The Marble Faun; Or, The Romance of Monte Beni - Volume 1

place left to itself, in dusty sanctity, like that chamber in man's heart where he hides his religious awe. This was very much the case with the chapel of Monte Beni.

he marble vase at the entrance held some hardened mud at the bottom, accruing from the dust that had settled in it during the gradual evaporation of the holy water; and a spider (being an insect that delights in pointing the moral of desolation and neglect) had taken pains to weave a prodigiously thick tissue across

y here sought those realities which men do not invite their festive associates to share. And here, on the occasion above referred to, the sculptor had discovered-accidentally, so far as he was conce

f in a saloon, of no great size, but more magnificent than he had supposed the villa to contain. As it was vacant, Ke

y intended for full length statues, along the walls, were lined with the same costly material. Without visiting Italy, one can have no idea of the beauty and magnificence that are produced by these fittings-up of polished marble. Without such experience, indeed, we do not even know what marble means, in any sense, save as the white limestone of which we carve our mantelpieces. This rich hall of Monte

tle dusting, looks just as brilliant in its three hundredth year as the day after the final slab of giallo antico was fitted into the wall. To the sculptor, at this first View of it, it seemed a hall where

eared. She was very pale, and dressed in deep mourning. As she advanced towards the sculptor, the feebleness of her step was so appar

aid, and, after touching her cold hand to his, went and sat down

Kenyon, much shocked at her appea

adding despondently, "yet I am ill enough, I beli

order?" asked the sculpt

ly-or perhaps rapidly-wearing me away, because I can apply it to no use. The object, which I am bound to consider my only one on earth, fails me utterly. The sacrifice which I ye

sad, Miriam,

," she replied, with a

fertile in plans as I have known you, can you imag

emorse; do not think it! I put myself out of the question, and feel neither regret nor penitence on my own behalf. But what benumbs me, what robs me of all power,-i

me men gather-was startled to perceive how Miriam's rich, ill-regulated nature impelled her to fling h

certainty of which you spea

udder, a cold shiver, that ran through him one sunny mornin

m," said the sculptor, "

color came tremulously ove

ws me with any true insight, he not only loves you still, but with a force and de

e," said Miriam,

t shock there was an intolerable pain and shuddering repugnance attaching themselves to all the circumstances and surroundings of the event that so terribly affected him. Was his dearest friend involved within the horror of that moment? He would shrink

t I am here! Why, then, except that I am

as already a consciousness of it in his mind. But, the more passionately he longs for your society, the more religiously he deems himself bound to avoid it. The idea of a life

Miriam, in a low voice, to

ndifference of her manner, a kind of frozen passionateness which had shocked and chilled the sculptor, disappeared. She blushed, and

he inquired at length,

closing itself to his inward sight. He startles me, at times, with his perception of deep truths; and, quite as often, it must be owned, he compels me to smile by the intermixture of his former s

in upon me, had I such a motive for acquiring it! Who else can perform the task? Who else has the tender sympathy which he requires? Who else, save only me,-a woman, a sharer in the same dread secret, a partak

said Kenyon, "that your

prospect of happiness a fearful word, however lies in the good that may accrue to him from our intercourse. But he rejects me! He will not listen to the whisper of his heart, tel

any moment," remarked the sculptor. "It is but to ascend Donate

swered Miriam. "

sculptor, "the dread eye-

ut, my friend, you little know what a weak or what a strong creature a woman is! I fear not Heaven, in this case, at least, but-s

hile before, had seemed the plaything of a moment. But, in Miriam's eyes, Donatello was always, thenceforth, invested with the tragic dignity of their hour of crime; and, furthermore, the keen and deep insight, with

s a person does when a defect is acknowledged, and beyond rem

supplied to him, as through the medium of a variety of scenes. His mind is awakened, now; his heart, though full of pain, is no longer benumbed. They should have food and solace. If he linger here much longer, I fear that he may sink back into a lethargy. The extreme excitability,

plan, then?"

tures and vicissitudes of travel will do him infinite good. After his recent profound experience, he will re-create the world b

ot without jealousy. "You are taking him from me, and putting yourself, a

or, to mention no other obstacle, I am a man, and between man and man there is always an insuperable gulf. They can never quite grasp each other's hands; and therefore man never derives any

Miriam. "I have told you that I cannot d

f a journey often fling people together in the oddest and therefore the most natural way. Supposing you were to find you

erugia? I remember standing in the shadow of that statue one sunny noontime, and being impressed by its paternal aspect, and fancying that a blessing fell upon me from its outstretched hand. Ever since, I have had a superstition, you will call it foolish, but sad and ill-fated per

repared to take his leave. As he met Miriam's eyes, in bidding farewell, he was surprised at the new, tender gladness t

id he, smiling, "that you ar

es you give me. Do you, then, think me beautiful? I rejoice, most truly. Beauty-if I possess it-shall be on

back, and beheld Miriam still standing where he had left her, in the magnificent

honor! Have I not shocked you many times during this interview by my betrayal of woman's cause, my lack of feminine modesty,

which she brought him, the sculptor was not

sion made upon my mind; but it has been painful,

in all your manner. Well, my dear friend, when you go back to Rome, tell Hilda what her severity has done! She was all womanhood to me; and when she cas

so,-I feel that she was right. You have a thousand admirable qualities. Whatever mass of evil may have fallen into your life, -pardon me, but your own words suggest it,-you are still as capable as ever of many high an

ew remaining bonds between me and decorous womanhood. But were there anything to forgive, I do forgive her. May you win