by ,! ,k5tuckiana ,digital ,libr>y7     
,,si/] ,,dolorosa                       
,,&                                     
,,po/hum\s ,,fame                       
,,by                             ,,james
 ,,lane ,,all5                          
,copyright ,edition                     
,,ed9burgh                       ,,david
 ,,d\glas1 ,,ca/le ,,/reet              
#ahib                   ,,ed9burgh3     
,pr9t$ by ,t4 & ,a4 ,,con/able =        
,,david ,,d\glas                        
,,london3 ,,simpk91 ,,m>%all ,,& ,,co4  
,,to ,,h]                  ,,f ,,^:     
,,frail ,,body ,,he ,,drew ,,life ,,9   
,,!                 ,,beg9n+1 ,,f ,,^:  
,,/rong ,,_s ,,he                 ,,w   
,,draw ,,life ,,until ,,! ,,close1 ,,^! 
,,tales1 ,,) ,,all ,,o!rs ,,haply       
,,h]eaft]                      ,,to ,,be
 ,,writt51 ,,are ,,d$icat$              
,,z ,a ,,p]i%able ,,monum5t             
,,( ,,ineffable                         
,,remembrance                           
,,preface ,,to ,,briti% ,,edition4   ,! 

,au?or is glad to "k t a ,briti%        
,edition ( 8 ,k5tucky ,tales is to be   
br\ght out by ,mr4 ,david ,d\glas (     
,ed9burgh4  ,g5]ations ago 8 "m's       
ance/ors came f ,scotl& & ,irel&2       
g5]ations ago 8 fa!r's came f ,engl&4   
,t[>d ! ?ree c\ntries 8 att5tion 0      
fondly turn$ 9 e>ly life2 & ! int]e/ !n 
begott5 has be5 b fo/]$ s9ce4  ,x is )  
peculi> pleasure1 !re=e1 t he n[ avails 
himself ( ! *ance to ride hi!r & ?i!r   
?r\gh ^! l&s 9 8 own conveyance--albeit 
! vehicle1 a little book1 may turn out a
 sl[ coa*4                              
,,james ,,lane ,,all54        ,,*ri/mas 
,,eve1   ,,lex+ton1 ,,k5tucky1 #ahia4   
,,cont5ts4                              
,,page   ,,si/] ,,dolorosa1             
#ac   ,,po/hum\s ,,fame1                
#afc     ,,si/] ,,dolorosa4     ,i4     
,:5 ,si/] ,dolorosa _h rea*$ ! summit ( 
a l[ hill on h] way to ! conv5t1 %e     
turn$ & /ood = a :ile look+ backw>d4 ,! 
l&scape /ret*$ away 9 a rude1 unlovely  
expanse ( grey fields1 %ad$ 9 places by 

br[n /ubble1 & 9 o!rs light5$ by pale1  
?9 corn--! /unt$ rew>d ( necessit\s     
husb&ry4 ,?is way & t ran wav]+ l9es (  
l[ f5ces1 "s worm-eat51 o!rs rott+ b5ea?
 ov]-clamb]+ wild-rose & blackb]ry4     
,ab\t ! horizon masses ( d5se & rugg$   
woods burn$ ) sombre fires z ! we/]+ sun
 smote !m f top to und]bru%4 ,=? f !    
edge ( "o a few long-horn$ cattle1 )    
l[]$ heads1 w\nd meekly homew>d to !    
scant milk+4 ,! pa? !y foll[$ l$ t[>ds !
 middle backgr\nd ( ! picture1 :]e !    
wea!r-/a9$ & sagg+ ro( ( a f>mh\se rose 
above ! tops ( ag$ c$>s4 ,"s ( !        
bran*es1 brok5 by ! sleet & sn[ ( w9t]s1
 trail$ _! burd5s f ! ?9n$ & desolat$   
cre/s--z sometimes ! highe/ hopes ( !   
m9d1 aft] be+ beat5 d[n by ! tempe/s ( !
 _w1 droop ar\nd x z memories ( once    
transc5d5t aspirations4  ,:]e %e /ood 9 
! dead autumn fields few s\nds broke 9  
^u ! p]vasive hu% ( ! decl9+ day4 ,only 
a cricket1 "u ! w>m clod ne> by1 %rill$ 
/urdily ) *e]ful =e?\ght ( dr[sy        
he>?/ones2 only a lamb1 timid (         

sep>ation f ! fold1 call$ anxi\sly 9 !  
valley beyond ! cre/ ( ! opposite hill2 
only ! summon+ :i/le ( a quail came     
sweet & cle> f ! dep?s ( a neighb\r+    
?icket4 ,?r\gh all ! air float$ t _s (  
va/ lonel9ess :i* at seasons seems to   
/eal l a human mood ov] ! brea/ ( !     
great e>? & leave h] e/rang$ f h]       
transitory *ildr54 ,at su* an h\r ! he>t
 takes w+ = home1 if any home x h2 or   
:51 if homeless1 x feels ! quick /ir ( t
 ye>n+ = ! ev5+ fireside ) its          
half-circle ( tru/$ faces1 "y & old1 &  
its bonds ( love & m>riage1 ^? deepe/1  
mo/ en*ant+ realities to ! e>?ly        
imag9ation4 ,! v l&scape1 b>r5 & dead1 b
 fram+ ! simple picture ( a home1 spoke 
to ! behold] ! ev]la/+ poetry ( ! race4 
,b ,si/] ,dolorosa1 /&+ on ! br[ ( !    
hill :5ce ! :ole picture c\ld be se51   
yet saw no?+ ( x4 ,out ( ! we/]n sky !re
 /ream$ an indescribable spl5d\r (      
_m-hu$ light1 & f> into ! dep?s ( ?is   
cele/ial spl5d\r h] /eadfa/ eyes 7 gaz+4
  ,%e seem$ caught up to "s augu/ height

 ( holy m$itation4 ,h] motionless figure
 0 s lightly pois$ t h] feet1 j visible 
b5ea? ! hem ( h] heavy black dress1     
appe>$ all b ris+ f ! du/ ( ! pa?way2 h]
 pure & g5tle face 0 upturn$1 s t ! d>k 
veil fell away f h] neck & %\ld]s2 h]   
lips 7 slightly p>t$2 h] brea? came &   
w5t s imp]ceptibly t h] h&s did n appe> 
to rise & fall z !y clasp$ ! cross to h]
 bosom4 ,exquisite h&s !y 7--mo/        
exquisite--gleam+ z :ite z lilies aga9/ 
! rav5 blackness ( h] dress2 & ) />tl+  
fitness ( po/ure1 ! longe/ f+] ( ! "r h&
 po9t$ l a m>ble index /raight t[>ds a  
ri*ly-embroid]$ symbol ov] h] left      
brea/--! m\rnful symbol ( a crimson he>t
 pi]c$ by a crimson spe>4 ,:e!r attract$
 by ! lily-:ite h&s or by ! r$ symbol1 a
 butt]fly1 :i* _h be5 flitt+ hi!r & ?i!r
 9 se>* ( ! gay races ( ! summ] gone1 n[
 began to hov] ne>]1 & f9ally light$    
unse5 ^u ! gl[+ spot4 ,!n1 z if         
disappo9t$ n to f9d x ! bosom ( "s rose1
 or lack+ hope & /r5g? = fur!r que/--!re
 x re/$1 sl[ly fann+ ) its :ite w+s !   

tortur$ emblem ( ! div9e despair4  ,l[] 
sank ! sun1 deep] & m wide-spread !     
spl5d\r ( ! sky1 m rapt & radiant !     
expression ( h] face4 ,a pa9t] ( !      
angelic s*ool1 see+ h] /&+ ?us1 might h 
nam$ ! sc5e ! transfiguration ( angelic 
womanhood4 ,:at b heav5ly images %\ld %e
 be gaz+ on2 or :]e 0 %e 9 _s b fl[n out
 ( ! e>?ly autumn fields & gone away to 
sa9t$ vesp]s 9 ! cl\d-built realm ( h]  
own fantasies8 ,p]haps %e 0 n[ ent]+ yon
 va/ ca!dral ( ! skies1 ^: :ite spires  
t\*$ ! blue et]nity2 or toil+ dev\tly up
 yon grey m\nt ( ,calv>y1 ) its black5$ 
crucifix fall+ f ! summit4  ,/&+ ?us    
t[>ds ! close ( ! day1 ,si/] ,dolorosa  
_h n yet pass$ out ( t ideal "t :i* is !
 cle> :ite dawn ( life4 ,%e 0 /ill )9 ! 
dim1 half-awak5$ region ( womanhood1 ^: 
*ang+ mi/s are beautiful illusions1 ^:  
%ad[s ab\t ! horizon are ! my/]ies (    
poetic feel+1 ^: purpl+ ea/ is ! palette
 ( ! imag9ation1 & ^: up-spr++ skyl>k is
 bli! aspiration t has n yet felt !     
weight ( ! clod x so>s )94 ,be=e h] /ill

 0 ! full morn+ ( reality & ! burd5 ( ! 
mid-day h\rs4  ,b if ! hi/ory ( any     
human s\l c\ld be p]fectly kn[n1 :o w\ld
 wi% to describe ?is passage f ! dawn ( 
! ideal to ! morn+ ( ! real--?is        
transition f life z x is imag9$ ?r\gh   
hopes & dreams to life z x is kn[n ?r\gh
 action & submission8 ,x is !n t )9 !   
c\ntry ( ! s\l occur ev5ts too va/1     
melan*oly1 & irrev]sible to be comp>$ to
 any?+ less ?an ! d[nfall ( spl5did     
dyna/ies1 or ! decay ( an augu/         
religion4 ,x is !n t !re leave u = ev]  
bright1 a]ial spirits ( ! fancy1        
sep>ation f :om is l grief = ! dea? ( ! 
belov$4  ,! mom5t ( ?is transition _h   
come 9 ! life ( ,si/] ,dolorosa1 &      
unconsci\sly %e 0 tak+ h] la/ look at ! 
gorge\s we/]n cl\ds f ! hill-tops ( h]  
*a/e life ( dreams4  ,a flock ( fright5$
 doves sp$ hurtl+ l[ ov] h] head1 & put 
an end to h] rev]ie4 ,press+ ! ros>y to 
h] lips1 %e turn$ & walk$ on t[>ds !    
conv5t1 n f> away4 ,! little footpa?    
across ! fields 0 well trodd5 & famili>1

 runn+ z x did betwe5 ! conv5t & !      
f>mh\se beh9d h]1 9 :i* liv$ old ,ezra &
 ,m>?a ,cross2 & z %e foll[$ its w9d+s1 
h] ?\ghts1 z is likely to be true ( !   
?\ghts ( nuns1 came home f ! cl\ds to ! 
humble/ conc]ns ( ! e>?1 & %e began to  
recall c]ta9 incid5ts ( ! visit f :i* %e
 0 return+4  ,! ag$ pair 7 well kn[n to 
! ,si/]s4 ,_! daught]s _h be5 educat$ at
 ! conv5t2 &1 al?\gh ^! 7 m>ri$ &       
scatt]$ n[1 ! tie !n =m$ _h s9ce become 
m close ?r\gh _! age & lonel9ess4 ,(    
late ^w _h come to ! ,"m ,sup]ior t old 
,m>?a 0 especially ail+1 & ,si/]        
,dolorosa _h sev]al times be5 s5t on    
visits ( sympa?y4 ,= reasons bett] to be
 und]/ood lat] on1 ^! visits _h _h ^u h]
 ! effect ( an ,april %[] on a ?ir/+    
rose4 ,h] missions ( m]cy to ! ag$ c\ple
 ov]1 = a :ile ! :ite tap] ( ideal      
consecration to ! ,*ur* always burn$ 9  
h] bosom ) cle>]1 /eadi] lu/re1 z ?\gh  
lit afre% f ! ,light et]nal4 ,b to-day  
%e c\ld n escape ! conviction t ^!      
visits 7 becom+ a s\rce ( disquietude2 =

 ! old c\ple1 =gett+ ! re/rictions :i*  
h] v[s put ^u h] v ?\ghts1 _h spok5 (   
?+s :i* x 0 try+ = h] to he>--love-mak+1
 m>riage1 & *ildr54 ,9 va9 _h %e tri$ to
 turn away f ! pr(f]$ %>e 9 su* p>5tal  
confid5ces4 ,! old "m _h ev5 read al\d a
 lett] f h] elde/ son1 tell+ !m ( 8     
approa*+ m>riage1 & detail+ ! hope &    
despair ( 8 woo+4 ,) burn+ *eeks &      
d[nca/ eyes ,si/] ,dolorosa _h li/5$    
till ! close & !n ris5 & quickly left ! 
h\se4  ,! recollection ( ?is return$ to 
h] n[ z %e pursu$ h] way along ! footpa?
 :i* desc5d$ into ! valley2 & !re came  
to h]1 %e knew n :5ce or :y1 a pi]c+    
s5se ( h] own sep>ation f all b ! ,div9e
 love4 ,! cold beauty ( unfall5         
spirituality :i* _h made h] augu/ z %e  
/ood on ! hill-top di$ away1 & h] face  
assum$ a t5d]]1 m appeal+ lovel9ess1 z  
!re crept ov] x1 l a %ad[ ov] sn[1 t %y 
melan*oly "u :i* ^? wom5 dwell :o h     
r5\nc$ ! great drama ( ! he>t4 ,%e      
resolv$ to lay h] tr\ble be=e ! ,"m     
,sup]ior to-night1 & ask t "s o!r ,si/] 

be s5t h]eaft] 9 h] /ead4 ,& yet ?is    
resolution gave h] no peace1 b a ?rob ( 
pa9ful r5unciation2 & s9ce %e 0 us$ to !
 mo/ scrupul\s exam9ation ( h]          
consci5ce1 to detect ! lea/ pres5ce (   
evil1 %e grew s di/urb$ by ?is /ate ( h]
 he>t t %e q =got ! w9d+s ( ! pa?way    
along ! edge ( a field ( corn1 & 0      
pa9fully />tl$ :5 a w\nd$ bird1 ly+ on !
 gr\nd a few feet 9 front ( h]1 flapp$  
its w+s 9 a /ruggle to rise4 ,love &    
sympa?y 7 ! /ronge/ pr9ciples ( h]      
nature1 & ) a little outcry %e b5t ov] &
 took x up2 b sc>ce _h %e done s1 :51 ) 
a f9al /ruggle1 x di$ 9 h] h&4 ,a s+le  
drop ( blood ooz$ out & /ood on its     
burni%$ brea/4  ,%e /udi$ x--delicate   
?roat1 silk5 w+s1 w\nd$ bosom--9 !      
helpless way ( a woman1 unwill+ to put x
 d[n & leave x1 yet m unwill+ to take x 
away4 ,_m a "t1 p]haps1 %e _h wat*$ ?is 
v "o fly+ to & fro among its fell[s 9 ! 
conv5t elms4 ,/range t any "o %\ld be   
hunt+ 9 ^! fields1 & %e look$ quickly   
?is way & t4 ,!n1 ) a surpris$ movem5t (

 ! h&s t caus$ h] to drop ! bird at h]  
feet1 ,si/] ,dolorosa discov]$1 /&+ half
 hidd5 9 ! edge ( ! pale yell[ corn a   
few y>ds ahead1 we>+ a hunt+-dress1 &   
lean+ on ! muzzle ( 8 gun1 a "y man :o 0
 /eadfa/ly reg>d+ h]4 ,= an in/ant !y   
/ood look+ ea* into ! o!r's face1 tak5 s
 unprep>$ z to lose all s5se (          
conv5tion4 ,_! meet+ 0 z un=ese5 z ano!r
 f> ov]head1 :]e two :ite cl\ds1 long   
%eph]d$ aimlessly & f opposite          
directions across ! b\ndless pa/ures by 
! unreason+ w9ds1 t\*$ & melt$ into "o4 
,!n ,si/] ,dolorosa1 ! fir/ to rega9    
self-possession1 ga!r$ h] black veil    
closely ab\t h] face1 & advanc+ ) an    
easy1 rapid /ep1 b[$ l[ ) d[nca/ eyes z 
%e pass$ him1 & hurri$ on t[>ds !       
conv5t4  ,%e _h n gone f> be=e %e       
resolv$ to say no?+ ab\t ! gossip to :i*
 %e _h li/5$4 ,( late ! ,"m ,sup]ior _h 
seem$ worn ) secret c>e & t\*$ )        
solicitude reg>d+ h]4 ,w\ld x be k9d to 
make ?is great] by compla9+ l a weak    
*ild ( a trivial annoyance8 ,%e took h] 

consci5ce pr\dly to task = ev] hav+ be5 
di/urb$ by any?+ s unwor?y4 ,& z = ?is  
meet+ 9 ! field1 ev5 to m5tion t w\ld be
 to give x a c]ta9 significance1 :]eas x
 _h none :atev]4 ,a /rang] _h m]ely     
cross$ h] pa? a mom5t & !n gone 8 way4  
,%e w\ld =get ! occurr5ce h]self z soon 
z %e c\ld recov] f h] physical          
agitation4     ,,ii4   ,! ,conv5t ( !   
,/rick5 ,he>t is situat$ 9 t region (   
,k5tucky :i* e>ly became ! great field (
 ,ca?olic immigration4 ,x 0 e/abli%$ 9 !
 fir/ ye>s ( ! pres5t c5tury1 :5 mild   
,dom9icans1 />v+ ,trappi/s1 & fi]y      
,jesuits ha/5$ into ! gre5 wild]nesses (
 ! ,we/ ) ! hope ( turn+ !m into        
religi\s v9ey>ds4 ,!n1 accord+ly1 d]iv$ 
f su* s\rces z ! impassion$ f]v\r (     
,italy1 ! cold1 monoton\s endurance (   
,fl&]s1 & ! dy+ sorr[s ( ecclesia/ical  
,france1 !re sprang up ?is new fl[] (   
fai?1 unlike any t ev] bloom$ 9 pi\s    
,*ri/5dom4 ,f ! meagre/ beg9n+1 ! ord]  
has sl[ly gr[n ri* & p[]ful1 s t x n[   
has bran*es 9 _m ,/ates1 z f> z ! %ores 

( ! ,pacific ,ocean4  ,! conv5t is      
situat$ 9 a retir$ region ( c\ntry1     
remote f any village or rural highway4  
,! v peace ( ! blue skies seems to      
desc5d ^u x4 ,ar\nd ! walls great elms  
/& l tranquil s5t9els1 or at a great]   
di/ance drop _! %ad[s on ! velvet v]dure
 ( ! artificial lawns4 ,"h1 :5 ! sun is 
hot1 "s :ite-veil$ novice may be se5    
pac+ s(t-foot$ & sl[1 :ile %e fixes h]  
sad eyes ^u pictures drawn f ! lit]ature
 ( ! ,d>k ,ages1 or fights ! fir/ battle
 ) h] "y he>t1 :i* w\ld beguile h] to   
heav5 by m jocund pa?ways4 ,drawn by !  
tranquillity ( ?is retreat--its trees & 
fl[]s & dews--all s++-birds ( ! region  
come "h to build & brood4 ,no o!r s\nds 
?an _! pure cad5cies di/urb ! e*oless   
air except ! simple hymns ar\nd ! alt>1 
! vesp] bell1 ! roll ( ! organ1 ! deep  
*ords ( ! piano1 or ! ?rum ( ! h>p4 ,x  
may happ51 inde$1 t "s "o ( ! ,si/]s1   
climb+ to ! obs]vatory to scan ! horizon
 ( h] seclud$ _w1 w cat* ! fa9t e*oes ( 
a "y pl\ghman 9 a di/ant field lu/ily   

s++ ( ! hone/ passion 9 8 he>t1 or he> !
 %\ts ( happy h>ve/]s z !y move across !
 yell[ pla9s4 ,! population scatt]$     
ar\nd ! conv5t doma9 are l>gely ( !     
,ca?olic fai?1 & f all directions !     
c\ntry is ?read$ by footpa?s t lead to !
 *ur* z a common %r9e4 ,x 0 along "o (  
^! t ,si/] ,dolorosa1 z has be5 said1   
ha/5$ homew>d ?r\gh ! fall+ twilight4   
,:5 %e rea*$ ! conv5t1 in/ead ( seek+ ! 
,"m ,sup]ior z h]et(ore ) news f old    
,m>?a1 %e /ole into ! %ad[y *ur* & knelt
 = a long "t 9 wordless pray]--wordless1
 because no petition t %e c\ld frame    
appe>$ inborn & quiet+4 ,an unacc\ntable
 remorse gnaw$ ! he>t out ( language4   
,h] _s seem$ p>*$1 h] w 0 dead5$ z by a 
bl[4 ,tra9$ to ! mo/ rigor\s            
introspection1 %e ent]$ )9 h]self &     
p5etrat$ to ! deepe/ recesses ( h] m9d  
to asc]ta9 ! cause4 ,! bright flame ( h]
 consci5ce ?us employ$ 0 l ! turn+ ( a  
sunbeam into a d>k5$ *amb] to reveal !  
pres5ce ( a float+ gra9 ( du/4 ,b no?+  
c\ld be discov]$4 ,x 0 ! undiscov]$ t   

rebuk$ h] z x (t5 rebukes u all--!      
undiscov]$ evil t has n yet l9k$ itself 
to consci\s transgression4 ,at la/ %e   
rose ) a sigh1 &1 deject$1 left ! *ur*4 
,lat]1 ! ,"m ,sup]ior1 noiselessly ent]+
 h] room1 f\nd h] sitt+ at ! op5 w9d[1  
h] h&s cross$ on ! sill1 h] eyes turn$  
outw>d into ! d>kness4  ,*ild1 *ild1 %e 
said hurri$ly1 h[ uneasy y h made me6   
,:y are y s late return+8  ,i w5t to !  
*ur* :5 ,i came back1 ,"m1 repli$ ,si/] 
,dolorosa1 9 a voice s+ul>ly l[ &       
compos$4 ,i mu/ h return$ ne>ly an h\r  
ago4  ,b ev5 !n x 0 late4  ,yes1 ,"m2 ,i
 /opp$ on ! way back to look at !       
sunset4 ,! cl\ds look$ l ca!drals4 ,& !n
 old ,m>?a kept me4 ,y "k x is difficult
 to get away f old ,m>?a4  ,! ,"m       
,sup]ior laugh$ slightly1 z ?\gh h]     
anxiety _h be5 remov$4 ,%e 0 a woman (  
comm&+ pres5ce1 ) a face full ( dignity 
& sweetness1 b furr[$ by l9es (         
difficult resignation4  ,yes2 ,i "k1 %e 
answ]$4 ,old ,m>?a's tongue is l a      
t]re/rial globe2 ! :ole _w is mapp$ out 

on x1 & a little movem5t ( x w %[ y a   
cont95t4 ,h[ is h] rheumatism8  ,%e said
 x 0 no worse1 repli$ ,si/] ,dolorosa   
abs5tly4  ,! ,"m ,sup]ior laugh$ aga94  
,!n x mu/ be bett]4 ,rheumatism is      
always ei!r bett] or worse4  ,yes1 ,"m4 
,?is "t ! tone caught ! ,"m ,sup]ior's  
e>4 ,y seem tir$4 ,0 ! walk too long8   
,i enjoy$ ! walk1 ,"m4 ,i d n feel tir$4
  ,!y _h be5 sitt+ on opposite sides ( !
 room4 ,! ,"m ,sup]ior n[ cross$1 &1    
lay+ h] h& s(tly on ,si/] ,dolorosa's   
head1 press$ x backw>d & look$ fondly   
d[n into ! upturn$ eyes4  ,some?+       
tr\bles y4 ,:at has happ5$8  ,!re is a  
tone t goes /raight to ! he>t ( wom5 9  
tr\ble4 ,if !re are te>s hidd51 !y ga!r 
9 ! eyes4 ,if !re is any confid5ce to   
give1 x is giv5 !n4  ,a tremor1 l t ( a 
*ild ) an unsp5t sob1 pass$ across ,si/]
 ,dolorosa's lips1 b h] eyes 7 te>less4 
,no?+ has happ5$1 ,"m4 ,i d n "k :y1 b  
,i feel di/urb$ & unhappy4 ,?is 0 ! only
 confid5ce t %e _h to give4  ,! ,"m     
,sup]ior pass$ h] h& sl[ly across ! br[1

 :ite & smoo? l sat94 ,!n %e sat d[n1 & 
z ,si/] ,dolorosa slipp$ to ! floor     
beside h] %e drew ! "y head to h] lap & 
fold$ h] ag$ h&s ^u x4 ,:at passionate1 
b>r5 loves haunt ! he>ts ( wom5 9       
conv5ts6 ,betwe5 ^! two !re exi/$ a     
t5d]ness m t\*+ ?an ! natural love ( "m 
& *ild4  ,y mu/ n expect to "k at all   
times1 %e said1 ) grave g5tl5ess4 ,to be
 tr\bl$ )\t any visible cause is "o ( ! 
my/]ies ( our nature4 ,z y gr[ old] y w 
und]/& ?is bett]4 ,we are =c$ to live 9 
consci\s possession ( all faculties1 all
 feel+s1 :e!r or n !re are outw>d ev5ts 
to mat* !m4 ,!re=e y mu/ expect to h    
anxiety )9 :5 y\r life is really at     
peace )\t2 to h mom5ts ( despair :5 no  
failure ?reat5s2 to h y\r he>t wrung )  
sympa?y :5 no object ( sorr[ is nigh2 to
 be sp5t ) ! ne$ ( lov+ :5 !re is no    
e>?ly ?+ to receive y\r love4 ,?is is "p
 ( woman's life1 & ( all wom51          
especially ^? :o1 l y1 mu/ live1 n to   
/ifle ! t5d]1 beautiful =ces ( nature1 b
 to ennoble & unite !m into "o div9e    

passion4 ,d n ?9k1 !re=e1 to escape ^!  
h\rs ( heav9ess & pa94 ,no sa9t ev]     
walk$ ?is e>? )\t !m4 ,p]haps ! lesson  
to be ga9$ is ?is3 t we may feel ?+s    
be=e !y happ51 s t if !y d happ5 we %all
 be discipl9$ to be> !m4  ,! voice ( !  
,"m ,sup]ior _h become l[ & m$itative2  
&1 ?\gh re/+ on ! b[$ head1 h] eyes     
seem$ fix$ on ev5ts long pa/4 ,aft] !   
sil5ce ( a few mom5ts %e cont9u$ 9 a    
bright] tone--  ,b1 my *ild1 ,i "k !    
reason ( y\r unhapp9ess4 ,i h w>n$ y t  
excessive ard\r w\ld leave y ov]wr\ght &
 n]v\s2 t y 7 be+ c>ri$ too f> by y\r   
ideals4 ,y live too mu* 9 y\r sympa?ies 
& y\r imag9ation4 ,pati5ce1 my little   
,/4 ,!resa6 ,no sa9t 0 ev] made 9 a day1
 & x has tak5 all ! c5turies ( ! ,*ur*  
to produce its m>tyrs4 ,only ?9k t y\r  
life is b begun2 !re w be "t en\gh to   
accompli% ev]y?+4 ,i h be5 wat*+1 & ,i  
"k4 ,?is is :y ,i s5d y to old ,m>?a4 ,i
 want y to h ! re/1 ! ex]cise1 ! air ( !
 fields4 ,g aga9 to-morr[1 & take h] !  
o9tm5t4 ,i f\nd x :ile y 7 gone to-day4 

,x has be5 9 ! ,*ur* = c5turies1 & y "k 
?is bottle came f bless$ ,loretto 9     
,italy4 ,x may d h] "s good4 ,&1 = !    
next few days1 less read+ & /udy4  ,"m6 
,si/] ,dolorosa spoke z ?\gh %e _h n be5
 li/5+4 ,:at w\ld become ( me if ,i %\ld
 ev]--if any evil %\ld ev] befall me8   
,! ,"m ,sup]ior /ret*$ h] h&s out ov] ! 
head on h] knees z "s great1 fi]ce1 old1
 grey eagle1 sc>r$ & /rong ) ! /orms (  
life1 might make a movem5t to %ield its 
imp]ill$ "y4 ,! tone 9 :i* ,si/]        
,dolorosa _h spok5 />tl$ h] z ! discov]$
 edge ( a precipice4 ,x 0 s quiet1 s    
abrupt1 s t]rify+ ) its sugge/ion ( an  
abyss4 ,= a mom5t %e pray$ sil5tly &    
int5sely4  ,heav5 m]cifully %ield y f   
h>m6 %e !n said1 9 an awe/rick5 :isp]4  
,b1 timid lamb1 :at h>m c come to y8    
,si/] ,dolorosa sudd5ly rose & /ood be=e
 ! ,"m ,sup]ior4  ,i mean1 %e said1 ) h]
 eyes on ! floor & h] voice sc>cely     
audible--,i mean--if ,i %\ld ev] fail1  
w\ld y ca/ me out8  ,my                 
*ild6--,si/]6--,si/] ,dolorosa6--,ca/ y 

out6  ,! ,"m ,sup]ior />t$ up & fold$ h]
 arms ab\t ! slight d>k figure1 :i* at  
once seem$ to be /&+ alo( ) inf9ite     
lonel9ess4 ,= "s "t %e s\ght to ov]come 
?is difficult1 s+ul> mood4  ,& n[1 my   
daught]1 %e murmur$ at la/1 g to sleep &
 =get ^! fooli% fe>s4 ,i am ne> y6 ,!re 
seem$ to be a =tress ( sacr$ protection 
& defiance 9 ^! words2 b ! next in/ant  
h] head 0 b[$1 h] upw>d-po9t+ f+] rais$ 
9 ! air1 & 9 a tone ( humble            
self-correction %e add$3 ,nay1 n ,i2 !  
,sleepless gu>ds y6 ,good-night4  ,si/] 
,dolorosa lift$ h] head f ! /rong %\ld] 
& turn$ h] eyes1 n[ lum9\s1 ^u ! tr\bl$ 
face4  ,=give me1 ,"m6 %e said1 9 a     
voice ( scornful resolution4 ,nev]--nev]
 aga9 w ,i di/urb y ) su* weakness z ,i 
h %[n to-night4 ,i "k t no evil c befall
 me6 ,=give me1 ,"m4 ,good-night4  ,:ile
 %e sleeps le>n h] hi/ory4 ,paul9e      
,cambron 0 desc5d$ f "o ( ^? sixty      
,ca?olic families ( ,m>yl& t =m$ a      
league 9 #aghe = ! purpose ( emigrat+ to
 ,k5tucky )\t ! r5d+ ( social ties or   

sep>ation f ! rites ( _! ance/ral fai?4 
,s9ce !n ! ,k5tucky bran* ( ! ,cambrons 
has always ma9ta9$ fri5dly relations ) !
 ,m>yl& bran*1 :i* is n[ repres5t$ by "o
 ( ! weal?y & cultivat$ families (      
,baltimore4 ,on "o side ! desc5t is     
,fr5*2 &1 z f> back z ?is c be trac$1   
!re runs a tradition t "s ( ! mo/       
beautiful ( its wom5 became b>efoot     
,c>melite nuns 9 ! v>i\s mona/]ies (    
,france or on "s /orm-swept isl& ( !    
,m$it]ranean ,sea4  ,! fir/ ( ! ,k5tucky
 ,cambrons settl$ 9 t "p ( ! ,/ate 9    
:i*1 ne>ly a hundr$ ye>s lat]1 liv$ !   
la/ g5]ation ( !m--! p>5ts ( ,paul9e4 ,(
 ^! %e 0 ! only *ild1 s t ^u h] m>riage 
dep5d$ ! p]petuation ( ! ,k5tucky       
family4 ,x gives to ! ,prote/ant m9d a  
/>tl+ insight into ! possibilities ( a  
woman's life & de/9y 9 ,k5tucky to le>n 
! nature ( ! lit]ature by :i* h]        
s5sitive & imag9ative "* 0 f ! fir/     
impress$4 ,?is lit]ature cov]s a field  
:olly unkn[n to ! ord9>y /ud5t (        
,k5tucky hi/ory4 ,x is n to be f\nd 9   

well-kn[n works1 b 9 ! lett]s1          
rem9isc5ces1 & lives ( =eign prie/s1 & 9
 ! k9dl+ & h]oic acc\nts ( ! e/abli%m5t 
( ,ca?olic missions4 ,x ab\nds 9 su*    
/ories z ^? ( a black fri> fatally ?r[n 
f a wild horse 9 ! pa?less wild]ness2 ( 
a grey fri> torn to pieces by a         
saw-mill2 ( a />v+ :ite fri> /ret*$ out 
to die "u ! gre5 canopy ( an oak2 (     
prie/s swimm+ half-froz5 riv]s ) ! sacr$
 ve/m5ts 9 _! tee?2 ( prie/s hew+ logs =
 a hut 9 :i* to celebrate ! mass2 (     
prie/s cross+ & recross+ ! ,atlantic &  
trav]s+ ,italy & ,belgium & ,france =   
money & pictures & books2 ( devot$ wom5 
lay+ ! f\ndation ( p[]ful conv5ts 9     
half-ru9$ log-cab9s1 %iv]+ on b$s ( /raw
 spr9kl$ on ! gr\nd1 driv5 by pov]ty to 
se>* 9 ! wild woods = dyes ) :i* to give
 to _! motley worldly app>el ! hue ( !  
cloi/]1 & dy+ at la/1 to be laid away 9 
pitiless burial )\t c(f9 or %r\d4  ,su* 
incid5ts 7 to h] ! m impressive s9ce    
happ5+ 9 "p 9 ! region :]e lay !        
,cambron e/ate2 & :ile v "y %e 0 h]self 

repeat$ly tak5 to visit ! sc5es ( e>ly  
religi\s trag$ies4 ,(t51 too1 ar\nd !   
fireside !re 0 pr\d ref]5ce to ! conv5t 
life ( old ,france & to ! sa9tly zeal ( 
! ,c>melites2 & once %e w5t ) h] p>5ts  
to ,baltimore & witness$ ! tak+ ( ! veil
 by a c\s9 ( h]s--a sc5e t aft]w>ds     
burn$ be=e h] consci5ce z a lamp be=e a 
%r9e4  ,is x /range if "u su* influ5ces1
 liv+ 9 a c\ntry place ) few associates1
 read+ 9 h] fa!r's libr>y books t 7 to  
be _h on ! leg5ds ( ! mona/ic ord]s & ! 
lives ( ! sa9ts--is x /range if to ! "y 
,paul9e ,cambron ?is _w be=e long seem$ 
little else ?an ! battle-field ( !      
,*ur*1 ! ideal man 9 x a monk1 ! ideal  
woman a nun1 ! human he>t a solemn      
sacrifice to ,heav51 & human life a va/1
 sad pilgrimage to ! %r9e et]nal8       
,among ! places :i* _h always appeal$ to
 h] imag9ation z "o ( ! h]oic sites (   
,k5tucky hi/ory 0 ! ,conv5t ( ! ,/rick5 
,he>t1 n f> away4 ,:5ev] %e came hi!r %e
 seem$ to be tread+ on sacr$ gr\nd4     
,happ5+ to visit x "o summ] day be=e h] 

education 0 complet$1 %e ask$ to be s5t 
hi!r = ! ye>s t rema9$4 ,:5 ^! 7 pa/1   
"h1 ) ! difficult cons5t ( h] p>5ts1 :o 
saw ?us p]i% ! la/ hope ( ! p]petuation 
( ! family1 %e took ! :ite veil4 ,"h at 
la/ %e hid h]self b5ea? ! black4 ,h]    
:ole "* at ?is /age ( its unfold+ may be
 und]/ood f ! "n %e assum$--,si/]       
,dolorosa4 ,) ?is "n %e wi%$ n m]ely to 
ext+ui% h] worldly p]sonality1 b to clo!
 h]self ) a lifelong expression ( h]    
sympa?y ) ! sorr[s ( ! _w4 ,by ?is act  
%e believ$ t %e w\ld atta9 a *ange (    
nature s complete t ! black veil ( ,si/]
 ,dolorosa w\ld cov] z 9 a fun]al urn ! 
a%es :i* _h once be5 ! he>t ( ,paul9e   
,cambron4 ,& ?us h] conv5tual life      
began4  ,b = ^? be+s to :om ! span on ! 
summ]-ev5+ cl\d is z no?+ comp>$ ) t    
fond ar* ( beauty :i* x is a necessity (
 _! nature to hang z a b[ ( promise     
above e belov$ hope--= su* dream]s !    
sadness ( life lies 9 ! dissipation (   
my/]y & ! disillusion ( tru?4 ,:5 %e _h 
be5 a memb] ( ! ord] long en\gh to see  

?+s z !y 71 ,si/] ,dolorosa f\nd h]self 
liv+ 9 a l>ge1 pla91 com=table brick    
conv5t1 situat$ 9 a retir$ & homely     
region ( ,s\!rn ,k5tucky4 ,ar\nd h] 7   
pla9 nuns ) ! inv9cible contr>iety (    
fem99e temp]am5t4 ,be=e h] 7 pla9       
duties4 ,built up ar\nd h] 7 pla9       
re/rictions4 ,%e _h ru%$ ) out/ret*$    
arms t[>ds poetic my/]ies1 & clasp$     
prosaic reality4  ,z soon z ! lamb5t    
flame ( h] _s _h burn$ ov] ?is new life1
 z a fire be=e a /rong w9d ru%es across 
a pla91 %e "o day survey$ x ) t s5se (  
reality :i* sometimes visits !          
imag9ative ) su* appall+ vividness4 ,0 x
 ^u ?is dre>y wa/e t h] s\l 0 to play   
out its drama ( ideal womanhood8  ,%e   
answ]$ ! "q 9 ! only way possible to su*
 a nature z h]s4 ,%e divid$ h] life 9   
twa94 ,half1 ) p]fect loyalty1 %e gave  
out to duty2 ! o!r1 ) equal loyalty1 %e 
/ifl$ )94 ,b p]haps ?is is no uncommon  
lot--?is unmat+ ( ! =ces ( ! m9d1 z ?\gh
 "o ( two s++-birds %\ld be releas$ to  
fly =? "u ! sky1 :ile ! o!r--! nobl]    

s+]--is kept voiceless 9 a d>k5$ *amb]4 
,b ! ,si/]s ( ! ,/rick5 ,he>t are n     
cloi/]$ nuns4 ,_! *ief v[ is to g =?    
into ! _w to tea*4 ,sc>cely _h ,si/]    
,dolorosa be5 intru/$ ) "w ( ?is k9d    
be=e %e conceiv$ an aspiration to become
 a great tea*] ( hi/ory or lit]ature1 & 
obta9$ p]mission to sp5d extra h\rs 9 ! 
conv5t libr>y on a wid] range ( sacr$   
read+4 ,"h began a second era 9 h] life4
 ,books became ! av5ues along :i* %e    
escap$ f h] pres5t into an illimitable  
_w4 ,h] imag9ation1 beg9n+ to p9e1 n[   
took w+ & so>$ back to ! remote1 !      
spl5did1 ! imp]ial1 ! augu/4 ,h]        
sympa?ies1 f9d+ no?+ ar\nd h] to fix ^u1
 7 borne af> l w+$ se$ & root$ on !     
colossal ru9s ( ! c5turies4 ,h] passion 
= beauty f$ on holy art4 ,%e liv$ at !  
full flood ( life aga94  ,if 9 "t       
revulsion came1 %e w\ld live a %y1      
exquisite1 hidd5 life ( poetry 9 :i* %e 
h]self play$ ! hi/oric roles4 ,n[ %e    
w\ld become a p[]ful abbess ( old1 rul+ 
ov] a hundr$ nuns 9 an impregnable      

cloi/]4 ,to ! gates1 /ret*$ on a litt]1 
w\nd$ to dea?1 !y bore a "y knight ( !  
,cross4 ,%e _h ! gates op5$4 ,%e w5t =? 
& b5t ov] him2 he>d 8 dy+ message2 at 8 
reque/ drew ! plight$ r+ f 8 f+] to s5d 
to ano!r l&4 ,h[ beautiful he 06 ,h[ _m 
masses--h[ _m1 _m masses--%e _h         
celebrat$ = ! peace ( 8 s\l6 ,n[ %e 0   
,/4 ,aga?a1 tortur$ by ! proconsul2 n[  
%e lay fa9t & cold 9 an und]gr\nd cell1 
& 0 visit$ by ,?omas a ,kempis1 :o read 
to h] long passages f ! ,imitation4 ,or 
%e w\ld tire ( ! pa/1 & mak+ h]self an  
actor 9 h] own future1 9 a brief h\r    
live out ! fanci$ drama ( all h] cr[d$  
ye>s4  ,b :atev] "p %e took 9 ?is dream 
exi/5ce & beautiful passion-play ( !    
s\l1 no?+ attract$ h] b ! p]fect4 ,= !  
commonplace %e felt a guileless scorn4  
,?us = "s "t ^! unmat$ lives w5t on--!  
fix$ outw>d life ( duty1 & ! ev]-w&]+   
inn] life ( love4 ,9 mid-w9t]1 walk+    
across ! %9+ fields1 y h come to "s     
little fro/-lock$ /ream4 ,h[ mute &     
motionless6 ,y set foot ^u x1 ! ice is  

brok51 & b5ea? is musical runn+ wat]4   
,?us "u ! *a/e rigid numbness ( conv5t  
exi/5ce ! he>t ( ,si/] ,dolorosa murmur$
 unhe>d & hurri$ away unse5 to pla9s    
made w>m & gre5 by h] imag9ation4 ,b !  
old may survive ^u memories2 ! "y _c    
?rive ^u hope4 ,love1 long rea*+ outw>d 
9 va91 returns to ! he>t z self-pity4   
,sympa?ies1 if n support$ by close      
realities1 fall 9 ^u !mselves l ! walls 
( a ru9$ h\se4 ,at la/1 !re=e1 ev5 !    
hidd5 life ( ,si/] ,dolorosa grew we>y (
 ! future & ! pa/1 & came home to !     
pres5t4  ,! ard\r ( h] /udies & ! rig\r 
( h] duties comb9$--b m ?an ei!r t we>+ 
away ( ! body by a re/less m9d--_h begun
 to affect h] heal?4 ,bo? 7 relax$1 & %e
 0 requir$ to sp5d z mu* "t z possible 9
 ! g>d5 ( ! conv5t4 ,x 0 l lift+ a *ild 
t has become worn out ) artificial      
play?+s to an op5 w9d[ to see ! fl[]s4  
,) inexpressible relief %e turn$ f      
m$iaeval books to liv+ nature2 & h]     
beautiful imag9ation1 t la/ ( all       
faculties to fail a human be+ 9 an      

unhappy lot1 n[ began to b9d nature to  
h] ) fell[%ips :i* quiet$ ! ne$ ( human 
association4 ,%e _h long be5 us$ to     
feign correspond5ces ) ! fa!rs ( !      
,*ur*2 %e n[ e/abli%$ intimacies ) dumb 
companions1 & p\r$ out h] he>t to !m 9  
confid5ce4  ,! di/ant woods sl[ly clo?+ 
!mselves 9 gre52 ! fa9t p]fume ( ! wild 
rose1 runn+ riot ov] "s rott+ f5ce2 !   
maje/ical cl\ds ab\t ! sunset2 ! moon   
dy+ 9 ! spectral skies2 ! silk5 ru/l+ ( 
doves' w+s p>t+ ! s(t foliage ( ! s5t9el
 elms2 l&scapes ( fro/ on h] w9d[-pane2 
crumbs 9 w9t] = ! sp>r[s on ! sill2     
violets "u ! leaves 9 ! conv5t g>d52    
myrtle on ! graves ( ! nuns--su* objects
 z ^! became ! means by :i* h] imprison$
 life 0 releas$4 ,on ! s5su\s beauty ( !
 _w %e sp5t ! *a/e ravi%m5ts ( h]       
virg9al he>t4 ,h] love desc5d$ on all   
?+s z 9 ! night ! dew fills & b5ds d[n !
 cups ( ! fl[]s4  ,a few ( ^!           
confid5ces--writt5 on slips ( pap]1 & no
 soon] writt5 ?an ca/ aside--are giv5   
"h4 ,!y are address$ sev]ally to a :ite 

violet1 an ,engli% sp>r[1 & a butt]fly4 
,i h tak5 ! black veil1 b ?\ we>e/ !    
:ite1 & ?\ dwelle/ 9 dim cloi/]s ( gre5 
leaves--9 ! dom$ & _m-pill>$ little     
%r9es t l9e ! du/y roadside1 or seem m  
fitly built 9 ! dep?s ( holy woodl&s4   
,h[ (t5 h ,i drawn ne> ) timid /eps1 &1 
op5+ ! doors ( ?y t9y oratories1 f\nd !e
 b5d+ at ?y sil5t pray]s--b5d+ s l[ t ?y
 lips t\*$ ! e>?1 :ile ! sl[ w9d rang   
?9e ,angelus6 ,wa/ ?\ bloom+ any:]e ne> 
:5 ,he came into ! wood ( ! ?orn & !    
olive8 ,did/ ?\ press ?y cool face aga9/
 ,8 bruis$ feet8 ,_h ,i be5 ?\1 ,i w\ld 
h bloom$ at ! foot ( ! ,cross1 & f$ ,8  
fail+ lungs ) my la/ brea?4 ,"t nev]    
de/roys !e1 little si/]1 or /a9s ?y     
:it5ess2 & ?\ wilt be b5d+ at ?y pray]s 
among ! gre5 graves on ! twilight       
hillside ages aft] ,i :o lie bel[ h     
f9i%$ m9e4 ,pray = me !n1 pray = ?9e    
err+ si/]1 ?\ pure-s\l$ violet6  ,h[    
cold ?\ art6 ,%all ,i take !e 9 & w>m !e
 on my bosom8 ,ah1 no6 ,= ,i "k :o ?\   
art6 ,n a bird1 b a little br[n m5dicant

 fri>1 begg+ b>efoot 9 ! sn[4 ,& ?\     
live/ 9 a cell "u ! conv5t eaves        
opposite my w9d[4 ,:at ugly feet ?\ ha/1
 little ,fa!r6 ,& ! ?orns are on ?y toes
 in/ead ( ab\t ?y br[4 ,t is a bad sign 
= a sa9t4 ,i saw !e 9 a brawl ! o!r day 
) a m5dicant bro!r ( ?9e ord]1 & ?\     
drove/ him f ro( to ro( & f icy twig to 
twig1 scream+ & wrangl+ 9 a way to br+  
reproa* ^u ! ,*ur*4 ,?\ %\ld/ le>n to   
def5d a !sis m g5tly4 ,:o is x t visits 
?y cell s (t58 ,a p5it5t to confess8 ,& 
do/ ?\ %rive h] freely8 ,i'd nev]       
confess to !e1 ?\ cross little ,fa!r6   
,?\'d/ h no m]cy on me if ,i s9n$1 z s9 
,i mu/ s9ce human ,i am4 ,! good ,god is
 v good to !e t ,he keeps !e f s9n+ :ile
 ,he leaves me to d wrong4 ,ah1 if x 7 b
 natural = me to be p]fect6 ,b t1 little
 ,fa!r1 is my idea ( heav54 ,9 heav5 x w
 be natural = me to be p]fect4 ,i'll fe$
 !e no long] ?an ! w9t] la/s1 = !n ?\'lt
 be a monk no long]1 b a bird aga94 ,&  
can/ ?\ tell me :y8 ,because1 :5 ! w9t] 
is gone1 ?\'lt f9d a mate1 & w]t ?\ a   

monk ?\'d/ h none4 ,= ?\ kn[e/ p]fectly 
well1 little ,fa!r1 t monks d n w$4  ,no
 fitt+ emblem ( my s\l art ?\1 fragile  
,psy*e1 mute & p]i%able lov] ( ! gorge\s
 e>?4 ,= my s\l has no summ]1 & !re is  
no e>?ly object ( beauty t x may fly to 
& re/ ^u z ?\ ^u ! beckon+ buds4 ,x is  
w9t] :]e ,i live4 ,all ?+s are cold &   
:ite1 & my s\l flies only above fre%    
fields ( fl[]less sn[4 ,b no bla/ c *ill
 its w+s1 no mire b$raggle1 or rude t\* 
fray4 ,i (t5 wond] :e!r ?\ art mute1 or 
! div9e framework ( w+$ melodies4 ,?y v 
w+s are %ap$ l h>ps = ! w9ds to play ^u4
 ,s1 too1 my s\l is sil5t nev]1 ?\gh    
none c he> its music4 ,do/ ?\ "k t ,i am
 held 9 exile 9 ?is _w t ,i inhabit8 ,& 
do/ ?\ "k ! fl[] t ,i fly ev] t[>ds & _c
 rea*8 ,x is ! :ite fl[] ( et]nal       
p]fection t blooms & waits = ! s\l 9    
,p>adise4 ,^u t fl[] ,i %all "s day re/ 
my w+s z ?\ folde/ ?9e on a faultless   
rose4  ,h>monis+ ) ?is gr[+ passion = ! 
beauty ( ! _w--a passion t m>k$ h]      
approa* to rip] womanhood--0 ! c>e %e   

took ( h] p]son4 ,! co>se1 fl[+ habit ( 
! ord] gave no h9t ( ! curves & symmetry
 ( ! sn[-:ite figure ?robb+ ) eag] life 
)92 b x c\ld n conceal an air ( ref9em5t
 & movem5ts ( ! mo/ delicate grace4 ,!re
 0 likewise a sugge/ion ( arti/ic /udy 9
 ! arrangem5t ( h] veil1 & ! sacr$      
symbol on h] bosom 0 embroid]$ ) t\*es (
 elaboration4  ,x 0 :5 %e _h gr[n we>y (
 books1 ( ! imag9>y drama ( h] life1 & !
 lovel9ess ( ,nature1 t ,si/] ,dolorosa 
0 s5t by ! ,"m ,sup]ior on ^? visits (  
sympa?y to old ,m>?a ,cross2 & x 0 dur+ 
h] return f "o ( !m t !re befell h] t   
adv5ture :i* %e _h deem$ too slight to  
m5tion4     ,,iii4   ,h] outw>d hi/ory 0
 t night made kn[n to ,gordon ,helm by  
old ,m>?a ,cross4 ,:5 ,si/] ,dolorosa   
pass$ him he foll[$ h] at a di/ance     
until %e ent]$ ! conv5t gates4 ,x caus$ 
him subtle pa9 to ?9k :at h>m might be  
lurk+ to ensn>e h] innoc5ce4 ,b subtl]  
pa9 %ot ?r\gh him z he turn$ away1 leav+
 h] h\s$ )9 t inaccessible fold4  ,:o 0 
%e1 & f :at mission return+ alone at su*

 an h\r across ^? d>k5+ fields8 ,he _h j
 come to ! edge ( ! corn & />t$ to foll[
 up ! pa? 9 que/ ( %elt] = ! night1 :5  
he _h caught sight ( h] on ! ne>        
hill-top1 outl9$ ) />tl+ di/9ctness     
aga9/ ! jasp] sky & ba!d 9 a tremul\s   
sea ( lovely light4 ,he _h held 8 brea? 
z %e advanc$ t[>ds him4 ,he _h wat*$ !  
play ( emotions 9 h] face z %e paus$ a  
few y>ds (f1 & h] surprise at ! discov]y
 ( him--! timid />t2 ! r\nd+ ( ! fawn-l 
eyes2 ! v]meil t9t ov]spread+ !         
transp>5t purity ( h] sk93 h] :ole      
nature di/urb$ l a w9d-%ak5 anemone4    
,all ?is he n[ rememb]$ z he return$    
along ! footpa?4 ,x br\ght him to ! door
 ( ! f>m-h\se1 :]e he arrang$ to pass ! 
night4  ,y are a /rang] 9 ?is "p ( !    
c\ntry1 said ! old h\sewife an h\r lat]4
  ,:5 he came 9 %e _h excus$ h]self f   
ris+ f h] *air by ! *imney-side2 b f t  
mom5t h] eyes _h foll[$ him--^? eyes ( !
 old :i* foll[ ! =ms ( ! "y ) su*       
despair+ memories4 ,by ! *imney-side sat
 old ,ezra1 p[]ful1 /upid1 tir$1 sil5tly

 smok+1 & tak+ little notice ( ! o!rs4  
,h>dly a *ill 0 9 ! air1 b = h] sake a  
log blaz$ 9 ! cav]n\s fireplace & ?rew  
its flick]+ light ov] ! gue/ :o sat 9   
front4  ,he possess$ unusual physical   
beauty--( ! type sometimes f\nd 9 ! m5 (
 ^? ,k5tucky families t h desc5d$ )     
little admixture f ,engli% /ock2 body & 
limbs less ?an a?letic1 b =m$ = /r5g? & 
symmetry2 hair br[n1 ?ick1 & slightly   
curl+ ov] ! =ehead & above ! e>s2       
complexion blond1 b mell[$ into ri* t9ts
 f sun & op5 air2 eyes ( d>k grey-blue1 
b5ea? br[s l[ & firm2 a m\/a*e          
gold5-br[n1 ?ick1 & curl+ above lips r$ 
& s5su\s2 a neck r\nd & full1 & be>+    
al(t a head well pois$ & m\ld$4 ,!      
irresi/ible effect ( 8 appe>ance 0 an   
impression ( simple joy\sness 9 life4   
,!re seem$ to be /or$ up 9 him ! w>m? ( 
! sun%9e ( 8 l&2 ! g5tl5ess ( its       
fields2 ! k9dness ( its l&scapes4 ,& he 
0 "y--s "y6 ,to /udy him 0 to see t he 0
 ripe to ?r[ himself he$less into       
trag$y2 & t = him1 n once1 b nightly1   

,endymion fell asleep to be kiss$ 9 8   
dreams by encircl+ love4  ,y are a      
/rang] 9 ?is "p ( ! c\ntry1 said ! old  
h\sewife1 obs]v+ ! elegance ( 8         
hunt+-dress & 8 mann] ( high bre$+4     
,yes2 ,i h nev] be5 9 ?is "p ( ,k5tucky 
be=e4 ,he paus$2 b see+ t "s acc\nt (   
himself 0 sil5tly wait$ =1 & z ?\gh wi%+
 at once to despat* ! subject1 he add$3 
,i am f ! blue-grass region1 ab\t a     
hundr$ miles nor?w>d ( "h4 ,a p>ty ( u 7
 on our way fur!r s\? to hunt4 ,on !    
tra9 we fell 9 ) a g5tleman :o told u he
 ?\ght !re 7 a good _m birds ar\nd "h1 &
 ,i 0 *os5 to /op ov] to asc]ta94 ,we   
might l to try ?is neighb\rhood z we    
return1 s ,i left my ?+s at ! /ation &  
/ruck out across ! c\ntry ?is aft]noon4 
,i h he>d birds 9 sev]al directions1 b  
_h no dog4 ,h[ev]1 ,i %ot a few hoves 9 
a cornfield4  ,!re are pl5ty ( birds    
close ar\nd "h1 b mo/ ( !m /ay on ! l& t
 is own$ by ! ,si/]s1 & !y don't l to h 
x hunt$ ov]4 ,all ! l& betwe5 "h & !    
conv5t belongs to !m except ! little t's

 m9e4 ,?is 0 said some:at dryly by ! old
 man1 :o knock$ ! a%es (f 8 pipe )\t    
look+ up4  ,i am sorry to h trespass$2 b
 ,i 0 n expect+ to f9d a conv5t out 9 ! 
c\ntry1 al?\gh ,i believe ,i h he>d t   
!re is an abbey ( ,trappi/ monks some:]e
 d[n "h4  ,yes2 ! abbey is n f> f "h4   
,x seems /range to me4 ,i c h>dly       
believe ,i am 9 ,k5tucky1 he said       
mus+ly1 & a solemn look came ov] 8 face 
z 8 ?\ghts w5t back to ! sunset sc5e4   
,! old h\sewife's ke5 eyes pi]c$ to 8   
secret mood4  ,y ought to g !re4  ,d !y 
receive visitors at ! conv5t8 he ask$   
quickly4  ,c]ta9ly2 ! ,si/]s are v glad 
to h /rang]s visit ! place4 ,x's a pity 
y hadn't come soon]4 ,"o ( ! ,si/]s 0 "h
 ?is aft]noon1 & y might h spok5 to h]  
ab\t x4  ,?is intellig5ce ?rew him into 
sil5ce1 & aga9 h] eyes f$ ^u 8 firelit  
face ) inappeasable hung]4 ,%e 0 "o ( ^?
 wom51 to be met ) ! _w ov] & 9 any     
/ation1 :o are rem>kable = a love ( y\? 
& ! _w1 :i* age1 sickness1 & isolation b
 deep5 r ?an subdue2 & 8 sudd5 pres5ce  

at h] fireside 0 m ?an grateful4 ,n     
satisfi$ ) :at he _h told1 %e l$ ! talk 
back to ! blue-grass c\ntry1 & got f him
 o!r facts ( 8 life1 ask+ que/ions 9    
reg>d to ! features ( t m f]tile &      
beautiful l&4 ,9 return %e sket*$ !     
hi/ory ( h] own region1 & dwelt ^u its  
diff]5ces ( soil1 p1 & religion--*iefly 
! la/4 ,x 0 :ile %e spoke ( ! ,ord] ( ! 
,/rick5 ,he>t t he ask$ a "q he _h long 
res]v$4  ,d y "k ! hi/ory ( any ( ^!    
,si/]s8  ,i "k ! hi/ory ( all ( !m :o   
are f ,k5tucky4 ,i h kn[n ,si/]         
,dolorosa s9ce %e 0 a *ild4  ,si/]      
,dolorosa6 ,! "n pi]c$ him l a spe>4  ,!
 nun :o 0 "h to-day is call$ ,si/]      
,dolorosa4 ,h] real "n 0 ,paul9e        
,cambron4  ,! fire di$ away4 ,! old man 
left ! room on "s pretext & did n       
return4 ,! /ory t foll[$ 0 told ) _m    
details n giv5 "h--trac$ up f p>5tage & 
*ildhood ) t f9e trac]y ( ! fem99e m9d  
:i* is l intricate embroid]y1 & :i*     
leaves ! f9i%$ /ory wr\ght out on ! m9d 
l a complete design1 ) e po9t fa/5$ to !

 sympa?ies4  ,z soon z %e _h f9i%$ he   
rose quickly f a desire to be alone4 ,s 
well _h ! /ory be5 knit to 8 m9d t he   
felt x an irritation1 a b9d+ pa94 ,he 0 
bidd+ h] good-night :5 %e caught 8 h&4  
,some?+ 9 8 m]e temp]am5t drew wom5     
t[>ds him4  ,are y m>ri$8 %e ask$1 look+
 into 8 eyes 9 ! way ) :i* ^? :o are    
m>ri$ sometimes ex*ange confid5ces4  ,he
 look$ quickly away1 & 8 face flu%$ a   
little fi]cely4  ,i am n m>ri$1 he      
repli$1 )draw+ 8 h&4  ,%e ?rew x f h] ) 
a ge/ure ( mock1 pleas$ impati5ce2 & :5 
he _h left ! room1 %e sat = a :ile ov] !
 a%es4  ,if %e 7 n a nun---- !n %e      
laugh$ & made h] difficult way to h] b$4
 ,b 9 ! room above he sat d[n to ?9k4   
,0 ?is1 !n1 n romance1 b life 9 8 own   
,/ate8 ,vaguely he _h always kn[n t     
fur!r s\? 9 ,k5tucky a diff]5t elem5t ( 
population _h settl$1 & ext5d$ into !   
,new ,_w t mighty cord ( ecclesia/ical  
influ5ce :i* ( old _h braid$ e ,european
 civilisation into an iron tissue (     
fai?4 ,b ?is k _h nev] t\*$ 8           

imag9ation4 ,9 8 own l& !re 7 no rural  
,ca?olic *ur*es1 mu* less conv5ts1 & ev5
 among ! ,ca?olic congregations ( !     
neighb\r+ t[ns he _h n _m acqua9tances &
 few] fri5ds4  ,to desc5d z a gay bird (
 passage1 !re=e1 ^u ^! seclud$1 sombre  
fields1 & f9d himself 9 ! neighb\rhood (
 a p[]ful ,ord]--to le>n t a girl1      
beautiful1 accompli%$1 ( weal? & high   
social position1 _h ( h] own *oice buri$
 h]self = life )9 its bosom--gave him a 
/>tl+ insight into ,k5tucky hi/ory z x 0
 =m+ 9 8 own "t4 ,moreov]--& ?is t\*$   
him especially--x gave him a deep]      
insight into ! possibilities ( woman's  
nature2 = a c]ta9 n>r[ness ( view reg>d+
 ! true mission ( woman 9 ! _w belong$  
to him z a result ( education4 ,9 !     
cons]vative ,k5tucky society by :i* he  
_h be5 l>gely m\ld$ ! op9ion prevail$ t 
woman fulfill$ h] de/9y :5 %e m>ri$ well
 & adorn$ a home4 ,all beauty1 all      
accompli%m5ts1 all virtues & graces1 7 b
 means = atta9+ ?is end4  ,z = himself1 
he came ( a /ock :i* ?r\gh\t ! g5]ations

 ( ,k5tucky life1 & back ( ^! along !   
,engli% ance/ry1 _h /ood = ! home2 a    
race ( m5 ) ! fireside traits3          
sweet-temp]$1 pati5t1 & brave2 well-=m$ 
& h&some2 *]i%+ t[>ds wom5 a s5se (     
*ivalry2 protect+ !m fi]cely & t5d]ly2  
lov+ !m romantically & quickly = ! sake 
( beauty2 m>ry+ e>ly1 & sometimes at    
lea/ hold+ t[>ds _! wives su* fai?1 t ^!
 _h no m to fe> f all o!r wom5 9 ! _w   
?an f all o!r m54  ,desc5d$ f su* a /ock
 & m\ld$ by ! social ideals ( 8 region1 
,helm naturally /ood = ! home himself4  
,& yet !re 0 a diff]5ce4 ,9 a s5se he 0 
a product ( ! new ,k5tucky4 ,8 infancy  
_h be5 rock$ on ! *asm ( ! ,civil ,w>2 8
 *ildhood sp5t amid its ru9s2 8 y\? rul$
 by two cont5d+ spirits--discord &      
peace3 & e>lie/ manhood _h come to him  
only 9 ! morn+ ( ! new era4 ,x 0 because
 ! pa? ( 8 life _h ?us run betwe5 light 
& %ade t 8 nature 0 joy\s & grave2 only 
joy claim$ him entirely z yet1 :ile     
gravity ass]t$ itself m]ely 9 ! =m (    
sympa?y ) any?+ t suff]$1 & a c]ta9     

s]i\sness t\*+ 8 own responsibility 9   
life4  ,reflect+ on ?is responsibility  
:ile 8 manhood 0 yet =m+1 he felt ! ne$ 
( 8 becom+ a bett]1 broad] type ( man1  
mat*+ ! bett]1 broad] age4 ,8 fa!r 0    
ab\t 8 model ( a g5tleman2 b he %\ld be 
false to ! admitt$ progress ( ! times 7 
he n an improvem5t on 8 fa!r4 ,& s9ce 8 
fa!r _h1 z judg$ by ! ideals ( ! old    
social ord]1 be5 a blameless g5tleman ( 
! rural blue-grass k9d1 ) f>m1 spaci\s  
home/ead1 slaves1 leisure1 & a          
libr>y1--to all ( :i*1 except ! slaves1 
he w\ld himself succe$ ^u 8 fa!r's      
dea?--8 dream ( duty took ! =m ( becom+ 
a rural blue-grass g5tleman ( ! new]    
type1 reviv+ ! be/ traditions ( ! pa/1 b
 putt+ into 8 relations ) 8             
fell[-creatures an add$ s5se (          
helpfulness1 a broad] s5se ( ju/ice1 & a
 c]ta9 en]gy ( lead]%ip 9 all ?+s t made
 = a pur]1 high] human life4 ,x w ?us be
 se5 t he took s]i\sly n only himself1 b
 ! reputation ( 8 ,/ate2 = he lov$ x1 p 
& l&1 ) broad1 s5sitive t5d]ness1 & nev]

 s\ght or plann$ = 8 future ap>t f civil
 & social ends4  ,x 0 p]haps a          
*>act]i/ic ( him z a product ( ! p]iod t
 he _h a m9d = look+ at 8 life some:at  
ab/ract$ly & ) a c]ta9 ?\ght-out plan2 =
 ?is disposition ( m9d naturally belongs
 to an era :5 society is trembl+ ^u !   
br9k ( new activities & =c$ to !        
discov]y ( new ideals4 ,b he *]i%$ no   
religi\s passion1 be+ committ$ by       
inh]itance to a mild1 unque/ion+1       
undeviat+ ,prote/antism4 ,8 religion 0 m
 9 8 conduct ?an 9 8 pray]s1 & he tri$  
to live its precepts in/ead ( foll[+ !m 
f af>4 ,/ill1 8 make 0 f> f h]oic4 ,he  
_h _m faults2 b x is less important to  
le>n :at ^! 7 ?an to "k t1 z f> z he 0  
aw>e ( _! exi/5ce1 he 0 a%am$ ( !m1 &   
tri$ to ov]come !m4  ,su*1 9 brief1 7   
,paul9e ,cambron & ,gordon ,helm3 com+ f
 sep>ate regions ( ,k5tucky1 desc5d$ f  
unlike pa/s1 m\ld$ by diff]5t influ5ces1
 /riv+ t[>ds ends 9 life f> ap>t &      
ho/ile4 ,& be+ ?us1 at la/ !y slept t   
night4  ,:5 %e _h be5 left alone1 & _h  

begun to prep>e h]self = b$1 across h]  
m9d pass$ & repass$ c]ta9 words ( ! ,"m 
,sup]ior1 /ill+ h] _s l ! wav+ ( a w& ( 
peace3 ,to be tr\bl$ )\t any visible    
cause is "o ( ! my/]ies ( our nature4   
,true1 be=e %e fell asleep !re rose all 
at once a s+ul>ly cle> recollection ( t 
sil5t meet+ 9 ! fields2 b h] pray]s fell
 ?ick & fa/ ^u x l flakes ( sn[1 until x
 0 *a/ely buri$ f ! eye ( consci5ce2 &  
:5 %e slept1 two te>s1 sl[ly loos5$ f h]
 bra9 by "s rep5tant dream1 c\ld alone h
 told t !re _h be5 tr\ble beh9d h]      
peaceful eyes4     ,,iv4   ,si/]        
,dolorosa 0 return+ f h] visit to old   
,m>?a on ! foll[+ aft]noon4 ,:5 %e awoke
 t morn+ %e resolutely put away all     
?\ght ( :at _h happ5$ ! ev5+ be=e4 ,%e  
pray$ (t5] ?an usual t day4 ,%e w5t ab\t
 all duties ) unwont$ f]v\r4 ,:5 %e set 
out 9 ! aft]noon1 & rea*$ ! spot 9 !    
fields :]e ! meet+ _h tak5 place1 x 0   
inevitable t a nature s5sitive & seclud$
 l h]s %\ld be visit$ by "s "q t\*+ :o  
he 0 & :i!r he _h gone2 = x did n ev5   

occur to h] t he w\ld ev] cross h] pa?  
aga94 ,soon %e rea*$ old ,m>?a's2 &     
!n--a crippl$ toad ) a subtle tongue _h 
squatt$ = an h\r at ! e> ( ,eve1 & ,eve1
 beguil$1 _h li/5$4 ,& n[ %e 0 aga9     
return+ across ! fields homew>d4        
,homew>d8  ,e>ly t aft]noon ,helm _h    
walk$ across ! c\ntry to ! /ation1 "s   
two miles (f1 to *ange 8 dress1 ) ! view
 ( go+ to ! conv5t ! next day4 ,z he    
came back he foll[$ ! c\rse :i* he _h   
tak5 ! day be=e1 & ?is br\ght him into !
 same footpa? across ! fields4  ,?us !y 
met ! second "t4 ,:5 %e saw him1 _h %e  
be5 a bird1 ) "o sudd5 b\nd %e w\ld h   
beat5 ! air d[n b5ea? h] fright5$ w+s & 
d>t$ high ov] 8 head /raight to !       
conv5t4 ,b 8 /ep grew sl[] & 8 look     
expectant4 ,:5 !y 7 a few y>ds ap>t he  
/epp$ out ( ! pa? into ! l[1 grey we$s (
 ! field1 & seem$ ready to pause2 b %e  
_h in/9ctively drawn h] veil close1 & 0 
pass+ on4 ,!n he spoke quickly4  ,i beg 
y\r p>don1 b are /rang]s all[$ to visit 
! conv5t8  ,!re 0 no mi/ak+ ! c\rtesy ( 

! tone4 ,b %e did n lift h] face t[>ds  
him4 ,%e m]ely paus$1 ?\gh seem+ to %r9k
 away4 ,he saw ! f+]s ( "o h& lace      
!mselves ar\nd ! cross4 ,!n a mom5t     
lat]1 9 a voice v l[ & g5tle1 %e repli$1
 ,! ,"m ,sup]ior is glad to receive     
visitors at ! conv5t1 &1 b[+1 mov$ away4
  ,he /ood wat*+ h] ) a quick flu% (    
disappo9tm5t4 ,h] voice1 ev5 m ?an h]   
g>b1 _h at once wav$ (f approa*4 ,9 8   
m9d he _h cross$ ! di/ance f himself to 
h] s (t5 t he _h =gott5 ! actual abyss (
 sacr$ sep>ation4 ,v ?\ghtfully he turn$
 at la/ & took 8 way along ! footpa?4   
,z he 0 leav+ ! f>m-h\se ! next day to g
 to ! conv5t1 ,ezra jo9$ him1 m]ely say+
 t he 0 go+ also4 ,! old man _h few     
?\ghts2 b ) t %rewd secretiv5ess :i* is 
sometimes f\nd 9 ! dull m9d he kept 8   
c\nsels to himself4 ,_! walk 0 f9i%$ 9  
sil5ce1 & soon ! conv5t /ood be=e !m4   
,?r\gh a cle> sky ! wan light fell ^u x 
z lifeless z ?\gh s5t f a dead sun4 ,!  
air hung motionless4 ,! birds 7 gone4 ,n
 a s\nd fell ^u ! /ra9$ e>4 ,n a liv+ ?+

 reliev$ ! eye4 ,& yet )9 :at trag$ies &
 conflicts1 :at w\nds & ?orns (         
womanhood6 ,"h1 !n1 %e liv$ & /ruggl$ & 
so>$4 ,an une>?ly quietude came ov] him 
z he walk$ up ! long av5ue ( elms1      
pa9fully j>r$ on by ! noise ( ,ezra's   
%uffl+ feet among ! dry leaves4 ,joy\s  
life _h retir$ to inf9ite remot5ess2 &  
ov] him1 l a pret]natural *ill 9 ! fa9t 
sunlight1 crept ! horror ( ?is dea? 9   
life4 ,/rangely en\gh he felt at "o & ! 
same "t a repugnance to 8 own nature (  
fle% & a triumphant delight 9 !         
possession ( bodily heal?1 lib]ty--!    
lib]ty ( ! _w--& a m9d unfett]$ by      
tradition4  ,a few feet f ! entrance an 
ag$ nun /epp$ f beh9d a h$g][ ( %rubb]y 
& confront$ !m4  ,w y /ate y\r bus9ess8 
%e said coldly1 glanc+ at ,helm & fix+  
h] eyes on ,ezra1 :o = reply m]ely nodd$
 to ,helm4  ,i am a /rang] 9 ?is "p ( ! 
c\ntry1 & he>d t ,i w\ld be all[$ to    
visit ! conv5t4  ,are y a ,ca?olic8     
,no2 ,i am a ,prote/ant4  ,are y        
acqua9t$ ) any ( ! "y ladies 9 ! conv5t8

  ,i am n4  ,%e look$ him ?r\gh & ?r\gh4
 ,he met h] scrut9y ) frank             
unconsci\sness4  ,w y come 98 ,i w take 
y\r "n to ! ,"m ,sup]ior4  ,!y foll[$ h]
 into a small reception-room1 & sat = a 
long "t wait+4 ,!n an inn] door op5$1 & 
ano!r ag$ nun1 sweet-fac$ & g5tle1 ent]$
 & greet$ !m pleasantly1 recognis+ ,ezra
 z an acqua9tance4  ,ano!r ,si/] w be   
s5t to accompany u1 %e said1 & sat d[n  
to wait1 talk+ naturally ! :ile to ! old
 man4 ,!n ! door op5$ aga91 & ! he>t (  
,helm beat viol5tly2 !re 0 no mi/ak+ !  
=m1 ! grace4 ,%e cross$ to ! ,si/]1 &   
spoke 9 an und]tone4  ,si/] ,g5]ose is  
engag$4 ,"m s5t me 9 h] place1 ,si/]4   
,!n %e greet$ ,ezra & b[$ to ,helm1     
lift+ to him an in/ant1 b )\t           
recognition1 h] tremul\s eyes4 ,h] face 
_h ! :it5ess ( alaba/]4  ,we w g to !   
*ur* fir/1 said ! ,si/]1 address+ ,helm1
 :o plac$ himself beside h]1 ! o!rs     
foll[+4  ,:5 !y ent]$ ! *ur* he mov$    
sl[ly ar\nd ! walls1 try+ to li/5 to 8  
guide & to fix 8 ?\ghts ^u ! pictures & 

! ar*itecture4 ,pres5tly he became aw>e 
t ,ezra _h jo9$ !m1 & z soon z pretext  
(f]$ he look$ back4 ,9 a pew ne> ! door 
?r\gh :i* !y _h ent]$ he c\ld j see !   
kneel+ =m & b[$ head ( ,si/] ,dolorosa4 
,!re %e rema9$ :ile !y made ! circuit ( 
! build+1 & n until !y 7 quitt+ x did %e
 rise & aga9 place h]self by ! side (   
,ezra4 ,0 x h] la/ pray] be=e h]        
temptation8  ,!y walk$ across ! gr\nds  
t[>ds ! old-fa%ion$ fl[]-g>d5 ( !       
conv5t4 ,! ,si/] op5$ ! little lattic$  
gate1 & ! o!rs pass$ 94 ,! temptation 0 
to beg9 9 ! v spot :]e ,love _h long be5
 w&]+ amid dumb companions4  ,ezra6     
call$ ! ag$ ,si/]1 paus+ j inside ! gate
 & look+ d[n at "s rec5tly dug bulbs1   
has ,m>?a tak5 up h] t5d] bulbs8 ,! fro/
 w soon be fall+4 ,! old man sometimes  
help$ at ! conv5t 9 g>d5 "w4  ,:o is ?is
 "y man8 %e inquir$ c>elessly a few     
mom5ts lat]4  ,b ,ezra 0 "o ( ^? p]sons 
:o *]i% a fa9t dislike ( all pres5t     
company4 ,moreov]1 he knew ! good       
,si/]'s love ( news4 ,s he began to     

resi/ h] ) ! m pleasure t he c\ld at    
lea/ evade h] que/ions4  ,i don't "k1 he
 repli$1 ) a my/]i\s %ake ( ! head4     
,come ?is way1 %e said beguil+ly1 turn+ 
aside into ano!r walk1 & look at !      
*rysan!mums4 ,h[ did y happ5 to meet    
him8         99       99       99       
99       99  ,:5 ,si/] ,dolorosa & ,helm
 f\nd !mselves walk+ sl[ly side by side 
d[n ! g>d5-pa?--?is be+ :at he mo/ _h   
hop$ = & %e mo/ _h fe>$--!re fell ^u ea*
 a mom5t>y sil5ce ( prep>ation4 ,speak  
%e mu/2 if only 9 speak+ %e might n err4
 ,speak he c\ld2 if only 9 speak+ he    
might draw f h] m k ( h] life1 & 9 "s   
becom+ way cause h] to p]ceive 8 int]e/ 
9 x4  ,!n %e1 z 8 guide1 keep+ h] face  
turn$ t[>ds ! bord] ( fl[]s1 b sometimes
 lift+ x %yly to 81 began ) great       
sweetness & a little hurri$ly1 z if fe>+
 to pause--  ,! g>d5 is n pretty n[4 ,x 
is full ( fl[]s1 b only a few are       
bloom+4 ,^! are daffodils4 ,!y bloom$ 9 
,m>*1 long ago4 ,& "h 7 spr+ beauties4  
,!y gr[ wild1 & d n la/ long4 ,! ,"m    

,sup]ior wi%$ "s cultivat$ 9 ! g>d51 b  
!y are bett] if let alone to gr[ wild4  
,& "h are violets1 :i* come 9 ,april4 ,&
 "h is ,adam & ,eve1 & tulips4 ,!y are  
gay fl[]s1 & bloom toge!r = company4 ,y 
c see ,adam & ,eve a long way (f1 & !y  
look bett] at a di/ance4 ,^! 7 ! :ite   
lilies1 b "o ( ! ,si/]s di$1 & we made a
 cross4 ,t 0 9 ,june4 ,jump-up-,johnnies
 7 plant$ 9 ?is b$1 b !y did n d well4  
,x has be5 a bad ye>4 ,a /orm blew !    
hollyhocks d[n1 & !re 7 cank]-worms 9 ! 
roses4 ,t is ! way ) ! fl[]s3 !y fail "o
 ye>1 & !y succe$ ! next4 ,!y w\ld nev] 
fail if !y 7 let alone4 ,x is pleasant  
to see !m />t+ out 9 ! ,spr+ to be      
p]fect ea* 9 its own way4 ,x is pleasant
 to wat] !m & to help4 ,b "s w be       
p]fect1 & "s w be imp]fect1 & no "o c   
alt] t4 ,!y are l ! *ildr5 9 ! s*ool2   
only ! fl[]s w\ld all be p]fect if !y _h
 _! way1 & ! *ildr5 w\ld all be wrong if
 !y _h !irs--! poor1 good *ildr56 ,?is  
is t\*-me-n4 ,p]haps y h nev] he>d ( any
 su* fl[]4 ,& !re1 next to x1 is        

love-lies-ble$+4 ,we h n mu* ( t2 only  
?is "o little plant4 ,& %e b5t ov] &    
/rok$ x4  ,8 :ole he>t melt$ "u ! :ite  
radiance ( h] innoc5ce4 ,he _h ?\ght h] 
old]2 n[ 8 feel+ took ! =m ( ! pure/    
delight 9 "s exquisite *ild nature4 ,&  
!re=e1 feel+ ?us t[>ds h]1 & see+ !     
poor1 dead g>d5 ) only common fl[]s1 :i*
 nev]!less %e sep>ately lov$1 oblivi\s (
 _! commonness1 he said ) sudd5 w>m?1   
hold+ h] eyes ) 8--  ,i wi% y c\ld see  
my "m's g>d5 & ! fl[]s t bloom 9 x4 ,& z
 he spoke !re came to him a vision ( h] 
z %e might look 9 a c]ta9 seclud$ corn] 
( x1 :]e ran a trellis$ walk2           
ov]-clamb]+ roses1 pale gold51 full bl[n
 or budd+1 & b5t ) dew2 ! ,may sun gold5
 9 ! heav5s2 f> & ne> birds s++ & so>+ 9
 ec/asy2 ! air lull+ ! s5se ) p]fume1   
quick5+ ! blood ) fre%ness2 & !re1 )9 t 
frame ( roses1 h] head b>e & %9+1 h]    
fun]eal g>b = ev] laid aside = "o t     
mat*$ ! lovelie/ hue ( liv+ nature      
ar\nd1 a fl[] at h] ?roat1 fl[]s 9 h]   
h&1 sadness gone f h] face1 !re ! pure &

 radiant inc>nation ( a too-happy _w1   
?is exquisite *ild-nature1 advanc+ t[>ds
 him ) eyes ( love4  ,hav+ =m$ ?is      
picture1 he c\ld n aft]w>ds de/roy x2 & 
z !y resum$ _! walk he began v simply to
 describe 8 "m's g>d51 %e li/5+ closely 
because ( h] love = fl[]s1 :i* _h become
 companions to h]1 & m]ely say+         
dreamily1 half to h]self & ) gu>d$      
c\rtesy half to him1 ,x mu/ be          
beautiful4         99       99       99 
99       99  ,! ,"m ,sup]ior int5ds to  
make ! g>d5 l>g] next ye>1 & to h f9e   
fl[]s 9 x1 ,ezra4 ,x has be5 a prosp]\s 
ye> 9 ! s*ool1 & !re w be money to sp>e4
 ,?is r[ ( lilacs is to be dug up1 & !  
f5ce set back s z to take 9 ! onion pat*
 ov] !re4 ,:5 does he expect to g away8 
,! ag$ ,si/] _h n made rapid progress4  
,i hav5't he>d him say1 repli$ ! old    
man4  ,p]haps ,m>?a has he>d him say4   
,ezra only /ruck ! toe ( 8 /\t boot ) 8 
/aff4  ,! ,"m ,sup]ior w want y to dig  
up ! lilacs1 ,ezra4 ,y c d x bett] ?an  
any "o else4  ,! old man %ook 8 head    

?reat5+ly at ! bu%es4 ,i c settle !m1 he
 said4  ,bett] ?an any "o else4 ,has    
,m>?a he>d him say :5 he is go+ away8   
,to-morr[1 he repli$1 conc$+ some?+ 9   
return = ! lilacs4         99       99  
99       99       99  ,^! are !         
*rysan!mums4 ,!y are :ite1 b "s are     
p]fect & "s are imp]fect1 y see4 ,^? t  
are p]fect are ! ones to feel pr\d (1 b 
! o!rs are ! ones to love4  ,if all 7   
p]fect w\ld y no long] love !m8 he said 
g5tly1 ?9k+ h[ p]fect %e 0 & h[ easy x  
w\ld be to love h]4  ,if all 7 p]fect1  
,i c\ld love all alike1 because none    
w\ld ne$ to be lov$ m ?an o!rs4  ,& :5 !
 fl[]s 9 ! g>d5 are dead1 :at d y f9d to
 love !n8 he ask$1 laugh+ a little &    
try+ to foll[ h] mood4  ,x w\ld n be    
fair to =get !m because !y are dead4 ,b 
!y are n dead2 !y g away = a season1 & x
 w\ld n be fair to =get !m because !y h 
gone away4 ,?is %e said simply & s]i\sly
 z ?\gh h] consci5ce 7 deal+ ) human    
virtues & duties4  ,& are y satisfi$ to 
love ?+s t are n pres5t8 he ask$1 look+ 

at h] ) sudd5 e>ne/ness4         99     
99       99       99       99  ,! ,"m   
,sup]ior w wi% him to take away a       
fav\rable impression ( ! conv5t1 said ! 
,si/]4 ,"y ladies are sometimes s5t to u
 f t region4 ,& n[1 hav+ gott5 f ,ezra !
 in=mation %e desir$ & turn$ _! /eps    
t[>ds ! o!rs1 %e look$ at ,helm ) great]
 int]e/4  ,%\ld y l to g ^u !           
obs]vatory8 %e meekly ask$1 po9t+ to !  
top ( ! adjac5t build+4 ,f !re y c see  
h[ f> ! conv5t l&s ext5d4 ,besides1 x is
 ! only po9t t comm&s a view ( ! :ole   
c\ntry4  ,! sc5e ( ! temptation 0 to be 
transf]r$ to ! p9nacle ( ! temple4  ,x  
is n ask+ too mu* ( y to climb s f> = my
 pleasure8  ,x is our mission to climb1 
%e repli$ we>ily2 & if our /r5g? fails1 
we re/ by ! way4  ,( h]self %e spoke    
lit]ally2 = :5 !y came to ! topmo/ /ory 
( ! build+1 f :i* ! obs]vatory 0 rea*$  
by a %ort flight ( /eps1 %e sank into a 
seat plac$ ne> z a re/+-place4  ,w y g  
above1 ,si/]8 %e said feebly4 ,i w wait 
"h4  ,on ! way up1 also1 ! old man _h   

be5 %ak+ 8 head ) a /upid look ( al>m & 
mutt]+ 8 disapproval4  ,!re is a high   
rail+1 ,ezra1 %e n[ said to him1 ,y c\ld
 n fall4 ,b he refus$ to g fur!r2 he    
suff]$ f v]tigo4  ,! "y pair w5t up     
alone4  ,= miles 9 all directions !     
l&scape lay %imm]+ 9 ! autumnal         
sunlight--a poor1 r\gh1 homely l&1 ) a  
few f>mh\ses ( ! pla9e/ k9d4 ,briefly %e
 trac$ = him ! b\nd>y ( ! conv5t doma94 
,& !n he1 ?9k+ pr\dly ( 8 own region1 n[
 ly+ heavy 9 v>i$ autumnal rip5ess &    
teem+ ) noble1 g5tle animal life2 )     
roll+ pa/ures z gre5 z ,may "u great    
trees ( crimson & gold2 ) fla%+ /reams &
 placid %eets ( wat]1 & great seclud$   
home/eads--he1 9 turn1 briefly describ$ 
x2 & %e1 lov+ ! s5su\s beauty ( ! _w1   
li/5$ m dreamily1 m]ely repeat+ ov] &   
ov]1 half to h]self1 & ) m gu>d$ c\rtesy
 half to him1 ,x mu/ be v beautiful4  ,b
 :e!r %e sudd5ly felt t %e _h yield$    
h]self too f> to ! influ5ce ( 8 words & 
wi%$ to c\nt]act ?is1 or :e!r %e 0 ar\s$
 to (fset 8 description by ano!r (      

unlike int]e/1 sc>cely _h he f9i%$ :5 %e
 po9t$ t[>ds a long /ret* ( woodl& t lay
 l a m]e wav]+ b& ( br[n ^u ! we/]n     
horizon4  ,x 0 ?r\gh ^? woods1 %e said1 
h] voice trembl+ slightly1 t !          
procession ( ,trappi/s m>*$ beh9d !     
cross :5 !y fl$ to ?is c\ntry f ,france4
 ,beyond t range ( hills is ! home ( !  
,sil5t ,bro!rhood4 ,9 ?is direction1 %e 
cont9u$1 po9t+ s\?w>d1 is ! creek :i*   
us$ to be s deep 9 w9t] t ! prie/s _h to
 swim x z !y walk$ f "o di/ant mission  
to ano!r 9 ! wild]ness1 hold+ above !   
waves ! crucifix & ! sacram5t4 ,"u t    
tree d[n !re ! ,fa!r :o f\nd$ ?is conv5t
 built ) 8 own h&s ! cab9 t 0 ! fir/    
*ur*1 & hew$ out ( logs ! fir/ alt>4 ,x 
0 f ^? trees t ! fir/ nuns got ! dyes = 
_! ve/m5ts4 ,on ! floor ( t cab9 !y     
sometimes slept 9 mid-w9t] ) no o!r     
cov]+ ?an an armful ( /raw4 ,^? 7 h]oic 
days4  ,if %e _h inde$ felt "s secret   
ne$ to recov] h]self by recit+ ! h]oisms
 ( local hi/ory1 %e seem$ to h succe$$4 
,h] face k9dl$ ) emotion2 & z he wat*$ x

 he =got ev5 h] cre$ 9 ?is revelation ( 
h] nature1 :i* t\*$ 9 him also some?+   
s]i\s & exalt$4 ,b z %e ceas$ he ask$1 )
 peculi> int]e/--  ,are !re any         
,k5tuckians among ! ,trappi/ ,fa!rs8    
,no1 %e repli$1 aft] a mom5t>y sil5ce1 &
 9 a voice l[]$ to great sadness4 ,!re 0
 "o a few ye>s ago4 ,8 dea? 0 a great   
bl[ to ! ,fa!rs4 ,!y _h hop$ t he might 
"s day become ! head ( ! ord] 9         
,k5tucky4 ,he 0 call$ ,fa!r ,palemon4   
,= ano!r mom5t no?+ 0 said4 ,!y 7 /&+   
side by side1 look+ t[>ds t qu>t] ( !   
horizon :i* %e _h po9t$ out z ! site ( !
 abbey4 ,!n he spoke m$itatively1 z ?\gh
 8 m9d _h gone back unaw>es to "s idea t
 0 v de> to him--  ,no1 ?is does n seem 
mu* l ,k5tucky2 b1 aft] all1 e l&scape  
is ess5tially ! same to me if !re are   
homes on x4 ,poor z ?is c\ntry is1 /ill 
x is hi/ory2 x is human life4 ,"h are ! 
et]nal ties & relations4 ,"h are !      
et]nal ne$s & duties2 ev]y?+ t keeps !  
_w "y & ! he>t at peace4 ,"h is !       
un*ang+ expression ( our common de/9y1 z

 creatures :o mu/ %>e all ?+s1 & be> all
 ?+s1 & be b\nd toge!r 9 life & dea?4   
,si/]6 call$ up ! nun wait+ bel[1 is n !
 w9d bl[+8 ,w y n take cold8  ,! w9d is 
n bl[+1 ,si/]1 b ,i am com+4  ,!y turn$ 
_! faces outw>d ^u ! l&scape once m4    
,across x w\nd ! little footpa? t[>ds ! 
f>m-h\se 9 ! di/ance4 ,by a common      
impulse _! eyes re/$ ^u ! place ( _!    
fir/ meet+4 ,he po9t$ to x4  ,i %all    
nev] =get t spot1 he said impulsively4  
,nor ,i6  ,h] words 7 n spok54 ,!y 7 n  
utt]$ )94 ,z unexpect$ly & sil5tly z 9 !
 remote/ pr(\nd ( ! heav5s at midnight  
"s pale/ little /> is loos5$ f its      
orbit1 %oots a brief span1 & disappe>s1 
?is confession ( h]s trac$ its c\rse    
across ! dep?s ( h] secret consci\sness2
 b1 hav+ made x to h]self1 %e kept h]   
eyes veil$1 & did n look at him aga9 t  
day4  ,i ?9k y h n[ se5 ev]y?+ t c\ld be
 ( any int]e/1 ! ag$ ,si/] said         
d\btfully1 :5 !y /ood 9 ! y>d bel[4  ,! 
place is v int]e/+ to me1 he answ]$1    
look+ ar\nd t he might discov] "s way ( 

prolong+ 8 visit4  ,! gravey>d1 ,si/]4  
,we might g !re4 ,! b>ely audible words 
7 ,si/] ,dolorosa's4 ,! sc5e ( !        
temptation 0 to be transf]r$ = ! ?ird   
"t4  ,!y walk$ "s di/ance d[n a slop+   
hillside1 & /epp$ s(tly )9 ! sacr$      
enclosure4 ,a gravey>d ( nuns6 ,o ,"m   
,e>?1 all-be>+1 passion-he>t$ "m6 ,?\ t 
s5de/ love "o = ano!r into ?y *ildr51 f 
! lea/ to ! greate/1 z ?\ give/ !m life6
 ,?\ t live/ by _! loves & _! myriad    
plight+s ( tro? & myriad m>riages6 ,)   
:at inconsolable sorr[ mu/ ?\ receive   
back ^u ?y bosom1 ! *a/e du/ ( lorn     
virg9s1 ^: bosoms ?\ did/ m\ld = a      
lov]'s arms & a babe's slumb]s6 ,z m>ble
 ve/als ( ! anci5t _w1 buri$ & lo/1 !y  
lie1 *isell$ into a fix$ attitude (     
pray] ?r\gh ! sil5t c5turies4  ,! aspect
 & _s ( ! place3 ! simple graves plac$  
side by side l ^? ( ! nameless poor1 or 
( soldi]s fall5 9 an unfri5dly l&3 !    
rude wood5 cross at ! head ( ea*1 be>+ !
 sacr$ "n ( h] :o 0 du/ bel[2 ! once    
*irrup+ ne/s ( birds "h & !re 9 ! grass 

above ! songless lips2 ! sad desolation 
( ?is unf9i%$ end--all 7 ! la/ ?+ ne$$  
to wr+ ! he>t ( ,helm ) dumb pity & an  
ungov]nable angui% ( rebellion4 ,?is1   
!n1 0 to be h] portion4 ,8 :ole nature  
cri$ al\d aga9/ x4 ,8 ideas ( human     
life1 civilisation1 8 age1 8 c\ntry1 8  
,/ate1 rose up 9 prote/4 ,he did n he$ !
 words ( ! ,si/] beside him4 ,8 ?\ghts 7
 ) ,si/] ,dolorosa1 :o foll[$ ) ,ezra 9 
a sil5ce :i* %e _h b once brok5 s9ce h] 
la/ words to him4 ,he c\ld h caught h]  
up & escap$ back ) h] into ! lib]ty (   
life1 into ! happ9ess ( ! _w4  ,unable  
to endure ! place long]1 he himself l$ !
 way out4 ,at ! gate ! ,si/] fell beh9d 
) ,ezra4  ,he seems deeply impress$ by 8
 visit1 %e said 9 an und]tone1 & %\ld   
be> ) him a good acc\nt ( ! conv5t4     
,note :at he says1 ,ezra4 ,! ord] wants 
fri5ds 9 ,k5tucky1 :]e x 0 born & has   
fl\ri%$2 & look+ at ,si/] ,dolorosa &   
,helm1 :o 7 a %ort di/ance 9 front1 %e  
add$ to h]self--  ,9 h]1 m ?an 9 any o!r
 "o ( u1 he w behold ! p]fect spiritual 

type ( ! conv5t4 ,by h] he w be made to 
feel ! p[] ( ! ord] to consecrate wom51 
9 ,am]ica1 9 ,k5tucky1 to ! s]vice ( !  
ev]la/+ ,*ur*4  ,meantime1 ,si/]        
,dolorosa & ,helm walk$ side by side 9 a
 sil5ce t nei!r c\ld break4 ,he 0 ?9k+ (
 h] z a woman ( ,k5tucky--( 8 own       
g5]ation--& try+ to und]/& ! motive t _h
 l$ h] to consecrate h]self to su* a    
life4 ,8 own ideal ( duty 0 s diff]5t4  
,i h nev] ?\ght1 he said at l5g?1 9 a   
voice l[]$ s z to rea* h] e> alone--,i h
 nev] ?\ght t my life w\ld n be full (  
happ9ess4 ,i h nev] suppos$ ,i c\ld help
 be+ happy if ,i did my duty4  ,%e made 
no reply1 & aga9 !y walk$ on 9 sil5ce & 
drew ne> ! conv5t build+4 ,!re 0 s mu* t
 he wi%$ to say1 b sc>cely "o ( 8 ?\ghts
 t he d>$ utt]4 ,at l5g? he said1 )     
irrepressible feel+--  ,i wi% y\r life  
did n seem to me s sad4 ,i wi%1 :5 ,i g 
away to-morr[1 t ,i c\ld c>ry away1 ) my
 ?\ghts ( ?is place1 ! ?\ght t y are    
happy4 ,z long z ,i rememb] x ,i wi% ,i 
c\ld rememb] y z be+ happy4  ,y h no "r 

to rememb] me at all1 %e said quickly1  
speak+ = ! nun & betray+ ! woman4  ,b ,i
 _c help x1 he said4  ,rememb] me1 !n1 n
 z desir+ to be happy1 b z liv+ to      
become bless$4  ,?is %e said1 break+ !  
long sil5ce :i* _h foll[$ ^u 8 too eag] 
exclamation4 ,h] voice _h become hu%$   
into unison ) h] meek & pati5t words4 ,&
 !n %e paus$1 &1 turn+1 wait$ = ! ,si/] 
to come up beside !m4 ,nor did %e ev5   
speak to him aga91 m]ely b[+ )\t lift+  
h] eyes :51 a little lat]1 he ?ank$ !m &
 took 8 leave4  ,9 sil5ce he & ! old man
 return$ to ! f>m-h\se1 = 8 ?\ghts 7 )  
h]4 ,9 ! g>d5 %e _h seem$ to him almo/ z
 a *ild1 talk+ artlessly ( h] sympa?ies 
& ties ) mute play?+s2 !n on ! heights  
%e _h sudd5ly reveal$ h]self z ! y\?ful 
transc5d5t devotee2 & f9ally1 amid !    
sc5es ( dea?1 %e _h appe>$ a woman too  
quickly ag$ & too e>ly t\*$ )           
resignation4 ,he did n "k t ! effect (  
conv5t life is to =ce c]ta9 faculties   
into maturity :ile o!rs are repress$    
into unalt]able unrip5ess2 s t 9 su*    

in/ances z ,si/] ,dolorosa's ! :ole     
nature resembles "s long1 slop+         
m\nta9-side1 ) an upp] zone ( ev]-l+]+  
sn[ = *ildhood1 bel[ ?is a gre5 v]nal   
belt = maid5hood1 & ne> ! foot fi]ce    
summ] heats & summ] /orms = womanhood4  
,gradually 8 plan ( jo9+ 8 fri5ds ! next
 day wav]$ = reasons t he c\ld h>dly h  
nam$4  ,& ,si/] ,dolorosa--:at ( h] :5 !
 day 0 ov]8 ,/&+ t night 9 a :itewa%$1  
cell-l room1 %e took (f ! heavy black   
veil & hood :i* %r\d$ h] head f all     
human vision1 & !n unfa/5+ at wai/ &    
?roat ! heavi] black ve/m5t ( ! ord]1   
all[$ x to slip to ! floor1 reveal+ a   
:ite "u-habit ( ! utmo/ simplicity (    
design4 ,x 0 l ! magical trans=mation ( 
a sorr[-%r\d$ woman back into ! %ape (  
h] own e>lie/ maid5hood4  ,h] hair1 ( ! 
pale/ gold1 w\ld1 if un%orn1 h cov]$ h] 
figure 9 a s(t1 ?ick gold5 cl\d2 b %orn1
 x lay ab\t h] neck & e>s 9 l>ge1 lu/r\s
 waves t left def9$ ! cont\r ( h]       
beautiful head1 & gave to x ! a]ial *>m 
t belongs to ! joy\sness ( y\?4 ,h] :ole

 figure 0 relax$ into a po/ure slightly 
droop+2 h] b>e arms1 :ite z ! necks (   
swans1 hung 9 =gott5 grace at h] sides2 
h] eyes1 l>ge1 d>k1 poetic1 & spiritual1
 7 b5t ^u ! floor1 s t ! la%es left _!  
%ad[s on h] *eeks1 :ile ! delicate1     
ov]circl+ br[s 7 ar*$ high ) melan*oly4 
,z ! nun's fun]eal robes _h slipp$ f h] 
p]son _h h] m9d slipp$ back into ! pa/1 
t %e /ood ?us1 all ! pure oval ( h]     
s5sitive face /ill$ to an expression (  
brood+ p5siv5ess8 ,on ! urn :i* held !  
a%es ( h] he>t _h "s leg5d ( happy %apes
 summon$ h] fondly to return8--"s g>d58 
"s radiant play-fell[ ( *ildhood summ]s1
 already dim b nev] to gr[ dimm]8       
,sigh+ deeply1 %e /epp$ across ! d>k    
circle on ! floor :i* 0 ! b\nd>y ( h]   
womanhood4 ,z %e did s h] eyes re/$ on a
 small table :]e lay a ri* veil ( :ite t
 %e _h long be5 embroid]+ = a %r9e ( !  
,virg94 ,sl[ly1 /ill abs5tly1 %e walk$  
to x1 &1 tak+ x up1 ?rew x ov] h] head1 
s t ! s(t fabric envelop$ h] head & neck
 & fell 9 mi/y folds ab\t h] p]son2 %e  

?9k+ ! :ile only ( ! %r9e2 %e look+ d[n 
on ?is side & on t1 & wi%+ only to judge
 h[ well ?is design & t design1 pati5tly
 & pray]fully wr\ght out1 might adorn ! 
image ( ! ,div9e ,"m 9 ! *ur* ( !       
conv5t4  ,b happ5+ to be /&+ q close to 
! :ite wall ( ! room ) ! lamp beh9d h]1 
:5 %e rais$ h] eyes %e caught sight ( h]
 %ad[1 & ) a l[ cry clasp$ h] h&s1 & =  
an in/ant1 brea?less1 survey$ x4 ,no    
mirrors are all[$ 9 ! conv5t4 ,s9ce     
ent]+ x ,si/] ,dolorosa _h n se5 a      
reflection ( h]self1 except p]haps h]   
%ad[ 9 ! sun or h] face 9 a tr\bl$ bas9 
( wat]4 ,n[1 ) "o ov]:elm+ flood (      
womanly self-consci\sness1 %e b5t =w>d1 
not+ ! outl9e ( h] uncov]$ head1 ( h]   
b>$ neck & %\ld]s & arms4 ,did ?is      
accid5tal adorn+ ( h]self 9 ! veil ( a  
bride1 aft] %e _h laid aside ! veil ( ! 
,*ur*1 typify h] complete relapse (     
nature8 ,& 0 ?is ! lonely m>riage-mom5t 
( h] betray$ he>t8  ,= a mom5t1 trembl+1
 n be=e ! image on ! wall1 b be=e t     
vivid mirror :i* memory & fancy set be=e

 e woman :5 no real mirror is nigh1 %e  
indulg$ h] self-surr5d] to ?\ghts t     
cov]$ h]1 on face & neck1 ) a rosy cl\d 
m maid5ly ?an ! :ite mi/ ( ! veil4 ,!n1 
z if recall$ by "s lightn+ /roke (      
consci5ce1 ) fe>ful f+]s %e lift$ (f !  
veil1 ext+ui%$ ! lamp1 &1 grop+ h] way  
on tiptoe to ! b$side1 /ood beside x1   
afraid to lie d[n1 afraid to pray1 h]   
eyes wide op5 9 ! d>kness4     ,v4      
,sleep ga!rs up ! s(t ?reads ( passion t
 h be5 spun by u dur+ ! day1 & weaves !m
 into a tape/ry ( dreams on :i* we see !
 hi/ory ( our own *>act]s4 ,we awake to 
f9d our wills m inextricably caught 9 ! 
tissues ( _! own pa/2 we /ir1 & discov] 
t we are ! heirs to our dead selves (   
ye/]day1 ) a l>g] inh]itance (          
transmitt$ purpose4  ,:5 ,gordon awoke !
 next morn+1 among 8 fir/ ?\ghts 0 !    
idea ( go+ on to jo9 8 fri5ds t day1 &  
?is ?\ght n[ caus$ him unexpect$        
depression4 ,_h he be5 old]1 he might h 
accept$ ?is unwill+ness to g away z !   
be/ reason = leav+2 b1 "y1 & habitually 

self-indulg5t t[>ds 8 desires :5 !y 7 n 
connect$ ) vice1 he did n tr\ble himself
 ) any =eca/ ( consequ5ces4  ,y ought n 
to g away to-day1 ! old h\sewife said to
 him 9 ! morn+1 wi%+ to deta9 him ?r\gh 
love ( 8 company4 ,to-morr[ w be        
,sunday1 & y ought to g to vesp]s & he> 
,si/] ,dolorosa s+4 ,!re is n su* ano!r 
voice 9 any conv5t 9 ,k5tucky4  ,i w    
/ay1 he repli$ quickly2 & ! next        
aft]noon he 0 seat$ 9 ! re> ( ! conv5t  
*ur*1 surr\nd$ by rural ,ca?olic        
wor%ipp]s :o _h assembl$ f !            
neighb\rhood4 ,! entire front ( ! nave  
on "o side 0 fill$ ) ! black-veil$      
,si/]s ( ! ord]2 t on ! o!r ) !         
:ite-veil$ novices--two f>-j\rney+      
companies ( consecrat$ s\ls :o rem9d$   
him 9 ! mo/ solemn way h[ remote1 h[    
inaccessible1 0 t "y pilgrim among !m ( 
:om = a long "t n[ he _h be5 solely     
?9k+4 ,) ^! two companies ( sacrificial 
s\ls be=e him he und]/ood h] "* 9 a new 
light4  ,he beheld h] mu* z a brave1    
beautiful boy volunte]1 :o1 sudd5ly wav+

 a bright1 la/ adieu to gay companions 9
 "s gay-/reet$ t[n1 f motives ( ! l(tie/
 h]oism1 takes 8 place 9 ! re> ( pass+  
soldi]y1 m>*+ to misguid$ dea?3 :o1 f ! 
re>1 gl[+ ) too impetu\s ard\r1 makes 8 
way f rank to rank ev] t[>ds ! front2 & 
:o1 at la/1 be>+ ! heavy arms & we>+ !  
battle-/a9$ uni=m ( a vet]an1 /eps =w>d 
to ! van at ! comm&]'s side1 & sets 8   
fre%1 pure face undaunt$ t[>ds          
de/ruction4 ,z he ?\ght ( h] ?us1 deep] 
=ces /irr$ )9 8 nature ?an _h ev] be5   
ar\s$ by any o!r woman4 ,9 comp>ison e  
"o t he _h kn[n became = ! mom5t        
commonplace1 human life z he 0 us$ to x 
gross & un9spir+1 & 8 own ideal ( duty a
 dw>fi% mixture ( selfi%ness & luxuri\s 
triviality4 ,impulsive 9 8 recognition (
 nobl5ess ( nature :]ev] he p]ceiv$ x1 =
 ?is devot$ness ( purpose he began to   
feel ! emotion :i* ( all t ev] visit !  
human he>t is at once ! mo/ humbl+1 !   
mo/ uplift+1 & ! mo/ en?rall+--!        
h]o-wor%ip ( a /rong man = a fragile    
woman4  ,! s]vice began4 ,z x w5t on he 

notic$ "h & !re among ^? ne> him su*    
evid5ces ( re/lessness z betray 9 a     
seat$ ?rong high-wr\ght expectancy ( "s 
pleasure too long def]r$4 ,b at la/ ^! 7
 succe$$ by a brea?less hu%1 z1 f !     
conceal$ organ-l(t above1 a l[1 m9or    
prelude 0 he>d1 grop+ & /riv+ ne>] &    
ne>] t[>ds ! conceal$ motive1 z a little
 wave creeps fur!r & fur!r along a      
melan*oly %ore4 ,sudd5ly1 beautiful &   
cle>1 m t5d] ?an love1 m sorr[ful ?an   
dea?1 !re float$ out ^u ! /ill air ( !  
*ur* ! cry ( a woman's s\l t has (f5d$1 
& t1 %r9k+ f e pray] ( spee*1 p\rs =?   
its m int5se1 in>ticulate1 & suff]+ ne$ 
?r\gh ! div9] faculty ( song4  ,at !    
s\nd e e> 0 /ra9$ to li/54 ,hi!rto !    
wont _h be5 to he> t voice be> al(t !   
common petition z calmly z ! inc5se rose
 pa/ ! alt> to ! ro(2 b n[ x quiv]$ ov] 
tr\bl$ dep?s ( feel+1 x rose freight$ ) 
! burd5 ( self-accusal4 ,/ill high] &   
high] x rose1 borne triumphantly upw>d  
by love & aspiration1 until ! p[]s ( !  
s+]'s frame seem$ sp5d+ !mselves 9 "o   

sup]human ef=t ( ! s\l to make its pray]
 und]/ood to ! div9e =giv5ess4 ,!n1 all 
at once1 at ! highe/ note1 z a bird so>+
 t[>ds ! sun has its w+s brok5 by a %ot 
f bel[1 x too broke1 falt]$1 & !re 0 a  
sil5ce4 ,b only = a mom5t3 ano!r voice1 
poor & cold1 promptly f9i%$ ! song2 !   
s]vice end$2 ! p p\r$ out ( ! *ur*4  ,:5
 ,gordon came out !re 7 a few gr\ps /&+ 
ne> ! door talk+2 o!rs 7 already mov+   
homew>d across ! gr\nds4 ,n f> (f he    
obs]v$ a lu/y "y c\ntryman1 ) a frank1  
w9n+ face1 :o appe>$ to be wait+1 :ile  
he held a *ild t _h laid its bright head
 aga9/ 8 tann$1 a?letic neck4 ,gordon   
approa*$ him1 & said ) =c$ calmness--   
,d y "k :at 0 ! matt] 9 ! *ur*8  ,my    
wife has gone to see1 he repli$ w>mly4  
,wait2 %e'll be "h 9 a m9ute4 ,"h %e is 
n[4  ,! comely1 ,sunday-dress$ "y wife  
came up & took ! *ild1 :o held out its  
arms1 fondly smil+4  ,%e hadn't be5     
well1 & !y didn't want h] to s+ to-day2 
b %e begg$ to s+1 & broke d[n4 ,say+    
?is1 ! "y "m kiss$ h] *ild1 & slipp+ "o 

h& into ! great br[n h& ( h] husb&1 :i* 
clos$ ^u x1 turn$ away ) !m across !    
lawn homew>d4  ,:5 ,si/] ,dolorosa1 :o  
_h pass$ a sleepless1 pray]less night1  
/ood 9 ! organ-l(t & look$ across ! *ur*
 at ! sc5e ( ! ,passion1 at ! %r9e ( !  
,virg91 at ! :ite ?rong ( novices & !   
d>k ?rong ( ! ,si/]s1 ! common pray] (  
:om 0 to be borne upw>d by h] voice1 !re
 came ^u h] l a bury+ wave a            
consci\sness ( h[ *ang$ %e 0 s9ce %e _h 
/ood !re la/4 ,?us at ! mom5t :5        
,gordon1 sitt+ bel[1 rev]5tly set h] f> 
above him1 z "o looks up to a /atue ^:  
feet are above ! level ( 8 head1 %e1    
?9k+ ( :at %e _h be5 & _h n[ become1    
seem$ to h]self z ?\gh fall5 f a :ite   
p$e/al to ! miry e>?4 ,b :51 to a nature
 l h]s1 absolute loyalty to a s9less    
/&>d ( "* is ! only law ( happ9ess      
itself1 e lapse into transgression is   
foll[$ by an act ( passionate           
self-*a/isem5t & by a m passionate      
outbur/ ( love = ! wrong$ ideal2 & !re=e
 sc>ce _h %e begun to s+1 & 9 music to  

lift up ! pray] %e _h d5i$ h]self 9     
words1 be=e ! p[]s ( h] body succumb$1 z
 ! /r+s ( an in/rum5t snap "u too /r5u\s
 a t\* ( ! musician4  ,gordon walk$ out 
( ! gr\nds beside ! ru/ic "y husb& &    
wife1 :o pla9ly 7 lov]s /ill4  ,! ,si/] 
:o sang has a beautiful voice1 he said4 
,none ( !m c s+ l h]1 repli$ ! wife4 ,i 
love h] bett] ?an any ( ! o!rs4  ,i t9  
s+6 cri$ ! little girl1 look+ at ,gordon
 res5tfully1 z ?\gh he _h d5i$ h] t     
accompli%m5t4  ,b y'll nev] s+ 9 a      
conv5t1 missy1 cri$ ! fa!r1 snat*+ h] f 
h] "m4 ,y'll s+ = "s man till he m>ries 
y z y\r "m did me4 ,i 0 go+ to jo9 !    
,trappi/ monks1 b my wife said ,i 0 too 
good a swee!>t to spoil1 & %e _h made up
 h] m9d to h me h]self1 he add$1 turn+  
to ,gordon ) a laugh4  ,i'd h be5 a     
,si/] long ago if y hadn't begg$ & begg$
 me n1 0 ! reply1 ) ! coquetti% toss ( a
 pretty head4  ,i do9' be ,tap monk1    
cri$ ! little girl1 look+ at ,gordon    
/ill m ass]tively1 b jo9+ 9 ! laugh t   
foll[$ ) a scream ( delight at ! wisdom 

( h] decision4  ,_! pa?s "h div]g$1 &   
,gordon walk$ sl[ly on alone1 b n )\t   
turn+ to wat* ! retreat+ figures1 8     
meet+ ) :om at su* a mom5t =m$ an       
episode 9 ! hi/ory ( t passion "u !     
influ5ce ( :i* he 0 n[ rapidly pass+4 ,=
 z he _h sat 9 ! *ur* 8 nature1 :i* 0   
always g5]\s 9 its responsiv5ess1 _h l5t
 itself :olly to ! solicitations ( !    
s]vice2 & = a "t ! /illness1 ! pa9t+s   
portray+ ! div9e sorr[1 ! sl[ procession
 ( nameless wom51 ! tap]s1 ! inc5se1 !  
ho>y antiquity ( ! c]emonial1 _h c>ri$  
him into a little-kn[n region ( 8       
religi\s feel+4 ,b f ?is he _h be5 %>ply
 recall$ by ! sugge/ion ( a veil$       
p]sonal trag$y close at h& 9 t unf9i%$  
song4 ,8 mood aga9 became "o ( va/ pity 
= h]2 & issu+ f ! *ur* ) ?is feel+1 !re1
 ne> ! v entrance1 he _h come ^u a ru/ic
 picture ( husb&1 wife1 & *ild1 ) a     
%>pness ( transition t _h seem$ ! return
 ( 8 _s to its own _w ( fle% & blood4   
,!re to him 0 ! poetry & ! religion (   
life--! l9k$ h&s ( lov]s2 ! tw9+ arms ( 

*ildhood2 heal? & joy\sness2 & a quiet  
walk ov] famili> fields 9 ! ev5+ air f  
peaceful *ur* to peaceful home4 ,& s1   
?9k+ ( ?is z he walk$ on alone1 & ?9k+  
also ( h]1 ! two ?\ghts bl5d$1 & h]     
image /ood always be=e him 9 ! pa?way ( 
8 ideal future4  ,! hi/ory ( ! next     
sev]al days may soon be told4 ,he wrote 
to 8 fri5ds1 /at+ t !re 0 no game 9 !   
neighb\rhood1 & t he _h giv5 up ! idea (
 jo9+ !m & w\ld return home4 ,he took ! 
lett] to ! /ation1 & wait$ = ! tra9 to  
pass s\?w>d1 wat*+ x ru% away ) a subtle
 pleasure at be+ left on ! plat=m1 z    
?\gh ! bridges 7 n[ burn$ beh9d him4 ,!n
 he return$ to ! f>m-h\se1 :]e ,ezra met
 him ) t look ( /upid al>m :i* 0 natural
 to him :5ev] 8 few ?\ghts 7 agitat$ by 
a new situation ( affairs4  ,^w _h come 
f ! conv5t t he 0 want$ !re to move a   
f5ce & make *anges 9 ! g>d51 &1 pr\d ( !
 *>ge1 he wi%$ to g2 b c]ta9 autumnal "w
 9 8 own or*>d & g>d5 claim$ 8 "t1 &    
h5ce ! tr\ble4 ,b ,gordon1 :o h5ce=? _h 
no reason = t>ry+ ) ! old c\ple1 ?rew   

himself eag]ly ^u ?is opportunity to d  
s1 & (f]$ 8 aid 9 despat*+ ! tasks4 ,s t
 ?us a few days pass$1 dur+ :i* he      
unconsci\sly made 8 way z f> z any "o _h
 ev] done into ! tortu\s nature ( ! old 
man1 :o began to reg>d him ) bl9d       
tru/fulness4  ,b !y 7 re/less1 s]i\s    
days4 ,"o aft] ano!r pass$1 & he he>d   
no?+ ( ,si/] ,dolorosa4 ,he ask$ himself
 :e!r %e 7 ill1 :e!r h] visits to old   
,m>?a _h be5 made to cease2 & he %rank f
 ! ?\ght ( be>+ away into 8 life !      
haunt+ pa9 ( su* unc]ta9ty4 ,b "s inn]  
*ange con/ra9$ him no long] to call h]  
"n4 ,z he sat ) ! old c\ple at night !  
h\sewife r5ew$ h] talks ) him1 speak+   
sometimes ( ! conv5t & ( ,si/]          
,dolorosa1 ! cessation ( ^: visits      
pla9ly gave h] secret conc]n2 b he li/5$
 9 sil5ce1 pref]r+ ! privacy ( 8 own    
?\ghts4 ,sometimes1 "u fe9t ( hunt+1 he 
w\ld take 8 gun 9 ! aft]noon & /roll out
 ov] ! c\ntry2 b always ! pres5ce ( !   
conv5t made itself felt ov] ! l&scape1  
dom9at+ x1 solit>y & impregnable1 l a   

=tress4 ,x began to draw 8 eyes ) a     
species ( fasc9ation4 ,he *af$ aga9/ its
 ass]tion ( b>ri]s1 & c\ld h wi%$ t 8   
own w might be br\ght into conflict ) x4
 ,x appe>$ to wat* him2 to h an eye at e
 w9d[2 to see 9 him a lurk+ dang]4 ,at  
o!r times1 borne to him across ! d>k5+  
fields w\ld come ! sweet vesp] bell1 & 9
 imag9ation he w\ld see h] ent]+ ! *ur* 
amid ! long procession ( novices & nuns1
 h] h&s fold$ across h] brea/1 h] face  
full ( ! s(t glories ( ! lights t /ream$
 9 ?r\gh ! pictur$ w9d[s4 ,ov] ! fanci$ 
details ( h] life m & m fondly he l+]$4 
,& ?us1 al?\gh at fir/ he _h be5 int]e/$
 9 h] :olly ^u g5]al gr\nds1 believ+ h] 
secretly unhappy1 ?us by ?9k+ always (  
h]1 & wat*+ = h]1 & walk+ (t5 beside h] 
9 8 dreams1 ) ! folly ( ! "y1 ) !       
romantic ard\r ( 8 race1 & z "p ( !     
nev]-end+ bl9d trag$y ( ! _w1 he came at
 la/ to feel = h]1 among wom51 t        
passionate pa9 ( ye>n+ to "k :i* is to  
"k ! sadness ( love4  ,sleepless "o     
night1 he left ! h\se aft] ! old c\ple 7

 asleep4 ,! moon 0 %9+1 & unconsci\sly  
foll[+ ! b5t ( 8 ?\ghts1 he took !      
footpa? t l$ across ! fields4 ,he pass$ 
! spot :]e he _h fir/ met h]1 &1 absorb$
 9 recollection ( ! sc5e1 he walk$ on   
until be=e him ! conv5t t[]$ high 9     
light & %ad[4 ,he _h rea*$ ! entrance to
 ! long av5ue ( elms4 ,he trav]s$ x1    
turn$ aside into ! g>d51 &1 foll[+ ) _m 
pauses ar\nd its bord]s1 liv$ ov] aga9 !
 day :5 %e _h l$ him ?r\gh x4 ,! m]e    
s5se ( 8 great] physical ne>ness to h]  
en?rall$ him4 ,all h] words came back3  
,^! are daffodils4 ,!y bloom$ 9 ,m>*1   
long ago4444 ,& "h are violets1 :i* come
 9 ,april4 ,aft] a:ile1 leav+ ! g>d51 he
 walk$ across ! lawn to ! *ur* & sat ^u 
! /eps1 try+ to look calmly at ?is :ole 
episode 9 8 life1 & to summon resolution
 to br+ x to an end4 ,he dwelt          
p>ticul>ly ^u ! hopelessness ( 8        
passion2 he made himself believe t if he
 c\ld b le>n t %e 7 n ill & suff]+--if  
he c\ld b see h] once m1 & be v sure--he
 w\ld g away1 z e dictate ( reason urg$4

  ,across ! lawn /ood ! conv5t build+4  
,!re caught 8 eye ! fa9t glimm] ( a     
light ?r\gh a half-op5$ w9d[1 & :ile he 
look$ he saw two ( ! nuns mov+ ab\t )94 
,0 "s "o dy+8 ,0 ?is light ! tap] ( !   
dead8 ,he tri$ to ?r[ (f a sudd5 weight 
( gloomy appreh5sion1 & resolutely got  
up & walk$ away2 b 8 purpose 0 =m$ n to 
leave until he _h intellig5ce ( h]4  ,"o
 aft]noon1 a few days lat]1 happ5+ to   
come to an elevat$ po9t ( ! l&scape1 he 
saw h] figure mov+ across ! fields 9 !  
di/ance bel[ him4 ,betwe5 ! conv5t & !  
f>m-h\se1 9 "o ( ! fields1 !re is a     
circul>1 bas9-l depression2 & x 0 "h1   
hidd5 f di/ant obs]vation1 ) only !     
azure ( ! heav5s above !m1 t _! meet+   
took place4  ,on ! day :5 %e _h be5 8   
guide he _h told h] t he 0 go+ away on !
 morr[1 & z %e walk$ along n[ x might h 
be5 se5 t %e ?\ght h]self safe f        
intrusion4 ,h] eyes 7 b5t on ! du/ ( !  
pa?way4 ,"o h& 0 pass+ bead by bead     
upw>d along h] ros>y4 ,h] veil 0 pu%$   
back1 s t betwe5 its black bord] & !    

gli/5+ :it5ess ( h] =ehead !re ran1 l a 
rippl+ b& ( gold1 ! expos$ edges ( h]   
%9+ hair4 ,9 ! o!r h& %e bore a l>ge    
clu/] ( *rysan!mums1 ^: sn[-:ite petals 
& gre5 leaves =m$ a /rong contra/ ) !   
crimson symbol t !y p>tly fram$ aga9/ h]
 sable bosom4  ,he _h come up close be=e
 ! noise ( 8 feet 9 ! /ubble drew h]    
att5tion4 ,!n %e turn$ & saw him4 ,b    
c]ta9 in/9cts ( self-pres]vation act 9  
wom5 ) lightn+ quickness4 ,%e did n     
recognise him1 or give him "t to        
recognise h]4 ,%e m]ely turn$ aga9 &    
walk$ onw>d at ! same pace4 ,b !        
*rysan!mums 7 trembl+ ) ! beat+ ( h]    
he>t1 & h] eyes _h 9 !m t li/5+ look )  
:i* "o awaits ! on-com+ ( dang] f beh9d4
  ,b he _h /opp$4 ,8 nature 0 simple &  
tru/ful1 & he _h expect$ to r5ew 8      
acqua9tance%ip at ! po9t :]e x _h ceas$4
 ,:51 !re=e1 %e ?us rem9d$ him1 z inde$ 
%e mu/1 t !re 0 no acqua9tance%ip betwe5
 !m1 & t %e reg>d$ h]self z mu* alone z 
?\gh he 7 n[h]e 9 sight1 8 feel+s 7     
arre/$ z if froz5 by h] coldness4 ,/ill1

 x 0 = ?is *ance t he _h wait$ all ^!   
days4 ,ano!r w\ld n come2 & :atev] he   
wi%$ to say to h] mu/ be said n[4 ,a    
s5sitiv5ess :olly novel to 8 nature held
 him back1 b a mom5t m & he 0 walk+     
beside h]4  ,i hope ,i d n intrude s v  
f>1 he said1 9 a tone ( apology1 b also 
( w\nd$ self-respect4  ,x 0 a difficult 
*oice ?us left to h]4 ,%e c\ld n say    
,yes )\t seem+ unp>donably rude2 %e c\ld
 n say ,no )\t seem+ to invite 8        
pres5ce4 ,%e walk$ on = a mom5t1 & !n1  
paus+1 turn$ t[>ds him4  ,is !re any?+ t
 y wi%$ to ask me 9 reg>d to ! conv5t8  
,?is %e said 9 ! sweete/ tone (         
apologetic c\rtesy1 z ?\gh 9 hav+ ?\ght 
only ( h]self at fir/ %e _h neglect$ "s 
l>g] duty4  ,if he _h fe>$ t he w\ld see
 traces ( physical suff]+ on h] face1 he
 0 mi/ak54 ,%e _h =gott5 to draw h] veil
 close1 & ! sunlight fell ^u its        
lovel9ess4 ,nev] _h %e be5 to him half s
 beautiful4 ,:atev] ! expression h] eyes
 _h worn be=e he _h come up1 9 !m n[    
re/$ only inscrutable calmness4  ,!re is

 "o ?+ ,i h wi%$ v mu* to "k1 he answ]$ 
sl[ly1 8 eyes re/+ on h]s4 ,i 0 at !    
*ur* ( ! conv5t la/ ,sunday & he>d y s+4
 ,!y said y 7 n well4 ,i h hop$ e day to
 he> t y 7 bett]4 ,i h n c>$ to g away  
until ,i knew ?is4  ,sc>cely _h he begun
 :5 a flu% dy$ h] face1 h] eyes fell1 & 
%e /ood betray$ by ! self-consci\sness (
 :at h] own ?\ghts _h t day be54 ,"o h& 
abs5tly tore to pieces ! blooms ( !     
*rysan!mums1 s t ! petals fell d[n ov]  
h] d>k habit l sn[flakes4 ,b :5 he      
f9i%$1 %e lift$ h] eyes aga94  ,i am    
well n[1 ?ank y1 %e said2 & ! fir/ smile
 t he _h ev] se5 came =? f h] s\l to h] 
face4 ,b :at a smile6 ,x wrung 8 he>t m 
?an ! sight ( h] te>s c\ld h done4  ,!n 
,i %all hope to he> y s+ aga9 to-morr[1 
he said quickly1 = %e seem$ on ! po9t ( 
mov+ away4  ,i %all n s+ to-morr[1 %e   
repli$ a little hurri$ly1 ) av]t$ face1 
& aga9 %e />t$ on4 ,b he walk$ beside   
h]4  ,9 t case ,i h /ill to ?ank y = !  
pleasure ,i h _h4 ,i imag9e t "o w\ld   
nev] d wrong if he c\ld he> y s+ :5ev]  

he is tempt$1 he said1 look+ sidewise at
 h] ) a quiet1 t5tative smile4  ,x is n 
my voice1 %e repli$ m hurri$ly4 ,x is ! 
music ( ! s]vice4 ,d n ?ank me4 ,?ank   
,god4  ,i h he>d ! s]vice be=e4 ,x 0 y\r
 voice t t\*$ me4  ,%e drew h] veil ab\t
 h] face1 & walk$ on 9 sil5ce4  ,b ,i h 
no wi% to say any?+ aga9/ y\r religion1 
he cont9u$1 8 voice deep5+ & trembl+4   
,if x has su* p[] ov] ! natures ( wom51 
if x lifts !m to su* ideals ( duty1 if x
 develops 9 !m su* *>act]s1 t m]ely to  
look into _! faces1 to be ne> !m1 to he>
 _! voices1 is to make a man ?9k ( a    
bett] _w1 ,i d n "k :y ,i %\ld say any?+
 aga9/ x4  ,h[ (t51 )\t mean+ x1 our    
words are l a flight ( arr[s into       
ano!r's he>t4 ,:at he said b rem9d$ h] (
 h] unfai?fulness4 ,& !re=e :ile %e     
revolv$ h[ ) p]fect g5tl5ess %e might   
ask him to all[ h] to cont9ue h] way    
alone1 %e did :at %e c\ld3 %e spoke     
rev]5tly1 ?\gh all b inaudibly1 9 behalf
 ( h] ord]4  ,our v[s are p]fect &      
div9e4 ,if !y ev] seem less1 x is !     

fault ( ^? ( u :o di%on\r !m4  ,! acute 
self-reproa* 9 h] tone at once *ang$ 8  
mood4  ,on ! o!r h&1 ,i h also ask$     
myself ?is "q3 ,is x ! cre$ t makes !   
natures ( y wom5 s beautiful1 or is x ! 
nature ( woman t gives ! beauty to !    
cre$8 ,is x n s ) any o!r idea t wom5   
esp\se8 ) any o!r cause t !y und]take8  
,is x n s ) any?+ t !y sp5d _! he>ts ^u1
 toil =1 & sacrifice !mselves =8 ,d ,i  
see any beauty 9 y\r v[s except su* z   
y\r life gives to !m8 ,i c believe x4 ,i
 c believe t if y _h nev] tak5 ^? v[s   
y\r life w\ld /ill be beautiful4 ,i c   
believe t y c\ld *ange !m = o!rs & f9d  
y\rself m ne>ly ! woman t y /rive to    
be--t y 7 meant to be6 ,he spoke 9 !    
subdu$ voice ) :i* "o takes leave ( "s  
hope t bright5s :ile x disappe>s4  ,i   
mu/ ask y1 %e said1 paus+--,i mu/ ask y 
to all[ me to cont9ue my walk alone1 &  
h] voice quiv]$4  ,he paus$1 too1 & /ood
 look+ into h] eyes 9 sil5ce ) ! ?\ght t
 he %\ld nev] see h] aga94 ,! col\r _h  
di$ out ( 8 face4  ,i c nev] =give y\r  

v[s1 he said1 speak+ v sl[ly & mak+ an  
ef=t to appe> unmov$4 ,i c nev] =give   
y\r v[s t !y make x a s9 = me to speak  
to y4 ,i c nev] =give !m t !y put betwe5
 u a gulf t ,i _c pass4 ,rememb]1 ,i owe
 y a great deal4 ,i owe y high] ideas ( 
a woman's nature & cle>] resolutions    
reg>d+ my own life4 ,y\r v[s p]haps make
 x ev5 a s9 t ,i %\ld tell y ?is4 ,b by 
:at "r8 ,by :at "r am ,i =bidd5 to say t
 ,i %all rememb] y always1 & t ,i %all  
c>ry away ) me into my life----  ,w y   
=ce me to turn back8 %e ask$ 9 great]   
agitation2 & ?\gh he c\ld n see h] face1
 he saw h] te>s fall ^u h] h&s4  ,no1 he
 answ]$ sadly2 ,i %all n =ce y to turn  
back4 ,i "k t ,i h intrud$4 ,b x seem$ t
 ,i c\ld n g away )\t see+ y aga91 to be
 q sure t y 7 well4 ,& :5 ,i saw y1 x   
seem$ impossible n to speak ( o!r ?+s4  
,( c\rse ?is mu/ seem /range to         
y--/rang]1 p]haps1 ?an ,i may imag9e1   
s9ce we look at human relation%ips s    
diff]5tly4 ,my life 9 ?is _w c be ( no  
int]e/ to y4 ,y _c1 !re=e1 und]/& :y    

y\rs %\ld h any int]e/ = me4 ,/ill1 ,i  
hope y c =give me1 he add$ abruptly1    
turn+ 8 face away z x flu%$ & 8 voice   
falt]$4  ,%e lift$ h] eyes quickly1     
al?\gh !y 7 dim4 ,d n ask me to =give   
any?+4 ,!re is no?+ to be =giv54 ,x is  
,i :o mu/ ask--only leave me6  ,w y say 
good-bye to me8 ,& he held out 8 h&4    
,%e drew back1 b1 ov]borne by emotion he
 /epp$ =w>d1 g5tly took h] h& f ! ros>y1
 & held x 9 bo? 8 own4  ,good-bye6 ,b1  
despite ! cruel b>ri]s t !y h rais$     
betwe5 u1 ,i %all always----  ,%e =esaw 
:at 0 com+4 ,8 mann] told h] t4 ,%e _h n
 )drawn h] h&4 ,b at ?is po9t %e dropp$ 
! fl[]s t 7 9 h] o!r h&1 laid x on h]   
brea/ s t ! longe/ f+] po9t$ t[>ds !    
symbol ( ! transfix$ he>t1 & look$      
quickly at him ) indescribable w>n+ &   
di/ress4 ,!n he releas$ h]1 & %e turn$  
back t[>ds ! conv5t4  ,"m1 %e said1 ) a 
fright5$ face1 :5 %e rea*$ x1 ,i did n g
 to old ,m>?a's4 ,"s "o 0 hunt+ 9 !     
fields1 & ,i came back4 ,d n s5d me     
aga91 ,"m1 unless "o ( ! ,si/]s goes )  

me4 ,& ) ?is half-tru? on h] lips & full
 remorse = x 9 h] he>t1 %e pass$ into t 
deep5+ imp]fection ( nature :i* = ! mo/ 
( u makes up ! inn] _w ( reality4       
,gordon wrote to h] t night4 ,he _h n   
=ese5 8 confession4 ,x _h be5 drawn f   
him "u ! influ5ces ( ! mom5t2 b s9ce x 0
 made1 a s5se ( hon\r w\ld n h all[$ him
 to /op !re1 ev5 _h feel+ c>ri$ him no  
fur!r4 ,moreov]1 "s hope _h be5 born 9  
him at ! mom5t ( sep>ation1 s9ce %e _h n
 rebuk$ him1 b only rem9d$ him ( h] v[s4
  ,8 lett] 0 full ( ! confid5ce &       
en?usiasm ( y\?1 & its cont5ts may be   
und]/ood by _! lik5ess to o!rs4 ,he     
unfold$ ! plan ( 8 life--! life :i* he 0
 ask+ h] to %>e4 ,he dwelt ^u its       
possibilities1 he po9t$ out ! field (   
its aspirations4 ,b he kept 8 lett] = "s
 days1 unable to conceive a way by :i* x
 might be s5t to its de/9ation4 ,at l5g?
 ! *ance came 9 ! simple/ ( disguises4  
,ezra 0 />t+ "o morn+ to ! conv5t4 ,z he
 0 leav+ ! room1 old ,m>?a call$ to him4
 ,%e sat by ! he>?/one1 ) h] head ti$ up

 9 r$ flannel1 & h] l>ge1 wat]y face    
flu%$ ) pa91 & po9t$ t[>ds a basket (   
apples on ! w9d[-sill4  ,take !m to     
,si/] ,dolorosa1 ,ezra1 %e said4 ,m9d t 
y see h]1 & give !m to h] ) y\r own h&s4
 ,& ask h] :y %e hasn't be5 to see me1 &
 :5 %e is com+4 ,on ?is po9t h] m9d     
seem$ m & m tr\bl$4 ,b :at's ! use (    
ask+ y to f9d out = me8 %e add$1 fla%+  
out at him ) h]oic ang]4  ,! old man    
/ood 9 ! middle ( ! room1 dry & gn>l$1 8
 small eyes k9dl+ into a dull rage at a 
taunt made 9 ! pres5ce ( a gue/ ^: good 
op9ion he desir$4 ,b he took ! apples 9 
sil5ce & left ! room4  ,z ,gordon foll[$
 him beyond ! g>d51 not+ h[ 8 m9d 0     
absorb$ 9 petty ang]1 a simple          
resolution came to him4  ,ezra1 he said1
 h&+ him ! lett]1 :5 y give ! ,si/] !   
apples1 deliv] ?is4 ,& we d n talk ab\t 
bus9ess1 y "k1 ,ezra4  ,! old man took !
 lett] & put x furtively into 8 pocket1 
) a backw>d %ake ( 8 head t[>ds ! h\se4 
,:atev] risks ,i may h to run f o!r     
qu>t]s1 he w nev] tell h]1 ,gordon said 

to himself4  ,:5 ,ezra return$ 9 ! ev5+ 
he 0 absorb$1 & ,gordon not$ ) relief t 
he 0 also unsuspici\s4 ,he walk$ "s     
di/ance to meet ! old man ! next two    
days1 & 8 susp5se became almo/          
un5durable1 b he ask$ no que/ions4 ,!   
?ird day ,ezra drew f 8 pocket a lett]1 
:i* he deliv]$1 m]ely say+--  ,! ,si/]  
told me to give y ?is4  ,gordon soon    
turn$ aside across ! fields1 & hav+     
rea*$ a po9t scre5$ f obs]vation1 he    
op5$ ! lett] & read z foll[s3--       ,i
 h receiv$ y\r lett]4 ,i h read x4 ,b h[
 c\ld ,i      li/5 to y\r proposal )\t  
becom+ false to my v[s8 ,& if      y    
knew t ,i _h prov$ false to :at ,i held 
mo/ de> &      b9d+1 h[ c\ld y ev]      
believe t ,i w\ld be true to      any?+ 
else8 ,ah1 no6 ,%\ld y unite y\rself to 
"o :o =      y\r sake _h be5 fai?less to
 ! ideal ( womanhood :i* %e      reg>d$ 
z supreme1 y w\ld soon )draw f h] ! v   
love      t %e _h sacrific$ ev5 h] hopes
 ( ,heav5 to enjoy4       ,b x seems    
possible t 9 writ+ to me y believe my   

v[s no      long] preci\s to my he>t &  
sacr$ to my consci5ce4 ,y are           
wrong4 ,!y are m de> to me at ?is mom5t 
?an ev] be=e1      because at ?is mom5t1
 z nev] be=e1 !y give me a m\rnful      
admonition ( my failure to exhibit to ! 
_w 9 my own life !      beauty ( _!     
ineffable hol9ess4 ,= _h !re n be5      
some?+ )9 me to lead y on--_h ,i %[n to 
y ! s9less      nature :i* x is _! (fice
 to create--y w\ld nev] h      felt     
t[>ds me z y d4 ,y w\ld no m h ?\ght (  
lov+      me ?an ( lov+ an angel ( ,god4
       ,! lea/ rep>ation ,i c make = my 
(f5ce is to tell y t      9 (f]+ me y\r 
love y (f] me ! cup ( sacr$             
humiliation1 & t ,i ?ank y = rem9d+ me (
 my duty1      :ile ,i dra9 x to !      
dregs4       ,aft] long delib]ation ,i h
 writt5 to tell y ?is2 & if x      be   
all[$ me to make "o reque/1 ,i w\ld     
entreat t y w      nev] lay ?is s9 ( m9e
 to ! *>ge ( my religion & my      ord]4
       ,we %all nev] meet aga94 ,al?\gh 
,i may n li/5 to y\r      proposal1 x is

 all[$ me to love y z "o ( ! works (    
,god4      ,& s9ce !re are exalt$ wom5 9
 ! _w :o d n      consecrate !mselves to
 ! *ur*1 ,i %all pray t y may f9d       
"o ( ^! to walk by y\r side ?r\gh life4 
,i %all pray t      %e may be wor?y ( y2
 & p]haps y w tea* h] sometimes      to 
pray = "o :o w always ne$ h] pray]s4    
,i only "k t ,god ord]s our lives       
accord+ to ,8 goodness4      ,my feet   
,he set 9 "o pa? ( duty1 y\rs 9 ano!r1 &
 ,he _h      sep>at$ u = ev] long be=e  
,he all[$ u to meet4 ,if1      !re=e1   
hav+ ?us sep>at$ u1 ,he yet br\ght u    
toge!r      only t we %\ld ?us "k ea*   
o!r & !n be p>t$1 ,i      _c believe t  
!re 0 n 9 x "s ne$$ lesson = u      bo?4
 ,at lea/1 if ,he w deign to he> !      
ceaseless1 f]v5t      petition ( "o s   
err+1 ,he w n leave y unhappy on acc\nt 
( t love = me1 :i* 9 ?is _w x w nev] be 
all[$      me to return4 ,f>ewell6  ,!  
fir/ "p ( ?is lett] awak5$ 9 ,gordon ke5
 remorse & a falt]+ ( purpose1 b ! latt]
 fill$ him ) a joy t exclud$ e o!r      

feel+4  ,%e loves me6 he exclaim$2 &1 z 
?\gh regi/]+ a v[1 he add$ al\d1 ,&     
no?+--,god help me6--no?+ %all keep u   
ap>t4  ,walk+ to a po9t ( ! l&scape t   
comm&$ a view ( ! conv5t1 he rema9$ !re 
:ile ! twilight fell1 revolv+ h[ he 0 to
 surm\nt ! rema9+ b>ri]s betwe5 !m1 = ^!
 n[ seem$ h>dly m ?an cobwebs to be     
bru%$ aside by 8 h&2 & (t51 mean:ile1 he
 look$ t[>ds ! conv5t1 z "o might look  
long+ly t[>ds "s =bidd5 %r9e1 :i* ! com+
 night w\ld enable him to approa*4      
,,vi4   ,a night = love x 04 ,! great   
sun at sett+ _h look$ ) /eadfa/ eye at !
 conv5t /&+ lonely on its wide l&scape1 
& _h !n ?r[n 8 f9al glance across ! _w  
t[>ds ! ea/2 & ! moon _h quickly ris5 & 
hung ab\t x ! long silv]y twilight ( h] 
heav5ly wat*fulness4 ,! summ]1 too1 :i* 
_h be5 mov+ s\?w>d1 n[ came sl[ly back1 
borne on w>m airs t fann$ ! conv5t walls
 & sigh$ to its *a/e lattices ) ! poetry
 ( dead fl[]s & vani%$ song/]s4 ,b sigh$
 9 va94 ,) _m a pray]1 ) _m a cross on  
pure br[ & %\ld] & brea/1 ) _m a pi\s   

kiss ( crucifix1 ! conv5t slept4 ,only  
"s little novice1 ly+ l a flu%$ figure (
 ,sleep on a c\* ( sn[1 may h /irr$ to  
draw "o sigh1 z ^? zephyrs1 toy+ ) h]   
w>m hair1 broke "s e>?ly dream ( too mu*
 t5d]ness4 ,or !y may m]ely h cool$ !   
fev]i% feet ( a )]$ nun1 :o clasp$ h]   
dry h&s 9 ec/asy1 z on h] cav]n\s eyes  
!re dawn$ a vision ( ! glories & rew>ds 
( ,p>adise4 ,b no1 n all slept4 ,at an  
op5 w9d[ on ! ea/]n side ( ! conv5t /ood
 ! sleepless "o look+ out into ! l>g5ess
 ( ! night l "o :o is lo/ 9 ! l>g5ess ( 
h] sorr[4  ,across ! lawn1 a little     
di/ance (f1 /ood ! *ur* ( ! conv5t4 ,!  
moonlight re/$ on x l a smile ( peace1 !
 elms bless$ x ) tireless arms1 & f !   
z5i? ( ! sky d[n to ! horizon !re re/$  
on out/ret*$ w+s1 rank above rank &     
p9ion bru%+ p9ion1 a ho/ ( :ite1 angelic
 cl\d-%apes1 z ?\gh gu>d+ ! sacr$       
portal4  ,b %e look$ at x ) timid ye>n+4
 ,great] & great] _h become ! ne$ to p\r
 into "s e> a confession & a pray] =    
p>don4 ,h] peace 0 gone4 ,%e _h be5     

conceal+ h] he>t f ! ,"m ,sup]ior4 ,%e  
_h s9n$ aga9/ h] v[s4 ,%e _h impi\sly   
(f5d$ ! ,div9e ,"m4 ,& to-day1 aft]     
answ]+ 8 lett] 9 ord] t %e might def5d  
h] religion1 %e _h ackn[l$g$ to h] he>t 
t %e lov$ him4 ,b !y w\ld nev] meet     
aga94 ,to-morr[ %e w\ld make a full     
confession ( :at _h tak5 place4 ,beyond 
t mis]able ordeal %e d>$ n gaze into h] 
own future4  ,lo/ 9 ! fe>s & sorr[s (   
su* ?\ghts1 long %e /ood look+ out into 
! night1 /rick5 ) a s5se ( ali5ation f  
human sympa?y4 ,%e felt t %e /ood h5ce=?
 e/rang$ f ! entire conv5t--,"m         
,sup]ior1 novice1 & nun--z an object (  
reproa*1 & ( suff]+ into :i* no "o ( !m 
c\ld ent]4  ,sor] yet grew h] ne$1 & a  
little way across ! lawn /ood ! *ur*1   
peaceful 9 ! moonlight4 ,ah1 ! div9e    
pity6 ,if only %e might /eal fir/ alone 
to ! %r9e ( h] :om mo/ %e _h (f5d$1 & to
 an e> graci\s to sorr[ make confession 
( h] frailty4 ,at l5g?1 ov]come ) ?is   
desire & glid+ noiselessly out ( ! room1
 %e pass$ d[n ! moonlit hall1 on ea*    

side ( :i* ! nuns 7 sleep+4 ,%e desc5d$ 
! /airway1 took f ! wall ! key ( ! *ur*1
 & !n s(tly op5+ ! door1 /epp$ out into 
! night4 ,= a mom5t %e paus$1 icy & fa9t
 ) physical fe>2 !n1 pass+ l a swift    
%ad[ across ! silv]$ lawn1 %e w5t r\nd  
to ! side entrance ( ! *ur*1 unlock$ !  
door1 &1 ent]+ quickly1 lock$ h]self    
inside4 ,!re %e /ood = "s "t ) h&s      
press$ tightly to h] flutt]+ he>t1 until
 bodily agitation di$ away be=e !       
recollection ( h] mission2 & !re came ^u
 h] t calmness ) :i* ! s\l enacts great 
trag$ies4 ,!n sl[ly1 v sl[ly1 hidd5 n[1 
& n[ visible :]e ! moonlight ent]$ !    
long1 ,go?ic w9d[s1 %e pass$ across !   
*ancel t[>ds ! %r9e ( "o :om ance/ral   
fai? _h taught h] to believe div9e2 &   
be=e ! image ( a ,jewi% woman--:o h]self
 9 full humanity lov$ & m>ri$ a c>p5t]  
ne>ly two ?\s& ye>s ago1 liv+ beside him
 z blameless wife & becom+ blameless "m 
to 8 *ildr5--?is poor *ild1 ^: nature 0 
un/a9$ z sn[ on ! m\nta9 peaks1 p\r$ out
 h] pray] to be =giv5 ! s9 ( h] love4   

,to ! woman ( ! _w1 ! approa*es ( ^:    
nature are def5d$ by ! intricacies (    
wilfulness & ! b>ri]s ( delib]ate       
res]ve2 to ! woman ( ! _w1 :o curbs &   
conceals t feel+ to :i* %e int5ds to    
yield h]self 9 ! end1 x may seem        
incr$ible t !re %\ld h root$ itself s   
easily 9 ! brea/ ( "o ( h] sex ?is fl[] 
( a fatal passion4 ,b x %\ld be rememb]$
 h[ unbefri5d$ t bosom _h be5 by any    
outpo/ ( fem99e self-consci\sness2 h[   
expos$ x 0 ?r\gh v belief 9 its une>?ly 
consecration2 h[1 l "s unwat*$ vase t _h
 long be5 collect+ ! sweet dews & ra9s (
 heav51 x _h be5 sil5tly fill+ ) ^?     
unbidd5 intimations t are %$ f above z !
 be/ gifts ( womanhood4 ,moreov]1 h]    
life 0 unspeakably isolate4 ,9 !        
monotony ( its r\t9e a trifl+ ev5t      
became an epo*2 a fre% impression /irr$ 
)9 ! m9d mat]ial = a *apt] ( hi/ory4    
,lift$ f> above commonplace psy*ology ( 
! passions1 h[ev]1 0 ! plant+ & ! gr[? (
 an emotion 9 a he>t l h]s4  ,h] pray]  
began4 ,x began ) ! sc5e ( h] fir/ meet+

 ) him 9 ! fields1 = f t mom5t %e fix$ !
 orig9 ( h] unfai?fulness4 ,( ! entire  
hidd5 life ( poetic rev]ie & unsatisfi$ 
desires :i* %e _h be5 liv+ be=e1 h]     
innoc5t s\l took no acc\nt4 ,!re=e1     
beg9n+ ) t aft]noon1 %e pass$ 9 review !
 hi/ory ( h] ?\ghts & feel+s4 ,! moon   
outside1 flood+ ! heav5s ) its beams1 0 
n s int5se a lamp z memory1 n[ turn$ ^u 
! recesses ( h] m9d4 ,no?+ escap$       
detection4 ,8 words1 ! sc5es ) him 9 !  
g>d51 9 ! field--8 voice1 looks1        
ge/ures--8 anxiety & sympa?y--8         
passionate lett]--all 7 n[ vividly      
recall$1 t !y might be =gott52 & _!     
influ5ce confess$1 t x might = ev] be   
r5\nc$4 ,h] consci5ce /ood beside h]    
love z ?\gh x 7 "s great fa/-gr[+ deadly
 plant 9 h] he>t1 ) deep-twi/$ roots &  
/rangl+ t5drils1 ea* ( :i* to ! smalle/ 
fibre mu/ be uptorn s t n a g]m %\ld be 
left4  ,b :o c describe ! pray] ( su* a 
s\l8 ,x is easy to ask to be rid (      
ignoble passions4 ,!y come ^u u z       
mom5t>y temptations & are abhorr5t to   

our bett] selves2 b ( all trag$ies      
enact$ )9 ! !atre ( ! human m9d :at "o  
is s pitiable z t 9 :i* a pure be+ prays
 to be =giv5 ! "o feel+ ( nature t is ! 
revelation ( beauty1 ! secret (         
p]fection1 ! solace ( ! _w1 & !         
condition ( immortality8  ,! pass+ ( su*
 a trag$y sc>s ! nature ( ! p5it5t l !  
pass+ ( an age across a m\nta9 rock4 ,if
 !re _h l+]$ ?us long on ,si/]          
,dolorosa's nature any upl& ( *ildhood  
sn[s1 ^! vani%$ 9 t h\r2 if any v]nal   
belt ( maid5hood1 x felt ! hot brea? ( t
 exp]i5ce ( ! _w & ( ! human de/9y :i*  
quickly ages :atev] x does n de/roy4 ,s 
t :ile %e pray$ !re seem$ to rise f )9  
h] & take flight = ev] t spotless image 
( h]self z %e once _h be51 & 9 its place
 to /& ! =m ( a woman1 old]1 alt]$1 &   
set ap>t by sorr[4  ,at l5g? h] pray]   
end$ & %e rose4 ,x _h n br\ght h] !     
peace t pray] br+s to wom52 = !         
confession ( h] love be=e ! v alt>--!   
m]e com+ into audi5ce ) ! ,et]nal to    
r5\nce x--_h set ^u x ! seal (          

irrevocable tru?4 ,x is :5 ! victim is  
l$ to ! alt> ( sacrifice t x turns its  
pite\s eyes ^u ! sacrific+ h& & utt]s   
its poor dumb cry = life2 & x 0 :5 ,si/]
 ,dolorosa b>$ ! brea/ ( h] humanity t x
 might be /abb$ by ! h& ( h] religion1 t
 %e1 too1 ?\gh attempt+ to bless !      
/roke1 felt ! la/ pangs ( t deep ?ru/4  
,) su* a w\nd %e turn$ f ! alt>1 walk$ )
 b[$ head once m across ! *ur*1 unlock$ 
! door1 /epp$ =? & lock$ x4 ,! night _h 
gr[n m t5d]4 ,! ho/ ( s]aphic cl\d-=ms  
_h fl$ across ! sky2 & z %e turn$ h]    
eyes upw>d to ! heav5s1 !re look$ d[n ^u
 h] f _! s]5e1 untr\bl$ heights only !  
/>s1 t nev] falt] or digress f _!       
=e-writt5 c\rses4 ,! ?\ght came to h] t 
nev] h5ce=? %\ld %e look up to !m )\t   
be+ rem9d$ ( h[ h] own w _h w&]$ f its  
orbit4 ,! moon ra9$ its /eady beams ^u !
 symbol ( ! sacr$ he>t on h] bosom1     
until x seem$ to ?rob aga9 ) ! agony ( !
 crucifixion4 ,nev] aga9 %\ld %e see x  
)\t ! remembrance t h] s9 also _h pi]c$ 
x afre%4  ,) :at lonel9ess t s9 _h      

surr\nd$ h]6 ,z %e _h issu$ f ! damp1   
*ill atmosph]e ( ! *ur*1 ! w>m airs ( ! 
s\? quick5$ )9 h] long-sleep+ memories2 
& ) ! ye>n+ ( /rick5 *ildhood %e ?\ght (
 h] "m1 to :om %e _h turn$ ( yore =     
sympa?y2 b t "m's bosom 0 n[ a m\nd (   
du/4 ,%e look$ across ! lawn t[>ds !    
conv5t :]e ! ,"m ,sup]ior & ! nuns 7    
sleep+4 ,to-morr[ %e w\ld /& among !m a 
great] ali5 ?an any /rang]4 ,no2 %e 0   
alone2 among ! millions ( human be+s on 
! e>? ( ,god !re 0 n "o on ^: he>t %e   
c\ld h re/$ h] own4 ,n "o save          
him--him--^: love _h brok5 d[n all      
b>ri]s t x might rea* & infold h]4 ,&   
him %e _h repell$4 ,a joy1 new &        
indescribable1 leap$ )9 h] t = him1 & n 
= ano!r %e suff]$ & 0 b\nd 9 ?is trag$y 
( h] fall4  ,sl[ly %e took h] way along 
! side ( ! *ur* t[>ds ! front entrance1 
f :i* a pav$ walk l$ to ! conv5t build+4
 ,%e rea*$ ! corn]1 %e turn$1 & !n %e   
paus$ z "o might pause :o _h come ^u !  
belov$ dead1 return$ to life4  ,= he 0  
sitt+ on ! /eps ( ! *ur*1 lean+ aga9/ "o

 ( ! pill>s1 8 face lift$ upw>d s t !   
moonlight fell ^u x4 ,%e _h no "t to    
turn back be=e he saw h]4 ,) a l[ cry ( 
surprise & joy he sprang up & foll[$    
along ! side ( ! *ur*2 = %e _h begun to 
retrace h] /eps to ! door1 to lock      
h]self inside4 ,:5 he came up beside h]1
 %e paus$4 ,bo? 7 trembl+2 b :5 he saw !
 look ( suff]+ on h] face1 act+ ^u !    
impulse :i* _h always impell$ him to /& 
betwe5 h] & unhapp9ess1 he n[ took bo? (
 h] h&s4  ,paul9e6  ,he spoke ) all !   
plead+ love1 all ! dep? ( nature1 t 0 9 
him4  ,%e _h attempt$ to )draw h] h&s2 b
 at ! s\nd ( t once famili> "n1 %e      
sudd5ly b[$ h] head z ! wave ( memories 
& emotions pass$ ov] h]2 !n he quickly  
put 8 arms ar\nd h]1 drew h] to him1 &  
b5t d[n & kiss$ h]4     ,,vii4   ,= h\rs
 !re la/$ an int]view1 dur+ :i* he1 ) ! 
delirium ( hope1 %e ) ! delirium (      
despair1 dra9$ at _! "y lips t cup (    
life :i* is full ( ! fir/ confession (  
love4  ,9 recollections s ov]:elm+ did  
?is meet+ leave ,gordon on ! next morn+1

 t he 0 unm9dful ( ev]y?+ beside2 &     
among ! consequ5ces ( abs5tm9d$ness 0 ! 
w\nd t he gave himself by ! c>eless h&l+
 ( 8 gun4  ,:5 ,ezra _h set out = !     
conv5t t morn+ he _h walk$ ) him1 say+ t
 he w\ld g to ! /ation = a daily pap]1 b
 *iefly wi%+ to escape ! h\se & be      
alone4 ,!y _h rea*$ 9 ! fields a rott+  
f5ce1 on ea* side ( :i* grew bri]s &    
und]wood4 ,he _h expect$ to climb ?is   
f5ce1 & z he /ood beside x speak+ a few 
p>t+ words to ,ezra he abs5tly ?ru/ 8   
gun betwe5 two ( ! l[] rails1 n notic+ t
 ! lock 0 sprung4 ,caught 9 ! bru% on ! 
o!r side1 x 0 dis*>g$1 mak+ a w\nd 9 8  
left leg a little bel[ ! ?igh4 ,he turn$
 to a deadly pal5ess1 look$ at ,ezra ) t
 /unn$1 bewild]$ expression se5 9 !     
faces ( ^? :o receive a w\nd1 & fell4   
,by ma9 /r5g? ! old man lift$ & bore him
 to ! h\se & hurri$ (f to ! /ation1 ne> 
:i* ! neighb\rhood physician & surgeon  
liv$4 ,b ! latt] 0 away f home2 sev]al  
h\rs pass$ be=e he came2 ! means tak5 to
 /op ! haemorrhage _h be5 ineffectual2 !

 loss ( blood _h be5 v great2 c]ta9     
=eign matt] _h be5 c>ri$ into ! w\nd2 ! 
pr(essional treatm5t 0 unskilful2 &     
septic fev] foll[$1 s t = _m days 8 life
 hung ^u a little *ance4 ,b convalesc5ce
 came at la/1 & ) x days ( cle>1 calm   
?9k+4 ,= he _h n all[$ news ( 8 accid5t 
to be s5t home or to 8 fri5ds2 & except 
! old c\ple1 ! doctor1 & ! nurse :om !  
latt] _h secur$1 he _h no company b 8   
?\ghts4  ,no tid+s _h come to him (     
,si/] ,dolorosa s9ce 8 accid5t2 & no?+  
_h int]v5$ to remove t sad image ( h]   
:i* _h haunt$ him ?r\gh fev] & phantasy 
& dream s9ce ! night ( _! f9al int]view4
 ,= x 0 !n t he _h fir/ realis$ 9 h[    
pitiless a trag$y h] life _h become     
entangl$1 & h[ consci5ce may fail to    
gov]n a woman's he>t 9 d5y+ h] ! "r to  
love1 b may /ill gov]n h] actions 9     
=bidd+ h] to m>ry4 ,to plead ) h] _h be5
 to w\nd only ! m deeply a nature t     
accept$ ev5 ?is plead+ z a fur!r pro( ( 
its own disloyalty1 & 0 =c$ by x into a 
/ate ( m poignant humiliation4 ,:at     

wond]1 !re=e1 if !re _h be5 op5$ 9 8 m9d
 f t h\r a c]ta9 w\nd :i* grew deep] &  
deep]1 until1 by comp>ison1 8 real w\nd 
seem$ pa9less & insignificant4          
,nev]!less1 x is true t dur+ ?is        
int]view he _h n be5 able to accept h]  
decision z irrev]sible4 ,! spell ( h]   
pres5ce ov] him 0 too complete2 ev5 8   
wi% to rescue h] f a lot1 h5ce=?        
unhappi] /ill1 too urg5t2 s t 9 p>t+ he 
_h clung to ! secret hope t little by   
little he might *ange h] consci5ce1 :i* 
n[ int]pos$ ! only ob/acle betwe5 !m4   
,ev5 ! next day1 :5 he _h be5 w\nd$ &   
life 0 rapidly fl[+ f him1 & e>?ly ties 
seem$ soon to be snapp$1 he _h ?\ght    
only ( ?is tie1 new & sacr$1 & _h writt5
 to h]4 ,poor boy6--he _h writt51 z ) 8 
he>t's blood1 8 brief1 pa!tic appeal t  
%e w\ld come & be unit$ to him be=e he  
di$4 ,9 all ages ( ! _w !re h be5       
p]sons1 simple 9 nature & simple 9 _!   
fai? 9 ano!r life1 :o h =gott5 ev]y?+   
else 9 ! la/ h\r b ! supreme wi% to     
grapple to !m ^? !y love1 = et]nity1 &  

at :atev] co/4 ,su* simplicity ( nature 
& fai? belong$ to him2 = al?\gh 9       
,k5tucky ! unre/ ( ! c5tury t\*+ belief 
9 ! sup]natural1 & ! _m phases by :i*   
?is expresses itself1 are n unkn[n1 !y  
_h nev] affect$ him4 ,he believ$ z 8    
fa!rs _h believ$1 t to be unit$ 9 ?is _w
 9 any relation is to be unit$ 9 t      
relation1 my/]i\sly *ang$ yet my/]i\sly 
! same1 9 ano!r4  ,b ?is lett] _h nev]  
be5 s5t4 ,!re _h be5 no "o to take x at 
! "t2 & :5 ,ezra return$ ) ! physician  
he _h fa9t$ away f loss ( blood4  ,!n _h
 foll[$ ! dress+ ( ! w\nd1 days ( fev] &
 unconsci\sness1 & !n ! assurance t he  
w\ld get well4 ,?us1 ne>ly a mon? _h    
pass$1 & = him a great *ange _h come ov]
 ! face ( nature & ! light ( ! _w4 ,) t 
pret]natural calm ( m9d :i* only an     
invalid or a passionless philosoph] ev] 
obta9s1 he n[ look$ back ^u an episode  
:i* ?us acquir$ fictiti\s remot5ess4 ,s 
weak t he c\ld sc>cely lift 8 head f 8  
pill[1 !re left 8 he>t ! ke51 joy\s s5se
 ( human ties & pursuits4 ,he lo/ ! key 

to ! motives & =ces ( 8 own "*4 ,b x is 
(t5 ! natural result ( su* illness t    
:ile ! spr+s ( feel+ seem to dry up1 !  
consci5ce rema9s s5sitive1 or ev5 burns 
m brightly1 z a /> ?r\gh a r>]          
atmosph]e4 ,s t1 ly+ ?us 9 ! poor       
f>m-h\se dur+ dre>y days1 ) 8 life      
half-gone out ( him1 & ) only ! sad     
image ( h] always be=e 8 eyes1 he c\ld  
?9k ( no?+ b 8 cruel folly 9 hav+ brok5 
9 ^u h] peace2 = p]fect peace ( "s sort 
%e mu/ h _h 9 comp>ison ) :at 0 n[ left 
h]4  ,b5ea? 8 pill[ he kept h] lett]1 & 
z he (t5 read x ov] he ask$ himself h[  
he c\ld ev] h hop$ to *ange ! consci5ce 
:i* _h inspir$ su* a lett] z t4 ,if h]  
he>t belong$ to him1 did n h] s\l belong
 to h] religion2 & if "o or ! o!r mu/   
give way1 c\ld x be d\btful ) su*1 a    
nature z h]s :i* w\ld come out          
victori\s8 ,?us he said to himself t any
 fur!r attempt to see h] c\ld b result 9
 great] suff]+ to !m bo?1 & t no?+ 0    
left him b :at %e h]self _h urg$--to g  
away & resign h] to a life f :i* he _h  

too late f\nd out t %e c\ld nev] be     
divorc$4  ,z soon z he _h come to ?is   
decision1 he began to ?9k ( h] z belong+
 only to 8 pa/4 ,! entire episode became
 a ?+ ( memory & irrep>able             
incomplet5ess2 & ) ! conviction t %e 0  
lo/ to him h] image pass$ into t s]5e1  
rev]5tial sanctu>y ( our common nature1 
:]e all ! highe/ t we h grasp$ at &     
miss$1 & all ! beauty t we h lov$ & lo/1
 take ! =ms ( /atues ar\nd dim walls &  
look d[n ^u u 9 m\rnful1 nev]-*ang+     
p]fection4  ,z he lay "o morn+ revolv+ 8
 alt]$ purpose1 ,ezra came quietly into 
! room & took f a table ne> ! foot ( !  
b$ a wait] on :i* 7 a jelly-glass & a   
napk94  ,%e said ,i'd bett] take ^! back
 ?is morn+1 he obs]v$1 look+ at ,gordon 
= 8 approval1 & motion+ ) 8 head t[>ds t
 qu>t] ( ! h\se :]e ,m>?a 0 suppos$ to  
be4  ,wait a:ile1 w y1 ,ezra8 he repli$1
 look+ at ! old man ) ! d>k1 quiet eye (
 an invalid4 ,i ?9k ,i ought to write a 
few l9es ?is morn+ to ?ank !m = _!      
k9dness4 ,come back 9 an h\r1 w y8  ,!  

?+s _h be5 s5t f ! conv5t2 =1 f ! "t t  
news _h rea*$ ! ,"m ,sup]ior ( ! accid5t
 ( ! "y /rang] :o _h visit$ ! conv5t "s 
days be=e1 !re _h regul>ly come to him  
delicate att5tions :i* c\ld n h be5     
suppli$ at ! f>mh\se4 ,he (t5 ask$      
himself :e!r !y 7 n inspir$ by h]2 & he 
?\ght t :5 ! "t came = him to write 8   
?anks1 he w\ld put into ! expression (  
!m some?+ t w\ld be und]/ood by h]      
alone--some?+ t w\ld /& = gratitude & a 
f>ewell4  ,:5 ,ezra left ! room1 ) !    
?\ght ( n[ do+ ?is ano!r ?\ght came     
unexpect$ly to him4 ,by ! side ( ! b$   
!re /ood a small table on :i* 7 writ+   
mat]ials & a few books t _h be5 tak5 f 8
 valise4 ,he /ret*$ out 8 h&1 & op5+ "o 
( !m took f x a lett] :i* bore !        
address1 ,si/] ,dolorosa4 ,x conta9$ ^? 
appeal+ l9es t he _h writt5 h] on ! day 
( 8 accid5t2 & ) calm1 curi\s sadness he
 n[ read !m ov] & ov]1 z ?\gh !y _h nev]
 come f him4 ,f ! m]e monotony ( ?is    
ex]cise sleep ov]took him1 & he _h      
sc>cely re/or$ ! lett] to ! envelope &  

laid x back on ! table be=e 8 eyelids   
clos$4  ,:ile he /ill lay asleep1 ,ezra 
came quietly into ! room aga91 & took up
 ! wait] ) ! jelly-glass & ! napk94 ,!n 
he look$ ar\nd = ! lett] t he 0 to take4
 ,he 0 accu/om$ to c>ry ,gordon's lett]s
 to ! /ation1 & 8 eye n[ re/$ on ! table
 :]e !y 7 always to be f\nd4 ,see+ "o on
 x1 he walk$ across1 took x up & read ! 
address1 ,si/] ,dolorosa1 hesitat$1     
glanc$ at ,gordon's clos$ eyes1 & !n1 ) 
an intellig5t nod to signify t he c\ld  
und]/& )\t fur!r in/ruction1 he left !  
room & set out briskly = ! conv5t4      
,si/] ,dolorosa 0 at ! ci/]n fill+ a    
bucket ) wat] :5 he came up &1 h&+ h] ! 
lett]1 pass$ on to ! conv5t kit*54 ,%e  
look$ at x ) indiff]5ce2 !n %e op5$ &   
read x2 & !n 9 an in/ant ev]y?+ :irl$   
be=e h] eyes1 & 9 h] e>s ! wat] s\nd$   
l\d z x dropp$ f ! *a9 back into !      
ci/]n4 ,& !n %e 0 gone--gone ) a light1 
rapid /ep1 d[n1 ! av5ue ( elms1 ?r\gh ! 
gate1 across ! mead[s1 out into !       
fields--bucket & ci/]n1 ,"m ,sup]ior &  

si/]hood1 v[s & m>tyrs1 zeal (          
,c>melite1 passion ( ,*ri/1 all =gott54 
,:51 ne>ly a mon? be=e1 news _h rea*$ ! 
,"m ,sup]ior ( ! "y /rang]'s accid5t1 9 
accordance ) ! rule :i* excludes f !    
conv5t worldly affairs1 %e _h n made x  
kn[n except to ^? :o 7 to aid 9 c>ry+   
out h] k9dly plans = him4 ,to ,si/]     
,dolorosa1 !re=e1 ! accid5t _h j        
occurr$1 & n[--n[ z %e ha/5$ to him--he 
0 dy+4  ,dur+ ! int]v5+ weeks %e _h     
und]gone by ins5sible degrees a         
det]ioration ( nature4 ,pray] _h n pass$
 h] lips4 ,%e believ$ t %e _h no "r to  
pray4 ,nor _h %e confess$4 ,f su*1 a    
confession z %e _h n[ to make1 c]ta9    
new-born in/9cts ( womanhood bade h]    
%r9k m deeply into ! privacy ( h] own   
be+4 ,& !re=e %e _h become m scrupul\s1 
if possible1 ( outw>d duties1 t no "o   
might be l$ to discov] ! p>alysis ( h]  
spiritual life4 ,b !re 0 t *ange 9 h]   
:i* soon drew att5tion2 & !nce=?1 9 ord]
 to hide h] he>t1 %e began to practise )
 ! ,"m ,sup]ior little acts (           

self-concealm5t & evasion1 & by-&-by o!r
 little acts ( pret5ce & feign+1        
until--,god pity h]6--be+ mo/ sorely    
press$ by que/ions1 :5 sometimes %e w\ld
 be f\nd 9 te>s or sitt+ li/less ) h]   
h&s 9 h] lap l "o :o is "u ! spell (    
m\rnful phantasies1 ^! became o!r little
 acts ( positive deception4 ,b = ea* (  
!m remorse prey$ ^u h] ! m ru?lessly1 s 
t %e grew ?9 & fad$1 ) a %ad[ ( fe>     
d>k5+ always h] evasive eyes4  ,:at mo/ 
held h] ap>t1 & mo/ %e deem$ put ^u h] !
 angry ban ( ,heav51 0 ! consci\sness t 
%e /ill lov$ him1 & t %e 0 ev5 b\nd to  
him ! m insep>ably s9ce ! night ( _! la/
 meet+4 ,= x 0 !n t emotions _h be5     
awak5$ :i* drew h] to him 9 ways t love 
alone c\ld n h done4 ,^! emotions _h _! 
s\rce 9 ! belief t %e ow$ him rep>ation 
= ! disappo9tm5t :i* %e _h br\ght ^u 8  
life4 ,! recollection ( 8 face :5 %e _h 
d5i$ him hope rose 9 con/ant reproa*    
be=e h]2 & s9ce %e held h]self blamable 
t he _h lov$ h]1 %e took ! :ole         
responsibility ( 8 unhapp9ess4  ,x 0 ?is

 s5se ( hav+ wrong$ him t cleft ev5     
consci5ce 9 h] & left h] /ruggl+4 ,b h[ 
to undo ! wrong--?is %e va9ly pond]$2 = 
he 0 gone1 be>+ away into 8 life ! burd5
 ( entic$ & baffl$ hope4  ,on ! morn+ :5
 %e 0 at ! ci/]n--= ! ,si/]s ( ! ,ord] h
 among !m su* int]*ange ( manual        
(fices--if1 z %e read ! lett] t ,ezra   
gave h]1 any "o motive /ood out cle> 9 !
 /ress ( t t]rible mom5t1 x 01 t hav+   
be5 false to o!r duties %e might at lea/
 be true to ?is4 ,%e felt b "o          
desire--to atone to him by any sacrifice
 ( h]self t w\ld make 8 dea? m peaceful4
 ,beyond ?is ev]y?+ 0 void & d>k )9 h] z
 %e hurri$ on1 except ! consci\sness t  
by ?is act %e sep>at$ h]self f h] ,ord] 
& t]m9at$ h] religi\s life 9 utt]       
failure & disgrace4  ,! light1 rapid /ep
 ) :i* %e _h />t$ soon br\ght h] across 
! fields4 ,z %e drew ne> ! h\se1 ,m>?a1 
:o _h caught sight ( h] figure ?r\gh !  
w9d[1 made ha/e to ! door & /ood await+ 
h]4 ,si/] ,dolorosa m]ely approa*$ &    
said--  ,:]e is he8  ,= a mom5t ! old   

woman did n answ]4 ,!n %e po9t$ to a    
door at ! opposite end ( ! por*1 & ) a  
sp>kle ( peculi> pleasure 9 h] eyes %e  
saw ,si/] ,dolorosa cross & ent] x4 ,a  
little :ile long] %e /ood1 wat*+ !      
keyhole furtively1 b !n w5t back to !   
fireside1 :]e %e sat upright &          
motionless ) ! r$ flannel pu%$ back f h]
 li/5+ e>s4  ,! room 0 dimly light$     
?r\gh half-clos$ %utt]s4 ,gordon lay    
asleep ne> ! edge ( ! b$1 ) 8 face turn$
 t[>ds ! door4 ,x might well h be5 ?\ght
 ! face ( "o dy+4 ,h] eyes re/$ on x a  
mom5t1 & !n ) a /ifl$ sob & moan %e     
glid$ across ! room & sank on h] knees  
at ! b$side4 ,9 ! utt] self-=getfulness 
( h] remorse1 pity1 & love1 %e put "o   
arm ar\nd 8 neck1 %e buri$ h] face close
 beside 84  ,he _h awak$1 bewild]$1 z he
 saw h] com+ t[>ds him4 ,he n[ took h]  
arm f ar\nd 8 neck1 press$ h] h& aga9 & 
aga9 to 8 lips1 & !n lay+ x on 8 he>t   
cross$ 8 arms ov] x1 lett+ "o ( 8 h&s   
re/ on h] head4 ,= a little :ile he c\ld
 n tru/ himself to speak2 8 love ?reat5$

 to ov]ma/] 8 self-r5unciation4 ,b !n1 n
 kn[+ :y %e _h come unless f "s great   
sympa?y = 8 suff]+s1 or p]haps to see   
him once m s9ce he 0 n[ soon to g away1 
& n und]/&+ any cause = h] di/ress b !  
trag$y 9 :i* he _h entangl$ h]          
life--feel+ only sorr[ = h] sorr[ & wi%+
 only by means ( 8 la/ words to help h] 
back to su* peace z %e /ill might w91 he
 said to h] ) immeasurable g5tl5ess--   
,i ?\ght y w\ld nev] come6 ,i ?\ght ,i  
%\ld h to g away )\t see+ y aga96 ,!y   
tell me x is n yet a mon? s9ce !        
accid5t1 b x seems to me s long--a      
lifetime6 ,i h la9 "h day aft] day ?9k+ 
x ov]1 & ,i see ?+s diff]5tly n[--s     
diff]5tly6 ,t is :y ,i want$ to see y   
once m4 ,i want$ y to und]/& t ,i felt y
 _h done "r 9 refus+--9 refus+ to m>ry  
me4 ,i want$ to ask y nev] to blame     
y\rself = :at has happ5$--nev] to let   
any ?\ght ( hav+ made me unhappy add to 
! sorr[ ( y\r life4 ,x is my fault1 n   
y\rs4 ,b ,i meant x--,god kn[s1 ,i meant
 x6--= ! happ9ess ( u bo?8 ,i believ$ t 

y\r life 0 n suit$ to y4 ,i meant to    
make y happy6 ,b s9ce y _c give up y\r  
life1 ,i h only be5 unk9d4 ,& s9ce y ?9k
 x wrong to give x up1 ,i am glad t y   
are s true to x6 ,if y mu/ live x1      
,heav5 only kn[s h[ glad ,i am t y w    
live x h]oically4 ,& ,heav5 keep me     
equally true to ! duty 9 m9e1 t ,i also 
%all n fail 9 x6 ,if we nev] meet aga91 
we c always ?9k ( ea* o!r z liv+ true to
 ourselves & to "o ano!r4 ,don't d5y me 
?is6 ,let me believe t y\r ?\ghts &     
pray]s w always foll[ me4 ,ev5 y\r v[s w
 n d5y me ?is6 ,x w always keep u ne>   
ea* o!r1 & x w br+ u toge!r :]e !y _c   
sep>ate u4  ,he _h spok5 ) entire       
repression ( himself1 9 ! sl[ voice ( an
 invalid1 & on ! /illness ( ! room ea*  
^w _h fall5 ) h>d di/9ctness4 ,b n[1 ) !
 ?\ght ( los+ h]1 by a pa9ful ef=t he   
mov$ clos] to ! edge ( ! b$1 put 8 arms 
ar\nd h] neck1 drew h] face aga9/ 8 own1
 & cont9u$--  ,b d n ?9k x is easy to   
tell y ?is6 ,d n ?9k x is easy to give y
 up6 ,d n ?9k t ,i d n love y6 ,o       

,paul9e--n 9 ano!r life1 b 9 ?is--9 ?is6
 ,he c\ld say no m2 & out ( 8 physical  
weakness te>s rose to 8 eyes & fell drop
 by drop ^u h] veil4     ,,viii4   ,si/]
 ,dolorosa _h be5 miss$ f ! conv5t4 ,!re
 _h be5 inquiry gr[+ ev] m anxi\s1 &    
se>* gr[+ ev] m hurri$4 ,!y f\nd h]     
bucket ov]turn$ at ! ci/]n1 & ne> x !   
pr9t ( h] feet 9 ! moi/ e>?4 ,b %e 0    
gone4 ,!y s\ght h] 9 e hidd5 closet1 !y 
climb$ to ! obs]vatory & scann$ !       
surr\nd+ fields4 ,"w 0 left unf9i%$1    
pray] un5d$1 z ! news spread ?r\gh ! va/
 build+2 & z "t w5t by & no?+ 0 he>d (  
h]1 uneas9ess became al>m1 & al>m became
 a vague1 immeasurable =ebod+ ( ill4    
,ea* n[ rememb]$ h[ /range ( late _h be5
 ,si/] ,dolorosa's life & actions1 & no 
"o _h ! he>t to "n h] own p>ticul> fe>s 
to any o!r or to read !m 9 any o!r's    
eyes4 ,"t pass$ on & discipl9e 9 !      
conv5t 0 =gott54 ,!y began to p\r out   
into ! long corridors1 & 9 tumultu\s    
gr\ps pass$ ?is1 way & t1 seek+ ! ,"m   
,sup]ior4 ,b ! ,"m ,sup]ior _h gone to !

 *ur* ) ! same impulse t 9 all ages has 
br\ght ! human he>t to ! alt> ( ,god :5 
/rick5 by p]il or disa/]2 & into ! *ur* 
!y also ga!r$4 ,into ! *ur* likewise    
came ! :ite flock ( ! novices1 :o _h    
bur/ f _! isolat$ qu>t] ( ! conv5t ) a  
sudd5 contagion ( fe>4 ,:51 !re=e1 ! ,"m
 ,sup]ior rose f :]e %e _h be5 kneel+1  
turn$1 & 9 ! d>k *ur* saw !m assembl$   
close ar\nd h]1 pallid1 anxi\s1         
disord]$1 & look+ ) helpless dep5d5ce to
 h] = t assurance = :i* %e _h h]self 9  
helpless dep5d5ce look$ to ,god1 s      
unn]v$ 0 %e by ! spectacle t /r5g? fail$
 h] & %e sank ^u ! /eps ( ! alt>1 /ret*+
 out h] arms once m 9 voiceless         
supplication t[>ds ! alt> ( ! ,inf9ite  
helpfulness4  ,b at t mom5t a little    
novice1 :om ,si/] ,dolorosa lov$ & :om  
%e _h taught ! music ( ! h>p1 came runn+
 into ! *ur*1 wr++ h] h&s & cry+4 ,:5 %e
 0 half-way d[n ! aisle1 9 a voice t    
rang ?r\gh ! build+ %e call$ out--  ,o  
,"m1 %e is com+6 ,some?+ has happ5$ to  
h]6 ,h] veil is gone6 &1 turn+ aga91 %e 

ran out ( ! *ur*4  ,!y 7 hurry+ aft] h] 
:5 a note ( comm&1 in>ticulate b        
imp]i\s1 f ! ,"m ,sup]ior arre/$ e foot 
& drew e eye 9 t direction4 ,voice _h   
fail$ h]1 b ) a ge/ure full ( dignity & 
reproa* %e wav$ !m back1 & support+ h]  
great =m betwe5 two ( ! nuns1 %e advanc$
 sl[ly d[n ! aisle ( ! *ur* & pass$ out 
by ! front entrance4 ,b !y =got to obey 
h] & foll[$2 & :5 %e desc5d$ ! /eps to !
 bottom & made a sign t %e w\ld wait    
!re1 on ! /eps beh9d !y /ood gr\p$ &    
cr[d$ back to ! sacr$ doors4  ,yes1 %e 0
 com+--com+ up ! av5ue ( elms--com+     
sl[ly1 z ?\gh h] /r5g? 7 almo/ gone4 ,z 
%e pass$ "u ! trees on "o side ( ! av5ue
 %e t\*$ _! trunks "o by "o = support4  
,%e walk$ ) h] eyes on ! gr\nd & ) !    
ab/raction ( "o :o has lo/ ! purpose (  
walk+4 ,:5 %e 0 p]haps half-way up !    
av5ue1 z %e paus$ by "o ( ! trees &     
support$ h]self aga9/ x1 %e rais$ h]    
eyes & saw !m all wait+ to receive h] on
 ! /eps ( ! *ur*4 ,= a little :ile %e   
/ood & survey$ ! sc5e2 ! ,"m ,sup]ior   

/&+ 9 front1 h] s9k+ =m support$ betwe5 
two ,si/]s1 h] h&s clasp+ ! crucifix to 
h] bosom2 beh9d h] ! o!rs1 /ep above    
/ep1 back to ! doors2 "s look+ at h] )  
fright5$ faces2 o!rs ) _! heads buri$ on
 ea* o!r's %\ld]s2 & hid+ some:]e 9 !   
?rong1 ! little novice1 only ! s\nd ( ^:
 sobb+ reveal$ h] pres5ce4 ,!n %e took  
h] h& f ! tree1 walk$ on q /eadily until
 %e 0 sev]al y>ds away1 & paus$ aga94   
,%e _h torn (f h] veil & h] head 0 b>e &
 %9+4 ,%e _h torn ! sacr$ symbol f h]   
bosom1 & ?r\gh ! black r5t !y c\ld see !
 gli/5+ :it5ess ( h] nak$ brea/4        
,compreh5d+ !m 9 "o glance1 z ?\gh %e   
wi%$ !m all to li/51 %e look$ into !    
face ( ! ,"m ,sup]ior1 & began to speak 
9 a voice utt]ly =lorn1 z ( "o :o has   
pass$ ! limits ( suff]+4  ,"m6----      
,"m6----  ,%e pass$ "o h& sl[ly across  
h] =ehead1 to bru% away "s cl\d f h]    
bra91 & = ! ?ird "t %e began to speak-- 
,"m6----  ,!n %e paus$1 press$ bo? palms
 quickly to h] temples1 & turn$ h] eyes 
9 bewild]$ appeal t[>ds ! ,"m ,sup]ior4 

,b %e did n fall4 ,) a cry t might h    
come f ! he>t ( ! b\ndless pity ! ,"m   
,sup]ior broke away f ! re/ra9+ arms ( !
 nuns & ru%$ =w>d & caught h] to h]     
bosom4     ,,ix4   ,! day _h come :5    
,gordon 0 well en\gh to g home4 ,z he   
sat giv+ directions to ,ezra1 :o 0      
awkw>dly pack+ 8 valise1 he look$ ov] ! 
books1 pap]s1 & lett]s t lay on ! table 
ne> ! b$4  ,!re is "o lett] miss+1 he   
said1 ) a tr\bl$ expression1 z he f9i%$ 
8 se>*4 ,!n he add$ quickly1 9 a tone ( 
helpless entreaty--  ,y c\ldn't h tak5 x
 to ! /ation & mail$ x ) ! o!rs1 c\ld y1
 ,ezra8 ,x 0 n to g to ! /ation4 ,x 0 to
 h gone to ! conv5t4  ,! la/ s5t5ce he  
utt]$ r to 8 own ?\ght ?an = ! e> ( 8   
li/5]4  ,i took x to ! conv5t1 said     
,ezra1 /\tly rais+ himself f ov] !      
valise 9 ! middle ( ! floor4 ,i didn't  
take x to ! /ation6  ,gordon :eel$ on   
him1 giv+ a wr5* to 8 w\nd :i* may h    
caus$ ! groan t bur/ f him1 & left him  
:ite & trembl+4  ,y took x to ! conv5t6 
,great ,god1 ,ezra6 ,:58  ,! day y told 

me to take x1 repli$ ,ezra simply4 ,!   
day ! ,si/] came to see y4  ,o ,ezra6 he
 cri$ pite\sly1 look+ into ! rugg$1     
fai?ful c\nt5ance ( ! old man1 & feel+ t
 he _h n ! "r to c5sure him4  ,n[ = !   
fir/ "t he compreh5d$ ! :ole            
significance ( :at _h happ5$4 ,he _h    
nev] c]ta9ly kn[n :at motive _h br\ght  
h] to him t day4 ,he _h nev] be5 able to
 und]/& :y1 hav+ come1 %e _h gone away )
 su* abruptness4 ,sc>cely _h he begun to
 speak to h] :5 %e _h /rangely %runk f  
him2 & sc>cely _h he ceas$ speak+ :5 %e 
_h left ! room )\t a ^w1 & )\t 8 hav+ s 
mu* z se5 h] face4  ,sl[ly n[ ! sad tru?
 =c$ itself ^u 8 m9d t %e _h come 9     
answ] to 8 entreaty4 ,%e mu/ h ?\ght 8  
lett] j writt51 himself j w\nd$ & dy+4  
,x 0 z if he _h betray$ h] into ! utmo/ 
expression ( h] love = him & 9 t mom5t  
_h coldly admoni%$ h] ( h] duty4 ,= him 
%e _h brok5 :at 0 ! mo/ sacr$ obligation
 ( h] life1 & 9 return he _h giv5 h] an 
exhortation to be fai?ful to h] v[s4    
,he w5t home to "o ( ! old] seclud$     

c\ntry-places ( ! ,blue-grass ,region n 
f> f ,lex+ton4 ,8 illness s]v$ to acc\nt
 = a /range gravity & sadness ( nature 9
 him4 ,:5 ! w9t] _h pass$ & spr+ _h     
come1 br++ p]fect heal? aga91 ?is       
sadness only deep5$4 ,= heal? _h br\ght 
back ! ard\r ( life4 ,! gl[+ col\rs ( ! 
_w return$2 & ) ^! !re fl[$ back into 8 
he>t1 z wat]s fl[ back into a well t has
 gone dry1 ! p]fect love ( y\? & /r5g? )
 :i* he _h lov$ h] & tri$ to w9 h] at   
fir/4 ,& ) ?is love ( h] came back !    
fir/ complete realisation t he _h lo/   
h]2 & ) ?is pa91 t ke5e/ pa9 ( hav+ be5 
mo/ unk9d to h] :5 he _h /riv5 to be    
k9de/4  ,he n[ look$ back ^u 8 illness1 
z "o :o has ga9$ "s cle> headl& looks   
d[n ^u a valley s d>k & ov]hung ) mi/ t 
he _c trace 8 own c\rse across x4 ,he 0 
no long] 9 sympa?y ) t mood (           
self-r5unciation :i* _h influ5c$ him 9  
_! la/ int]view4 ,he *>g$ himself ) hav+
 giv5 up too easily2 = might he n1 aft] 
all1 h won h]8 ,might he n1 little by   
little1 h *ang$ h] consci5ce1 z little  

by little he _h ga9$ h] love8 ,w\ld x h 
be5 possible1 he ask$ himself aga9 &    
aga91 = h] ev] to h come to him z %e _h 
done t day1 _h n h] consci5ce approv$8  
,( all 8 tortur+ ?\ghts1 none co/ him   
great] suff]+ ?an liv+ ov] 9 imag9ation 
:at mu/ h happ5$ to h] s9ce !n--!       
humiliation1 p]haps public exposure2    
foll[$ by p5alties & sorr[s ( :i* he    
dur/ n ?9k1 & c]ta9ly a life m unreliev$
 9 gloom & desolation4  ,9 ! summ] 8    
fa!r's heal? began to fail & 9 ! autumn 
he di$4 ,! w9t] 0 pass$ 9 settl+ !      
bus9ess ( ! e/ate1 & be=e ! spr+ pass$  
aga9 ,gordon f\nd himself at ! head (   
affairs1 & /ret*+ out be=e him1 calm &  
cle>1 ! complete indep5d5ce ( 8 new-f\nd
 manhood4 ,8 life 0 8 own to make x :at 
he w\ld4 ,z =tunes g 9 ,k5tucky he 0    
weal?y1 8 f>m be+ among ! mo/ beautiful 
( ! beautiful ones :i* make up t l&1 & 8
 home/ead be+ de> ?r\gh family ties & ^?
 intimations ( fireside peace :i* lay   
close/ ! he>t ( 8 ideal life4 ,b amid   
all 8 happ9ess1 t "o lack :i* made ! re/

 appe> lack+--t vacancy )9 :i* no?+ w\ld
 fill6 ,! beauty ( ! ri* l& h5ce=?      
br\ght him ! dream-l recollection ( a   
r\gh1 poor c\ntry a hundr$ miles away4  
,its quiet home/eads1 ) ! impression !y 
create ( sweet & simple lives1 rem9d$   
him only ( a conv5t /&+ lonely & =bidd+ 
on its wide l&scape4 ,! calm lib]ty (   
woods & fields1 ! b\nd+ lib]ty ( life1 !
 enlight5$ lib]ty ( consci5ce &         
religion1 :i* 7 to him ! be/ gifts ( 8  
,/ate1 8 c\ntry1 & 8 "t1 =c$ on him     
p]petual contra/ ) ! anci5t conf9em5t 9 
:i* %e langui%$4  ,/ill he ?rew himself 
resolutely into 8 duties4 ,9 all t he   
did or plann$ he felt a c]ta9 sacr$1    
uplift+ =ce add$ to 8 life by t high    
bond ?r\gh :i* he _h s\ght to l9k _!    
sund]$ pa?ways4 ,b1 on ! o!r h&1 !      
haunt+ ?\ght ( :at might h befall5 h]   
s9ce became a corrosive c>e1 & began to 
eat out ! he>t ( 8 resolute purposes4   
,s t :5 ! long1 calm summ] _h pass$ &   
autumn _h come1 br++ him loneli] days 9 
! br[n fields1 loneli] rides on         

horseback ?r\gh ! gorge\s woods1 &      
loneli] ev5+s beside 8 rek9dl$          
he>?-/ones1 he c\ld be> ! susp5se no    
long]1 & made up 8 m9d to g back1 if b  
to he> tid+s :e!r %e yet 7 liv+ 9 !     
conv5t4 ,he realis$1 ( c\rse1 t "u no   
circum/ances c\ld he ev] aga9 speak to  
h] ( 8 love4 ,he _h put himself on !    
side ( h] consci5ce aga9/ 8 own cause2 b
 he felt t he ow$ x to himself to       
dissipate unc]ta9ty reg>d+ h] fate4 ,?is
 done1 he c\ld return1 h[ev] sadly1 &   
take up ! duties ( 8 life ) bett] he>t4 
,x4   ,"o ,sunday aft]noon he got (f at 
! little /ation4 ,f "o ( ! ru/ic l\ng]s 
on ! plat=m he le>n$ t old ,ezra & ,m>?a
 _h gone ! ye> be=e to live ) a son 9 a 
di/ant ,/ate1 & t _! scant acres _h be5 
absorb$ 9 ! conv5t doma94  ,sl[ly he    
took 8 way across ! sombre fields4 ,once
 m he rea*$ ! br[n footpa? & ! edge ( ! 
pale1 ?9 corn4 ,once m ! summon+ :i/le (
 ! quail came sweet & cle> f ! dep?s ( a
 neighb\r+ ?icket4 ,sil5tly 9 ! r$d5+   
we/ 7 ris+ ! :ite ca!drals ( ! sky4 ,x 0

 on yond] hill-top he _h fir/ se5 h]1   
/&+ z ?\gh transfigur$ 9 ! ev5+ light4  
,ov]:elm$ by ! memories :i* ! place     
evok$1 he pass$ on t[>ds ! conv5t4 ,!   
fir/ sight ( x 9 ! di/ance smote him ) a
 pa9 s %>p t a groan escap$ 8 lips z f a
 reop5$ w\nd4  ,x 0 ! h\r ( ! vesp]     
s]vice4 ,ent]+ ! *ur* he sat :]e he _h  
sat be=e4 ,h[ /ill x 01 h[ fa9t !       
autumnal sunlight /eal+ 9 ?r\gh ! sa9t$ 
w9d[s1 h[ motionless ! d>k company (    
nuns seat$ on "o side ( ! nave1 h[ rigid
 ! :ite r[s ( novices on ! o!r6  ,) sad 
fasc9ation ( se>* 8 eyes rov$ among !   
black-%r\d$ devotees4 ,%e 0 n !re4 ,9 ! 
organ-l(t above1 a voice1 poor & ?91    
began to p\r out its wav]+ little tide (
 song4 ,%e 0 n !re1 !n4 ,0 h] s\l       
already gone home to ,heav58            
,noiselessly f beh9d ! alt> ! sacri/9e  
_h come =? & begun to light ! c&les4 ,) 
eyes /ra9$ & ! he>t gone out ( him he   
hung ^u ! movem5ts ( h] figure4 ,a      
slight1 y\?ful figure x 0--slight]1 z   
?\gh worn & wa/$2 & ! h&s :i* s firmly  

bore ! long tap] look$ too :ite &       
fragile to h upheld aught heavi] ?an !  
/alk ( a lily4  ,) inf9ite meekness &   
rev]5ce %e mov$ hi!r & ?i!r ab\t ! %r9e1
 z ?\gh ea* footfall 7 a /ep ne>] !     
glori\s ,pres5ce1 ea* brea? a pray]4 ,"o
 by "o !re sprang into be+1 b5ea? h] t\*
 ( love1 ! silv]y spires ( sacr$ flame4 
,no angel ( ! night ev] m s(tly lit !   
/>s ( heav54 ,& x 0 ?us t he saw h] = ! 
la/ "t--fold$ back to ! bosom ( t fai? f
 :i* x 0 left him to believe t he _h all
 b rescu$ h] to love & happ9ess1 & set1 
z a *a/5+ admonition1 to t5d ! mortal   
fires on ! alt> ( et]nal s]vice4  ,look+
 at h] across ! va/ e/rang+ gulf (      
de/9y1 he>t-brok51 he ask$ himself 9 8  
poor ye>n+ way :e!r %e long] _h any     
?\ght ( him or long] lov$ him4 ,= answ] 
he _h only ! assurance giv5 9 h] words1 
:i* n[ rose z a b5$iction 9 8 memory--  
,if ,he w deign to he> ! ceaseless1     
f]v5t petition ( "o s err+1 ,he w n     
leave y unhappy on acc\nt ( t love = me 
:i* 9 ?is _w x w nev] be all[$ me to    

return4  ,"o highe/ /> ( adoration %e   
k9dl$ la/1 & !n turn$ & advanc$ d[n !   
aisle4 ,he 0 sitt+ close to x1 & z %e   
came t[>ds him1 ) irresi/ible impulse he
 b5t =w>d to meet h]1 8 lips p>t$ z ?\gh
 to speak1 8 eyes implor$ h] =          
recognition1 8 h&s 7 in/9ctively mov$ to
 attract h] notice4 ,b %e pass$ him )   
unuplift$ eyes4 ,! hem ( h] dress swept 
across 8 foot4 ,9 t int5se mom5t1 :i*   
compress$ )9 itself ! joy ( ano!r meet+ 
& ! despair ( an et]nal f>ewell--9 t    
mom5t he may h tri$ to read ?r\gh h]    
face & beyond x 9 h] v s\l ! /ory ( :at 
%e mu/ h suff]$4 ,to any "o else1 on h] 
face re/$ only t beauty1 transc5d+ all  
description1 :i* is born ( ! sorr[ ( e>?
 & ! peace ( ,god4  ,m\rnful z 0 ?is la/
 sight ( h]1 & t\*$ ) remorse1 he c\ld  
yet be> x away 9 8 he>t = long          
remembrance n untemp]$ by consolation4  
,he saw h] well2 he saw h] fai?ful2 he  
saw h] be>+ ! sorr[s ( h] lot ) angelic 
sweetness4 ,?r\gh ye>s to come ! beauty 
( ?is sc5e might abide ) him1 lift$     

above ! realm ( mortal *anges by !      
s]5itude ( h] immovable devotion4       
,,xi4   ,!re 0 ?us sp>$ him k ( ! great 
*ange t _h tak5 place reg>d+ h] )9 !    
c\nsels ( ! ,ord]2 nor1 p]haps1 0 he ev]
 to le>n ( ! o!r *anges1 m ev5tful /ill1
 t 7 n[ fa/ clos+ 9 ^u h] de/9y4  ,:5 ! 
,creator wi%es to create a woman1 !     
beauty ( ^: nature is to prefigure !    
types ( an immortal _w1 ,he end[s h] m  
pl5te\sly ) ! faculty ( innoc5t love4 ,!
 contrav5tion ( ?is faculty has "t aft] 
"t result$ 9 ! mo/ memorable trag$ies t 
h ev] sadd5$ ! hi/ory ( ! race4 ,he _h  
giv5 to ! nature ( ,paul9e ,cambron two 
/rong1 unwe>y+ w+s3 ! p9ion ( fai? & !  
p9ion ( love4 ,x 0 ,8 w t %e %\ld so> by
 ! use ( bo?4 ,b !y _h d5i$ h] ! use (  
"o2 & ! va9 & bewild]$ /ruggles :i* m>k$
 h] life !nce=? 7 z ^? ( a bird t %\ld  
try to rise into ! air ) "o ( its w+s   
b\nd tight aga9/ its bosom4  ,aft] !    
illness :i* foll[$ ^u ! ev5ts ( t       
t]rible day1 %e took t[>ds h] own       
conduct ! p5it5tial attitude enjo9$ by  

h] religion4 ,!re is little ne$ to lay  
b>e all t foll[$4 ,%e _h pass$ out ( h] 
s(t _w ( h]oic dreams into ! h>d _w (   
unh]oic reality4 ,%e _h *os5 a "n to    
express h] sympa?y ) ! sorr[s ( ! _w1 & 
! sorr[s ( ! _w _h brok5 9 ^u h]4 ,out (
 ! :ite dawn ( ! imag9ation %e _h /epp$ 
into ! heat & burd5 ( ! day4  ,long aft]
 p5ances & pray]s 7 ov]1 & by o!rs %e   
might h felt h]self =giv51 %e 0 z f> z  
ev] f t =giv5ess :i* comes f )94 ,x is n
 *>act]i/ic ( a nature su* z h]s to w9  
p>don s easily = su* an (f5ce z %e      
consid]$ h]s4 ,inde$1 z "t pass$ on1 !  
p[]s ( h] be+ seem$ conc5trat$ m & m 9  
"o impassion$ desire to expiate h] s92  
=1 z "t pass$ on1 despite p5ances &     
pray]s1 %e realis$ t %e /ill lov$ him4  
,z %e pond]$ ?is %e said to h]self t    
peace w\ld nev] come unless %e %\ld g   
else:]e & beg9 life ov] 9 "s place t 0  
free f ! memories ( h] fall1 !re 0 s mu*
 to rem9d h] ( him4 ,%e c\ld n g into ! 
g>d5 )\t recall+ ! day :5 !y _h walk$   
?r\gh x side by side4 ,%e c\ld n cross !

 ?re%old ( ! *ur* )\t be+ rem9d$ t x 0 !
 sc5e ( h] unfai?fulness & ( h]         
exposure4 ,! gravey>d1 ! footpa?1 across
 ! fields1 ! obs]vatory--all 7 full (   
di/urb+ images4 ,& !re=e %e bes\ght !   
,"m ,sup]ior to s5d h] away to "s "o ( !
 missions ( ! ,ord]1 ?9k+ t ?us %e w\ld 
w9 =getfulness ( him & s+l5ess ( he>t4  
,b :ile ! plan ( do+ ?is 0 yet be+      
consid]$ by ! ,"m ,sup]ior1 !re happ5$  
"o ( ^? ev5ts :i* seem to fit into !    
crises ( our lives z ?\gh det]m9$ by ! v
 laws ( fate4 ,! att5tion ( ! civilis$  
_w _h n yet be5 fix$ ^u ! h]oic lab\rs (
 ! ,belgian prie/1 ,fa!r ,dami51 among !
 lep]s ( ! isl& ( ,molokai4 ,b x has be5
 /at$ t ne> ! conv5t are ! monks ( ,la  
,trappe4 ,among ^! monks 7 fri5ds ( !   
,am]ican prie/1 ,bro!r ,joseph1 :o =    
ye>s 0 "o ( ,fa!r ,dami5's assi/ants2 & 
to ^! fri5ds ?is prie/ f "t to "t wrote 
lett]s1 9 :i* he describ$ at great l5g? 
! life ( ! lep] settlem5t & ! "w ( !    
small b& ( m5 & wom5 :o _h gone to lab\r
 9 t remote & awful v9ey>d4 ,! cont5ts (

 ^! lett]s 7 made kn[n to !             
ecclesia/ical sup]ior ( ! conv5t2 & "o  
ev5+ he made !m ! subject ( a lecture to
 ! assembl$ nuns & novices1 dwell+ )    
peculi> eloqu5ce ^u ! devotion ( ! ?ree 
,franciscan ,si/]s :o _h become outca/s 
f human society t !y might nurse & tea* 
lepr\s girls1 until inevitable dea? %\ld
 ov]take !m also4  ,among t brea?less   
audi5ce ( wom5 !re 0 "o s\l on :om 8    
words fell ) ! =ce ( a message f !      
,et]nal4 ,"h1 !n1 at la/1 0 (f]$ h] a   
pa?way by foll[+ meekly to ! end ( :i*  
%e might p]haps f9d bless$ness4 ,! real 
,man ( ,sorr[s appe>$ to /& 9 x & beckon
 h] on to ! abodes ( ^? ab&on$ creatures
 ^: suff]+s ,he _h ) peculi> pity s (t5 
/ret*$ =? ,8 h& to heal4 ,:5 %e laid    
be=e ! ,"m ,sup]ior h] petition to be   
all[$ to g1 x 0 at fir/ refus$1 be+     
reg>d$ z a mom5t>y impulse2 b mon?s     
pass$1 & at int]vals1 always m e>ne/ly1 
%e r5ew$ h] reque/4 ,x 0 po9t$ out to h]
 t :5 "o has gone among ! lep]s !re is  
no return2 ! alt]natives are ei!r       

lifelong bani%m5t1 or dea? f leprosy1   
usually at ! end ( a few ye>s4 ,b always
 h] reply 0--  ,9 ! "n ( ,*ri/1 ,"m1 let
 me g6  ,meantime x _h become cle> to ! 
,"m ,sup]ior t "s *ange ( sc5e mu/ be   
made4 ,! days ( ,si/] ,dolorosa's       
usefulness 9 ! conv5t 7 too pla9ly ov]4 
,x _h n be5 possible 9 t l>ge h\sehold (
 wom5 to conceal ! fact ( h]            
unfai?fulness to h] v[s4 ,z "o black    
veil :isp]$ to ano!r--z "o :ite veil    
commun$ ) its att5tive neighb\r--little 
by little ev5ts 7 ga!r$ & piec$ toge!r1 
until1 9 diff]5t =ms ( error & rum\r1 ! 
/ory became kn[n to all4 ,"s f beh9d    
w9d[ lattices _h wat*$ h] 9 ! g>d5 ) !  
"y /rang] on ! day ( 8 visit+ ! conv5t4 
,o!rs _h he>d ( 8 ly+ w\nd$ at !        
f>m-h\se4 ,/ill o!rs 7 sure t "u pretext
 ( visit+ old ,m>?a %e _h (t5 met him 9 
! fields4 ,& !n ! sc5e on ! /eps ( !    
*ur*1 :5 %e _h return$ soil$ & torn &   
fa9t+4  ,s t f ! day on :i* %e arose f  
h] illness & began to g ab\t ! conv5t1  
%e 0 s+l$ out z a t>get = ^? small arr[s

 :i* ! fem99e eye directs ) su*         
faultless skill at "o ( its own sex4 ,) 
sc>cely p]ceptible movem5ts !y w\ld draw
 aside :5 pass+ h]1 z ?\gh to escape    
corrupt+ contact4 ,c]ta9 ones ( ! y\ng] 
,si/]s1 :o 7 jeal\s ( h] beauty1 did n  
fail to drop inu5does = h] to ov]he>4 ,&
 ^u "s ( ! novices1 ^: m9ds 7 /ill wav]+
 betwe5 ! *ur* & ! _w1 x 0 ?\ght t h]   
example might h a dang]\s influ5ce4  ,x 
is always wrong to judge motives2 b x is
 possible t ! head ( ! ,ord] may h ?\ght
 x be/ t ?is ru9$ life %\ld take on !   
halo ( m>tyrdom1 f :i* fre% lu/re w\ld  
be reflect$ ^u ! annals ( ! *ur*4 ,h[ev]
 ?is may be1 aft] ab\t eighte5 mon?s (  
wait+1 dur+ :i* correspond5ce 0 held ) !
 ,s&wi* ,isl&s1 x 0 det]m9$ t ,si/]     
,dolorosa %\ld be all[$ to g ?i!r & jo9 
! lab\rs ( ! ,franciscan ,si/]s4  ,f !  
day :5 cons5t 0 giv5 %e pass$ into t    
peace ) :i* "o asc5ds ! scaffold or     
awaits ! /ake4 ,x 0 ?is look ( peace t  
,gordon _h se5 on h] face z %e mov$ hi!r
 & ?i!r ab\t ! %r9e4  ,only a few weeks 

aft] he _h ?us se5 h] ! day came = h] to
 g4 ,( ^? :o took "p 9 ! sc5e ( f>ewell 
%e 0 ! mo/ unmov$4 ,a mon? lat] %e sail$
 f ,san ,francisco = ,honolulu2 & 9 due 
"t !re came f ,honolulu to ! ,"m        
,sup]ior ! foll[+ lett]4 ,x conta9s all 
t rema9s ( ! e>?ly hi/ory ( ,paul9e     
,cambron--     ,,xii4                   
,,kalawao1 ,,molokai1 ,,hawaiian        
,,isl&s1                                
,janu>y #a1 #ahh--4  ,,de> ,,"m1--,i    
entreat y n to let ! sight ( ?is /range 
h&writ+1 in/ead ( "o t mu/ be s famili>1
 fill y ) too mu* al>m4 ,i ha/5 to      
assure y t be=e my lett] closes y w     
und]/& :y ,si/] ,dolorosa has n writt5  
h]self4  ,s9ce ! h\r :5 ! vessel sail$ f
 ! ,am]ican port1 be>+ to u t "y life z 
a consecrat$ help] 9 our "w among ^!    
suff]+ outca/s ( ! human race1 ,i "k t  
y\r ?\ghts & pray]s h foll[$ h] )       
unceas+ anxiety2 s t fir/ ,i %\ld give y
 tid+s t ! vessel rea*$ ,honolulu 9     
safety4 ,i %\ld tell y also t %e _h a   
prosp]\s voyage1 & t %e is n[ happy--f> 

happi] ?an :5 %e left y4 ,i "k1         
likewise1 t y\r imag9ation has con/antly
 hov]$ ab\t ?is isl&1 & t y h pictur$ x 
to y\rself z ! gloomie/ ( all spots 9 ! 
univ]se ( ,god2 s t 9 ! next place ,i   
%\ld try to remove ?is impression by    
giv+ y "s description ( ! isl& itself1  
:i* has n[ become h] un*ang+ home4  ,!  
isl& ( ,molokai1 !n1 on :i* ! lep]      
settlem5t has be5 locat$ by ! ,gov]nm5t1
 is long1 & %ap$ mu* l ! leaf ( !       
will[-tree4 ,! ,s&wi* ,isl&s1 z y well  
"k1 are a gr\p ( volcanoes out ( :i* !  
fires h = ! mo/ "p long s9ce di$4       
,molokai1 !re=e1 is really b a m\nta9 ( 
cool$ lava1 half ( :i* p]haps is b5ea? !
 level ( ! sea4 ,! two lep] villages are
 actually situat$ 9 ! cup ( an anci5t   
crat]4 ,! isl& is v l[ along ! s\!rn    
coa/1 & slopes gradually to its greate/ 
altitude on ! nor!rn ridge1 f :i* !     
desc5t to ! sea is 9 places all b       
p]p5dicul>4 ,x is betwe5 ! bases ( ^!   
nor!rn cliffs & ! sea t ! villages are  
built4 ,9 ! re> ( !m is a long          

succession ( t[]+ precipices & wild     
rav9es1 t are solemn & t]rible to       
behold2 & 9 front ( !m !re is a coa/-l9e
 s r\gh ) po9t$ rocks t z ! waves ru% 9 
^u !m spray is (t5 ?r[n to ! height (   
fifty or a hundr$ feet4 ,x is ?is t     
makes ! l&+ at times s dang]\s2 & at o!r
 times1 :5 a /orm has bur/1 s fatal4 ,s 
t %ipwrecks are n unkn[n1 de> ,"m1 &    
sometimes add to ! sadness ( life 9 ?is 
place4  ,b f ?is description y w\ld get 
only a mi/ak5 idea ( ! aspect ( ! isl&4 
,x is sunny & full ( tropical lovel9ess4
 ,! lapse ( c5turies has 9 places cov]$ 
! lava ) exquisite v]dure4 ,s(t breezes 
bl[ "h1 ab\t ! d>k cliffs hang purple   
atmosph]es1 & above !m drift p9k & :ite 
cl\ds4 ,sometimes ! :ole isl& is veil$ 9
 gold5 mi/4 ,beautiful /reams fall d[n  
its gre5 precipices into ! sea1 & ! sea 
itself is ( ! mo/ brilliant blue4 ,9 its
 dep?s are gr[?s ( pure :ite corals1 :i*
 are ! homes ( fi%es ( gorge\s col\rs4  
,if ,i %\ld speak no long] ( ! isl&1 b (
 ! p1 ,i c\ld p]haps d some?+ fur!r /ill

 to dissipate ! dread ) :i* y & o!r     
/rang]s mu/ reg>d u4 ,! inhabitants are 
a simple1 g5]\s1 happy race2 & !re are  
_m spots 9 ?is _w--_m 9 ,europe & ,asia1
 p]haps "s 9 y\r own l&--:]e ! sc5es (  
suff]+ & dea? are m poignant & appall+4 
,! lep]s live = ! mo/ "p 9 dec5t :ite   
cottages4 ,_m are ! happy faces t are   
se5 among !m2 s t1 /range z x may seem1 
heal?y p w\ld sometimes come "h to live 
if ! laws did n =bid4 ,s mu* has        
,*ri/ianity done t "o may n[ be buri$ 9 
consecrat$ gr\nd4  ,if all ?is appe>s   
worldly & frivol\s1 de> ,"m1 =give me6  
,if ,i h *os5 to )hold f y news ( h]1 ( 
:om alone ,i "k y are ?9k+1 x is because
 ,i h wi%$ to give y z bright a picture 
z possible4 ,p]haps y w ?us become !    
bett] prep>$ = :at is to foll[4  ,s t   
be=e ,i g fur!r1 ,i %all pause aga9 to  
describe to y "o spot :i* is ! lovelie/ 
on ! isl&4 ,ab\t a mile & a half f !    
village ( ,kalawao !re is a rocky po9t  
:i* is us$ z an irregul> l&+-place :5 ! 
sea is wild4 ,j beyond ?is po9t !re is  

an inw>d curve ( ! coa/1 mak+ an inlet (
 ! sea2 & f ! wat]'s edge !re slopes    
backw>d into ! bosom ( ! isl& a deep    
rav9e4 ,d[n ?is rav9e !re falls & w9ds a
 gleam+ :ite cat>act1 & "h ! tropical   
vegetation gr[s mo/ beautiful4 ,! trees 
are wrea!d ) moi/ creep]s2 ! edges &    
crevices ( ! lava blocks are fr+$ ) f]ns
 & moss4 ,"h ! wild g+] blooms & !      
crimson lehua4 ,"h gr[ trees ( orange & 
palm & punhala groves4 ,"h "o sees ! r>e
 honey-bird ) its plumage ( sc>let      
velvet1 ! gold5 plov]1 & ! beautiful    
:ite bos'un-bird1 :eel+ ab\t ! black    
cliff heights4 ,! spot is z beautiful z 
a sc5e 9 "s fairy tale4 ,:5 /orms roll 9
 f ! sea ! surf fl[s f> back into ?is   
rav9e1 & sometimes--aft] ! wat]s h      
subsid$--a piece ( wreckage f ! ocean is
 left beh9d4  ,=give me once m1 ,o de>  
,"m6 if aga9 ,i seem to y s idle &      
unmean+ 9 my words4 ,b ,i h f\nd x almo/
 impossible to g on2 &1 besides1 ,i ?9k 
y w ?ank me1 aft] y h read my lett]     
?r\gh1 = tell+ y fir/ ( ?is place4  ,f !

 day ( our fir/ le>n+ t !re 0 a "y _s   
among y :o _h elect$1 = ,*ri/'s sake1 to
 come "h & lab\r ) u1 we _h c\nt$ ! days
 till %e %\ld arrive4 ,! news _h spread 
?r\gh\t ! lep] settlem5t4 ,fa!r ,dami5  
_h made x kn[n to ! lep]s 9 ,kalawao1   
,fa!r ,w5dol5 _h likewise told x among !
 lep]s 9 ,kalapaupa1 & ! ,prote/ant     
m9i/]s spoke ( x to _! flocks4 ,?us h]  
"n _h already become famili> to hundr$s 
( !m1 & _m a pray] _h be5 (f]$ up = h]  
safety4  ,once a week !re comes to      
,molokai f ,honolulu a little /eam]     
call$ ,mokolii4 ,:5 x rea*$ "h la/      
,saturday morn+ x br\ght ! news t j be=e
 x sail$ f ,honolulu ! vessel be>+ ,si/]
 ,dolorosa _h come into port4 ,%e _h be5
 tak5 9 *>ge by ! ,si/]s until !        
,mokolii %\ld return & make ! next trip4
 ,i %\ld add t ! /eam] leaves at ab\t   
five o'clock 9 ! aft]noon1 & t x usually
 rea*es "h at ab\t dawn ( ! foll[+ morn+
 9 ord9>y wea!r4  ,& n[1 de> ,"m1 ,i    
besee* y to lay my lett] aside6 ,d n    
read fur!r n[4 ,lay x aside1 & d n take 

x up aga9 until y h s\ght 9 pray] !     
consolation ( our div9e religion = !    
sorr[s ( our lives4  ,i %all believe t y
 h done ?is1 & t1 z y n[ g on ) ! read+ 
( my lett]1 y h ga9$ ! =titude to he>   
:at ,i h sc>cely ! p[] to write4 ,heav5 
kn[s t 9 my poor way ,i h s\ght to      
prep>e y6  ,z x 0 expect$ t ! /eam] w\ld
 rea* ! isl& ab\t dawn on ,saturday     
morn+1 z usual1 x _h be5 arrang$ t _m ( 
u %\ld be at ! l&+-place to give h]     
welcome4 ,b ab\t midnight "o ( ! t]rific
 /orms :i* visit ?is region sudd5ly     
desc5d$1 envelop+ ! heav5s1 t _h be5    
full ( ! light ( ! />s1 9 imp5etrable   
d>kness4 ,we 7 sleepless ) appreh5sion t
 ! vessel w\ld be driv5 ^u ! rocks--su* 
0 ! direction ( ! /orm--long be=e x c\ld
 come opposite ! villages3 & a few h\rs 
be=e day ,fa!r ,dami51 accompani$ by    
,fa!r ,conradi1 ,bro!r ,james1 & ,bro!r 
,joseph1 w5t d[n to ! coa/4 ,?r\gh !    
rema9+ h\rs ( ! night !y wat*$ & wait$1 
n[ at "o po9t1 & n[ at ano!r1 kn[+ t !  
vessel c\ld nev] l& 9 su* a /orm4 ,z !  

dawn broke !y foll[$ up ! coa/ until !y 
came opposite t rocky po9t ( :i* ,i h   
already spok5 z be+ an irregul>         
l&+-place4  ,"h !y 7 met by two or ?ree 
m5 :o 7 dr5*$ ) ! sea1 & j />t+ t[>ds ! 
villages1 & f !m !y le>n$ t1 an h\r or  
two be=e1 ! /eam] _h be5 driv5 ^u !     
hidd5 rocks ( ! po9t4 ,x _h be5 fe>$ t x
 w\ld soon be sunk or da%$ to pieces1 & 
z quickly z possible a boat _h be5 put  
(f1 9 :i* 7 ! lep] girls t 7 be+ br\ght 
f ,honolulu4 ,!re 0 little hope t x w\ld
 ev] rea* ! %ore1 b x 0 ! la/ *ance (   
life4 ,9 ?is boat1 de> ,"m1 ,si/]       
,dolorosa also 0 plac$4 ,imm$iately     
aft]w>ds a second boat 0 put (f1 conta9+
 ! o!rs t 7 on bo>d4  ,( ! fate ( ! fir/
 boat !y _h le>n$ no?+4 ,_! own _h be5  
almo/ imm$iately capsiz$1 &1 s f> z !y  
knew1 !y 7 ! sole survivors4 ,!         
,hawaiians are ! mo/ exp]t ( swimm]s1   
be+ almo/ native to ! sea2 & s9ce !     
di/ance 0 %ort1 & only ^! surviv$1 y w  
realise h[ little *ance !re 0 = any o!r4
  ,dur+ ! e>ly h\rs ( ! morn+1 :i* broke

 d>k & inexpressibly sad = u1 a few     
bodies 7 f\nd wa%$ a%ore1 among !m ^? ( 
two lep] girls ( ,honolulu4 ,b our se>* 
= h] long prov$ unavail+4 ,at l5g? ,fa!r
 ,dami5 sugge/$ t we foll[ up ! rav9e   
:i* ,i h describ$1 & x 0 ?i!r t he &    
,bro!r ,joseph & ,i accord+ly w5t4 ,fa!r
 ,dami5 ?\ght x well t ,i %\ld g ) !m4  
,x 0 f> inl&1 de> ,"m1 t at la/ we f\nd 
h]4 ,%e lay out/ret*$ on a b>e1 black   
rock ( lava1 :i* slop$ upw>d f ! sea4   
,h] nak$ :ite feet re/$ on ! gre5 moss t
 fr+$ its l[] edge1 & h] head 0 %elt]$ f
 ! burn+ sun by bran*es ( f]ns4 ,almo/  
ov] h] eyes--! lids ( :i* 7 /iff ) !    
salt ( ! ocean--!re hung a spray ( :ite 
poppies4 ,x 0 z ?\gh nature w\ld be k9d 
to h] 9 dea?4  ,at ! sight ( h] face1 s 
"y1 & hav+ 9 x ! purity & ! peace (     
,heav51 we knelt d[n ar\nd h] )\t a ^w1 
& = a :ile we c\ld d no?+ b weep4       
,surely no?+ s spotless 0 ev] wa%$ a%ore
 on ?is pollut$ isl&6 ,if ,i s9n$1 ,i   
pray to be =giv52 b ,i f\nd a /range joy
 9 ?9k+ t ! corruption ( ?is t]rible    

disease _h nev] be5 laid ^u h]4 ,heav5  
_h accept$ 9 advance h] fai?ful _s1 & _h
 sp>$ h] ! long ye>s ( bodily suff]+4   
,at ,fa!r ,dami5's direction ,bro!r     
,joseph return$ to ! village = a bi] & =
 f\r lep]s :o %\ld be /rong en\gh to be>
 x4 ,:5 !y came we laid h] on x1 & bore 
h] back to ! village1 :]e ,"m ,m>ianne  
took ! body 9 *>ge & prep>$ x = burial4 
,h[ %all ,i describe h] fun]al8 ,! lep]s
 7 h] pall-be>]s4 ,! news ( ! %ipwreck  
_h quickly spread ?r\gh\t ! settlem5t1 &
 ^! simple1 g5]\s p yield !mselves s    
readily to ! emotion ( ! h\r4 ,:5 ! "t  
arriv$1 x seem$ t all :o c\ld walk _h   
come to foll[ h] to ! *ur*y>d4 ,x 0 a   
mov+ sight--! long1 wav]+ tra9 ( t      
dea?-/rick5 ?rong1 ^: suff]+s _h s t\*$ 
! pity ( our ,"l :5 ,he 0 on e>?1 & !   
desolation ( ^: fate %e _h come to      
less54 ,!re 7 ! "y & ! old alike1       
,prote/ants & ,ca?olics )\t di/9ction1  
*ildr5 ) _! faces s /rangely ag$ )      
ravages ( ! leprosy1 ^? advanc$ 9 ye>s )
 !irs s mutilat$ & m>r$4 ,o!rs1 ^u :om !

 leprosy _h made su* advances t !y 7 too
 weak to walk1 sat 9 _! cottage doors & 
lift$ _! husky voices 9 s++ t wail+     
native hymn 9 :i* !y bemoan _! hopeless 
fate4 ,"s ( ! wom51 aft] a fa%ion ( _!  
own1 wore l>ge wrea?s ( blue blossoms & 
gre5 leaves ab\t _! )]$ faces4  ,& x 0  
?us t we lep]s--,i say we lep]s because 
,i am "o ( !m1 s9ce ,i _c expect long to
 escape ! disease--x 0 ?us t we lep]s   
foll[$ h] to ! gravey>d 9 ! rock by !   
blue sea1 :]e ,fa!r ,dami5 ) 8 own h&s  
_h help$ to dig h] grave4 ,& !re1 de>   
,"m1 all t is mortal ( h] n[ re/s4 ,b we
 "k t ere ?is %e has he>d ! words3 ',i 0
 sick1 & ye visit$ me4'  ,"m ,m>ianne   
w\ld h]self h writt51 b %e 0 call$ away 
to ! ,lepros]ie4                        
,,si/] ,,aga?a4     ,,po/hum\s ,,fame2  
,,or1 ,a ,,leg5d ,,( ,,! ,,beautiful    
,i4   ,!re once liv$ 9 a great city1 :]e
 ! dead 7 all b innum]able1 a "y man by 
! "n ( ,ni*olas ,vane1 :o possess$ a    
s+ul> g5ius = ! mak+ ( tomb/ones4 ,s    
beautiful !y 71 & s fitly design$ to    

express ! %ad[y pa9 ( mortal memory or !
 bright =eca/+ ( et]nal hope1 t all     
p]sons 7 held =tunate :o c\ld secure !m 
= ! calm re/+-places ( _! belov$        
sleep]s4 ,inde$1 ! curi\s tale 0 :isp]$ 
r\nd t ! b]eft 7 n 8 only patrons1 b t  
c]ta9 p]sonages :o 7 peculi>ly ambiti\s 
( po/hum\s fame--see+ !y _h n long to   
live1 & unwill+ to intru/ o!rs ) ! grave
 responsibility ( hav+ !m               
commemorat$--_h gone to 8 %op & secretly
 advis$ ) him respect+ su* monum5ts z   
might pres]ve _! memories f too swift   
oblivion4  ,h[ev] ?is may fall out1     
c]ta9 x is t 8 call+ _h its secrets2 &  
once he 0 kn[n to obs]ve t no man c\ld  
ev] und]/& ! human he>t until he _h     
become a mak] ( tomb/ones4 ,:e!r ! k ?us
 d]iv$ %\ld make ( "o a laugh+ or a     
weep+ philosoph]1 ,ni*olas himself      
rema9$ a joy\s type ( y\?ful manhood--s 
joy\s1 9 fact1 t a fri5d ( 8 :o wr\ght 9
 col\r1 /roll+ "o day into ! work%op :]e
 ,ni*olas /ood surr\nd$ by ! exquisite  
%apes ( memorial m>bles1 _h ask$ to pa9t

 ! sc5e z a repres5tation ( ,life       
*isell+ to its beautiful purposes !     
rugg$ symbols ( ,dea?1 & smil+ z x wove 
! words ( love & fai? across ! /ony     
pro(s ( ! univ]sal trag$y4 ,aft]w>ds1 x 
is true1 a great *ange 0 wr\ght 9 ! "y  
artisan4  ,he _h j come 9 "o morn+ &    
paus$ to look ar\nd at ! v>i\s f9i%$ &  
unf9i%$ mortu>y designs4  ,truly1 he    
said to himself all at once1 if ,i 7 a  
wise man1 ,i'd beg9 ?is day's bus9ess by
 *isell+ my own head-/one4 ,= :o kn[s b 
t be=e sunset my bro!r ! grav$igg] may  
be told to build me "o ( ! h\ses t la/  
till doomsday6 ,& :at man c\ld !n make !
 monum5t to /op ! door ( my h\se )4 ,b  
:y %\ld ,i h a monum5t8 ,if ,i lie b5ea?
 x1 ,i %all n "k ,i lie !re4 ,if ,i lie 
n !re1 !n x w n /& ov] me4 ,s1 :e!r ,i  
lie !re1 or lie n !re1 :at w x matt] to 
me !n8 ,ay2 b :at if1 be+ dead only to  
?is _w & liv+ 9 ano!r1 ,i %\ld yet look 
on ! monum5t erect$ to my memory & !re=e
 be ! happi]8 ,i "k n2 nor to :at end we
 are vex$ ) ?is desire to be rememb]$   

aft] dea?4 ,! prospect ( vani%+ f a     
poor1 toilsome life fills u ) su*       
con/]nation & pa96 ,x is !re=e we /rive 
to impress ourselves ineffaceably on !  
race1 s t1 aft] we h gone h5ce1 or ceas$
 to be1 we may /ill h incorporeal       
habitation among all com+ g5]ations4    
,"h he 0 int]rupt$ by a l[ knock at !   
door4 ,bidd5 to come 91 !re ent]$ a man 
( delicate physiognomy1 :o ?rew a hurri$
 glance ar\nd & inquir$ 9 an anxi\s     
tone--  ,sir1 are y alone8  ,i am nev]  
alone1 repli$ ,ni*olas 9 a r++ voice2 = 
,i dwell h>d by ! gate-way ( life &     
dea?1 ?r\gh :i* a multitude is always   
pass+4  ,n s l\d1 ,i besee* y1 said !   
visitor1 /ret*+ =? 8 ?91 :ite h&s ) eag]
 deprecation4 ,i w\ld n1 = ! _w1 h any  
"o discov] t ,i h be5 "h4  ,are y1 !n1 a
 p]sonage ( su* importance to ! _w8 said
 ,ni*olas1 smil+1 = ! /rang]'s appe>ance
 argu$ no worldly consid]ation :atsoev]4
 ,! suit ( black1 :i* 8 frail figure    
seem$ to %r9k away f ) v s5sitiv5ess1 0 
glossy & pa!tic ) m ?an "o cov]t pat*4  

,8 %oes 7 du/-cov]$ & worn4 ,8 long hair
 w5t r\nd 8 head 9 a swirl1 & he bore   
himself ) an air ( damag$1 apologetic1  
self-appreciation4  ,i am a poet1 he    
murmur$ ) a flu% ( pa91 dropp+ 8 l>ge   
m\rnful eyes b5ea? ! scrut9y ( "o :o    
might be an unsympa!tic li/5]4 ,i am a  
poet1 & ,i h come to speak ) y privately
 ( my--( !--( a monum5t4 ,i am afraid ,i
 %all be =gott54 ,x is a t]rible ?\ght4 
,c y n tru/ y\r poems to keep y         
rememb]$8 ask$ ,ni*olas1 ) m k9dl9ess4  
,i c\ld if !y 7 z widely read z !y %\ld 
be4 ,he appe>$ embold5$ by 8 he>]'s     
g5tl5ess4 ,b1 to confess ! tru?1 ,i h n 
be5 accept$ by my age4 ,t1 inde$1 %\ld  
give me no pa91 s9ce ,i h n writt5 = x1 
b = ! great future to :i* alone ,i look 
= my fame4  ,!n :y n look to x = y\r    
monum5t also8  ,ah1 sir6 he cri$1 !re   
are s _m poets 9 ! _w t ,i might be     
entirely ov]look$ by po/]ity1 did !re n 
desc5d to x "s sign t ,i 0 held 9 hon\r 
by my own g5]ation4  ,h y nev] notic$1  
he cont9u$1 ) m e>ne/ness1 t :5 /rang]s 

visit a cemet]y !y pay no att5tion to ! 
?\s&s ( little head-/ones t lie scatt]$ 
close to ! gr\nd1 b hunt out ! highe/   
monum5ts1 to le>n 9 ^: hon\r !y 7       
erect$8 ,h y nev] he>d !m exclaim3      
',yond] is a great monum5t6 ,a great man
 mu/ be buri$ !re4 ,let u g & f9d out :o
 he 0 & :at he did to be s celebrat$4'  
,o sir1 y & ,i "k t ?is is a poor way ( 
reason+1 s9ce ! greate/ monum5ts are n  
always set ov] ! greate/ m54 ,/ill !    
cu/om has wr\ght its good effects1 &    
spl5did memorials d s]ve to make kn[n 9 
ye>s to come ^? :om !y commemorate1 by  
incit+ po/]ity to se>* = _! actions or  
revive _! ?\ghts4 ,i w>rant y ! m]e bu/ 
( ,hom]----  ,y are n m5tion+ y\rself 9 
! same brea? ) ,hom]1 ,i hope1 said     
,ni*olas1 ) great good-hum\r4  ,my poems
 are z de> to me z ,hom]'s 7 to him1    
repli$ ! poet1 8 eyes fill+4  ,:at if y 
are =gott58 ,is x n en\gh = ! poet to h 
liv$ = ! sake ( beauty8  ,no6 he cri$   
passionately4 ,:at y say is a mis]able  
error4 ,= ! v pro( ( ! poet's vocation  

is 9 creat+ ! beautiful4 ,b h[ "k he has
 creat$ x8 ,by 8 own m9d8 ,alas1 !      
poet's m9d tells him only :at is        
beautiful to him6 ,x is by fame t he    
kn[s x--fame1 ! gratitude ( m5 = !      
beauty he has reveal$ to !m6 ,:at is s  
sweet1 !n1 z ! k t fame has come to him 
already1 or surely awaits him aft] he is
 dead8  ,we lab\r "u "s confusion (     
ideas1 ,i fe>1 said ,ni*olas1 &1        
besides1 are los+ "t4 ,:at k9d ( mon----
  ,t ,i leave to y1 int]rupt$ ! poet4   
,only1 ,i %\ld l my monum5t to be       
beautiful4 ,ah1 if y b knew h[ all ?r\gh
 ?is poor life ( m9e ,i h lov$ !        
beautiful6 ,nev]1 nev] h ,i drawn ne> x 
9 any visible =m )\t almo/ hold+ my     
brea? z ?\gh ,i 7 look+ deep1 deep into 
,god's op5$ eyes4 ,b x 0 ( ! epitaph ,i 
wi%$ to speak4  ,h]eupon1 ) a deep]     
flu%1 he drew f a l>ge inside           
brea/-pocket1 t seem$ to h be5 made = ! 
purpose1 a worn duodecimo volume1 & fell
 to turn+ ! mu*-f+]$ pages4  ,?is1 he   
murmur$ fondly1 )\t look+ up1 is !      

complete collection ( my poems4  ,inde$6
 exclaim$ ,ni*olas1 ) deep compassion4  
,yes1 my complete collection4 ,i h      
writt5 a great deal m1 & %\ld h lik$ to 
publi% all t ,i h writt54 ,b x 0        
necess>y to select1 & ,i h includ$ "h   
only :at x 0 intol]able to see wa/$4    
,!re is no?+ ,i value m ?an a gr\p (    
elegiac poems1 :i* e s+le memb] ( my    
l>ge family--:o are f9e critics--& all  
my fri5ds1 pron\nce v beautiful4 ,i ?9k 
x w\ld be a good idea to inscribe a     
selection f "o on my monum5t1 s9ce ^? :o
 read ! selection w\ld wi% to read !    
entire poem1 & ^? :o read ! entire poem 
w\ld wi% to read ! entire collection4 ,i
 %all n[ fav\r y ) ^! elegies4  ,i %\ld 
be happy to he> !m2 b my "t6 said       
,ni*olas c\rte\sly4 ,! liv+ are too     
impati5t to wait on me2 ! dead too      
pati5t to be defraud$4  ,surely y w\ld n
 refuse to he> "o ( !m1 exclaim$ ! poet1
 8 eyes fla%+4  ,read "o1 by all means4 
,ni*olas seat$ himself on a monum5tal   
lamb4  ,! poet pass$ "o h& g5tly across 

8 =ehead1 z ?\gh to bru% away ! /roke ( 
rud5ess2 !n1 fix+ ^u ,ni*olas a look (  
inf9ite remot5ess1 he read z foll[s3--  
,he suff]$1 b he murmur$ n2       ,to e 
/orm he b>$ 8 brea/2     ,he ask$ b = ! 
common lot--       ,to be a man among ! 
re/4      ,"h lies he n[----  ,if y ask 
b = ! common lot1 int]rupt$ ,ni*olas1 y 
%\ld re/ cont5t to be =gott54  ,b be=e !
 poet c\ld reply1 a l\d knock caus$ him 
to flap ! leaves ( ! ,complete          
,collection toge!r ) "o h&1 :ile ) ! o!r
 he ga!r$ ! tails ( 8 long coat ab\t    
him1 z ?\gh prep>+ to pass ?r\gh "s     
difficult ap]ture4 ,! exaltation ( 8    
mood1 h[ev]1 /ill %[$ itself 9 ! look & 
tone ( pr\d condesc5sion ) :i* he said  
to ,ni*olas--  ,p]mit me to retire at   
once by "s private passway4  ,ni*olas l$
 him to a door 9 ! re> ( ! %op1 & !re1 )
 a smile & a te>1 /ood = a mom5t wat*+ !
 precipitate figure ( ! retreat+ b>d1 :o
 sudd5ly paus$ :5 disappe>+ & tore op5 !
 brea/ ( 8 coat to assure himself t 8   
belov$ elegies 7 re/+ safe across 8     

he>t4  ,! second visitor 0 ( ano!r sort4
 ,he hobbl$ on a cork leg1 b inexorably 
discipl9$ ! fle%ly "o into old-"t       
firmness & precision4 ,a fad$ milit>y   
cloak drap$ 8 /alw>t figure4 ,"p ( "o   
bu%y grey eyebr[ _h be5 *ipp$ away by ! 
same sword-cut t left its sc> across 8  
battle-beat5 face4  ,i h come to speak )
 y ab\t my monum5t1 he said1 9 a gruff  
voice t seem$ to issue f ! m\? ( a ru/y 
cannon4 ,^? ( my old comrades t did n   
fall at my side are dead4 ,my wife di$  
long ago1 & my little *ildr54 ,i am old 
& =gott54 ,x is a "t ( peace4 ,!re's n a
 boy :o w n[ li/5 to me :ile ,i tell (  
my campaigns4 ,i live alone4 ,7 ,i to   
die to-morr[ my grave might n h s mu* z 
a head-/one4 ,x might be tak5 = t ( a   
c[>d4 ,make me a monum5t = a true       
soldi]4  ,y\r grateful c\ntry w d t1    
said ,ni*olas4  ,ha6 exclaim$ ! vet]an1 
:om ! %ock ( battle _h made deaf long   
ago4  ,y\r c\ntry1 %\t$ ,ni*olas1 close 
to 8 e>1 y\r c\ntry--w erect a          
monum5t--to y\r memory4  ,my c\ntry6 ,! 

words 7 %ot out ) a rev]b]at+1 melan*oly
 boom4 ,my c\ntry w d no su* a ?+4 ,h[  
_m millions ( soldi]s h fall5 on h]     
battle-fields6 ,:]e are _! monum5ts8 ,!y
 w\ld make h] "o va/ cemet]y4  ,b is x n
 en\gh = y to h be5 a true soldi]8 ,:y  
wi% to be kn[n & rememb]$ = x8  ,i "k ,i
 d n wi% to be =gott51 he repli$ simply4
 ,i "k ,i take pleasure 9 ! ?\ght t long
 aft] ,i am =gott5 !re w be a tongue 9  
my monum5t to cry out to e pass+ /rang]1
 ',"h lies ! body ( a true soldi]4' ,x  
is a great ?+ to be brave6  ,is1 !n1 ?is
 monum5t to be erect$ 9 hon\r ( brav]y1 
or ( y\rself8  ,!re is no diff]5ce1 said
 ! vet]an bluntly4 ,brav]y is myself4   
,x is brav]y1 he cont9u$1 9 husky tones1
 & )1 a mi/ ga!r+ 9 8 eyes t made him   
w9k z ?\gh he 7 try+ to see ?r\gh !     
smoke ( battle--x is brav]y t ,i see mo/
 cle>ly 9 ! "* ( ,god4 ,:at w\ld become 
( u if ,he 7 a c[>d8 ,i s]ve ,him z my  
brave ,comm&]2 & ?\gh ,i am /ation$ f> f
 ,him & may be fa9t & sorely w\nd$1 ,i  
"k t ,he is some:]e on ! battle-field1 &

 t ,i %all see ,him at la/1 approa*+ me 
z ,he moves up & d[n among ! ranks4  ,b 
y say t y\r c\ntry does n notice y--t y 
h no fri5ds2 d y1 !n1 feel no res5tm5t8 
,none1 none1 he answ]$ quickly1 ?\gh 8  
head dropp$ on 8 bosom4  ,& y wi% to be 
rememb]$ by a _w t is will+ to =get y8  
,he lift$ 8 head pr\dly4 ,!re are _m    
true m5 9 ! _w1 he said1 & x has mu* to 
?9k (4 ,i owe x all ,i c give1 all ,i c 
bequea?2 & ,i c bequea? x no?+ b !      
memory ( a true man4  ,"o day1 n long   
aft] ?is1 !re came into ! work%op (     
,ni*olas a v5]able man ( ! grave/1      
sweete/1 & mo/ s*ol>ly aspect1 :o spoke 
n a ^w until he _h l$ ,ni*olas to !     
front w9d[ & po9t$ a trembl+ f+] at a   
di/ant *ur* spire4  ,y see yon spire8 he
 said4 ,x almo/ pi]ces ! cl\ds4 ,9 !    
*ur* b5ea? ,i h prea*$ to m5 & wom5 =   
ne>ly fifty ye>s4 ,_m t ,i h *ri/5$ at !
 font ,i h m>ri$ at ! alt>2 _m ( ^! ,i h
 spr9kl$ ) du/4 ,:at h ,i n done = !m 9 
sorr[ & want6 ,h[ h ,i n toil$ to set !m
 9 ! way ( pur] pleasures & to an*or _! 

tempe/-toss$ hopes6 ,& yet h[ soon !y w 
=get me6 ,already _m say ,i am too old  
to prea*4 ,too old6 ,i prea* bett] ?an  
,i ev] did 9 my life4 ,yet x may be my  
lot to w&] d[n into ! deep valley1 an   
idle %eph]d ) an idle crook4 ,i h j come
 f ! writ+ ( my next s]mon1 9 :i* ,i    
exhort my p to /rive t _! names be n    
writt5 on e>?ly monum5ts or human he>ts1
 b 9 ! ,book ( ,life4 ,x is my sublime/ 
!me4 ,if ,i am ev] eloqu5t1 if ,i am ev]
 p]suasive1 if ,i ev] = "o mom5t draw   
aside to spiritual eyes ! veil t        
discloses ! calm1 enraptur+ vi/as (     
et]nity1 x is :5 ,i measure my f9ite    
/r5g? aga9/ ?is mighty task4 ,b :y8     
,because !y are ! s]mons ( my own       
aspiration4 ,i prea* !m to my own s\l4  
,face to face ) t nak$ s\l ,i p5 ^?     
s]mons--p5 !m :5 all are asleep save !  
sleepless ,eye t is ^u me4 ,ev5 9 !     
light ( t ,eye d ,i recoil f ! ?\ght (  
be+ =gott54 ,h[ cle>ly ,i =esee x6 ,a%es
 to a%es1 du/ to du/6 ,:]e !n w be my   
doctr9es1 my pray]s1 my s]mons8  ,is x n

 en\gh = y to h scatt]$ y\r h&ful ( good
 broadca/1 to rip5 z endlessly z !      
grass8 ,:at if !y t ga!r "k naught ( him
 t s[$8  ,x is n en\gh4 ,i %\ld l !     
memory ( me to live on & on 9 ! _w1     
insep>able f ! good ,i may h done4 ,:at 
am ,i b ! good t is 9 me8 ',tis ?is t   
l9ks me to ! inf9ite & ! p]fect4 ,does n
 ! ,p]fect ,"o wi% ,8 goodness to be    
associat$ ) ,8 "n8 ,no6 ,no6 ,i d n wi% 
to be =gott56  ,x is m]e vanity4  ,n    
vanity1 said ! ag$ s]vitor meekly4 ,wait
 until y are old1 till ! grave is at y\r
 helpless feet3 x is ! love ( life4  ,b 
"s ye>s lat] !re befell ,ni*olas an ev5t
 t transc5d$ all pa/ exp]i5ces1 & left  
its impress on 8 :ole subsequ5t life4   
,,ii4   ,! h\r _h pass$ :5 any "o 0     
likely to ent] 8 %op4 ,a few rays ( pale
 sunlight1 /raggl+ 9 ?r\gh crevices ( ! 
door1 re/$ l a dy+ halo on ! heads ( !  
monum5tal figures gr\p$ ar\nd4 ,%ad[s1  
creep+ upw>d f ! gr\nd1 %r\d$ all else 9
 ?91 p5etrable half-gloom1 ?r\gh :i* !  
/>k grey emblems ( mortality s5t =? m   

solemn sugge/ions4 ,a sudd5 s5se ( !    
e>?ly trag$y ov]:elm$ him4 ,! *isel & ! 
hamm] dropp$ f 8 h&s1 &1 re/+ 8 head on 
! block he _h be5 c>v+1 he gave himself 
up to t mood ( dim1 di/ant rev]ie 9 :i* 
! s\l seems to so> & float f> above !   
%ock & d9 ( ! _w's di/urb+ ne>ness4 ,on 
8 all b oblivi\s e>1 l ! fa9t wa%+s ( "s
 remote sea1 beat ! waves ( ! city's    
tide-driv5 life 9 ! /reets outside4 ,!  
room itself seem$ hu%$ to ! awful       
/illness ( ! high a]ial spaces4 ,!n all 
at once ?is /illness 0 brok5 by a voice1
 l[1 cle>1 & tremul\s1 say+ close to 8  
e>--  ,are y ! mak] ( grave/ones8  ,t is
 my sad call+1 he cri$ bitt]ly1 />t+ up 
) in/9ctive =ebod+s4  ,he saw be=e him a
 veil$ figure4 ,to support h]self1 %e   
re/$ "o h& on ! block he _h be5 c>v+1   
:ile %e press$ ! o!r aga9/ h] he>t1 z   
?\gh to /ifle pa94  ,^: monum5t is ?is8 
,a neglect$ poet's :o di$ n long ago4   
,soon1 p]haps1 ,i %all be mak+ "o = an  
old soldi]1 & "o = a holy man1 ^: s\l1  
,i he>1 is ab\t to be dismiss$4  ,are n 

"s monum5ts sadd] to make ?an o!rs8     
,ay1 truly4  ,:at is ! sadde/ y ev]     
made8  ,! sadde/ monum5t ,i ev] made 0  
"o = a poor "m :o _h lo/ h] only son4   
,"o day a woman came 9 :o _h no soon]   
ent]$ ?an %e sat d[n & gave way to a    
passionate outbur/ ( grief4  ',my good  
woman1' ,i said1 ':y d y weep s         
bitt]ly8'  ',d n call me good1' %e      
moan$1 & hid h] face4  ,i !n p]ceiv$ h] 
fall5 "*4 ,:5 %e recov]$ self-control %e
 drew f h] s9ful bosom an old purse     
fill$ ) co9s ( diff]5t values4  ',:y d y
 give me ?is8' ,i ask$4  ',x is to pay =
 a monum5t = my son1' %e said1 & ! /orm 
( h] grief swept ov] h] aga94  ,i le>n$ 
t = ye>s %e _h toil$ & />v$ to ho>d up a
 sum ) :i* to build a monum5t to 8      
memory1 = he _h nev] fail$ ( 8 duty to  
h] aft] all o!rs _h ca/ h] out4 ,c]ta9ly
 he _h 8 rew>d1 n 9 ! monum5t1 b 9 !    
rep5tance :i* came to h] aft] 8 dea?4 ,i
 h nev] se5 su* sorr[ = evil z ! memory 
( 8 love wr\ght 9 h]4 ,= h]self %e      
desir$ only t ! spot :]e %e %\ld be     

buri$ might be unkn[n4 ,?is long+ to be 
=gott5 has l$ me to believe t none      
desire to be rememb]$ = ! evil t is 9   
!m1 b only = "s tru?1 or beauty1 or     
goodness by :i* !y h l9k$ _! individual 
lives to ! g5]al life ( ! race4 ,ev5 !  
ly+ epitaphs 9 cemet]ies prove h[ we    
w\ld fa9 h ! dead array$ on ! side ( "r 
9 ! ?\ghts ( _! survivors4 ,?is wret*$  
"m & human outca/1 believ+ h]self to h  
lo/ ev]y?+ t makes x well to be         
rememb]$1 crav$ only ! m]cy (           
=getfulness4  ,& yet ,i ?9k %e di$ a    
,*ri/ian s\l4  ,y knew h]1 !n8  ,i 0 )  
h] 9 ! la/ h\rs4 ,%e told me h] /ory4   
,%e told me also ( y1 & t y w\ld accept 
no?+ = ! monum5t y 7 at su* c>e to make4
 ,x is p]haps = ?is reason t ,i h felt  
"s desire to see y1 & t ,i am "h n[ to  
speak ) y (----  ,a %udd] pass$ ov] h]4 
,aft] all1 t 0 n a sad1 b a joy\s       
monum5t to fa%ion1 %e add$ abruptly4    
,ay1 x 0 joy\s4 ,b to me ! joy\s & ! sad
 are mu* alli$ 9 ! ?+s ( ?is life4  ,&  
yet !re might be "o monum5t :olly sad1  

might !re n8  ,!re might be1 b ,i "k n  
^: x w\ld be4  ,if %e y love %\ld die1  
w\ld n h]s be s8  ,until ,i love1 & %e  
,i love is dead1 ,i _c "k1 said         
,ni*olas1 smil+4  ,:at builds ! mo/     
monum5ts8 %e ask$ quickly1 z ?\gh to    
retreat f h] levity4  ,pride builds     
_m--spl5did ones4 ,gratitude builds "s1 
=giv5ess "s1 & pity "s4 ,b fai? builds m
 ?an ^!1 ?\gh (t5 poor1 humble ones2 &  
love6--love builds m ?an all ?+s else   
toge!r4  ,& :at1 ( all ?+s t monum5ts   
are built 9 memory (1 is mo/ lov$ &     
soone/ =gott58 %e ask$1 ) int5sity4     
,nay1 ,i _c tell t4  ,is x n a beautiful
 woman8 ,?is1 y say1 is ! monum5t ( a   
poet4 ,aft] ! poet gr[s old1 m5 love him
 = ! songs he sang2 !y love ! old soldi]
 = ! battles he f\ght1 & ! prea*] = 8   
rememb]$ pray]s4 ,b a woman6 ,:o loves  
h] = ! beauty %e once possess$1 or r    
reg>ds h] n ) ! m di/a/e8 ,is !re 9     
hi/ory a figure s lonely & despis$ z t (
 ! woman1 :o1 once ! mo/ beautiful 9 !  
_w1 crept back into h] native l& a )]$  

hag8 ,or1 if a woman die :ile %e is yet 
beautiful1 h[ long is %e rememb]$8 ,h]  
beauty is l heat & light--p[]ful only = 
^? :o feel & see x4  ,b ,ni*olas _h     
sc>cely he>d h]4 ,8 eyes _h become      
rivet$ ^u h] h&1 :i* re/$ on ! m>ble1 z 
:ite z ?\gh gr[n out ( x "u ! lab\rs ( 8
 *isel4  ,my lady1 he said1 ) ! deepe/  
respect1 w y p]mit me to look at y\r h&8
 ,i h c>v$ _m a "o 9 m>ble1 & /udi$ _m a
 "o 9 life2 b nev] h ,i se5 any?+ s     
beautiful z y\rs4  ,he took x ) an      
arti/'s impetuosity & b5t ov] x1 lay+   
its palm aga9/ "o ( 8 own & /rok+ x     
s(tly ) ! o!r4 ,! blood leap$ ?r\gh 8   
he>t1 & he sudd5ly lift$ x to 8 lips4   
,god only c make ! h& beautiful1 he     
said4  ,displac$ by h] arm :i* he _h    
uprais$1 ! light fabric t _h conceal$ h]
 figure p>t$ on h] bosom & slipp$ to !  
gr\nd4 ,8 eyes swept ov] ! p]fect %ape t
 /ood reveal$4 ,! veil /ill conceal$ h] 
face4 ,! /rangely m+l$ emotions t _h be5
 deep5+ )9 him all ?is "t n[ bl5d$      
!mselves 9 "o irrepressible wi%4  ,w y  

p]mit me to see y\r face8  ,%e drew     
quickly back4 ,a subtle pa9 0 9 8 voice 
z he cri$--  ,o my lady6 ,i ask x z "o  
:o has pure eyes = ! beautiful4  ,my    
face belongs to my pa/4 ,x has be5 my   
sorr[2 x is no?+ n[4  ,only p]mit me to 
see x6  ,is !re no o!r face y w\ld r    
see8  ,:o c fa?om ! motive ( a woman's  
que/ions8  ,none1 none6  ,%e drew aside 
h] veil1 & h] eyes re/$ quietly on 8 l a
 revelation4 ,s "y %e 0 z h>dly yet to  
be a woman1 & h] beauty _h 9 x t s]aphic
 purity & my/]i\s pa?os :i* is nev] se5 
9 a woman's face until ! t\* ( ano!r _w 
has *a/5$ h] _s into ! resignation ( a  
sa9t4 ,! he>t ( ,ni*olas 0 wrung by !   
sight ( x ) a sudd5 s5se ( inconsolable 
loss & long+4  ,o my lady6 he cri$1 s9k+
 on "o knee & t\*+ 8 lips to h] h& )    
great] g5tl5ess4 ,d y inde$ ?9k ! beauty
 ( a woman s soon =gott58 ,z long z ,i  
live1 y\rs w be z fre% 9 my memory z x 0
 ! mom5t aft] ,i fir/ saw x 9 its       
p]fection & felt its p[]4  ,d n recall  
to me ! sorr[ ( su* ?\ghts4 ,%e t\*$ h] 

he>t4 ,my he>t is a tir$ h\r-glass4     
,already ! s&s are wellnigh run ?r\gh4  
,any h\r x may /op1 & !n--out l a light6
 ,%apeless a%es6 ,i h lov$ life well1 b 
n s well t ,i h n be5 able to prep>e to 
leave x4  ,%e spoke ) ! utmo/ simplicity
 & calmness1 yet h] eyes 7 turn$ )      
unspeakable sadness t[>ds ! %ad[y       
recesses ( ! room1 :]e f _! p$e/als !   
monum5tal figures look$ d[n ^u h] z ?\gh
 !y w\ld h op5$ _! m>ble lips & said1   
,poor *ild6 ,poor *ild6  ,i h _h my wi% 
to see y & to see ?is place4 ,be=e long 
"s "o w come "h to h y c>ve a monum5t to
 ! mo/ p]i%able ( all ?+s4 ,l ! poor "m 
:o _h no wi% to be rememb]$----         
,ni*olas 0 mov$ to ! deepe/4  ,i h b    
little skill1 he said4 ,! great ,god did
 n be/[ on me ! g5ius ( ,8 fav\rite     
*ildr5 ( sculpture4 ,b if s sad & sacr$ 
a *>ge %\ld ev] become m9e1 ) ,8 help ,i
 w re> su* a monum5t to y\r memory t z  
long z x /&s none :o see x w ev] be able
 to =get y4 ,ye> aft] ye> y\r memory    
%all gr[ z a leg5d ( ! beautiful4  ,:5  

%e 0 gone he sat self-=getful until !   
d>kness grew imp5etrable4 ,z he grop$ 8 
way out at la/ along ! ?ick guide-po/s (
 dea?1 h] voice seem$ to float t[>ds him
 f e head-/one1 h] "n to be writt5 9 e  
epitaph4  ,! next day a %ad[ brood$ ov] 
! place4 ,day by day x deep5$4 ,he w5t  
out to seek intellig5ce ( h]4 ,9 ! qu>t]
 ( ! city :]e %e liv$ he discov]$ t h]  
"n _h already become a nucleus ar\nd :i*
 7 beg9n+ to clu/] _m little leg5ds ( ! 
beautiful4 ,he _h b to he> recitals ( h]
 de$s ( k9dness & m]cy4 ,= ! *ance (    
see+ h] aga9 he began to haunt !        
neighb\rhood2 !n1 hav+ se5 h]1 he w\ld  
return to 8 %op ! victim ( m unavail+   
desire4 ,all ?+s comb9$ to awake 9 him t
 passion ( love ^: roots are n\ri%$ 9 ! 
s\l's f9e/ soil ( pity & hopelessness4  
,once or twice1 "u "s pretext1 he made  
bold to acco/ h]2 & once1 "u ! /ress ( 8
 passion1 he mutely lift$ 8 eyes1       
confess+ 8 love2 b h]s 7 turn$ aside4   
,meantime he began to dream ( ! monum5t 
he *ose to consid] %e _h committ$ to 8  

mak+4 ,x %\ld be ! triumph ( 8 art2 b m1
 x w\ld repres5t 9 /one ! indissoluble  
union ( 8 love ) h] memory4 ,?r\gh him  
alone w\ld %e ent] ^u h] long aft]-life 
( sa9t-l rem9isc5ce4  ,:5 ! tid+s ( h]  
dea? came1 he soon sprang up f !        
pro/ration ( 8 grief ) a burn+ desire to
 consummate 8 belov$ "w4  ,ye> aft] ye> 
y\r memory %all gr[ z a leg5d ( !       
beautiful4  ,^! words n[ became !       
inspiration ( 8 ma/]piece4 ,day & night 
x took %ape 9 ! roll+ *aos ( 8 sorr[4   
,:at sculptor 9 ! _w ev] esp\s$ !       
execution ( a "w t lur$ m irresi/ibly f 
_! hid+-places ! %y & t5d] m9i/]s ( 8   
g5ius8 ,:at "o ev] explor$ ) great]     
boldness ! utmo/ limits ( arti/ic       
expression1 or wr\ght 9 /]n] defiance ( 
! laws ( our common =getfulness8        
,,iii4   ,"o aft]noon1 :5 p ?rong$ !    
great cemet]y ( ! city1 a /roll+ gr\p 7 
held fasc9at$ by ! unique lovel9ess ( a 
newly creat$ monum5t4  ,nev]1 !y        
exclaim$1 h we se5 s exquisite a        
ma/]piece4 ,9 ^: hon\r is x erect$8  ,b 

:5 !y drew ne>]1 !y f\nd c>v$ on x      
simply a woman's "n4  ,:o 0 %e8 !y ask$1
 puzzl$ & disappo9t$4 ,is !re no        
epitaph8  ,ay1 spoke up a "y man ly+ on 
! grass & eag]ly wat*+ ! spectators4    
,ay1 a v fitt+ epitaph4  ,:]e is x8     
,c>v$ on ! he>t ( ! monum5t6 he cri$1 9 
a tone ( triumph4  ,on ! he>t ( !       
monum5t8 ,!n we _c see x4  ,x is n meant
 to be se54  ,h[ d y "k ( x8  ,i made ! 
monum5t4  ,!n tell u :at x is4  ,x _c be
 told4 ,x is !re only because x is      
unkn[n4  ,out on y6 ,y play y\r pranks )
 ! liv+ & ! dead4  ,y w live to regret  
?is day1 said a ?\ghtful by/&]4 ,y h    
tamp]$ ) ! memory ( ! dead4  ,:y1 look  
y1 good p1 cri$ ,ni*olas1 spr++ up &    
approa*+ 8 beautiful ma/]-"w4 ,he re/$  
"o h& lov+ly aga9/ x & glanc$ ar\nd him 
pale ) repress$ excitem5t1 z ?\gh a     
long-look$-= mom5t _h at l5g? arriv$4 ,i
 play no pranks ) ! liv+ or ! dead4 ,"y 
z ,i am1 ,i h fa%ion$ _m monum5ts1 z ?is
 cemet]y w te/ify4 ,b ,i make no m4 ,?is
 is my la/2 & z x is ! la/1 s x is !    

greate/4 ,= ,i h fa%ion$ x 9 su* love & 
sorr[ = h] :o lies b5ea? x z y c nev]   
"k4 ,if x is beautiful1 x is yet an     
unwor?y emblem ( t brief & transport+   
beauty :i* 0 h]s2 & ,i h plant$ x "h    
beside h] grave1 t z a delicate :ite    
fl[] x may exhale ! p]fume ( h] memory =
 c5turies to come4  ,tell me1 he w5t on1
 8 lips trembl+1 8 voice falt]+ ) !     
burd5 ( oppressive hope--tell me1 y :o  
behold x n[1 d y n w$ h] memory         
dea?lessly to x8 ,to its fair %ape1 its 
native & un*ang+ purity8  ,ay1 !y       
int]rupt$ impati5tly4 ,b ! epitaph8     
,ah6 he cri$1 ) t5d]] feel+1 beautiful z
 ! monum5t is to ! eye1 x w\ld be no fit
 emblem ( h] _h x n some?+ sacr$ hidd5  
)94 ,= %e 0 n lovely to ! s5se alone1 b 
_h a p]fect he>t4 ,s ,i h plac$ )9 !    
monum5t t :i* is its he>t1 & typifies   
h]s4 ,&1 m>k y6 he cri$1 9 a voice ( su*
 awful w>n+ t ^? /&+ ne>e/ him          
in/9ctively %rank back1 ! "o is z       
inviolable z ! o!r4 ,no m c\ld y r5d !  
he>t f ! human bosom ?an ?is epitaph f !

 monum5t4 ,my deep & la/+ curse on him  
:o attempts x6 ,= ,i h s fitt$ ! p>ts ( 
! "w toge!r1 t to disunite w\ld be to   
break !m 9 pieces2 & ! inscription is s 
fragile & delicately pois$ )91 t s mu* z
 rudely to j> ! monum5t w\ld %iv] x to  
atoms4 ,x is put !re to be inviolable4  
,seek to "k x1 y de/roy x4 ,?is ,i b    
create aft] ! plan ( ! ,great ,arti/1 :o
 %[s y only ! fair outside ( ,8         
ma/]pieces4 ,:at human eye ev] look$    
into ! my/]i\s he>t ( ,8 beautiful--t   
he>t :i* holds ! secret ( inexhau/ible  
fre%ness & et]nal p[]8 ,c\ld ?is epitaph
 h be5 c>v$ on ! outside1 y w\ld h read 
x & =gott5 x ) natural satiety4 ,b      
uncompreh5d$1 :at a spell ,i m>k x      
ex]cises6 ,y w--nay1 y mu/--rememb] x = 
ev]6 ,y w speak ( x to o!rs4 ,!y w come4
 ,& ?us 9 ev]-wid5+ circle w be borne   
af> ! memory ( h] ^: "n is on x1 !      
emblem ( ^: he>t is hidd5 )94 ,& :at m  
fitt+ memorial c\ld a man re> to a      
woman1 ! pure %ell ( ^: beauty all c    
see1 ! secret ( ^: beautiful be+ no "o  

ev] compreh5ds8  ,he walk$ rapidly away1
 !n1 "s di/ance (f1 turn$ & look$ back4 
,m spectators _h come up4 ,"s 7 e>ne/ly 
talk+1 po9t+ n[ to ! monum5t1 n[ t[>ds  
him4 ,o!rs /ood 9 rapt contemplation ( 8
 ma/]-"w4  ,te>s rose to 8 eyes4 ,a look
 ( ineffable joy ov]spread 8 face4  ,o  
my love6 he murmur$1 ,i h triumph$4     
,dea? has claim$ y\r body1 heav5 y\r _s2
 b ! e>? claims ! sa9tly memory ( ea*4  
,?is day ab\t y\r "n beg9s to gr[ !     
,leg5d ( ! ,beautiful4  ,! sun _h j set4
 ,! e!real :ite %ape ( ! monum5t /ood   
outl9$ aga9/ a s(t backgr\nd (          
rose-col\r$ sky4 ,to 8 transfigur+      
imag9ation x seem$ lift$ f> into !      
cl\d-bas$ heav5s1 & ! ev5+ />1 re/+     
above its apex1 0 a cele/ial lamp l[]$  
to guide ! eye to x ?r\gh ! d>kness ( ! 
desc5d+ night4     ,,iv4   ,my/]i\s     
complexity ( our mortal nature & e/ate t
 we %\ld s desire to be rememb]$ aft]   
dea?1 ?\gh born to be =gott56 ,our words
 & de$s1 ! influ5ces ( our sil5t        
p]sonalities1 d inde$ pass f u into !   

long hi/ory ( ! race & abide = ! re/ (  
"t3 s t an e>?ly immortality is !       
h]itage1 nay1 ! inali5able necessity1 ( 
ev5 ! commone/ lives2 only x is an      
immortality n ( self1 b ( its good &    
evil4 ,= ,nature s[s u & reaps u1 t %e  
may ga!r a h>ve/1 n ( u1 b f u4 ,x is   
,god alone t ga!rs ! h>ve/ ( u4 ,& well 
= u t our de/9y %\ld be t g5]al         
=getfulness we s /rangely %r9k f4 ,= no 
soon] are we gone h5ce ?an1 ev5 = su*   
brief times z our memories may endure1  
we are apt to gr[ by processes (        
accumulative trans=mation into :at we   
nev] 74 ,?\ k9d1 k9d fate1 !re=e--nev]  
en\gh nam$ & celebrat$--t bidde/ ! sun (
 memory rise on our f9i%$ b imp]fect    
lives1 & !n l5g!ne/ or %ort5e/ ! little 
day ( po/hum\s rem9isc5ce1 accord+ z ?\ 
see/ !re is ne$ ( e>ly twilight or (    
deep] %ad[s6         99       99        
99       99       99  ,ye>s pass$4 ,city
 & cemet]y 7 ea* gr[n va/]4 ,x 0 aga9 an
 aft]noon :5 ! p /roll$ among ! graves &
 monum5ts4 ,an old man _h c\rte\sly     

atta*$ himself to a gr\p t /ood ar\nd a 
crumbl+ memorial4 ,he _h rea*$ a great  
age2 b 8 figure 0 erect1 8 face animat$ 
by /rong emotions1 & 8 eyes burn$ b5ea? 
8 br[s4  ,sirs1 said he1 int]pos+ 9 !   
conv]sation1 :i* turn$ :olly on !       
monum5t1 y say no?+ ( him 9 ^: hon\r x 0
 erect$4  ,we say no?+ because we "k    
no?+4  ,is he !n :olly =gott58  ,we are 
n aw>e t he is at all rememb]$4  ,!     
inscription reads3 ',he 0 a poet4' ,"k y
 none ( 8 poems8  ,we h nev] s mu* z    
he>d ( 8 poems4  ,my eyes are dim2 is   
!re no?+ c>v$ b5ea? 8 "n8  ,"o ( !      
by/&]s w5t up & knelt d[n close to !    
base4  ,!re 0 some?+ "h1 b x is effac$  
by "t--,wait6 ,& trac+ 8 f+] sl[ly      
along1 he read l a *ild--               
,he--ask$--b--=--!--common--lot4  ,t is 
all1 he cri$1 spr++ lightly up4 ,oh1 !  
du/ on my knees6 he add$ ) vexation4    
,he may h sung v sweetly1 pursu$ ! old  
man4  ,he may1 inde$6 !y answ]$         
c>elessly4  ,b1 sirs1 cont9u$ he1 ) a   
sad smile1 p]haps y are ! v g5]ation t  

he look$ to = ! fame :i* 8 own d5i$ him2
 p]haps he di$ believ+ t y w\ld fully   
appreciate 8 poems4  ,if s1 x 0 a       
com=table fai? to die 91 !y said1       
laugh+1 9 return4 ,he w nev] "k t we did
 n4 ,a few great poets h po/hum\s fame3 
we "k !m well en\gh4 ,& !y pass$ on4    
,?is1 said ! old man1 z !y paus$        
else:]e1 seems to be ! monum5t ( a true 
soldi]2 "k y aught ( ! victories he     
help$ to w98  ,he may n h help$ to w9   
any victories4 ,he may h be5 a c[>d4 ,h[
 %\ld we "k8 ,epitaphs (t5 lie4 ,! du/  
is peopl$ ) soldi]s4 ,& aga9 !y mov$ on4
  ,does any "o read 8 s]mons n[1 "k y8  
ask$ ! old man z !y paus$ be=e a ?ird   
monum5t4  ,read 8 s]mons6 !y exclaim$1  
laugh+ m he>tily4 ,are s]mons s mu* read
 9 ! c\ntry y come f8 ,see h[ long he   
has be5 dead6 ,:at %\ld ! _w be ?9k+ (1 
to be read+ 8 mu/y s]mons8  ,at lea/    
does x give y no pleasure to read ',he 0
 a good man'8 inquir$ he pla9tively4    
,ay2 b if he 0 good1 0 n 8 goodness its 
own rew>d8  ,he may h also wi%$ long to 

be rememb]$ = x4  ,naturally2 b we h n  
he>d t 8 wi% 0 gratifi$4  ,is x n sad t 
! memory ( s mu* beauty & tru? &        
goodness 9 our common human life %\ld   
p]i%8 ,b1 sirs1--& "h ! old man spoke ) 
sudd5 en]gy--if !re %\ld be "o :o comb9$
 p]fect beauty & tru? & goodness 9 "o =m
 & "*1 d y n ?9k su* a r>e be+ w\ld     
escape ! common fate & be long & widely 
rememb]$8  ,d\btless4  ,sirs1 said he1  
quickly /epp+ 9 front ( !m ) fla%+ eyes1
 is !re 9 all ?is va/ cemet]y n a s+le  
monum5t t has kept gre5 ! memory ( ! be+
 9 ^: hon\r x 0 erect$8  ,ay1 ay1 !y    
answ]$ readily4 ,h y n he>d ( x8  ,i am 
b come f di/ant c\ntries4 ,_m ye>s ago  
,i 0 "h1 & h j\rney$ hi!r ) mu* desire  
to see ! place once m4 ,w\ld y k9dly %[ 
me ?is monum5t8  ,come6 !y answ]$       
eag]ly1 />t+ (f4 ,x is ! be/ kn[n ( all 
! ?\s&s 9 ! cemet]y4 ,none :o see x c   
ev] =get x4  ,yes1 yes6 murmur$ ! old   
man4 ,t is :y ,i h--,i =esaw---- ,is x n
 a beautiful monum5t8 ,does x n lie--9  
:at direction does x lie8  ,a fev]i%    

eag]ness seiz$ him4 ,he walk$ n[ beside1
 n[ be=e1 8 companions4 ,once he :eel$  
on !m4  ,sirs1 did y n say x p]petuates 
! memory ( h]--( ! "o--:o lies b5ea? x8 
,bo? are fam\s4 ,! /ory ( ?is woman & h]
 monum5t w nev] be =gott54 ,x is        
impossible to =get x4  ,ye> aft] ye>----
 mutt]$ he1 bru%+ 8 h& across 8 eyes4   
,!y soon came to a spot :]e ! ag$       
bran*es ( memorial ev]gre5s int]wove a  
sunless canopy1 & spread f> ar\nd a     
drap]y ( gloom ?r\gh :i* ! w9d pass$ )  
an un5d+ sigh4 ,bru%+ aside ! l[e/      
b\ghs1 !y /epp$ 9 awe/rick5 sil5ce )9 ! 
dank1 *ill cone ( %ade4 ,be=e !m rose ! 
%ape ( a grey monum5t1 at sight ( :i* ! 
ag$ travell]1 :o _h fall5 beh9d1 dropp$ 
8 /aff & held out 8 arms z ?\gh he w\ld 
h embrac$ x4 ,b1 controll+ himself1 he  
/epp$ =w>d1 & said1 9 tones ( ?rill+    
sweetness--  ,sirs1 y h n told me :at   
/ory is connect$ ) ?is monum5t t x %\ld 
be s fam\s4 ,i conceive x mu/ be "s v   
t\*+ "o ( h] ^: "n ,i read--"s beautiful
 leg5d----  ,judge y ( t6 int]rupt$ "o (

 ! gr\p1 ) a voice ( /]n sadness & n )\t
 a c]ta9 look ( my/]i\s horror4 ,!y say 
?is monum5t 0 re>$ to a woman by ! man  
:o once lov$ h]4 ,%e 0 v beautiful1 & s 
he made h] a v beautiful monum5t4 ,b %e 
_h a he>t s hide\s 9 its falsity t he   
c>v$ 9 /one an endur+ curse on h] evil  
memory1 & hung x 9 ! he>t ( ! monum5t   
because x 0 too awful = any eye to see4 
,b o!rs tell ! /ory diff]5tly4 ,!y say !
 woman n only _h a he>t false beyond    
description1 b 0 9 p]son ! uglie/ ( h]  
sex4 ,s t :ile ! hidd5 curse is a la/+  
execration ( h] nature1 ! beautiful     
ext]ior is a ma/]piece ( mock]y :i* h]  
nature1 & n h] ugl9ess1 madd5$ 8        
s5sitive g5ius to p]petrate4 ,!re c be  
no d\bt t ?is is ! true /ory1 z hundr$s 
tell x n[1 & t ! woman w be rememb]$ s  
long z ! monum5t /&s--ay1 & long]--n    
only = h] loa?some---- ,help ! old man6 
,he _h fall5 backw>d to ! gr\nd4 ,!y    
tri$ 9 va9 to set him on 8 feet4 ,/unn$1
 spee*less1 he c\ld only raise himself  
on "o elb[ & turn 8 eyes t[>ds ! monum5t

 ) a look ( pret]natural horror1 z ?\gh 
! lie _h issu$ f its trea*]\s %ape4 ,at 
l5g? he look$ up to !m1 z !y b5t k9dly  
ov] him1 & spoke ) mu* difficulty--     
,sirs1 ,i am an old man--a v old man1 & 
v feeble4 ,=give ?is weakness4 ,& ,i h  
come a long way1 & mu/ be fa9t4 ,:ile y 
7 speak+ my /r5g? fail$ me4 ,y 7 tell+  
me a /ory--7 y n8--! /ory--! leg5d ( a  
mo/ beautiful woman1 :5 all at once my  
s5ses grew confus$ & ,i fail$ to he> y  
rightly4 ,!n my e>s play$ me su* a      
trick6 ,o sirs6 if y b knew :at a       
damnable trick my e>s play$ me1 y w\ld  
pity me greatly1 v1 v greatly4 ,?is /ory
 t\*es me4 ,x is mu* l "o ,i seem$ to h 
he>d = _m ye>s1 & t ,i h be5 repeat+ ov]
 & ov] to myself until ,i love x bett]  
?an my life4 ,if y w\ld b g ov] x       
aga9--c>efully--v c>efully4  ,my ,god1  
sirs6 he exclaim$1 spr++ up ) ! en]gy ( 
y\? :5 he _h he>d ! recital a second "t1
 tell me :o />t$ ?is /ory6 ,tell me h[ &
 :]e x began6  ,we _c4 ,we h he>d _m    
tell x1 & n all alike4  ,& d !y--d      

y--believe--x is--true8 he ask$         
helplessly4  ,we all "k x is true2 d n y
 believe x8  ,i c nev] =get x6 he said1 
9 tones quickly gr[n h>% & husky4 ,let u
 g away f s pitiful a place4  ,x 0 ne>  
nightfall :5 he return$1 unobs]v$1 & sat
 d[n beside ! monum5t z "o :o _h end$ a 
pilgrimage4  ,!y all tell me ! same     
/ory1 he murmur$ we>ily4 ,ah1 x 0 !     
hidd5 epitaph t wr\ght ! error6 ,b = x1 
! sun ( h] memory w\ld h _h its brief1  
befitt+ day & t5d] sett+4 ,presumptu\s  
folly1 to suppose !y w\ld und]/& my     
ma/]piece1 :5 !y s (t5 misconceive !    
hidd5 he>t ( ,8 beautiful works1 &      
conv]t uncompreh5d$ good & true into a  
curse ( evil6  ,! night fell4 ,he 0     
await+ x4 ,ne>] & ne>] roll$ ! d>k1     
suff]+ he>t ( a /orm2 ne>] t[>ds ! calm1
 :ite brea/s ( ! dead4 ,ov] ! bill[y    
graves ! _m-foot$ w9ds sudd5ly fl$ away 
9 a wild1 tumultu\s cohort4 ,ov]head1   
great black bulks swung heavily at "o   
ano!r across ! tremul\s />s4  ,( all    
e>?ly spots1 :]e does ! awful discord ( 

! elem5ts seem s futile & !atric z 9 a  
va/ cemet]y8 ,bl[1 !n1 w9ds1 till y     
uproot ! trees6 ,p\r1 floods1 p\r1 till 
! wat] trickles d[n into ! face ( ! pale
 sleep] bel[6 ,rumble & fla%1 ye cl\ds1 
till ! e>? trembles & seems to be       
aflame6 ,b n a lock ( hair1 s c>efully  
put back ov] ! br[s1 is toss$ or        
disord]$4 ,! sleep] has n /ret*$ =? an  
arm & drawn ! %r\d clos] ab\t 8 face1 to
 keep out ! wet4 ,n an e> has he>d !    
riv+ ?und]bolt1 nor s mu* z an eyelid   
trembl$ on ! /ill eyes = all ! lightn+'s
 fury4  ,b _h !re be5 ano!r human       
pres5ce on ! midnight sc5e1 "s lightn+  
fla% w\ld h reveal$ ! old man1 a gr&1 a 
t]rible figure1 9 sympa?y ) its wild1   
sad viol5ce4 ,he /ood beside 8          
ma/]piece1 t[]+ to 8 utmo/ height 9 a   
po/ure ( all b sup]human maje/y & /r5g?4
 ,8 long :ite hair & long] :ite be>d    
/ream$ outw>d on ! ro>+ w9ds4 ,8 arms1  
b>$ to ! %\ld]1 swung al(t a pond]\s    
hamm]4 ,8 face1 a%5-grey z ! m>ble be=e 
him1 0 set ) an expression ( /]n        

despair4 ,!n1 z ! ?und] cra%$1 8 hamm]  
fell on ! monum5t4 ,bolt aft] bolt1 bl[ 
aft] bl[4 ,once m he might h be5 se5    
kneel+ beside ! ru91 8 eyes /ra9$ close 
to its he>t1 await+ ano!r fla% to tell  
him t ! inviolable epitaph _h %>$ 9 !   
de/ruction4  ,= days foll[+ _m curi\s   
eyes came to pe] into ! op5$ he>t ( !   
%att]$ /ructure1 b 9 va94  ,?us !       
ma/]piece ( ,ni*olas fail$ ( its end1   
?\gh x s]v$ ano!r4 ,= no "o c\ld h he>d 
! /ory ( x1 be=e x 0 de/roy$1 )\t be+   
made to realise h[ melan*oly t a man    
%\ld re> a monum5t ( execration to !    
false he>t ( ! woman he once _h lov$2 & 
h[ t]rible = mank9d to celebrate ! dead 
= ! evil t 0 9 !m in/ead ( ! good4      
,,! ,,end4