第16章

ToCarlsruhetheywentnextday，afteranightofsoftrainwhichbroughtupawarmsteamfromtheSchwarzwaldvalleys，andcausedtheyoungtuftsandgrassestoswellvisiblyinafewhours。AftertheBadenslopestheflatthoroughfaresof"Charles"sRest"seemedsomewhatuninteresting，thoughabusyfairwhichwasproceedinginthestreetscreatedaquaintandunexpectedliveliness。Onreachingtheold-fashionedinnintheLange-Strassethattheyhadfixedon，thewomenofthepartybetookthemselvestotheirroomsandshowedlittleinclinationtoseemoreoftheworldthatdaythancouldbegleanedfromthehotelwindows。

III。

WhilethemalignanttongueshadbeenplayinghavocwithSomerset"sfameintheearsofPaulaandhercompanion，theyoungmanhimselfwasproceedingpartlybyrail，partlyonfoot，belowandamidtheolive-cladhills，vineyards，carobgroves，andlemongardensoftheMediterraneanshores。

ArrivedatSanRemohewrotetoNicetoinquireforletters，andsuchashadcomeweredulyforwarded；butnotoneofthemwasfromPaula。Thisbrokedownhisresolutiontoholdoff，andhehasteneddirectlytoGenoa，regrettingthathehadnottakenthisstepwhenhefirstheardthatshewasthere。

Somethingintheveryaspectofthemarblehallsofthatcity，whichatanyothertimehewouldhavelikedtolingerover，whisperedtohimthatthebirdhadflown；andinquiryconfirmedthefancy。Nevertheless，thearchitecturalbeautiesofthepalace-borderedstreet，lookingasifmountainsofmarblemusthavebeenlevelledtosupplythematerialsforconstructingit，detainedhimtheretwodays:orratherafeatofresolution，bywhichhesethimselftowithstandthedrag-chainofPaula"sinfluence，wasoperativeforthatspaceoftime。

Attheendofithemovedonward。Therewasnodifficultyindiscoveringtheirtracknorthwards；andfeelingthathemightaswellreturntoEnglandbytheRhinerouteasbyanyother，hefollowedinthecoursetheyhadchosen，gettingscentoftheminStrassburg，missingthematBadenbyaday，andfinallyovertakingthematCarlsruhe，whichtownhereachedonthemorningafterthePowerandDeStancypartyhadtakenuptheirquartersattheancientinnabovementioned。WhenSomersetwasabouttogetoutofthetrainatthisplace，littledreamingwhatameaningthewordCarlsruhewouldhaveforhiminsubsequentyears，hewasdisagreeablysurprisedtoseenootherthanDaresteppingoutoftheadjoiningcarriage。

Anewbrownleathervaliseinoneofhishands，anewumbrellaintheother，andanewsuitoffashionableclothesonhisback，seemedtodenoteconsiderableimprovementintheyoungman"sfortunes。Somersetwassostruckbythecircumstanceofhisbeingonthisspotthathealmostmissedhisopportunityforalighting。

Daremeanwhilehadmovedonwithoutseeinghisformeremployer，andSomersetresolvedtotakethechancethatoffered，andlethimgo。Therewassomethingsomysteriousintheircommonpresencesimultaneouslyatoneplace，fivehundredmilesfromwheretheyhadlastmet，thatheexhaustedconjectureonwhetherDare"serrandthiswaycouldhaveanythingtodowithhisown，orwhethertheirjuxtapositionasecondtimewastheresultofpureaccident。GreatlyashewouldhavelikedtogetthisansweredbyadirectquestiontoDarehimself，hedidnotcounteracthisfirstinstinct，andremainedunseen。

Theywentoutindifferentdirections，whenSomersetforthefirsttimerememberedthat，inlearningatBadenthatthepartyhadflittedtowardsCarlsruhe，hehadtakennocaretoascertainthenameofthehoteltheywereboundfor。

Carlsruhewasnotalargeplaceandthepointwasimmaterial，buttheomissionwouldnecessitatealittleinquiry。TofollowDareonthechanceofhishavingfixeduponthesamequarterswasacoursewhichdidnotcommenditself。Heresolvedtogetsomelunchbeforeproceedingwithhisbusiness——orfatuity——ofdiscoveringtheelusivelady，anddroveofftoaneighbouringtavern，whichdidnothappentobe，ashehopeditmight，theonechosenbythosewhohadprecededhim。

MeanwhileDare，previouslymasteroftheirplans，wentstraighttothehousewhichshelteredthem，andonenteringunderthearchwayfromtheLange-StrassewassavedthetroubleofinquiringforCaptainDeStancybyseeinghimdrinkingbittersatalittletableinthecourt。HadSomersetchosenthisinnforhisquartersinsteadoftheoneintheMarket-

Placewhichheactuallydidchoose，thethreemustinevitablyhavemethereatthismoment，withsomepossiblystrikingdramaticresults；thoughwhattheywouldhavebeenremainsforeverhiddeninthedarknessoftheunfulfilled。

DeStancyjumpedupfromhischair，andwentforwardtothenew-comer。"Youarenotlongbehindus，then，"hesaid，withlaconicdisquietude。"Ithoughtyouweregoingstraighthome?"

"Iwas，"saidDare，"butIhavebeenblessedwithwhatImaycallasmallcompetencysinceIsawyoulast。OfthetwohundredfrancsyougavemeIriskedfiftyatthetables，andI

havemultipliedthem，howmanytimesdoyouthink?Morethanfourhundredtimes。"

DeStancyimmediatelylookedgrave。"Iwishyouhadlostthem，"hesaid，withasmuchfeelingascouldbeshowninaplacewherestrangerswerehoveringnear。

"Nonsense，captain!Ihaveproceededpurelyonacalculationofchances；andmycalculationsprovedastrueasIexpected，notwithstandingalittlein-and-outluckatfirst。Witnessthisastheresult。"Hesmackedhisbagwithhisumbrella，andthechinkofmoneyresoundedfromwithin。"Justfeeltheweightofit!"

"Itisnotnecessary。Itakeyourword。"

"ShallIlendyoufivepounds?"

"Godforbid!Asifthatwouldrepaymeforwhatyouhavecostme!Butcome，let"sgetoutofthisplacetowherewecantalkmorefreely。"Heputhishandthroughtheyoungman"sarm，andledhimroundthecornerofthehoteltowardstheSchloss-Platz。

"Theserunsofluckwillbeyourruin，asIhavetoldyoubefore，"continuedCaptainDeStancy。"Youwillbeforrepeatingandrepeatingyourexperiments，andwillendbyblowingyourbrainsout，aswiserheadsthanyourshavedone。

Iamgladyouhavecomeaway，atanyrate。Whydidyoutravelthisway?"

"SimplybecauseIcouldaffordit，ofcourse——Butcome，captain，somethinghasruffledyouto-day。IthoughtyoudidnotlookinthebesttemperthemomentIsawyou。Everysipyoutookofyourpick-upasyousatthereshowedmesomethingwaswrong。Tellyourworry!"

"Pooh——Icantellyouintwowords，"saidthecaptainsatirically。"Yourarrangementformywealthandhappiness——

forIsupposeyoustillclaimittobeyours——hasfallenthrough。Theladyhasannouncedto-daythatshemeanstosendforSomersetinstantly。Sheiscomingtoapersonalexplanationwithhim。Sowoetome——andinanothersense，woetoyou，asIhavereasontofear。"

"Sendforhim!"saidDare，withthestillnessofcompleteabstraction。"Thenhe"llcome。"

"Well，"saidDeStancy，lookinghimintheface。"Anddoesitmakeyoufeelyouhadbetterbeoff?Howaboutthattelegram?

Didheaskyoutosendit，ordidhenot?"

"Oneminute，orIshallbeupsuchatreeasnobodyeversawthelikeof。"

"Thenwhatdidyoucomeherefor?"burstoutDeStancy。""Tismybeliefyouarenomorethana——ButIwon"tcallyounames；

I"lltellyouquiteplainlythatifthereisanythingwronginthatmessagetoher——whichIbelievethereis——no，Ican"tbelieve，thoughIfearit——youhavethechanceofappearingindrabclothesattheexpenseoftheGovernmentbeforetheyearisout，andIofbeingeternallydisgraced!"

"No，captain，youwon"tbedisgraced。Iambadtobeat，Icantellyou。Andcometheworstluck，Idon"tsayaword。"

"Butthoselettersprickedinyourskinwouldsayagooddeal，itstrikesme。"

"What!wouldtheystripme?——butitisnotcomingtothat。

Lookhere，now，I"lltellyouthetruthforonce；thoughyoudon"tbelievemecapableofit。IDIDconcoctthattelegram——

andsentit；justasapracticaljoke；andmanyaworseonehasbeenonlylaughedatbyhonestmenandofficers。Icouldshowyouabiggerjokestill——ajokeofjokes——onthesameindividual。"

Dareashespokeputhishandintohisbreast-pocket，asifthesaidjokelaythere；butafteramomenthewithdrewhishandempty，ashecontinued:

"HavinginventeditIhavedoneenough；Iwasgoingtoexplainittoyou，thatyoumightcarryitout。Butyouaresoserious，thatIwillleaveitalone。Mysecondjokeshalldiewithme。"

"Somuchthebetter，"saidDeStancy。"Idon"tlikeyourjokes，eventhoughtheyarenotdirectedagainstmyself。Theyexpressakindofhumourwhichdoesnotsuitme。"

"Youmayhavereasontoalteryourmind，"saidDarecarelessly。"Yoursuccesswithyourladymaydependonit。

Thetruthis，captain，wearistocratsmustnottaketoohighatone。Ourdaysasanindependentdivisionofsociety，whichholdsalooffromothersections，arepast。Thishasbeenmyargument(inspiteofmystrongNormanfeelings)eversinceI

broachedthesubjectofyourmarryingthisgirl，whorepresentsbothintellectandwealth——all，infact，exceptthehistoricalprestigethatyourepresent。Andwemustn"tflinchatthings。Thecaseisevenmorepressingthanordinarycases——owingtotheoddfactthattherepresentativeofthenewbloodwhohascomeinourwayactuallylivesinyourownoldhouse，andownsyourownoldlands。Theordinaryreasonforsuchalliancesisquintupledinourcase。Dothenjustthinkandbereasonable，beforeyoutalktallaboutnotlikingmyjokes，andallthat。Beggarsmustn"tbechoosers。"

"There"sreallymuchreasoninyourargument，"saidDeStancy，withabitterlaugh:"andmyownheartarguesmuchthesameway。But，leavingmetotakecareofmyaristocraticself，I

adviseyouraristocraticselftoslipoffatoncetoEnglandlikeanyhang-gallowsdog；andifSomersetishere，andyouhavebeendoingwronginhisname，anditallcomesout，I"lltrytosaveyou，asfarasanhonestmancan。Ifyouhavedonenowrong，ofcoursethereisnofear；thoughIshouldbeobligedbyyourgoinghomewardasquicklyaspossible，asbeingbetterbothforyouandforme……Hullo——

Damnation!"

TheyhadreachedonesideoftheSchloss-Platz，nobodyapparentlybeingnearthemsaveasentinelwhowasondutybeforethePalace；butturningashespoke，DeStancybeheldagroupconsistingofhissister，Paula，andMr。Power，strollingacrossthesquaretowardsthem。

Itwasimpossibletoescapetheirobservation，andputtingaboldfrontuponit，DeStancyadvancedwithDareathisside，tillinafewmomentsthetwopartiesmet，PaulaandCharlotterecognizingDareatonceastheyoungmanwhoassistedatthecastle。

"Ihavemetmyyoungphotographer，"saidDeStancycheerily。

"Whatasmallworlditis，aseverybodytrulyobserves!Iamwishinghecouldtakesomeviewsforusaswegoon；butyouhavenoapparatuswithyou，Isuppose，Mr。Dare?"

"Ihavenot，sir，Iamsorrytosay，"repliedDarerespectfully。

"Youcouldgetsome，Isuppose?"askedPaulaoftheinterestingyoungphotographer。

Daredeclaredthatitwouldbenotimpossible:whereuponDeStancysaidthatitwasonlyapassingthoughtofhis；andinafewminutesthetwopartiesagainseparated，goingtheirseveralways。

"Thatwasawkward，"saidDeStancy，tremblingwithexcitement。

"Iwouldadviseyoutokeepfurtheroffinfuture。"

Daresaidthoughtfullythathewouldbecareful，adding，"Sheisaprizeforanyman，indeed，leavingalonethesubstantialpossessionsbehindher!NowwasItooenthusiastic?WasIafoolforurgingyouon?"

"Waittillsuccessjustifiestheundertaking。Incaseoffailureitwillhavebeenanythingbutwise。Itisnolightmattertohaveacarefullypreservedreposebrokeninuponfornothing——areposethatcouldneverberestored!"

TheywalkeddowntheCarl-Friedrichs-StrassetotheMargrave"sPyramid，andbacktothehotel，whereDarealsodecidedtotakeuphisstay。DeStancylefthimwiththebook-keeperatthedesk，andwentupstairstoseeiftheladieshadreturned。

IV。

Hefoundthemintheirsitting-roomwiththeirbonnetson，asiftheyhadjustcomein。Mr。Powerwasalsopresent，readinganewspaper，butMrs。Goodmanhadgoneouttoaneighbouringshop，inthewindowsofwhichshehadseensomethingwhichattractedherfancy。

WhenDeStancyentered，Paula"sthoughtsseemedtoreverttoDare，foralmostatoncesheaskedhiminwhatdirectiontheyouthwastravelling。WithsomehesitationDeStancyrepliedthathebelievedMr。DarewasreturningtoEnglandafteraspringtripfortheimprovementofhismind。

"Averypraiseworthythingtodo，"saidPaula。"Whatplaceshashevisited?"

"Thosewhichaffordopportunitiesforthestudyoftheoldmasters，Ibelieve，"saidDeStancyblandly。"HehasalsobeentoTurin，Genoa，Marseilles，andsoon。"Thecaptainspokethemorereadilytoherquestioninginthathedivinedherwordstobedictated，notbyanysuspicionsofhisrelationswithDare，butbyherknowledgeofDareasthedraughtsmanemployedbySomerset。

"HashebeentoNice?"shenextdemanded。"Didhegothereincompanywithmyarchitect?"

"Ithinknot。"

"Hasheseenanythingofhim?MyarchitectSomersetonceemployedhim。Theyknoweachother。"

"IthinkhesawSomersetforashorttime。"

Paulawassilent。"DoyouknowwherethisyoungmanDareisatthepresentmoment?"sheaskedquickly。

DeStancysaidthatDarewasstayingatthesamehotelwiththemselves，andthathebelievedhewasdownstairs。

"IthinkIcandonobetterthansendforhim，"saidshe。"Hemaybeabletothrowsomelightuponthematterofthattelegram。"

Sheranganddespatchedthewaiterfortheyoungmaninquestion，DeStancyalmostvisiblytremblingfortheresult。

Butheopenedthetowndirectorywhichwaslyingonatable，andaffectedtobeengrossedinthenames。

BeforeDarewasshowninshesaidtoheruncle，"Perhapsyouwillspeaktohimforme?"

Mr。Power，lookingupfromthepaperhewasreading，assentedtoherproposition。Dareappearedinthedoorway，andthewaiterretired。Dareseemedatriflestartledoutofhisusualcoolness，themessagehavingevidentlybeenunexpected，andhecameforwardsomewhatuneasily。

"Mr。Dare，weareanxioustoknowsomethingofMissPower"sarchitect；andCaptainDeStancytellsusyouhaveseenhimlately，"saidMr。Powersonorouslyovertheedgeofhisnewspaper。

Notknowingwhetherdangermenacedorno，or，ifitmenaced，fromwhatquarteritwastobeexpected，Darefeltthathonestywasasgoodasanythingelseforhim，andrepliedboldlythathehadseenMr。Somerset，DeStancycontinuingtocreamandmantlealmostvisibly，inanxietyatthesituationofthespeaker。

"Andwheredidyouseehim?"continuedMr。Power。

"IntheCasinoatMonteCarlo。"

"Howlongdidyouseehim?"

"Onlyforhalfanhour。Ilefthimthere。"

Paula"sinterestgotthebetterofherreserve，andshecutinuponheruncle:"Didheseeminanyunusualstate，orintrouble?"

"Hewasratherexcited，"saidDare。

"Andcanyourememberwhenthatwas?"

Dareconsidered，lookedathispocket-book，andsaidthatitwasontheeveningofAprilthetwenty-second。

TheanswerhadasignificanceforPaula，DeStancy，andCharlotte，towhichAbnerPowerwasastranger。Thetelegraphicrequestformoney，whichhadbeenkeptasecretfromhimbyhisniece，becauseofhisalreadyunfriendlytonetowardsSomerset，arrivedonthemorningofthetwenty-third——

adatewhichneighbouredwithpainfullysuggestivenicetyuponthatnowgivenbyDare。

Sheseemedtobesilenced，andaskednomorequestions。Darehavingfurbishedhimselfuptoagentlemanlyappearancewithsomeofhisrecentwinnings，wasinvitedtostayonawhilebyPaula"suncle，who，asbecameatravelledman，wasnotfastidiousastocompany。Beingayouthoftheworld，Daremadehimselfagreeabletothatgentleman，andafterwardstriedtodothesamewithMissDeStancy。Atthisthecaptain，towhomthesituationforsometimehadbeenamazinglyuncomfortable，pleadedsomeexcuseforgoingout，andlefttheroom。

DarecontinuedhisendeavourstosayafewpolitenothingstoCharlotteDeStancy，inthecourseofwhichhedrewfromhispockethisnewsilkhandkerchief。Bysomechanceacardcameoutwiththehandkerchief，andfluttereddownwards。Hismomentaryinstinctwastomakeagraspatthecardandconcealit:butithadalreadytumbledtothefloor，whereitlayfaceupwardbesideCharlotteDeStancy"schair。

Itwasneitheravisitingnoraplayingcard，butonebearingaphotographicportraitofapeculiarnature。ItwaswhatDarehadcharacterizedashisbestjokeinspeakingonthesubjecttoCaptainDeStancy:hehadinthemorningputitreadyinhispockettogivetothecaptain，andhadinfacthelditinwaitingbetweenhisfingerandthumbwhiletalkingtohiminthePlatz，meaningthatheshouldmakeuseofitagainsthisrivalwheneverconvenient。ButhissharpconversationwiththatsoldierhaddulledhiszestforthisfinaljokeatSomerset"sexpense，hadatleastshownhimthatDeStancywouldnotadoptthejokebyacceptingthephotographandusingithimself，anddeterminedhimtolayitasidetillamoreconvenienttime。Sofullyhadhemadeuphismindonthiscourse，thatwhenthephotographslippedouthedidnotatfirstperceivetheappositenessofthecircumstance，inputtingintohisownhandstherolehehadintendedforDeStancy；thoughitwasassertedafterwardsthatthewholescenewasdeliberatelyplanned。However，oncehavingseentheaccident，heresolvedtotakethecurrentasitserved。

Thecardhavingfallenbesideher，MissDeStancyglancedoverit，whichindeedshecouldnothelpdoing。Thesmilethathadpreviouslyhunguponherlipswasarrestedasifbyfrostandsheinvoluntarilyutteredalittledistressedcryof"O!"likeoneinbodilypain。

Paula，whohadbeentalkingtoheruncleduringthisinterlude，startedround，andwonderingwhathadhappened，inquiringlycrossedtheroomtopoorCharlotte"sside，askingherwhatwasthematter。Charlottehadregainedself-

possession，thoughnotenoughtoenablehertoreply，andPaulaaskedherasecondtimewhathadmadeherexclaimlikethat。MissDeStancystillseemedconfused，whereuponPaulanoticedthathereyeswerecontinuallydrawnasifbyfascinationtowardsthephotographonthefloor，which，contrarytohisfirstimpulse，Dare，ashasbeensaid，nowseemedinnohurrytoregain。Surmisingatlastthatthecard，whateveritwas，hadsomethingtodowiththeexclamation，Paulapickeditup。

ItwasaportraitofSomerset；butbyadeviceknowninphotographytheoperator，thoughcontrivingtoproducewhatseemedtobeaperfectlikeness，hadgivenitthedistortedfeaturesandwildattitudeofamanadvancedinintoxication。

Nowoman，unlessspeciallycognizantofsuchpossibilities，couldhavelookeduponitanddoubtedthatthephotographwasagenuineillustrationofacustomaryphaseintheyoungman"sprivatelife。

Paulaobservedit，thoroughlytookitin；buttheeffectuponherwasbynomeansclear。Charlotte"seyesatonceforsooktheportraittodwellonPaula"sface。Itpaledalittle，andthiswasfollowedbyahotblush——perceptiblyablushofshame。Thatwasall。Sheflungthepicturedownonthetable，andmovedaway。

ItwasnowMr。Power"sturn。AnticipatingDare，whowasadvancingwithadeprecatorylooktoseizethephotograph，healsograspedit。Whenhesawwhomitrepresentedheseemedbothamusedandstartled，andafterscanningitawhilehandedittotheyoungmanwithaqueersmile。

"Iamverysorry，"beganDareinalowvoicetoMr。Power。"I

fearIwastoblameforthoughtlessnessinnotdestroyingit。

ButIthoughtitwasratherfunnythatamanshouldpermitsuchathingtobedone，andthatthehumourwouldredeemtheoffence。"

"Inyou，forpurchasingit，"saidPaulawithhaughtyquicknessfromtheothersideoftheroom。"Thoughprobablyhisfriends，ifhehasany，wouldsaynotinhim。"

Therewassilenceintheroomafterthis，andDare，findinghimselfratherintheway，tookhisleaveasunostentatiouslyasacatthathasupsetthefamilychina，thoughhecontinuedtosayamonghisapologiesthathewasnotawareMr。Somersetwasapersonalfriendoftheladies。

OfallthethoughtswhichfilledthemindsofPaulaandCharlotteDeStancy，thethoughtthatthephotographmighthavebeenafabricationwasprobablythelast。TothemthatpictureofSomersethadallthecogencyofdirectvision。

Paula"sexperience，muchlessCharlotte"s，hadneverlaininthefieldsofheliographicscience，andtheywouldassoonhavethoughtthatthesuncouldagainstandstilluponGibeon，asthatitcouldbemadetofalsifymen"scharactersindelineatingtheirfeatures。WhatAbnerPowerthoughthehimselfbestknew。Hemighthaveseensuchpicturesbefore；

orhemightneverhaveheardofthem。

WhilepretendingtoresumehisreadinghecloselyobservedPaula，asdidalsoCharlotteDeStancy；butthankstotheself-managementwhichwasMissPower"sasmuchbynatureasbyart，shedissembledwhateveremotionwasinher。

"Itisapityaprofessionalmanshouldmakehimselfsoludicrous，"shesaidwithsuchcarelessintonationthatitwasalmostimpossible，evenforCharlotte，whoknewhersowell，tobelieveherindifferencefeigned。

"Yes，"saidMr。Power，sinceCharlottedidnotspeak:"itiswhatIscarcelyshouldhaveexpected。"

"O，Iamnotsurprised!"saidPaulaquickly。"Youdon"tknowall。"Theinferencewas，indeed，inevitablethatifheruncleweremadeawareofthetelegramhewouldseenothingunlikelyinthepicture。"Well，youareverysilent!"continuedPaulapetulantly，whenshefoundthatnobodywentontalking。"Whatmadeyoucryout"O，"Charlotte，whenMr。Daredroppedthathorridphotograph?"

"Idon"tknow；Isupposeitfrightenedme，"stammeredthegirl。

"Itwasastupidfusstomakebeforesuchaperson。OnewouldthinkyouwereinlovewithMr。Somerset。"

"Whatdidyousay，Paula?"inquiredheruncle，lookingupfromthenewspaperwhichhehadagainresumed。

"Nothing，UncleAbner。"Shewalkedtothewindow，and，asiftotideoverwhatwasplainlypassingintheirmindsabouther，shebegantomakeremarksonobjectsinthestreet。

"Whataquaintbeing——look，Charlotte!"Itwasanoldwomansittingbyastallontheoppositesideoftheway，whichseemedsuddenlytohitPaula"ssenseofthehumorous，thoughbeyondthefactthatthedamewasoldandpoor，andworeawhitehandkerchiefoverherhead，therewasreallynothingnoteworthyabouther。

Paulaseemedtobemorehurtbywhatthesilenceofhercompanionsimplied——asuspicionthatthediscoveryofSomerset"sdepravitywaswoundingherheart——thanbythewounditself。Theostensibleeasewithwhichshedrewthemintoabyeconversationhadperhapsthedefectofprovingtoomuch:

thoughhertacitcontentionthatnolovewasinquestionwasnotincredibleonthesuppositionthataffrontedpridealonecausedherembarrassment。ThechiefsymptomofherheartbeingreallytendertowardsSomersetconsistedinherapparentblindnesstoCharlotte"ssecret，soobviouslysuggestedbyhermomentaryagitation。

V。

Andwherewasthesubjectoftheircondemnatoryopinionsallthiswhile?Havingsecuredaroomathisinn，hecameforthtocompletethediscoveryofhisdearmistress"shalting-placewithoutdelay。AfteroneortwoinquiriesheascertainedwheresuchapartyofEnglishwerestaying；andarrivingatthehotel，knewatoncethathehadtrackedthemtoearthbyseeingtheheavierportionofthePowerluggageconfrontinghiminthehall。Hesentupintelligenceofhispresence，andawaitedherreplywithabeatingheart。

InthemeanwhileDare，descendingfromhisperniciousinterviewwithPaulaandtherest，haddescriedCaptainDeStancyinthepublicdrawing-room，andenteredtohimforthwith。ItwaswhiletheywereheretogetherthatSomersetpassedthedoorandsentuphisnametoPaula。

Theincidentattherailwaystationwasnowreversed，SomersetbeingtheobservedofDare，asDarehadthenbeentheobservedofSomerset。ImmediatelyonsightofhimDareshowedrealalarm。HehadimaginedthatSomersetwouldeventuallyimpingeonPaula"sroute，buthehadscarcelyexpectedityet；andthearchitect"ssuddenappearanceledDaretoaskhimselftheominousquestionwhetherSomersethaddiscoveredhistelegraphictrick，andwasinthemoodforpromptmeasures。

"Thereisnomoreformetodohere，"saidtheboyhastilytoDeStancy。"MissPowerdoesnotwishtoaskmeanymorequestions。Imayaswellproceedonmyway，asyouadvised。"

DeStancy，whohadalsogazedwithdismayatSomerset"spassingfigure，thoughwithdismayofanothersort，wasrecalledfromhisvexationbyDare"sremarks，andturninguponhimhesaidsharply，"Wellmayyoubeinsuchahurryallofasudden!"

"True，Iamsuperfluousnow。"

"Youhavebeendoingafoolishthing，andyoumustsufferitsinconveniences——Will，Iamsorryforonething；IamsorryI

everownedyou；foryouarenotaladtomyheart。Youhavedisappointedme——disappointedmealmostbeyondendurance。"

"Ihaveactedaccordingtomyillumination。Whatcanyouexpectofamanborntodishonour?"

"That"smerespeciousness。Beforeyouknewanythingofme，andwhileyouthoughtyouwerethechildofpovertyonbothsides，youwerewellenough；buteversinceyouthoughtyouweremorethanthat，youhaveledalifewhichisintolerable。

WhathasbecomeofyourplanofalliancebetweentheDeStancysandthePowersnow?Themanisgoneupstairswhocanoverthrowitall。"

"Ifthemanhadnotgoneupstairs，youwouldn"thavecomplainedofmynatureormyplans，"saidDaredrily。"IfI

mistakenot，hewillcomedownagainwiththefleainhisear。

However，Ihavedone；myplayisplayedout。Alltherestremainswithyou。But，captain，grantmethis!IfwhenIamgonethisdifficultyshouldvanish，andthingsshouldgowellwithyou，andyoursuitshouldprosper，willyouthinkofhim，badasheis，whofirstputyouonthetrackofsuchhappiness，andlethimknowitwasnotdoneinvain?"

"Iwill，"saidDeStancy。"Promisemethatyouwillbeabetterboy?"

"Verywell——assoonaseverIcanaffordit。NowIamupandaway，whenIhaveexplainedtothemthatIshallnotrequiremyroom。"

Darefetchedhisbag，touchedhishatwithhisumbrellatothecaptainandwentoutofthehotelarchway。DeStancysatdowninthestuffydrawing-room，andwonderedwhatotherironiestimehadinstoreforhim。

AwaiterintheinterimhadannouncedSomersettothegroupupstairs。PaulastartedasmuchasCharlotteathearingthename，andAbnerPowerstaredatthemboth。

"IfMr。SomersetwishestoseemeONBUSINESS，showhimin，"

saidPaula。

InafewsecondsthedoorwasthrownopenforSomerset。Onreceiptofthepointedmessageheguessedthatachangehadcome。Time，absence，ambition，heruncle"sinfluence，andanewwooer，seemedtoaccountsufficientlywellforthatchange，andheacceptedhisfate。Butastoicalinstincttoshowherthathecouldregardvicissitudeswiththeequanimitythatbecameaman；adesiretoeasehermindofanyfearshemightentertainthathisconnectionwithherpastwouldrenderhimtroublesomeinfuture，inducedhimtoacceptherpermission，andseetheacttotheend。

"Howdoyoudo，Mr。Somerset?"saidAbnerPower，withsardonicgeniality:hehadbeenfarenoughabouttheworldnottobegreatlyconcernedatSomerset"sapparentfailing，particularlywhenithelpedtoreducehimfromtherankoflovertohisniecetothatofprofessionaladviser。

MissDeStancyfalteredawelcomeasweakasthatoftheMaidofNeidpath，andPaulasaidcoldly，"Wearerathersurprisedtoseeyou。Perhapsthereissomethingurgentatthecastlewhichmakesitnecessaryforyoutocall?"

"Thereissomethingalittleurgent，"saidSomersetslowly，asheapproachedher；"andyouhavejudgedrightlythatitisthecauseofmycall。"Hesatdownnearherchairashespoke，putdownhishat，anddrewanote-bookfromhispocketwithadespairingsangfroidthatwasfarmoreperfectthanhadbeenPaula"sdemeanourjustbefore。

"PerhapsyouwouldliketotalkoverthebusinesswithMr。

Somersetalone?"murmuredCharlottetoMissPower，hardlyknowingwhatshesaid。

"Ono，"saidPaula，"Ithinknot。Isitnecessary?"shesaid，turningtohim。

"Notintheleast，"repliedhe，bestowingapenetratingglanceuponhisquestioner"sface，whichseemedhowevertoproducenoeffect；andturningtowardsCharlotte，headded，"Youwillhavethegoodness，Iamsure，MissDeStancy，toexcusethejargonofprofessionaldetails。"

Hespreadsometracingsonthetable，andpointedoutcertainmodifiedfeaturestoPaula，commentingashewenton，andexchangingoccasionallyafewwordsonthesubjectwithMr。

AbnerPowerbythedistantwindow。

Inthisarchitecturaldialogueoverhissketches，Somerset"sheadandPaula"sbecameunavoidablyveryclose。Thetemptationwastoomuchfortheyoungman。Undercoveroftherustleofthetracings，hemurmured，"Paula，Icouldnotgetherebefore!"inalowvoiceinaudibletotheothertwo。

Shedidnotreply，onlybusyingherselfthemorewiththenotesandsketches；andhesaidagain，"IstayedacoupleofdaysatGenoa，andsomedaysatSanRemo，andMentone。"

"Butitisnottheleastconcernofminewhereyoustayed，isit?"shesaid，withacoldyetdisquietedlook。

"Doyouspeakseriously?"Somersetbrokenlywhispered。

Paulaconcludedherexaminationofthedrawingsandturnedfromhimwithsorrowfuldisregard。Hetriednofurther，but，whenshehadsignifiedherpleasureonthepointssubmitted，packeduphispapers，androsewiththebearingofamanaltogethersuperiortosuchaclassofmisfortuneasthis。

BeforegoingheturnedtospeakafewwordsofageneralkindtoMr。PowerandCharlotte。

"Youwillstayanddinewithus?"saidtheformer，ratherwiththeairofbeingunhappilyabletodonolessthanaskthequestion。"Mychargesherewon"tgodowntothetable-d"hote，Ifear，butDeStancyandmyselfwillbethere。"

Somersetexcusedhimself，andinafewminuteswithdrew。Atthedoorhelookedroundforaninstant，andhiseyesmetPaula"s。Therewasthesamemiles-offexpressioninhersthattheyhadwornwhenheentered；buttherewasalsoalookofdistressfulinquiry，asifshewereearnestlyexpectinghimtosaysomethingmore。ThisofcourseSomersetdidnotcomprehend。Possiblyshewasclingingtoahopeofsomeexcuseforthemessagehewassupposedtohavesent，orfortheotherandmoredegradingmatter。Anyhow，Somersetonlybowedandwentaway。

Amomentafterhehadgone，Paula，impelledbysomethingorother，crossedtheroomtothewindow。Inashorttimeshesawhisforminthebroadstreetbelow，whichhetraversedobliquelytoanoppositecorner，hisheadsomewhatbent，andhiseyesontheground。BeforevanishingintotheRitterstrasseheturnedhisheadandglancedatthehotelwindows，asifheknewthatshewaswatchinghim。Thenhedisappeared；andtheonlyrealsignofemotionbetrayedbyPauladuringthewholeepisodeescapedheratthismoment。Itwasaslighttremblingofthelipandasighsoslowlybreathedthatscarceanybodycouldhear——scarcelyevenCharlotte，whowasrecliningonacouchherfaceonherhandandhereyesdowncast。

NotmorethantwominuteshadelapsedwhenMrs。Goodmancameinwithamannerofhaste。

"Youhavereturned，"saidMr。Power。"Haveyoumadeyourpurchases?"

Withoutanswering，sheasked，"Whom，ofallpeopleonearth，doyouthinkIhavemet?Mr。Somerset!Hashebeenhere?——hepassedmealmostwithoutspeaking!"

"Yes，hehasbeenhere，"saidPaula。"HeisonthewayfromGenoahome，andcalledonbusiness。"

"Youwillhavehimheretodinner，ofcourse?"

"Iaskedhim，"saidMr。Power，"buthedeclined。"

"O，that"sunfortunate!Surelywecouldgethimtocome。Youwouldliketohavehimhere，wouldyounot，Paula?"

"No，indeed。Idon"twanthimhere，"saidshe。

"Youdon"t?"

"No!"shesaidsharply。

"Youusedtolikehimwellenough，anyhow，"bluntlyrejoinedMrs。Goodman。

Paulasedately:"ItisamistaketosupposethatIeverparticularlylikedthegentlemanmentioned。"

"Thenyouarewrong，Mrs。Goodman，itseems，"saidMr。Power。

Mrs。Goodman，whohadbeengrowingquietlyindignant，notwithstandingavigoroususeofherfan，atthissaid。

"Fie，fie，Paula!youdidlikehim。Yousaidtomeonlyaweekortwoagothatyoushouldnotatallobjecttomarryhim。"

"Itisamistake，"repeatedPaulacalmly。"Imeanttheotheroneofthetwoweweretalkingabout。"

"What，CaptainDeStancy?"

"Yes。"

Knowingthistobeafiction，Mrs。Goodmanmadenoremark，andhearingaslightnoisebehind，turnedherhead。Seeingheraunt"saction，Paulaalsolookedround。Thedoorhadbeenleftajar，andDeStancywasstandingintheroom。ThelastwordsofMrs。Goodman，andPaula"sreply，musthavebeenquiteaudibletohim。

Theylookedateachothermuchasiftheyhadunexpectedlymetatthealtar；butafteramomentarystartPauladidnotflinchfromthepositionintowhichhurtpridehadbetrayedher。DeStancybowedgracefully，andshemerelywalkedtothefurthestwindow，whitherhefollowedher。

"IameternallygratefultoyouforavowingthatIhavewonfavourinyoursightatlast，"hewhispered。

Sheacknowledgedtheremarkwithasomewhatreservedbearing。

"ReallyIdon"tdeserveyourgratitude，"shesaid。"Ididnotknowyouwerethere。"

"Iknowyoudidnot——that"swhytheavowalissosweettome。

CanItakeyouatyourword?"

"Yes，Isuppose。"

"Thenyourpreferenceisthegreatesthonourthathaseverfallentomylot。Itisenough:youacceptme?"

"Asaloveronprobation——nomore。"

Theconversationbeingcarriedoninlowtones，Paula"suncleandaunttookitasahintthattheirpresencecouldbespared，andseverallylefttheroom——theformergladly，thelatterwithsomevexation。CharlotteDeStancyfollowed。

"AndtowhatamIindebtedforthishappychange?"inquiredDeStancy，assoonastheywerealone。

"Youshouldn"tlookagift-horseinthemouth，"sherepliedbrusquely，andwithtearsinhereyesforonegone。

"Youmistakemymotive。Iamlikeareprievedcriminal，andcanscarcelybelievethenews。"

"Youshouldn"tsaythattome，orIshallbegintothinkI

havebeentookind，"sheanswered，someofthearchnessofhermannerreturning。"Now，Iknowwhatyoumeantosayinanswer；butIdon"twanttohearmoreatpresent；andwhateveryoudo，don"tfallintothemistakeofsupposingIhaveacceptedyouinanyothersensethanthewayIsay。Ifyoudon"tlikesuchalimitationyoucangoaway。IdaresayI

shallgetoverit。"

"Goaway!CouldIgoaway?——Butyouarebeginningtotease，andwillsoonpunishmeseverely；soIwillmakemyescapewhilealliswell。Itwouldbepresumptuoustoexpectmoreinoneday。"

"Itwouldindeed，"saidPaula，withhereyesonabunchofflowers。

VI。

Onleavingthehotel，Somerset"sfirstimpulsewastogetoutofsightofitswindows，andhisglanceupwardhadperhapsnotthetendersignificancethatPaulaimagined，thelastlookimpelledbyanysuchwhiffofemotionhavingbeenthelingeringonehebestoweduponherinpassingoutoftheroom。

Unluckilyfortheprospectsofthisattachment，Paula"sconducttowardshimnow，asaresultofmisrepresentation，hadenoughincommonwithherprevioussilenceatNicetomakeitnotunreasonableasafurtherdevelopmentofthatsilence。

Moreover，hersocialpositionasawomanofwealth，alwaysfeltbySomersetasaperceptiblebartothatfullandfreeeagernesswithwhichhewouldfainhaveapproachedher，rendereditimpossibleforhimtoreturntothecharge，ascertainthereasonofhercoldness，anddispelitbyanexplanation，withoutbeingsuspectedofmercenaryobjects。

Continuallydoesithappenthatagenialwillingnesstobottleupaffrontsissetdowntointerestedmotivesbythosewhodonotknowwhatgenerousconductmeans。HadsheoccupiedthefinancialpositionofMissDeStancyhewouldreadilyhavepersistedfurtherand，notimprobably，haveclearedupthecloud。

HavingnofurtherinterestinCarlsruhe，Somersetdecidedtoleavebyaneveningtrain。Theinterveninghourhespentinwanderingintothethickofthefair，wheresteamroundabouts，theproprietorsofwax-workshows，andfancy-stallkeepersmaintainedadeafeningdin。Theanimatedenvironmentwasbetterthansilence，foritfosteredinhimanartificialindifferencetotheeventsthathadjusthappened——anindifferencewhich，thoughhetoowellknewitwasonlydestinedtobetemporary，affordedapassiveperiodwhereintostoreupstrengththatshouldenablehimtowithstandthewearandtearofregretswhichwouldsurelysetinsoon。ItwasthecasewithSomersetaswithothersofhistemperament，thathedidnotfeelablowofthissortimmediately；andwhatoftenseemedlikestoicismaftermisfortunewasonlytheneutralnumbnessoftransitionfrompalpitatinghopetoassuredwretchedness。

Hewalkedroundandroundthefairtillalltheexhibitorsknewhimbysight，andwhenthesungotlowheturnedintotheErbprinzen-Strasse，nowrakedfromendtoendbyensaffronedraysoflevellight。Seekinghishotelhedinedthere，andleftbytheeveningtrainforHeidelberg。

HeidelbergwithitsromanticsurroundingswasnotpreciselytheplacecalculatedtohealSomerset"swoundedheart。Hehadknownthetownofyore，andhisrecollectionsofthatperiod，when，unfetteredinfancy，hehadtransferredtohissketch-

bookthefineRenaissancedetailsoftheOtto-Heinrichs-Baucamebackwithunpleasantforce。Heknewofsomecarvedcask-

headsandothercuriouswood-workinthecastlecellars，copiesofwhich，beingunobtainablebyphotographs，hehadintendedtomakeifallwentwellbetweenPaulaandhimself。