"Thatsoundslikeabittergibe，"saidHilda，withthetearsspringingintohereyes。"ButIcannothelpit。Itdoesnotaltermyperceptionofthetruth。Iftherebeanysuchdreadfulmixtureofgoodandevilasyouaffirm，——andwhichappearstomealmostmoreshockingthanpureevil，——thenthegoodisturnedtopoison，nottheeviltowholesomeness。"
　　Thesculptorseemeddisposedtosaysomethingmore，butyieldedtothegentlesteadfastnesswithwhichHildadeclinedtolisten。Shegrewverysad；forareferencetothisonedismaltopichadset，asitwere，aprisondoorajar，andallowedathrongoftorturingrecollectionstoescapefromtheirdungeonsintothepureairandwhiteradianceofhersoul。ShebadeKenyonabrieferfarewellthanordinary，andwenthomewardtohertower。
　　Inspiteofhereffortstowithdrawthemtoothersubjects，herthoughtsdweltuponMiriam；and，ashadnotheretoforehappened，theybroughtwiththemapainfuldoubtwhetherawronghadnotbeencommittedonHilda'spart，towardsthefriendoncesobeloved。
　　SomethingthatMiriamhadsaid，intheirfinalconversation，recurredtohermemory，andseemednowtodeservemoreweightthanHildahadassignedtoit，inherhorroratthecrimejustperpetrated。Itwasnotthatthedeedlookedlesswickedandterribleintheretrospect；
　　butsheaskedherselfwhethertherewerenototherquestionstobeconsidered，asidefromthatsingleoneofMiriam'sguiltorinnocence；
　　as，forexample，whetheraclosebondoffriendship，inwhichweoncevoluntarilyengage，oughttobeseveredonaccountofanyunworthiness，whichwesubsequentlydetectinourfriend。For，intheseunionsofhearts，——callthemmarriage，orwhateverelse，——wetakeeachotherforbetterforworse。Availingourselvesofourfriend'sintimateaffection，wepledgeourown，astoberelieduponineveryemergency。
　　Andwhatsadder，moredesperateemergencycouldtherebe，thanhadbefallenMiriam？Whomoreneedthetendersuccoroftheinnocent，thanwretchesstainedwithguilt！Andmustaselfishcareforthespotlessnessofourowngarmentskeepusfrompressingtheguiltyonesclosetoourhearts，wherein，fortheveryreasonthatweareinnocent，liestheirsecurestrefugefromfurtherill？
　　ItwasasadthingforHildatofindthismoralenigmapropoundedtoherconscience；andtofeelthat，whicheverwayshemightsettleit，therewouldbeacryofwrongontheotherside。Still，theideastubbornlycameback，thatthetiebetweenMiriamandherselfhadbeenreal，theaffectiontrue，andthatthereforetheimpliedcompactwasnottobeshakenoff。
　　"Miriamlovedmewell，"thoughtHildaremorsefully，"andIfailedherathersorestneed。"
　　Miriamlovedherwell；andnotlessardenthadbeentheaffectionwhichMiriam'swarm，tender，andgenerouscharacteristicshadexcitedinHilda'smorereservedandquietnature。Ithadneverbeenextinguished；for，inpart，thewretchednesswhichHildahadsinceenduredwasbutthestruggleandwrithingofhersensibility，stillyearningtowardsherfriend。Andnow，attheearliestencouragement，itawokeagain，andcriedoutpiteously，complainingoftheviolencethathadbeendoneit。
　　Recurringtothedelinquenciesofwhichshefanciedwesay"fancied，"
　　becausewedonotunhesitatinglyadoptHilda'spresentview，butrathersupposehermisledbyherfeelings——ofwhichshefanciedherselfguiltytowardsherfriend，shesuddenlyrememberedasealedpacketthatMiriamhadconfidedtoher。Ithadbeenputintoherhandswithearnestinjunctionsofsecrecyandcare，andifunclaimedafteracertainperiod，wastobedeliveredaccordingtoitsaddress。
　　Hildahadforgottenit；or，rather，shehadkeptthethoughtofthiscommissioninthebackgroundofherconsciousness，withallotherthoughtsreferringtoMiriam。
　　Butnowtherecollectionofthispacket，andtheevidentstresswhichMiriamlaiduponitsdeliveryatthespecifiedtime，impelledHildatohurryupthestaircaseofhertower，dreadinglesttheperiodshouldalreadyhaveelapsed。
　　No；thehourhadnotgoneby，butwasontheverypointofpassing。
　　Hildareadthebriefnoteofinstruction，onacorneroftheenvelope，anddiscovered，that，incaseofMiriam'sabsencefromRome，thepacketwastobetakentoitsdestinationthatveryday。
　　"HownearlyIhadviolatedmypromise！"saidHilda。"And，sinceweareseparatedforever，ithasthesacrednessofaninjunctionfromadeadfriend。Thereisnotimetobelost。"
　　SoHildasetforthinthedeclineoftheafternoon，andpursuedherwaytowardsthequarterofthecityinwhichstandsthePalazzoCenci。
　　Herhabitofself-reliancewassosimplystrong，sonatural，andnowsowellestablishedbylonguse，thattheideaofperilseldomorneveroccurredtoHilda，inherlonelylife。
　　Shediffered，inthisparticular，fromthegeneralityofhersex，——althoughthecustomsandcharacterofhernativelandoftenproducewomenwhomeettheworldwithgentlefearlessness，anddiscoverthatitsterrorshavebeenabsurdlyexaggeratedbythetraditionofmankind。
　　Inninety-ninecasesoutofahundred，theapprehensivenessofwomenisquitegratuitous。Evenasmattersnowstand，theyarereallysaferinperiloussituationsandemergenciesthanmen；andmightbestillmoreso，iftheytrustedthemselvesmoreconfidinglytothechivalryofmanhood。InallherwanderingsaboutRome，HildahadgoneandreturnedassecurelyasshehadbeenaccustomedtotreadthefamiliarstreetofherNewEnglandvillage，whereeveryfaceworealookofrecognition。Withrespecttowhateverwasevil，foul，andugly，inthispopulousandcorruptcity，shetrodasifinvisible，andnotonlyso，butblind。Shewasaltogetherunconsciousofanythingwickedthatwentalongthesamepathway，butwithoutjostlingorimpedingher，anymorethangrosssubstancehindersthewanderingsofaspirit。Thusitis，that，badastheworldissaidtohavegrown，innocencecontinuestomakeaparadisearounditself，andkeepitstillunfallen。
　　Hilda'spresentexpeditionledherintowhatwas——physically，atleast——thefoulestandugliestpartofRome。InthatvicinityliestheGhetto，wherethousandsofJewsarecrowdedwithinanarrowcompass，andleadaclose，unclean，andmultitudinouslife，resemblingthatofmaggotswhentheyover-populateadecayingcheese。
　　Hildapassedonthebordersofthisregion，buthadnooccasiontostepwithinit。Itsneighborhood，however，naturallypartookofcharacteristics'likeitsown。Therewasaconfusionofblackandhideoushouses，piledmassivelyoutoftheruinsofformerages；rudeanddestituteofplan，asapauperwouldbuildhishovel，andyetdisplayinghereandthereanarchedgateway，acornice，apillar，orabrokenarcade，thatmighthaveadornedapalace。Manyofthehouses，indeed，astheystood，mightoncehavebeenpalaces，andpossessedstillasqualidkindofgrandeur。Dirtwaseverywhere，strewingthenarrowstreets，andincrustingthetallshabbinessoftheedifices，fromthefoundationstotheroofs；itlayuponthethresholds，andlookedoutofthewindows，andassumedtheguiseofhumanlifeinthechildrenthatSeemedtobeengenderedoutofit。Theirfatherwasthesun，andtheirmother——aheapofRomanmud。
　　Itisaquestionofspeculativeinterest，whethertheancientRomanswereasuncleanapeopleasweeverywherefindthosewhohavesucceededthem。Thereappearstobeakindofmalignantspellinthespotsthathavebeeninhabitedbythesemastersoftheworld，ormadefamousintheirhistory；aninheritedandinalienablecurse，impellingtheirsuccessorstoflingdirtanddefilementuponwhatevertemple，column，minedpalace，ortriumphalarchmaybenearestathand，andoneverymonumentthattheoldRomansbuilt。Itismostprobablyaclassictrait，regularlytransmitteddownward，andperhapsalittlemodifiedbythebettercivilizationofChristianity；sothatCaesarmayhavetrodnarrowerandfilthierwaysinhispathtotheCapitol，thaneventhoseofmodernRome。
　　AsthepaternalabodeofBeatrice，thegloomyoldpalaceoftheCencishadaninterestforHilda，althoughnotsufficientlystrong，hitherto，toovercomethedishearteningeffectoftheexterior，anddrawheroveritsthreshold。Theadjacentpiazza，ofpooraspect，containedonlyanoldwomansellingroastedchestnutsandbakedsquash-seeds；
　　shelookedsharplyatHilda，andinquiredwhethershehadlostherway。
　　"No，"saidHilda；"IseekthePalazzoCenci。"
　　"Yonderitis，fairsignorina，"repliedtheRomanmatron。"Ifyouwishthatpacketdelivered，whichIseeinyourhand，mygrandsonPietroshallrunwithitforabaiocco。TheCencipalaceisaspotofillomenforyoungmaidens。"
　　Hildathankedtheolddame，butallegedthenecessityofdoinghererrandinperson。Sheapproachedthefrontofthepalace，which，withallitsimmensity，hadbutameanappearance，andseemedanabodewhichthelovelyshadeofBeatricewouldnotbeapttohaunt，unlessherdoommadeitinevitable。Somesoldiersstoodabouttheportal，andgazedatthebrown-haired，fair-cheekedAnglo-Saxongirl，withapprovingglances，butnotindecorously。Hildabegantoascendthestaircase，threeloftyflightsofwhichweretobesurmounted，beforereachingthedoorwhithershewasbound。
　　CHAPTERXLIII
　　THEEXTINCTIONOFALAMP
　　BetweenHildaandthesculptortherehadbeenakindofhalf-expressedunderstanding，thatbothweretovisitthegalleriesoftheVaticanthedaysubsequenttotheirmeetingatthestudio。Kenyon，accordingly，failednottobethere，andwanderedthroughthevastrangesofapartments，butsawnothingofhisexpectedfriend。Themarblefaces，whichstandinnumerablealongthewalls，andhavekeptthemselvessocalmthroughthevicissitudesoftwentycenturies，hadnosympathyforhisdisappointment；andhe，ontheotherhand，strodepastthesetreasuresandmarvelsofantiqueart，withtheindifferencewhichanypreoccupationofthefeelingsisapttoproduce，inreferencetoobjectsofsculpture。Beingofsocoldandpureasubstance，andmostlyderivingtheirvitalitymorefromthoughtthanpassion，theyrequiretobeseenthroughaperfectlytransparentmedium。
　　And，moreover，KenyonhadcountedsomuchuponHilda'sdelicateperceptionsinenablinghimtolookattwoorthreeofthestatues，aboutwhichtheyhadtalkedtogether，thattheentirepurposeofhisvisitwasdefeatedbyherabsence。Itisadelicioussortofmutualaid，whentheunitedpoweroftwosympathetic，yetdissimilar，intelligencesisbroughttobearuponapoembyreadingitaloud，oruponapictureorstatuebyviewingitineachother'scompany。Evenifnotawordofcriticismbeuttered，theinsightofeitherpartyiswonderfullydeepened，andthecomprehensionbroadened；sothattheinnermysteryofaworkofgenius，hiddenfromone，willoftenrevealitselftotwo。Missingsuchhelp，KenyonsawnothingattheVaticanwhichhehadnotseenathousandtimesbefore，andmoreperfectlythannow。
　　Inthechiliofhisdisappointment，hesuspectedthatitwasaverycoldarttowhichhehaddevotedhimself。Hequestioned，atthatmoment，whethersculpturereallyeversoftensandwarmsthematerialwhichithandles；whethercarvedmarbleisanythingbutlimestone，afterall；andwhethertheApolloBelvedereitselfpossessesanymeritaboveitsphysicalbeauty，orisbeyondcriticismeveninthatgenerallyacknowledgedexcellence。Inflittingglances，heretofore，hehadseemedtobeholdthisstatue，assomethingetherealandgodlike，butnotnow。
　　Nothingpleasedhim，unlessitwerethegroupoftheLaocoon，which，initsimmortalagony，impressedKenyonasatypeofthelong，fiercestruggleofman，involvedintheknottedentanglementsofErrorandEvil，thosetwosnakes，which，ifnodivinehelpintervene，willbesuretostranglehimandhischildrenintheend。Whathemostadmiredwasthestrangecalmnessdiffusedthroughthisbitterstrife；
　　sothatitresembledtherageoftheseamadecalmbyitsimmensity，'
　　orthetumultofNiagarawhichceasestobetumultbecauseitlastsforever。Thus，intheLaocoon，thehorrorofamomentgrewtobethefateofinterminableages。Kenyonlookeduponthegroupastheonetriumphofsculpture，creatingtherepose，whichisessentialtoit，intheveryacmeofturbulenteffort；but，intruth，itwashismoodofunwonteddespondencythatmadehimsosensitivetotheterriblemagnificence，aswellastothesadmoral，ofthiswork。Hildaherselfcouldnothavehelpedhimtoseeitwithnearlysuchintelligence。
　　Agooddealmoredepressedthanthenatureofthedisappointmentwarranted，Kenyonwenttohisstudio，andtookinhandagreatlumpofclay。Hesoonfound，however，thathisplasticcunninghaddepartedfromhimforthetime。SohewanderedforthagainintotheuneasystreetsofRome，andwalkedupanddowntheCorso，where，atthatperiodoftheday，athrongofpassers-byandloitererschokedupthenarrowsidewalk。Apenitentwasthusbroughtincontactwiththesculptor。
　　Itwasafigureinawhiterobe，withakindoffeaturelessmaskovertheface，throughtheaperturesofwhichtheeyesthrewanunintelligiblelight。Suchodd，questionableshapesareoftenseenglidingthroughthestreetsofItaliancities，andareunderstoodtobeusuallypersonsofrank，whoquittheirpalaces，theirgayeties，theirpompandpride，andassumethepenitentialgarbforaseason，withaviewofthusexpiatingsomecrime，oratoningfortheaggregateofpettysinsthatmakeupaworldlylife。Itistheircustomtoaskalms，andperhapstomeasurethedurationoftheirpenancebythetimerequisitetoaccumulateasumofmoneyoutofthelittledroppingsofindividualcharity。Theavailsaredevotedtosomebeneficentorreligiouspurpose；sothatthebenefitaccruingtotheirownsoulsis，inamanner，linkedwithagooddone，orintended，totheirfellow-men。
　　Thesefigureshaveaghastlyandstartlingeffect，notsomuchfromanyveryimpressivepeculiarityinthegarb，asfromthemysterywhichtheybearaboutwiththem，andthesensethatthereisanacknowledgedsinfulnessasthenucleusofit。
　　Inthepresentinstance，however，thepenitentaskednoalmsofKenyon；
　　although，forthespaceofaminuteortwo，theystoodfacetoface，theholloweyesofthemaskencounteringthesculptor'sgaze。But，justasthecrowdwasabouttoseparatethem，theformerspoke，inavoicenotunfamiliartoKenyon，thoughrenderedremoteandstrangebytheguiltyveilthroughwhichitpenetrated。
　　"Isallwellwithyou，Signore？"inquiredthepenitent，outofthecloudinwhichhewalked。
　　"Alliswell，"answeredKenyon。"Andwithyou？"
　　Butthemaskedpenitentreturnednoanswer，beingborneawaybythepressureofthethrong。
　　Thesculptorstoodwatchingthefigure，andwasalmostofamindtohurryafterhimandfollowuptheconversationthathadbeenbegun；
　　butitoccurredtohimthatthereisasanctityor，aswemightrathertermit，aninviolableetiquettewhichprohibitstherecognitionofpersonswhochoosetowalkundertheveilofpenitence。
　　"Howstrange！"thoughtKenyontohimself。"ItwassurelyDonatello！
　　WhatcanbringhimtoRome，wherehisrecollectionsmustbesopainful，andhispresencenotwithoutperil？AndMiriam！Canshehaveaccompaniedhim？"
　　Hewalkedon，thinkingofthevastchangeinDonatello，sincethosedaysofgayetyandinnocence，whentheyoungItalianwasnewinRome，andwasjustbeginningtobesensibleofamorepoignantfelicitythanhehadyetexperienced，inthesunnywarmthofMiriam'ssmile。Thegrowthofasoul，whichthesculptorhalfimaginedthathehadwitnessedinhisfriend，seemedhardlyworththeheavypricethatithadcost，inthesacrificeofthosesimpleenjoymentsthatweregoneforever。Acreatureofantiquehealthfulnesshadvanishedfromtheearth；and，inhisstead，therewasonlyoneothermorbidandremorsefulman，amongmillionsthatwerecastinthesameindistinguishablemould。
　　TheaccidentofthusmeetingDonatellothegladFaunofhisimaginationandmemory，nowtransformedintoagloomypenitent——contributedtodeepenthecloudthathadfallenoverKenyon'sspirits。Itcausedhimtofancy，aswegenerallydo，inthepettytroubleswhichextendnotahand's-breadthbeyondourownsphere，thatthewholeworldwassaddeningaroundhim。Ittookthesinisteraspectofanomen，althoughhecouldnotdistinctlyseewhattroubleitmightforebode。
　　Ifithadnotbeenforapeculiarsortofpique，withwhichloversaremuchconversant，apreposterouskindofresentmentwhichendeavorstowreakitselfonthebelovedobject，andonone'sownheart，inrequitalofmishapsforwhichneitherareinfault，KenyonmightatoncehavebetakenhimselftoHilda'sstudio，andaskedwhytheappointmentwasnotkept。Buttheinterviewofto-daywastohavebeensorichinpresentjoy，anditsresultssoimportanttohisfuturelife，thatthebleakfailurewastoomuchforhisequanimity。
　　HewasangrywithpoorHilda，andcensuredherwithoutahearing；
　　angrywithhimself，too，andthereforeinflictedonthislattercriminaltheseverestpenaltyinhispower；angrywiththedaythatwaspassingoverhim，andwouldnotpermititslatterhourstoredeemthedisappointmentofthemorning。
　　Toconfessthetruth，ithadbeenthesculptor'spurposetostakeallhishopesonthatinterviewinthegalleriesoftheVatican。StrayingwithHildathroughthoselongvistasofidealbeauty，hemeant，atlast，toutterhimselfuponthatthemewhichloversarefaintodiscussinvillagelanes，inwoodpaths，onseasidesands，incrowdedstreets；itlittlematterswhere，indeed，sincerosesaresuretoblushalongtheway，anddaisiesandvioletstospringbeneaththefeet，ifthespokenwordbegraciouslyreceived。HewasresolvedtomakeproofwhetherthekindnessthatHildaevincedforhimwastheprecioustokenofanindividualpreference，ormerelythesweetfragranceofherdisposition，whichotherfriendsmightshareaslargelyashimself。Hewouldtryifitwerepossibletotakethisshy，yetfrank，andinnocentlyfearlesscreaturecaptive，andimprisonherinhisheart，andmakehersensibleofawiderfreedomthere，thaninalltheworldbesides。
　　Itwashard，wemustallow，toseetheshadowofawintrysunsetfallinguponadaythatwastohavebeensobright，andtofindhimselfjustwhereyesterdayhadlefthim，onlywithasenseofbeingdrearilybalked，anddefeatedwithoutanopportunityforstruggle。Somuchhadbeenanticipatedfromthesenowvanishedhours，thatitseemedasifnootherdaycouldbringbackthesamegoldenhopes。
　　Inacaselikethis，itisdoubtfulwhetherKenyoncouldhavedoneamuchbetterthingthanheactuallydid，bygoingtodineattheCafeNuovo，anddrinkingaflaskofMontefiascone；longing，thewhile，forabeakerortwoofDonatello'sSunshine。Itwouldhavebeenjustthewinetocurealover'smelancholy，byilluminatinghisheartwithtenderlightandwarmth，andsuggestionsofundefinedhopes，tooetherealforhismorbidhumortoexamineandrejectthem。
　　NodecidedimprovementresultingfromthedraughtofMontefiascone，hewenttotheTeatroArgentino，andsatgloomilytoseeanItaliancomedy，whichoughttohavecheeredhimsomewhat，beingfullofglancingmerriment，andeffectiveovereverybody'sdisabilitiesexcepthisown。Thesculptorcameout，however，beforethecloseoftheperformance，asdisconsolateashewentin。
　　Ashemadehiswaythroughthecomplicationofnarrowstreets，whichperplexthatportionofthecity，acarriagepassedhim。Itwasdrivenrapidly，butnottoofastforthelightofagas-lamptoflareuponafacewithin——especiallyasitwasbentforward，appearingtorecognizehim，whileabeckoninghandwasprotrudedfromthewindow。
　　Onhispart，Kenyonatonceknewtheface，andhastenedtothecarriage，whichhadnowstopped。
　　"Miriam！youinRome？"heexclaimed"Andyourfriendsknownothingofit？"
　　"Isallwellwithyou？"sheasked。
　　Thisinquiry，intheidenticalwordswhichDonatellohadsorecentlyaddressedtohimfrombeneaththepenitent'smask，startledthesculptor。Eitherthepreviousdisquietudeofhismind，orsometoneinMiriam'svoice，ortheunaccountablenessofbeholdingherthereatall，madeitseemominous。
　　"Alliswell，Ibelieve，"answeredhedoubtfully。"Iamawareofnomisfortune。Haveyouanytoannounce'？"
　　HelookedstillmoreearnestlyatMiriam，andfeltadreamyuncertaintywhetheritwasreallyherselftowhomhespoke。True；
　　therewerethosebeautifulfeatures，thecontourofwhichhehadstudiedtoooften，andwithasculptor'saccuracyofperception，tobeinanydoubtthatitwasMiriam'sidenticalface。Buthewasconsciousofachange，thenatureofwhichhecouldnotsatisfactorilydefine；itmightbemerelyherdress，which，imperfectasthelightwas，hesawtobericherthanthesimplegarbthatshehadusuallyworn。Theeffect，hefancied，waspartlyowingtoagemwhichshehadonherbosom；notadiamond，butsomethingthatglimmeredwithaclear，redlustre，likethestarsinasouthernsky。Somehoworother，thiscoloredlightseemedanemanationofherself，asifallthatwaspassionateandglowinginhernativedispositionhadcrystallizeduponherbreast，andwerejustnowscintillatingmorebrilliantlythanever，insympathywithsomeemotionofherheart。
　　OfcoursetherecouldbenorealdoubtthatitwasMiriam，hisartistfriend，withwhomandHildahehadspentsomanypleasantandfamiliarhours，andwhomhehadlastseenatPerugia，bendingwithDonatellobeneaththebronzepope'sbenediction。ItmustbethatselfsameMiriam；butthesensitivesculptorfeltadifferenceofmanner，whichimpressedhimmorethanheconceiveditpossibletobeaffectedbysoexternalathing。HerememberedthegossipsoprevalentinRomeonMiriam'sfirstappearance；howthatshewasnorealartist，butthedaughterofanillustriousorgoldenlineage，whowasmerelyplayingatnecessity；minglingwithhumanstruggleforherpastime；steppingoutofhernativesphereonlyforaninterlude，justasaprincessmightalightfromhergildedequipagetogoonfootthrougharusticlane。Andnow，afteramaskinwhichloveanddeathhadperformedtheirseveralparts，shehadresumedherpropercharacter。
　　"Haveyouanythingtotellme？"criedheimpatiently；fornothingcausesamoredisagreeablevibrationofthenervesthanthisperceptionofambiguousnessinfamiliarpersonsoraffairs。"Speak；
　　formyspiritsandpatiencehavebeenmuchtriedto-day。"
　　Miriamputherfingeronherlips，andseemeddesirousthatKenyonshouldknowofthepresenceofathirdperson。Henowsaw，indeed，that，therewassomeonebesideherinthecarriage，hithertoconcealedbyherattitude；aman，itappeared，withasallowItalianface，whichthesculptordistinguishedbutimperfectly，anddidnotrecognize。
　　"Icantellyounothing，"shereplied；andleaningtowardshim，shewhispered，——appearingthenmoreliketheMiriamwhomheknewthaninwhathadbeforepassed，——"Only，whenthelampgoesoutdonotdespair。"
　　Thecarriagedroveon，leavingKenyontomuseoverthisunsatisfactoryinterview，whichseemedtohaveservednobetterpurposethantofillhismindwithmoreominousforebodingsthanbefore。WhywereDonatelloandMiriaminRome，whereboth，inalllikelihood，mighthavemuchtodread？Andwhyhadoneandtheotheraddressedhimwithaquestionthatseemedpromptedbyaknowledgeofsomecalamity，eitheralreadyfallenonhisunconscioushead，orimpendingcloselyoverhim？
　　"Iamsluggish，"mutteredKenyon，tohimself；"aweak，nervelessfool，devoidofenergyandpromptitude；orneitherDonatellonorMiriamcouldhaveescapedmethus！Theyareawareofsomemisfortunethatconcernsmedeeply。HowsoonamItoknowittoo？"
　　Thereseemedbutasinglecalamitypossibletohappenwithinsonarrowasphereasthatwithwhichthesculptorwasconnected；andeventothatonemodeofevilhecouldassignnodefiniteshape，butonlyfeltthatitmusthavesomereferencetoHilda。
　　Flingingasidethemorbidhesitation，andthedallyingswithhisownwishes，whichhehadpermittedtoinfluencehismindthroughouttheday，henowhastenedtotheViaPortoghese。Soontheoldpalacestoodbeforehim，withitsmassivetowerrisingintothecloudednight；
　　obscuredfromviewatitsmidmostelevation，butrevealedagain，higherupward，bytheVirgin'slampthattwinkledonthesummit。
　　Feebleasitwas，inthebroad，surroundinggloom，thatlittleraymadenoinconsiderableilluminationamongKenyon'ssombrethoughts；
　　for；rememberingMiriam'slastwords，afantasyhadseizedhimthatheshouldfindthesacredlampextinguished。
　　Andevenwhilehestoodgazing，asamarineratthestarinwhichheputhistrust，thelightquivered，sank，gleamedupagain，andfinallywentout，leavingthebattlementsofHilda'stowerinutterdarkness。
　　Forthefirsttimeincenturies，theconsecratedandlegendaryflamebeforetheloftiestshrineinRomehadceasedtoburn。
　　CHAPTERXLIV
　　THEDESERTEDSHRINE
　　KenyonknewthesanctitywhichHildafaithfulProtestant，anddaughterofthePuritans，asthegirlwasimputedtothisshrine。Hewasawareoftheprofoundfeelingofresponsibility，aswellearthlyasreligious，withwhichherconsciencehadbeenimpressed，whenshebecametheoccupantofheraerialchamber，andundertookthetaskofkeepingtheconsecratedlampalight。TherewasanaccuracyandacertaintyaboutHilda'smovements，asregardedallmattersthatlaydeepenoughtohavetheirrootsinrightorwrong，whichmadeitaspossibleandsafetorelyuponthetimelyandcarefultrimmingofthislampifshewereinlife，andabletocreepupthesteps，asupontherisingofto-morrow'ssun，withlustre-undiminishedfromto-day。
　　Thesculptorcouldscarcelybelievehiseyes，therefore，whenhesawtheflameflickerandexpire。Hissighthadsurelydeceivedhim。Andnow，sincethelightdidnotreappear，theremustbesomesmokewreathorimpenetrablemistbroodingaboutthetower'sgrayoldhead，andobscuringitfromthelowerworld。Butno！Forrightoverthedimbattlements，asthewindchasedawayamassofclouds，hebeheldastar，andmoreover，byanearnestconcentrationofhissight，wassoonabletodiscerneventhedarkenedshrineitself。Therewasnoobscurityaroundthetower；noinfirmityofhisownvision。Theflamehadexhausteditssupplyofoil，andbecomeextinct。ButwherewasHilda？
　　Amaninacloakhappenedtobepassing；andKenyon——anxioustodistrustthetestimonyofhissenses，ifhecouldgetmoreacceptableevidenceontheotherside——appealedtohim。
　　"Domethefavor，Signore，"saidhe，"tolookatthetopofyondertower，andtellmewhetheryouseethelampburningattheVirgin'sshrine。"
　　"Thelamp，Signore？"answeredtheman，withoutatfirsttroublinghimselftolookup。"Thelampthathasburnedthesefourhundredyears！Howisitpossible，Signore，thatitshouldnotbeburningnow？""Butlook！"saidthesculptorimpatiently。Withgood-naturedindulgenceforwhatheseemedtoconsiderasthewhimofaneccentricForestiero，theItaliancarelesslythrewhiseyesupwards；but，assoonasheperceivedthattherewasreallynolight，heliftedhishandswithavividexpressionofwonderandalarm。
　　"Thelampisextinguished！"criedhe。"Thelampthathasbeenburningthesefourhundredyears！Thissurelymustportendsomegreatmisfortune；and，bymyadvice，Signore，youwillhastenhence，lestthetowertumbleonourheads。Apriestoncetoldmethat，iftheVirginwithdrewherblessingandthelightwentout，theoldPalazzodelTortewouldsinkintotheearth，withallthatdwellinit。Therewillbeaterriblecrashbeforemorning！"
　　Thestrangermadethebestofhiswayfromthedoomedpremises；whileKenyon——whowouldwillinglyhaveseenthetowercrumbledownbeforehiseyes，onconditionofHilda'ssafety——determined，lateasitwas，toattemptascertainingifshewereinherdove-cote。
　　Passingthroughthearchedentrance，——which，asisoftenthecasewithRomanentrances，wasasaccessibleatmidnightasatnoon，——hegropedhiswaytothebroadstaircase，and，lightinghiswaxtaper，wentglimmeringupthemultitudeofstepsthatledtoHilda'sdoor。Thehourbeingsounseasonable，heintendedmerelytoknock，and，assoonashervoicefromwithinshouldreassurehim，toretire，keepinghisexplanationsandapologiesforafittertime。Accordingly，reachingtheloftyheightwherethemaiden，ashetrusted，layasleep，withangelswatchingoverher，thoughtheVirginseemedtohavesuspendedhercare，hetappedlightlyatthedoorpanels，——thenknockedmoreforcibly，——thenthunderedanimpatientsummons。Noanswercame；Hilda，evidently，wasnotthere。
　　Afterassuringhimselfthatthismustbethefact，Kenyondescendedthestairs，butmadeapauseateverysuccessivestage，andknockedatthedoorofitsapartment，regardlesswhoseslumbershemightdisturb，inhisanxietytolearnwherethegirlhadlastbeenseen。But，ateachclosedentrance，therecamethosehollowechoes，whichachamber，oranydwelling，greatorsmall，neversendsout，inresponsetohumanknucklesorironhammer，aslongasthereislifewithintokeepitsheartfromgettingdreary。
　　Onceindeed，onthelowerlanding-place，thesculptorfanciedthattherewasamomentarystirinsidethedoor，asifsomebodywerelisteningatthethreshold。Hehoped，atleast，thatthesmalliron-barredaperturewouldbeunclosed，throughwhichRomanhousekeepersarewonttotakecarefulcognizanceofapplicantsforadmission，fromatraditionarydread，perhaps，oflettinginarobberorassassin。Butitremainedshut；neitherwasthesoundrepeated；
　　andKenyonconcludedthathisexcitednerveshadplayedatrickuponhissenses，astheyareapttodowhenwemostwishfortheclearevidenceofthelatter。
　　Therewasnothingtobedone，savetogoheavilyaway，andawaitwhatevergoodorillto-morrow'sdaylightmightdisclose。
　　Betimesinthemorning，therefore，KenyonwentbacktotheViaPortoghese，beforetheslantraysofthesunhaddescendedhalfwaydownthegrayfrontofHilda'stower。Ashedrewnearitsbase，hesawthedovesperchedinfullsession，onthesunnyheightofthebattlements，andapairofthem——whowereprobablytheirmistress'sespecialpets，andtheconfidantsofherbosomsecrets，ifHildahadany——cameshootingdown，andmadeafeintofalightingonhisshoulder。
　　But，thoughtheyevidentlyrecognizedhim，theirshynesswouldnotyetallowsodecidedademonstration。Kenyon'seyesfollowedthemastheyflewupward，hopingthattheymighthavecomeasjoyfulmessengersofthegirl'ssafety，andthatheshoulddiscernherslenderform，halfhiddenbytheparapet，trimmingtheextinguishedlampattheVirgin'sshrine，justasothermaidenssetaboutthelittledutiesofahousehold。Or，perhaps，hemightseehergentleandsweetfacesmilingdownuponhim，midwaytowardsheaven，asifshehadflownthitherforadayortwo，justtovisitherkindred，buthadbeendrawnearthwardagainbythespellofunacknowledgedlove。
　　Buthiseyeswereblessedbynosuchfairvisionorreality；nor，intruth，weretheeager，unquietflutteringsofthedovesindicativeofanyjoyfulintelligence，whichtheylongedtosharewithHilda'sfriend，butofanxiousinquiriesthattheyknewnothowtoutter。
　　Theycouldnottell，anymorethanhe，whithertheirlostcompanionhadwithdrawnherself，butwereinthesamevoiddespondencywithhim，feelingtheirsunnyandairylivesdarkenedandgrownimperfect，nowthathersweetsocietywastakenoutofit。
　　Inthebriskmorningair，Kenyonfounditmucheasiertopursuehisresearchesthanattheprecedingmidnight，when，ifanyslumberersheardtheclamorthathemade，theyhadrespondedonlywithsullenanddrowsymaledictions，andturnedtosleepagain。Itmustbeaverydearandintimaterealityforwhichpeoplewillbecontenttogiveupadream。Whenthesunwasfairlyup，however，itwasquiteanotherthing。Theheterogeneouspopulation，inhabitingthelowerflooroftheoldtower，andtheotherextensiveregionsofthepalace，werenowwillingtotellalltheyknew，andimagineagreatdealmore。TheamiabilityoftheseItalians，assistedbytheirsharpandnimblewits，causedthemtooverflowwithplausiblesuggestions，andtobeverybounteousintheiravowalsofinterestforthelostHilda。Inalessdemonstrativepeople，suchexpressionswouldhaveimpliedaneagernesstosearchlandandsea，andneverresttillshewerefound。Inthemouthsthatutteredthemtheymeantgoodwishes，andwere，sofar，betterthanindifference。Therewaslittledoubtthatmanyofthemfeltagenuinekindnessfortheshy，brown-haired，delicateyoungforeignmaiden，whohadflownfromsomedistantlandtoalightupontheirtower，wheresheconsortedonlywiththedoves。Buttheirenergyexpendeditselfinexclamation，andtheywerecontenttoleaveallmoreactivemeasurestoKenyon，andtotheVirgin，whoseaffairitwastoseethatthefaithfulvotaryofherlampreceivednoharm。
　　InagreatParisiandomicile，multifariousasitsinhabitantsmightbe，theconciergeunderthearchwaywouldbecognizantofalltheirincomingsandissuingsforth。Butexceptinrarecases，thegeneralentranceandmainstaircaseofaRomanhouseareleftasfreeasthestreet，ofwhichtheyformasortofby-lane。Thesculptor，therefore，couldhopetofindinformationaboutHilda'smovementsonlyfromcasualobservers。
　　Onprobingtheknowledgeofthesepeopletothebottom，therewasvarioustestimonyastotheperiodwhenthegirlhadlastbeenseen。
　　Somesaidthatitwasfourdayssincetherehadbeenatraceofher；
　　butanEnglishlady，inthesecondpianoofthepalace，wasratherofopinionthatshehadmether，themorningbefore，withadrawing-bookinherhand。Havingnoacquaintancewiththeyoungperson，shehadtakenlittlenoticeandmighthavebeenmistaken。Acount，onthepianonextabove，wasverycertainthathehadliftedhishattoHilda，underthearchway，twoafternoonsago。Anoldwoman，whohadformerlytendedtheshrine，threwsomelightuponthematter，bytestifyingthatthelamprequiredtobereplenishedonce，atleast，inthreedays，thoughitsreservoirofoilwasexceedinglycapacious。
　　Onthewhole，thoughtherewasotherevidenceenoughtocreatesomeperplexity，Kenyoncouldnotsatisfyhimselfthatshehadbeenvisiblesincetheafternoonofthethirdprecedingday，whenafruitsellerrememberedhercomingoutofthearchedpassage，withasealedpacketinherhand。Asnearlyashecouldascertain，thiswaswithinanhourafterHildahadtakenleaveofthesculptorathisownstudio，withtheunderstandingthattheyweretomeetattheVaticanthenextday。
　　Twonights，therefore，hadintervened，duringwhichthelostmaidenwasunaccountedfor。
　　ThedoorofHilda'sapartmentswasstilllocked，asontheprecedingnight；butKenyonsoughtoutthewifeofthepersonwhosubletthem，andprevailedonhertogivehimadmittancebymeansoftheduplicatekeywhichthegoodwomanhadinherpossession。Onentering，themaidenlyneatnessandsimplegrace，recognizableinallthearrangements，madehimvisiblysensiblethatthiswasthedailyhauntofapuresoul，inwhomreligionandtheloveofbeautywereatone。
　　Thence，thesturdyRomanmatronledthesculptoracrossanarrowpassage，andthrewopenthedoorofasmallchamber，onthethresholdofwhichhereverentlypaused。Within，therewasabed，coveredwithwhitedrapery，enclosedwithsnowycurtainslikeatent，andofbarelywidthenoughforaslenderfiguretoreposeuponit。Thesightofthiscool，airy，andsecludedbowercausedthelover'shearttostirasifenoughofHilda'sgentledreamswerelingeringtheretomakehimhappyforasingleinstant。Butthencamethecloserconsciousnessofherloss，bringingalongwithitasharpstingofanguish。
　　"Behold，Signore，"saidthematron；"hereisthelittlestaircasebywhichthesignorinausedtoascendandtrimtheBlessedVirgin'slamp。
　　ShewasworthytobeaCatholic，suchpainsthegoodchildbestowedtokeepitburning；anddoubtlesstheBlessedMarywillintercedeforher，inconsiderationofherpiousoffices，hereticthoughshewas。
　　Whatwillbecomeoftheoldpalazzo，nowthatthelampisextinguished，thesaintsaboveusonlyknow！Willyoumount，Signore，tothebattlements，andseeifshehaveleftanytraceofherselfthere？"
　　Thesculptorsteppedacrossthechamberandascendedthelittlestaircase，whichgavehimaccesstothebreezysummitofthetower。
　　Itaffectedhiminexpressiblytoseeabouquetofbeautifulflowersbeneaththeshrine，andtorecognizeinthemanofferingofhisowntoHilda，whohadputtheminavaseofwater，anddedicatedthemtotheVirgin，inaspiritpartlyfanciful，perhaps，butstillpartakingofthereligioussentimentwhichsoprofoundlyinfluencedhercharacter。
　　Onerosebud，indeed，shehadselectedforherselffromtherichmassofflowers；forKenyonwellrememberedrecognizingitinherbosomwhenhelastsawherathisstudio。
　　"Thatlittlepartofmygreatloveshetook，"saidhetohimself。
　　"TheremaindershewouldhavedevotedtoHeaven；buthasleftitwitheringinthesunandwind。Ah！Hilda，Hilda，hadyougivenmearighttowatchoveryou，thisevilhadnotcome！"
　　"Benotdowncast，signorinomio，"saidtheRomanmatron，inresponsetothedeepsighwhichstruggledoutofKenyon'sbreast。"Thedearlittlemaiden，aswesee，hasdeckedyonderblessedshrineasdevoutlyasImyself，oranyOthergoodCatholicwoman，couldhavedone。Itisareligiousact，andhasmorethantheefficacyofaprayer。Thesignorinawillassurelycomebackasthesunwillfallthroughthewindowto-morrownolessthanto-day。Herowndoveshaveoftenbeenmissingforadayortwo，buttheyweresuretocomeflutteringaboutherheadagain，whensheleastexpectedthem。Sowillitbewiththisdove-likechild。"
　　"Itmightbeso，"thoughtKenyon，withyearninganxiety，"ifapuremaidenwereassafeasadove，inthisevilworldofours。"
　　Astheyreturnedthroughthestudio，withthefurnitureandarrangementsofwhichthesculptorwasfamiliar，hemissedasmallebonywriting-deskthatherememberedashavingalwaysbeenplacedonatablethere。HeknewthatitwasHilda'scustomtodepositherlettersinthisdesk，aswellasotherlittleobjectsofwhichshewishedtobespeciallycareful。
　　"Whathasbecomeofit？"hesuddenlyinquired，layinghishandonthetable。
　　"Becomeofwhat，pray？"exclaimedthewoman，alittledisturbed。
　　"DoestheSignoresuspectarobbery，then？"
　　"Thesignorina'swriting-deskisgone，"repliedKenyon；"italwaysstoodonthistable，andImyselfsawitthereonlyafewdaysago。"
　　"Ah，well！"saidthewoman，recoveringhercomposure，whichsheseemedpartlytohavelost。"Thesignorinahasdoubtlesstakenitawaywithher。Thefactisofgoodomen；foritprovesthatshedidnotgounexpectedly，andislikelytoreturnwhenitmaybestsuitherconvenience。"
　　"Thisisverysingular，"observedKenyon。"Havetheroomsbeenenteredbyyourself，oranyotherperson，sincethesignorina'sdisappearance？"
　　"Notbyme，Signore，sohelpmeHeavenandthesaints！"saidthematron。"AndIquestionwhethertherearemorethantwokeysinRomethatwillsuitthisstrangeoldlock。Hereisone；andasfortheother，thesignorinacarliesitinherpocket。"
　　Thesculptorhadnoreasontodoubtthewordofthisrespectabledame。
　　Sheappearedtobewellmeaningandkindhearted，asRomanmatronsgenerallyare；exceptwhenafitofpassionincitesthemtoshowerhorriblecursesonanobnoxiousindividual，orperhapstostabhimwiththesteelstilettothatservesthemforahairpin。ButItalianasseverationsofanyquestionablefact，howevertruetheymaychancetobe，havenowitnessoftheirtruthinthefacesofthosewhoutterthem。Theirwordsarespokenwithstrangeearnestness，andyetdonotvouchforthemselvesascomingfromanydepth，likerootsdrawnoutofthesubstanceofthesoul，withsomeofthesoilclingingtothem。
　　Thereisalwaysasomethinginscrutable，insteadoffrankness，intheireyes。Inshort，theyliesomuchliketruth，andspeaktruthsomuchasiftheyweretellingalie，thattheirauditorsuspectshimselfinthewrong，whetherhebelievesordisbelievesthem；itbeingtheonethingcertain，thatfalsehoodisseldomanintolerableburdentothetenderestofItalianconsciences。
　　"Itisverystrangewhatcanhavebecomeofthedesk！"repeatedKenyon，lookingthewomanintheface。
　　"Verystrange，indeed，Signore，"sherepliedmeekly，withoutturningawayhereyesintheleast，butcheckinghisinsightofthematabouthalfaninchbelowthesurface。"Ithinkthesignorinamusthavetakenitwithher。"
　　Itseemedidletolingerhereanylonger。Kenyonthereforedeparted，aftermakinganarrangementwiththewoman，bythetermsofwhichshewastoallowtheapartmentstoremainintheirpresentstate，onhisassumingtheresponsibilityfortherent。
　　Hespentthedayinmakingsuchfurthersearchandinvestigationashefoundpracticable；and，thoughatfirsttrammelledbyanunwillingnesstodrawpublicattentiontoHilda'saffairs，theurgencyofthecircumstancessooncompelledhimtobethoroughlyinearnest。Inthecourseofaweek，hetriedallconceivablemodesoffathomingthemystery，notmerelybyhispersonaleffortsandthoseofhisbrotherartistsandfriends，butthroughthepolice，whoreadilyundertookthetask，andexpressedstrongconfidenceofsuccess。ButtheRomanpolicehasverylittleefficiency，exceptintheinterestofthedespotismofwhichitisatool。Withtheircockedhats，shoulderbelts，andswords，theywearasufficientlyimposingaspect，anddoubtlesskeeptheireyesopenwideenoughtotrackapoliticaloffender，butaretoooftenblindtoprivateoutrage，beitmurderoranylessercrime。Kenyoncountedlittleupontheirassistance，andprofitedbyitnotatall。
　　RememberingthemysticwordswhichMiriamhadaddressedtohim，hewasanxioustomeether，butknewnotwhithershehadgone，norhowtoobtainanintervieweitherwithherselforDonatello。Thedaysworeaway，andstilltherewerenotidingsofthelostone；nolamprekindledbeforetheVirgin'sshrine；nolightshiningintothelover'sheart；nostarofHope——hewasreadytosay，asheturnedhiseyesalmostreproachfullyupward——inheavenitself！
　　CHAPTERXLV
　　THEFLIGHTOFHILDA'SDOVES
　　AlongwiththelamponHilda'stower，thesculptornowfeltthatalighthadgoneout，or，atleast，wasominouslyobscured，towhichheowedwhatevercheerfulnesshadheretoforeilluminatedhiscold，artisticlife。Theideaofthisgirlhadbeenlikeataperofvirginwax，burningwithapureandsteadyflame，andchasingawaytheevilspiritsoutofthemagiccircleofitsbeams。Ithaddarteditsraysafar，andmodifiedthewholesphereinwhichKenyonhadhisbeing。
　　Beholdingitnomore，heatoncefoundhimselfindarknessandastray。
　　Thiswasthetime，perhaps，whenKenyonfirstbecamesensiblewhatadrearycityisRome，andwhataterribleweightisthereimposedonhumanlife，whenanygloomwithintheheartcorrespondstothespellofruinthathasbeenthrownoverthesiteofancientempire。Hewandered，asitwere，andstumbledoverthefallencolumns，andamongthetombs，andgropedhiswayintothesepulchraldarknessofthecatacombs，andfoundnopathemergingfromthem。Thehappymaywellenoughcontinuetobesuch，beneaththebrilliantskyofRome。But，ifyougothitherinmelancholymood，ifyougowitharuininyourheart，orwithavacantsitethere，whereoncestoodtheairyfabricofhappiness，nowvanished，——alltheponderousgloomoftheRomanPastwillpileitselfuponthatspot，andcrushyoudownaswiththeheaped-upmarbleandgranite，theearth-mounds，andmultitudinousbricksofitsmaterialdecay。
　　Itmightbesupposedthatamelancholymanwouldheremakeacquaintancewithagrimphilosophy。Heshouldlearntobearpatientlyhisindividualgriefs，thatendureonlyforonelittlelifetime，whenherearethetokensofsuchinfinitemisfortuneonanimperialscale，andwhensomanyfarlandmarksoftime，allaroundhim，arebringingtheremotenessofathousandyearsagointothesphereofyesterday。Butitisinvainthatyouseekthisshrubofbittersweetnessamongtheplantsthatrootthemselvesontheroughnessofmassivewalls，ortraildownwardfromthecapitalsofpillars，orspringoutofthegreenturfinthepalaceoftheCaesars。ItdoesnotgrowinRome；notevenamongthefivehundredvariousweedswhichdeckthegrassyarchesoftheColiseum。Youlookthroughavistaofcenturybeyondcentury，——throughmuchshadow，andalittlesunshine，——throughbarbarismandcivilization，alternatingwithoneanotherlikeactorsthathaveprearrangedtheirparts：throughabroadpathwayofprogressivegenerationsborderedbypalacesandtemples，andbestriddenbyold，triumphalarches，until，inthedistance，youbeholdtheobelisks，withtheirunintelligibleinscriptions，hintingatapastinfinitelymoreremotethanhistorycandefine。Yourownlifeisasnothing，whencomparedwiththatimmeasurabledistance；butstillyoudemand，nonethelessearnestly，agleamofsunshine，insteadofaspeckofshadow，onthesteportwothatwillbringyoutoyourquietrest。
　　Howexceedinglyabsurd！Allmen，fromthedateoftheearliestobelisk，——andofthewholeworld，moreover，sincethatfarepoch，andbefore，——havemadeasimilardemand，andseldomhadtheirwish。Iftheyhadit，whataretheythebetternow？But，evenwhileyoutauntyourselfwiththissadlesson，yourheartcriesoutobstreperouslyforitssmallshareofearthlyhappiness，andwillnotbeappeasedbythemyriadsofdeadhopesthatliecrushedintothesoilofRome。HowwonderfulthatthisournarrowfootholdofthePresentshouldholditsownsoconstantly，and，whileeverymomentchanging，shouldstillbelikearockbetwixttheencounteringtidesofthelongPastandtheinfiniteTo-come！
　　Manofmarblethoughhewas，thesculptorgrievedfortheIrrevocable。
　　LookingbackuponHilda'swayoflife，hemarvelledathisownblindstupidity，whichhadkepthimfromremonstratingasafriend，ifwithnostrongerrightagainsttherisksthatshecontinuallyencountered。
　　Beingsoinnocent，shehadnomeansofestimatingthoserisks，norevenapossibilityofsuspectingtheirexistence。Buthe——whohadspentyearsinRome，withaman'sfarwiderscopeofobservationandexperience——knewthingsthatmadehimshudder。ItseemedtoKenyon，lookingthroughthedarklycoloredmediumofhisfears，thatallmodesofcrimewerecrowdedintothecloseintricacyofRomanstreets，andthattherewasnoredeemingelement，suchasexistsinotherdissoluteandwickedcities。
　　Forherewasapriesthood，pampered，sensual，withredandbloatedcheeks，andcarnaleyes。Withapparentlyagrosserdevelopmentofanimallifethanmostmen，theywereplacedinanunnaturalrelationwithwoman，andtherebylostthehealthy，humanconsciencethatpertainstootherhumanbeings，whoownthesweethouseholdtiesconnectingthemwithwifeanddaughter。Andherewasanindolentnobility，withnohighaimsoropportunities，butcultivatingaviciouswayoflife，asifitwereanart，andtheonlyonewhichtheycaredtolearn。Herewasapopulation，highandlow，thathadnogenuinebeliefinvirtue；andiftheyrecognizedanyactascriminal，theymightthrowoffallcare，remorse，andmemoryofit，bykneelingalittlewhileattheconfessional，andrisingunburdened，active，elastic，andincitedbyfreshappetiteforthenextensuingsin。HerewasasoldierywhofeltRometobetheirconqueredcity，anddoubtlessconsideredthemselvesthelegalinheritorsofthefoullicensewhichGaul，Goth，andVandalhavehereexercisedindaysgoneby。
　　Andwhatlocalitiesfornewcrimeexistedinthoseguiltysites，wherethecrimeofdepartedagesusedtobeathome，andhaditslong，hereditaryhaunt！WhatstreetinRome，whatancientruin，whatoneplacewheremanhadstanding-room，whatfallenstonewasthere，unstainedwithoneoranotherkindofguilt！Insomeofthevicissitudesofthecity'sprideoritscalamity，thedarktideofhumanevilhadswelledoverit，farhigherthantheTibereverroseagainsttheacclivitiesofthesevenhills。ToKenyon'smorbidview，thereappearedtobeacontagiouselement，risingfog-likefromtheancientdepravityofRome，andbroodingoverthedeadandhalf-rottencity，asnowhereelseonearth。Itprolongedthetendencytocrime，anddevelopedaninstantaneousgrowthofit，wheneveranopportunitywasfound；Andwherecoulditbefoundsoreadilyashere！Inthosevastpalaces，therewereahundredremotenookswhereInnocencemightshriekinvain。Beneathmeanerhousestherewereunsuspecteddungeonsthathadoncebeenprincelychambers，andopentothedaylight；but，onaccountofsomewickednessthereperpetrated，eachpassingagehadthrownitshandfulofdustuponthespot，andburieditfromsight。
　　Onlyruffiansknewofitsexistence，andkeptitformurder，andworsecrime。
　　SuchwasthecitythroughwhichHilda，forthreeyearspast，hadbeenwanderingwithoutaprotectororaguide。Shehadtroddenlightlyoverthecrumbleofoldcrimes；shehadtakenherwayamidthegrimeandcorruptionwhichPaganismhadleftthere，andapervertedChristianityhadmademorenoisome；walkingsaint-likethroughitall，withwhite，innocentfeet；until，insomedarkpitfallthatlayrightacrossherpath，shehadvanishedoutofsight。Itwasterribletoimaginewhathideousoutragemighthavethrustherintothatabyss！
　　ThenthelovertriedtocomforthimselfwiththeideathatHilda'ssanctitywasasufficientsafeguard。Ah，yes；shewassopure！Theangels，thatwereofthesamesisterhood，wouldneverletHildacometoharm。Amiraclewouldbewroughtonherbehalf，asnaturallyasafatherwouldstretchouthishandtosaveabest-belovedchild。
　　Providencewouldkeepalittleareaandatmosphereaboutherassafeandwholesomeasheavenitself，althoughthefloodofperilousiniquitymighthemherround，anditsblackwaveshangcurlingaboveherhead！Butthesereflectionswereofslightavail。Nodoubttheywerethereligioustruth。YetthewaysofProvidenceareutterlyinscrutable；andmanyamurderhasbeendone，andmanyaninnocentvirginhasliftedherwhitearms，beseechingitsaidinherextremity，andallinvain；sothat，thoughProvidenceisinfinitelygoodandwise，andperhapsforthatveryreason，itmaybehalfaneternitybeforethegreatcircleofitsschemeshallbringusthesuperabundantrecompenseforallthesesorrows！Butwhattheloveraskedwassuchpromptconsolationasmightconsistwiththebriefspanofmortallife；
　　theassuranceofHilda'spresentsafety，andherrestorationwithinthatveryhour。
　　Animaginativeman，hesufferedthepenaltyofhisendowmentinthehundred-foldvarietyofgloomilytintedscenesthatitpresentedtohim，inwhichHildawasalwaysacentralfigure。Thesculptorforgothismarble。Romeceasedtobeanything，forhim，butalabyrinthofdismalstreets，inoneoranotherofwhichthelostgirlhaddisappeared。Hewashauntedwiththeideathatsomecircumstance，mostimportanttobeknown，andperhapseasilydiscoverable，hadhithertobeenoverlooked，andthat，ifhecouldlayholdofthisoneclew，itwouldguidehimdirectlyinthetrackofHilda'sfootsteps。
　　Withthispurposeinview，hewent，everymorning，totheViaPortoghese，andmadeitthestarting-pointoffreshinvestigations。
　　Afternightfall，too，heinvariablyreturnedthither，withafainthopeflutteringathisheartthatthelampmightagainbeshiningonthesummitofthetower，andwoulddispelthisuglymysteryoutofthecircleconsecratedbyitsrays。Therebeingnopointofwhichhecouldtakefirmhold，hismindwasfilledwithunsubstantialhopesandfears。OnceKenyonhadseemedtocuthislifeinmarble；nowhevaguelyclutchedatit，andfounditvapor。
　　Inhisunstrunganddespondentmood，onetriflingcircumstanceaffectedhimwithanidlepang。Thedoveshadatfirstbeenfaithfultotheirlostmistress。Theyfailednottositinarowuponherwindow-sill，ortoalightontheshrine，orthechurch-angels，andontheroofsandportalsoftheneighboringhouses，inevidentexpectationofherreappearance。Afterthesecondweek，however，theybegantotakeflight，anddroppingoffbypairs，betookthemselvestootherdove-cotes。Onlyasingledoveremained，andbroodeddrearilybeneaththeshrine。TheflockthathaddepartedwerelikethemanyhopesthathadvanishedfromKenyon'sheart；theonethatstilllingered，andlookedsowretched，——wasitaHope，oralreadyaDespair？
　　Inthestreet，oneday，thesculptormetapriestofmildandvenerableaspect；andashisminddweltcontinuallyuponHilda，andwasespeciallyactiveinbringingupallincidentsthathadeverbeenconnectedwithher，itimmediatelystruckhimthatthiswastheveryfatherwithwhomhehadseenherattheconfessional。SuchtrustdidHildainspireinhim，thatKenyonhadneveraskedwhatwasthesubjectofthecommunicationbetweenherselfandthisoldpriest。Hehadnoreasonforimaginingthatitcouldhaveanyrelationwithherdisappearance，solongsubsequently；but，beingthusbroughtfacetofacewithapersonage，mysteriouslyassociated，ashenowremembered，withherwhomhehadlost，animpulseranbeforehisthoughtsandledthesculptortoaddresshim。
　　Itmightbethatthereverendkindlinessoftheoldman'sexpressiontookKenyon'sheartbysurprise；atallevents，hespokeasiftherewerearecognizedacquaintanceship，andanobjectofmutualinterestbetweenthem。
　　"Shehasgonefromme，father，"saidhe。
　　"Ofwhomdoyouspeak，myson？"inquiredthepriest。
　　"Ofthatsweetgirl，"answeredKenyon，"whoknelttoyouattheconfessional。Surelyyourememberher，amongallthemortalstowhoseconfessionsyouhavelistened！Forshealonecouldhavehadnosinstoreveal。"
　　"Yes；Iremember，"saidthepriest，withagleamofrecollectioninhiseyes。"ShewasmadetobearamiraculoustestimonytotheefficacyofthedivineordinancesoftheChurch，byseizingforciblyupononeofthem，andfindingimmediaterelieffromit，hereticthoughshewas。Itismypurposetopublishabriefnarrativeofthismiracle，fortheedificationofmankind，inLatin，Italian，andEnglish，fromtheprintingpressofthePropaganda。Poorchild！
　　Settingapartherheresy，shewasspotless，asyousay。Andisshedead？"
　　"Heavenforbid，father！"exclaimedKenyon，shrinkingback。"Butshehasgonefromme，Iknownotwhither。Itmaybe——yes，theideaseizesuponmymind——thatwhatsherevealedtoyouwillsuggestsomeclewtothemysteryofherdisappearance。'"
　　"None，myson，none，"answeredthepriest，shakinghishead；
　　"nevertheless，Ibidyoubeofgoodcheer。Thatyoungmaidenisnotdoomedtodieaheretic。WhoknowswhattheBlessedVirginmayatthismomentbedoingforhersoul！Perhaps，whenyounextbeholdher，shewillbecladintheshiningwhiterobeofthetruefaith。"
　　Thislattersuggestiondidnotconveyallthecomfortwhichtheoldpriestpossiblyintendedbyit；butheimpartedittothesculptor，alongwithhisblessing，asthetwobestthingsthathecouldbestow，andsaidnothingfurther，excepttobidhimfarewell。
　　Whentheyhadparted，however，theideaofHilda'sconversiontoCatholicismrecurredtoherlover'smind，bringingwithitcertainreflections，thatgaveanewturntohissurmisesaboutthemysteryintowhichshehadvanished。Notthatheseriouslyapprehended——althoughthesuperabundanceofherreligioussentimentmightmisleadherforamoment——thattheNewEnglandgirlwouldpermanentlysuccumbtothescarletsuperstitionswhichsurroundedherinItaly。Buttheincidentoftheconfessionalifknown，asprobablyitwas，totheeagerpropagandistswhoprowlaboutforsouls，ascatstocatchamouse——wouldsurelyinspirethemostconfidentexpectationsofbringingherovertothefaith。Withsopiousanendinview，wouldJesuiticalmoralitybeshockedatthethoughtofkidnappingthemortalbody，forthesakeoftheimmortalspiritthatmightotherwisebelostforever？Wouldnotthekindoldpriest，himself，deemthistobeinfinitelythekindestservicethathecouldperformforthestraylamb，whohadsostrangelysoughthisaid？
　　Ifthesesuppositionswerewellfounded，HildawasmostlikelyaprisonerinoneofthereligiousestablishmentsthataresonumerousinRome。Theidea，accordingtotheaspectinwhichitwasviewed，broughtnowadegreeofcomfort，andnowanadditionalperplexity。Ontheonehand，Hildawassafefromanybutspiritualassaults；ontheother，wherewasthepossibilityofbreakingthroughallthosebarredportals，andsearchingathousandconventcells，tosetherfree？
　　Kenyon，however，asithappened，waspreventedfromendeavoringtofollowoutthissurmise，whichonlythestateofhopelessuncertainty，thatalmostbewilderedhisreason，couldhaveledhimforamomenttoentertain。Acommunicationreachedhimbyanunknownhand，inconsequenceofwhich，andwithinanhourafterreceivingit，hetookhiswaythroughoneofthegatesofRome。
　　CHAPTERXLVI
　　AWALKONTHECAMPAGNA
　　ItwasabrightforenoonofFebruary；amonthinwhichthebriefseverityofaRomanwinterisalreadypast，andwhenvioletsanddaisiesbegintoshowthemselvesinspotsfavoredbythesun。ThesculptorcameoutofthecitybythegateofSanSebastiano，andwalkedbrisklyalongtheAppianWay。
　　Forthespaceofamileortwobeyondthegate，thisancientandfamousroadisasdesolateanddisagreeableasmostoftheotherRomanavenues。Itextendsoversmall，uncomfortablepaving-stones，betweenbrickandplasteredwalls，whichareverysolidlyconstructed，andsohighasalmosttoexcludeaviewofthesurroundingcountry。Thehousesareofmostuninvitingaspect，neitherpicturesque，norhomelikeandsocial；theyhaveseldomorneveradooropeningonthewayside，butareaccessibleonlyfromtherear，andfrowninhospitablyuponthetravellerthroughiron-gratedwindows。Hereandthereappearsadrearyinnorawine-shop，designatedbythewitheredbushbesidetheentrance，withinwhichyoudiscernastone-builtandsepulchralinterior，whereguestsrefreshthemselveswithsourbreadandgoats'-milkcheese，washeddownwithwineofdolorousacerbity。
　　Atfrequentintervalsalongtheroadsideup-risestheruinofanancienttomb。Astheystandnow，thesestructuresareimmenselyhighandbrokenmoundsofconglomeratedbrick，stone，pebbles，andearth，allmoltenbytimeintoamassassolidandindestructibleasifeachtombwerecomposedofasingleboulderofgranite。Whenfirsterected，theywerecasedexternally，nodoubt，withslabsofpolishedmarble，artfullywroughtbas-reliefs，andallsuchsuitableadornments，andwererenderedmajesticallybeautifulbygrandarchitecturaldesigns。