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The Artist of the Beautiful
Forgetfulofthetimewhenshehadshownherselfincapableofanydeepresponse,hehadpersistedinconnectingallhisdreamsofartisticalsuccesswithAnnie’simage;shewasthevisibleshapeinwhichthespiritualpowerthatheworshipped,andonwhosealtarhehopedtolayanotunworthyoffering,wasmademanifesttohim.Ofcoursehehaddeceivedhimself;therewerenosuchattributesinAnnieHovendenashisimaginationhadendowedherwith.She,intheaspectwhichsheworetohisinwardvision,wasasmuchacreatureofhisownasthemysteriouspieceofmechanismwouldbewereiteverrealized.Hadhebecomeconvincedofhismistakethroughthemediumofsuccessfullove,—hadhewonAnnietohisbosom,andtherebeheldherfadefromangelintoordinarywoman,—thedisappointmentmighthavedrivenhimback,withconcentratedenergy,uponhissoleremainingobject.Ontheotherhand,hadhefoundAnniewhathefancied,hislotwouldhavebeensorichinbeautythatoutofitsmereredundancyhemighthavewroughtthebeautifulintomanyaworthiertypethanhehadtoiledfor;buttheguiseinwhichhissorrowcametohim,thesensethattheangelofhislifehadbeensnatchedawayandgiventoarudemanofearthandiron,whocouldneitherneednorappreciateherministrations,—thiswastheveryperversityoffatethatmakeshumanexistenceappeartooabsurdandcontradictorytobethesceneofoneotherhopeoroneotherfear.TherewasnothingleftforOwenWarlandbuttositdownlikeamanthathadbeenstunned.
Hewentthroughafitofillness.
