第2章
SomersetbegantomuseontheprobabilityorotherwiseofthebackslidingBaptistandthisyoungladyresultinginoneandthesameperson；andalmostwithoutknowingithefoundhimselfdeeplyhopingforsuchaunity。Theobjectofhisinspectionwasidlyleaning，andthissomewhatdisguisedherfigure。Itmighthavebeentallorshort，curvilinearorangular。Shecarriedalightsunshadewhichshefitfullytwirleduntil，thrustingitbackoverhershoulder，herheadwasrevealedsufficientlytoshowthatsheworenohatorbonnet。Thistokenofherbeinganinmateofthecastle，andnotavisitor，ratherdampedhisexpectations:buthepersistedinbelievingherlooktowardsthechapelmusthaveameaninginit，tillshesuddenlystooderect，andrevealedherselfasshortinstature——almostdumpy——atthesametimegivinghimadistinctviewofherprofile。Shewasnotatallliketheheroineofthechapel。
HesawthedintednoseoftheDeStancysoutlinedwithHolbeinshadowlessnessagainsttheblue-greenofthedistantwood。ItwasnottheDeStancyfacewithallitsoriginalspecialities:itwas，sotospeak，adefectivereprintofthatface:forthenosetriedhardtoturnupanddealutterconfusiontothefamilyshape。
Asfortherestofthecountenance，Somersetwasobligedtoownthatitwasnotbeautiful:Naturehaddonetheremanythingsthatsheoughtnottohavedone，andleftundonemuchthatsheshouldhaveexecuted。Itwouldhavebeendecidedlyplainbutforapreciousqualitywhichnoperfectionofchisellingcangivewhenthetemperamentdeniesit，andwhichnofacialirregularitycantakeaway——atenderaffectionatenesswhichmightalmostbecalledyearning；suchasisoftenseeninthewomenofCorreggiowhentheyarepaintedinprofile。ButtheplainfeaturesofMissDeStancy——
whosheundoubtedlywas——wereratherseverelyhandledbySomerset"sjudgmentowingtohisimpressionofthepreviousnight。Abeautyofasortwouldhavebeenlentbytheflexuouscontoursofthemobilepartsbutforthatunfortunateconditionthepoorgirlwasburdenedwith，ofhavingtohandonatraditionalfeaturewithwhichshedidnotfindherselfotherwiseinharmony。
Sheglancedathimforamoment，andshowedbyanimperceptiblemovementthathehadmadehispresencefelt。
NottoembarrassherSomersethastenedtowithdraw，atthesametimethatshepassedroundtotheotherpartoftheterrace，followedbythecat，inwhomSomersetcouldimagineacertaindenominationalcastofcountenance，notwithstandinghercompany。Butaswhitecatsaremuchalikeeachotheratadistance，itwasreasonabletosupposethiscreaturewasnotthesameoneasthatpossessedbythebeauty。
IV。
Hedescendedthestonestairstoalowerstoryofthecastle，inwhichwasacrypt-likehallcoveredbyvaultingofexceptionalandmassiveingenuity:
"Builteretheartwasknown，BypointedaisleandshaftedstalkThearcadesofanalleyedwalkToemulateinstone。"
Ithappenedthatthecentralpillarwhereonthevaultsrested，reputedtoexhibitsomeofthemosthideousgrotesquesinEnglanduponitscapital，waswithinalockeddoor。Somersetwastemptedtoaskaservantforpermissiontoopenit，tillheheardthattheinnerroomwastemporarilyusedforplate，thekeybeingkeptbyMissDeStancy，atwhichhesaidnomore。Butafterwardstheactivehousemaidredescendedthestonesteps；sheenteredthecryptwithabunchofkeysinonehand，andintheotheracandle，followedbytheyoungladywhomSomersethadseenontheterrace。
"Ishallbeverygladtounlockanythingyoumaywanttosee。
Sofewpeopletakeanyrealinterestinwhatisherethatwedonotleaveitopen。"
Somersetexpressedhisthanks。
MissDeStancy，alittletohissurprise，hadatouchofrusticityinhermanner，andthatforcedabsenceofreservewhichseclusionfromsocietylendstoyoungwomenmorefrequentlythannot。Sheseemedgladtohavesomethingtodo；
thearrivalofSomersetwasplainlyaneventsufficienttosetsomelittlemarkuponherday。DeceptionhadbeenwrittenonthefacesofthosefrowningwallsintheirimplyingtheinsignificanceofSomerset，whenhefoundthemtenantedonlybythislittlewomanwhoselifewasnarrowerthanhisown。
"Wehavenotbeenherelong，"continuedMissDeStancy，"andthat"swhyeverythingisinsuchadilapidatedandconfusedcondition。"
Somersetenteredthedarkstore-closet，thinkinglessoftheancientpillarrevealedbythelightofthecandlethanwhatasingularremarkthelatterwastocomefromamemberofthefamilywhichappearedtohavebeentherefivecenturies。Heheldthecandleabovehishead，andwalkedround，andpresentlyMissDeStancycameback。
"Thereisanothervaultbelow，"shesaid，withtheseverefaceofayoungwomanwhospeaksonlybecauseitisabsolutelynecessary。"Perhapsyouarenotawareofit?Itwasthedungeon:ifyouwishtogodowntheretoo，theservantwillshowyoutheway。Itisnotatallornamental:rough，unhewnarchesandclumsypiers。"
Somersetthankedher，andwouldperhapstakeadvantageofherkindofferwhenhehadexaminedthespotwherehewas，ifitwerenotcausinginconvenience。
"No；IamsurePaulawillbegladtoknowthatanybodythinksitinterestingtogodownthere——whichismorethanshedoesherself。"
Someobviousinquiriesweresuggestedbythis，butSomersetsaid，"Ihaveseenthepictures，andhavebeenmuchstruckbythem；partly，"headded，withsomehesitation，"becauseoneortwoofthemremindedmeofaschoolfellow——IthinkhisnamewasJohnRavensbury?"
"Yes，"shesaid，almosteagerly。"Hewasmycousin!"
"Sothatwearenotquitestrangers?"
"Butheisdeadnow……Hewasunfortunate:hewasmostlyspokenofas"thatunluckyboy。"……Youknow，Isuppose，Mr。Somerset，whythepaintingsareinsuchadecayingstate!——
itisowingtothepeculiartreatmentofthecastleduringMr。Wilkins"stime。Hewasblind；soonecanimaginehedidnotappreciatesuchthingsastherearehere。"
"Thecastlehasbeenshutup，youmean?"
"Oyes，formanyyears。Butitwillnotbesoagain。Wearegoingtohavethepicturescleaned，andtheframesmended，andtheoldpiecesoffurnitureputintheirproperplaces。Itwillbeverynicethen。Didyouseethoseintheeastcloset?"
"Ihaveonlyseenthoseinthegallery。"
"Iwilljustshowyouthewaytotheothers，ifyouwouldliketoseethem?"
Theyascendedtotheroomdesignatedtheeastcloset。Thepaintingshere，mostlyofsmallersize，wereinabettercondition，owingtothefactthattheywerehungonaninnerwall，andhadhencebeenkeptfreefromdamp。Somersetinquiredthenamesandhistoriesofoneortwo。
"Ireallydon"tquiteknow，"MissDeStancyrepliedaftersomethought。"ButPaulaknows，Iamsure。Idon"tstudythemmuch——Idon"tseetheuseofit。"Sheswunghersunshade，sothatitfellopen，andturnedituptillitfellshut。"I
haveneverbeenabletogivemuchattentiontoancestors，"sheadded，withhereyesontheparasol。
"TheseAREyourancestors?"heasked，forherpositionandtonewerematterswhichperplexedhim。InspiteofthefamilylikenessandotherdetailshecouldscarcelybelievethisfrankandcommunicativecountrymaidentobethemodernrepresentativeoftheDeStancys。
"Oyes，theycertainlyare，"shesaid，laughing。"PeoplesayIamlikethem:Idon"tknowifIam——well，yes，IknowIam:
Icanseethat，ofcourse，anyday。Buttheyhavegonefrommyfamily，andperhapsitisjustaswellthattheyshouldhavegone……Theyareuseless，"sheadded，withsereneconclusiveness。
"Ah!theyhavegone，havethey?"
"Yes，castleandfurniturewenttogether:itwaslongago——
longbeforeIwasborn。Itdoesn"tseemtomeasiftheplaceeverbelongedtoarelativeofmine。"
Somersetcorrectedhissmilingmannertooneofsolicitude。
"Butyoulivehere，MissDeStancy?"
"Yes——agreatdealnow；thoughsometimesIgohometosleep。"
"Thisishometoyou，andnothome?"
"IliveherewithPaula——myfriend:Ihavenotbeenherelong，neitherhasshe。Forthefirstsixmonthsafterherfather"sdeathshedidnotcomehereatall。"
Theywalkedon，gazingatthewalls，tilltheyoungmansaid:
"IfearImaybemakingsomemistake:butIamsureyouwillpardonmyinquisitivenessthisonce。WHOisPaula?"
"Ah，youdon"tknow!Ofcourseyoudon"t——localchangesdon"tgettalkedoffaraway。Sheistheownerofthiscastleandestate。Myfathersolditwhenhewasquiteayoungman，yearsbeforeIwasborn，andnotlongafterhisfather"sdeath。ItwaspurchasedbyamannamedWilkins，arichmanwhobecameblindsoonafterhehadboughtit，andneverlivedhere；soitwasleftuncaredfor。"
Shewentoutupontheterrace；andwithoutexactlyknowingwhy，Somersetfollowed。
"Yourfriend——"
"Hasonlycomeherequiterecently。Sheisawayfromhometo-
day……Itwasverysad，"murmuredtheyounggirlthoughtfully。"NosoonerhadMr。PowerboughtitoftherepresentativesofMr。Wilkins——almostimmediatelyindeed——
thanhediedfromachillcaughtafterawarmbath。Onaccountofthatshedidnottakepossessionforseveralmonths；andevennowshehasonlyhadafewroomspreparedasatemporaryresidencetillshecanthinkwhattodo。Poorthing，itissadtobeleftalone!"
SomersetheedfullyremarkedthathethoughtherecognizedthatnamePower，asonehehadseenlately，somewhereorother。
"Perhapsyouhavebeenhearingofherfather。Doyouknowwhathewas?"
Somersetdidnot。
Shelookedacrossthedistantcountry，whereundulationsofdark-greenfoliageformedaprospectextendingformiles。Andasshewatched，andSomerset"seyes，ledbyhers，watchedalso，awhitestreakofsteam，thinasacottonthread，couldbediscernedploughingthatgreenexpanse。"HerfathermadeTHAT，"MissDeStancysaid，directingherfingertowardstheobject。
"Thatwhat?"
"Thatrailway。HewasMr。JohnPower，thegreatrailwaycontractor。Anditwasthroughmakingtherailwaythathediscoveredthiscastle——therailwaywasdivertedalittleonitsaccount。"
"Aclashbetweenancientandmodern。"
"Yes，buthetookaninterestinthelocalitylongbeforehepurchasedtheestate。Andhebuiltthepeopleachapelonabitoffreeholdheboughtforthem。HewasagreatNonconformist，astaunchBaptistuptothedayofhisdeath——amuchstauncherone，"shesaidsignificantly，"thanhisdaughteris。"
"Ah，Ibegintospother!"
"Youhaveheardaboutthebaptism?"
"Iknowsomethingofit。"
"Herconducthasgivenmortaloffencetothescatteredpeopleofthedenominationthatherfatherwasatsuchpainstouniteintoabody。"
Somersetcouldguesstheremainder，andinthinkingoverthecircumstancesdidnotstatewhathehadseen。Sheadded，asifdisappointedathiswantofcuriosity——
"Shewouldnotsubmittotheritewhenitcametothepoint。
Thewaterlookedsocoldanddarkandfearful，shesaid，thatshecouldnotdoittosaveherlife。"
"Surelysheshouldhaveknownhermindbeforeshehadgonesofar?"Somerset"swordshadacondemnatoryform，butperhapshisactualfeelingwasthatifMissPowerhadknownherownmind，shewouldhavenotinterestedhimhalfsomuch。
"Paula"sownmindhadnothingtodowithit!"saidMissDeStancy，warminguptostaunchpartizanshipinamoment。"Itwasallundertakenbyherfromamistakensenseofduty。Itwasherfather"sdyingwishthatsheshouldmakepublicprofessionofher——whatdoyoucallit——ofthedenominationshebelongedto，assoonasshefeltherselffittodoit:sowhenhewasdeadshetriedandtried，anddidn"tgetanymorefit；andatlastshescrewedherselfuptothepitch，andthoughtshemustundergotheceremonyoutofpurereverenceforhismemory。
Itwasveryshort-sightedofherfathertoputherinsuchaposition:becausesheisnowverysad，asshefeelsshecannevertryagainaftersuchasermonaswasdeliveredagainsther。"
SomersetpresumedthatMissPowerneednothaveheardthisKnoxorBossuetofhersifshehadchosentogoaway?
"Shedidnothearitinthefaceofthecongregation；butfromthevestry。Shetoldmesomeofitwhenshereachedhome。
Wouldyoubelieveit，themanwhopreachedsobitterlyisatenantofhers?Isaid，"Surelyyouwillturnhimoutofhishouse?"——Butsheanswered，inhercalm，deep，niceway，thatshesupposedhehadaperfectrighttopreachagainsther，thatshecouldnotinjusticemolesthimatall。Iwouldn"tlethimstayifthehouseweremine。Butshehasoftenbeforeallowedhimtoscoldherfromthepulpitinasmallerway——
onceitwasaboutanexpensivedressshehadworn——notmentioningherbyname，youknow；butallthepeoplearequiteawarethatitismeantforher，becauseonlyonepersonofherwealthorpositionbelongstotheBaptistbodyinthiscounty。"
Somersetwaslookingatthehomelyaffectionatefaceofthelittlespeaker。"Youarehergoodfriend，Iamsure，"heremarked。
Shelookedintothedistantairwithtacitadmissionoftheimpeachment。"Sowouldyoubeifyouknewher，"shesaid；andablushslowlyrosetohercheek，asifthepersonspokenofhadbeenaloverratherthanafriend。
"ButyouarenotaBaptistanymorethanI?"continuedSomerset。
"Ono。AndIneverknewonetillIknewPaula。Ithinktheyareverynice；thoughIsometimeswishPaulawasnotone，butthereligionofreasonablepersons。"
Theywalkedon，andcameoppositetowherethetelegraphemergedfromthetrees，leaptovertheparapet，andupthroughtheloopholeintotheinterior。
"Thatlooksstrangeinsuchabuilding，"saidhercompanion。
"MissPowerhaditputuptoknowthelatestnewsfromtown。
Itcostssixpoundsamile。Shecanworkitherself，beautifully:andsocanI，butnotsowell。Itwasagreatdelighttolearn。MissPowerwassointerestedatfirstthatshewassendingmessagesfrommorningtillnight。Anddidyouhearthenewclock?"
"Isitanewone?——Yes，Iheardit。"
"Theoldonewasquitewornout；soPaulahasputitinthecellar，andhadthisnewonemade，thoughitstillstrikesontheoldbell。Ittellstheseconds，buttheoldone，whichmyverygreatgrandfathererectedintheeighteenthcentury，onlytoldthehours。Paulasaysthattime，beingsomuchmorevaluablenow，mustofcoursebecutupintosmallerpieces。"
"Shedoesnotappeartobemuchimpressedbythespiritofthisancientpile。"
MissDeStancyshookherheadtooslightlytoexpressabsolutenegation。
"Doyouwishtocomethroughthisdoor?"sheasked。"Thereisasingularchimney-pieceinthekitchen，whichisconsideredauniqueexampleofitskind，thoughImyselfdon"tknowenoughaboutittohaveanopiniononthesubject。"
Whentheyhadlookedatthecorbelledchimney-piecetheyreturnedtothehall，wherehiseyewascaughtanewbyalargemapthathehadconnedforsometimewhenalone，withoutbeingabletodivinethelocalityrepresented。Itwascalled"GeneralPlanoftheTown，"andshowedstreetsandopenspacescorrespondingwithnothinghehadseeninthecounty。
"Isthattownhere?"heasked。
"ItisnotanywherebutinPaula"sbrain；shehaslaiditoutfromherowndesign。Thesiteissupposedtobenearourrailwaystation，justacrossthere，wherethelandbelongstoher。Sheisgoingtograntcheapbuildingleases，anddevelopthemanufactureofpottery。"
"Pottery——howverypracticalshemustbe!"
"Ono!no!"repliedMissDeStancy，intonesshowinghowsupremelyignoranthemustbeofMissPower"snatureifhecharacterizedherinthoseterms。"ItisGREEKpotteryshemeans——Hellenicpotteryshetellsmetocallit，onlyI
forget。Thereisbeautifulclayattheplace，herfathertoldher:hefounditinmakingtherailwaytunnel。ShehasvisitedtheBritishMuseum，continentalmuseums，andGreece，andSpain:andhopestoimitatetheoldfictileworkintime，especiallytheGreekofthebestperiod，fourhundredyearsafterChrist，orbeforeChrist——IforgetwhichitwasPaulasaid……Ono，sheisnotpracticalinthesenseyoumean，atall。"
"Amixedyounglady，rather。"
MissDeStancyappearedunabletosettlewhetherthisnewdefinitionofherdearfriendshouldbeacceptedaskindly，ordisallowedasdecidedlysarcastic。"Youwouldlikeherifyouknewher，"sheinsisted，inhalftonesofpique；afterwhichshewalkedonafewsteps。
"Ithinkveryhighlyofher，"saidSomerset。
"AndI!AndyetatonetimeIcouldneverhavebelievedthatIshouldhavebeenherfriend。Oneisprejudicedatfirstagainstpeoplewhoarereportedtohavesuchdifferencesinfeeling，associations，andhabit，assheseemedtohavefrommine。Butithasnotstoodintheleastinthewayofourlikingeachother。Ibelievethedifferencemakesusthemoreunited。"
"Itsaysagreatdealfortheliberalityofboth，"answeredSomersetwarmly。"Heavensendusmoreofthesamesortofpeople!Theyarenottoonumerousatpresent。"
AsthisremarkcalledfornoreplyfromMissDeStancy，shetookadvantageofanopportunitytoleavehimalone，firstrepeatingherpermissiontohimtowanderwherehewould。Hewalkedaboutforsometime，sketch-bookinhand，butwasconsciousthathisinterestdidnotliemuchinthearchitecture。Inpassingalongthecorridorofanupperfloorheobservedanopendoor，throughwhichwasvisiblearoomcontainingoneofthefinestRenaissancecabinetshehadeverseen。Itwasimpossible，oncloseexamination，todojusticetoitinahastysketch；itwouldbenecessarytomeasureeverylineifhewouldbringawayanythingofutilitytohimasadesigner。Decidingtoreservethisgemforanotheropportunityhecasthiseyesroundtheroomandblushedalittle。WithoutknowingithehadintrudedintotheabsentMissPaula"sownparticularsetofchambers，includingaboudoirandsleepingapartment。Onthetablesofthesitting-
roomweremostofthepopularpapersandperiodicalsthatheknew，notonlyEnglish，butfromParis，Italy，andAmerica。
Satiricalprints，thoughtheydidnotundulypreponderate，werenotwanting。BesidesthesetherewerebooksfromaLondoncirculatinglibrary，paper-coveredlightliteratureinFrenchandchoiceItalian，andthelatestmonthlyreviews；
whilebetweenthetwowindowsstoodthetelegraphapparatuswhosewirehadbeenthemeansofbringinghimhither。
Thesethings，ensconcedamidsomuchoftheoldandhoary，wereasifastrayhourfromthenineteenthcenturyhadwanderedlikeabutterflyintothethirteenth，andlostitselfthere。
Thedoorbetweenthisante-chamberandthesleeping-roomstoodopen。Withoutventuringtocrossthethreshold，forhefeltthathewouldbeabusinghospitalitytogosofar，Somersetlookedinforamoment。Itwasaprettyplace，andseemedtohavebeenhastilyfittedup。Inacorner，overhungbyablueandwhitecanopyofsilk，wasalittlecot，hardlylargeenoughtoimpressthecharacterofbedroomupontheoldplace。
Uponacounterpanelayaparasolandasilkneckerchief。Ontheothersideoftheroomwasatallmirrorofstartlingnewness，drapedlikethebedstead，inblueandwhite。ThrownatrandomuponthefloorwasapairofsatinslippersthatwouldhavefittedCinderella。Adressing-gownlayacrossasettee；andopposite，uponasmalleasy-chairinthesameblueandwhitelivery，wereaBible，theBaptistMagazine，WardlawonInfantBaptism，Walford"sCountyFamilies，andtheCourtJournal。Onandoverthemantelpiecewerenicknacksofvariousdescriptions，andphotographicportraitsoftheartistic，scientific，andliterarycelebritiesoftheday。
Adressing-roomlaybeyond；but，becomingconsciousthathisstudyofancientarchitecturewouldhardlybearstretchingfurtherinthatdirection，Mr。Somersetretreatedtotheoutside，obliviouslypassingbythegemofRenaissancethathadledhimin。
"Sheaffectsblue，"hewasthinking。"Thensheisfair。"
Onlookingup，sometimelater，atthenewclockthattoldtheseconds，hefoundthatthehoursathisdisposalforworkhadflownwithouthishavingtransferredasinglefeatureofthebuildingorfurnituretohissketch-book。Beforeleavinghesentinforpermissiontocomeagain，andthenwalkedacrossthefieldstotheinnatSleeping-Green，reflectinglessuponMissDeStancy(solittleforceofpresencehadshepossessed)
thanuponthemodernflowerinamediaevalflower-potwhomMissDeStancy"sinformationhadbroughtbeforehim，andupontheincongruitiesthatweredailyshapingthemselvesintheworldunderthegreatmodernfluctuationsofclassesandcreeds。
Somersetwasstillfullofthesubjectwhenhearrivedattheendofhiswalk，andhefanciedthatsomeloungersatthebaroftheinnwerediscussingtheheroineofthechapel-scenejustatthemomentofhisentry。Onthisaccount，whenthelandlordcametoclearawaythedinner，Somersetwasledtoinquireofhim，bywayofopeningaconversation，ifthereweremanyBaptistsintheneighbourhood。
Thelandlord(whowasaseriousmanonthesurface，thoughheoccasionallysmiledbeneath)repliedthattherewereagreatmany——farmorethantheaverageincountryparishes。"Evenhere，inmyhouse，now，"headded，"whenvolksgetadropofdrinkinto"em，andtheirfeelingsrisetoazong，somemanwillstrikeupahymnbypreference。ButIfindnofaultwiththat；forthough"tishardlyhumannaturetobesocalculatinginyercups，afellermayaswellsingtogainsomethingassingtowaste。"
"Howdoyouaccountfortherebeingsomany?"
"Well，youzee，sir，somesaysonething，andsomeanother；I
thinktheydoesittosavetheexpenseofaChristianburialfortherchildren。Nowthere"sapoorfamilyoutinLongLane——thehusbandusedtosmiteforJimmyMoretheblacksmithtill"ahurthisarm——they"dhavenolessthanelevenchildrenifthey"dnotbeenluckyt"otherway，andburiedfivewhentheywerethreeorfourmonthsold。Noweveryoneofthemchildrenwasgiventothesextoninalittleboxthatanyjourneymancouldnailtogetherinaquarterofanhour，andheburied"ematnightforashillingahead；whereas"twouldhavecostacoupleofpoundseachifthey"dbeenchristenedatchurch……Ofcoursethere"sthenewladyatthecastle，she"sachapelmember，andthatmaymakealittledifference；
butshe"snotbeenherelongenoughtoshowwhether"twillbeworthwhiletojoin"emfortheprofito"torwhether"twillnot。Nodoubtifitturnsoutthatshe"sofasorttorelievevolksintrouble，morewilljoinhersetthanbelongstoitalready。"Anyportinastorm，"ofcourse，asthesayingis。"
"Asforyourself，youareaChurchmanatpresent，Ipresume?"
"Yes；notbutIwasaMethodistonce——ay，foralengthoftime。"Twasowingtomytakingahousenextdoortoachapel；
sothatwhatwithhearingtheorganbizzlikeabeethroughthewall，andwhatwithfindingitsavedumbrellasonwetZundays，Iwentovertothatfaithfortwoyears——thoughI
believeIdroppedmoneybyit——Iwouldn"tbethemantosaysoifIhadn"t。Howsomever，whenImovedintothishouseI
turnedbackagaintomyoldreligion。Faith，Idon"tzeemuchdifference:beyouone，orbeyout"other，you"vegottogetyourliving。"
"TheDeStancys，ofcourse，havenotmuchinfluenceherenow，forthat，oranyotherthing?"
"Ono，no；notanyatall。Theybeverylowuponground，andalwayswillbenow，Isuppose。Itwasthoughtedworthyofbeingrecordedinhistory——you"vereadit，sir，nodoubt?"
"Notaword。"
"O，then，youshall。I"vegotthehistoryzomewhere。"Twasgaymannersthatdidit。TheonlybitoflucktheyhavehadoflateyearsisMissPower"stakingtolittleMissDeStancy，andmakingherhercompany-keeper。Ihope"twillcontinue。"
ThatthetwodaughtersoftheseantipodeanfamiliesshouldbesuchintimatefriendswasasituationwhichpleasedSomersetasmuchasitdidthelandlord。Itwasanengaginginstanceofthathumanprogressonwhichhehadexpendedmanycharmingdreamsintheyearswhenpoetry，theology，andthereorganizationofsocietyhadseemedmattersofmoreimportancetohimthanaprofessionwhichshouldhelphimtoabighouseandincome，afairDeiopeia，andalovelyprogeny。
Whenhewasalonehepouredoutaglassofwine，andsilentlydrankthehealthsofthetwogenerous-mindedyoungwomenwho，inthislonelydistrict，hadfoundsweetcommunionanecessityoflife，andbypureandinstinctivegoodsensehadbrokendownabarrierwhichmenthricetheirageandreputewouldprobablyhavefeltitimperativetomaintain。Butperhapsthiswaspremature:theomnipotentMissPower"scharacter——
practicalorideal，politicorimpulsive——heasyetknewnothingof；andgivingoverreasoningfrominsufficientdatahelapsedintomereconjecture。
V。
ThenextmorningSomersetwasagainatthecastle。HepassedsomeintervalonthewallsbeforeencounteringMissDeStancy，whomatlastheobservedgoingtowardsapony-carriagethatwaitednearthedoor。
Asmilegainedstrengthuponherfaceathisapproach，andshewasthefirsttospeak。"IamsorryMissPowerhasnotreturned，"shesaid，andaccountedforthatlady"sabsencebyherdistressattheeventoftwoeveningsearlier。
"ButIhavedrivenovertomyfather"s——SirWilliamDeStancy"s——housethismorning，"shewenton。"Andonmentioningyournametohim，Ifoundheknewitquitewell。
Youwill，willyounot，forgivemyignoranceinhavingnobetterknowledgeoftheelderMr。Somerset"sworksthanadimsenseofhisfameasapainter?ButIwasgoingtosaythatmyfatherwouldmuchliketoincludeyouinhispersonalacquaintance，andwishesmetoaskifyouwillgivehimthepleasureoflunchingwithhimto-day。MycousinJohn，whomyouonceknew，wasagreatfavouriteofhis，andusedtospeakofyousometimes。Itwillbesokindifyoucancome。Myfatherisanoldman，outofsociety，andhewouldbegladtohearthenewsoftown。"
Somersetsaidhewasgladtofindhimselfamongfriendswherehehadonlyexpectedstrangers；andpromisedtocomethatday，ifshewouldtellhimtheway。
Thatshecouldeasilydo。Theshortwaywasacrossthatgladehesawthere——thenoverthestileintothewood，followingthepathtillitcameoutupontheturnpike-road。Hewouldthenbealmostclosetothehouse。Thedistancewasabouttwomilesandahalf。Butifhethoughtittoofarforawalk，shewoulddriveontothetown，whereshehadbeengoingwhenhecame，andinsteadofreturningstraighttoherfather"swouldcomebackandpickhimup。
Itwasnotatallnecessary，hethought。Hewasawalker，andcouldfindthepath。
AtthismomentaservantcametotellMissDeStancythatthetelegraphwascallingher。
"Ah——itisluckythatIwasnotgoneagain!"sheexclaimed。
"JohnseldomreadsitrightifIamaway。"
Itnowseemedquiteintheordinarycoursethat，asafriendofherfather"s，heshouldaccompanyhertotheinstrument。
Souptheywenttogether，andimmediatelyonreachingitsheappliedhereartotheinstrument，andbegantogatherthemessage。Somersetfanciedhimselflikeapersonoverlookinganother"sletter，andmovedaside。
"Itisnosecret，"shesaid，smiling。""PaulatoCharlotte，"
itbegins。"
"That"sverypretty。"
"O——anditisabout——you，"murmuredMissDeStancy。
"Me?"Thearchitectblushedalittle。
Shemadenoanswer，andthemachinewentonwithitsstory。
Therewassomethingcuriousinwatchingthisutteranceabouthimself，underhisverynose，inlanguageunintelligibletohim。Heconjecturedwhetheritwereinquiry，praise，orblame，withasensethatitmightreasonablybethelatter，astheresultofhissurreptitiouslookintothatbluebedroom，possiblyobservedandreportedbysomeservantofthehouse。
""DirectthateveryfacilitybegiventoMr。Somersettovisitanypartofthecastlehemaywishtosee。OnmyreturnI
shallbegladtowelcomehimastheacquaintanceofyourrelatives。Ihavetwoofhisfather"spictures。""
"Dearme，theplotthickens，"hesaid，asMissDeStancyannouncedthewords。"Howcouldsheknowaboutme?"
"IsentamessagetoherthismorningwhenIsawyoucrossingtheparkonyourwayhere——tellingherthatMr。Somerset，sonoftheAcademician，wasmakingsketchesofthecastle，andthatmyfatherknewsomethingofyou。That"sheranswer。"
"Wherearethepicturesbymyfatherthatshehaspurchased?"
"O，nothere——atleast，notunpacked。"
MissdeStancythenlefthimtoproceedonherjourneytoMarkton(sothenearestlittletownwascalled)，informinghimthatshewouldbeatherfather"shousetoreceivehimattwoo"clock。Justaboutoneheclosedhissketch-book，andsetoutinthedirectionshehadindicated。Attheentrancetothewoodamanwasatworkpullingdownarottengatethatboreonitsbatteredlocktheinitials"W。DeS。"anderectinganewonewhoseironmongeryexhibitedtheletters"P。P。"
Thewarmthofthesummernoondidnotinconvenientlypenetratethedensemassesoffoliagewhichnowbegantooverhangthepath，exceptinspotswherearuthlesstimber-fellinghadtakenplaceinpreviousyearsforthepurposeofsale。Itwasthatparticularhalf-hourofthedayinwhichthebirdsoftheforestpreferwalkingtoflying；andtherebeingnowind，thehoppingofthesmallestsongsteroverthedeadleavesreachedhisearfrombehindtheundergrowth。
Thetrackhadoriginallybeenawell-keptwindingdrive，butadeepcarpetofmossandleavesoverlaiditnow，thoughthegeneraloutlinestillremainedtoshowthatitscurveshadbeensetoutwithasmuchcareasthoseofalawnwalk，andthegradientmadeeasyforcarriageswherethenaturalslopesweregreat。Felledtrunksoccasionallylayacrossit，andalongsidewerethehollowandfungousbolesoftreessawndowninlongpastyears。
Afterawalkofthree-quartersofanhourhecametoanothergate，wheretheletters"P。P。"againsupplantedthehistorical"W。DeS。"Climbingoverthis，hefoundhimselfonahighwaywhichpresentlydippeddowntowardsthetownofMarkton，aplacehehadneveryetseen。Itappearedinthedistanceasaquietlittleboroughofafewthousandinhabitants；and，withoutthetownboundaryonthesidehewasapproaching，stoodhalf-a-dozengenteelandmodernhouses，ofthedetachedkindusuallyfoundinsuchsuburbs。Oninquiry，SirWilliamDeStancy"sresidencewasindicatedasoneofthese。
Itwasalmostnew，ofstreakedbrick，havingacentraldoor，andasmallbaywindowoneachsidetolightthetwofrontparlours。Alittlelawnspreaditsgreensurfaceinfront，dividedfromtheroadbyironrailings，thelowlineofshrubsimmediatelywithinthembeingcoatedwithpalliddustfromthehighway。Ontheneatpiersoftheneatentrancegatewerechiselledthewords"MyrtleVilla。"Genuineroadsiderespectabilitysatsmilingoneverybrickoftheeligibledwelling。
PerhapsthatwhichimpressedSomersetmorethanthemushroommodernismofSirWilliamDeStancy"shousewastheairofhealthfulcheerfulnesswhichpervadedit。Hewasshowninbyaneatmaidservantinblackgownandwhiteapron，acanarysingingawelcomefromacageintheshadowofthewindow，thevoicesofcrowingcockscomingoverthechimneysfromsomewherebehind，andthesunandairriddlingthehouseeverywhere。
Adwellingofthosewell-knownandpopulardimensionswhichallowtheproceedingsinthekitchentobedistinctlyheardintheparlours，itwassoplannedthatarakingviewmightbeobtainedthroughitfromthefrontdoortotheendofthebackgarden。Thedrawing-roomfurniturewascomfortable，inthewalnut-and-green-repstyleofsomeyearsago。Somersethadexpectedtofindhisfriendslivinginanoldhousewithremnantsoftheirownantiquefurniture，andhehardlyknewwhetherheoughttomeetthemwithasmileoragazeofcondolence。Hisdoubtwasterminated，however，bythecheerfulandtrippingentryofMissDeStancy，whohadreturnedfromherdrivetoMarkton；andinafewmoremomentsSirWilliamcameinfromthegarden。
Hewasanoldmanoftallandsparebuild，withaconsiderablestoop，hisglassesdanglingagainsthiswaistcoat-buttons，andthefrontcornersofhiscoat-tailshanginglowerthanthehinderparts，sothattheyswayedrightandleftashewalked。
Henervouslyapologizedtohisvisitorforhavingkepthimwaiting。
"Iamsogladtoseeyou，"hesaid，withamildbenevolenceoftone，asheretainedSomerset"shandforamomentortwo；
"partlyforyourfather"ssake，whomImetmorethanonceinmyyoungerdays，beforehebecamesowell-known；andalsobecauseIlearnthatyouwereafriendofmypoornephewJohnRavensbury。"Helookedoverhisshouldertoseeifhisdaughterwerewithinhearing，and，withtheimpulseofthesolitarytomakeaconfidence，continuedinalowtone:"She，poorgirl，wastohavemarriedJohn:hisdeathwasasadblowtoherandtoallofus——Praytakeaseat，Mr。Somerset。"
ThereversesoffortunewhichhadbroughtSirWilliamDeStancytothiscomfortablecottageawakenedinSomersetawarmeremotionthancuriosity，andhesatdownwithaheartasresponsivetoeachspeechutteredasifithadseriouslyconcernedhimself，whilehishostgavesomewordsofinformationtohisdaughteronthetriflingeventsthathadmarkedthemorningjustpassed；suchasthatthecowhadgotoutofthepaddockintoMissPower"sfield，thatthesmithwhohadpromisedtocomeandlookatthekitchenrangehadnotarrived，thattwowasps"nestshadbeendiscoveredinthegardenbank，andthatNickJones"sbabyhadfallendownstairs。
SirWilliamhadlargecavernousarchestohiseye-sockets，remindingthebeholderofthevaultsinthecastleheoncehadowned。Hishandswerelongandalmostfleshless，eachknuckleshowinglikeabamboo-jointfrombeneathhiscoat-sleeves，whichweresmallattheelbowandlargeatthewrist。Allthecolourhadgonefromhisbeardandlocks，exceptinthecaseofafewisolatedhairsoftheformer，whichretaineddashesoftheiroriginalshadeatsuddenpointsintheirlength，revealingthatallhadoncebeenravenblack。
Buttostudyamantohisfaceforlongisaspeciesofill-
naturewhichrequiresacoldertemperament，oratleastanolderheart，thanthearchitect"swasatthattime。Incuriousunobservanceisthetrueattitudeofcordiality，andSomersetblamedhimselfforhavingfallenintoanactofinspectionevenbriefly。Hewouldwaitforhishost"sconversation，whichwoulddoubtlessbeoftheessenceofhistoricalromance。
"ThefavourableBank-returnshavemadethemoney-marketmucheasierto-day，asIlearn?"saidSirWilliam。
"O，havethey?"saidSomerset。"Yes，Isupposetheyhave。"
"AndsomethingismeantbythisunusualquietnessinForeignstockssincethelateremarkablefluctuations，"insistedtheoldman。"Isthecurrentofspeculationquitearrested，orisitbutatemporarylull?"
Somersetsaidhewasafraidhecouldnotgiveanopinion，andenteredverylamelyintothesubject；butSirWilliamseemedtofindsufficientinterestinhisownthoughtstodoawaywiththenecessityofacquiringfreshimpressionsfromotherpeople"sreplies；foroftenafterputtingaquestionhelookedonthefloor，asifthesubjectwereatanend。Lunchwasnowready，andwhentheywereinthedining-roomMissDeStancy，tointroduceatopicofmoregeneralinterest，askedSomersetifhehadnoticedthemyrtleonthelawn?
Somersethadnoticedit，andthoughthehadneverseensuchafull-blownoneintheopenairbefore。Hiseyeswere，however，restingatthemomentontheonlyobjectsatalloutofthecommonthatthedining-roomcontained。Onewasasingularglasscaseoverthefireplace，withinwhichweresomelargemediaevaldoor-keys，blackwithrustandage；andtheothersweretwofull-lengthoilportraitsinthecostumeoftheendofthelastcentury——sooutofallproportiontothesizeoftheroomtheyoccupiedthattheyalmostreachedtothefloor。
"Thoseoriginallybelongedtothecastleyonder，"saidMissDeStancy，orCharlotte，asherfathercalledher，noticingSomerset"sglanceatthekeys。"Theyusedtounlocktheprincipalentrance-doors，whichwereknockedtopiecesinthecivilwars。Newdoorswereplacedafterwards，buttheoldkeyswerenevergivenup，andhavebeenpreservedbyuseversince。"
"Theyarequiteuseless——merelumber——particularlytome，"
saidSirWilliam。
"AndthosehugepaintingswereapresentfromPaula，"shecontinued。"Theyareportraitsofmygreat-grandfatherandmother。Paulawouldgivealltheoldfamilypicturesbacktomeifwehadroomforthem；buttheywouldfillthehousetotheceilings。"
SirWilliamwasimpatientofthesubject。"Whatistheutilityofsuchaccumulations?"heasked。"Theiroriginalsarebutclaynow——mereforgottendust，notworthyamoment"sinquiryorreflectionatthisdistanceoftime。Nothingcanretainthespirit，andwhyshouldwepreservetheshadowoftheform?——Londonhasbeenveryfullthisyear，sir，Ihavebeentold?"
"Ithas，"saidSomerset，andheaskediftheyhadbeenupthatseason。ItwasplainthatthematterwithwhichSirWilliamDeStancyleastcaredtooccupyhimselfbeforevisitorswasthehistoryofhisownfamily，inwhichhewasfollowedwithmoresimplicitybyhisdaughterCharlotte。
"No，"saidthebaronet。"Onemightbeledtothinkthereisafatalitywhichpreventsit。Wemakearrangementstogototownalmosteveryyear，tomeetsomeoldfriendwhocombinestherareconditionsofbeinginLondonwithbeingmindfulofme；buthehasalwaysdiedorgoneelsewherebeforetheeventhastakenplace……Butwithadispositiontobehappy，itisneitherthisplacenortheotherthatcanrenderusthereverse。Inshorteachman"shappinessdependsuponhimself，andhisabilityfordoingwithlittle。"HeturnedmoreparticularlytoSomerset，andaddedwithanimpressivesmile:
"Ihopeyoucultivatetheartofdoingwithlittle?"
Somersetsaidthathecertainlydidcultivatethatart，partlybecausehewasobligedto。
"Ah——youdon"tmeantotheextentthatImean。Theworldhasnotyetlearnedtherichesoffrugality，says，Ithink，Cicero，somewhere；andnobodycantestifytothetruthofthatremarkbetterthanI。Ifamanknowshowtospendlessthanhisincome，howeversmallthatmaybe，why——hehasthephilosopher"sstone。"AndSirWilliamlookedinSomerset"sfacewithfrugalitywrittenineveryporeofhisown，asmuchastosay，"Andhereyouseeonewhohasbeenalivinginstanceofthoseprinciplesfromhisyouthup。"
Somersetsoonfoundthatwhateverturntheconversationtook，SirWilliaminvariablyrevertedtothistopicoffrugality。