第6章

\'Oindeed!\'

\'Adinner-party，Ihear；eighteenguests。\'

\'Ah，\'saidSomerset。

\'Theyoungladywasmagnificent——sapphiresandopals——shecarriedasmuchasathousandpoundsuponherheadandshouldersduringthatthreeorfourhour。Ofcoursetheycallhercharming；Compuestanohaymugerfea，astheysayatMadrid。\'

\'Idon\'tdoubtitforamoment，\'saidSomerset，withreserve。

Daresaidnomore，andpresentlythedooropened，andtherestoodPaula。

SomersetnoddedtoDaretowithdrawintoanadjoiningroom，andofferedherachair。

\'Youwishtoshowmethedesignyouhaveprepared?\'sheasked，withouttakingtheseat。

\'Yes；Ihavecomeroundtoyouropinion。IhavemadeaplanfortheGreekcourtyouwereanxioustobuild。\'Andheelevatedthedrawing-boardagainstthewall。

Sheregardeditattentivelyforsomemoments，herfingerrestinglightlyagainstherchin，andsaid，\'IhavegivenuptheideaofaGreekcourt。\'

Heshowedhisastonishment，andwasalmostdisappointed。HehadbeengrindingupGreekarchitectureentirelyonheraccount；hadwrenchedhismindroundtothisstrangearrangement，allfornothing。

\'Yes，\'shecontinued；\'onreconsiderationIperceivethewantofharmonythatwouldresultfrominsertingsuchapieceofmarble-workinamediaevalfortress；soinfuturewewilllimitourselvesstrictlytosynchronismofstyle——thatistosay，makegoodtheNormanworkbyNorman，thePerpendicularbyPerpendicular，andsoon。IhaveinformedMr。Havillofthesamething。\'

SomersetpulledtheGreekdrawingofftheboard，andtoreitintwopieces。

Sheinvoluntarilyturnedtolookinhisface，butstoppedbeforeshehadquiteliftedhereyeshighenough。\'Whydidyoudothat?\'sheaskedwithsuavecuriosity。

\'Itisofnofurtheruse，\'saidSomerset，tearingthedrawingintheotherdirection，andthrowingthepiecesintothefireplace。\'Youhavebeenreadingupordersandstylestosomepurpose，Iperceive。\'Heregardedherwithafaintsmile。

\'Ihavehadafewbooksdownfromtown。Itisdesirabletoknowalittleaboutthearchitectureofone\'sownhouse。\'

Sheremainedlookingatthetorndrawing，whenSomerset，observingonthetabletheparticleofswan\'s-downhehadfoundinthechair，gentlyblewitsothatitskimmedacrossthetableunderhereyes。

\'Itlooksasifitcameoffalady\'sdress，\'hesaididly。

\'Offalady\'sfan，\'shereplied。

\'O，offafan?\'

\'Yes；offmine。\'

AtherreplySomersetstretchedouthishandfortheswan\'s-

down，andputitcarefullyinhispocket-book；whereuponPaula，mouldinghercherry-redlowerlipbeneathherupperoneinarchself-consciousnessathisact，turnedawaytothewindow，andafterapausesaidsoftlyasshelookedout，\'Whydidyounotacceptourinvitationtodinner?\'

Itwasimpossibletoexplainwhy。Heimpulsivelydrewnearandconfrontedher，andsaid，\'Ihopeyoupardonme?\'

\'Idon\'tknowthatIcanquitedothat，\'answeredshe，witheversolittlereproach。\'Iknowwhyyoudidnotcome——youweremortifiedatnotbeingaskedsooner!Butitwaspurelybyanaccidentthatyoureceivedyourinvitationsolate。Myauntsenttheothersbypost，butasyourswastobedeliveredbyhanditwasleftonhertable，andwasoverlooked。\'

Surelyhecouldnotdoubtherwords；thosenicefriendlyaccentsweretheembodimentoftruthitself。

\'Idon\'tmeantomakeaseriouscomplaint，\'sheadded，ininjuredtones，showingthatshedid。\'Onlywehadaskednearlyallofthemtomeetyou，asthesonofyourillustriousfather，whommanyofmyfriendsknowpersonally；and——theyweredisappointed。\'

ItwasnowtimeforSomersettobegenuinelygrievedatwhathehaddone。Paulaseemedsogoodandhonourableatthatmomentthathecouldhavelaiddownhislifeforher。

\'WhenIwasdressed，Icameinheretoaskyoutoreconsideryourdecision，\'shecontinued；\'ortomeetusinthedrawing-

roomifyoucouldnotpossiblybereadyfordinner。Butyouweregone。\'

\'Andyousatdowninthatchair，didn\'tyou，darling，andremainedtherealongtimemusing!\'hethought。Butthathedidnotsay。

\'Iamverysorry，\'hemurmured。

\'Willyoumakeamendsbycomingtoourgardenparty?Iaskyoutheveryfirst。\'

\'Iwill，\'repliedSomerset。Toaddthatitwouldgivehimgreatpleasure，etc。，seemedanabsurdlyweakwayofexpressinghisfeelings，andhesaidnomore。

\'Itisonthenineteenth。Don\'tforgettheday。\'

Hemethereyesinsuchawaythat，ifshewerewoman，shemusthaveseenittomeanasplainlyaswords:\'DoIlookasifIcouldforgetanythingyousay?\'

Shemust，indeed，haveunderstoodmuchmorebythistime——thewholeofhisopensecret。Buthedidnotunderstandher。

Historyhasrevealedthatasupernumeraryloverortwoisrarelyconsideredadisadvantagebyawoman，fromqueentocottage-girl；andthethoughtmadehimpause。

XIV。

Whenshewasgonehewentonwiththedrawing，notcallinginDare，whoremainedintheroomadjoining。Presentlyaservantcameandlaidapaperonhistable，whichMissPowerhadsent。

Itwasoneofthemorningnewspapers，andwasfoldedsothathiseyefellimmediatelyonaletterheaded\'RestorationorDemolition。\'

Theletterwasprofessedlywrittenbyadispassionatepersonsolelyintheinterestsofart。ItdrewattentiontothecircumstancethattheancientandinterestingcastleoftheDeStancyshadunhappilypassedintothehandsofaniconoclastbyblood，who，withoutrespectforthetraditionofthecounty，oranyfeelingwhateverforhistoryinstone，wasabouttodemolishmuch，ifnotall，thatwasinterestinginthatancientpile，andinsertinitsmidstamonstroustravestyofsomeGreektemple。Inthenameofallloversofmediaevalart，conjuredthesimple-mindedwriter，letsomethingbedonetosaveabuildingwhich，injuredandbatteredintheCivilWars，wasnowtobemadeacompleteruinbythefreaksofanirresponsibleowner。Hersendinghimthepaperseemedtoimplythatsherequiredhisopiniononthecase；andintheafternoon，leavingDaretomeasureupawingaccordingtodirections，hewentoutinthehopeofmeetingher，havinglearntthatshehadgonetothevillage。OnreachingthechurchhesawhercrossingthechurchyardpathwithherauntandMissDeStancy。Somersetenteredtheenclosure，andassoonasshesawhimshecameacross。

\'Whatistobedone?\'sheasked。

\'Youneednotbeconcernedaboutsuchaletterasthat。\'

\'Iamconcerned。\'

\'Ithinkitdreadfulimpertinence，\'spokeupCharlotte，whohadjoinedthem。\'Canyouthinkwhowroteit，Mr。Somerset?\'

Somersetcouldnot。

\'Well，whatamItodo?\'repeatedPaula。

\'Justasyouwouldhavedonebefore。\'

\'That\'swhat_I_say，\'observedMrs。Goodmanemphatically。

\'ButIhavealreadyaltered——IhavegivenuptheGreekcourt。\'

\'O——youhadseenthepaperthismorningbeforeyoulookedatmydrawing?\'

\'Ihad，\'sheanswered。

Somersetthoughtitaforcibleillustrationofhernaturalreticencethatsheshouldhaveabandonedthedesignwithouttellinghimthereason；buthewasgladshehadnotdoneitfrommerecaprice。

Sheturnedtohimandsaidquietly，\'IwishYOUwouldanswerthatletter。\'

\'Itwouldbeill-advised，\'saidSomerset。\'Still，if，afterconsideration，youwishitmuch，Iwill。MeanwhileletmeimpressuponyouagaintheexpediencyofcallinginMr。

Havill——towhom，asyourfather\'sarchitect，expectingthiscommission，somethingperhapsisowed——andgettinghimtofurnishanalternativeplantomine，andsubmittingthechoiceofdesignstosomemembersoftheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects。Thislettermakesitstillmoreadvisablethanbefore。\'

\'Verywell，\'saidPaulareluctantly。

\'Lethimhavealltheparticularsyouhavebeengoodenoughtoexplaintome——sothatwestartfairinthecompetition。\'

Shelookednegligentlyonthegrass。\'Iwilltellthebuildingstewardtowritethemoutforhim，\'shesaid。

Thepartyseparatedandenteredthechurchbydifferentdoors。

Somersetwenttoanookofthebuildingthathehadoftenintendedtovisit。ItwascalledtheStancyaisle；andinitstoodthetombsofthatfamily。Somersetexaminedthem:theywereunusuallyrichandnumerous，beginningwithcross-leggedknightsinhauberksofchain-mail，theirladiesbesidetheminwimpleandcover-chief，allmoreorlesscoatedwiththegreenmouldanddirtofages:andcontinuingwithothersoflaterdate，infinealabaster，gildedandcoloured，someofthemwearingroundtheirneckstheYorkistcollarofsunsandroses，theliveryofEdwardtheFourth。InscrutinizingthetallestcanopyoverthesehebeheldPaulabehindit，asifincontemplationofthesameobjects。

\'Youcametothechurchtosketchthesemonuments，Isuppose，Mr。Somerset?\'sheasked，assoonasshesawhim。

\'No。Icametospeaktoyouabouttheletter。\'

Shesighed。\'Yes:thatletter，\'shesaid。\'Iampersecuted!

IfIhadbeenoneoftheseitwouldneverhavebeenwritten。\'

Shetappedthealabastereffigyofarecumbentladywithherparasol。

\'Theyareinteresting，aretheynot?\'hesaid。\'Sheisbeautifullypreserved。Thegildingisnearlygone，butbeyondthatsheisperfect。\'

\'SheislikeCharlotte，\'saidPaula。Andwhatwasmuchlikeanothersighescapedherlips。

Somersetadmittedthattherewasaresemblance，whilePauladrewherforefingeracrossthemarblefaceoftheeffigy，andatlengthtookoutherhandkerchief，andbeganwipingthedustfromthehollowsofthefeatures。Helookedon，wonderingwhathersighhadmeant，butguessingthatithadbeensomehowcausedbythesightofthesesculpturesinconnectionwiththenewspaperwriter\'sdenunciationofherasanirresponsibleoutsider。

Thesecretwasoutwheninanswertohisquestion，idlyput，ifshewishedshewerelikeoneofthese，shesaid，withexceptionalvehemenceforoneofherdemeanour——

\'Idon\'twishIwaslikeoneofthem:IwishIWASoneofthem。\'

\'What——youwishyouwereaDeStancy?\'

\'Yes。Itisverydreadfultobedenouncedasabarbarian。I

wanttoberomanticandhistorical。\'

\'MissDeStancyseemsnottovaluetheprivilege，\'hesaid，lookingroundatanotherpartofthechurchwhereCharlottewasinnocentlyprattlingtoMrs。Goodman，quiteheedlessofthetombsofherforefathers。

\'IfIwereone，\'shecontinued，\'IshouldcomeherewhenI

feelaloneintheworld，asIdoto-day；andIwoulddefypeople，andsay，"Youcannotspoilwhathasbeen!"\'

Theywalkedontilltheyreachedtheoldblackpewattachedtothecastle——avastsquareenclosureofoakpanellingoccupyinghalftheaisle，andsurmountedwithalittlebalustradeabovetheframework。Within，thebaizeliningthathadoncebeengreen，nowfadedtothecolourofacommoninAugust，wastorn，kickedandscrapedtoragsbythefeetandhandsoftheploughboyswhohadappropriatedthepewastheirownspecialplaceofworshipsinceithadceasedtobeusedbyanyresidentatthecastle，becauseitsheightaffordedconvenientshelterforplayingatmarblesandprickingwithpins。

CharlotteandMrs。Goodmanhadbythistimeleftthebuilding，andcouldbeseenlookingattheheadstonesoutside。

\'IfyouwereaDeStancy，\'saidSomerset，whohadponderedmoredeeplyuponthatnewwishofhersthanhehadseemedtodo，\'youwouldbeachurchwoman，andsithere。\'

\'AndIshouldhavethepewdoneup，\'shesaidreadily，assherestedherprettychinonthetoprailandlookedattheinterior，hercheekspressedintodeepdimples。Herquickreplytoldhimthattheideawasnonewonewithher，andhethoughtofpoorMr。Woodwell\'sshrewdprophecyasheperceivedthatherdaysasaseparatistwerenumbered。

\'Well，whycan\'tyouhaveitdoneup，andsithere?\'hesaidwarily。

Paulashookherhead。

\'YouarenotatenmitywithAnglicanism，Iamsure?\'

\'Iwantnottobe。Iwanttobe——what——\'

\'WhattheDeStancyswere，andare，\'hesaidinsidiously；andhersilencedbearingtoldhimthathehadhitthenail。

Itwasastrangeideatogetpossessionofsuchanatureashers，andforaminutehefelthimselfonthesideoftheminister。SostrongwasSomerset\'sfeelingofwishinghertoshowthequalityoffidelitytopaternaldogmaandparty，thathecouldnothelpadding——

\'Buthaveyouforgottenthatothernobility——thenobilityoftalentandenterprise?\'

\'No。ButIwishIhadawell-knownlineofancestors。\'

\'Youhave。Archimedes，Newcomen，Watt，Telford，Stephenson，thoseareyourfather\'sdirectancestors。Haveyouforgottenthem?Haveyouforgottenyourfather，andtherailwayshemadeoverhalfEurope，andhisgreatenergyandskill，andallconnectedwithhimasifhehadneverlived?\'

Shedidnotanswerforsometime。\'No，Ihavenotforgottenit，\'shesaid，stilllookingintothepew。\'But，Ihaveapredilectiond\'artisteforancestorsoftheothersort，liketheDeStancys。\'

HerhandwasrestingonthelowpewnextthehighoneoftheDeStancys。Somersetlookedatthehand，orratherattheglovewhichcoveredit，thenatheravertedcheek，thenbeyonditintothepew，thenatherhandagain，untilbyanindescribableconsciousnessthathewasnotgoingtoofarhelaidhisownuponit。

\'No，no，\'saidPaulaquickly，withdrawingherhand。Buttherewasnothingresentfulorhaughtyinhertone——nothing，inshort，whichmakesamaninsuchcircumstancesfeelthathehasdoneaparticularlyfoolishaction。

Thefloweronherbosomroseandfellsomewhatmorethanusualassheadded，\'Iamgoingawaynow——Iwillleaveyouhere。\'

Withoutwaitingforareplysheadroitlysweptbackherskirtstofreeherfeetandwentoutofthechurchblushing。

Somersettookherhintanddidnotfollow；andwhenheknewthatshehadrejoinedherfriends，andheardthecarriagerollaway，hemadetowardstheoppositedoor。Pausingtoglanceoncemoreatthealabastereffigiesbeforeleavingthemtotheirsilenceandneglect，hebeheldDarebendingoverthem，toallappearanceintentlyoccupied。

Hemusthavebeeninthechurchsometime——certainlyduringthetenderepisodebetweenSomersetandPaula，andcouldnothavefailedtoperceiveit。Somersetblushed:itwasunpleasantthatDareshouldhaveseentheinteriorofhisheartsoplainly。Hewentacrossandsaid，\'IthinkIleftyoutofinishthedrawingofthenorthwing，Mr。Dare?\'

\'Threehoursago，sir，\'saidDare。\'Havingfinishedthat，I

cametolookatthechurch——finebuilding——finemonuments——twointerestingpeoplelookingatthem。\'

\'What?\'

\'Istandcorrected。Pensamolto，parlapoco，astheItalianshaveit。\'

\'Well，now，Mr。Dare，supposeyougetbacktothecastle?\'

\'WhichhistorydubsCastleStancy……Certainly。\'

\'Howdoyougetonwiththemeasuring?\'

Daresighedwhimsically。\'Badlyinthemorning，whenIhavebeentemptedtoindulgeovernight，andworseintheafternoon，whenIhavebeentemptedinthemorning!\'

Somersetlookedattheyouth，andsaid，\'IfearIshallhavetodispensewithyourservices，Dare，forIthinkyouhavebeentemptedto-day。\'

\'Onmyhonourno。Mymannerisalittleagainstme，Mr。

Somerset。Butyouneednotfearformyabilitytodoyourwork。Iamayoungmanwasted，andamthoughtofslightaccount:itisthetruemenwhogetsnubbed，whiletraitorsareallowedtothrive!\'

\'Hangsentiment，Dare，andoffwithyou!\'Alittleruffled，Somersethadturnedhisbackupontheinterestingspeaker，sothathedidnotobservetheslytwistDarethrewintohisrighteyeashespoke。ThelatterwentoffinonedirectionandSomersetintheother，pursuinghispensivewaytowardsMarktonwiththoughtsnotdifficulttodivine。

Fromonepointinhernaturehewenttoanother，tillheagainrecurredtoherromanticinterestintheDeStancyfamily。Towishshewasoneofthem:howveryinconsistentofher。Thatshereallydidwishitwasunquestionable。

Itwasthedayofthegarden-party。Theweatherwastoocloudytobecalledperfect，butitwasassultryasthemostthinly-cladyoungladycoulddesire。GreattroublehadbeentakenbyPaulatobringthelawntoafitconditionaftertheneglectofrecentyears，andSomersethadsuggestedthedesignforthetents。Asheapproachedtheprecinctsofthecastlehediscernedaflagofnewestfabricfloatingoverthekeep，andsoonhisflyfellinwiththestreamofcarriagesthatwerepassingoverthebridgeintotheouterward。

Mrs。GoodmanandPaulawerereceivingthepeopleinthedrawing-room。Somersetcameforwardinhisturn；butashewasimmediatelyfollowedbyotherstherewasnotmuchopportunity，evenhadshefeltthewish，foranyspecialmarkoffeelingintheyoungerlady\'sgreetingofhim。

Hewentonthroughacanvaspassage，linedoneachsidewithfloweringplants，tillhereachedthetents；thence，afternoddingtooneortwoguestsslightlyknowntohim，heproceededtothegrounds，withasenseofbeingratherlonely。

Fewvisitorshadasyetgotsofarin，andashewalkedupanddownashadyalleyhisminddweltuponthenewaspectunderwhichPaulahadgreetedhiseyesthatafternoon。Herblack-

and-whitecostumehadfinallydisappeared，andinitsplaceshehadadoptedapicturesquedressofivorywhite，withsatinenrichmentsofthesamehue；whileuponherbosomsheworeablueflower。Herdaysofinfestivitywereplainlyended，andherdaysofgladnessweretobegin。

Hisreveriewasinterruptedbythesoundofhisname，andlookingroundhebeheldHavill，whoappearedtobeasmuchaloneashimself。

SomersetalreadyknewthatHavillhadbeenappointedtocompetewithhim，accordingtohisrecommendation。Inmeasuringadarkcorneradayortwobefore，hehadstumbleduponHavillengagedinthesamepursuitwithaviewtotherivaldesign。AfterwardshehadseenhimreceivingPaula\'sinstructionspreciselyashehaddonehimself。Itwasashehadwished，forfairness\'sake:andyethefeltaregret，forhewaslessPaula\'sownarchitectnow。

\'Well，Mr。Somerset，\'saidHavill，\'sincewefirstmetanunexpectedrivalryhasarisenbetweenus!ButIdaresayweshallsurvivethecontest，asitisnotonearisingoutoflove。Ha-ha-ha!\'Hespokeinalevelvoiceoffiercepleasantry，anduncoveredhisregularwhiteteeth。

Somersetsupposedhimtoalludetothecastlecompetition?

\'Yes，\'saidHavill。\'Herproposedundertakingbroughtoutsomeadversecriticismtillitwasknownthatsheintendedtohavemorethanonearchitecturalopinion。Anexcellentstrokeofherstodisarmcriticism。Yousawthesecondletterinthemorningpapers?\'

\'No，\'saidtheother。

\'Thewriterstatesthathehasdiscoveredthatthecompetentadviceoftwoarchitectsistobetaken，andwithdrawshisaccusations。\'

Somersetsaidnothingforaminute。\'Haveyoubeensuppliedwiththenecessarydataforyourdrawings?\'heasked，showingbythequestionthetrackhisthoughtshadtaken。

Havillsaidthathehad。\'Butpossiblynotsocompletelyasyouhave，\'headded，againsmilingfiercely。Somersetdidnotquiteliketheinsinuation，andthetwospeakersparted，theyoungergoingtowardsthemusicians，whohadnowbeguntofilltheairwiththeirstrainsfromtheemboweredenclosureofadroopingash。Whenhegotbacktothemarqueestheywerequitecrowded，andtheguestsbegantopouroutuponthegrass，thetoiletsoftheladiespresentingabrilliantspectacle——herebeingcoloureddresseswithwhitedevices，therewhitedresseswithcoloureddevices，andyondertransparentdresseswithnodeviceatall。Alavenderhazehungintheair，thetreeswereasstillasthoseofasubmarineforest；whilethesun，incolourlikeabrassplaque，hadahairyoutlineinthelividsky。

Afterwatchingawhilesomeyoungpeoplewhoweresomadlydevotedtolawn-tennisthattheysetaboutitlikeday-

labourersatthemomentoftheirarrival，heturnedandsawapproachingagracefulfigureincream-colouredhues，whosegloveslostthemselvesbeneathherlaceruffles，evenwhensheliftedherhandtomakefirmthebluefloweratherbreast，andwhosehairhungunderherhatingreatknotssowellcompactedthatthesungildedtheconvexityofeachknotlikeaball。

\'Youseemtobealone，\'saidPaula，whohadatlastescapedfromthedutyofreceivingguests。

\'Idon\'tknowmanypeople。\'

\'Yes:IthoughtofthatwhileIwasinthedrawing-room。ButIcouldnotgetoutbefore。Iamnownolongeraresponsiblebeing:Mrs。Goodmanismistressfortheremainderoftheday。

Willyoubeintroducedtoanybody?Whomwouldyouliketoknow?\'

\'Iamnotparticularlyunhappyinmysolitude。\'

\'Butyoumustbemadetoknowafew。\'

\'Verywell——Isubmitreadily。\'

Shelookedawayfromhim，andwhilehewasobservinguponhercheekthemovingshadowofleavescastbythedecliningsun，shesaid，\'O，thereismyaunt，\'andbeckonedwithherparasoltothatlady，whoapproachedinthecomparativelyyouthfulguiseofagreysilkdressthatwhistledateverytouch。

Paulaleftthemtogether，andMrs。Goodmanthenmadehimacquaintedwithafewofthebestpeople，describingwhattheywereinawhisperbeforetheycameup，amongthembeingtheRadicalmemberforMarkton，whohadsucceededtotheseatrenderedvacantbythedeathofPaula\'sfather。Whiletalkingtothisgentlemanontheproposedenlargementofthecastle，Somersetraisedhiseyesandhandtowardsthewalls，thebettertopointouthismeaning；insodoinghesawafaceinthesquareofdarknessformedbyoneoftheopenwindows，theeffectbeingthatofahighlightportraitbyVandyckorRembrandt。

ItwashisassistantDare，leaningonthewindow-sillofthestudio，ashesmokedhiscigaretteandsurveyedthegaygroupspromenadingbeneath。

Afterholdingachatteringconversationwithsomeladiesfromaneighbouringcountryseatwhohadknownhisfatherinbygoneyears，andhandingthemicesandstrawberriestilltheyweresatisfied，hefoundanopportunityofleavingthegrounds，wishingtolearnwhatprogressDarehadmadeinthesurveyofthecastle。

Darewasstillinthestudiowhenheentered。Somersetinformedtheyouththattherewasnonecessityforhisworkinglaterthatday，unlesstopleasehimself，andproceededtoinspectDare\'sachievementsthusfar。TohisvexationDarehadnotplottedthreedimensionsduringtheprevioustwodays。

ThiswasnotthefirsttimethatDare，eitherfromincompetenceorindolence，hadshownhisinutilityasahouse-

surveyoranddraughtsman。

\'Mr。Dare，\'saidSomerset，\'Ifearyoudon\'tsuitmewellenoughtomakeitnecessarythatyoushouldstayafterthisweek。\'

Dareremovedthecigarettefromhislipsandbowed。\'IfI

don\'tsuit，thesoonerIgothebetter；whywaittheweek?\'hesaid。

\'Well，that\'sasyoulike。\'

Somersetdrewtheinkstandtowardshim，wroteoutachequeforDare\'sservices，andhandeditacrossthetable。

\'I\'llnottroubleyouto-morrow，\'saidDare，seeingthatthepaymentincludedtheweekinadvance。

\'Verywell，\'repliedSomerset。\'Pleaselockthedoorwhenyouleave。\'ShakinghandswithDareandwishinghimwell，helefttheroomanddescendedtothelawnbelow。

TherehecontrivedtogetnearMissPoweragain，andinquiredofherforMissDeStancy。

\'O!didyounotknow?\'saidPaula；\'herfatherisunwell，andshepreferredstayingwithhimthisafternoon。\'

\'Ihopedhemighthavebeenhere。\'

\'Ono；henevercomesoutofhishousetoanypartyofthissort；itexciteshim，andhemustnotbeexcited。\'

\'PoorSirWilliam!\'mutteredSomerset。

\'No，\'saidPaula，\'heisgrandandhistorical。\'

\'ThatishardlyanorthodoxnotionforaPuritan，\'saidSomersetmischievously。

\'IamnotaPuritan，\'insistedPaula。

Thedayturnedtodusk，andtheguestsbegangoinginrelaystothedining-hall。WhenSomersethadtakenintwoorthreeladiestowhomhehadbeenpresented，andattendedtotheirwants，whichoccupiedhimthree-quartersofanhour，hereturnedagaintothelargetent，withaviewtofindingPaulaandtakinghisleave。Itwasnowbrilliantlylightedup，andthemusicians，whoduringdaylighthadbeeninvisiblebehindtheash-tree，wereensconcedatoneendwiththeirharpsandviolins。Itremindedhimthattherewastobedancing。Thetenthadinthemeantimehalffilledwithanewsetofyoungpeoplewhohadcomeexpresslyforthatpastime。Behindthegirlsgatherednumbersofnewlyarrivedyoungmenwithlowshouldersanddiminutivemoustaches，whowereevidentlypreparedforoncetosacrificethemselvesaspartners。

Somersetfeltsomethingofathrillatthesight。Hewasaninfrequentdancer，andparticularlyunpreparedfordancingatpresent；buttodanceoncewithPaulaPowerhewouldgiveayearofhislife。Helookedround；butshewasnowheretobeseen。Thefirstsetbegan；oldandmiddle-agedpeoplegatheredfromthedifferentroomstolookonatthegyrationsoftheirchildren，butPauladidnotappear。Whenanotherdanceortwohadprogressed，andanincreaseintheaverageageofthedancerswasmakingitselfperceptible，especiallyonthemasculineside，Somersetwasarousedbyawhisperathiselbow——

\'Youdance，Ithink?MissDeverellisdisengaged。Shehasnotbeenaskedoncethisevening。\'ThespeakerwasPaula。

SomersetlookedatMissDeverell——asallowladywithblacktwinklingeyes，yellowcostume，andgaylaugh，whohadbeentherealltheafternoon——andsaidsomethingabouthavingthoughtofgoinghome。

\'IsthatbecauseIaskedyoutodance?\'shemurmured。\'There——

sheisappropriated。\'AyounggentlemanhadatthatmomentapproachedtheuninvitingMissDeverell，claimedherhandandledheroff。

\'That\'sright，\'saidSomerset。\'Ioughttoleaveroomforyoungermen。\'

\'Youneednotsayso。Thatbald-headedgentlemanisforty-

five。Hedoesnotthinkofyoungermen。\'

\'HaveYOUadancetospareforme?\'

Herfacegrewstealthilyredderinthecandle-light。\'O!——I

havenoengagementatall——Ihaverefused。Ihardlyfeelatlibertytodance；itwouldbeaswelltoleavethattomyvisitors。\'

\'Why?\'

\'Myfather，thoughheallowedmetobetaught，neverlikedtheideaofmydancing。\'

\'Didhemakeyoupromiseanythingonthepoint?\'

\'Hesaidhewasnotinfavourofsuchamusements——nomore。\'

\'Ithinkyouarenotboundbythat，onaninformaloccasionlikethepresent。\'

Shewassilent。

\'Youwilljustonce?\'saidhe。

Anothersilence。\'Ifyoulike，\'sheventuresomelyansweredatlast。

Somersetclosedthehandwhichwashangingbyhisside，andsomehowherswasinit。Thedancewasnearlyformed，andheledherforward。Severalpersonslookedatthemsignificantly，buthedidnotnoticeitthen，andplungedintothemaze。

NeverhadMr。Somersetpassedthroughsuchanexperiencebefore。Hadhenotfeltheractualweightandwarmth，hemighthavefanciedthewholeepisodeafigmentoftheimagination。Itseemedasifthosemusicianshadthrownadoublesweetnessintotheirnotesonseeingthemistressofthecastleinthedance，thataperfumedsouthernatmospherehadbeguntopervadethemarquee，andthathumanbeingswereshakingthemselvesfreeofallinconvenientgravitation。

Somerset\'sfeelingsburstfromhislips。\'ThisisthehappiestmomentIhaveeverknown，\'hesaid。\'Doyouknowwhy?\'

\'IthinkIsawaflashoflightningthroughtheopeningofthetent，\'saidPaula，withroguishabruptness。

Hedidnotpressforananswer。Withinafewminutesalonggrowlofthunderwasheard。ItwasasifJovecouldnotrefrainfromtestifyinghisjealousyofSomersetfortakingthiscovetablewomansopresumptuouslyinhisarms。

Thedancewasover，andhehadretiredwithPaulatothebackofthetent，whenanotherfaintflashoflightningwasvisiblethroughanopening。Sheliftedthecanvas，andlookedout，Somersetlookingoutbehindher。Anotherdancewasbegun，andbeingonthisaccountleftoutofnotice，SomersetdidnothastentoleavePaula\'sside。

\'Ithinktheybegintofeeltheheat，\'shesaid。

\'Alittleventilationwoulddonoharm。\'Heflungbackthetentdoorwherehestood，andthelightshoneoutuponthegrass。

\'Imustgotothedrawing-roomsoon，\'sheadded。\'Theywillbegintoleaveshortly。\'

\'Itisnotlate。Thethunder-cloudhasmadeitseemdark——seethere；alineofpaleyellowstretchesalongthehorizonfromwesttonorth。That\'sevening——notgoneyet。Shallwegointothefreshairforaminute?\'

Sheseemedtosignifyassent，andhesteppedoffthetent-

floorupontheground。Shesteppedoffalso。

Theairout-of-doorshadnotcooled，andwithoutdefinitelychoosingadirectiontheyfoundthemselvesapproachingalittlewoodentea-housethatstoodonthelawnafewyardsoff。Arrivedhere，theyturned，andregardedthetenttheyhadjustleft，andlistenedtothestrainsthatcamefromwithinit。

\'Ifeelmoreateasenow，\'saidPaula。

\'SodoI，\'saidSomerset。

\'Imean，\'sheaddedinanundeceivingtone，\'becauseIsawMrs。Goodmanenterthetentagainjustaswecameouthere；soIhavenofurtherresponsibility。\'

\'Imeantsomethingquitedifferent。Trytoguesswhat。\'

Sheteasinglydemurred，finallybreakingthesilencebysaying，\'Therainiscomeatlast，\'asgreatdropsbegantofalluponthegroundwithasmack，likepelletsofclay。

Inamomentthestormpoureddownwithsuddenviolence，andtheydrewfurtherbackintothesummer-house。Thesideofthetentfromwhichtheyhademergedstillremainedopen，therainstreamingdownbetweentheireyesandthelightedinteriorofthemarqueelikeatissueofglassthreads，thebrilliantformsofthedancerspassingandrepassingbehindthewateryscreen，asiftheywerepeopleinanenchantedsubmarinepalace。

\'Howhappytheyare!\'saidPaula。\'Theydon\'tevenknowthatitisraining。Iamsogladthatmyaunthadthetentlined；

otherwisesuchadownpourwouldhavegonecleanthroughit。\'

Thethunder-stormshowednosymptomsofabatement，andthemusicanddancingwentonmoremerrilythanever。

\'Wecannotgoin，\'saidSomerset。\'Andwecannotshoutforumbrellas。Wewillstaytillitisover，willwenot?\'

\'Yes，\'shesaid，\'ifyoucareto。Ah!\'

\'Whatisit?\'

\'Onlyabigdropcameuponmyhead。\'

\'Letusstandfurtherin。\'

Herhandwashangingbyherside，andSomerset\'swascloseby。

Hetookit，andshedidnotdrawitaway。Thustheystoodalongwhile，therainhissingdownuponthegrass-plot，andnotasoulbeingvisibleoutsidethedancing-tentsavethemselves。

\'MayIcallyouPaula?\'askedhe。

Therewasnoanswer。

\'MayI?\'herepeated。

\'Yes，occasionally，\'shemurmured。

\'DearPaula!——mayIcallyouthat?\'

\'Ono——notyet。\'

\'ButyouknowIloveyou?\'

\'Yes，\'shewhispered。

\'AndshallIloveyoualways?\'

\'Ifyouwishto。\'

\'Andwillyouloveme?\'

Pauladidnotreply。

\'Willyou，Paula?\'herepeated。

\'Youmayloveme。\'

\'Butdon\'tyoulovemeinreturn?\'

\'Iloveyoutoloveme。\'