第11章
"AndinthatONE!"hesaid，lookingdevotedlyather。"IfI
hadonlybeenfortunateenoughtoincludeitwiththerest，myalbumwouldindeedhavebeenatreasuretoporeoverbythebivouacfire!"
"O，CaptainDeStancy，thisisprovokingperseverance!"criedPaula，laughinghalfcrossly。"IexpectedthatafterexpressingmydecisionsoplainlythefirsttimeIshouldnothavebeenfurtherurgeduponthesubject。"Sayingwhichsheturnedandmoveddecisivelyaway。
Ithadnotbeenaproductivemeeting，thusfar。"Oneword!"
saidDeStancy，followingandalmostclaspingherhand。"I
havegivenoffence，Iknow:butdoletitallfallonmyownhead——don"ttellmysisterofmymisbehaviour!Shelovesyoudeeply，anditwouldwoundhertotheheart。"
"Youdeservetobetoldupon，"saidPaulaasshewithdrew，withjustenoughplayfulnesstoshowthatherangerwasnottooserious。
CharlottelookedatPaulauneasilywhenthelatterjoinedherinthedrawing-room。Shewantedtosay，"Whatisthematter?"
butguessingthatherbrotherhadsomethingtodowithit，forboretospeakatfirst。Shecouldnotcontainheranxietylong。"Wereyoutalkingwithmybrother?"shesaid。
"Yes，"returnedPaula，withreservation。However，shesoonadded，"Henotonlywantstophotographhisancestors，butMY
portraittoo。Theyareadreadfullyencroachingsex，andperhapsbeinginthearmymakesthemworse!"
"I"llgivehimahint，andtellhimtobecareful。"
"Don"tsayIhavedefinitelycomplainedofhim；itisnotworthwhiletodothat；thematteristootriflingforrepetition。Uponthewhole，Charlotte，Iwouldratheryousaidnothingatall。"
DeStancy"shobbyofphotographinghisancestorsseemedtobecomeaperfectmaniawithhim。Almosteverymorningdiscoveredhiminthelargerapartmentsofthecastle，takingdownandrehangingthedilapidatedpictures，withtheassistanceoftheindispensableDare；hisfingersstainedblackwithdust，andhisfaceexpressingabusyattentiontotheworkinhand，thoughalwaysreservingalookaskanceforthepresenceofPaula。
Thoughtherewassomethingofsubterfuge，therewasnodeepanddoublesubterfugeinallthis。DeStancytooknoparticularinterestinhisancestralportraits；buthewasenamouredofPaulatoweakness。Perhapsthecompositionofhislovewouldhardlybearlookinginto，butitwasrecklesslyfrankandnotquitemercenary。Hisphotographicschemewasnothingworsethanalover"snottooscrupulouscontrivance。
AftertherefusalofhisrequesttocopyherpicturehefumedandfrettedattheprospectofSomerset"sreturnbeforeanyimpressionhadbeenmadeonherheartbyhimself；hesworeatDare，andaskedhimhotlywhyhehaddraggedhimintosuchahopelessdilemmaasthis。
"Hopeless?Somersetmuststillbekeptaway，sothatitisnothopeless。Iwillconsiderhowtoprolonghisstay。"
ThereuponDareconsidered。
Thetimewascoming——hadindeedcome——whenitwasnecessaryforPaulatomakeuphermindaboutherarchitect，ifshemeanttobeginbuildinginthespring。Thetwosetsofplans，Somerset"sandHavill"s，werehangingonthewallsoftheroomthathadbeenusedbySomersetashisstudio，andwereaccessiblebyanybody。Daretookoccasiontogoandstudybothsets，withaviewtofindingaflawinSomerset"swhichmighthavebeenpassedoverunnoticedbythecommitteeofarchitects，owingtotheirabsencefromtheactualsite。Butnotablundercouldhefind。
HenextwenttoHavill；andherehewasmetbyanamazingstateofaffairs。Havill"screditors，atlastsuspectingsomethingmythicalinHavill"sassurancethatthegrandcommissionwashis，hadlostallpatience；hishousewasturnedupside-down，andapostergleamedonthefrontwall，statingthattheexcellentmodernhouseholdfurniturewastobesoldbyauctiononFridaynext。Troubleshadapparentlycomeinbattalions，forDarewasinformedbyabystanderthatHavill"swifewasseriouslyillalso。
Withoutstayingforamomenttoenterhisfriend"shouse，backwentMr。Daretothecastle，andtoldCaptainDeStancyofthearchitect"sdesperatecircumstances，begginghimtoconveythenewsinsomewaytoMissPower。DeStancypromisedtomakerepresentationsintheproperquarterwithoutperceivingthathewasdoingthebestpossibledeedforhimselfthereby。
HetoldPaulaofHavill"smisfortunesinthepresenceofhissister，whoturnedpale。Shediscernedhowthismisfortunewouldbearupontheundecidedcompetition。
"Poorman，"murmuredPaula。"Hewasmyfather"sarchitect，andsomehowexpected，thoughIdidnotpromiseit，theworkofrebuildingthecastle。"
ThenDeStancysawDare"saiminsendinghimtoMissPowerwiththenews；and，seeingit，concurred:Somersetwashisrival，andallwasfair。"Andishenottohavetheworkofthecastleafterexpectingit?"heasked。
Paulawaslostinreflection。"Theotherarchitect"sdesignandMr。Havill"sareexactlyequalinmerit，andwecannotdecidehowtogiveittoeither，"explainedCharlotte。
"Thatisourdifficulty，"Paulamurmured。"Abankrupt，andhiswifeill——dearme!Iwonderwhat"sthecause。"
"Hehasborrowedontheexpectationofhavingtoexecutethecastleworks，andnowheisunabletomeethisliabilities。"
"Itisverysad，"saidPaula。
"Letmesuggestaremedyforthisdead-lock，"saidDeStancy。
"Do，"saidPaula。
"Dotheworkofbuildingintwohalvesorsections。GiveHavillthefirsthalf，sinceheisinneed；whenthatisfinishedthesecondhalfcanbegiventoyourLondonarchitect。If，asIunderstand，theplansareidentical，exceptinornamentaldetails，therewillbenodifficultyaboutitatall。"
Paulasighed——justalittleone；andyetthesuggestionseemedtosatisfyherbyitsreasonableness。Sheturnedsad，wayward，butwasimpressedbyDeStancy"smannerandwords。
Sheappearedindeedtohaveasmoulderingdesiretopleasehim。IntheafternoonshesaidtoCharlotte，"Imeantodoasyourbrothersays。"
AnotewasdespatchedtoHavillthatveryday，andinanhourthecrestfallenarchitectpresentedhimselfatthecastle。
Paulainstantlygavehimaudience，commiseratedhim，andcommissionedhimtocarryoutafirstsectionofthebuildings，comprisingworktotheextentofabouttwentythousandpoundsexpenditure；andthen，withaprematurenessquiteamazingamongarchitects"clients，shehandedhimoverachequeforfivehundredpoundsonaccount。
Whenhehadgone，Paula"sbearingshowedsomesignofbeingdisquietedatwhatshehaddone；butshecoveredhermoodunderacloakofsaucyserenity。PerhapsatenderremembranceofacertainthunderstormintheforegoingAugustwhenshestoodwithSomersetinthearbour，anddidnotownthatshelovedhim，waspressingonhermemoryandbewilderingher。
Shehadnotseenquiteclearly，inadoptingDeStancy"ssuggestion，thatSomersetwouldnowhavenoprofessionalreasonforbeingatthecastleforthenexttwelvemonths。
Butthecaptainhad，andwhenHavillenteredthecastleherejoicedwithgreatjoy。Dare，too，rejoicedinhiscoldway，andwentonwithhisphotography，saying，"Thegameprogresses，captain。"
"Game?CallitDivineComedy，rather!"saidthesoldierexultingly。
"Heispracticallybanishedforayearormore。Whatcan"tyoudoinayear，captain!"
Havill，inthemeantime，havingrespectfullywithdrawnfromthepresenceofPaula，passedbyDareandDeStancyinthegalleryashehaddoneinentering。HespokeafewwordstoDare，whocongratulatedhim。Whiletheyweretalkingsomebodywasheardinthehall，inquiringhastilyforMr。Havill。
"WhatshallItellhim?"demandedtheporter。
"Hiswifeisdead，"saidthemessenger。
Havilloverheardthewords，andhastenedaway。
"Anunluckyman!"saidDare。
"That，happilyforus，willnotaffecthisinstallationhere，"
saidDeStancy。"Nowholdyourtongueandkeepatadistance。
Shemaycomethisway。"
Surelyenoughinafewminutesshecame。DeStancy，tomakeconversation，toldherofthenewmisfortunewhichhadjustbefallenMr。Havill。
Paulawasverysorrytohearit，andremarkedthatitgavehergreatsatisfactiontohaveappointedhimasarchitectofthefirstwingbeforehelearntthebadnews。"Ioweyoubestthanks，CaptainDeStancy，forshowingmesuchanexpedient。"
"DoIreallydeservethanks?"askedDeStancy。"IwishI
deservedareward；butImustbearinmindthefableofthepriestandthejester。"
"Ineverheardit。"
"Thejesterimploredthepriestforalms，butthesmallestsumwasrefused，thoughtheholymanreadilyagreedtogivehimhisblessing。Query，itsvalue?"
"Howdoesitapply?"
"Yougivemeunlimitedthanks，butdenymethetiniestsubstantialtrifleIdesire。"
"Whatpersistence!"exclaimedPaula，colouring。"Verywell，ifyouWILLphotographmypictureyoumust。Itisreallynotworthyfurtherpleading。Takeitwhenyoulike。"
WhenPaulawasalonesheseemedvexedwithherselfforhavinggivenway；andrisingfromherseatshewentquietlytothedooroftheroomcontainingthepicture，intendingtolockituptillfurtherconsideration，whateverhemightthinkofher。
Butoncastinghereyesroundtheapartmentthepaintingwasgone。Thecaptain，wiselytakingthecurrentwhenitserved，alreadyhaditinthegallery，wherehewastobeseenbendingattentivelyoverit，arrangingthelightsanddirectingDarewiththeinstruments。Onleavinghethankedher，andsaidthathehadobtainedasplendidcopy。Wouldshelookatit?
Paulawassevereandicy。"Thankyou——Idon"twishtoseeit，"shesaid。
DeStancybowedanddepartedinaglowoftriumph；satisfied，notwithstandingherfrigidity，thathehadcompassedhisimmediateaim，whichwasthatshemightnotbeabletodismissfromherthoughtshimandhisperseveringdesirefortheshadowofherfaceduringthenextfour-and-twenty-hours。Andhisconfidencewaswellfounded:shecouldnot。
"IfearthisDivineComedywillbeslowbusinessforus，captain，"saidDare，whohadheardhercoldwords。
"Ono!"saidDeStancy，flushingalittle:hehadnotbeenperceivingthattheladhadthemeasureofhismindsoentirelyastogaugehispositionatanymoment。Buthewouldshownoshamefacedness。"Evenifitis，myboy，"heanswered，"there"splentyoftimebeforetheothercancome。"
AtthathourandminuteofDeStancy"sremark"theother，"tolookathim，seemedindeedsecurelyshelved。Hewassittinglonelyinhischambersfaraway，wonderingwhyshedidnotwrite，andyethopingtohear——wonderingifithadallbeenbutashort-livedstrainoftenderness。Heknewaswellasifithadbeenstatedinwordsthatherseriousacceptanceofhimasasuitorwouldbeheracceptanceofhimasanarchitect——
thatherschemesinlovewouldbeexpressedintermsofart；
andconverselythatherrefusalofhimasaloverwouldbeneatlyeffectedbyherchoosingHavill"splansforthecastle，andreturninghisownwiththanks。Thepositionwassoclear:
hewassowellwalledinbycircumstancesthathewasabsolutelyhelpless。
Towaitforthelinethatwouldnotcome——thelettersayingthat，asshehaddesired，hiswasthedesignthatpleasedher——
wasstilltheonlythingtodo。The(toSomerset)surprisingaccidentthatthecommitteeofarchitectsshouldhavepronouncedthedesignsabsolutelyequalinpointofmerit，andthushavecausedthefinalchoicetorevertafteralltoPaula，hadbeenajoyousthingtohimwhenhefirstheardofit，fullofconfidenceinherfavour。Butthefactofherhavingagainbecomethearbitrator，thoughithadmadeacceptanceofhisplansallthemoreprobable，maderefusalofthem，shouldithappen，allthemorecrushing。HecouldhaveconceivedhimselffavouredbyPaulaasherlover，evenhadthecommitteedecidedinfavourofHavillasherarchitect。Butnottobechosenasarchitectnowwastoberejectedinbothkinds。
IV。
ItwastheSundayfollowingthefuneralofMrs。Havill，newsofwhosedeathhadbeensounexpectedlybroughttoherhusbandatthemomentofhisexitfromStancyCastle。Theminister，aswashiscustom，improvedtheoccasionbyacoupleofsermonsontheuncertaintyoflife。OnewaspreachedinthemorningintheoldchapelofMarkton；thesecondateveningserviceintheruralchapelnearStancyCastle，builtbyPaula"sfather，whichboretothefirstsomewhattherelationofanepiscopalchapel-of-easetothemotherchurch。
Theunscreenedlightsblazedthroughtheplate-glasswindowsofthesmallerbuildingandoutshonethesteelystarsoftheearlynight，justastheyhaddonewhenSomersetwasattractedbytheirglarefourmonthsbefore。Thefervidminister"srhetoricequalleditsforceonthatmoreromanticoccasion:
butPaulawasnotthere。Shewasnotafrequentattendantnowatherfather"svotivebuilding。Themysterioustank，whosedarkwatershadsorepelledheratthelastmoment，wasboardedover:atablestoodonitscentre，withanopenquartoBibleuponit，behindwhichHavill，inanewsuitofblack，satinalargechair。Havillheldtheofficeofdeacon:andhehadmechanicallytakenthedeacon"sseatasusualto-night，inthefaceofthecongregation，andunderthenoseofMr。Woodwell。
Mr。Woodwellwasalwaysgladofanopportunity。Hewasgiftedwithaburningnaturaleloquence，which，thoughperhapsalittletoofreelyemployedinexcitingthe"Wertherismoftheuncultivated，"hadinitgenuinepower。Hewasamasterofthatoratorywhichnolimitationofknowledgecanrepress，andwhichnotrainingcanimpart。TheneighbouringrectorcouldeclipseWoodwell"sscholarship，andthefreethinkeratthecornershopinMarktoncoulddemolishhislogic；buttheBaptistcoulddoinfiveminuteswhatneitherofthesehaddoneinalifetime；hecouldmovesomeofthehardestofmentotears。
Thusithappenedthat，whenthesermonwasfairlyunderway，Havillbegantofeelhimselfinatryingposition。Itwasnotthathehadbestowedmuchaffectionuponhisdeceasedwife，irreproachablewomanasshehadbeen；butthesuddennessofherdeathhadshakenhisnerves，andMr。Woodwell"saddressontheuncertaintyoflifeinvolvedconsiderationsofconductonearththatborewithsingulardirectnessuponHavill"sunprincipledmanoeuvreforvictoryinthecastlecompetition。
Hewishedhehadnotbeensoinadvertentastotakehiscustomarychairinthechapel。PeoplewhosawHavill"sagitationdidnotknowthatitwasmostlargelyowingtohissenseofthefraudwhichhadbeenpractisedontheunoffendingSomerset；andwhen，unablelongertoendurethetortureofWoodwell"swords，herosefromhisplaceandwentintothechapelvestry，thepreacherlittlethoughtthatremorseforacontemptiblyunfairact，ratherthangriefforadeadwife，wasthecauseofthearchitect"swithdrawal。
WhenHavillgotintotheopenairhismorbidexcitementcalmeddown，butasickeningself-abhorrencefortheproceedinginstigatedbyDaredidnotabate。Toappropriateanotherman"sdesignwasnomorenorlessthantoembezzlehismoneyorstealhisgoods。Theintensereactionfromhisconductofthepasttwoorthreemonthsdidnotleavehimwhenhereachedhisownhouseandobservedwherethehandbillsofthecountermandedsalehadbeentorndown，astheresultofthepaymentmadeinadvancebyPaulaofmoneywhichshouldreallyhavebeenSomerset"s。
Themoodwentonintensifyingwhenhewasinbed。Helayawaketilltheclockreachedthosestill，small，ghastlyhourswhenthevitalfiresburnattheirlowestinthehumanframe，anddeathseizesmoreofhisvictimsthaninanyotherofthetwenty-four。Havillcouldbearitnolonger；hegotalight，wentdownintohisofficeandwrotethenotesubjoined。
"MADAM，——Therecentdeathofmywifenecessitatesaconsiderablechangeinmyprofessionalarrangementsandplanswithregardtothefuture。Oneofthechiefresultsofthechangeis，Iregrettostate，thatInolongerfindmyselfinapositiontocarryouttheenlargementofthecastlewhichyouhadsogenerouslyentrustedtomyhands。
"Ibegleavethereforetoresignallfurtherconnectionwiththesame，andtoexpress，ifyouwillallowme，ahopethatthecommissionmaybeplacedinthehandsoftheothercompetitor。Herewithisreturnedachequeforone-halfofthesumsokindlyadvancedinanticipationofthecommissionI
shouldreceive；theotherhalf，withwhichIhadclearedoffmyimmediateembarrassmentsbeforeperceivingthenecessityforthiscourse，shallbereturnedtoyouassoonassomepaymentsfromotherclientsdropin——Ibegtoremain，Madam，yourobedientservant，JAMESHAVILL。"
Havillwouldnottrusthimselftillthemorningtopostthisletter。Hesealeditup，wentoutwithitintothestreet，andwalkedthroughthesleepingtowntothepost-office。Atthemouthoftheboxheheldtheletterlong。Bydroppingit，hewasdroppingatleasttwothousandfivehundredpoundswhich，howeverobtained，werenowsecurelyhis。Itwasagreatdealtoletgo；andtherehestoodtillanotherwaveofconscienceboreinuponhissoultheabsolutenatureofthetheft，andmadehimshudder。Thefootstepsofasolitarypolicemancouldbeheardnearinghimalongthedesertedstreet；hesitationended，andheletthelettergo。
Whenheawokeinthemorninghethoughtoverthecircumstancesbythecheerfullightofaloweasternsun。Thehorrorsofthesituationseemedmuchlessformidable；yetitcannotbesaidthatheactuallyregrettedhisact。Lateronhewalkedout，withthestrangesenseofbeingamanwho，fromonehavingalargeprofessionalundertakinginhand，had，byhisownact，suddenlyreducedhimselftoanunoccupiednondescript。FromtheupperendofthetownhesawinthedistancethegrandgreytowersofStancyCastleloomingovertheleaflesstrees；hefeltstupefiedatwhathehaddone，andsaidtohimselfwithbitterdiscontent:"Well，well，whatismorecontemptiblethanahalf-heartedrogue!"
Thatmorningthepost-baghadbeenbroughttoPaulaandMrs。
Goodmanintheusualway，andMissPowerreadtheletter。Hisresignationwasasurprise；thequestionwhetherhewouldorwouldnotrepaythemoneywaspassedover；thenecessityofinstallingSomersetafterallassolearchitectwasanagitation，oremotion，theprecisenatureofwhichitisimpossibletoaccuratelydefine。
However，shewentaboutthehouseafterbreakfastwithverymuchthemannerofonewhohadhadaweightremovedeitherfromherheartorfromherconscience；moreover，herfacewasalittleflushedwhen，inpassingbySomerset"slatestudio，shesawtheplansbearinghismotto，andknewthathisandnotHavill"swouldbethepresidingpresenceinthecomingarchitecturalturmoil。Shewentonfurther，andcalledtoCharlotte，whowasnowregularlysleepinginthecastle，toaccompanyher，andtogethertheyascendedtothetelegraph-
roominthedonjontower。
"Whomareyougoingtotelegraphto?"saidMissDeStancywhentheystoodbytheinstrument。
"Myarchitect。"
"O——Mr。Havill。"
"Mr。Somerset。"
MissDeStancyhadschooledheremotionsonthatsidecruellywell，andsheaskedcalmly，"What，haveyouchosenhimafterall?"
"Thereisnochoiceinit——readthat，"saidPaula，handingHavill"sletter，asifshefeltthatProvidencehadsteppedintoshapeendsthatshewastooundecidedorunpractisedtoshapeforherself。
"Itisverystrange，"murmuredCharlotte；whilePaulaappliedherselftothemachineanddespatchedthewords:——
"MissPower，StancyCastle，toG。Somerset，Esq。，F。S。A。，F。R。I。B。A。，QueenAnne"sChambers，St。James"s。
"Yourdesignisacceptedinitsentirety。Itwillbenecessarytobeginsoon。Ishallwishtoseeandconsultyouonthematteraboutthe10thinstant。"
WhenthemessagewasfairlygoneoutofthewindowPaulaseemedstillfurthertoexpand。Thestrangespellcastoverherbysomethingorother——probablythepresenceofDeStancy，andtheweirdromanticismofhismannertowardsher，whichwasasifthehistoricpasthadtouchedherwithayetlivinghand——inagreatmeasurebecamedissipated，leavingherthearchandserenemaidenthatshehadbeenbefore。
AboutthistimeCaptainDeStancyandhisAchateswereapproachingthecastle，andhadarrivedaboutfiftypacesfromthespotatwhichitwasDare"scustomtodropbehindhiscompanion，inorderthattheirappearanceatthelodgeshouldbethatofmasterandman。
Darewassaying，ashehadsaidbefore:"Ican"thelpfancying，captain，thatyourapproachtothiscastleanditsmistressisbyaverytedioussystem。Yourtrenches，zigzags，counterscarps，andravelinsmaybeallverywell，andaverysuresystemofattackinthelongrun；butuponmysoultheyarealmostasslowinmaturingasthoseofUncleTobyhimself。
FormypartIshouldbeinclinedtotryanassault。"
"Don"tpretendtogiveadvice，Willy，onmattersbeyondyouryears。"
"Ionlymeantitforyourgood，andyourproperadvancementintheworld，"saidDareinwoundedtones。
"Differentcharacters，differentsystems，"returnedthesoldier。"Thisladyisofareticent，independent，complicateddisposition，andanysuddenproceedingwouldputheronhermettle。Youdon"tdreamwhatmyimpatienceis，myboy。Itisathingtranscendingyourutmostconceptions!ButIproceedslowly；Iknowbetterthantodootherwise。ThankGodthereisplentyoftime。AslongasthereisnoriskofSomerset"sreturnmysituationissure。"
"Andprofessionaletiquettewillpreventhimcomingyet。
Havillandhewillchangelikethemeninasentry-box；whenHavillwalksout，he"llwalkin，andnotamomentbefore。"
"Thatwillnotbetilleighteenmonthshavepassed。AndastheJesuitsaid，"TimeandIagainstanytwo。"……Nowdroptotherear，"addedCaptainDeStancyauthoritatively。Andtheypassedunderthewallsofthecastle。
Thegravefrontsandbastionswerewrappedinsilence；somuchso，that，standingawhileintheinnerward，theycouldhearthroughanopenwindowafaintlyclickingsoundfromwithin。
"She"satthetelegraph，"saidDare，throwingforwardhisvoicesoftlytothecaptain。"Whatcanthatbeforsoearly?
Thatwireisanuisance，tomymind；suchconstantintercoursewiththeouterworldisbadforourromance。"
Thespeakerenteredtoarrangehisphotographicapparatus，ofwhich，intruth，hewasgettingweary；andDeStancysmokedontheterracetillDareshouldbeready。Whilehewaitedhissisterlookedoutuponhimfromanuppercasement，havingcaughtsightofhimasshecamefromPaulainthetelegraph-
room。
"Well，Lottie，whatnewsthismorning?"hesaidgaily。
"Nothingofimportance。Wearequitewell。"……Sheaddedwithhesitation，"Thereisonepieceofnews；Mr。Havill——butperhapsyouhavehearditinMarkton?"
"Nothing。"
"Mr。Havillhasresignedhisappointmentasarchitecttothecastle。"
"What?——whohasit，then?"
"Mr。Somerset。"
"Appointed?"
"Yes——bytelegraph。"
"Whenishecoming?"saidDeStancyinconsternation。
"Aboutthetenth，wethink。"
Charlottewasconcernedtoseeherbrother"sface，andwithdrewfromthewindowthathemightnotquestionherfurther。DeStancywentintothehall，andontothegallery，whereDarewasstandingasstillasacaryatid。
"Ihaveheardeveryword，"saidDare。
"Well，whatdoesitmean?HasthatfoolHavilldoneitonpurposetoannoyme?Whatconceivablereasoncanthemanhaveforthrowingupanappointmenthehasworkedsohardfor，atthemomenthehasgotit，andinthetimeofhisgreatestneed?"
Dareguessed，forhehadseenalittlewayintoHavill"ssoulduringthebriefperiodoftheirconfederacy。Buthewasveryfarfromsayingwhatheguessed。Yetheunconsciouslyrevealedbyotherwordsthenocturnalshadesinhischaracterwhichhadmadethatconfederacypossible。
"Somersetcomingafterall!"hereplied。"ByGod!thatlittlesix-barrelledfriendofmine，andagoodresolution，andhewouldneverarrive!"
"What!"saidCaptainDeStancy，palingwithhorrorashegatheredtheother"ssinistermeaning。
Dareinstantlyrecollectedhimself。"Oneistemptedtosayanythingatsuchamoment，"herepliedhastily。
"Sinceheistocome，lethimcome，forme，"continuedDeStancy，withreactionarydistinctness，andstillgazinggravelyintotheyoungman"sface。"Thebattleshallbefairlyfoughtout。Fairplay，eventoarival——rememberthat，boy……Whyareyouhere?——unnaturallyconcerningyourselfwiththepassionsofamanofmyage，asifyouweretheparent，andItheson?Wouldtoheaven，Willy，youhaddoneasIwishedyoutodo，andledthelifeofasteady，thoughtfulyoungman!Insteadofmeddlinghere，youshouldnowhavebeeninsomestudio，college，orprofessionalman"schambers，engagedinausefulpursuitwhichmighthavemadeoneproudtoownyou。Butyouweresoprecociousandheadstrong；andthisiswhatyouhavecometo:youpromisetobeworthless!"
"IthinkIshallgotomylodgingsto-dayinsteadofstayinghereoverthesepictures，"saidDare，afterasilenceduringwhichCaptainDeStancyendeavouredtocalmhimself。"Iwasgoingtotellyouthatmydinnerto-daywillunfortunatelybeoneofherbs，forwantoftheneedful。Ihavecometomylaststiver——Youdineatthemess，Isuppose，captain?"
DeStancyhadwalkedaway；butDareknewthatheplayedaprettysurecardinthatspeech。DeStancy"sheartcouldnotwithstandthesuggestedcontrastbetweenalonelymealofbread-and-cheeseandawell-ordereddinneramidcheerfulcompanions。"Here，"hesaid，emptyinghispocketandreturningtothelad"sside。"Takethis，andorderyourselfagoodmeal。Youkeepmeaspoorasacrow。Thereshallbemoreto-morrow。"
ThepeculiarlybifoldnatureofCaptainDeStancy，asshowninhisconductatdifferenttimes，wassomethingrareinlife，andperhapshappilyso。Thatmechanicaladmixtureofblackandwhitequalitieswithoutcoalescence，onwhichthetheoryofmen"scharacterswasbasedbymoralanalysisbeforetheriseofmodernethicalschools，fictitiousasitwasingeneralapplication，wouldhavealmosthitoffthetruthasregardsCaptainDeStancy。Removedtosomehalf-knowncentury，hisdeedswouldhavewonapicturesquenessoflightandshadethatmighthavemadehimafascinatingsubjectforsomegalleryofillustrioushistoricalpersonages。Itwasthistendencytomoralchequer-workwhichaccountedforhisvariedbearingstowardsDare。
Darewithdrewtotakehisdeparture。Whenhehadgoneafewsteps，despondent，hesuddenlyturned，andranbackwithsomeexcitement。
"Captain——he"scomingonthetenth，don"ttheysay?Well，fourdaysbeforethetenthcomesthesixth。Haveyouforgottenwhat"sfixedforthesixth?"
"Ihadquiteforgotten!"
"Thatdaywillbeworththreemonthsofquietattentions:
withluck，skill，andaboldheart，whatmayn"tyoudo?"
CaptainDeStancy"sfacesoftenedwithsatisfaction。
"Thereissomethinginthat；thegameisnotupafterall。
Thesixth——ithadgonecleanoutofmyhead，bygad!"
V。
ThecheeringmessagefromPaulatoSomersetspedthroughtheloopholeofStancyCastlekeep，overthetrees，alongtherailway，underbridges，acrossfourcounties——fromextremeantiquityofenvironmenttosheermodernism——andfinallylandeditselfonatableinSomerset"schambersinthemidstofacloudoffog。Hereaditand，inthemomentofreactionfromthedepressionofhispastdays，clappedhishandslikeachild。
Thenheconsideredthedateatwhichshewantedtoseehim。
Hadshesowordedherdespatchhewouldhavegonethatveryday；buttherewasnothingtocomplainofinhergivinghimaweek"snotice。Puremaidenmodestymighthavecheckedherindulgenceinatooardentrecall。
Time，however，draggedsomewhatheavilyalongintheinterim，andontheseconddayhethoughthewouldcallonhisfatherandtellhimofhissuccessinobtainingtheappointment。
TheelderMr。Somersetlivedinadetachedhouseinthenorth-
westpartoffashionableLondon；andascendingthechiefstaircasetheyoungmanbranchedofffromthefirstlandingandenteredhisfather"spainting-room。Itwasanhourwhenhewasprettysureoffindingthewell-knownpainteratwork，andonliftingthetapestryhewasnotdisappointed，Mr。
Somersetbeingbusilyengagedwithhisbacktowardsthedoor。
Artandvitiatednaturewerestrugglinglikewrestlersinthatapartment，andartwasgettingtheworstofit。Theoverpoweringgloompervadingtheclammyair，renderedstillmoreintensebytheheightofthewindowfromthefloor，reducedallthepicturesthatwerestandingaroundtothewizenedfeeblenessofcorpsesonend。Theshadowypartsoftheroombehindthedifferenteaselswereveiledinabrownvapour，precludingallestimateoftheextentofthestudio，andonlysubduedintheforegroundbytheruddyglarefromanopenstoveofDutchtiles。Somerset"sfootstepshadbeensonoiselessoverthecarpetingofthestairsandlanding，thathisfatherwasunawareofhispresence；hecontinuedathisworkasbefore，whichheperformedbythehelpofacomplicatedapparatusoflamps，candles，andreflectors，soarrangedastoekeoutthemiserabledaylight，toapowerapparentlysufficientfortheneutraltouchesonwhichhewasatthatmomentengaged。
Thefirstthoughtofanunsophisticatedstrangeronenteringthatroomcouldonlybetheamazedinquirywhyaprofessoroftheartofcolour，whichbeyondallotherartsrequirespuredaylightforitsexercise，shouldfixhimselfonthesinglesquareleagueinhabitableEuropetowhichlightisdeniedatnoondayforweeksinsuccession。
"O!it"syou，George，isit?"saidtheAcademician，turningfromthelamps，whichshoneoverhisbaldcrownatsuchaslantastorevealeverycranialirregularity。"Howareyouthismorning?Stilladeadsilenceaboutyourgrandcastlecompetition?"
Somersettoldthenews。Hisfatherdulycongratulatedhim，andaddedgenially，"Itiswelltobeyou，George。Onelargecommissiontoattendto，andnothingtodistractyoufromit。
Iambotheredbyhavingadozenironsinthefireatonce。
Andpeoplearesounreasonable——Onlythismorning，amongotherthings，whenyougotyourordertogoonwithyoursinglestudy，Ireceivedaletterfromawoman，anoldfriendwhomIcanscarcelyrefuse，beggingmeasagreatfavourtodesignherasetoftheatricalcostumes，inwhichsheandherfriendscanperformforsomecharity。Itwouldoccupymeagoodweektogointothesubjectanddothethingproperly。
SucharethesortoflettersIget。Iwish，George，youcouldknockoutsomethingforherbeforeyouleavetown。Itispositivelyimpossibleformetodoitwithallthisworkinhand，andtheseeternalfogstocontendagainst。"
"Ifearcostumesareratheroutofmyline，"saidtheson。
"However，I"lldowhatIcan。Whatperiodandcountryaretheytorepresent?"
Hisfatherdidn"tknow。Hehadneverlookedattheplayoflateyears。Itwas"Love"sLabour"sLost。""Youhadbetterreaditforyourself，"hesaid，"anddothebestyoucan。"
DuringthemorningSomersetjuniorfoundtimetorefreshhismemoryoftheplay，andafterwardswentandhuntedupmaterialsfordesignstosuitthesame，whichoccupiedhissparehoursforthenextthreedays。AstheseoccupationsmadenogreatdemandsuponhisreasoningfacultieshemostlyfoundhismindwanderingofftoimaginaryscenesatStancyCastle:particularlydidhedwellatthistimeuponPaula"slivelyinterestinthehistory，relics，tombs，architecture，——
nay，theveryChristiannamesoftheDeStancyline，andher"artistic"preferenceforCharlotte"sancestorsinsteadofherown。Yetwhatmorenaturalthanthataclevermeditativegirl，encasedinthefeudallumberofthatfamily，shouldimbibeatleastanantiquarianinterestinit?Humannatureatbottomisromanticratherthanascetic，andthelocalhabitationwhichaccidenthadprovidedforPaulawasperhapsactingasasolventofthehard，morbidlyintrospectiveviewsthrustuponherinearlylife。
SomersetwonderedifhisownpossessionofasubstantialgenealogylikeCaptainDeStancy"swouldhavehadanyappreciableeffectuponherregardforhim。HissuggestiontoPaulaofherbelongingtoaworthystrainofengineershadbeenbasedonhiscontentwithhisownintellectuallineofdescentthroughPheidias，IctinusandCallicrates，Chersiphron，Vitruvius，WilarsofCambray，WilliamofWykeham，andtherestofthatlongandillustriousroll；butMissPower"smarkedpreferenceforananimalpedigreeledhimtomuseonwhathecouldshowforhimselfinthatkind。
Thesethoughtssofaroccupiedhimthatwhenhetookthesketchestohisfather，onthemorningofthefifth，hewasledtoask:"Hasanyoneeversiftedoutourfamilypedigree?"
"Familypedigree?"
"Yes。Haveweanypedigreeworthytobecomparedwiththatofprofessedlyoldfamilies?Ineverrememberhearingofanyancestorfurtherbackthanmygreat-grandfather。"
Somersettheelderreflectedandsaidthathebelievedtherewasagenealogicaltreeaboutthehousesomewhere，reachingbacktoaveryrespectabledistance。"NotthatIevertookmuchinterestinit，"hecontinued，withoutlookingupfromhiscanvas；"butyourgreatuncleJohnwasamanwithatasteforthosesubjects，andhedrewupsuchasheet:hemadeseveralcopiesonparchment，andgaveonetoeachofhisbrothersandsisters。Theonehegavetomyfatherisstillinmypossession，Ithink。"
Somersetsaidthatheshouldliketoseeit；buthalf-an-
hour"ssearchaboutthehousefailedtodiscoverthedocument；
andtheAcademicianthenrememberedthatitwasinanironboxathisbanker"s。Hehaduseditasawrapperforsometitle-
deedsandothervaluablewritingswhichweredepositedthereforsafety。"Whydoyouwantit?"heinquired。
Theyoungmanconfessedhiswhimtoknowifhisownantiquitywouldbearcomparisonwiththatofanotherperson，whosenamehedidnotmention；whereuponhisfathergavehimakeythatwouldfitthesaidchest，ifhemeanttopursuethesubjectfurther。Somerset，however，didnothinginthematterthatday，butthenextmorning，havingtocallatthebankonotherbusiness，herememberedhisnewfancy。
Itwasabouteleveno"clock。Thefog，thoughnotsobrownasithadbeenonpreviousdays，wasstilldenseenoughtonecessitatelightsintheshopsandoffices。WhenSomersethadfinishedhisbusinessintheouterofficeofthebankhewenttothemanager"sroom。Thehourbeingsomewhatearlytheonlypersonspresentinthatsanctuaryofbalances，besidesthemanagerwhowelcomedhim，weretwogentlemen，apparentlylawyers，whosattalkingearnestlyoveraboxofpapers。Themanager，onlearningwhatSomersetwanted，unlockedadoorfromwhichaflightofstonestepsledtothevaults，andsentdownaclerkandaporterforthesafe。
Before，however，theyhaddescendedfaragentletapcametothedoor，andinresponsetoaninvitationtoenteraladyappeared，wrappedupinfurstoherverynose。
Themanagerseemedtorecognizeher，forhewentacrosstheroominamoment，andsetherachairatthemiddletable，replyingtosomeobservationofherswiththewords，"Oyes，certainly，"inadeferentialtone。
"Ishouldlikeitbroughtupatonce，"saidthelady。
Somerset，whohadseatedhimselfatatableinasomewhatobscurecorner，screenedbythelawyers，startedatthewords。
ThevoicewasMissPower"s，andsoplainlyenoughwasthefigureassoonasheexaminedit。Herbackwastowardshim，andeitherbecausetheroomwasonlylightedintwoplaces，orbecauseshewasabsorbedinherownconcerns，sheseemedtobeunconsciousofanyone"spresenceonthesceneexceptthebankerandherself。Theformercalledbacktheclerk，andtwootherportershavingbeensummonedtheydisappearedtogetwhateversherequired。
Somerset，somewhatexcited，satwonderingwhatcouldhavebroughtPaulatoLondonatthisjuncture，andwasinsomedoubtiftheoccasionwereasuitableoneforrevealinghimself，hererrandtoherbankerbeingpossiblyofaveryprivatenature。Nothinghelpedhimtoadecision。Paulaneveronceturnedherhead，andtheprogressoftimewasmarkedonlybythemurmursofthetwolawyers，andtheceaselessclashofgoldandrattleofscalesfromtheouterroom，wherethebusyheadsofcashierscouldbeseenthroughthepartitionmovingaboutundertheglobesofthegas-lamps。
Footstepswerehearduponthecellar-steps，andthethreemenpreviouslysentbelowstaggeredfromthedoorway，bearingahugesafewhichnearlybrokethemdown。Somersetknewthathisfather"sbox，orboxes，couldboastofnosuchdimensions，andhewasnotsurprisedtoseethechestdepositedinfrontofMissPower。Whentheimmenseaccumulationofdusthadbeenclearedoffthelid，andthechestconvenientlyplacedforher，Somersetwasattendedto，hismodestboxbeingbroughtupbyonemanunassisted，andwithoutmuchexpenditureofbreath。
HisinterestinPaulawasofsoemotionalacastthathisattentiontohisownerrandwasofthemostperfunctorykind。
Shewasclosetoagas-standard，andthelawyers，whoseseatshadintervened，havingfinishedtheirbusinessandgoneaway，allheractionswerevisibletohim。Whilehewasopeninghisfather"sboxthemanagerassistedPaulatounsealandunlockhers，andhenowsawherliftfromitamoroccocase，whichsheplacedonthetablebeforeher，andunfastened。Outofitshetookadazzlingobjectthatfelllikeacascadeoverherfingers。Itwasanecklaceofdiamondsandpearls，apparentlyoflargesizeandmanystrands，thoughhewasnotnearenoughtoseedistinctly。Whensatisfiedbyherexaminationthatshehadgottherightarticlesheshutitintoitscase。
Themanagerclosedthechestforher；andwhenitwasagainsecuredPaulaarose，tossedthenecklaceintoherhand-bag，bowedtothemanager，andwasabouttobidhimgoodmorning。
Thereuponhesaidwithsomehesitation:"Pardononequestion，MissPower。Doyouintendtotakethosejewelsfar?"
"Yes，"shesaidsimply，"toStancyCastle。"
"Youaregoingstraightthere?"
"Ihaveoneortwoplacestocallatfirst。"
"Iwouldsuggestthatyoucarrytheminsomeotherway——byfasteningthemintothepocketofyourdress，forinstance。"
"ButIamgoingtoholdthebaginmyhandandneveronceletitgo。"
Thebankerslightlyshookhishead。"Supposeyourcarriagegetsoverturned:youwouldletitgothen。"
"Perhapsso。"
"Orifyousawachildunderthewheelsjustasyouweresteppingin；orifyouaccidentallystumbledingettingout；
oriftherewasacollisionontherailway——youmightletitgo。"
"Yes；IseeIwastoocareless。Ithankyou。"
Paularemovedthenecklacefromthebag，turnedherbacktothemanager，andspentseveralminutesinplacinghertreasureinherbosom，pinningitandotherwisemakingitabsolutelysecure。
"That"sit，"saidthegrey-hairedmanofcaution，withevidentsatisfaction。"Thereisnotmuchdangernow:youarenottravellingalone?"
Paularepliedthatshewasnotalone，andwenttothedoor。
TherewasonemomentduringwhichSomersetmighthaveconvenientlymadehispresenceknown；butthejuxtapositionofthebank-manager，andhisowndisarrangedboxofsecurities，embarrassedhim:themomentslippedby，andshewasgone。
Inthemeantimehehadmechanicallyunearthedthepedigree，and，lockinguphisfather"schest，SomersetalsotookhisdepartureattheheelsofPaula。
Hewalkedalongthemistystreet，sodeeplymusingastobequiteunconsciousofthedirectionofhiswalk。What，heinquiredofhimself，couldshewantthatnecklaceforsosuddenly?HerecollectedaremarkofDare"stotheeffectthatherappearanceonaparticularoccasionatStancyCastlehadbeenmagnificentbyreasonofthejewelsshewore；whichprovedthatshehadretainedasufficientquantityofthosevaluablesatthecastleforordinaryrequirements。Whatexceptionaloccasion，then，wasimpendingonwhichshewishedtoglorifyherselfbeyondallpreviousexperience?Hecouldnotguess。HewasinterruptedintheseconjecturesbyacarriagenearlypassingoverhistoesatacrossinginBondStreet:lookinguphesawbetweenthetwowindowsofthevehicletheprofileofathicklymantledbosom，onwhichacamelliaroseandfell。Alltheremainderpartofthelady"spersonwashidden；butherememberedthatflowerofconvenientseasonasonewhichhadfiguredinthebankparlourhalf-an-hourearlierto-day。
Somersethastenedafterthecarriage，andinaminutesawitstopoppositeajeweller"sshop。OutcamePaula，andthenanotherwoman，inwhomherecognizedMrs。Birch，oneofthelady"smaidsatStancyCastle。TheyoungmanwasatPaula"ssidebeforeshehadcrossedthepavement。
VI。
Aquickarrestedexpressioninhertwosapphirineeyes，accompaniedbyalittle，averylittle，blushwhichloiteredlong，wasalltheoutwarddisturbancethatthesightofherlovercaused。Thehabitofself-repressionatanynewemotionalimpactwasinstinctivewithheralways。Somersetcouldnotsaymorethanaword；helookedhisintensesolicitude，andPaulaspoke。