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178 ARIADNE.Istood silent and amazed before the statue;amazed because the spiritualised and perfectbeauty giveninit to Hilarion seemed to me themost amazing pardon that a woman's forgivenessever on this earth bestowed; silent, because I,who had dwelt among sculptors all my years,could neverhave conceivedit possible for her togive to any shape of stone such vitality, suchproportion, such anatomical perfection, such personalsublimity as wereall here.It was a great work;it would have been greatin Athens, and was how much greater in thismodern age! And she was only a woman, andso young." Oh, my dear! oh, my dear! " Icried out toher, " standing before it. Athene is with youstill. You have the clue and the sword. Oh,mydear, with such gifts praise heaven! AVhat doesthe pain or the loss in hfe matter. You aregreat! "She looked at me from under her lovely lowbrows and her half-falling hair, as the Ariadneof the Capitol looks at you; only with a lookmore intense — a look of deeppity,deeper scorn.