第12章
Shedeclaredthatthiswasanunexpectedpleasure。Hadhearrangedtocomeonthetenthasshewished?Howstrangethattheyshouldmeetthus!——andyetnotstrange——theworldwassosmall。
Somersetsaidthathewascomingontheverydayshementioned——thattheappointmentgavehiminfinitegratification，whichwasquitewithinthetruth。
"Comeintothisshopwithme，"saidPaula，withgood-humouredauthoritativeness。
Theyenteredtheshopandtalkedonwhileshemadeasmallpurchase。ButnotaworddidPaulasayofhersuddenerrandtotown。
"Iamhavinganexcitingmorning，"shesaid。"Iamgoingfromheretocatchtheone-o"clocktraintoMarkton。"
"Itisimportantthatyougettherethisafternoon，I
suppose?"
"Yes。Youknowwhy?"
"Notatall。"
"TheHuntBall。Itwasfixedforthesixth，andthisisthesixth。Ithoughttheymighthaveaskedyou。"
"No，"saidSomerset，atriflegloomily。"No，Iamnotasked。
Butitisagreattaskforyou——alongjourneyandaballallinoneday。"
"Yes:Charlottesaidthat。ButIdon"tmindit。"
"Youaregladyouaregoing。Areyouglad?"hesaidsoftly。
Herairconfessedmorethanherwords。"IamnotsoverygladthatIamgoingtotheHuntBall，"sherepliedconfidentially。
"Thanksforthat，"saidhe。
Sheliftedhereyestohisforamoment。Hermannerhadsuddenlybecomesonearlythecounterpartofthatinthetea-
housethattosuspectanydeteriorationofaffectioninherwasnolongergenerous。Itwasonlyasifathinlayerofrecenteventshadoverlaidhermemoriesofhim，untilhispresencesweptthemaway。
Somersetlookedup，andfindingtheshopmantobestillsomewayoff，headded，"WhenwillyouassuremeofsomethinginreturnforwhatIassuredyouthateveningintherain?"
"Notbeforeyouhavebuiltthecastle。Myauntdoesnotknowaboutityet，noranybody。"
"Ioughttotellher。"
"No，notyet。Idon"twishit。"
"Theneverythingstandsasusual?"
Shelightlynodded。
"Thatis，Imayloveyou:butyoustillwillnotsayyouloveme。"
Shenoddedagain，anddirectinghisattentiontotheadvancingshopman，said，"Pleasenotawordmore。"
Soonafterthis，theyleftthejeweller"s，andparted，PauladrivingstraightofftothestationandSomersetgoingonhiswayuncertainlyhappy。Hisre-impressionafterafewminuteswasthataspecialjourneytotowntofetchthatmagnificentnecklacewhichshehadnotoncementionedtohim，butwhichwasplainlytobethemediumofsomeproudpurposewithherthisevening，washardlyinharmonywithherassertionsofindifferencetotheattractionsoftheHuntBall。
Hegotintoacabanddrovetohisclub，wherehelunched，andmopinglyspentagreatpartoftheafternooninmakingcalculationsforthefoundationsofthecastleworks。Laterintheafternoonhereturnedtohischambers，wishingthathecouldannihilatethethreedaysremainingbeforethetenth，particularlythiscomingevening。Onhistablewasaletterinastrangewriting，andindifferentlyturningitoverhefoundfromthesuperscriptionthatithadbeenaddressedtohimdaysbeforeattheLord-Quantock-ArmsHotel，Markton，whereithadlaineversince，thelandlordprobablyexpectinghimtoreturn。Openingthemissive，hefoundtohissurprisethatitwas，afterall，aninvitationtotheHuntBall。
"Toolate!"saidSomerset。"TothinkIshouldbeservedthistrickasecondtime!"
Afteramoment"spause，however，helookedtoseethetimeofday。Itwasfiveminutespastfive——justaboutthehourwhenPaulawouldbedrivingfromMarktonStationtoStancyCastletorestandprepareherselfforhereveningtriumph。Therewasatrainatsixo"clock，timedtoreachMarktonbetweenelevenandtwelve，whichbygreatexertionhemightsaveevennow，ifitwereworthwhiletoundertakesuchascrambleforthepleasureofdroppingintotheballatalatehour。A
moment"svisionofPaulamovingtoswifttunesonthearmofapersonorpersonsunknownwasenoughtoimparttheimpetusrequired。Hejumpedup，flunghisdressclothesintoaportmanteau，sentdowntocallacab，andinafewminuteswasrattlingofftotherailwaywhichhadbornePaulaawayfromLondonjustfivehoursearlier。
Onceinthetrain，hebegantoconsiderwhereandhowhecouldmostconvenientlydressforthedance。Thetrainwouldcertainlybehalf-an-hourlate；half-an-hourwouldbespentingettingtothetown-hall，andthatwastheutmostdelaytolerableifhewouldsecurethehandofPaulaforonespin，orbemorethanameredummybehindtheearlierarrivals。Helookedforanemptycompartmentatthenextstoppage，andfindingtheonenexthisownunoccupied，heentereditandchangedhisraimentforthatinhisportmanteauduringtheensuingrunoftwentymiles。
ThuspreparedheawaitedtheMarktonplatform，whichwasreachedastheclockstrucktwelve。Somersetcalledaflyanddroveatoncetothetown-hall。
Theboroughnativeshadascendedtotheirupperfloors，andwereputtingouttheircandlesonebyoneashepassedalongthestreets；butthelivelystrainsthatproceededfromthecentraledificerevealeddistinctlyenoughwhatwasgoingonamongthetemporaryvisitorsfromtheneighbouringmanors。
Thedoorswereopenedforhim，andenteringthevestibulelinedwithflags，flowers，evergreens，andescutcheons，hestoodlookingintothefurnaceofgaietybeyond。
Itwassometimebeforehecouldgatherhisimpressionsofthescene，soperplexingwerethelights，themotions，thetoilets，thefull-dressuniformsofofficersandtheharmoniesofsound。Yetlight，sound，andmovementwerenotsomuchtheessenceofthatgiddysceneasanintenseaimatobliviousnessinthebeingscomposingit。Fortwoorthreehoursatleastthosewhirlingyoungpeoplemeantnottoknowthattheyweremortal。Theroomwasbeatinglikeaheart，andthepulsewasregulatedbythetremblingstringsofthemostpopularquadrillebandinWessex。Butatlasthiseyesgrewsettledenoughtolookcriticallyaround。
Theroomwascrowded——toocrowded。Everyvarietyoffairone，beautiesprimary，secondary，andtertiary，appearedamongthepersonagescomposingthethrong。Thereweresunsandmoons；
alsopaleplanetsoflittleaccount。Broadlyspeaking，thesedaughtersofthecountyfellintotwoclasses:onethepink-
facedunsophisticatedgirlsfromneighbouringrectoriesandsmallcountry-houses，whoknewnottownexceptforanoccasionalfortnight，andwhospenttheirtimefromEastertoLammasDaymuchastheyspentitduringtheremainingninemonthsoftheyear:theotherclasswerethechildrenofthewealthylandownerswhomigratedeachseasontothetown-house；
thesewerepaleandcollected，showedlessenjoymentintheircountenances，andworeingeneralanapproximationtothelanguidmannersofthecapital。
Aquadrillewasinprogress，andSomersetscannedeachset。
Hismindhadrunsolonguponthenecklace，thathisglanceinvoluntarilysoughtoutthatgleamingobjectratherthanthepersonalityofitswearer。Atthetopoftheroomtherehebeheldit；butitwasontheneckofCharlotteDeStancy。
Thewholelucidexplanationbrokeacrosshisunderstandinginasecond。HisdearPaulahadfetchedthenecklacethatCharlotteshouldnotappeartodisadvantageamongthecountypeoplebyreasonofherpoverty。Itwasgenerouslydone——adisinterestedactofsisterlykindness；theirswasthefriendshipofHermiaandHelena。Beforehehadgotfurtherthantorealizethis，therewheeledroundamongstthedancersaladywhosetournureherecognizedwell。ShewasPaula；andtotheyoungman"svisionasuperlativesomethingdistinguishedherfromalltherest。Thiswasnotdressorornament，forshehadhardlyagemuponher，herattirebeingamodelofeffectivesimplicity。HerpartnerwasCaptainDeStancy。
Thediscoveryofthislatterfactslightlyobscuredhisappreciationofwhathehaddiscoveredjustbefore。ItwaswithratheraloweringbrowthatheaskedhimselfwhetherPaula"spredilectiond"artiste，asshecalledit，fortheDeStancylinemightnotleadtoapredilectionofadifferentsortforitslastrepresentativewhichwouldbenotatallsatisfactory。
Thearchitectremainedinthebackgroundtillthedancedrewtoaconclusion，andthenhewentforward。ThecircumstanceofhavingmethimbyaccidentoncealreadythatdayseemedtoquenchanysurpriseinMissPower"sbosomatseeinghimnow。
TherewasnothinginherpartingfromCaptainDeStancy，whenheledhertoaseat，calculatedtomakeSomersetuneasyafterhislongabsence。Though，forthatmatter，thisprovednothing；for，likeallwisemaidens，Paulaneverventuredonthegameoftheeyeswithaloverinpublic；wellknowingthateverymomentofsuchindulgenceovernightmightmeananhour"ssneeratherexpensebytheindulgedgentlemannextday，whenweighingwomankindbytheaidofacoldmorninglightandabadheadache。
WhileSomersetwasexplainingtoPaulaandherauntthereasonofhissuddenappearance，theirattentionwasdrawntoaseatashortwayoffbyaflutteringofladiesroundthespot。Inamomentitwaswhisperedthatsomebodyhadfallenill，andinanotherthatthesuffererwasMissDeStancy。Paula，Mrs。
Goodman，andSomersetatoncejoinedthegroupoffriendswhowereassistingher。NeitherofthemimaginedforaninstantthattheunexpectedadventofSomersetonthescenehadanythingtodowiththepoorgirl"sindisposition。
Shewasassistedoutoftheroom，andherbrother，whonowcameup，preparedtotakeherhome，Somersetexchangingafewcivilwordswithhim，whichthehurryofthemomentpreventedthemfromcontinuing；thoughontakinghisleavewithCharlotte，whowasnowbetter，DeStancyinformedSomersetinanswertoacursoryinquiry，thathehopedtobebackagainattheballinhalf-an-hour。
WhentheyweregoneSomerset，feelingthatnowanotherdogmighthavehisday，soundedPaulaonthedelightfulquestionofadance。
Paularepliedinthenegative。
"Howisthat?"askedSomersetwithreproachfuldisappointment。
"Icannotdanceagain，"shesaidinasomewhatdepressedtone；
"Imustbereleasedfromeveryengagementtodoso，onaccountofCharlotte"sillness。IshouldhavegonehomewithherifI
hadnotbeenparticularlyrequestedtostayalittlelonger，sinceitisasyetsoearly，andCharlotte"sillnessisnotveryserious。"
IfCharlotte"sillnesswasnotveryserious，Somersetthought，Paulamighthavestretchedapoint；butnotwishingtohinderherinshowingrespecttoafriendsowelllikedbyhimself，hedidnotaskit。DeStancyhadpromisedtobebackagaininhalf-an-hour，andPaulahadheardthepromise。Butattheendoftwentyminutes，stillseemingindifferenttowhatwasgoingonaroundher，shesaidshewouldstaynolonger，andremindingSomersetthattheyweresoontomeetandtalkovertherebuilding，droveoffwithheraunttoStancyCastle。
Somersetstoodlookingaftertheretreatingcarriagetillitwasenvelopedinshadesthatthelampscouldnotdisperse。
Theball-roomwasnowvirtuallyemptyforhim，andfeelingnogreatanxietytoreturnthitherhestoodonthestepsforsomeminuteslonger，lookingintothecalmmildnight，andatthedarkhousesbehindwhoseblindslaytheburgherswiththeireyessealedupinsleep。HecouldnotbutthinkthatitwasrathertoobadofPaulatospoilhiseveningforasentimentaldevotiontoCharlottewhichcoulddothelatternoappreciablegood；andhewouldhavefeltseriouslyhurtathermoveifithadnotbeenequallysevereuponCaptainDeStancy，whowasdoubtlesshasteningback，fullofabeliefthatshewouldstillbefoundthere。
Thestarofgas-jetsovertheentrancethrewitslightuponthewallsontheoppositesideofthestreet，wheretherewerenotice-boardsofforthcomingevents。Inglancingovertheseforthefifthtime，hiseyewasattractedbythefirstwordsofaplacardinblueletters，ofasizelargerthantherest，andmovingonwardafewstepsheread:——
STANCYCASTLE。
BythekindpermissionofMissPower，APLAY
WillshortlybeperformedattheaboveCASTLE，INAIDOFTHEFUNDSOFTHE
COUNTYHOSPITAL，BytheOfficersoftheROYALHORSEARTILLERY，MARKTONBARRACKS，ASSISTEDBYSEVERAL
LADIESOFTHENEIGHBOURHOOD。
Thecastandotherparticularswillbedulyannouncedinsmallbills。PlaceswillbereservedonapplicationtoMr。
Clangham，HighStreet，Markton，whereaplanoftheroommaybeseen。
N。B——TheCastleisabouttwentyminutes"drivefromMarktonStation，towhichtherearenumerousconvenienttrainsfromallpartsofthecounty。
InaprofoundstudySomersetturnedandre-enteredtheball-
room，whereheremainedgloomilystandinghereandthereforaboutfiveminutes，attheendofwhichheobservedCaptainDeStancy，whohadreturnedpunctuallytohisword，crossingthehallinhisdirection。
Thegallantofficerdartedglancesoflivelysearchovereverygroupofdancersandsitters；andthenwithratherablanklookinhisface，hecameontoSomerset。Replyingtothelatter"sinquiryforhissisterthatshehadnearlyrecovered，hesaid，"Idon"tseemyfather"sneighboursanywhere。"
"Theyhavegonehome，"repliedSomerset，atrifledrily。
"Theyaskedmetomaketheirapologiestoyouforleadingyoutoexpecttheywouldremain。MissPowerwastooanxiousaboutMissDeStancytocaretostaylonger。"
TheeyesofDeStancyandthespeakermetforaninstant。
Thatcuriousguardedunderstanding，orinimicalconfederacy，whicharisesatmomentsbetweentwomeninlovewiththesamewoman，waspresenthere；andintheirmutualglanceseachsaidasplainlyasbywordsthatherdeparturehadruinedhisevening"shope。
Theywerenowaboutasmuchinonemoodasitwaspossiblefortwosuchdifferingnaturestobe。Neithercaredfurtherforelaboratinggiddycurvesonthattown-hallfloor。Theystoodtalkinglanguidlyaboutthisandthatlocaltopic，tillDeStancyturnedasideforashorttimetospeaktoadapperlittleladywhohadbeckonedtohim。InafewminuteshecamebacktoSomerset。
"Mrs。Camperton，thewifeofMajorCampertonofmybattery，wouldverymuchlikemetointroduceyoutoher。Sheisanoldfriendofyourfather"s，andhaswantedtoknowyouforalongtime。"
DeStancyandSomersetcrossedovertothelady，andinafewminutes，thankstoherflowofspirits，sheandSomersetwerechattingwithremarkablefreedom。
"Itisahappycoincidence，"continuedMrs。Camperton，"thatI
shouldhavemetyouhere，immediatelyafterreceivingaletterfromyourfather:indeeditreachedmeonlythismorning。Hehasbeensokind!Wearegettingupsometheatricals，asyouknow，Isuppose，tohelpthefundsoftheCountyHospital，whichisindebt。"
"Ihavejustseentheannouncement——nothingmore。"
"Yes，suchanestimablepurpose；andaswewishedtodoitthoroughlywell，IaskedMr。Somersettodesignusthecostumes，andhehasnowsentmethesketches。Itisquiteasecretatpresent，butwearegoingtoplayShakespeare"sromanticdrama，"Love"sLabour"sLost，"andwehopetogetMissPowertotaketheleadingpart。Yousee，beingsuchahandsomegirl，andsowealthy，andratheranundiscoverednoveltyinthecountyasyet，shewoulddrawacrowdedroom，andgreatlybenefitthefunds。"
"MissPowergoingtoplayherself?——Iamrathersurprised，"
saidSomerset。"Whoseideaisallthis?"
"O，CaptainDeStancy"s——he"stheoriginatorentirely。Youseeheissointerestedintheneighbourhood，hisfamilyhavingbeenconnectedwithitforsomanycenturies，thatnaturallyacharitableobjectofthislocalnatureappealstohisfeelings。"
"Naturally!"herlistenerlaconicallyrepeated。"Andhaveyousettledwhoistoplaythejuniorgentleman"spart，leadinglover，hero，orwhateverheiscalled?"
"Notabsolutely；thoughIthinkCaptainDeStancywillnotrefuseit；andheisaverygoodfigure。AtpresentitliesbetweenhimandMr。Mild，oneofouryounglieutenants。Myhusband，ofcourse，takestheheavyline；andIamtobethesecondlady，thoughIamrathertoooldforthepartreally。
IfwecanonlysecureMissPowerforheroinethecastwillbeexcellent。"
"Excellent!"saidSomerset，withaspectralsmile。
VII。
WhenheawokethenextmorningattheLord-Quantock-ArmsHotelSomersetfeltquitemorbidonrecallingtheintelligencehehadreceivedfromMrs。Camperton。Butasthedayforseriouspracticalconsultationaboutthecastleworks，towhichPaulahadplayfullyalluded，wasnowcloseathand，hedeterminedtobanishsentimentalreflectionsonthefrailtiesthatwerebesieginghernature，byactivepreparationforhisprofessionalundertaking。Tobeherhigh-priestinart，toelaborateastructurewhosecunningworkmanshipwouldbemeetinghereyeeverydaytilltheendofhernaturallife，andsayingtoher，"Heinventedit，"withalltheeloquenceofaninanimatethinglongregarded——thiswasnomeansatisfaction，comewhatelsewould。
Hereturnedtotownthenextdaytosetmattersthereinsuchtrimthatnoinconvenienceshouldresultfromhisprolongedabsenceatthecastle；forhavingnoothercommissionhedetermined(withaneyerathertoheart-intereststhantoincreasinghisprofessionalpractice)tomake，asbefore，thecastleitselfhisoffice，studio，andchiefabiding-placetilltheworkswerefairlyinprogress。
OnthetenthhereappearedatMarkton。Passingthroughthetown，ontheroadtoStancyCastle，hiseyeswereagainarrestedbythenotice-boardwhichhadconveyedsuchstartlinginformationtohimonthenightoftheball。Thesmallbillsnowappearedthereon；butwhenheanxiouslylookedthemovertolearnhowthepartsweretobeallotted，hefoundthatintelligencestillwithheld。Yettheytoldenough；thelistoflady-playerswasgiven，andMissPower"snamewasone。
Thatayoungladywho，sixmonthsago，wouldscarcelyjoinforconscientiousreasonsinasimpledanceonherownlawn，shouldnowbewillingtoexhibitherselfonapublicstage，simulatinglove-passageswithastranger，arguedarateofdevelopmentwhichunderanycircumstanceswouldhavesurprisedhim，butwhich，withtheparticularaddition，asleadingcolleague，ofCaptainDeStancy，inflamedhimalmosttoanger。
Whatclandestinearrangementshadbeengoingoninhisabsencetoproducesuchafull-blownintentionitwerefutiletoguess。Paula"scoursewasaraceratherthanamarch，andeachsuccessiveheatwasstartlinginitseclipseofthatwhichwentbefore。
Somersetwas，however，introspectiveenoughtoknowthathismoralswouldhavetakennosuchvirtuousalarmhadhebeenthechiefmaleplayerinsteadofCaptainDeStancy。
Hepassedunderthecastle-archandentered。ThereseemedalittleturninthetideofaffairswhenitwasannouncedtohimthatMissPowerexpectedhim，andwasalone。
Thewell-knownante-chambersthroughwhichhewalked，filledwithtwilight，draughts，andthinechoesthatseemedtoreverberatefromtwohundredyearsago，didnotdelayhiseyeastheyhaddonewhenhehadbeenignorantthathisdestinylaybeyond；andhefollowedonthroughallthisancientnesstowherethemodernPaulasattoreceivehim。
Heforgoteverythinginthepleasureofbeingaloneinaroomwithher。Shemethiseyewiththatinherownwhichcheeredhim。Itwasalightexpressingthatsomethingwasunderstoodbetweenthem。Shesaidquietlyintwoorthreewordsthatshehadexpectedhimintheforenoon。
SomersetexplainedthathehadcomeonlythatmorningfromLondon。
Afteralittlemoretalk，inwhichshesaidthatherauntwouldjointheminafewminutes，andMissDeStancywasstillindisposedatherfather"shouse，sherangforteaandsatdownbesidealittletable。
"Shallweproceedtobusinessatonce?"sheaskedhim。
"Isupposeso。"
"Firstthen，whenwilltheworkingdrawingsbeready，whichI
thinkyousaidmustbemadeoutbeforetheworkcouldbegin?"
WhileSomersetinformedheronthisandothermatters，Mrs。
Goodmanenteredandjoinedinthediscussion，afterwhichtheyfounditwouldbenecessarytoadjourntotheroomwheretheplanswerehanging。OntheirwalkthitherPaulaaskedifhestayedlateattheball。
"Ileftsoonafteryou。"
"Thatwasveryearly，seeinghowlateyouarrived。"
"Yes……Ididnotdance。"
"Whatdidyoudothen?"
"Imoped，andwalkedtothedoor；andsawanannouncement。"
"Iknow——theplaythatistobeperformed。"
"InwhichyouaretobethePrincess。"
"That"snotsettled，——Ihavenotagreedyet。IshallnotplaythePrincessofFranceunlessMr。MildplaystheKingofNavarre。"
Thissoundedratherwell。ThePrincesswastheladybelovedbytheKing；andMr。Mild，theyounglieutenantofartillery，wasadiffident，inexperienced，ratherplain-lookingfellow，whosesoleinterestintheatricalslayintheconsiderationofhiscostumeandthesoundofhisownvoiceintheearsoftheaudience。Withsuchanunobjectionablepersontoenactthepartoflover，theprominentcharacterofleadingyoungladyorheroine，whichPaulawastopersonate，wasreallythemostsatisfactoryinthewholelistforher。Foralthoughshewastobewooedhard，therewasjustasmuchlove-makingamongtheremainingpersonages；while，asSomersethadunderstoodtheplay，therecouldoccurnoflingingsofherpersonuponherlover"sneck，oragonizeddownfallsuponthestage，inherwholeperformance，astherewereinthepartschosenbyMrs。
Camperton，themajor"swife，andsomeoftheotherladies。
"Whydoyouplayatall!"hemurmured。
"Whataquestion!HowcouldIrefuseforsuchanexcellentpurpose?Theysaythatmytakingapartwillbeworthahundredpoundstothecharity。Myfatheralwayssupportedthehospital，whichisquiteundenominational；andhesaidIwastodothesame。"
"Doyouthinkthepeculiarmeansyouhaveadoptedforsupportingitenteredintohisview?"inquiredSomerset，regardingherwithcriticaldryness。"FormypartIdon"t。"
"Itisaninterestingway，"shereturnedpersuasively，thoughapparentlyinastateofmentalequipoiseonthepointraisedbyhisquestion。"AndIshallnotplaythePrincess，asI
said，toanyotherthanthatquietyoungman。NowIassureyouofthis，sodon"tbeangryandabsurd!Besides，theKingdoesn"tmarrymeattheendoftheplay，asinShakespeare"sothercomedies。AndifMissDeStancycontinuesseriouslyunwellIshallnotplayatall。"
Theyoungmanpressedherhand，butshegentlyslippeditaway。
"Arewenotengaged，Paula!"heasked。Sheevasivelyshookherhead。
"Come——yesweare!Shallwetellyouraunt?"hecontinued。
UnluckilyatthatmomentMrs。Goodman，whohadfollowedthemtothestudioataslowerpace，appearedroundthedoorway。
"No，——tothelast，"repliedPaulahastily。Thenherauntentered，andtheconversationwasnolongerpersonal。
Somersettookhisdepartureinaserenermoodthoughnotcompletelyassured。
VIII。
Hisserenitycontinuedduringtwoorthreefollowingdays，when，continuingatthecastle，hegotpleasantglimpsesofPaulanowandthen。Herstrongdesirethathisloveforhershouldbekeptsecret，perplexedhim；buthisaffectionwasgenerous，andheacquiescedinthatdesire。
Meanwhilenewsoftheforthcomingdramaticperformanceradiatedineverydirection。Andinthenextnumberofthecountypaperitwasannounced，toSomerset"scomparativesatisfaction，thatthecastwasdefinitelysettled，Mr。MildhavingagreedtobetheKingandMissPowertheFrenchPrincess。CaptainDeStancy，withbecomingmodestyforonewhowastheleadingspirit，figuredquitelowdown，inthesecondarycharacterofSirNathaniel。
Somersetrememberedthat，byahappychance，thecostumehehaddesignedforSirNathanielwasnotatallpicturesque；
moreoverSirNathanielscarcelycamenearthePrincessthroughthewholeplay。
Everydayafterthistherewascomingandgoingtoandfromthecastleofrailwayvansladenwithcanvascolumns，pasteboardtrees，limphouse-fronts，woollenlawns，andlathbalustrades。Therewerealsofrequentarrivalsofyoungladiesfromneighbouringcountryhouses，andwarriorsfromtheXandYbatteriesofartillery，distinguishablebytheirregulationshaving。
ButitwasuponCaptainDeStancyandMrs。Campertonthattheweightofpreparationfell。Somerset，throughbeingmuchoccupiedinthedrawing-office，wasseldompresentduringtheconsultationsandrehearsals:untiloneday，teabeingservedinthedrawing-roomattheusualhour，hedroppedinwiththeresttoreceiveacupfromPaula"stable。Thechatterwastremendous，andSomersetwasatonceconsultedaboutsomenecessarycarpentrywhichwastobespeciallymadeatMarkton。
Afterthathewaslookedonasoneoftheband，whichresultedinalargeadditiontothenumberofhisacquaintanceinthispartofEngland。
Buthisownfeelingwasthatofbeinganoutsiderstill。Thisvagaryhadbeenoriginated，theplaychosen，thepartsallotted，allinhisabsence，andcallinghiminatthelastmomentmight，ifflirtationwerepossibleinPaula，bebutasoptopacifyhim。Whatwouldhehavegiventoimpersonateherloverinthepiece!ButneitherPaulanoranyoneelsehadaskedhim。
Theeventfuleveningcame。SomersethadbeenengagedduringthedaywiththedifferentpeoplebywhomtheworksweretobecarriedoutandintheeveningwenttohisroomsattheLord-
Quantock-Arms，Markton，wherehedined。Hedidnotreturntothecastletillthehourfixedfortheperformance，andhavingbeenreceivedbyMrs。Goodman，enteredthelargeapartment，nowtransfiguredintoatheatre，likeanyotherspectator。
Rumoursoftheprojectedrepresentationhadspreadfarandwide。Sixtimesthenumberofticketsissuedmighthavebeenreadilysold。Friendsandacquaintancesoftheactorscamefromcuriositytoseehowtheywouldacquitthemselves；whileotherclassesofpeoplecamebecausetheywereeagertoseewell-knownnotabilitiesinunwontedsituations。Whenladies，hithertoonlybeheldinfrigid，impenetrablepositionsbehindtheircoachmeninMarktonHighStreet，wereabouttorevealtheirhiddentraits，homeattitudes，intimatesmiles，nods，andperhapskisses，tothepubliceye，itwasathrowingopenoffascinatingsocialsecretsnottobemissedformoney。
Theperformanceopenedwithnofurtherdelaythanwasoccasionedbythecustomaryrefusalofthecurtainatthesetimestorisemorethantwofeetsixinches；butthishitchwasremedied，andtheplaybegan。ItwaswithnoenviableemotionthatSomerset，whowaswatchingintently，saw，notMr。
Mild，butCaptainDeStancy，enterastheKingofNavarre。
SomersetasafriendofthefamilyhadhadaseatreservedforhimnexttothatofMrs。Goodman，andturningtoherhesaidwithsomeexcitement，"IunderstoodthatMr。Mildhadagreedtotakethatpart?"
"Yes，"shesaidinawhisper，"sohehad；buthebrokedown。
LuckilyCaptainDeStancywasfamiliarwiththepart，throughhavingcoachedtheotherssopersistently，andheundertookitoff-hand。BeingaboutthesamefigureasLieutenantMildthesamedressfitshim，withalittlealterationbythetailor。"
Itdidfithimindeed；andofthemalecostumesitwasthatonwhichSomersethadbestowedmostpainswhendesigningthem。
ItshrewdlyburstuponhismindthattheremighthavebeencollusionbetweenMildandDeStancy，theformeragreeingtotakethecaptain"splaceandactasblindtillthelastmoment。Agreaterquestionwas，couldPaulahavebeenawareofthis，andwouldsheperformasthePrincessofFrancenowDeStancywastobeherlover?
"DoesMissPowerknowofthischange?"heinquired。
"Shedidnottillquiteashorttimeago。"
Hecontrolledhisimpatiencetillthebeginningofthesecondact。ThePrincessentered；itwasPaula。Butwhethertheslightembarrassmentwithwhichshepronouncedheropeningwords，"GoodLordBoyet，mybeauty，thoughbutmean，Needsnotthepaintedflourishofyourpraise，"
wasduetothenewnessofhersituation，ortoherknowledgethatDeStancyhadusurpedMild"spartofherlover，hecouldnotguess。DeStancyappeared，andSomersetfeltgrimashelistenedtothegallantcaptain"ssalutationofthePrincess，andherresponse。
DeS。FairPrincess，welcometothecourtofNavarre。
Paula。Fair，Igiveyoubackagain:andwelcome，Ihavenotyet。
Somersetlistenedtothisandtoallthatwhichfollowedofthesamesort，withthereflectionthat，afterall，thePrincessneverthroughoutthepiececompromisedherdignitybyshowingherlovefortheKing；andthatthelatterneveraddressedherinwordsinwhichpassiongotthebetterofcourtesy。Moreover，asPaulahadherselfobserved，theydidnotmarryattheendofthepiece，asinShakespeare"sothercomedies。Somewhatcalminthisassurance，hewaitedonwhiletheothercouplesrespectivelyindulgedintheirlove-making，andbanter，includingMrs。CampertonasthesprightlyRosaline。Buthewasdoomedtobesurprisedoutofhishumourwhentheendoftheactcameon。Inabridgingtheplayfortheconvenienceofrepresentation，thefavoursorgiftsfromthegentlementotheladieswerepersonallypresented:andnowSomersetsawDeStancyadvancewiththenecklacefetchedbyPaulafromLondon，andclaspitonherneck。
Thisseemedtothrowalesspleasantlightonherhastyjourney。Tofetchavaluableornamenttolendittoapoorerfriendwasestimable；buttofetchitthatthefriend"sbrothershouldhavesomethingmagnificenttouseasalover"sofferingtoherselfinpublic，thatworeadifferentcomplexion。AndifthearticlewererecognizedbythespectatorsasthesamethatCharlottehadwornattheball，thepresentationbyDeStancyofwhatmustseemtobeanheirloomofhishousewouldbereadassymbolizingaunionofthefamilies。
DeStancy"smodeofpresentingthenecklace，thoughunauthorizedbyShakespeare，hadthefullapprovalofthecompany，andsetthemingoodhumourtoreceiveMajorCampertonasArmadothebraggart。Nothingcalculatedtostimulatejealousyoccurredagaintillthefifthact；andthentherearosefullcauseforit。
ThescenewastheoutsideofthePrincess"spavilion。DeStancy，astheKingofNavarre，stoodwithhisgroupofattendantsawaitingthePrincess，whopresentlyenteredfromherdoor。Thetwobegantoconverseastheplayappointed，DeStancyturningtoherwiththisreply——
"Rebukemenotforthatwhichyouprovoke；
Thevirtueofyoureyemustbreakmyoath。"
Sofarallwaswell；andPaulaopenedherlipsforthesetrejoinder。ButbeforeshehadspokenDeStancycontinued——
"IfIprofanewithmyunworthyhand(Takingherhand)
Thisholyshrine，thegentlefineisthis——
Mylips，twoblushingpilgrims，readystandTosmooththatroughtouchwithatenderkiss。"
Somersetstared。SurelyinthiscomedytheKingneveraddressedthePrincessinsuchwarmwords；andyettheywereShakespeare"s，fortheywerequitefamiliartohim。Adimsuspicioncrossedhismind。Mrs。GoodmanhadbroughtacopyofShakespearewithher，whichshekeptinherlapandneverlookedat:borrowingit，Somersetturnedto"RomeoandJuliet，"andtherehesawthewordswhichDeStancyhadintroducedasgag，tointensifythemildlove-makingoftheotherplay。MeanwhileDeStancycontinued——
"Othen，dearSaint，letlipsdowhathandsdo；
Theypray，grantthou，lestfaithturntodespair。
Thenmovenot，whilemyprayer"seffectItake。
Thusfrommylips，byyours，mysinispurg"d!"
CoulditbethatDeStancywasgoingtodowhatcamenextinthestagedirection——kissher?Beforetherewastimeforconjectureonthatpointthesoundofaverysweetandlong-
drawnosculationspreadthroughtheroom，followedbyloudapplausefromthepeopleinthecheapseats。DeStancywithdrewfrombendingoverPaula，andshewasveryredintheface。Nothingseemedclearerthanthathehadactuallydonethedeed。Theapplausecontinuing，Somersetturnedhishead。
Fivehundredfaceshadregardedtheact，withoutaconsciousnessthatitwasaninterpolation；andfourhundredandfiftymouthsinthosefacesweresmiling。Aboutonehalfofthemweretendersmiles；thesecamefromthewomen。Theotherhalfwereatbesthumorous，andmainlysatirical；thesecamefromthemen。Itwasaprofanationwithoutparallel，andhisfaceblazedlikeacoal。
Theplaywasnownearlyatanend，andSomersetsaton，feelingwhathecouldnotexpress。Morethaneverwasheassuredthattherehadbeencollusionbetweenthetwoartilleryofficerstobringaboutthisend。Thatheshouldhavebeentheunhappymantodesignthosepicturesquedressesinwhichhisrivalsoaudaciouslyplayedthelovertohis，Somerset"s，mistress，wasanaddedpointtothesatire。HecouldhardlygosofarastoassumethatPaulawasaconsentingpartytothisstartlinginterlude；butherotherwiseunaccountablewishthathisownloveshouldbeclandestinelyshownlentimmenseforcetoadoubtofhersincerity。Theghastlythoughtthatshehadmerelybeenkeepinghimon，likeapetspaniel，toamuseherleisuremomentstillsheshouldhavefoundappropriateopportunityforanopenengagementwithsomeoneelse，trustingtohissenseofchivalrytokeepsecrettheirlittleepisode，filledhimwithagrimheat。
IX。
Atthebackoftheroomtheapplausehadbeenloudatthemomentofthekiss，realorcounterfeit。Thecausewaspartlyowingtoanexceptionalcircumstancewhichhadoccurredinthatquarterearlyintheplay。
Thepeoplehadallseatedthemselves，andthefirstacthadbegun，whenthetapestrythatscreenedthedoorwasliftedgentlyandafigureappearedintheopening。Thegeneralattentionwasatthismomentabsorbedbythenewlydisclosedstage，andscarcelyasoulnoticedthestranger。Hadanyoneoftheaudienceturnedhishead，therewouldhavebeensufficientinthecountenancetodetainhisgaze，notwithstandingthecounter-attractionforward。
Hewasobviouslyamanwhohadcomefromafar。TherewasnotasquareinchabouthimthathadanythingtodowithmodernEnglishlife。Hisvisage，whichwasofthecolouroflightporphyry，hadlittleofitsoriginalsurfaceleft；itwasafacewhichhadbeentheplaythingofstrangefiresorpestilences，thathadmouldedtowhatevershapetheychosehisoriginallysuppleskin，andleftitpitted，puckered，andseamedlikeadriedwater-course。Butthoughdirecatastrophesorthetreacherousairsofremoteclimateshaddonetheirworstuponhisexterior，theyseemedtohaveaffectedhimbutlittlewithin，tojudgefromacertainrobustnesswhichshoweditselfinhismannerofstanding。
Theface-markshadameaning，foranyonewhocouldreadthem，beyondthemeresuggestionoftheirorigin:theysignifiedthatthismanhadeitherbeenthevictimofsometerriblenecessityasregardedtheoccupationtowhichhehaddevotedhimself，orthathewasamanofdoggedobstinacy，fromsheersangfroidholdinghisgroundamidmalignforceswhenotherswouldhavefledaffrightedaway。
Asnobodynoticedhim，hedroppedthedoorhangingsafterawhile，walkedsilentlyalongthemattedalley，andsatdowninoneofthebackchairs。Hismannerofentrywasenoughtoshowthatthestrengthofcharacterwhichheseemedtopossesshadphlegmforitsbaseandnotardour。Onemighthavesaidthatperhapstheshockshehadpassedthroughhadtakenallhisoriginalwarmthoutofhim。Hisbeaverhat，whichhehadretainedonhisheadtillthismoment，henowplacedundertheseat，wherehesatabsolutelymotionlesstilltheendofthefirstact，asifhewereindulginginamonologuewhichdidnotquitereachhislips。
WhenPaulaenteredatthebeginningofthesecondactheshowedasmuchexcitementaswasexpressedbyaslightmovementoftheeyes。Whenshespokeheturnedtohisnextneighbour，andaskedhimincoldlevelwordswhichhadoncebeenEnglish，butwhichseemedtohavelosttheaccentofnationality:"Isthattheyoungwomanwhoisthepossessorofthiscastle——Powerbyname?"
HisneighbourhappenedtobethelandlordatSleeping-Green，andheinformedthestrangerthatshewaswhathesupposed。
"AndwhoisthatgentlemanwhoselineofbusinessseemstobetomakelovetoPower?"
"He"sCaptainDeStancy，SirWilliamDeStancy"sson，whousedtoownthisproperty。"
"Baronetorknight?"
"Baronet——averyold-establishedfamilyabouthere。"
Thestrangernodded，andtheplaywenton，nofurtherwordbeingspokentillthefourthactwasreached，whenthestrangeragainsaid，withouttakinghisnarrowblackeyesfromthestage:"There"ssomethinginthatlove-makingbetweenStancyandPowerthat"snotallsham!"
"Well，"saidthelandlord，"Ihavehearddifferentstoriesaboutthat，andwouldn"tbethemantozaywhatIcouldn"tswearto。ThestoryisthatCaptainDeStancy，whoisaspoorasagallicrow，isinfullcrya"terher，andthathison"ychanceliesinhisbeingheirtoatitleandthewoldname。
Butshehasnotshownagenuinehankerforanybodyyet。"
"Ifshefindsthemoney，andthisStancyfindsthenameandblood，"twouldbeaveryneatmatchbetween"em，——hey?"
"That"stheargument。"
Nothingmorewassaidagainforalongtime，butthestranger"seyesshowedmoreinterestinthepassesbetweenPaulaandDeStancythantheyhadshownbefore。Atlengththecrisiscame，asdescribedinthelastchapter，DeStancysalutingherwiththatsemblanceofakisswhichgavesuchumbragetoSomerset。Thestranger"sthinlipslengthenedacoupleofincheswithsatisfaction；heputhishandintohispocket，drewouttwohalf-crownswhichhehandedtothelandlord，saying，"Justapplaudthat，willyou，andgetyourcomradestodothesame。"
Thelandlord，thoughalittlesurprised，tookthemoney，andbegantoclaphishandsasdesired。Theexamplewascontagious，andspreadallovertheroom；fortheaudience，gentleandsimple，thoughtheymightnothavefollowedtheblankverseinallitsbearings，couldatleastappreciateakiss。ItwastheunusualacclamationraisedbythismeanswhichhadledSomersettoturnhishead。
Whentheplayhadendedthestrangerwasthefirsttorise，andgoingdownstairsattheheadofthecrowdhepassedoutofdoors，andwaslosttoview。Somequestionswereaskedbythelandlordastothestranger"sindividuality；butfewhadseenhim；fewerhadnoticedhim，singularashewas；andnoneknewhisname。
Whilethesethingshadbeengoingoninthequarterallottedtothecommonalty，Somersetinfronthadwaitedthefallofthecurtainwiththosesickandsorryfeelingswhichshouldbecombatedbytheaidofphilosophyandagoodconscience，butwhichreallyareonlysubduedbytimeandtheabradingrushofaffairs。Hewas，however，stoicalenough，whenitwasallover，toacceptMrs。Goodman"sinvitationtoaccompanyhertothedrawing-room，fullyexpectingtofindtherealargecompany，includingCaptainDeStancy。
Butnoneoftheactingladiesandgentlemenhademergedfromtheirdressing-roomsasyet。Feelingthathedidnotcaretomeetanyofthemthatnight，hebadefarewelltoMrs。Goodmanafterafewminutesofconversation，andlefther。Whilehewaspassingalongthecorridor，atthesideofthegallerywhichhadbeenusedasthetheatre，Paulacrosseditfromthelatterapartmenttowardsanoppositedoor。ShewasstillinthedressofthePrincess，andthediamondandpearlnecklacestillhungoverherbosomasplacedtherebyCaptainDeStancy。
HereyecaughtSomerset"s，andshestopped。Probablytherewassomethinginhisfacewhichtoldhismind，forsheinvitedhimbyasmileintotheroomshewasentering。
"Icongratulateyouonyourperformance，"hesaidmechanically，whenshepushedtothedoor。
"Doyoureallythinkitwaswelldone?"Shedrewnearhimwithasociableair。
"Itwasstartlinglydone——thepartfrom"RomeoandJuliet"
pre-eminentlyso。"
"DoyouthinkIknewhewasgoingtointroduceit，ordoyouthinkIdidn"tknow?"shesaid，withthatgentlesaucinesswhichshowsitselfinthelovedone"smannerwhenshehashadatriumphanteveningwithoutthelover"sassistance。
"Ithinkyoumayhaveknown。"
"No，"sheaverred，decisivelyshakingherhead。"Ittookmeasmuchbysurpriseasitprobablydidyou。ButwhyshouldI
havetold!"
WithoutansweringthatquestionSomersetwenton。"Thenwhathedidattheendofhisgagwasofcourseasurprisealso。"
"Hedidn"treallydowhatheseemedtodo，"sheserenelyanswered。