\'Well，Ihavenorighttomakeobservations——youractionsarenotsubjecttomysurveillance；youfloatabovemyplane，\'
saidtheyoungmanwithsomebitterness。\'Buttospeakplainly，surelyhe——kissedyou?\'
\'No，\'shesaid。\'Heonlykissedtheairinfrontofme——eversofaroff。\'
\'Wasitsixinchesoff?\'
\'No，notsixinches。\'
\'Northree。\'
\'Itwasquiteone，\'shesaidwithaningenuousair。
\'Idon\'tcallthatveryfar。\'
\'Amissisasgoodasamile，saysthetime-honouredproverb；
anditisnotforusmodernmortalstoquestionitstruth。\'
\'Howcanyoubesooff-hand?\'brokeoutSomerset。\'Iloveyouwildlyanddesperately，Paula，andyouknowitwell!\'
\'Ihaveneverdeniedknowingit，\'shesaidsoftly。
\'Thenwhydoyou，withsuchknowledge，adoptanairoflevityatsuchamomentasthis!Youkeepmeatarm\'s-length，andwon\'tsaywhetheryoucareformeonebit，orno。Ihaveownedalltoyou；yetneveroncehaveyouownedanythingtome!\'
\'Ihaveownedmuch。AndyoudomewrongifyouconsiderthatIshowlevity。ButevenifIhadnotownedeverything，andyouall，itisnotaltogethersuchagrievousthing。\'
\'Youmeantosaythatitisnotgrievous，evenifamandoesloveawoman，andsuffersallthepainoffeelinghelovesinvain?Well，Isayitisquitethereverse，andIhavegroundsforknowing。\'
\'Now，don\'tfumeso，GeorgeSomerset，buthearme。Mynotowningallmaynothavethedreadfulmeaningyouthink，andthereforeitmaynotbereallysuchagrievousthing。Therearegenuinereasonsforwomen\'sconductinthesemattersaswellasformen\'s，thoughitissometimessupposedtoberegulatedentirelybycaprice。AndifIdonotgivewaytoeveryfeeling——Imeandemonstration——itisbecauseIdon\'twantto。Therenow，youknowwhatthatimplies；andbecontent\'
\'Verywell，\'saidSomerset，withrepressedsadness，\'Iwillnotexpectyoutosaymore。Butyoudolikemealittle，Paula?\'
\'Now!\'shesaid，shakingherheadwithsymptomsoftendernessandlookingintohiseyes。\'Whathaveyoujustpromised?
PerhapsIlikeyoualittlemorethanalittle，whichismuchtoomuch!Yes，——Shakespearesaysso，andheisalwaysright。
Doyoustilldoubtme?Ah，Iseeyoudo!\'
\'Becausesomebodyhasstoodnearertoyouto-nightthanI。\'
\'Afogylikehim!——halfasoldagainaseitherofus!Howcanyoumindhim?WhatshallIdotoshowyouthatIdonotforamomentlethimcomebetweenmeandyou?\'
\'Itisnotformetosuggestwhatyoushoulddo。ThoughwhatyoushouldpermitMEtodoisobviousenough。\'
Shedroppedhervoice:\'Youmean，permityoutodoreallyandinearnestwhatheonlyseemedtodointheplay。\'
Somersetsignifiedbyalookthatsuchhadbeenhisthought。
Paulawassilent。\'No，\'shemurmuredatlast。\'Thatcannotbe。Hedidnot，normustyou。\'
Itwassaidnonethelessdecidedlyforbeingspokenlow。
\'Youquiteresentsuchasuggestion:youhavearightto。I
begyourpardon，notforspeakingofit，butforthinkingit。\'
\'Idon\'tresentitatall，andIamnotoffendedonebit。ButIamnotthelessofopinionthatitispossibletobeprematureinsomethings；andtodothisjustnowwouldbepremature。Iknowwhatyouwouldsay——thatyouwouldnothaveaskedit，butforthatunfortunateimprovisationofitintheplay。ButthatIwasnotresponsiblefor，andthereforeowenoreparationtoyounow……Listen!\'
\'Paula——Paula!Whereintheworldareyou?\'washeardresoundingalongthecorridorinthevoiceofheraunt。\'Ourfriendsareallreadytoleave，andyouwillsurelybidthemgood-night!\'
\'Imustbegone——Iwon\'tringforyoutobeshownout——comethisway。\'
\'Buthowwillyougetoninrepeatingtheplaytomorroweveningifthatinterpolationisagainstyourwish?\'heasked，lookingherhardintheface。
\'I\'llthinkitoverduringthenight。Cometo-morrowmorningtohelpmesettle。But，\'sheadded，withcoyyetgenialindependence，\'listentome。Notawordmoreabouta——whatyouaskedfor，mind!Idon\'twanttogosofar，andIwillnot——notjustyetanyhow——Imeanperhapsnever。Youmustpromisethat，orIcannotseeyouagainalone。\'
\'Itshallbeasyourequest。\'
\'Verywell。Andnotawordofthistoasoul。Myauntsuspects:butsheisagoodauntandwillsaynothing。Nowthatisclearlyunderstood，Ishouldbegladtoconsultwithyoutomorrowearly。IwillcometoyouinthestudioorPleasanceassoonasIamdisengaged。\'
Shetookhimtoalittlechamfereddoorwayinthecorner，whichopenedintoadescendingturret；andSomersetwentdown。
Whenhehadunfastenedthedooratthebottom，andsteppedintothelowercorridor，sheasked，\'Areyoudown?\'Andonreceivinganaffirmativereplysheclosedthetopdoor。
X。
Somersetwasinthestudiothenextmorningaboutteno\'clocksuperintendingthelaboursofKnowles，Bowles，andCockton，whomhehadagainengagedtoassisthimwiththedrawingsonhisappointmenttocarryouttheworks。Whenhehadsetthemgoingheascendedthestaircaseofthegreattowerforsomepurposethatboreupontheforthcomingrepairsofthispart。
Passingthedoorofthetelegraph-roomheheardlittlesoundsfromtheinstrument，whichsomebodywasworking。Onlytwopeopleinthecastle，tothebestofhisknowledge，knewthetrickofthis；MissPower，andapageinherservicecalledJohn。MissDeStancycouldalsodespatchmessages，butshewasatMyrtleVilla。
Thedoorwasclosed，andmuchashewouldhavelikedtoenter，thepossibilitythatPaulawasnottheperformerledhimtowithholdhissteps。Hewentontowheretheuppermostmasonryhadresistedthemightyhostilityoftheelementsforfivehundredyearswithoutreceivingworsedilapidationthanhalf-
a-centuryproducesuponthefaceofman。Buthestillwonderedwhowastelegraphing，andwhetherthemessageboreonhousekeeping，architecture，theatricals，orlove。
CouldSomersethaveseenthroughthepanelsofthedoorinpassing，hewouldhavebeheldtheroomoccupiedbyPaulaalone。
Itwasshewhosatattheinstrument，andthemessageshewasdespatchingranasunder:——
\'Canyousenddownacompetentactress，whowillundertakethepartofPrincessofFrancein\"Love\'sLabour\'sLost\"thiseveninginatemporarytheatrehere?Dressesalreadyprovidedsuitabletoaladyaboutthemiddleheight。Stateprice。\'
Thetelegramwasaddressedtoawell-knowntheatricalagentinLondon。
Offwentthemessage，andPaularetiredintothenextroom，leavingthedooropenbetweenthatandtheoneshehadjustquitted。Hereshebusiedherselfwithwritingsomeletters，tillinlessthananhourthetelegraphinstrumentshowedsignsoflife，andshehastenedbacktoitsside。Thereplyreceivedfromtheagentwasasfollows:——
\'MissBarbaraBelloftheRegent\'sTheatrecouldcome。Quitecompetent。Hertermswouldbeabouttwenty-fiveguineas。\'
Withoutamoment\'spausePaulareturnedforanswer:——
\'Thetermsarequitesatisfactory。\'
Presentlysheheardtheinstrumentagain，andemergingfromthenextroominwhichshehadpassedtheinterveningtimeasbefore，sheread:——
\'MissBarbaraBell\'stermswereaccidentallyunderstated。
Theywouldbefortyguineas，inconsequenceofthedistance。
Amwaitingattheofficeforareply。\'
Paulasettoworkasbeforeandreplied:——
\'Quitesatisfactory；onlylethercomeatonce。\'
Shedidnotleavetheroomthistime，butwenttoanarrow-
slithardbyandgazedoutatthetreestilltheinstrumentbegantospeakagain。Returningtoitwithaleisurelymanner，implyingafullpersuasionthatthematterwassettled，shewassomewhatsurprisedtolearnthat\'MissBell，instatingherterms，understandsthatshewillnotberequiredtoleaveLondontillthemiddleoftheafternoon。Ifitisnecessaryforhertoleaveatonce，tenguineasextrawouldbeindispensable，onaccountofthegreatinconvenienceofsuchashortnotice。\'
Paulaseemedalittlevexed，butnotmuchconcernedshesentbackwithareadinessscarcelypoliticinthecircumstances:-
\'Shemuststartatonce。Priceagreedto。\'
HerimpatiencefortheanswerwasmixedwithcuriosityastowhetheritwasduetotheagentortoMissBarbaraBellthatthepriceshadgrownlikeJack\'sBean-stalkinthenegotiation。Anothertelegramdulycame:——
\'Travellingexpensesareexpectedtobepaid。\'
Withdecidedimpatienceshedashedoff:——
\'Ofcourse；butnothingmorewillbeagreedto。\'
Then，andonlythen，camethedesiredreply:——
\'MissBellstartsbythetwelveo\'clocktrain。\'
Thisbusinessbeingfinished，PaulaleftthechamberanddescendedintotheinclosurecalledthePleasance，aspotgrasseddownlikealawn。HerestoodSomerset，who，havingcomedownfromthetower，waslookingonwhileamansearchedforoldfoundationsunderthesodwithacrowbar。Hewasgladtoseeheratlast，andnoticedthatshelookedsereneandrelieved；butcouldnotforthemomentdivinethecause。
Paulacamenearer，returnedhissalutation，andregardedtheman\'soperationsinsilenceawhiletillhisworkledhimtoadistancefromthem。
\'Doyoustillwishtoconsultme?\'askedSomerset。
\'Aboutthebuildingperhaps，\'saidshe。\'Notabouttheplay。\'
\'Butyousaidso?\'
\'Yes；butitwillbeunnecessary。\'
Somersetthoughtthismeantskittishness，andmerelybowed。
\'Youmistakemeasusual，\'shesaid，inalowtone。\'Iamnotgoingtoconsultyouonthatmatter，becauseIhavedoneallyoucouldhaveaskedforwithoutconsultingyou。Itakenopartintheplayto-night。\'
\'Forgivemymomentarydoubt!\'
\'Somebodyelsewillplayforme——anactressfromLondon。Butonnoaccountmustthesubstitutionbeknownbeforehandortheperformanceto-nightwillnevercomeoff:andthatIshouldmuchregret。\'
\'CaptainDeStancywillnotplayhispartifheknowsyouwillnotplayyours——that\'swhatyoumean?\'
\'Youmaysupposeitis，\'shesaid，smiling。\'Andtoguardagainstthisyoumusthelpmetokeepthesecretbybeingmyconfederate。\'
TobePaula\'sconfederate；to-day，indeed，timehadbroughthimsomethingworthwaitingfor。\'Inanything!\'criedSomerset。
\'Onlyinthis!\'saidshe，withsoftseverity。\'Andyouknowwhatyouhavepromised，George!Andyourememberthereistobeno——whatwetalkedabout!Nowwillyougointheone-horsebroughamtoMarktonStationthisafternoon，andmeetthefouro\'clocktrain?InquireforaladyforStancyCastle——aMissBell；seehersafelyintothecarriage，andsendherstraightonhere。Iamparticularlyanxiousthatsheshouldnotenterthetown，forIthinksheoncecametoMarktoninastarringcompany，andshemightberecognized，andmyplanbedefeated。\'
Thussheinstructedherloveranddevotedfriend；andwhenhecouldstaynolongerheleftherinthegardentoreturntohisstudio。AsSomersetwentinbythegardendoorhemetastrange-lookingpersonagecomingoutbythesamepassage——astranger，withthemannerofaDutchman，thefaceofasmelter，andtheclothesofaninhabitantofGuiana。Thestranger，whomwehavealreadyseensittingatthebackofthetheatrethenightbefore，lookedhardfromSomersettoPaula，andfromPaulaagaintoSomerset，ashesteppedout。Somersethadanunpleasantconvictionthatthisqueergentlemanhadbeenstandingforsometimeinthedoorwayunnoticed，quizzinghimandhismistressastheytalkedtogether。Ifsohemighthavelearntasecret。
Whenhearrivedupstairs，Somersetwenttoawindowcommandingaviewofthegarden。Paulastillstoodinherplace，andthestrangerwasearnestlyconversingwithher。Soontheypassedroundthecorneranddisappeared。
ItwasnowtimeforhimtoseeaboutstartingforMarkton，anintelligiblezestforcircumventingtheardentandcoercivecaptainofartillerysavinghimfromanyunnecessarydelayinthejourney。Hewasatthestationtenminutesbeforethetrainwasdue；andwhenitdrewuptotheplatformthefirstpersontojumpoutwasCaptainDeStancyinsportsman\'sattireandwithaguninhishand。Somersetnodded，andDeStancyspoke，informingthearchitectthathehadbeentenmilesupthelineshootingwaterfowl。\'That\'sMissPower\'scarriage，I
think，\'headded。
\'Yes，\'saidSomersetcarelessly。\'Sheexpectsafriend，I
believe。Weshallseeyouatthecastleagainto-night?\'
DeStancyassuredhimthattheywould，andthetwomenparted，CaptainDeStancy，whenhehadglancedtoseethatthecarriagewasempty，goingontowhereaporterstoodwithacoupleofspaniels。
Somersetnowlookedagaintothetrain。Whilehisbackhadbeenturnedtoconversewiththecaptain，aladyoffive-and-
thirtyhadalightedfromtheidenticalcompartmentoccupiedbyDeStancy。ShemadeaninquiryaboutgettingtoStancyCastle，uponwhichSomerset，whohadnottillnowobservedher，wentforward，andintroducinghimselfassistedhertothecarriageandsawhersafelyoff。
DeStancyhadbythistimedisappeared，andSomersetwalkedontohisroomsattheLord-Quantock-Arms，whereheremainedtillhehaddined，picturingthediscomfitureofhisalertrivalwhenthereshouldentertohimasPrincess，notPaulaPower，butMissBelloftheRegent\'sTheatre，London。Thusthehourpassed，tillhefoundthatifhemeanttoseetheissueoftheplotitwastimetobeoff。
Onarrivingatthecastle，Somersetenteredbythepublicdoorfromthehallasbefore，anaturaldelicacyleadinghimtofeelthatthoughhemightbewelcomedasanallyatthestage-
door——inotherwords，thedoorfromthecorridor——itwasadvisablenottotaketooreadyanadvantageofaprivilegewhich，intheexistingsecrecyofhisunderstandingwithPaula，mightleadtoanoverthrowofherplansonthatpoint。
Notintendingtositoutthewholeperformance，Somersetcontentedhimselfwithstandinginawindowrecessneartheproscenium，whencehecouldobserveboththestageandthefrontrowsofspectators。HewasquiteuncertainwhetherPaulawouldappearamongtheaudienceto-night，andresolvedtowaitevents。Justbeforetheriseofthecurtaintheyoungladyinquestionenteredandsatdown。WhenthescenerywasdisclosedandtheKingofNavarreappeared，whatwasSomerset\'ssurprisetofindthat，thoughthepartwastheparttakenbyDeStancyonthepreviousnight，thevoicewasthatofMr。Mild；tohim，attheappointedseason，enteredthePrincess，namely，MissBarbaraBell。
BeforeSomersethadrecoveredfromhiscrestfallensensationatDeStancy\'selusiveness，thatofficerhimselfemergedineveningdressfrombehindacurtainformingawingtotheproscenium，andSomersetremarkedthattheminorpartoriginallyallottedtohimwasfilledbythesubalternwhohadenacteditthenightbefore。DeStancyglancedacross，whetherbyaccidentorotherwiseSomersetcouldnotdetermine，andhisglanceseemedtosayhequiterecognizedtherehadbeenatrialofwitsbetweenthem，andthat，thankstohischancemeetingwithMissBellinthetrain，hishadprovedthestronger。
Thehousebeinglesscrowdedto-nighttherewereoneortwovacantchairsinthebestpart。DeStancy，advancingfromwherehehadstoodforafewmoments，seatedhimselfcomfortablybesideMissPower。
Ontheothersideofherhenowperceivedthesamequeerelderlyforeignerasheappearedwhohadcometoherinthegardenthatmorning。SomersetwassurprisedtoperceivealsothatPaulawithverylittlehesitationintroducedhimandDeStancytoeachother。Aconversationensuedbetweenthethree，nonethelessanimatedforbeingcarriedoninawhisper，inwhichPaulaseemedonstrangelyintimatetermswiththestranger，andthestrangertoshowfeelingsofgreatfriendshipforDeStancy，consideringthattheymustbenewacquaintances。
Theplayproceeded，andSomersetstilllingeredinhiscorner。
HecouldnothelpfancyingthatDeStancy\'singeniousrelinquishmentofhispart，anditsobviousreason，waswinningPaula\'sadmiration。Hisconductwashomagecarriedtounscrupulousandinconvenientlengths，asortofthingwhichawomanmaychide，butwhichshecanneverresent。Whocoulddootherwisethantalkkindlytoaman，inclinealittletohim，andcondonehisfault，whenthesolemotiveofsoaudaciousanexerciseofhiswitswastoescapeactingwithanyotherheroinethanherself。
Hisconjectureswerebroughttoapausebytheendingofthecomedy，andtheopportunityaffordedhimofjoiningthegroupinfront。Themassofpeopleweresoongone，andtheknotoffriendsassembledaroundPaulawerediscussingthemeritsandfaultsofthetwodays\'performance。
\'Myuncle，Mr。AbnerPower，\'saidPaulasuddenlytoSomerset，ashecamenear，presentingthestrangertotheastonishedyoungman。\'Icouldnotseeyoubeforetheperformance，asI
shouldhavelikedtodo。Thereturnofmyuncleissoextraordinarythatitoughttobetoldinalesshurriedwaythanthis。Hehasbeensupposeddeadbyallofusfornearlytenyears——eversincethetimewelastheardfromhim。\'
\'ForwhichIamtoblame，\'saidMr。Power，noddingtoPaula\'sarchitect。\'YetnotI，butaccidentandasluggishtemperament。Therearetimes，MrSomerset，whenthehumancreaturefeelsnointerestinhiskind，andassumesthathiskindfeelsnointerestinhim。Thefeelingisnotactiveenoughtomakehimflyfromtheirpresence；butsufficienttokeephimsilentifhehappenstobeaway。Imaynothavedescribeditprecisely；butthisIknow，thataftermylongillness，andthefanciedneglectofmyletters——\'
\'Forwhichmyfatherwasnottoblame，sincehedidnotreceivethem，\'saidPaula。
\'Forwhichnobodywastoblame——afterthat，Isay，Iwrotenomore。\'
\'Youhavemuchpleasureinreturningatlast，nodoubt，\'saidSomerset。
\'Sir，asIremainedawaywithoutparticularpain，soIreturnwithoutparticularjoy。Ispeakthetruth，andnocompliments。Imayaddthatthereisoneexceptiontothisabsenceoffeelingfrommyheart，namely，thatIdoderivegreatsatisfactionfromseeinghowmightilythisyoungwomanhasgrownandprevailed。\'
Thisaddress，thoughdeliverednominallytoSomerset，waslistenedtobyPaula，Mrs。Goodman，andDeStancyalso。Afterutteringit，thespeakerturnedaway，andcontinuedhispreviousconversationwithCaptainDeStancy。FromthistimetillthegrouppartedheneveragainspokedirectlytoSomerset，payinghimbarelysomuchattentionashemighthaveexpectedasPaula\'sarchitect，andcertainlylessthanhemighthavesupposedhisdueasheracceptedlover。
Theresultoftheappearance，asfromthetomb，ofthiswintrymanwasthattheeveningendedinafrigidandformalwaywhichgavelittlesatisfactiontothesensitiveSomerset，whowasabstractedandconstrainedbyreasonofthoughtsonhowthisresuscitationoftheunclewouldaffecthisrelationwithPaula。Itwaspossiblyalsothethoughtoftwoatleastoftheothers。Therehad，intruth，scarcelyyetbeentimeenoughtoadumbratethepossibilitiesopenedupbythisgentleman\'sreturn。
TheonlyprivatewordexchangedbySomersetwithanyonethatnightwaswithMrs。Goodman，inwhomhealwaysrecognizedafriendtohiscause，thoughthefluidityofhercharacterrenderedherbutafeebleoneatthebestoftimes。SheinformedhimthatMr。PowerhadnosortoflegalcontroloverPaula，ordirectioninherestates；butSomersetcouldnotdoubtthatanearandonlybloodrelation，evenhadhepossessedbuthalfthestaticforceofcharacterthatmadeitselfapparentinMr。Power，mightexerciseconsiderablemoralinfluenceoverthegirlifhechose。AndinviewofMr。
Power\'smarkedpreferenceforDeStancy，Somersethadmanymisgivingsastoitsoperatinginadirectionfavourabletohimself。
XI。
Somersetwasdeeplyengagedwithhisdraughtsmenandbuildersduringthethreefollowingdays，andscarcelyenteredtheoccupiedwingofthecastle。
AthissuggestionPaulahadagreedtohavetheworksexecutedassuchoperationswerecarriedoutinoldtimes，beforetheadventofcontractors。Eachtraderequiredinthebuildingwastoberepresentedbyamaster-tradesmanofthatdenomination，whoshouldstandresponsibleforhisownsectionoflabour，andfornoother，Somersethimselfaschieftechnicistworkingouthisdesignsonthespot。Bythismeansthethoroughnessoftheworkmanshipwouldbegreatlyincreasedincomparisonwiththemodernarrangement，wherebyanominalbuilder，seldompresent，whocancertainlyknownomorethanonetradeintimatelyandwell，andwhooftendoesnotknowthat，undertakesthewhole。
Butnotwithstandingitsmanifestadvantagestotheproprietor，theplanaddedlargelytotheresponsibilitiesofthearchitect，who，withhismaster-mason，master-carpenter，master-plumber，andwhatnot，hadscarcelyamomenttocallhisown。Still，themethodbeinguponthefaceofitthetrueone，Somersetsupervisedwithawill。
Butthereseemedtofloatacrossthecourttohimfromtheinhabitedwinganintimationthatthingswerenotastheyhadbeenbefore；thataninfluenceadversetohimselfwasatworkbehindtheashlaredfaceofinnerwallwhichconfrontedhim。
PerhapsthiswasbecauseheneversawPaulaatthewindows，orheardherfootfallinthathalfofthebuildinggivenovertohimselfandhismyrmidons。Therewasreallynoreasonotherthanasentimentalonewhyheshouldseeher。Theuninhabitedpartofthecastlewasalmostanindependentstructure，anditwasquitenaturaltoexistforweeksinthiswingwithoutcomingincontactwithresidentsintheother。
Amorepronouncedcausethanvaguesurmisewasdestinedtoperturbhim，andthisinanunexpectedmanner。IthappenedonemorningthatheglancedthroughalocalpaperwhilewaitingattheLord-Quantock-Armsforthepony-carriagetobebroughtroundinwhichheoftendrovetothecastle。Thepaperwastwodaysold，buttohisunutterableamazementhereadthereinaparagraphwhichranasfollows:——
\'WeareinformedthatamarriageislikelytobearrangedbetweenCaptainDeStancy，oftheRoyalHorseArtillery，onlysurvivingsonofSirWilliamDeStancy，Baronet，andPaula，onlydaughterofthelateJohnPower，Esq。，M。P。，ofStancyCastle。\'
Somersetdroppedthepaper，andstaredoutofthewindow。
Fortunatelyforhisemotions，thehorseandcarriagewereatthismomentbroughttothedoor，sothatnothinghinderedSomersetindrivingofftothespotatwhichhewouldbesoonestlikelytolearnwhattruthorotherwisetherewasinthenewspaperreport。Fromthefirsthedoubtedit:andyethowshouldithavegotthere?Suchstrangerumours，likeparadoxicalmaxims，generallyincludeaportionoftruth。
FivedayshadelapsedsincehelastspoketoPaula。
Reachingthecastleheenteredhisownquartersasusual，andaftersettingthedraughtsmentoworkwalkedupanddownponderinghowhemightbestseeherwithoutmakingtheparagraphthegroundofhisrequestforaninterview；forifitwereafabrication，suchareasonwouldwoundherprideinherownhonourtowardshim，andifitwerepartlytrue，hewouldcertainlydobetterinleavingheralonethaninreproachingher。ItwouldsimplyamounttoaproofthatPaulawasanarrantcoquette。
Inhismeditationhestoodstill，closelyscanningoneofthejamb-stonesofadoorlessentrance，asiftodiscoverwheretheoldhinge-hookhadenteredthestonework。Heheardafootstepbehindhim，andlookingroundsawPaulastandingby。
Sheheldanewspaperinherhand。Thespotwasonequitehemmedinfromobservation，afactofwhichsheseemedtobequiteaware。
\'Ihavesomethingtotellyou，\'shesaid；\'somethingimportant。ButyouaresooccupiedwiththatoldstonethatI
amobligedtowait。\'
\'Itisnottruesurely!\'hesaid，lookingatthepaper。
\'No，lookhere，\'shesaid，holdingupthesheet。Itwasnotwhathehadsupposed，butanewone——thelocalrivaltothatwhichhadcontainedtheannouncement，andwasstilldampfromthepress。Shepointed，andheread——
\'WeareauthorizedtostatethatthereisnofoundationwhateverfortheassertionofourcontemporarythatamarriageislikelytobearrangedbetweenCaptainDeStancyandMissPowerofStancyCastle。\'
Somersetpressedherhand。\'Itdisturbedme，\'hesaid，\'thoughIdidnotbelieveit。\'
\'Itastonishedme，asmuchasitdisturbedyou；andIsentthiscontradictionatonce。\'
\'Howcouldithavegotthere?\'
Sheshookherhead。
\'Youhavenottheleastknowledge?\'
\'Nottheleast。IwishIhad。\'
\'ItwasnotfromanyfriendsofDeStancy\'s?orhimself?\'
\'Itwasnot。Hissisterhasascertainedbeyonddoubtthatheknewnothingofit。Well，now，don\'tsayanymoretomeaboutthematter。\'
\'I\'llfindouthowitgotintothepaper。\'
\'Notnow——anyfuturetimewilldo。Ihavesomethingelsetotellyou。\'
\'Ihopethenewsisasgoodasthelast，\'hesaid，lookingintoherfacewithanxiety；forthoughthatfacewasblooming，itseemedfullofadoubtastohowhernextinformationwouldbetaken。
\'Oyes；itisgood，becauseeverybodysaysso。Wearegoingtotakeadelightfuljourney。Mynew-createduncle，asheseems，andI，andmyaunt，andperhapsCharlotte，ifsheiswellenough，aregoingtoNice，andotherplacesaboutthere。\'
\'ToNice!\'saidSomerset，ratherblankly。\'AndImuststayhere?\'
\'Why，ofcourseyoumust，consideringwhatyouhaveundertaken!\'shesaid，lookingwithsaucycomposureintohiseyes。\'Myuncle\'sreasonforproposingthejourneyjustnowis，thathethinksthealterationswillmakeresidenceheredustyanddisagreeableduringthespring。Theopportunityofgoingwithhimistoogoodaoneforustolose，asIhaveneverbeenthere。\'
\'IwishIwasgoingtobeoneoftheparty!……WhatdoYOU
wishaboutit?\'
Sheshookherheadimpenetrably。\'Awomanmaywishsomethingsshedoesnotcaretotell!\'
\'Areyoureallygladyouaregoing，dearest?——asIMUSTcallyoujustonce，\'saidtheyoungman，gazingearnestlyintoherface，whichstruckhimaslookingfartoorosyandradianttobeconsistentwitheversolittleregretatleavinghimbehind。
\'Itakegreatinterestinforeigntrips，especiallytotheshoresoftheMediterranean:andeverybodymakesapointofgettingawaywhenthehouseisturnedoutofthewindow。\'
\'Butyoudofeelalittlesadness，suchasIshouldfeelifourpositionswerereversed?\'
\'Ithinkyououghtnottohaveaskedthatsoincredulously，\'
shemurmured。\'Wecanbeneareachotherinspirit，whenourbodiesarefarapart，canwenot?\'Hertonegrewsofterandshedrewalittleclosertohissidewithaslightlynestlingmotion，asshewenton，\'MayIbesurethatyouwillnotthinkunkindlyofmewhenIamabsentfromyoursight，andnotbegrudgemeanylittlepleasurebecauseyouarenottheretoshareitwithme?\'
\'Mayyou!Canyouaskit?……Asforme，Ishallhavenopleasuretobebegrudgedorotherwise。TheonlypleasureI
haveis，asyouwellknow，inyou。Whenyouarewithme，Iamhappy:whenyouareaway，Itakenopleasureinanything。\'
\'Idon\'tdeserveit。Ihavenorighttodisturbyouso，\'shesaid，verygently。\'ButIhavegivenyousomepleasure，haveInot?Alittlemorepleasurethanpain，perhaps?\'
\'Youhave，andyet……ButIdon\'taccuseyou，dearest。
Yes，youhavegivenmepleasure。Onetrulypleasanttimewaswhenwestoodtogetherinthesummer-houseontheeveningofthegarden-party，andyousaidyoulikedmetoloveyou。\'
\'Yes，itwasapleasanttime，\'shereturnedthoughtfully。
\'Howtheraincamedown，andformedagauzebetweenusandthedancers，diditnot；andhowafraidwewere——atleastIwas——
lestanybodyshoulddiscoverusthere，andhowquicklyIraninaftertherainwasover!\'
\'Yes\'，saidSomerset，\'Irememberit。Butnoharmcameofittoyou……Andperhapsnogoodwillcomeofittome。\'
\'Donotbeprematureinyourconclusions，sir，\'shesaidarchly。\'Ifyoureallydofeelformeonlyhalfwhatyousay，weshall——youwillmakegoodcomeofit——insomewayorother。\'
\'DearPaula——nowIbelieveyou，andcanbearanything。\'
\'Thenwewillsaynomore；because，asyourecollect，weagreednottogotoofar。Noexpostulations，forwearegoingtobepracticalyoungpeople；besides，Iwon\'tlistenifyouutterthem。Isimplyechoyourwords，andsayI，too，believeyou。NowImustgo。Havefaithinme，anddon\'tmagnifytrifleslightasair。\'
\'ITHINKIunderstandyou。AndifIdo，itwillmakeagreatdifferenceinmyconduct。Youwillhavenocausetocomplain。\'
\'Thenyoumustnotunderstandmesomuchastomakemuchdifference；foryourconductasmyarchitectisperfect。ButImustnotlingerlonger，thoughIwishedyoutoknowthisnewsfrommyveryownlips。\'
\'Blessyouforit!Whendoyouleave?\'
\'Thedayafterto-morrow。\'
\'Soearly?Doesyouruncleguessanything?Doyouwishhimtobetoldjustyet?\'
\'Yes，tothefirst；no，tothesecond。\'
\'Imaywritetoyou?\'
\'Onbusiness，yes。Itwillbenecessary。\'
\'Howcanyouspeaksoatatimeofparting?\'
\'Now，George——youseeIsayGeorge，andnotMr。Somerset，andyoumaydrawyourowninference——don\'tbesomorbidinyourreproaches!Ihaveinformedyouthatyoumaywrite，orstillbetter，telegraph，sincethewireissohandy——onbusiness。
Well，ofcourse，itisforyoutojudgewhetheryouwilladdpostscriptsofanothersort。There，youmakemesaymorethanawomanought，becauseyouaresoobtuseandliteral。Goodafternoon——good-bye!Thiswillbemyaddress。\'
Shehandedhimaslipofpaper，andflittedaway。
Thoughhesawheragainafterthis，itwasduringthebustleofpreparation，whentherewasalwaysathirdpersonpresent，usuallyintheshapeofthatbreathingrefrigerator，heruncle。Hencethefewwordsthatpassedbetweenthemwereofthemostformaldescription，andchieflyconcernedtherestorationofthecastle，andachurchatNicedesignedbyhim，whichhewantedhertoinspect。
Theyweretoleavebyanearlyafternoontrain，andSomersetwasinvitedtolunchonthatday。ThemorningwasoccupiedbyalongbusinessconsultationinthestudiowithMr。PowerandMrs。Goodmanonwhatroomsweretobeleftlockedup，whatleftinchargeoftheservants，andwhatthrownopentothebuildersandworkmenunderthesurveillanceofSomerset。Atpresenttheworkconsistedmostlyofrepairstoexistingrooms，soastorenderthosehabitablewhichhadlongbeenusedonlyasstoresforlumber。Pauladidnotappearduringthisdiscussion；butwhentheywereallseatedinthedining-
hallshecameindressedforthejourney，and，tooutwardappearance，withblitheanticipationatitsprospectbloomingfromeveryfeature。NexttohercameCharlotteDeStancy，stillwithsomeofthepallorofaninvalid，butwonderfullybrightenedup，asSomersetthought，bytheprospectofavisittoadelightfulshore。Itmighthavebeenthis；anditmighthavebeenthatSomerset\'spresencehadashareinthechange。
Itwasinthehall，whentheywereinthebustleofleave-
taking，thatthereoccurredtheonlyopportunityforthetwoorthreeprivatewordswithPaulatowhichhisstartreatedhimonthatlastday。Histookthehastyformof，\'Youwillwritesoon?\'
\'Telegraphingwillbequicker，\'sheansweredinthesamelowtone；andwhispering\'Betruetome!\'turnedaway。
Howunreasonablehewas!Inadditiontothosewords，warmastheywere，hewouldhavepreferredalittlepalenessofcheek，ortremblingoflip，insteadofthebloomandthebeautywhichsatuponherundisturbedmaidenhood，totellhimthatinsomeslightwayshesufferedathisloss。
Immediatelyafterthistheywenttothecarriageswaitingatthedoor。Somerset，whohadinameasuretakenchargeofthecastle，accompaniedthemandsawthemoff，muchasiftheywerehisvisitors。Shesteppedin，ageneraladieuwasspoken，andshewasgone。
Whilethecarriagesrolledaway，heascendedtothetopofthetower，wherehesawthemlessentospotsontheroad，andturnthecorneroutofsight。ThechancesofarivalseemedtogrowinproportionasPaularecededfromhisside；buthecouldnothaveansweredwhy。Hehadbiddenherandherrelativesadieuonherowndoorstep，likeaprivilegedfriendofthefamily，whileDeStancyhadscarcelyseenhersincetheplay-night。Thatthesilenceintowhichthecaptainappearedtohavesunkwastheplacidityofconsciouspower，wasscarcelyprobable；yetthatadventitiousaidsexistedforDeStancyhecouldnotdeny。ThelinkformedbyCharlottebetweenDeStancyandPaula，muchashelikedtheingenuousgirl，wasonethathecouldhavewishedaway。ItconstitutedabridgeofaccesstoPaula\'sinnerlifeandfeelingswhichnothingcouldrival；exceptthatonefactwhich，ashefirmlybelieved，didactuallyrivalit，givinghimfaithandhope；
hisownprimaryoccupationofPaula\'sheart。Moreover，Mrs。
Goodmanwouldbeaninfluencefavourabletohimselfandhiscauseduringthejourney；though，tobesure，tosetagainsthertherewasthephlegmaticandobstinateAbnerPower，inwhom，apprisedbythosesubtlemediaofintelligencewhichloverspossess，hefanciedhesawnofriend。
Somersetremainedbutashorttimeatthecastlethatday。
Thelightofitschambershadfled，thegrossgrandeurofthedictatorialtowersoppressedhim，andthestudiowashateful。
HerememberedapromisemadelongagotoMr。Woodwellofcallinguponhimsomeafternoon；andavisitwhichhadnotmuchattractivenessinitatothertimesrecommendeditselfnow，throughbeingtheonepossiblewayopentohimofhearingPaulanamedandherdoingstalkedof。HenceinwalkingbacktoMarkton，insteadofgoinguptheHighStreet，heturnedasideintotheunfrequentedfootwaythatledtotheminister\'scottage。
Mr。Woodwellwasnotindoorsatthemomentofhiscall，andSomersetlingeredatthedoorway，andcasthiseyesaround。
Itwasahousewhichtypifiedthedreariertenetsofitsoccupierwithgreatexactness。Itstooduponitsspotofearthwithoutanynaturalunionwithit:nomossesdisguisedthestiffstraightlinewherewallmetearth；notacreepersoftenedtheaspectofthebarefront。Thegardenwalkwasstrewnwithlooseclinkersfromtheneighbouringfoundry，whichrolledunderthepedestrian\'sfootandjoltedhissouloutofhimbeforehereachedtheporchlessdoor。Butallwasclean，andclear，anddry。
WhetherMr。Woodwellwaspersonallyresponsibleforthisconditionofthingstherewasnottimetocloselyconsider，forSomersetperceivedtheministercomingupthewalktowardshim。Mr。Woodwellwelcomedhimheartily；andyetwiththemienofamanwhosemindhasscarcelydismissedsomescenewhichhasprecededtheonethatconfrontshim。Whatthatscenewassoontranspired。
\'Ihavehadabusyafternoon，\'saidtheminister，astheywalkedindoors；\'orratheranexcitingafternoon。YourclientatStancyCastle，whoseuncle，asIimagineyouknow，hassounexpectedlyreturned，hasleftwithhimto-dayforthesouthofFrance；andIwishedtoaskherbeforeherdeparturesomequestionsastohowacharityorganizedbyherfatherwastobeadministeredinherabsence。ButIhavebeenveryunfortunate。Shecouldnotfindtimetoseemeatherownhouse，andIawaitedheratthestation，alltonopurpose，owingtothepresenceofherfriends。Well，well，Imustseeifaletterwillfindher。\'
Somersetaskedifanybodyoftheneighbourhoodwastheretoseethemoff。
\'Yes，thatwasthetroubleofit。CaptainDeStancywasthere，andquitemonopolizedher。Idon\'tknowwhat\'tiscomingto，andperhapsIhavenobusinesstoinquire，sincesheisscarcelyamemberofourchurchnow。WhocouldhaveanticipatedthedaughterofmyoldfriendJohnPowerdevelopingintotheordinarygaywomanoftheworldasshehasdone?WhocouldhaveexpectedhertoassociatewithpeoplewhoshowcontemptfortheirMaker\'sintentionsbyflippantlyassumingothercharactersthanthoseinwhichHecreatedthem?\'
\'Youmistakeher，\'murmuredSomerset，inavoicewhichhevainlyendeavouredtoattunetophilosophy。\'MissPowerhassomeveryrareandbeautifulqualitiesinhernature，thoughI
confessItremble——fearlesttheDeStancyinfluenceshouldbetoostrong。\'
\'Sir，itisalready!DoyouremembermytellingyouthatI
thoughttheforceofhersurroundingswouldobscurethepuredaylightofherspirit，asamonkishwindowofcolouredimagesattenuatestheraysofGod\'ssun?Idonotwishtoindulgeinrashsurmises，butheroscillationfromherfamilycreedofCalvinistictruthtowardsthetraditionsoftheDeStancyshasbeensodecided，thoughsogradual，that——well，Imaybewrong。\'
\'Thatwhat?\'saidtheyoungmansharply。
\'Isometimesthinkshewilltaketoherashusbandthepresentrepresentativeofthatimpoverishedline——CaptainDeStancy——
whichshemayeasilydo，ifshechooses，ashisbehaviourto-
dayshowed。\'
\'Hewasprobablythereonaccountofhissister，\'saidSomerset，tryingtoescapethementalpictureoffarewellgallantriesbestowedonPaula。
\'Itwashintedatinthepaperstheotherday。\'
\'Anditwasflatlycontradicted。\'
\'Yes。Well，weshallseeintheLord\'sgoodtime；Icandonomoreforher。Andnow，Mr。Somerset，praytakeacupoftea。\'
TherevelationsoftheministerdepressedSomersetalittle，andhedidnotstaylong。AshewenttothedoorWoodwellsaid，\'Thereisaworthyman——thedeaconofourchapel，Mr。
Havill——whowouldliketobefriendlywithyou。Poorman，sincethedeathofhiswifeheseemstohavesomethingonhismind——sometroublewhichmywordswillnotreach。Ifeveryouarepassinghisdoor，pleasegivehimalookin。Hefearsthatcallingonyoumightbeanintrusion。\'
Somersetdidnotclearlypromise，andwenthisway。Theminister\'sallusiontotheannouncementofthemarriageremindedSomersetthatshehadexpressedawishtoknowhowtheparagraphcametobeinserted。Thewishhadbeencarelesslyspoken；buthewenttothenewspaperofficetomakeinquiriesonthepoint。