第19章

Dareassented，andthepistolswereputaway。

"Thenwedonothingatall，eitherside；butletthecourseoftrueloverunontomarriage——that"stheunderstanding，I

think?"saidDareasherose。

"Itis，"saidPower；andturningonhisheel，heleftthevestry。

Dareretiredtothechurchandthencetotheoutside，whereheidledawayafewminutesinlookingattheworkmen，whowerenowloweringintoitsplacealargestoneslab，bearingthewords"DESTANCY，"whichcoveredtheentrancetothevault。

WhenthefootwayofthechurchyardwasrestoredtoitsnormalconditionDarepursuedhiswaytoMarkton。

AbnerPowerwalkedbacktothecastleataslowandequalpace，asthoughhecarriedanover-brimmingvesselonhishead。Hesilentlylethimselfin，enteredthelonggallery，andsatdown。Thelengthoftimethathesattherewassoremarkableastoraisethatintervalofinanitiontotherankofafeat。

Power"seyesglancedthroughoneofthewindow-casements:

fromaholewithouthesawtheheadofatomtitprotruding。

Helistlesslywatchedthebirdduringthesuccessiveepochsofhisthought，tillnightcame，withoutanyperceptiblechangeoccurringinhim。Suchfixitywouldhavemeantnothingelsethansuddendeathinanyotherman，butinMr。Poweritmerelysignifiedthathewasengagedinruminationswhichnecessitatedamoreextensivesurveythanusual。Atlast，athalf-pasteight，afterhavingsatforfivehourswithhiseyesontheresidenceofthetomtits，towhomnighthadbroughtcessationofthought，ifnottohimwhohadobservedthem，heroseamidtheshadesofthefurniture，andrangthebell。

Therewereonlyaservantortwointhecastle，oneofwhompresentlycamewithalightinherhandandastartledlookuponherface，whichwasnotreducedwhensherecognizedhim；

forintheopinionofthathouseholdtherewassomethingghoul-likeinMr。Power，whichmadehimnodesirableguest。

Heatealatemeal，andretiredtobed，whereheseemedtosleepnotunsoundly。Thenextmorninghereceivedaletterwhichaffordedhiminfinitesatisfactionandgavehisstagnantimpulsesanewmomentum。Heenteredthelibrary，andamidobjectsswathedinbrownhollandsatdownandwroteanotetohisnieceatAmiens。Thereinhestatedthat，findingthattheAnglo-South-AmericanhousewithwhichhehadrecentlyconnectedhimselfrequiredhispresenceinPeru，itobligedhimtoleavewithoutwaitingforherreturn。Hefeltthelessuneasyatgoing，sincehehadlearntthatCaptainDeStancywouldreturnatoncetoAmienstohissicksister，andseethemsafelyhomewhensheimproved。Heafterwardsleftthecastle，disappearingtowardsarailwaystationsomemilesaboveMarkton，theroadtowhichlayacrossanunfrequenteddown。

XII。

Itwasafineafternoonoflatesummer，nearlythreemonthssubsequenttothedeathofSirWilliamDeStancyandPaula"sengagementtomarryhissuccessorinthetitle。GeorgeSomersethadstartedonaprofessionaljourneythattookhimthroughthecharmingdistrictwhichlayaroundStancyCastle。

Havingresignedhisappointmentasarchitecttothatimportantstructure——aresignationwhichhadbeenacceptedbyPaulathroughhersolicitor——hehadbiddenfarewelltothelocalityafterputtingmattersinsuchorderthathissuccessor，whoeverhemightbe，shouldhavenodifficultyinobtainingtheparticularsnecessarytothecompletionoftheworkinhand。HardlytohissurprisethissuccessorwasHavill。

Somerset"sresignationhadbeentenderedinnohastymood。OnreturningtoEngland，andinduecoursetothecastle，everythingboreinuponhismindtheexceedingsorrowfulness——

hewouldnotsayhumiliation——ofcontinuingtoactinhisformercapacityforawomanwho，fromseemingmorethanadearfriend，hadbecomelessthananacquaintance。

Soheresigned；butnow，asthetraindrewonintothatoncebelovedtractofcountry，theimageswhichmethiseyethrewhimbackinpointofemotiontoverynearwherehehadbeenbeforemakinghimselfastrangerhere。ThetrainenteredthecuttingonwhosebrinkhehadwalkedwhenthecarriagecontainingPaulaandherfriendssurprisedhimtheprevioussummer。Helookedoutofthewindow:theywerepassingthewell-knowncurvethatleduptothetunnelconstructedbyherfather，intowhichhehadgonewhenthetraincamebyandPaulahadbeenalarmedforhislife。Therewasthepaththeyhadbothclimbedafterwards，involuntarilyseizingeachother"shand；thebushes，thegrass，theflowers，everythingjustthesame:

"——Herewasthepleasantplace，Andnothingwantingwas，saveShe，alas!"

Whentheycameoutofthetunnelattheotherendhecaughtaglimpseofthedistantcastle-keep，andthewell-rememberedwallsbeneathit。Theexperiencesofartranscendedtheintensityofwhatiscalledmournfulpleasureastomakehimwonderhowhecouldhavemiscalculatedhimselftotheextentofsupposingthathemightpassthespotwithcontrollableemotion。

OnenteringMarktonstationhewithdrewintoaremotecornerofthecarriage，andclosedhiseyeswitharesolvenottoopenthemtilltheembitteringscenesshouldbepassedby。Hehadnotlongtowaitforthisevent。Whenagaininmotionhiseyefellupontheskirtofalady"sdressopposite，theownerofwhichhadenteredandseatedherselfsosoftlyasnottoattracthisattention。

"Ahindeed!"heexclaimedashelookeduptoherface。"Ihadnotanotionthatitwasyou!"HewentoverandshookhandswithCharlotteDeStancy。

"Iamnotgoingfar，"shesaid；"onlytothenextstation。Weoftenrundowninsummertime。Areyougoingfar?"

"Iamgoingtoabuildingfurtheron；thencetoNormandybywayofCherbourg，tofinishoutmyholiday。"

MissDeStancythoughtthatwouldbeverynice。

"Well，Ihopeso。ButIfearitwon"t。"

AftersayingthatSomersetaskedhimselfwhyheshouldmincematterswithsogenuineandsympatheticagirlasCharlotteDeStancy?Shecouldtellhimparticularswhichheburnedtoknow。Hemightneveragainhaveanopportunityofknowingthem，sincesheandhewouldprobablynotmeetforyearstocome，ifatall。

"Havethecastleworksprogressedprettyrapidlyunderthenewarchitect?"heaccordinglyasked。

"Yes，"saidCharlotteinherhaste——thenaddingthatshewasnotquitesureiftheyhadprogressedsorapidlyasbefore；

blushinglycorrectingherselfatthispointandthat，inthetinkeringmannerofanervousorganizationaimingatnicetywhereitwasnotrequired。

"Well，Ishouldhavelikedtocarryouttheundertakingtoitsend，"saidSomerset。"ButIfeltIcouldnotconsistentlydoso。MissPower——"(herealumpcameintoSomerset"sthroat——

soresponsivewasheyettoherimage)——"seemedtohavelostconfidenceinme，and——itwasbestthattheconnectionshouldbesevered。"

Therewasalongpause。"Shewasverysorryaboutit，"saidCharlottegently。

"Whatmadeheralterso?——Inevercanthink!"

Charlottewaitedagainasiftoaccumulatethenecessaryforceforhonestspeakingattheexpenseofpleasantness。"Itwasthetelegramthatbeganitofcourse，"sheanswered。

"Telegram?"

Shelookedupathiminquiteafrightenedway——littleastherewastobefrightenedatinaquietfellowlikehiminthissadtimeofhislife——andsaid，"Yes:sometelegram——I

think——whenyouwereintrouble?Forgivemyalludingtoit；

butyouaskedmethequestion。"

SomersetbeganreflectingonwhatmessageshehadsentPaula，troublousorotherwise。Allhehadsenthadbeensentfromthecastle，andwereasgentleandmellifluousassentenceswellcouldbewhichhadneitherarticlesnorpronouns。"I

don"tunderstand，"hesaid。"Willyouexplainalittlemore——

asplainlyasyoulike——withoutmindingmyfeelings?"

"AtelegramfromNice，Ithink?"

"Ineversentone。"

"O!TheoneImeantwasaboutmoney。"

Somersetshookhishead。"No，"hemurmured，withthecomposureofamanwho，knowinghehaddonenothingofthesorthimself，wasblindedbyhisownhonestytothepossibilitythatanothermighthavedoneitforhim。"ThatmustbesomeotheraffairwithwhichIhadnothingtodo。O

no，itwasnothinglikethat；thereasonforherchangeofmannerwasquitedifferent!"

SotimidwasCharlotteinSomerset"spresence，thathertimidityatthisjunctureamountedtoblameworthiness。Thedistressingscenewhichmusthavefollowedaclearingupthereandthenofanypossiblemisunderstanding，terrifiedherimagination；andquiteconfoundedbycontradictionsthatshecouldnotreconcile，sheheldhertongue，andnervouslylookedoutofthewindow。

"IhaveheardthatMissPowerissoontobemarried，"

continuedSomerset。

"Yes，"Charlottemurmured。"Itissoonerthanitoughttobebyrights，consideringhowrecentlymydearfatherdied；buttherearereasonsinconnectionwithmybrother"spositionagainstputtingitoff:anditistobeabsolutelysimpleandprivate。"

Therewasanotherinterval。"MayIaskwhenitistobe?"hesaid。

"Almostatonce——thisweek。"

Somersetstartedbackasifsomestonehadhithisface。

Stilltherewasnothingwonderfulinsuchpromptitude:

engagementsbrokeninuponbythedeathofanearrelativeofoneofthepartieshadbeenoftencarriedoutinasubduedformwithnolongerdelay。

Charlotte"sstationwasnowathand。Shebadehimfarewell；

andherattledontothebuildinghehadcometoinspect，andnexttoBudmouth，whenceheintendedtocrosstheChannelbysteamboatthatnight。

Hehardlyknewhowtheeveningpassedaway。Hehadtakenuphisquartersataninnnearthequay，andasthenightdrewonhestoodgazingfromthecoffee-roomwindowatthesteameroutside，whichnearlythrustitssparsthroughthebedroomcasements，andatthegoodsthatwerebeingtumbledonboardasonlyshipperscantumblethem。Allthegoodswereladen，alampwasputoneachsidethegangway，theenginesbrokeintoacracklingroar，andpeoplebegantoenter。Theywereonlywaitingforthelasttrain:thentheywouldbeoff。StillSomersetdidnotmove；hewasthinkingofthatcurioushalf-

toldstoryofCharlotte"s，aboutatelegramtoPaulaformoneyfromNice。Notoncetillwithinthelasthalf-hourhaditrecurredtohismindthathehadmetDarebothatNiceandatMonteCarlo；thatatthelatterplacehehadbeenabsolutelyoutofmoneyandwishedtoborrow，showingconsiderablesinisterfeelingwhenSomersetdeclinedtolend:thatononeortwopreviousoccasionshehadreasonsfordoubtingDare"sprobity；andthatinspiteoftheyoungman"simpoverishmentatMonteCarlohehad，afewdayslater，beheldhiminshiningraimentatCarlsruhe。Somerset，thoughmistyinhisconjectures，wasseizedwithagrowingconvictionthattherewassomethinginMissDeStancy"sallusiontothetelegramwhichoughttobeexplained。

Hefeltaninsurmountableobjectiontocrossthewaterthatnight，ortillhehadbeenabletoseeCharlotteagain，andlearnmoreofhermeaning。Hecountermandedtheordertoputhisluggageonboard，watchedthesteameroutoftheharbour，andwenttobed。Hemightaswellhavegonetobattle，foranyrestthathegot。Onrisingthenextmorninghefeltratherblank，thoughnonethelessconvincedthatamatterrequiredinvestigation。HeleftBudmouthbyamorningtrain，andabouteleveno"clockfoundhimselfinMarkton。

Themomentumofapracticalinquirytookhimthroughthatancientboroughwithoutleavinghimmuchleisureforthosereverieswhichhadyesterdaylentanunutterablesadnesstoeveryobjectthere。Itwasjustbeforenoonthathestartedforthecastle，intendingtoarriveatatimeofthemorningwhen，asheknewfromexperience，hecouldspeaktoCharlottewithoutdifficulty。Therisinggroundsoonrevealedtheoldtowerstohim，and，juttingoutbehindthem，thescaffoldingsforthenewwing。

Whilehaltinghereontheknollinsomedoubtabouthismovementshebeheldamancomingalongtheroad，andwassoonconfrontedbyhisformercompetitor，Havill。Thefirstinstinctofeachwastopasswithanod，butasecondinstinctforintercoursewassufficienttobringthemtoahalt。AfterafewsuperficialwordshadbeenspokenSomersetsaid，"Youhavesucceededme。"

"Ihave，"saidHavill；"butlittletomyadvantage。Ihavejustheardthatmycommissionistoextendnofurtherthanroofinginthewingthatyoubegan，andhadIknownthatbefore，IwouldhaveseenthecastlefallflatasJerichobeforeIwouldhaveacceptedthesuperintendence。ButIknowwhoIhavetothankforthat——DeStancy。"

Somersetstilllookedtowardsthedistantbattlements。Onthescaffolding，amongthewhite-jacketedworkmen，hecoulddiscernonefigureinadarksuit。

"Youhaveaclerkoftheworks，Isee，"heobserved。

"NominallyIhave，butpracticallyIhaven"t。"

"Thenwhydoyoukeephim?"

"Ican"thelpmyself。HeisMr。Dare；andhavingbeenrecommendedbyahigherpowerthanI，therehemuststayinspiteofme。"

"Whorecommendedhim?"

"Thesame——DeStancy。"

"Itisveryodd，"murmuredSomerset，"butthatyoungmanistheobjectofmyvisit。"

"Youhadbetterleavehimalone，"saidHavilldrily。

Somersetaskedwhy。

"SinceIcallnomanmasteroverthatwayIwillinformyou。"

Havillthenrelatedinsplenetictones，towhichSomersetdidnotcaretolistentillthestorybegantoadvanceitself，howhehadpassedthenightwithDareattheinn，andtheincidentsofthatnight，relatinghowhehadseensomelettersontheyoungman"sbreastwhichlonghadpuzzledhim。"TheywereanE，aT，anN，andaC。Ithoughtoverthemlong，tilliteventuallyoccurredtomethatthewordwhenfilledoutwas"DeStancy，"andthatkinshipexplainstheoffensiveanddefensivealliancebetweenthem。"

"But，goodheavens，man!"saidSomerset，moreandmoredisturbed。"Doessheknowofit?"

"Youmaydependshedoesnotyet；butshewillsoonenough。

Hark——thereitis!"Thenotesofthecastleclockwereheardstrikingnoon。"Thenitisallover。"

"What?——nottheirmarriage!"

"Yes。Didn"tyouknowitwastheweddingday?Theyweretobeatthechurchathalf-pasteleven。Ishouldhavewaitedtoseehergo，butitwasnosighttohinderbusinessfor，asshewasonlygoingtodriveoverinherbroughamwithMissDeStancy。"

"Myerrandhasfailed!"saidSomerset，turningonhisheel。

"I"llwalkbacktothetownwithyou。"

HoweverhedidnotwalkfarwithHavill；societywastoomuchatthatmoment。Assoonasopportunityofferedhebranchedfromtheroadbyapath，andavoidingthetownwentbyrailwaytoBudmouth，whenceheresumed，bythenightsteamer，hisjourneytoNormandyXIII。

ToreturntoCharlotteDeStancy。WhenthetrainhadborneSomersetfromherside，andshehadregainedherself-

possession，shebecameconsciousofthetrueproportionsofthefacthehadasserted。And，further，ifthetelegramhadnotbeenhis，whyshouldthephotographicdistortionbetrustedasaphaseofhisexistence?ButafterawhileitseemedsoimprobabletoherthatGod"ssunshouldbearfalsewitness，thatinsteadofdoubtingbothevidencesshewasinclinedtoreadmitthefirst。Still，uponthewhole，shecouldnotquestionforlongthehonestyofSomerset"sdenialandifthatmessagehadindeedbeensentbyhim，itmusthavebeendonewhilehewasinanothersuchanunhappystateasthatexemplifiedbytheportrait。Thesuppositionreconciledalldifferences；andyetshecouldnotbutfightagainstitwithallthestrengthofagenerousaffection。

Alltheafternoonherpoorlittleheadwasbusyonthisperturbingquestion，tillsheinquiredofherselfwhetherafterallitmightnotbepossibleforphotographstorepresentpeopleastheyhadneverbeen。Beforerejectingthehypothesisshedeterminedtohavethewordofaprofessoronthepoint，whichwouldbebetterthanallhersurmises。

ReturningtoMarktonearly，shetoldthecoachmanwhomPaulahadsent，todrivehertotheshopofMr。Ray，anobscurephotographicartistinthattown，insteadofstraighthome。

Ray"sestablishmentconsistedoftwodivisions，therespectableandtheshabby。If，onenteringthedoor，thevisitorturnedtotheleft，hefoundhimselfinamagazineofoldclothes，oldfurniture，china，umbrellas，guns，fishing-

rods，dirtyfiddles，andsplitflutes。Enteringtheright-

handroom，whichhadoriginallybeenthatofanindependenthouse，hewasinanordinaryphotographer"sandprint-

collector"sdepository，towhichacertainartisticsoliditywasimpartedbyafewoilpaintingsinthebackground。

Charlottemadeforthelatterdepartment，andwhenshewasinsideMr。Rayappearedinpersonfromthelumber-shopadjoining，which，despiteitsmanginess，contributedbyfarthegreatersharetohisincome。

Charlotteputherquestionsimplyenough。Themandidnotanswerherdirectly，butsoonfoundthatshemeantnoharmtohim。Hetoldherthatsuchmisrepresentationswerequitepossible，andthattheyembodiedaformofhumourwhichwasgettingmoreandmoreintovogueamongcertainfacetiouspersonsofsociety。

Charlottewascomingawaywhensheasked，asonsecondthoughts，ifhehadanyspecimensofsuchworktoshowher。

"Noneofmyownpreparation，"saidMr。Ray，withunimpeachableprobityoftone。"Iconsiderthemlibellousmyself。Still，I

haveoneortwosamplesbyme，whichIkeepmerelyascuriosities——There"sone，"hesaid，throwingoutaportraitcardfromadrawer。"ThatrepresentstheGermanEmperorinaviolentpassion:thisoneshowsthePrimeMinisteroutofhismind；thisthePopeofRometheworseforliquor。"

Sheinquiredifhehadanylocalspecimens。

"Yes，"hesaid，"butIprefernottoexhibitthemunlessyoureallyaskforaparticularonethatyoumeantobuy。"

"Idon"twantany。"

"O，Ibegpardon，miss。Well，Ishouldn"tmyselfownsuchthingswereproduced，iftherehadnotbeenayoungmanhereatonetimewhowasveryingeniousinthesematters——aMr。

Dare。Hewasquiteagent，andonlydiditasanamusement，andnotforthesakeofgettingaliving。"

Charlottehadnowishtohearmore。Onherwayhomesheburstintotears:theentanglementwasaltogethertoomuchforhertotearasunder，evenhadnotherowninstinctsbeenurginghertwoways，astheywere。

ToimmediatelyrightSomerset"swrongwasherimpetuousdesireasanhonestwomanwholovedhim；butsuchrectificationwouldbethejeopardizingofallelsethatgratifiedher——themarriageofherbrotherwithherdearestfriend——nowontheverypointofaccomplishment。Itwasamarriagewhichseemedtopromisehappiness，oratleastcomfort，iftheoldflutterthathadtransientlydisturbedPaula"sbosomcouldbekeptfromreviving，towhichenditbecameimperativetohidefromherthediscoveryofinjusticetoSomerset。ItinvolvedtheadvantageofleavingSomersetfree；andthoughherowntenderinterestinhimhadbeentoowellschooledbyhabitualself-

denialtorunaheadonvainpersonalhopes，therewasnothingmorethanhumaninherfeelingpleasureinprolongingSomerset"ssingleness。Paulamightevenbeallowedtodiscoverhiswrongswhenhermarriagehadputhimoutofherpower。Buttoletherdiscoverhisill-treatmentnowmightupsettheimpendingunionofthefamilies，andwringherownheartwiththesightofSomersetmarriedinherbrother"splace。

WhyDare，oranyotherperson，shouldhavesethimselftoadvanceherbrother"scausebysuchunscrupulousblackeningofSomerset"scharacterwasmorethanhersagacitycouldfathom。

Herbrotherwas，asfarasshecouldsee，theonlymanwhocoulddirectlyprofitbythemachination，andwasthereforethenaturalonetosuspectofhavingsetitgoing。Butshewouldnotbesodisloyalastoentertainthethoughtlong；andwhoorwhathadinstigatedDare，whowasundoubtedlytheproximatecauseofthemischief，remainedtoheraninscrutablemystery。

ThecontentionofinterestsanddesireswithhonourinherheartshookCharlotteallthatnight；butgoodprincipleprevailed。Theweddingwastobesolemnizedtheverynextmorning，thoughforbefore-mentionedreasonsthiswashardlyknownoutsidethetwohousesinterested；andtherewerenovisiblepreparationseitheratvillaorcastle。DeStancyandhisgroomsman——abrotherofficer——sleptattheformerresidence。

DeStancywasasorryspecimenofabridegroomwhenhemethissisterinthemorning。Thick-comingfancies，forwhichtherewasmorethangoodreason，haddisturbedhimonlytoosuccessfully，andhewasasfullofapprehensionasonewhohasaleaguewithMephistopheles。Charlottetoldhimnothingofwhatmadeherlikewisesowanandanxious，butdroveofftothecastle，ashadbeenplanned，aboutnineo"clock，leavingherbrotherandhisfriendatthebreakfast-table。

ThatclearingSomerset"sreputationfromthestainwhichhadbeenthrownonitwouldcauseasufficientreactioninPaula"smindtodislocatepresentarrangementsshedidnotsoseriouslyanticipate，nowthatmorninghadalittlecalmedher。SincetherupturewithherformerarchitectPaulahadsedulouslykeptherowncounsel，butCharlotteassumedfromtheeasewithwhichsheseemedtodoitthatherfeelingstowardshimhadneverbeeninconvenientlywarm；andshehopedthatPaulawouldlearnofSomerset"spuritywithmerelythegenerouspleasureofafriend，coupledwithafriend"sindignationagainsthistraducer。

Still，thepossibilityexistedofstrongeremotions，anditwasonlytooevidenttopoorCharlottethat，knowingthis，shehadstilllessexcusefordelayingtheintelligencetillthestrongestemotionwouldbepurposeless。

OnapproachingthecastlethefirstobjectthatcaughthereyewasDare，standingbesideHavillonthescaffoldingofthenewwing。Hewaslookingdownuponthedriveandcourt，asifinanticipationoftheevent。Hiscontiguityflurriedher，andinsteadofgoingstraighttoPaulashesoughtoutMrs。

Goodman。

"Youarecomeearly；that"sright!"saidthelatter。"Youmightaswellhavesleptherelastnight。WehaveonlyMr。

Wardlaw，theLondonlawyeryouhaveheardof，inthehouse。

Yourbrother"ssolicitorwashereyesterday；buthereturnedtoMarktonforthenight。WemissMr。Powersomuch——itissounfortunatethatheshouldhavebeenobligedtogoabroad，andleaveusunprotectedwomenwithsomuchresponsibility。"

"Yes，Iknow，"saidCharlottequickly，havingashydistasteforthedetailsofwhattroubledhersomuchinthegross。

"Paulahasinquiredforyou。"

"Whatisshedoing?"

"Sheisinherroom:shehasnotbeguntodressyet。Willyougotoher?"

Charlotteassented。"Ihavetotellhersomething，"shesaid，"whichwillmakenodifference，butwhichIshouldlikehertoknowthismorning——atonce。IhavediscoveredthatwehavebeenentirelymistakenaboutMr。Somerset。"Shenervedherselftorelatesuccinctlywhathadcometoherknowledgethedaybefore。

Mrs。Goodmanwasmuchimpressed。ShehadneverclearlyheardbeforewhatcircumstanceshadattendedtheresignationofPaula"sarchitect。"Wehadbetternottellhertilltheweddingisover，"shepresentlysaid；"itwouldonlydisturbher，anddonogood。"

"Butwillitberight?"askedMissDeStancy。

"Yes，itwillberightifwetellherafterwards。Oyes——itmustberight，"sherepeatedinatonewhichshowedthatheropinionwasunstableenoughtorequirealittlefortificationbythevoice。"Shelovesyourbrother；shemust，sincesheisgoingtomarryhim；anditcanmakelittledifferencewhetherwerehabilitatethecharacterofafriendnow，orsomefewhourshence。TheauthorofthosewickedtricksonMr。

Somersetoughtnottogoamomentunpunished。"

"That"swhatIthink；andwhatrighthavewetoholdourtonguesevenforafewhours?"

CharlottefoundthatbytellingMrs。Goodmanshehadsimplymadetwoirresolutepeopleoutofone，andasPaulawasnowinquiringforher，shewentupstairswithouthavingcometoanydecision。

XIV。

Paulawasinherboudoir，writingdownsomenotesprevioustobeginningherweddingtoilet，whichwasdesignedtoharmonizewiththesimplicitythatcharacterizedtheotherarrangements。

Sheownedthatitwasdeprivingtheneighbourhoodofapageantwhichithadarighttoexpectofher；butthecircumstancewasinexorable。

Mrs。GoodmanenteredPaula"sroomimmediatelybehindCharlotte。PerhapstheonlydifferencebetweenthePaulaofto-dayandthePaulaoflastyearwasanaccessionofthoughtfulness，naturaltothecircumstancesinanycase，andmoreparticularlywhen，asnow，thebride"sisolationmadeself-dependenceanecessity。Shewassittinginalightdressing-gown，andherface，whichwasratherpale，flushedattheentranceofCharlotteandheraunt。

"Iknewyouwerecome，"shesaid，whenCharlottestoopedandkissedher。"Iheardyou。Ihavedonenothingthismorning，andfeeldreadfullyunsettled。Isallwell?"

Thequestionwasputwithoutthought，butitsaptnessseemedalmosttoimplyanintuitiveknowledgeoftheirpreviousconversation。"Yes，"saidCharlottetardily。

"Well，now，Clementineshalldressyou，andIcandowithMilly，"continuedPaula。"Comealong。Well，aunt——what"sthematter?——andyou，Charlotte?Youlookharassed。"

"Ihavenotsleptwell，"saidCharlotte。

"Andhavenotyousleptwelleither，aunt?Yousaidnothingaboutitatbreakfast。"

"O，itisnothing，"saidMrs。Goodmanquickly。"Ihavebeendisturbedbylearningofsomebody"svillainy。Iamgoingtotellyouallsometimeto-day，butitisnotimportantenoughtodisturbyouwithnow。"

"Nomystery!"arguedPaula。"Come!itisnotfair。"

"Idon"tthinkitisquitefair，"saidMissDeStancy，lookingfromonetotheotherinsomedistress。"Mrs。Goodman——Imusttellher!Paula，Mr。Som——"

"He"sdead!"criedPaula，sinkingintoachairandturningaspaleasmarble。"Ishedead?——tellme!"shewhispered。

"No，no——he"snotdead——heisverywell，andgonetoNormandyforaholiday!"

"O——Iamgladtohearit，"answeredPaula，withasuddencoolmannerliness。

"Hehasbeenmisrepresented，"saidMrs。Goodman。"That"sall。"

"Well?"saidPaula，withhereyesbentonthefloor。

"IhavebeenfeelingthatIoughttotellyouclearly，dearPaula，"declaredherfriend。"Itisabsolutelyfalseabouthistelegraphingtoyouformoney——itisabsolutelyfalsethathischaracterissuchasthatdreadfulpicturerepresentedit。

There——that"sthesubstanceofit，andIcantellyouparticularsatanytime。"

ButPaulawouldnotbetoldatanytime。Adreadfulsorrowsatinherface；sheinsisteduponlearningeverythingaboutthematterthereandthen，andtherewasnowithstandingher。

Whenitwasallexplainedshesaidinalowtone:"Itisthatpernicious，evilmanDare——yetwhyisithe?——whatcanhehavemeantbyit!Justicebeforegenerosity，evenonone"swedding-day。BeforeIbecomeanyman"swifethismorningI"llseethatwretchinjail!Theaffairmustbesifted……O，itwasawickedthingtoserveanybodyso!——I"llsendforCunninghamHazethismoment——theculpritisevennowonthepremises，Ibelieve——actingasclerkoftheworks!"Theusuallywell-balancedPaulawasexcited，andscarcelyknowingwhatshedidwenttothebell-pull。

"Don"tacthastily，Paula，"saidheraunt。"HadyounotbetterconsultSirWilliam?Hewillactforyouinthis。"

"Yes——Heiscomingroundinafewminutes，"saidCharlotte，jumpingatthishappythoughtofMrs。Goodman"s。"He"sgoingtorunacrosstoseehowyouaregettingon。Hewillbeherebyten。"

"Yes——hepromisedlastnight。"

Shehadscarcelydonespeakingwhentheprancingofahorsewasheardinthewardbelow，andinafewminutesaservantannouncedSirWilliamDeStancy。

DeStancyenteredsaying，"Ihaveriddenacrossfortenminutes，asIsaidIwoulddo，toknowifeverythingiseasyandstraightforwardforyou。TherewillbetimeenoughformetogetbackandprepareifIstartshortly。Well?"

"Iamruffled，"saidPaula，allowinghimtotakeherhand。

"Whatisit?"saidherbetrothed。

AsPauladidnotimmediatelyanswerMrs。GoodmanbeckonedtoCharlotte，andtheylefttheroomtogether。

"Amanhastobegivenincharge，oraboy，orademon，"shereplied。"Iwasgoingtodoit，butyoucandoitbetterthanI。Hewillrunawayifwedon"tmind。"

"But，mydearPaula，whoisit?——whathashedone?"

"ItisDare——thatyoungmanyouseeoutthereagainstthesky。"Shelookedfromthewindowsidewaystowardsthenewwing，ontheroofofwhichDarewaswalkingprominentlyabout，afterhavingassistedtwooftheworkmeninputtingaredstreameronthetallestscaffold-pole。"YoumustsendinstantlyforMr。CunninghamHaze!"

"MydearestPaula，"repeatedDeStancyfaintly，hiscomplexionchangingtothatofamanwhohaddied。

"PleasesendforMr。Hazeatonce，"returnedPaula，withgracefulfirmness。"IsaidIwouldbejusttoawrongedmanbeforeIwasgeneroustoyou——andIwill。ThatladDare——totakeapracticalviewofit——hasattemptedtodefraudmeofonehundredpoundssterling，andheshallsuffer。Iwon"ttellyouwhathehasdonebesides，forthoughitisworse，itislesstangible。WhenheishandcuffedandsentofftojailI"llproceedwithmydressing。Willyouringthebell?"

"Hadyounotbetterconsider?"beganDeStancy。

"Consider!"saidPaula，withindignation。"Ihaveconsidered。

Willyoukindlyring，SirWilliam，andgetThomastorideatoncetoMr。Haze?OrmustIrisefromthischairanddoitmyself?"

"Youareveryhastyandabruptthismorning，Ithink，"hefaltered。

Paularosedeterminedlyfromthechair。"Sinceyouwon"tdoit，Imust，"shesaid。

"No，dearest!——Letmebegyounotto!"

"SirWilliamDeStancy!"

Shemovedtowardsthebell-pull；buthesteppedbeforeandinterceptedher。

"Youmustnotringthebellforthatpurpose，"hesaidwithhuskydeliberateness，lookingintothedepthsofherface。

"Itwantstwohourstothetimewhenyoumighthavearighttoexpresssuchacommandasthat，"shesaidhaughtily。

"Icertainlyhavenotthehonourtobeyourhusbandyet，"hesadlyreplied，"butsurelyyoucanlisten?ThereexistreasonsagainstgivingthisboyinchargewhichIcouldeasilygetyoutoadmitbyexplanation；butIwouldrather，withoutexplanation，haveyoutakemyword，whenIsaythatbydoingsoyouarestrikingablowagainstbothyourselfandme。"

Paula，however，hadrungthebell。

"Youarejealousofsomebodyorsomethingperhaps!"shesaid，intoneswhichshowedhowfatallyallthiswastellingagainsttheintentionofthatday。"Iwillnotbeapartytobaseness，ifitistosaveallmyfortune!"

Thebellwasansweredquickly。ButDeStancy，thoughplainlyingreatmisery，didnotgiveuphispoint。Meetingtheservantatthedoorbeforehecouldentertheroomhesaid。

"Itisnothing；youcangoagain。"

Paulalookedattheunhappybaronetinamazement；thenturningtotheservant，whostoodwiththedoorinhishand，said，"TellThomastosaddlethechestnut，and——"

"It"sallamistake，"insistedDeStancy。"Leavetheroom，James!"

Jameslookedathismistress。

"Yes，James，leavetheroom，"shecalmlysaid，sittingdown。

"Nowwhathaveyoutosay?"sheasked，whentheywereagainalone。"WhymustInotissueordersinmyownhouse?Whoisthisyoungcriminal，thatyouvaluehisinterestshigherthanmyhonour?Ihavedelayedforonemomentsendingmymessengertothechiefconstabletohearyourexplanation——onlyforthat。"

"Youwillstillpersevere?"

"Certainly。Whoishe?"

"Paula……heismyson。"

Sheremainedstillasdeathwhileonemightcountten；thenturnedherbackuponhim。"Ithinkyouhadbettergoaway，"

shewhispered。"Youneednotcomeagain。"

Hedidnotmove。"Paula——doyouindeedmeanthis?"heasked。

"Ido。"

DeStancywalkedafewpaces，thensaidinalowvoice:"MissPower，Iknew——Iguessedjustnow，assoonasitbegan——thatweweregoingtosplitonthisrock。Well——letitbe——itcannotbehelped；destinyissupreme。Theboywastobemyruin；heismyruin，andrightly。ButbeforeIgograntmeonerequest。Donotprosecutehim。Believeme，IwilldoeverythingIcantogethimoutofyourway。Heshallannoyyounomore……Doyoupromise?"

"Ido，"shesaid。"Nowpleaseleaveme。"

"Oncemore——amItounderstandthatnomarriageistotakeplaceto-daybetweenyouandme?"

"Youare。"

SirWilliamDeStancylefttheroom。Itwasnoticeablethroughouttheinterviewthathismannerhadnotbeenthemannerofamanaltogethertakenbysurprise。Duringthefewprecedingdayshismoodhadbeenthatofthegamblerseasonedinill-luck，whoadoptspessimistsurmisesasasafebackgroundtohismostsanguinehopes。

Sheremainedaloneforsometime。Thensherang，andrequestedthatMr。Wardlaw，herfather"ssolicitorandfriend，wouldcomeuptoher。Amessengerwasdespatched，nottoMr。

CunninghamHaze，buttotheparsonoftheparish，whoinhisturnsenttotheclerkandclerk"swife，thenbusyinthechurch。Onreceiptoftheintelligencethetwolatterfunctionariesproceededtorollupthecarpetwhichhadbeenlaidfromthedoortothegate，putawaythekneeling-

cushions，lockedthedoors，andwentofftoinquirethereasonofsostrangeacountermand。ItwassoonproclaimedinMarktonthatthemarriagehadbeenpostponedforafortnightinconsequenceofthebride"ssuddenindisposition:andlesspublicemotionwasfeltthanthecasemighthavedrawnforth，fromtheignoranceofthemajorityofthepopulacethataweddinghadbeengoingtotakeplaceatall。

MeanwhileMissDeStancyhadbeenclosetedwithPaulaformorethananhour。Itwasadifficultmeeting，andaseveretesttoanyfriendshipbutthatofthemoststerlingsort。IntheturmoilofherdistractionCharlottehadtheconsolationofknowingthatifheractofjusticetoSomersetatsuchamomentweretheactofasimpleton，itwastheonlycourseopentohonesty。ButPaula"scheerfulserenityinsomemeasurelaidherowntroublestorest，tilltheywerereawakenedbyarumour——whichgotwindsomeweekslater，andquitedrownedallothersurprises——ofthetruerelationbetweenthevanishedclerkofworks，Mr。Dare，andthefallenfamilyofDeStancy。

BOOKTHESIXTH。PAULA。

I。

"IhavedecidedthatIcannotseeSirWilliamagain:Ishallgoaway，"saidPaulaontheeveningofthenextday，asshelayonherbedinaflushedandhighly-strungcondition，thoughapersonwhohadheardherwordswithoutseeingherfacewouldhaveassumedperfectequanimitytobethemoodwhichexpresseditselfwithsuchquietness。Thiswasthecasewithheraunt，whowaslookingoutofthewindowatsomeidlersfromMarktonwalkingroundthecastlewiththeireyesbentuponitswindows，andshemadenohastetoreply。

"Thosepeoplehavecometoseeme，astheyhavearighttodowhenapersonactssostrangely，"Paulacontinued。"AndhenceIambetteraway。"

"Wheredoyouthinktogoto?"

Paularepliedinthetoneofonewhowasactuatedentirelybypracticalconsiderations:"OutofEnglandcertainly。AndasNormandyliesnearest，IthinkIshallgothere。Itisaverynicecountrytoramblein。"