第18章
Heputhishandonthenextchair，saying，"Doyouobject?"
"Notatall，"shereplied；andhesatdown。
"Supposewegointothechoir，"saidDeStancypresently。
"Nobodysitsouthereintheshadows。"
"Thisissufficientlynear，andwehaveacandle，"Paulamurmured。
Beforeanotherminutehadpassedthecandleflamebegantodrowninitsowngrease，slowlydwindled，andwentout。
"IsupposethatmeansIamtogointothechoirinspiteofmyself。Heavenisonyourside，"saidPaula。Andrisingtheylefttheirnowtotallydarkcorner，andjoinedthenoiselessshadowyfigureswhointwosandthreeskeptpassingupthenave。
Withinthechoirtherewasablazeoflight，partlyfromthealtar，andmoreparticularlyfromtheimageofthesaintwhomtheyhadassembledtohonour，whichstood，surroundedbycandlesandathicketoffloweringplants，somewayinadvanceofthefoot-pace。Asecondaryradiancefromthesamesourcewasreflectedupwardintotheirfacesbythepolishedmarblepavement，exceptwheninterruptedbytheshadyformsoftheofficiatingpriests。
Whenitwasoverandthepeopleweremovingoff，DeStancyandhiscompanionwenttowardsthesaint，nowbesiegedbynumbersofwomenanxioustoclaimtherespectiveflower-potstheyhadlentforthedecoration。Aseachstruggledforherown，seizedandmarchedoffwithit，Paularemarked——"Thisratherspoilsthesolemneffectofwhathasgonebefore。"
"IperceiveyouareaharshPuritan。"
"No，CaptainDeStancy!Whywillyouspeakso?Iamfartoomuchotherwise。Ihavegrowntobesomuchofyourwayofthinking，thatIaccusemyself，andamaccusedbyothers，ofbeingworldly，andhalf-and-half，andotherdreadfulthings——
thoughitisn"tthatatall。"
Theywerenowwalkingdownthenave，precededbythesombrefigureswiththepotflowers，whowerejustvisibleintheraysthatreachedthemthroughthedistantchoirscreenattheirback；whileabovethegreynightskyandstarslookedinuponthemthroughthehighclerestorywindows。
"DobealittleMOREofmywayofthinking!"rejoinedDeStancypassionately。
"Don"t，don"tspeak，"shesaidrapidly。"ThereareMillyandChampreau!"
Millywasoneofthemaids，andChampreauthecourierandvaletwhohadbeenengagedbyAbnerPower。Theyhadbeensittingbehindtheotherpairthroughouttheservice，andindeedknewrathermoreoftherelationsbetweenPaulaandDeStancythanPaulaknewherself。
Hasteningonthetwolatterwentout，andwalkedtogethersilentlyuptheshortstreet。ThePlaceSt。Deniswasnowlitup，lightsshonefromthehotelwindows，andtheworldwithoutthecathedralhadsofaradvancedinnocturnalchangethatitseemedasiftheyhadbeengonefromitforhours。Withinthehoteltheyfoundthechangeevengreaterthanwithout。Mrs。
Goodmanmetthemhalf-wayonthestairs。
"PoorCharlotteisworse，"shesaid。"Quitefeverish，andalmostdelirious。"
Paulareproachedherselfwith"WhydidIgoaway!"
ThecommoninterestofDeStancyandPaulainthesuffereratoncereproducedaneasebetweenthemasnothingelsecouldhavedone。Thephysicianwasagaincalledin，whoprescribedcertaindraughts，andrecommendedthatsomeoneshouldsitupwithherthatnight。IfPaulaalloweddemonstrationsoflovetoescapehertowardsanybodyitwastowardsCharlotte，andherinstinctwasatoncetowatchbytheinvalid"scouchherself，atleastforsomehours，itbeingdeemedunnecessarytocallinaregularnurseunlesssheshouldsickenfurther。
"ButIwillsitwithher，"saidDeStancy。"Surelyyouhadbettergotobed?"Paulawouldnotbepersuaded；andthereuponDeStancy，sayinghewasgoingintothetownforashorttimebeforeretiring，lefttheroom。
Thelastomnibusreturnedfromthelasttrain，andtheinmatesofthehotelretiredtorest。MeanwhileatelegramhadarrivedforCaptainDeStancy；butashehadnotyetreturneditwasputinhisbedroom，withdirectionstothenight-portertoremindhimofitsarrival。
PaulasatonwiththesleepingCharlotte。Presentlysheretiredintotheadjacentsitting-roomwithabook，andflungherselfonacouch，leavingthedooropenbetweenherandhercharge，incasethelattershouldawake。WhileshesatanewbreathingseemedtominglewiththeregularsoundofCharlotte"sthatreachedherthroughthedoorway:sheturnedquickly，andsawherunclestandingbehindher。
"O——IthoughtyouwereinParis!"saidPaula。
"Ihavejustcomefromthere——Icouldnotstay。Somethinghasoccurredtomymindaboutthisaffair。"Hisstrangelymarkedvisage，nowmorenoticeablefrombeingwornwithfatigue，hadaspectraleffectbythenight-light。
"Whataffair?"
"Thismarriage……Paula，DeStancyisagoodfellowenough，butyoumustnotaccepthimjustyet。"
Pauladidnotanswer。
"Doyouhear?Youmustnotaccepthim，"repeatedheruncle，"tillIhavebeentoEnglandandexaminedintomatters。I
startinanhour"stime——bytheten-minutes-past-twotrain。"
"Thisissomethingverynew!"
"Yes——"tisnew，"hemurmured，relapsingintohisDutchmanner。
"Youmustnotaccepthimtillsomethingismadecleartome——
somethingaboutaqueerrelationship。IhavecomefromParistosayso。"
"Uncle，Idon"tunderstandthis。Iammyownmistressinallmatters，andthoughIdon"tmindtellingyouIhavebynomeansresolvedtoaccepthim，thequestionofhermarriageisespeciallyawoman"sownaffair。"
Herunclestoodirresoluteforamoment，asifhisconvictionsweremorethanhisproofs。"Isaynomoreatpresent，"hemurmured。"CanIdoanythingforyouaboutanewarchitect?"
"AppointHavill。"
"Verywell。Goodnight。"Andthenhelefther。InashorttimesheheardhimgodownandoutofthehousetocrosstoEnglandbythemorningsteamboat。
Withalittleshrug，asifsheresentedhisinterferenceinsodelicateapoint，shesettledherselfdownanewtoherbook。
One，two，threehourspassed，whenCharlotteawoke，butsoonslumberedsweetlyagain。Millyhadstayedupforsometimelesthermistressshouldrequireanything；butthegirlbeingsleepyPaulasenthertobed。
Itwasalovelynightofearlysummer，anddrawingasidethewindowcurtainsshelookedoutupontheflowersandtreesofthePlace，nowquitevisible，foritwasnearlythreeo"clock，andthemorninglightwasgrowingstrong。Sheturnedherfaceupwards。Exceptinthecaseofonebedroomallthewindowsonthatsideofthehotelwereindarkness。Theroombeingratherclosesheleftthecasementajar，andopeningthedoorwalkedoutuponthestaircaselanding。Anumberofcagedcanarieswerekepthere，andsheobservedinthedimlightofthelandinglamphowsnuglytheirheadswerealltuckedin。
Onreturningtothesitting-roomagainshecouldhearthatCharlottewasstillslumbering，andthisencouragingcircumstancedisposedhertogotobedherself。Before，however，shehadmadeamoveagentletapcametothedoor。
Paulaopenedit。There，inthefaintlightbythesleepingcanaries，stoodCharlotte"sbrother。
"Howisshenow?"hewhispered。
"Sleepingsoundly，"saidPaula。
"That"sablessing。Ihavenotbeentobed。Icameinlate，andhavenowcomedowntoknowifIhadnotbettertakeyourplace?"
"Nobodyisrequired，Ithink。Butyoucanjudgeforyourself。"
Uptothispointtheyhadconversedinthedoorwayofthesitting-room，whichDeStancynowentered，crossingittoCharlotte"sapartment。Hecameoutfromthelatteratapensivepace。
"Sheisdoingwell，"hesaidgently。"Youhavebeenverygoodtoher。WasthechairIsawbyherbedtheoneyouhavebeensittinginallnight?"
"Isometimessatthere；sometimeshere。"
"IwishIcouldhavesatbesideyou，andheldyourhand——I
speakfrankly。"
"Toexcess。"
"Andwhynot?Idonotwishtohidefromyouanycornerofmybreast，futileascandourmaybe。JustHeaven!forwhatreasonisitorderedthatcourtship，inwhichsoldiersareusuallysosuccessful，shouldbeafailurewithme?"
"Yourlackofforesightchieflyinindulgingfeelingsthatwerenotencouraged。That，andmyuncle"sindiscreetpermissiontoyoutotravelwithus，haveprecipitatedourrelationsinawaythatIcouldneitherforeseenoravoid，thoughoflateIhavehadapprehensionsthatitmightcometothis。Youvexanddisturbmebysuchwordsofregret。"
"Notmorethanyouvexanddisturbme。Butyoucannothatethemanwholovesyousodevotedly?"
"IhavesaidbeforeIdon"thateyou。IrepeatthatIaminterestedinyourfamilyanditsassociationsbecauseofitscompletecontrastwithmyown。"Shemighthaveadded，"AndI
amadditionallyinterestedjustnowbecausemyunclehasforbiddenmetobe。"
"Butyoudon"tcareenoughformepersonallytosavemyhappiness。"
Paulahesitated；fromthemomentDeStancyconfrontedhershehadfeltthatthisnocturnalconversationwastobeagravebusiness。Thecathedralclockstruckthree。"Ihavethoughtonceortwice，"shesaidwithanaiveteunusualinher，"thatifIcouldbesureofgivingpeaceandjoytoyourmindbybecomingyourwife，Ioughttoendeavourtodosoandmakethebestofit——merelyasacharity。ButIbelievethatfeelingisamistake:yourdiscontentisconstitutional，andwouldgoonjustthesamewhetherIacceptedyouorno。Myrefusalofyouispurelyanimaginarygrievance。"
"NotifIthinkotherwise。"
"Ono，"shemurmured，withasensethattheplacewasverylonelyandsilent。"Ifyouthinkitotherwise，Isupposeitisotherwise。"
"Mydarling；myPaula!"hesaid，seizingherhand。"Dopromisemesomething。Youmustindeed!"
"CaptainDeStancy!"shesaid，tremblingandturningaway。
"CaptainDeStancy!"Shetriedtowithdrawherfingers，thenfacedhim，exclaiminginafirmvoiceathirdtime，"CaptainDeStancy!letgomyhand；forItellyouIwillnotmarryyou!"
"GoodGod!"hecried，droppingherhand。"WhathaveIdrivenyoutosayinyouranger!Retractit——O，retractit!"
"Don"turgemefurther，asyouvaluemygoodopinion!"
"Toloseyounow，istoloseyouforever。Come，pleaseanswer!"
"Iwon"tbecompelled!"sheinterruptedwithvehemence。"Iamresolvednottobeyours——nottogiveyouananswerto-night!
Never，neverwillIbereasonedoutofmyintention；andIsayIwon"tansweryouto-night!Ishouldneverhaveletyoubesomuchwithmebutforpityofyou；andnowitiscometothis!"
Shehadsunkintoachair，andnowleaneduponherhand，andburiedherfaceinherhandkerchief。Hehadnevercausedheranysuchagitationasthisbefore。
"Youstabmewithyourwords，"continuedDeStancy。"TheexperienceIhavehadwithyouiswithoutparallel，Paula。Itseemslikeadistractingdream。"
"Iwon"tbehurriedbyanybody!"
"Thatmaymeananything，"hesaid，withaperplexed，passionateair。"Well，mineisafallenfamily，andwemustabidecaprices。WouldtoHeavenitwereextinguished!"
"Whatwasextinguished?"shemurmured。
"TheDeStancys。HereamI，ahomelesswanderer，livingonmypay；inthenextroomliesshe，mysister，apoorlittlefragilefeverishinvalidwithnosocialposition——andhardlyafriend。WetworepresenttheDeStancyline；andIwishwewerebehindtheirondoorofouroldvaultatSleeping-Green。
Itcanbeseenbylookingatusandourcircumstancesthatwecryfortheearthandoblivion!"
"CaptainDeStancy，itisnotlikethat，Iassureyou，"
sympathizedPaulawithdampeyelashes。"IloveCharlottetoodearlyforyoutotalklikethat，indeed。Idon"twanttomarryyouexactly:andyetIcannotbringmyselftosayI
permanentlyrejectyou，becauseIrememberyouareCharlotte"sbrother，anddonotwishtobethecauseofanymorbidfeelingsinyouwhichwouldruinyourfutureprospects。"
"Mydearlife，whatisityoudoubtinme?Yourearnestnessnottodomeharmmakesitalltheharderformetothinkofneverbeingmorethanafriend。"
"Well，Ihavenotpositivelyrefused!"sheexclaimed，inmixedtonesofpityanddistress。"Letmethinkitoveralittlewhile。ItisnotgeneroustourgesostronglybeforeIcancollectmythoughts，andatthismidnighttime!"
"Darling，forgiveit!——There，I"llsaynomore。"
Hethenofferedtositupinherplacefortheremainderofthenight；butPauladeclined，assuringhimthatshemeanttostayonlyanotherhalf-hour，afterwhichnobodywouldbenecessary。
Hehadalreadycrossedthelandingtoascendtohisroom，whenshesteppedafterhim，andaskedifhehadreceivedhistelegram。
"No，"saidDeStancy。"NorhaveIheardofone。"
Paulaexplainedthatitwasputinhisroom，thathemightseeitthemomenthecamein。
"Itmattersverylittle，"hereplied，"sinceIshallseeitnow。Good-night，dearest:good-night!"headdedtenderly。
Shegravelyshookherhead。"Itisnotforyoutoexpressyourselflikethat，"sheanswered。"Good-night，CaptainDeStancy。"
Hewentupthestairstothesecondfloor，andPaulareturnedtothesitting-room。HavingleftalightburningDeStancyproceededtolookforthetelegram，andfounditonthecarpet，whereithadbeensweptfromthetable。Whenhehadopenedthesheetasuddensolemnityoverspreadhisface。Hesatdown，restedhiselbowonthetable，andhisforeheadonhishands。
CaptainDeStancydidnotremainthuslong。Risinghewentsoftlydownstairs。Thegreymorninghadbythistimecreptintothehotel，renderingalightnolongernecessary。Theoldclockonthelandingwaswithinafewminutesoffour，andthebirdswerehoppingupanddowntheircages，andwhettingtheirbills。Hetappedatthesitting-room，andshecameinstantly。
"ButItoldyouitwasnotnecessary——"shebegan。
"Yes，butthetelegram，"hesaidhurriedly。"Iwantedtoletyouknowfirstthat——itisveryserious。Paula——myfatherisdead!Hediedsuddenlyyesterday，andImustgoatonce……AboutCharlotte——andhowtoletherknow——"
"Shemustnotbetoldyet，"saidPaula……"SirWilliamdead!"
"Youthinkwehadbetternottellherjustyet?"saidDeStancyanxiously。"That"swhatIwanttoconsultyouabout，ifyou——don"tmindmyintruding。"
"CertainlyIdon"t，"shesaid。
Theycontinuedthediscussionforsometime；anditwasdecidedthatCharlotteshouldnotbeinformedofwhathadhappenedtillthedoctorhadbeenconsulted，Paulapromisingtoaccountforherbrother"sdeparture。
DeStancythenpreparedtoleaveforEnglandbythefirstmorningtrain，androusedthenight-porter，whichfunctionary，havingpackedoffAbnerPower，wasdiscoveredasleeponthesofaofthelandlord"sparlour。Athalf-pastfivePaula，whointheinterimhadbeenpensivelysittingwithherhandtoherchin，quiteforgettingthatshehadmeanttogotobed，heardwheelswithout，andlookedfromthewindow。Aflyhadbeenbroughtround，andoneofthehotelservantswasintheactofputtingupaportmanteauwithDeStancy"sinitialsuponit。A
minuteafterwardsthecaptaincametoherdoor。
"Ithoughtyouhadnotgonetobed，afterall。"
"Iwasanxioustoseeyouoff，"saidshe，"sinceneitheroftheothersisawake；andyouwishedmenottorousethem。"
"Quiteright，youareverygood；"andloweringhisvoice:
"Paula，itisasadandsolemntimewithme。Willyougrantmeoneword——notonourlastsadsubject，butonthepreviousone——beforeIpartwithyoutogoandburymyfather?"
"Certainly，"shesaid，ingentleaccents。
"Thenhaveyouthoughtovermyposition?Willyouatlasthavepityuponmylonelinessbybecomingmywife?"
Paulasigheddeeply；andsaid，"Yes。"
"Yourhanduponit。"
Shegavehimherhand:hehelditafewmoments，thenraisedittohislips，andwasgone。
WhenMrs。GoodmanroseshewasinformedofSirWilliam"sdeath，andofhisson"sdeparture。
"ThenthecaptainisnowSirWilliamDeStancy!"sheexclaimed。"Really，Paula，sinceyouwouldbeLadyDeStancybymarryinghim，Ialmostthink——"
"Hush，aunt!"
"Well；whatareyouwritingthere?"
"OnlyenteringinmydiarythatIacceptedhimthismorningforpity"ssake，inspiteofUncleAbner。They"llsayitwasforthetitle，butknowingitwasnotIdon"tcare。"
XI。
OntheeveningofthefourthdayafterthepartingbetweenPaulaandDeStancyatAmiens，whenitwasquitedarkintheMarktonhighway，exceptinsofarastheshadeswerebrokenbythefaintlightsfromtheadjacenttown，ayoungmanknockedsoftlyatthedoorofMyrtleVilla，andaskedifCaptainDeStancyhadarrivedfromabroad。Hewasansweredintheaffirmative，andinafewmomentsthecaptainhimselfcamefromanadjoiningroom。
SeeingthathisvisitorwasDare，fromwhom，aswillberemembered，hehadpartedatCarlsruheinnoverysatisfiedmood，DeStancydidnotaskhimintothehouse，butputtingonhishatwentoutwiththeyouthintothepublicroad。Heretheyconversedastheywalkedupanddown，DarebeginningbyalludingtothedeathofSirWilliam，thesuddennessofwhichhefearedwoulddelayCaptainDeStancy"soverturesforthehandofMissPower。
"No，"saidDeStancymoodily。"Onthecontrary，ithasprecipitatedmatters。"
"Shehasacceptedyou，captain?"
"Weareengagedtobemarried。"
"Welldone。Icongratulateyou。"Thespeakerwasabouttoproceedtofurthertriumphantnotesontheintelligence，whencastinghiseyeupontheupperwindowsoftheneighbouringvilla，heappearedtoreflectonwhatwaswithinthem，andcheckinghimself，"Whenisthefuneraltobe?"
"To-morrow，"DeStancyreplied。"Itwouldbeadvisableforyounottocomenearmeduringtheday。"
"Iwillnot。Iwillbeamerespectator。Theoldvaultofourancestorswillbeopened，Ipresume，captain?"
"Itisopened。"
"Imustseeit——andruminateonwhatweoncewere:itisathingIlikedoing。Theghostsofourdead——Ah，whatwasthat?"
"Iheardnothing。"
"IthoughtIheardafootstepbehindus。"
Theystoodstill；buttheroadappearedtobequitedeserted，andlikelytocontinuesofortheremainderofthatevening。
Theywalkedonagain，speakinginsomewhatlowertonesthanbefore。
"WillthelateSirWilliam"sdeathdelaytheweddingmuch?"
askedtheyoungermancuriously。
DeStancylanguidlyansweredthathedidnotseewhyitshoulddoso。Somelittletimewouldofcourseintervene，but，sincetherewereseveralreasonsfordespatch，heshouldurgeMissPowerandherrelativestoconsenttoavirtuallyprivateweddingwhichmighttakeplaceataveryearlydate；andhethoughttherewouldbeageneralconsentonthatpoint。
"Thereareindeedreasonsfordespatch。Yourtitle，SirWilliam，isanewsafeguardoverherheart，certainly；butthereismanyaslip，andyoumustnotlosehernow。"
"Idon"tmeantoloseher!"saidDeStancy。"Sheistoogoodtobelost。Andyet——sinceshegaveherpromiseIhavefeltmorethanoncethatIwouldnotengageinsuchastruggleagain。Itwasnotathingofmybeginning，thoughIwaseasilyenoughinflamedtofollow。ButIwillnotlosehernow——ForGod"ssake，keepthatsecretyouhavesofoolishlyprickedonyourbreast。Itfillsmewithremorsetothinkwhatshewithherscrupulousnotionswillfeel，shouldsheeverknowofyouandyourhistory，andyourrelationtome!"
Daremadenoreplytillafterasilence，whenhesaid，"Ofcoursemum"sthewordtilltheweddingisover。"
"Andafterwards——promisethatforhersake?"
"Andprobablyafterwards。"
SirWilliamDeStancydrewadejectedbreathatthetoneoftheanswer。Theyconversedbutalittlewhilelonger，thecaptainhintingtoDarethatitwastimeforthemtopart；
not，however，beforehehadutteredahopethattheyoungmanwouldturnoveranewleafandengageinsomeregularpursuit。
PromisingtocalluponhimathislodgingsDeStancywentindoors，andDarebrisklyretracedhisstepstoMarkton。
Whenhisfootfallhaddiedaway，andthedoorofthehouseoppositehadbeenclosed，anothermanappeareduponthescene。
HecamegentlyoutofthehedgeoppositeMyrtleVilla，whichhepausedtoregardforamoment。Butinsteadofgoingtownward，heturnedhisbackuponthedistantsprinkleoflights，anddidnotcheckhiswalktillhereachedthelodgeofStancyCastle。
Herehepulledthewoodenacornbesidethearch，andwhentheporterappearedhislightrevealedthepedestrian"scountenancetobescathed，asbylightning。
"Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Power，"saidtheporterwithsuddendeferenceasheopenedthewicket。"Butwewasn"texpectinganybodyto-night，asthereisnobodyathome，andtheservantsonboardwages；andthat"swhyIwassolonga-coming。"
"Nomatter，nomatter，"saidAbnerPower。"Ihavereturnedonsuddenbusiness，andhavenotcometostaylongerthanto-
night。Yourmistressisnotwithme。ImeanttosleepinMarkton，buthavechangedmymind。"
Mr。Powerhadbroughtnoluggagewithhimbeyondasmallhand-
bag，andassoonasaroomcouldbegotreadyheretiredtobed。
Thenextmorninghepassedinidlywalkingaboutthegroundsandobservingtheprogresswhichhadbeenmadeintheworks——
nowtemporarilysuspended。Butthatinspectionwaslesshisobjectinremainingtherethanmeditation，wasabundantlyevident。WhenthebellbegantotollfromtheneighbouringchurchtoannouncetheburialofSirWilliamDeStancy，hepassedthroughthecastle，andwentonfootinthedirectionindicatedbythesound。Reachingthemarginofthechurchyardhelookedoverthewall，hispresencebeingmaskedbybushesandagroupofidlersfromMarktonwhostoodinfront。Soonafuneralprocessionofsimple——almostmeagreandthreadbare——
characterarrived，butPowerdidnotjointhepeoplewhofollowedthedeceasedintothechurch。DeStancywasthechiefmournerandonlyrelationpresent，theotherfollowersofthebroken-downoldmanbeinganancientlawyer，acoupleoffaithfulservants，andabowedvillagerwhohadbeenpagetothelateSirWilliam"sfather——thesinglelivingpersonleftintheparishwhorememberedtheDeStancysaspeopleofwealthandinfluence，andwhofirmlybelievedthatfamilywouldcomeintoitsrightserelong，andousttheuncircumcizedPhilistineswhohadtakenpossessionoftheoldlands。
Thefuneralwasover，andtherustycarriageshadgone，togetherwithmanyofthespectators；butPowerlingeredinthechurchyardasifhewerelookingforsomeone。Atlengthheenteredthechurch，passingbythecavernouspitfallwithdescendingstepswhichstoodopenoutsidethewalloftheDeStancyaisle。Arrivedwithinhescannedthefewidlersofantiquariantasteswhohadremainedaftertheservicetoinspectthemonuments；andbesidearecumbenteffigy——theeffigyinalabasterwhosefeaturesPaulahadwipedwithherhandkerchiefwhentherewithSomerset——hebeheldthemanithadbeenhisbusinesstofind。AbnerPowerwentupandtouchedthisperson，whowasDare，ontheshoulder。
"Mr。Power——soitis!"saidtheyouth。"IhavenotseenyousincewemetinCarlsruhe。"
"Youshallseeallthemoreofmenowtomakeupforit。
Shallwewalkroundthechurch?"
"Withallmyheart，"saidDare。
Theywalkedround；andAbnerPowerbeganinasardonicrecitative:"Iamatraveller，andittakesagooddealtoastonishme。SoIneitherswoonednorscreamedwhenIlearntafewhoursagowhatIhadsuspectedforaweek，thatyouareofthehouseandlineageofJacob。"Heflunganodtowardsthecanopiedtombsashespoke——"Inotherwords，thatyouareofthesamebreedastheDeStancys。"
Darecursorilyglancedround。Nobodywasnearenoughtoheartheirwords，thenearestpersonsbeingtwoworkmenjustoutside，whowerebringingtheirtoolsupfromthevaultpreparativelytoclosingit。
HavingobservedthisDarereplied，"I，too，amatraveller；
andneitherdoIswoonnorscreamatwhatyousay。ButI
assureyouthatifyoubusyyourselfaboutme，youmaytrulybesaidtobusyyourselfaboutnothing。"
"Well，that"samatterofopinion。Now，there"snoscarletleftinmyfacetoblushformen"sfollies；butasanallianceisafootbetweenmynieceandthepresentSirWilliam，thismustbelookedinto。"
Darereflectivelysaid"O，"asheobservedthroughthewindowoneoftheworkmenbringupacandlefromthevaultandextinguishitwithhisfingers。
"Themarriageisdesirable，andyourrelationshipinitselfisofnoconsequence，"continuedtheelder，"butjustlookatthis。Youhaveforcedonthemarriagebyunscrupulousmeans，yourobjectbeingonlytooclearlytoliveoutoftheproceedsofthatmarriage。"
"Mr。Power，youmockme，becauseIlabourunderthemisfortuneofhavinganillegitimatefathertoprovidefor。Ireallydeservecommiseration。"
"Youmightdeserveitifthatwereall。Butitlooksbadformyniece"shappinessasLadyDeStancy，thatsheandherhusbandaretobeperpetuallyhauntedbyayoungchevalierd"industrie，whocanforgeatelegramonoccasion，andlibelaninnocentmanbyaningeniousdeviceinphotography。Itlookssobad，inshort，that，advantageousasatitleandoldfamilynamewouldbetoherandherchildren，Iwon"tletmybrother"sdaughterruntheriskofhavingthemattheexpenseofbeinginthegripofamanlikeyou。Thereareothersuitorsintheworld，andothertitles:andsheisabeautifulwoman，whocanwellaffordtobefastidious。I
shallletherknowatonceofthesethings，andbreakoffthebusiness——unlessyoudoONETHING。"
Aworkmanbroughtupanothercandlefromthevault，andpreparedtoletdowntheslab。"Well，Mr。Power，andwhatisthatonething?"
"GotoPeruasmyagentinabusinessIhavejustundertakenthere。"
"Andsettlethere?"
"Ofcourse。Iamsoongoingovermyself，andwillbringyouanythingyourequire。"
"Howlongwillyougivemetoconsider?"saidDare。
Powerlookedathiswatch。"One，two，three，fourhours，"hesaid。"IleaveMarktonbytheseveno"clocktrainthisevening。"
"AndifImeetyourproposalwithanegative?"
"Ishallgoatoncetomynieceandtellherthewholecircumstances——tellherthat，bymarryingSirWilliam，shealliesherselfwithanunhappygentlemaninthepowerofacriminalsonwhomakeshislifeaburdentohimbyperpetualdemandsuponhispurse；whowillincreasethosedemandswithhisaccessiontowealth，threatentodegradeherbyexposingherhusband"santecedentsifsheopposeshisextortions，andwhowillmakehermiserablebylettingherknowthatheroldloverwasshamefullyvictimizedbyayouthsheisboundtoscreenoutofrespecttoherhusband"sfeelings。Nowamandoesnotcaretolethisownfleshandbloodincurthedangerofsuchanguishasthat，andIshalldowhatIsaytopreventit。KnowingwhatalukewarmsentimenthersisforSirWilliamatbest，Ishallnothavemuchdifficulty。"
"Well，Idon"tfeelinclinedtogotoPeru。"
"NeitherdoIwanttobreakoffthematch，thoughIamreadytodoit。Butyoucareaboutyourpersonalfreedom，andyoumightbemadetowearthebroadarrowforyourtricksonSomerset。"
"Mr。Power，Iseeyouareahardman。"
"Iamahardman。Youwillfindmeone。Well，willyougotoPeru?OrIdon"tmindAustraliaorCaliforniaasalternatives。Aslongasyouchoosetoremainineitherofthosewealth-producingplaces，solongwillCunninghamHazegouninformed。"
"Mr。Power，Iamovercome。Willyouallowmetositdown?
Supposewegointothevestry。Itismorecomfortable。"
Theyenteredthevestry，andseatedthemselvesintwochairs，oneateachendofthetable。
"Inthemeantime，"continuedDare，"tolendalittleromancetosternrealities，I"lltellyouasingulardreamIhadjustbeforeyoureturnedtoEngland。"Powerlookedcontemptuous，butDarewenton:"Idreamtthatonceuponatimethereweretwobrothers，bornofaNonconformistfamily，oneofwhombecamearailway-contractor，andtheotheramechanicalengineer。"
"Amechanicalengineer——good，"saidPower，beginningtoattend。
"Whenthefirstwentabroadinhisprofession，andbecameengagedoncontinentalrailways，thesecond，ayoungerman，lookingroundforastart，alsobetookhimselftothecontinent。Butthoughingeniousandscientific，hehadnotthebusinesscapacityoftheelder，whoserebukesledtoasharpquarrelbetweenthem；andtheypartedinbitterestrangement——nevertomeetagainasitturnedout，owingtothedoggedobstinacyandself-willoftheyoungerman。He，afterthis，seemedtolosehismoralballastaltogether，andaftersomeeccentricdoingshewasreducedtoastateofpoverty，andtooklodgingsinacourtinabackstreetofatownwewillcallGeneva，considerablyindoubtastowhatstepsheshouldtaketokeepbodyandsoultogether。"
AbnerPowerwasshootinganarrowrayofeyesightatDarefromthecornerofhisnearlyclosedlids。"Yourdreamissointeresting，"hesaid，withahardsmile，"thatIcouldlistentoitallday。"
"Excellent!"saidDare，andwenton:"Nowitsohappenedthatthehouseoppositetotheonetakenbythemechanicianwaspeculiar。Itwasatallnarrowbuilding，whollyunornamented，thewallscoveredwithalayerofwhiteplastercrackedandsoiledbytime。Iseemtoseethathousenow!Sixstonestepsleduptothedoor，witharustyironrailingoneachside，andunderthesestepswereotherswhichwentdowntoacellar——inmydreamofcourse。"
"Ofcourse——inyourdream，"saidPower，noddingcomprehensively。
"Sittinglonelyandapatheticwithoutalight，athisownchamber-windowatnighttime，ourmechanicianfrequentlyobserveddarkfiguresdescendingthesestepsandultimatelydiscoveredthatthehousewasthemeeting-placeofafraternityofpoliticalphilosophers，whoseobjectwastheexterminationoftyrantsanddespots，andtheoverthrowofestablishedreligions。Thediscoverywasstartlingenough，butourherowasnoteasilystartled。Hekepttheirsecretandlivedonasbefore。Atlastthemechanicianandhisaffairsbecameknowntothesociety，astheaffairsofthesocietyhadbecomeknowntothemechanician，and，insteadofshootinghimasonewhoknewtoomuchfortheirsafety，theywerestruckwithhisfacultyforsilence，andthoughttheymightbeabletomakeuseofhim。"
"Tobesure，"saidAbnerPower。
"Next，likefriendBunyan，Isawinmydreamthatdenunciationwasthebreathoflifetothissociety。Atanearlierdateinitshistory，objectionablepersonsinpowerhadbeenfromtimetotimemurdered，andcuriouslyenoughnumbered；thatis，uponthebodyofeachwassetamarkorseal，announcingthathewasoneofaseries。Butatthistimethequestionbeforethesocietyrelatedtothesubstitutionforthedagger，whichwasvetoedasobsolete，ofsomeexplosivemachinethatwouldbebothmoreeffectualandlessdifficulttomanage；andinshort，alargerewardwasofferedtoourneedyEnglishmanifhewouldputtheirideasofsuchamachineintoshape。"
AbnerPowernoddedagain，hiscomplexionbeingpeculiar——whichmightpartlyhavebeenaccountedforbythereflectionofwindow-lightfromthegreen-baizetable-cloth。
"Heagreed，thoughnopoliticianwhateverhimself，toexercisehiswitsontheiraccount，andbroughthismachinetosuchapitchofperfection，thatitwastheidenticaloneusedinthememorableattempt——"(Darewhisperedtheremainderofthesentenceintonessolowthatnotamouseinthecornercouldhaveheard。)"Well，theinventorofthatexplosivehasnaturallybeenwantedeversincebyalltheheadsofpoliceinEurope。Butthemostcurious——orperhapsthemostnaturalpartofmystoryis，thatourhero，afterthecatastrophe，grewdisgustedwithhimselfandhiscomrades，acquired，inafitofrevulsion，quiteaconservativetasteinpolitics，whichwasstrengthenedgreatlybythenewsheindirectlyreceivedofthegreatwealthandrespectabilityofhisbrother，whohadhadnocommunionwithhimforyears，andsupposedhimdead。Heabjuredhisemployersandresolvedtoabandonthem；butbeforecomingtoEnglandhedecidedtodestroyalltraceofhiscombustibleinventionsbydroppingthemintotheneighbouringlakeatnightfromaboat。Youfeeltheroomclose，Mr。Power?"
"No，IsufferfromattacksofperspirationwheneverIsitinaconsecratededifice——that"sall。Praygoon。"
"Incarryingoutthisproject，anexplosionoccurred，justashewasthrowingthestockoverboard——itblewupintohisface，woundinghimseverely，andnearlydeprivinghimofsight。Theboatwasupset，butheswamashoreinthedarkness，andremainedhiddentillherecovered，thoughthescarsproducedbytheburnshadbeensetonhimforever。Thisaccident，whichwassuchamisfortunetohimasaman，wasanadvantagetohimasaconspirators"engineerretiringfrompractice，andaffordedhimadisguisebothfromhisownbrotherhoodandfromthepolice，whichhehasconsideredimpenetrable，butwhichisgettingseenthroughbyoneortwokeeneyesastimegoeson。
InsteadofcomingtoEnglandjustthen，hewenttoPeru，connectedhimselfwiththeguanotrade，Ibelieve，andafterhisbrother"sdeathrevisitedEngland，hisoldlifeobliteratedasfaraspracticablebyhisnewprinciples。Heisknownonlyasagreattravellertohissurvivingrelatives，thoughheseldomsayswherehehastravelled。Unluckilyforhimself，heisWANTEDbycertainEuropeangovernmentsasbadlyasever。"
Dareraisedhiseyesasheconcludedhisnarration。Ashasbeenremarked，hewassittingatoneendofthevestry-table，Powerattheother，thegreenclothstretchingbetweenthem。
OntheedgeofthetableadjoiningMr。Powerashiningnozzleofmetalwasquietlyresting，likeadog"snose。Itwasdirectedpoint-blankattheyoungman。
Darestarted。"Ah——arevolver?"hesaid。
Mr。Powernoddedplacidly，hishandstillgraspingthepistolbehindtheedgeofthetable。"AsatravellerIalwayscarryoneof"em，"hereturned；"andforthelastfiveminutesI
havebeencloselyconsideringwhetheryournumerousbrainsareworthblowingoutorno。Thevaultyonderhassuggesteditselfasconvenientandsnugforoneofthesamefamily；butthementalproblemthatstaysmyhandis，howamItodespatchandburyyoutherewithouttheworkmenseeing?"
""Tisastrangeproblem，certainly，"repliedDare，"andoneonwhichIfearIcouldnotgivedisinterestedadvice。Moreover，whileyou，asatraveller，alwayscarryaweaponofdefence，asatravellersodoI。Andforthelastthree-quartersofanhourIhavebeenthinkingconcerningyou，anintensifiedformofwhatyouhavebeenthinkingofme，butwithoutanyconcernastoyourinterment。Seehereforaproofofit。"Andasecondsteelnoserestedontheedgeofthetableoppositetothefirst，steadiedbyDare"srighthand。
Theyremainedforsometimemotionless，thetickofthetowerclockdistinctlyaudible。
Mr。Powerspokefirst。
"Well，"twouldbeapitytomakeamesshereundersuchdubiouscircumstances。Mr。Dare，Iperceivethatameanvagabondcanbeassharpasapoliticalregenerator。Icryquits，ifyoucaretodothesame?"