第15章

"Youwantittothrowitaway。Idon"tapproveofit；socomewithme。"

"But，"saidDare，"Iarrivedherewithahundrednapoleonsandmore，expresslytoworkoutmytheoryofchancesandrecurrences，whichissound；Ihavestudiedithundredsoftimesbythehelpofthis。"Hepartiallydrewfromhispocketthelittlevolumethatwehavebeforeseeninhishands。"IfIonlypersevereinmysystem，thecertaintythatImustwinisalmostmathematical。Ihavestakedandlosttwohundredandthirty-threetimes。Allowingoutofthatonechanceineverythirty-six，whichistheaverageofzerobeingmarked，andtwohundredandfourtimesforthebackersoftheothernumbers，Ihavethemathematicalexpectationofsixtimesatleast，whichwouldnearlyrecoupme。AndshallI，then，sacrificethatvastfoundationofwastechancesthatIhavelaiddown，andpaidfor，merelyforwantofalittlereadymoney?"

"Youmightpersevereforatwelvemonth，andstillnotgetthebetterofyourreverses。Timetellsinfavourofthebank。

Justimagineforthesakeofargumentthatallthepeoplewhohaveeverplacedastakeuponacertainnumbertobeonepersonplayingcontinuously。Hasthatimaginarypersonwon?

Theexistenceofthebankisasufficientanswer。"

"Butaparticularplayerhastheoptionofleavingoffatanypointfavourabletohimself，whichthebankhasnot；andthere"smyopportunity。"

"Whichfromyourmoodyouwillbesurenottotakeadvantageof。"

"Ishallgoonplaying，"saidDaredoggedly。

"Notwithmymoney。"

"Verywell；wewon"tpartasenemies，"repliedDare，withtheflawlesspolitenessofamanwhosespeechhasnolongeranykinshipwithhisfeelings。"Shallweshareabottleofwine?

Youwillnot?Well，Ihopeyourluckwithyourladywillbemoremagnificentthanminehasbeenhere；but——mindCaptainDeStancy!he"safearfulwildfowlforyou。"

"He"saharmlessinoffensivesoldier，asfarasIknow。Ifheisnot——lethimbewhathemayforme。"

"Anddohisworsttocutyouout，Isuppose?"

"Ay——ifyouwill。"Somerset，muchagainsthisjudgment，wasbeingstimulatedbythesepricksintowordsofirritation。

"CaptainDeStancymight，Ithink，bebetteremployedthanindanglingattheheelsofaladywhocanwelldispensewithhiscompany。Andyoumightbebetteremployedthaninwastingyourwageshere。"

"Wages——afitwordformymoney。MayIaskyouatwhatstageintheappearanceofamanwhosewayofexistenceisunknown，hismoneyceasestobecalledwagesandbeginstobecalledmeans?"

Somersetturnedandlefthimwithoutreplying，Darefollowinghisrecedingfigurewithalookofriperesentment，notlesslikelytoventitselfinmischieffromthewantofmoralballastinhimwhoemittedit。Hethenfixedanettledandunsatisfiedgazeuponthegaming-rooms，andinanotherminuteortwolefttheCasinoalso。

DareandSomersetmetnomorethatday。ThelatterreturnedtoNicebytheeveningtrainandwentstraighttothehotel。

Henowthankedhisfortunethathehadnotprecipitatelygivenuphisroomthere，foratelegramfromPaulaawaitedhim。Hishandalmosttrembledasheopenedit，toreadthefollowingfewshortwords，datedfromtheGrandHotel，Genoa:——

"Letterreceived。Amgladtohearofyourjourney。WearenotreturningtoNice，butstayhereaweek。Idirectthisataventure。"

Thistantalizingmessage——thefirstbreakingofherrecentsilence——wassaucy，almostcruel，initsdryfrigidity。ItledhimtogiveuphisideaoffollowingatoncetoGenoa。

Thatwaswhatsheobviouslyexpectedhimtodo，anditwaspossiblethathisnon-arrivalmightdrawaletterormessagefromherofasweetercompositionthanthis。Thatwouldatleastbetheeffectofhistardinessifshecaredintheleastforhim；ifshedidnothecouldbeartheworst。Theargumentwasgoodenoughasfarasitwent，but，likemanymore，failedfromthenarrownessofitspremises，thecontingentinterventionofDarebeingentirelyundreamtof。Itwasaltogetherafatalmiscalculation，whichcosthimdear。

Passingbythetelegraph-officeintheRuePont-NeufatanearlyhourthenextmorninghesawDarecomingoutfromthedoor。ItwasSomerset"smomentaryimpulsetothankDarefortheinformationgivenastoPaula"swhereabouts，informationwhichhadnowprovedtrue。ButDaredidnotseemtoappreciatehisfriendliness，andafterafewwordsofstudiedcivilitytheyoungmanmovedon。

Andwellhemight。Fiveminutesbeforethattimehehadthrownopenagulfoftreacherybetweenhimselfandthearchitectwhichnothinginlifecouldeverclose。Beforeleavingthetelegraph-officeDarehaddespatchedthefollowingmessagetoPauladirect，asaset-offagainstwhathecalledSomerset"singratitudeforvaluableinformation，thoughitwasreallythefruitofmanypassions，motives，anddesires:——

"G。Somerset，Nice，toMissPower，GrandHotel，Genoa。

"HavelostallatMonteCarlo。HavelearntthatCaptainD。S。

returnshereto-morrow。Pleasesendmeonehundredpoundsbyhim，andsavemefromdisgrace。Willawaithimateleveno"clockandfour，onthePont-Neuf。"

V。

FivehoursafterthedespatchofthattelegramCaptainDeStancywasrattlingalongthecoastrailwayoftheRivierafromGenoatoNice。HewasreturningtoEnglandbywayofMarseilles；butbeforeturningnorthwardshehadengagedtoperformonMissPower"saccountapeculiarandsomewhatdisagreeableduty。ThiswastoplaceinSomerset"shandsahundredandtwenty-fivenapoleonswhichhadbeendemandedfromherbyamessageinSomerset"sname。Themoneywasinhispocket——allingold，inacanvasbag，tiedupbyPaula"sownhands，whichhehadobservedtotrembleasshetiedit。

Asheleanedinthecornerofthecarriagehewasthinkingovertheeventsofthemorningwhichhadculminatedinthatliberalresponse。Atteno"clock，beforehehadgoneoutfromthehotelwherehehadtakenuphisquarters，whichwasnotthesameastheonepatronizedbyPaulaandherfriends，hehadbeensummonedtoherpresenceinamannersounexpectedastoimplythatsomethingseriouswasinquestion。Onenteringherroomhehadbeenstruckbytheabsenceofthatsaucyindependenceusuallyapparentinherbearingtowardshim，notwithstandingthepersistencywithwhichhehadhoverednearherforthepreviousmonth，andgradually，bythepositionofhissister，andthefavourofPaula"suncleininterceptingoneofSomerset"slettersandseveralofhistelegrams，establishedhimselfasanintimatememberofthetravellingparty。Hisentry，however，thistimeasalways，hadhadtheeffectofatonic，anditwasquitewithhercustomaryself-

possessionthatshehadtoldhimoftheobjectofhermessage。

"YouthinkofreturningtoNicethisafternoon?"sheinquired。

DeStancyinformedherthatsuchwashisintention，andaskedifhecoulddoanythingforherthere。

Then，heremembered，shehadhesitated。"Ihavereceivedatelegram，"shesaidatlength；andsosheallowedtoescapeherbitbybittheinformationthatherarchitect，whosenamesheseemedreluctanttoutter，hadtravelledfromEnglandtoNicethatweek，partlytoconsulther，partlyforaholidaytrip；thathehadgoneontoMonteCarlo，hadtherelosthismoneyandgotintodifficulties，andhadappealedtohertohelphimoutofthembytheimmediateadvanceofsomereadycash。Itwasasadcase，anunexpectedcase，shemurmured，withhereyesfixedonthewindow。Indeedshecouldnotcomprehendit。

ToDeStancythereappearednothingsoveryextraordinaryinSomerset"sapparentfiasco，exceptinsofarasthatheshouldhaveappliedtoPaulaforrelieffromhisdistressesinsteadofelsewhere。Itwasaself-humiliationwhichaloverwouldhaveavoidedatallcosts，hethought。YetafteramomentaryreflectiononhistheoryofSomerset"scharacter，itseemedsufficientlynaturalthatheshouldleanpersistentlyonPaula，ifonlywithaviewofkeepinghimselflinkedtohermemory，withoutthinkingtooprofoundlyofhisowndignity。

ThattheesteeminwhichshehadheldSomersetuptothathoursufferedatremendousblowbyhisapparentscrapewasclearlyvisibleinher，reticentasshewas；andDeStancy，whilepityingSomerset，thankedhiminhismindforhavinggratuitouslygivenarivalanadvantagewhichthatrival"sattentionshadneverbeenabletogainofthemselves。

Afteralittlefurtherconversationshehadsaid:"Sinceyouaretobemymessenger，ImusttellyouthatIhavedecidedtosendthehundredpoundsaskedfor，andyouwillpleasetodeliverthemintonohandsbuthisown。"Acuriouslittleblushcreptoverhersoberedface——perhapsitwasablushofshameattheconductoftheyoungmaninwhomshehadoflatebeensuspiciouslyinterested——assheadded，"HewillbeonthePont-Neufatfourthisafternoonandagainateleventomorrow。

Canyoumeethimthere?"

"Certainly，"DeStancyreplied。

Shethenaskedhim，ratheranxiously，howhecouldaccountforMr。Somersetknowingthathe，CaptainDeStancy，wasabouttoreturntoNice?

DeStancyinformedherthatheleftwordatthehotelofhisintentiontoreturn，whichwasquitetrue；moreover，theredidnotlurkinhismindatthemomentofspeakingthefaintestsuspicionthatSomersethadseenDare。

Shethentiedthebagandhandedittohim，leavinghimwithasereneandimpenetrablebearing，whichhehopedforhisownsakemeantanacquiredindifferencetoSomersetandhisfortunes。Hersendingthearchitectasumofmoneywhichshecouldeasilysparemightbesetdowntonaturalgenerositytowardsamanwithwhomshewasartisticallyco-operatingfortheimprovementofherhome。

Shecamebacktohimagainforamoment。"Couldyoupossiblygettherebeforefourthisafternoon?"sheasked，andheinformedherthathecouldjustdosobyleavingalmostatonce，whichhewasverywillingtodo，thoughbysoforestallinghistimehewouldlosetheprojectedmorningwithherandtherestatthePalazzoDoria。

"ImaytellyouthatIshallnotgotothePalazzoDoriaeither，ifitisanyconsolationtoyoutoknowit，"washerreply。"Ishallsitindoorsandthinkofyouonyourjourney。"

Theansweradmittedoftwotranslations，andconjecturesthereonfilledthegallantsoldier"smindduringthegreaterpartofthejourney。HearrivedatthehoteltheyhadallstayedatinsuccessionaboutsixhoursafterSomersethadleftitforalittleexcursiontoSanRemoanditsneighbourhood，asameansofpassingafewdaystillPaulashouldwriteagaintoinquirewhyhehadnotcomeon。DeStancysawnooneheknew，andinobediencetoPaula"scommandshepromptlysetoffonfootforthePont-Neuf。

Thoughopposedtothearchitectasalover，DeStancyfeltforhimasapoordevilinneedofmoney，havinghadexperiencesofthatsorthimself，andhewasreallyanxiousthattheneedfulsupplyentrustedtohimshouldreachSomerset"shands。

Hewasonthebridgefiveminutesbeforethehour，andwhentheclockstruckahandwaslaidonhisshoulder:turninghebeheldDare。

Knowingthattheyouthwasloiteringsomewherealongthecoast，fortheyhadfrequentlymettogetheronDeStancy"spreviousvisit，thelattermerelysaid，"Don"tbothermeforthepresent，Willy，Ihaveanengagement。Youcanseemeatthehotelthisevening。"

"WhenyouhavegivenmethehundredpoundsIwillflylikearocket，captain，"saidtheyounggentleman。"Ikeeptheappointmentinsteadoftheotherman。"

DeStancylookedhardathim。"How——doyouknowaboutthis?"

heaskedbreathlessly。

"Ihaveseenhim。"

DeStancytooktheyoungmanbythetwoshouldersandgazedintohiseyes。Thescrutinyseemednotaltogethertoremovethesuspicionwhichhadsuddenlystartedupinhismind。"Mysoul，"hesaid，droppinghisarms，"canthisbetrue?"

"What?"

"Youknow。"

Dareshruggedhisshoulders；"Areyougoingtohandoverthemoneyorno?"hesaid。

"Iamgoingtomakeinquiries，"saidDeStancy，walkingawaywithavehementtread。

"Captain，youarewithoutnaturalaffection，"saidDare，walkingbyhisside，inatonewhichshowedhisfearthathehadover-estimatedthatemotion。"SeewhatIhavedoneforyou。YouhavebeenmyconstantcareandanxietyforIcan"ttellhowlong。IhavestayedawakeatnightthinkinghowI

mightbestgiveyouagoodstartintheworldbyarrangingthisjudiciousmarriage，whenyouhavebeensleepingassoundasatopwithnocaresuponyourmindatall，andnowIhavegotintoascrape——asthemostthoughtfulofusmaysometimes——

yougotomakeinquiries。"

"Ihavepromisedtheladytowhomthismoneybelongs——whosegenerosityhasbeenshamefullyabusedinsomeway——thatIwilldeliveritintonohandsbutthoseofoneman，andhehasnotyetappeared。Ithereforegotofindhim。"

DarelaidhishanduponDeStancy"sarm。"Captain，wearebothwarm，andpunctiliousonpointsofhonour；thiswillcometoasplitbetweenusifwedon"tmind。So，nottobringmatterstoacrisis，lendmetenpoundsheretoenablemetogethome，andI"lldisappear。"

Inastateborderingondistraction，eagertogettheyoungmanoutofhissightbeforeworserevelationsshouldriseupbetweenthem，DeStancywithoutpausinginhiswalkgavehimthesumdemanded。Hesoonreachedthepost-office，whereheinquiredifaMr。Somersethadleftanydirectionsforforwardingletters。

ItwasjustwhatSomersethaddone。DeStancywastoldthatMr。SomersethadcommandedthatanylettersshouldbesentontohimattheHotelVictoria，SanRemo。

ItwasnowevidentthattheschemeofgettingmoneyfromPaulawaseitherofDare"sinvention，orthatSomerset，ashamedofhisfirstimpulse，hadabandoneditasspeedilyasithadbeenformed。DeStancyturnedandwentout。Dare，inkeepingwithhispromise，hadvanished。CaptainDeStancyresolvedtodonothinginthecasetillfurthereventsshouldenlightenhim，beyondsendingalinetoMissPowertoinformherthatSomersethadnotappeared，andthathethereforeretainedthemoneyforfurtherinstructions。

BOOKTHEFIFTH。DESTANCYANDPAULA。

I。

MissPowerwasrecliningonaredvelvetcouchinthebedroomofanold-fashionedredhotelatStrassburg，andherfriendMissDeStancywassittingbyawindowofthesameapartment。

Theywerebothratherweariedbyalongjourneyofthepreviousday。ThehoteloverlookedthelargeopenKleberPlatz，erectinthemidstofwhichthebronzestatueofGeneralKleberreceivedtheraysofawarmsunthatwaspowerlesstobrightenhim。Thewholesquare，withitspeopleandvehiclesgoingtoandfroasiftheyhadplentyoftime，wasvisibletoCharlotteinherchair；butPaulafromherhorizontalpositioncouldseenothingbelowthelevelofthemanydormeredhouse-topsontheoppositesideofthePlatz。

Afterwatchingthisupperstoreyofthecityforsometimeinsilence，sheaskedCharlottetohandherabinocularlyingonthetable，throughwhichinstrumentshequietlyregardedthedistantroofs。

"Whatstrangeandphilosophicalcreaturesstorksare，"shesaid。"Theygiveataciturn，ghostlycharactertothewholetown。"

ThebirdswerecrossingandrecrossingthefieldoftheglassintheirflighthitherandthitherbetweentheStrassburgchimneys，theirsadgreyformssharplyoutlinedagainstthesky，andtheirskinnylegsshowingbeneathlikethelimbsofdeadmartyrsinCrivelli"semaciatedimaginings。Theindifferenceofthesebirdstoallthatwasgoingonbeneaththemimpressedher:toharmonizewiththeirsolemnandsilentmovementsthehousesbeneathshouldhavebeendeserted，andgrassgrowinginthestreets。

BehindthelongroofsthusvisibletoPaulaoverthewindow-

sill，withtheirtiersofdormer-windows，rosethecathedralspireinairyopenwork，formingthehighestobjectinthescene；itsuggestedsomethingwhichforalongtimesheappearedunwillingtoutter；butnaturalinstincthaditsway。

"Aplacelikethis，"shesaid，"wherehecanstudyGothicarchitecture，would，Ishouldhavethought，beaspotmorecongenialtohimthanMonaco。"

ThepersonreferredtowasthemisrepresentedSomerset，whomthetwohadbeengingerlydiscussingfromtimetotime，allowinganycasualsubject，suchasthatofthestorks，tointerruptthepersonaloneateverytwoorthreesentences。

"Itwouldbemorelikehimtobehere，"repliedMissDeStancy，trustinghertonguewithonlythebarestgeneralitiesonthismatter。

Somersetwasagaindismissedforthestorktopic，butPaulacouldnotlethimalone；andshepresentlyresumed，asifanirresistiblefascinationcompelledwhatjudgmenthadforbidden:"Thestrongest-mindedpersonsaresometimescaughtunawaresatthatplace，iftheyoncethinktheywillretrievetheirfirstlosses；andIamnotawarethatheisparticularlystrong-minded。"

ForamomentCharlottelookedatherwithamixedexpression，inwhichtherewasdeprecationthatawomanwithanyfeelingshouldcriticizeSomersetsofrigidly，andreliefthatitwasPaulawhodidso。For，notwithstandingherassumptionthatSomersetcouldneverbeanythingmoretoherthanhewasalready，Charlotte"sheartwouldoccasionallystepdownandtroubleherviewssoexpressed。

WhetherlookingthroughaglassatdistantobjectsenabledPaulatobottleupheraffectionfortheabsentone，orwhetherherfriendCharlottehadsolittlepersonalityinPaula"sregardthatshecouldcommunewithheraswithalayfigure，itwascertainthatsheevincedremarkableeaseinspeakingofSomerset，resumingherwordsabouthiminthetoneofonetowhomhewasatmostanordinaryprofessionaladviser。"Itwouldbeveryawkwardfortheworksatthecastleifhehasgotintoascrape。Isupposethebuilderswerewellpostedwithinstructionsbeforeheleft:butheoughtcertainlytoreturnsoon。WhydidheleaveEnglandatalljustnow?"

"Perhapsitwastoseeyou。"

"Heshouldhavewaited；itwouldnothavebeensodreadfullylongtoMayorJune。Charlotte，howcanamanwhodoessuchahare-brainedthingasthisbedeemedtrustworthyinanimportantworklikethatofrebuildingStancyCastle?"

Therewassuchstressintheinquirythat，whateverfactitiousnesshadgonebefore，CharlotteperceivedPaulatobeatlastspeakinghermind；anditseemedasifSomersetmusthaveconsiderablylostgroundinheropinion，orshewouldnothavecriticizedhimthus。

"Mybrotherwilltellusfullparticularswhenhecomes:

perhapsitisnotatallaswesuppose，"saidCharlotte。ShestrainedhereyesacrossthePlatzandadded，"Heoughttohavebeenherebeforethistime。"

Whiletheywaitedandtalked，Paulastillobservingthestorks，thehotelomnibuscameroundthecornerfromthestation。"Ibelievehehasarrived，"resumedMissDeStancy；

"Iseesomethingthatlookslikehisportmanteauonthetopoftheomnibus……Yes；itishisbaggage。I"llrundowntohim。"

DeStancyhadobtainedsixweeks"additionalleaveonaccountofhishealth，whichhadsomewhatsufferedinIndia。ThefirstusehemadeofhisextratimewasinhasteningbacktomeetthetravellingladieshereatStrassburg。Mr。PowerandMrs。Goodmanwerealsoatthehotel，andwhenCharlottegotdownstairs，theformerwaswelcomingDeStancyatthedoor。

PaulahadnotseenhimsincehesetoutfromGenoaforNice，commissionedbyhertodeliverthehundredpoundstoSomerset。

Hisnote，statingthathehadfailedtomeetSomerset，containednodetails，andsheguessedthathewouldsoonappearbeforehernowtoansweranyquestionaboutthatpeculiarerrand。

Heranticipationswerejustifiedbytheevent；shehadnosoonergoneintothenextsitting-roomthanCharlotteDeStancyappearedandaskedifherbrothermightcomeup。TheclosestobserverwouldhavebeenindoubtwhetherPaula"sreadyreplyintheaffirmativewaspromptedbypersonalconsiderationforDeStancy，orbyahopetohearmoreofhismissiontoNice。Assoonasshehadwelcomedhimsherevertedatoncetothesubject。

"Yes，asItoldyou，hewasnotattheplaceofmeeting，"DeStancyreplied。Andtakingfromhispocketthebagofreadymoneyheplaceditintactuponthetable。

DeStancydidthiswithahandthatshooksomewhatmorethanalongrailwayjourneywasadequatetoaccountfor；andintruthitwasthevisionofDare"spositionwhichagitatedtheunhappycaptain:forhadthatyoungman，asDeStancyfeared，beentamperingwithSomerset"sname，hisfatenowtrembledinthebalance；Paulawouldunquestionablyandnaturallyinvoketheaidofthelawagainsthimifshediscoveredsuchanimposition。

"Wereyoupunctualtothetimementioned?"sheaskedcuriously。

DeStancyrepliedintheaffirmative。

"Didyouwaitlong?"shecontinued。

"Notverylong，"heanswered，hisinstincttoscreenthepossiblyguiltyoneconfininghimtoguardedstatements，whilestilladheringtotheliteraltruth。

"Whywasthat?"

"Somebodycameandtoldmethathewouldnotappear。"

"Who?"

"Ayoungmanwhohasbeenactingashisclerk。HisnameisDare。HeinformedmethatMr。Somersetcouldnotkeeptheappointment。"

"Why?"

"HehadgoneontoSanRemo。"

"HashebeentravellingwithMr。Somerset?"

"Hehadbeenwithhim。Theyknoweachotherverywell。ButasyoucommissionedmetodeliverthemoneyintonohandsbutMr。Somerset"s，Iadheredstrictlytoyourinstructions。"

"Butperhapsmyinstructionswerenotwise。Shoulditinyouropinionhavebeensentbythisyoungman?Washecommissionedtoaskyouforit?"

DeStancymurmuredthatDarewasnotcommissionedtoaskforit；thatuponthewholehedeemedherinstructionswise；andwasstillofopinionthatthebestthinghadbeendone。

AlthoughDeStancywasdistractedbetweenhisdesiretopreserveDarefromtheconsequencesoffolly，andagentlemanlywishtokeepasclosetothetruthaswascompatiblewiththatcondition，hisanswershadnotappearedtoPaulatobeparticularlyevasive，theconjuncturebeingoneinwhichahandsomeheiress"sshrewdnesswaspronetooverleapitselfbysettingdownembarrassmentonthepartofthemanshequestionedtoamerelover"sdifficultyinsteeringbetweenhonourandrivalry。

Sheputbutoneotherquestion。"Diditappearasifhe，Mr。

Somerset，aftertelegraphing，had——had——regretteddoingso，andevadedtheresultbynotkeepingtheappointment?"

"That"sjusthowitappears。"Thewords，whichsavedDarefromignominy，costDeStancyagooddeal。HewassorryforSomerset，sorryforhimself，andverysorryforPaula。ButDarewastoDeStancywhatSomersetcouldneverbe:and"forhiskinthatisnearuntohimshallamanbedefiled。"

AfterthatinterviewCharlottesawwithwarringimpulsesthatSomersetslowlydiminishedinPaula"sestimate；slowlyasthemoonwanes，butascertainly。Charlotte"sownlovewasofaclinging，uncriticalsort，andthoughtheshadowyintelligenceofSomerset"sdoingsweigheddownhersoulwithregret，itseemedtomakenottheleastdifferenceinheraffectionforhim。

Intheafternoonthewholeparty，includingDeStancy，droveaboutthestreets。HeretheylookedatthehouseinwhichGoethehadlived，andafterwardsenteredthecathedral。

Observinginthesouthtranseptacrowdofpeoplewaitingpatiently，theywereremindedthattheyunwittinglystoodinthepresenceofthepopularclock-workofSchwilgue。

Mr。PowerandMrs。Goodmandecidedthattheywouldwaitwiththerestoftheidlersandseethepuppetsperformatthestriking。Charlottealsowaitedwiththem；butasitwantedeightminutestothehour，andasPaulahadseentheshowbefore，shemovedonintothenave。

PresentlyshefoundthatDeStancyhadfollowed。Hedidnotcomeclosetillshe，seeinghimstandsilent，said，"Ifitwerenotforthiscathedral，Ishouldnotlikethecityatall；andIhaveevenseencathedralsIlikebetter。LuckilywearegoingontoBadento-morrow。"

"Yourunclehasjusttoldme。Hehasaskedmetokeepyoucompany。"

"Areyouintendingto?"saidPaula，probingthebase-mouldingofapierwithherparasol。

"Ihavenothingbettertodo，norindeedhalfsogood，"saidDeStancy。"Iamabroadformyhealth，youknow，andwhat"sliketheRhineanditsneighbourhoodinearlysummer，beforethecrowdcomes?Itisdelightfultowanderaboutthere，oranywhere，likeachild，influencedbynofixedmotivemorethanthatofkeepingnearsomefriend，orfriends，includingtheonewemostadmireintheworld。"

"Thatsoundsperilouslylikelove-making。"

""Tisloveindeed。"

"Well，loveisnaturaltomen，Isuppose，"rejoinedtheyounglady。"Butyoumustlovewithinbounds；oryouwillbeenervated，andceasetobeusefulasaheavyarmoftheservice。"

"MydearMissPower，yourdidacticandrespectableruleswon"tdoforme。Ifyouexpectstrawstostopcurrents，youaresadlymistaken!Butno——letmattersbe:Iamahappycontentedmortalatpresent，saywhatyouwill……Youdon"taskwhy?Perhapsyouknow。ItisbecauseallIcareforintheworldisnearme，andthatIshallneverbemorethanahundredyardsfromheraslongasthepresentarrangementcontinues。"

"Weareinacathedral，remember，CaptainDeStancy，andshouldnotkeepupasecularconversation。"

"IfIhadneversaidworseinacathedralthanwhatIhavesaidhere，Ishouldbecontenttomeetmyeternaljudgewithoutabsolution。YouruncleaskedmethismorninghowI

likedyou。"

"Well，therewasnoharminthat。"

"HowIlikeyou!Harm，no；butyoushouldhaveseenhowsillyIlooked。Fancytheinadequacyoftheexpressionwhenmywholesenseisabsorbedbyyou。"

"Menallowthemselvestobemaderidiculousbytheirownfeelingsinaninconceivableway。"

"True，Iamafool；butforgiveme，"herejoined，observinghergaze，whichwanderedcriticallyfromrooftoclerestory，andthentothepillars，withoutoncelightingonhim。"Don"tmindsayingYes——Youlookatthisthingandthatthing，butyouneverlookatme，thoughIstandhereandseenothingbutyou。"

"There，theclockisstriking——andthecockcrows。Pleasegoacrosstothetranseptandtellthemtocomeoutthisway。"

DeStancywent。Whenhehadgoneafewstepsheturnedhishead。Shehadatlastceasedtostudythearchitecture，andwaslookingathim。Perhapshiswordshadstruckher，foritseemedatthatmomentasifhereadinherbrighteyesagenuineinterestinhimandhisfortunes。

II。

NextdaytheywentontoBaden。DeStancywasbeginningtocultivatethepassionofloveevenmoreasanescapefromthegloomyrelationsofhislifethanasmatrimonialstrategy。

Paula"sjuxtapositionhadtheattributeofmakinghimforgeteverythinginhisownhistory。Shewasamagicalterative；

andthemostfoolishboyishshapeintowhichhecouldthrowhisfeelingsforherwasinthisrespecttobeaimedatastheactofhighestwisdom。

Hesupplementedthenaturalwarmthoffeelingthatshehadwroughtinhimbyeveryartificialmeansinhispower，tomakethedistractionthemorecomplete。Hehadnotknownanythinglikethisself-obscurationforadozenyears，andwhenheconjecturedthatshemightreallylearntolovehimhefeltexaltedinhisowneyesandpurifiedfromthedrossofhisformerlife。SuchuneasinessofconscienceasarosewhenhesuddenlyrememberedDare，andthepossibilitythatSomersetwasgettingoustedunfairly，haditsweightindepressinghim；

buthewasinclinedtoaccepthisfortunewithoutmuchquestion。

ThejourneytoBaden，thoughshort，wasnotwithoutincidentsonwhichhecouldworkoutthiscurioushobbyofcultivatingtosuperlativepoweranalreadypositivepassion。Handingherinandoutofthecarriage，accidentallygettingbrushedbyherclothes，ofallsuchasthishemadeavailablefuel。

Paula，thoughshemighthaveguessedthegeneralnatureofwhatwasgoingon，seemedunconsciousoftherefinementshewastryingtothrowintoit，andsometimes，wheninsteppingintoorfromarailwaycarriagesheunavoidablyputherhanduponhisarm，theobviousinsignificancesheattachedtotheactionstruckhimwithmisgiving。

OneofthefirstthingstheydidatBadenwastostrollintotheTrink-halle，wherePaulasippedthewater。Shewasabouttoputdowntheglass，whenDeStancyquicklytookitfromherhandsasthoughtomakeuseofithimself。

"O，ifthatiswhatyoumean，"shesaidmischievously，"youshouldhavenoticedtheexactspot。Itwasthere。"Sheputherfingeronaparticularportionofitsedge。

"Yououghtnottoactlikethat，unlessyoumeansomething，MissPower，"herepliedgravely。

"Tellmemoreplainly。"

"Imean，youshouldnotdothingswhichexciteinmethehopethatyoucaresomethingforme，unlessyoureallydo。"

"Iputmyfingerontheedgeandsaiditwasthere。"

"Meaning，"Itwastheremylipstouched；letyoursdothesame。""

"ThelatterpartIwhollydeny，"sheanswered，withdisregard，afterwhichshewentaway，andkeptbetweenCharlotteandherauntfortherestoftheafternoon。

SincethereceiptofthetelegramPaulahadbeenfrequentlysilent；shefrequentlystayedinalone，andsometimesshebecamequitegloomy——analtogetherunprecedentedphaseforher。ThiswasthecaseonthemorningaftertheincidentintheTrink-halle。Nottointrudeonher，Charlottewalkedaboutthelandingsofthesunnywhitehotelinwhichtheyhadtakenuptheirquarters，wentdownintothecourt，andpettedthetortoisesthatwerecreepingaboutthereamongtheflowersandplants；tillatlast，ongoingtoherfriend，shecaughtherreadingsomeoldlettersofSomerset"s。

Paulamadenosecretofthem，andMissDeStancycouldseethatmorethanhalfwerewrittenonbluepaper，withdiagramsamidthewriting:theywere，infact，simplythosesheetsofhisletterswhichrelatedtotherebuilding。Nevertheless，CharlottefanciedshehadcaughtPaulainasentimentalmood；

anddoubtlesscouldSomersethavewalkedinatthismomentinsteadofCharlotteitmighthavefaredwellwithhim，soinsidiouslydotendermemoriesreassertthemselvesinthefaceofoutwardmishaps。

TheytookadrivedowntheLichtenthalroadandthenintotheforest，DeStancyandAbnerPowerridingonhorsebackalongside。Thesunstreamedyellowbehindtheirbacksastheywoundupthelonginclines，lightingtheredtrunks，andeventheblue-blackfoliageitself。Thesummerhadalreadymadeimpressionuponthatmassofuniformcolourbytippingeverytwigwithatinysproutofvirescentyellow；whiletheminutesoundswhichissuedfromtheforestrevealedthattheapparentlystillplacewasbecomingaperfectreservoirofinsectlife。

AbnerPowerwasquitesentimentalthatday。"Insuchplacesasthese，"hesaid，asherodealongsideMrs。Goodman，"nature"spowersinthemultiplicationofonetypestrikemeasmuchasthegrandeurofthemass。"

Mrs。Goodmanagreedwithhim，andPaulasaid，"Thefoliageformstheroofofaninterminablegreencrypt，thepillarsbeingthetrunks，andthevaulttheinterlacingboughs。"

"Itisafineplaceinathunderstorm，"saidDeStancy。"Iamnotanenthusiast，buttoseethelightningspringhitherandthither，likelazy-tongs，bristling，andstriking，andvanishing，isratherimpressive。"

"Itmustbeindeed，"saidPaula。

"Andinthewinterwindsthesepinessighliketenthousandspiritsintrouble。"

"Indeedtheymust，"saidPaula。

"AtthesametimeIknowalittlefir-plantationaboutamilesquarenotfarfromMarkton，"saidDeStancy，"whichispreciselylikethisinminiature，——stems，colours，slopes，winds，andall。Ifweweretogothereanytimewithahighlymagnifyingpairofspectaclesitwouldlookasfineasthis——

andsaveadealoftravelling。"

"Iknowtheplace，andIagreewithyou，"saidPaula。

"Youagreewithmeonallsubjectsbutone，"hepresentlyobserved，inavoicenotintendedtoreachtheothers。

Paulalookedathim，butwassilent。

Onwardandupwardtheywent，thesamepatternandcolouroftreerepeatingthemselvesendlessly，tillinacoupleofhourstheyreachedthecastlehillwhichwastobetheendoftheirjourney，andbeheldstretchedbeneaththemthevalleyoftheMurg。Theyalightedandenteredthefortress。

"Whatdidyoumeanbythatlookofkindnessyoubestoweduponmejustnow，whenIsaidyouagreedwithmeonallsubjectsbutone?"askedDeStancyhalfhumorously，asheheldopenalittledoorforher，theothershavinggoneahead。

"Imeant，Isuppose，thatIwasmuchobligedtoyoufornotrequiringagreementonthatonesubject，"shesaid，passingon。

"Notmorethanthat?"saidDeStancy，ashefollowedher。

"ButwheneverIinvoluntarilyexpresstowardsyousentimentsthattherecanbenomistaking，youseemtrulycompassionate。"

"IfIseemso，Ifeelso。"

"Ifyoumeannomorethanmerecompassion，Iwishyouwouldshownothingatall，foryourmistakenkindnessisonlypreparingmoremiseryformethanIshouldhaveifletalonetosufferwithoutmercy。"

"Iimploreyoutobequiet，CaptainDeStancy!Leaveme，andlookoutofthewindowattheviewhere，oratthepictures，oratthearmour，orwhateveritiswearecometosee。"

"Verywell。Butpraydon"textractamusementfrommyharmlessremarks。SuchastheyareImeanthem。"

Shestoppedhimbychangingthesubject，fortheyhadenteredanoctagonalchamberonthefirstfloor，presumablyfullofpicturesandcuriosities；buttheshutterswereclosed，andonlystraybeamsoflightgleamedintosuggestwhatwasthere。

"Can"tsomebodyopenthewindows?"saidPaula。

"Theattendantisabouttodoit，"saidheruncle；andashespoketheshutterstotheeastwereflungback，andoneoftheloveliestviewsintheforestdiscloseditselfoutside。

Someofthemsteppedoutuponthebalcony。Theriverlayalongthebottomofthevalley，irradiatedwithasilvershine。Littleraftsofpinewoodfloatedonitssurfaceliketinysplinters，themenwhosteeredthemnotappearinglargerthanants。

Paulastoodonthebalcony，lookingforafewminutesuponthesight，andthencameintotheshadowyroom，whereDeStancyhadremained。Whiletherestwerestilloutsidesheresumed:

"YoumustnotsupposethatIshrinkfromthesubjectyousopersistentlybringbeforeme。Irespectdeepaffection——youknowIdo；butformetosaythatIhaveanysuchforyou，oftheparticularsortyouonlywillbesatisfiedwith，wouldbeabsurd。Idon"tfeelit，andthereforetherecanbenothingbetweenus。Onewouldthinkitwouldbebettertofeelkindlytowardsyouthantofeelnothingatall。ButifyouobjecttothatI"lltrytofeelnothing。"

"Idon"treallyobjecttoyoursympathy，"saidDeStancy，ratherstruckbyherseriousness。"Butitisverysaddeningtothinkyoucanfeelnothingmore。"

"Itmustbeso，sinceICANfeelnomore，"shedecisivelyreplied，adding，asshestoppedherseriousness:"Youmustprayforstrengthtogetoverit。"

"OnethingIshallneverprayfor；toseeyougiveyourselftoanotherman。ButIsupposeIshallwitnessthatsomeday。"

"Youmay，"shegravelyreturned。

"Youhavenodoubtchosenhimalready，"criedthecaptainbitterly。

"No，CaptainDeStancy，"shesaidshortly，afaintinvoluntaryblushcomingintoherfaceassheguessedhisallusion。

This，andafewglancesroundatthepicturesandcuriosities，completedtheirsurveyofthecastle。DeStancyknewbetterthantotroubleherfurtherthatdaywithspecialremarks。

DuringthereturnjourneyherodeaheadwithMr。Powerandshesawnomoreofhim。

Shewouldhavebeenastonishedhadsheheardtheconversationofthetwogentlemenastheywoundgentlydownwardsthroughthetrees。

"AsfarasIamconcerned，"CaptainDeStancy"scompanionwassaying，"nothingwouldgivememoreunfeigneddelightthanthatyoushouldpersevereandwinher。ButyoumustunderstandthatIhavenoauthorityoverher——nothingmorethanthenaturalinfluencethatarisesfrommybeingherfather"sbrother。"

"Andforexercisingthatmuch，whateveritmaybe，inmyfavourIthankyouheartily，"saidDeStancy。"ButIamcomingtotheconclusionthatitisuselesstopressherfurther。Sheisright!Iamnotthemanforher。Iamtooold，andtoopoor；andImustputupaswellasIcanwithherloss——drownherimageinoldFalerniantillIembarkinCharon"sboatforgood!——Really，ifIhadtheindustryIcouldwritesomegoodHoratianversesonmyinauspicioussituation!……Ah，well；——inthiswayIaffectlevityovermytroubles；

butinplaintruthmylifewillnotbethebrightestwithouther。"

"Don"tbedown-hearted!youaretoo——toogentlemanly，DeStancy，inthismatter——youaretoosoonputoff——youshouldhaveatouchofthecanvasseraboutyouinapproachingher；

andnotstickatthings。YouhavemyheartyinvitationtotravelwithusallthewaytillwecrosstoEngland，andtherewillbeheapsofopportunitiesaswewanderon。I"llkeepaslowpacetogiveyoutime。"

"Youareverygood，myfriend!Well，Iwilltryagain。Iamfullofdoubtandindecision，mind，butatpresentIfeelthatIwilltryagain。Thereis，Isuppose，aslightpossibilityofsomethingorotherturningupinmyfavour，ifitistruethattheunexpectedalwayshappens——forIforeseenochancewhatever……Whichwaydowegowhenweleavehereto-

morrow?"

"ToCarlsruhe，shesays，iftherestofushavenoobjection。"

"Carlsruhe，then，letitbe，withallmyheart；oranywhere。"