The Marble Faun

On a bright, springlike day in February, Kenyon takes a walk in the countryside (the campagna) outside Rome, starting from the Appian Way. Coming upon a series of ancient tomb ruins, he finds a half-buried and headless Grecian statue of Venus. Kenyon believes this to be an important artistic discovery and that “forgotten beauty had come back, as beautiful as ever” (308). He wonders if the discovery is an omen that he will find Hilda.

Just then Kenyon hears voices and sees a peasant man and woman approaching and greeting him.

The peasants are none other than Donatello and Miriam. They explain that they are dressed for Carnival and that they discovered the statue of Venus a few days ago. Donatello has rediscovered his youth in the campagna, and he and Miriam have enjoyed great happiness together. Miriam assures Kenyon that Hilda is safe and will return in two days; she instructs Kenyon to go to an appointed place in the Corso in Rome. In the meantime, Miriam insists they forget their sorrows and enjoy the Carnival season.

Miriam now reveals the secrets of her ancestry and family background and how she “wandered […] into crime” (312).