Themoonlightglistenedupontracesofthegildingwhichhadoncecoveredbothriderandsteed；thesewerealmostgone，buttheaspectofdignitywasstillperfect，clothingthefigureasitwerewithanimperialrobeoflight。Itisthemostmajesticrepresentationofthekinglycharacterthatevertheworldhasseen。Asightoftheoldheathenemperorisenoughtocreateanevanescentsentimentofloyaltyeveninademocraticbosom，soaugustdoeshelook，sofittorule，soworthyofman'sprofoundesthomageandobedience，soinevitablyattractiveofhislove。
　　Hestretchesforthhishandwithanairofgrandbeneficenceandunlimitedauthority，asifutteringadecreefromwhichnoappealwaspermissible，butinwhichtheobedientsubjectwouldfindhishighestinterestsconsulted；acommandthatwasinitselfabenediction。
　　"Thesculptorofthisstatueknewwhatakingshouldbe，"observedKenyon，"andknew，likewise，theheartofmankind，andhowitcravesatrueruler，underwhatevertitle，asachilditsfather"
　　"O，iftherewerebutonesuchmanasthis？"exclaimedMiriam。"Onesuchmaninanage，andoneinalltheworld；thenhowspeedilywouldthestrife，wickedness，andsorrowofuspoorcreaturesberelieved。Wewouldcometohimwithourgriefs，whatevertheymightbe，——evenapoor，frailwomanburdenedwithherheavyheart，——andlaythemathisfeet，andneverneedtotakethemupagain。Therightfulkingwouldseetoall。"
　　"Whatanideaoftheregalofficeandduty！"saidKenyon，withasmile。
　　"Itisawoman'sideaofthewholemattertoperfection。ItisHilda's，too，nodoubt？"
　　"No，"answeredthequietHilda；"Ishouldneverlookforsuchassistancefromanearthlyking。"
　　"Hilda，myreligiousHilda，"whisperedMiriam，suddenlydrawingthegirlclosetoher，"doyouknowhowitiswithme？IwouldgiveallIhaveorhope——mylife，Ohowfreely——foroneinstantofyourtrustinGod！Youlittleguessmyneedofit。Youreallythink，then，thatHeseesandcaresforus？"
　　"Miriam，youfrightenme。"
　　"Hush，hush？donotletthemhearyet！"whisperedMiriam。"Ifrightenyou，yousay；forHeaven'ssake，how？AmIstrange？Isthereanythingwildinmybehavior？"
　　"Onlyforthatmoment，"repliedHilda，"becauseyouseemedtodoubtGod'sprovidence。"
　　"Wewilltalkofthatanothertime，"saidherfriend。"Justnowitisverydarktome。"
　　OntheleftofthePiazzaoftheCampidoglio，asyoufacecityward，andattheheadofthelongandstatelyflightofstepsdescendingfromtheCapitolineHilltotheleveloflowerRome，thereisanarrowlaneorpassage。Intothisthepartyofourfriendsnowturned。Thepathascendedalittle，andranalongunderthewallsofapalace，butsoonpassedthroughagateway，andterminatedinasmallpavedcourtyard。Itwasborderedbyalowparapet。
　　Thespot，forsomereasonorother，impressedthemasexceedinglylonely。
　　Ononesidewasthegreatheightofthepalace，withthemoonshinefallingoverit，andshowingallthewindowsbarredandshuttered。Notahumaneyecouldlookdownintothelittlecourtyard，eveniftheseeminglydesertedpalacehadatenant。Onallothersidesofitsnarrowcompasstherewasnothingbuttheparapet，whichasitnowappearedwasbuiltrightontheedgeofasteepprecipice。Gazingfromitsimminentbrow，thepartybeheldacrowdedconfusionofroofsspreadingoverthewholespacebetweenthemandthelineofhillsthatlaybeyondtheTiber。A
　　long，mistywreath，justdenseenoughtocatchalittleofthemoonshine，floatedabovethehouses，midwaytowardsthehillyline，andshowedthecourseoftheunseenriver。Farawayontheright，themoongleamedonthedomeofSt。Peter'saswellasonmanylesserandnearerdomes。
　　"Whatabeautifulviewofthecity！"exclaimedHilda；"andIneversawRomefromthispointbefore。"
　　"Itoughttoaffordagoodprospect，"saidthesculptor；"foritwasfromthispoint——atleastweareatlibertytothinkso，ifwechoose——thatmanyafamousRomancaughthislastglimpseofhisnativecity，andofallotherearthlythings。ThisisoneofthesidesoftheTarpeianRock。
　　Lookovertheparapet，andseewhatasheertumbletheremightstillbeforatraitor，inspiteofthethirtyfeetofsoilthathaveaccumulatedatthefootoftheprecipice。"
　　Theyallbentover，andsawthattheclifffellperpendicularlydownwardtoaboutthedepth，orrathermore，atwhichthetallpalaceroseinheightabovetheirheads。Notthatitwasstillthenatural，shaggyfrontoftheoriginalprecipice；foritappearedtobecasedinancientstonework，throughwhichtheprimevalrockshoweditsfacehereandtheregrimlyanddoubtfully。Mossesgrewontheslightprojections，andlittleshrubssproutedoutofthecrevices，butcouldnotmuchsoftenthesternaspectofthecliff。BrightlyastheItalianmoonlightfelladowntheheight，itscarcelyshowedwhatportionofitwasman'sworkandwhatwasnature's，butleftitallinverymuchthesamekindofambiguityandhalf-knowledgeinwhichantiquariansgenerallyleavetheidentityofRomanremains。
　　Theroofsofsomepoor-lookinghouses，whichhadbeenbuiltagainstthebaseandsidesofthecliff，rosenearlymidwaytothetop；butfromanangleoftheparapettherewasaprecipitousplungestraightdownwardintoastonepavedcourt。
　　"IpreferthistoanyothersiteashavingbeenveritablytheTraitor'sLeap，"saidKenyon，"becauseitwassoconvenienttotheCapitol。ItwasanadmirableideaofthosesternoldfellowstoflingtheirpoliticalcriminalsdownfromtheverysummitonwhichstoodtheSenateHouseandJove'sTemple，emblemsoftheinstitutionswhichtheysoughttoviolate。
　　Itsymbolizeshowsuddenwasthefallinthosedaysfromtheutmostheightofambitiontoitsprofoundestruin。"
　　"Come，come；itismidnight，"criedanotherartist，"toolatetobemoralizinghere。Weareliterallydreamingontheedgeofaprecipice。
　　Letusgohome。"
　　"Itistime，indeed，"saidHilda。
　　ThesculptorwasnotwithouthopesthathemightbefavoredwiththesweetchargeofescortingHildatothefootofhertower。Accordingly，whenthepartypreparedtoturnback，heofferedherhisarm。Hildaatfirstacceptedit；butwhentheyhadpartlythreadedthepassagebetweenthelittlecourtyardandthePiazzadelCampidoglio，shediscoveredthatMiriamhadremainedbehind。
　　"Imustgoback，"saidshe，withdrawingherarmfromKenyon's；"butpraydonotcomewithme。SeveraltimesthiseveningIhavehadafancythatMiriamhadsomethingonhermind，somesorroworperplexity，which，perhaps，itwouldrelievehertotellmeabout。No，no；donotturnback！
　　DonatellowillbeasufficientguardianforMiriamandme。"
　　Thesculptorwasagooddealmortified，andperhapsalittleangry：butheknewHilda'smoodofgentledecisionandindependencetoowellnottoobeyher。Hethereforesufferedthefearlessmaidentoreturnalone。
　　MeanwhileMiriamhadnotnoticedthedepartureoftherestofthecompany；
　　sheremainedontheedgeoftheprecipiceandDonatelloalongwithher。
　　"Itwouldbeafatalfall，still，"shesaidtoherself，lookingovertheparapet，andshudderingashereyemeasuredthedepth。"Yes；surelyyes！
　　Evenwithouttheweightofanoverburdenedheart，ahumanbodywouldfallheavilyenoughuponthosestonestoshakeallitsjointsasunder。Howsoonitwouldbeover！"
　　Donatello，ofwhosepresenceshewaspossiblynotaware，nowpressedclosertoherside；andhe，too，likeMiriam，bentoverthelowparapetandtrembledviolently。Yetheseemedtofeelthatperilousfascinationwhichhauntsthebrowofprecipices，temptingtheunwaryonetoflinghimselfoverfortheveryhorrorofthething；for，afterdrawinghastilyback，heagainlookeddown，thrustinghimselfoutfartherthanbefore。Hethenstoodsilentabriefspace，struggling，perhaps，tomakehimselfconsciousofthehistoricassociationsofthescene。
　　"Whatareyouthinkingof，Donatello？"askedMiriam。
　　"Whoarethey，"saidhe，lookingearnestlyinherface，"whohavebeenflungoverhereindaysgoneby？"
　　"Menthatcumberedtheworld，"shereplied。"Menwhoseliveswerethebaneoftheirfellowcreatures。Menwhopoisonedtheair，whichisthecommonbreathofall，fortheirownselfishpurposes。TherewasshortworkwithsuchmeninoldRomantimes。Justinthemomentoftheirtriumph，ahand，asofanavenginggiant，clutchedthem，anddashedthewretchesdownthisprecipice。"
　　"Wasitwelldone？"askedtheyoungman。
　　"Itwaswelldone，"answeredMiriam；"innocentpersonsweresavedbythedestructionofaguiltyone，whodeservedhisdoom。"
　　Whilethisbriefconversationpassed，Donatellohadonceortwiceglancedasidewithawatchfulair，justasahoundmayoftenbeseentotakesidelongnoteofsomesuspiciousobject，whilehegiveshismoredirectattentiontosomethingnearerat，hand。Miriamseemednowfirsttobecomeawareofthesilencethathadfolloweduponthecheerfultalkandlaughterofafewmomentsbefore。
　　Lookinground，sheperceivedthatallhercompanyofmerryfriendshadretired，andHilda，too，inwhosesoftandquietpresenceshehadalwaysanindescribablefeelingofsecurity。Allgone；andonlyherselfandDonatellolefthangingoverthebrowoftheominousprecipice。
　　Notso，however；notentirelyalone！Inthebasementwallofthepalace，shadedfromthemoon，therewasadeep，emptyniche，thathadprobablyoncecontainedastatue；notempty，either；forafigurenowcameforthfromitandapproachedMiriam。Shemusthavehadcausetodreadsomeunspeakableevilfromthisstrangepersecutor，andtoknowthatthiswastheverycrisisofhercalamity；forashedrewnear，suchacold，sickdespaircreptoverherthatitimpededherbreath，andbenumbedhernaturalpromptitudeofthought。Miriamseemeddreamilytorememberfallingonherknees；but，inherwholerecollectionofthatwildmoment，shebeheldherselfasinadimshow，andcouldnotwelldistinguishwhatwasdoneandsuffered；no，notevenwhethershewerereallyanactorandsuffererinthescene。
　　Hilda，meanwhile，hadseparatedherselffromthesculptor，andturnedbacktorejoinherfriend。Atadistance，shestillheardthemirthofherlatecompanions，whoweregoingdownthecitywarddescentoftheCapitolineHill；theyhadsetupanewstaveofmelody，inwhichherownsoftvoice，aswellasthepowerfulsweetnessofMiriam's，wassadlymissed。
　　Thedoorofthelittlecourtyardhadswunguponitshinges，andpartlycloseditself。Hildawhosenativegentlenesspervadedallhermovements
　　wasquietlyopeningit，whenshewasstartled，midway，bythenoiseofastrugglewithin，beginningandendingallinonebreathlessinstant。
　　Alongwithit，orcloselysucceedingit，wasaloud，fearfulcry，whichquiveredupwardthroughtheair，andsankquiveringdownwardtotheearth。
　　Then，asilence！PoorHildahadlookedintothecourt-yard，andsawthewholequickpassageofadeed，whichtookbutthatlittletimetograveitselfintheeternaladamant。
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　THEFAUN'STRANSFORMATION
　　Thedoorofthecourtyardswungslowly，andcloseditselfofitsownaccord。MiriamandDonatellowerenowalonethere。Sheclaspedherhands，andlookedwildlyattheyoungman，whoseformseemedtohavedilated，andwhoseeyesblazedwiththefierceenergythathadsuddenlyinspiredhim。Ithadkindledhimintoaman；ithaddevelopedwithinhimanintelligencewhichwasnonativecharacteristicoftheDonatellowhomwehaveheretoforeknown。Butthatsimpleandjoyouscreaturewasgoneforever。
　　"Whathaveyoudone？"saidMiriam，inahorror-strickenwhisper。
　　TheglowofragewasstillluridonDonatello'sface，andnowflashedoutagainfromhiseyes。
　　"Ididwhatoughttobedonetoatraitor！"hereplied。"Ididwhatyoureyesbademedo，whenIaskedthemwithmine，asIheldthewretchovertheprecipice！"
　　TheselastwordsstruckMiriamlikeabullet。Coulditbeso？Hadhereyesprovokedorassentedtothisdeed？Shehadnotknownit。But，alas！
　　lookingbackintothefrenzyandturmoilofthescenejustacted，shecouldnotdeny——shewasnotsurewhetheritmightbeso，orno——thatawildjoyhadflamedupinherheart，whenshebeheldherpersecutorinhismortalperil。Wasithorror？——orecstasy？orbothinone？Betheemotionwhatitmight，ithadblazedupmoremadly，whenDonatelloflunghisvictimoffthecliff，andmoreandmore，whilehisshriekwentquiveringdownward。Withthedeadthumpuponthestonesbelowhadcomeanunutterablehorror。
　　"Andmyeyesbadeyoudoit！"repeatedshe。
　　Theybothleanedovertheparapet，andgazeddownwardasearnestlyasifsomeinestimabletreasurehadfallenover，andwereyetrecoverable。Onthepavementbelowwasadarkmass，lyinginaheap，withlittleornothinghumaninitsappearance，exceptthatthehandswerestretchedout，asiftheymighthaveclutchedforamomentatthesmallsquarestones。
　　Buttherewasnomotioninthemnow。Miriamwatchedtheheapofmortalitywhileshecouldcountahundred，whichshetookpainstodo。Nostir；
　　notafingermoved！
　　"Youhavekilledhim，Donatello！Heisquitedead！"saidshe。"Stonedead！WouldIwereso，too！"
　　"Didyounotmeanthatheshoulddie？"sternlyaskedDonatello，stillintheglowofthatintelligencewhichpassionhaddevelopedinhim。"Therewasshorttimetoweighthematter；buthehadhistrialinthatbreathortwowhileIheldhimoverthecliff，andhissentenceinthatoneglance，whenyoureyesrespondedtomine！SaythatIhaveslainhimagainstyourwill，——saythathediedwithoutyourwholeconsent，——and，inanotherbreath，youshallseemelyingbesidehim。"
　　"O，never！"criedMiriam。"Myone，ownfriend！Never，never，never！"
　　Sheturnedtohim，——theguilty，bloodstained，lonelywoman，——sheturnedtoherfellowcriminal，theyouth，solatelyinnocent，whomshehaddrawnintoherdoom。Shepressedhimclose，closetoherbosom，withaclingingembracethatbroughttheirtwoheartstogether，tillthehorrorandagonyofeachwascombinedintooneemotion，andthatakindofrapture。
　　"Yes，Donatello，youspeakthetruth！"saidshe；"myheartconsentedtowhatyoudid。Wetwoslewyonderwretch。Thedeedknotsustogether，fortimeandeternity，likethecoilofaserpent！"
　　Theythrewoneotherglanceattheheapofdeathbelow，toassurethemselvesthatitwasthere；solikeadreamwasthewholething。Thentheyturnedfromthatfatalprecipice，andcameoutofthecourtyard，arminarm，heartinheart。Instinctively，theywereheedfulnottoseverthemselvessomuchasapaceortwofromoneanother，forfearoftheterroranddeadlychillthatwouldthenceforthwaitforthemmsolitude。
　　Theirdeed——thecrimewhichDonatellowrought，andMiriamacceptedontheinstant——hadwreatheditself，asshesaid，likeaserpent，ininextricablelinksaboutboththeirsouls，anddrewthemintoone，byitsterriblecontractilepower。Itwascloserthanamarriagebond。Sointimate，inthosefirstmoments，wastheunion，thatitseemedasiftheirnewsympathyannihilatedallotherties，andthattheywerereleasedfromthechainofhumanity；anewsphere，aspeciallaw，hadbeencreatedforthemalone。Theworldcouldnotcomenearthem；theyweresafe！
　　WhentheyreachedtheflightofstepsleadingdownwardfromtheCapitol，therewasafaroffnoiseofsingingandlaughter。Swift，indeed，hadbeentherushofthecrisisthatwascomeandgone！Thiswasstillthemerrimentofthepartythathadsorecentlybeentheircompanions。Theyrecognizedthevoiceswhich，alittlewhileago，hadaccordedandsungincadencewiththeirown。Buttheywerefamiliarvoicesnomore；theysoundedstrangely，and，asitwere，outofthedepthsofspace；soremotewasallthatpertainedtothepastlifeoftheseguiltyones，inthemoralseclusionthathadsuddenlyextendeditselfaroundthem。Buthowclose，andevercloser，didthebreathoftheimmeasurablewaste，thatlaybetweenthemandallbrotherhoodorsisterhood，nowpressthemonewithintheother！
　　"Ofriend！"criedMiriam，soputtinghersoulintothewordthatittookaheavyrichnessofmeaning，andseemednevertohavebeenspokenbefore，"Ofriend，areyouconscious，asIam，ofthiscompanionshiPthatknitsourheart-stringstogether？"
　　"Ifeelit，Miriam，"saidDonatello。"Wedrawonebreath；weliveonelife！"
　　"Onlyyesterday，"continuedMiriam；"nay，onlyashorthalf-hourago，I
　　shiveredinanicysolitude。Nofriendship，nosisterhood，couldcomenearenoughtokeepthewarmthwithinmyheart。Inaninstantallischanged！Therecanbenomoreloneliness！"
　　"None，Miriam！"saidDonatello。
　　"None，mybeautifulone！"respondedMiriam，gazinginhisface，whichhadtakenahigher，almostanheroicaspect，fromthestrengthofpassion。
　　"None，myinnocentone！Surely，itisnocrimethatwehavecommitted。
　　Onewretchedandworthlesslifehasbeensacrificedtocementtwootherlivesforevermore。"
　　"Forevermore，Miriam！"saidDonatello；"cementedwithhisblood！"
　　Theyoungmanstartedatthewordwhichhehadhimselfspoken；itmaybethatitbroughthome，tothesimplicityofhisimagination，whathehadnotbeforedreamedof，——theever-increasingloathsomenessofaunionthatconsistsinguilt。Cementedwithblood，whichwouldcorruptandgrowmorenoisomeforeverandforever，butbindthemnonethelessstrictlyforthat。
　　"Forgetit！Castitallbehindyou！"saidMiriam，detecting，byhersympathy，thepangthatwasinhisheart。"Thedeedhasdoneitsoffice，andhasnoexistenceanymore。"
　　Theyflungthepastbehindthem，asshecounselled，orelsedistilledfromitafiery，intoxication，whichsufficedtocarrythemtriumphantlythroughthosefirstmomentsoftheirdoom。Forguilthasitsmomentofrapturetoo。Theforemostresultofabrokenlawiseveranecstaticsenseoffreedom。Andthusthereexhaledupwardoutoftheirdarksympathy，atthebaseofwhichlayahumancorpseabliss，oraninsanity，whichtheunhappypairimaginedtobewellworththesleepyinnocencethatwasforeverlosttothem。
　　Astheirspiritsrosetothesolemnmadnessoftheoccasion，theywentonward，notstealthily，notfearfully，butwithastatelygaitandaspect。
　　Passionlentthemasitdoestomeanershapesitsbriefnobilityofcarriage。TheytrodthroughthestreetsofRome，asifthey，too，wereamongthemajesticandguiltyshadows，that，fromageslonggoneby，havehauntedtheblood-stainedcity。And，atMiriam'ssuggestion，theyturnedaside，forthesakeoftreadingloftilypasttheoldsiteofPompey'sForum。
　　"Fortherewasagreatdeeddonehere！"shesaid，——"adeedofbloodlikeours！Whoknowsbutwemaymeetthehighandever-sadfraternityofCaesar'smurderers，andexchangeasalutation？"
　　"Aretheyourbrethren，now？"askedDonatello。
　　"Yes；allofthem，"saidMiriam，——"andmanyanother，whomtheworldlittledreamsof，hasbeenmadeourbrotheroroursister，bywhatwehavedonewithinthishour！"
　　Andatthethoughtsheshivered。Wherethenwastheseclusion，theremoteness，thestrange，lonesomeParadise，intowhichsheandheronecompanionhadbeentransportedbytheircrime？Wasthere，indeed，nosuchrefuge，butonlyacrowdedthoroughfareandjostlingthrongofcriminals？
　　Andwasittrue，thatwhateverhandhadablood-stainonit，——orhadpouredoutpoison，——orstrangledababeatitsbirth，——orclutchedagrandsire'sthroat，hesleeping，androbbedhimofhisfewlastbreaths，——hadnowtherighttoofferitselfinfellowshipwiththeirtwohands？
　　Toocertainly，thatrightexisted。Itisaterriblethought，thatanindividualwrong-doingmeltsintothegreatmassofhumancrime，andmakesus，whodreamedonlyofourownlittleseparatesin，——makesusguiltyofthewhole。AndthusMiriamandherloverwerenotaninsulatedpair，butmembersofaninnumerableconfraternityofguiltyones，allshudderingateachother。
　　"Butnotnow；notyet，"shemurmuredtoherself。"To-night，atleast，thereshallbenoremorse！"
　　Wanderingwithoutapurpose，itsochancedthattheyturnedintoastreet，atoneextremityofwhichstoodHilda'stower。Therewasalightinherhighchamber；alight，too，attheVirgin'sshrine；andtheglimmerofthesetwowastheloftiestlightbeneaththestars。MiriamdrewDonatello'sarm，tomakehimstop，andwhiletheystoodatsomedistancelookingatHilda'swindow，theybeheldherapproachandthrowitopen。
　　Sheleanedfarforth，andextendedherclaspedhandstowardsthesky。
　　"Thegood，purechild！Sheispraying，Donatello，"saidMiriam，withakindofsimplejoyatwitnessingthedevoutnessofherfriend。Thenherownsinrusheduponher，andsheshouted，withtherichstrengthofhervoice，"Prayforus，Hilda；weneedit！"
　　WhetherHildaheardandrecognizedthevoicewecannottell。Thewindowwasimmediatelyclosed，andherformdisappearedfrombehindthesnowycurtain。Miriamfeltthistobeatokenthatthecryofhercondemnedspiritwasshutoutofheaven。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　THEBURIALCHANT
　　TheChurchoftheCapuchinswhere，asthereadermayremember，someofouracquaintanceshadmadeanengagementtomeetstandsalittleasidefromthePiazzaBarberini。Thither，atthehouragreedupon，onthemorningafterthesceneslastdescribed，MiriamandDonatellodirectedtheirsteps。Atnotimearepeoplesosedulouslycarefultokeeptheirtriflingappointments，attendtotheirordinaryoccupations，andthusputacommonplaceaspectonlife，aswhenconsciousofsomesecretthatifsuspectedwouldmakethemlookmonstrousinthegeneraleye。
　　Yethowtameandwearisomeistheimpressionofallordinarythingsinthecontrastwithsuchafact！Howsickandtremulous，thenextmorning，isthespiritthathasdaredsomuchonlythenightbefore！Howicycoldistheheart，whenthefervor，thewildecstasyofpassionhasfadedaway，andsunkdownamongthedeadashesofthefirethatblazedsofiercely，andwasfedbytheverysubstanceofitslife！Howfaintlydoesthecriminalstaggeronward，lackingtheimpulseofthatstrongmadnessthathurriedhimintoguilt，andtreacherouslydesertshiminthemidstofit！
　　WhenMiriamandDonatellodrewnearthechurch，theyfoundonlyKenyonawaitingthemonthesteps。Hildahadlikewisepromisedtobeoftheparty，buthadnotyetappeared。Meetingthesculptor，Miriamputaforceuponherselfandsucceededincreatinganartificialflowofspirits，which，toanybutthenicestobservation，wasquiteaseffectiveasanaturalone。ShespokesympathizinglytothesculptoronthesubjectofHilda'sabsence，andsomewhatannoyedhimbyalludinginDonatello'shearingtoanattachmentwhichhadneverbeenopenlyavowed，thoughperhapsplainlyenoughbetrayed。HefanciedthatMiriamdidnotquiterecognizethelimitsofthestrictestdelicacy；heevenwentsofarastogeneralize，andconcludewithinhimself，thatthisdeficiencyisamoregeneralfailinginwomanthaninman，thehighestrefinementbeingamasculineattribute。
　　Buttheideawasunjusttothesexatlarge，andespeciallysotothispoorMiriam，whowashardlyresponsibleforherfranticeffortstobegay。
　　Possibly，moreover，theniceactionofthemindissetajarbyanyviolentshock，asofgreatmisfortuneorgreatcrime，sothatthefinerperceptionsmaybeblurredthenceforth，andtheeffectbetraceableinalltheminutestconductoflife。
　　"Didyouseeanythingofthedearchildafteryouleftus？"askedMiriam，stillkeepingHildaashertopicofconversation。"Imissedhersadlyonmywayhomeward；fornothinginsuresmesuchdelightfulandinnocentdreamsIhaveexperiencedittwentytimesasatalklateintheeveningwithHilda。"
　　"SoIshouldimagine，"saidthesculptorgravely；"butitisanadvantagethatIhavelittleornoopportunityofenjoying。IknownotwhatbecameofHildaaftermypartingfromyou。Shewasnotespeciallymycompanioninanypartofourwalk。ThelastIsawofhershewashasteningbacktorejoinyouinthecourtyardofthePalazzoCaffarelli。"
　　"Impossible！"criedMiriam，starting。
　　"Thendidyounotseeheragain？"inquiredKenyon，insomealarm。
　　"Notthere，"answeredMiriamquietly；"indeed，Ifollowedprettycloselyontheheelsoftherestoftheparty。ButdonotbealarmedonHilda'saccount；theVirginisboundtowatchoverthegoodchild，forthesakeofthepietywithwhichshekeepsthelampalightathershrine。Andbesides，IhavealwaysfeltthatHildaisjustassafeintheseevilstreetsofRomeasherwhitedoveswhentheyflydownwardsfromthetowertop，andruntoandfroamongthehorses'feet。ThereiscertainlyaprovidenceonpurposeforHilda，iffornootherhumancreature。"
　　"Ireligiouslybelieveit，"rejoinedthesculptor；"andyetmymindwouldbetheeasier，ifIknewthatshehadreturnedsafelytohertower。"
　　"Thenmakeyourselfquiteeasy，"answeredMiriam。"IsawheranditisthelastsweetsightthatIrememberleaningfromherwindowmidwaybetweenearthandsky！"
　　KenyonnowlookedatDonatello。
　　"Youseemoutofspirits，mydearfriend，"heobserved。"ThislanguidRomanatmosphereisnottheairywinethatyouwereaccustomedtobreatheathome。IhavenotforgottenyourhospitableinvitationtomeetyouthissummeratyourcastleamongtheApennines。Itismyfixedpurposetocome，Iassureyou。Weshallbothbethebetterforsomedeepdraughtsofthemountainbreezes。"
　　"Itmayhe，"saidDonatello，withunwontedsombreness；"theoldhouseseemedjoyouswhenIwasachild。ButasIrememberitnowitwasagrimplace，too。"
　　Thesculptorlookedmoreattentivelyattheyoungman，andwassurprisedandalarmedtoobservehowentirelythefine，freshglowofanimalspiritshaddepartedoutofhisface。Hitherto，moreover，evenwhilehewasstandingperfectlystill，therehadbeenakindofpossiblegambolindicatedinhisaspect。Itwasquitegonenow。Allhisyouthfulgayety，andwithithissimplicityofmanner，waseclipsed，ifnotutterlyextinct。
　　"Youaresurelyill，mydearfellow，"exclaimedKenyon。
　　"AmI？Perhapsso，"saidDonatelloindifferently；"Ineverhavebeenill，andknownotwhatitmaybe。"
　　"Donotmakethepoorladfancy-sink，"whisperedMiriam，pullingthesculptor'ssleeve。"Heisofanaturetoliedownanddieatonce，ifhefindshimselfdrawingsuchmelancholybreathsasweordinarypeopleareenforcedtoburdenourlungswithal。Butwemustgethimawayfromthisold，dreamyanddrearyRome，wherenobodybuthimselfeverthoughtofbeinggay。Itsinfluencesaretooheavytosustainthelifeofsuchacreature。"
　　TheaboveconversationhadpassedchieflyonthestepsoftheCappuccini；
　　and，havingsaidsomuch，Miriamliftedtheleatherncurtainthathangsbeforeallchurch-doorsinitaly。
　　"
　　Hildahasforgottenherappointment，"sheobserved，"orelsehermaidenslumbersareverysoundthismorning。Wewillwaitforhernolonger。"
　　Theyenteredthenave。Theinteriorofthechurchwasofmoderatecompass，butofgoodarchitecture，withavaultedroofoverthenave，andarowofduskychapelsoneithersideofitinsteadofthecustomaryside-aisles。
　　Eachchapelhaditssaintlyshrine，hungroundwithofferings；itspictureabovethealtar，althoughcloselyveiled，ifbyanypainterofrenown；anditshallowedtapers，burningcontinually，tosetalightthedevotionoftheworshippers。Thepavementofthenavewaschieflyofmarble，andlookedoldandbroken，andwasshabbilypatchedhereandtherewithtilesofbrick；itwasinlaid，moreover，withtombstonesofthemediaevaltaste，onwhichwerequaintlysculpturedborders，figures，andportraitsinbas-relief，andLatinepitaphs，nowgrownillegiblebythetreadoffootstepsoverthem。ThechurchappertainstoaconventofCapuchinmonks；
　　and，asusuallyhappenswhenareverendbrotherhoodhavesuchanedificeincharge，thefloorseemednevertohavebeenscrubbedorswept，andhadaslittletheaspectofsanctityasakennel；whereas，inallchurchesofnunneries，themaidensisterhoodinvariablyshowthepurityoftheirownheartsbythevirgincleanlinessandvisibleconsecrationofthewallsandpavement。
　　Asourfriendsenteredthechurch，theireyesrestedatonceonaremarkableobjectinthecentreofthenave。Itwaseithertheactualbody，or，asmightratherhavebeensupposedatfirstglance，thecunninglywroughtwaxenfaceandsuitablydrapedfigureofadeadmonk。
　　Thisimageofwaxorclay-coldreality，whicheveritmightbe，layonaslightlyelevatedbier，withthreetallcandlesburningoneachside，anothertallcandleatthehead，andanotheratthefoot。Therewasmusic，too；inharmonywithsofunerealaspectacle。Frombeneaththepavementofthechurchcamethedeep，lugubriousstrainofaDeProfundis，whichsoundedlikeanutteranceofthetombitself；sodismallydiditrumblethroughtheburialvaults，andoozeupamongtheflatgravestonesandsadepitaphs，fillingthechurchaswithagloomymist。
　　"Imustlookmorecloselyatthatdeadmonkbeforeweleavethechurch，"
　　remarkedthesculptor。"Inthestudyofmyart，Ihavegainedmanyahintfromthedeadwhichthelivingcouldneverhavegivenme。"
　　"Icanwellimagineit，"answeredMiriam。"Oneclayimageisreadilycopiedfromanother。ButletusfirstseeGuido'spicture。Thelightisfavorablenow。"
　　Accordingly，theyturnedintothefirstchapelontherighthand，asyouenterthenave；andtheretheybeheld，——notthepicture，indeed，——butacloselydrawncurtain。ThechurchmenofItalymakenoscrupleofsacrificingtheverypurposeforwhichaworkofsacredarthasbeencreated；thatofopeningtheway；forreligioussentimentthroughthequickmediumofsight，bybringingangels，saints，andmartyrsdownvisiblyuponearth；ofsacrificingthishighpurpose，and，foraughttheyknow，thewelfareofmanysoulsalongwithit，tothehopeofapaltryfee。
　　Everyworkbyanartistofcelebrityishiddenbehindaveil，andseldomrevealed，excepttoProtestants，whoscornitasanobjectofdevotion，andvalueitonlyforitsartisticmerit。
　　Thesacristanwasquicklyfound，however，andlostnotimeindisclosingtheyouthfulArchangel，settinghisdivinefootontheheadofhisfallenadversary。Itwasanimageofthatgreatestoffutureevents，whichwehopeforsoardently，atleast，whileweareyoung，——butfindsoverylongincoming，thetriumphofgoodnessovertheevilprinciple。
　　"WherecanHildabe？"exclaimedKenyon。"Itisnothercustomevertofailinanengagement；andthepresentonewasmadeentirelyonheraccount。Exceptherself，youknow，wewereallagreedinourrecollectionofthepicture。"
　　"Butwewerewrong，andHildaright，asyouperceive，"saidMiriam，directinghisattentiontothepointonwhichtheirdisputeofthenightbeforehadarisen。"Itisnoteasytodetectherastrayasregardsanypictureonwhichthoseclear，softeyesofhershaveeverrested。"
　　"Andshehasstudiedandadmiredfewpicturessomuchasthis，"observedthesculptor。"Nowonder；forthereishardlyanothersobeautifulintheworld。WhatanexpressionofheavenlyseverityintheArchangel'sface！Thereisadegreeofpain，trouble，anddisgustatbeingbroughtincontactwithsin，evenforthepurposeofquellingandpunishingit；andyetacelestialtranquillitypervadeshiswholebeing。"
　　"Ihaveneverbeenable，"saidMiriam，"toadmirethispicturenearlysomuchasHildadoes，initsmoralandintellectualaspect。Ifitcosthermoretroubletobegood，ifhersoulwerelesswhiteandpure，shewouldbeamorecompetentcriticofthispicture，andwouldestimateitnothalfsohigh。Iseeitsdefectstodaymoreclearlythaneverbefore。"
　　"Whataresomeofthem？"askedKenyon。
　　"ThatArchangel，now，"Miriamcontinued；"howfairhelooks，withhisunruffledwings，withhisunhackedsword，andcladinhisbrightarmor，andthatexquisitelyfittingsky-bluetunic，cutinthelatestParadisiacalmode！Whatadaintyairofthefirstcelestialsociety！
　　Withwhathalf-scornfuldelicacyhesetshisprettilysandalledfootontheheadofhisprostratefoe！But，isitthusthatvirtuelooksthemomentafteritsdeathstrugglewithevil？No，no；IcouldhavetoldGuidobetter。AfullthirdoftheArchangel'sfeathersshouldhavebeentornfromhiswings；therestallruffled，tilltheylookedlikeSatan'sown！Hisswordshouldbestreamingwithblood，andperhapsbrokenhalfwaytothehilt；hisarmorcrushed，hisrobesrent，hisbreastgory；ableedinggashonhisbrow，cuttingrightacrossthesternscowlofbattle！
　　Heshouldpresshisfootharddownupontheoldserpent，asifhisverysouldependeduponit，feelinghimsquirmmightily，anddoubtingwhetherthefightwerehalfoveryet，andhowthevictorymightturn！And，withallthisfierceness，thisgrimness，thisunutterablehorror，thereshouldstillbesomethinghigh，tender，andholyinMichael'seyes，andaroundhismouth。Butthebattleneverwassuchachild'splayasGuido'sdapperArchangelseemstohavefoundit。"
　　"ForHeaven'ssake，Miriam，"criedKenyon，astonishedatthewildenergyofhertalk；"paintthepictureofman'sstruggleagainstsinaccordingtoyourownidea！Ithinkitwillbeamasterpiece。"
　　"Thepicturewouldhaveitsshareoftruth，Iassureyou，"sheanswered；
　　"butIamsadlyafraidthevictorywouldfailonthewrongside。Justfancyasmoke-blackened，fiery-eyeddemonbestridingthatniceyoungangel，clutchinghiswhitethroatwithoneofhishinderclaws；andgivingatriumphantwhiskofhisscalytail，withapoisonousdartattheendofit！
　　Thatiswhattheyrisk，poorsouls，whodobattlewithMichael'senemy。"
　　Itnow，perhaps，struckMiriamthathermentaldisquietudewasimpellinghertoanunduevivacity；forshepaused，andturnedawayfromthepicture，withoutsayingawordmoreaboutit。Allthiswhile，moreover，Donatellohadbeenveryillatease，castingawe-strickenandinquiringglancesatthedeadmonk；asifhecouldlooknowherebutatthatghastlyobject，merelybecauseitshockedhim。Deathhasprobablyapeculiarhorrorandugliness，whenforceduponthecontemplationofapersonsonaturallyjoyousasDonatello，wholivedwithcompletenessinthepresentmoment，andwasabletoformbutvagueimagesofthefuture。
　　"Whatisthematter，Donatello？"whisperedMiriamsoothingly。"Youarequiteinatremble，mypoorfriend！Whatisit？"
　　"Thisawfulchantfrombeneaththechurch，，"answeredDonatello；"itoppressesme；theairissoheavywithitthatIcanscarcelydrawmybreath。Andyonderdeadmonk！Ifeelasifhewerelyingrightacrossmyheart。"
　　"Takecourage！"whisperedsheagain"come，wewillapproachclosetothedeadmonk。Theonlyway，insuchcases，istostaretheuglyhorrorrightintheface；neverasidelongglance，norhalf-look，forthosearewhatshowafrightfillthinginitsfrightfullestaspect。Leanonme，dearestfriend！Myheartisverystrongforbothofus。Bebrave；andalliswell。"
　　Donatellohungbackforamoment，butthenpressedclosetoMiriam'sside，andsufferedhertoleadhimuptothebier。Thesculptorfollowed。A
　　numberofpersons，chieflywomen，withseveralchildrenamongthem，werestandingaboutthecorpse；andasourthreefriendsdrewnigh，amotherkneltdown，andcausedherlittleboytokneel，bothkissingthebeadsandcrucifixthathungfromthemonk'sgirdle。Possiblyhehaddiedintheodorofsanctity；or，atallevents，deathandhisbrownfrockandcowlmadeasacredimageofthisreverendfather。
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　THEDEADCAPUCHIN
　　Thedeadmonkwasclad，aswhenalive，inthebrownwoollenfrockoftheCapuchins，withthehooddrawnoverhishead，butsoastoleavethefeaturesandaportionofthebearduncovered。Hisrosaryandcrosshungathisside；hishandswerefoldedoverhisbreast；hisfeethewasofabarefootedorderinhislifetime，andcontinuedsoindeathprotrudedfrombeneathhishabit，stiffandstark，withamorewaxenlookthanevenhisface。Theyweretiedtogetherattheankleswithablackribbon。
　　Thecountenance，aswehavealreadysaid，wasfullydisplayed。Ithadapurplishhueuponit，unlikethepalenessofanordinarycorpse，butaslittleresemblingtheflushofnaturallife。Theeyelidswerebutpartiallydrawndown，andshowedtheeyeballsbeneath；asifthedeceasedfriarwerestealingaglimpseatthebystanders，towatchwhethertheyweredulyimpressedwiththesolemnityofhisobsequies。Theshaggyeyebrowsgavesternnesstothelook。Miriampassedbetweentwoofthelightedcandles，andstoodclosebesidethebier。
　　"MyGod！"murmuredshe。"Whatisthis？"
　　ShegraspedDonatello'shand，and，atthesameinstant，felthimgiveaconvulsiveshudder，whichsheknewtohavebeencausedbyasuddenandterriblethroboftheheart。Hishand，byaninstantaneouschange，becamelikeicewithinhers，whichlikewisegrewsoicythattheirinsensiblefingersmighthaverattled，oneagainsttheother。Nowonderthattheirbloodcurdled；nowonderthattheirheartsleapedandpaused！Thedeadfaceofthemonk，gazingatthembeneathitshalf-closedeyelids，wasthesamevisagethathadglaredupontheirnakedsouls，thepastmidnight，asDonatelloflunghimovertheprecipice。
　　Thesculptorwasstandingatthefootofthebier，andhadnotyetseenthemonk'sfeatures。
　　"Thosenakedfeet！"saidhe。"Iknownotwhy，buttheyaffectmestrangely。TheyhavewalkedtoandfrooverthehardpavementsofRome，andthroughahundredotherroughwaysofthislife，wherethemonkwentbeggingforhisbrotherhood；alongthecloistersanddrearycorridorsofhisconvent，too，fromhisyouthupward！Itisasuggestiveidea，totrackthosewornfeetbackwardthroughallthepathstheyhavetrodden，eversincetheywerethetenderandrosylittlefeetofababy，andcoldastheynowarewerekeptwarminhismother'shand。"
　　Ashiscompanions，whomthesculptorsupposedtobeclosebyhim，madenoresponsetohisfancifulmusing，helookedup，andsawthemattheheadofthebier。Headvancedthitherhimself。
　　"Ha！"exclaimedhe。
　　Hecastahorror-strickenandbewilderedglanceatMiriam，butwithdrewitimmediately。Notthathehadanydefinitesuspicion，or，itmaybe，evenaremoteidea，thatshecouldbeheldresponsibleintheleastdegreeforthisman'ssuddendeath。Intruth，itseemedtoowildathoughttoconnect，inreality，Miriam'spersecutorofmanypastmonthsandthevagabondoftheprecedingnight，withthedeadCapuchinofto-day。Itresembledoneofthoseunaccountablechangesandinterminglingsofidentity，whichsooftenoccuramongthepersonagesofadream。ButKenyon，asbefittedtheprofessorofanimaginativeart，wasendowedwithanexceedinglyquicksensibility，whichwasapttogivehimintimationsofthetruestateofmattersthatlaybeyondhisactualvision。Therewasawhisperinhisear；itsaid，"Hush！"Withoutaskinghimselfwherefore，heresolvedtobesilentasregardedthemysteriousdiscoverywhichhehadmade，andtoleaveanyremarkorexclamationtobevoluntarilyofferedbyMiriam。Ifsheneverspoke，thenlettheriddlebeunsolved。
　　Andnowoccurredacircumstancethatwouldseemtoofantastictobetold，ifithadnotactuallyhappened，preciselyaswesetitdown。Asthethreefriendsstoodbythebier，theysawthatalittlestreamofbloodhadbeguntooozefromthedeadmonk'snostrils；itcreptslowlytowardsthethicketofhisbeard，where，inthecourseofamomentortwo，ithiditself。
　　"Howstrange！"ejaculatedKenyon。"Themonkdiedofapoplexy，Isuppose，orbysomesuddenaccident，andthebloodhasnotyetcongealed。"
　　"Doyouconsiderthatasufficientexplanation？"askedMiriam，withasmilefromwhichthesculptorinvoluntarilyturnedawayhiseyes。"Doesitsatisfyyou？"
　　"Andwhynot？"heinquired。
　　"Ofcourse，youknowtheoldsuperstitionaboutthisphenomenonofbloodflowingfromadeadbody，"sherejoined。"Howcanwetellbutthatthemurdererofthismonkor，possibly，itmaybeonlythatprivilegedmurderer，hisphysicianmayhavejustenteredthechurch？"
　　"Icannotjestaboutit，"saidKenyon。"Itisanuglysight！"
　　"True，true；horribletosee，ordreamof！"shereplied，withoneofthoselong，tremuloussighs，whichsooftenbetrayasickheartbyescapingunexpectedly。"Wewillnotlookatitanymore。Comeaway，Donatello。
　　Letusescapefromthisdismalchurch。Thesunshinewilldoyougood。"
　　Whenhadeverawomansuchatrialtosustainasthis！BynopossiblesuppositioncouldMiriamexplaintheidentityofthedeadCapuchin，quietlyanddecorouslylaidoutinthenaveofhisconventchurch，withthatofhermurderedpersecutor，flungheedlesslyatthefootoftheprecipice。Theeffectuponherimaginationwasasifastrangeandunknowncorpsehadmiraculously，whileshewasgazingatit，assumedthelikenessofthatface，soterriblehenceforthinherremembrance。Itwasasymbol，perhaps，ofthedeadlyiterationwithwhichshewasdoomedtobeholdtheimageofhercrimereflectedbackuponherinathousandways，andconvertingthegreat，calmfaceofNature，inthewhole，andinitsinnumerabledetails，intoamanifoldreminiscenceofthatonedeadvisage。
　　NosoonerhadMiriamturnedawayfromthebier，andgoneafewsteps，thanshefanciedthelikenessaltogetheranillusion，whichwouldvanishatacloserandcolderview。Shemustlookatitagain，therefore，andatonce；
　　orelsethegravewouldcloseovertheface，andleavetheawfulfantasythathadconnecteditselftherewithfixedineffaceablyinherbrain。
　　"Waitforme，onemoment！"shesaidtohercompanions。"Onlyamoment！"
　　Soshewentback，andgazedoncemoreatthecorpse。Yes；thesewerethefeaturesthatMiriamhadknownsowell；thiswasthevisagethatsherememberedfromafarlongerdatethanthemostintimateofherfriendssuspected；thisformofclayhadheldtheevilspiritwhichblastedhersweetyouth，andcompelledher，asitwere，tostainherwomanhoodwithcrime。But，whetheritwerethemajestyofdeath，orsomethingoriginallynobleandloftyinthecharacterofthedead，whichthesoulhadstampeduponthefeatures，asitleftthem；soitwasthatMiriamnowquailedandshook，notforthevulgarhorrorofthespectacle，butforthesevere，reproachfulglancethatseemedtocomefrombetweenthosehalf-closedlids。
　　True，therehadbeennothing，inhislifetime，vilerthanthisman。
　　Sheknewit；therewasnootherfactwithinherconsciousnessthatshefelttobesocertain；andyet，becauseherpersecutorfoundhimselfsafeandirrefutableindeath，hefrowneduponhisvictim，andthrewbacktheblameonher！
　　"Isitthou，indeed？"shemurmured，underherbreath。"Thenthouhastnorighttoscowluponmeso！Butartthoureal，oravision？"Shebentdownoverthedeadmonk，tilloneofherrichcurlsbrushedagainsthisforehead。Shetouchedoneofhisfoldedhandswithherfinger。
　　"Itishe，"saidMiriam。"Thereisthescar，thatIknowsowell，onhisbrow。Anditisnovision；heispalpabletomytouch！Iwillquestionthefactnolonger，butdealwithitasIbestcan。"
　　ItwaswonderfultoseehowthecrisisdevelopedinMiriamitsownproperstrength，andthefacultyofsustainingthedemandswhichitmadeuponherfortitude。Sheceasedtotremble；thebeautifulwomangazedsternlyatherdeadenemy，endeavoringtomeetandquellthelookofaccusationthathethrewfrombetweenhishalf-closedeyelids。
　　"No；thoushaltnotscowlmedown！"saidshe。"Neithernow，norwhenwestandtogetheratthejudgment-seat。Ifearnottomeettheethere。
　　Farewell，tillthatnextencounter！"
　　Haughtilywavingherhand，Miriamrejoinedherfriends，whowereawaitingheratthedoorofthechurch。Astheywentout，thesacristanstoppedthem，andproposedtoshowthecemeteryoftheconvent，wherethedeceasedmembersofthefraternityarelaidtorestinsacredearth，broughtlongagofromJerusalem。
　　"Andwillyondermonkbeburiedthere？"sheasked。
　　"BrotherAntonio？"exclaimedthesacristan。
　　"Surely，ourgoodbrotherwillbeputtobedthere！Hisgraveisalreadydug，andthelastoccupanthasmaderoomforhim。Willyoulookatit，signorina？"
　　"Iwill！"saidMiriam。
　　"Thenexcuseme，"observedKenyon；"forIshallleaveyou。Onedeadmonkhasmorethansufficedme；andIamnotboldenoughtofacethewholemortalityoftheconvent。"
　　Itwaseasytosee，byDonatello'slooks，thathe，aswellasthesculptor，wouldgladlyhaveescapedavisittothefamouscemeteryoftheCappuccini。ButMiriam'snerveswerestrainedtosuchapitch，thatsheanticipatedacertainsolaceandabsolutereliefinpassingfromoneghastlyspectacletoanotheroflong-accumulatedugliness；andtherewas，besides，asingularsenseofdutywhichimpelledhertolookatthefinalresting-placeofthebeingwhosefatehadbeensodisastrouslyinvolvedwithherown。Shethereforefollowedthesacristan'sguidance，anddrewhercompanionalongwithher，whisperingencouragementastheywent。
　　Thecemeteryisbeneaththechurch，butentirelyaboveground，andlightedbyarowofiron-gratedwindowswithoutglass。Acorridorrunsalongbesidethesewindows，andgivesaccesstothreeorfourvaultedrecesses，orchapels，ofconsiderablebreadthandheight，thefloorofwhichconsistsoftheconsecratedearthofJerusalem。Itissmootheddecorouslyoverthedeceasedbrethrenoftheconvent，andiskeptquitefreefromgrassorweeds，suchaswouldgroweveninthesegloomyrecesses，ifpainswerenotbestowedtorootthemup。But，asthecemeteryissmall，anditisapreciousprivilegetosleepinholyground，thebrotherhoodareimmemoriallyaccustomed，whenoneoftheirnumberdies，totakethelongestburiedskeletonoutoftheoldestgrave，andlaythenewslumbererthereinstead。Thus，eachofthegoodfriars，inhisturn，enjoystheluxuryofaconsecratedbed，attendedwiththeslightdrawbackofbeingforcedtogetuplongbeforedaybreak，asitwere，andmakeroomforanotherlodger。
　　Thearrangementoftheunearthedskeletonsiswhatmakesthespecialinterestofthecemetery。Thearchedandvaultedwallsoftheburialrecessesaresupportedbymassivepillarsandpilastersmadeofthigh-bonesandskulls；thewholematerialofthestructureappearstobeofasimilarkind；andtheknobsandembossedornamentsofthisstrangearchitecturearerepresentedbythejointsofthespine，andthemoredelicatetracerybytheSmallerbonesofthehumanframe。Thesummitsofthearchesareadornedwithentireskeletons，lookingasiftheywerewroughtmostskilfullyinbas-relief。Thereisnopossibilityofdescribinghowuglyandgrotesqueistheeffect，combinedwithacertainartisticmerit，norhowmuchpervertedingenuityhasbeenshowninthisqueerway，norwhatamultitudeofdeadmonks，throughhowmanyhundredyears，musthavecontributedtheirbonyframeworktobuildup。thesegreatarchesofmortality。Onsomeoftheskullsthereareinscriptions，purportingthatsuchamonk，whoformerlymadeuseofthatparticularheadpiece，diedonsuchadayandyear；butvastlythegreaternumberarepiledupindistinguishablyintothearchitecturaldesign，likethemanydeathsthatmakeuptheonegloryofavictory。
　　Inthesidewallsofthevaultsarenicheswhereskeletonmonkssitorstand，cladinthebrownhabitsthattheyworeinlife，andlabelledwiththeirnamesandthedatesoftheirdecease。Theirskullssomequitebare，andothersstillcoveredwithyellowskin，andhairthathasknowntheearth-dampslookoutfrombeneaththeirhoods，grinninghideouslyrepulsive。Onereverendfatherhashismouthwideopen，asifhehaddiedinthemidstofahowlofterrorandremorse，whichperhapsisevennowscreechingthrougheternity。Asageneralthing，however，thesefrockedandhoodedskeletonsseemtotakeamorecheerfulviewoftheirposition，andtrywithghastlysmilestoturnitintoajest。ButthecemeteryoftheCapuchinsisnoplacetonourishcelestialhopes：thesoulsinksforlornandwretchedunderallthisburdenofdustydeath；theholyearthfromJerusalem，soimbuedisitwithmortality，hasgrownasbarrenoftheflowersofParadiseasitisofearthlyweedsandgrass。ThankHeavenforitsbluesky；itneedsalong，upwardgazetogiveusbackourfaith。Notherecanwefeelourselvesimmortal，wheretheveryaltarsinthesechapelsofhorribleconsecrationareheapsofhumanbones。
　　Yetletusgivethecemeterythepraisethatitdeserves。Thereisnodisagreeablescent，suchasmighthavebeenexpectedfromthedecayofsomanyholypersons，inwhateverodorofsanctitytheymayhavetakentheirdeparture。Thesamenumberoflivingmonkswouldnotsmellhalfsounexceptionably。
　　Miriamwentgloomilyalongthecorridor，fromonevaultedGolgothatoanother，untilinthefarthestrecessshebeheldanopengrave。
　　"Isthatforhimwholiesyonderinthenave？"sheasked。
　　"Yes，signorina，thisistobetheresting-placeofBrotherAntonio，whocametohisdeathlastnight，"answeredthesacristan；"andinyonderniche，yousee，sitsabrotherwhowasburiedthirtyyearsago，andhasrisentogivehimplace。"
　　"Itisnotasatisfactoryidea，"observedMiriam，"thatyoupoorfriarscannotcallevenyourgravespermanentlyyourown。Youmustliedowninthem，methinks，withanervousanticipationofbeingdisturbed，likewearymenwhoknowthattheyshallbesummonedoutofbedatmidnight。IsitnotpossibleifmoneyweretobepaidfortheprivilegetoleaveBrotherAntonio——ifthatbehisname——intheoccupancyofthatnarrowgravetillthelasttrumpetsounds？"
　　"Bynomeans，signorina；neitherisitneedfulordesirable，"answeredthesacristan。"Aquarterofacentury'ssleepinthesweetearthofJerusalemisbetterthanathousandyearsinanyothersoil。Ourbrethrenfindgoodrestthere。Noghostwaseverknowntostealoutofthisblessedcemetery。"
　　"Thatiswell，"respondedMiriam；"mayhewhomyounowlaytosleepprovenoexceptiontotherule！"
　　Astheyleftthecemeterysheputmoneyintothesacristan'shandtoanamountthatmadehiseyesopenwideandglisten，andrequestedthatitmightbeexpendedinmassesforthereposeofFatherAntonio'ssoul。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　THEMEDICIGARDENS
　　Donatello，"saidMiriamanxiously，astheycamethroughthePiazzaBarberini，"whatcanIdoforyou，mybelovedfriend？YouareshakingaswiththecoldfitoftheRomanfever。""Yes，"saidDonatello；"myheartshivers。"Assoonasshecouldcollectherthoughts，MiriamledtheyoungmantothegardensoftheVillaMedici，hopingthatthequietshadeandsunshineofthatdelightfulretreatwouldalittlerevivehisspirits。
　　Thegroundsaretherelaidoutintheoldfashionofstraightpaths，withbordersofbox，whichformhedgesofgreatheightanddensity，andareshornandtrimmedtotheevennessofawallofstone，atthetopandsides。
　　Therearegreenalleys，withlongvistasovershadowedbyilex-trees；andateachintersectionofthepaths，thevisitorfindsseatsoflichen-coveredstonetoreposeupon，andmarblestatuesthatlookforlornlyathim，regretfuloftheirlostnoses。Inthemoreopenportionsofthegarden，beforethesculpturedfrontofthevilla，youseefountainsandflower-beds，andintheirseasonaprofusionofroses，fromwhichthegenialsunofItalydistilsafragrance，tobescatteredabroadbythenolessgenialbreeze。
　　ButDonatellodrewnodelightfromthesethings。Hewalkedonwardinsilentapathy，andlookedatMiriamwithstrangelyhalf-awakenedandbewilderedeyes，whenshesoughttobringhismindintosympathywithhers，andsorelievehisheartoftheburdenthatlaylumpishlyuponit。
　　Shemadehimsitdownonastonebench，wheretwoemboweredalleyscrossedeachother；sothattheycoulddiscerntheapproachofanycasualintruderalongwaydownthepath。
　　"Mysweetfriend，"shesaid，takingoneofhispassivehandsinbothofhers，"whatcanIsaytocomfortyou？"
　　"Nothing！"repliedDonatello，withsombrereserve。"Nothingwillevercomfortme。"
　　"Iacceptmyownmisery，"continuedMiriam，"myownguilt，ifguiltitbe；
　　and，whetherguiltormisery，Ishallknowhowtodealwithit。Butyou，dearestfriend，thatweretherarestcreatureinallthisworld，andseemedabeingtowhomsorrowcouldnotcling，——you，whomIhalffanciedtobelongtoaracethathadvanishedforever，youonlysurviving，toshowmankindhowgenialandhowjoyouslifeusedtobe，insomelong-goneage，——whathadyoutodowithgrieforcrime？"
　　"Theycametomeastoothermen，"saidDonatellobroodingly。"DoubtlessIwasborntothem。"
　　"No，no；theycamewithme，"repliedMiriam。"Mineistheresponsibility！
　　Alas！whereforewasIborn？Whydidweevermeet？WhydidInotdriveyoufromme，knowingformyheartforebodedit——thatthecloudinwhichI
　　walkedwouldlikewiseenvelopyou！"
　　Donatellostirreduneasily，withtheirritableimpatiencethatisoftencombinedWithamoodofleadendespondency。Abrownlizardwithtwotails——amonsteroftenengenderedbytheRomansunshine——ranacrosshisfoot，andmadehimstart。Thenhesatsilentawhile，andsodidMiriam，tryingtodissolveherwholeheartintosympathy，andlavishitalluponhim，wereitonlyforamoment'scordial。
　　Theyoungmanliftedhishandtohisbreast，and，unintentionally，asMiriam'shandwaswithinhis，heliftedthatalongwithit。"Ihaveagreatweighthere！"saidhe。ThefancystruckMiriambutshedroveitresolutelydownthatDonatelloalmostimperceptiblyshuddered，while，inpressinghisownhandagainsthisheart，hepressedherstheretoo。
　　"Restyourheartonme，dearestone！"sheresumed。"Letmebearallitsweight；Iamwellabletobearit；forIamawoman，andIloveyou！I
　　loveyou，Donatello！Istherenocomfortforyouinthisavowal？Lookatme！Heretoforeyouhavefoundmepleasanttoyoursight。Gazeintomyeyes！Gazeintomysoul！Searchasdeeplyasyoumay，youcanneverseehalfthetendernessanddevotionthatIhenceforthcherishforyou。AllthatIaskisyouracceptanceoftheutterself-sacrificebutitshallbenosacrifice，tomygreatlovewithwhichIseektoremedytheevilyouhaveincurredformysake！"
　　AllthisfervoronMiriam'spart；onDonatello's，aheavysilence。
　　"O，speaktome！"sheexclaimed。"Onlypromisemetobe，byandby，alittlehappy！"
　　"Happy？"murmuredDonatello。"Ah，neveragain！neveragain！"
　　"Never？Ah，thatisaterriblewordtosaytome！"answeredMiriam。"A
　　terriblewordtoletfalluponawoman'sheart，whenshelovesyou，andisconsciousofhavingcausedyourmisery！Ifyouloveme，Donatello，speakitnotagain。Andsurelyyoudidloveme？"
　　"Idid，"repliedDonatellogloomilyandabsently。
　　Miriamreleasedtheyoungman'shand，butsufferedoneofherowntolieclosetohis，andwaitedamomenttoseewhetherhewouldmakeanyefforttoretainit。Therewasmuchdependinguponthatsimpleexperiment。
　　Withadeepsigh——aswhen，sometimes，aslumbererturnsoverinatroubleddreamDonatellochangedhisposition，andclaspedbothhishandsoverhisforehead。ThegenialwarmthofaRomanAprilkindlingintoMaywasintheatmospherearoundthem；butwhenMiriamsawthatinvoluntarymovementandheardthatsighofreliefforsosheinterpretedit，ashiverranthroughherframe，asiftheiciestwindoftheApennineswereblowingoverher。
　　"HehasdonehimselfagreaterwrongthanIdreamedof，"thoughtshe，withunutterablecompassion。"Alas！itwasasadmistake！Hemighthavehadakindofblissintheconsequencesofthisdeed，hadhebeenimpelledtoitbyalovevitalenoughtosurvivethefrenzyofthatterriblemoment，mightyenoughtomakeitsownlaw，andjustifyitselfagainstthenaturalremorse。Buttohaveperpetratedadreadfulmurderandsuchwashiscrime，unlesslove，annihilatingmoraldistinctions，madeitotherwiseonnobetterwarrantthanaboy'sidlefantasy！Ipityhimfromtheverydepthsofmysoul！Asformyself，Iampastmyownorother'spity。"
　　Shearosefromtheyoungman'sside，andstoodbeforehimwithasad，commiseratingaspect；itwasthelookofaruinedsoul，bewailing，inhim，agrieflessthanwhatherprofoundersympathiesimposeduponherself。
　　"Donatello，wemustpart，"shesaid，withmelancholyfirmness。"Yes；
　　leaveme！Gobacktoyouroldtower，whichoverlooksthegreenvalleyyouhavetoldmeofamongtheApennines。Then，allthathaspassedwillberecognizedasbutanuglydream。Forindreamstheconsciencesleeps，andweoftenstainourselveswithguiltofwhichweshouldbeincapableinourwakingmoments。Thedeedyouseemedtodo，lastnight，wasnomorethansuchadream；therewasaslittlesubstanceinwhatyoufanciedyourselfdoing。Go；andforgetitall！"
　　"Ah，thatterribleface！"saidDonatello，pressinghishandsoverhiseyes。"Doyoucallthatunreal？"
　　"Yes；foryoubehelditwithdreamingeyes，"repliedMiriam。"Itwasunreal；and，thatyoumayfeelitso，itisrequisitethatyouseethisfaceofminenomore。Once，youmayhavethoughtitbeautiful；now，ithaslostitscharm。Yetitwouldstillretainamiserablepotency'tobringbackthepastillusion，and，initstrain，theremorseandanguishthatwoulddarkenallyourlife。Leaveme，therefore，andforgetme。"
　　"Forgetyou，Miriam！"saidDonatello，rousedsomewhatfromhisapathyofdespair。
　　"IfIcouldrememberyou，andbeholdyou，apartfromthatfrightfulvisagewhichstaresatmeoveryourshoulder，thatwereaconsolation，atleast，ifnotajoy。"
　　"Butsincethatvisagehauntsyoualongwithmine，"rejoinedMiriam，glancingbehindher，"weneedsmustpart。Farewell，then！Butifever——indistress，peril，shame，poverty，orwhateveranguishismostpoignant，whateverburdenheaviest——youshouldrequirealifetobegivenwholly，onlytomakeyourownalittleeasier，thensummonme！Asthecasenowstandsbetweenus，youhaveboughtmedear，andfindmeoflittleworth。Flingmeaway，therefore！Mayyouneverneedmemore！But，ifotherwise，awish——almostanunutteredwishwillbringmetoyou！"
　　Shestoodamoment，expectingareply。ButDonatello'seyeshadagainfallenontheground，andhehadnot，inhisbewilderedmindandoverburdenedheart，awordtorespond。
　　"ThathourIspeakofmaynevercome，"saidMiriam。"Sofarewell——farewellforever。"
　　"Farewell，"saidDonatello。
　　Hisvoicehardlymadeitswaythroughtheenvironmentofunaccustomedthoughtsandemotionswhichhadsettledoverhimlikeadenseanddarkcloud。Notimprobably，hebeheldMiriamthroughsodimamediumthatshelookedvisionary；heardherspeakonlyinathin，faintecho。
　　Sheturnedfromtheyoungman，and，muchasherheartyearnedtowardshim，shewouldnotprofanethatheavypartingbyanembrace，orevenapressureofthehand。Sosoonafterthesemblanceofsuchmightylove，andafterithadbeentheimpulsetosoterribleadeed，theyparted，inalloutwardshow，ascoldlyaspeoplepartwhosewholemutualintercoursehasbeenencircledwithinasinglehour。
　　AndDonatello，whenMiriamhaddeparted，stretchedhimselfatfulllengthonthestonebench，anddrewhishatoverhiseyes，astheidleandlight-heartedyouthsofdreamyItalyareaccustomedtodo，whentheyliedowninthefirstconvenientshade，andsnatchanoondayslumber。A
　　stuporwasuponhim，whichhemistookforsuchdrowsinessashehadknowninhisinnocentpastlife。But，byandby，heraisedhimselfslowlyandleftthegarden。SometimespoorDonatellostarted，asifheheardashriek；sometimesheshrankback，asifaface，fearfultobehold，werethrustclosetohisown。Inthisdismalmood，bewilderedwiththenoveltyofsinandgrief，hehadlittleleftofthatsingularresemblance，onaccountofwhich，andfortheirsport，histhreefriendshadfantasticallyrecognizedhimastheveritableFaunofPraxiteles。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　MIRIAMANDHILDA
　　OnleavingtheMediciGardensMiriamfeltherselfastrayintheworld；andhavingnospecialreasontoseekoneplacemorethananother，shesufferedchancetodirectherstepsasitwould。Thusithappened，that，involvingherselfinthecrookednessofRome，shesawHilda'stowerrisingbeforeher，andwasputinmindtoclimbtotheyounggirl'seyry，andaskwhyshehadbrokenherengagementatthechurchoftheCapuchins。Peopleoftendotheidlestactsoftheirlifetimeintheirheaviestandmostanxiousmoments；sothatitwouldhavebeennowonderhadMiriambeenimpelledonlybysoslightamotiveofcuriosityaswehaveindicated。
　　Butsheremembered，too，andwithaquakingheart，whatthesculptorhadmentionedofHilda'sretracingherstepstowardsthecourtyardofthePalazzoCaffarelliinquestofMiriamherself。Hadshebeencompelledtochoosebetweeninfamyintheeyesofthewholeworld，orinHilda'seyesalone，shewouldunhesitatinglyhaveacceptedtheformer，onconditionofremainingspotlessintheestimationofherwhite-souledfriend。Thispossibility，therefore，thatHildahadwitnessedthesceneofthepastnight，wasunquestionablythecausethatdrewMiriamtothetower，andmadeherlingerandfalterassheapproachedit。
　　Asshedrewnear，thereweretokenstowhichherdisturbedmindgaveasinisterinterpretation。Someofherfriend'sairyfamily，thedoves，withtheirheadsimbeddeddisconsolatelyintheirbosoms，werehuddledinacornerofthepiazza；othershadalightedontheheads，wings，shoulders，andtrumpetsofthemarbleangelswhichadornedthefacadeoftheneighboringchurch；twoorthreehadbetakenthemselvestotheVirgin'sshrine；andasmanyascouldfindroomweresittingonHilda'swindow-sill。
　　Butallofthem，soMiriamfancied，hadalookofwearyexpectationanddisappointment，noflights，noflutterings，nocooingmurmur；somethingthatoughttohavemadetheirdaygladandbrightwasevidentlyleftoutofthisday'shistory。And，furthermore，Hilda'swhitewindowcurtainwascloselydrawn，withonlythatonelittleapertureattheside，whichMiriamrememberednoticingthenightbefore。
　　"Bequiet，"saidMiriamtoherownheart，pressingherhandharduponit。
　　"Whyshouldstthouthrobnow？Hastthounotenduredmoreterriblethingsthanthis？"
　　Whateverwereherapprehensions，shewouldnotturnback。Itmightbe——andthesolacewouldbeworthaworld——thatHilda，knowingnothingofthepastnight'scalamity，wouldgreetherfriendwithasunnysmile，andsorestoreaportionofthevitalwarmth，forlackofwhichhersoulwasfrozen。ButcouldMiriam，guiltyasshewas，permitHildatokisshercheek，toclaspherhand，andthusbenolongersounspottedfromtheworldasheretofore"Iwillneverpermithersweettouchagain，"saidMiriam，toilingupthestaircase，"ifIcanfindstrengthofhearttoforbidit。But，O！itwouldbesosoothinginthiswintryfever-fitofmyheart。TherecanbenoharmtomywhiteHildainonepartingkiss。Thatshallbeall！"
　　But，onreachingtheupperlanding-place，Miriampaused，andstirrednotagaintillshehadbroughtherselftoanimmovableresolve。
　　"Mylips，myhand，shallnevermeetHilda'smore，"saidshe。
　　Meanwhile，Hildasatlistlesslyinherpainting-room。Hadyoulookedintothelittleadjoiningchamber，youmighthaveseentheslightimprintofherfigureonthebed，butwouldalsohavedetectedatoncethatthewhitecounterpanehadnotbeenturneddown。Thepillowwasmoredisturbed；shehadturnedherfaceuponit，thepoorchild，andbedeweditwithsomeofthosetearsamongthemostchillandforlornthatgushfromhumansorrow
　　whichtheinnocentheartpoursforthatitsfirstactualdiscoverythatsinisintheworld。Theyoungandpurearenotapttofindoutthatmiserabletruthuntilitisbroughthometothembytheguiltinessofsometrustedfriend。Theymayhaveheardmuchoftheeviloftheworld，andseemtoknowit，butonlyasanimpalpabletheory。Induetime，somemortal，whomtheyreverencetoohighly，iscommissionedbyProvidencetoteachthemthisdirefullesson；heperpetratesasin；andAdamfallsanew，andParadise，heretoforeinunfadedbloom，islostagain，anddosedforever，withthefieryswordsgleamingatitsgates。
　　ThechairinwhichHildasatwasneartheportraitofBeatriceCenci，whichhadnotyetbeentakenfromtheeasel。Itisapeculiarityofthispicture，thatitsprofoundestexpressioneludesastraightforwardglance，andcanonlybecaughtbysideglimpses，orwhentheeyefallscasuallyuponit；evenasifthepaintedfacehadalifeandconsciousnessofitsown，and，resolvingnottobetrayitssecretofgrieforguilt，permittedthetruetokenstocomeforthonlywhenitimagineditselfunseen。Noothersuchmagicaleffecthaseverbeenwroughtbypencil。
　　Now，oppositetheeaselhungalooking-glass，inwhichBeatrice'sfaceandHilda'swerebothreflected。Inoneofherweary，nervelesschangesofposition，Hildahappenedtothrowhereyesontheglass，andtookinboththeseimagesatoneunpremeditatedglance。Shefancied——norwasitwithouthorror——thatBeatrice'sexpression，seenasideandvanishinginamoment，hadbeendepictedinherownfacelikewise，andflittedfromitastimorously。
　　"AmI，too，stainedwithguilt？"thoughtthepoorgirl，hidingherfaceinherhands。
　　Notso，thankHeaven！But，asregardsBeatrice'spicture，theincidentsuggestsatheorywhichmayaccountforitsunutterablegriefandmysteriousshadowofguilt，withoutdetractingfromthepuritywhichwelovetoattributetothatill-fatedgirl。Who，indeed，canlookatthatmouth，——withitslipshalfapart，asinnocentasababe'sthathasbeencrying，andnotpronounceBeatricesinless？Itwastheintimateconsciousnessofherfather'ssinthatthrewitsshadowoverher，andfrightenedherintoaremoteandinaccessibleregion，wherenosympathycouldcome。ItwastheknowledgeofMiriam'sguiltthatlentthesameexpressiontoHilda'sface。
　　ButHildanervouslymovedherchair，sothattheimagesintheglassshouldbenolongerVisible。Shenowwatchedaspeckofsunshinethatcamethroughashutteredwindow，andcreptfromobjecttoobject，indicatingeachwithatouchofitsbrightfinger，andthenlettingthemallvanishsuccessively。Inlikemannerhermind，solikesunlightinitsnaturalcheerfulness，wentfromthoughttothought，butfoundnothingthatitcoulddwelluponforcomfort。Neverbeforehadthisyoung，energetic，activespiritknownwhatitistobedespondent。Itwastheunrealityoftheworldthatmadeherso。Herdearestfriend，whoseheartseemedthemostsolidandrichestofHilda'spossessions，hadnoexistenceforheranymore；andinthatdrearyvoid，outofwhichMiriamhaddisappeared，thesubstance，thetruth，theintegrityoflife，themotivesofeffort，thejoyofsuccess，haddepartedalongwithher。