第16章

ToCarlsruhetheywentnextday，afteranightofsoftrainwhichbroughtupawarmsteamfromtheSchwarzwaldvalleys，andcausedtheyoungtuftsandgrassestoswellvisiblyinafewhours。AftertheBadenslopestheflatthoroughfaresof\'Charles\'sRest\'seemedsomewhatuninteresting，thoughabusyfairwhichwasproceedinginthestreetscreatedaquaintandunexpectedliveliness。Onreachingtheold-fashionedinnintheLange-Strassethattheyhadfixedon，thewomenofthepartybetookthemselvestotheirroomsandshowedlittleinclinationtoseemoreoftheworldthatdaythancouldbegleanedfromthehotelwindows。

III。

WhilethemalignanttongueshadbeenplayinghavocwithSomerset\'sfameintheearsofPaulaandhercompanion，theyoungmanhimselfwasproceedingpartlybyrail，partlyonfoot，belowandamidtheolive-cladhills，vineyards，carobgroves，andlemongardensoftheMediterraneanshores。

ArrivedatSanRemohewrotetoNicetoinquireforletters，andsuchashadcomeweredulyforwarded；butnotoneofthemwasfromPaula。Thisbrokedownhisresolutiontoholdoff，andhehasteneddirectlytoGenoa，regrettingthathehadnottakenthisstepwhenhefirstheardthatshewasthere。

Somethingintheveryaspectofthemarblehallsofthatcity，whichatanyothertimehewouldhavelikedtolingerover，whisperedtohimthatthebirdhadflown；andinquiryconfirmedthefancy。Nevertheless，thearchitecturalbeautiesofthepalace-borderedstreet，lookingasifmountainsofmarblemusthavebeenlevelledtosupplythematerialsforconstructingit，detainedhimtheretwodays:orratherafeatofresolution，bywhichhesethimselftowithstandthedrag-chainofPaula\'sinfluence，wasoperativeforthatspaceoftime。

Attheendofithemovedonward。Therewasnodifficultyindiscoveringtheirtracknorthwards；andfeelingthathemightaswellreturntoEnglandbytheRhinerouteasbyanyother，hefollowedinthecoursetheyhadchosen，gettingscentoftheminStrassburg，missingthematBadenbyaday，andfinallyovertakingthematCarlsruhe，whichtownhereachedonthemorningafterthePowerandDeStancypartyhadtakenuptheirquartersattheancientinnabovementioned。WhenSomersetwasabouttogetoutofthetrainatthisplace，littledreamingwhatameaningthewordCarlsruhewouldhaveforhiminsubsequentyears，hewasdisagreeablysurprisedtoseenootherthanDaresteppingoutoftheadjoiningcarriage。

Anewbrownleathervaliseinoneofhishands，anewumbrellaintheother，andanewsuitoffashionableclothesonhisback，seemedtodenoteconsiderableimprovementintheyoungman\'sfortunes。Somersetwassostruckbythecircumstanceofhisbeingonthisspotthathealmostmissedhisopportunityforalighting。

Daremeanwhilehadmovedonwithoutseeinghisformeremployer，andSomersetresolvedtotakethechancethatoffered，andlethimgo。Therewassomethingsomysteriousintheircommonpresencesimultaneouslyatoneplace，fivehundredmilesfromwheretheyhadlastmet，thatheexhaustedconjectureonwhetherDare\'serrandthiswaycouldhaveanythingtodowithhisown，orwhethertheirjuxtapositionasecondtimewastheresultofpureaccident。GreatlyashewouldhavelikedtogetthisansweredbyadirectquestiontoDarehimself，hedidnotcounteracthisfirstinstinct，andremainedunseen。

Theywentoutindifferentdirections，whenSomersetforthefirsttimerememberedthat，inlearningatBadenthatthepartyhadflittedtowardsCarlsruhe，hehadtakennocaretoascertainthenameofthehoteltheywereboundfor。

Carlsruhewasnotalargeplaceandthepointwasimmaterial，buttheomissionwouldnecessitatealittleinquiry。TofollowDareonthechanceofhishavingfixeduponthesamequarterswasacoursewhichdidnotcommenditself。Heresolvedtogetsomelunchbeforeproceedingwithhisbusiness——orfatuity——ofdiscoveringtheelusivelady，anddroveofftoaneighbouringtavern，whichdidnothappentobe，ashehopeditmight，theonechosenbythosewhohadprecededhim。

MeanwhileDare，previouslymasteroftheirplans，wentstraighttothehousewhichshelteredthem，andonenteringunderthearchwayfromtheLange-StrassewassavedthetroubleofinquiringforCaptainDeStancybyseeinghimdrinkingbittersatalittletableinthecourt。HadSomersetchosenthisinnforhisquartersinsteadoftheoneintheMarket-

Placewhichheactuallydidchoose，thethreemustinevitablyhavemethereatthismoment，withsomepossiblystrikingdramaticresults；thoughwhattheywouldhavebeenremainsforeverhiddeninthedarknessoftheunfulfilled。

DeStancyjumpedupfromhischair，andwentforwardtothenew-comer。\'Youarenotlongbehindus，then，\'hesaid，withlaconicdisquietude。\'Ithoughtyouweregoingstraighthome?\'

\'Iwas，\'saidDare，\'butIhavebeenblessedwithwhatImaycallasmallcompetencysinceIsawyoulast。OfthetwohundredfrancsyougavemeIriskedfiftyatthetables，andI

havemultipliedthem，howmanytimesdoyouthink?Morethanfourhundredtimes。\'

DeStancyimmediatelylookedgrave。\'Iwishyouhadlostthem，\'hesaid，withasmuchfeelingascouldbeshowninaplacewherestrangerswerehoveringnear。

\'Nonsense，captain!Ihaveproceededpurelyonacalculationofchances；andmycalculationsprovedastrueasIexpected，notwithstandingalittlein-and-outluckatfirst。Witnessthisastheresult。\'Hesmackedhisbagwithhisumbrella，andthechinkofmoneyresoundedfromwithin。\'Justfeeltheweightofit!\'

\'Itisnotnecessary。Itakeyourword。\'

\'ShallIlendyoufivepounds?\'

\'Godforbid!Asifthatwouldrepaymeforwhatyouhavecostme!Butcome，let\'sgetoutofthisplacetowherewecantalkmorefreely。\'Heputhishandthroughtheyoungman\'sarm，andledhimroundthecornerofthehoteltowardstheSchloss-Platz。

\'Theserunsofluckwillbeyourruin，asIhavetoldyoubefore，\'continuedCaptainDeStancy。\'Youwillbeforrepeatingandrepeatingyourexperiments，andwillendbyblowingyourbrainsout，aswiserheadsthanyourshavedone。

Iamgladyouhavecomeaway，atanyrate。Whydidyoutravelthisway?\'

\'SimplybecauseIcouldaffordit，ofcourse——Butcome，captain，somethinghasruffledyouto-day。IthoughtyoudidnotlookinthebesttemperthemomentIsawyou。Everysipyoutookofyourpick-upasyousatthereshowedmesomethingwaswrong。Tellyourworry!\'

\'Pooh——Icantellyouintwowords，\'saidthecaptainsatirically。\'Yourarrangementformywealthandhappiness——

forIsupposeyoustillclaimittobeyours——hasfallenthrough。Theladyhasannouncedto-daythatshemeanstosendforSomersetinstantly。Sheiscomingtoapersonalexplanationwithhim。Sowoetome——andinanothersense，woetoyou，asIhavereasontofear。\'

\'Sendforhim!\'saidDare，withthestillnessofcompleteabstraction。\'Thenhe\'llcome。\'

\'Well，\'saidDeStancy，lookinghimintheface。\'Anddoesitmakeyoufeelyouhadbetterbeoff?Howaboutthattelegram?

Didheaskyoutosendit，ordidhenot?\'

\'Oneminute，orIshallbeupsuchatreeasnobodyeversawthelikeof。\'

\'Thenwhatdidyoucomeherefor?\'burstoutDeStancy。\'\'Tismybeliefyouarenomorethana——ButIwon\'tcallyounames；

I\'lltellyouquiteplainlythatifthereisanythingwronginthatmessagetoher——whichIbelievethereis——no，Ican\'tbelieve，thoughIfearit——youhavethechanceofappearingindrabclothesattheexpenseoftheGovernmentbeforetheyearisout，andIofbeingeternallydisgraced!\'

\'No，captain，youwon\'tbedisgraced。Iambadtobeat，Icantellyou。Andcometheworstluck，Idon\'tsayaword。\'

\'Butthoselettersprickedinyourskinwouldsayagooddeal，itstrikesme。\'

\'What!wouldtheystripme?——butitisnotcomingtothat。

Lookhere，now，I\'lltellyouthetruthforonce；thoughyoudon\'tbelievemecapableofit。IDIDconcoctthattelegram——

andsentit；justasapracticaljoke；andmanyaworseonehasbeenonlylaughedatbyhonestmenandofficers。Icouldshowyouabiggerjokestill——ajokeofjokes——onthesameindividual。\'

Dareashespokeputhishandintohisbreast-pocket，asifthesaidjokelaythere；butafteramomenthewithdrewhishandempty，ashecontinued:

\'HavinginventeditIhavedoneenough；Iwasgoingtoexplainittoyou，thatyoumightcarryitout。Butyouaresoserious，thatIwillleaveitalone。Mysecondjokeshalldiewithme。\'

\'Somuchthebetter，\'saidDeStancy。\'Idon\'tlikeyourjokes，eventhoughtheyarenotdirectedagainstmyself。Theyexpressakindofhumourwhichdoesnotsuitme。\'

\'Youmayhavereasontoalteryourmind，\'saidDarecarelessly。\'Yoursuccesswithyourladymaydependonit。

Thetruthis，captain，wearistocratsmustnottaketoohighatone。Ourdaysasanindependentdivisionofsociety，whichholdsalooffromothersections，arepast。Thishasbeenmyargument(inspiteofmystrongNormanfeelings)eversinceI

broachedthesubjectofyourmarryingthisgirl，whorepresentsbothintellectandwealth——all，infact，exceptthehistoricalprestigethatyourepresent。Andwemustn\'tflinchatthings。Thecaseisevenmorepressingthanordinarycases——owingtotheoddfactthattherepresentativeofthenewbloodwhohascomeinourwayactuallylivesinyourownoldhouse，andownsyourownoldlands。Theordinaryreasonforsuchalliancesisquintupledinourcase。Dothenjustthinkandbereasonable，beforeyoutalktallaboutnotlikingmyjokes，andallthat。Beggarsmustn\'tbechoosers。\'

\'There\'sreallymuchreasoninyourargument，\'saidDeStancy，withabitterlaugh:\'andmyownheartarguesmuchthesameway。But，leavingmetotakecareofmyaristocraticself，I

adviseyouraristocraticselftoslipoffatoncetoEnglandlikeanyhang-gallowsdog；andifSomersetishere，andyouhavebeendoingwronginhisname，anditallcomesout，I\'lltrytosaveyou，asfarasanhonestmancan。Ifyouhavedonenowrong，ofcoursethereisnofear；thoughIshouldbeobligedbyyourgoinghomewardasquicklyaspossible，asbeingbetterbothforyouandforme……Hullo——

Damnation!\'

TheyhadreachedonesideoftheSchloss-Platz，nobodyapparentlybeingnearthemsaveasentinelwhowasondutybeforethePalace；butturningashespoke，DeStancybeheldagroupconsistingofhissister，Paula，andMr。Power，strollingacrossthesquaretowardsthem。

Itwasimpossibletoescapetheirobservation，andputtingaboldfrontuponit，DeStancyadvancedwithDareathisside，tillinafewmomentsthetwopartiesmet，PaulaandCharlotterecognizingDareatonceastheyoungmanwhoassistedatthecastle。

\'Ihavemetmyyoungphotographer，\'saidDeStancycheerily。

\'Whatasmallworlditis，aseverybodytrulyobserves!Iamwishinghecouldtakesomeviewsforusaswegoon；butyouhavenoapparatuswithyou，Isuppose，Mr。Dare?\'

\'Ihavenot，sir，Iamsorrytosay，\'repliedDarerespectfully。

\'Youcouldgetsome，Isuppose?\'askedPaulaoftheinterestingyoungphotographer。

Daredeclaredthatitwouldbenotimpossible:whereuponDeStancysaidthatitwasonlyapassingthoughtofhis；andinafewminutesthetwopartiesagainseparated，goingtheirseveralways。

\'Thatwasawkward，\'saidDeStancy，tremblingwithexcitement。

\'Iwouldadviseyoutokeepfurtheroffinfuture。\'

Daresaidthoughtfullythathewouldbecareful，adding，\'Sheisaprizeforanyman，indeed，leavingalonethesubstantialpossessionsbehindher!NowwasItooenthusiastic?WasIafoolforurgingyouon?\'

\'Waittillsuccessjustifiestheundertaking。Incaseoffailureitwillhavebeenanythingbutwise。Itisnolightmattertohaveacarefullypreservedreposebrokeninuponfornothing——areposethatcouldneverberestored!\'

TheywalkeddowntheCarl-Friedrichs-StrassetotheMargrave\'sPyramid，andbacktothehotel，whereDarealsodecidedtotakeuphisstay。DeStancylefthimwiththebook-keeperatthedesk，andwentupstairstoseeiftheladieshadreturned。

IV。

Hefoundthemintheirsitting-roomwiththeirbonnetson，asiftheyhadjustcomein。Mr。Powerwasalsopresent，readinganewspaper，butMrs。Goodmanhadgoneouttoaneighbouringshop，inthewindowsofwhichshehadseensomethingwhichattractedherfancy。

WhenDeStancyentered，Paula\'sthoughtsseemedtoreverttoDare，foralmostatoncesheaskedhiminwhatdirectiontheyouthwastravelling。WithsomehesitationDeStancyrepliedthathebelievedMr。DarewasreturningtoEnglandafteraspringtripfortheimprovementofhismind。

\'Averypraiseworthythingtodo，\'saidPaula。\'Whatplaceshashevisited?\'

\'Thosewhichaffordopportunitiesforthestudyoftheoldmasters，Ibelieve，\'saidDeStancyblandly。\'HehasalsobeentoTurin，Genoa，Marseilles，andsoon。\'Thecaptainspokethemorereadilytoherquestioninginthathedivinedherwordstobedictated，notbyanysuspicionsofhisrelationswithDare，butbyherknowledgeofDareasthedraughtsmanemployedbySomerset。

\'HashebeentoNice?\'shenextdemanded。\'Didhegothereincompanywithmyarchitect?\'

\'Ithinknot。\'

\'Hasheseenanythingofhim?MyarchitectSomersetonceemployedhim。Theyknoweachother。\'

\'IthinkhesawSomersetforashorttime。\'

Paulawassilent。\'DoyouknowwherethisyoungmanDareisatthepresentmoment?\'sheaskedquickly。

DeStancysaidthatDarewasstayingatthesamehotelwiththemselves，andthathebelievedhewasdownstairs。

\'IthinkIcandonobetterthansendforhim，\'saidshe。\'Hemaybeabletothrowsomelightuponthematterofthattelegram。\'

Sheranganddespatchedthewaiterfortheyoungmaninquestion，DeStancyalmostvisiblytremblingfortheresult。

Butheopenedthetowndirectorywhichwaslyingonatable，andaffectedtobeengrossedinthenames。

BeforeDarewasshowninshesaidtoheruncle，\'Perhapsyouwillspeaktohimforme?\'

Mr。Power，lookingupfromthepaperhewasreading，assentedtoherproposition。Dareappearedinthedoorway，andthewaiterretired。Dareseemedatriflestartledoutofhisusualcoolness，themessagehavingevidentlybeenunexpected，andhecameforwardsomewhatuneasily。

\'Mr。Dare，weareanxioustoknowsomethingofMissPower\'sarchitect；andCaptainDeStancytellsusyouhaveseenhimlately，\'saidMr。Powersonorouslyovertheedgeofhisnewspaper。

Notknowingwhetherdangermenacedorno，or，ifitmenaced，fromwhatquarteritwastobeexpected，Darefeltthathonestywasasgoodasanythingelseforhim，andrepliedboldlythathehadseenMr。Somerset，DeStancycontinuingtocreamandmantlealmostvisibly，inanxietyatthesituationofthespeaker。

\'Andwheredidyouseehim?\'continuedMr。Power。

\'IntheCasinoatMonteCarlo。\'

\'Howlongdidyouseehim?\'

\'Onlyforhalfanhour。Ilefthimthere。\'

Paula\'sinterestgotthebetterofherreserve，andshecutinuponheruncle:\'Didheseeminanyunusualstate，orintrouble?\'

\'Hewasratherexcited，\'saidDare。

\'Andcanyourememberwhenthatwas?\'

Dareconsidered，lookedathispocket-book，andsaidthatitwasontheeveningofAprilthetwenty-second。

TheanswerhadasignificanceforPaula，DeStancy，andCharlotte，towhichAbnerPowerwasastranger。Thetelegraphicrequestformoney，whichhadbeenkeptasecretfromhimbyhisniece，becauseofhisalreadyunfriendlytonetowardsSomerset，arrivedonthemorningofthetwenty-third——

adatewhichneighbouredwithpainfullysuggestivenicetyuponthatnowgivenbyDare。

Sheseemedtobesilenced，andaskednomorequestions。Darehavingfurbishedhimselfuptoagentlemanlyappearancewithsomeofhisrecentwinnings，wasinvitedtostayonawhilebyPaula\'suncle，who，asbecameatravelledman，wasnotfastidiousastocompany。Beingayouthoftheworld，Daremadehimselfagreeabletothatgentleman，andafterwardstriedtodothesamewithMissDeStancy。Atthisthecaptain，towhomthesituationforsometimehadbeenamazinglyuncomfortable，pleadedsomeexcuseforgoingout，andlefttheroom。

DarecontinuedhisendeavourstosayafewpolitenothingstoCharlotteDeStancy，inthecourseofwhichhedrewfromhispockethisnewsilkhandkerchief。Bysomechanceacardcameoutwiththehandkerchief，andfluttereddownwards。Hismomentaryinstinctwastomakeagraspatthecardandconcealit:butithadalreadytumbledtothefloor，whereitlayfaceupwardbesideCharlotteDeStancy\'schair。

Itwasneitheravisitingnoraplayingcard，butonebearingaphotographicportraitofapeculiarnature。ItwaswhatDarehadcharacterizedashisbestjokeinspeakingonthesubjecttoCaptainDeStancy:hehadinthemorningputitreadyinhispockettogivetothecaptain，andhadinfacthelditinwaitingbetweenhisfingerandthumbwhiletalkingtohiminthePlatz，meaningthatheshouldmakeuseofitagainsthisrivalwheneverconvenient。ButhissharpconversationwiththatsoldierhaddulledhiszestforthisfinaljokeatSomerset\'sexpense，hadatleastshownhimthatDeStancywouldnotadoptthejokebyacceptingthephotographandusingithimself，anddeterminedhimtolayitasidetillamoreconvenienttime。Sofullyhadhemadeuphismindonthiscourse，thatwhenthephotographslippedouthedidnotatfirstperceivetheappositenessofthecircumstance，inputtingintohisownhandstherolehehadintendedforDeStancy；thoughitwasassertedafterwardsthatthewholescenewasdeliberatelyplanned。However，oncehavingseentheaccident，heresolvedtotakethecurrentasitserved。

Thecardhavingfallenbesideher，MissDeStancyglancedoverit，whichindeedshecouldnothelpdoing。Thesmilethathadpreviouslyhunguponherlipswasarrestedasifbyfrostandsheinvoluntarilyutteredalittledistressedcryof\'O!\'likeoneinbodilypain。

Paula，whohadbeentalkingtoheruncleduringthisinterlude，startedround，andwonderingwhathadhappened，inquiringlycrossedtheroomtopoorCharlotte\'sside，askingherwhatwasthematter。Charlottehadregainedself-

possession，thoughnotenoughtoenablehertoreply，andPaulaaskedherasecondtimewhathadmadeherexclaimlikethat。MissDeStancystillseemedconfused，whereuponPaulanoticedthathereyeswerecontinuallydrawnasifbyfascinationtowardsthephotographonthefloor，which，contrarytohisfirstimpulse，Dare，ashasbeensaid，nowseemedinnohurrytoregain。Surmisingatlastthatthecard，whateveritwas，hadsomethingtodowiththeexclamation，Paulapickeditup。

ItwasaportraitofSomerset；butbyadeviceknowninphotographytheoperator，thoughcontrivingtoproducewhatseemedtobeaperfectlikeness，hadgivenitthedistortedfeaturesandwildattitudeofamanadvancedinintoxication。

Nowoman，unlessspeciallycognizantofsuchpossibilities，couldhavelookeduponitanddoubtedthatthephotographwasagenuineillustrationofacustomaryphaseintheyoungman\'sprivatelife。

Paulaobservedit，thoroughlytookitin；buttheeffectuponherwasbynomeansclear。Charlotte\'seyesatonceforsooktheportraittodwellonPaula\'sface。Itpaledalittle，andthiswasfollowedbyahotblush——perceptiblyablushofshame。Thatwasall。Sheflungthepicturedownonthetable，andmovedaway。

ItwasnowMr。Power\'sturn。AnticipatingDare，whowasadvancingwithadeprecatorylooktoseizethephotograph，healsograspedit。Whenhesawwhomitrepresentedheseemedbothamusedandstartled，andafterscanningitawhilehandedittotheyoungmanwithaqueersmile。

\'Iamverysorry，\'beganDareinalowvoicetoMr。Power。\'I

fearIwastoblameforthoughtlessnessinnotdestroyingit。

ButIthoughtitwasratherfunnythatamanshouldpermitsuchathingtobedone，andthatthehumourwouldredeemtheoffence。\'

\'Inyou，forpurchasingit，\'saidPaulawithhaughtyquicknessfromtheothersideoftheroom。\'Thoughprobablyhisfriends，ifhehasany，wouldsaynotinhim。\'

Therewassilenceintheroomafterthis，andDare，findinghimselfratherintheway，tookhisleaveasunostentatiouslyasacatthathasupsetthefamilychina，thoughhecontinuedtosayamonghisapologiesthathewasnotawareMr。Somersetwasapersonalfriendoftheladies。

OfallthethoughtswhichfilledthemindsofPaulaandCharlotteDeStancy，thethoughtthatthephotographmighthavebeenafabricationwasprobablythelast。TothemthatpictureofSomersethadallthecogencyofdirectvision。

Paula\'sexperience，muchlessCharlotte\'s，hadneverlaininthefieldsofheliographicscience，andtheywouldassoonhavethoughtthatthesuncouldagainstandstilluponGibeon，asthatitcouldbemadetofalsifymen\'scharactersindelineatingtheirfeatures。WhatAbnerPowerthoughthehimselfbestknew。Hemighthaveseensuchpicturesbefore；

orhemightneverhaveheardofthem。

WhilepretendingtoresumehisreadinghecloselyobservedPaula，asdidalsoCharlotteDeStancy；butthankstotheself-managementwhichwasMissPower\'sasmuchbynatureasbyart，shedissembledwhateveremotionwasinher。

\'Itisapityaprofessionalmanshouldmakehimselfsoludicrous，\'shesaidwithsuchcarelessintonationthatitwasalmostimpossible，evenforCharlotte，whoknewhersowell，tobelieveherindifferencefeigned。

\'Yes，\'saidMr。Power，sinceCharlottedidnotspeak:\'itiswhatIscarcelyshouldhaveexpected。\'

\'O，Iamnotsurprised!\'saidPaulaquickly。\'Youdon\'tknowall。\'Theinferencewas，indeed，inevitablethatifheruncleweremadeawareofthetelegramhewouldseenothingunlikelyinthepicture。\'Well，youareverysilent!\'continuedPaulapetulantly，whenshefoundthatnobodywentontalking。\'Whatmadeyoucryout"O，"Charlotte，whenMr。Daredroppedthathorridphotograph?\'

\'Idon\'tknow；Isupposeitfrightenedme，\'stammeredthegirl。

\'Itwasastupidfusstomakebeforesuchaperson。OnewouldthinkyouwereinlovewithMr。Somerset。\'

\'Whatdidyousay，Paula?\'inquiredheruncle，lookingupfromthenewspaperwhichhehadagainresumed。

\'Nothing，UncleAbner。\'Shewalkedtothewindow，and，asiftotideoverwhatwasplainlypassingintheirmindsabouther，shebegantomakeremarksonobjectsinthestreet。

\'Whataquaintbeing——look，Charlotte!\'Itwasanoldwomansittingbyastallontheoppositesideoftheway，whichseemedsuddenlytohitPaula\'ssenseofthehumorous，thoughbeyondthefactthatthedamewasoldandpoor，andworeawhitehandkerchiefoverherhead，therewasreallynothingnoteworthyabouther。

Paulaseemedtobemorehurtbywhatthesilenceofhercompanionsimplied——asuspicionthatthediscoveryofSomerset\'sdepravitywaswoundingherheart——thanbythewounditself。Theostensibleeasewithwhichshedrewthemintoabyeconversationhadperhapsthedefectofprovingtoomuch:

thoughhertacitcontentionthatnolovewasinquestionwasnotincredibleonthesuppositionthataffrontedpridealonecausedherembarrassment。ThechiefsymptomofherheartbeingreallytendertowardsSomersetconsistedinherapparentblindnesstoCharlotte\'ssecret，soobviouslysuggestedbyhermomentaryagitation。

V。

Andwherewasthesubjectoftheircondemnatoryopinionsallthiswhile?Havingsecuredaroomathisinn，hecameforthtocompletethediscoveryofhisdearmistress\'shalting-placewithoutdelay。AfteroneortwoinquiriesheascertainedwheresuchapartyofEnglishwerestaying；andarrivingatthehotel，knewatoncethathehadtrackedthemtoearthbyseeingtheheavierportionofthePowerluggageconfrontinghiminthehall。Hesentupintelligenceofhispresence，andawaitedherreplywithabeatingheart。

InthemeanwhileDare，descendingfromhisperniciousinterviewwithPaulaandtherest，haddescriedCaptainDeStancyinthepublicdrawing-room，andenteredtohimforthwith。ItwaswhiletheywereheretogetherthatSomersetpassedthedoorandsentuphisnametoPaula。

Theincidentattherailwaystationwasnowreversed，SomersetbeingtheobservedofDare，asDarehadthenbeentheobservedofSomerset。ImmediatelyonsightofhimDareshowedrealalarm。HehadimaginedthatSomersetwouldeventuallyimpingeonPaula\'sroute，buthehadscarcelyexpectedityet；andthearchitect\'ssuddenappearanceledDaretoaskhimselftheominousquestionwhetherSomersethaddiscoveredhistelegraphictrick，andwasinthemoodforpromptmeasures。

\'Thereisnomoreformetodohere，\'saidtheboyhastilytoDeStancy。\'MissPowerdoesnotwishtoaskmeanymorequestions。Imayaswellproceedonmyway，asyouadvised。\'

DeStancy，whohadalsogazedwithdismayatSomerset\'spassingfigure，thoughwithdismayofanothersort，wasrecalledfromhisvexationbyDare\'sremarks，andturninguponhimhesaidsharply，\'Wellmayyoubeinsuchahurryallofasudden!\'

\'True，Iamsuperfluousnow。\'

\'Youhavebeendoingafoolishthing，andyoumustsufferitsinconveniences——Will，Iamsorryforonething；IamsorryI

everownedyou；foryouarenotaladtomyheart。Youhavedisappointedme——disappointedmealmostbeyondendurance。\'

\'Ihaveactedaccordingtomyillumination。Whatcanyouexpectofamanborntodishonour?\'

\'That\'smerespeciousness。Beforeyouknewanythingofme，andwhileyouthoughtyouwerethechildofpovertyonbothsides，youwerewellenough；buteversinceyouthoughtyouweremorethanthat，youhaveledalifewhichisintolerable。

WhathasbecomeofyourplanofalliancebetweentheDeStancysandthePowersnow?Themanisgoneupstairswhocanoverthrowitall。\'

\'Ifthemanhadnotgoneupstairs，youwouldn\'thavecomplainedofmynatureormyplans，\'saidDaredrily。\'IfI

mistakenot，hewillcomedownagainwiththefleainhisear。

However，Ihavedone；myplayisplayedout。Alltherestremainswithyou。But，captain，grantmethis!IfwhenIamgonethisdifficultyshouldvanish，andthingsshouldgowellwithyou，andyoursuitshouldprosper，willyouthinkofhim，badasheis，whofirstputyouonthetrackofsuchhappiness，andlethimknowitwasnotdoneinvain?\'

\'Iwill，\'saidDeStancy。\'Promisemethatyouwillbeabetterboy?\'

\'Verywell——assoonaseverIcanaffordit。NowIamupandaway，whenIhaveexplainedtothemthatIshallnotrequiremyroom。\'

Darefetchedhisbag，touchedhishatwithhisumbrellatothecaptainandwentoutofthehotelarchway。DeStancysatdowninthestuffydrawing-room，andwonderedwhatotherironiestimehadinstoreforhim。

AwaiterintheinterimhadannouncedSomersettothegroupupstairs。PaulastartedasmuchasCharlotteathearingthename，andAbnerPowerstaredatthemboth。

\'IfMr。SomersetwishestoseemeONBUSINESS，showhimin，\'

saidPaula。

InafewsecondsthedoorwasthrownopenforSomerset。Onreceiptofthepointedmessageheguessedthatachangehadcome。Time，absence，ambition，heruncle\'sinfluence，andanewwooer，seemedtoaccountsufficientlywellforthatchange，andheacceptedhisfate。Butastoicalinstincttoshowherthathecouldregardvicissitudeswiththeequanimitythatbecameaman；adesiretoeasehermindofanyfearshemightentertainthathisconnectionwithherpastwouldrenderhimtroublesomeinfuture，inducedhimtoacceptherpermission，andseetheacttotheend。

\'Howdoyoudo，Mr。Somerset?\'saidAbnerPower，withsardonicgeniality:hehadbeenfarenoughabouttheworldnottobegreatlyconcernedatSomerset\'sapparentfailing，particularlywhenithelpedtoreducehimfromtherankoflovertohisniecetothatofprofessionaladviser。

MissDeStancyfalteredawelcomeasweakasthatoftheMaidofNeidpath，andPaulasaidcoldly，\'Wearerathersurprisedtoseeyou。Perhapsthereissomethingurgentatthecastlewhichmakesitnecessaryforyoutocall?\'

\'Thereissomethingalittleurgent，\'saidSomersetslowly，asheapproachedher；\'andyouhavejudgedrightlythatitisthecauseofmycall。\'Hesatdownnearherchairashespoke，putdownhishat，anddrewanote-bookfromhispocketwithadespairingsangfroidthatwasfarmoreperfectthanhadbeenPaula\'sdemeanourjustbefore。

\'PerhapsyouwouldliketotalkoverthebusinesswithMr。

Somersetalone?\'murmuredCharlottetoMissPower，hardlyknowingwhatshesaid。

\'Ono，\'saidPaula，\'Ithinknot。Isitnecessary?\'shesaid，turningtohim。

\'Notintheleast，\'repliedhe，bestowingapenetratingglanceuponhisquestioner\'sface，whichseemedhowevertoproducenoeffect；andturningtowardsCharlotte，headded，\'Youwillhavethegoodness，Iamsure，MissDeStancy，toexcusethejargonofprofessionaldetails。\'

Hespreadsometracingsonthetable，andpointedoutcertainmodifiedfeaturestoPaula，commentingashewenton，andexchangingoccasionallyafewwordsonthesubjectwithMr。

AbnerPowerbythedistantwindow。

Inthisarchitecturaldialogueoverhissketches，Somerset\'sheadandPaula\'sbecameunavoidablyveryclose。Thetemptationwastoomuchfortheyoungman。Undercoveroftherustleofthetracings，hemurmured，\'Paula，Icouldnotgetherebefore!\'inalowvoiceinaudibletotheothertwo。

Shedidnotreply，onlybusyingherselfthemorewiththenotesandsketches；andhesaidagain，\'IstayedacoupleofdaysatGenoa，andsomedaysatSanRemo，andMentone。\'

\'Butitisnottheleastconcernofminewhereyoustayed，isit?\'shesaid，withacoldyetdisquietedlook。

\'Doyouspeakseriously?\'Somersetbrokenlywhispered。

Paulaconcludedherexaminationofthedrawingsandturnedfromhimwithsorrowfuldisregard。Hetriednofurther，but，whenshehadsignifiedherpleasureonthepointssubmitted，packeduphispapers，androsewiththebearingofamanaltogethersuperiortosuchaclassofmisfortuneasthis。

BeforegoingheturnedtospeakafewwordsofageneralkindtoMr。PowerandCharlotte。

\'Youwillstayanddinewithus?\'saidtheformer，ratherwiththeairofbeingunhappilyabletodonolessthanaskthequestion。\'Mychargesherewon\'tgodowntothetable-d\'hote，Ifear，butDeStancyandmyselfwillbethere。\'

Somersetexcusedhimself，andinafewminuteswithdrew。Atthedoorhelookedroundforaninstant，andhiseyesmetPaula\'s。Therewasthesamemiles-offexpressioninhersthattheyhadwornwhenheentered；buttherewasalsoalookofdistressfulinquiry，asifshewereearnestlyexpectinghimtosaysomethingmore。ThisofcourseSomersetdidnotcomprehend。Possiblyshewasclingingtoahopeofsomeexcuseforthemessagehewassupposedtohavesent，orfortheotherandmoredegradingmatter。Anyhow，Somersetonlybowedandwentaway。

Amomentafterhehadgone，Paula，impelledbysomethingorother，crossedtheroomtothewindow。Inashorttimeshesawhisforminthebroadstreetbelow，whichhetraversedobliquelytoanoppositecorner，hisheadsomewhatbent，andhiseyesontheground。BeforevanishingintotheRitterstrasseheturnedhisheadandglancedatthehotelwindows，asifheknewthatshewaswatchinghim。Thenhedisappeared；andtheonlyrealsignofemotionbetrayedbyPauladuringthewholeepisodeescapedheratthismoment。Itwasaslighttremblingofthelipandasighsoslowlybreathedthatscarceanybodycouldhear——scarcelyevenCharlotte，whowasrecliningonacouchherfaceonherhandandhereyesdowncast。

NotmorethantwominuteshadelapsedwhenMrs。Goodmancameinwithamannerofhaste。

\'Youhavereturned，\'saidMr。Power。\'Haveyoumadeyourpurchases?\'

Withoutanswering，sheasked，\'Whom，ofallpeopleonearth，doyouthinkIhavemet?Mr。Somerset!Hashebeenhere?——hepassedmealmostwithoutspeaking!\'

\'Yes，hehasbeenhere，\'saidPaula。\'HeisonthewayfromGenoahome，andcalledonbusiness。\'

\'Youwillhavehimheretodinner，ofcourse?\'

\'Iaskedhim，\'saidMr。Power，\'buthedeclined。\'

\'O，that\'sunfortunate!Surelywecouldgethimtocome。Youwouldliketohavehimhere，wouldyounot，Paula?\'

\'No，indeed。Idon\'twanthimhere，\'saidshe。

\'Youdon\'t?\'

\'No!\'shesaidsharply。

\'Youusedtolikehimwellenough，anyhow，\'bluntlyrejoinedMrs。Goodman。

Paulasedately:\'ItisamistaketosupposethatIeverparticularlylikedthegentlemanmentioned。\'

\'Thenyouarewrong，Mrs。Goodman，itseems，\'saidMr。Power。

Mrs。Goodman，whohadbeengrowingquietlyindignant，notwithstandingavigoroususeofherfan，atthissaid。

\'Fie，fie，Paula!youdidlikehim。Yousaidtomeonlyaweekortwoagothatyoushouldnotatallobjecttomarryhim。\'

\'Itisamistake，\'repeatedPaulacalmly。\'Imeanttheotheroneofthetwoweweretalkingabout。\'

\'What，CaptainDeStancy?\'

\'Yes。\'

Knowingthistobeafiction，Mrs。Goodmanmadenoremark，andhearingaslightnoisebehind，turnedherhead。Seeingheraunt\'saction，Paulaalsolookedround。Thedoorhadbeenleftajar，andDeStancywasstandingintheroom。ThelastwordsofMrs。Goodman，andPaula\'sreply，musthavebeenquiteaudibletohim。

Theylookedateachothermuchasiftheyhadunexpectedlymetatthealtar；butafteramomentarystartPauladidnotflinchfromthepositionintowhichhurtpridehadbetrayedher。DeStancybowedgracefully，andshemerelywalkedtothefurthestwindow，whitherhefollowedher。

\'IameternallygratefultoyouforavowingthatIhavewonfavourinyoursightatlast，\'hewhispered。

Sheacknowledgedtheremarkwithasomewhatreservedbearing。

\'ReallyIdon\'tdeserveyourgratitude，\'shesaid。\'Ididnotknowyouwerethere。\'

\'Iknowyoudidnot——that\'swhytheavowalissosweettome。

CanItakeyouatyourword?\'

\'Yes，Isuppose。\'

\'Thenyourpreferenceisthegreatesthonourthathaseverfallentomylot。Itisenough:youacceptme?\'

\'Asaloveronprobation——nomore。\'

Theconversationbeingcarriedoninlowtones，Paula\'suncleandaunttookitasahintthattheirpresencecouldbespared，andseverallylefttheroom——theformergladly，thelatterwithsomevexation。CharlotteDeStancyfollowed。

\'AndtowhatamIindebtedforthishappychange?\'inquiredDeStancy，assoonastheywerealone。

\'Youshouldn\'tlookagift-horseinthemouth，\'sherepliedbrusquely，andwithtearsinhereyesforonegone。

\'Youmistakemymotive。Iamlikeareprievedcriminal，andcanscarcelybelievethenews。\'

\'Youshouldn\'tsaythattome，orIshallbegintothinkI

havebeentookind，\'sheanswered，someofthearchnessofhermannerreturning。\'Now，Iknowwhatyoumeantosayinanswer；butIdon\'twanttohearmoreatpresent；andwhateveryoudo，don\'tfallintothemistakeofsupposingIhaveacceptedyouinanyothersensethanthewayIsay。Ifyoudon\'tlikesuchalimitationyoucangoaway。IdaresayI

shallgetoverit。\'

\'Goaway!CouldIgoaway?——Butyouarebeginningtotease，andwillsoonpunishmeseverely；soIwillmakemyescapewhilealliswell。Itwouldbepresumptuoustoexpectmoreinoneday。\'

\'Itwouldindeed，\'saidPaula，withhereyesonabunchofflowers。

VI。

Onleavingthehotel，Somerset\'sfirstimpulsewastogetoutofsightofitswindows，andhisglanceupwardhadperhapsnotthetendersignificancethatPaulaimagined，thelastlookimpelledbyanysuchwhiffofemotionhavingbeenthelingeringonehebestoweduponherinpassingoutoftheroom。

Unluckilyfortheprospectsofthisattachment，Paula\'sconducttowardshimnow，asaresultofmisrepresentation，hadenoughincommonwithherprevioussilenceatNicetomakeitnotunreasonableasafurtherdevelopmentofthatsilence。

Moreover，hersocialpositionasawomanofwealth，alwaysfeltbySomersetasaperceptiblebartothatfullandfreeeagernesswithwhichhewouldfainhaveapproachedher，rendereditimpossibleforhimtoreturntothecharge，ascertainthereasonofhercoldness，anddispelitbyanexplanation，withoutbeingsuspectedofmercenaryobjects。

Continuallydoesithappenthatagenialwillingnesstobottleupaffrontsissetdowntointerestedmotivesbythosewhodonotknowwhatgenerousconductmeans。HadsheoccupiedthefinancialpositionofMissDeStancyhewouldreadilyhavepersistedfurtherand，notimprobably，haveclearedupthecloud。

HavingnofurtherinterestinCarlsruhe，Somersetdecidedtoleavebyaneveningtrain。Theinterveninghourhespentinwanderingintothethickofthefair，wheresteamroundabouts，theproprietorsofwax-workshows，andfancy-stallkeepersmaintainedadeafeningdin。Theanimatedenvironmentwasbetterthansilence，foritfosteredinhimanartificialindifferencetotheeventsthathadjusthappened——anindifferencewhich，thoughhetoowellknewitwasonlydestinedtobetemporary，affordedapassiveperiodwhereintostoreupstrengththatshouldenablehimtowithstandthewearandtearofregretswhichwouldsurelysetinsoon。ItwasthecasewithSomersetaswithothersofhistemperament，thathedidnotfeelablowofthissortimmediately；andwhatoftenseemedlikestoicismaftermisfortunewasonlytheneutralnumbnessoftransitionfrompalpitatinghopetoassuredwretchedness。

Hewalkedroundandroundthefairtillalltheexhibitorsknewhimbysight，andwhenthesungotlowheturnedintotheErbprinzen-Strasse，nowrakedfromendtoendbyensaffronedraysoflevellight。Seekinghishotelhedinedthere，andleftbytheeveningtrainforHeidelberg。

HeidelbergwithitsromanticsurroundingswasnotpreciselytheplacecalculatedtohealSomerset\'swoundedheart。Hehadknownthetownofyore，andhisrecollectionsofthatperiod，when，unfetteredinfancy，hehadtransferredtohissketch-

bookthefineRenaissancedetailsoftheOtto-Heinrichs-Baucamebackwithunpleasantforce。Heknewofsomecarvedcask-

headsandothercuriouswood-workinthecastlecellars，copiesofwhich，beingunobtainablebyphotographs，hehadintendedtomakeifallwentwellbetweenPaulaandhimself。