ating from the sixteenth
century and earlier, with mullions, copings, and corbels complete. These
transactions, by the way, are carried out and covenanted, or were till
lately, in the parish church, in the face of the congregation, such
being the ancient custom of the Isle.

As for the story itself, it may be worth while to remark that, differing
from all or most others of the series in that the interest aimed at
is of an ideal or subjective nature, and frankly imaginative,
verisimilitude in the sequence of events has been subordinated to the
said aim.

The first publication of this tale in an independent form was in 1897;
but it had appeared in the periodical press in 1892, under the title of
'The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved.' A few chapters of that experimental
issue were rewritten for the present and final form of the narrative.

T. H. August 1912.

CONTENTS

PART FIRST -- A YOUNG MAN OF TWENTY.

I. A SUPPOSITITIOUS PRESENTMENT OF HER
II. THE INCARNATION IS ASSUMED TO BE TRUE
III. THE APPOINTMENT
IV. A LONELY PEDESTRIAN
V. A CHARGE
VI. ON THE BRINK
VII. HER EARLIER INCARNATIONS
VIII. 'TOO LIKE THE LIGHTNING'
IX. FAMILIAR PHENOMENA IN THE DISTANCE

PART SECOND -- A YOUNG MAN OF FORTY.

I. THE OLD PHANTOM BECOMES DISTINCT
II. SHE DRAWS CLOSE AND SATISFIES
III. SHE BECOMES AN INACCESSIBLE GHOST
IV. SHE THREATENS TO RESUME CORPOREAL SUBSTANCE
V. THE RESUMPTION TAKES PLACE
VI. THE PAST SHINES IN THE PRESENT
VII. THE NEW BECOMES ESTABLISHED
VIII. HIS OWN SOUL CONFRONTS HIM
IX. JUXTAPOSITIONS
X. SHE FAILS TO VANISH STILL
XI. THE IMAGE PERSISTS
XII. A GRILLE DESCENDS BETWEEN
XIII. SHE IS ENSHROUDED FROM SIGHT

PART THIRD -- A YOUNG MAN OF SIXTY.

I. SHE RETURNS FOR THE NEW SEASON
II. MISGIVINGS ON THE RE-EMBODIMENT
III. THE RENEWED IMAGE BURNS ITSELF IN
IV. A DASH FOR THE LAST INCARNATION
V. ON THE VERGE OF POSSESSION
VI. THE WELL-BELOVED IS--WHERE?
VII. AN OLD TABERNACLE IN A NEW ASPECT
VIII. 'ALAS FOR THIS GREY SHADOW, ONCE A MAN!'

PART FIRST -- A YOUNG MAN OF TWENTY.

--'Now, if Time knows
That Her, whose radiant brows
Weave them a garland of my vows;

Her that dares be
What