"Dance！dance！"criedhejoyously。"Ifwetakebreath，weshallbeaswewereyesterday。There，now，isthemusic，justbeyondthisclumpoftrees。Dance，Miriam，dance！"
　　Theyhadnowreachedanopen，grassygladeofwhichtherearemanyinthatartfullyconstructedwilderness，setroundwithstoneseats，onwhichtheagedmosshadkindlyessayedtospreaditselfinsteadofcushions。Ononeofthestonebenchessatthemusicians，whosestrainshadenticedourwildcouplethitherward。Theyprovedtobeavagrantband，suchasRome，andallItaly，aboundswith；comprisingaharp，aflute，andaviolin，which，thoughgreatlytheworseforwear，theperformershadskillenoughtoprovokeandmodulateintotolerableharmony。Itchancedtobeafeast-day；and，insteadofplayinginthesun-scorchedpiazzasofthecity，orbeneaththewindowsofsomeunresponsivepalace，theyhadbethoughtthemselvestotrytheechoesofthesewoods；for，onthefestasoftheChurch，Romescattersitsmerrymakersallabroad，ripeforthedanceoranyotherpastime。
　　AsMiriamandDonatelloemergedfromamongthetrees，themusiciansscraped，tinkled，orblew，eachaccordingtohisvariouskindofinstrument，moreinspiringlythanever。Adarkcheckedlittlegirl，withbrightblackeyes，stoodby，shakingatambourinesetroundwithtinklingbells，andthumpingitonitsparchmenthead。Withoutinterruptinghisbrisk，thoughmeasuredmovement，Donatellosnatchedawaythisunmelodiouscontrivance，and，flourishingitabovehishead，producedmusicofindescribablepotency，stilldancingwithfriskystep，andstrikingthetambourine，andringingitslittlebells，allinonejovialact。
　　Itmightbethattherewasmagicinthesound，orcontagion，atleast，inthespiritwhichhadgotpossessionofMiriamandhimself，forverysoonanumberoffestalpeopleweredrawntothespot，andstruckintothedance，singlyorinpairs，asiftheywereallgonemadwithjollity。AmongthemweresomeoftheplebeiandamselswhomwemeetbareheadedintheRomanstreets，withsilverstilettosthrustthroughtheirglossyhair；thecontadinas，too，fromtheCampagnaandthevillages，withtheirrichandpicturesquecostumesofscarletandallbrighthues，suchasfairermaidensmightnotventuretoputon。ThencamethemodernRomanfromTrastevere，perchance，withhisoldcloakdrawnabouthimlikeatoga，whichanon，ashisactivemotionheatedhim，heflungaside。ThreeFrenchsoldierscaperedfreelyintothethrong，inwidescarlettrousers，theirshortswordsdanglingattheirsides；andthreeGermanartistsingrayflaccidhatsandflauntingbeards；andoneofthePope'sSwissguardsmeninthestrangemotleygarbwhichMichaelAngelocontrivedforthem。TwoyoungEnglishtouristsoneofthemalordtookcontadinepartnersanddashedin，asdidalsoashaggymaningoat-skinbreeches，wholookedlikerusticPaninperson，andfooteditasmerrilyashe。BesidestheabovetherewasaherdsmanortwofromtheCampagna，andafewpeasantsinsky-bluejackets，andsmall-clothestiedwithribbonsattheknees；
　　haggardandsallowweretheselast，poorserfs，havinglittletoeatandnothingbutthemalariatobreathe；butstilltheypluckedupamomentaryspiritandjoinedhandsinDonatello'sdance。
　　Here，asitseemed，hadtheGoldenAgecomebackagainwithinthePrecinctsofthissunnyglade，thawingmankindoutoftheircoldformalities，releasingthemfromirksomerestraint，minglingthemtogetherinsuchchildlikegayetythatnewflowersofwhichtheoldbosomoftheearthisfullsprangupbeneaththeirfootsteps。Thesoleexceptiontothegenialityofthemoment，aswehaveunderstood，wasseeninacountrymanofourown，whosneeredatthespectacle，anddeclinedtocompromisehisdignitybymakingpartofit。
　　Theharperthrummedwithrapidfingers；theviolinplayerflashedhisbowbackandforthacrossthestrings；theflautistpouredhisbreathinquickpuffsofjollity，whileDonatelloshookthetambourineabovehishead，andledthemerrythrongwithunweariablesteps。Astheyfollowedoneanotherinawildringofmirth，itseemedtherealizationofoneofthosebas-reliefswhereadanceofnymphs，satyrs，orbacchanalsistwinedaroundthecircleofanantiquevase；oritwaslikethesculpturedsceneonthefrontandsidesofasarcophagus，where，asoftenasanyotherdevice，afestiveprocessionmockstheashesandwhitebonesthataretreasuredupwithin。Youmighttakeitforamarriagepageant；butafterawhile，ifyoulookatthesemerry-makers，followingthemfromendtoendofthemarblecoffin，youdoubtwhethertheirgaymovementisleadingthemtoahappyclose。Ayouthhassuddenlyfalleninthedance；achariotisoverturnedandbroken，flingingthecharioteerheadlongtotheground；amaidenseemstohavegrownfaintorweary，andisdroopingonthebosomofafriend。Alwayssometragicincidentisshadowedforthorthrustsidelongintothespectacle；andwhenonceithascaughtyoureyeyoucanlooknomoreatthefestalportionsofthescene，exceptwithreferencetothisoneslightlysuggesteddoomandsorrow。
　　Asinitsmirth，sointhedarkercharacteristicherealludedto，therewasananalogybetweenthesculpturedsceneonthesarcophagusandthewilddancewhichwehavebeendescribing。InthemidstofitsmadnessandriotMiriamfoundherselfsuddenlyconfrontedbyastrangefigurethatshookitsfantasticgarmentsintheair，andprancedbeforeheronitstiptoes，almostvyingwiththeagilityofDonatellohimself。Itwasthemodel。
　　AmomentafterwardsDonatellowasawarethatshehadretiredfromthedance。Hehastenedtowardsher，andflunghimselfonthegrassbesidethestonebenchonwhichMiriamwassitting。Butastrangedistanceandunapproachablenesshadallatonceenvelopedher；andthoughhesawherwithinreachofhisarm，yetthelightofhereyesseemedasfaroffasthatofastar，norwasthereanywarmthinthemelancholysmilewithwhichsheregardedhim。
　　"Comeback！"criedhe。"Whyshouldthishappyhourendsosoon？"
　　"Itmustendhere，Donatello，"saidshe，inanswertohiswordsandoutstretchedhand；"andsuchhours，Ibelieve，donotoftenrepeatthemselvesinalifetime。Letmego，myfriend；letmevanishfromyouquietlyamongtheshadowsofthesetrees。See，thecompanionsofourpastimearevanishingalready！"
　　Whetheritwasthattheharp-stringswerebroken，theviolinoutoftune，ortheflautistoutofbreath，soitchancedthatthemusichadceased，andthedancerscomeabruptlytoapause。Allthatmotleythrongofrioterswasdissolvedassuddenlyasithadbeendrawntogether。InMiriam'sremembrancethescenehadacharacteroffantasy。Itwasasifacompanyofsatyrs，fauns，andnymphs，withPaninthemidstofthem，hadbeendisportingthemselvesinthesevenerablewoodsonlyamomentago；andnowinanothermoment，becausesomeprofaneeyehadlookedatthemtooclosely，orsomeintruderhadcastashadowontheirmirth，thesylvanpageanthadutterlydisappeared。Ifafewofthemerry-makerslingeredamongthetrees，theyhadhiddentheirracypeculiaritiesunderthegarbandaspectofordinarypeople，andshelteredthemselvesinthewearycommonplaceofdailylife。JustaninstantbeforeitwasArcadiaandtheGoldenAge。Thespellbeingbroken，itwasnowonlythatoldtractofpleasureground，closebythepeople'sgat：eofRome，——atractwherethecrimesandcalamitiesofages，themanybattles，bloodrecklesslypouredout，anddeathsofmyriads，havecorruptedallthesoil，creatinganinfluencethatmakestheairdeadlytohumanlungs。
　　"Youmustleaveme，"saidMiriamtoDonatellomoreimperativelythanbefore；"haveInotsaidit？Go；andlooknotbehindyou。"
　　"Miriam，"whisperedDonatello，graspingherhandforcibly，"whoisitthatstandsintheshadowyonder，beckoningyoutofollowhim？"
　　"Hush；leaveme！"repeatedMiriam。"Yourhourispast；hishourhascome。"
　　Donatellostillgazedinthedirectionwhichhehadindicated，andtheexpressionofhisfacewasfearfullychanged，beingsodisordered，perhapswithterror，——atalleventswithangerandinvinciblerepugnance，——thatMiriamhardlyknewhim。Hislipsweredrawnapartsoastodisclosehissetteeth，thusgivinghimalookofanimalrage，whichweseldomseeexceptinpersonsofthesimplestandrudestnatures。Ashudderseemedtopassthroughhisverybones。
　　"Ihatehim！"mutteredhe。
　　"Besatisfied；Ihatehimtoo！"saidMiriam。
　　Shehadnothoughtofmakingthisavowal，butwasirresistiblydrawntoitbythesympathyofthedarkemotioninherownbreastwiththatsostronglyexpressedbyDonatello。Twodropsofwaterorofblooddonotmorenaturallyflowintoeachotherthandidherhatredintohis。
　　"ShallIclutchhimbythethroat？"whisperedDonatello，withasavagescowl。"Bidmedoso，andweareridofhimforever。"
　　"InHeaven'sname，noviolence！"exclaimedMiriam，affrightedoutofthescornfulcontrolwhichshehadhithertoheldoverhercompanion，bythefiercenessthathesosuddenlydeveloped。"O，havepityonme，Donatello，iffornothingelse，yetbecauseinthemidstofmywretchednessIletmyselfbeyourplaymateforthisonewildhour！Followmenofarther。
　　Henceforthleavemetomydoom。Dearfriend，——kind，simple，lovingfriend，——makemenotmorewretchedbytheremembranceofhavingthrownfiercehatesorlovesintothewellspringofyourhappylife！"
　　"Notfollowyou！"repeatedDonatello，soothedfromangerintosorrow，lessbythepurportofwhatshesaid，thanbythemelancholysweetnessofhervoice，——"notfollowyou！WhatotherpathhaveI？"
　　"Wewilltalkofitonceagain，"saidMiriamstillsoothingly；
　　"soon——to-morrowwhenyouwill；onlyleavemenow。"
　　CHAPTERXI
　　FRAGMENTARYSENTENCES
　　IntheBorgheseGrove，sorecentlyuproariouswithmerrimentandmusic，thereremainedonlyMiriamandherstrangefollower。
　　Asolitudehadsuddenlyspreaditselfaroundthem。Itperhapssymbolizedapeculiarcharacterintherelationofthesetwo，insulatingthem，andbuildingupaninsuperablebarrierbetweentheirlife-streamsandothercurrents，whichmightseemtoflowinclosevicinity。Foritisoneofthechiefearthlyincommoditiesofsomespeciesofmisfortune，orofagreatcrime，thatitmakestheactorintheone，orthesuffereroftheother，analienintheworld，byinterposingawhollyunsympatheticmediumbetwixthimselfandthosewhomheyearnstomeet。
　　Owing，itmaybe，tothismoralestrangement，——thischillremotenessoftheirposition，——therehavecometousbutafewvaguewhisperingsofwhatpassedinMiriam'sinterviewthatafternoonwiththesinisterpersonagewhohaddoggedherfootstepseversincethevisittothecatacomb。Inweavingthesemysticutterancesintoacontinuousscene，weundertakeataskresemblinginitsperplexitythatofgatheringupandpiecingtogetherthefragmentsoraletterwhichhasbeentornandscatteredtothewinds。Manywordsofdeepsignificance，manyentiresentences，andthosepossiblythemostimportantones，haveflowntoofaronthewingedbreezetoberecovered。Ifweinsertourownconjecturalamendments，weperhapsgiveapurportutterlyatvariancewiththetrueone。Yetunlessweattemptsomethinginthisway，theremustremainanunsightlygap，andalackofcontinuousnessanddependenceinournarrative；sothatitwouldarriveatcertaininevitablecatastropheswithoutduewarningoftheirimminence。
　　Ofsomuchwearesure，thatthereseemedtobeasadlymysteriousfascinationintheinfluenceofthisill-omenedpersonoverMiriam；itwassuchasbeastsandreptilesofsubtleandevilnaturesometimesexerciseupontheirvictims。Marvellousitwastoseethehopelessnesswithwhichbeingnaturallyofsocourageousaspiritsheresignedherselftothethraldominwhichheheldher。Thatironchain，ofwhichsomeofthemassivelinkswereroundherfemininewaist，andtheothersinhisruthlesshand，——orwhich，perhaps，boundthepairtogetherbyabondequallytorturingtoeach，——musthavebeenforgedinsomesuchunhallowedfurnaceasisonlykindledbyevilpassions，andfedbyevildeeds。
　　Yet，letustrust，theremayhavebeennocrimeinMiriam，butonlyoneofthosefatalitieswhichareamongthemostinsolubleriddlespropoundedtomortalcomprehension；thefataldecreebywhicheverycrimeismadetobetheagonyofmanyinnocentpersons，aswellasofthesingleguiltyone。
　　Itwas，atanyrate，butafeebleanddespairingkindofremonstrancewhichshehadnowtheenergytoopposeagainsthispersecution。
　　"Youfollowmetooclosely，"shesaid，inlow，falteringaccents；"youallowmetooscantyroomtodrawmybreath。Doyouknowwhatwillbetheendofthis？""Iknowwellwhatmustbetheend，"hereplied。
　　"Tellme，then，"saidMiriam，"thatImaycompareyourforebodingwithmyown。Mineisaverydarkone。"
　　"Therecanbebutoneresult，andthatsoon，"answeredthemodel。"Youmustthrowoffyourpresentmaskandassumeanother。Youmustvanishoutofthescene：quitRomewithme，andleavenotracewherebytofollowyou。
　　Itisinmypower，asyouwellknow，tocompelyouracquiescenceinmybidding。Youareawareofthepenaltyofarefusal。"
　　"Notthatpenaltywithwhichyouwouldterrifyme，"saidMiriam；"anothertheremaybe，butnotsogrievous。""Whatisthatother？"heinquired。
　　"Death！simplydeath！"sheanswered。"Death，"saidherpersecutor，"isnotsosimpleandopportuneathingasyouimagine。Youarestrongandwarmwithlife。Sensitiveandirritableasyourspiritis，thesemanymonthsoftrouble，thislatterthraldominwhichIholdyou，havescarcelymadeyourcheekpalerthanIsawitinyourgirlhood。Miriam，——forI
　　forbeartospeakanothername，atwhichtheseleaveswouldshiveraboveourheads，——Miriam，youcannotdie！"
　　"Mightnotadaggerfindmyheart？"saidshe，forthefirsttimemeetinghiseyes。"Wouldnotpoisonmakeanendofme？WillnottheTiberdrownme？"
　　"Itmight，"heanswered；"forIallowthatyouaremortal。But，Miriam，believeme，itisnotyourfatetodiewhilethereremainssomuchtobesinnedandsufferedintheworld。Wehaveadestinywhichwemustneedsfulfiltogether。I，too，havestruggledtoescapeit。Iwasasanxiousasyourselftobreakthetiebetweenus，——toburythepastinafathomlessgrave，——tomakeitimpossiblethatweshouldevermeet，untilyouconfrontmeatthebarofJudgment！YoulittlecanimaginewhatstepsItooktorenderallthissecure；andwhatwastheresult？Ourstrangeinterviewinthebowelsoftheearthconvincedmeofthefutilityofmydesign。"
　　"Ah，fatalchance！"criedMiriam，coveringherfacewithherhands。
　　"Yes，yourhearttrembledwithhorrorwhenyourecognizedme，"rejoinedhe；
　　"butyoudidnotguessthattherewasanequalhorrorinmyown！"
　　"Whywouldnottheweightofearthaboveourheadshavecrumbleddownuponusboth，forcingusapart，butburyingusequally？"criedMiriam，inaburstofvehementpassion。"O，thatwecouldhavewanderedinthosedismalpassagestillwebothperished，takingoppositepathsinthedarkness，sothatwhenwelaydowntodie，ourlast。breathsmightnotmingle！"
　　"Itwerevaintowishit，"saidthemodel。"Inallthatlabyrinthofmidnightpaths，weshouldhavefoundoneanotherouttoliveordietogether。Ourfatescrossandareentangled。Thethreadsaretwistedintoastrongcord，whichisdraggingustoanevildoom。Couldtheknotsbesevered，wemightescape。Butneithercanyourslenderfingersuntietheseknots，normymasculineforcebreakthem。Wemustsubmit！"
　　"Prayforrescue，asIhave，"exclaimedMiriam。"Prayfordeliverancefromme，sinceIamyourevilgenius，asyoumine。Darkasyourlifehasbeen，Ihaveknownyoutoprayintimespast！"
　　AtthesewordsofMiriam，atremorandhorrorappearedtoseizeuponherpersecutor，insomuchthatheshookandgrewashypalebeforehereyes。Inthisman'smemorytherewassomethingthatmadeitawfulforhimtothinkofprayer；norwouldanytorturebemoreintolerablethantoberemindedofsuchdivinecomfortandsuccorasawaitpioussoulsmerelyfortheasking；Thistormentwasperhapsthetokenofanativetemperamentdeeplysusceptibleofreligiousimpressions，butwhichhadbeenwronged，violated，anddebased，until，atlength，itwascapableonlyofterrorfromthesourcesthatwereintendedforourpurestandloftiestconsolation。Helookedsofearfullyather，andwithsuchintensepainstrugglinginhiseyes，thatMiriamfeltpity。
　　Andnow，allatonce，itstruckherthathemightbemad。Itwasanideathathadneverbeforeseriouslyoccurredtohermind，although，assoonassuggested，itfittedmarvellouslyintomanycircumstancesthatlaywithinherknowledge。But，alas！suchwasherevilfortune，that，whethermadorno，hispoweroverherremainedthesame，andwaslikelytobeusedonlythemoretyrannously，ifexercisedbyalunatic。
　　Iwouldnotgiveyoupain，"shesaid，soothingly；"yourfaithallowsyoutheconsolationsofpenanceandabsolution。Trywhathelptheremaybeinthese，andleavemetomyself。"
　　"Donotthinkit，Miriam，"saidhe；"weareboundtogether，andcanneverpartagain。""Whyshoulditseemsoimpossible？"sherejoined。"ThinkhowIhadescapedfromallthepast！Ihadmadeformyselfanewsphere，andfoundnewfriends，newoccupations，newhopesandenjoyments。Myheart，methinks，wasalmostasunburdenedasiftherehadbeennomiserablelifebehindme。Thehumanspiritdoesnotperishofasinglewound，norexhaustitselfinasingletrialoflife。Letusbutkeepasunder，andallmaygowellforboth。""Wefanciedourselvesforeversundered，"hereplied。"Yetwemetonce，inthebowelsoftheearth；and，werewetopartnow，ourfateswouldflingustogetheragaininadesert，onamountain-top，orinwhateverspotseemedsafest。Youspeakinvain，therefore。"
　　"Youmistakeyourownwillforanironnecessity，"saidMiriam；"otherwise，youmighthavesufferedmetoglidepastyoulikeaghost，whenwemetamongthoseghostsofancientdays。Evennowyoumightbidmepassasfreely。"
　　"Never！"saidhe，withunmitigablewill；"yourreappearancehasdestroyedtheworkofyears。YouknowthepowerthatIhaveoveryou。Obeymybidding；or，withinashorttime，itshallbeexercised：norwillIceasetohauntyoutillthemomentcomes。"
　　"Then，"saidMiriammorecalmly，"Iforeseetheend，andhavealreadywarnedyouofit。Itwillbedeath！"
　　"Yourowndeath，Miriam，——ormine？"heasked，lookingfixedlyather。
　　"Doyouimaginemeamurderess？"saidshe，shuddering；"you，atleast，havenorighttothinkmeso！"
　　"Yet，"rejoinedhe，withaglanceofdarkmeaning，"menhavesaidthatthiswhitehandhadonceacrimsonstain。"Hetookherhandashespoke，andhelditinhisown，inspiteoftherepugnance，amountingtonothingshortofagony，withwhichshestruggledtoregainit。Holdingituptothefadinglightfortherewasalreadydimnessamongthetrees，heappearedtoexamineitclosely，asiftodiscovertheimaginaryblood-stainwithwhichhetauntedher。Hesmiledasheletitgo。"Itlooksverywhite，"saidhe；"butIhaveknownhandsaswhite，whichallthewaterintheoceanwouldnothavewashedclean。"
　　"Ithadnostain，"retortedMiriambitterly，"untilyougraspeditinyourown。"
　　Thewindhasblownawaywhateverelsetheymayhavespoken。
　　Theywenttogethertowardsthetown，and，ontheirway，continuedtomakereference，nodoubt，tosomestrangeanddreadfulhistoryoftheirformerlife，belongingequallytothisdarkmanandtothefairandyouthfulwomanwhomhepersecuted。Intheirwords，orinthebreaththatutteredthem，thereseemedtobeanodorofguilt，andascentofblood。Yet，howcanweimaginethatastainofensanguinedcrimeshouldattachtoMiriam！
　　Orhow，ontheotherhand，shouldspotlessinnocencebesubjectedtoathraldomlikethatwhichsheenduredfromthespectre，whomsheherselfhadevokedoutofthedarkness！Bethisasitmight，Miriam，wehavereasontobelieve，stillcontinuedtobeseechhim，humbly，passionately，wildly，onlytogohisway，andleaveherfreetofollowherownsadpath。
　　ThustheystrayedonwardthroughthegreenwildernessoftheBorghesegrounds，andsooncamenearthecitywall，where，hadMiriamraisedhereyes，shemighthaveseenHildaandthesculptorleaningontheparapet。
　　Butshewalkedinamistoftrouble，andcoulddistinguishlittlebeyonditslimits。Astheycamewithinpublicobservation，herpersecutorfellbehind，throwingofftheimperiousmannerwhichhehadassumedduringtheirsolitaryinterview。ThePortadelPopoloswarmedwithlife。Themerry-makers，whohadspentthefeast-dayoutsidethewalls，werenowthrongingin；apartyofhorsemenwereenteringbeneaththearch；atravellingcarriagehadbeendrawnupjustwithintheverge，andwaspassingthroughthevillainousordealofthepapalcustom-house。Inthebroadpiazza，too，therewasamotleycrowd。
　　ButthestreamofMiriam'stroublekeptitswaythroughthisfloodofhumanlife，andneithermingledwithitnorwasturnedaside。Withasadkindoffeminineingenuity，shefoundawaytokneelbeforehertyrantundetected，thoughinfullsightofallthepeople，stillbeseechinghimforfreedom，andinvain。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　ASTROLLONTHEPINCIAN
　　Hilda，aftergivingthelasttouchestothepictureofBeatriceCenci，hadflowndownfromherdove-cote，lateintheafternoon，andgonetothePincianHill，inthehopeofhearingastrainortwoofexhilaratingmusic。
　　There，asithappened，shemetthesculptor，for，tosaythetruth，Kenyonhadwellnotedthefairartist'sordinarywayoflife，andwasaccustomedtoshapehisownmovementssoastobringhimoftenwithinhersphere。
　　ThePincianHillisthefavoritepromenadeoftheRomanaristocracy。Atthepresentday，however，likemostotherRomanpossessions，itbelongslesstothenativeinhabitantsthantothebarbariansfromGaul，GreatBritain，antibeyondthesea，whohaveestablishedapeacefulusurpationoverwhateverisenjoyableormemorableintheEternalCity。Theseforeignguestsareindeedungrateful，iftheydonotbreatheaprayerforPopeClement，orwhateverHolyFatheritmayhavebeen，wholevelledthesummitofthemountsoskilfully，andboundeditwiththeparapetofthecitywall；wholaidoutthosebroadwalksanddrives，andoverhungthemwiththedeepeningshadeofmanykindsoftree；whoscatteredtheflowers，ofallseasonsandofeveryclime，abundantlyoverthosegreen，centrallawns；whoscoopedouthollowsinfitplaces，and，settinggreatbasinsofmarbleinthem，causedever-gushingfountainstofillthemtothebrim；
　　whoreareduptheimmemorialobeliskoutofthesoilthathadlonghiddenit；whoplacedpedestalsalongthebordersoftheavenues，andcrownedthemwithbustsofthatmultitudeofworthies——statesmen，heroes，artists，menoflettersandofsong——whomthewholeworldclaimsasitschiefornaments，thoughItalyproducedthemall。Inaword，thePinciangardenisoneofthethingsthatreconcilethestrangersincehefullyappreciatestheenjoyment，andfeelsnothingofthecosttotheruleofanirresponsibledynastyofHolyFathers，whoseemtohaveaimedatmakinglifeasagreeableanaffairasitcanwellbe。
　　Inthispleasantspot，thered-trouseredFrenchsoldiersarealwaystobeseen；beardedandgrizzledveterans，perhapswithmedalsofAlgiersortheCrimeaontheirbreasts。Tothemisassignedthepeacefuldutyofseeingthatchildrendonottrampleontheflowerbeds，noranyyouthfulloverriflethemoftheirfragrantblossomstostickinthebelovedone'shair。
　　Heresitsdroopinguponsomemarblebench，inthetreacheroussunshine
　　theconsumptivegirl，whosefriendshavebroughther，forcure，toaclimatethatinstilspoisonintoitsverypurestbreath。Here，allday，comenursery-maids，burdenedwithrosyEnglishbabies，orguidingthefootstepsoflittletravellersfromthefarWesternworld。Here，inthesunnyafternoons，rollandrumbleallkindsofequipages，fromthecardinal'sold-fashionedandgorgeouspurplecarriagetothegaybaroucheofmoderndate。Herehorsemengalloponthoroughbredsteeds。Here，inshort，allthetransitorypopulationofRome，theworld'sgreatwatering-place，rides，drives，orpromenades！Herearebeautifulsunsets；
　　andhere，whicheverwayyouturnyoureyes，arescenesaswellworthgazingat，bothinthemselvesandfortheirhistoricinterest，asanythatthesuneverroseandsetupon。Here，too，oncertainafternoonsoftheweek，aFrenchmilitarybandflingsoutrichmusicoverthepooroldcity，floatingherwithstrainsasloudasthoseofherownecholesstriumphs。
　　Hildaandthesculptorbythecontrivanceofthelatter，wholovedbesttobealonewithhisyoungcountrywomanhadwanderedbeyondthethrongofpromenaders，whomtheyleftinadenseclusteraroundthemusic。Theystrayed，indeed，tothefarthestpointofthePincianHill，andleanedovertheparapet，lookingdownupontheMuroTorto，amassivefragmentoftheoldestRomanwall，whichjutsover，asifreadytotumbledownbyitsownweight，yetseemsstillthemostindestructiblepieceofworkthatmen'shandseverpiledtogether。InthebluedistanceroseSoracte，andotherheights，whichhavegleamedafar，toourimaginations，butlookscarcelyrealtoourbodilyeyes，because，beingdreamedaboutsomuch，theyhavetakentheaerialtintswhichbelongonlytoadream。These，nevertheless，arethesolidframeworkofhillsthatshutinRome，anditswidesurroundingCampagna，——nolandofdreams，butthebroadestpageofhistory，crowdedsofullwithmemorableeventsthatoneobliteratesanother；asifTimehadcrossedandrecrossedhisownrecordstilltheygrewillegible。
　　But，nottomeddlewithhistory，——withwhichournarrativeisnootherwiseconcerned，thanthattheverydustofRomeishistoric，andinevitablysettlesonourpageandmingleswithourink，——wewillreturntoourtwofriends，whowerestillleaningoverthewall。BeneaththemlaythebroadsweepoftheBorghesegrounds，coveredwithtrees，amidwhichappearedthewhitegleamofpillarsandstatues，andtheflashofanupspringingfountain，alltobeovershadowedatalaterperiodoftheyearbythethickergrowthoffoliage。
　　Theadvanceofvegetation，inthissofterclimate，islessabruptthantheinhabitantofthecoldNorthisaccustomedtoobserve。Beginningearlier，——eveninFebruary，——SpringisnotcompelledtoburstintoSummerwithsuchheadlonghaste；thereistimetodwelluponeachopeningbeauty，andtoenjoythebuddingleaf，thetendergreen，thesweetyouthandfreshnessoftheyear；itgivesusits。maidencharm，before，settlingintothemarriedSummer，which，again，doesnotsosoonsoberitselfintomatronlyAutumn。Inourowncountry，thevirginSpringhastenstoitsbridaltooabruptly。Buthere，afteramonthortwoofkindlygrowth，theleavesoftheyoungtrees，whichcoverthatportionoftheBorghesegroundsnearestthecitywall，werestillintheirtenderhalfdevelopment。
　　Intheremoterdepths，amongtheoldgrovesofilex-trees，HildaandKenyonheardthefaintsoundofmusic，laughter，andminglingvoices。Itwasprobablytheuproar——spreadingevensofarasthewallsofRome，andgrowingfadedandmelancholyinitspassage——ofthatwildsylvanmerriment，whichwehavealreadyattemptedtodescribe。Byandbyitceased——althoughthetwolistenersstilltriedtodistinguishitbetweentheburstsofnearermusicfromthemilitaryband。Buttherewasnorenewalofthatdistantmirth。Soonafterwardstheysawasolitaryfigureadvancingalongoneofthepathsthatleadfromtheobscurerpartofthegroundtowardsthegateway。
　　"Look！isitnotDonatello？"saidHilda。
　　"Heitis，beyondadoubt，"repliedthesculptor。"Buthowgravelyhewalks，andwithwhatlonglooksbehindhim！Heseemseitherveryweary，orverysad。Ishouldnothesitatetocallitsadness，ifDonatellowereacreaturecapableofthesinandfollyoflowspirits。Inallthesehundredpaces，whilewehavebeenwatchinghim，hehasnotmadeoneofthoselittlecapriolesintheairwhicharecharacteristicofhisnaturalgait。IbegintodoubtwhetherheisaveritableFaun。"
　　"Then，"saidHilda，withperfectsimplicity，"youhavethoughthim——anddothinkhim——oneofthatstrange，wild，happyraceofcreatures，thatusedtolaughandsportinthewoods，intheold，oldtimes？SodoI，indeed！
　　ButIneverquitebelieved，tillnow，thatfaunsexistedanywherebutinpoetry。"
　　Thesculptoratfirstmerelysmiled。Then，astheideatookfurtherpossessionofhismind，helaughedoutright，andwishedfromthebottomofhisheartbeinginlovewithHilda，thoughhehadnevertoldhersothathecouldhaverewardedorpunishedherforitsprettyabsurditywithakiss。
　　"OHilda，whatatreasureofsweetfaithandpureimaginationyouhideunderthatlittlestrawhat！"criedhe，atlength。"AFaun！aFaun！
　　GreatPanisnotdead，then，afterall！Thewholetribeofmythicalcreaturesyetliveinthemoonlitseclusionofayounggirl'sfancy，andfinditalovelierabodeandplay-place，Idoubtnot，thantheirArcadianhauntsofyore。Whatbliss，ifamanofmarble，likemyself，couldstraythither，too！"
　　"Whydoyoulaughso？"askedHilda，reddening；forshewasalittledisturbedatKenyon'sridicule，howeverkindlyexpressed。"WhatcanI
　　havesaid，thatyouthinksoveryfoolish？"
　　"Well，notfoolish，then，"rejoinedthesculptor，"butwiser，itmaybe，thanIcanfathom。Really，however，theideadoesstrikeoneasdelightfullyfresh，whenweconsiderDonatello'spositionandexternalenvironment。Why，mydearHilda，heisaTuscanborn，ofanoldnobleraceinthatpartofItaly；andhehasamoss-growntoweramongtheApennines，whereheandhisforefathershavedwelt，undertheirownvinesandfig-trees，fromanunknownantiquity。HisboyishpassionforMiriamhasintroducedhimfamiliarlytoourlittlecircle；andourrepublicanandartisticsimplicityofintercoursehasincludedthisyoungItalian，onthesametermsasoneofourselves。But，ifwepaidduerespecttorankandtitle，weshouldbendreverentiallytoDonatello，andsalutehimashisExcellencytheCountdiMonteBeni。"
　　"Thatisadrollidea，muchdrollerthanhisbeingaFaun！"saidHilda，laughinginherturn。"Thisdoesnotquitesatisfyme，however，especiallyasyouyourselfrecognizedandacknowledgedhiswonderfulresemblancetothestatue。"
　　"Exceptasregardsthepointedears，"saidKenyon；adding，aside，"andoneotherlittlepeculiarity，generallyobservableinthestatuesoffauns。"
　　"AsforhisExcellencytheCountdiMonteBeni'sears，"repliedHilda，smilingagainatthedignitywithwhichthistitleinvestedtheirplayfulfriend，"youknowwecouldneverseetheirshape，onaccountofhisclusteringcurls。Nay，Iremember，heoncestartedback，asshylyasawilddeer，whenMiriammadeapretenceofexaminingthem。Howdoyouexplainthat？"
　　"O，Icertainlyshallnotcontendagainstsuchaweightofevidence，thefactofhisfaunshipbeingotherwisesoprobable，"answeredthesculptor，stillhardlyretaininghisgravity。"Faunornot，DonatelloortheCountdiMonteBeni——isasingularlywildcreature，and，asIhaveremarkedonotheroccasions，thoughverygentle，doesnotlovetobetouched。
　　Speakinginnoharshsense，thereisagreatdealofanimalnatureinhim，asifhehadbeenborninthewoods，andhadrunwildallhischildhood，andwereasyetbutimperfectlydomesticated。Life，eveninourday，isverysimpleandunsophisticatedinsomeoftheshaggynooksoftheApennines。"
　　"Itannoysmeverymuch，"saidHilda，"thisinclination，whichmostpeoplehave，toexplainawaythewonderandthemysteryoutofeverything。Whycouldnotyouallowme——andyourself，too——thesatisfactionofthinkinghimaFaun？"
　　"Praykeepyourbelief，dearHilda，ifitmakesyouanyhappier，"saidthesculptor；"andIshalldomybesttobecomeaconvert。Donatellohasaskedmetospendthesummerwithhim，inhisancestraltower，whereI
　　purposeinvestigatingthepedigreeofthesesylvancounts，hisforefathers；
　　andiftheirshadowsbeckonmeintodreamland，Ishallwillinglyfollow。
　　Bythebye，speakingofDonatello，thereisapointonwhichIshouldliketobeenlightened。"
　　"CanIhelpyou，then？"saidHilda，inanswertohislook。
　　"IstheretheslightestchanceofhiswinningMiriam'saffections？"
　　suggestedKenyon。
　　"Miriam！she，soaccomplishedandgifted！"exclaimedHilda；"andhe，arude，uncultivatedboy！No，no，no！"
　　"Itwouldseemimpossible，"saidthesculptor。"But，ontheotherhand，agiftedwomanflingsawayheraffectionssounaccountably，sometimes！
　　Miriamoflatehasbeenverymorbidandmiserable，aswebothknow。Youngassheis，themorninglightseemsalreadytohavefadedoutofherlife；
　　andnowcomesDonatello，withnaturalsunshineenoughforhimselfandher，andoffershertheopportunityofmakingherheartandlifeallnewandcheeryagain。Peopleofhighintellectualendowmentsdonotrequiresimilaronesinthosetheylove。Theyarejustthepersonstoappreciatethewholesomegushofnaturalfeeling，thehonestaffection，thesimplejoy，thefulnessofcontentmentwithwhatheloves，whichMiriamseesinDonatello。True；shemaycallhimasimpleton。Itisanecessityofthecase；foramanlosesthecapacityforthiskindofaffection，inproportionashecultivatesandrefineshimself。"
　　"Dearme！"saidHilda，drawingimperceptiblyawayfromhercompanion。
　　"Isthisthepenaltyofrefinement？Pardonme；Idonotbelieveit。Itisbecauseyouareasculptor，thatyouthinknothingcanbefinelywroughtexceptitbecoldandhard，likethemarbleinwhichyourideastakeshape。Iamapainter，andknowthatthemostdelicatebeautymaybesoftenedandwarmedthroughout。"
　　"Isaidafoolishthing，indeed，"answeredthesculptor。"Itsurprisesme，forImighthavedrawnawiserknowledgeoutofmyownexperience。Itisthesuresttestofgenuinelove，thatitbringsbackourearlysimplicitytotheworldliestofus。"
　　Thustalking，theyloiteredslowlyalongbesidetheparapetwhichbordersthelevelsummitofthePincianwithitsirregularsweep。Atintervalstheylookedthroughthelattice-workoftheirthoughtsatthevariedprospectsthatlaybeforeandbeneaththem。
　　FromtheterracewheretheynowstoodthereisanabruptdescenttowardsthePiazzadelPopolo；andlookingdownintoitsbroadspacetheybeheldthetallpalatialedifices，thechurchdomes，andtheornamentedgateway，whichgrewandwereconsolidatedoutofthethoughtofMichaelAngelo。
　　Theysaw，too，theredgraniteobelisk，oldestofthings，eveninRome，whichrisesinthecentreofthepiazza，withafourfoldfountainatitsbase。AllRomanworksandruinswhetheroftheempire，thefar-offrepublic，orthestillmoredistantkingsassumeatransient，visionary，andimpalpablecharacterwhenwethinkthatthisindestructiblemonumentsuppliedoneoftherecollectionswhichMosesandtheIsraelitesborefromEgyptintothedesert。Perchance，onbeholdingthecloudypillarandthefierycolumn，theywhisperedawestrickentooneanother，"InitsshapeitislikethatoldobeliskwhichweandourfathershavesooftenseenonthebordersoftheNile。"Andnowthatveryobelisk，withhardlyatraceofdecayuponit，isthefirstthingthatthemoderntravellerseesafterenteringtheFlaminianGate！
　　Liftingtheireyes，Hildaandhercompaniongazedwestward，andsawbeyondtheinvisibleTibertheCastleofSt。Angelo；thatimmensetombofapaganemperor，withthearchangelatitssummit。
　　Stillfartheroffappearedamightypileofbuildings，surmountedbythevastdome，whichallofushaveshapedandswelledoutward，likeahugebubble，totheutmostScopeofourimaginations，longbeforeweseeitfloatingovertheworshipofthecity。Itmaybemostworthilyseenfrompreciselythepointwhereourtwofriendswerenowstanding。AtanynearerviewthegrandeurofSt。Peter'shidesitselfbehindtheimmensityofitsseparateparts，——sothatweseeonlythefront，onlythesides，onlythepillaredlengthandloftinessoftheportico，andnotthemightywhole。Butatthisdistancetheentireoutlineoftheworld'scathedral，aswellasthatofthepalaceoftheworld'schiefpriest，istakeninatonce。Insuchremoteness，moreover，theimaginationisnotdebarredfromlendingitsassistance，evenwhilewehavetherealitybeforeoureyes，andhelpingtheweaknessofhumansensetodojusticetosograndanobject。Itrequiresbothfaithandfancytoenableustofeel，whatisneverthelesssotrue，thatyonder，infrontofthepurpleoutlineofhills，isthegrandestedificeeverbuiltbyman，paintedagainstGod'sloveliestsky。
　　AftercontemplatingalittlewhileascenewhichtheirlongresidenceinRomehadmadefamiliartothem，KenyonandHildaagainlettheirglancesfallintothepiazzaattheirfeet。TheytherebeheldMiriam，whohadjustenteredthePortadelPopolo，andwasstandingbytheobeliskandfountain。WithagesturethatimpressedKenyonasatoncesuppliantandimperious，sheseemedtointimatetoafigurewhichhadattendedherthusfar，thatitwasnowherdesiretobeleftalone。Thepertinaciousmodel，however，remainedimmovable。
　　Andthesculptorherenotedacircumstance，which，accordingtotheinterpretationhemightputuponit，waseithertootrivialtobementioned，orelsesomysteriouslysignificantthathefounditdifficulttobelievehiseyes。Miriamkneltdownonthestepsofthefountain；sofartherecouldbenoquestionofthefact。Tootherobservers，ifanytherewere，sheprobablyappearedtotakethisattitudemerelyfortheconvenienceofdippingherfingersintothegushofwaterfromthemouthofoneofthestonelions。Butassheclaspedherhandstogetherafterthusbathingthem，andglancedupwardatthemodel，anideatookstrongpossessionofKenyon'smindthatMiriamwaskneelingtothisdarkfollowerthereintheworld'sface！
　　"Doyouseeit？"hesaidtoHilda。
　　"Seewhat？"askedshe，surprisedattheemotionofhistone。"IseeMiriam，whohasjustbathedherhandsinthatdelightfullycoolwater。I
　　oftendipmyfingersintoaRomanfountain，andthinkofthebrookthatusedtobeoneofmyplaymatesinmyNewEnglandvillage。"
　　"IfanciedIsawsomethingelse，"saidKenyon；"butitwasdoubtlessamistake。"
　　But，allowingthathehadcaughtatrueglimpseintothehiddensignificanceofMiriam'sgesture，whataterriblethraldomdiditsuggest！
　　Freeassheseemedtobe，——beggarashelooked，——thenamelessvagrantmustthenbedraggingthebeautifulMiriamthroughthestreetsofRome，fetteredandshackledmorecruellythananycaptivequeenofyorefollowinginanemperor'striumph。Andwasitconceivablethatshewouldhavebeenthusenthralledunlesssomegreaterror——howgreatKenyondarednotthink——orsomefatalweaknesshadgiventhisdarkadversaryavantageground？
　　"Hilda，"saidheabruptly，"whoandwhatisMiriam？Pardonme；butareyousureofher？"
　　"Sureofher！"repeatedHilda，withanangryblush，forherfriend'ssake。
　　"Iamsurethatsheiskind，good，andgenerous；atrueandfaithfulfriend，whomIlovedearly，andwholovesmeaswell！WhatmorethanthisneedIbesureof？"
　　"Andyourdelicateinstinctssayallthisinherfavor？——nothingagainsther？"continuedthesculptor，withoutheedingtheirritationofHilda'stone。"Thesearemyownimpressions，too。Butsheissuchamystery！Wedonotevenknowwhethersheisacountrywomanofours，oranEnglishwoman，oraGerman。ThereisAnglo-Saxonbloodinherveins，onewouldsay，andarightEnglishaccentonhertongue，butmuchthatisnotEnglishbreeding，norAmerican。NowhereelsebutinRome，andasanartist，couldsheholdaplaceinsocietywithoutgivingsomeclewtoherpastlife。"
　　"Iloveherdearly，"saidHilda，stillwithdispleasureinhertone，"andtrusthermostentirely。"
　　"Myhearttrustsheratleast，whatevermyheadmaydo，"repliedKenyon；
　　"andRomeisnotlikeoneofourNewEnglandvillages，whereweneedthepermissionofeachindividualneighborforeveryactthatwedo，everywordthatweutter，andeveryfriendthatwemakeorkeep。Intheseparticularsthepapaldespotismallowsusfreerbreaththanournativeair；
　　andifweliketotakegenerousviewsofourassociates，wecandoso，toareasonableextent，withoutruiningourselves。"
　　"Themusichasceased，"saidHilda；"Iamgoingnow。"
　　Therearethreestreetsthat，beginningclosebesideeachother，divergefromthePiazzadelPopolotowardstheheartofRome：ontheleft，theViadelBabuino；ontheright，theViadellaRipetta；andbetweenthesetwothatworldfamousavenue，theCorso。ItappearedthatMiriamandherstrangecompanionwerepassingupthefirstmentionedofthesethree，andweresoonhiddenfromHildaandthesculptor。
　　ThetwolatterleftthePincianbythebroadandstatelywalkthatskirtsalongitsbrow。Beneaththem，fromthebaseoftheabruptdescent，thecityspreadwideawayinaclosecontiguityofred-earthenroofs，abovewhichroseeminentthedomesofahundredchurches，besidehereandthereatower，andtheupperwindowsofsometallerorhighersituatedpalace，lookingdownonamultitudeofpalatialabodes。Atadistance，ascendingoutofthecentralmassofedifices，theycouldseethetopoftheAntoninecolumn，andnearitthecircularroofofthePantheonlookingheavenwardwithitsever-openeye。
　　Exceptthesetwoobjects，almosteverythingthattheybeheldwasmediaeval，thoughbuilt，indeed，ofthemassiveoldstonesandindestructiblebricksofimperialRome；fortheruinsoftheColiseum，theGoldenHouse，andinnumerabletemplesofRomangods，andmansionsofCaesarsandsenators，hadsuppliedthematerialforallthosegigantichovels，andtheirwallswerecementedwithmortarofinestimablecost，beingmadeofpreciousantiquestatues，burntlongagoforthispettypurpose。
　　Rome，asitnowexists，hasgrownupunderthePopes，andseemslikenothingbutaheapofbrokenrubbish，thrownintothegreatchasmbetweenourowndaysandtheEmpire，merelytofillitup；and，forthebetterpartoftwothousandyears，itsannalsofobscurepolicies，andwars，andcontinuallyrecurringmisfortunes，seemalsobutbrokenrubbish，ascomparedwithitsclassichistory。
　　Ifweconsiderthepresentcityasatallconnectedwiththefamousoneofold，itisonlybecausewefinditbuiltoveritsgrave。AdepthofthirtyfeetofsoilhascovereduptheRomeofancientdays，sothatitlieslikethedeadcorpseofagiant，decayingforcenturies，withnosurvivormightyenougheventoburyit，untilthedustofallthoseyearshasgatheredslowlyoveritsrecumbentformandmadeacasualsepulchre。
　　Weknownothowtocharacterize，inanyaccordantandcompatibleterms，theRomethatliesbeforeus；itssunlessalleys，andstreetsofpalaces；
　　itschurches，linedwiththegorgeousmarblesthatwereoriginallypolishedfortheadornmentofpagantemples；itsthousandsofevilsmells，mixedupwithfragranceofrichincense，diffusedfromasmanycensers；
　　itslittlelife，derivingfeeblenutrimentfromwhathaslongbeendead。
　　Everywhere，somefragmentofruinsuggestingthemagnificenceofaformerepoch；everywhere，moreover，aCross，——andnastinessatthefootofit。
　　Asthesumofall，therearerecollectionsthatkindlethesoul，andagloomandlanguorthatdepressitbeyondanydepthofmelancholicsentimentthatcanbeelsewhereknown。
　　YethowisitpossibletosayanunkindorirreverentialwordofRome？
　　Thecityofailtime，andofalltheworld！Thespotforwhichman'sgreatlifeanddeedshavedonesomuch，andforwhichdecayhasdonewhatevergloryanddominioncouldnotdo！Atthismoment，theeveningsunshineisflingingitsgoldenmantleoverit，makingallthatwethoughtmeanmagnificent；thebellsofallthechurchessuddenlyringout，asifitwereapealoftriumphbecauseRomeisstillimperial。
　　"Isometimesfancy，"saidHilda，onwhosesusceptibilitythescenealwaysmadeastrongimpression，"thatRome——mereRome——willcrowdeverythingelseoutofmyheart。"
　　"Heavenforbid！"ejaculatedthesculptor。TheyhadnowreachedthegrandstairsthatascendfromthePiazzadiSpagnatothehitherbrowofthePincianHill。OldBeppo，themillionnaireofhisraggedfraternity，itisawonderthatnoartistpaintshimasthecripplewhomSt。PeterhealsattheBeautifulGateoftheTemple，——wasjustmountinghisdonkeytodepart，ladenwiththerichspoiloftheday'sbeggary。
　　Upthestairs，drawinghistatteredcloakabouthisface，camethemodel，atwhomBeppolookedaskance，jealousofanencroacheronhisrightfuldomain。Thefigurepassedaway，however，uptheViaSistina。Inthepiazzabelow，nearthefootofthemagnificentsteps，stoodMiriam，withhereyesbentontheground，asifshewerecountingthoselittle，square，uncomfortablepaving-stones，thatmakeitapenitentialpilgrimagetowalkinRome。Shekeptthisattitudeforseveralminutes，andwhen，atlast，theimportunitiesofabeggardisturbedherfromit，sheseemedbewilderedandpressedherhanduponherbrow。
　　"Shehasbeeninsomesaddreamorother，poorthing！"saidKenyonsympathizingly；"andevennowsheisimprisonedthereinakindofcage，theironbarsofwhicharemadeofherownthoughts。"
　　"Ifearsheisnotwell，"saidHilda。"Iamgoingdownthestairs，andwilljoinMiriam。"
　　"Farewell，then，"saidthesculptor。"DearHilda，thisisaperplexedandtroubledworld！Itsoothesmeinexpressiblytothinkofyouinyourtower，withwhitedovesandwhitethoughtsforyourcompanions，sohighaboveusall，andWiththeVirginforyourhouseholdfriend。Youknownothowfaritthrowsitslight，thatlampwhichyoukeepburningathershrine！I
　　passedbeneaththetowerlastnight，andtheraycheeredme，becauseyoulightedit。"
　　"Ithasformeareligioussignificance，"repliedHildaquietly，"andyetIamnoCatholic。"
　　Theyparted，andKenyonmadehastealongtheViaSistina，inthehopeofovertakingthemodel，whosehauntsandcharacterhewasanxioustoinvestigate，forMiriam'ssake。Hefanciedthathesawhimalongwayinadvance，butbeforehereachedtheFountainoftheTritontheduskyfigurehadvanished。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　ASCULPTOR'SSTUDIO
　　Aboutthisperiod，Miriamseemstohavebeengoadedbyawearyrestlessnessthatdroveherabroadonanyerrandornone。ShewentonemorningtovisitKenyoninhisstudio，whitherhehadinvitedhertoseeanewstatue，onwhichhehadstakedmanyhopes，andwhichwasnowalmostcompletedintheclay。NexttoHilda，thepersonforwhomMiriamfeltmostaffectionandconfidencewasKenyon；andinallthedifficultiesthatbesetherlife，itwasherimpulsetodrawnearHildaforfemininesympathy，andthesculptorforbrotherlycounsel。
　　Yetitwastolittlepurposethatsheapproachedtheedgeofthevoicelessgulfbetweenherselfandthem。Standingontheutmostvergeofthatdarkchasm，shemightstretchoutherhand，andneverclaspahandoftheirs；
　　shemightstrivetocallout，"Help，friends！help！"but，aswithdreamerswhentheyshout，hervoicewouldperishinaudiblyintheremotenessthatseemedsuchalittleway。Thisperceptionofaninfinite，shiveringsolitude，amidwhichwecannotcomecloseenoughtohumanbeingstobewarmedbythem，andwheretheyturntocold，chillyshapesofmist，isoneofthemostforlornresultsofanyaccident，misfortune，crime，orpeculiarityofcharacter，thatputsanindividualajarwiththeworld。
　　Veryoften，asinMiriam'scase，thereisaninsatiableinstinctthatdemandsfriendship，love，andintimatecommunion，butisforcedtopineinemptyforms；ahungeroftheheart，whichfindsonlyshadowstofeedupon。
　　Kenyon'sstudiowasinacross-street，or，rather，anuglyanddirtylittlelane，betweentheCorsoandtheViadellaRipetta；andthoughchill，narrow，gloomy，andborderedwithtallandshabbystructures，thelanewasnotawhitmoredisagreeablethanninetenthsoftheRomanstreets。
　　Overthedoorofoneofthehouseswasamarbletablet，bearinganinscription，tothepurportthatthesculpture-roomswithinhadformerlybeenoccupiedbytheillustriousartistCanova。IntheseprecinctswhichCanova'sgeniuswasnotquiteofacharactertorendersacred，thoughitcertainlymadetheminterestingtheyoungAmericansculptorhadnowestablishedhimself。
　　Thestudioofasculptorisgenerallybutaroughanddreary-lookingplace，withagooddealtheaspect，indeed，ofastone-mason'sworkshop。Barefloorsofbrickorplank，andplasteredwalls，——anoldchairortwo，orperhapsonlyablockofmarblecontaining，however，thepossibilityofidealgracewithinittositdownupon；somehastilyscrawledsketchesofnudefiguresonthewhitewashofthewall。Theselastareprobablythesculptor'searliestglimpsesofideasthatmayhereafterbesolidifiedintoimperishablestone，orperhapsmayremainasimpalpableasadream。
　　Nextthereareafewveryroughlymodelledlittlefiguresinclayorplaster，exhibitingthesecondstageoftheideaasitadvancestowardsamarbleimmortality；andthenisseentheexquisitelydesignedshapeofclay，moreinterestingthaneventhefinalmarble，asbeingtheintimateproductionofthesculptorhimself，mouldedthroughoutwithhislovinghands，andnearesttohisimaginationandheart。Intheplaster-cast，fromthisclaymodel，thebeautyofthestatuestrangelydisappears，toshineforthagainwithpurewhiteradiance，inthepreciousmarbleofCarrara。Worksinallthesestagesofadvancement，andsomewiththefinaltouchuponthem，mightbefoundinKenyon'sstudio。
　　Heremightbewitnessedtheprocessofactuallychisellingthemarble，withwhichasitisnotquitesatisfactorytothinkasculptorinthesedayshasverylittletodo。InItaly，thereisaclassofmenwhosemerelymechanicalskillisperhapsmoreexquisitethanwaspossessedbytheancientartificers，whowroughtoutthedesignsofPraxiteles；or，verypossibly，byPraxiteleshimself。Whateverofillusiverepresentationcanbeeffectedinmarble，theyarecapableofachieving，iftheobjectbebeforetheireyes。Thesculptorhasbuttopresentthesemenwithaplaster-castofhisdesign，andasufficientblockofmarble，andtellthemthatthefigureisimbeddedinthestone，andmustbefreedfromitsencumberingsuperfluities；and，induetime，withoutthenecessityofhistouchingtheworkwithhisownfinger，hewillseebeforehimthestatuethatistomakehimrenowned。Hiscreativepowerhaswroughtitwithaword。
　　Innootherart，surely，doesgeniusfindsucheffectiveinstruments，andsohappilyrelieveitselfofthedrudgery，ofactualperformance；doingwonderfullynicethingsbythehandsofotherpeople，whenitmaybesuspectedtheycouldnotalwaysbedonebythesculptor'sown。Andhowmuchoftheadmirationwhichourartistsgetfortheirbuttonsandbuttonholes，theirshoe-ties，theirneckcloths，——andthese，atourpresentepochoftaste，makealargeshareoftherenown，——wouldbeabated，ifweweregenerallyawarethatthesculptorcanclaimnocreditforsuchprettyperformances，asimmortalizedinmarble！Theyarenothiswork，butthatofsomenamelessmachineinhumanshape。
　　Miriamstoppedaninstantinanantechamber，tolookatahalf-finishedbust，thefeaturesofwhichseemedtobestrugglingoutofthestone；and，asitwere，scatteringanddissolvingitshardsubstancebytheglowoffeelingandintelligence。Astheskilfulworkmangavestrokeafterstrokeofthechiselwithapparentcarelessness，butsureeffect，itwasimpossiblenottothinkthattheoutermarblewasmerelyanextraneousenvironment；thehumancountenancewithinitsembracemusthaveexistedtheresincethelimestoneledgesofCarrarawerefirstmade。Anotherbustwasnearlycompleted，thoughstilloneofKenyon'smosttrustworthyassistantswasatwork，givingdelicatetouches，shavingoffanimpalpablesomething，andleavinglittleheapsofmarbledusttoattestit。
　　"Asthesebustsintheblockofmarble，"thoughtMiriam，"sodoesourindividualfateexistinthelimestoneoftime。Wefancythatwecarveitout；butitsultimateshapeispriortoallouraction。"
　　Kenyonwasintheinnerroom，but，hearingastepintheantechamber，hethrewaveiloverwhathewasatworkupon，andcameouttoreceivehisvisitor。Hewasdressedinagrayblouse，withalittlecaponthetopofhishead；acostumewhichbecamehimbetterthanthoformalgarmentswhichheworewheneverhepassedoutofhisowndomains。Thesculptorhadafacewhich，whentimehaddonealittlemoreforit，wouldofferaworthysubjectforasgoodanartistashimself：featuresfinelycut，asifalreadymarble；anidealforehead，deeplyseteyes，andamouthmuchhiddeninalightbrownbeard，butapparentlysensitiveanddelicate。
　　"Iwillnotofferyoumyhand，"saidhe；"itisgrimywithCleopatra'sclay。"
　　"No；Iwillnottouchclay；itisearthyandhuman，"answeredMiriam。"I
　　havecometotrywhetherthereisanycalmandcoolnessamongyourmarbles。
　　Myownartistoonervous，toopassionate，toofullofagitation，formetoworkatitwholedaystogether，withoutintervalsofrepose。So，whathaveyoutoshowme？"
　　"Praylookateverythinghere，"saidKenyon。"Ilovetohavepaintersseemywork。Theirjudgmentisunprejudiced，andmorevaluablethanthatoftheworldgenerally，fromthelightwhichtheirownartthrowsonmine。
　　Morevaluable，too，thanthatofmybrothersculptors，whoneverjudgemefairly，——norIthem，perhaps。"
　　Togratifyhim，Miriamlookedroundatthespecimensinmarbleorplaster，ofwhichtherewereseveralintheroom，comprisingoriginalsorcastsofmostofthedesignsthatKenyonhadthusfarproduced。Hewasstilltooyoungtohaveaccumulatedalargegalleryofsuchthings。Whathehadtoshowwerechieflytheattemptsandexperiments，invariousdirections，ofabeginnerinart，actingasasterntutortohimself，andprofitingmorebyhisfailuresthanbyanysuccessesofwhichhewasyetcapable。Someofthem，however，hadgreatmerit；andinthepure，fineglowofthenewmarble，itmaybe，theydazzledthejudgmentintoawardingthemhigherpraisethantheydeserved。Miriamadmiredthestatueofabeautifulyouth，apearlfisher；whohadgotentangledintheweedsatthebottomofthesea，andlaydeadamongthepearl-oysters，therichshells，andtheseaweeds，alloflikevaluetohimnow。
　　"Thepooryoungmanhasperishedamongtheprizesthathesought，"
　　remarkedshe。"Butwhatastrangeefficacythereisindeath！Ifwecannotallwinpearls，itcausesanemptyshelltosatisfyusjustaswell。
　　Ilikethisstatue，thoughitistoocoldandsterninitsmorallesson；
　　and，physically，theformhasnotsettleditselfintosufficientrepose。"
　　Inanotherstyle，therewasagrand，calmheadofMilton，notcopiedfromanyonebustorpicture，yetmoreauthenticthananyofthem，becauseallknownrepresentationsofthepoethadbeenprofoundlystudied，andsolvedintheartist'smind。ThebustoverthetombinGreyFriarsChurch，theoriginalminiaturesandpictures，wherevertobefound，hadmingledeachitsspecialtruthinthisonework；wherein，likewise，bylongperusalanddeeploveoftheParadiseLost，theComus，theLycidas，andL'Allegro，thesculptorhadsucceeded，evenbetterthanheknew，inspiritualizinghismarblewiththepoet'smightygenius。Andthiswasagreatthingtohaveachieved，suchalengthoftimeafterthedrybonesanddustofMiltonwerelikethoseofanyotherdeadman。
　　Therewerealsoseveralportrait-busts，comprisingthoseoftwoorthreeoftheillustriousmenofourowncountry，whomKenyon，beforeheleftAmerica，hadaskedpermissiontomodel。Hehaddoneso，becausehesincerelybelievedthat，whetherhewroughtthebustsinmarbleorbronze，theonewouldcorrodeandtheothercrumbleinthelonglapseoftime，beneaththesegreatmen'simmortality。Possibly，however，theyoungartistmayhaveunderestimatedthedurabilityofhismaterial。Otherfacestherewere，too，ofmenwhoifthebrevityoftheirremembrance，afterdeath，canbeauguredfromtheirlittlevalueinlifeshouldhavebeenrepresentedinsnowratherthanmarble。Posteritywillbepuzzledwhattodowithbustslikethese，theconcretionsandpetrifactionsofavainselfestimate；butwillfind，nodoubt，thattheyservetobuildintostonewalls，orburnintoquicklime，aswellasifthemarblehadneverbeenblockedintotheguiseofhumanheads。
　　Butitisanawfulthing，indeed，thisendlessendurance，thisalmostindestructibility，ofamarblebust！Whetherinourowncase，orthatofothermen，itbidsussadlymeasurethelittle，littletimeduringwhichourlineamentsarelikelytobeofinteresttoanyhumanbeing。ItisespeciallysingularthatAmericansshouldcareaboutperpetuatingthemselvesinthismode。Thebriefdurationofourfamilies，asahereditaryhousehold，rendersitnexttoacertaintythatthegreat-grandchildrenwillnotknowtheirfather'sgrandfather，andthathalfacenturyhenceatfurthest，thehammeroftheauctioneerwillthumpitsknock-downblowagainsthisblockhead，soldatsomuchforthepoundofstone！Anditoughttomakeusshiver，theideaofleavingourfeaturestobeadusty-whiteghostamongstrangersofanothergeneration，whowilltakeournosebetweentheirthumbandfingersaswehaveseenmendobyCaesar's，andinfalliblybreakitoffiftheycandosowithoutdetection！
　　"Yes，"saidMiriam，whohadbeenrevolvingsomesuchthoughtsastheabove，"itisagoodstateofmindformortalman，whenheiscontenttoleavenomoredefinitememorialthanthegrass，whichwillsproutkindlyandspeedilyoverhisgrave，ifwedonotmakethespotbarrenwithmarble。
　　Methinks，too，itwillbeafresherandbetterworld，whenitflingsoffthisgreatburdenofstonymemories，whichtheageshavedeemeditapietytoheapuponitsback。"
　　"Whatyousay，"remarkedKenyon，"goesagainstmywholeart。Sculpture，andthedelightwhichmennaturallytakeinit，appeartomeaproofthatitisgoodtoworkwithalltimebeforeourview。"
　　"Well，well，"answeredMiriam，"ImustnotquarrelwithyouforflingingyourheavystonesatpoorPosterity；and，tosaythetruth，Ithinkyouareaslikelytohitthemarkasanybody。Thesebusts，now，muchasI
　　seemtoscornthem，makemefeelasifyouwereamagician……Youturnfeverishmenintocool，quietmarble。Whatablessedchangeforthem！
　　Wouldyoucoulddoasmuchforme！"
　　"O，gladly！"criedKenyon，whohadlongwishedtomodelthatbeautifulandmostexpressiveface。"Whenwillyoubegintosit？"
　　"Poh！thatwasnotwhatImeant，"saidMiriam。"Come，showmesomethingelse。"
　　"Doyourecognizethis？"askedthesculptor。
　　Hetookoutofhisdeskalittleold-fashionedivorycoffer，yellowwithage；itwasrichlycarvedwithantiquefiguresandfoliage；andhadKenyonthoughtfittosaythatBenvenutoCelliniwroughtthispreciousbox，theskillandelaboratefancyoftheworkwouldbynomeanshavediscreditedhisword，northeoldartist'sfame。Atleast，itwasevidentlyaproductionofBenvenuto'sschoolandcentury，andmightoncehavebeenthejewel-caseofsomegrandladyatthecourtoftheDe'Medici。
　　Liftingthelid，however，noblazeofdiamondswasdisclosed，butonly，lappedinfleecycotton，asmall，beautifullyshapedhand，mostdelicatelysculpturedinmarble。Suchlovingcareandnicestarthadbeenlavishedhere，thatthepalmreallyseemedtohaveatendernessinitsverysubstance。Touchingthoselovelyfingers，——hadthejealoussculptorallowedyoutotouch，——youcouldhardlybelievethatavirginwarmthwouldnotstealfromthemintoyourheart。
　　"Ah，thisisverybeautiful！"exclaimedMiriam，withagenialsmile。"ItisasgoodinitswayasLoulie'shandwithitsbaby-dimples，whichPowersshowedmeatFlorence，evidentlyvaluingitasmuchasifhehadwroughtitoutofapieceofhisgreatheart。AsgoodasHarrietHosmer'sclaspedhandsofBrowningandhiswife，symbolizingtheindividualityandheroicunionoftwohigh，poeticlives！Nay，Idonotquestionthatitisbetterthaneitherofthose，becauseyoumusthavewroughtitpassionately，inspiteofitsmaidenpalmanddaintyfingertips。"
　　"Thenyoudorecognizeit？"askedKenyon。
　　"Thereisbutonerighthandonearththatcouldhavesuppliedthemodel，"
　　answeredMiriam；"sosmallandslender，soperfectlysymmetrical，andyetwithacharacterofdelicateenergy。Ihavewatcheditahundredtimesatitswork；butIdidnotdreamthatyouhadwonHildasofar！Howhaveyoupersuadedthatshymaidentoletyoutakeherhandinmarble？"
　　"Never！Sheneverknewit！"hastilyrepliedKenyon，anxioustovindicatehismistress'smaidenlyreserve。"Istoleitfromher。Thehandisareminiscence。Aftergazingatitsooften，andevenholdingitonceforaninstant，whenHildawasnotthinkingofme，Ishouldbeabunglerindeed，ifIcouldnotnowreproduceittosomethinglikethelife。"
　　"Mayyouwintheoriginaloneday！"saidMiriamkindly。
　　"Ihavelittlegroundtohopeit，"answeredthesculptordespondingly；
　　"Hildadoesnotdwellinourmortalatmosphere；andgentleandsoftassheappears，itwillbeasdifficulttowinherheartastoenticedownawhitebirdfromitssunnyfreedominthesky。Itisstrange，withallherdelicacyandfragility，theimpressionshemakesofbeingutterlysufficienttoherself。No；Ishallneverwinher。Sheisabundantlycapableofsympathy，anddelightstoreceiveit，butshehasnoneedoflove。"
　　"Ipartlyagreewithyou，"saidMiriam。"Itisamistakenidea，whichmengenerallyentertain，thatnaturehasmadewomenespeciallypronetothrowtheirwholebeingintowhatistechnicallycalledlove。Wehave，tosaytheleast，nomorenecessityforitthanyourselves；onlywehavenothingelsetodowithourhearts。Whenwomenhaveotherobjectsinlife，theyarenotapttofallinlove。Icanthinkofmanywomendistinguishedinart，literature，andscience，——andmultitudeswhoseheartsandmindsfindgoodemploymentinlessostentatiousways，——wholeadhigh，lonelylives，andareconsciousofnosacrificesofarasyoursexisconcerned。"
　　"AndHildawillbeoneofthese！"saidKenyonsadly；"thethoughtmakesmeshiverformyself，andandforher，too。"
　　"Well，"saidMiriam，smiling，"perhapsshemaysprainthedelicatewristwhichyouhavesculpturedtosuchperfection。Inthatcaseyoumayhope。
　　Theseoldmasterstowhomshehasvowedherself，andwhomherslenderhandandwoman'sheartservesofaithfully，areyouronlyrivals。"
　　ThesculptorsighedasheputawaythetreasureofHilda'smarblehandintotheivorycoffer，andthoughthowslightwasthepossibilitythatheshouldeverfeelresponsivetohisownthetenderclaspoftheoriginal。
　　Hedarednotevenkisstheimagethathehimselfhadmade：ithadassumeditsshareofHilda'sremoteandshydivinity。
　　"Andnow，"saidMiriam，"showmethenewstatuewhichyouaskedmehithertosee。"
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　CLEOPATRA
　　Mynewstatue！"saidKenyon，whohadpositivelyforgottenitinthethoughtofHilda；"hereitis，underthisveil。""Notanudefigure，I
　　hope，"observedMiriam。"Everyyoungsculptorseemstothinkthathemustgivetheworldsomespecimenofindecorouswomanhood，andcallitEve，Venus，aNymph，oranynamethatmayapologizeforalackofdecentclothing。Iamweary，evenmorethanIamashamed，ofseeingsuchthings。
　　Nowadayspeopleareasgoodasbornintheirclothes，andthereispracticallynotanudehumanbeinginexistence。Anartist，therefore，asyoumustcandidlyconfess，cannotsculpturenuditywithapureheart，ifonlybecauseheiscompelledtostealguiltyglimpsesathiredmodels。
　　Themarbleinevitablylosesitschastityundersuchcircumstances。AnoldGreeksculptor，nodoubt，foundhismodelsintheopensunshine，andamongpureandprincelymaidens，andthusthenudestatuesofantiquityareasmodestasviolets，andsufficientlydrapedintheirownbeauty。ButasforMr。Gibson'scoloredVenusesstained，Ibelieve，withtobaccojuice，andallothernuditiesofto-day，Ireallydonotunderstandwhattheyhavetosaytothisgeneration，andwouldbegladtoseeasmanyheapsofquicklimeintheirstead。"
　　"Youaresevereupontheprofessorsofmyart，"saidKenyon，halfsmiling，halfseriously；"notthatyouarewhollywrong，either。Weareboundtoacceptdraperyofsomekind，andmakethebestofit。Butwhatarewetodo？Mustweadoptthecostumeofto-day，andcarve，forexample，aVenusinahoop-petticoat？"
　　"Thatwouldbeaboulder，indeed！"rejoinedMiriam，laughing。"Butthedifficultygoestoconfirmmeinmybeliefthat，exceptforportrait-busts，sculpturehasnolongerarighttoclaimanyplaceamonglivingarts。Ithaswroughtitselfout，andcomefairlytoanend。Thereisneveranewgroupnowadays；neverevensomuchasanewattitude。GreenoughItakemyexamplesamongmenofmeritimaginednothingnew；norCrawfordeither，exceptinthetailoringline。Therearenot，asyouwillown，morethanhalfadozenpositivelyoriginalstatuesorgroupsintheworld，andthesefewareofimmemorialantiquity。ApersonfamiliarwiththeVatican，theUffizziGallery，theNaplesGallery，andtheLouvre，willatoncereferanymodernproductiontoitsantiqueprototype；which，moreover，hadbeguntogetoutoffashion，eveninoldRomandays。"
　　"Praystop，Miriam，"criedKenyon，"orIshallflingawaythechiselforever！"
　　"Fairlyowntome，then，myfriend，"rejoinedMiriam，whosedisturbedmindfoundacertainreliefinthisdeclamation，"thatyousculptorsare，ofnecessity，thegreatestplagiaristsintheworld。"
　　"Idonotownit，"saidKenyon，"yetcannotutterlycontradictyou，asregardstheactualstateoftheart。ButaslongastheCarraraquarriesstillyieldpureblocks，andwhilemyowncountryhasmarblemountains，probablyasfineinquality，Ishallsteadfastlybelievethatfuturesculptorswillrevivethisnoblestofthebeautifularts，andpeopletheworldwithnewshapesofdelicategraceandmassivegrandeur。Perhaps，"
　　headded，smiling，"mankindwillconsenttowearamoremanageablecostume；
　　or，atworst，wesculptorsshallgettheskilltomakebroadclothtransparent，andrenderamajestichumancharactervisiblethroughthecoatsandtrousersofthepresentday。"
　　"Beitso！"saidMiriam；"youarepastmycounsel。Showmetheveiledfigure，which，Iamafraid，Ihavecriticisedbeforehand。Tomakeamends，Iaminthemoodtopraiseitnow。"
　　But，asKenyonwasabouttotaketheclothofftheclaymodel，shelaidherhandonhisarm。
　　"Tellmefirstwhatisthesubject，"saidshe，"forIhavesometimesincurredgreatdispleasurefrommembersofyourbrotherhoodbybeingtooobtusetopuzzleoutthepurportoftheirproductions。Itissodifficult，youknow，tocompressanddefineacharacterorstory，andmakeitpatentataglance，withinthenarrowscopeattainablebysculpture！Indeed，I
　　fancyitisstilltheordinaryhabitwithsculptors，firsttofinishtheirgroupofstatuary，——insuchdevelopmentastheparticularblockofmarblewillallow，——andthentochoosethesubject；asJohnofBolognadidwithhisRapeoftheSabines。Haveyoufollowedthatgoodexample？"
　　"No；mystatueisintendedforCleopatra，"repliedKenyon，alittledisturbedbyMiriam'sraillery。"Thespecialepochofherhistoryyoumustmakeoutforyourself。"
　　Hedrewawaythecloththathadservedtokeepthemoistureoftheclaymodelfrombeingexhaled。Thesittingfigureofawomanwasseen。ShewasdrapedfromheadtofootinacostumeminutelyandscrupulouslystudiedfromthatofancientEgypt，asrevealedbythestrangesculptureofthatcountry，itscoins，drawings，paintedmummy-cases，andwhateverothertokenshavebeendugoutofitspyramids，graves，andcatacombs。