\'Thenhereitis。TheplanIhavearrangedforyouisofthenatureofamarriage。\'
\'Youareverykind!\'saidDeStancy，agape。
\'Thelady\'snameisMissPaulaPower，who，asyoumayhaveheardsinceyourarrival，isinabsolutepossessionofherfather\'spropertyandestates，includingStancyCastle。AssoonasIheardofherIsawwhatamarvellousmatchitwouldbeforyou，andyourfamily；itwouldmakeamanofyou，inshort，andIhavesetmyminduponyourputtingnoobjectioninthewayofitsaccomplishment。\'
\'But，Willy，itseemstomethat，ofustwo，itisyouwhoexercisepaternalauthority?\'
\'True，itisforyourgood。Letmedoit。\'
\'Well，onemustbeindulgentunderthecircumstances，I
suppose……But，\'addedDeStancysimply，\'Willy，I——don\'twanttomarry，youknow。Ihavelatelythoughtthatsomedaywemaybeabletolivetogether，youandI:goofftoAmericaorNewZealand，wherewearenotknown，andthereleadaquiet，pastorallife，defyingsocialrulesandtroublesomeobservances。\'
\'Ican\'thearofit，captain，\'repliedDarereprovingly。\'I
amwhateventshavemademe，andhavingfixedmymindupongettingyousettledinlifebythismarriage，Ihaveputthingsintrainforitatanimmensetroubletomyself。Ifyouhadthoughtoverito\'nightsasmuchasIhave，youwouldnotsaynay。\'
\'ButIoughttohavemarriedyourmotherifanybody。AndasI
havenotmarriedher，theleastIcandoinrespecttoheristomarrynootherwoman。\'
\'Youhavesomesortofdutytome，haveyounot，CaptainDeStancy?\'
\'Yes，Willy，IadmitthatIhave，\'theelderrepliedreflectively。\'AndIdon\'tthinkIhavefailedinitthusfar?\'
\'Thiswillbethecrowningproof。Paternalaffection，familypride，thenobleinstinctstoreinstateyourselfinthecastleofyourancestors，alldemandthestep。Andwhenyouhaveseenthelady!Shehasthefigureandmotionsofasylph，thefaceofanangel，theeyeofloveitself。Whatasightsheiscrossingthelawnonasunnyafternoon，orglidingairilyalongthecorridorsoftheoldplacetheDeStancysknewsowell!Herlipsarethesoftest，reddest，mostdistractingthingsyoueversaw。Herhairisassoftassilk，andoftherarest，tenderestbrown。\'
Thecaptainmoveduneasily。\'Don\'ttakethetroubletosaymore，Willy，\'heobserved。\'YouknowhowIam。Mycursedsusceptibilitytothesemattershasalreadywastedyearsofmylife，andIdon\'twanttomakemyselfafoolabouthertoo。\'
\'Youmustseeher。\'
\'No，don\'tletmeseeher，\'DeStancyexpostulated。\'Ifsheisonlyhalfsogood-lookingasyousay，shewilldragmeatherheelslikeablindSamson。Youareamereyouthasyet，butImaytellyouthatthemisfortuneofneverhavingbeenmyownmasterwhereabeautifulfacewasconcernedobligesmetobecautiousifIwouldpreservemypeaceofmind。\'
\'Well，tomymind，CaptainDeStancy，yourobjectionsseemtrivial。Arethoseall?\'
\'TheyareallIcaretomentionjustnowtoyou。\'
\'Captain!cantherebesecretsbetweenus?\'
DeStancypausedandlookedattheladasifhisheartwishedtoconfesswhathisjudgmentfearedtotell。\'Thereshouldnotbe——onthispoint，\'hemurmured。
\'Thentellme——whydoyousomuchobjecttoher?\'
\'Ioncevowedavow。\'
\'Avow!\'saidDare，ratherdisconcerted。
\'Avowofinfinitesolemnity。Imusttellyoufromthebeginning；perhapsyouareoldenoughtohearitnow，thoughyouhavebeentooyoungbefore。Yourmother\'slifeendedinmuchsorrow，anditwasoccasionedentirelybyme。InmyregretforthewrongdoneherIsworetoherthatthoughshehadnotbeenmywife，nootherwomanshouldstandinthatrelationshiptome；andthistoherwasasortofcomfort。
Whenshewasdeadmyknowledgeofmyownplaguyimpressionableness，whichseemedtobeineradicable——asitseemsstill——ledmetothinkwhatsafeguardsIcouldsetovermyselfwithaviewtokeepingmypromisetolivealifeofcelibacy；andamongotherthingsIdeterminedtoforswearthesociety，andifpossiblethesight，ofwomenyoungandattractive，asfarasIhadthepowertodo。\'
\'Itisnotsoeasytoavoidthesightofabeautifulwomanifshecrossesyourpath，Ishouldthink?\'
\'Itisnoteasy；butitispossible。\'
\'How?\'
\'Bydirectingyourattentionanotherway。\'
\'Butdoyoumeantosay，captain，thatyoucanbeinaroomwithaprettywomanwhospeakstoyou，andnotlookather?\'
\'Ido:thoughmerelookinghaslesstodowithitthanmentalattentiveness——allowingyourthoughtstoflowoutinherdirection——tocomprehendherimage。\'
\'Butitwouldbeconsideredveryimpolitenottolookatthewomanorcomprehendherimage?\'
\'Itwould，andis。Iamconsideredthemostimpoliteofficerintheservice。Ihavebeennicknamedthemanwiththeavertedeyes——themanwiththedetestablehabit——themanwhogreetsyouwithhisshoulder，andsoon。Ninety-and-ninefairwomenatthepresentmomenthatemelikepoisonanddeathforhavingpersistentlyrefusedtoplumbthedepthsoftheirofferedeyes。\'
\'Howcanyoudoit，whoarebynaturecourteous?\'
\'Icannotalways——Ibreakdownsometimes。But，uponthewhole，recollectionholdsmetoit:dreadofalapse。
Nothingissopotentasfearwellmaintained。\'
DeStancynarratedthesedetailsinagravemeditativetonewithhiseyesonthewall，asifhewerescarcelyconsciousofalistener。
\'Buthaven\'tyourecklessmoments，captain?——whenyouhavetakenalittlemorewinethanusual，forinstance?\'
\'Idon\'ttakewine。\'
\'O，youareateetotaller?\'
\'Notapledgedone——butIdon\'ttouchalcoholunlessIgetwet，oranythingofthatsort。\'
\'Don\'tyousometimesforgetthisvowofyourstomymother?\'
\'No，Iwearareminder。\'
\'Whatisthatlike?\'
DeStancyhelduphislefthand，onthethirdfingerofwhichappearedanironring。
Daresurveyedit，saying，\'Yes，Ihaveseenthatbefore，thoughIneverknewwhyyouworeit。Well，Iwearareminderalso，butofadifferentsort。\'
Hethrewopenhisshirt-front，andrevealedtattooedonhisbreastthelettersDESTANCY；thesamemarkswhichHavillhadseeninthebedroombythelightofthemoon。
Thecaptainratherwincedatthesight。\'Well，well，\'hesaidhastily，\'that\'senough……Now，atanyrate，youunderstandmyobjectiontoknowMissPower。\'
\'But，captain，\'saidtheladcoaxingly，ashefastenedhisshirt；\'youforgetmeandthegoodyoumaydomebymarrying?
Surelythat\'sasufficientreasonforachangeofsentiment。
Thisinexperiencedsweetcreatureownsthecastleandestatewhichbearsyourname，eventothefurnitureandpictures。
Sheisthepossessorofatleastfortythousandayear——howmuchmoreIcannotsay——while，buriedhereinOuterWessex，shelivesattherateoftwelvehundredinhersimplicity。\'
\'Itisverygoodofyoutosetthisbeforeme。ButIprefertogoonasIamgoing。\'
\'Well，Iwon\'tboreyouanymorewithherto-day。Amonkinregimentals!——\'tisstrange。\'Darearoseandwasabouttoopenthedoor，when，lookingthroughthewindow，CaptainDeStancysaid，\'Stop。\'Hehadperceivedhisfather，SirWilliamDeStancy，walkingamongthetombstoneswithout。
\'Yes，indeed，\'saidDare，turningthekeyinthedoor。\'Itwouldlookstrangeifheweretofindushere。\'
Astheoldmanseemedindisposedtoleavethechurchyardjustyettheysatdownagain。
\'Whatacapitalcard-tablethisgreenclothwouldmake，\'saidDare，astheywaited。\'Youplay，captain，Isuppose?\'
\'Veryseldom。\'
\'Thesamewithme。ButasIenjoyahandofcardswithafriend，Idon\'tgounprovided。\'Sayingwhich，Daredrewapackfromthetailofhiscoat。\'Shallwewhileawaythisleisurewiththewitchingthings?\'
\'Really，I\'drathernot。\'
\'But，\'coaxedtheyoungman，\'Iaminthehumourforit；sodon\'tbeunkind!\'
\'But，Willy，whydoyoucareforthesethings?Cardsareharmlessenoughintheirway；butIdon\'tliketoseeyoucarryingtheminyourpocket。Itisn\'tgoodforyou。\'
\'ItwasbythemerestchanceIhadthem。Nowcome，justonehand，sinceweareprisoners。IwanttoshowyouhownicelyI
canplay。Iwon\'tcorruptyou!\'
\'Ofcoursenot，\'saidDeStancy，asifashamedofwhathisobjectionimplied。\'Youarenotcorruptenoughyourselftodothat，Ishouldhope。\'
Thecardsweredealtandtheybegantoplay——CaptainDeStancyabstractedly，andwithhiseyesmostlystrayingoutofthewindowuponthelargeyew，whoseboughsastheymovedweredistortedbytheoldgreenwindow-panes。
\'Itisbetterthandoingnothing，\'saidDarecheerfully，asthegamewenton。\'Ihopeyoudon\'tdislikeit?\'
\'Notifitpleasesyou，\'saidDeStancylistlessly。
\'Andtheconsecrationofthisplacedoesnotextendfurtherthantheaislewall。\'
\'Doesn\'tit?\'saidDeStancy，ashemechanicallyplayedouthiscards。\'WhatbecameofthatboxofbooksIsentyouwithmylastcheque?\'
\'Well，asIhadn\'ttimetoreadthem，andasIknewyouwouldnotlikethemtobewasted，Isoldthemtoablokewhoperusesthemfrommorningtillnight。Ah，nowyouhavelostafiveraltogether——howqueer!We\'lldoublethestakes。So，asIwassaying，justatthetimethebookscameIgotaninklingofthisimportantbusiness，andliteraturewenttothewall。\'
\'Importantbusiness——what?\'
\'Thecaptureofthislady，tobesure。\'
DeStancysighedimpatiently。\'Iwishyouwerelesscalculating，andhadmoreoftheimpulsenaturaltoyouryears!\'
\'Game——byJove!Youhavelostagain，captain。Thatmakes——
letmesee——ninepoundsfifteentosquareus。\'
\'Ioweyouthat?\'saidDeStancy，startled。\'ItismorethanIhaveincash。Imustwriteanothercheque。\'
\'Nevermind。Makeitpayabletoyourself，andourconnectionwillbequiteunsuspected。\'
CaptainDeStancydidasrequested，androsefromhisseat。
SirWilliam，thoughfurtheroff，wasstillinthechurchyard。
\'Howcanyouhesitateforamomentaboutthisgirl?\'saidDare，pointingtothebentfigureoftheoldman。\'Thinkofthesatisfactionitwouldbetohimtoseehissonwithinthefamilywallsagain。Itshouldbeareligionwithyoutocompasssuchalegitimateendasthis。\'
\'Well，well，I\'llthinkofit，\'saidthecaptain，withanimpatientlaugh。\'YouarequiteaMephistopheles，Will——Isayittomysorrow!\'
\'WouldthatIwereinyourplace。\'
\'Wouldthatyouwere!FifteenyearsagoImighthavecalledthechanceamagnificentone。\'
\'Butyouareayoungmanstill，andyoulookyoungerthanyouare。Nobodyknowsourrelationship，andIamnotsuchafoolastodivulgeit。Ofcourse，ifthroughmeyoureclaimthissplendidpossession，Ishouldleaveittoyourfeelingswhatyouwoulddoforme。\'
SirWilliamhadbythistimeclearedoutofthechurchyard，andthepairemergedfromthevestryanddeparted。ProceedingtowardsMarktonbythesamebypath，theypresentlycametoaneminencecoveredwithbushesofblackthorn，andtuftsofyellowingfern。FromthispointagoodviewofthewoodsandgladesaboutStancyCastlecouldbeobtained。Darestoodstillonthetopandstretchedouthisfinger；thecaptain\'seyefollowedthedirection，andhesawabovethemany-huedfoliageinthemiddledistancethetoweringkeepofPaula\'scastle。
\'That\'sthegoalofyourambition，captain——ambitiondoI
say?——mostrighteousanddutifulendeavour!Howthehoaryshapecatchesthesunlight——itistheraisond\'etreofthelandscape，anditspossessioniscovetedbyathousandhearts。
Surelyitisanhereditarydesireofyours?Youmustmakeapointofreturningtoit，andappearinginthemapofthefutureasinthatofthepast。Idelightinthisworkofencouragingyou，andpushingyouforwardtowardsyourown。
Youarereallyveryclever，youknow，but——Isayitwithrespect——howcomesitthatyouwantsomuchwakingup?\'
\'BecauseIknowthedayisnotsobrightasitseems，myboy。
However，youmakealittlemistake。IfIcareforanythingonearth，Idocareforthatoldfortressofmyforefathers。I
respectsolittleamongthelivingthatallmyreverenceisformyowndead。Butmanoeuvring，evenformyown，asyoucallit，isnotinmyline。Itisdistasteful——itispositivelyhatefultome。\'
\'Well，well，letitstandthusforthepresent。Butwillyourefusemeonelittlerequest——merelytoseeher?I\'llcontriveitsothatshemaynotseeyou。Don\'trefuseme，itistheonethingIask，andIshallthinkithardifyoudenyme。\'
\'OWill!\'saidthecaptainwearily。\'Whywillyoupleadso?
No——eventhoughyourmindisparticularlysetuponit，I
cannotseeher，orbestowathoughtuponher，muchasIshouldliketogratifyyou。\'
VI。
WhentheyhadpartedDarewalkedalongtowardsMarktonwithresolveonhismouthandanunscrupulouslightinhisprominentblackeye。Couldanypersonwhohadheardthepreviousconversationhaveseenhimnow，hewouldhavefoundlittledifficultyindiviningthat，notwithstandingDeStancy\'sobduracy，thereinstationofCaptainDeStancyinthecastle，andthepossiblelegitimationandenrichmentofhimself，wasstillthedreamofhisbrain。Evenshouldanylegalsettlementoroffspringintervenetoniptheextremedevelopmentofhisprojects，therewasabundantopportunityforhisglorification。Twoconditionswereimperative。DeStancymustseePaulabeforeSomerset\'sreturn。AnditwasnecessarytohavehelpfromHavill，evenifitinvolvedlettinghimknowall。
WhetherHavillalreadyknewallwasanicequestionforMr。
Dare\'sluminousmind。Havillhadhadopportunitiesofreadinghissecret，particularlyonthenighttheyoccupiedthesameroom。Ifso，byrevealingittoPaula，Havillmightutterlyblasthisprojectforthemarriage。Havill，then，wasatallriskstoberetainedasanally。
YetDarewouldhavepreferredastrongercheckuponhisconfederatethanwasaffordedbyhisownknowledgeofthatanonymousletterandthecompetitiontrick。Forwerethecompetitionlosttohim，HavillwouldhavenofurtherinterestinconciliatingMissPower；wouldassoonasnotletherknowthesecretofDeStancy\'srelationtohim。
Fortuneasusualhelpedhiminhisdilemma。EnteringHavill\'soffice，Darefoundhimsittingthere；butthedrawingshadalldisappearedfromtheboards。Thearchitectheldanopenletterinhishand。
\'Well，whatnews?\'saidDare。
\'MissPowerhasreturnedtothecastle，SomersetisdetainedinLondon，andthecompetitionisdecided，\'saidHavill，withaglanceofquietdubiousness。
\'Andyouhavewonit?\'
\'No。Wearebracketed——it\'satie。Thejudgessaythereisnochoicebetweenthedesigns——thattheyaresingularlyequalandsingularlygood。Thatshewoulddowelltoadopteither。
SignedSo-and-So，FellowsoftheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects。Theresultisthatshewillemploywhichshepersonallylikesbest。ItisasifIhadspunasovereignintheairandithadalightedonitsedge。Theleastfalsemovementwillmakeittails；theleastwisemovementheads。\'
\'Singularlyequal。Well，weowethattoournocturnalvisit，whichmustnotbeknown。\'
\'OLord，no!\'saidHavillapprehensively。
Darefeltsecureofhimatthosewords。Havillhadmuchatstake；theslightestrumourofhistrickinbringingaboutthecompetition，wouldbefataltoHavill\'sreputation。
\'ThepermanentabsenceofSomersetthenisdesirablearchitecturallyonyouraccount，matrimoniallyonmine。\'
\'Matrimonially?Bytheway——whowasthatcaptainyoupointedouttomewhentheartilleryenteredthetown?\'
\'CaptainDeStancy——sonofSirWilliamDeStancy。He\'sthehusband。O，youneedn\'tlookincredulous:itispracticable；
butwewon\'targuethat。InthefirstplaceIwanthimtoseeher，andtoseeherinthemostlove-kindling，passion-
begettingcircumstancesthatcanbethoughtof。Andhemustseehersurreptitiously，forherefusestomeether。\'
\'Lethimseehergoingtochurchorchapel?\'
Dareshookhishead。
\'Drivingout?\'
\'Common-place!\'
\'Walkinginthegardens?\'
\'Ditto。\'
\'Athertoilet?\'
\'Ah——ifitwerepossible!\'
\'Whichithardlyis。Well，youhadbetterthinkitoverandmakeinquiriesaboutherhabits，andastowhensheisinafavourableaspectforobservation，asthealmanacssay。\'
ShortlyafterwardsDaretookhisleave。Intheeveninghemadeithisbusinesstositsmokingontheboleofatreewhichcommandedaviewoftheupperwardofthecastle，andalsooftheoldpostern-gate，nowenlargedandusedasatradesmen\'sentrance。Itwashalf-pastsixo\'clock；thedressing-bellrang，andDaresawalight-footedyoungwomanhastenatthesoundacrossthewardfromtheservants\'
quarter。AlightappearedinachamberwhichheknewtobePaula\'sdressing-room；andthereitremainedhalf-an-hour，ashadowpassingandrepassingontheblindinthestyleofhead-dresswornbythegirlhehadpreviouslyseen。Thedinner-bellsoundedandthelightwentout。
Asyetitwasscarcelydarkoutofdoors，andinafewminutesDarehadthesatisfactionofseeingthesamewomancrossthewardandemergeupontheslopewithout。Thistimeshewasbonneted，andcarriedalittlebasketinherhand。Anearerviewshowedhertobe，ashehadexpected，MillyBirch，Paula\'smaid，whohadfriendslivinginMarkton，whomshewasinthehabitofvisitingalmosteveryeveningduringthethreehoursofleisurewhichintervenedbetweenPaula\'sretirementfromthedressing-roomandreturnthitheratteno\'clock。
Whentheyoungwomanhaddescendedtheroadandpassedintothelargedrive，Dareroseandfollowedher。
\'O，itisyou，MissBirch，\'saidDare，onovertakingher。\'I
amgladtohavethepleasureofwalkingbyyourside。\'
\'Yes，sir。Oit\'sMr。Dare。Wedon\'tseeyouatthecastlenow，sir。\'
\'No。Anddoyougetawalklikethiseveryeveningwhentheothersareattheirbusiest?\'
\'Almosteveryevening；that\'stheonereturntothepoorlady\'smaidforlosingherleisurewhentheothersgetit——intheabsenceofthefamilyfromhome。\'
\'IsMissPowerahardmistress?\'
\'No。\'
\'Ratherfancifulthanhard，Ipresume?\'
\'Justso，sir。\'
\'Andshelikestoappeartoadvantage，nodoubt。\'
\'Isupposeso，\'saidMilly，laughing。\'Wealldo。\'
\'Whendoessheappeartothebestadvantage?Whenriding，ordriving，orreadingherbook?\'
\'Notaltogetherthen，ifyoumeantheverybest。\'
\'Perhapsitiswhenshesitslookingintheglassatherself，andyouletdownherhair。\'
\'Notparticularly，tomymind。\'
\'Whendoesshetoyourmind?Whendressedforadinner-partyorball?\'
\'She\'smiddling，then。Butthereisonetimewhenshelooksnicerandclevererthanatany。Itiswhensheisinthegymnasium。\'
\'O——gymnasium?\'
\'Becausewhensheisthereshewearssuchaprettyboy\'scostume，andissocharminginhermovements，thatyouthinksheisalovelyyoungyouthandnotagirlatall。\'
\'Whendoesshegotothisgymnasium?\'
\'Notsomuchassheusedto。Onlyonwetmorningsnow，whenshecan\'tgetoutforwalksordrives。Butsheusedtodoiteveryday。\'
\'Ishouldliketoseeherthere。\'
\'Why，sir?\'
\'Iamapoorartist，andcan\'taffordmodels。ToseeherattitudeswouldbeofgreatassistancetomeintheartIlovesowell。\'
Millyshookherhead。\'She\'sverystrictaboutthedoorbeinglocked。IfIweretoleaveitopenshewoulddismissme，asI
shoulddeserve。\'
\'Butconsider，dearMissBirch，theadvantagetoapoorartistthesightofherwouldbe:ifyoucouldholdthedoorajaritwouldbeworthfivepoundstome，andagooddealtoyou。\'
\'No，\'saidtheincorruptibleMilly，shakingherhead。
\'Besides，Idon\'talwaysgotherewithher。Ono，I
couldn\'t!\'
MillyremainedsofirmatthispointthatDaresaidnomore。
Whenhehadleftherhereturnedtothecastlegrounds，andthoughtherewasnotmuchlighthehadnodifficultyindiscoveringthegymnasium，theoutsideofwhichhehadobservedbefore，withoutthinkingtoinquireitspurpose。
Liketheerectionsinotherpartsoftheshrubberiesitwasconstructedofwood，theintersticesbetweentheframingbeingfilledupwithshortbilletsoffirnaileddiagonally。Dare，evenwhenwithoutasettledplaninhishead，couldarrangeforprobabilities；andwrenchingoutoneofthebilletshelookedinside。Itseemedtobeasimpleoblongapartment，fittedupwithropes，withalittledressing-closetatoneend，andlightedbyaskylightorlanternintheroof。Darereplacedthewoodandwentonhisway。
HavillwassmokingonhisdoorstepwhenDarepassedupthestreet。Hehelduphishand。
\'Sinceyouhavebeengone，\'saidthearchitect，\'I\'vehituponsomethingthatmayhelpyouinexhibitingyourladytoyourgentleman。InthesummerIhadorderstodesignagymnasiumforher，whichIdid；andtheysaysheisverycleverontheropesandbars。Now——\'
\'I\'vediscoveredit。Ishallcontriveforhimtoseeherthereonthefirstwetmorning，whichiswhenshepractises。
Whatmadeherthinkofit?\'
\'Asyoumayhaveheard，sheholdsadvancedviewsonsocialandothermatters；andinthoseonthehighereducationofwomensheisverystrong，talkingagooddealaboutthephysicaltrainingoftheGreeks，whomsheadores，ordid。Everyphilosopherandmanofsciencewhoventilateshistheoriesinthemonthlyreviewshasadevoutlistenerinher；andthissubjectofthephysicaldevelopmentofhersexhashaditsturnwithotherthingsinhermind。Soshehadtheplacebuiltonherveryfirstarrival，accordingtothelatestlightsonathletics，andinimitationofthoseatthenewcollegesforwomen。\'
\'Howdeucedcleverofthegirl!Shemeanstolivetobeahundred!\'
VII。
Thewetdayarrivedwithallthepromptnessthatmighthavebeenexpectedofitinthislandofrainsandmists。Thealderbushesbehindthegymnasiumdrippedmonotonouslyleafuponleaf，addedtothisbeingthepurloftheshallowstreamalittlewayoff，producingasenseofsatietyinwaterysounds。Thoughtherewasdrizzleintheopenmeads，therainhereinthethicketwascomparativelyslight，andtwomenwithfishingtacklewhostoodbeneathoneofthelargerbushesfounditsboughsasufficientshelter。
\'Wemayaswellwalkhomeagainasstudynaturehere，Willy，\'
saidthetallerandelderofthetwain。\'Ifeareditwouldcontinuewhenwestarted。Themagnificentsportyouspeakofmustrestforto-day。\'
Theotherlookedathiswatch，butmadenoparticularreply。
\'Come，letusmoveon。Idon\'tlikeintrudingintootherpeople\'sgroundslikethis，\'DeStancycontinued。
\'Wearenotintruding。Anybodywalksoutsidethisfence。\'Heindicatedanironrailingnewlytarred，dividingthewilderunderwoodamidwhichtheystoodfromtheinnerandwell-keptpartsoftheshrubbery，andagainstwhichthebackofthegymnasiumwasbuilt。
Lightfootstepsuponagravelwalkcouldbeheardontheothersideofthefence，andatrioofcloakedandumbrella-screenedfigureswereforamomentdiscernible。Theyvanishedbehindthegymnasium；andagainnothingresoundedbuttherivermurmursandtheclock-likedrippingsoftheleafage。
\'Hush!\'saidDare。
\'Nopranks，myboy，\'saidDeStancysuspiciously。\'Youshouldbeabovethem。\'
\'Andyoushouldtrusttomygoodsense，captain，\'Dareremonstrated。\'Ihavenotindulgedinapranksincethesixthyearofmypilgrimage。Ihavefoundthemtoodamagingtomyinterests。Well，itisnottoodryhere，anddampinjuresyourhealth，yousay。Haveapullforsafety\'ssake。\'HepresentedaflasktoDeStancy。
Theartilleryofficerlookeddownathisnethergarments。
\'Idon\'tbreakmyrulewithoutgoodreason，\'heobserved。
\'Iamafraidthatreasonexistsatpresent。\'
\'Iamafraiditdoes。Whathaveyougot?\'
\'Onlyalittlewine。\'
\'Whatwine?\'
\'Dotryit。Icallit\"theblushfulHippocrene，\"thatthepoetdescribesas\"TastingofFloraandthecountrygreen；
Dance，andProvencalsong，andsun-burntmirth。\"\'
DeStancytooktheflask，anddrankalittle。
\'Itwarms，doesitnot?\'saidDare。
\'Toomuch，\'saidDeStancywithmisgiving。\'Ihavebeentakenunawares。Why，itisthreepartsbrandy，tomytaste，youscamp!\'
Dareputawaythewine。\'Nowyouaretoseesomething，\'hesaid。
\'Something——whatisit?\'CaptainDeStancyregardedhimwithapuzzledlook。
\'Itisquiteacuriosity，andreallyworthseeing。Nowjustlookinhere。\'
Thespeakeradvancedtothebackofthebuilding，andwithdrewthewoodbilletfromthewall。
\'Will，Ibelieveyouareuptosometrick，\'saidDeStancy，not，however，suspectingtheactualtruthintheseunsuggestivecircumstances，andwithacomfortableresignation，producedbythepotentliquor，whichwouldhavebeencomicaltoanoutsider，butwhich，toonewhohadknownthehistoryandrelationshipofthetwospeakers，wouldhavewornasaddersignificance。\'IamtoobigafoolaboutyoutokeepyoudownasIought；that\'sthefaultofme，worseluck。\'
Hepressedtheyouth\'shandwithasmile，wentforward，andlookedthroughtheholeintotheinteriorofthegymnasium。
Darewithdrewtosomelittledistance，andwatchedCaptainDeStancy\'sface，whichpresentlybegantoassumeanexpressionofinterest。
Whatwasthecaptainseeing?Asortofopticalpoem。
Paula，inapinkflannelcostume，wasbending，wheelingandundulatingintheairlikeagold-fishinitsglobe，sometimesascendingbyherarmsnearlytothelantern，thenloweringherselftillsheswunglevelwiththefloor。HerauntMrs。
Goodman，andCharlotteDeStancy，weresittingoncamp-stoolsatoneend，watchinghergyrations，Paulaoccasionallyaddressingthemwithsuchanexpressionas——\'Now，Aunt，lookatme——andyou，Charlotte——isnotthatshockingtoyourweaknerves，\'whensomeadroitfeatwouldberepeated，which，however，seemedtogivemuchmorepleasuretoPaulaherselfinperformingitthantoMrs。Goodmaninlookingon，thelattersometimessaying，\'O，itisterrific——donotrunsuchariskagain!\'
ItwouldhavedemandedthepoeticpassionofsomejoyousElizabethanlyristlikeLodge，Nash，orConstable，tofitlyphrasePaula\'spresentationofherselfatthismomentofabsoluteabandonmenttoeverymuscularwhimthatcouldtakepossessionofsuchasuppleform。Thewhitemanillaropesclungabouttheperformerlikesnakesasshetookherexercise，andthecolourinherfacedeepenedasshewenton。
CaptainDeStancyfeltthat，muchashehadseeninearlylifeofbeautyinwoman，hehadneverseenbeautyofsucharealandlivingsortasthis。Arecollectionofhisvow，togetherwithasensethattogazeonthefestivalofthisBonaDeawas，thoughsoinnocentandprettyasight，hardlyfairorgentlemanly，wouldhavecompelledhimtowithdrawhiseyes，hadnotthesportivefascinationofherappearancegluedthemthereinspiteofall。AndasiftocompletethepictureofGracepersonifiedandaddtheonethingwantingtothecharmwhichboundhim，theclouds，tillthattimethickinthesky，brokeawayfromtheupperheaven，andallowedthenoondaysuntopourdownthroughthelanternuponher，irradiatingherwithawarmlightthatwasincarnadinedbyherpinkdoubletandhose，andreflectedinuponherface。Sheonlyrequiredacloudtorestoninsteadofthegreensilknetwhichactuallysupportedherrecliningfigureforthemoment，tobequiteOlympian；saveindeedthatinplaceofhaughtyeffronterytheresatonhercountenanceonlythehealthfulsprightlinessofanEnglishgirl。
DarehadwithdrawntoapointatwhichanotherpathcrossedthepathoccupiedbyDeStancy。Lookinginasidedirection，hesawHavillidlingslowlyuptohimoverthesilentgrass。
Havill\'sknowledgeoftheappointmenthadbroughthimouttoseewhatwouldcomeofit。WhenhenearedDare，butwasstillpartiallyhiddenbytheboughsfromthethirdoftheparty，theformersimplypointedtoDeStancyuponwhichHavillstoodandpeepedathim。\'Isshewithinthere?\'heinquired。
Darenodded，andwhispered，\'Youneednothaveasked，ifyouhadexaminedhisface。\'
\'That\'strue。\'
\'Afermentationisbeginninginhim，\'saidDare，halfpitifully；\'apurelychemicalprocess；andwhenitiscompletehewillprobablybeclear，andfiery，andsparkling，andquiteanothermanthanthegood，weak，easyfellowthathewas。\'
TopreciselydescribeCaptainDeStancy\'sadmirationwasimpossible。Asunseemedtoriseinhisface。Bywatchinghimtheycouldalmostseetheaspectofherwithinthewall，soaccuratelywereherchangingphasesreflectedinhim。Heseemedtoforgetthathewasnotalone。
\'Andisthis，\'hemurmured，inthemannerofoneonlyhalfapprehendinghimself，\'andisthistheendofmyvow?\'
Paulawassayingatthismoment，\'Arielsleepsinthisposture，doeshenot，Auntie?\'Suitingtheactiontothewordsheflungoutherarmsbehindherheadasshelayinthegreensilkhammock，idlyclosedherpinkeyelids，andswungherselftoandfro。
BOOKTHETHIRD。DESTANCY。
I。
CaptainDeStancywasachangedman。Ahithertowell-
repressedenergywasgivinghimmotiontowardslong-shunnedconsequences。Hisfeatureswere，indeed，thesameasbefore；
though，hadaphysiognomistchosentostudythemwiththeclosenessofanastronomerscanningtheuniverse，hewoulddoubtlesshavediscernedabundantnovelty。
InrecentyearsDeStancyhadbeenaneasy，melancholy，unaspiringofficer，enervatedanddepressedbyaparentalaffectionquitebeyondhiscontrolforthegracelessladDare——
theobtrusivemementoofashadowyperiodinDeStancy\'syouth，whothreatenedtobethecurseofhisoldage。
Throughoutalongspacehehadperseveredinhissystemofrigidlyincarceratingwithinhimselfallinstinctstowardstheoppositesex，witharesolutionthatwouldnothavedisgracedamuchstrongerman。Bythishabit，maintainedwithfairsuccess，achamberofhisnaturehadbeenpreservedintactduringmanylateryears，liketheonesolitarysealed-upcelloccasionallyretainedbybeesinalobeofdrainedhoney-comb。
Andthus，thoughhehadirretrievablyexhaustedtherelishofsociety，ofambition，ofaction，andofhisprofession，thelove-forcethathehadkeptimmuredalivewasstillareproduciblething。
ThesightofPaulainhergracefulperformance，whichthejudiciousDarehadsocarefullyplanned，leduptoandheightenedbysubtleaccessories，operatedonDeStancy\'ssurprisedsoulwithapromptnessalmostmagical。
Ontheeveningoftheself-sameday，havingdinedasusual，heretiredtohisrooms，wherehefoundahamperofwineawaitinghim。Ithadbeenanonymouslysent，andtheaccountwaspaid。
Hesmiledgrimly，butnolongerwithheaviness。InthisheinstantlyrecognizedthehandiworkofDare，who，havingatlastbrokendownthebarrierwhichDeStancyhaderectedroundhisheartforsomanyyears，actedlikeaskilledstrategist，andtookswiftmeasurestofollowuptheadvantagesotardilygained。
CaptainDeStancyknewhimselfconquered:heknewheshouldyieldtoPaula——hadindeedyielded；buttherewasnow，inhissolitude，anhourortwoofreaction。Hedidnotdrinkfromthebottlessent。Hewentearlytobed，andlaytossingthereontillfarintothenight，thinkingoverthecollapse。