下载辰思小说免费APP
\'Youwantittothrowitaway。Idon\'tapproveofit；socomewithme。\'
\'But，\'saidDare，\'Iarrivedherewithahundrednapoleonsandmore，expresslytoworkoutmytheoryofchancesandrecurrences，whichissound；Ihavestudiedithundredsoftimesbythehelpofthis。\'Hepartiallydrewfromhispocketthelittlevolumethatwehavebeforeseeninhishands。\'IfIonlypersevereinmysystem，thecertaintythatImustwinisalmostmathematical。Ihavestakedandlosttwohundredandthirty-threetimes。Allowingoutofthatonechanceineverythirty-six，whichistheaverageofzerobeingmarked，andtwohundredandfourtimesforthebackersoftheothernumbers，Ihavethemathematicalexpectationofsixtimesatleast，whichwouldnearlyrecoupme。AndshallI，then，sacrificethatvastfoundationofwastechancesthatIhavelaiddown，andpaidfor，merelyforwantofalittlereadymoney?\'
\'Youmightpersevereforatwelvemonth，andstillnotgetthebetterofyourreverses。Timetellsinfavourofthebank。
Justimagineforthesakeofargumentthatallthepeoplewhohaveeverplacedastakeuponacertainnumbertobeonepersonplayingcontinuously。Hasthatimaginarypersonwon?
Theexistenceofthebankisasufficientanswer。\'
\'Butaparticularplayerhastheoptionofleavingoffatanypointfavourabletohimself，whichthebankhasnot；andthere\'smyopportunity。\'
\'Whichfromyourmoodyouwillbesurenottotakeadvantageof。\'
\'Ishallgoonplaying，\'saidDaredoggedly。
\'Notwithmymoney。\'
\'Verywell；wewon\'tpartasenemies，\'repliedDare，withtheflawlesspolitenessofamanwhosespeechhasnolongeranykinshipwithhisfeelings。\'Shallweshareabottleofwine?
Youwillnot?Well，Ihopeyourluckwithyourladywillbemoremagnificentthanminehasbeenhere；but——mindCaptainDeStancy!he\'safearfulwildfowlforyou。\'
\'He\'saharmlessinoffensivesoldier，asfarasIknow。Ifheisnot——lethimbewhathemayforme。\'
\'Anddohisworsttocutyouout，Isuppose?\'
\'Ay——ifyouwill。\'Somerset，muchagainsthisjudgment，wasbeingstimulatedbythesepricksintowordsofirritation。
\'CaptainDeStancymight，Ithink，bebetteremployedthanindanglingattheheelsofaladywhocanwelldispensewithhiscompany。Andyoumightbebetteremployedthaninwastingyourwageshere。\'
\'Wages——afitwordformymoney。MayIaskyouatwhatstageintheappearanceofamanwhosewayofexistenceisunknown，hismoneyceasestobecalledwagesandbeginstobecalledmeans?\'
Somersetturnedandlefthimwithoutreplying，Darefollowinghisrecedingfigurewithalookofriperesentment，notlesslikelytoventitselfinmischieffromthewantofmoralballastinhimwhoemittedit。Hethenfixedanettledandunsatisfiedgazeuponthegaming-rooms，andinanotherminuteortwolefttheCasinoalso。
DareandSomersetmetnomorethatday。ThelatterreturnedtoNicebytheeveningtrainandwentstraighttothehotel。
Henowthankedhisfortunethathehadnotprecipitatelygivenuphisroomthere，foratelegramfromPaulaawaitedhim。Hishandalmosttrembledasheopenedit，toreadthefollowingfewshortwords，datedfromtheGrandHotel，Genoa:——
\'Letterreceived。Amgladtohearofyourjourney。WearenotreturningtoNice，butstayhereaweek。Idirectthisataventure。\'
Thistantalizingmessage——thefirstbreakingofherrecentsilence——wassaucy，almostcruel，initsdryfrigidity。ItledhimtogiveuphisideaoffollowingatoncetoGenoa。
Thatwaswhatsheobviouslyexpectedhimtodo，anditwaspossiblethathisnon-arrivalmightdrawaletterormessagefromherofasweetercompositionthanthis。Thatwouldatleastbetheeffectofhistardinessifshecaredintheleastforhim；ifshedidnothecouldbeartheworst。Theargumentwasgoodenoughasfarasitwent，but，likemanymore，failedfromthenarrownessofitspremises，thecontingentinterventionofDarebeingentirelyundreamtof。Itwasaltogetherafatalmiscalculation，whichcosthimdear。
Passingbythetelegraph-officeintheRuePont-NeufatanearlyhourthenextmorninghesawDarecomingoutfromthedoor。ItwasSomerset\'smomentaryimpulsetothankDarefortheinformationgivenastoPaula\'swhereabouts，informationwhichhadnowprovedtrue。ButDaredidnotseemtoappreciatehisfriendliness，andafterafewwordsofstudiedcivilitytheyoungmanmovedon。
Andwellhemight。Fiveminutesbeforethattimehehadthrownopenagulfoftreacherybetweenhimselfandthearchitectwhichnothinginlifecouldeverclose。Beforeleavingthetelegraph-officeDarehaddespatchedthefollowingmessagetoPauladirect，asaset-offagainstwhathecalledSomerset\'singratitudeforvaluableinformation，thoughitwasreallythefruitofmanypassions，motives，anddesires:——
\'G。Somerset，Nice，toMissPower，GrandHotel，Genoa。
\'HavelostallatMonteCarlo。HavelearntthatCaptainD。S。
returnshereto-morrow。Pleasesendmeonehundredpoundsbyhim，andsavemefromdisgrace。Willawaithimateleveno\'clockandfour，onthePont-Neuf。\'
V。
FivehoursafterthedespatchofthattelegramCaptainDeStancywasrattlingalongthecoastrailwayoftheRivierafromGenoatoNice。HewasreturningtoEnglandbywayofMarseilles；butbeforeturningnorthwardshehadengagedtoperformonMissPower\'saccountapeculiarandsomewhatdisagreeableduty。ThiswastoplaceinSomerset\'shandsahundredandtwenty-fivenapoleonswhichhadbeendemandedfromherbyamessageinSomerset\'sname。Themoneywasinhispocket——allingold，inacanvasbag，tiedupbyPaula\'sownhands，whichhehadobservedtotrembleasshetiedit。
Asheleanedinthecornerofthecarriagehewasthinkingovertheeventsofthemorningwhichhadculminatedinthatliberalresponse。Atteno\'clock，beforehehadgoneoutfromthehotelwherehehadtakenuphisquarters，whichwasnotthesameastheonepatronizedbyPaulaandherfriends，hehadbeensummonedtoherpresenceinamannersounexpectedastoimplythatsomethingseriouswasinquestion。Onenteringherroomhehadbeenstruckbytheabsenceofthatsaucyindependenceusuallyapparentinherbearingtowardshim，notwithstandingthepersistencywithwhichhehadhoverednearherforthepreviousmonth，andgradually，bythepositionofhissister，andthefavourofPaula\'suncleininterceptingoneofSomerset\'slettersandseveralofhistelegrams，establishedhimselfasanintimatememberofthetravellingparty。Hisentry，however，thistimeasalways，hadhadtheeffectofatonic，anditwasquitewithhercustomaryself-
possessionthatshehadtoldhimoftheobjectofhermessage。
\'YouthinkofreturningtoNicethisafternoon?\'sheinquired。
DeStancyinformedherthatsuchwashisintention，andaskedifhecoulddoanythingforherthere。
Then，heremembered，shehadhesitated。\'Ihavereceivedatelegram，\'shesaidatlength；andsosheallowedtoescapeherbitbybittheinformationthatherarchitect，whosenamesheseemedreluctanttoutter，hadtravelledfromEnglandtoNicethatweek，partlytoconsulther，partlyforaholidaytrip；thathehadgoneontoMonteCarlo，hadtherelosthismoneyandgotintodifficulties，andhadappealedtohertohelphimoutofthembytheimmediateadvanceofsomereadycash。Itwasasadcase，anunexpectedcase，shemurmured，withhereyesfixedonthewindow。Indeedshecouldnotcomprehendit。
ToDeStancythereappearednothingsoveryextraordinaryinSomerset\'sapparentfiasco，exceptinsofarasthatheshouldhaveappliedtoPaulaforrelieffromhisdistressesinsteadofelsewhere。Itwasaself-humiliationwhichaloverwouldhaveavoidedatallcosts，hethought。YetafteramomentaryreflectiononhistheoryofSomerset\'scharacter，itseemedsufficientlynaturalthatheshouldleanpersistentlyonPaula，ifonlywithaviewofkeepinghimselflinkedtohermemory，withoutthinkingtooprofoundlyofhisowndignity。
ThattheesteeminwhichshehadheldSomersetuptothathoursufferedatremendousblowbyhisapparentscrapewasclearlyvisibleinher，reticentasshewas；andDeStancy，whilepityingSomerset，thankedhiminhismindforhavinggratuitouslygivenarivalanadvantagewhichthatrival\'sattentionshadneverbeenabletogainofthemselves。
Afteralittlefurtherconversationshehadsaid:\'Sinceyouaretobemymessenger，ImusttellyouthatIhavedecidedtosendthehundredpoundsaskedfor，andyouwillpleasetodeliverthemintonohandsbuthisown。\'Acuriouslittleblushcreptoverhersoberedface——perhapsitwasablushofshameattheconductoftheyoungmaninwhomshehadoflatebeensuspiciouslyinterested——assheadded，\'HewillbeonthePont-Neufatfourthisafternoonandagainateleventomorrow。
Canyoumeethimthere?\'
\'Certainly，\'DeStancyreplied。
Shethenaskedhim，ratheranxiously，howhecouldaccountforMr。Somersetknowingthathe，CaptainDeStancy，wasabouttoreturntoNice?
DeStancyinformedherthatheleftwordatthehotelofhisintentiontoreturn，whichwasquitetrue；moreover，theredidnotlurkinhismindatthemomentofspeakingthefaintestsuspicionthatSomersethadseenDare。
Shethentiedthebagandhandedittohim，leavinghimwithasereneandimpenetrablebearing，whichhehopedforhisownsakemeantanacquiredindifferencetoSomersetandhisfortunes。Hersendingthearchitectasumofmoneywhichshecouldeasilysparemightbesetdowntonaturalgenerositytowardsamanwithwhomshewasartisticallyco-operatingfortheimprovementofherhome。
Shecamebacktohimagainforamoment。\'Couldyoupossiblygettherebeforefourthisafternoon?\'sheasked，andheinformedherthathecouldjustdosobyleavingalmostatonce，whichhewasverywillingtodo，thoughbysoforestallinghistimehewouldlosetheprojectedmorningwithherandtherestatthePalazzoDoria。
\'ImaytellyouthatIshallnotgotothePalazzoDoriaeither，ifitisanyconsolationtoyoutoknowit，\'washerreply。\'Ishallsitindoorsandthinkofyouonyourjourney。\'
Theansweradmittedoftwotranslations，andconjecturesthereonfilledthegallantsoldier\'smindduringthegreaterpartofthejourney。HearrivedatthehoteltheyhadallstayedatinsuccessionaboutsixhoursafterSomersethadleftitforalittleexcursiontoSanRemoanditsneighbourhood，asameansofpassingafewdaystillPaulashouldwriteagaintoinquirewhyhehadnotcomeon。DeStancysawnooneheknew，andinobediencetoPaula\'scommandshepromptlysetoffonfootforthePont-Neuf。
Thoughopposedtothearchitectasalover，DeStancyfeltforhimasapoordevilinneedofmoney，havinghadexperiencesofthatsorthimself，andhewasreallyanxiousthattheneedfulsupplyentrustedtohimshouldreachSomerset\'shands。
Hewasonthebridgefiveminutesbeforethehour，andwhentheclockstruckahandwaslaidonhisshoulder:turninghebeheldDare。
Knowingthattheyouthwasloiteringsomewherealongthecoast，fortheyhadfrequentlymettogetheronDeStancy\'spreviousvisit，thelattermerelysaid，\'Don\'tbothermeforthepresent，Willy，Ihaveanengagement。Youcanseemeatthehotelthisevening。\'
\'WhenyouhavegivenmethehundredpoundsIwillflylikearocket，captain，\'saidtheyounggentleman。\'Ikeeptheappointmentinsteadoftheotherman。\'
DeStancylookedhardathim。\'How——doyouknowaboutthis?\'
heaskedbreathlessly。
\'Ihaveseenhim。\'
DeStancytooktheyoungmanbythetwoshouldersandgazedintohiseyes。Thescrutinyseemednotaltogethertoremovethesuspicionwhichhadsuddenlystartedupinhismind。\'Mysoul，\'hesaid，droppinghisarms，\'canthisbetrue?\'
\'What?\'
\'Youknow。\'
Dareshruggedhisshoulders；\'Areyougoingtohandoverthemoneyorno?\'hesaid。
\'Iamgoingtomakeinquiries，\'saidDeStancy，walkingawaywithavehementtread。
\'Captain，youarewithoutnaturalaffection，\'saidDare，walkingbyhisside，inatonewhichshowedhisfearthathehadover-estimatedthatemotion。\'SeewhatIhavedoneforyou。YouhavebeenmyconstantcareandanxietyforIcan\'ttellhowlong。IhavestayedawakeatnightthinkinghowI
mightbestgiveyouagoodstartintheworldbyarrangingthisjudiciousmarriage，whenyouhavebeensleepingassoundasatopwithnocaresuponyourmindatall，andnowIhavegotintoascrape——asthemostthoughtfulofusmaysometimes——
yougotomakeinquiries。\'
\'Ihavepromisedtheladytowhomthismoneybelongs——whosegenerosityhasbeenshamefullyabusedinsomeway——thatIwilldeliveritintonohandsbutthoseofoneman，andhehasnotyetappeared。Ithereforegotofindhim。\'
DarelaidhishanduponDeStancy\'sarm。\'Captain，wearebothwarm，andpunctiliousonpointsofhonour；thiswillcometoasplitbetweenusifwedon\'tmind。So，nottobringmatterstoacrisis，lendmetenpoundsheretoenablemetogethome，andI\'lldisappear。\'
Inastateborderingondistraction，eagertogettheyoungmanoutofhissightbeforeworserevelationsshouldriseupbetweenthem，DeStancywithoutpausinginhiswalkgavehimthesumdemanded。Hesoonreachedthepost-office，whereheinquiredifaMr。Somersethadleftanydirectionsforforwardingletters。
ItwasjustwhatSomersethaddone。DeStancywastoldthatMr。SomersethadcommandedthatanylettersshouldbesentontohimattheHotelVictoria，SanRemo。
ItwasnowevidentthattheschemeofgettingmoneyfromPaulawaseitherofDare\'sinvention，orthatSomerset，ashamedofhisfirstimpulse，hadabandoneditasspeedilyasithadbeenformed。DeStancyturnedandwentout。Dare，inkeepingwithhispromise，hadvanished。CaptainDeStancyresolvedtodonothinginthecasetillfurthereventsshouldenlightenhim，beyondsendingalinetoMissPowertoinformherthatSomersethadnotappeared，andthathethereforeretainedthemoneyforfurtherinstructions。
BOOKTHEFIFTH。DESTANCYANDPAULA。
I。
MissPowerwasrecliningonaredvelvetcouchinthebedroomofanold-fashionedredhotelatStrassburg，andherfriendMissDeStancywassittingbyawindowofthesameapartment。
Theywerebothratherweariedbyalongjourneyofthepreviousday。ThehoteloverlookedthelargeopenKleberPlatz，erectinthemidstofwhichthebronzestatueofGeneralKleberreceivedtheraysofawarmsunthatwaspowerlesstobrightenhim。Thewholesquare，withitspeopleandvehiclesgoingtoandfroasiftheyhadplentyoftime，wasvisibletoCharlotteinherchair；butPaulafromherhorizontalpositioncouldseenothingbelowthelevelofthemanydormeredhouse-topsontheoppositesideofthePlatz。
Afterwatchingthisupperstoreyofthecityforsometimeinsilence，sheaskedCharlottetohandherabinocularlyingonthetable，throughwhichinstrumentshequietlyregardedthedistantroofs。
\'Whatstrangeandphilosophicalcreaturesstorksare，\'shesaid。\'Theygiveataciturn，ghostlycharactertothewholetown。\'
ThebirdswerecrossingandrecrossingthefieldoftheglassintheirflighthitherandthitherbetweentheStrassburgchimneys，theirsadgreyformssharplyoutlinedagainstthesky，andtheirskinnylegsshowingbeneathlikethelimbsofdeadmartyrsinCrivelli\'semaciatedimaginings。Theindifferenceofthesebirdstoallthatwasgoingonbeneaththemimpressedher:toharmonizewiththeirsolemnandsilentmovementsthehousesbeneathshouldhavebeendeserted，andgrassgrowinginthestreets。
BehindthelongroofsthusvisibletoPaulaoverthewindow-
sill，withtheirtiersofdormer-windows，rosethecathedralspireinairyopenwork，formingthehighestobjectinthescene；itsuggestedsomethingwhichforalongtimesheappearedunwillingtoutter；butnaturalinstincthaditsway。
\'Aplacelikethis，\'shesaid，\'wherehecanstudyGothicarchitecture，would，Ishouldhavethought，beaspotmorecongenialtohimthanMonaco。\'
ThepersonreferredtowasthemisrepresentedSomerset，whomthetwohadbeengingerlydiscussingfromtimetotime，allowinganycasualsubject，suchasthatofthestorks，tointerruptthepersonaloneateverytwoorthreesentences。
\'Itwouldbemorelikehimtobehere，\'repliedMissDeStancy，trustinghertonguewithonlythebarestgeneralitiesonthismatter。
Somersetwasagaindismissedforthestorktopic，butPaulacouldnotlethimalone；andshepresentlyresumed，asifanirresistiblefascinationcompelledwhatjudgmenthadforbidden:\'Thestrongest-mindedpersonsaresometimescaughtunawaresatthatplace，iftheyoncethinktheywillretrievetheirfirstlosses；andIamnotawarethatheisparticularlystrong-minded。\'
ForamomentCharlottelookedatherwithamixedexpression，inwhichtherewasdeprecationthatawomanwithanyfeelingshouldcriticizeSomersetsofrigidly，andreliefthatitwasPaulawhodidso。For，notwithstandingherassumptionthatSomersetcouldneverbeanythingmoretoherthanhewasalready，Charlotte\'sheartwouldoccasionallystepdownandtroubleherviewssoexpressed。
WhetherlookingthroughaglassatdistantobjectsenabledPaulatobottleupheraffectionfortheabsentone，orwhetherherfriendCharlottehadsolittlepersonalityinPaula\'sregardthatshecouldcommunewithheraswithalayfigure，itwascertainthatsheevincedremarkableeaseinspeakingofSomerset，resumingherwordsabouthiminthetoneofonetowhomhewasatmostanordinaryprofessionaladviser。\'Itwouldbeveryawkwardfortheworksatthecastleifhehasgotintoascrape。Isupposethebuilderswerewellpostedwithinstructionsbeforeheleft:butheoughtcertainlytoreturnsoon。WhydidheleaveEnglandatalljustnow?\'
\'Perhapsitwastoseeyou。\'
\'Heshouldhavewaited；itwouldnothavebeensodreadfullylongtoMayorJune。Charlotte，howcanamanwhodoessuchahare-brainedthingasthisbedeemedtrustworthyinanimportantworklikethatofrebuildingStancyCastle?\'
Therewassuchstressintheinquirythat，whateverfactitiousnesshadgonebefore，CharlotteperceivedPaulatobeatlastspeakinghermind；anditseemedasifSomersetmusthaveconsiderablylostgroundinheropinion，orshewouldnothavecriticizedhimthus。
\'Mybrotherwilltellusfullparticularswhenhecomes:
perhapsitisnotatallaswesuppose，\'saidCharlotte。ShestrainedhereyesacrossthePlatzandadded，\'Heoughttohavebeenherebeforethistime。\'
Whiletheywaitedandtalked，Paulastillobservingthestorks，thehotelomnibuscameroundthecornerfromthestation。\'Ibelievehehasarrived，\'resumedMissDeStancy；
\'Iseesomethingthatlookslikehisportmanteauonthetopoftheomnibus……Yes；itishisbaggage。I\'llrundowntohim。\'
DeStancyhadobtainedsixweeks\'additionalleaveonaccountofhishealth，whichhadsomewhatsufferedinIndia。ThefirstusehemadeofhisextratimewasinhasteningbacktomeetthetravellingladieshereatStrassburg。Mr。PowerandMrs。Goodmanwerealsoatthehotel，andwhenCharlottegotdownstairs，theformerwaswelcomingDeStancyatthedoor。
PaulahadnotseenhimsincehesetoutfromGenoaforNice，commissionedbyhertodeliverthehundredpoundstoSomerset。
Hisnote，statingthathehadfailedtomeetSomerset，containednodetails，andsheguessedthathewouldsoonappearbeforehernowtoansweranyquestionaboutthatpeculiarerrand。
Heranticipationswerejustifiedbytheevent；shehadnosoonergoneintothenextsitting-roomthanCharlotteDeStancyappearedandaskedifherbrothermightcomeup。TheclosestobserverwouldhavebeenindoubtwhetherPaula\'sreadyreplyintheaffirmativewaspromptedbypersonalconsiderationforDeStancy，orbyahopetohearmoreofhismissiontoNice。Assoonasshehadwelcomedhimsherevertedatoncetothesubject。
\'Yes，asItoldyou，hewasnotattheplaceofmeeting，\'DeStancyreplied。Andtakingfromhispocketthebagofreadymoneyheplaceditintactuponthetable。
DeStancydidthiswithahandthatshooksomewhatmorethanalongrailwayjourneywasadequatetoaccountfor；andintruthitwasthevisionofDare\'spositionwhichagitatedtheunhappycaptain:forhadthatyoungman，asDeStancyfeared，beentamperingwithSomerset\'sname，hisfatenowtrembledinthebalance；Paulawouldunquestionablyandnaturallyinvoketheaidofthelawagainsthimifshediscoveredsuchanimposition。
\'Wereyoupunctualtothetimementioned?\'sheaskedcuriously。
DeStancyrepliedintheaffirmative。
\'Didyouwaitlong?\'shecontinued。
\'Notverylong，\'heanswered，hisinstincttoscreenthepossiblyguiltyoneconfininghimtoguardedstatements，whilestilladheringtotheliteraltruth。
\'Whywasthat?\'
\'Somebodycameandtoldmethathewouldnotappear。\'
\'Who?\'
\'Ayoungmanwhohasbeenactingashisclerk。HisnameisDare。HeinformedmethatMr。Somersetcouldnotkeeptheappointment。\'
\'Why?\'
\'HehadgoneontoSanRemo。\'
\'HashebeentravellingwithMr。Somerset?\'
\'Hehadbeenwithhim。Theyknoweachotherverywell。ButasyoucommissionedmetodeliverthemoneyintonohandsbutMr。Somerset\'s，Iadheredstrictlytoyourinstructions。\'
\'Butperhapsmyinstructionswerenotwise。Shoulditinyouropinionhavebeensentbythisyoungman?Washecommissionedtoaskyouforit?\'
DeStancymurmuredthatDarewasnotcommissionedtoaskforit；thatuponthewholehedeemedherinstructionswise；andwasstillofopinionthatthebestthinghadbeendone。
AlthoughDeStancywasdistractedbetweenhisdesiretopreserveDarefromtheconsequencesoffolly，andagentlemanlywishtokeepasclosetothetruthaswascompatiblewiththatcondition，hisanswershadnotappearedtoPaulatobeparticularlyevasive，theconjuncturebeingoneinwhichahandsomeheiress\'sshrewdnesswaspronetooverleapitselfbysettingdownembarrassmentonthepartofthemanshequestionedtoamerelover\'sdifficultyinsteeringbetweenhonourandrivalry。
Sheputbutoneotherquestion。\'Diditappearasifhe，Mr。
Somerset，aftertelegraphing，had——had——regretteddoingso，andevadedtheresultbynotkeepingtheappointment?\'
\'That\'sjusthowitappears。\'Thewords，whichsavedDarefromignominy，costDeStancyagooddeal。HewassorryforSomerset，sorryforhimself，andverysorryforPaula。ButDarewastoDeStancywhatSomersetcouldneverbe:and\'forhiskinthatisnearuntohimshallamanbedefiled。\'
AfterthatinterviewCharlottesawwithwarringimpulsesthatSomersetslowlydiminishedinPaula\'sestimate；slowlyasthemoonwanes，butascertainly。Charlotte\'sownlovewasofaclinging，uncriticalsort，andthoughtheshadowyintelligenceofSomerset\'sdoingsweigheddownhersoulwithregret，itseemedtomakenottheleastdifferenceinheraffectionforhim。
Intheafternoonthewholeparty，includingDeStancy，droveaboutthestreets。HeretheylookedatthehouseinwhichGoethehadlived，andafterwardsenteredthecathedral。
Observinginthesouthtranseptacrowdofpeoplewaitingpatiently，theywereremindedthattheyunwittinglystoodinthepresenceofthepopularclock-workofSchwilgue。
Mr。PowerandMrs。Goodmandecidedthattheywouldwaitwiththerestoftheidlersandseethepuppetsperformatthestriking。Charlottealsowaitedwiththem；butasitwantedeightminutestothehour，andasPaulahadseentheshowbefore，shemovedonintothenave。
PresentlyshefoundthatDeStancyhadfollowed。Hedidnotcomeclosetillshe，seeinghimstandsilent，said，\'Ifitwerenotforthiscathedral，Ishouldnotlikethecityatall；andIhaveevenseencathedralsIlikebetter。LuckilywearegoingontoBadento-morrow。\'
\'Yourunclehasjusttoldme。Hehasaskedmetokeepyoucompany。\'
\'Areyouintendingto?\'saidPaula，probingthebase-mouldingofapierwithherparasol。
\'Ihavenothingbettertodo，norindeedhalfsogood，\'saidDeStancy。\'Iamabroadformyhealth，youknow，andwhat\'sliketheRhineanditsneighbourhoodinearlysummer，beforethecrowdcomes?Itisdelightfultowanderaboutthere，oranywhere，likeachild，influencedbynofixedmotivemorethanthatofkeepingnearsomefriend，orfriends，includingtheonewemostadmireintheworld。\'
\'Thatsoundsperilouslylikelove-making。\'
\'\'Tisloveindeed。\'
\'Well，loveisnaturaltomen，Isuppose，\'rejoinedtheyounglady。\'Butyoumustlovewithinbounds；oryouwillbeenervated，andceasetobeusefulasaheavyarmoftheservice。\'
\'MydearMissPower，yourdidacticandrespectableruleswon\'tdoforme。Ifyouexpectstrawstostopcurrents，youaresadlymistaken!Butno——letmattersbe:Iamahappycontentedmortalatpresent，saywhatyouwill……Youdon\'taskwhy?Perhapsyouknow。ItisbecauseallIcareforintheworldisnearme，andthatIshallneverbemorethanahundredyardsfromheraslongasthepresentarrangementcontinues。\'
\'Weareinacathedral，remember，CaptainDeStancy，andshouldnotkeepupasecularconversation。\'
\'IfIhadneversaidworseinacathedralthanwhatIhavesaidhere，Ishouldbecontenttomeetmyeternaljudgewithoutabsolution。YouruncleaskedmethismorninghowI
likedyou。\'
\'Well，therewasnoharminthat。\'
\'HowIlikeyou!Harm，no；butyoushouldhaveseenhowsillyIlooked。Fancytheinadequacyoftheexpressionwhenmywholesenseisabsorbedbyyou。\'
\'Menallowthemselvestobemaderidiculousbytheirownfeelingsinaninconceivableway。\'
\'True，Iamafool；butforgiveme，\'herejoined，observinghergaze，whichwanderedcriticallyfromrooftoclerestory，andthentothepillars，withoutoncelightingonhim。\'Don\'tmindsayingYes——Youlookatthisthingandthatthing，butyouneverlookatme，thoughIstandhereandseenothingbutyou。\'
\'There，theclockisstriking——andthecockcrows。Pleasegoacrosstothetranseptandtellthemtocomeoutthisway。\'
DeStancywent。Whenhehadgoneafewstepsheturnedhishead。Shehadatlastceasedtostudythearchitecture，andwaslookingathim。Perhapshiswordshadstruckher，foritseemedatthatmomentasifhereadinherbrighteyesagenuineinterestinhimandhisfortunes。
II。
NextdaytheywentontoBaden。DeStancywasbeginningtocultivatethepassionofloveevenmoreasanescapefromthegloomyrelationsofhislifethanasmatrimonialstrategy。
Paula\'sjuxtapositionhadtheattributeofmakinghimforgeteverythinginhisownhistory。Shewasamagicalterative；
andthemostfoolishboyishshapeintowhichhecouldthrowhisfeelingsforherwasinthisrespecttobeaimedatastheactofhighestwisdom。
Hesupplementedthenaturalwarmthoffeelingthatshehadwroughtinhimbyeveryartificialmeansinhispower，tomakethedistractionthemorecomplete。Hehadnotknownanythinglikethisself-obscurationforadozenyears，andwhenheconjecturedthatshemightreallylearntolovehimhefeltexaltedinhisowneyesandpurifiedfromthedrossofhisformerlife。SuchuneasinessofconscienceasarosewhenhesuddenlyrememberedDare，andthepossibilitythatSomersetwasgettingoustedunfairly，haditsweightindepressinghim；
buthewasinclinedtoaccepthisfortunewithoutmuchquestion。
ThejourneytoBaden，thoughshort，wasnotwithoutincidentsonwhichhecouldworkoutthiscurioushobbyofcultivatingtosuperlativepoweranalreadypositivepassion。Handingherinandoutofthecarriage，accidentallygettingbrushedbyherclothes，ofallsuchasthishemadeavailablefuel。
Paula，thoughshemighthaveguessedthegeneralnatureofwhatwasgoingon，seemedunconsciousoftherefinementshewastryingtothrowintoit，andsometimes，wheninsteppingintoorfromarailwaycarriagesheunavoidablyputherhanduponhisarm，theobviousinsignificancesheattachedtotheactionstruckhimwithmisgiving。
OneofthefirstthingstheydidatBadenwastostrollintotheTrink-halle，wherePaulasippedthewater。Shewasabouttoputdowntheglass，whenDeStancyquicklytookitfromherhandsasthoughtomakeuseofithimself。
\'O，ifthatiswhatyoumean，\'shesaidmischievously，\'youshouldhavenoticedtheexactspot。Itwasthere。\'Sheputherfingeronaparticularportionofitsedge。
\'Yououghtnottoactlikethat，unlessyoumeansomething，MissPower，\'herepliedgravely。
\'Tellmemoreplainly。\'
\'Imean，youshouldnotdothingswhichexciteinmethehopethatyoucaresomethingforme，unlessyoureallydo。\'
\'Iputmyfingerontheedgeandsaiditwasthere。\'
\'Meaning，"Itwastheremylipstouched；letyoursdothesame。"\'
\'ThelatterpartIwhollydeny，\'sheanswered，withdisregard，afterwhichshewentaway，andkeptbetweenCharlotteandherauntfortherestoftheafternoon。
SincethereceiptofthetelegramPaulahadbeenfrequentlysilent；shefrequentlystayedinalone，andsometimesshebecamequitegloomy——analtogetherunprecedentedphaseforher。ThiswasthecaseonthemorningaftertheincidentintheTrink-halle。Nottointrudeonher，Charlottewalkedaboutthelandingsofthesunnywhitehotelinwhichtheyhadtakenuptheirquarters，wentdownintothecourt，andpettedthetortoisesthatwerecreepingaboutthereamongtheflowersandplants；tillatlast，ongoingtoherfriend，shecaughtherreadingsomeoldlettersofSomerset\'s。
Paulamadenosecretofthem，andMissDeStancycouldseethatmorethanhalfwerewrittenonbluepaper，withdiagramsamidthewriting:theywere，infact，simplythosesheetsofhisletterswhichrelatedtotherebuilding。Nevertheless，CharlottefanciedshehadcaughtPaulainasentimentalmood；
anddoubtlesscouldSomersethavewalkedinatthismomentinsteadofCharlotteitmighthavefaredwellwithhim，soinsidiouslydotendermemoriesreassertthemselvesinthefaceofoutwardmishaps。
TheytookadrivedowntheLichtenthalroadandthenintotheforest，DeStancyandAbnerPowerridingonhorsebackalongside。Thesunstreamedyellowbehindtheirbacksastheywoundupthelonginclines，lightingtheredtrunks，andeventheblue-blackfoliageitself。Thesummerhadalreadymadeimpressionuponthatmassofuniformcolourbytippingeverytwigwithatinysproutofvirescentyellow；whiletheminutesoundswhichissuedfromtheforestrevealedthattheapparentlystillplacewasbecomingaperfectreservoirofinsectlife。
AbnerPowerwasquitesentimentalthatday。\'Insuchplacesasthese，\'hesaid，asherodealongsideMrs。Goodman，\'nature\'spowersinthemultiplicationofonetypestrikemeasmuchasthegrandeurofthemass。\'
Mrs。Goodmanagreedwithhim，andPaulasaid，\'Thefoliageformstheroofofaninterminablegreencrypt，thepillarsbeingthetrunks，andthevaulttheinterlacingboughs。\'
\'Itisafineplaceinathunderstorm，\'saidDeStancy。\'Iamnotanenthusiast，buttoseethelightningspringhitherandthither，likelazy-tongs，bristling，andstriking，andvanishing，isratherimpressive。\'
\'Itmustbeindeed，\'saidPaula。
\'Andinthewinterwindsthesepinessighliketenthousandspiritsintrouble。\'
\'Indeedtheymust，\'saidPaula。
\'AtthesametimeIknowalittlefir-plantationaboutamilesquarenotfarfromMarkton，\'saidDeStancy，\'whichispreciselylikethisinminiature，——stems，colours，slopes，winds，andall。Ifweweretogothereanytimewithahighlymagnifyingpairofspectaclesitwouldlookasfineasthis——
andsaveadealoftravelling。\'
\'Iknowtheplace，andIagreewithyou，\'saidPaula。
\'Youagreewithmeonallsubjectsbutone，\'hepresentlyobserved，inavoicenotintendedtoreachtheothers。
Paulalookedathim，butwassilent。
Onwardandupwardtheywent，thesamepatternandcolouroftreerepeatingthemselvesendlessly，tillinacoupleofhourstheyreachedthecastlehillwhichwastobetheendoftheirjourney，andbeheldstretchedbeneaththemthevalleyoftheMurg。Theyalightedandenteredthefortress。
\'Whatdidyoumeanbythatlookofkindnessyoubestoweduponmejustnow，whenIsaidyouagreedwithmeonallsubjectsbutone?\'askedDeStancyhalfhumorously，asheheldopenalittledoorforher，theothershavinggoneahead。
\'Imeant，Isuppose，thatIwasmuchobligedtoyoufornotrequiringagreementonthatonesubject，\'shesaid，passingon。
\'Notmorethanthat?\'saidDeStancy，ashefollowedher。
\'ButwheneverIinvoluntarilyexpresstowardsyousentimentsthattherecanbenomistaking，youseemtrulycompassionate。\'
\'IfIseemso，Ifeelso。\'
\'Ifyoumeannomorethanmerecompassion，Iwishyouwouldshownothingatall，foryourmistakenkindnessisonlypreparingmoremiseryformethanIshouldhaveifletalonetosufferwithoutmercy。\'
\'Iimploreyoutobequiet，CaptainDeStancy!Leaveme，andlookoutofthewindowattheviewhere，oratthepictures，oratthearmour，orwhateveritiswearecometosee。\'
\'Verywell。Butpraydon\'textractamusementfrommyharmlessremarks。SuchastheyareImeanthem。\'
Shestoppedhimbychangingthesubject，fortheyhadenteredanoctagonalchamberonthefirstfloor，presumablyfullofpicturesandcuriosities；buttheshutterswereclosed，andonlystraybeamsoflightgleamedintosuggestwhatwasthere。
\'Can\'tsomebodyopenthewindows?\'saidPaula。
\'Theattendantisabouttodoit，\'saidheruncle；andashespoketheshutterstotheeastwereflungback，andoneoftheloveliestviewsintheforestdiscloseditselfoutside。
Someofthemsteppedoutuponthebalcony。Theriverlayalongthebottomofthevalley，irradiatedwithasilvershine。Littleraftsofpinewoodfloatedonitssurfaceliketinysplinters，themenwhosteeredthemnotappearinglargerthanants。
Paulastoodonthebalcony，lookingforafewminutesuponthesight，andthencameintotheshadowyroom，whereDeStancyhadremained。Whiletherestwerestilloutsidesheresumed:
\'YoumustnotsupposethatIshrinkfromthesubjectyousopersistentlybringbeforeme。Irespectdeepaffection——youknowIdo；butformetosaythatIhaveanysuchforyou，oftheparticularsortyouonlywillbesatisfiedwith，wouldbeabsurd。Idon\'tfeelit，andthereforetherecanbenothingbetweenus。Onewouldthinkitwouldbebettertofeelkindlytowardsyouthantofeelnothingatall。ButifyouobjecttothatI\'lltrytofeelnothing。\'
\'Idon\'treallyobjecttoyoursympathy，\'saidDeStancy，ratherstruckbyherseriousness。\'Butitisverysaddeningtothinkyoucanfeelnothingmore。\'
\'Itmustbeso，sinceICANfeelnomore，\'shedecisivelyreplied，adding，asshestoppedherseriousness:\'Youmustprayforstrengthtogetoverit。\'
\'OnethingIshallneverprayfor；toseeyougiveyourselftoanotherman。ButIsupposeIshallwitnessthatsomeday。\'
\'Youmay，\'shegravelyreturned。
\'Youhavenodoubtchosenhimalready，\'criedthecaptainbitterly。
\'No，CaptainDeStancy，\'shesaidshortly，afaintinvoluntaryblushcomingintoherfaceassheguessedhisallusion。
This，andafewglancesroundatthepicturesandcuriosities，completedtheirsurveyofthecastle。DeStancyknewbetterthantotroubleherfurtherthatdaywithspecialremarks。
DuringthereturnjourneyherodeaheadwithMr。Powerandshesawnomoreofhim。
Shewouldhavebeenastonishedhadsheheardtheconversationofthetwogentlemenastheywoundgentlydownwardsthroughthetrees。
\'AsfarasIamconcerned，\'CaptainDeStancy\'scompanionwassaying，\'nothingwouldgivememoreunfeigneddelightthanthatyoushouldpersevereandwinher。ButyoumustunderstandthatIhavenoauthorityoverher——nothingmorethanthenaturalinfluencethatarisesfrommybeingherfather\'sbrother。\'
\'Andforexercisingthatmuch，whateveritmaybe，inmyfavourIthankyouheartily，\'saidDeStancy。\'ButIamcomingtotheconclusionthatitisuselesstopressherfurther。Sheisright!Iamnotthemanforher。Iamtooold，andtoopoor；andImustputupaswellasIcanwithherloss——drownherimageinoldFalerniantillIembarkinCharon\'sboatforgood!——Really，ifIhadtheindustryIcouldwritesomegoodHoratianversesonmyinauspicioussituation!……Ah，well；——inthiswayIaffectlevityovermytroubles；
butinplaintruthmylifewillnotbethebrightestwithouther。\'
\'Don\'tbedown-hearted!youaretoo——toogentlemanly，DeStancy，inthismatter——youaretoosoonputoff——youshouldhaveatouchofthecanvasseraboutyouinapproachingher；
andnotstickatthings。YouhavemyheartyinvitationtotravelwithusallthewaytillwecrosstoEngland，andtherewillbeheapsofopportunitiesaswewanderon。I\'llkeepaslowpacetogiveyoutime。\'
\'Youareverygood，myfriend!Well，Iwilltryagain。Iamfullofdoubtandindecision，mind，butatpresentIfeelthatIwilltryagain。Thereis，Isuppose，aslightpossibilityofsomethingorotherturningupinmyfavour，ifitistruethattheunexpectedalwayshappens——forIforeseenochancewhatever……Whichwaydowegowhenweleavehereto-
morrow?\'
\'ToCarlsruhe，shesays，iftherestofushavenoobjection。\'
\'Carlsruhe，then，letitbe，withallmyheart；oranywhere。\'
