Портрет художника в юности

           Heborecynicallywiththeshamefuldetailsofhissecretriotsinwhichheexultedtodefilewithpatiencewhateverimagehadattractedhiseyes.Bydayandbynighthemovedamongdistortedimagesoftheouterworld.Afigurethathadseemedtohimbydaydemureandinnocentcametowardshimbynightthroughthewindingdarknessofsleep,herfacetransfiguredbyalecherouscunning,hereyesbrightwithbrutishjoy.Onlythemorningpainedhimwithitsdimmemoryofdarkorgiasticriot,itskeenandhumiliatingsenseoftransgression.

           Hereturnedtohiswanderings.TheveiledautumnaleveningsledhimfromstreettostreetastheyhadledhimyearsbeforealongthequietavenuesofBlackrock.Butnovisionoftrimfrontgardensorofkindlylightsinthewindowspouredatenderinfluenceuponhimnow.Onlyattimes,inthepausesofhisdesire,whentheluxurythatwaswastinghimgaveroomtoasofterlanguor,theimageofMercedestraversedthebackgroundofhismemory.Hesawagainthesmallwhitehouseandthegardenofrose-bushesontheroadthatledtothemountainsandherememberedthesadlyproudgestureofrefusalwhichhewastomakethere,standingwithherinthemoonlitgardenafteryearsofestrangementandadventure.AtthosemomentsthesoftspeechesofClaudeMelnotterosetohislipsandeasedhisunrest.