Home › The Marble Faun › The Marble Faun

The Marble Faun

By NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE Condensation by REV. PAUL REVERE FROTHINGHAM, D.D.

FOUR individuals were standing in the Sculpture Gallery of the Capitol of Rome. Three of them were artists, and they had been simultaneously struck by a resemblance between one of the antique statues and a young Italian, the fourth member of their party. "You must confess, Kenyon," said a dark-eyed young woman whom her friends called Miriam, "that you never chiseled out of the marble a more vivid likeness than this. Our friend Donatello is the very Faun of Praxiteles. Is it not true, Hilda?" "Not quite--almost--yes, I really think so," replied Hilda, a slender New England girl whose perception of form was singularly clear. "Donatello," said Miriam, "you are a veritable Faun. Shake aside those brown curls and let us see whether this resemblance includes furry ears." "No, no! dearest Signorina," answered Donatello, "you must take my ears for granted," and he lightly tripped beyond the reach of her extended hand, only a moment later to come close to her and look into her face with appealing affection. "You have bewitched the poor lad," said the sculptor, laughing. "That is a way of yours. I see another of your followers behind yon pillar, and his presence has aroused Donatello's wrath."