain，but，alas！uponmyLove’scheektherewasnoblushofpassionforme。’
Pierstonpaused，anddrankfromhisglass，ashelivedforabriefmomentinthescenehehadconjuredup。Somersreservedhiscomments，andJocelyncontinued——
’ThatafternoonIidledaboutthestreets，lookingforherinvain。
WhenInextsawoneoftheboyswhohadbeenwithmeatherfirstpassingIstealthilyremindedhimoftheincident，andaskedifheknewtheriders。
’\"Oyes，\"hesaid。\"ThatwasColonelTargeandhisdaughterElsie。\"
’\"Howolddoyouthinksheis？\"saidI，asenseofdisparityinouragesdisturbingmymind。
’\"O——nineteen，Ithinktheysay。She’sgoingtobemarriedthedayafterto-morrowtoCaptainPopp，ofthe501st，andtheyareorderedofftoIndiaatonce。\"
’ThegriefwhichIexperiencedatthisintelligencewassuchthatatduskIwentawaytotheedgeoftheharbour，intendingtoputanendtomyselfthereandthen。ButIhadbeentoldthatcrabshadbeenfoundclingingtothedeadfacesofpersonswhohadfalleninthereabout，leisurelyeatingthem，andtheideaofsuchanunpleasantcontingencydeterredme。IshouldstatethatthemarriageofmyBelovedconcernedmelittle；itwasherdeparturethatbrokemyheart。Ineversawheragain。
’ThoughIhadalreadylearntthattheabsenceofthecorporealmatterdidnotinvolvetheabsenceoftheinformingspirit，Icouldscarcebringmyselftobelievethatinthiscaseitwaspossibleforhertoreturntomyviewwithouttheformshehadlastinhabited。
’Butshedid。
’Itwasnot，however，tillafteragoodspaceoftime，duringwhichI
passedthroughthatbearishageinboys，theirearlyteens，whengirlsaretheirespecialcontempt。Iwasaboutseventeen，andwassittingoneeveningoveracupofteainaconfectioner’sattheverysamewatering-place，whenoppositemealadytookherseatwithalittlegirl。Welookedateachotherawhile，thechildmadeadvances，tillI
said：\"She’sagoodlittlething。\"
’Theladyassented，andmadeafurtherremark。
’\"Shehasthesoftfineeyesofhermother，\"saidI。
’\"Doyouthinkhereyesaregood？\"asksthelady，asifshehadnotheardwhatshehadheardmost——thelastthreewordsofmyopinion。
’\"Yes——forcopies，\"saidI，regardingher。
’Afterthiswegotonverywell。Sheinformedmethatherhusbandhadgoneoutinayacht，andIsaiditwasapityhedidn’ttakeherwithhimfortheairing。Shegraduallydisclosedherselfinthecharacterofadesertedyoungwife，andlateronImetherinthestreetwithoutthechild。Shewasgoingtothelanding-stagetomeetherhusband，soshetoldme；butshedidnotknowtheway。
’Iofferedtoshowher，anddidso。Iwillnotgointoparticulars，butIafterwardssawherseveraltimes，andsoondiscoveredthattheBeloved（astowhosewhereaboutsIhadbeenatfaultsolong）lurkedhere。Thoughwhyshehadchosenthistantalizingsituationofaninaccessiblematron’sformwhensomanyothersoffered，itwasbeyondmetodiscover。Thewholeaffairendedinnocentlyenough，whentheladyleftthetownwithherhusbandandchild：sheseemedtoregardouracquaintanceasaflirtation；yetitwasanythingbutaflirtationforme！
***
’WhyshouldItelltherestofthetantalizingtale！Afterthis，theWell-Belovedputherselfinevidencewithgreaterandgreaterfrequency，anditwouldbeimpossibleformetogiveyoudetailsofhervariousincarnations。Shecameninetimesinthecourseofthetwoorthreeensuingyears。Fourtimesshemasqueradedasabrunette，twiceasapale-hairedcreature，andtwoorthreetimesunderacomplexionneitherlightnordark。Sometimesshewasatall，finegirl，butmoreoften，Ithink，shepreferredtoslipintotheskinofalitheairybeing，ofnogreatstature。IgrewsoaccustomedtotheseexitsandentrancesthatIresignedmyselftothemquitepassively，talkedtoher，kissedher，correspondedwithher，achedforher，ineachofherseveralguises。Soitwentonuntilamonthago。AndthenforthefirsttimeIwaspuzzled。Sheeitherhad，orshehadnot，enteredthepersonofAviceCaro，ayounggirlIhadknownfrominfancy。Uponthewhole，Ihavedecidedthat，afterall，shedidnotentertheformofAviceCaro，becauseIretainsogreatarespectforherstill。’
PierstonheregaveinbriefthehistoryofhisrevivedcomradeshipwithAvice，thevergeoftheengagementtowhichtheyhadreached，anditsunexpectedrupturebyhim，merelythroughhismeetingwithawomanintowhomtheWell-Belovedunmistakablymovedunderhisveryeyes——bynameMissMarciaBencomb。Hedescribedtheirspontaneousdecisiontomarryoffhand；andthenheputittoSomerswhetherheoughttomarryornot——
heroranybodyelse——insuchcircumstances。
’Certainlynot，’saidSomers。’Though，ifanybody，littleAvice。Butnotevenher。Youarelikeothermen，onlyratherworse。Essentially，allmenarefickle，likeyou；butnotwithsuchperceptiveness。’
’Surelyfickleisnottheword？Ficklenessmeansgettingwearyofathingwhilethethingremainsthesame。ButIhavealwaysbeenfaithfultotheelusivecreaturewhomIhaveneverbeenabletogetafirmholdof，unlessIhavedonesonow。Andletmetellyouthatherflittingfromeachtoeachindividualhasbeenanythingbutapleasureforme——certainlynotawantongameofmyinstigation。Toseethecreaturewhohashithertobeenperfect，divine，loseunderyourverygazethedivinitywhichhasinformedher，growcommonplace，turnfromflametoashes，fromaradiantvitalitytoarelic，isanythingbutapleasureforanyman，andhasbeennothinglessthanarackingspectacletomysight。Eachmournfulemptiedshapestandseverafterlikethenestofsomebeautifulbirdfromwhichtheinhabitanthasdepartedandleftittofillwithsnow。IhavebeenabsolutelymiserablewhenIhavelookedinafaceforherIusedtoseethere，andcouldseehertherenomore。’
’Yououghtnottomarry，’repeatedSomers。
’PerhapsIoughtn’tto！ThoughpoorMarciawillbecompromised，I’mafraid，ifIdon’t……WasInotrightinsayingIamaccursedinthisthing？Fortunatelynobodybutmyselfhassufferedonaccountofittillnow。Knowingwhattoexpect，Ihaveseldomventuredonacloseacquaintancewithanywoman，infearofprematurelydrivingawaythedearoneinher；who，however，hasintimegoneoffjustthesame。’
Pierstonsoonaftertookhisleave。Afriend’sadviceonsuchasubjectweighslittle。HequicklyreturnedtoMissBencomb。
Shewasdifferentnow。Anxietyhadvisiblybroughtherdownanotchortwo，undoneafewdegreesofthathaughtycurlwhichherlipcouldoccasionallyassume。’Howlongyouhavebeenaway！’shesaidwithashowofimpatience。
’Nevermind，darling。Itisallarranged，’saidhe。’Weshallbeabletomarryinafewdays。’
’Notto-morrow？’
’Wecan’tto-morrow。Wehavenotbeenherequitelongenough。’
’ButhowdidthepeopleatDoctors’Commonsknowthat？’
’Well——Iforgotthatresidence，realorassumed，wasnecessary，andunfortunatelyadmittedthatwehadonlyjustarrived。’
’Ohowstupid！Butitcan’tbehelpednow。Ithink，dear，Ishouldhaveknownbetter，however！’
1。VIII。’TOOLIKETHELIGHTNING’
Theylivedonatthehotelsomedayslonger，eyedcuriouslybythechambermaids，andburstinuponeverynowandthenbythewaitersasifaccidentally。Whentheywerewalkingtogether，mostlyinbackstreetsforfearofbeingrecognized，Marciawasoftensilent，andherimperiousfacelookedgloomy。
’Dummy！’hesaidplayfully，ononeoftheseoccasions。
’IamvexedthatbyyouradmissionsatDoctors’Commonsyoupreventedthemgivingyouthelicenceatonce！Itisnotnice，mylivingonwithyoulikethis！’
’Butwearegoingtomarry，dear！’
’Yes，’shemurmured，andfellintoreverieagain。’Whatasuddenresolveitwasofours！’shecontinued。’IwishIcouldgetmyfatherandmother’sconsenttoourmarriage……Aswecan’tcompleteitforanotherdayortwo，alettermightbesenttothemandtheiranswerreceived？Ihaveamindtowrite。’
Pierstonexpressedhisdoubtsofthewisdomofthiscourse，whichseemedtomakeherdesireitthemore，andtheresultwasatiffbetweenthem。’Sinceweareobligedtodelayit，Iwon’tmarrywithouttheirconsent！’shecriedatlastpassionately。
’Verywellthen，dear。Write，’hesaid。
Whentheywereagainindoors，shesatdowntoanote，butafterawhilethrewasideherpendespairingly。’No：Icannotdoit！’shesaid。’I
can’tbendmypridetosuchajob。WillYOUwriteforme，Jocelyn？’
’I？Idon’tseewhyIshouldbetheone，particularlyasIthinkitpremature。’
’ButyouhavenotquarrelledwithmyfatherasIhavedone。’
’Wellno。Butthereisalong-standingantagonism，whichwouldmakeitoddinmetobethewriter。Waittillwearemarried，andthenIwillwrite。Nottillthen。’
’ThenIsupposeImust。Youdon’tknowmyfather。Hemightforgivememarryingintoanyotherfamilywithouthisknowledge，buthethinksyourssuchameanone，andsoresentsthetraderivalry，thathewouldneverpardontillthedayofhisdeathmybecomingaPierstonsecretly。
Ididn’tseeitatfirst。’
ThisremarkcausedanunpleasantjaronthemindofPierston。DespitehisindependentartisticpositioninLondon，hewasstaunchtothesimpleoldparentwhohadstubbornlyheldoutforsomanyyearsagainstBencomb’sencroachingtrade，andwhosemoneyhadeducatedandmaintainedJocelynasanart-studentinthebestschools。Sohebeggedhertosaynomoreabouthismeanfamily，andshesilentlyresumedherletter，givinganaddressatapost-officethattheirquartersmightnotbediscovered，atleastjustyet。
Noreplycamebyreturnofpost；but，ratherominously，somelettersforMarciathathadarrivedatherfather’ssinceherdepartureweresentoninsilencetotheaddressgiven。Sheopenedthemonebyone，tillonreadingthelast，sheexclaimed，’Goodgracious！’andburstintolaughter。
’Whatisit？’askedPierston。
Marciabegantoreadtheletteraloud。Itcamefromafaithfulloverofhers，ayouthfulJerseygentleman，whostatedthathewassoongoingtostartforEnglandtoclaimhisdarling，accordingtoherplightedword。
Shewashalfrisible，halfconcerned。’WhatshallIdo？’shesaid。
’Do？Mydeargirl，itseemstomethatthereisonlyonethingtodo，andthataveryobviousthing。Tellhimassoonaspossiblethatyouarejustonthepointofmarriage。’
Marciathereuponwroteoutareplytothateffect，Jocelynhelpinghertoshapethephrasesasgentlyaspossible。
’Irepeat’（herletterconcluded）’thatIhadquiteforgotten！Iamdeeplysorry；butthatisthetruth。Ihavetoldmyintendedhusbandeverything，andheislookingovermyshoulderasIwrite。’
SaidJocelynwhenhesawthissetdown：’Youmightleaveoutthelastfewwords。Theyareratheranextrastabforthepoorboy。’
’Stab？Itisnotthat，dear。Whydoeshewanttocomebotheringme？
Jocelyn，yououghttobeveryproudthatIhaveputyouinmyletteratall。YousaidyesterdaythatIwasconceitedindeclaringImighthavemarriedthatscience-manItoldyouof。Butnowyouseetherewasyetanotheravailable。’
He，gloomily：’Well，Idon’tcaretohearaboutthat。Tomymindthissortofthingisdecidedlyunpleasant，thoughyoutreatitsolightly。’
’Well，’shepouted，’Ihaveonlydonehalfwhatyouhavedone！’
’What’sthat？’
’Ihaveonlyprovedfalsethroughforgetfulness，butyouhavewhileremembering！’
’Oyes；ofcourseyoucanuseAviceCaroasaretort。Butdon’tvexmeabouther，andmakemedosuchanunexpectedthingasregretthefalseness。’
Sheshuthermouthtight，andherfaceflushed。
Thenextmorningtheredidcomeananswertotheletteraskingherparents’consenttoherunionwithhim；buttoMarcia’samazementherfathertookalinequiteotherthantheoneshehadexpectedhimtotake。Whethershehadcompromisedherselforwhethershehadnotseemedaquestionforthefutureratherthanthepresentwithhim，anativeislander，bornwhenoldislandmarriageviewsprevailedinfamilies；hewasfixedinhisdisapprovalofhermarriagewithahatedPierston。Hedidnotconsent；hewouldnotsaymoretillhecouldseeher：ifshehadanysenseatallshewould，ifstillunmarried，returntothehomefromwhichshehadevidentlybeenenticed。Hewouldthenseewhathecoulddoforherinthedesperatecircumstancesshehadmadeforherself；otherwisehewoulddonothing。
Pierstoncouldnothelpbeingsarcasticatherfather’sevidentlylowestimateofhimandhisbelongings；andMarciatookumbrageathissarcasms。
’Iamtheonedeservingofsatireifanybody！’shesaid。’IbegintofeelIwasafoolishgirltorunawayfromafatherforsuchatrumperyreasonasalittlescoldingbecauseIhadexceededmyallowance。’
’Iadvisedyoutogoback，Marcie。’
’Inasortofway：notintherighttone。Youspokemostcontemptuouslyofmyfather’shonestyasamerchant。’
’Icouldn’tspeakotherwiseofhimthanIdid，I’mafraid，knowingwhat——’。
’Whathaveyoutosayagainsthim？’
’Nothing——toyou，Marcie，beyondwhatismatterofcommonnotoriety。
Everybodyknowsthatatonetimehemadeitthebusinessofhislifetoruinmyfather；andthewayhealludestomeinthatlettershowsthathisenmitystillcontinues。’
’Thatmiserruinedbyanopen-handedmanlikemyfather！’saidshe。
’Itislikeyourpeople’smisrepresentationstosaythat！’
Marcia’seyesflashed，andherfaceburntwithanangryheat，theenhancedbeautywhichthiswarmthmighthavebroughtbeingkilledbytherectilinearsternnessofcountenancethatcametherewith。
’Marcia——thistemperistooexasperating！Icouldgiveyoueverystepoftheproceedingindetail——anybodycould——thegettingthequarriesonebyone，andeverything，myfatheronlyholdinghisownbythemostdesperatecourage。Thereisnoblinkingfacts。Ourparents’relationsareanuglyfactinthecircumstancesofustwopeoplewhowanttomarry，andwearejustbeginningtoperceiveit；andhowwearegoingtogetoveritIcannottell。’
Shesaidsteadily：’Idon’tthinkweshallgetoveritatall！’
’Wemaynot——wemaynot——altogether，’Pierstonmurmured，ashegazedatthefinepictureofscornpresentedbyhisJuno’sclassicalfaceanddarkeyes。
’Unlessyoubegmypardonforhavingbehavedso！’
Pierstoncouldnotquitebringhimselftoseethathehadbehavedbadlytohistooimperiouslady，anddeclinedtoaskforgivenessforwhathehadnotdone。
Shethereuponlefttheroom。Laterinthedayshere-enteredandbrokeasilencebysayingbitterly：’Ishowedtemperjustnow，asyoutoldme。Butthingshavecauses，anditisperhapsamistakethatyoushouldhavedesertedAviceforme。InsteadofweddingRosaline，RomeomustneedsgoelopingwithJuliet。ItwasafortunatethingfortheaffectionsofthosetwoVeroneseloversthattheydiedwhentheydid。
Inashorttimetheenmityoftheirfamilieswouldhaveprovedafruitfulsourceofdissension；Julietwouldhavegonebacktoherpeople，hetohis；thesubjectwouldhavesplitthemasmuchasitsplitsus。’
Pierstonlaughedalittle。ButMarciawaspainfullyserious，ashefoundattea-time，whenshesaidthatsincehisrefusaltobegherpardonshehadbeenthinkingoverthematter，andhadresolvedtogotoheraunt’safterall——atanyratetillherfathercouldbeinducedtoagreetotheirunion。Pierstonwasaschilledbythisresolveofhersashewassurprisedatherindependenceincircumstanceswhichusuallymakewomenthereverse。Butheputnoobstaclesinherway，and，withakissstrangelycoldaftertheirrecentardour，theRomeoofthefreestoneMontagueswentoutofthehotel，toavoideventheappearanceofcoercinghisJulietoftherivalhouse。Whenhereturnedshewasgone。
***
Acorrespondencebeganbetweenthesetoo-hastilypledgedones；anditwascarriedonintermsofseriousreasoningupontheirawkwardsituationonaccountofthefamilyfeud。Theysawtheirrecentloveaswhatitwas：
’Toorash，toounadvised，toosudden；
Toolikethelightning……’
Theysawitwithaneyewhosecalmness，coldness，and，itmustbeadded，wisdom，didnotpromisewellfortheirreunion。
TheirdebateswereclinchedbyafinalletterfromMarcia，sentfromnootherplacethanherrecentlylefthomeintheIsle。Sheinformedhimthatherfatherhadappearedsuddenlyatheraunt’s，andhadinducedhertogohomewithhim。Shehadtoldherfatherallthecircumstancesoftheirelopement，andwhatmereaccidentshadcausedit：hehadpersuadedheronwhatshehadalmostbeenconvincedofbytheirdisagreement，thatallthoughtoftheirmarriageshouldbeatleastpostponedforthepresent；anyawkwardnessandevenscandalbeingbetterthanthattheyshouldimmediatelyunitethemselvesforlifeonthestrengthofatwoorthreedays’resultlesspassion，andbethewretchedvictimsofasituationtheycouldneverchange。
Pierstonsawplainlyenoughthatheowedittoherfatherbeingabornislander，withalltheancientislandnotionsofmatrimonylyingunderneathhisacquiredconventions，thatthestone-merchantdidnotimmediatelyinsistupontheusualremedyforadaughter’sprecipitancyinsuchcases，butpreferredtoawaitissues。
ButtheyoungmanstillthoughtthatMarciaherself，whenhertemperhadquitecooled，andshewasmoreconsciousofherrealposition，wouldreturntohim，inspiteofthefamilyhostility。Therewasnosocialreasonagainstsuchastep。Inbirththepairwereaboutononeplane；andthoughMarcia’sfamilyhadgainedastartintheaccumulationofwealth，andinthebeginningsofsocialdistinction，whichlentcolourtothefeelingthattheadvantagesofthematchwouldbemainlyononeside，Pierstonwasasculptorwhomightrisetofame；
sothatpotentiallytheirmarriagecouldnotbeconsideredinauspiciousforawomanwho，beyondbeingtheprobableheiresstoaconsiderablefortune，hadnoexceptionalopportunities。
Thus，thoughdisillusioned，hefeltboundinhonourtoremainoncallathisLondonaddressaslongastherewastheslightestchanceofMarcia’sreappearance，orofthearrivalofsomemessagerequestinghimtojoinher，thattheymight，afterall，gotothealtartogether。Yetinthenightheseemedtohearsardonicvoices，andlaughterinthewindatthisdevelopmentofhislittleromance，andduringtheslowandcolourlessdayshehadtositandbeholdthemournfuldepartureofhisWell-Belovedfromtheformhehadlatelycherished，tillshehadalmostvanishedaway。TheexactmomentofhercompletewithdrawalPierstonknewnot，butnotmanylinesofherwerelongerdiscernibleinMarcia’srememberedcontours，normanysoundsofherinMarcia’srecalledaccents。Theiracquaintance，thoughsofervid，hadbeentoobriefforsuchlingering。
Therecameatimewhenhelearnt，throughatrustworthychannel，twopiecesofnewsaffectinghimself。OnewasthemarriageofAviceCarowithhercousin，theotherthattheBencombshadstartedonatourroundtheworld，whichwastoincludeavisittoarelationofMr。
Bencomb’swhowasabankerinSanFrancisco。Sinceretiringfromhisformerlargebusinessthestonemerchanthadnotknownwhattodowithhisleisure，andfindingthattravelbenefitedhishealthhehaddecidedtoindulgehimselfthus。Althoughhewasnotsoinformed，PierstonconcludedthatMarciahaddiscoveredthatnothingwaslikelytohappenasaconsequenceoftheirelopement，andthatshehadaccompaniedherparents。Hewasmorethaneverstruckwithwhatthissignified——herfather’sobstinateantagonismtoherunionwithoneofhisbloodandname。
1。IX。FAMILIARPHENOMENAINTHEDISTANCE
BydegreesPierstonbegantotraceagainthecustomarylinesofhisexistence；andhisprofessionoccupiedhimmuchasofold。Thenextyearortwoonlyoncebroughthimtidings，throughsomeresidentsathisformerhome，ofthemovementsoftheBencombs。TheextendedvoyageofMarcia’sparentshadgiventhemquiteazestforotherscenesandcountries；anditwassaidthatherfather，amanstillinvigoroushealthexceptatbriefintervals，wasutilizingtheoutlookwhichhiscosmopolitanismaffordedhimbyinvestingcapitalinforeignundertakings。Whathehadsupposedturnedouttobetrue；Marciawaswiththem；nonecessityforjoininghimhadarisen；andthustheseparationofhimselfandhisnearlymarriedwifebycommonconsentwaslikelytobeapermanentone。
Itseemedasifhewouldscarceeveragaindiscoverthecarnatedwelling-placeofthehauntingminionofhisimagination。HavinggonesoneartomatrimonywithMarciaastoapplyforalicence，hehadfeltforalongwhilemorallyboundtoherbytheincipientcontract，andwouldnotintentionallylookabouthiminsearchofthevanishedIdeality。ThusduringthefirstyearofMissBencomb’sabsence，whenabsolutelyboundtokeepfaithwiththeelusiveone’slateincarnationifsheshouldreturntoclaimhim，thismanoftheoddfancywouldsometimestrembleatthethoughtofwhatwouldbecomeofhissolemnintentionifthePhantomweresuddenlytodiscloseherselfinanunexpectedquarter，andseducehimbeforehewasaware。Onceortwiceheimaginedthathesawherinthedistance——attheendofastreet，onthefarsandsofashore，inawindow，inameadow，attheoppositesideofarailwaystation；buthedeterminedlyturnedonhisheel，andwalkedtheotherway。
DuringthemanyuneventfulseasonsthatfollowedMarcia’sstrokeofindependence（forwhichhewasnotwithoutasecretadmirationattimes），Jocelynthrewintoplasticcreationsthatever-bubblingspringofemotionwhich，withoutsomeconduitintospace，willsurgeupwardsandruinallbutthegreatestmen。Itwasprobablyowingtothis，certainlynotonaccountofanycareoranxietyforsucharesult，thathewassuccessfulinhisart，successfulbyaseeminglysuddenspurt，whichcarriedhimatoneboundoverthehindrancesofyears。
Heprosperedwithouteffort。HewasA。R。A。
Butrecognitionsofthissort，socialdistinctions，whichhehadoncecovetedsokeenly，seemedtohavenoutilityforhimnow。Bytheaccidentofbeingabachelor，hewasfloatinginsocietywithoutanysoul-anchorageorshrinethathecouldcallhisown；and，forwantofadomesticcentreroundwhichhonoursmightcrystallize，theydispersedimpalpablywithoutaccumulatingandaddingweighttohismaterialwell-
being。
Hewouldhavegoneonworkingwithhischiselwithjustasmuchzestifhiscreationshadbeendoomedtomeetnomortaleyebuthisown。Thisindifferencetothepopularreceptionofhisdream-figureslenthimacuriousartisticaplombthatcarriedhimthroughthegustsofopinionwithoutsufferingthemtodisturbhisinherentbias。
Thestudyofbeautywashisonlyjoyforyearsonward。Inthestreetshewouldobserveaface，orafractionofaface，whichseemedtoexpresstoahair’s-breadthinmutablefleshwhathewasatthatmomentwishingtoexpressindurableshape。Hewoulddodgeandfollowtheownerlikeadetective；inomnibus，incab，insteam-boat，throughcrowds，intoshops，churches，theatres，public-houses，andslums——
mostly，whenatclosequarters，tobedisappointedforhispains。
Intheseprofessionalbeauty-chaseshesometimescasthiseyeacrosstheThamestothewharvesonthesouthside，andtothatparticularonewhereathisfather’stonsoffreestoneweredailylandedfromtheketchesofthesouthcoast。Hecouldoccasionallydiscernthewhiteblockslyingthere，vastcubessopersistentlynibbledbyhisparentfromhisislandrockintheEnglishChannel，thatitseemedasifintimeitwouldbenibbledallaway。
Onethingitpassedhimtounderstand：onwhatfieldofobservationthepoetsandphilosophersbasedtheirassumptionthatthepassionoflovewasintensestinyouthandburntlowerasmaturityadvanced。Itwaspossiblybecauseofhisutterdomesticlonelinessthat，duringtheproductiveintervalwhichfollowedthefirstyearsofMarcia’sdeparture，whenhewasdriftingalongfromfive-and-twentytoeight-
and-thirty，Pierstonoccasionallylovedwithanardour——though，itistrue，alsowithaself-control——unknowntohimwhenhewasgreeninjudgment。
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Hiswhimsicalisle-bredfancyhadgrowntobesuchanemotionthattheWell-Beloved——nowagainvisible——wasalwaysexistingsomewherenearhim。Formonthshewouldfindheronthestageofatheatre：thenshewouldflitaway，leavingthepoor，emptycarcasethathadlodgedhertomummonasbestitcouldwithouther——asorrylayfiguretohiseyes，heapedwithimperfectionsandsulliedwithcommonplace。Shewouldreappear，itmightbe，inanatfirstunnoticedlady，metatsomefashionableeveningparty，exhibition，bazaar，ordinner；toflitfromher，inturn，afterafewmonths，andstandasagracefulshop-girlatsomelargedraperywarehouseintowhichhehadstrayedonanunaccustomederrand。Thenshewouldforsakethisfigureandrediscloseherselfintheguiseofsomepopularauthoress，piano-player，orfiddleress，atwhoseshrinehewouldworshipforperhapsatwelvemonth。
Onceshewasadancing-girlattheRoyalMoorishPalaceofVarieties，thoughduringherwholecontinuanceatthatestablishmentheneveronceexchangedawordwithher，nordidshefirstorlasteverdreamofhisexistence。Heknewthataten-minutes’conversationinthewingswiththesubstancewouldsendtheelusivehaunterscurryingfearfullyawayintosomeotherevenlessaccessiblemask-figure。
Shewasablonde，abrunette，tall，petite，svelte，straight-featured，full，curvilinear。Onlyonequalityremainedunalterable：herinstabilityoftenure。InBorne’sphrase，nothingwaspermanentinherbutchange。
’Itisodd，’hesaidtohimself，’thatthisexperienceofmine，oridiosyncrasy，orwhateveritis，whichwouldbesheerwasteoftimeforothermen，createssoberbusinessforme。’Forallthesedreamshetranslatedintoplaster，andfoundthatbythemhewashittingapublictastehehadneverdeliberatelyaimedat，andmostlydespised。Hewas，inshort，indangerofdriftingawayfromasolidartisticreputationtoapopularitywhichmightpossiblybeasbriefasitwouldbebrilliantandexciting。
’Youwillbecaughtsomeday，myfriend，’Somerswouldoccasionallyobservetohim。’Idon’tmeantosayentangledinanythingdiscreditable，forIadmitthatyouareinpracticeasidealasintheory。Imeantheprocesswillbereversed。Somewoman，whoseWell-
Belovedflitsaboutasyoursdoesnow，willcatchyoureye，andyou’llsticktoherlikealimpet，whileshefollowsherPhantomandleavesyoutoacheasyouwill。’
’Youmayberight；butIthinkyouarewrong，’saidPierston。’Asfleshshediesdaily，liketheApostle’scorporealself；becausewhenI
grapplewiththerealityshe’snolongerinit，sothatIcannotsticktooneincarnationifIwould。’
’Waittillyouareolder，’saidSomers。
PARTSECOND——AYOUNGMANOFFORTY
’SinceLovewillneedsthatIshalllove，OfveryforceImustagree：
AndsincenochancemayitremoveInwealthandinadversityIshallalwaymyselfapplyToserveandsufferpatiently。’
——SirT。Wyatt。
2。I。THEOLDPHANTOMBECOMESDISTINCT
InthecourseoftheselongyearsPierston’sartisticemotionswereabruptlysuspendedbythenewsofhisfather’ssuddendeathatSandbourne，whitherthestone-merchanthadgoneforachangeofairbytheadviceofhisphysician。
Mr。Pierston，senior，itmustbeadmitted，hadbeensomethingmiserlyinhishomelife，asMarciahadsorashlyremindedhisson。ButhehadneverstintedJocelyn。Hehadbeenratherahardtaskmaster，thoughasapaymastertrustworthy；aready-moneyman，justandungenerous。Toeveryone’ssurprise，thecapitalhehadaccumulatedinthestonetradewasoflargeamountforabusinesssounostentatiouslycarriedon——muchlargerthanJocelynhadeverregardedaspossible。Whilethesonhadbeenmodellingandchippinghisephemeralfanciesintoperennialshapes，thefatherhadbeenpersistentlychisellingforhalfacenturyatthecrudeoriginalmatterofthoseshapes，thestern，isolatedrockintheChannel；andbytheaidofhiscranesandpulleys，histrolleysandhisboats，hadsentoffhisspoiltoallpartsofGreatBritain。
WhenJocelynhadwoundupeverythinganddisposedofthebusiness，asrecommendedbyhisfather’swill，hefoundhimselfenabledtoaddabouteightythousandpoundstothetwelvethousandwhichhealreadypossessedfromprofessionalandothersources。
Afterarrangingforthesaleofsomefreeholdpropertiesintheislandotherthanquarries——forhedidnotintendtoresidethere——hereturnedtotown。HeoftenwonderedwhathadbecomeofMarcia。Hehadpromisednevertotroubleher；norforawholetwentyyearshadhedoneso；
thoughhehadoftensighedforherasafriendofsterlingcommonsenseinpracticaldifficulties。
Herparentswere，hebelieved，dead；andshe，heknew，hadnevergonebacktotheisle。Possiblyshehadformedsomenewtieabroad，andhadmadeitnexttoimpossibletodiscoverherbyheroldname。
Areposefultimeensued。Almosthisfirstentryintosocietyafterhisfather’sdeathoccurredoneevening，when，forwantofknowingwhatbettertodo，herespondedtoaninvitationsentbyoneofthefewladiesofrankwhomhenumberedamonghisfriends，andsetoutinacabforthesquarewhereinshelivedduringthreeorfourmonthsoftheyear。
Thehansomturnedthecorner，andheobtainedarakingviewofthehousesalongthenorthside，ofwhichherswasone，withthefamiliarlinkmanatthedoor。TherewereChineselanterns，too，onthebalcony。
Heperceivedinamomentthatthecustomary’smallandearly’receptionhadresolveditselfonthisoccasionintosomethingverylikegreatandlate。Herememberedthattherehadjustbeenapoliticalcrisis，whichaccountedfortheenlargementoftheCountessofChannelcliffe’sassembly；forherswasoneoftheneutralornon-politicalhousesatwhichpartypoliticsaremorefreelyagitatedthanattheprofessedlypartygatherings。
TherewassuchastringofcarriagesthatPierstondidnotwaittotakehisturnatthedoor，butunobtrusivelyalightedsomeyardsoffandwalkedforward。Hehadtopauseamomentbehindthewallofspectatorswhichbarredhisway，andashepausedsomeladiesinwhitecloakscrossedfromtheircarriagestothedooronthecarpetlaidforthepurpose。Hehadnotseentheirfaces，nothingofthembutvagueforms，andyethewassuddenlyseizedwithapresentiment。Itsgistwasthathemightbegoingtore-encountertheWell-Belovedthatnight：afterherrecentlonghidingshemeanttoreappearandintoxicatehim。Thatliquidsparkleofhereye，thatlingualmusic，thatturnofthehead，howwellheknewitall，despitethemanysuperficialchanges，andhowinstantlyhewouldrecognizeitunderwhatevercomplexion，contour，accent，height，orcarriagethatitmightchoosetomasquerade！
Pierston’sotherconjecture，thatthenightwastobealivelypoliticalone，receivedconfirmationassoonashereachedthehall，whereasimmerofexcitementwasperceptibleassurplusoroverflowfromabovedownthestaircase——afeaturewhichhehadalwaysnoticedtobepresentwhenanyclimaxorsensationhadbeenreachedintheworldofpartyandfaction。
’Andwherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourselfsolong，youngman？’saidhishostessarchly，whenhehadshakenhandswithher。（Pierstonwasalwaysregardedasayoungman，thoughhewasnowaboutforty。）’O
yes，ofcourse，Iremember，’sheadded，lookingseriousinamomentatthoughtofhisloss。TheCountesswasawomanwithagood-naturedmannervergingonthatoft-claimedfemininequality，humour，andwasquicklysympathetic。
Shethenbegantotellhimofascandalinthepoliticalsidetowhichshenominallybelonged，onethathadcomeoutofthepresentcrisis；
andthat，asforherself，shehadsworntoabjurepoliticsforeveronaccountofit，sothathewastoregardherforthwithasamoreneutralhouseholderthanever。Bythistimesomemorepeoplehadsurgedupstairs，andPierstonpreparedtomoveon。
’Youarelookingforsomebody——Icanseethat，’saidshe。
’Yes——alady，’saidPierston。
’Tellmehername，andI’lltrytothinkifshe’shere。’
’Icannot；Idon’tknowit，’hesaid。
’Indeed！Whatisshelike？’
’Icannotdescribeher，notevenhercomplexionordress。’
LadyChannelcliffelookedapout，asifshethoughthewereteasingher，andhemovedoninthecurrent。Thefactwasthat，foramoment，PierstonfanciedhehadmadethesensationaldiscoverythattheOnehewasinsearchoflurkedinthepersonoftheveryhostesshehadconversedwith，whowascharmingalways，andparticularlycharmingto-
night；hewasjustfeelinganincipientconsternationatthepossibilityofsuchajade’strickinhisBeloved，whohadoncebeforechosentoembodyherselfasamarriedwoman，though，happily，atthattimewithnoseriousresults。However，hefeltthathehadbeenmistaken，andthatthefancyhadbeensolelyowingtothehighlychargedelectricconditioninwhichhehadarrivedbyreasonofhisrecentisolation。
Thewholesetofroomsformedonegreatutteranceoftheopinionsofthehour。Thegodsofpartywerepresentwiththeirembattledseraphim，butthebrilliancyofmannerandforminthehandlingofpublicquestionswasonlylessconspicuousthanthepaucityoforiginalideas。Noprinciplesofwisegovernmenthadplaceinanymind，abluntandjollypersonalismastotheInsandOutsanimatingall。ButJocelyn’sinterestdidnotruninthisstream：hewaslikeastoneinapurlingbrook，waitingforsomepeculiarfloatingobjecttobebroughttowardshimandtostickuponhismentalsurface。
Thuslookingforthenextnewversionofthefairfigure，hedidnotconsideratthemoment，thoughhehaddonesoatothertimes，thatthispresentimentofmeetingherwas，ofallpresentiments，justthesortofonetoworkoutitsownfulfilment。
HelookedforherintheknotofpersonsgatheredroundapastPrimeMinisterwhowasstandinginthemiddleofthelargestroomdiscoursinginthegenial，almostjovial，mannernaturaltohimatthesetimes。
Thetwoorthreeladiesforminghisaudiencehadbeenjoinedbyanotherinblackandwhite，anditwasonherthatPierston’sattentionwasdirected，aswellasthegreatstatesman’s，whosefirstsheergazeather，expressing’Whoareyou？’almostaudibly，changedintoaninterested，listeninglookasthefewwordsshespokewereuttered——fortheMinisterdifferedfrommanyofhisstandinginbeingextremelycarefulnottointerruptatimidspeaker，givingwayinaninstantifanybodyelsebeganwithhim。Nobodyknewbetterthanhimselfthatallmaylearn，andhismannerwasthatofanunconceitedmanwhocouldcatchanideareadily，evenifhecouldnotundertaketocreateone。
