第5章
"AGreekcolonnadeallround，yousaid，Paula，"continuedherlessreticentcompanion。"Aperistyleyoucalledit——yousawitinabook，don"tyouremember?——andthenyouweregoingtohaveafountaininthemiddle，andstatueslikethoseintheBritishMuseum。"
"Ididsayso，"remarkedPaula，pullingtheleavesfromayoungsycamore-treethathadsprungupbetweenthejointsofthepaving。
FromthespotwheretheysattheycouldseeovertheroofstheupperpartofthegreattowerwhereinSomersethadmetwithhismisadventure。Thetowerstoodboldlyupinthesun，andfromoneoftheslitsinthecornersomethingwhitewavedinthebreeze。
"Whatcanthatbe?"saidCharlotte。"Isitthefluffofowls，orahandkerchief?"
"Itismyhandkerchief，"Somersetanswered。"Ifixedittherewithastonetoattractattention，andforgottotakeitaway。"
Allthreelookedupatthehandkerchiefwithinterest。"Whydidyouwanttoattractattention?"saidPaula。
"O，Ifellintotheturret；butIgotoutveryeasily。"
"OPaula，"saidCharlotte，turningtoherfriend，"thatmustbetheplacewherethemanfellin，yearsago，andwasstarvedtodeath!"
"Starvedtodeath?"saidPaula。
"Theysayso。OMr。Somerset，whatanescape!"AndCharlotteDeStancywalkedawaytoapointfromwhichshecouldgetabetterviewofthetreacherousturret。
"Whomdidyouthinktoattract?"askedPaula，afterapause。
"Ithoughtyoumightseeit。"
"Mepersonally?"And，blushingfaintly，hereyesresteduponhim。
"Ihopedforanybody。Ithoughtofyou，"saidSomerset。
Shedidnotcontinue。InamomentshearoseandwentacrosstoMissDeStancy。"Don"tYOUgofallingdownandbecomingaskeleton，"shesaid——Somersetoverheardthewords，thoughPaulawasunawareofit——afterwhichsheclaspedherfingersbehindCharlotte"sneck，andsmiledtenderlyinherface。
Itseemedtobequiteunconsciouslydone，andSomersetthoughtitaverybeautifulaction。PresentlyPaulareturnedtohimandsaid，"Mr。Somerset，Ithinkwehavehadenougharchitectureforto-day。"
Thetwowomenthenwishedhimgood-morningandwentaway。
Somerset，feelingthathehadnoweveryreasonforprowlingaboutthecastle，remainednearthespot，endeavouringtoevolvesomeplanofprocedurefortheprojectentertainedbythebeautifulownerofthoseweather-scathedwalls。Butforalongtimethementalperspectiveofhisnewpositionsoexcitedtheemotionalsideofhisnaturethathecouldnotconcentrateitonfeetandinches。AsPaula"sarchitect(supposingHavillnottobeadmittedasacompetitor)，hemustofnecessitybeinconstantcommunicationwithherforaspaceoftwoorthreeyearstocome；andparticularlyduringthenextfewmonths。She，doubtless，cherishedfartooambitiousviewsofhercareertofeelanypersonalinterestinthisenforcedrelationshipwithhim；buthewouldbeatlibertytofeelwhathechose:andtobethevictimofanunrequitedpassion，whileaffordedsuchsplendidopportunitiesofcommunionwiththeonebeloved，deprivedthatpassionofitsmostdeplorablefeatures。Accessibilityisagreatpointinmattersoflove，andperhapsofthetwothereislessmiseryinlovingwithoutreturnagoddesswhoistobeseenandspokentoeveryday，thaninhavinganaffectiontenderlyreciprocatedbyonealwayshopelesslyremoved。
WiththisviewofhavingtospendaconsiderabletimeintheneighbourhoodSomersetshiftedhisquartersthatafternoonfromthelittleinnatSleeping-GreentoalargeroneatMarkton。HerequiredmoreroomsinwhichtocarryoutPaula"sinstructionsthantheformerplaceafforded，andamorecentralposition。HavingreachedanddinedatMarktonhefoundtheeveningtedious，andagainstrolledoutinthedirectionofthecastle。
Whenhereacheditthelightwasdeclining，andasolemnstillnessoverspreadthepile。Thegreattowerwasinfullview。Thatspotofwhitewhichlookedlikeapigeonflutteringfromtheloopholewashishandkerchief，stillhangingintheplacewherehehadleftit。Hiseyesyetlingeredonthewallswhenhenoticed，withsurprise，thatthehandkerchiefsuddenlyvanished。
Believingthatthebreezes，thoughweakbelow，mighthavebeenstrongenoughatthatheighttoblowitintotheturret，andinnohurrytogetoffthepremises，heleisurelyclimbeduptofindit，ascendingbythesecondstaircase，crossingtheroof，andgoingtothetopofthetreacherousturret。Theladderbywhichhehadescapedstillstoodwithinit，andbesidetheladderhebeheldthedimoutlineofawoman，inameditativeattitude，holdinghishandkerchiefinherhand。
Somersetsoftlywithdrew。Whenhehadreachedthegroundhelookedup。Agirlishformwasstandingatthetopofthetowerlookingovertheparapetuponhim——possiblynotseeinghim，foritwasdarkonthelawn。ItwaseitherMissDeStancyorPaula；oneofthemhadgonetherealoneforhishandkerchiefandhadremainedawhile，ponderingonhisescape。
Butwhich?"IfIwerenotafaint-heartIshouldrunallriskandwavemyhatorkissmyhandtoher，whoeversheis，"hethought。Buthedidnotdoeither。
Sohelingeredaboutsilentlyintheshades，andthenthoughtofstrollingtohisroomsatMarkton。Justatleaving，ashepassedundertheinhabitedwing，whenceoneortwolightsnowblinked，heheardapiano，andavoicesinging"TheMistletoeBough。"Thesonghadprobablybeensuggestedtotheromanticfancyofthesingerbyhervisittothesceneofhiscaptivity。
XI。
Theidentityoftheladywhomhehadseenonthetowerandafterwardsheardsingingwasestablishedthenextday。
"Ihavebeenthinking，"saidMissPower，onmeetinghim，"thatyoumayrequireastudioonthepremises。Ifso，theroomI
showedyouyesterdayisatyourservice。IfIemployMr。
HavilltocompetewithyouIwillofferhimasimilarone。"
Somersetdidnotdecline；andsheadded，"Inthesameroomyouwillfindthehandkerchiefthatwasleftonthetower。"
"Ah，Isawthatitwasgone。Somebodybroughtitdown?"
"Idid，"sheshylyremarked，lookingupforasecondunderhershadyhat-brim。
"Iammuchobligedtoyou。"
"Ono。Iwentuplastnighttoseewheretheaccidenthappened，andthereIfoundit。Whenyoucameupwereyouinsearchofit，ordidyouwantme?"
"Thenshesawme，"hethought。"Iwentforthehandkerchiefonly；Iwasnotawarethatyouwerethere，"heansweredsimply。Andheinvoluntarilysighed。
Itwasverysoft，butshemighthaveheardhim，fortherewasinterestinhervoiceasshecontinued，"Didyouseemebeforeyouwentback?"
"Ididnotknowitwasyou；Isawthatsomeladywasthere，andIwouldnotdisturbher。Iwonderedalltheeveningifitwereyou。"
Paulahastenedtoexplain:"Weunderstoodthatyouwouldstaytodinner，andasyoudidnotcomeinwewonderedwhereyouwere。Thatmademethinkofyouraccident，andafterdinnerI
wentuptotheplacewhereithappened。"
Somersetalmostwishedshehadnotexplainedsolucidly。
Andnowfollowedthepiquantdaystowhichhispositionasherarchitect，or，atworst，asoneofhertwoarchitects，naturallyled。Hisanticipationswereforoncesurpassedbythereality。PerhapsSomerset"sinherentunfitnessforaprofessionallifeunderordinarycircumstanceswasonlyprovedbyhisgreatzestforitnow。Hadhebeeninregularpractice，withnumerousotherclients，insteadofhavingmerelymadeastartwiththisone，hewouldhavetotallyneglectedtheirbusinessinhisexclusiveattentiontoPaula"s。
TheideaofacompetitionbetweenSomersetandHavillhadbeenhighlyapprovedbyPaula"ssolicitor，butshewouldnotassenttoitasyet，seemingquitevexedthatSomersetshouldnothavetakenthegoodthegodsprovidedwithoutquestioningherjusticetoHavill。Theroomshehadofferedhimwaspreparedasastudio。Drawing-boardsandWhatman"spaperweresentfor，andinafewdaysSomersetbeganseriouslabour。Hisfirstrequirementwasaclerkortwo，todothedrudgeryofmeasuringandfiguring；butforthepresenthepreferredtosketchalone。Sometimes，inmeasuringtheoutworksofthecastle，heranagainstHavillstrollingaboutwithnoapparentobject，whobestowedonhimanenviousnod，andpassedby。
"Ihopeyouwillnotmakeyoursketches，"shesaid，lookinginuponhimoneday，"andthengoawaytoyourstudioinLondonandthinkofyourotherbuildingsandforgetmine。Iaminhastetobegin，andwishyounottoneglectme。"
"Ihavenootherbuildingtothinkof，"saidSomerset，risingandplacingachairforher。"Ihadnotbegunpractice，asyoumayknow。Ihavenothingelseinhandbutyourcastle。"
"IsupposeIoughtnottosayIamgladofit；butitisanadvantagetohaveanarchitectalltoone"sself。ThearchitectwhomIatfirstthoughtoftoldmebeforeIknewyouthatifIplacedthecastleinhishandshewouldundertakenoothercommissiontillitscompletion。"
"Iagreetothesame，"saidSomerset。
"Idon"twishtobindyou。ButIhinderyounow——dopraygoonwithoutreferencetome。Whenwilltherebesomedrawingformetosee?"
"Iwilltakecarethatitshallbesoon。"
Hehadametallictapeinhishand，andwentoutoftheroomtotakesomedimensioninthecorridor。Theassistantforwhomhehadadvertisedhadnotarrived，andheattemptedtofixtheendofthetapebystickinghispenknifethroughtheringintothewall。Paulalookedonatadistance。
"Iwillholdit，"shesaid。
Shewenttotherequiredcornerandheldtheendinitsplace。
Shehadtakenitthewrongway，andSomersetwentoverandplaceditproperlyinherfingers，carefullyavoidingtotouchthem。Sheobedientlyraisedherhandtothecorneragain，andstoodtillhehadfinished，whensheasked，"Isthatall?"
"Thatisall，"saidSomerset。"Thankyou。"Withoutfurtherspeechshelookedathissketch-book，whilehemarkeddownthelinesjustacquired。
"Yousaidtheotherday，"sheobserved，"thatearlyGothicworkmightbeknownbytheunder-cutting，orsomethingtothateffect。IhavelookedinRickmanandtheOxfordGlossary，butIcannotquiteunderstandwhatyoumeant。"
Itwasonlytooprobabletoherlover，fromthewayinwhichsheturnedtohim，thatsheHADlookedinRickmanandtheGlossary，andwasthinkingofnothingintheworldbutofthesubjectofherinquiry。
"Icanshowyou，byactualexample，ifyouwillcometothechapel?"hereturnedhesitatingly。
"Don"tgoonpurposetoshowme——whenyouarethereonyourownaccountIwillcomein。"
"Ishallbethereinhalf-an-hour。"
"Verywell，"saidPaula。Shelookedoutofawindow，and，seeingMissDeStancyontheterrace，lefthim。
Somersetstoodthinkingofwhathehadsaid。Hehadnooccasionwhatevertogointothechapelofthecastlethatday。Hehadbeentemptedbyherwordstosayhewouldbethere，and"half-an-hour"hadcometohislipsalmostwithouthisknowledge。Thiscommunityofinterest——ifitwerenotanythingmoretender——wasgrowingserious。Whathadpassedbetweenthemamountedtoanappointment；theyweregoingtomeetinthemostsolitarychamberofthewholesolitarypile。
CoulditbethatPaulahadwellconsideredthisinreplyingwithherfriendly"Verywell?"Probablynot。
Somersetproceededtothechapelandwaited。Withtheprogressofthesecondstowardsthehalf-hourhebegantodiscoverthatadangerousadmirationforthisgirlhadrisenwithinhim。Yetsoimaginativewashispassionthathehardlyknewasinglefeatureofhercountenancewellenoughtorememberitinherabsence。ThemeditativejudgmentofthingsandmenwhichhadbeenhishabituptothemomentofseeingherintheBaptistchapelseemedtohavelefthim——nothingremainedbutadistractingwishtobealwaysnearher，anditwasquitewithdismaythatherecognizedwhatimmenseimportancehewasattachingtothequestionwhethershewouldkeepthetriflingengagementornot。
ThechapelofStancyCastlewasasilentplace，heapedupincornerswithalumberofoldpanels，framework，andbrokencolouredglass。Herenoclockcouldbeheardbeatingoutthehoursoftheday——herenovoiceofpriestordeaconhadforgenerationsutteredthedailyservicedenotinghowtheyearrollson。ThestagnationofthespotwassufficienttodrawSomerset"smindforamomentfromthesubjectwhichabsorbedit，andhethought，"So，too，willtimetriumphoverallthisfervourwithinme。"
Liftinghiseyesfromtheflooronwhichhisfoothadbeentappingnervously，hesawPaulastandingattheotherend。ItwasnotsopleasantwhenhealsosawthatMrs。Goodmanaccompaniedher。Thelatterlady，however，obliginglyremainedwhereshewasresting，whilePaulacameforward，and，asusual，pausedwithoutspeaking。
"Itisinthislittlearcadethattheexampleoccurs，"saidSomerset。
"Oyes，"sheanswered，turningtolookatit。
"Earlypiers，capitals，andmouldings，generallyalternatedwithdeephollows，soastoformstrongshadows。Nowlookundertheabacusofthiscapital；youwillfindthestonehollowedoutwonderfully；andalsointhisarch-mould。Itisoftendifficulttounderstandhowitcouldbedonewithoutcrackingoffthestone。Thedifferencebetweenthisandlateworkcanbefeltbythehandevenbetterthanitcanbeseen。"
Hesuitedtheactiontothewordandplacedhishandinthehollow。
Shelistenedattentively，thenstretchedupherownhandtotestthecuttingashehaddone；shewasnotquitetallenough；shewouldstepuponthispieceofwood。Havingdonesoshetriedagain，andsucceededinputtingherfingeronthespot。No；shecouldnotunderstanditthroughhergloveevennow。Shepulledoffherglove，and，herhandrestinginthestonechannel，hereyesbecameabstractedintheeffortofrealization，theideasderivedthroughherhandpassingintoherface。
"No，Iamnotsurenow，"shesaid。
Somersetplacedhisownhandinthecavity。Nowtheirtwohandswereclosetogetheragain。Theyhadbeenclosetogetherhalf-an-hourearlier，andhehadsedulouslyavoidedtouchinghers。Hedarednotletsuchanaccidenthappennow。Andyet——
surelyshesawthesituation!Wastheinscrutableseriousnesswithwhichsheappliedherselftohislessonamockery?Therewassuchabottomlessdepthinhereyesthatitwasimpossibletoguesstruly。Letitbethatdestinyalonehadruledthattheirhandsshouldbetogetherasecondtime。
Allruminationwascutshortbyanimpulse。Heseizedherforefingerbetweenhisownfingerandthumb，anddrewitalongthehollow，saying，"ThatisthecurveImean。"
Somerset"shandwashotandtrembling；Paula"s，onthecontrary，wascoolandsoftasaninfant"s。
"Nowthearch-mould，"continuedhe。"There——thedepthofthatcavityistremendous，anditisnotgeometrical，asinlaterwork。"Hedrewherunresistingfingersfromthecapitaltothearch，andlaidtheminthelittletrenchasbefore。
Sheallowedthemtorestquietlytheretillherelinquishedthem。"Thankyou，"shethensaid，withdrawingherhand，brushingthedustfromherfinger-tips，andputtingonherglove。
Herimperceptionofhisfeelingwastheverysublimityofmaideninnocenceifitwerereal；ifnot，well，thecoquetrywasnogreatsin。
"Mr。Somerset，willyouallowmetohavetheGreekcourtI
mentioned?"sheaskedtentatively，afteralongbreakintheirdiscourse，asshescannedthegreenstonesalongthebaseofthearcade，withaconjecturalcountenanceastohisreply。
"Willyourownfeelingforthegeniusoftheplaceallowyou?"
"Iamnotamediaevalist:Iamaneclectic。"
"Youdon"tdislikeyourownhouseonthataccount。"
"Ididatfirst——Idon"tsomuchnow……Ishouldloveit，andadoreeverystone，andthinkfeudalismtheonlytrueromanceoflife，if——"
"What?"
"IfIwereaDeStancy，andthecastlethelonghomeofmyforefathers。"
Somersetwasalittlesurprisedattheavowal:theminister"swordsontheeffectsofhernewenvironmentrecurredtohismind。"MissDeStancydoesn"tthinkso，"hesaid。"Shecaresnothingaboutthosethings。"
Paulanowturnedtohim:hithertoherremarkshadbeensparinglyspoken，hereyesbeingdirectedelsewhere:"Yes，thatisverystrange，isitnot?"shesaid。"Butitisowingtothejoyousfreshnessofhernaturewhichprecludesherfromdwellingonthepast——indeed，thepastisnomoretoherthanitistoasparroworrobin。Sheisscarcelyaninstanceofthewearingoutofoldfamilies，forayoungermentalconstitutionthanhersIneverknew。"
"Unlessthatverysimplicityrepresentsthesecondchildhoodofherline，ratherthanherownexclusivecharacter。"
Paulashookherhead。"InspiteoftheGreekcourt，sheismoreGreekthanI。"
"Yourepresentscienceratherthanart，perhaps。"
"How?"sheasked，glancingupunderherhat。
"Imean，"repliedSomerset，"thatyourepresentthemarchofmind——thesteamship，andtherailway，andthethoughtsthatshakemankind。"
Sheweighedhiswords，andsaid:"Ah，yes:youalludetomyfather。Myfatherwasagreatman；butIammoreandmoreforgettinghisgreatness:thatkindofgreatnessiswhatawomancannevertrulyenterinto。Iamlessandlesshisdaughtereverydaythatgoesby。"
ShewalkedawayafewstepstorejointheexcellentMrs。
Goodman，who，asSomersetstillperceived，waswaitingforPaulaatthediscreetestofdistancesintheshadowsatthefartherendofthebuilding。SurelyPaula"svoicehadfaltered，andshehadturnedtohideatear?
Shecamebackagain。"DidyouknowthatmyfathermadehalftherailwaysinEurope，includingthatoneoverthere?"shesaid，wavingherlittleglovedhandinthedirectionwhencelowrumbleswereoccasionallyheardduringtheday。
"Yes。"
"Howdidyouknow?"
"MissDeStancytoldmealittle；andIthenfoundhisnameanddoingswerequitefamiliartome。"
Curiouslyenough，withhiswordstherecamethroughthebrokenwindowsthemurmurofatraininthedistance，soundingclearerandmoreclear。Itwasnothingtolistento，yettheybothlistened；tilltheincreasingnoisesuddenlybrokeoffintodeadsilence。
"Ithasgoneintothetunnel，"saidPaula。"Haveyouseenthetunnelmyfathermade?thecurvesaresaidtobeatriumphofscience。ThereisnothingelselikeitinthispartofEngland。"
"Thereisnot:Ihaveheardso。ButIhavenotseenit。"
"Doyouthinkitathingmoretobeproudofthatone"sfathershouldhavemadeagreattunnelandrailwaylikethat，thanthatone"sremoteancestorshouldhavebuiltagreatcastlelikethis?"
WhatcouldSomersetsay?Itwouldhaverequiredacasuisttodecidewhetherhisanswershoulddependuponhisconviction，oruponthefamilytiesofsuchaquestioner。"Fromamodernpointofview，railwaysare，nodoubt，thingsmoretobeproudofthancastles，"hesaid；"thoughperhapsImyself，frommereassociation，shoulddecideinfavouroftheancestorwhobuiltthecastle。"TheseriousanxietytobetruthfulthatSomersetthrewintohisobservation，wasmorethanthecircumstancerequired。"Todesigngreatengineeringworks，"headdedmusingly，andwithouttheleasteyetothedisparagementofherparent，"requiresnodoubtaleadingmind。Buttoexecutethem，ashedid，requires，ofcourse，onlyafollowingmind。"
Hisreplyhadnotaltogetherpleasedher；andtherewasadistinctreproachconveyedbyherslightmovementtowardsMrs。
Goodman。Hesawit，andwasgrievedthatheshouldhavespokenso。"Iamgoingtowalkoverandinspectthatfamoustunnelofyourfather"s，"headdedgently。"Itwillbeapleasantstudyforthisafternoon。"
Shewentaway。"Iamnomanoftheworld，"hethought。"I
oughttohavepraisedthatfatherofhersstraightoff。I
shallnotwinherrespect；muchlessherlove!"
XII。
Somersetdidnotforgetwhathehadplanned，andwhenlunchwasoverhewalkedawaythroughthetrees。Thetunnelwasmoredifficultofdiscoverythanhehadanticipated，anditwasonlyafterconsiderablewindingamonggreenlanes，whosedeeprutswerelikecanyonsofColoradoinminiature，thathereachedtheslopeinthedistantuplandwherethetunnelbegan。Aroadstretchedoveritscrest，andthencealongonesideoftherailway-cutting。
HethereunexpectedlysawstandingMissPower"scarriage；andondrawingnearerhefoundittocontainPaulaherself，MissDeStancy，andMrs。Goodman。
"Howsingular!"exclaimedMissDeStancygaily。
"Itismostnatural，"saidPaulainstantly。"Inthemorningtwopeoplediscussafeatureinthelandscape，andintheafternooneachhasadesiretoseeitfromwhattheotherhassaidofit。Thereforetheyaccidentallymeet。"
NowPaulahaddistinctlyheardSomersetdeclarethathewasgoingtowalkthere；howthencouldshesaythissocoolly?
Itwaswithapangathisheartthathereturnedtohisoldthoughtofherbeingpossiblyafinishedcoquetteanddissembler。Whatevershemightbe，shewasnotacreaturestarchedverystifflybyPuritanism。
Somersetlookeddownonthemouthofthetunnel。Thepopularcommonplacethatscience，steam，andtravelmustalwaysbeunromanticandhideous，wasnotprovenatthisspot。Oneitherslopeofthedeepcutting，greenwithlonggrass，grewdroopingyoungtreesofash，beech，andotherflexiblevarieties，theirfoliagealmostconcealingtheactualrailwaywhichranalongthebottom，itsthinsteelrailsgleaminglikesilverthreadsinthedepths。Theverticalfrontofthetunnel，facedwithbrickthathadoncebeenred，wasnowweather-stained，lichened，andmossedoverinharmoniousrusty-browns，pearlygreys，andneutralgreens，attheverybaseappearingalittleblue-blackspotlikeamouse-hole——thetunnel"smouth。
Thecarriagewasdrawnupquiteclosetothewoodrailing，andPaulawaslookingdownatthesametimewithhim；buthemadenoremarktoher。
Mrs。Goodmanbrokethesilencebysaying，"Ifitwerenotarailwayweshouldcallitalovelydell。"
Somersetagreedwithher，addingthatitwassocharmingthathefeltinclinedtogodown。
"Ifyoudo，perhapsMissPowerwillorderyouupagain，asatrespasser，"saidCharlotteDeStancy。"Youareoneofthelargestshareholdersintherailway，areyounot，Paula?"
MissPowerdidnotreply。
"IsupposeastheroadispartlyyoursyoumightwalkallthewaytoLondonalongtherails，ifyouwished，mightyounot，dear?"Charlottecontinued。
Paulasmiled，andsaid，"No，ofcoursenot。"
Somerset，feelinghimselfsuperfluous，raisedhishattohiscompanionsasifhemeantnottoseethemagainforawhile，andbegantodescendbysomestepscutintheearth；MissDeStancyaskedMrs。Goodmantoaccompanyhertoabarrowoverthetopofthetunnel；andtheyleftthecarriage，Paularemainingalone。
DownSomersetplungedthroughthelonggrass，bushes，latesummerflowers，moths，andcaterpillars，vexedwithhimselfthathehadcomethere，sincePaulawassoinscrutable，andhummingthenotesofsomesonghedidnotknow。Thetunnelthathadseemedsosmallfromthesurfacewasavastarchwaywhenhereacheditsmouth，whichemitted，asacontrasttothesultryheatontheslopesofthecutting，acoolbreeze，thathadtravelledamileundergroundfromtheotherend。Farawayinthedarknessofthissilentsubterraneancorridorhecouldseethatotherendasamerespeckoflight。
Whenhehadconscientiouslyadmiredtheconstructionofthemassivearchivault，andthemajestyofitsnudeungarnishedwalls，helookeduptheslopeatthecarriage；itwassosmalltotheeyethatitmighthavebeenmadeforaperformancebycanaries；Paula"sfacebeingstillsmaller，assheleanedbackinherseat，idlylookingdownathim。Thereseemedsomethingroguishinherattitudeofcriticism，andtobenolongerthesubjectofhercontemplationheenteredthetunneloutofhersight。
Inthemiddleofthespeckoflightbeforehimappearedaspeckofblack；andthenashrillwhistle，dulledbymillionsoftonsofearth，reachedhisearsfromthence。Itwaswhathehadbeenonhisguardagainstallthetime，——apassingtrain；andinsteadoftakingthetroubletocomeoutofthetunnelhesteppedintoarecess，tillthetrainhadrattledpastandvanishedonwardroundacurve。
Somersetstillremainedwherehehadplacedhimself，mentallybalancingscienceagainstart，thegrandeurofthisfinepieceofconstructionagainstthatofthecastle，andthinkingwhetherPaula"sfatherhadnot，afterall，thebestofit，whenallatoncehesawPaula"sformconfrontinghimattheentranceofthetunnel。Heinstantlywentforwardintothelight；tohissurpriseshewasaspaleasalily。
"O，Mr。Somerset!"sheexclaimed。"Yououghtnottofrightenmeso——indeedyououghtnot!Thetraincameoutalmostassoonasyouhadgonein，andasyoudidnotreturn——anaccidentwaspossible!"
Somersetatonceperceivedthathehadbeentoblameinnotthinkingofthis。
"Pleasedoforgivemythoughtlessnessinnotreflectinghowitwouldstrikeyou!"hepleaded。"I——IseeIhavealarmedyou。"
Heralarmwas，indeed，muchgreaterthanhehadatfirstthought:shetrembledsomuchthatshewasobligedtositdown，atwhichhewentuptoherfullofsolicitousness。
"Yououghtnottohavedoneit!"shesaid。"Inaturallythought——anypersonwould——"
Somerset，perhapswisely，saidnothingatthisoutburst；thecauseofhervexationwas，plainlyenough，hisperceptionofherdiscomposure。Hestoodlookinginanotherdirection，tillinafewmomentsshehadrisentoherfeetagain，quitecalm。
"Itwouldhavebeendreadful，"shesaidwithfaintgaiety，asthecolourreturnedtoherface；"ifIhadlostmyarchitect，andbeenobligedtoengageMr。Havillwithoutanalternative。"
"Iwasreallyinnodanger；butofcourseIoughttohaveconsidered，"hesaid。
"Iforgiveyou，"shereturnedgood-naturedly。"IknewtherewasnoGREATdangertoapersonexercisingordinarydiscretion；butartistsandthinkerslikeyouareindiscreetforamomentsometimes。Iamnowgoingupagain。Whatdoyouthinkofthetunnel?"
Theywerecrossingtherailwaytoascendbytheoppositepath，Somersetkeepinghiseyeontheinteriorofthetunnelforsafety，whensuddenlytherearoseanoiseandshriekfromthecontrarydirectionbehindthetrees。Bothknewinamomentwhatitmeant，andeachseizedtheotherastheyrushedoffthepermanentway。Theideasofbothhadbeensocentredonthetunnelasthesourceofdanger，thattheprobabilityofatrainfromtheoppositequarterhadbeenforgotten。Itrushedpastthem，causingPaula"sdress，hair，andribbonstoflutterviolently，andblowingupthefallenleavesinashowerovertheirshoulders。
Neitherspoke，andtheywentupseveralsteps，holdingeachotherbythehand，till，becomingconsciousofthefact，shewithdrewhers；whereuponSomersetstoppedandlookedearnestlyather；buthereyeswereavertedtowardsthetunnelwall。
"Whatanescape!"hesaid。
"Wewerenotsoverynear，Ithink，werewe?"sheaskedquickly。"Ifwewere，Ithinkyouwere——verygoodtotakemyhand。"
Theyreachedthetopatlast，andthenewlevelandopenairseemedtogiveheranewmind。"Idon"tseethecarriageanywhere，"shesaid，inthecommontonesofcivilization。
Hethoughtithadgoneoverthecrestofthehill；hewouldaccompanyhertilltheyreachedit。
"No——please——Iwouldrathernot——Icanfinditverywell。"
Beforehecouldsaymoreshehadinclinedherheadandsmiledandwasonherwayalone。
Thetunnel-cuttingappearedadrearygulfenoughnowtotheyoungman，ashestoodleaningovertherailsaboveit，beatingtheherbagewithhisstick。Forsomeminuteshecouldnotcriticizeorweighherconduct；thewarmthofherpresencestillencircledhim。Herecalledherfaceasithadlookedoutathimfromunderthewhitesilkpuffingofherblackhat，andthespeakingpowerofhereyesatthemomentofdanger。
Thebreadthofthatclear-complexionedforehead——almostconcealedbythemassesofbrownhairbundleduparoundit——
signifiedthatifherdispositionwereobliqueandinsincereenoughfortrifling，coquetting，orinanywaymakingafoolofhim，shehadtheintellecttodoitcruellywell。
Butitwasungeneroustoruminatesosuspiciously。Agirlnotanactressbyprofessioncouldhardlyturnpaleartificiallyasshehaddone，thoughperhapsmerefrightmeantnothing，andwouldhaveariseninherjustasreadilyhadhebeenoneofthelabourersonherestate。
Thereflectionthatsuchfeelingasshehadexhibitedcouldhavenotendermeaningreturneduponhimwithmasterfulforcewhenhethoughtofherwealthandthesocialpositionintowhichshehaddrifted。Somerset，beingofasolitaryandstudiousnature，wasnotquitecompetenttoestimatepreciselythedisqualifyingeffect，ifany，ofhernonconformity，hernewnessofblood，andotherthings，amongtheoldcountyfamiliesestablishedroundher；butthetoughestprejudices，hethought，werenotlikelytobelonginvulnerabletosuchcheerfulbeautyandbrightnessofintellectasPaula"s。Whensheemerged，asshewasplainlyabouttodo，fromtheseclusioninwhichshehadbeenlivingsinceherfather"sdeath，shewouldinevitablywinherwayamongherneighbours。
Shewouldbecomethelocaltopic。Fortune-hunterswouldlearnofherexistenceanddrawnearinshoals。Whatchancewouldtherethenbeforhim?
Thepointsinhisfavourwereindeedfew，buttheywerejustenoughtokeepatantalizinghopealive。Modestlyleavingoutofcounthispersonalandintellectualqualifications，hethoughtofhisfamily。Itwasanoldstockenough，thoughnotarichone。Hisgreat-unclehadbeenthewell-knownVice-
admiralSirArmstrongSomerset，whoservedhiscountrywellintheBaltic，theIndies，China，andtheCaribbeanSea。Hisgrandfatherhadbeenanotablemetaphysician。Hisfather，theRoyalAcademician，waspopular。Butperhapsthiswasnotthesortofreasoninglikelytooccupythemindofayoungwoman；
thepersonalaspectofthesituationwasinsuchcircumstancesoffarmoreimport。Hehadcomeasawanderingstranger——thatpossiblylentsomeinteresttohiminhereyes。Hewasinstalledinanofficewhichwouldnecessitatefreecommunionwithherforsometimetocome；thatwasanotheradvantage，andwouldbeastillgreateroneifsheshowed，asPaulaseemeddisposedtodo，suchartisticsympathywithhisworkastofollowupwithinterestthedetailsofitsprogress。
Thecarriagedidnotreappear，andhewentontowardsMarkton，disinclinedtoreturnagainthatdaytothestudiowhichhadbeenpreparedforhimatthecastle。Heheardfeetbrushingthegrassbehindhim，and，lookinground，sawtheBaptistminister。
"Ihavejustcomefromthevillage，"saidMr。Woodwell，wholookedwornandweary，hisbootsbeingcoveredwithdust；"andIhavelearntthatwhichconfirmsmyfearsforher。"
"ForMissPower?"
"Mostassuredly。"
"Whatdangeristhere?"saidSomerset。
"Thetemptationsofherpositionhavebecometoomuchforher!
Sheisgoingoutofmourningnextweek，andwillgivealargedinner-partyontheoccasion；forthoughtheinvitationsarepartlyinthenameofherrelativeMrs。Goodman，theymustcomefromher。Theguestsaretoincludepeopleofoldcavalierfamilieswhowouldhavetreatedhergrandfather，sir，andevenherfather，withscornfortheirreligionandconnections；alsotheparsonandcurate——yes，actuallypeoplewhobelieveintheApostolicSuccession；andwhat"smore，they"recoming。Myopinionis，thatithasallarisenfromherfriendshipwithMissDeStancy。"
"Well，"criedSomersetwarmly，"thisonlyshowsliberalityoffeelingonbothsides!Isupposeshehasinvitedyouaswell?"
"Shehasnotinvitedme!……Mr。Somerset，notwithstandingyourerroneousopinionsonimportantmatters，Ispeaktoyouasafriend，andItellyouthatshehasneverinhersecretheartforgiventhatsermonofmine，inwhichIlikenedhertothechurchatLaodicea。Iadmitthewordswereharsh，butI
wasdoingmyduty，andifthecasearoseto-morrowIwoulddoitagain。Herdispleasureisadeepgrieftome；butIserveOnegreaterthanshe……You，ofcourse，areinvitedtothisdinner?"
"Ihaveheardnothingofit，"murmuredtheyoungman。
Theirpathsdiverged；andwhenSomersetreachedthehotelhewasinformedthatsomebodywaswaitingtoseehim。
"Manorwoman?"heasked。
Thelandlady，whoalwayslikedtoreplyinpersontoSomerset"sinquiries，apparentlythinkinghim，byvirtueofhisdrawingimplementsandliberalityofpayment，apossiblelordofBurleigh，cameforwardandsaiditwascertainlynotawoman，butwhethermanorboyshecouldnotsay。"HisnameisMr。Dare，"sheadded。
"O——thatyouth，"hesaid。
Somersetwentupstairs，alongthepassage，downtwosteps，roundtheangle，andsoontotheroomsreservedforhiminthisramblingedificeofstage-coachmemories，wherehefoundDarewaiting。Darecameforward，pullingoutthecuttingofanadvertisement。
"Mr。Somerset，thisisyours，Ibelieve，fromtheArchitecturalWorld?"
Somersetsaidthathehadinsertedit。
"IthinkIshouldsuityourpurposeasassistantverywell。"
"Areyouanarchitect"sdraughtsman?"
"Notspecially。Ihavesomeknowledgeofthesame，andwanttoincreaseit。"
"Ithoughtyouwereaphotographer。"
"Alsoofphotography，"saidDarewithabow。"ThoughbutanamateurinthatartIcanchallengecomparisonwithRegentStreetorBroadway。"
Somersetlookeduponhistable。Twolettersonly，addressedininitials，werelyingthereasanswerstohisadvertisement。
HeaskedDaretowait，andlookedthemover。Neitherwassatisfactory。OnthisaccountheovercamehisslightfeelingagainstMr。Dare，andputaquestiontotestthatgentleman"scapacities。"Howwouldyoumeasurethefrontofabuilding，includingwindows，doors，mouldings，andeveryotherfeature，foragroundplan，soastocombinethegreatestaccuracywiththegreatestdespatch?"
"Inrunningdimensions，"saidDare。
Asthiswastheparticularkindofworkhewanteddone，Somersetthoughttheanswerpromising。ComingtotermswithDare，herequestedthewould-bestudentofarchitecturetowaitatthecastlethenextday，anddismissedhim。
Aquarterofanhourlater，whenDarewastakingawalkinthecountry，hedrewfromhispocketeightotherlettersaddressedtoSomersetininitials，which，tojudgebytheirstyleandstationery，werefrommenfarsuperiortothosetwowhosecommunicationsaloneSomersethadseen。Darelookedthemoverforafewsecondsashestrolledon，thentorethemintominutefragments，and，buryingthemundertheleavesintheditch，wentonhiswayagain。
XIII。
Thoughexhibitingindifference，SomersethadfeltapangofdisappointmentwhenheheardthenewsofPaula"sapproachingdinner-party。Itseemedalittleunkindofhertopasshimover，seeinghowmuchtheywerethrowntogetherjustnow。
Thatdinnermeantmorethanitsounded。Notwithstandingtheroominessofhercastle，shewasatpresentlivingsomewhatincommodiously，owingpartlytothestagnationcausedbyherrecentbereavement，andpartlytothenecessityforoverhaulingtheDeStancylumberpiledinthosevastandgloomychambersbeforetheycouldbemadetolerabletonineteenth-centuryfastidiousness。
TogivedinnersonanylargescalebeforeSomersethadatleastsetafewoftheseroomsinorderforher，showed，tohisthinking，anoverpoweringdesireforsociety。
Duringtheweekhesawlessofherthanusual，hertimebeingtoallappearancemuchtakenupwithdrivingouttomakecallsonherneighboursandreceivingreturnvisits。Allthisheobservedfromthewindowsofhisstudiooverlookingthecastleward，inwhichroomhenowspentagreatdealofhistime，bendingoverdrawing-boardsandinstructingDare，whoworkedaswellascouldbeexpectedofayouthofsuchvariedattainments。
NearercametheWednesdayoftheparty，andnohintofthateventreachedSomerset，butsuchashadbeencommunicatedbytheBaptistminister。Atlast，ontheveryafternoon，aninvitationwashandedintohisstudio——notakindnoteinPaula"shandwriting，butaformalprintedcardinthejointnamesofMrs。GoodmanandMissPower。Itreachedhimjustfourhoursbeforethedinner-time。Hewasplainlytobeusedasastop-gapatthelastmomentbecausesomebodycouldnotcome。
HavingpreviouslyarrangedtopassaquieteveninginhisroomsattheLordQuantockArms，inreadingupchroniclesofthecastlefromthecountyhistory，withtheviewofgatheringsomeideasastothedistributionofroomsthereinbeforethedemolitionofaportionofthestructure，hedecidedoff-handthatPaula"sdinnerwasnotofsufficientimportancetohimasaprofessionalmanandstudentofarttojustifyawasteoftheeveningbygoing。HeaccordinglydeclinedMrs。Goodman"sandMissPower"sinvitation；andatfiveo"clockleftthecastleandwalkedacrossthefieldstothelittletown。
Hedinedearly，and，clearingawayheavinesswithacupofcoffee，appliedhimselftothatvolumeofthecountyhistorywhichcontainedtherecordofStancyCastle。
Herehereadthat"whenthispicturesqueandancientstructurewasfounded，orbywhom，isextremelyuncertain。Butthatacastlestoodonthesiteinveryearlytimesappearsfrommanyoldbooksofcharters。Initsprimeitwassuchamasterpieceoffortificationastobethewonderoftheworld，anditwasthought，beforetheinventionofgunpowder，thatitnevercouldbetakenbyanyforcelessthandivine。"
Hereadontothetimeswhenitfirstpassedintothehandsof"DeStancy，Chivaler，"andreceivedthefamilyname，andsoonfromDeStancytoDeStancytillhewaslostinthereflectionwhetherPaulawouldorwouldnothavethoughtmorehighlyofhimifhehadacceptedtheinvitationtodinner。Applyinghimselfagaintothetome，helearnedthatintheyear1504
Stephenthecarpenterwas"paidelevenpencefornecessaryerepayrs，"andWilliamthemastermasoneightshillings"forwhytlymingofthekitchen，andthelymetodoitwith，"
including"anewropeforthefyerbell；"alsothesundrychargesfor"vijcrockes，xiijlytyllpans，apareofpothookes，afyerpane，alanterne，achafyngedyshe，andxijcandyllstychs。"
Bangwenteightstrokesoftheclock:itwasthedinner-hour。
"There，nowIcan"tgo，anyhow!"hesaidbitterly，jumpingup，andpicturingherreceivinghercompany。Howwouldshelook；
whatwouldshewear?Profoundlyindifferenttotheearlyhistoryofthenoblefabric，hefeltaviolentreactiontowardsmodernism，eclecticism，newaristocracies，everything，inshort，thatPaularepresented。HeevengavehimselfuptoconsidertheGreekcourtthatshehadwishedfor，andpassedtheremainderoftheeveninginmakingaperspectiveviewofthesame。
Thenextmorningheawokeearly，and，resolvingtobeatworkbetimes，startedpromptly。Itwasafinecalmhourofday；
thegrassslopesweresilverywithexcessofdew，andthebluemistshunginthedepthsofeachtreeforwantofwindtoblowthemout。Somersetenteredthedriveonfoot，andwhennearthecastleheobservedinthegravelthewheel-marksofthecarriagesthathadconveyedthegueststhitherthenightbefore。Thereseemedtohavebeenalargenumber，fortheroadwherenewlyrepairedwasquitecutup。BeforegoingindoorshewastemptedtowalkroundtothewinginwhichPaulaslept。
Rookswerecawing，sparrowswerechatteringthere；buttheblindofherwindowwasascloselydrawnasifitweremidnight。Probablyshewassoundasleep，dreamingofthecomplimentswhichhadbeenpaidherbyherguests，andofthefuturetriumphantpleasuresthatwouldfollowintheirtrain。
Reachingtheouterstonestairsleadingtothegreathallhefoundthemshadowedbyanawningbrilliantlystripedwithredandblue，withinwhichrowsoffloweringplantsinpotsborderedthepathway。Shecouldnothavemademorepreparationhadthegatheringbeenaball。Hepassedalongthegalleryinwhichhisstudiowassituated，enteredtheroom，andseizedadrawing-boardtoputintocorrectdrawingthesketchfortheGreekcourtthathehadstruckoutthenightbefore，therebyabandoninghisartprinciplestopleasethewhimofagirl。Darehadnotyetarrived，andafteratimeSomersetthrewdownhispencilandleantback。
Hiseyefelluponsomethingthatmoved。Itwaswhite，andlayinthefoldingchairontheoppositesideoftheroom。Onnearapproachhefoundittobeafragmentofswan"s-downfannedintomotionbyhisownmovements，andpartiallysqueezedintothechinkofthechairasthoughbysomepersonsittingonit。
Nonebutawomanwouldhavewornorbroughtthatswan"s-downintohisstudio，anditmadehimreflectonthepossibleone。
Nothinginterruptedhisconjecturestillteno"clock，whenDarecame。ThenoneoftheservantstappedatthedoortoknowifMr。Somersethadarrived。SomersetaskedifMissPowerwishedtoseehim，andwasinformedthatshehadonlywishedtoknowifhehadcome。Somersetsentareturnmessagethathehadadesignontheboardwhichheshouldsoonbegladtosubmittoher，andthemessengerdeparted。
"Finedoingsherelastnight，sir，"saidDare，ashedustedhisT-square。