第13章

"Well，Ihavenorighttomakeobservations——youractionsarenotsubjecttomysurveillance；youfloatabovemyplane，"

saidtheyoungmanwithsomebitterness。"Buttospeakplainly，surelyhe——kissedyou?"

"No，"shesaid。"Heonlykissedtheairinfrontofme——eversofaroff。"

"Wasitsixinchesoff?"

"No，notsixinches。"

"Northree。"

"Itwasquiteone，"shesaidwithaningenuousair。

"Idon"tcallthatveryfar。"

"Amissisasgoodasamile，saysthetime-honouredproverb；

anditisnotforusmodernmortalstoquestionitstruth。"

"Howcanyoubesooff-hand?"brokeoutSomerset。"Iloveyouwildlyanddesperately，Paula，andyouknowitwell!"

"Ihaveneverdeniedknowingit，"shesaidsoftly。

"Thenwhydoyou，withsuchknowledge，adoptanairoflevityatsuchamomentasthis!Youkeepmeatarm"s-length，andwon"tsaywhetheryoucareformeonebit，orno。Ihaveownedalltoyou；yetneveroncehaveyouownedanythingtome!"

"Ihaveownedmuch。AndyoudomewrongifyouconsiderthatIshowlevity。ButevenifIhadnotownedeverything，andyouall，itisnotaltogethersuchagrievousthing。"

"Youmeantosaythatitisnotgrievous，evenifamandoesloveawoman，andsuffersallthepainoffeelinghelovesinvain?Well，Isayitisquitethereverse，andIhavegroundsforknowing。"

"Now，don"tfumeso，GeorgeSomerset，buthearme。Mynotowningallmaynothavethedreadfulmeaningyouthink，andthereforeitmaynotbereallysuchagrievousthing。Therearegenuinereasonsforwomen"sconductinthesemattersaswellasformen"s，thoughitissometimessupposedtoberegulatedentirelybycaprice。AndifIdonotgivewaytoeveryfeeling——Imeandemonstration——itisbecauseIdon"twantto。Therenow，youknowwhatthatimplies；andbecontent"

"Verywell，"saidSomerset，withrepressedsadness，"Iwillnotexpectyoutosaymore。Butyoudolikemealittle，Paula?"

"Now!"shesaid，shakingherheadwithsymptomsoftendernessandlookingintohiseyes。"Whathaveyoujustpromised?

PerhapsIlikeyoualittlemorethanalittle，whichismuchtoomuch!Yes，——Shakespearesaysso，andheisalwaysright。

Doyoustilldoubtme?Ah，Iseeyoudo!"

"Becausesomebodyhasstoodnearertoyouto-nightthanI。"

"Afogylikehim!——halfasoldagainaseitherofus!Howcanyoumindhim?WhatshallIdotoshowyouthatIdonotforamomentlethimcomebetweenmeandyou?"

"Itisnotformetosuggestwhatyoushoulddo。ThoughwhatyoushouldpermitMEtodoisobviousenough。"

Shedroppedhervoice:"Youmean，permityoutodoreallyandinearnestwhatheonlyseemedtodointheplay。"

Somersetsignifiedbyalookthatsuchhadbeenhisthought。

Paulawassilent。"No，"shemurmuredatlast。"Thatcannotbe。Hedidnot，normustyou。"

Itwassaidnonethelessdecidedlyforbeingspokenlow。

"Youquiteresentsuchasuggestion:youhavearightto。I

begyourpardon，notforspeakingofit，butforthinkingit。"

"Idon"tresentitatall，andIamnotoffendedonebit。ButIamnotthelessofopinionthatitispossibletobeprematureinsomethings；andtodothisjustnowwouldbepremature。Iknowwhatyouwouldsay——thatyouwouldnothaveaskedit，butforthatunfortunateimprovisationofitintheplay。ButthatIwasnotresponsiblefor，andthereforeowenoreparationtoyounow……Listen!"

"Paula——Paula!Whereintheworldareyou?"washeardresoundingalongthecorridorinthevoiceofheraunt。"Ourfriendsareallreadytoleave，andyouwillsurelybidthemgood-night!"

"Imustbegone——Iwon"tringforyoutobeshownout——comethisway。"

"Buthowwillyougetoninrepeatingtheplaytomorroweveningifthatinterpolationisagainstyourwish?"heasked，lookingherhardintheface。

"I"llthinkitoverduringthenight。Cometo-morrowmorningtohelpmesettle。But，"sheadded，withcoyyetgenialindependence，"listentome。Notawordmoreabouta——whatyouaskedfor，mind!Idon"twanttogosofar，andIwillnot——notjustyetanyhow——Imeanperhapsnever。Youmustpromisethat，orIcannotseeyouagainalone。"

"Itshallbeasyourequest。"

"Verywell。Andnotawordofthistoasoul。Myauntsuspects:butsheisagoodauntandwillsaynothing。Nowthatisclearlyunderstood，Ishouldbegladtoconsultwithyoutomorrowearly。IwillcometoyouinthestudioorPleasanceassoonasIamdisengaged。"

Shetookhimtoalittlechamfereddoorwayinthecorner，whichopenedintoadescendingturret；andSomersetwentdown。

Whenhehadunfastenedthedooratthebottom，andsteppedintothelowercorridor，sheasked，"Areyoudown?"Andonreceivinganaffirmativereplysheclosedthetopdoor。

X。

Somersetwasinthestudiothenextmorningaboutteno"clocksuperintendingthelaboursofKnowles，Bowles，andCockton，whomhehadagainengagedtoassisthimwiththedrawingsonhisappointmenttocarryouttheworks。Whenhehadsetthemgoingheascendedthestaircaseofthegreattowerforsomepurposethatboreupontheforthcomingrepairsofthispart。

Passingthedoorofthetelegraph-roomheheardlittlesoundsfromtheinstrument，whichsomebodywasworking。Onlytwopeopleinthecastle，tothebestofhisknowledge，knewthetrickofthis；MissPower，andapageinherservicecalledJohn。MissDeStancycouldalsodespatchmessages，butshewasatMyrtleVilla。

Thedoorwasclosed，andmuchashewouldhavelikedtoenter，thepossibilitythatPaulawasnottheperformerledhimtowithholdhissteps。Hewentontowheretheuppermostmasonryhadresistedthemightyhostilityoftheelementsforfivehundredyearswithoutreceivingworsedilapidationthanhalf-

a-centuryproducesuponthefaceofman。Buthestillwonderedwhowastelegraphing，andwhetherthemessageboreonhousekeeping，architecture，theatricals，orlove。

CouldSomersethaveseenthroughthepanelsofthedoorinpassing，hewouldhavebeheldtheroomoccupiedbyPaulaalone。

Itwasshewhosatattheinstrument，andthemessageshewasdespatchingranasunder:——

"Canyousenddownacompetentactress，whowillundertakethepartofPrincessofFrancein"Love"sLabour"sLost"thiseveninginatemporarytheatrehere?Dressesalreadyprovidedsuitabletoaladyaboutthemiddleheight。Stateprice。"

Thetelegramwasaddressedtoawell-knowntheatricalagentinLondon。

Offwentthemessage，andPaularetiredintothenextroom，leavingthedooropenbetweenthatandtheoneshehadjustquitted。Hereshebusiedherselfwithwritingsomeletters，tillinlessthananhourthetelegraphinstrumentshowedsignsoflife，andshehastenedbacktoitsside。Thereplyreceivedfromtheagentwasasfollows:——

"MissBarbaraBelloftheRegent"sTheatrecouldcome。Quitecompetent。Hertermswouldbeabouttwenty-fiveguineas。"

Withoutamoment"spausePaulareturnedforanswer:——

"Thetermsarequitesatisfactory。"

Presentlysheheardtheinstrumentagain，andemergingfromthenextroominwhichshehadpassedtheinterveningtimeasbefore，sheread:——

"MissBarbaraBell"stermswereaccidentallyunderstated。

Theywouldbefortyguineas，inconsequenceofthedistance。

Amwaitingattheofficeforareply。"

Paulasettoworkasbeforeandreplied:——

"Quitesatisfactory；onlylethercomeatonce。"

Shedidnotleavetheroomthistime，butwenttoanarrow-

slithardbyandgazedoutatthetreestilltheinstrumentbegantospeakagain。Returningtoitwithaleisurelymanner，implyingafullpersuasionthatthematterwassettled，shewassomewhatsurprisedtolearnthat"MissBell，instatingherterms，understandsthatshewillnotberequiredtoleaveLondontillthemiddleoftheafternoon。Ifitisnecessaryforhertoleaveatonce，tenguineasextrawouldbeindispensable，onaccountofthegreatinconvenienceofsuchashortnotice。"

Paulaseemedalittlevexed，butnotmuchconcernedshesentbackwithareadinessscarcelypoliticinthecircumstances:-

"Shemuststartatonce。Priceagreedto。"

HerimpatiencefortheanswerwasmixedwithcuriosityastowhetheritwasduetotheagentortoMissBarbaraBellthatthepriceshadgrownlikeJack"sBean-stalkinthenegotiation。Anothertelegramdulycame:——

"Travellingexpensesareexpectedtobepaid。"

Withdecidedimpatienceshedashedoff:——

"Ofcourse；butnothingmorewillbeagreedto。"

Then，andonlythen，camethedesiredreply:——

"MissBellstartsbythetwelveo"clocktrain。"

Thisbusinessbeingfinished，PaulaleftthechamberanddescendedintotheinclosurecalledthePleasance，aspotgrasseddownlikealawn。HerestoodSomerset，who，havingcomedownfromthetower，waslookingonwhileamansearchedforoldfoundationsunderthesodwithacrowbar。Hewasgladtoseeheratlast，andnoticedthatshelookedsereneandrelieved；butcouldnotforthemomentdivinethecause。

Paulacamenearer，returnedhissalutation，andregardedtheman"soperationsinsilenceawhiletillhisworkledhimtoadistancefromthem。

"Doyoustillwishtoconsultme?"askedSomerset。

"Aboutthebuildingperhaps，"saidshe。"Notabouttheplay。"

"Butyousaidso?"

"Yes；butitwillbeunnecessary。"

Somersetthoughtthismeantskittishness，andmerelybowed。

"Youmistakemeasusual，"shesaid，inalowtone。"Iamnotgoingtoconsultyouonthatmatter，becauseIhavedoneallyoucouldhaveaskedforwithoutconsultingyou。Itakenopartintheplayto-night。"

"Forgivemymomentarydoubt!"

"Somebodyelsewillplayforme——anactressfromLondon。Butonnoaccountmustthesubstitutionbeknownbeforehandortheperformanceto-nightwillnevercomeoff:andthatIshouldmuchregret。"

"CaptainDeStancywillnotplayhispartifheknowsyouwillnotplayyours——that"swhatyoumean?"

"Youmaysupposeitis，"shesaid，smiling。"Andtoguardagainstthisyoumusthelpmetokeepthesecretbybeingmyconfederate。"

TobePaula"sconfederate；to-day，indeed，timehadbroughthimsomethingworthwaitingfor。"Inanything!"criedSomerset。

"Onlyinthis!"saidshe，withsoftseverity。"Andyouknowwhatyouhavepromised，George!Andyourememberthereistobeno——whatwetalkedabout!Nowwillyougointheone-horsebroughamtoMarktonStationthisafternoon，andmeetthefouro"clocktrain?InquireforaladyforStancyCastle——aMissBell；seehersafelyintothecarriage，andsendherstraightonhere。Iamparticularlyanxiousthatsheshouldnotenterthetown，forIthinksheoncecametoMarktoninastarringcompany，andshemightberecognized，andmyplanbedefeated。"

Thussheinstructedherloveranddevotedfriend；andwhenhecouldstaynolongerheleftherinthegardentoreturntohisstudio。AsSomersetwentinbythegardendoorhemetastrange-lookingpersonagecomingoutbythesamepassage——astranger，withthemannerofaDutchman，thefaceofasmelter，andtheclothesofaninhabitantofGuiana。Thestranger，whomwehavealreadyseensittingatthebackofthetheatrethenightbefore，lookedhardfromSomersettoPaula，andfromPaulaagaintoSomerset，ashesteppedout。Somersethadanunpleasantconvictionthatthisqueergentlemanhadbeenstandingforsometimeinthedoorwayunnoticed，quizzinghimandhismistressastheytalkedtogether。Ifsohemighthavelearntasecret。

Whenhearrivedupstairs，Somersetwenttoawindowcommandingaviewofthegarden。Paulastillstoodinherplace，andthestrangerwasearnestlyconversingwithher。Soontheypassedroundthecorneranddisappeared。

ItwasnowtimeforhimtoseeaboutstartingforMarkton，anintelligiblezestforcircumventingtheardentandcoercivecaptainofartillerysavinghimfromanyunnecessarydelayinthejourney。Hewasatthestationtenminutesbeforethetrainwasdue；andwhenitdrewuptotheplatformthefirstpersontojumpoutwasCaptainDeStancyinsportsman"sattireandwithaguninhishand。Somersetnodded，andDeStancyspoke，informingthearchitectthathehadbeentenmilesupthelineshootingwaterfowl。"That"sMissPower"scarriage，I

think，"headded。

"Yes，"saidSomersetcarelessly。"Sheexpectsafriend，I

believe。Weshallseeyouatthecastleagainto-night?"

DeStancyassuredhimthattheywould，andthetwomenparted，CaptainDeStancy，whenhehadglancedtoseethatthecarriagewasempty，goingontowhereaporterstoodwithacoupleofspaniels。

Somersetnowlookedagaintothetrain。Whilehisbackhadbeenturnedtoconversewiththecaptain，aladyoffive-and-

thirtyhadalightedfromtheidenticalcompartmentoccupiedbyDeStancy。ShemadeaninquiryaboutgettingtoStancyCastle，uponwhichSomerset，whohadnottillnowobservedher，wentforward，andintroducinghimselfassistedhertothecarriageandsawhersafelyoff。

DeStancyhadbythistimedisappeared，andSomersetwalkedontohisroomsattheLord-Quantock-Arms，whereheremainedtillhehaddined，picturingthediscomfitureofhisalertrivalwhenthereshouldentertohimasPrincess，notPaulaPower，butMissBelloftheRegent"sTheatre，London。Thusthehourpassed，tillhefoundthatifhemeanttoseetheissueoftheplotitwastimetobeoff。

Onarrivingatthecastle，Somersetenteredbythepublicdoorfromthehallasbefore，anaturaldelicacyleadinghimtofeelthatthoughhemightbewelcomedasanallyatthestage-

door——inotherwords，thedoorfromthecorridor——itwasadvisablenottotaketooreadyanadvantageofaprivilegewhich，intheexistingsecrecyofhisunderstandingwithPaula，mightleadtoanoverthrowofherplansonthatpoint。

Notintendingtositoutthewholeperformance，Somersetcontentedhimselfwithstandinginawindowrecessneartheproscenium，whencehecouldobserveboththestageandthefrontrowsofspectators。HewasquiteuncertainwhetherPaulawouldappearamongtheaudienceto-night，andresolvedtowaitevents。Justbeforetheriseofthecurtaintheyoungladyinquestionenteredandsatdown。WhenthescenerywasdisclosedandtheKingofNavarreappeared，whatwasSomerset"ssurprisetofindthat，thoughthepartwastheparttakenbyDeStancyonthepreviousnight，thevoicewasthatofMr。Mild；tohim，attheappointedseason，enteredthePrincess，namely，MissBarbaraBell。

BeforeSomersethadrecoveredfromhiscrestfallensensationatDeStancy"selusiveness，thatofficerhimselfemergedineveningdressfrombehindacurtainformingawingtotheproscenium，andSomersetremarkedthattheminorpartoriginallyallottedtohimwasfilledbythesubalternwhohadenacteditthenightbefore。DeStancyglancedacross，whetherbyaccidentorotherwiseSomersetcouldnotdetermine，andhisglanceseemedtosayhequiterecognizedtherehadbeenatrialofwitsbetweenthem，andthat，thankstohischancemeetingwithMissBellinthetrain，hishadprovedthestronger。

Thehousebeinglesscrowdedto-nighttherewereoneortwovacantchairsinthebestpart。DeStancy，advancingfromwherehehadstoodforafewmoments，seatedhimselfcomfortablybesideMissPower。

Ontheothersideofherhenowperceivedthesamequeerelderlyforeigner(asheappeared)whohadcometoherinthegardenthatmorning。SomersetwassurprisedtoperceivealsothatPaulawithverylittlehesitationintroducedhimandDeStancytoeachother。Aconversationensuedbetweenthethree，nonethelessanimatedforbeingcarriedoninawhisper，inwhichPaulaseemedonstrangelyintimatetermswiththestranger，andthestrangertoshowfeelingsofgreatfriendshipforDeStancy，consideringthattheymustbenewacquaintances。

Theplayproceeded，andSomersetstilllingeredinhiscorner。

HecouldnothelpfancyingthatDeStancy"singeniousrelinquishmentofhispart，anditsobviousreason，waswinningPaula"sadmiration。Hisconductwashomagecarriedtounscrupulousandinconvenientlengths，asortofthingwhichawomanmaychide，butwhichshecanneverresent。Whocoulddootherwisethantalkkindlytoaman，inclinealittletohim，andcondonehisfault，whenthesolemotiveofsoaudaciousanexerciseofhiswitswastoescapeactingwithanyotherheroinethanherself。

Hisconjectureswerebroughttoapausebytheendingofthecomedy，andtheopportunityaffordedhimofjoiningthegroupinfront。Themassofpeopleweresoongone，andtheknotoffriendsassembledaroundPaulawerediscussingthemeritsandfaultsofthetwodays"performance。

"Myuncle，Mr。AbnerPower，"saidPaulasuddenlytoSomerset，ashecamenear，presentingthestrangertotheastonishedyoungman。"Icouldnotseeyoubeforetheperformance，asI

shouldhavelikedtodo。Thereturnofmyuncleissoextraordinarythatitoughttobetoldinalesshurriedwaythanthis。Hehasbeensupposeddeadbyallofusfornearlytenyears——eversincethetimewelastheardfromhim。"

"ForwhichIamtoblame，"saidMr。Power，noddingtoPaula"sarchitect。"YetnotI，butaccidentandasluggishtemperament。Therearetimes，MrSomerset，whenthehumancreaturefeelsnointerestinhiskind，andassumesthathiskindfeelsnointerestinhim。Thefeelingisnotactiveenoughtomakehimflyfromtheirpresence；butsufficienttokeephimsilentifhehappenstobeaway。Imaynothavedescribeditprecisely；butthisIknow，thataftermylongillness，andthefanciedneglectofmyletters——"

"Forwhichmyfatherwasnottoblame，sincehedidnotreceivethem，"saidPaula。

"Forwhichnobodywastoblame——afterthat，Isay，Iwrotenomore。"

"Youhavemuchpleasureinreturningatlast，nodoubt，"saidSomerset。

"Sir，asIremainedawaywithoutparticularpain，soIreturnwithoutparticularjoy。Ispeakthetruth，andnocompliments。Imayaddthatthereisoneexceptiontothisabsenceoffeelingfrommyheart，namely，thatIdoderivegreatsatisfactionfromseeinghowmightilythisyoungwomanhasgrownandprevailed。"

Thisaddress，thoughdeliverednominallytoSomerset，waslistenedtobyPaula，Mrs。Goodman，andDeStancyalso。Afterutteringit，thespeakerturnedaway，andcontinuedhispreviousconversationwithCaptainDeStancy。FromthistimetillthegrouppartedheneveragainspokedirectlytoSomerset，payinghimbarelysomuchattentionashemighthaveexpectedasPaula"sarchitect，andcertainlylessthanhemighthavesupposedhisdueasheracceptedlover。

Theresultoftheappearance，asfromthetomb，ofthiswintrymanwasthattheeveningendedinafrigidandformalwaywhichgavelittlesatisfactiontothesensitiveSomerset，whowasabstractedandconstrainedbyreasonofthoughtsonhowthisresuscitationoftheunclewouldaffecthisrelationwithPaula。Itwaspossiblyalsothethoughtoftwoatleastoftheothers。Therehad，intruth，scarcelyyetbeentimeenoughtoadumbratethepossibilitiesopenedupbythisgentleman"sreturn。

TheonlyprivatewordexchangedbySomersetwithanyonethatnightwaswithMrs。Goodman，inwhomhealwaysrecognizedafriendtohiscause，thoughthefluidityofhercharacterrenderedherbutafeebleoneatthebestoftimes。SheinformedhimthatMr。PowerhadnosortoflegalcontroloverPaula，ordirectioninherestates；butSomersetcouldnotdoubtthatanearandonlybloodrelation，evenhadhepossessedbuthalfthestaticforceofcharacterthatmadeitselfapparentinMr。Power，mightexerciseconsiderablemoralinfluenceoverthegirlifhechose。AndinviewofMr。

Power"smarkedpreferenceforDeStancy，Somersethadmanymisgivingsastoitsoperatinginadirectionfavourabletohimself。

XI。

Somersetwasdeeplyengagedwithhisdraughtsmenandbuildersduringthethreefollowingdays，andscarcelyenteredtheoccupiedwingofthecastle。

AthissuggestionPaulahadagreedtohavetheworksexecutedassuchoperationswerecarriedoutinoldtimes，beforetheadventofcontractors。Eachtraderequiredinthebuildingwastoberepresentedbyamaster-tradesmanofthatdenomination，whoshouldstandresponsibleforhisownsectionoflabour，andfornoother，Somersethimselfaschieftechnicistworkingouthisdesignsonthespot。Bythismeansthethoroughnessoftheworkmanshipwouldbegreatlyincreasedincomparisonwiththemodernarrangement，wherebyanominalbuilder，seldompresent，whocancertainlyknownomorethanonetradeintimatelyandwell，andwhooftendoesnotknowthat，undertakesthewhole。

Butnotwithstandingitsmanifestadvantagestotheproprietor，theplanaddedlargelytotheresponsibilitiesofthearchitect，who，withhismaster-mason，master-carpenter，master-plumber，andwhatnot，hadscarcelyamomenttocallhisown。Still，themethodbeinguponthefaceofitthetrueone，Somersetsupervisedwithawill。

Butthereseemedtofloatacrossthecourttohimfromtheinhabitedwinganintimationthatthingswerenotastheyhadbeenbefore；thataninfluenceadversetohimselfwasatworkbehindtheashlaredfaceofinnerwallwhichconfrontedhim。

PerhapsthiswasbecauseheneversawPaulaatthewindows，orheardherfootfallinthathalfofthebuildinggivenovertohimselfandhismyrmidons。Therewasreallynoreasonotherthanasentimentalonewhyheshouldseeher。Theuninhabitedpartofthecastlewasalmostanindependentstructure，anditwasquitenaturaltoexistforweeksinthiswingwithoutcomingincontactwithresidentsintheother。

Amorepronouncedcausethanvaguesurmisewasdestinedtoperturbhim，andthisinanunexpectedmanner。IthappenedonemorningthatheglancedthroughalocalpaperwhilewaitingattheLord-Quantock-Armsforthepony-carriagetobebroughtroundinwhichheoftendrovetothecastle。Thepaperwastwodaysold，buttohisunutterableamazementhereadthereinaparagraphwhichranasfollows:——

"WeareinformedthatamarriageislikelytobearrangedbetweenCaptainDeStancy，oftheRoyalHorseArtillery，onlysurvivingsonofSirWilliamDeStancy，Baronet，andPaula，onlydaughterofthelateJohnPower，Esq。，M。P。，ofStancyCastle。"

Somersetdroppedthepaper，andstaredoutofthewindow。

Fortunatelyforhisemotions，thehorseandcarriagewereatthismomentbroughttothedoor，sothatnothinghinderedSomersetindrivingofftothespotatwhichhewouldbesoonestlikelytolearnwhattruthorotherwisetherewasinthenewspaperreport。Fromthefirsthedoubtedit:andyethowshouldithavegotthere?Suchstrangerumours，likeparadoxicalmaxims，generallyincludeaportionoftruth。

FivedayshadelapsedsincehelastspoketoPaula。

Reachingthecastleheenteredhisownquartersasusual，andaftersettingthedraughtsmentoworkwalkedupanddownponderinghowhemightbestseeherwithoutmakingtheparagraphthegroundofhisrequestforaninterview；forifitwereafabrication，suchareasonwouldwoundherprideinherownhonourtowardshim，andifitwerepartlytrue，hewouldcertainlydobetterinleavingheralonethaninreproachingher。ItwouldsimplyamounttoaproofthatPaulawasanarrantcoquette。

Inhismeditationhestoodstill，closelyscanningoneofthejamb-stonesofadoorlessentrance，asiftodiscoverwheretheoldhinge-hookhadenteredthestonework。Heheardafootstepbehindhim，andlookingroundsawPaulastandingby。

Sheheldanewspaperinherhand。Thespotwasonequitehemmedinfromobservation，afactofwhichsheseemedtobequiteaware。

"Ihavesomethingtotellyou，"shesaid；"somethingimportant。ButyouaresooccupiedwiththatoldstonethatI

amobligedtowait。"

"Itisnottruesurely!"hesaid，lookingatthepaper。

"No，lookhere，"shesaid，holdingupthesheet。Itwasnotwhathehadsupposed，butanewone——thelocalrivaltothatwhichhadcontainedtheannouncement，andwasstilldampfromthepress。Shepointed，andheread——

"WeareauthorizedtostatethatthereisnofoundationwhateverfortheassertionofourcontemporarythatamarriageislikelytobearrangedbetweenCaptainDeStancyandMissPowerofStancyCastle。"

Somersetpressedherhand。"Itdisturbedme，"hesaid，"thoughIdidnotbelieveit。"

"Itastonishedme，asmuchasitdisturbedyou；andIsentthiscontradictionatonce。"

"Howcouldithavegotthere?"

Sheshookherhead。

"Youhavenottheleastknowledge?"

"Nottheleast。IwishIhad。"

"ItwasnotfromanyfriendsofDeStancy"s?orhimself?"

"Itwasnot。Hissisterhasascertainedbeyonddoubtthatheknewnothingofit。Well，now，don"tsayanymoretomeaboutthematter。"

"I"llfindouthowitgotintothepaper。"

"Notnow——anyfuturetimewilldo。Ihavesomethingelsetotellyou。"

"Ihopethenewsisasgoodasthelast，"hesaid，lookingintoherfacewithanxiety；forthoughthatfacewasblooming，itseemedfullofadoubtastohowhernextinformationwouldbetaken。

"Oyes；itisgood，becauseeverybodysaysso。Wearegoingtotakeadelightfuljourney。Mynew-createduncle，asheseems，andI，andmyaunt，andperhapsCharlotte，ifsheiswellenough，aregoingtoNice，andotherplacesaboutthere。"

"ToNice!"saidSomerset，ratherblankly。"AndImuststayhere?"

"Why，ofcourseyoumust，consideringwhatyouhaveundertaken!"shesaid，lookingwithsaucycomposureintohiseyes。"Myuncle"sreasonforproposingthejourneyjustnowis，thathethinksthealterationswillmakeresidenceheredustyanddisagreeableduringthespring。Theopportunityofgoingwithhimistoogoodaoneforustolose，asIhaveneverbeenthere。"

"IwishIwasgoingtobeoneoftheparty!……WhatdoYOU

wishaboutit?"

Sheshookherheadimpenetrably。"Awomanmaywishsomethingsshedoesnotcaretotell!"

"Areyoureallygladyouaregoing，dearest?——asIMUSTcallyoujustonce，"saidtheyoungman，gazingearnestlyintoherface，whichstruckhimaslookingfartoorosyandradianttobeconsistentwitheversolittleregretatleavinghimbehind。

"Itakegreatinterestinforeigntrips，especiallytotheshoresoftheMediterranean:andeverybodymakesapointofgettingawaywhenthehouseisturnedoutofthewindow。"

"Butyoudofeelalittlesadness，suchasIshouldfeelifourpositionswerereversed?"

"Ithinkyououghtnottohaveaskedthatsoincredulously，"

shemurmured。"Wecanbeneareachotherinspirit，whenourbodiesarefarapart，canwenot?"Hertonegrewsofterandshedrewalittleclosertohissidewithaslightlynestlingmotion，asshewenton，"MayIbesurethatyouwillnotthinkunkindlyofmewhenIamabsentfromyoursight，andnotbegrudgemeanylittlepleasurebecauseyouarenottheretoshareitwithme?"

"Mayyou!Canyouaskit?……Asforme，Ishallhavenopleasuretobebegrudgedorotherwise。TheonlypleasureI

haveis，asyouwellknow，inyou。Whenyouarewithme，Iamhappy:whenyouareaway，Itakenopleasureinanything。"

"Idon"tdeserveit。Ihavenorighttodisturbyouso，"shesaid，verygently。"ButIhavegivenyousomepleasure，haveInot?Alittlemorepleasurethanpain，perhaps?"

"Youhave，andyet……ButIdon"taccuseyou，dearest。

Yes，youhavegivenmepleasure。Onetrulypleasanttimewaswhenwestoodtogetherinthesummer-houseontheeveningofthegarden-party，andyousaidyoulikedmetoloveyou。"

"Yes，itwasapleasanttime，"shereturnedthoughtfully。

"Howtheraincamedown，andformedagauzebetweenusandthedancers，diditnot；andhowafraidwewere——atleastIwas——

lestanybodyshoulddiscoverusthere，andhowquicklyIraninaftertherainwasover!"

"Yes"，saidSomerset，"Irememberit。Butnoharmcameofittoyou……Andperhapsnogoodwillcomeofittome。"

"Donotbeprematureinyourconclusions，sir，"shesaidarchly。"Ifyoureallydofeelformeonlyhalfwhatyousay，weshall——youwillmakegoodcomeofit——insomewayorother。"

"DearPaula——nowIbelieveyou，andcanbearanything。"

"Thenwewillsaynomore；because，asyourecollect，weagreednottogotoofar。Noexpostulations，forwearegoingtobepracticalyoungpeople；besides，Iwon"tlistenifyouutterthem。Isimplyechoyourwords，andsayI，too，believeyou。NowImustgo。Havefaithinme，anddon"tmagnifytrifleslightasair。"

"ITHINKIunderstandyou。AndifIdo，itwillmakeagreatdifferenceinmyconduct。Youwillhavenocausetocomplain。"

"Thenyoumustnotunderstandmesomuchastomakemuchdifference；foryourconductasmyarchitectisperfect。ButImustnotlingerlonger，thoughIwishedyoutoknowthisnewsfrommyveryownlips。"

"Blessyouforit!Whendoyouleave?"

"Thedayafterto-morrow。"

"Soearly?Doesyouruncleguessanything?Doyouwishhimtobetoldjustyet?"

"Yes，tothefirst；no，tothesecond。"

"Imaywritetoyou?"

"Onbusiness，yes。Itwillbenecessary。"

"Howcanyouspeaksoatatimeofparting?"

"Now，George——youseeIsayGeorge，andnotMr。Somerset，andyoumaydrawyourowninference——don"tbesomorbidinyourreproaches!Ihaveinformedyouthatyoumaywrite，orstillbetter，telegraph，sincethewireissohandy——onbusiness。

Well，ofcourse，itisforyoutojudgewhetheryouwilladdpostscriptsofanothersort。There，youmakemesaymorethanawomanought，becauseyouaresoobtuseandliteral。Goodafternoon——good-bye!Thiswillbemyaddress。"

Shehandedhimaslipofpaper，andflittedaway。

Thoughhesawheragainafterthis，itwasduringthebustleofpreparation，whentherewasalwaysathirdpersonpresent，usuallyintheshapeofthatbreathingrefrigerator，heruncle。Hencethefewwordsthatpassedbetweenthemwereofthemostformaldescription，andchieflyconcernedtherestorationofthecastle，andachurchatNicedesignedbyhim，whichhewantedhertoinspect。

Theyweretoleavebyanearlyafternoontrain，andSomersetwasinvitedtolunchonthatday。ThemorningwasoccupiedbyalongbusinessconsultationinthestudiowithMr。PowerandMrs。Goodmanonwhatroomsweretobeleftlockedup，whatleftinchargeoftheservants，andwhatthrownopentothebuildersandworkmenunderthesurveillanceofSomerset。Atpresenttheworkconsistedmostlyofrepairstoexistingrooms，soastorenderthosehabitablewhichhadlongbeenusedonlyasstoresforlumber。Pauladidnotappearduringthisdiscussion；butwhentheywereallseatedinthedining-

hallshecameindressedforthejourney，and，tooutwardappearance，withblitheanticipationatitsprospectbloomingfromeveryfeature。NexttohercameCharlotteDeStancy，stillwithsomeofthepallorofaninvalid，butwonderfullybrightenedup，asSomersetthought，bytheprospectofavisittoadelightfulshore。Itmighthavebeenthis；anditmighthavebeenthatSomerset"spresencehadashareinthechange。

Itwasinthehall，whentheywereinthebustleofleave-

taking，thatthereoccurredtheonlyopportunityforthetwoorthreeprivatewordswithPaulatowhichhisstartreatedhimonthatlastday。Histookthehastyformof，"Youwillwritesoon?"

"Telegraphingwillbequicker，"sheansweredinthesamelowtone；andwhispering"Betruetome!"turnedaway。

Howunreasonablehewas!Inadditiontothosewords，warmastheywere，hewouldhavepreferredalittlepalenessofcheek，ortremblingoflip，insteadofthebloomandthebeautywhichsatuponherundisturbedmaidenhood，totellhimthatinsomeslightwayshesufferedathisloss。

Immediatelyafterthistheywenttothecarriageswaitingatthedoor。Somerset，whohadinameasuretakenchargeofthecastle，accompaniedthemandsawthemoff，muchasiftheywerehisvisitors。Shesteppedin，ageneraladieuwasspoken，andshewasgone。

Whilethecarriagesrolledaway，heascendedtothetopofthetower，wherehesawthemlessentospotsontheroad，andturnthecorneroutofsight。ThechancesofarivalseemedtogrowinproportionasPaularecededfromhisside；buthecouldnothaveansweredwhy。Hehadbiddenherandherrelativesadieuonherowndoorstep，likeaprivilegedfriendofthefamily，whileDeStancyhadscarcelyseenhersincetheplay-night。Thatthesilenceintowhichthecaptainappearedtohavesunkwastheplacidityofconsciouspower，wasscarcelyprobable；yetthatadventitiousaidsexistedforDeStancyhecouldnotdeny。ThelinkformedbyCharlottebetweenDeStancyandPaula，muchashelikedtheingenuousgirl，wasonethathecouldhavewishedaway。ItconstitutedabridgeofaccesstoPaula"sinnerlifeandfeelingswhichnothingcouldrival；exceptthatonefactwhich，ashefirmlybelieved，didactuallyrivalit，givinghimfaithandhope；

hisownprimaryoccupationofPaula"sheart。Moreover，Mrs。

Goodmanwouldbeaninfluencefavourabletohimselfandhiscauseduringthejourney；though，tobesure，tosetagainsthertherewasthephlegmaticandobstinateAbnerPower，inwhom，apprisedbythosesubtlemediaofintelligencewhichloverspossess，hefanciedhesawnofriend。

Somersetremainedbutashorttimeatthecastlethatday。

Thelightofitschambershadfled，thegrossgrandeurofthedictatorialtowersoppressedhim，andthestudiowashateful。

HerememberedapromisemadelongagotoMr。Woodwellofcallinguponhimsomeafternoon；andavisitwhichhadnotmuchattractivenessinitatothertimesrecommendeditselfnow，throughbeingtheonepossiblewayopentohimofhearingPaulanamedandherdoingstalkedof。HenceinwalkingbacktoMarkton，insteadofgoinguptheHighStreet，heturnedasideintotheunfrequentedfootwaythatledtotheminister"scottage。

Mr。Woodwellwasnotindoorsatthemomentofhiscall，andSomersetlingeredatthedoorway，andcasthiseyesaround。

Itwasahousewhichtypifiedthedreariertenetsofitsoccupierwithgreatexactness。Itstooduponitsspotofearthwithoutanynaturalunionwithit:nomossesdisguisedthestiffstraightlinewherewallmetearth；notacreepersoftenedtheaspectofthebarefront。Thegardenwalkwasstrewnwithlooseclinkersfromtheneighbouringfoundry，whichrolledunderthepedestrian"sfootandjoltedhissouloutofhimbeforehereachedtheporchlessdoor。Butallwasclean，andclear，anddry。

WhetherMr。Woodwellwaspersonallyresponsibleforthisconditionofthingstherewasnottimetocloselyconsider，forSomersetperceivedtheministercomingupthewalktowardshim。Mr。Woodwellwelcomedhimheartily；andyetwiththemienofamanwhosemindhasscarcelydismissedsomescenewhichhasprecededtheonethatconfrontshim。Whatthatscenewassoontranspired。

"Ihavehadabusyafternoon，"saidtheminister，astheywalkedindoors；"orratheranexcitingafternoon。YourclientatStancyCastle，whoseuncle，asIimagineyouknow，hassounexpectedlyreturned，hasleftwithhimto-dayforthesouthofFrance；andIwishedtoaskherbeforeherdeparturesomequestionsastohowacharityorganizedbyherfatherwastobeadministeredinherabsence。ButIhavebeenveryunfortunate。Shecouldnotfindtimetoseemeatherownhouse，andIawaitedheratthestation，alltonopurpose，owingtothepresenceofherfriends。Well，well，Imustseeifaletterwillfindher。"

Somersetaskedifanybodyoftheneighbourhoodwastheretoseethemoff。

"Yes，thatwasthetroubleofit。CaptainDeStancywasthere，andquitemonopolizedher。Idon"tknowwhat"tiscomingto，andperhapsIhavenobusinesstoinquire，sincesheisscarcelyamemberofourchurchnow。WhocouldhaveanticipatedthedaughterofmyoldfriendJohnPowerdevelopingintotheordinarygaywomanoftheworldasshehasdone?WhocouldhaveexpectedhertoassociatewithpeoplewhoshowcontemptfortheirMaker"sintentionsbyflippantlyassumingothercharactersthanthoseinwhichHecreatedthem?"

"Youmistakeher，"murmuredSomerset，inavoicewhichhevainlyendeavouredtoattunetophilosophy。"MissPowerhassomeveryrareandbeautifulqualitiesinhernature，thoughI

confessItremble——fearlesttheDeStancyinfluenceshouldbetoostrong。"

"Sir，itisalready!DoyouremembermytellingyouthatI

thoughttheforceofhersurroundingswouldobscurethepuredaylightofherspirit，asamonkishwindowofcolouredimagesattenuatestheraysofGod"ssun?Idonotwishtoindulgeinrashsurmises，butheroscillationfromherfamilycreedofCalvinistictruthtowardsthetraditionsoftheDeStancyshasbeensodecided，thoughsogradual，that——well，Imaybewrong。"

"Thatwhat?"saidtheyoungmansharply。

"Isometimesthinkshewilltaketoherashusbandthepresentrepresentativeofthatimpoverishedline——CaptainDeStancy——

whichshemayeasilydo，ifshechooses，ashisbehaviourto-

dayshowed。"

"Hewasprobablythereonaccountofhissister，"saidSomerset，tryingtoescapethementalpictureoffarewellgallantriesbestowedonPaula。

"Itwashintedatinthepaperstheotherday。"

"Anditwasflatlycontradicted。"

"Yes。Well，weshallseeintheLord"sgoodtime；Icandonomoreforher。Andnow，Mr。Somerset，praytakeacupoftea。"

TherevelationsoftheministerdepressedSomersetalittle，andhedidnotstaylong。AshewenttothedoorWoodwellsaid，"Thereisaworthyman——thedeaconofourchapel，Mr。

Havill——whowouldliketobefriendlywithyou。Poorman，sincethedeathofhiswifeheseemstohavesomethingonhismind——sometroublewhichmywordswillnotreach。Ifeveryouarepassinghisdoor，pleasegivehimalookin。Hefearsthatcallingonyoumightbeanintrusion。"

Somersetdidnotclearlypromise，andwenthisway。Theminister"sallusiontotheannouncementofthemarriageremindedSomersetthatshehadexpressedawishtoknowhowtheparagraphcametobeinserted。Thewishhadbeencarelesslyspoken；buthewenttothenewspaperofficetomakeinquiriesonthepoint。