第17章

Thezestforthiswasnowwell-nighover。Butonawakinginthemorningandlookingupthevalleytowardsthecastle，andatthedarkgreenheightoftheKonigsstuhlalongside，hefeltthattobecomevanquishedbyapassion，driventosuffer，fast，andprayinthedullpainsandvapoursofdespisedlove，wasacontingencynottobewelcomedtooreadily。Thereuponhesethimselftolearnthesadscienceofrenunciation，whicheverybodyhastolearninhisdegree——eitherrebellingthroughoutthelesson，or，likeSomerset，takingtoitkindlybyforceofjudgment。Amoreobstinatepupilmighthavealtogetherescapedthelessoninthepresentcasebydiscoveringitsillegality。

Resolvingtopersevereintheheretoforesatisfactorypathsofartwhilelifeandfacultieswereleft，thougheveryinstinctmustproclaimthattherewouldbenolongeranycollateralattractioninthatpursuit，hewentalongunderthetreesoftheAnlageandreachedthecastlevaults，inwhosecoolshadeshespenttheafternoon，workingouthisintentionswithfairresult。Whenhehadstrolledbacktohishotelintheeveningthetimewasapproachingforthetable-d"hote。Havingseatedhimselfratherearly，hespentthefewminutesofwaitinginlookingoverhispocket-book，andputtingafewfinishingtouchestotheafternoonperformancewhilsttheobjectswerefreshinhismemory。Thusoccupiedhewasbutdimlyconsciousofthecustomaryrustleofdressesandpullingupofchairsbythecrowdofotherdinersastheygatheredaroundhim。

Servingbegan，andheputawayhisbookandpreparedforthemeal。Hehadhardlydonethiswhenhebecameconsciousthatthepersononhislefthandwasnotthetypicalcosmopolitewithboundlesshotelknowledgeandirrelevantexperiencesthathewasaccustomedtofindnexthim，butafaceherecognizedasthatofayoungmanwhomhehadmetandtalkedtoatStancyCastlegarden-party，whosenamehehadnowforgotten。Thisyoungfellowwasconversingwithsomebodyonhislefthand——nootherpersonagethanPaulaherself。NexttoPaulahebeheldDeStancy，andDeStancy"ssisterbeyondhim。Itwasoneofthosegratuitousencounterswhichonlyhappentodiscardedloverswhohaveshowncommendablestoicismunderdisappointment，asifonpurposetoreopenandaggravatetheirwounds。

Itseemedasiftheinterveningtravellerhadmettheotherpartybyaccidentthereandthen。InaminuteheturnedandrecognizedSomerset，andbydegreestheyoungmen"scursoryremarkstoeachotherdevelopedintoaprettyregularconversation，interruptedonlywhenheturnedtospeaktoPaulaonhislefthand。

"Yourarchitecturaladvisertravelsinyourparty:howveryconvenient，"saidtheyoungtouristtoher。"Farpleasanterthanhavingamedicalattendantinone"strain!"

Somerset，whohadnodistractionsontheothersideofhim，couldheareverywordofthis。HeglancedatPaula。Shehadnotknownofhispresenceintheroomtillnow。Theireyesmetforasecond，andshebowedsedately。Somersetreturnedherbow，andhereyeswerequicklywithdrawnwithscarcelyvisibleconfusion。

"Mr。Somersetisnottravellingwithus，"shesaid。"Wehavemetbyaccident。Mr。Somersetcametomeonbusinessalittlewhileago。"

"Imustcongratulateyouonhavingputthecastleintogoodhands，"continuedtheenthusiasticyoungman。

"IbelieveMr。Somersetisquitecompetent，"saidPaulastiffly。

ToincludeSomersetintheconversationtheyoungmanturnedtohimandadded:"Youcarryonyourworkatthecastleconamore，nodoubt?"

"ThereisworkIshouldlikebetter，"saidSomerset。

"Indeed?"

Thefrigidityofhismannerseemedtosetherateasebydispersingallfearofascene；andalternatedialoguesofthissortwiththegentlemanintheirmidstweremoreorlesscontinuedbybothPaulaandSomersettilltheyrosefromtable。

Inthebustleofmovingoutthetwolatterforonemomentstoodsidebyside。

"MissPower，"saidSomerset，inalowvoicethatwasobscuredbytherustle，"youhavenothingmoretosaytome?"

"Ithinkthereisnothingmore?"saidPaula，liftinghereyeswithlongingreticence。

"ThenItakeleaveofyou；andtendermybestwishesthatyoumayhaveapleasanttimebeforeyou!……IsetoutforEnglandto-night。"

"Withaspecialphotographer，nodoubt?"

ItwasthefirsttimethatshehadaddressedSomersetwithameaningdistinctlybitter；andherremark，whichhadreferencetotheforgedphotograph，fellofcoursewithoutitsintendedeffect。

"No，MissPower，"saidSomersetgravely。"Butwithadeepersenseofwoman"sthoughtlesstriflingthantimewillevereradicate。"

"Isnotthatamistake?"sheaskedinavoicethatdistinctlytrembled。

"Amistake?How?"

"Imean，doyounotforgetmanythings?"(throwingonhimatroubledglance)。"Awomanmayfeelherselfjustifiedinherconduct，althoughitadmitsofnoexplanation。"

"Idon"tcontestthepointforamoment……Goodbye。"

"Good-bye。"

Theypartedamidthefloweringshrubsandcagedbirdsinthehall，andhesawhernomore。DeStancycameup，andspokeafewcommonplacewords，hissisterhavinggoneout，eitherwithoutperceivingSomerset，orwithintentiontoavoidhim。

Thatnight，ashehadsaid，hewasonhiswaytoEngland。

VII。

TheDeStancysandPowersremainedinHeidelbergforsomedays。AllremarkedthatafterSomerset"sdeparturePaulawasfrequentlyirritable，thoughatothertimesassereneasever。

Yetevenwheninablitheandsaucymoodtherewasatbottomatingeofmelancholy。Somethingdidnotlieeasyinherundemonstrativeheart，andallherfriendsexcusedtheinequalitiesofahumourwhosesource，thoughnotpositivelyknown，couldbefairlywellguessed。

DeStancyhadlongsincediscoveredthathischancelaychieflyinherrecentlyacquiredandfancifulpredilectiond"artisteforhoarymediaevalfamilieswithancestorsinalabasterandprimogenitiverenown。Seeingthishedweltonthosetopicswhichbroughtoutthataspectofhimselfmoreclearly，talkingfeudalismandchivalrywithazestthathehadneverhithertoshown。Yetitwasnotaltogetherfactitious。For，discoveringhowmuchthisquondamPuritanwasinterestedintheattributesoflong-chronicledhouses，areflectedinterestinhimselfaroseinhisownsoul，andhebegantowonderwhyhehadnotprizedthesethingsbefore。

Tillnowdisgustedbythefailureofhisfamilytoholditsownintheturmoilbetweenancientandmodern，hehadgrowntoundervalueitspastprestige；anditwaswithcorrectiveardourthatheadoptedwhileheministeredtoherviews。

HenceforwardthewooingofDeStancytooktheformofanintermittentaddress，theincidentsoftheirtravelfurnishingpegswhereontohanghissubject；sometimeshinderingit，butseldomfailingtoproduceinheragreatertoleranceofhispresence。HisnextopportunitywasthedayafterSomerset"sdeparturefromHeidelberg。TheystoodonthegreatterraceoftheSchloss-Garten，lookingacrosstheinterveningravinetothenorth-eastfrontofthecastlewhichrosebeforetheminallitscustomarywarmtintsandbatteredmagnificence。

"Thisisaspot，ifany，whichshouldbringmatterstoacrisisbetweenyouandme，"heassertedgood-humouredly。"Butyouhavebeensosilentto-daythatIlosethespirittotakeadvantageofmyprivilege。"

Sheinquiredwhatprivilegehespokeof，asifquiteanothersubjecthadbeeninhermindthanDeStancy。

"TheprivilegeofwinningyourheartifIcan，whichyougavemeatCarlsruhe。"

"O，"shesaid。"Well，I"vebeenthinkingofthat。ButIdonotfeelmyselfabsolutelyboundbythestatementImadeinthatroom；andIshallexpect，ifIwithdrawit，nottobecalledtoaccountbyyou。"

DeStancylookedratherblank。

"Ifyourecedefromyourpromiseyouwilldoubtlesshavegoodreason。ButImustsolemnlybegyou，afterraisingmyhopes，tokeepasnearasyoucantoyourword，soasnottothrowmeintoutterdespair。"

PauladroppedherglanceintotheThier-Gartenbelowthem，wheregaypromenaderswereclamberingupbetweenthebushesandflowers。Atlengthshesaid，withevidentembarrassment，butwithmuchdistinctness:"IdeservemuchmoreblameforwhatIhavedonethanyoucanexpresstome。Iwillconfesstoyouthewholetruth。AllthatItoldyouinthehotelatCarlsruhewassaidinamomentofpiqueatwhathadhappenedjustbeforeyoucamein。ItwassupposedIwasmuchinvolvedwithanotherman，andcircumstancesmadethesuppositionparticularlyobjectionable。ToescapeitIjumpedatthealternativeofyourself。"

"That"sbadforme!"hemurmured。

"IfafterthisavowalyoubindmetomywordsIshallsaynomore:Idonotwishtorecedefromthemwithoutyourfullpermission。"

"Whatacaprice!ButIreleaseyouunconditionally，"hesaid。

"AndIbegyourpardonifIseemedtoshowtoomuchassurance。

Pleaseputitdowntomygratifiedexcitement。Ientirelyacquiesceinyourwish。Iwillgoawaytowhateverplaceyouplease，andnotcomenearyoubutbyyourownpermission，andtillyouarequitesatisfiedthatmypresenceandwhatitmayleadtoisnotundesirable。Ientirelygivewaybeforeyou，andwillendeavourtomakemyfuturedevotedness，ifeverwemeetagain，anewgroundforexpectingyourfavour。"

Paulaseemedstruckbythegenerousandcheerfulfairnessofhisremarks，andsaidgently，"Perhapsyourdepartureisnotabsolutelynecessaryformyhappiness；andIdonotwishfromwhatyoucallcaprice——"

"Iretractthatword。"

"Well，whateveritis，Idon"twishyoutodoanythingwhichshouldcauseyourealpain，ortrouble，orhumiliation。"

"That"sverygoodofyou。"

"ButIreservetomyselftherighttoacceptorrefuseyouraddresses——justasifthoserashwordsofminehadneverbeenspoken。"

"ImustbearitallasbestIcan，Isuppose，"saidDeStancy，withmelancholyhumorousness。

"AndIshalltreatyouasyourbehaviourshallseemtodeserve，"shesaidplayfully。

"ThenImaystay?"

"Yes；Iamwillingtogiveyouthatpleasure，ifitisone，inreturnfortheattentionsyouhaveshown，andthetroubleyouhavetakentomakemyjourneypleasant。"

ShewalkedonanddiscoveredMrs。Goodmannear，andpresentlythewholepartymettogether。DeStancydidnotfindhimselfagainathersidetilllaterintheafternoon，whentheyhadlefttheimmediateprecinctsofthecastleanddecidedonadrivetotheKonigsstuhl。

Thecarriage，containingonlyMrs。Goodman，wasdrivenashortwayupthewindingincline，Paula，heruncle，andMissDeStancywalkingbehindundertheshadowofthetrees。ThenMrs。Goodmancalledtothemandaskedwhentheyweregoingtojoinher。

"Wearegoingtowalkup，"saidMr。Power。

Paulaseemedseizedwithaspiritofboisterousnessquiteunlikeherusualbehaviour。"Myauntmaydriveup，andyoumaywalkup；butIshallrunup，"shesaid。"See，here"saway。"Shetrippedtowardsapaththroughthebusheswhich，insteadofwindingliketheregulartrack，madestraightforthesummit。

Paulahadnottheremotestconceptionoftheactualdistancetothetop，imaginingittobebutacoupleofhundredyardsattheoutside，whereasitwasreallyneareramile，theascentbeinguniformlysteepalltheway。WhenheruncleandDeStancyhadseenhervanishtheystoodstill，theformerevidentlyreluctanttoforsaketheeasyascentforadifficultone，thoughhesaid，"Wecan"tlethergoalonethatway，I

suppose。"

"No，ofcoursenot，"saidDeStancy。

TheythenfollowedinthedirectiontakenbyPaula，Charlotteenteringthecarriage。WhenPowerandDeStancyhadascendedaboutfiftyyardstheformerlookedback，anddroppedofffromthepursuit，toreturntotheeasyroute，givinghiscompanionapartinghintconcerningPaula。WhereuponDeStancywentonalone。HesoonsawPaulaabovehiminthepath，whichascendedskywardstraightasJacob"sLadder，butwassooverhungbythebrushwoodastobequiteshutoutfromthesun。Whenhereachedhersideshewasmovingeasilyupward，apparentlyenjoyingtheseclusionwhichtheplaceafforded。

"Isnotmyunclewithyou?"shesaid，onturningandseeinghim。

"Hewentback，"saidDeStancy。

Sherepliedthatitwasofnoconsequence；thatsheshouldmeethimatthetop，shesupposed。

Paulalookedupamidthegreenlightwhichfilteredthroughtheleafageasfarashereyescouldstretch。Butthetopdidnotappear，andsheallowedDeStancytogetinfront。"Itdidnotseemsuchalongwayasthis，tolookat，"shepresentlysaid。

Heexplainedthatthetreeshaddeceivedherastotherealheight，byreasonofherseeingtheslopeforeshortenedwhenshelookedupfromthecastle。"Allowmetohelpyou，"headded。

"No，thankyou，"saidPaulalightly；"wemustbenearthetop。"

Theywentonagain；butnoKonigsstuhl。WhennextDeStancyturnedhefoundthatshewassittingdown；immediatelygoingbackheofferedhisarm。Shetookitinsilence，declaringthatitwasnowonderheruncledidnotcomethatwearisomeway，ifhehadeverbeentherebefore。

DeStancydidnotexplainthatMr。Powerhadsaidtohimatparting，"There"sachanceforyou，ifyouwantone，"butatoncewentonwiththesubjectbegunontheterrace。"Ifmybehaviourisgood，youwillreaffirmthestatementmadeatCarlsruhe?"

"Itisnotfairtobeginthatnow!"expostulatedPaula；"Icanonlythinkofgettingtothetop。"

Hercolourdeepeningbytheexertion，hesuggestedthatsheshouldsitdownagainononeofthemossybouldersbythewayside。Nothinglothshedid，DeStancystandingby，andwithhiscanescratchingthemossfromthestone。

"Thisisratherawkward，"saidPaula，inherusualcircumspectway。"Myrelativesandyoursisterwillbesuretosuspectmeofhavingarrangedthisscramblewithyou。"

"ButIknowbetter，"sighedDeStancy。"IwishtoHeavenyouhadarrangedit!"

Shewasnotatthetop，butshetookadvantageofthehalttoanswerhispreviousquestion。"TherearemanypointsonwhichImustbesatisfiedbeforeIcanreaffirmanything。Doyounotseethatyouaremistakeninclingingtothisidea?——thatyouarelayingupmortificationanddisappointmentforyourself?"

"Anegativereplyfromyouwouldbedisappointment，earlyorlate。"

"Andyoupreferhavingitlatetoacceptingitnow?IfIwereaman，Ishouldliketoabandonafalsescentassoonaspossible。"

"Isupposeallthathasbutonemeaning:thatIamtogo。"

"Ono，"shemagnanimouslyassuredhim，boundingupfromherseat；"Iadheretomystatementthatyoumaystay；thoughitistruesomethingmaypossiblyhappentomakemealtermymind。"

Heagainofferedhisarm，andfromsheernecessitysheleantuponitasbefore。

"Grantmebutamoment"spatience，"hebegan。

"CaptainDeStancy!Isthisfair?Iamphysicallyobligedtoholdyourarm，sothatIMUSTlistentowhatyousay!"

"No，itisnotfair；"ponmysoulitisnot!"saidDeStancy。

"Iwon"tsayanotherword。"

Hedidnot；andtheyclamberedonthroughtheboughs，nothingdisturbingthesolitudebuttherustleoftheirownfootstepsandthesingingofbirdsoverhead。Theyoccasionallygotapeepatthesky；andwheneveratwighungoutinapositiontostrikePaula"sfacethegallantcaptainbentitasidewithhisstick。Butshedidnotthankhim。Perhapshewasjustaswellsatisfiedasifshehaddoneso。

Paula，panting，brokethesilence:"Willyougoon，anddiscoverifthetopisnear?"

Hewenton。Thistimethetopwasnear。Whenhereturnedshewassittingwherehehadleftheramongtheleaves。"Itisquitenearnow，"hetoldhertenderly，andshetookhisarmagainwithoutaword。Soonthepathchangeditsnaturefromasteepandruggedwatercoursetoalevelgreenpromenade。

"Thankyou，CaptainDeStancy，"shesaid，lettinggohisarmasifrelieved。

Beforethemrosethetower，andatthebasetheybeheldtwooftheirfriends，Mr。Powerbeingseenabove，lookingovertheparapetthroughhisglass。

"Youwillgotothetopnow?"saidDeStancy。

"No，Itakenointerestinit。Myinteresthasturnedtofatigue。Ionlywanttogohome。"

Hetookherontowherethecarriagestoodatthefootofthetower，andleavingherwithhissisterascendedtheturrettothetop。Thelandscapehadquitechangedfromitsafternoonappearance，andhadbecomerathermarvellousthanbeautiful。

Theairwaschargedwithaluridexhalationthatblurredtheextensiveview。HecouldseethedistantRhineatitsjunctionwiththeNeckar，shininglikeathreadofbloodthroughthemistwhichwasgraduallywrappingupthedecliningsun。Thescenehadinitsomethingthatwasmorethanmelancholy，andnotmuchlessthantragic；butforDeStancysucheveningeffectspossessedlittlemeaning。Hewasengagedinanenterprisethattaxedallhisresources，andhadnosentimentstospareforair，earth，orskies。

"Remarkablescene，"saidPower，mildly，athiselbow。

"Yes；Idaresayitis，"saidDeStancy。"TimehasbeenwhenIshouldhaveheldforthuponsuchaprospect，andwonderedifitslividcoloursshadowedoutmyownlife，etcaetera，etcaetera。But，begad，Ihavealmostforgottenthere"ssuchathingasNature，andIcarefornothingbutacomfortablelife，andacertainwomanwhodoesnotcareforme!……Nowshallwegodown?"

VIII。

ItwasquitetruethatDeStancyatthepresentperiodofhisexistencewishedonlytoescapefromthehurly-burlyofactivelife，andtowintheaffectionofPaulaPower。Therewere，however，occasionswhenarecollectionofhisoldrenunciatoryvowswouldobtrudeitselfuponhim，andtingehispresentwithwaywardbitterness。SomuchwasthisthecasethatadayortwoaftertheyhadarrivedatMainzhecouldnotrefrainfrommakingremarksalmostprejudicialtohiscause，sayingtoher，"Iamunfortunateinmysituation。Thereare，unhappily，worldlyreasonswhyIshouldpretendtoloveyou，evenifIdonot:theyaresostrongthat，thoughreallylovingyou，perhapstheyenterintomythoughtsofyou。"

"Idon"twanttoknowwhatsuchreasonsare，"saidPaula，withpromptness，foritrequiredbutlittleastutenesstodiscoverthathealludedtothealienatedWessexhomeandestates。

"Youlacktone，"shegentlyadded:"that"swhythesituationofaffairsseemsdistastefultoyou。"

"Yes，IsupposeIamill。AndyetIamwellenough。"

TheseremarkspassedunderatreeinthepublicgardensduringanoddminuteofwaitingforCharlotteandMrs。Goodman；andhesaidnomoretoherinprivatethatday。Fewasherwordshadbeenhelikedthembetterthananyhehadlatelyreceived。

Theconversationwasnotresumedtilltheyweregliding"betweenthebanksthatbearthevine，"onboardoneoftheRhinesteamboats，which，likethehotelsinthisearlysummertime，werecomparativelyfreefromotherEnglishtravellers；

sothateverywherePaulaandherpartywerereceivedwithopenarmsandcheerfulcountenances，asamongthefirstswallowsoftheseason。

Thesaloonofthesteamboatwasquiteempty，thefewpassengersbeingoutside；andthispaucityofvoyagersaffordedDeStancyaroomyopportunity。

Paulasawhimapproachher，andthereappearinginhisfacesignsthathewouldbeginagainontheeternalsubject，sheseemedtobestruckwithasenseoftheludicrous。

DeStancyreddened。"Somethingseemstoamuseyou，"hesaid。

"Itisover，"shereplied，becomingserious。

"Wasitaboutme，andthisunhappyfeverinme?"

"IfIspeakthetruthImustsayitwas。"

"Youthought，"Here"sthatabsurdmanagain，goingtobeginhisdailysupplication。""

"Not"absurd，""shesaid，withemphasis；"becauseIdon"tthinkitisabsurd。"

ShecontinuedlookingthroughthewindowsattheLurleiHeightsunderwhichtheywerenowpassing，andheremainedwithhiseyesonher。

"MayIstayherewithyou?"hesaidatlast。"Ihavenothadawordwithyoualoneforfour-and-twentyhours。"

"Youmustbecheerful，then。"

"Youhavesaidsuchasthatbefore。Iwishyouwouldsay"loving"insteadof"cheerful。""

"Yes，Iknow，Iknow，"sheresponded，withimpatientperplexity。"Butwhymustyouthinkofme——meonly?Istherenootherwomanintheworldwhohasthepowertomakeyouhappy?Iamsuretheremustbe。"

"Perhapsthereis；butIhaveneverseenher。"

"Thenlookforher；andbelievemewhenIsaythatyouwillcertainlyfindher。"

Heshookhishead。

"CaptainDeStancy，Ihavelongfeltforyou，"shecontinued，withafrankglanceintohisface。"Youhavedeprivedyourselftoolongofotherwomen"scompany。Whynotgoawayforalittletime?andwhenyouhavefoundsomebodyelselikelytomakeyouhappy，youcanmeetmeagain。Iwillseeyouatyourfather"shouse，andwewillenjoyallthepleasureofeasyfriendship。"

"Verycorrect；andverycold，Obestofwomen!"

"Youaretoofullofexclamationsandtransports，Ithink!"

Theystoodinsilence，Paulaapparentlymuchinterestedinthemanoeuvringofaraftwhichwaspassingby。"DearMissPower，"heresumed，"beforeIgoandjoinyouruncleabove，letmejustask，DoIstandanychanceatallyet?Isitpossibleyoucanneverbemorepliantthanyouhavebeen?"

"Youputmeoutofallpatience!"

"Butwhydidyouraisemyhopes?Youshouldatleastpitymeafterdoingthat。"

"Yes；it"sthatagain!IunfortunatelyraisedyourhopesbecauseIwasafool——wasnotmyselfthatmoment。Nowquestionmenomore。AsitisIthinkyoupresumetoomuchuponmybecomingyoursastheconsequenceofmyhavingdismissedanother。"

"Notonbecomingmine，butonlisteningtome。"

"YourargumentwouldbereasonableenoughhadIledyoutobelieveIwouldlistentoyou——andultimatelyacceptyou；butthatIhavenotdone。Iseenowthatawomanwhogivesamananansweroneshadelessperemptorythanaharshnegativemaybecarriedbeyondherintentions，andoutofherownpowerbeforesheknowsit。"

"Chidemeifyouwill；Idon"tcare!"

Shelookedsteadfastlyathimwithalittlemischiefinhereyes。"YouDOcare，"shesaid。

"Thenwhydon"tyoulistentome?Iwouldnotpersevereforamomentlongerifitwereagainstthewishesofyourfamily。

Yourunclesaysitwouldgivehimpleasuretoseeyouacceptme。"

"Doeshesaywhy?"sheaskedthoughtfully。

"Yes；hetakes，ofcourse，apracticalviewofthematter；hethinksitcommendsitselfsotoreasonandcommonsensethattheownerofStancyCastleshouldbecomeamemberoftheDeStancyfamily。"

"Yes，that"sthehorridplagueofit，"shesaid，withanonchalancewhichseemedtocontradictherwords。"Itissodreadfullyreasonablethatweshouldmarry。Iwishitwasn"t!"

"Well，youareyoungerthanI，andperhapsthat"sanaturalwish。Buttomeitseemsafelicitouscombinationnotoftenmetwith。Iconfessthatyourinterestinourfamilybeforeyouknewmelentastabilitytomyhopesthatotherwisetheywouldnothavehad。"

"MyinterestintheDeStancyshasnotbeenapersonalinterestexceptinthecaseofyoursister，"shereturned。

"Ithasbeenanhistoricalinterestonly；andisnotatallincreasedbyyourexistence。"

"Andperhapsitisnotdiminished?"

"No，Iamnotawarethatitisdiminished，"shemurmured，assheobservedtheglidingshore。

"Well，youwillallowmetosaythis，sinceIsayitwithoutreferencetoyourpersonalityortomine——thatthePowerandDeStancyfamiliesarethecomplementstoeachother；andthat，abstractedly，theycallearnestlytooneanother:"Howneatandfitathingforustojoinhands!""

Paula，whowasnotprudishwhenadirectappealwasmadetohercommonsense，answeredwithreadycandour:"Yes，fromthepointofviewofdomesticpolitics，thatundoubtedlyisthecase。ButIhopeIamnotsocalculatingastoriskhappinessinordertoroundoffasocialidea。"

"Ihopenot；orthatIameither。Stillthesocialideaexists，andmyincreasedyearsmakeitsexcellencemoreobvioustomethantoyou。"

Theiceoncebrokenonthisaspectofthequestion，thesubjectseemedfurthertoengrossher，andshespokeonasifdaringlyinclinedtoventurewhereshehadneveranticipatedgoing，derivingpleasurefromtheverystrangenessofhertemerity:"YoumeanthatinthefitnessofthingsIoughttobecomeaDeStancytostrengthenmysocialposition?"

"AndthatIoughttostrengthenminebyalliancewiththeheiressofanamesodeartoengineeringscienceasPower。"

"Well，wearetalkingwithunexpectedfrankness。"

"Butyouarenotseriouslydispleasedwithmeforsayingwhat，afterall，onecan"thelpfeelingandthinking?"

"No。Onlybesogoodastoleaveoffgoingfurtherforthepresent。Indeed，ofthetwo，Iwouldratherhavetheothersortofaddress。Imean，"shehastilyadded，"thatwhatyouurgeastheresultofarealaffection，howeverunsuitable，I

havesomeremotesatisfactioninlisteningto——nottheleastfromanyreciprocalloveonmyside，butfromawoman"sgratificationatbeingtheobjectofanybody"sdevotion；forthatfeelingtowardsherisalwaysregardedasameritinawoman"seye，andtakenasakindnessbyher，evenwhenitisattheexpenseofherconvenience。"

Shehadsaid，voluntarilyorinvoluntarily，betterthingsthanheexpected，andperhapstoomuchinherownopinion，forshehardlygavehimanopportunityofreplying。

TheypassedSt。GoarandBoppard，andwhensteeringroundthesharpbendoftheriverjustbeyondthelatterplaceDeStancymetheragain，exclaiming，"Youleftmeverysuddenly。"

"Youmustmakeallowances，please，"shesaid；"Ihavealwaysstoodinneedofthem。"

"Thenyoushallalwayshavethem。"

"Idon"tdoubtit，"shesaidquickly；butPaulawasnottobecaughtagain，andkeptclosetothesideofherauntwhiletheyglidedpastBraubackandOberlahnstein。ApproachingCoblenzherauntsaid，"Paula，letmesuggestthatyoubenotsomuchalonewithCaptainDeStancy。"

"Andwhy?"saidPaulaquietly。

"You"llhaveplentyofoffersifyouwantthem，withouttakingtrouble，"saidthedirectMrs。Goodman。"Yourexistenceishardlyknowntotheworldyet，andCaptainDeStancyistoonearmiddle-ageforagirllikeyou。"Pauladidnotreplytoeitheroftheseremarks，beingseeminglysointerestedinEhrenbreitstein"sheightsasnottohearthem。

IX。

ItwasmidnightatCoblenz，andthetravellershadretiredtorestintheirrespectiveapartments，overlookingtheriver。

Findingthattherewasamoonshining，Paulaleantoutofherwindow。ThetallrockofEhrenbreitsteinontheoppositeshorewasfloodedwithlight，andabelatedsteamerwasdrawinguptothelanding-stage，whereitpresentlydepositeditspassengers。

"Weshouldhavecomebythelastboat，soastohavebeentouchedintoromancebytheraysofthismoon，likethosehappypeople，"saidavoice。

Shelookedtowardsthespotwhencethevoiceproceeded，whichwasawindowquitenearathand。DeStancywassmokingoutsideit，andshebecameawarethatthewordswereaddressedtoher。

"Youleftmeveryabruptly，"hecontinued。

Paula"sinstinctofcautionimpelledhertospeak。

"Thewindowsareallopen，"shemurmured。"Pleasebecareful。"

"TherearenoEnglishinthishotelexceptourselves。Ithankyouforwhatyousaidto-day。"

"Pleasebecareful，"sherepeated。

"MydearMissP——"

"Don"tmentionnames，anddon"tcontinuethesubject!"

"Lifeanddeathperhapsdependuponmyrenewingitsoon!"

Sheshutthewindowdecisively，possiblywonderingifDeStancyhaddrunkaglassortwoofSteinbergmorethanwasgoodforhim，andsawnomoreofmoonlitEhrenbreitsteinthatnight，andheardnomoreofDeStancy。Butitwassometimebeforeheclosedhiswindow，andprevioustodoingsosawadarkformatanadjoiningoneontheotherside。

ItwasMr。Power，alsotakingtheair。"Well，whatluckto-

day?"saidPower。

"Adecidedadvance，"saidDeStancy。

Noneofthespeakersknewthatalittlepersonintheroomaboveheardallthisout-of-windowtalk。Charlotte，thoughnotlookingout，hadlefthercasementopen；andwhatreachedherearssetherwonderingastotheresult。

ItisnotnecessarytodetailinfullDeStancy"simperceptibleadvanceswithPauladuringthatnorthwardjourney——soslowlyperformedthatitseemedasifshemustperceivetherewasaspecialreasonfordelayingherreturntoEngland。AtCologneonedayheconvenientlyovertookherwhenshewasascendingthehotelstaircase。Seeinghim，shewenttothewindowoftheentresollanding，whichcommandedaviewoftheRhine，meaningthatheshouldpassbytohisroom。

"Ihavebeenveryuneasy，"beganthecaptain，drawinguptoherside；"andIamobligedtotroubleyousoonerthanImeanttodo。"

Paulaturnedhereyesuponhimwithsomecuriosityastowhatwascomingofthisrespectfuldemeanour。"Indeed!"shesaid，Hetheninformedherthathehadbeenoverhaulinghimselfsincetheylasttalked，andhadsomereasontoblamehimselfforbluntnessandgeneralwantofeuphemism；which，althoughhehadmeantnothingbyit，musthavebeenverydisagreeabletoher。Buthehadalwaysaimedatsincerity，particularlyashehadtodealwithaladywhodespisedhypocrisyandwasaboveflattery。However，hefearedhemighthavecarriedhisdisregardforconventionalitytoofar。Butfromthattimehewouldpromisethatsheshouldfindanalterationbywhichhehopedhemightreturnthefriendshipatleastofayoungladyhehonouredmorethananyotherintheworld。

Thisretrogrademovementwasevidentlyunexpectedbythehonouredyoungladyherself。Afterbeingsolongaccustomedtorebukehimforhispersistencetherewasnoveltyinfindinghimdotheworkforher。Theguessmightevenhavebeenhazardedthattherewasalsodisappointment。

StilllookingacrosstheriveratthebridgeofboatswhichstretchedtotheoppositesuburbofDeutz:"Youneednotblameyourself，"shesaid，withthemildestconceivablemanner，"Icanmakeallowances。AllIwishisthatyoushouldremainundernomisapprehension。"

"Icomprehend，"hesaidthoughtfully。"Butsince，byaperversefate，Ihavebeenthrownintoyourcompany，youcouldhardlyexpectmetofeelandactotherwise。"

"Perhapsnot。"

"SinceIhavesomuchreasontobedissatisfiedwithmyself，"

headded，"Icannotrefrainfromcriticizingelsewheretoaslightextent，andthinkingIhavetodowithanungenerousperson。"

"Whyungenerous?"

"Inthisway；thatsinceyoucannotloveme，youseenoreasonatallfortryingtodosointhefactthatIsodeeplyloveyou；henceIsaythatyouarerathertobedistinguishedbyyourwisdomthanbyyourhumanity。"

"Itcomestothis，thatifyourwordsareallseriouslymeantitismuchtoberegrettedweevermet，"shemurmured。"Nowwillyougoontowhereyouweregoing，andleavemehere?"

Withoutaremonstrancehewenton，sayingwithdejectedwhimsicalityashesmiledbackuponher，"Youshowawisdomwhichforsoyoungaladyisperfectlysurprising。"

ItwasresolvedtoprolongthejourneybyacircuitthroughHollandandBelgium；butnothingchangedintheattitudesofPaulaandCaptainDeStancytilloneafternoonduringtheirstayattheHague，whentheyhadgoneforadrivedowntoScheveningenbythelongstraightavenueofchestnutsandlimes，underwhoseboughstuftsofwildparsleywavedtheirflowers，exceptwherethebuitenplaatsenofretiredmerchantsblazedforthwithnewpaintofeveryhue。Onmountingthedunewhichkeptouttheseabehindthevillageabriskbreezegreetedtheirfaces，andafinesandblewupintotheireyes。

DeStancyscreenedPaulawithhisumbrellaastheystoodwiththeirbackstothewind，lookingdownontheredroofsofthevillagewithintheseawall，andpullingatthelonggrasswhichbysomemeansfoundnourishmentinthepowderysoilofthedune。

Whentheyhaddiscussedthescenehecontinued，"Italwaysseemstomethatthisplacereflectstheaveragemoodofhumanlife。Imean，ifwestrikethebalancebetweenourbestmoodsandourworstweshallfindouraverageconditiontostandataboutthesamepitchinemotionalcolourasthesesandydunesandthisgreyscenedoinlandscape。"

Paulacontendedthatheoughtnottomeasureeverybodybyhimself。

"Ihavenootherstandard，"saidDeStancy；"andifmyowniswrong，itisyouwhohavemadeitso。HaveyouthoughtanymoreofwhatIsaidatCologne?"

"Idon"tquiterememberwhatyoudidsayatCologne?"

"Mydearestlife!"Paula"seyesroundingsomewhat，hecorrectedtheexclamation。"MydearMissPower，Iwill，withoutreserve，tellittoyoualloveragain。"

"Prayspareyourselftheeffort，"shesaiddrily。"Whathasthatonefatalstepbetrayedmeinto!……DoyouseriouslymeantosaythatIamthecauseofyourlifebeingcolouredlikethissceneofgrassandsand?Ifso，Ihavecommittedaverygreatfault!"

"Itcanbenullifiedbyaword。"

"Suchaword!"

"Itisaveryshortone。"

"There"sastillshorteronemoretothepurpose。Frankly，I

believeyoususpectmetohavesomelatentandunownedinclinationforyou——thatyouthinkspeakingistheonlypointuponwhichIambackward……Therenow，itisraining；

whatshallwedo?Ithoughtthiswindmeantrain。"

"Do?Standonhere，aswearestandingnow。"

"Yoursisterandmyauntaregoneunderthewall。Ithinkwewillwalktowardsthem。"

"Youhadmademehope，"hecontinued(histhoughtsapparentlyfarawayfromtherainandthewindandthepossibilityofshelter)，"thatyoumightchangeyourmind，andgivetoyouroriginalpromisealiberalmeaninginrenewingit。InbriefI

meanthis，thatyouwouldallowittomergeintoanengagement。Don"tthinkitpresumptuous，"hewenton，asheheldtheumbrellaoverher；"IamsureanymanwouldspeakasIdo。Adistinctpermissiontobewithyouonprobation——thatwaswhatyougavemeatCarlsruhe:andflingingcasuistryononeside，whatdoesthatmean?"

"ThatIamartisticallyinterestedinyourfamilyhistory。"

Andshewentoutfromtheumbrellatotheshelterofthehotelwhereshefoundherauntandfriend。

DeStancycouldnotbutfeelthathispersistencehadmadesomeimpression。Itwashardlypossiblethatawomanofindependentnaturewouldhavetoleratedhisdanglingathersidesolong，ifhispresencewerewhollydistastefultoher。

ThateveningwhendrivingbacktotheHaguebyadeviousroutethroughthedenseavenuesoftheBoschheconversedwithheragain；alsothenextdaywhenstandingbytheVijverlookingattheswans；andineachcasesheseemedtohaveatleastgotoverherobjectiontobeingseentalkingtohim，apartfromtheremainderofthetravellingparty。

ScenesverysimilartothoseatScheveningenandontheRhinewereenactedatlaterstagesoftheirdesultoryjourney。Mr。

PowerhadproposedtocrossfromRotterdam；butastiffnorth-

westerlybreezeprevailingPaulaherselfbecamereluctanttohastenbacktoStancyCastle。TurningabruptlytheymadeforBrussels。

Itwashere，whilewalkinghomewardfromtheParkonemorning，thatheruncleforthefirsttimealludedtothesituationofaffairsbetweenherselfandheradmirer。ThecaptainhadgoneuptheRueRoyalewithhissisterandMrs。Goodman，eithertoshowthemthehouseinwhichtheballtookplaceontheeveofQuatreBrasorsomeothersiteofinterest，andthetwoPowerswerethuslefttothemselves。ToreachtheirhoteltheypassedintoalittlestreetslopingsteeplydownfromtheRueRoyaletothePlaceSte。Gudule，where，atthemomentofnearingthecathedral，aweddingpartyemergedfromtheporchandcrossedinfrontofuncleandniece。

"Ihope，"saidtheformer，inhispassionlessway，"weshallseeaperformanceofthissortbetweenyouandCaptainDeStancy，notsoverylongafterourreturntoEngland。"

"Why?"askedPaula，followingthebridewithhereyes。

"Itisdiplomatically，asImaysay，suchahighlycorrectthing——suchanexpedientthing——suchanobviousthingtoalleyes。"

"Notaltogethertomine，uncle，"shereturned。

""Twouldbeathousandpitiestoletslipsuchaneatofferofadjustingdifficultiesasaccidentmakesyouinthis。Youcouldmarrymoretin，that"strue；butyoudon"twantit，Paula。Youwantaname，andhistoricwhat-do-they-call-it。

Nowbycomingtotermswiththecaptainyou"llbeLadyDeStancyinafewyears:andatitlewhichisuselesstohim，andafortuneandcastlewhichareinsomedegreeuselesstoyou，willmakeasplendidwholeusefultoyouboth。"

"I"vethoughtitover——quite，"sheanswered。"AndIquiteseewhattheadvantagesare。ButhowifIdon"tcareoneatomforartisticcompletenessandasplendidwhole；anddocareverymuchtodowhatmyfancyinclinesmetodo?"

"ThenIshouldsaythat，takingacomprehensiveviewofhumannatureofallcolours，yourfancyisaboutthesilliestfancyexistingonthisearthlyball。"

Paulalaughedindifferently，andherunclefeltthat，persistentaswashisnature，hewasthewrongmantoinfluenceherbyargument。Paula"sblindnesstotheadvantagesofthematch，ifshewereblind，wasthatofawomanwhowouldn"tsee，andthebestargumentwassilence。

Thiswasinsomemeasureprovedthenextmorning。WhenPaulamadeherappearanceMrs。Goodmansaid，holdingupanenvelope:

"Here"saletterfromMr。Somerset。"

"Dearme，"saidsheblandly，thoughaquicklittleflushascendedhercheek。"Ihadnearlyforgottenhim!"

Theletteronbeingreadcontainedarequestasbriefasitwasunexpected。Havingpreparedallthedrawingsnecessaryfortherebuilding，Somersetbeggedleavetoresignthesuperintendenceoftheworkintootherhands。

"Hislettercapsyourremarksveryaptly，"saidMrs。Goodman，withsecrettriumph。"Youarenearlyforgettinghim，andheisquiteforgettingyou。"

"Yes，"saidPaula，affectingcarelessness。"Well，Imustgetsomebodyelse，Isuppose。"

X。

TheynextdeviatedtoAmiens，intendingtostaythereonlyonenight；buttheirschemeswerederangedbythesuddenillnessofCharlotte。Shehadbeenlookingunwellforafortnightpast，though，withherusualself-abnegation，shehadmadelightofherailment。Evennowshedeclaredshecouldgoon；

butthiswassaidover-night，andinthemorningitwasabundantlyevidentthattomoveherwashighlyunadvisable。

Stillshewasnotinseriousdanger，andhavingcalledinaphysician，whopronouncedrestindispensable，theypreparedtoremainintheoldPicardcapitaltwoorthreeadditionaldays。

Mr。PowerthoughthewouldtakeadvantageofthehalttorunuptoParis，leavingDeStancyinchargeoftheladies。

InmorewaysthanintheillnessofCharlottethisdaywastheharbingerofacrisis。

Itwasasummereveningwithoutacloud。Charlottehadfallenasleepinherbed，andPaula，whohadbeensittingbyher，lookedoutintothePlaceSt。Denis，whichthehotelcommanded。Thelawnofthesquarewasallablazewithredandyellowclumpsofflowers，theacaciatreeswerebrightlygreen，thesunwassoftandlow。TemptedbytheprospectPaulawentandputonherhat；andarousingheraunt，whowasnoddinginthenextroom，torequesthertokeepanearonCharlotte"sbedroom，PauladescendedintotheRuedeNoyonalone，andenteredthegreenenclosure。

Whileshewalkedround，twoorthreelittlechildreninchargeofanursetrundledalargevariegatedballalongthegrass，anditrolledtoPaula"sfeet。Shesmiledatthem，andendeavouredtoreturnitbyaslightkick。Theballroseintheair，andpassingoverthebackofaseatwhichstoodunderoneofthetrees，alightedinthelapofagentlemanhithertoscreenedbyitsboughs。ThebackandshouldersprovedtobethoseofDeStancy。Heturnedhishead，jumpedup，andwasathersideinaninstant，anettledflushhavingmeanwhilecrossedPaula"sface。

"IthoughtyouhadgonetotheHotoiePromenade，"shesaidhastily。"Iamgoingtothecathedral；"(obviouslyutteredlestitshouldseemthatshehadseenhimfromthehotelwindows，andenteredthesquareforhiscompany)。

"Ofcourse:thereisnothingelsetogotohere——evenforRoundheads。"

"IfyoumeanMEbythat，youareverymuchmistaken，"saidshetestily。

"TheRoundheadswereyourancestors，andtheyknockeddownmyancestors"castle，andbrokethestainedglassandstatuaryofthecathedral，"saidDeStancyslily；"andnowyougonotonlytoacathedral，buttoaserviceoftheunreformedChurchinit。"

"Inaforeigncountryitisdifferentfromhome，"saidPaulainextenuation；"andyouofallmenshouldnotreproachmefortergiversation——whenithasbeenbroughtaboutby——bymysympathieswith——"

"WiththetroublesoftheDeStancys。"

"Well，youknowwhatImean，"sheanswered，withconsiderableanxietynottobemisunderstood；"mylikingfortheoldcastle，andwhatitcontains，andwhatitsuggests。IdeclareIwillnotexplaintoyoufurther——whyshouldI?Iamnotanswerabletoyou!"

Paula"sshowofpetulancewasperhapsnotwhollybecauseshehadappearedtoseekhim，butalsofrombeingremindedbyhiscriticismthatMr。Woodwell"sprophecyonherweaklysuccumbingtosurroundingswasslowlyworkingoutitsfulfilment。

Shemovedforwardtowardsthegateatthefurtherendofthesquare，beyondwhichthecathedrallayataveryshortdistance。Pauladidnotturnherhead，andDeStancystrolledslowlyafterherdowntheRueduCollege。Thedayhappenedtobeoneofthechurchfestivals，andpeoplewereasecondtimeflockingintotheloftymonumentofCatholicismatitsmeridian。Paulavanishedintotheporchwiththerest；and，almostcatchingthewicketasitflewbackfromherhand，hetooenteredthehigh-shoulderededifice——anedificedoomedtolabourunderthemelancholymisfortuneofseemingonlyhalfasvastasitreallyis，andastrulyaswhimsicallydescribedbyHeineasamonumentbuiltwiththestrengthofTitans，anddecoratedwiththepatienceofdwarfs。

DeStancywalkedupthenave，soclosebesideherastotouchherdress；butshewouldnotrecognizehispresence；thedarknessthateveninghadthrownovertheinterior，whichwasscarcelybrokenbythefewcandlesdottedabout，beingasufficientexcuseifsherequiredone。

"MissPower，"DeStancysaidatlast，"Iamcomingtotheservicewithyou。"

Shereceivedtheintelligencewithoutsurprise，andheknewshehadbeenconsciousofhimalltheway。

Paulawentnofurtherthanthemiddleofthenave，wheretherewashardlyasoul，andtookachairbesideasolitaryrushlightwhichlookedamidthevaguegloomoftheinaccessiblearchitecturelikealighthouseatthefootoftallcliffs。