\'Donotbeconcernedabouther，\'saidSomersetgently。\'She\'snotaPaedobaptistatheart，althoughsheseemsso。\'
Mr。WoodwellplacedhisfingeronSomerset\'sarm，saying，\'Ifshe\'snotaPaedobaptist，orEpiscopalian；ifsheisnotvulnerabletothemediaevalinfluencesofhermansion，lands，andnewacquaintance，itisbecauseshe\'sbeenvulnerabletowhatisworse:todoctrinesbesidewhichtheerrorsofPaaedobaptists，Episcopalians，RomanCatholics，arebutasair。\'
\'How?Youastonishme。\'
\'HaveyouheardinyourmetropolitanexperienceofacuriousbodyofNewLights，astheythinkthemselves?\'Theministerwhisperedanametohislistener，asifhewerefearfulofbeingoverheard。
\'Ono，\'saidSomerset，shakinghishead，andsmilingattheminister\'shorror。\'She\'snotthat；atleast，Ithinknot……She\'sawoman；nothingmore。Don\'tfearforher；allwillbewell。\'
Thepooroldmansighed。\'Iloveherasmyown。Iwillsaynomore。\'
Somersetwasnowinhastetogobacktothelady，toeaseherapparentanxietyastotheresultofhismission，andalsobecausetimeseemedheavyinthelossofherdiscreetvoiceandsoft，buoyantlook。Everymomentofdelaybegantobeastwo。Buttheministerwastooearnestinhisconversetoseehiscompanion\'shaste，anditwasnottillperceptionwasforceduponhimbytheactualretreatofSomersetthatherememberedtimetobealimitedcommodity。HethenexpressedhiswishtoseeSomersetathishousetoteaanyafternoonhecouldspare，andreceivingtheother\'spromisetocallassoonashecould，allowedtheyoungermantosetoutforthesummer-house，whichhedidatasmartpace。Whenhereachedithelookedaround，andfoundshewasgone。
Somersetwasimmediatelystruckbyhisownlackofsocialdexterity。Whydidheactsoreadilyonthewhimsicalsuggestionofanotherperson，andfollowtheminister，whenhemighthavesaidthathewouldcallonMr。Woodwellto-morrow，and，makinghimselfknowntoMissPowerasthevisitingarchitectofwhomshehadheardfromMissDeStancy，havehadthepleasureofattendinghertothecastle?\'That\'swhatanyothermanwouldhavehadwitenoughtodo!\'hesaid。
Therethenarosethequestionwhetherherdespatchinghimaftertheministerwassuchanadmirableactofgood-naturetoagoodmanasithadatfirstseemedtobe。Perhapsitwassimplyamanoeuvreforgettingridofhimself；andherememberedhisdoubtwhetheracertainlightinhereyeswhensheinquiredconcerninghissinceritywereinnocentearnestnessorthereverse。Asthepossibilityoflevitycrossedhisbrain，hisfacewarmed；itpainedhimtothinkthatawomansointerestingcouldcondescendtoatrickofevensomildacomplexionasthat。Hewantedtothinkherthesoulofallthatwastender，andnoble，andkind。Thepleasureofsettinghimselftowinaminister\'sgoodwillwasalittletarnishednow。
VIII。
ThateveningSomersetwassopreoccupiedwiththesethingsthatheleftallhissketchingimplementsout-of-doorsinthecastlegrounds。Thenextmorninghehastenedthithertosecurethemfrombeingstolenorspoiled。MeanwhilehewashopingtohaveanopportunityofrectifyingPaula\'smistakeabouthispersonality，which，havingservedaverygoodpurposeinintroducingthemtoamutualconversation，mightpossiblybemadejustasagreeableasathingtobeexplainedaway。
Hefetchedhisdrawinginstruments，rods，sketching-blocksandotherarticlesfromthefieldwheretheyhadlain，andwaspassingunderthewallswiththeminhishands，whenthereemergedfromtheouterarchwayanopenlandau，drawnbyapairofblackhorsesoffineactionandobviouslystrongpedigree，inwhichPaulawasseated，undertheshadeofawhiteparasolwithblackandwhiteribbonsflutteringonthesummit。Themorningsunsparkledontheequipage，itsnewnessbeingmadeallthemorenoticeablebytheraggedoldarchbehind。
ShebowedtoSomersetinawaywhichmighthavebeenmeanttoexpressthatshehaddiscoveredhermistake；buttherewasnoembarrassmentinhermanner，andthecarriageboreherawaywithouthermakinganysignforcheckingit。Hehadnotbeenwalkingtowardsthecastleentrance，andshecouldnotbesupposedtoknowthatitwashisintentiontoenterthatday。
Shehadlookedsuchabudofyouthandpromisethathisdisappointmentatherdepartureshoweditselfinhisfaceasheobservedher。However，hewentonhisway，enteredaturret，ascendedtotheleadsofthegreattower，andsteppedout。
FromthiselevatedpositionhecouldstillseethecarriageandthewhitesurfaceofPaula\'sparasolintheglowingsun。
Whilehewatchedthelandaustopped，andinafewmomentsthehorseswereturned，thewheelsandthepanelsflashed，andthecarriagecamebowlingalongtowardsthecastleagain。
Somersetdescendedthestonestairs。BeforehehadquitegottothebottomhesawMissDeStancystandingintheouterhall。
\'Whendidyoucome，Mr。Somerset?\'shegailysaid，lookingupsurprised。\'Howindustriousyouaretobeatworksoregularlyeveryday!Wedidn\'tthinkyouwouldbehereto-
day:PaulahasgonetoavegetableshowatMarkton，andIamgoingtojoinhertheresoon。\'
\'O!gonetoavegetableshow。ButIthinkshehasalteredher——\'
Atthismomentthenoiseofthecarriagewasheardintheward，andafterafewsecondsMissPowercamein——Somersetbeinginvisiblefromthedoorwhereshestood。
\'OPaula，whathasbroughtyouback?\'saidMissDeStancy。
\'Ihaveforgottensomething。\'
\'Mr。Somersetishere。Willyounotspeaktohim?\'
Somersetcameforward，andMissDeStancypresentedhimtoherfriend。Mr。Somersetacknowledgedthepleasurebyarespectfulinclinationofhisperson，andsaidsomewordsaboutthemeetingyesterday。
\'Yes，\'saidMissPower，withaserenedeliberatenessquitenoteworthyinagirlofherage；\'Ihaveseenitallsince。I
wasmistakenaboutyou，wasInot?Mr。Somerset，Iamgladtowelcomeyouhere，bothasafriendofMissDeStancy\'sfamily，andasthesonofyourfather——whichisindeedquiteasufficientintroductionanywhere。\'
\'YouhavetwopicturespaintedbyMr。Somerset\'sfather，haveyounot?Ihavealreadytoldhimaboutthem，\'saidMissDeStancy。\'PerhapsMr。Somersetwouldliketoseethemiftheyareunpacked?\'
AsSomersethadfromhisinfancysufferedfromaplethoraofthoseproductions，excellentastheywere，hedidnotreplyquitesoeagerlyasMissDeStancyseemedtoexpecttoherkindsuggestion，andPaularemarkedtohim，\'Youwillstaytolunch?Doorderitatyourowntime，ifourhourshouldnotbeconvenient。\'
Hervoicewasavoiceoflownote，inqualitythatofafluteatthegraveendofitsgamut。Ifshesang，shewasapurecontraltounmistakably。
\'Iammakinguseofthepermissionyouhavebeengoodenoughtograntme——ofsketchingwhatisvaluablewithinthesewalls。\'
\'Yes，ofcourse，Iamwillingforanybodytocome。Peopleholdtheseplacesintrustforthenation，inonesense。Youliftyourhands，Charlotte；IseeIhavenotconvincedyouonthatpointyet。\'
MissDeStancylaughed，andsaidsomethingtonopurpose。
SomehowMissPowerseemednotonlymorewomanthanMissDeStancy，butmorewomanthanSomersetwasman；andyetinyearsshewasinferiortoboth。Thoughbecominglygirlishandmodest，sheappearedtopossessagooddealofcomposure，whichwaswellexpressedbytheshadedlightofhereyes。
\'YouhavethenmetMr。Somersetbefore?\'saidCharlotte。
\'Hewaskindenoughtodeliveranaddressinmydefenceyesterday。IsupposeIseemedquiteunabletodefendmyself。\'
\'Ono!\'saidhe。WhenafewmorewordshadpassedsheturnedtoMissDeStancyandspokeofsomedomesticmatter，uponwhichSomersetwithdrew，Paulaaccompanyinghisexitwitharemarkthatshehopedtoseehimagainalittlelaterintheday。
Somersetretiredtothechambersofantiquelumber，keepinganeyeuponthewindowstoseeifshere-enteredthecarriageandresumedherjourneytoMarkton。Butwhenthehorseshadbeenstandingalongtimethecarriagewasdrivenroundtothestables。Thenshewasnotgoingtothevegetableshow。Thatwasrathercurious，seeingthatshehadonlycomebackforsomethingforgotten。
ThesequeriesandthoughtsoccupiedthemindofSomersetuntilthebellwasrungforluncheon。Owingtotheverydustyconditioninwhichhefoundhimselfafterhismorning\'slaboursamongtheoldcarvingshewasratherlateingettingdownstairs，andseeingthattheresthadgoneinhewentstraighttothedining-hall。
Thepopulationofthecastlehadincreasedinhisabsence。
TherewereassembledPaulaandherfriendCharlotte；abeardedmansomeyearsolderthanhimself，withacoldgreyeye，whowascursorilyintroducedtohiminsittingdownasMr。Havill，anarchitectofMarkton；alsoanelderlyladyofdignifiedaspect，inablacksatindress，ofwhichsheapparentlyhadaveryhighopinion。Thislady，whoseemedtobeameredummyintheestablishment，was，ashenowlearnt，Mrs。Goodmanbyname，awidowofarecentlydeceasedgentleman，andaunttoPaula——theidenticalauntwhohadsmuggledPaulaintoachurchinherhelplessinfancy，andhadherchristenedwithoutherparents\'knowledge。Havingbeenleftinnarrowcircumstancesbyherhusband，shewasatpresentlivingwithMissPoweraschaperonandadviseronpracticalmatters——inaword，asballasttothemanagement。BeyondherSomersetdiscernedhisnewacquaintanceMr。Woodwell，whoonsightofSomersetwasforhasteninguptohimandperformingalabouredshakingofhandsinearnestrecognition。
Paulahadjustcomeinfromthegarden，andwascarelesslylayingdownherlargeshadyhatasheentered。Herdress，afiguredmaterialinblackandwhite，wasshort，allowingherfeettoappear。Therewassomethinginherlook，andinthestyleofhercorsage，whichremindedhimofseveralofthebygonebeautiesinthegallery。Thethoughtforamomentcrossedhismindthatshemighthavebeenimitatingoneofthem。
\'Fineoldscreen，sir!\'saidMr。Havill，inalong-drawnvoiceacrossthetablewhentheywereseated，pointinginthedirectionofthetraceriedoakdivisionbetweenthedining-
hallandavestibuleattheend。\'Asgoodapieceoffourteenth-centuryworkasyoushallseeinthispartofthecountry。\'
\'Youmeanfifteenthcentury，ofcourse?\'saidSomerset。
Havillwassilent。\'Youareoneoftheprofession，perhaps?\'
askedthelatter，afterawhile。
\'YoumeanthatIamanarchitect?\'saidSomerset。\'Yes。\'
\'Ah——oneofmyownhonouredvocation。\'Havill\'sfacehadbeennotunpleasantuntilthismoment，whenhesmiled；whereuponthereinstantlygleamedoverhimaphaseofmeanness，remaininguntilthesmilediedaway。
Havillcontinued，withslowwatchfulness:——
\'Whatenormoussacrilegesarecommittedbythebuilderseveryday，Iobserve!IwasdrivingyesterdaytoToneboroughwhereIamerectingatown-hall，andpassingthroughavillageonmywayIsawtheworkmenpullingdownachancel-wallinwhichtheyfoundimbeddedauniquespecimenofPerpendicularwork——acapitalfromsomeoldarcade——themouldingswonderfullyundercut。Theyweresmashingitupasfilling-inforthenewwall。\'
\'Itmusthavebeenunique，\'saidSomerset，inthetoo-readilycontroversialtoneoftheeducatedyoungmanwhohasyettolearndiplomacy。\'IhaveneverseenmuchundercuttinginPerpendicularstone-work；noranybodyelse，Ithink。\'
\'Oyes——lotsofit!\'saidMr。Havill，nettled。
Paulalookedfromonetotheother。\'WhichamItotakeasguide?\'sheasked。\'ArePerpendicularcapitalsundercut，asyoucallit，Mr。Havill，orno?\'
\'Itdependsuponcircumstances，\'saidMr。Havill。
ButSomersethadansweredatthesametime:\'Thereisseldomorneveranymarkedundercuttinginmouldedworklaterthanthemiddleofthefourteenthcentury。\'
HavilllookedkeenlyatSomersetforatime:thenheturnedtoPaula:\'AsregardsthatfineSaxonvaultingyoudidmethehonourtoconsultmeabouttheotherday，Ishouldadvisetakingoutsomeoftheoldstonesandreinstatingnewonesexactlylikethem。\'
\'Butthenewoneswon\'tbeSaxon，\'saidPaula。\'Andthenintimetocome，whenIhavepassedaway，andthosestoneshavebecomestainedliketherest，peoplewillbedeceived。I
shouldpreferanhonestpatchtoanysuchmake-believeofSaxonrelics。\'
AssheconcludedshelethereyesrestonSomersetforamoment，asiftoaskhimtosidewithher。MuchashelikedtalkingtoPaula，hewouldhavepreferrednottoenterintothisdiscussionwithanotherprofessionalman，eventhoughthatmanwereaspuriousarticle；buthewasledontoenthusiasmbyasuddenpangofregretatfindingthatthemasterlyworkmanshipinthisfinecastlewaslikelytobetinkeredandspoiltbysuchamanasHavill。
\'YouwilldeceivenobodyintobelievingthatanythingisSaxonhere，\'hesaidwarmly。\'ThereisnotasquareinchofSaxonwork，asitiscalled，inthewholecastle。\'
Paula，indoubt，lookedtoMr。Havill。
\'Oyes，sir；youarequitemistaken，\'saidthatgentlemanslowly。\'EverystoneofthoselowervaultswasrearedinSaxontimes。\'
\'Icanassureyou，\'saidSomersetdeferentially，butfirmly，\'thatthereisnotanarchorwallinthiscastleofadateanteriortotheyear1100；noonewhoseattentionhaseverbeengiventothestudyofarchitecturaldetailsofthatagecanbeofadifferentopinion。\'
\'Ihavestudiedarchitecture，andIamofadifferentopinion。
Ihavethebestreasonintheworldforthedifference，forI
havehistoryherselfonmyside。WhatwillyousaywhenI
tellyouthatitisarecordedfactthatthiswasusedasacastlebytheRomans，andthatitismentionedinDomesdayasabuildingoflongstanding?\'
\'Ishallsaythathasnothingtodowithit，\'repliedtheyoungman。\'Idon\'tdenythattheremayhavebeenacastlehereinthetimeoftheRomans:whatIsayis，thatnoneofthearchitecturewenowseewasstandingatthatdate。\'
Therewasasilenceofaminute，disturbedonlybyamurmureddialoguebetweenMrs。Goodmanandtheminister，duringwhichPaulawaslookingthoughtfullyonthetableasifframingaquestion。
\'Canitbe，\'shesaidtoSomerset，\'thatsuchcertaintyhasbeenreachedinthestudyofarchitecturaldates?Now，wouldyoureallyriskanythingonyourbelief?WouldyouagreetobeshutupinthevaultsandfeduponbreadandwaterforaweekifIcouldproveyouwrong?\'
\'Willingly，\'saidSomerset。\'Thedateofthosetowersandarchesismatterofabsolutecertaintyfromthedetails。ThattheyshouldhavebeenbuiltbeforetheConquestisasunlikelyas，say，thattherustiestoldgunwithapercussionlockshouldbeolderthanthedateofWaterloo。\'
\'HowIwishIknewsomethingpreciseofanartwhichmakesonesoindependentofwrittenhistory!\'
Mr。Havillhadlapsedintoamannerlysilencethatwasonlysullennessdisguised。PaulaturnedherconversationtoMissDeStancy，whohadsimplylookedfromonetotheotherduringthediscussion，thoughshemighthavebeensupposedtohaveaprescriptiverighttoafewremarksonthematter。A
commonplacetalkensued，tillHavill，whohadnotjoinedinit，privatelybeganatSomersetagainwithamixedmannerofcordiality，contempt，andmisgiving。
\'Youhaveapractice，Isuppose，sir?\'
\'Iamnotinpracticejustyet。\'
\'Justbeginning?\'
\'Iamabouttobegin。\'
\'InLondon，ornearhere?\'
\'InLondonprobably。\'
\'H\'m……IampractisinginMarkton。\'
\'Indeed。Haveyoubeenatitlong?\'
\'Notparticularly。Idesignedthechapelbuiltbythislady\'slatefather；itwasmyfirstundertaking——Iowemystart，infact，toMr。Power。Everbuildachapel?\'
\'Never。Ihavesketchedagoodmanychurches。\'
\'Ah——therewediffer。Ididn\'tdomuchsketchinginmyyouth，norhaveItimeforitnow。Sketchingandbuildingaretwodifferentthings，tomymind。Iwasnotbroughtuptotheprofession——gotintoitthroughsheerloveofit。Ibeganasalandscapegardener，thenIbecameabuilder，thenIwasaroadcontractor。Everyarchitectmightdoworsethanhavesomesuchexperience。Butnowadays\'tisthemenwhocandrawprettypictureswhogetrecommended，notthepracticalmen。
YoungprigswinInstitutemedalsforaprettydesignortwowhich，ifanybodytriedtobuildthem，wouldfalldownlikeahouseofcards；thentheygettravellingstudentshipsandwhatnot，andthentheystartasarchitectsofsomenewschoolorother，andthinktheyarethemastersofusexperiencedones。\'
WhileSomersetwasreflectinghowfarthisstatementwastrue，heheardthevoiceofPaulainquiring，\'Whocanhebe?\'
Hereyeswerebentonthewindow。Lookingout，Somersetsawinthemeadbeyondthedryditch，Dare，withhisphotographicapparatus。
\'Heistheyounggentlemanwhocalledabouttakingviewsofthecastle，\'saidCharlotte。
\'Oyes——Iremember；itisquiteright。Hemetmeinthevillageandaskedmetosuggesthimsomeviews。Ithoughthimarespectableyoungfellow。\'
\'IthinkheisaCanadian，\'saidSomerset。
\'No，\'saidPaula，\'heisfromtheEast——atleastheimpliedsotome。\'
\'ThereisItalianbloodinhim，\'saidCharlottebrightly。
\'ForhespoketomewithanItalianaccent。ButIcan\'tthinkwhetherheisaboyoraman。\'
\'Itistobeearnestlyhopedthatthegentlemandoesnotprevaricate，\'saidtheminister，forthefirsttimeattractedbythesubject。\'Iaccidentallymethiminthelane，andhesaidsomethingtomeabouthavinglivedinMalta。IthinkitwasMalta，orGibraltar——evenifhedidnotsaythathewasbornthere。\'
\'Hismannersarenocredittohisnationality，\'observedMrs。
Goodman，alsospeakingpubliclyforthefirsttime。\'Heaskedmethismorningtosendhimoutapailofwaterforhisprocess，andbeforeIhadturnedawayhebeganwhistling。I
don\'tlikewhistlers。\'
\'Thenitappears，\'saidSomerset，\'thatheisabeingofnoage，nonationality，andnobehaviour。\'
\'Acompletenegative，\'addedHavill，brighteningintoacivilsneer。\'Thatis，hewouldbe，ifhewerenotamakerofnegativeswellknowninMarkton。\'
\'Notwellknown，Mr。Havill，\'answeredMrs。Goodmanfirmly。
\'ForIlivedinMarktonforthirtyyearsendingthreemonthsago，andhewasneverheardofinmytime。\'
\'Heissomethinglikeyou，Charlotte，\'saidPaula，smilingplayfullyonhercompanion。
AllthemenlookedatCharlotte，onwhosefaceadelicatenervousblushthereuponmadeitsappearance。
\'\'Ponmywordthereisalikeness，nowIthinkofit，\'saidHavill。
PaulabentdowntoCharlotteandwhispered:\'Forgivemyrudeness，dear。Heisnotaniceenoughpersontobelikeyou。Heisreallymorelikeoneorotheroftheoldpicturesaboutthehouse。Iforgetwhich，andreallyitdoesnotmatter。\'
\'People\'sfeaturesfallnaturallyintogroupsandclasses，\'
remarkedSomerset。\'Toanobservantpersontheyoftenrepeatthemselves；thoughtoacarelesseyetheyseeminfiniteintheirdifferences。\'
Theconversationflagged，andtheyidlyobservedthefigureofthecosmopoliteDareashewalkedroundhisinstrumentinthemeadandbusiedhimselfwithanarrangementofcurtainsandlenses，occasionallywithdrawingafewsteps，andlookingcontemplativelyatthetowersandwalls。
IX。
Somersetreturnedtothetopofthegreattowerwithavagueconsciousnessthathewasgoingtodosomethingupthere——
perhapssketchageneralplanofthestructure。ButhebegantodiscernthatthisStancy-CastleepisodeinhisstudiesofGothicarchitecturemightbelessusefulthanornamentaltohimasaprofessionalman，thoughitwastooagreeabletobeabandoned。Findingafterawhilethathisdrawingprogressedbutslowly，byreasonofinfinitejoyfulthoughtsmorealliedtohisnaturethantohisart，herelinquishedruleandcompass，andenteredoneofthetwoturretsopeningontheroof。Itwasnotthestaircasebywhichhehadascended，andheproceededtoexploreitslowerpart。Enteringfromtheblazeoflightwithout，andimaginingthestairstodescendasusual，hebecameawareafterafewstepsthattherewassuddenlynothingtotreadon，andfoundhimselfprecipitateddownwardstoadistanceofseveralfeet。
Arrivedatthebottom，hewasconsciousofthehappyfactthathehadnotseriouslyhurthimself，thoughhislegwastwistedawkwardly。Nextheperceivedthatthestonestepshadbeenremovedfromtheturret，sothathehaddroppedintoitasintoadrywell；that，owingtoitsbeingwalledupbelow，therewasnodoorofexitoneithersideofhim；thathewas，inshort，aprisoner。
Placinghimselfinamorecomfortablepositionhecalmlyconsideredthebestmeansofgettingout，orofmakinghisconditionknown。Foramomenthetriedtodraghimselfupbyhisarm，butitwasahopelessattempt，theheighttothefirststepbeingfartoogreat。
Henextlookedroundatalowerlevel。Notfarfromhisleftelbow，intheconcaveoftheouterwall，wasaslitfortheadmissionoflight，andheperceivedatoncethatthroughthisslitalonelayhischanceofcommunicatingwiththeouterworld。Atfirstitseemedasifitweretobedonebyshouting，butwhenhelearntwhatlittleeffectwasproducedbyhisvoiceinthemidstofsuchamassofmasonry，hisheartfailedhimforamoment。Yet，aseitherPaulaorMissDeStancywouldprobablyguesshisvisittothetopofthetower，therewasnocauseforterror，ifsomeforalarm。
Heputhishandkerchiefthroughthewindow-slit，sothatitflutteredoutside，and，fixingitinitsplacebyalargestonedrawnfromthelooseonesaroundhim，awaitedsuccourasbesthecould。Tobeginthiscourseofprocedurewaseasy，buttoabideinpatiencetillitshouldproducefruitwasanirksometask。Asnearlyashecouldguess——forhiswatchhadbeenstoppedbythefall——itwasnowaboutfouro\'clock，anditwouldbescarcelypossibleforeveningtoapproachwithoutsomeeyeorothernoticingthewhitesignal。SoSomersetwaited，hiseyeslingeringonthelittleworldofobjectsaroundhim，tilltheyallbecamequitefamiliar。Spiders\'-
websinplentywerethere，andoneinparticularjustbeforehimwasinfulluseasasnare，stretchingacrossthearchofthewindow，withradiatingthreadsasitsribs。Somersethadplentyoftime，andhecountedtheirnumber——fifteen。Heremainedsosilentthattheownerofthiselaboratestructuresoonforgotthedisturbancewhichhadresultedinthebreakingofhisdiagonalties，andcreptoutfromthecornertomendthem。Inwatchingtheprocess，Somersetnoticedthatonthestoneworkbehindthewebsundrynamesandinitialshadbeencutbyexplorersinyearsgoneby。Amongtheseantiqueinscriptionsheobservedtwobrightandcleanones，consistingofthewords\'DeStancy\'and\'W。Dare，\'crossingeachotheratrightangles。Fromthestateofthestonetheycouldnothavebeencutmorethanamonthbeforethisdate，and，musingonthecircumstance，Somersetpassedthetimeuntilthesunreachedtheslitinthatsideofthetower，where，beginningbythrowinginastreakoffireasnarrowasacorn-stalk，itenlargeditswidthtillthedustynookwasfloodedwithcheerfullight。Itdisclosedsomethinglyinginthecorner，whichonexaminationprovedtobeadrybone。Whetheritwashuman，orhadcomefromthecastlelarderinbygonetimes，hecouldnottell。Onebonewasnotawholeskeleton，butitmadehimthinkofGinevraofModena，theheroineoftheMistletoeBough，andothercribbedandconfinedwretches，whohadfallenintosuchtrapsandbeendiscoveredafteracycleofyears。
Thesun\'srayshadtravelledsomewayroundtheinteriorwhenSomerset\'swaitingearswereatlastattractedbyfootstepsabove，eachtreadbeingbroughtdownbythehollowturretwithgreatfidelity。Hehopedthatwiththesesoundswouldarisethatofasoftvoicehehadbeguntolikewell。Indeed，duringthesolitaryhourortwoofhiswaitingherehehadpicturedPaulastrayingaloneontheterraceofthecastle，lookingup，notinghissignal，andascendingtodeliverhimfromhispainfulpositionbyherownexertions。Itseemedthatatlengthhisdreamhadbeenverified。Thefootstepsapproachedtheopeningoftheturret；and，attractedbythecallwhichSomersetnowraised，begantodescendtowardshim。
Inamoment，notPaula\'sface，butthatofadrearyfootmanofherhousehold，lookedintothehole。
Somersetmasteredhisdisappointment，andthemanspeedilyfetchedaladder，bywhichmeanstheprisoneroftwohoursascendedtotheroofinsafety。Duringtheprocessheventuredtoaskfortheladiesofthehouse，andlearntthattheyhadgoneoutforadrivetogether。
Beforeheleftthecastle，however，theyhadreturned，acircumstanceunexpectedlymadeknowntohimbyhisreceivingamessagefromMissPower，totheeffectthatshewouldbegladtoseehimathisconvenience。Wonderingwhatitcouldpossiblymean，hefollowedthemessengertoherroom——asmallmodernlibraryintheJacobeanwingofthehouse，adjoiningthatinwhichthetelegraphstood。Shewasalone，sittingbehindatablelitteredwithlettersandsketches，andlookingfreshfromherdrive。Perhapsitwasbecausehehadbeenshutupinthatdismaldungeonalltheafternoonthathefeltsomethinginherpresencewhichatthesametimecharmedandrefreshedhim。
Shesignifiedthathewastositdown；butfindingthathewasgoingtoplacehimselfonastraight-backedchairsomedistanceoffshesaid，\'Willyousitnearertome?\'andthen，asifratheroppressedbyherdignity，sheleftherownchairofbusinessandseatedherselfateaseonanottomanwhichwasamongthediversifiedfurnitureoftheapartment。
\'Iwanttoconsultyouprofessionally，\'shewenton。\'Ihavebeenmuchimpressedbyyourgreatknowledgeofcastellatedarchitecture。Willyousitinthatleatherchairatthetable，asyoumayhavetotakenotes?\'
Theyoungmanassented，expressedhisgratification，andwenttothechairshedesignated。
\'But，Mr。Somerset，\'shecontinued，fromtheottoman——thewidthofthetableonlydividingthem——\'Ifirstshouldjustliketoknow，andItrustyouwillexcusemyinquiry，ifyouareanarchitectinpractice，oronlyasyetstudyingfortheprofession?\'
\'Iamjustgoingtopractise。IopenmyofficeonthefirstofJanuarynext，\'heanswered。
\'Youwouldnotmindhavingmeasaclient——yourfirstclient?\'
Shelookedcuriouslyfromhersidewayfaceacrossthetableasshesaidthis。
\'Canyouaskit!\'saidSomersetwarmly。\'Whatareyougoingtobuild?\'
\'Iamgoingtorestorethecastle。\'
\'What，allofit?\'saidSomerset，astonishedattheaudacityofsuchanundertaking。
\'Notthepartsthatareabsolutelyruinous:thewallsbatteredbytheParliamentartilleryhadbetterremainastheyare，Isuppose。Butwehavebegunwrong；itisIwhoshouldaskyou，notyoume……Ifear，\'shewenton，inthatlownotewhichwassomewhatdifficulttocatchatadistance，\'I
fearwhattheantiquarianswillsayifIamnotverycareful。
TheycomehereagreatdealinsummerandifIweretodotheworkwrongtheywouldputmynameinthepapersasadreadfulperson。ButImustlivehere，asIhavenootherhouse，excepttheoneinLondon，andhenceImustmaketheplacehabitable。IdohopeIcantrusttoyourjudgment?\'
\'Ihopeso，\'hesaid，withdiffidence，for，farfromhavingmuchprofessionalconfidence，heoftenmistrustedhimself。\'I
amaFellowoftheSocietyofAntiquaries，andaMemberoftheInstituteofBritishArchitects——notaFellowofthatbodyyet，thoughIsoonshallbe。\'
\'ThenIamsureyoumustbetrustworthy，\'shesaid，withenthusiasm。\'Well，whatamItodo?——Howdowebegin?\'
Somersetbegantofeelmoreprofessional，whatwiththebusinesschairandthetable，andthewriting-paper，notwithstandingthatthesearticles，andtheroomtheywerein，werehersinsteadofhis；andanevennessofmannerwhichhehadmomentarilylostreturnedtohim。\'Theveryfirststep，\'hesaid，\'istodecideupontheoutlay——whatisittocost?\'
Hefalteredalittle，foritseemedtodisturbthesoftnessoftheirrelationshiptotalkthusofhardcash。Buthersympathywithhisfeelingwasapparentlynotgreat，andshesaid，\'Theexpenditureshallbewhatyouadvise。\'
\'Whataheavenlyclient!\'hethought。\'Butyoumustjustgivesomeidea，\'hesaidgently。\'Forthefactis，anysumalmostmaybespentonsuchabuilding:fivethousand，tenthousand，twentythousand，fiftythousand，ahundredthousand。\'
\'Iwantitdonewell；sosupposewesayahundredthousand?
Myfather\'ssolicitor——mysolicitornow——saysImaygotoahundredthousandwithoutextravagance，iftheexpenditureisscatteredovertwoorthreeyears。\'
Somersetlookedroundforapen。Withquicknessofinsightsheknewwhathewanted，andsignifiedwhereonecouldbefound。Hewrotedowninlargefigures——
100，000。
Itwasmorethanhehadexpected；andforayoungmanjustbeginningpractice，theopportunityofplayingwithanotherperson\'smoneytothatextentwouldaffordanexceptionallyhandsomeopening，notsomuchfromthecommissionitrepresented，asfromtheattentionthatwouldbebestowedbytheart-worldonsuchanundertaking。
Paulahadsunkintoareverie。\'IwasintendingtointrusttheworktoMr。Havill，alocalarchitect，\'shesaid。\'ButI
gatheredfromhisconversationwithyouto-daythathisignoranceofstylesmightcompromisemeveryseriously。Inshort，thoughmyfatheremployedhiminoneortwolittlematters，itwouldnotberight——evenamorallyculpablething——
toplacesuchanhistoricallyvaluablebuildinginhishands。\'
\'HasMr。Havilleverbeenledtoexpectthecommission?\'heasked。
\'Hemayhaveguessedthathewouldhaveit。Ihavespokenofmyintentiontohimmorethanonce。\'
SomersetthoughtoverhisconversationwithHavill。Well，hedidnotlikeHavillpersonally；andhehadstrongreasonsforsuspectingthatinthematterofarchitectureHavillwasaquack。Butwasitquitegeneroustostepinthus，andtakeawaywhatwouldbeagoldenopportunitytosuchamanofmakingbothendsmeetcomfortablyforsomeyearstocome，withoutgivinghimatleastonechance?Hereflectedalittlelonger，andthenspokeouthisfeeling。
\'Iventuretoproposeaslightlymodifiedarrangement，\'hesaid。\'Insteadofcommittingthewholeundertakingtomyhandswithoutbetterproofofmyabilitytocarryitoutthanyouhaveatpresent，lettherebeacompetitionbetweenMr。
Havillandmyself——letourrivalplansfortherestorationandenlargementbesubmittedtoacommitteeoftheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects——andletthechoicerestwiththem，subjectofcoursetoyourapproval。\'
\'Itisindeedgenerousofyoutosuggestit。\'Shelookedthoughtfullyathim；heappearedtostrikeherinanewlight。
\'Youreallyrecommendit?\'Thefairnesswhichhadpromptedhiswordsseemedtoinclineherstillmorethanbeforetoresignherselfentirelytohiminthematter。
\'Ido，\'saidSomersetdeliberately。
\'Iwillthinkofit，sinceyouwishit。Andnow，whatgeneralideahaveyouoftheplantoadopt?Idonotpositivelyagreetoyoursuggestionasyet，soImayperhapsaskthequestion。\'
Somerset，beingbythistimefamiliarwiththegeneralplanofthecastle，tookouthispencilandmadearoughsketch。
Whilehewasdoingitsherose，andcomingtothebackofhischair，bentoverhiminsilence。
\'Ah，Ibegintoseeyourconception，\'shemurmured；andthebreathofherwordsfannedhisear。Hefinishedthesketch，andheldituptoher，saying——
\'IwouldsuggestthatyouwalkoverthebuildingwithMr。
Havillandmyself，anddetailyourideastousoneachportion。\'
\'Isitnecessary?\'
\'Clientsmostlydoit。\'
\'Iwill，then。Butitistoolateformethisevening。
Pleasemeetmeto-morrowatten。\'
X。
Atteno\'clocktheymetinthesameroom，Paulaappearinginastrawhathavingabent-upbrimlinedwithplaitedsilk，sothatitsurroundedherforeheadlikeanimbus；andSomersetarmedwithsketch-book，measuring-rod，andotherapparatusofhiscraft。
\'AndMr。Havill?\'saidtheyoungman。
\'Ihavenotdecidedtoemployhim:ifIdoheshallgoroundwithmeindependentlyofyou，\'sherepliedratherbrusquely。
Somersetwasbynomeanssorrytohearthis。HisdutytoHavillwasdone。
\'Andnow，\'shesaid，astheywalkedontogetherthroughthepassages，\'ImusttellyouthatIamnotamediaevalistmyself；andperhapsthat\'sapity。\'
\'Whatareyou?\'
\'IamGreek——that\'swhyIdon\'twishtoinfluenceyourdesign。\'
Somerset，astheyproceeded，pointedoutwhereroofshadbeenandshouldbeagain，wheregableshadbeenpulleddown，andwherefloorshadvanished，showingherhowtoreconstructtheirdetailsfrommarksinthewalls，muchasacomparativeanatomistreconstructsanantediluvianfromfragmentarybonesandteeth。Sheappearedtobeinterested，listenedattentively，butsaidlittleinreply。Theywereultimatelyinalongnarrowpassage，indifferentlylighted，whenSomerset，treadingonaloosestone，feltatwingeofweaknessinoneknee，andknewinamomentthatitwastheresultofthetwistgivenbyhisyesterday\'sfall。Hepaused，leaningagainstthewall。
\'Whatisit?\'saidPaula，withasuddentimidityinhervoice。
\'Islippeddownyesterday，\'hesaid。\'Itwillberightinamoment。\'
\'I——canIhelpyou?\'saidPaula。Butshedidnotcomenearhim；indeed，shewithdrewalittle。Shelookedupthepassage，anddownthepassage，andbecameconsciousthatitwaslongandgloomy，andthatnobodywasnear。Acuriouscoyuneasinessseemedtotakepossessionofher。Whethershethought，forthefirsttime，thatshehadmadeamistake——thattowanderaboutthecastlealonewithhimwascompromising，orwhetheritwasthemereshyinstinctofmaidenhood，nobodyknows；butshesaidsuddenly，\'Iwillgetsomethingforyou，andreturninafewminutes。\'
\'Praydon\'t——ithasquitepassed!\'hesaid，steppingoutagain。
ButPaulahadvanished。WhenshecamebackitwasintherearofCharlotteDeStancy。MissDeStancyhadatumblerinonehand，halffullofwine，whichsheofferedhim；Paularemaininginthebackground。
Hetooktheglass，and，tosatisfyhiscompanions，drankamouthfulortwo，thoughtherewasreallynothingwhateverthematterwithhimbeyondtheslightacheabovementioned。
Charlottewasgoingtoretire，butPaulasaid，quiteanxiously，\'Youwillstaywithme，Charlotte，won\'tyou?
SurelyyouareinterestedinwhatIamdoing?\'
\'Whatisit?\'saidMissDeStancy。
\'Planninghowtomendandenlargethecastle。TellMr。
SomersetwhatIwantdoneinthequadrangle——youknowquitewell——andIwillwalkon。\'
Shewalkedon；butinsteadoftalkingonthesubjectasdirected，CharlotteandSomersetfollowedchattingonindifferentmatters。TheycametoaninnercourtandfoundPaulastandingthere。
ShemetMissDeStancywithasmile。\'Didyouexplain?\'sheasked。
\'Ihavenotexplainedyet。\'Paulaseatedherselfonastonebench，andCharlottewenton:\'MissPowerthoughtofmakingaGreekcourtofthis。Butshewillnottellyousoherself，becauseitseemssuchdreadfulanachronism。
\'IsaidIwouldnottellanyarchitectmyself，\'interposedPaulacorrectingly。\'IdidnotthenknowthathewouldbeMr。
Somerset。\'
\'Itisratherstartling，\'saidSomerset。