下载辰思小说免费APP
Dareassented，andthepistolswereputaway。
\'Thenwedonothingatall，eitherside；butletthecourseoftrueloverunontomarriage——that\'stheunderstanding，I
think?\'saidDareasherose。
\'Itis，\'saidPower；andturningonhisheel，heleftthevestry。
Dareretiredtothechurchandthencetotheoutside，whereheidledawayafewminutesinlookingattheworkmen，whowerenowloweringintoitsplacealargestoneslab，bearingthewords\'DESTANCY，\'whichcoveredtheentrancetothevault。
WhenthefootwayofthechurchyardwasrestoredtoitsnormalconditionDarepursuedhiswaytoMarkton。
AbnerPowerwalkedbacktothecastleataslowandequalpace，asthoughhecarriedanover-brimmingvesselonhishead。Hesilentlylethimselfin，enteredthelonggallery，andsatdown。Thelengthoftimethathesattherewassoremarkableastoraisethatintervalofinanitiontotherankofafeat。
Power\'seyesglancedthroughoneofthewindow-casements:
fromaholewithouthesawtheheadofatomtitprotruding。
Helistlesslywatchedthebirdduringthesuccessiveepochsofhisthought，tillnightcame，withoutanyperceptiblechangeoccurringinhim。Suchfixitywouldhavemeantnothingelsethansuddendeathinanyotherman，butinMr。Poweritmerelysignifiedthathewasengagedinruminationswhichnecessitatedamoreextensivesurveythanusual。Atlast，athalf-pasteight，afterhavingsatforfivehourswithhiseyesontheresidenceofthetomtits，towhomnighthadbroughtcessationofthought，ifnottohimwhohadobservedthem，heroseamidtheshadesofthefurniture，andrangthebell。
Therewereonlyaservantortwointhecastle，oneofwhompresentlycamewithalightinherhandandastartledlookuponherface，whichwasnotreducedwhensherecognizedhim；
forintheopinionofthathouseholdtherewassomethingghoul-likeinMr。Power，whichmadehimnodesirableguest。
Heatealatemeal，andretiredtobed，whereheseemedtosleepnotunsoundly。Thenextmorninghereceivedaletterwhichaffordedhiminfinitesatisfactionandgavehisstagnantimpulsesanewmomentum。Heenteredthelibrary，andamidobjectsswathedinbrownhollandsatdownandwroteanotetohisnieceatAmiens。Thereinhestatedthat，findingthattheAnglo-South-AmericanhousewithwhichhehadrecentlyconnectedhimselfrequiredhispresenceinPeru，itobligedhimtoleavewithoutwaitingforherreturn。Hefeltthelessuneasyatgoing，sincehehadlearntthatCaptainDeStancywouldreturnatoncetoAmienstohissicksister，andseethemsafelyhomewhensheimproved。Heafterwardsleftthecastle，disappearingtowardsarailwaystationsomemilesaboveMarkton，theroadtowhichlayacrossanunfrequenteddown。
XII。
Itwasafineafternoonoflatesummer，nearlythreemonthssubsequenttothedeathofSirWilliamDeStancyandPaula\'sengagementtomarryhissuccessorinthetitle。GeorgeSomersethadstartedonaprofessionaljourneythattookhimthroughthecharmingdistrictwhichlayaroundStancyCastle。
Havingresignedhisappointmentasarchitecttothatimportantstructure——aresignationwhichhadbeenacceptedbyPaulathroughhersolicitor——hehadbiddenfarewelltothelocalityafterputtingmattersinsuchorderthathissuccessor，whoeverhemightbe，shouldhavenodifficultyinobtainingtheparticularsnecessarytothecompletionoftheworkinhand。HardlytohissurprisethissuccessorwasHavill。
Somerset\'sresignationhadbeentenderedinnohastymood。OnreturningtoEngland，andinduecoursetothecastle，everythingboreinuponhismindtheexceedingsorrowfulness——
hewouldnotsayhumiliation——ofcontinuingtoactinhisformercapacityforawomanwho，fromseemingmorethanadearfriend，hadbecomelessthananacquaintance。
Soheresigned；butnow，asthetraindrewonintothatoncebelovedtractofcountry，theimageswhichmethiseyethrewhimbackinpointofemotiontoverynearwherehehadbeenbeforemakinghimselfastrangerhere。ThetrainenteredthecuttingonwhosebrinkhehadwalkedwhenthecarriagecontainingPaulaandherfriendssurprisedhimtheprevioussummer。Helookedoutofthewindow:theywerepassingthewell-knowncurvethatleduptothetunnelconstructedbyherfather，intowhichhehadgonewhenthetraincamebyandPaulahadbeenalarmedforhislife。Therewasthepaththeyhadbothclimbedafterwards，involuntarilyseizingeachother\'shand；thebushes，thegrass，theflowers，everythingjustthesame:
\'——Herewasthepleasantplace，Andnothingwantingwas，saveShe，alas!\'
Whentheycameoutofthetunnelattheotherendhecaughtaglimpseofthedistantcastle-keep，andthewell-rememberedwallsbeneathit。Theexperiencesofartranscendedtheintensityofwhatiscalledmournfulpleasureastomakehimwonderhowhecouldhavemiscalculatedhimselftotheextentofsupposingthathemightpassthespotwithcontrollableemotion。
OnenteringMarktonstationhewithdrewintoaremotecornerofthecarriage，andclosedhiseyeswitharesolvenottoopenthemtilltheembitteringscenesshouldbepassedby。Hehadnotlongtowaitforthisevent。Whenagaininmotionhiseyefellupontheskirtofalady\'sdressopposite，theownerofwhichhadenteredandseatedherselfsosoftlyasnottoattracthisattention。
\'Ahindeed!\'heexclaimedashelookeduptoherface。\'Ihadnotanotionthatitwasyou!\'HewentoverandshookhandswithCharlotteDeStancy。
\'Iamnotgoingfar，\'shesaid；\'onlytothenextstation。Weoftenrundowninsummertime。Areyougoingfar?\'
\'Iamgoingtoabuildingfurtheron；thencetoNormandybywayofCherbourg，tofinishoutmyholiday。\'
MissDeStancythoughtthatwouldbeverynice。
\'Well，Ihopeso。ButIfearitwon\'t。\'
AftersayingthatSomersetaskedhimselfwhyheshouldmincematterswithsogenuineandsympatheticagirlasCharlotteDeStancy?Shecouldtellhimparticularswhichheburnedtoknow。Hemightneveragainhaveanopportunityofknowingthem，sincesheandhewouldprobablynotmeetforyearstocome，ifatall。
\'Havethecastleworksprogressedprettyrapidlyunderthenewarchitect?\'heaccordinglyasked。
\'Yes，\'saidCharlotteinherhaste——thenaddingthatshewasnotquitesureiftheyhadprogressedsorapidlyasbefore；
blushinglycorrectingherselfatthispointandthat，inthetinkeringmannerofanervousorganizationaimingatnicetywhereitwasnotrequired。
\'Well，Ishouldhavelikedtocarryouttheundertakingtoitsend，\'saidSomerset。\'ButIfeltIcouldnotconsistentlydoso。MissPower——\'(herealumpcameintoSomerset\'sthroat——
soresponsivewasheyettoherimage)——\'seemedtohavelostconfidenceinme，and——itwasbestthattheconnectionshouldbesevered。\'
Therewasalongpause。\'Shewasverysorryaboutit，\'saidCharlottegently。
\'Whatmadeheralterso?——Inevercanthink!\'
Charlottewaitedagainasiftoaccumulatethenecessaryforceforhonestspeakingattheexpenseofpleasantness。\'Itwasthetelegramthatbeganitofcourse，\'sheanswered。
\'Telegram?\'
Shelookedupathiminquiteafrightenedway——littleastherewastobefrightenedatinaquietfellowlikehiminthissadtimeofhislife——andsaid，\'Yes:sometelegram——I
think——whenyouwereintrouble?Forgivemyalludingtoit；
butyouaskedmethequestion。\'
SomersetbeganreflectingonwhatmessageshehadsentPaula，troublousorotherwise。Allhehadsenthadbeensentfromthecastle，andwereasgentleandmellifluousassentenceswellcouldbewhichhadneitherarticlesnorpronouns。\'I
don\'tunderstand，\'hesaid。\'Willyouexplainalittlemore——
asplainlyasyoulike——withoutmindingmyfeelings?\'
\'AtelegramfromNice，Ithink?\'
\'Ineversentone。\'
\'O!TheoneImeantwasaboutmoney。\'
Somersetshookhishead。\'No，\'hemurmured，withthecomposureofamanwho，knowinghehaddonenothingofthesorthimself，wasblindedbyhisownhonestytothepossibilitythatanothermighthavedoneitforhim。\'ThatmustbesomeotheraffairwithwhichIhadnothingtodo。O
no，itwasnothinglikethat；thereasonforherchangeofmannerwasquitedifferent!\'
SotimidwasCharlotteinSomerset\'spresence，thathertimidityatthisjunctureamountedtoblameworthiness。Thedistressingscenewhichmusthavefollowedaclearingupthereandthenofanypossiblemisunderstanding，terrifiedherimagination；andquiteconfoundedbycontradictionsthatshecouldnotreconcile，sheheldhertongue，andnervouslylookedoutofthewindow。
\'IhaveheardthatMissPowerissoontobemarried，\'
continuedSomerset。
\'Yes，\'Charlottemurmured。\'Itissoonerthanitoughttobebyrights，consideringhowrecentlymydearfatherdied；buttherearereasonsinconnectionwithmybrother\'spositionagainstputtingitoff:anditistobeabsolutelysimpleandprivate。\'
Therewasanotherinterval。\'MayIaskwhenitistobe?\'hesaid。
\'Almostatonce——thisweek。\'
Somersetstartedbackasifsomestonehadhithisface。
Stilltherewasnothingwonderfulinsuchpromptitude:
engagementsbrokeninuponbythedeathofanearrelativeofoneofthepartieshadbeenoftencarriedoutinasubduedformwithnolongerdelay。
Charlotte\'sstationwasnowathand。Shebadehimfarewell；
andherattledontothebuildinghehadcometoinspect，andnexttoBudmouth，whenceheintendedtocrosstheChannelbysteamboatthatnight。
Hehardlyknewhowtheeveningpassedaway。Hehadtakenuphisquartersataninnnearthequay，andasthenightdrewonhestoodgazingfromthecoffee-roomwindowatthesteameroutside，whichnearlythrustitssparsthroughthebedroomcasements，andatthegoodsthatwerebeingtumbledonboardasonlyshipperscantumblethem。Allthegoodswereladen，alampwasputoneachsidethegangway，theenginesbrokeintoacracklingroar，andpeoplebegantoenter。Theywereonlywaitingforthelasttrain:thentheywouldbeoff。StillSomersetdidnotmove；hewasthinkingofthatcurioushalf-
toldstoryofCharlotte\'s，aboutatelegramtoPaulaformoneyfromNice。Notoncetillwithinthelasthalf-hourhaditrecurredtohismindthathehadmetDarebothatNiceandatMonteCarlo；thatatthelatterplacehehadbeenabsolutelyoutofmoneyandwishedtoborrow，showingconsiderablesinisterfeelingwhenSomersetdeclinedtolend:thatononeortwopreviousoccasionshehadreasonsfordoubtingDare\'sprobity；andthatinspiteoftheyoungman\'simpoverishmentatMonteCarlohehad，afewdayslater，beheldhiminshiningraimentatCarlsruhe。Somerset，thoughmistyinhisconjectures，wasseizedwithagrowingconvictionthattherewassomethinginMissDeStancy\'sallusiontothetelegramwhichoughttobeexplained。
Hefeltaninsurmountableobjectiontocrossthewaterthatnight，ortillhehadbeenabletoseeCharlotteagain，andlearnmoreofhermeaning。Hecountermandedtheordertoputhisluggageonboard，watchedthesteameroutoftheharbour，andwenttobed。Hemightaswellhavegonetobattle，foranyrestthathegot。Onrisingthenextmorninghefeltratherblank，thoughnonethelessconvincedthatamatterrequiredinvestigation。HeleftBudmouthbyamorningtrain，andabouteleveno\'clockfoundhimselfinMarkton。
Themomentumofapracticalinquirytookhimthroughthatancientboroughwithoutleavinghimmuchleisureforthosereverieswhichhadyesterdaylentanunutterablesadnesstoeveryobjectthere。Itwasjustbeforenoonthathestartedforthecastle，intendingtoarriveatatimeofthemorningwhen，asheknewfromexperience，hecouldspeaktoCharlottewithoutdifficulty。Therisinggroundsoonrevealedtheoldtowerstohim，and，juttingoutbehindthem，thescaffoldingsforthenewwing。
Whilehaltinghereontheknollinsomedoubtabouthismovementshebeheldamancomingalongtheroad，andwassoonconfrontedbyhisformercompetitor，Havill。Thefirstinstinctofeachwastopasswithanod，butasecondinstinctforintercoursewassufficienttobringthemtoahalt。AfterafewsuperficialwordshadbeenspokenSomersetsaid，\'Youhavesucceededme。\'
\'Ihave，\'saidHavill；\'butlittletomyadvantage。Ihavejustheardthatmycommissionistoextendnofurtherthanroofinginthewingthatyoubegan，andhadIknownthatbefore，IwouldhaveseenthecastlefallflatasJerichobeforeIwouldhaveacceptedthesuperintendence。ButIknowwhoIhavetothankforthat——DeStancy。\'
Somersetstilllookedtowardsthedistantbattlements。Onthescaffolding，amongthewhite-jacketedworkmen，hecoulddiscernonefigureinadarksuit。
\'Youhaveaclerkoftheworks，Isee，\'heobserved。
\'NominallyIhave，butpracticallyIhaven\'t。\'
\'Thenwhydoyoukeephim?\'
\'Ican\'thelpmyself。HeisMr。Dare；andhavingbeenrecommendedbyahigherpowerthanI，therehemuststayinspiteofme。\'
\'Whorecommendedhim?\'
\'Thesame——DeStancy。\'
\'Itisveryodd，\'murmuredSomerset，\'butthatyoungmanistheobjectofmyvisit。\'
\'Youhadbetterleavehimalone，\'saidHavilldrily。
Somersetaskedwhy。
\'SinceIcallnomanmasteroverthatwayIwillinformyou。\'
Havillthenrelatedinsplenetictones，towhichSomersetdidnotcaretolistentillthestorybegantoadvanceitself，howhehadpassedthenightwithDareattheinn，andtheincidentsofthatnight，relatinghowhehadseensomelettersontheyoungman\'sbreastwhichlonghadpuzzledhim。\'TheywereanE，aT，anN，andaC。Ithoughtoverthemlong，tilliteventuallyoccurredtomethatthewordwhenfilledoutwas"DeStancy，"andthatkinshipexplainstheoffensiveanddefensivealliancebetweenthem。\'
\'But，goodheavens，man!\'saidSomerset，moreandmoredisturbed。\'Doessheknowofit?\'
\'Youmaydependshedoesnotyet；butshewillsoonenough。
Hark——thereitis!\'Thenotesofthecastleclockwereheardstrikingnoon。\'Thenitisallover。\'
\'What?——nottheirmarriage!\'
\'Yes。Didn\'tyouknowitwastheweddingday?Theyweretobeatthechurchathalf-pasteleven。Ishouldhavewaitedtoseehergo，butitwasnosighttohinderbusinessfor，asshewasonlygoingtodriveoverinherbroughamwithMissDeStancy。\'
\'Myerrandhasfailed!\'saidSomerset，turningonhisheel。
\'I\'llwalkbacktothetownwithyou。\'
HoweverhedidnotwalkfarwithHavill；societywastoomuchatthatmoment。Assoonasopportunityofferedhebranchedfromtheroadbyapath，andavoidingthetownwentbyrailwaytoBudmouth，whenceheresumed，bythenightsteamer，hisjourneytoNormandyXIII。
ToreturntoCharlotteDeStancy。WhenthetrainhadborneSomersetfromherside，andshehadregainedherself-
possession，shebecameconsciousofthetrueproportionsofthefacthehadasserted。And，further，ifthetelegramhadnotbeenhis，whyshouldthephotographicdistortionbetrustedasaphaseofhisexistence?ButafterawhileitseemedsoimprobabletoherthatGod\'ssunshouldbearfalsewitness，thatinsteadofdoubtingbothevidencesshewasinclinedtoreadmitthefirst。Still，uponthewhole，shecouldnotquestionforlongthehonestyofSomerset\'sdenialandifthatmessagehadindeedbeensentbyhim，itmusthavebeendonewhilehewasinanothersuchanunhappystateasthatexemplifiedbytheportrait。Thesuppositionreconciledalldifferences；andyetshecouldnotbutfightagainstitwithallthestrengthofagenerousaffection。
Alltheafternoonherpoorlittleheadwasbusyonthisperturbingquestion，tillsheinquiredofherselfwhetherafterallitmightnotbepossibleforphotographstorepresentpeopleastheyhadneverbeen。Beforerejectingthehypothesisshedeterminedtohavethewordofaprofessoronthepoint，whichwouldbebetterthanallhersurmises。
ReturningtoMarktonearly，shetoldthecoachmanwhomPaulahadsent，todrivehertotheshopofMr。Ray，anobscurephotographicartistinthattown，insteadofstraighthome。
Ray\'sestablishmentconsistedoftwodivisions，therespectableandtheshabby。If，onenteringthedoor，thevisitorturnedtotheleft，hefoundhimselfinamagazineofoldclothes，oldfurniture，china，umbrellas，guns，fishing-
rods，dirtyfiddles，andsplitflutes。Enteringtheright-
handroom，whichhadoriginallybeenthatofanindependenthouse，hewasinanordinaryphotographer\'sandprint-
collector\'sdepository，towhichacertainartisticsoliditywasimpartedbyafewoilpaintingsinthebackground。
Charlottemadeforthelatterdepartment，andwhenshewasinsideMr。Rayappearedinpersonfromthelumber-shopadjoining，which，despiteitsmanginess，contributedbyfarthegreatersharetohisincome。
Charlotteputherquestionsimplyenough。Themandidnotanswerherdirectly，butsoonfoundthatshemeantnoharmtohim。Hetoldherthatsuchmisrepresentationswerequitepossible，andthattheyembodiedaformofhumourwhichwasgettingmoreandmoreintovogueamongcertainfacetiouspersonsofsociety。
Charlottewascomingawaywhensheasked，asonsecondthoughts，ifhehadanyspecimensofsuchworktoshowher。
\'Noneofmyownpreparation，\'saidMr。Ray，withunimpeachableprobityoftone。\'Iconsiderthemlibellousmyself。Still，I
haveoneortwosamplesbyme，whichIkeepmerelyascuriosities——There\'sone，\'hesaid，throwingoutaportraitcardfromadrawer。\'ThatrepresentstheGermanEmperorinaviolentpassion:thisoneshowsthePrimeMinisteroutofhismind；thisthePopeofRometheworseforliquor。\'
Sheinquiredifhehadanylocalspecimens。
\'Yes，\'hesaid，\'butIprefernottoexhibitthemunlessyoureallyaskforaparticularonethatyoumeantobuy。\'
\'Idon\'twantany。\'
\'O，Ibegpardon，miss。Well，Ishouldn\'tmyselfownsuchthingswereproduced，iftherehadnotbeenayoungmanhereatonetimewhowasveryingeniousinthesematters——aMr。
Dare。Hewasquiteagent，andonlydiditasanamusement，andnotforthesakeofgettingaliving。\'
Charlottehadnowishtohearmore。Onherwayhomesheburstintotears:theentanglementwasaltogethertoomuchforhertotearasunder，evenhadnotherowninstinctsbeenurginghertwoways，astheywere。
ToimmediatelyrightSomerset\'swrongwasherimpetuousdesireasanhonestwomanwholovedhim；butsuchrectificationwouldbethejeopardizingofallelsethatgratifiedher——themarriageofherbrotherwithherdearestfriend——nowontheverypointofaccomplishment。Itwasamarriagewhichseemedtopromisehappiness，oratleastcomfort，iftheoldflutterthathadtransientlydisturbedPaula\'sbosomcouldbekeptfromreviving，towhichenditbecameimperativetohidefromherthediscoveryofinjusticetoSomerset。ItinvolvedtheadvantageofleavingSomersetfree；andthoughherowntenderinterestinhimhadbeentoowellschooledbyhabitualself-
denialtorunaheadonvainpersonalhopes，therewasnothingmorethanhumaninherfeelingpleasureinprolongingSomerset\'ssingleness。Paulamightevenbeallowedtodiscoverhiswrongswhenhermarriagehadputhimoutofherpower。Buttoletherdiscoverhisill-treatmentnowmightupsettheimpendingunionofthefamilies，andwringherownheartwiththesightofSomersetmarriedinherbrother\'splace。
WhyDare，oranyotherperson，shouldhavesethimselftoadvanceherbrother\'scausebysuchunscrupulousblackeningofSomerset\'scharacterwasmorethanhersagacitycouldfathom。
Herbrotherwas，asfarasshecouldsee，theonlymanwhocoulddirectlyprofitbythemachination，andwasthereforethenaturalonetosuspectofhavingsetitgoing。Butshewouldnotbesodisloyalastoentertainthethoughtlong；andwhoorwhathadinstigatedDare，whowasundoubtedlytheproximatecauseofthemischief，remainedtoheraninscrutablemystery。
ThecontentionofinterestsanddesireswithhonourinherheartshookCharlotteallthatnight；butgoodprincipleprevailed。Theweddingwastobesolemnizedtheverynextmorning，thoughforbefore-mentionedreasonsthiswashardlyknownoutsidethetwohousesinterested；andtherewerenovisiblepreparationseitheratvillaorcastle。DeStancyandhisgroomsman——abrotherofficer——sleptattheformerresidence。
DeStancywasasorryspecimenofabridegroomwhenhemethissisterinthemorning。Thick-comingfancies，forwhichtherewasmorethangoodreason，haddisturbedhimonlytoosuccessfully，andhewasasfullofapprehensionasonewhohasaleaguewithMephistopheles。Charlottetoldhimnothingofwhatmadeherlikewisesowanandanxious，butdroveofftothecastle，ashadbeenplanned，aboutnineo\'clock，leavingherbrotherandhisfriendatthebreakfast-table。
ThatclearingSomerset\'sreputationfromthestainwhichhadbeenthrownonitwouldcauseasufficientreactioninPaula\'smindtodislocatepresentarrangementsshedidnotsoseriouslyanticipate，nowthatmorninghadalittlecalmedher。SincetherupturewithherformerarchitectPaulahadsedulouslykeptherowncounsel，butCharlotteassumedfromtheeasewithwhichsheseemedtodoitthatherfeelingstowardshimhadneverbeeninconvenientlywarm；andshehopedthatPaulawouldlearnofSomerset\'spuritywithmerelythegenerouspleasureofafriend，coupledwithafriend\'sindignationagainsthistraducer。
Still，thepossibilityexistedofstrongeremotions，anditwasonlytooevidenttopoorCharlottethat，knowingthis，shehadstilllessexcusefordelayingtheintelligencetillthestrongestemotionwouldbepurposeless。
OnapproachingthecastlethefirstobjectthatcaughthereyewasDare，standingbesideHavillonthescaffoldingofthenewwing。Hewaslookingdownuponthedriveandcourt，asifinanticipationoftheevent。Hiscontiguityflurriedher，andinsteadofgoingstraighttoPaulashesoughtoutMrs。
Goodman。
\'Youarecomeearly；that\'sright!\'saidthelatter。\'Youmightaswellhavesleptherelastnight。WehaveonlyMr。
Wardlaw，theLondonlawyeryouhaveheardof，inthehouse。
Yourbrother\'ssolicitorwashereyesterday；buthereturnedtoMarktonforthenight。WemissMr。Powersomuch——itissounfortunatethatheshouldhavebeenobligedtogoabroad，andleaveusunprotectedwomenwithsomuchresponsibility。\'
\'Yes，Iknow，\'saidCharlottequickly，havingashydistasteforthedetailsofwhattroubledhersomuchinthegross。
\'Paulahasinquiredforyou。\'
\'Whatisshedoing?\'
\'Sheisinherroom:shehasnotbeguntodressyet。Willyougotoher?\'
Charlotteassented。\'Ihavetotellhersomething，\'shesaid，\'whichwillmakenodifference，butwhichIshouldlikehertoknowthismorning——atonce。IhavediscoveredthatwehavebeenentirelymistakenaboutMr。Somerset。\'Shenervedherselftorelatesuccinctlywhathadcometoherknowledgethedaybefore。
Mrs。Goodmanwasmuchimpressed。ShehadneverclearlyheardbeforewhatcircumstanceshadattendedtheresignationofPaula\'sarchitect。\'Wehadbetternottellhertilltheweddingisover，\'shepresentlysaid；\'itwouldonlydisturbher，anddonogood。\'
\'Butwillitberight?\'askedMissDeStancy。
\'Yes，itwillberightifwetellherafterwards。Oyes——itmustberight，\'sherepeatedinatonewhichshowedthatheropinionwasunstableenoughtorequirealittlefortificationbythevoice。\'Shelovesyourbrother；shemust，sincesheisgoingtomarryhim；anditcanmakelittledifferencewhetherwerehabilitatethecharacterofafriendnow，orsomefewhourshence。TheauthorofthosewickedtricksonMr。
Somersetoughtnottogoamomentunpunished。\'
\'That\'swhatIthink；andwhatrighthavewetoholdourtonguesevenforafewhours?\'
CharlottefoundthatbytellingMrs。Goodmanshehadsimplymadetwoirresolutepeopleoutofone，andasPaulawasnowinquiringforher，shewentupstairswithouthavingcometoanydecision。
XIV。
Paulawasinherboudoir，writingdownsomenotesprevioustobeginningherweddingtoilet，whichwasdesignedtoharmonizewiththesimplicitythatcharacterizedtheotherarrangements。
Sheownedthatitwasdeprivingtheneighbourhoodofapageantwhichithadarighttoexpectofher；butthecircumstancewasinexorable。
Mrs。GoodmanenteredPaula\'sroomimmediatelybehindCharlotte。PerhapstheonlydifferencebetweenthePaulaofto-dayandthePaulaoflastyearwasanaccessionofthoughtfulness，naturaltothecircumstancesinanycase，andmoreparticularlywhen，asnow，thebride\'sisolationmadeself-dependenceanecessity。Shewassittinginalightdressing-gown，andherface，whichwasratherpale，flushedattheentranceofCharlotteandheraunt。
\'Iknewyouwerecome，\'shesaid，whenCharlottestoopedandkissedher。\'Iheardyou。Ihavedonenothingthismorning，andfeeldreadfullyunsettled。Isallwell?\'
Thequestionwasputwithoutthought，butitsaptnessseemedalmosttoimplyanintuitiveknowledgeoftheirpreviousconversation。\'Yes，\'saidCharlottetardily。
\'Well，now，Clementineshalldressyou，andIcandowithMilly，\'continuedPaula。\'Comealong。Well，aunt——what\'sthematter?——andyou，Charlotte?Youlookharassed。\'
\'Ihavenotsleptwell，\'saidCharlotte。
\'Andhavenotyousleptwelleither，aunt?Yousaidnothingaboutitatbreakfast。\'
\'O，itisnothing，\'saidMrs。Goodmanquickly。\'Ihavebeendisturbedbylearningofsomebody\'svillainy。Iamgoingtotellyouallsometimeto-day，butitisnotimportantenoughtodisturbyouwithnow。\'
\'Nomystery!\'arguedPaula。\'Come!itisnotfair。\'
\'Idon\'tthinkitisquitefair，\'saidMissDeStancy，lookingfromonetotheotherinsomedistress。\'Mrs。Goodman——Imusttellher!Paula，Mr。Som——\'
\'He\'sdead!\'criedPaula，sinkingintoachairandturningaspaleasmarble。\'Ishedead?——tellme!\'shewhispered。
\'No，no——he\'snotdead——heisverywell，andgonetoNormandyforaholiday!\'
\'O——Iamgladtohearit，\'answeredPaula，withasuddencoolmannerliness。
\'Hehasbeenmisrepresented，\'saidMrs。Goodman。\'That\'sall。\'
\'Well?\'saidPaula，withhereyesbentonthefloor。
\'IhavebeenfeelingthatIoughttotellyouclearly，dearPaula，\'declaredherfriend。\'Itisabsolutelyfalseabouthistelegraphingtoyouformoney——itisabsolutelyfalsethathischaracterissuchasthatdreadfulpicturerepresentedit。
There——that\'sthesubstanceofit，andIcantellyouparticularsatanytime。\'
ButPaulawouldnotbetoldatanytime。Adreadfulsorrowsatinherface；sheinsisteduponlearningeverythingaboutthematterthereandthen，andtherewasnowithstandingher。
Whenitwasallexplainedshesaidinalowtone:\'Itisthatpernicious，evilmanDare——yetwhyisithe?——whatcanhehavemeantbyit!Justicebeforegenerosity，evenonone\'swedding-day。BeforeIbecomeanyman\'swifethismorningI\'llseethatwretchinjail!Theaffairmustbesifted……O，itwasawickedthingtoserveanybodyso!——I\'llsendforCunninghamHazethismoment——theculpritisevennowonthepremises，Ibelieve——actingasclerkoftheworks!\'Theusuallywell-balancedPaulawasexcited，andscarcelyknowingwhatshedidwenttothebell-pull。
\'Don\'tacthastily，Paula，\'saidheraunt。\'HadyounotbetterconsultSirWilliam?Hewillactforyouinthis。\'
\'Yes——Heiscomingroundinafewminutes，\'saidCharlotte，jumpingatthishappythoughtofMrs。Goodman\'s。\'He\'sgoingtorunacrosstoseehowyouaregettingon。Hewillbeherebyten。\'
\'Yes——hepromisedlastnight。\'
Shehadscarcelydonespeakingwhentheprancingofahorsewasheardinthewardbelow，andinafewminutesaservantannouncedSirWilliamDeStancy。
DeStancyenteredsaying，\'Ihaveriddenacrossfortenminutes，asIsaidIwoulddo，toknowifeverythingiseasyandstraightforwardforyou。TherewillbetimeenoughformetogetbackandprepareifIstartshortly。Well?\'
\'Iamruffled，\'saidPaula，allowinghimtotakeherhand。
\'Whatisit?\'saidherbetrothed。
AsPauladidnotimmediatelyanswerMrs。GoodmanbeckonedtoCharlotte，andtheylefttheroomtogether。
\'Amanhastobegivenincharge，oraboy，orademon，\'shereplied。\'Iwasgoingtodoit，butyoucandoitbetterthanI。Hewillrunawayifwedon\'tmind。\'
\'But，mydearPaula，whoisit?——whathashedone?\'
\'ItisDare——thatyoungmanyouseeoutthereagainstthesky。\'Shelookedfromthewindowsidewaystowardsthenewwing，ontheroofofwhichDarewaswalkingprominentlyabout，afterhavingassistedtwooftheworkmeninputtingaredstreameronthetallestscaffold-pole。\'YoumustsendinstantlyforMr。CunninghamHaze!\'
\'MydearestPaula，\'repeatedDeStancyfaintly，hiscomplexionchangingtothatofamanwhohaddied。
\'PleasesendforMr。Hazeatonce，\'returnedPaula，withgracefulfirmness。\'IsaidIwouldbejusttoawrongedmanbeforeIwasgeneroustoyou——andIwill。ThatladDare——totakeapracticalviewofit——hasattemptedtodefraudmeofonehundredpoundssterling，andheshallsuffer。Iwon\'ttellyouwhathehasdonebesides，forthoughitisworse，itislesstangible。WhenheishandcuffedandsentofftojailI\'llproceedwithmydressing。Willyouringthebell?\'
\'Hadyounotbetterconsider?\'beganDeStancy。
\'Consider!\'saidPaula，withindignation。\'Ihaveconsidered。
Willyoukindlyring，SirWilliam，andgetThomastorideatoncetoMr。Haze?OrmustIrisefromthischairanddoitmyself?\'
\'Youareveryhastyandabruptthismorning，Ithink，\'hefaltered。
Paularosedeterminedlyfromthechair。\'Sinceyouwon\'tdoit，Imust，\'shesaid。
\'No，dearest!——Letmebegyounotto!\'
\'SirWilliamDeStancy!\'
Shemovedtowardsthebell-pull；buthesteppedbeforeandinterceptedher。
\'Youmustnotringthebellforthatpurpose，\'hesaidwithhuskydeliberateness，lookingintothedepthsofherface。
\'Itwantstwohourstothetimewhenyoumighthavearighttoexpresssuchacommandasthat，\'shesaidhaughtily。
\'Icertainlyhavenotthehonourtobeyourhusbandyet，\'hesadlyreplied，\'butsurelyyoucanlisten?ThereexistreasonsagainstgivingthisboyinchargewhichIcouldeasilygetyoutoadmitbyexplanation；butIwouldrather，withoutexplanation，haveyoutakemyword，whenIsaythatbydoingsoyouarestrikingablowagainstbothyourselfandme。\'
Paula，however，hadrungthebell。
\'Youarejealousofsomebodyorsomethingperhaps!\'shesaid，intoneswhichshowedhowfatallyallthiswastellingagainsttheintentionofthatday。\'Iwillnotbeapartytobaseness，ifitistosaveallmyfortune!\'
Thebellwasansweredquickly。ButDeStancy，thoughplainlyingreatmisery，didnotgiveuphispoint。Meetingtheservantatthedoorbeforehecouldentertheroomhesaid。
\'Itisnothing；youcangoagain。\'
Paulalookedattheunhappybaronetinamazement；thenturningtotheservant，whostoodwiththedoorinhishand，said，\'TellThomastosaddlethechestnut，and——\'
\'It\'sallamistake，\'insistedDeStancy。\'Leavetheroom，James!\'
Jameslookedathismistress。
\'Yes，James，leavetheroom，\'shecalmlysaid，sittingdown。
\'Nowwhathaveyoutosay?\'sheasked，whentheywereagainalone。\'WhymustInotissueordersinmyownhouse?Whoisthisyoungcriminal，thatyouvaluehisinterestshigherthanmyhonour?Ihavedelayedforonemomentsendingmymessengertothechiefconstabletohearyourexplanation——onlyforthat。\'
\'Youwillstillpersevere?\'
\'Certainly。Whoishe?\'
\'Paula……heismyson。\'
Sheremainedstillasdeathwhileonemightcountten；thenturnedherbackuponhim。\'Ithinkyouhadbettergoaway，\'
shewhispered。\'Youneednotcomeagain。\'
Hedidnotmove。\'Paula——doyouindeedmeanthis?\'heasked。
\'Ido。\'
DeStancywalkedafewpaces，thensaidinalowvoice:\'MissPower，Iknew——Iguessedjustnow，assoonasitbegan——thatweweregoingtosplitonthisrock。Well——letitbe——itcannotbehelped；destinyissupreme。Theboywastobemyruin；heismyruin，andrightly。ButbeforeIgograntmeonerequest。Donotprosecutehim。Believeme，IwilldoeverythingIcantogethimoutofyourway。Heshallannoyyounomore……Doyoupromise?\'
\'Ido，\'shesaid。\'Nowpleaseleaveme。\'
\'Oncemore——amItounderstandthatnomarriageistotakeplaceto-daybetweenyouandme?\'
\'Youare。\'
SirWilliamDeStancylefttheroom。Itwasnoticeablethroughouttheinterviewthathismannerhadnotbeenthemannerofamanaltogethertakenbysurprise。Duringthefewprecedingdayshismoodhadbeenthatofthegamblerseasonedinill-luck，whoadoptspessimistsurmisesasasafebackgroundtohismostsanguinehopes。
Sheremainedaloneforsometime。Thensherang，andrequestedthatMr。Wardlaw，herfather\'ssolicitorandfriend，wouldcomeuptoher。Amessengerwasdespatched，nottoMr。
CunninghamHaze，buttotheparsonoftheparish，whoinhisturnsenttotheclerkandclerk\'swife，thenbusyinthechurch。Onreceiptoftheintelligencethetwolatterfunctionariesproceededtorollupthecarpetwhichhadbeenlaidfromthedoortothegate，putawaythekneeling-
cushions，lockedthedoors，andwentofftoinquirethereasonofsostrangeacountermand。ItwassoonproclaimedinMarktonthatthemarriagehadbeenpostponedforafortnightinconsequenceofthebride\'ssuddenindisposition:andlesspublicemotionwasfeltthanthecasemighthavedrawnforth，fromtheignoranceofthemajorityofthepopulacethataweddinghadbeengoingtotakeplaceatall。
MeanwhileMissDeStancyhadbeenclosetedwithPaulaformorethananhour。Itwasadifficultmeeting，andaseveretesttoanyfriendshipbutthatofthemoststerlingsort。IntheturmoilofherdistractionCharlottehadtheconsolationofknowingthatifheractofjusticetoSomersetatsuchamomentweretheactofasimpleton，itwastheonlycourseopentohonesty。ButPaula\'scheerfulserenityinsomemeasurelaidherowntroublestorest，tilltheywerereawakenedbyarumour——whichgotwindsomeweekslater，andquitedrownedallothersurprises——ofthetruerelationbetweenthevanishedclerkofworks，Mr。Dare，andthefallenfamilyofDeStancy。
BOOKTHESIXTH。PAULA。
I。
\'IhavedecidedthatIcannotseeSirWilliamagain:Ishallgoaway，\'saidPaulaontheeveningofthenextday，asshelayonherbedinaflushedandhighly-strungcondition，thoughapersonwhohadheardherwordswithoutseeingherfacewouldhaveassumedperfectequanimitytobethemoodwhichexpresseditselfwithsuchquietness。Thiswasthecasewithheraunt，whowaslookingoutofthewindowatsomeidlersfromMarktonwalkingroundthecastlewiththeireyesbentuponitswindows，andshemadenohastetoreply。
\'Thosepeoplehavecometoseeme，astheyhavearighttodowhenapersonactssostrangely，\'Paulacontinued。\'AndhenceIambetteraway。\'
\'Wheredoyouthinktogoto?\'
Paularepliedinthetoneofonewhowasactuatedentirelybypracticalconsiderations:\'OutofEnglandcertainly。AndasNormandyliesnearest，IthinkIshallgothere。Itisaverynicecountrytoramblein。\'
