The Well-Beloved——A Sketch of A Temperament小说第1章

第1章

　　PREFACE
　　ThepeninsulacarvedbyTimeoutofasinglestone，whereonmostofthefollowingscenesarelaid，hasbeenforcenturiesimmemorialthehomeofacuriousandwell-nighdistinctpeople，cherishingstrangebeliefsandsingularcustoms，nowforthemostpartobsolescent。Fancies，likecertainsoft-woodedplantswhichcannotbearthesilentinlandfrosts，butthrivebytheseaintheroughestofweather，seemtogrowupnaturallyhere，inparticularamongstthosenativeswhohavenoactiveconcerninthelaboursofthe’Isle。’Henceitisaspotapttogenerateatypeofpersonagelikethecharacterimperfectlysketchedinthesepages——anativeofnatives——whomsomemaychoosetocallafantast（iftheyhonourhimwiththeirconsiderationsofar），butwhomothersmayseeonlyasonethatgaveobjectivecontinuityandanametoadelicatedreamwhichinavaguerformismoreorlesscommontoallmen，andisbynomeansnewtoPlatonicphilosophers。
　　TothosewhoknowtherockycoignofEnglandheredepicted——overlookingthegreatChannelHighwaywithallitssuggestiveness，andstandingoutsofarintomid-seathattouchesoftheGulfStreamsoftentheairtillFebruary——itismatterofsurprisethattheplacehasnotbeenmorefrequentlychosenastheretreatofartistsandpoetsinsearchofinspiration——foratleastamonthortwointheyear，thetempestuousratherthanthefineseasonsbypreference。Tobesure，onenookthereinistheretreat，attheircountry’sexpense，ofothergeniusesfromadistance；buttheirpresenceishardlydiscoverable。Yetperhapsitisaswellthattheartisticvisitorsdonotcome，ornomorewouldbeheardoflittlefreeholdhousesbeingboughtandsoldthereforacoupleofhundredpounds——builtofsolidstone，anddatingfromthesixteenthcenturyandearlier，withmullions，copings，andcorbelscomplete。Thesetransactions，bytheway，arecarriedoutandcovenanted，orweretilllately，intheparishchurch，inthefaceofthecongregation，suchbeingtheancientcustomoftheIsle。
　　Asforthestoryitself，itmaybeworthwhiletoremarkthat，differingfromallormostothersoftheseriesinthattheinterestaimedatisofanidealorsubjectivenature，andfranklyimaginative，verisimilitudeinthesequenceofeventshasbeensubordinatedtothesaidaim。
　　Thefirstpublicationofthistaleinanindependentformwasin1897；
　　butithadappearedintheperiodicalpressin1892，underthetitleof’ThePursuitoftheWell-Beloved。’Afewchaptersofthatexperimentalissuewererewrittenforthepresentandfinalformofthenarrative。
　　T。H。
　　August1912。
　　CONTENTS
　　PARTFIRST——AYOUNGMANOFTWENTY。
　　I。ASUPPOSITITIOUSPRESENTMENTOFHER
　　II。THEINCARNATIONISASSUMEDTOBETRUE
　　III。THEAPPOINTMENT
　　IV。ALONELYPEDESTRIAN
　　V。ACHARGE
　　VI。ONTHEBRINK
　　VII。HEREARLIERINCARNATIONS
　　VIII。’TOOLIKETHELIGHTNING’
　　IX。FAMILIARPHENOMENAINTHEDISTANCE
　　PARTSECOND——AYOUNGMANOFFORTY。
　　I。THEOLDPHANTOMBECOMESDISTINCT
　　II。SHEDRAWSCLOSEANDSATISFIES
　　III。SHEBECOMESANINACCESSIBLEGHOST
　　IV。SHETHREATENSTORESUMECORPOREALSUBSTANCE
　　V。THERESUMPTIONTAKESPLACE
　　VI。THEPASTSHINESINTHEPRESENT
　　VII。THENEWBECOMESESTABLISHED
　　VIII。HISOWNSOULCONFRONTSHIM
　　IX。JUXTAPOSITIONS
　　X。SHEFAILSTOVANISHSTILL
　　XI。THEIMAGEPERSISTS
　　XII。AGRILLEDESCENDSBETWEEN
　　XIII。SHEISENSHROUDEDFROMSIGHT
　　PARTTHIRD——AYOUNGMANOFSIXTY。
　　I。SHERETURNSFORTHENEWSEASON
　　II。MISGIVINGSONTHERE-EMBODIMENT
　　III。THERENEWEDIMAGEBURNSITSELFIN
　　IV。ADASHFORTHELASTINCARNATION
　　V。ONTHEVERGEOFPOSSESSION
　　VI。THEWELL-BELOVEDIS——WHERE？
　　VII。ANOLDTABERNACLEINANEWASPECT
　　VIII。’ALASFORTHISGREYSHADOW，ONCEAMAN！’
　　PARTFIRST——AYOUNGMANOFTWENTY。
　　——’Now，ifTimeknowsThatHer，whoseradiantbrowsWeavethemagarlandofmyvows；
　　HerthatdaresbeWhattheselineswishtosee：
　　Iseeknofurther，itisShe。’
　　——R。CRASHAW。
　　1。I。ASUPPOSITITIOUSPRESENTMENTOFHER
　　Apersonwhodifferedfromthelocalwayfarerswasclimbingthesteeproadwhichleadsthroughthesea-skirtedtownletdefinableastheStreetofWells，andformsapassintothatGibraltarofWessex，thesingularpeninsulaonceanisland，andstillcalledsuch，thatstretchesoutliketheheadofabirdintotheEnglishChannel。Itisconnectedwiththemainlandbyalongthinneckofpebbles’castupbyragesofthese，’andunparalleledinitskindinEurope。
　　Thepedestrianwaswhathelookedlike——ayoungmanfromLondonandthecitiesoftheContinent。Nobodycouldseeatpresentthathisurbanismsatuponhimonlyasagarment。Hewasjustrecollectingwithsomethingofself-reproachthatawholethreeyearsandeightmonthshadflownsincehepaidhislastvisittohisfatheratthislonelyrockofhisbirthplace，theinterveningtimehavingbeenspentamidmanycontrastingsocieties，peoples，manners，andscenes。
　　Whathadseemedusualintheislewhenhelivedtherealwayslookedquaintandoddafterhislaterimpressions。Morethaneverthespotseemedwhatitwassaidoncetohavebeen，theancientVindiliaIsland，andtheHomeoftheSlingers。Thetoweringrock，thehousesabovehouses，oneman’sdoorsteprisingbehindhisneighbour’schimney，thegardenshungupbyoneedgetothesky，thevegetablesgrowingonapparentlyalmostverticalplanes，theunityofthewholeislandasasolidandsingleblockoflimestonefourmileslong，werenolongerfamiliarandcommonplaceideas。Allnowstooddazzlinglyuniqueandwhiteagainstthetintedsea，andthesunflashedoninfinitelystratifiedwallsofoolite，ThemelancholyruinsOfcancelledcycles，……
　　withadistinctivenessthatcalledtheeyestoitasstronglyasanyspectaclehehadbeheldafar。
　　Afteralaboriousclamberhereachedthetop，andwalkedalongtheplateautowardstheeasternvillage。Thetimebeingabouttwoo’clock，inthemiddleofthesummerseason，theroadwasglaringanddusty，anddrawingneartohisfather’shousehesatdowninthesun。
　　Hestretchedouthishandupontherockbesidehim。Itfeltwarm。
　　Thatwastheisland’spersonaltemperaturewheninitsafternoonsleepasnow。Helistened，andheardsounds：whirr-whirr，saw-saw-saw。
　　Thoseweretheisland’ssnores——thenoisesofthequarrymenandstone-
　　sawyers。
　　Oppositetothespotonwhichhesatwasaroomycottageorhomestead。
　　Liketheislanditwasallofstone，notonlyinwallsbutinwindow-
　　frames，roof，chimneys，fence，stile，pigstyandstable，almostdoor。
　　Herememberedwhohadusedtolivethere——andprobablylivedtherenow——
　　theCarofamily；the’roan-mare’Caros，astheywerecalledtodistinguishthemfromotherbranchesofthesamepedigree，therebeingbuthalf-a-dozenChristianandsurnamesinthewholeisland。Hecrossedtheroadandlookedinattheopendoorway。Yes，theretheywerestill。
　　Mrs。Caro，whohadseenhimfromthewindow，methimintheentry，andanold-fashionedgreetingtookplacebetweenthem。Amomentafteradoorleadingfromthebackroomswasthrownopen，andayounggirlaboutseventeenoreighteencameboundingin。
　　’Why，’TISdearJoce！’sheburstoutjoyfully。Andrunninguptotheyoungman，shekissedhim。
　　Thedemonstrationwassweetenoughfromtheownerofsuchanaffectionatepairofbrighthazeleyesandbrowntressesofhair。Butitwassosudden，sounexpectedbyamanfreshfromtowns，thathewincedforamomentquiteinvoluntarily；andtherewassomeconstraintinthemannerinwhichhereturnedherkiss，andsaid，’MyprettylittleAvice，howdoyoudoaftersolong？’
　　Forafewsecondsherimpulsiveinnocencehardlynoticedhisstartofsurprise；butMrs。Caro，thegirl’smother，hadobserveditinstantly。
　　Withapainedflushsheturnedtoherdaughter。
　　’Avice——mydearAvice！Why——whatareyoudoing？Don’tyouknowthatyou’vegrownuptobeawomansinceJocelyn——Mr。Pierston——waslastdownhere？Ofcourseyoumustn’tdonowasyouusedtodothreeorfouryearsago！’
　　TheawkwardnesswhichhadarisenwashardlyremovedbyPierston’sassurancethathequiteexpectedhertokeepupthepracticeofherchildhood，followedbyseveralminutesofconversationongeneralsubjects。Hewasvexedfromhissoulthathisunawaremovementshouldsohavebetrayedhim。AthisleavingherepeatedthatifAviceregardedhimotherwisethanassheusedtodohewouldneverforgiveher；butthoughtheypartedgoodfriendsherregretattheincidentwasvisibleinherface。Jocelynpassedoutintotheroadandonwardtohisfather’shousehardby。Themotheranddaughterwereleftalone。
　　’Iwasquiteamazedat’ee，mychild！’exclaimedtheelder。’AyoungmanfromLondonandforeigncities，usednowtothestrictestcompanymanners，andladieswhoalmostthinkitvulgartosmilebroad！Howcouldyedoit，Avice？’
　　’I——Ididn’tthinkabouthowIwasaltered！’saidtheconscience-
　　strickengirl。’Iusedtokisshim，andheusedtokissmebeforehewentaway。’
　　’Butthatwasyearsago，mydear！’
　　’Oyes，andforthemomentIforgot！Heseemedjustthesametomeasheusedtobe。’
　　’Well，itcan’tbehelpednow。Youmustbecarefulinthefuture。
　　He’sgotlotsofyoungwomen，I’llwarrant，andhasfewthoughtsleftforyou。He’swhattheycallasculptor，andhemeanstobeagreatgeniusinthatlinesomeday，theydosay。’
　　’Well，I’vedoneit；anditcan’tbemended！’moanedthegirl。
　　MeanwhileJocelynPierston，thesculptorofbuddingfame，hadgoneonwardtothehouseofhisfather，aninartisticmanoftradeandcommercemerely，fromwhom，nevertheless，Jocelyncondescendedtoacceptayearlyallowancependingthefamousdaystocome。Buttheelder，havingreceivednowarningofhisson’sintendedvisit，wasnotathometoreceivehim。Jocelynlookedroundthefamiliarpremises，glancedacrosstheCommonatthegreatyardswithinwhicheternalsawsweregoingtoandfrouponeternalblocksofstone——theverysamesawsandtheverysameblocksthathehadseentherewhenlastintheisland，soitseemedtohim——andthenpassedthroughthedwellingintothebackgarden。
　　Likeallthegardensintheisleitwassurroundedbyawallofdry-
　　jointedspawls，andatitsfurtherextremityitranoutintoacorner，whichadjoinedthegardenoftheCaros。Hehadnosoonerreachedthisspotthanhebecameawareofamurmuringandsobbingontheothersideofthewall。ThevoiceherecognizedinamomentasAvice’s，andsheseemedtobeconfidinghertroubletosomeyoungfriendofherownsex。
　　’Oh，whatshallIDO！whatSHALLIdo！’shewassayingbitterly。’Soboldasitwas——soshameless！HowcouldIthinkofsuchathing！Hewillneverforgiveme——never，neverlikemeagain！He’llthinkmeaforwardhussy，andyet——andyetIquiteforgothowmuchIhadgrown。
　　Butthathe’llneverbelieve！’Theaccentswerethoseofonewhohadforthefirsttimebecomeconsciousofherwomanhood，asanunwontedpossessionwhichshamedandfrightenedher。
　　’Didheseemangryatit？’inquiredthefriend。
　　’Ono——notangry！Worse。Coldandhaughty。O，he’ssuchafashionablepersonnow——notatallanislandman。Butthere’snouseintalkingofit。IwishIwasdead！’
　　Pierstonretreatedasquicklyashecould。Hegrievedattheincidentwhichhadbroughtsuchpaintothisinnocentsoul；andyetitwasbeginningtobeasourceofvaguepleasuretohim。Hereturnedtothehouse，andwhenhisfatherhadcomebackandwelcomedhim，andtheyhadsharedamealtogether，Jocelynagainwentout，fullofanearnestdesiretosoothehisyoungneighbour’ssorrowinawayshelittleexpected；though，totellthetruth，hisaffectionforherwasratherthatofafriendthanofalover，andhefeltbynomeanssurethatthemigratory，elusiveidealizationhecalledhisLovewho，eversincehisboyhood，hadflittedfromhumanshelltohumanshellanindefinitenumberoftimes，wasgoingtotakeupherabodeinthebodyofAviceCaro。
　　1。II。THEINCARNATIONISASSUMEDTOBETRUE
　　Itwasdifficulttomeetheragain，eventhoughonthislumpofrockthedifficultylayasaruleratherinavoidancethaninmeeting。ButAvicehadbeentransformedintoaverydifferentkindofyoungwomanbytheself-consciousnessengenderedofherimpulsivegreeting，and，notwithstandingtheirnearneighbourhood，hecouldnotencounterher，tryashewould。Nosoonerdidheappearaninchbeyondhisfather’sdoorthanshewastoearthlikeafox；sheboltedupstairstoherroom。
　　Anxioustosootheherafterhisunintentionalslighthecouldnotstandtheseevasionslong。Themannersoftheislewereprimitiveandstraightforward，evenamongthewell-to-do，andnotingherdisappearanceonedayhefollowedherintothehouseandonwardtothefootofthestairs。
　　’Avice！’hecalled。
　　’Yes，Mr。Pierston。’
　　’Whydoyourunupstairslikethat？’
　　’Oh——onlybecauseIwantedtocomeupforsomething。’
　　’Well，ifyou’vegotit，can’tyoucomedownagain？’
　　’No，Ican’tverywell。’
　　’Come，DEARAvice。That’swhatyouare，youknow。’
　　Therewasnoresponse。
　　’Well，ifyouwon’t，youwon’t！’hecontinued。’Idon’twanttobotheryou。’AndPierstonwentaway。
　　Hewasstoppingtolookattheold-fashionedflowersunderthegardenwallswhenheheardavoicebehindhim。
　　’Mr。Pierston——Iwasn’tangrywithyou。WhenyouweregoneIthought——
　　youmightmistakeme，andIfeltIcoulddonolessthancomeandassureyouofmyfriendshipstill。’
　　TurninghesawtheblushingAviceimmediatelybehindhim。
　　’Youareagood，deargirl！’saidhe，and，seizingherhand，setuponhercheekthekindofkissthatshouldhavebeentheresponsetohersonthedayofhiscoming。
　　’DarlingAvice，forgivemefortheslightthatday！Sayyoudo。Come，now！AndthenI’llsaytoyouwhatIhaveneversaidtoanyotherwoman，livingordead："Willyouhavemeasyourhusband？"’
　　’Ah！——mothersaysIamonlyoneofmany！’
　　’Youarenot，dear。YouknewmewhenIwasyoung，andothersdidn’t。’
　　Somehoworotherherobjectionsweregotover，andthoughshedidnotgiveanimmediateassent，sheagreedtomeethimlaterintheafternoon，whenshewalkedwithhimtothesouthernpointoftheislandcalledtheBeal，or，bystrangers，theBill，pausingoverthetreacherouscavernknownasCaveHole，intowhichthesearoaredandsplashednowasithaddonewhentheyvisitedittogetheraschildren。
　　Tosteadyherselfwhilelookinginheofferedherhisarm，andshetookit，forthefirsttimeasawoman，forthehundredthtimeashiscompanion。
　　Theyrambledontothelighthouse，wheretheywouldhavelingeredlongerifAvicehadnotsuddenlyrememberedanengagementtorecitepoetryfromaplatformthatveryeveningattheStreetofWells，thevillagecommandingtheentrancetotheisland——thevillagethathasnowadvancedtobeatown。
　　’Recite！’saidhe。’Who’dhavethoughtanybodyoranythingcouldrecitedownhereexceptthereciterwehearawaythere——theneverspeechlesssea。’
　　’Obutwearequiteintellectualnow。Inthewinterparticularly。
　　But，Jocelyn——don’tcometotherecitation，willyou？Itwouldspoilmyperformanceifyouwerethere，andIwanttobeasgoodastherest。’
　　’Iwon’tifyoureallywishmenotto。ButIshallmeetyouatthedoorandbringyouhome。’
　　’Yes！’shesaid，lookingupintohisface。Avicewasperfectlyhappynow；shecouldneverhavebelievedonthatmortifyingdayofhiscomingthatshewouldbesohappywithhim。Whentheyreachedtheeastsideoftheisletheyparted，thatshemightbesoonenoughtotakeherplaceontheplatform。Pierstonwenthome，andafterdark，whenitwasaboutthehourforaccompanyingherback，hewentalongthemiddleroadnorthwardtotheStreetofWells。
　　Hewasfullofmisgiving。HehadknownAviceCarosowellofoldthathisfeelingforhernowwasrathercomradeshipthanlove；andwhathehadsaidtoherinamomentofimpulsethatmorningratherappalledhiminitsconsequences。Notthatanyofthemoresophisticatedandaccomplishedwomenwhohadattractedhimsuccessivelywouldbelikelytoriseinconvenientlybetweenthem。Forhehadquitedisabusedhismindoftheassumptionthattheidolofhisfancywasanintegralpartofthepersonalityinwhichithadsojournedforalongorashortwhile。
　　***
　　TohisWell-Belovedhehadalwaysbeenfaithful；butshehadhadmanyembodiments。EachindividualityknownasLucy，Jane，Flora，Evangeline，orwhat-not，hadbeenmerelyatransientconditionofher。
　　Hedidnotrecognizethisasanexcuseorasadefence，butasafactsimply。Essentiallyshewasperhapsofnotangiblesubstance；aspirit，adream，afrenzy，aconception，anaroma，anepitomizedsex，alightoftheeye，apartingofthelips。Godonlyknewwhatshereallywas；Pierstondidnot。Shewasindescribable。
　　Nevermuchconsideringthatshewasasubjectivephenomenonvivifiedbytheweirdinfluencesofhisdescentandbirthplace，thediscoveryofherghostliness，ofherindependenceofphysicallawsandfailings，hadoccasionallygivenhimasenseoffear。Heneverknewwhereshenextwouldbe，whithershewouldleadhim，havingherselfinstantaccesstoallranksandclasses，toeveryabodeofmen。Sometimesatnighthedreamtthatshewas’thewile-weavingDaughterofhighZeus’inperson，bentontormentinghimforhissinsagainstherbeautyinhisart——theimplacableAphroditeherselfindeed。Heknewthathelovedthemasqueradingcreaturewhereverhefoundher，whetherwithblueeyes，blackeyes，orbrown；whetherpresentingherselfastall，fragile，orplump。Shewasneverintwoplacesatonce；buthithertoshehadneverbeeninoneplacelong。
　　Bymakingthiscleartohismindsometimebeforeto-day，hehadescapedagooddealofuglyself-reproach。Itwassimplythatshewhoalwaysattractedhim，andledhimwhithershewouldasbyasilkenthread，hadnotremainedtheoccupantofthesamefleshlytabernacleinhercareersofar。Whethershewouldultimatelysettledowntoonehecouldnotsay。
　　HadhefeltthatshewasbecomingmanifestinAvice，hewouldhavetriedtobelievethatthiswastheterminalspotofhermigrations，andhavebeencontenttoabidebyhiswords。ButdidheseetheWell-
　　BelovedinAviceatall？Thequestionwassomewhatdisturbing。
　　Hehadreachedthebrowofthehill，anddescendedtowardsthevillage，whereinthelongstraightRomanstreethesoonfoundthelightedhall。
　　Theperformancewasnotyetover；andbygoingroundtothesideofthebuildingandstandingonamoundhecouldseetheinteriorasfardownastheplatformlevel。Avice’sturn，orsecondturn，cameonalmostimmediately。Herprettyembarrassmentonfacingtheaudienceratherwonhimawayfromhisdoubts。Shewas，intruth，whatiscalleda’nice’girl；attractive，certainly，butaboveallthingsnice——oneoftheclasswithwhomtherisksofmatrimonyapproximatemostnearlytozero。Herintelligenteyes，herbroadforehead，herthoughtfulcarriage，ensuredonething，thatofallthegirlshehadknownhehadnevermetonewithmorecharmingandsolidqualitiesthanAviceCaro’s。
　　Thiswasnotamereconjecture——hehadknownherlongandthoroughly；
　　hereverymoodandtemper。
　　Aheavywagonpassingwithoutdrownedhersmallsoftvoiceforhim；buttheaudiencewerepleased，andsheblushedattheirapplause。Henowtookhisstationatthedoor，andwhenthepeoplehaddonepouringouthefoundherwithinawaitinghim。
　　TheyclimbedhomewardslowlybytheOldRoad，Pierstondragginghimselfupthesteepbythewaysidehand-railandpullingAviceafterhimuponhisarm。Atthetoptheyturnedandstoodstill。Totheleftofthemtheskywasstreakedlikeafanwiththelighthouserays，andundertheirfront，atperiodsofaquarterofaminute，therearoseadeep，hollowstrokelikethesinglebeatofadrum，theintervalsbeingfilledwithalong-drawnrattling，asofbonesbetweenhugecaninejaws。ItcamefromthevastconcaveofDeadman’sBay，risingandfallingagainstthepebbledyke。
　　Theeveningandnightwindsherewere，toPierston’smind，chargedwithasomethingthatdidnotburdenthemelsewhere。TheybroughtitupfromthatsinisterBaytothewest，whosemovementsheandhewerehearingnow。Itwasapresence——animaginaryshapeoressencefromthehumanmultitudelyingbelow：thosewhohadgonedowninvesselsofwar，EastIndiamen，barges，brigs，andshipsoftheArmada——selectpeople，common，anddebased，whoseinterestsandhopeshadbeenaswideasunderasthepoles，butwhohadrolledeachothertoonenessonthatrestlesssea-bed。Therecouldalmostbefeltthebrushoftheirhugecompositeghostasitranashapelessfigureovertheisle，shriekingforsomegoodgodwhowoulddisuniteitagain。
　　Thetwainwanderedalongwaythatnightamidtheseinfluences——sofarastotheoldHopeChurchyard，whichlayinaravineformedbyalandslipagesago。Thechurchhadslippeddownwiththerestofthecliff，andhadlongbeenaruin。ItseemedtosaythatinthislastlocalstrongholdofthePagandivinities，wherePagancustomslingeredyet，Christianityhadestablisheditselfprecariouslyatbest。InthatsolemnspotPierstonkissedher。
　　ThekisswasbynomeansonAvice’sinitiativethistime。Herformerdemonstrativenessseemedtohaveincreasedherpresentreserve。
　　***
　　Thatdaywasthebeginningofapleasantmonthpassedmainlyineachother’ssociety。Hefoundthatshecouldnotonlyrecitepoetryatintellectualgatherings，butplaythepianofairly，andsingtoherownaccompaniment。
　　Heobservedthateveryaimofthosewhohadbroughtheruphadbeentogetherawaymentallyasfaraspossiblefromhernaturalandindividuallifeasaninhabitantofapeculiarisland：tomakeheranexactcopyoftensofthousandsofotherpeople，inwhosecircumstancestherewasnothingspecial，distinctive，orpicturesque；toteachhertoforgetalltheexperiencesofherancestors；todrownthelocalballadsbysongspurchasedattheBudmouthfashionablemusic-sellers’，andthelocalvocabularybyagoverness-tongueofnocountryatall。Shelivedinahousethatwouldhavebeenthefortuneofanartist，andlearnttodrawLondonsuburbanvillasfromprintedcopies。
　　Avicehadseenallthisbeforehepointeditout，but，withagirl’stractability，hadacquiesced。Byconstitutionshewaslocaltothebone，butshecouldnotescapethetendencyoftheage。
　　ThetimeforJocelyn’sdeparturedrewnear，andshelookedforwardtoitsadly，butserenely，theirengagementbeingnowasettledthing。
　　Pierstonthoughtofthenativecustomonsuchoccasions，whichhadprevailedinhisandherfamilyforcenturies，bothbeingoftheoldstockoftheisle。Theinfluxof’kimberlins，’or’foreigners’（asstrangersfromthemainlandofWessexwerecalled），hadledinalargemeasuretoitsdiscontinuance；butunderneaththeveneerofAvice’seducationmanyanold-fashionedidealayslumbering，andhewonderedif，inhernaturalmelancholyathisleaving，sheregrettedthechangingmannerswhichmadeunpopulartheformalratificationofabetrothal，accordingtotheprecedentoftheirsiresandgrandsires。
　　1。III。THEAPPOINTMENT
　　’Well，’saidhe，’hereweare，arrivedatthefag-endofmyholiday。
　　Whatapleasantsurprisemyoldhome，whichIhavenotthoughtworthcomingtoseeforthreeorfouryears，hadinstoreforme！’
　　’Youmustgoto-morrow？’sheaskeduneasily。
　　’Yes。’
　　Somethingseemedtooverweighthem；somethingmorethanthenaturalsadnessofapartingwhichwasnottobelong；andhedecidedthatinsteadofleavinginthedaytimeashehadintended，hewoulddeferhisdeparturetillnight，andgobythemail-trainfromBudmouth。Thiswouldgivehimtimetolookintohisfather’squarries，andenableher，ifshechose，towalkwithhimalongthebeachasfarastoHenrytheEighth’sCastleabovethesands，wheretheycouldlingerandwatchthemoonriseoverthesea。Shesaidshethoughtshecouldcome。
　　SoafterspendingthenextdaywithhisfatherinthequarriesJocelynpreparedtoleave，andatthetimeappointedsetoutfromthestonehouseofhisbirthinthisstoneisletowalktoBudmouth-Regisbythepathalongthebeach，AvicehavingsometimeearliergonedowntoseesomefriendsintheStreetofWells，whichwashalfwaytowardsthespotoftheirtryst。Thedescentsoonbroughthimtothepebblebank，andleavingbehindhimthelasthousesoftheisle，andtheruinsofthevillagedestroyedbytheNovembergaleof1824，hestruckoutalongthenarrowthreadofland。Whenhehadwalkedahundredyardshestopped，turnedasidetothepebbleridgewhichwalledoutthesea，andsatdowntowaitforher。
　　Betweenhimandthelightsoftheshipsridingatanchorintheroadsteadtwomenpassedslowlyinthedirectionheintendedtopursue。
　　OneofthemrecognizedJocelyn，andbadehimgood-night，adding，’Wishyoujoy，sir，ofyourchoice，andhopetheweddenwillbesoon！’
　　’Thankyou，Seaborn。Well——weshallseewhatChristmaswilldotowardsbringingitabout。’
　　’Mywifeopeneduponitthismornen："PleaseGod，I’llupandseethattherewedden，"saysshe，"knowing’embothfromtheircrawlingdays。"’
　　Themenmovedon，andwhentheywereoutofPierston’shearingtheonewhohadnotspokensaidtohisfriend，’Whowasthatyoungkimberlin？
　　Hedon’tseemoneo’we。’
　　’Oh，heis，though，everyincho’en。He’sMr。JocelynPierston，thestwone-merchant’sonlysonupatEastQuarriers。He’stobemarriedtoastylishyoungbody；hermother，awidowwoman，carriesonthesamebusinessaswellasshecan；buttheirtradeisnotatwentiethpartofPierston’s。He’sworththousandsandthousands，theysay，though’adoliveoninthesamewoldwayupinthesamewoldhouse。ThissonisdoengreatthingsinLondonasa’image-carver；andIcanmindwhen，asaboy，’afirsttooktocarvingsoldiersouto’bitso’stwonefromthesoft-bedofhisfather’squarries；andthen’amadeaseto’stwonenchess-men，andso’agoton。He’squitethegentinLondon，theytellme；andthewonderisthat’acaredtocomebackhereandpickuplittleAviceCaro——nicemaidassheisnotwithstanding……Hullo！
　　there’stobeachangeintheweathersoon。’
　　Meanwhilethesubjectoftheirremarkswaitedattheappointedplacetillseveno’clock，thehournamedbetweenhimselfandhisaffianced，hadstruck。Almostatthemomenthesawafigurecomingforwardfromthelastlampatthebottomofthehill。Butthefigurespeedilyresolveditselfintothatofaboy，who，advancingtoJocelyn，inquiredifhewereMr。Pierston，andhandedhimanote。
　　1。IV。ALONELYPEDESTRIAN
　　WhentheboyhadgoneJocelynretracedhisstepstothelastlamp，andread，inAvice’shand：
　　’MYDEAREST，——IshallbesorryifIgrieveyouatallinwhatIamgoingtosayaboutourarrangementtomeetto-nightintheSandsfootruin。ButIhavefanciedthatmyseeingyouagainandagainlatelyisincliningyourfathertoinsist，andyouashisheirtofeel，thatweoughttocarryoutIslandCustominourcourting——yourpeoplebeingsucholdinhabitantsinanunbrokenline。Truthtosay，mothersupposesthatyourfather，fornaturalreasons，mayhavehintedtoyouthatweought。Now，thethingiscontrarytomyfeelings：itisnearlyleftoff；andIdonotthinkitgood，evenwherethereisproperty，asinyourcase，tojustifyit，inameasure。IwouldrathertrustinProvidence。
　　’Onthewhole，therefore，itisbestthatIshouldnotcome——ifonlyforappearances——andmeetyouatatimeandplacesuggestingthecustom，toothersthanourselves，atleast，ifknown。
　　’Iamsurethatthisdecisionwillnotdisturbyoumuch；thatyouwillunderstandmymodernfeelings，andthinknoworseofmeforthem。Anddear，ifitweretobedone，andwewereunfortunateinit，wemightbothhaveenougholdfamilyfeelingtothink，likeourforefathers，andpossiblyyourfather，thatwecouldnotmarryhonourably；andhencewemightbemadeunhappy。
　　’However，youwillcomeagainshortly，willyounot，dearJocelyn？——andthenthetimewillsoondrawonwhennomoregood-byeswillberequired。——Alwaysandeveryours，’AVICE。’
　　Jocelyn，havingreadtheletter，wassurprisedatthenaiveteitshowed，andatAviceandhermother’santiquatedsimplicityinsupposingthattobestillagraveandoperatingprinciplewhichwasabygonebarbarismtohimselfandotherabsenteesfromtheisland。Hisfather，asamoney-maker，mighthavepracticalwishesonthematterofdescendantswhichlentplausibilitytotheconjectureofAviceandhermother；buttoJocelynhehadneverexpressedhimselfinfavouroftheancientways，old-fashionedashewas。
　　Amusedthereforeatherregardofherselfasmodern，Jocelynwasdisappointed，andalittlevexed，thatsuchanunforeseenreasonshouldhavedeprivedhimofhercompany。Howtheoldideassurvivedundertheneweducation！
　　Thereaderisaskedtorememberthatthedate，thoughrecentinthehistoryoftheIsleofSlingers，wasmorethanfortyyearsago。
　　***
　　Findingthattheeveningseemedlouring，yetindisposedtogobackandhireavehicle，hewentonquicklyalone。Insuchanexposedspotthenightwindwasgusty，andtheseabehindthepebblebarrierkickedandflouncedincomplexrhythms，whichcouldbetranslatedequallywellasshocksofbattleorshoutsofthanksgiving。
　　Presentlyonthepaleroadbeforehimhediscernedafigure，thefigureofawoman。HerememberedthatawomanpassedhimwhilehewasreadingAvice’sletterbythelastlamp，andnowhewasovertakingher。
　　HedidhopeforamomentthatitmightbeAvice，withachangedmind。
　　Butitwasnotshe，noranybodylikeher。Itwasataller，squarerformthanthatofhisbetrothed，andalthoughtheseasonwasonlyautumnshewaswrappedinfurs，orinthickandheavyclothingofsomekind。
　　Hesoonadvancedabreastofher，andcouldgetglimpsesofherprofileagainsttheroadsteadlights。Itwasdignified，arresting，thatofaveryJuno。Nothingmoreclassicalhadheeverseen。Shewalkedataswingingpace，yetwithsucheaseandpowerthattherewasbutlittledifferenceintheirrateofspeedforseveralminutes；andduringthistimeheregardedandconjectured。However，hewasabouttopassherbywhenshesuddenlyturnedandaddressedhim。
　　’MrPierston，Ithink，ofEastQuarriers？’
　　Heassented，andcouldjustdiscernwhatahandsome，commanding，imperiousfaceitwas——quiteofapiecewiththeproudtonesofhervoice。Shewasanewtypealtogetherinhisexperience；andheraccentwasnotsolocalasAvice’s。
　　’Canyoutellmethetime，please？’
　　Helookedathiswatchbytheaidofalight，andintellingherthatitwasaquarterpastsevenobserved，bythemomentarygleamofhismatch，thathereyeslookedalittleredandchafed，asifwithweeping。
　　’Mr。Pierston，willyouforgivewhatwillappearverystrangetoyou，I
　　daresay？Thatis，mayIaskyoutolendmesomemoneyforadayortwo？Ihavebeensofoolishastoleavemypurseonthedressing-
　　table。’
　　Itdidappearstrange：andyettherewerefeaturesintheyounglady’spersonalitywhichassuredhiminamomentthatshewasnotanimpostor。
　　Heyieldedtoherrequest，andputhishandinhispocket。Hereitremainedforamoment。Howmuchdidshemeanbythewords’somemoney’？TheJunonianqualityofherformandmannermadehimthrowhimselfbyanimpulseintoharmonywithher，andherespondedregally。
　　Hescentedaromance。Hehandedherfivepounds。
　　Hismunificencecausedhernoapparentsurprise。’Itisquiteenough，thankyou，’sheremarkedquietly，asheannouncedthesum，lestsheshouldbeunabletoseeitforherself。
　　Whileovertakingandconversingwithherhehadnotobservedthattherisingwind，whichhadproceededfrompuffingtogrowling，andfromgrowlingtoscreeching，withtheaccustomedsuddennessofitschangeshere，hadatlengthbroughtwhatitpromisedbythesevagaries——rain。
　　Thedrops，whichhadatfirsthittheirleftcheekslikethepelletsofapopgun，soonassumedthecharacterofarakingfusilladefromthebankadjoining，oneshotofwhichwassufficientlysmarttogothroughJocelyn’ssleeve。Thetallgirlturned，andseemedtobesomewhatconcernedatanonsetwhichshehadplainlynotforeseenbeforeherstarting。
　　’Wemusttakeshelter，’saidJocelyn。
　　’Butwhere？’saidshe。
　　Towindwardwasthelong，monotonousbank，tooobtuselypiledtoaffordascreen，overwhichtheycouldhearthecaninecrunchingofpebblesbytheseawithout；ontheirrightstretchedtheinnerbayorroadstead，thedistantriding-lightsoftheshipsnowdimandglimmering；behindthemafaintsparkhereandthereinthelowerskyshowedwheretheislandrose；beforetherewasnothingdefinite，andcouldbenothing，tilltheyreachedaprecariouswoodbridge，amilefurtheron，HenrytheEighth’sCastlebeingalittlefurtherstill。
　　Butjustwithinthesummitofthebank，whitherithadapparentlybeenhauledtobeoutofthewayofthewaves，wasoneofthelocalboatscalledlerrets，bottomupwards。Assoonastheysawitthepairranupthepebblyslopetowardsitbyasimultaneousimpulse。Theythenperceivedthatithadlaintherealongtime，andwerecomfortedtofinditcapableofaffordingmoreprotectionthananybodywouldhaveexpectedfromadistantview。Itformedashelterorstoreforthefishermen，thebottomofthelerretbeingtarredasaroof。Bycreepingunderthebows，whichoverhungthebankonpropstoleeward，theymadetheirwaywithin，where，uponsomethwarts，oars，andotherfragmentarywoodwork，layamassofdrynetting——awholesein。Uponthistheyscrambledandsatdown，throughinabilitytostandupright。
　　1。V。ACHARGE
　　Therainfelluponthekeeloftheoldlerretlikecornthrowninhandfulsbysomecolossalsower，anddarknesssetintoitsfullshade。
　　Theycrouchedsoclosetoeachotherthathecouldfeelherfursagainsthim。Neitherhadspokensincetheylefttheroadwaytillshesaid，withattemptedunconcern：’Thisisunfortunate。’
　　Headmittedthatitwas，andfound，afterafewfurtherremarkshadpassed，thatshecertainlyhadbeenweeping，therebeingasuppressedgaspofpassionatenessinherutterancenowandthen。
　　’Itismoreunfortunateforyou，perhaps，thanforme，’hesaid，’andI
　　amverysorrythatitshouldbeso。’
　　Sherepliednothingtothis，andheaddedthatitwasratheradesolateplaceforawoman，aloneandafoot。Hehopednothingserioushadhappenedtodragheroutatsuchanuntowardtime。
　　Atfirstsheseemednotatalldisposedtoshowanycandouronherownaffairs，andhewaslefttoconjectureastoherhistoryandname，andhowshecouldpossiblyhaveknownhim。But，astheraingavenottheleastsignofcessation，heobserved：’Ithinkweshallhavetogoback。’
　　’Never！’saidshe，andthefirmnesswithwhichsheclosedherlipswasaudibleintheword。
　　’Whynot？’heinquired。
　　’Therearegoodreasons。’
　　’Icannotunderstandhowyoushouldknowme，whileIhavenoknowledgeofyou。’
　　’Oh，butyouknowme——aboutme，atleast。’
　　’IndeedIdon’t。HowshouldI？Youareakimberlin。’
　　’Iamnot。Iamarealislander——orwas，rather……Haven’tyouheardoftheBest-BedStoneCompany？’
　　’Ishouldthinkso！Theytriedtoruinmyfatherbygettingawayhistrade——or，atleast，thefounderofthecompanydid——oldBencomb。’
　　’He’smyfather！’
　　’Indeed。IamsorryIshouldhavespokensodisrespectfullyofhim，forIneverknewhimpersonally。Aftermakingoverhislargebusinesstothecompany，heretired，Ibelieve，toLondon？’
　　’Yes。Ourhouse，orratherhis，notmine，isatSouthKensington。Wehavelivedthereforyears。ButwehavebeentenantsofSylvaniaCastle，ontheislandhere，thisseason。Wetookitforamonthortwooftheowner，whoisaway。’
　　’ThenIhavebeenstayingquitenearyou，MissBencomb。Myfather’sisacomparativelyhumbleresidencehardby。’
　　’Buthecouldaffordamuchbiggeroneifhechose。’
　　’Youhaveheardso？Idon’tknow。Hedoesn’ttellmemuchofhisaffairs。’
　　’Myfather，’sheburstoutsuddenly，’isalwaysscoldingmeformyextravagance！Andhehasbeendoingitto-daymorethanever。HesaidIgoshoppingintowntosimplyadiabolicalextent，andexceedmyallowance！’
　　’Wasthatthisevening？’
　　’Yes。AndthenitreachedsuchastormofpassionbetweenusthatI
　　pretendedtoretiretomyroomfortherestoftheevening，butI
　　slippedout；andIamnevergoingbackhomeagain。’
　　’Whatwillyoudo？’
　　’IshallgofirsttomyauntinLondon；andifshewon’thaveme，I’llworkforaliving。Ihaveleftmyfatherforever！WhatIshouldhavedoneifIhadnotmetyouIcannottell——ImusthavewalkedallthewaytoLondon，Isuppose。NowIshalltakethetrainassoonasIreachthemainland。’
　　’Ifyoueverdointhishurricane。’
　　’Imustsitheretillitstops。’
　　Andthereonthenetstheysat。PierstonknewofoldBencombashisfather’sbitterestenemy，whohadmadeagreatfortunebyswallowingupthesmallstone-merchants，buthadfoundJocelyn’ssireatrifletoobigtodigest——thelatterbeing，infact，thechiefrivaloftheBest-
　　BedCompanytothatday。JocelynthoughtitstrangethatheshouldbethrownbyfateintoapositiontoplaythesonoftheMontaguestothisdaughteroftheCapulets。
　　Astheytalkedtherewasamutualinstincttodroptheirvoices，andonthisaccounttheroarofthestormnecessitatedtheirdrawingquiteclosetogether。Somethingtendercameintotheirtonesasquarter-hourafterquarter-hourwenton，andtheyforgotthelapseoftime。Itwasquitelatewhenshestartedup，alarmedatherposition。
　　’Rainornorain，Icanstaynolonger，’shesaid。
　　’Docomeback，’saidhe，takingherhand。’I’llreturnwithyou。Mytrainhasgone。’
　　’No；Ishallgoon，andgetalodginginBudmouthtown，ifeverIreachit。’
　　’Itissolatethattherewillbenohouseopen，exceptalittleplacenearthestationwhereyouwon’tcaretostay。However，ifyouaredeterminedIwillshowyoutheway。Icannotleaveyou。Itwouldbetooawkwardforyoutogotherealone。’
　　Shepersisted，andtheystartedthroughthetwangingandspinningstorm。Thesearolledandrosesohighontheirleft，andwassonearthemontheirright，thatitseemedasiftheyweretraversingitsbottomliketheChildrenofIsrael。Nothingbutthefrailbankofpebblesdividedthemfromtheraginggulfwithout，andateverybangofthetideagainstitthegroundshook，theshingleclashed，thesprayrosevertically，andwasblownovertheirheads。Quantitiesofsea-
　　watertrickledthroughthepebblewall，andraninrivuletsacrosstheirpathtojointheseawithin。The’Island’wasanislandstill。
　　Theyhadnotrealizedtheforceoftheelementstillnow。Pedestrianshadoftenbeenblownintotheseahereabout，anddrowned，owingtoasuddenbreachinthebank；which，however，hadsomethingofasupernaturalpowerinbeingabletocloseupandjoinitselftogetheragainaftersuchdisruption，likeSatan’sformwhen，cutintwobytheswordofMichael，’Theetherealsubstanceclosed，Notlongdivisible。’
　　Herclothingofferedmoreresistancetothewindthanhis，andshewasconsequentlyinthegreaterdanger。Itwasimpossibletorefusehisprofferedaid。Firsthegavehisarm，butthewindtorethemapartaseasilyascoupledcherries。Hesteadiedherbodilybyencirclingherwaistwithhisarm；andshemadenoobjection。
　　***
　　Somewhereaboutthistime——itmighthavebeensooner，itmighthavebeenlater——hebecameconsciousofasensationwhich，initsincipientandunrecognizedform，hadlurkedwithinhimfromsomeunnoticedmomentwhenhewassittingclosetohisnewfriendunderthelerret。Thoughayoungman，hewastoooldahandnottoknowwhatthiswas，andfeltalarmed——evendismayed。ItmeantapossiblemigrationoftheWell-
　　Beloved。Thethinghadnot，however，takenplace；andhewentonthinkinghowsoftandwarmtheladywasinherfurcovering，asheheldhersotightly；theonlydryspotsintheclothingofeitherbeingherleftsideandhisright，wheretheyexcludedtherainbytheirmutualpressure。
　　Assoonastheyhadcrossedtheferry-bridgetherewasalittlemoreshelter，buthedidnotrelinquishhisholdtillsherequestedhim。
　　Theypassedtheruinedcastle，andhavinglefttheislandfarbehindthemtrodmileaftermiletilltheydrewneartotheoutskirtsoftheneighbouringwatering-place。Intoittheyploddedwithoutpause，crossingtheharbourbridgeaboutmidnight，wettotheskin。
　　Hepitiedher，and，whilehewonderedatit，admiredherdetermination。
　　Thehousesfacingthebaynowshelteredthemcompletely，andtheyreachedthevicinityofthenewrailwayterminus（whichthestationwasatthisdate）withoutdifficulty。Ashehadsaid，therewasonlyonehouseopenhereabout，alittletemperanceinn，wherethepeoplestayedupforthearrivalofthemorningmailandpassengersfromtheChannelboats。Theirapplicationforadmissionledtothewithdrawalofabolt，andtheystoodwithinthegaslightofthepassage。
　　Hecouldseenowthatthoughshewassuchafinefigure，quiteastallashimself，shewasbutinthebloomofyoungwomanhood。Herfacewascertainlystriking，thoughratherbyitsimperiousnessthanitsbeauty；
　　andthebeatingofthewindandrainandsprayhadinflamedhercheekstopeonyhues。
　　ShepersistedinthedeterminationtogoontoLondonbyanearlymorningtrain，andhethereforeofferedadviceonlessermattersonly。
　　’Inthatcase，’hesaid，’youmustgouptoyourroomandsenddownyourthings，thattheymaybedriedbythefireimmediately，ortheywillnotbeready。Iwilltelltheservanttodothis，andsendyouupsomethingtoeat。’
　　Sheassentedtohisproposal，without，however，showinganymarksofgratitude；andwhenshehadgonePierstondespatchedherthelightsupperpromisedbythesleepygirlwhowas’nightporter’atthisestablishment。Hefeltravenouslyhungryhimself，andsetaboutdryinghisclothesaswellashecould，andeatingatthesametime。
　　Atfirsthewasindoubtwhattodo，butsoondecidedtostaywherehewastillthemorrow。Bytheaidofsometemporarywraps，andsomeslippersfromthecupboard，hewascontrivingtomakehimselfcomfortablewhenthemaid-servantcamedownstairswithadamparmfulofwoman’sraiment。
　　Pierstonwithdrewfromthefire。Themaid-servantkneltdownbeforetheblazeandheldupwithextendedarmsoneofthehabilimentsoftheJunoupstairs，fromwhichacloudofsteambegantorise。Assheknelt，thegirlnoddedforward，recoveredherself，andnoddedagain。
　　’Youaresleepy，mygirl，’saidPierston。
　　’Yes，sir；Ihavebeenupalongtime。WhennobodycomesIliedownonthecouchintheotherroom。’
　　’ThenI’llrelieveyouofthat；goandliedownintheotherroom，justasifwewerenothere。I’lldrytheclothingandputthearticleshereinaheap，whichyoucantakeuptotheyoungladyinthemorning。’
　　The’nightporter’thankedhimandlefttheroom，andhesoonheardhersnoringfromtheadjoiningapartment。ThenJocelynopenedproceedings，overhaulingtherobesandextendingthemonebyone。Asthesteamwentuphefellintoareverie。Heagainbecameconsciousofthechangewhichhadbeeninitiatedduringthewalk。TheWell-Belovedwasmovinghouse——hadgoneovertothewearerofthisattire。
　　Inthecourseoftenminutesheadoredher。
　　AndhowaboutlittleAviceCaro？Hedidnotthinkofherasbefore。
　　HewasnotsurethathehadeverseentherealBelovedinthatfriendofhisyouth，solicitousashewasforherwelfare。But，lovingherornot，heperceivedthatthespirit，emanation，idealism，whichcalleditselfhisLovewasflittingstealthilyfromsomeremoterfiguretothenearoneinthechamberoverhead。
　　Avicehadnotkeptherengagementtomeethiminthelonelyruin，fearingherownimaginings。Buthe，infact，morethanshe，hadbeeneducatedoutoftheislandinnocencethathadupheldoldmanners；andthiswasthestrangeconsequenceofAvice’smisapprehension。