第13章

\'Well，Ihavenorighttomakeobservations——youractionsarenotsubjecttomysurveillance；youfloatabovemyplane，\'

saidtheyoungmanwithsomebitterness。\'Buttospeakplainly，surelyhe——kissedyou?\'

\'No，\'shesaid。\'Heonlykissedtheairinfrontofme——eversofaroff。\'

\'Wasitsixinchesoff?\'

\'No，notsixinches。\'

\'Northree。\'

\'Itwasquiteone，\'shesaidwithaningenuousair。

\'Idon\'tcallthatveryfar。\'

\'Amissisasgoodasamile，saysthetime-honouredproverb；

anditisnotforusmodernmortalstoquestionitstruth。\'

\'Howcanyoubesooff-hand?\'brokeoutSomerset。\'Iloveyouwildlyanddesperately，Paula，andyouknowitwell!\'

\'Ihaveneverdeniedknowingit，\'shesaidsoftly。

\'Thenwhydoyou，withsuchknowledge，adoptanairoflevityatsuchamomentasthis!Youkeepmeatarm\'s-length，andwon\'tsaywhetheryoucareformeonebit，orno。Ihaveownedalltoyou；yetneveroncehaveyouownedanythingtome!\'

\'Ihaveownedmuch。AndyoudomewrongifyouconsiderthatIshowlevity。ButevenifIhadnotownedeverything，andyouall，itisnotaltogethersuchagrievousthing。\'

\'Youmeantosaythatitisnotgrievous，evenifamandoesloveawoman，andsuffersallthepainoffeelinghelovesinvain?Well，Isayitisquitethereverse，andIhavegroundsforknowing。\'

\'Now，don\'tfumeso，GeorgeSomerset，buthearme。Mynotowningallmaynothavethedreadfulmeaningyouthink，andthereforeitmaynotbereallysuchagrievousthing。Therearegenuinereasonsforwomen\'sconductinthesemattersaswellasformen\'s，thoughitissometimessupposedtoberegulatedentirelybycaprice。AndifIdonotgivewaytoeveryfeeling——Imeandemonstration——itisbecauseIdon\'twantto。Therenow，youknowwhatthatimplies；andbecontent\'

\'Verywell，\'saidSomerset，withrepressedsadness，\'Iwillnotexpectyoutosaymore。Butyoudolikemealittle，Paula?\'

\'Now!\'shesaid，shakingherheadwithsymptomsoftendernessandlookingintohiseyes。\'Whathaveyoujustpromised?

PerhapsIlikeyoualittlemorethanalittle，whichismuchtoomuch!Yes，——Shakespearesaysso，andheisalwaysright。

Doyoustilldoubtme?Ah，Iseeyoudo!\'

\'Becausesomebodyhasstoodnearertoyouto-nightthanI。\'

\'Afogylikehim!——halfasoldagainaseitherofus!Howcanyoumindhim?WhatshallIdotoshowyouthatIdonotforamomentlethimcomebetweenmeandyou?\'

\'Itisnotformetosuggestwhatyoushoulddo。ThoughwhatyoushouldpermitMEtodoisobviousenough。\'

Shedroppedhervoice:\'Youmean，permityoutodoreallyandinearnestwhatheonlyseemedtodointheplay。\'

Somersetsignifiedbyalookthatsuchhadbeenhisthought。

Paulawassilent。\'No，\'shemurmuredatlast。\'Thatcannotbe。Hedidnot，normustyou。\'

Itwassaidnonethelessdecidedlyforbeingspokenlow。

\'Youquiteresentsuchasuggestion:youhavearightto。I

begyourpardon，notforspeakingofit，butforthinkingit。\'

\'Idon\'tresentitatall，andIamnotoffendedonebit。ButIamnotthelessofopinionthatitispossibletobeprematureinsomethings；andtodothisjustnowwouldbepremature。Iknowwhatyouwouldsay——thatyouwouldnothaveaskedit，butforthatunfortunateimprovisationofitintheplay。ButthatIwasnotresponsiblefor，andthereforeowenoreparationtoyounow……Listen!\'

\'Paula——Paula!Whereintheworldareyou?\'washeardresoundingalongthecorridorinthevoiceofheraunt。\'Ourfriendsareallreadytoleave，andyouwillsurelybidthemgood-night!\'

\'Imustbegone——Iwon\'tringforyoutobeshownout——comethisway。\'

\'Buthowwillyougetoninrepeatingtheplaytomorroweveningifthatinterpolationisagainstyourwish?\'heasked，lookingherhardintheface。

\'I\'llthinkitoverduringthenight。Cometo-morrowmorningtohelpmesettle。But，\'sheadded，withcoyyetgenialindependence，\'listentome。Notawordmoreabouta——whatyouaskedfor，mind!Idon\'twanttogosofar，andIwillnot——notjustyetanyhow——Imeanperhapsnever。Youmustpromisethat，orIcannotseeyouagainalone。\'

\'Itshallbeasyourequest。\'

\'Verywell。Andnotawordofthistoasoul。Myauntsuspects:butsheisagoodauntandwillsaynothing。Nowthatisclearlyunderstood，Ishouldbegladtoconsultwithyoutomorrowearly。IwillcometoyouinthestudioorPleasanceassoonasIamdisengaged。\'

Shetookhimtoalittlechamfereddoorwayinthecorner，whichopenedintoadescendingturret；andSomersetwentdown。

Whenhehadunfastenedthedooratthebottom，andsteppedintothelowercorridor，sheasked，\'Areyoudown?\'Andonreceivinganaffirmativereplysheclosedthetopdoor。

X。

Somersetwasinthestudiothenextmorningaboutteno\'clocksuperintendingthelaboursofKnowles，Bowles，andCockton，whomhehadagainengagedtoassisthimwiththedrawingsonhisappointmenttocarryouttheworks。Whenhehadsetthemgoingheascendedthestaircaseofthegreattowerforsomepurposethatboreupontheforthcomingrepairsofthispart。

Passingthedoorofthetelegraph-roomheheardlittlesoundsfromtheinstrument，whichsomebodywasworking。Onlytwopeopleinthecastle，tothebestofhisknowledge，knewthetrickofthis；MissPower，andapageinherservicecalledJohn。MissDeStancycouldalsodespatchmessages，butshewasatMyrtleVilla。

Thedoorwasclosed，andmuchashewouldhavelikedtoenter，thepossibilitythatPaulawasnottheperformerledhimtowithholdhissteps。Hewentontowheretheuppermostmasonryhadresistedthemightyhostilityoftheelementsforfivehundredyearswithoutreceivingworsedilapidationthanhalf-

a-centuryproducesuponthefaceofman。Buthestillwonderedwhowastelegraphing，andwhetherthemessageboreonhousekeeping，architecture，theatricals，orlove。

CouldSomersethaveseenthroughthepanelsofthedoorinpassing，hewouldhavebeheldtheroomoccupiedbyPaulaalone。

Itwasshewhosatattheinstrument，andthemessageshewasdespatchingranasunder:——

\'Canyousenddownacompetentactress，whowillundertakethepartofPrincessofFrancein"Love\'sLabour\'sLost"thiseveninginatemporarytheatrehere?Dressesalreadyprovidedsuitabletoaladyaboutthemiddleheight。Stateprice。\'

Thetelegramwasaddressedtoawell-knowntheatricalagentinLondon。

Offwentthemessage，andPaularetiredintothenextroom，leavingthedooropenbetweenthatandtheoneshehadjustquitted。Hereshebusiedherselfwithwritingsomeletters，tillinlessthananhourthetelegraphinstrumentshowedsignsoflife，andshehastenedbacktoitsside。Thereplyreceivedfromtheagentwasasfollows:——

\'MissBarbaraBelloftheRegent\'sTheatrecouldcome。Quitecompetent。Hertermswouldbeabouttwenty-fiveguineas。\'

Withoutamoment\'spausePaulareturnedforanswer:——

\'Thetermsarequitesatisfactory。\'

Presentlysheheardtheinstrumentagain，andemergingfromthenextroominwhichshehadpassedtheinterveningtimeasbefore，sheread:——

\'MissBarbaraBell\'stermswereaccidentallyunderstated。

Theywouldbefortyguineas，inconsequenceofthedistance。

Amwaitingattheofficeforareply。\'

Paulasettoworkasbeforeandreplied:——

\'Quitesatisfactory；onlylethercomeatonce。\'

Shedidnotleavetheroomthistime，butwenttoanarrow-

slithardbyandgazedoutatthetreestilltheinstrumentbegantospeakagain。Returningtoitwithaleisurelymanner，implyingafullpersuasionthatthematterwassettled，shewassomewhatsurprisedtolearnthat\'MissBell，instatingherterms，understandsthatshewillnotberequiredtoleaveLondontillthemiddleoftheafternoon。Ifitisnecessaryforhertoleaveatonce，tenguineasextrawouldbeindispensable，onaccountofthegreatinconvenienceofsuchashortnotice。\'

Paulaseemedalittlevexed，butnotmuchconcernedshesentbackwithareadinessscarcelypoliticinthecircumstances:-

\'Shemuststartatonce。Priceagreedto。\'

HerimpatiencefortheanswerwasmixedwithcuriosityastowhetheritwasduetotheagentortoMissBarbaraBellthatthepriceshadgrownlikeJack\'sBean-stalkinthenegotiation。Anothertelegramdulycame:——

\'Travellingexpensesareexpectedtobepaid。\'

Withdecidedimpatienceshedashedoff:——

\'Ofcourse；butnothingmorewillbeagreedto。\'

Then，andonlythen，camethedesiredreply:——

\'MissBellstartsbythetwelveo\'clocktrain。\'

Thisbusinessbeingfinished，PaulaleftthechamberanddescendedintotheinclosurecalledthePleasance，aspotgrasseddownlikealawn。HerestoodSomerset，who，havingcomedownfromthetower，waslookingonwhileamansearchedforoldfoundationsunderthesodwithacrowbar。Hewasgladtoseeheratlast，andnoticedthatshelookedsereneandrelieved；butcouldnotforthemomentdivinethecause。

Paulacamenearer，returnedhissalutation，andregardedtheman\'soperationsinsilenceawhiletillhisworkledhimtoadistancefromthem。

\'Doyoustillwishtoconsultme?\'askedSomerset。

\'Aboutthebuildingperhaps，\'saidshe。\'Notabouttheplay。\'

\'Butyousaidso?\'

\'Yes；butitwillbeunnecessary。\'

Somersetthoughtthismeantskittishness，andmerelybowed。

\'Youmistakemeasusual，\'shesaid，inalowtone。\'Iamnotgoingtoconsultyouonthatmatter，becauseIhavedoneallyoucouldhaveaskedforwithoutconsultingyou。Itakenopartintheplayto-night。\'

\'Forgivemymomentarydoubt!\'

\'Somebodyelsewillplayforme——anactressfromLondon。Butonnoaccountmustthesubstitutionbeknownbeforehandortheperformanceto-nightwillnevercomeoff:andthatIshouldmuchregret。\'

\'CaptainDeStancywillnotplayhispartifheknowsyouwillnotplayyours——that\'swhatyoumean?\'

\'Youmaysupposeitis，\'shesaid，smiling。\'Andtoguardagainstthisyoumusthelpmetokeepthesecretbybeingmyconfederate。\'

TobePaula\'sconfederate；to-day，indeed，timehadbroughthimsomethingworthwaitingfor。\'Inanything!\'criedSomerset。

\'Onlyinthis!\'saidshe，withsoftseverity。\'Andyouknowwhatyouhavepromised，George!Andyourememberthereistobeno——whatwetalkedabout!Nowwillyougointheone-horsebroughamtoMarktonStationthisafternoon，andmeetthefouro\'clocktrain?InquireforaladyforStancyCastle——aMissBell；seehersafelyintothecarriage，andsendherstraightonhere。Iamparticularlyanxiousthatsheshouldnotenterthetown，forIthinksheoncecametoMarktoninastarringcompany，andshemightberecognized，andmyplanbedefeated。\'

Thussheinstructedherloveranddevotedfriend；andwhenhecouldstaynolongerheleftherinthegardentoreturntohisstudio。AsSomersetwentinbythegardendoorhemetastrange-lookingpersonagecomingoutbythesamepassage——astranger，withthemannerofaDutchman，thefaceofasmelter，andtheclothesofaninhabitantofGuiana。Thestranger，whomwehavealreadyseensittingatthebackofthetheatrethenightbefore，lookedhardfromSomersettoPaula，andfromPaulaagaintoSomerset，ashesteppedout。Somersethadanunpleasantconvictionthatthisqueergentlemanhadbeenstandingforsometimeinthedoorwayunnoticed，quizzinghimandhismistressastheytalkedtogether。Ifsohemighthavelearntasecret。

Whenhearrivedupstairs，Somersetwenttoawindowcommandingaviewofthegarden。Paulastillstoodinherplace，andthestrangerwasearnestlyconversingwithher。Soontheypassedroundthecorneranddisappeared。

ItwasnowtimeforhimtoseeaboutstartingforMarkton，anintelligiblezestforcircumventingtheardentandcoercivecaptainofartillerysavinghimfromanyunnecessarydelayinthejourney。Hewasatthestationtenminutesbeforethetrainwasdue；andwhenitdrewuptotheplatformthefirstpersontojumpoutwasCaptainDeStancyinsportsman\'sattireandwithaguninhishand。Somersetnodded，andDeStancyspoke，informingthearchitectthathehadbeentenmilesupthelineshootingwaterfowl。\'That\'sMissPower\'scarriage，I

think，\'headded。

\'Yes，\'saidSomersetcarelessly。\'Sheexpectsafriend，I

believe。Weshallseeyouatthecastleagainto-night?\'

DeStancyassuredhimthattheywould，andthetwomenparted，CaptainDeStancy，whenhehadglancedtoseethatthecarriagewasempty，goingontowhereaporterstoodwithacoupleofspaniels。

Somersetnowlookedagaintothetrain。Whilehisbackhadbeenturnedtoconversewiththecaptain，aladyoffive-and-

thirtyhadalightedfromtheidenticalcompartmentoccupiedbyDeStancy。ShemadeaninquiryaboutgettingtoStancyCastle，uponwhichSomerset，whohadnottillnowobservedher，wentforward，andintroducinghimselfassistedhertothecarriageandsawhersafelyoff。

DeStancyhadbythistimedisappeared，andSomersetwalkedontohisroomsattheLord-Quantock-Arms，whereheremainedtillhehaddined，picturingthediscomfitureofhisalertrivalwhenthereshouldentertohimasPrincess，notPaulaPower，butMissBelloftheRegent\'sTheatre，London。Thusthehourpassed，tillhefoundthatifhemeanttoseetheissueoftheplotitwastimetobeoff。

Onarrivingatthecastle，Somersetenteredbythepublicdoorfromthehallasbefore，anaturaldelicacyleadinghimtofeelthatthoughhemightbewelcomedasanallyatthestage-

door——inotherwords，thedoorfromthecorridor——itwasadvisablenottotaketooreadyanadvantageofaprivilegewhich，intheexistingsecrecyofhisunderstandingwithPaula，mightleadtoanoverthrowofherplansonthatpoint。

Notintendingtositoutthewholeperformance，Somersetcontentedhimselfwithstandinginawindowrecessneartheproscenium，whencehecouldobserveboththestageandthefrontrowsofspectators。HewasquiteuncertainwhetherPaulawouldappearamongtheaudienceto-night，andresolvedtowaitevents。Justbeforetheriseofthecurtaintheyoungladyinquestionenteredandsatdown。WhenthescenerywasdisclosedandtheKingofNavarreappeared，whatwasSomerset\'ssurprisetofindthat，thoughthepartwastheparttakenbyDeStancyonthepreviousnight，thevoicewasthatofMr。Mild；tohim，attheappointedseason，enteredthePrincess，namely，MissBarbaraBell。

BeforeSomersethadrecoveredfromhiscrestfallensensationatDeStancy\'selusiveness，thatofficerhimselfemergedineveningdressfrombehindacurtainformingawingtotheproscenium，andSomersetremarkedthattheminorpartoriginallyallottedtohimwasfilledbythesubalternwhohadenacteditthenightbefore。DeStancyglancedacross，whetherbyaccidentorotherwiseSomersetcouldnotdetermine，andhisglanceseemedtosayhequiterecognizedtherehadbeenatrialofwitsbetweenthem，andthat，thankstohischancemeetingwithMissBellinthetrain，hishadprovedthestronger。

Thehousebeinglesscrowdedto-nighttherewereoneortwovacantchairsinthebestpart。DeStancy，advancingfromwherehehadstoodforafewmoments，seatedhimselfcomfortablybesideMissPower。

Ontheothersideofherhenowperceivedthesamequeerelderlyforeigner(asheappeared)whohadcometoherinthegardenthatmorning。SomersetwassurprisedtoperceivealsothatPaulawithverylittlehesitationintroducedhimandDeStancytoeachother。Aconversationensuedbetweenthethree，nonethelessanimatedforbeingcarriedoninawhisper，inwhichPaulaseemedonstrangelyintimatetermswiththestranger，andthestrangertoshowfeelingsofgreatfriendshipforDeStancy，consideringthattheymustbenewacquaintances。

Theplayproceeded，andSomersetstilllingeredinhiscorner。

HecouldnothelpfancyingthatDeStancy\'singeniousrelinquishmentofhispart，anditsobviousreason，waswinningPaula\'sadmiration。Hisconductwashomagecarriedtounscrupulousandinconvenientlengths，asortofthingwhichawomanmaychide，butwhichshecanneverresent。Whocoulddootherwisethantalkkindlytoaman，inclinealittletohim，andcondonehisfault，whenthesolemotiveofsoaudaciousanexerciseofhiswitswastoescapeactingwithanyotherheroinethanherself。

Hisconjectureswerebroughttoapausebytheendingofthecomedy，andtheopportunityaffordedhimofjoiningthegroupinfront。Themassofpeopleweresoongone，andtheknotoffriendsassembledaroundPaulawerediscussingthemeritsandfaultsofthetwodays\'performance。

\'Myuncle，Mr。AbnerPower，\'saidPaulasuddenlytoSomerset，ashecamenear，presentingthestrangertotheastonishedyoungman。\'Icouldnotseeyoubeforetheperformance，asI

shouldhavelikedtodo。Thereturnofmyuncleissoextraordinarythatitoughttobetoldinalesshurriedwaythanthis。Hehasbeensupposeddeadbyallofusfornearlytenyears——eversincethetimewelastheardfromhim。\'

\'ForwhichIamtoblame，\'saidMr。Power，noddingtoPaula\'sarchitect。\'YetnotI，butaccidentandasluggishtemperament。Therearetimes，MrSomerset，whenthehumancreaturefeelsnointerestinhiskind，andassumesthathiskindfeelsnointerestinhim。Thefeelingisnotactiveenoughtomakehimflyfromtheirpresence；butsufficienttokeephimsilentifhehappenstobeaway。Imaynothavedescribeditprecisely；butthisIknow，thataftermylongillness，andthefanciedneglectofmyletters——\'

\'Forwhichmyfatherwasnottoblame，sincehedidnotreceivethem，\'saidPaula。

\'Forwhichnobodywastoblame——afterthat，Isay，Iwrotenomore。\'

\'Youhavemuchpleasureinreturningatlast，nodoubt，\'saidSomerset。

\'Sir，asIremainedawaywithoutparticularpain，soIreturnwithoutparticularjoy。Ispeakthetruth，andnocompliments。Imayaddthatthereisoneexceptiontothisabsenceoffeelingfrommyheart，namely，thatIdoderivegreatsatisfactionfromseeinghowmightilythisyoungwomanhasgrownandprevailed。\'

Thisaddress，thoughdeliverednominallytoSomerset，waslistenedtobyPaula，Mrs。Goodman，andDeStancyalso。Afterutteringit，thespeakerturnedaway，andcontinuedhispreviousconversationwithCaptainDeStancy。FromthistimetillthegrouppartedheneveragainspokedirectlytoSomerset，payinghimbarelysomuchattentionashemighthaveexpectedasPaula\'sarchitect，andcertainlylessthanhemighthavesupposedhisdueasheracceptedlover。

Theresultoftheappearance，asfromthetomb，ofthiswintrymanwasthattheeveningendedinafrigidandformalwaywhichgavelittlesatisfactiontothesensitiveSomerset，whowasabstractedandconstrainedbyreasonofthoughtsonhowthisresuscitationoftheunclewouldaffecthisrelationwithPaula。Itwaspossiblyalsothethoughtoftwoatleastoftheothers。Therehad，intruth，scarcelyyetbeentimeenoughtoadumbratethepossibilitiesopenedupbythisgentleman\'sreturn。

TheonlyprivatewordexchangedbySomersetwithanyonethatnightwaswithMrs。Goodman，inwhomhealwaysrecognizedafriendtohiscause，thoughthefluidityofhercharacterrenderedherbutafeebleoneatthebestoftimes。SheinformedhimthatMr。PowerhadnosortoflegalcontroloverPaula，ordirectioninherestates；butSomersetcouldnotdoubtthatanearandonlybloodrelation，evenhadhepossessedbuthalfthestaticforceofcharacterthatmadeitselfapparentinMr。Power，mightexerciseconsiderablemoralinfluenceoverthegirlifhechose。AndinviewofMr。

Power\'smarkedpreferenceforDeStancy，Somersethadmanymisgivingsastoitsoperatinginadirectionfavourabletohimself。

XI。

Somersetwasdeeplyengagedwithhisdraughtsmenandbuildersduringthethreefollowingdays，andscarcelyenteredtheoccupiedwingofthecastle。

AthissuggestionPaulahadagreedtohavetheworksexecutedassuchoperationswerecarriedoutinoldtimes，beforetheadventofcontractors。Eachtraderequiredinthebuildingwastoberepresentedbyamaster-tradesmanofthatdenomination，whoshouldstandresponsibleforhisownsectionoflabour，andfornoother，Somersethimselfaschieftechnicistworkingouthisdesignsonthespot。Bythismeansthethoroughnessoftheworkmanshipwouldbegreatlyincreasedincomparisonwiththemodernarrangement，wherebyanominalbuilder，seldompresent，whocancertainlyknownomorethanonetradeintimatelyandwell，andwhooftendoesnotknowthat，undertakesthewhole。

Butnotwithstandingitsmanifestadvantagestotheproprietor，theplanaddedlargelytotheresponsibilitiesofthearchitect，who，withhismaster-mason，master-carpenter，master-plumber，andwhatnot，hadscarcelyamomenttocallhisown。Still，themethodbeinguponthefaceofitthetrueone，Somersetsupervisedwithawill。

Butthereseemedtofloatacrossthecourttohimfromtheinhabitedwinganintimationthatthingswerenotastheyhadbeenbefore；thataninfluenceadversetohimselfwasatworkbehindtheashlaredfaceofinnerwallwhichconfrontedhim。

PerhapsthiswasbecauseheneversawPaulaatthewindows，orheardherfootfallinthathalfofthebuildinggivenovertohimselfandhismyrmidons。Therewasreallynoreasonotherthanasentimentalonewhyheshouldseeher。Theuninhabitedpartofthecastlewasalmostanindependentstructure，anditwasquitenaturaltoexistforweeksinthiswingwithoutcomingincontactwithresidentsintheother。

Amorepronouncedcausethanvaguesurmisewasdestinedtoperturbhim，andthisinanunexpectedmanner。IthappenedonemorningthatheglancedthroughalocalpaperwhilewaitingattheLord-Quantock-Armsforthepony-carriagetobebroughtroundinwhichheoftendrovetothecastle。Thepaperwastwodaysold，buttohisunutterableamazementhereadthereinaparagraphwhichranasfollows:——

\'WeareinformedthatamarriageislikelytobearrangedbetweenCaptainDeStancy，oftheRoyalHorseArtillery，onlysurvivingsonofSirWilliamDeStancy，Baronet，andPaula，onlydaughterofthelateJohnPower，Esq。，M。P。，ofStancyCastle。\'

Somersetdroppedthepaper，andstaredoutofthewindow。

Fortunatelyforhisemotions，thehorseandcarriagewereatthismomentbroughttothedoor，sothatnothinghinderedSomersetindrivingofftothespotatwhichhewouldbesoonestlikelytolearnwhattruthorotherwisetherewasinthenewspaperreport。Fromthefirsthedoubtedit:andyethowshouldithavegotthere?Suchstrangerumours，likeparadoxicalmaxims，generallyincludeaportionoftruth。

FivedayshadelapsedsincehelastspoketoPaula。

Reachingthecastleheenteredhisownquartersasusual，andaftersettingthedraughtsmentoworkwalkedupanddownponderinghowhemightbestseeherwithoutmakingtheparagraphthegroundofhisrequestforaninterview；forifitwereafabrication，suchareasonwouldwoundherprideinherownhonourtowardshim，andifitwerepartlytrue，hewouldcertainlydobetterinleavingheralonethaninreproachingher。ItwouldsimplyamounttoaproofthatPaulawasanarrantcoquette。

Inhismeditationhestoodstill，closelyscanningoneofthejamb-stonesofadoorlessentrance，asiftodiscoverwheretheoldhinge-hookhadenteredthestonework。Heheardafootstepbehindhim，andlookingroundsawPaulastandingby。

Sheheldanewspaperinherhand。Thespotwasonequitehemmedinfromobservation，afactofwhichsheseemedtobequiteaware。

\'Ihavesomethingtotellyou，\'shesaid；\'somethingimportant。ButyouaresooccupiedwiththatoldstonethatI

amobligedtowait。\'

\'Itisnottruesurely!\'hesaid，lookingatthepaper。

\'No，lookhere，\'shesaid，holdingupthesheet。Itwasnotwhathehadsupposed，butanewone——thelocalrivaltothatwhichhadcontainedtheannouncement，andwasstilldampfromthepress。Shepointed，andheread——

\'WeareauthorizedtostatethatthereisnofoundationwhateverfortheassertionofourcontemporarythatamarriageislikelytobearrangedbetweenCaptainDeStancyandMissPowerofStancyCastle。\'

Somersetpressedherhand。\'Itdisturbedme，\'hesaid，\'thoughIdidnotbelieveit。\'

\'Itastonishedme，asmuchasitdisturbedyou；andIsentthiscontradictionatonce。\'

\'Howcouldithavegotthere?\'

Sheshookherhead。

\'Youhavenottheleastknowledge?\'

\'Nottheleast。IwishIhad。\'

\'ItwasnotfromanyfriendsofDeStancy\'s?orhimself?\'

\'Itwasnot。Hissisterhasascertainedbeyonddoubtthatheknewnothingofit。Well，now，don\'tsayanymoretomeaboutthematter。\'

\'I\'llfindouthowitgotintothepaper。\'

\'Notnow——anyfuturetimewilldo。Ihavesomethingelsetotellyou。\'

\'Ihopethenewsisasgoodasthelast，\'hesaid，lookingintoherfacewithanxiety；forthoughthatfacewasblooming，itseemedfullofadoubtastohowhernextinformationwouldbetaken。

\'Oyes；itisgood，becauseeverybodysaysso。Wearegoingtotakeadelightfuljourney。Mynew-createduncle，asheseems，andI，andmyaunt，andperhapsCharlotte，ifsheiswellenough，aregoingtoNice，andotherplacesaboutthere。\'

\'ToNice!\'saidSomerset，ratherblankly。\'AndImuststayhere?\'

\'Why，ofcourseyoumust，consideringwhatyouhaveundertaken!\'shesaid，lookingwithsaucycomposureintohiseyes。\'Myuncle\'sreasonforproposingthejourneyjustnowis，thathethinksthealterationswillmakeresidenceheredustyanddisagreeableduringthespring。Theopportunityofgoingwithhimistoogoodaoneforustolose，asIhaveneverbeenthere。\'

\'IwishIwasgoingtobeoneoftheparty!……WhatdoYOU

wishaboutit?\'

Sheshookherheadimpenetrably。\'Awomanmaywishsomethingsshedoesnotcaretotell!\'

\'Areyoureallygladyouaregoing，dearest?——asIMUSTcallyoujustonce，\'saidtheyoungman，gazingearnestlyintoherface，whichstruckhimaslookingfartoorosyandradianttobeconsistentwitheversolittleregretatleavinghimbehind。

\'Itakegreatinterestinforeigntrips，especiallytotheshoresoftheMediterranean:andeverybodymakesapointofgettingawaywhenthehouseisturnedoutofthewindow。\'

\'Butyoudofeelalittlesadness，suchasIshouldfeelifourpositionswerereversed?\'

\'Ithinkyououghtnottohaveaskedthatsoincredulously，\'

shemurmured。\'Wecanbeneareachotherinspirit，whenourbodiesarefarapart，canwenot?\'Hertonegrewsofterandshedrewalittleclosertohissidewithaslightlynestlingmotion，asshewenton，\'MayIbesurethatyouwillnotthinkunkindlyofmewhenIamabsentfromyoursight，andnotbegrudgemeanylittlepleasurebecauseyouarenottheretoshareitwithme?\'

\'Mayyou!Canyouaskit?……Asforme，Ishallhavenopleasuretobebegrudgedorotherwise。TheonlypleasureI

haveis，asyouwellknow，inyou。Whenyouarewithme，Iamhappy:whenyouareaway，Itakenopleasureinanything。\'

\'Idon\'tdeserveit。Ihavenorighttodisturbyouso，\'shesaid，verygently。\'ButIhavegivenyousomepleasure，haveInot?Alittlemorepleasurethanpain，perhaps?\'

\'Youhave，andyet……ButIdon\'taccuseyou，dearest。

Yes，youhavegivenmepleasure。Onetrulypleasanttimewaswhenwestoodtogetherinthesummer-houseontheeveningofthegarden-party，andyousaidyoulikedmetoloveyou。\'

\'Yes，itwasapleasanttime，\'shereturnedthoughtfully。

\'Howtheraincamedown，andformedagauzebetweenusandthedancers，diditnot；andhowafraidwewere——atleastIwas——

lestanybodyshoulddiscoverusthere，andhowquicklyIraninaftertherainwasover!\'

\'Yes\'，saidSomerset，\'Irememberit。Butnoharmcameofittoyou……Andperhapsnogoodwillcomeofittome。\'

\'Donotbeprematureinyourconclusions，sir，\'shesaidarchly。\'Ifyoureallydofeelformeonlyhalfwhatyousay，weshall——youwillmakegoodcomeofit——insomewayorother。\'

\'DearPaula——nowIbelieveyou，andcanbearanything。\'

\'Thenwewillsaynomore；because，asyourecollect，weagreednottogotoofar。Noexpostulations，forwearegoingtobepracticalyoungpeople；besides，Iwon\'tlistenifyouutterthem。Isimplyechoyourwords，andsayI，too，believeyou。NowImustgo。Havefaithinme，anddon\'tmagnifytrifleslightasair。\'

\'ITHINKIunderstandyou。AndifIdo，itwillmakeagreatdifferenceinmyconduct。Youwillhavenocausetocomplain。\'

\'Thenyoumustnotunderstandmesomuchastomakemuchdifference；foryourconductasmyarchitectisperfect。ButImustnotlingerlonger，thoughIwishedyoutoknowthisnewsfrommyveryownlips。\'

\'Blessyouforit!Whendoyouleave?\'

\'Thedayafterto-morrow。\'

\'Soearly?Doesyouruncleguessanything?Doyouwishhimtobetoldjustyet?\'

\'Yes，tothefirst；no，tothesecond。\'

\'Imaywritetoyou?\'

\'Onbusiness，yes。Itwillbenecessary。\'

\'Howcanyouspeaksoatatimeofparting?\'

\'Now，George——youseeIsayGeorge，andnotMr。Somerset，andyoumaydrawyourowninference——don\'tbesomorbidinyourreproaches!Ihaveinformedyouthatyoumaywrite，orstillbetter，telegraph，sincethewireissohandy——onbusiness。

Well，ofcourse，itisforyoutojudgewhetheryouwilladdpostscriptsofanothersort。There，youmakemesaymorethanawomanought，becauseyouaresoobtuseandliteral。Goodafternoon——good-bye!Thiswillbemyaddress。\'

Shehandedhimaslipofpaper，andflittedaway。

Thoughhesawheragainafterthis，itwasduringthebustleofpreparation，whentherewasalwaysathirdpersonpresent，usuallyintheshapeofthatbreathingrefrigerator，heruncle。Hencethefewwordsthatpassedbetweenthemwereofthemostformaldescription，andchieflyconcernedtherestorationofthecastle，andachurchatNicedesignedbyhim，whichhewantedhertoinspect。

Theyweretoleavebyanearlyafternoontrain，andSomersetwasinvitedtolunchonthatday。ThemorningwasoccupiedbyalongbusinessconsultationinthestudiowithMr。PowerandMrs。Goodmanonwhatroomsweretobeleftlockedup，whatleftinchargeoftheservants，andwhatthrownopentothebuildersandworkmenunderthesurveillanceofSomerset。Atpresenttheworkconsistedmostlyofrepairstoexistingrooms，soastorenderthosehabitablewhichhadlongbeenusedonlyasstoresforlumber。Pauladidnotappearduringthisdiscussion；butwhentheywereallseatedinthedining-

hallshecameindressedforthejourney，and，tooutwardappearance，withblitheanticipationatitsprospectbloomingfromeveryfeature。NexttohercameCharlotteDeStancy，stillwithsomeofthepallorofaninvalid，butwonderfullybrightenedup，asSomersetthought，bytheprospectofavisittoadelightfulshore。Itmighthavebeenthis；anditmighthavebeenthatSomerset\'spresencehadashareinthechange。

Itwasinthehall，whentheywereinthebustleofleave-

taking，thatthereoccurredtheonlyopportunityforthetwoorthreeprivatewordswithPaulatowhichhisstartreatedhimonthatlastday。Histookthehastyformof，\'Youwillwritesoon?\'

\'Telegraphingwillbequicker，\'sheansweredinthesamelowtone；andwhispering\'Betruetome!\'turnedaway。

Howunreasonablehewas!Inadditiontothosewords，warmastheywere，hewouldhavepreferredalittlepalenessofcheek，ortremblingoflip，insteadofthebloomandthebeautywhichsatuponherundisturbedmaidenhood，totellhimthatinsomeslightwayshesufferedathisloss。

Immediatelyafterthistheywenttothecarriageswaitingatthedoor。Somerset，whohadinameasuretakenchargeofthecastle，accompaniedthemandsawthemoff，muchasiftheywerehisvisitors。Shesteppedin，ageneraladieuwasspoken，andshewasgone。

Whilethecarriagesrolledaway，heascendedtothetopofthetower，wherehesawthemlessentospotsontheroad，andturnthecorneroutofsight。ThechancesofarivalseemedtogrowinproportionasPaularecededfromhisside；buthecouldnothaveansweredwhy。Hehadbiddenherandherrelativesadieuonherowndoorstep，likeaprivilegedfriendofthefamily，whileDeStancyhadscarcelyseenhersincetheplay-night。Thatthesilenceintowhichthecaptainappearedtohavesunkwastheplacidityofconsciouspower，wasscarcelyprobable；yetthatadventitiousaidsexistedforDeStancyhecouldnotdeny。ThelinkformedbyCharlottebetweenDeStancyandPaula，muchashelikedtheingenuousgirl，wasonethathecouldhavewishedaway。ItconstitutedabridgeofaccesstoPaula\'sinnerlifeandfeelingswhichnothingcouldrival；exceptthatonefactwhich，ashefirmlybelieved，didactuallyrivalit，givinghimfaithandhope；

hisownprimaryoccupationofPaula\'sheart。Moreover，Mrs。

Goodmanwouldbeaninfluencefavourabletohimselfandhiscauseduringthejourney；though，tobesure，tosetagainsthertherewasthephlegmaticandobstinateAbnerPower，inwhom，apprisedbythosesubtlemediaofintelligencewhichloverspossess，hefanciedhesawnofriend。

Somersetremainedbutashorttimeatthecastlethatday。

Thelightofitschambershadfled，thegrossgrandeurofthedictatorialtowersoppressedhim，andthestudiowashateful。

HerememberedapromisemadelongagotoMr。Woodwellofcallinguponhimsomeafternoon；andavisitwhichhadnotmuchattractivenessinitatothertimesrecommendeditselfnow，throughbeingtheonepossiblewayopentohimofhearingPaulanamedandherdoingstalkedof。HenceinwalkingbacktoMarkton，insteadofgoinguptheHighStreet，heturnedasideintotheunfrequentedfootwaythatledtotheminister\'scottage。

Mr。Woodwellwasnotindoorsatthemomentofhiscall，andSomersetlingeredatthedoorway，andcasthiseyesaround。

Itwasahousewhichtypifiedthedreariertenetsofitsoccupierwithgreatexactness。Itstooduponitsspotofearthwithoutanynaturalunionwithit:nomossesdisguisedthestiffstraightlinewherewallmetearth；notacreepersoftenedtheaspectofthebarefront。Thegardenwalkwasstrewnwithlooseclinkersfromtheneighbouringfoundry，whichrolledunderthepedestrian\'sfootandjoltedhissouloutofhimbeforehereachedtheporchlessdoor。Butallwasclean，andclear，anddry。

WhetherMr。Woodwellwaspersonallyresponsibleforthisconditionofthingstherewasnottimetocloselyconsider，forSomersetperceivedtheministercomingupthewalktowardshim。Mr。Woodwellwelcomedhimheartily；andyetwiththemienofamanwhosemindhasscarcelydismissedsomescenewhichhasprecededtheonethatconfrontshim。Whatthatscenewassoontranspired。

\'Ihavehadabusyafternoon，\'saidtheminister，astheywalkedindoors；\'orratheranexcitingafternoon。YourclientatStancyCastle，whoseuncle，asIimagineyouknow，hassounexpectedlyreturned，hasleftwithhimto-dayforthesouthofFrance；andIwishedtoaskherbeforeherdeparturesomequestionsastohowacharityorganizedbyherfatherwastobeadministeredinherabsence。ButIhavebeenveryunfortunate。Shecouldnotfindtimetoseemeatherownhouse，andIawaitedheratthestation，alltonopurpose，owingtothepresenceofherfriends。Well，well，Imustseeifaletterwillfindher。\'

Somersetaskedifanybodyoftheneighbourhoodwastheretoseethemoff。

\'Yes，thatwasthetroubleofit。CaptainDeStancywasthere，andquitemonopolizedher。Idon\'tknowwhat\'tiscomingto，andperhapsIhavenobusinesstoinquire，sincesheisscarcelyamemberofourchurchnow。WhocouldhaveanticipatedthedaughterofmyoldfriendJohnPowerdevelopingintotheordinarygaywomanoftheworldasshehasdone?WhocouldhaveexpectedhertoassociatewithpeoplewhoshowcontemptfortheirMaker\'sintentionsbyflippantlyassumingothercharactersthanthoseinwhichHecreatedthem?\'

\'Youmistakeher，\'murmuredSomerset，inavoicewhichhevainlyendeavouredtoattunetophilosophy。\'MissPowerhassomeveryrareandbeautifulqualitiesinhernature，thoughI

confessItremble——fearlesttheDeStancyinfluenceshouldbetoostrong。\'

\'Sir，itisalready!DoyouremembermytellingyouthatI

thoughttheforceofhersurroundingswouldobscurethepuredaylightofherspirit，asamonkishwindowofcolouredimagesattenuatestheraysofGod\'ssun?Idonotwishtoindulgeinrashsurmises，butheroscillationfromherfamilycreedofCalvinistictruthtowardsthetraditionsoftheDeStancyshasbeensodecided，thoughsogradual，that——well，Imaybewrong。\'

\'Thatwhat?\'saidtheyoungmansharply。

\'Isometimesthinkshewilltaketoherashusbandthepresentrepresentativeofthatimpoverishedline——CaptainDeStancy——

whichshemayeasilydo，ifshechooses，ashisbehaviourto-

dayshowed。\'

\'Hewasprobablythereonaccountofhissister，\'saidSomerset，tryingtoescapethementalpictureoffarewellgallantriesbestowedonPaula。

\'Itwashintedatinthepaperstheotherday。\'

\'Anditwasflatlycontradicted。\'

\'Yes。Well，weshallseeintheLord\'sgoodtime；Icandonomoreforher。Andnow，Mr。Somerset，praytakeacupoftea。\'

TherevelationsoftheministerdepressedSomersetalittle，andhedidnotstaylong。AshewenttothedoorWoodwellsaid，\'Thereisaworthyman——thedeaconofourchapel，Mr。

Havill——whowouldliketobefriendlywithyou。Poorman，sincethedeathofhiswifeheseemstohavesomethingonhismind——sometroublewhichmywordswillnotreach。Ifeveryouarepassinghisdoor，pleasegivehimalookin。Hefearsthatcallingonyoumightbeanintrusion。\'

Somersetdidnotclearlypromise，andwenthisway。Theminister\'sallusiontotheannouncementofthemarriageremindedSomersetthatshehadexpressedawishtoknowhowtheparagraphcametobeinserted。Thewishhadbeencarelesslyspoken；buthewenttothenewspaperofficetomakeinquiriesonthepoint。