第4章

"Donotbeconcernedabouther，"saidSomersetgently。"She"snotaPaedobaptistatheart，althoughsheseemsso。"

Mr。WoodwellplacedhisfingeronSomerset"sarm，saying，"Ifshe"snotaPaedobaptist，orEpiscopalian；ifsheisnotvulnerabletothemediaevalinfluencesofhermansion，lands，andnewacquaintance，itisbecauseshe"sbeenvulnerabletowhatisworse:todoctrinesbesidewhichtheerrorsofPaaedobaptists，Episcopalians，RomanCatholics，arebutasair。"

"How?Youastonishme。"

"HaveyouheardinyourmetropolitanexperienceofacuriousbodyofNewLights，astheythinkthemselves?"Theministerwhisperedanametohislistener，asifhewerefearfulofbeingoverheard。

"Ono，"saidSomerset，shakinghishead，andsmilingattheminister"shorror。"She"snotthat；atleast，Ithinknot……She"sawoman；nothingmore。Don"tfearforher；allwillbewell。"

Thepooroldmansighed。"Iloveherasmyown。Iwillsaynomore。"

Somersetwasnowinhastetogobacktothelady，toeaseherapparentanxietyastotheresultofhismission，andalsobecausetimeseemedheavyinthelossofherdiscreetvoiceandsoft，buoyantlook。Everymomentofdelaybegantobeastwo。Buttheministerwastooearnestinhisconversetoseehiscompanion"shaste，anditwasnottillperceptionwasforceduponhimbytheactualretreatofSomersetthatherememberedtimetobealimitedcommodity。HethenexpressedhiswishtoseeSomersetathishousetoteaanyafternoonhecouldspare，andreceivingtheother"spromisetocallassoonashecould，allowedtheyoungermantosetoutforthesummer-house，whichhedidatasmartpace。Whenhereachedithelookedaround，andfoundshewasgone。

Somersetwasimmediatelystruckbyhisownlackofsocialdexterity。Whydidheactsoreadilyonthewhimsicalsuggestionofanotherperson，andfollowtheminister，whenhemighthavesaidthathewouldcallonMr。Woodwellto-morrow，and，makinghimselfknowntoMissPowerasthevisitingarchitectofwhomshehadheardfromMissDeStancy，havehadthepleasureofattendinghertothecastle?"That"swhatanyothermanwouldhavehadwitenoughtodo!"hesaid。

Therethenarosethequestionwhetherherdespatchinghimaftertheministerwassuchanadmirableactofgood-naturetoagoodmanasithadatfirstseemedtobe。Perhapsitwassimplyamanoeuvreforgettingridofhimself；andherememberedhisdoubtwhetheracertainlightinhereyeswhensheinquiredconcerninghissinceritywereinnocentearnestnessorthereverse。Asthepossibilityoflevitycrossedhisbrain，hisfacewarmed；itpainedhimtothinkthatawomansointerestingcouldcondescendtoatrickofevensomildacomplexionasthat。Hewantedtothinkherthesoulofallthatwastender，andnoble，andkind。Thepleasureofsettinghimselftowinaminister"sgoodwillwasalittletarnishednow。

VIII。

ThateveningSomersetwassopreoccupiedwiththesethingsthatheleftallhissketchingimplementsout-of-doorsinthecastlegrounds。Thenextmorninghehastenedthithertosecurethemfrombeingstolenorspoiled。MeanwhilehewashopingtohaveanopportunityofrectifyingPaula"smistakeabouthispersonality，which，havingservedaverygoodpurposeinintroducingthemtoamutualconversation，mightpossiblybemadejustasagreeableasathingtobeexplainedaway。

Hefetchedhisdrawinginstruments，rods，sketching-blocksandotherarticlesfromthefieldwheretheyhadlain，andwaspassingunderthewallswiththeminhishands，whenthereemergedfromtheouterarchwayanopenlandau，drawnbyapairofblackhorsesoffineactionandobviouslystrongpedigree，inwhichPaulawasseated，undertheshadeofawhiteparasolwithblackandwhiteribbonsflutteringonthesummit。Themorningsunsparkledontheequipage，itsnewnessbeingmadeallthemorenoticeablebytheraggedoldarchbehind。

ShebowedtoSomersetinawaywhichmighthavebeenmeanttoexpressthatshehaddiscoveredhermistake；buttherewasnoembarrassmentinhermanner，andthecarriageboreherawaywithouthermakinganysignforcheckingit。Hehadnotbeenwalkingtowardsthecastleentrance，andshecouldnotbesupposedtoknowthatitwashisintentiontoenterthatday。

Shehadlookedsuchabudofyouthandpromisethathisdisappointmentatherdepartureshoweditselfinhisfaceasheobservedher。However，hewentonhisway，enteredaturret，ascendedtotheleadsofthegreattower，andsteppedout。

FromthiselevatedpositionhecouldstillseethecarriageandthewhitesurfaceofPaula"sparasolintheglowingsun。

Whilehewatchedthelandaustopped，andinafewmomentsthehorseswereturned，thewheelsandthepanelsflashed，andthecarriagecamebowlingalongtowardsthecastleagain。

Somersetdescendedthestonestairs。BeforehehadquitegottothebottomhesawMissDeStancystandingintheouterhall。

"Whendidyoucome，Mr。Somerset?"shegailysaid，lookingupsurprised。"Howindustriousyouaretobeatworksoregularlyeveryday!Wedidn"tthinkyouwouldbehereto-

day:PaulahasgonetoavegetableshowatMarkton，andIamgoingtojoinhertheresoon。"

"O!gonetoavegetableshow。ButIthinkshehasalteredher——"

Atthismomentthenoiseofthecarriagewasheardintheward，andafterafewsecondsMissPowercamein——Somersetbeinginvisiblefromthedoorwhereshestood。

"OPaula，whathasbroughtyouback?"saidMissDeStancy。

"Ihaveforgottensomething。"

"Mr。Somersetishere。Willyounotspeaktohim?"

Somersetcameforward，andMissDeStancypresentedhimtoherfriend。Mr。Somersetacknowledgedthepleasurebyarespectfulinclinationofhisperson，andsaidsomewordsaboutthemeetingyesterday。

"Yes，"saidMissPower，withaserenedeliberatenessquitenoteworthyinagirlofherage；"Ihaveseenitallsince。I

wasmistakenaboutyou，wasInot?Mr。Somerset，Iamgladtowelcomeyouhere，bothasafriendofMissDeStancy"sfamily，andasthesonofyourfather——whichisindeedquiteasufficientintroductionanywhere。"

"YouhavetwopicturespaintedbyMr。Somerset"sfather，haveyounot?Ihavealreadytoldhimaboutthem，"saidMissDeStancy。"PerhapsMr。Somersetwouldliketoseethemiftheyareunpacked?"

AsSomersethadfromhisinfancysufferedfromaplethoraofthoseproductions，excellentastheywere，hedidnotreplyquitesoeagerlyasMissDeStancyseemedtoexpecttoherkindsuggestion，andPaularemarkedtohim，"Youwillstaytolunch?Doorderitatyourowntime，ifourhourshouldnotbeconvenient。"

Hervoicewasavoiceoflownote，inqualitythatofafluteatthegraveendofitsgamut。Ifshesang，shewasapurecontraltounmistakably。

"Iammakinguseofthepermissionyouhavebeengoodenoughtograntme——ofsketchingwhatisvaluablewithinthesewalls。"

"Yes，ofcourse，Iamwillingforanybodytocome。Peopleholdtheseplacesintrustforthenation，inonesense。Youliftyourhands，Charlotte；IseeIhavenotconvincedyouonthatpointyet。"

MissDeStancylaughed，andsaidsomethingtonopurpose。

SomehowMissPowerseemednotonlymorewomanthanMissDeStancy，butmorewomanthanSomersetwasman；andyetinyearsshewasinferiortoboth。Thoughbecominglygirlishandmodest，sheappearedtopossessagooddealofcomposure，whichwaswellexpressedbytheshadedlightofhereyes。

"YouhavethenmetMr。Somersetbefore?"saidCharlotte。

"Hewaskindenoughtodeliveranaddressinmydefenceyesterday。IsupposeIseemedquiteunabletodefendmyself。"

"Ono!"saidhe。WhenafewmorewordshadpassedsheturnedtoMissDeStancyandspokeofsomedomesticmatter，uponwhichSomersetwithdrew，Paulaaccompanyinghisexitwitharemarkthatshehopedtoseehimagainalittlelaterintheday。

Somersetretiredtothechambersofantiquelumber，keepinganeyeuponthewindowstoseeifshere-enteredthecarriageandresumedherjourneytoMarkton。Butwhenthehorseshadbeenstandingalongtimethecarriagewasdrivenroundtothestables。Thenshewasnotgoingtothevegetableshow。Thatwasrathercurious，seeingthatshehadonlycomebackforsomethingforgotten。

ThesequeriesandthoughtsoccupiedthemindofSomersetuntilthebellwasrungforluncheon。Owingtotheverydustyconditioninwhichhefoundhimselfafterhismorning"slaboursamongtheoldcarvingshewasratherlateingettingdownstairs，andseeingthattheresthadgoneinhewentstraighttothedining-hall。

Thepopulationofthecastlehadincreasedinhisabsence。

TherewereassembledPaulaandherfriendCharlotte；abeardedmansomeyearsolderthanhimself，withacoldgreyeye，whowascursorilyintroducedtohiminsittingdownasMr。Havill，anarchitectofMarkton；alsoanelderlyladyofdignifiedaspect，inablacksatindress，ofwhichsheapparentlyhadaveryhighopinion。Thislady，whoseemedtobeameredummyintheestablishment，was，ashenowlearnt，Mrs。Goodmanbyname，awidowofarecentlydeceasedgentleman，andaunttoPaula——theidenticalauntwhohadsmuggledPaulaintoachurchinherhelplessinfancy，andhadherchristenedwithoutherparents"knowledge。Havingbeenleftinnarrowcircumstancesbyherhusband，shewasatpresentlivingwithMissPoweraschaperonandadviseronpracticalmatters——inaword，asballasttothemanagement。BeyondherSomersetdiscernedhisnewacquaintanceMr。Woodwell，whoonsightofSomersetwasforhasteninguptohimandperformingalabouredshakingofhandsinearnestrecognition。

Paulahadjustcomeinfromthegarden，andwascarelesslylayingdownherlargeshadyhatasheentered。Herdress，afiguredmaterialinblackandwhite，wasshort，allowingherfeettoappear。Therewassomethinginherlook，andinthestyleofhercorsage，whichremindedhimofseveralofthebygonebeautiesinthegallery。Thethoughtforamomentcrossedhismindthatshemighthavebeenimitatingoneofthem。

"Fineoldscreen，sir!"saidMr。Havill，inalong-drawnvoiceacrossthetablewhentheywereseated，pointinginthedirectionofthetraceriedoakdivisionbetweenthedining-

hallandavestibuleattheend。"Asgoodapieceoffourteenth-centuryworkasyoushallseeinthispartofthecountry。"

"Youmeanfifteenthcentury，ofcourse?"saidSomerset。

Havillwassilent。"Youareoneoftheprofession，perhaps?"

askedthelatter，afterawhile。

"YoumeanthatIamanarchitect?"saidSomerset。"Yes。"

"Ah——oneofmyownhonouredvocation。"Havill"sfacehadbeennotunpleasantuntilthismoment，whenhesmiled；whereuponthereinstantlygleamedoverhimaphaseofmeanness，remaininguntilthesmilediedaway。

Havillcontinued，withslowwatchfulness:——

"Whatenormoussacrilegesarecommittedbythebuilderseveryday，Iobserve!IwasdrivingyesterdaytoToneboroughwhereIamerectingatown-hall，andpassingthroughavillageonmywayIsawtheworkmenpullingdownachancel-wallinwhichtheyfoundimbeddedauniquespecimenofPerpendicularwork——acapitalfromsomeoldarcade——themouldingswonderfullyundercut。Theyweresmashingitupasfilling-inforthenewwall。"

"Itmusthavebeenunique，"saidSomerset，inthetoo-readilycontroversialtoneoftheeducatedyoungmanwhohasyettolearndiplomacy。"IhaveneverseenmuchundercuttinginPerpendicularstone-work；noranybodyelse，Ithink。"

"Oyes——lotsofit!"saidMr。Havill，nettled。

Paulalookedfromonetotheother。"WhichamItotakeasguide?"sheasked。"ArePerpendicularcapitalsundercut，asyoucallit，Mr。Havill，orno?"

"Itdependsuponcircumstances，"saidMr。Havill。

ButSomersethadansweredatthesametime:"Thereisseldomorneveranymarkedundercuttinginmouldedworklaterthanthemiddleofthefourteenthcentury。"

HavilllookedkeenlyatSomersetforatime:thenheturnedtoPaula:"AsregardsthatfineSaxonvaultingyoudidmethehonourtoconsultmeabouttheotherday，Ishouldadvisetakingoutsomeoftheoldstonesandreinstatingnewonesexactlylikethem。"

"Butthenewoneswon"tbeSaxon，"saidPaula。"Andthenintimetocome，whenIhavepassedaway，andthosestoneshavebecomestainedliketherest，peoplewillbedeceived。I

shouldpreferanhonestpatchtoanysuchmake-believeofSaxonrelics。"

AssheconcludedshelethereyesrestonSomersetforamoment，asiftoaskhimtosidewithher。MuchashelikedtalkingtoPaula，hewouldhavepreferrednottoenterintothisdiscussionwithanotherprofessionalman，eventhoughthatmanwereaspuriousarticle；buthewasledontoenthusiasmbyasuddenpangofregretatfindingthatthemasterlyworkmanshipinthisfinecastlewaslikelytobetinkeredandspoiltbysuchamanasHavill。

"YouwilldeceivenobodyintobelievingthatanythingisSaxonhere，"hesaidwarmly。"ThereisnotasquareinchofSaxonwork，asitiscalled，inthewholecastle。"

Paula，indoubt，lookedtoMr。Havill。

"Oyes，sir；youarequitemistaken，"saidthatgentlemanslowly。"EverystoneofthoselowervaultswasrearedinSaxontimes。"

"Icanassureyou，"saidSomersetdeferentially，butfirmly，"thatthereisnotanarchorwallinthiscastleofadateanteriortotheyear1100；noonewhoseattentionhaseverbeengiventothestudyofarchitecturaldetailsofthatagecanbeofadifferentopinion。"

"Ihavestudiedarchitecture，andIamofadifferentopinion。

Ihavethebestreasonintheworldforthedifference，forI

havehistoryherselfonmyside。WhatwillyousaywhenI

tellyouthatitisarecordedfactthatthiswasusedasacastlebytheRomans，andthatitismentionedinDomesdayasabuildingoflongstanding?"

"Ishallsaythathasnothingtodowithit，"repliedtheyoungman。"Idon"tdenythattheremayhavebeenacastlehereinthetimeoftheRomans:whatIsayis，thatnoneofthearchitecturewenowseewasstandingatthatdate。"

Therewasasilenceofaminute，disturbedonlybyamurmureddialoguebetweenMrs。Goodmanandtheminister，duringwhichPaulawaslookingthoughtfullyonthetableasifframingaquestion。

"Canitbe，"shesaidtoSomerset，"thatsuchcertaintyhasbeenreachedinthestudyofarchitecturaldates?Now，wouldyoureallyriskanythingonyourbelief?WouldyouagreetobeshutupinthevaultsandfeduponbreadandwaterforaweekifIcouldproveyouwrong?"

"Willingly，"saidSomerset。"Thedateofthosetowersandarchesismatterofabsolutecertaintyfromthedetails。ThattheyshouldhavebeenbuiltbeforetheConquestisasunlikelyas，say，thattherustiestoldgunwithapercussionlockshouldbeolderthanthedateofWaterloo。"

"HowIwishIknewsomethingpreciseofanartwhichmakesonesoindependentofwrittenhistory!"

Mr。Havillhadlapsedintoamannerlysilencethatwasonlysullennessdisguised。PaulaturnedherconversationtoMissDeStancy，whohadsimplylookedfromonetotheotherduringthediscussion，thoughshemighthavebeensupposedtohaveaprescriptiverighttoafewremarksonthematter。A

commonplacetalkensued，tillHavill，whohadnotjoinedinit，privatelybeganatSomersetagainwithamixedmannerofcordiality，contempt，andmisgiving。

"Youhaveapractice，Isuppose，sir?"

"Iamnotinpracticejustyet。"

"Justbeginning?"

"Iamabouttobegin。"

"InLondon，ornearhere?"

"InLondonprobably。"

"H"m……IampractisinginMarkton。"

"Indeed。Haveyoubeenatitlong?"

"Notparticularly。Idesignedthechapelbuiltbythislady"slatefather；itwasmyfirstundertaking——Iowemystart，infact，toMr。Power。Everbuildachapel?"

"Never。Ihavesketchedagoodmanychurches。"

"Ah——therewediffer。Ididn"tdomuchsketchinginmyyouth，norhaveItimeforitnow。Sketchingandbuildingaretwodifferentthings，tomymind。Iwasnotbroughtuptotheprofession——gotintoitthroughsheerloveofit。Ibeganasalandscapegardener，thenIbecameabuilder，thenIwasaroadcontractor。Everyarchitectmightdoworsethanhavesomesuchexperience。Butnowadays"tisthemenwhocandrawprettypictureswhogetrecommended，notthepracticalmen。

YoungprigswinInstitutemedalsforaprettydesignortwowhich，ifanybodytriedtobuildthem，wouldfalldownlikeahouseofcards；thentheygettravellingstudentshipsandwhatnot，andthentheystartasarchitectsofsomenewschoolorother，andthinktheyarethemastersofusexperiencedones。"

WhileSomersetwasreflectinghowfarthisstatementwastrue，heheardthevoiceofPaulainquiring，"Whocanhebe?"

Hereyeswerebentonthewindow。Lookingout，Somersetsawinthemeadbeyondthedryditch，Dare，withhisphotographicapparatus。

"Heistheyounggentlemanwhocalledabouttakingviewsofthecastle，"saidCharlotte。

"Oyes——Iremember；itisquiteright。Hemetmeinthevillageandaskedmetosuggesthimsomeviews。Ithoughthimarespectableyoungfellow。"

"IthinkheisaCanadian，"saidSomerset。

"No，"saidPaula，"heisfromtheEast——atleastheimpliedsotome。"

"ThereisItalianbloodinhim，"saidCharlottebrightly。

"ForhespoketomewithanItalianaccent。ButIcan"tthinkwhetherheisaboyoraman。"

"Itistobeearnestlyhopedthatthegentlemandoesnotprevaricate，"saidtheminister，forthefirsttimeattractedbythesubject。"Iaccidentallymethiminthelane，andhesaidsomethingtomeabouthavinglivedinMalta。IthinkitwasMalta，orGibraltar——evenifhedidnotsaythathewasbornthere。"

"Hismannersarenocredittohisnationality，"observedMrs。

Goodman，alsospeakingpubliclyforthefirsttime。"Heaskedmethismorningtosendhimoutapailofwaterforhisprocess，andbeforeIhadturnedawayhebeganwhistling。I

don"tlikewhistlers。"

"Thenitappears，"saidSomerset，"thatheisabeingofnoage，nonationality，andnobehaviour。"

"Acompletenegative，"addedHavill，brighteningintoacivilsneer。"Thatis，hewouldbe，ifhewerenotamakerofnegativeswellknowninMarkton。"

"Notwellknown，Mr。Havill，"answeredMrs。Goodmanfirmly。

"ForIlivedinMarktonforthirtyyearsendingthreemonthsago，andhewasneverheardofinmytime。"

"Heissomethinglikeyou，Charlotte，"saidPaula，smilingplayfullyonhercompanion。

AllthemenlookedatCharlotte，onwhosefaceadelicatenervousblushthereuponmadeitsappearance。

""Ponmywordthereisalikeness，nowIthinkofit，"saidHavill。

PaulabentdowntoCharlotteandwhispered:"Forgivemyrudeness，dear。Heisnotaniceenoughpersontobelikeyou。Heisreallymorelikeoneorotheroftheoldpicturesaboutthehouse。Iforgetwhich，andreallyitdoesnotmatter。"

"People"sfeaturesfallnaturallyintogroupsandclasses，"

remarkedSomerset。"Toanobservantpersontheyoftenrepeatthemselves；thoughtoacarelesseyetheyseeminfiniteintheirdifferences。"

Theconversationflagged，andtheyidlyobservedthefigureofthecosmopoliteDareashewalkedroundhisinstrumentinthemeadandbusiedhimselfwithanarrangementofcurtainsandlenses，occasionallywithdrawingafewsteps，andlookingcontemplativelyatthetowersandwalls。

IX。

Somersetreturnedtothetopofthegreattowerwithavagueconsciousnessthathewasgoingtodosomethingupthere——

perhapssketchageneralplanofthestructure。ButhebegantodiscernthatthisStancy-CastleepisodeinhisstudiesofGothicarchitecturemightbelessusefulthanornamentaltohimasaprofessionalman，thoughitwastooagreeabletobeabandoned。Findingafterawhilethathisdrawingprogressedbutslowly，byreasonofinfinitejoyfulthoughtsmorealliedtohisnaturethantohisart，herelinquishedruleandcompass，andenteredoneofthetwoturretsopeningontheroof。Itwasnotthestaircasebywhichhehadascended，andheproceededtoexploreitslowerpart。Enteringfromtheblazeoflightwithout，andimaginingthestairstodescendasusual，hebecameawareafterafewstepsthattherewassuddenlynothingtotreadon，andfoundhimselfprecipitateddownwardstoadistanceofseveralfeet。

Arrivedatthebottom，hewasconsciousofthehappyfactthathehadnotseriouslyhurthimself，thoughhislegwastwistedawkwardly。Nextheperceivedthatthestonestepshadbeenremovedfromtheturret，sothathehaddroppedintoitasintoadrywell；that，owingtoitsbeingwalledupbelow，therewasnodoorofexitoneithersideofhim；thathewas，inshort，aprisoner。

Placinghimselfinamorecomfortablepositionhecalmlyconsideredthebestmeansofgettingout，orofmakinghisconditionknown。Foramomenthetriedtodraghimselfupbyhisarm，butitwasahopelessattempt，theheighttothefirststepbeingfartoogreat。

Henextlookedroundatalowerlevel。Notfarfromhisleftelbow，intheconcaveoftheouterwall，wasaslitfortheadmissionoflight，andheperceivedatoncethatthroughthisslitalonelayhischanceofcommunicatingwiththeouterworld。Atfirstitseemedasifitweretobedonebyshouting，butwhenhelearntwhatlittleeffectwasproducedbyhisvoiceinthemidstofsuchamassofmasonry，hisheartfailedhimforamoment。Yet，aseitherPaulaorMissDeStancywouldprobablyguesshisvisittothetopofthetower，therewasnocauseforterror，ifsomeforalarm。

Heputhishandkerchiefthroughthewindow-slit，sothatitflutteredoutside，and，fixingitinitsplacebyalargestonedrawnfromthelooseonesaroundhim，awaitedsuccourasbesthecould。Tobeginthiscourseofprocedurewaseasy，buttoabideinpatiencetillitshouldproducefruitwasanirksometask。Asnearlyashecouldguess——forhiswatchhadbeenstoppedbythefall——itwasnowaboutfouro"clock，anditwouldbescarcelypossibleforeveningtoapproachwithoutsomeeyeorothernoticingthewhitesignal。SoSomersetwaited，hiseyeslingeringonthelittleworldofobjectsaroundhim，tilltheyallbecamequitefamiliar。Spiders"-

websinplentywerethere，andoneinparticularjustbeforehimwasinfulluseasasnare，stretchingacrossthearchofthewindow，withradiatingthreadsasitsribs。Somersethadplentyoftime，andhecountedtheirnumber——fifteen。Heremainedsosilentthattheownerofthiselaboratestructuresoonforgotthedisturbancewhichhadresultedinthebreakingofhisdiagonalties，andcreptoutfromthecornertomendthem。Inwatchingtheprocess，Somersetnoticedthatonthestoneworkbehindthewebsundrynamesandinitialshadbeencutbyexplorersinyearsgoneby。Amongtheseantiqueinscriptionsheobservedtwobrightandcleanones，consistingofthewords"DeStancy"and"W。Dare，"crossingeachotheratrightangles。Fromthestateofthestonetheycouldnothavebeencutmorethanamonthbeforethisdate，and，musingonthecircumstance，Somersetpassedthetimeuntilthesunreachedtheslitinthatsideofthetower，where，beginningbythrowinginastreakoffireasnarrowasacorn-stalk，itenlargeditswidthtillthedustynookwasfloodedwithcheerfullight。Itdisclosedsomethinglyinginthecorner，whichonexaminationprovedtobeadrybone。Whetheritwashuman，orhadcomefromthecastlelarderinbygonetimes，hecouldnottell。Onebonewasnotawholeskeleton，butitmadehimthinkofGinevraofModena，theheroineoftheMistletoeBough，andothercribbedandconfinedwretches，whohadfallenintosuchtrapsandbeendiscoveredafteracycleofyears。

Thesun"srayshadtravelledsomewayroundtheinteriorwhenSomerset"swaitingearswereatlastattractedbyfootstepsabove，eachtreadbeingbroughtdownbythehollowturretwithgreatfidelity。Hehopedthatwiththesesoundswouldarisethatofasoftvoicehehadbeguntolikewell。Indeed，duringthesolitaryhourortwoofhiswaitingherehehadpicturedPaulastrayingaloneontheterraceofthecastle，lookingup，notinghissignal，andascendingtodeliverhimfromhispainfulpositionbyherownexertions。Itseemedthatatlengthhisdreamhadbeenverified。Thefootstepsapproachedtheopeningoftheturret；and，attractedbythecallwhichSomersetnowraised，begantodescendtowardshim。

Inamoment，notPaula"sface，butthatofadrearyfootmanofherhousehold，lookedintothehole。

Somersetmasteredhisdisappointment，andthemanspeedilyfetchedaladder，bywhichmeanstheprisoneroftwohoursascendedtotheroofinsafety。Duringtheprocessheventuredtoaskfortheladiesofthehouse，andlearntthattheyhadgoneoutforadrivetogether。

Beforeheleftthecastle，however，theyhadreturned，acircumstanceunexpectedlymadeknowntohimbyhisreceivingamessagefromMissPower，totheeffectthatshewouldbegladtoseehimathisconvenience。Wonderingwhatitcouldpossiblymean，hefollowedthemessengertoherroom——asmallmodernlibraryintheJacobeanwingofthehouse，adjoiningthatinwhichthetelegraphstood。Shewasalone，sittingbehindatablelitteredwithlettersandsketches，andlookingfreshfromherdrive。Perhapsitwasbecausehehadbeenshutupinthatdismaldungeonalltheafternoonthathefeltsomethinginherpresencewhichatthesametimecharmedandrefreshedhim。

Shesignifiedthathewastositdown；butfindingthathewasgoingtoplacehimselfonastraight-backedchairsomedistanceoffshesaid，"Willyousitnearertome?"andthen，asifratheroppressedbyherdignity，sheleftherownchairofbusinessandseatedherselfateaseonanottomanwhichwasamongthediversifiedfurnitureoftheapartment。

"Iwanttoconsultyouprofessionally，"shewenton。"Ihavebeenmuchimpressedbyyourgreatknowledgeofcastellatedarchitecture。Willyousitinthatleatherchairatthetable，asyoumayhavetotakenotes?"

Theyoungmanassented，expressedhisgratification，andwenttothechairshedesignated。

"But，Mr。Somerset，"shecontinued，fromtheottoman——thewidthofthetableonlydividingthem——"Ifirstshouldjustliketoknow，andItrustyouwillexcusemyinquiry，ifyouareanarchitectinpractice，oronlyasyetstudyingfortheprofession?"

"Iamjustgoingtopractise。IopenmyofficeonthefirstofJanuarynext，"heanswered。

"Youwouldnotmindhavingmeasaclient——yourfirstclient?"

Shelookedcuriouslyfromhersidewayfaceacrossthetableasshesaidthis。

"Canyouaskit!"saidSomersetwarmly。"Whatareyougoingtobuild?"

"Iamgoingtorestorethecastle。"

"What，allofit?"saidSomerset，astonishedattheaudacityofsuchanundertaking。

"Notthepartsthatareabsolutelyruinous:thewallsbatteredbytheParliamentartilleryhadbetterremainastheyare，Isuppose。Butwehavebegunwrong；itisIwhoshouldaskyou，notyoume……Ifear，"shewenton，inthatlownotewhichwassomewhatdifficulttocatchatadistance，"I

fearwhattheantiquarianswillsayifIamnotverycareful。

TheycomehereagreatdealinsummerandifIweretodotheworkwrongtheywouldputmynameinthepapersasadreadfulperson。ButImustlivehere，asIhavenootherhouse，excepttheoneinLondon，andhenceImustmaketheplacehabitable。IdohopeIcantrusttoyourjudgment?"

"Ihopeso，"hesaid，withdiffidence，for，farfromhavingmuchprofessionalconfidence，heoftenmistrustedhimself。"I

amaFellowoftheSocietyofAntiquaries，andaMemberoftheInstituteofBritishArchitects——notaFellowofthatbodyyet，thoughIsoonshallbe。"

"ThenIamsureyoumustbetrustworthy，"shesaid，withenthusiasm。"Well，whatamItodo?——Howdowebegin?"

Somersetbegantofeelmoreprofessional，whatwiththebusinesschairandthetable，andthewriting-paper，notwithstandingthatthesearticles，andtheroomtheywerein，werehersinsteadofhis；andanevennessofmannerwhichhehadmomentarilylostreturnedtohim。"Theveryfirststep，"hesaid，"istodecideupontheoutlay——whatisittocost?"

Hefalteredalittle，foritseemedtodisturbthesoftnessoftheirrelationshiptotalkthusofhardcash。Buthersympathywithhisfeelingwasapparentlynotgreat，andshesaid，"Theexpenditureshallbewhatyouadvise。"

"Whataheavenlyclient!"hethought。"Butyoumustjustgivesomeidea，"hesaidgently。"Forthefactis，anysumalmostmaybespentonsuchabuilding:fivethousand，tenthousand，twentythousand，fiftythousand，ahundredthousand。"

"Iwantitdonewell；sosupposewesayahundredthousand?

Myfather"ssolicitor——mysolicitornow——saysImaygotoahundredthousandwithoutextravagance，iftheexpenditureisscatteredovertwoorthreeyears。"

Somersetlookedroundforapen。Withquicknessofinsightsheknewwhathewanted，andsignifiedwhereonecouldbefound。Hewrotedowninlargefigures——

100，000。

Itwasmorethanhehadexpected；andforayoungmanjustbeginningpractice，theopportunityofplayingwithanotherperson"smoneytothatextentwouldaffordanexceptionallyhandsomeopening，notsomuchfromthecommissionitrepresented，asfromtheattentionthatwouldbebestowedbytheart-worldonsuchanundertaking。

Paulahadsunkintoareverie。"IwasintendingtointrusttheworktoMr。Havill，alocalarchitect，"shesaid。"ButI

gatheredfromhisconversationwithyouto-daythathisignoranceofstylesmightcompromisemeveryseriously。Inshort，thoughmyfatheremployedhiminoneortwolittlematters，itwouldnotberight——evenamorallyculpablething——

toplacesuchanhistoricallyvaluablebuildinginhishands。"

"HasMr。Havilleverbeenledtoexpectthecommission?"heasked。

"Hemayhaveguessedthathewouldhaveit。Ihavespokenofmyintentiontohimmorethanonce。"

SomersetthoughtoverhisconversationwithHavill。Well，hedidnotlikeHavillpersonally；andhehadstrongreasonsforsuspectingthatinthematterofarchitectureHavillwasaquack。Butwasitquitegeneroustostepinthus，andtakeawaywhatwouldbeagoldenopportunitytosuchamanofmakingbothendsmeetcomfortablyforsomeyearstocome，withoutgivinghimatleastonechance?Hereflectedalittlelonger，andthenspokeouthisfeeling。

"Iventuretoproposeaslightlymodifiedarrangement，"hesaid。"Insteadofcommittingthewholeundertakingtomyhandswithoutbetterproofofmyabilitytocarryitoutthanyouhaveatpresent，lettherebeacompetitionbetweenMr。

Havillandmyself——letourrivalplansfortherestorationandenlargementbesubmittedtoacommitteeoftheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects——andletthechoicerestwiththem，subjectofcoursetoyourapproval。"

"Itisindeedgenerousofyoutosuggestit。"Shelookedthoughtfullyathim；heappearedtostrikeherinanewlight。

"Youreallyrecommendit?"Thefairnesswhichhadpromptedhiswordsseemedtoinclineherstillmorethanbeforetoresignherselfentirelytohiminthematter。

"Ido，"saidSomersetdeliberately。

"Iwillthinkofit，sinceyouwishit。Andnow，whatgeneralideahaveyouoftheplantoadopt?Idonotpositivelyagreetoyoursuggestionasyet，soImayperhapsaskthequestion。"

Somerset，beingbythistimefamiliarwiththegeneralplanofthecastle，tookouthispencilandmadearoughsketch。

Whilehewasdoingitsherose，andcomingtothebackofhischair，bentoverhiminsilence。

"Ah，Ibegintoseeyourconception，"shemurmured；andthebreathofherwordsfannedhisear。Hefinishedthesketch，andheldituptoher，saying——

"IwouldsuggestthatyouwalkoverthebuildingwithMr。

Havillandmyself，anddetailyourideastousoneachportion。"

"Isitnecessary?"

"Clientsmostlydoit。"

"Iwill，then。Butitistoolateformethisevening。

Pleasemeetmeto-morrowatten。"

X。

Atteno"clocktheymetinthesameroom，Paulaappearinginastrawhathavingabent-upbrimlinedwithplaitedsilk，sothatitsurroundedherforeheadlikeanimbus；andSomersetarmedwithsketch-book，measuring-rod，andotherapparatusofhiscraft。

"AndMr。Havill?"saidtheyoungman。

"Ihavenotdecidedtoemployhim:ifIdoheshallgoroundwithmeindependentlyofyou，"sherepliedratherbrusquely。

Somersetwasbynomeanssorrytohearthis。HisdutytoHavillwasdone。

"Andnow，"shesaid，astheywalkedontogetherthroughthepassages，"ImusttellyouthatIamnotamediaevalistmyself；andperhapsthat"sapity。"

"Whatareyou?"

"IamGreek——that"swhyIdon"twishtoinfluenceyourdesign。"

Somerset，astheyproceeded，pointedoutwhereroofshadbeenandshouldbeagain，wheregableshadbeenpulleddown，andwherefloorshadvanished，showingherhowtoreconstructtheirdetailsfrommarksinthewalls，muchasacomparativeanatomistreconstructsanantediluvianfromfragmentarybonesandteeth。Sheappearedtobeinterested，listenedattentively，butsaidlittleinreply。Theywereultimatelyinalongnarrowpassage，indifferentlylighted，whenSomerset，treadingonaloosestone，feltatwingeofweaknessinoneknee，andknewinamomentthatitwastheresultofthetwistgivenbyhisyesterday"sfall。Hepaused，leaningagainstthewall。

"Whatisit?"saidPaula，withasuddentimidityinhervoice。

"Islippeddownyesterday，"hesaid。"Itwillberightinamoment。"

"I——canIhelpyou?"saidPaula。Butshedidnotcomenearhim；indeed，shewithdrewalittle。Shelookedupthepassage，anddownthepassage，andbecameconsciousthatitwaslongandgloomy，andthatnobodywasnear。Acuriouscoyuneasinessseemedtotakepossessionofher。Whethershethought，forthefirsttime，thatshehadmadeamistake——thattowanderaboutthecastlealonewithhimwascompromising，orwhetheritwasthemereshyinstinctofmaidenhood，nobodyknows；butshesaidsuddenly，"Iwillgetsomethingforyou，andreturninafewminutes。"

"Praydon"t——ithasquitepassed!"hesaid，steppingoutagain。

ButPaulahadvanished。WhenshecamebackitwasintherearofCharlotteDeStancy。MissDeStancyhadatumblerinonehand，halffullofwine，whichsheofferedhim；Paularemaininginthebackground。

Hetooktheglass，and，tosatisfyhiscompanions，drankamouthfulortwo，thoughtherewasreallynothingwhateverthematterwithhimbeyondtheslightacheabovementioned。

Charlottewasgoingtoretire，butPaulasaid，quiteanxiously，"Youwillstaywithme，Charlotte，won"tyou?

SurelyyouareinterestedinwhatIamdoing?"

"Whatisit?"saidMissDeStancy。

"Planninghowtomendandenlargethecastle。TellMr。

SomersetwhatIwantdoneinthequadrangle——youknowquitewell——andIwillwalkon。"

Shewalkedon；butinsteadoftalkingonthesubjectasdirected，CharlotteandSomersetfollowedchattingonindifferentmatters。TheycametoaninnercourtandfoundPaulastandingthere。

ShemetMissDeStancywithasmile。"Didyouexplain?"sheasked。

"Ihavenotexplainedyet。"Paulaseatedherselfonastonebench，andCharlottewenton:"MissPowerthoughtofmakingaGreekcourtofthis。Butshewillnottellyousoherself，becauseitseemssuchdreadfulanachronism。

"IsaidIwouldnottellanyarchitectmyself，"interposedPaulacorrectingly。"IdidnotthenknowthathewouldbeMr。

Somerset。"

"Itisratherstartling，"saidSomerset。