ToCarlsruhetheywentnextday，afteranightofsoftrainwhichbroughtupawarmsteamfromtheSchwarzwaldvalleys，andcausedtheyoungtuftsandgrassestoswellvisiblyinafewhours。AftertheBadenslopestheflatthoroughfaresof\'Charles\'sRest\'seemedsomewhatuninteresting，thoughabusyfairwhichwasproceedinginthestreetscreatedaquaintandunexpectedliveliness。Onreachingtheold-fashionedinnintheLange-Strassethattheyhadfixedon，thewomenofthepartybetookthemselvestotheirroomsandshowedlittleinclinationtoseemoreoftheworldthatdaythancouldbegleanedfromthehotelwindows。
III。
WhilethemalignanttongueshadbeenplayinghavocwithSomerset\'sfameintheearsofPaulaandhercompanion，theyoungmanhimselfwasproceedingpartlybyrail，partlyonfoot，belowandamidtheolive-cladhills，vineyards，carobgroves，andlemongardensoftheMediterraneanshores。
ArrivedatSanRemohewrotetoNicetoinquireforletters，andsuchashadcomeweredulyforwarded；butnotoneofthemwasfromPaula。Thisbrokedownhisresolutiontoholdoff，andhehasteneddirectlytoGenoa，regrettingthathehadnottakenthisstepwhenhefirstheardthatshewasthere。
Somethingintheveryaspectofthemarblehallsofthatcity，whichatanyothertimehewouldhavelikedtolingerover，whisperedtohimthatthebirdhadflown；andinquiryconfirmedthefancy。Nevertheless，thearchitecturalbeautiesofthepalace-borderedstreet，lookingasifmountainsofmarblemusthavebeenlevelledtosupplythematerialsforconstructingit，detainedhimtheretwodays:orratherafeatofresolution，bywhichhesethimselftowithstandthedrag-chainofPaula\'sinfluence，wasoperativeforthatspaceoftime。
Attheendofithemovedonward。Therewasnodifficultyindiscoveringtheirtracknorthwards；andfeelingthathemightaswellreturntoEnglandbytheRhinerouteasbyanyother，hefollowedinthecoursetheyhadchosen，gettingscentoftheminStrassburg，missingthematBadenbyaday，andfinallyovertakingthematCarlsruhe，whichtownhereachedonthemorningafterthePowerandDeStancypartyhadtakenuptheirquartersattheancientinnabovementioned。WhenSomersetwasabouttogetoutofthetrainatthisplace，littledreamingwhatameaningthewordCarlsruhewouldhaveforhiminsubsequentyears，hewasdisagreeablysurprisedtoseenootherthanDaresteppingoutoftheadjoiningcarriage。
Anewbrownleathervaliseinoneofhishands，anewumbrellaintheother，andanewsuitoffashionableclothesonhisback，seemedtodenoteconsiderableimprovementintheyoungman\'sfortunes。Somersetwassostruckbythecircumstanceofhisbeingonthisspotthathealmostmissedhisopportunityforalighting。
Daremeanwhilehadmovedonwithoutseeinghisformeremployer，andSomersetresolvedtotakethechancethatoffered，andlethimgo。Therewassomethingsomysteriousintheircommonpresencesimultaneouslyatoneplace，fivehundredmilesfromwheretheyhadlastmet，thatheexhaustedconjectureonwhetherDare\'serrandthiswaycouldhaveanythingtodowithhisown，orwhethertheirjuxtapositionasecondtimewastheresultofpureaccident。GreatlyashewouldhavelikedtogetthisansweredbyadirectquestiontoDarehimself，hedidnotcounteracthisfirstinstinct，andremainedunseen。
Theywentoutindifferentdirections，whenSomersetforthefirsttimerememberedthat，inlearningatBadenthatthepartyhadflittedtowardsCarlsruhe，hehadtakennocaretoascertainthenameofthehoteltheywereboundfor。
Carlsruhewasnotalargeplaceandthepointwasimmaterial，buttheomissionwouldnecessitatealittleinquiry。TofollowDareonthechanceofhishavingfixeduponthesamequarterswasacoursewhichdidnotcommenditself。Heresolvedtogetsomelunchbeforeproceedingwithhisbusiness——orfatuity——ofdiscoveringtheelusivelady，anddroveofftoaneighbouringtavern，whichdidnothappentobe，ashehopeditmight，theonechosenbythosewhohadprecededhim。
MeanwhileDare，previouslymasteroftheirplans，wentstraighttothehousewhichshelteredthem，andonenteringunderthearchwayfromtheLange-StrassewassavedthetroubleofinquiringforCaptainDeStancybyseeinghimdrinkingbittersatalittletableinthecourt。HadSomersetchosenthisinnforhisquartersinsteadoftheoneintheMarket-
Placewhichheactuallydidchoose，thethreemustinevitablyhavemethereatthismoment，withsomepossiblystrikingdramaticresults；thoughwhattheywouldhavebeenremainsforeverhiddeninthedarknessoftheunfulfilled。
DeStancyjumpedupfromhischair，andwentforwardtothenew-comer。\'Youarenotlongbehindus，then，\'hesaid，withlaconicdisquietude。\'Ithoughtyouweregoingstraighthome?\'
\'Iwas，\'saidDare，\'butIhavebeenblessedwithwhatImaycallasmallcompetencysinceIsawyoulast。OfthetwohundredfrancsyougavemeIriskedfiftyatthetables，andI
havemultipliedthem，howmanytimesdoyouthink?Morethanfourhundredtimes。\'
DeStancyimmediatelylookedgrave。\'Iwishyouhadlostthem，\'hesaid，withasmuchfeelingascouldbeshowninaplacewherestrangerswerehoveringnear。
\'Nonsense，captain!Ihaveproceededpurelyonacalculationofchances；andmycalculationsprovedastrueasIexpected，notwithstandingalittlein-and-outluckatfirst。Witnessthisastheresult。\'Hesmackedhisbagwithhisumbrella，andthechinkofmoneyresoundedfromwithin。\'Justfeeltheweightofit!\'
\'Itisnotnecessary。Itakeyourword。\'
\'ShallIlendyoufivepounds?\'
\'Godforbid!Asifthatwouldrepaymeforwhatyouhavecostme!Butcome，let\'sgetoutofthisplacetowherewecantalkmorefreely。\'Heputhishandthroughtheyoungman\'sarm，andledhimroundthecornerofthehoteltowardstheSchloss-Platz。
\'Theserunsofluckwillbeyourruin，asIhavetoldyoubefore，\'continuedCaptainDeStancy。\'Youwillbeforrepeatingandrepeatingyourexperiments，andwillendbyblowingyourbrainsout，aswiserheadsthanyourshavedone。
Iamgladyouhavecomeaway，atanyrate。Whydidyoutravelthisway?\'
\'SimplybecauseIcouldaffordit，ofcourse——Butcome，captain，somethinghasruffledyouto-day。IthoughtyoudidnotlookinthebesttemperthemomentIsawyou。Everysipyoutookofyourpick-upasyousatthereshowedmesomethingwaswrong。Tellyourworry!\'
\'Pooh——Icantellyouintwowords，\'saidthecaptainsatirically。\'Yourarrangementformywealthandhappiness——
forIsupposeyoustillclaimittobeyours——hasfallenthrough。Theladyhasannouncedto-daythatshemeanstosendforSomersetinstantly。Sheiscomingtoapersonalexplanationwithhim。Sowoetome——andinanothersense，woetoyou，asIhavereasontofear。\'
\'Sendforhim!\'saidDare，withthestillnessofcompleteabstraction。\'Thenhe\'llcome。\'
\'Well，\'saidDeStancy，lookinghimintheface。\'Anddoesitmakeyoufeelyouhadbetterbeoff?Howaboutthattelegram?
Didheaskyoutosendit，ordidhenot?\'
\'Oneminute，orIshallbeupsuchatreeasnobodyeversawthelikeof。\'
\'Thenwhatdidyoucomeherefor?\'burstoutDeStancy。\'\'Tismybeliefyouarenomorethana——ButIwon\'tcallyounames；
I\'lltellyouquiteplainlythatifthereisanythingwronginthatmessagetoher——whichIbelievethereis——no，Ican\'tbelieve，thoughIfearit——youhavethechanceofappearingindrabclothesattheexpenseoftheGovernmentbeforetheyearisout，andIofbeingeternallydisgraced!\'
\'No，captain，youwon\'tbedisgraced。Iambadtobeat，Icantellyou。Andcometheworstluck，Idon\'tsayaword。\'
\'Butthoselettersprickedinyourskinwouldsayagooddeal，itstrikesme。\'
\'What!wouldtheystripme?——butitisnotcomingtothat。
Lookhere，now，I\'lltellyouthetruthforonce；thoughyoudon\'tbelievemecapableofit。IDIDconcoctthattelegram——
andsentit；justasapracticaljoke；andmanyaworseonehasbeenonlylaughedatbyhonestmenandofficers。Icouldshowyouabiggerjokestill——ajokeofjokes——onthesameindividual。\'
Dareashespokeputhishandintohisbreast-pocket，asifthesaidjokelaythere；butafteramomenthewithdrewhishandempty，ashecontinued:
\'HavinginventeditIhavedoneenough；Iwasgoingtoexplainittoyou，thatyoumightcarryitout。Butyouaresoserious，thatIwillleaveitalone。Mysecondjokeshalldiewithme。\'
\'Somuchthebetter，\'saidDeStancy。\'Idon\'tlikeyourjokes，eventhoughtheyarenotdirectedagainstmyself。Theyexpressakindofhumourwhichdoesnotsuitme。\'
\'Youmayhavereasontoalteryourmind，\'saidDarecarelessly。\'Yoursuccesswithyourladymaydependonit。
Thetruthis，captain，wearistocratsmustnottaketoohighatone。Ourdaysasanindependentdivisionofsociety，whichholdsalooffromothersections，arepast。ThishasbeenmyargumentinspiteofmystrongNormanfeelingseversinceI
broachedthesubjectofyourmarryingthisgirl，whorepresentsbothintellectandwealth——all，infact，exceptthehistoricalprestigethatyourepresent。Andwemustn\'tflinchatthings。Thecaseisevenmorepressingthanordinarycases——owingtotheoddfactthattherepresentativeofthenewbloodwhohascomeinourwayactuallylivesinyourownoldhouse，andownsyourownoldlands。Theordinaryreasonforsuchalliancesisquintupledinourcase。Dothenjustthinkandbereasonable，beforeyoutalktallaboutnotlikingmyjokes，andallthat。Beggarsmustn\'tbechoosers。\'
\'There\'sreallymuchreasoninyourargument，\'saidDeStancy，withabitterlaugh:\'andmyownheartarguesmuchthesameway。But，leavingmetotakecareofmyaristocraticself，I
adviseyouraristocraticselftoslipoffatoncetoEnglandlikeanyhang-gallowsdog；andifSomersetishere，andyouhavebeendoingwronginhisname，anditallcomesout，I\'lltrytosaveyou，asfarasanhonestmancan。Ifyouhavedonenowrong，ofcoursethereisnofear；thoughIshouldbeobligedbyyourgoinghomewardasquicklyaspossible，asbeingbetterbothforyouandforme……Hullo——
Damnation!\'
TheyhadreachedonesideoftheSchloss-Platz，nobodyapparentlybeingnearthemsaveasentinelwhowasondutybeforethePalace；butturningashespoke，DeStancybeheldagroupconsistingofhissister，Paula，andMr。Power，strollingacrossthesquaretowardsthem。
Itwasimpossibletoescapetheirobservation，andputtingaboldfrontuponit，DeStancyadvancedwithDareathisside，tillinafewmomentsthetwopartiesmet，PaulaandCharlotterecognizingDareatonceastheyoungmanwhoassistedatthecastle。
\'Ihavemetmyyoungphotographer，\'saidDeStancycheerily。
\'Whatasmallworlditis，aseverybodytrulyobserves!Iamwishinghecouldtakesomeviewsforusaswegoon；butyouhavenoapparatuswithyou，Isuppose，Mr。Dare?\'
\'Ihavenot，sir，Iamsorrytosay，\'repliedDarerespectfully。
\'Youcouldgetsome，Isuppose?\'askedPaulaoftheinterestingyoungphotographer。
Daredeclaredthatitwouldbenotimpossible:whereuponDeStancysaidthatitwasonlyapassingthoughtofhis；andinafewminutesthetwopartiesagainseparated，goingtheirseveralways。
\'Thatwasawkward，\'saidDeStancy，tremblingwithexcitement。
\'Iwouldadviseyoutokeepfurtheroffinfuture。\'
Daresaidthoughtfullythathewouldbecareful，adding，\'Sheisaprizeforanyman，indeed，leavingalonethesubstantialpossessionsbehindher!NowwasItooenthusiastic?WasIafoolforurgingyouon?\'
\'Waittillsuccessjustifiestheundertaking。Incaseoffailureitwillhavebeenanythingbutwise。Itisnolightmattertohaveacarefullypreservedreposebrokeninuponfornothing——areposethatcouldneverberestored!\'
TheywalkeddowntheCarl-Friedrichs-StrassetotheMargrave\'sPyramid，andbacktothehotel，whereDarealsodecidedtotakeuphisstay。DeStancylefthimwiththebook-keeperatthedesk，andwentupstairstoseeiftheladieshadreturned。
IV。
Hefoundthemintheirsitting-roomwiththeirbonnetson，asiftheyhadjustcomein。Mr。Powerwasalsopresent，readinganewspaper，butMrs。Goodmanhadgoneouttoaneighbouringshop，inthewindowsofwhichshehadseensomethingwhichattractedherfancy。
WhenDeStancyentered，Paula\'sthoughtsseemedtoreverttoDare，foralmostatoncesheaskedhiminwhatdirectiontheyouthwastravelling。WithsomehesitationDeStancyrepliedthathebelievedMr。DarewasreturningtoEnglandafteraspringtripfortheimprovementofhismind。
\'Averypraiseworthythingtodo，\'saidPaula。\'Whatplaceshashevisited?\'
\'Thosewhichaffordopportunitiesforthestudyoftheoldmasters，Ibelieve，\'saidDeStancyblandly。\'HehasalsobeentoTurin，Genoa，Marseilles，andsoon。\'Thecaptainspokethemorereadilytoherquestioninginthathedivinedherwordstobedictated，notbyanysuspicionsofhisrelationswithDare，butbyherknowledgeofDareasthedraughtsmanemployedbySomerset。
\'HashebeentoNice?\'shenextdemanded。\'Didhegothereincompanywithmyarchitect?\'
\'Ithinknot。\'
\'Hasheseenanythingofhim?MyarchitectSomersetonceemployedhim。Theyknoweachother。\'
\'IthinkhesawSomersetforashorttime。\'
Paulawassilent。\'DoyouknowwherethisyoungmanDareisatthepresentmoment?\'sheaskedquickly。
DeStancysaidthatDarewasstayingatthesamehotelwiththemselves，andthathebelievedhewasdownstairs。
\'IthinkIcandonobetterthansendforhim，\'saidshe。\'Hemaybeabletothrowsomelightuponthematterofthattelegram。\'
Sheranganddespatchedthewaiterfortheyoungmaninquestion，DeStancyalmostvisiblytremblingfortheresult。
Butheopenedthetowndirectorywhichwaslyingonatable，andaffectedtobeengrossedinthenames。
BeforeDarewasshowninshesaidtoheruncle，\'Perhapsyouwillspeaktohimforme?\'
Mr。Power，lookingupfromthepaperhewasreading，assentedtoherproposition。Dareappearedinthedoorway，andthewaiterretired。Dareseemedatriflestartledoutofhisusualcoolness，themessagehavingevidentlybeenunexpected，andhecameforwardsomewhatuneasily。
\'Mr。Dare，weareanxioustoknowsomethingofMissPower\'sarchitect；andCaptainDeStancytellsusyouhaveseenhimlately，\'saidMr。Powersonorouslyovertheedgeofhisnewspaper。
Notknowingwhetherdangermenacedorno，or，ifitmenaced，fromwhatquarteritwastobeexpected，Darefeltthathonestywasasgoodasanythingelseforhim，andrepliedboldlythathehadseenMr。Somerset，DeStancycontinuingtocreamandmantlealmostvisibly，inanxietyatthesituationofthespeaker。
\'Andwheredidyouseehim?\'continuedMr。Power。
\'IntheCasinoatMonteCarlo。\'
\'Howlongdidyouseehim?\'
\'Onlyforhalfanhour。Ilefthimthere。\'
Paula\'sinterestgotthebetterofherreserve，andshecutinuponheruncle:\'Didheseeminanyunusualstate，orintrouble?\'
\'Hewasratherexcited，\'saidDare。
\'Andcanyourememberwhenthatwas?\'
Dareconsidered，lookedathispocket-book，andsaidthatitwasontheeveningofAprilthetwenty-second。
TheanswerhadasignificanceforPaula，DeStancy，andCharlotte，towhichAbnerPowerwasastranger。Thetelegraphicrequestformoney，whichhadbeenkeptasecretfromhimbyhisniece，becauseofhisalreadyunfriendlytonetowardsSomerset，arrivedonthemorningofthetwenty-third——
adatewhichneighbouredwithpainfullysuggestivenicetyuponthatnowgivenbyDare。
Sheseemedtobesilenced，andaskednomorequestions。Darehavingfurbishedhimselfuptoagentlemanlyappearancewithsomeofhisrecentwinnings，wasinvitedtostayonawhilebyPaula\'suncle，who，asbecameatravelledman，wasnotfastidiousastocompany。Beingayouthoftheworld，Daremadehimselfagreeabletothatgentleman，andafterwardstriedtodothesamewithMissDeStancy。Atthisthecaptain，towhomthesituationforsometimehadbeenamazinglyuncomfortable，pleadedsomeexcuseforgoingout，andlefttheroom。
DarecontinuedhisendeavourstosayafewpolitenothingstoCharlotteDeStancy，inthecourseofwhichhedrewfromhispockethisnewsilkhandkerchief。Bysomechanceacardcameoutwiththehandkerchief，andfluttereddownwards。Hismomentaryinstinctwastomakeagraspatthecardandconcealit:butithadalreadytumbledtothefloor，whereitlayfaceupwardbesideCharlotteDeStancy\'schair。
Itwasneitheravisitingnoraplayingcard，butonebearingaphotographicportraitofapeculiarnature。ItwaswhatDarehadcharacterizedashisbestjokeinspeakingonthesubjecttoCaptainDeStancy:hehadinthemorningputitreadyinhispockettogivetothecaptain，andhadinfacthelditinwaitingbetweenhisfingerandthumbwhiletalkingtohiminthePlatz，meaningthatheshouldmakeuseofitagainsthisrivalwheneverconvenient。ButhissharpconversationwiththatsoldierhaddulledhiszestforthisfinaljokeatSomerset\'sexpense，hadatleastshownhimthatDeStancywouldnotadoptthejokebyacceptingthephotographandusingithimself，anddeterminedhimtolayitasidetillamoreconvenienttime。Sofullyhadhemadeuphismindonthiscourse，thatwhenthephotographslippedouthedidnotatfirstperceivetheappositenessofthecircumstance，inputtingintohisownhandstherolehehadintendedforDeStancy；thoughitwasassertedafterwardsthatthewholescenewasdeliberatelyplanned。However，oncehavingseentheaccident，heresolvedtotakethecurrentasitserved。
Thecardhavingfallenbesideher，MissDeStancyglancedoverit，whichindeedshecouldnothelpdoing。Thesmilethathadpreviouslyhunguponherlipswasarrestedasifbyfrostandsheinvoluntarilyutteredalittledistressedcryof\'O!\'likeoneinbodilypain。
Paula，whohadbeentalkingtoheruncleduringthisinterlude，startedround，andwonderingwhathadhappened，inquiringlycrossedtheroomtopoorCharlotte\'sside，askingherwhatwasthematter。Charlottehadregainedself-
possession，thoughnotenoughtoenablehertoreply，andPaulaaskedherasecondtimewhathadmadeherexclaimlikethat。MissDeStancystillseemedconfused，whereuponPaulanoticedthathereyeswerecontinuallydrawnasifbyfascinationtowardsthephotographonthefloor，which，contrarytohisfirstimpulse，Dare，ashasbeensaid，nowseemedinnohurrytoregain。Surmisingatlastthatthecard，whateveritwas，hadsomethingtodowiththeexclamation，Paulapickeditup。
ItwasaportraitofSomerset；butbyadeviceknowninphotographytheoperator，thoughcontrivingtoproducewhatseemedtobeaperfectlikeness，hadgivenitthedistortedfeaturesandwildattitudeofamanadvancedinintoxication。
Nowoman，unlessspeciallycognizantofsuchpossibilities，couldhavelookeduponitanddoubtedthatthephotographwasagenuineillustrationofacustomaryphaseintheyoungman\'sprivatelife。
Paulaobservedit，thoroughlytookitin；buttheeffectuponherwasbynomeansclear。Charlotte\'seyesatonceforsooktheportraittodwellonPaula\'sface。Itpaledalittle，andthiswasfollowedbyahotblush——perceptiblyablushofshame。Thatwasall。Sheflungthepicturedownonthetable，andmovedaway。
ItwasnowMr。Power\'sturn。AnticipatingDare，whowasadvancingwithadeprecatorylooktoseizethephotograph，healsograspedit。Whenhesawwhomitrepresentedheseemedbothamusedandstartled，andafterscanningitawhilehandedittotheyoungmanwithaqueersmile。
\'Iamverysorry，\'beganDareinalowvoicetoMr。Power。\'I
fearIwastoblameforthoughtlessnessinnotdestroyingit。
ButIthoughtitwasratherfunnythatamanshouldpermitsuchathingtobedone，andthatthehumourwouldredeemtheoffence。\'
\'Inyou，forpurchasingit，\'saidPaulawithhaughtyquicknessfromtheothersideoftheroom。\'Thoughprobablyhisfriends，ifhehasany，wouldsaynotinhim。\'
Therewassilenceintheroomafterthis，andDare，findinghimselfratherintheway，tookhisleaveasunostentatiouslyasacatthathasupsetthefamilychina，thoughhecontinuedtosayamonghisapologiesthathewasnotawareMr。Somersetwasapersonalfriendoftheladies。
OfallthethoughtswhichfilledthemindsofPaulaandCharlotteDeStancy，thethoughtthatthephotographmighthavebeenafabricationwasprobablythelast。TothemthatpictureofSomersethadallthecogencyofdirectvision。
Paula\'sexperience，muchlessCharlotte\'s，hadneverlaininthefieldsofheliographicscience，andtheywouldassoonhavethoughtthatthesuncouldagainstandstilluponGibeon，asthatitcouldbemadetofalsifymen\'scharactersindelineatingtheirfeatures。WhatAbnerPowerthoughthehimselfbestknew。Hemighthaveseensuchpicturesbefore；
orhemightneverhaveheardofthem。
WhilepretendingtoresumehisreadinghecloselyobservedPaula，asdidalsoCharlotteDeStancy；butthankstotheself-managementwhichwasMissPower\'sasmuchbynatureasbyart，shedissembledwhateveremotionwasinher。
\'Itisapityaprofessionalmanshouldmakehimselfsoludicrous，\'shesaidwithsuchcarelessintonationthatitwasalmostimpossible，evenforCharlotte，whoknewhersowell，tobelieveherindifferencefeigned。
\'Yes，\'saidMr。Power，sinceCharlottedidnotspeak:\'itiswhatIscarcelyshouldhaveexpected。\'
\'O，Iamnotsurprised!\'saidPaulaquickly。\'Youdon\'tknowall。\'Theinferencewas，indeed，inevitablethatifheruncleweremadeawareofthetelegramhewouldseenothingunlikelyinthepicture。\'Well，youareverysilent!\'continuedPaulapetulantly，whenshefoundthatnobodywentontalking。\'Whatmadeyoucryout\"O，\"Charlotte，whenMr。Daredroppedthathorridphotograph?\'
\'Idon\'tknow；Isupposeitfrightenedme，\'stammeredthegirl。
\'Itwasastupidfusstomakebeforesuchaperson。OnewouldthinkyouwereinlovewithMr。Somerset。\'
\'Whatdidyousay，Paula?\'inquiredheruncle，lookingupfromthenewspaperwhichhehadagainresumed。
\'Nothing，UncleAbner。\'Shewalkedtothewindow，and，asiftotideoverwhatwasplainlypassingintheirmindsabouther，shebegantomakeremarksonobjectsinthestreet。
\'Whataquaintbeing——look，Charlotte!\'Itwasanoldwomansittingbyastallontheoppositesideoftheway，whichseemedsuddenlytohitPaula\'ssenseofthehumorous，thoughbeyondthefactthatthedamewasoldandpoor，andworeawhitehandkerchiefoverherhead，therewasreallynothingnoteworthyabouther。
Paulaseemedtobemorehurtbywhatthesilenceofhercompanionsimplied——asuspicionthatthediscoveryofSomerset\'sdepravitywaswoundingherheart——thanbythewounditself。Theostensibleeasewithwhichshedrewthemintoabyeconversationhadperhapsthedefectofprovingtoomuch:
thoughhertacitcontentionthatnolovewasinquestionwasnotincredibleonthesuppositionthataffrontedpridealonecausedherembarrassment。ThechiefsymptomofherheartbeingreallytendertowardsSomersetconsistedinherapparentblindnesstoCharlotte\'ssecret，soobviouslysuggestedbyhermomentaryagitation。
V。
Andwherewasthesubjectoftheircondemnatoryopinionsallthiswhile?Havingsecuredaroomathisinn，hecameforthtocompletethediscoveryofhisdearmistress\'shalting-placewithoutdelay。AfteroneortwoinquiriesheascertainedwheresuchapartyofEnglishwerestaying；andarrivingatthehotel，knewatoncethathehadtrackedthemtoearthbyseeingtheheavierportionofthePowerluggageconfrontinghiminthehall。Hesentupintelligenceofhispresence，andawaitedherreplywithabeatingheart。
InthemeanwhileDare，descendingfromhisperniciousinterviewwithPaulaandtherest，haddescriedCaptainDeStancyinthepublicdrawing-room，andenteredtohimforthwith。ItwaswhiletheywereheretogetherthatSomersetpassedthedoorandsentuphisnametoPaula。
Theincidentattherailwaystationwasnowreversed，SomersetbeingtheobservedofDare，asDarehadthenbeentheobservedofSomerset。ImmediatelyonsightofhimDareshowedrealalarm。HehadimaginedthatSomersetwouldeventuallyimpingeonPaula\'sroute，buthehadscarcelyexpectedityet；andthearchitect\'ssuddenappearanceledDaretoaskhimselftheominousquestionwhetherSomersethaddiscoveredhistelegraphictrick，andwasinthemoodforpromptmeasures。
\'Thereisnomoreformetodohere，\'saidtheboyhastilytoDeStancy。\'MissPowerdoesnotwishtoaskmeanymorequestions。Imayaswellproceedonmyway，asyouadvised。\'
DeStancy，whohadalsogazedwithdismayatSomerset\'spassingfigure，thoughwithdismayofanothersort，wasrecalledfromhisvexationbyDare\'sremarks，andturninguponhimhesaidsharply，\'Wellmayyoubeinsuchahurryallofasudden!\'
\'True，Iamsuperfluousnow。\'
\'Youhavebeendoingafoolishthing，andyoumustsufferitsinconveniences——Will，Iamsorryforonething；IamsorryI
everownedyou；foryouarenotaladtomyheart。Youhavedisappointedme——disappointedmealmostbeyondendurance。\'
\'Ihaveactedaccordingtomyillumination。Whatcanyouexpectofamanborntodishonour?\'
\'That\'smerespeciousness。Beforeyouknewanythingofme，andwhileyouthoughtyouwerethechildofpovertyonbothsides，youwerewellenough；buteversinceyouthoughtyouweremorethanthat，youhaveledalifewhichisintolerable。
WhathasbecomeofyourplanofalliancebetweentheDeStancysandthePowersnow?Themanisgoneupstairswhocanoverthrowitall。\'
\'Ifthemanhadnotgoneupstairs，youwouldn\'thavecomplainedofmynatureormyplans，\'saidDaredrily。\'IfI
mistakenot，hewillcomedownagainwiththefleainhisear。
However，Ihavedone；myplayisplayedout。Alltherestremainswithyou。But，captain，grantmethis!IfwhenIamgonethisdifficultyshouldvanish，andthingsshouldgowellwithyou，andyoursuitshouldprosper，willyouthinkofhim，badasheis，whofirstputyouonthetrackofsuchhappiness，andlethimknowitwasnotdoneinvain?\'
\'Iwill，\'saidDeStancy。\'Promisemethatyouwillbeabetterboy?\'
\'Verywell——assoonaseverIcanaffordit。NowIamupandaway，whenIhaveexplainedtothemthatIshallnotrequiremyroom。\'
Darefetchedhisbag，touchedhishatwithhisumbrellatothecaptainandwentoutofthehotelarchway。DeStancysatdowninthestuffydrawing-room，andwonderedwhatotherironiestimehadinstoreforhim。
AwaiterintheinterimhadannouncedSomersettothegroupupstairs。PaulastartedasmuchasCharlotteathearingthename，andAbnerPowerstaredatthemboth。
\'IfMr。SomersetwishestoseemeONBUSINESS，showhimin，\'
saidPaula。
InafewsecondsthedoorwasthrownopenforSomerset。Onreceiptofthepointedmessageheguessedthatachangehadcome。Time，absence，ambition，heruncle\'sinfluence，andanewwooer，seemedtoaccountsufficientlywellforthatchange，andheacceptedhisfate。Butastoicalinstincttoshowherthathecouldregardvicissitudeswiththeequanimitythatbecameaman；adesiretoeasehermindofanyfearshemightentertainthathisconnectionwithherpastwouldrenderhimtroublesomeinfuture，inducedhimtoacceptherpermission，andseetheacttotheend。
\'Howdoyoudo，Mr。Somerset?\'saidAbnerPower，withsardonicgeniality:hehadbeenfarenoughabouttheworldnottobegreatlyconcernedatSomerset\'sapparentfailing，particularlywhenithelpedtoreducehimfromtherankoflovertohisniecetothatofprofessionaladviser。
MissDeStancyfalteredawelcomeasweakasthatoftheMaidofNeidpath，andPaulasaidcoldly，\'Wearerathersurprisedtoseeyou。Perhapsthereissomethingurgentatthecastlewhichmakesitnecessaryforyoutocall?\'
\'Thereissomethingalittleurgent，\'saidSomersetslowly，asheapproachedher；\'andyouhavejudgedrightlythatitisthecauseofmycall。\'Hesatdownnearherchairashespoke，putdownhishat，anddrewanote-bookfromhispocketwithadespairingsangfroidthatwasfarmoreperfectthanhadbeenPaula\'sdemeanourjustbefore。
\'PerhapsyouwouldliketotalkoverthebusinesswithMr。
Somersetalone?\'murmuredCharlottetoMissPower，hardlyknowingwhatshesaid。
\'Ono，\'saidPaula，\'Ithinknot。Isitnecessary?\'shesaid，turningtohim。
\'Notintheleast，\'repliedhe，bestowingapenetratingglanceuponhisquestioner\'sface，whichseemedhowevertoproducenoeffect；andturningtowardsCharlotte，headded，\'Youwillhavethegoodness，Iamsure，MissDeStancy，toexcusethejargonofprofessionaldetails。\'
Hespreadsometracingsonthetable，andpointedoutcertainmodifiedfeaturestoPaula，commentingashewenton，andexchangingoccasionallyafewwordsonthesubjectwithMr。
AbnerPowerbythedistantwindow。
Inthisarchitecturaldialogueoverhissketches，Somerset\'sheadandPaula\'sbecameunavoidablyveryclose。Thetemptationwastoomuchfortheyoungman。Undercoveroftherustleofthetracings，hemurmured，\'Paula，Icouldnotgetherebefore!\'inalowvoiceinaudibletotheothertwo。
Shedidnotreply，onlybusyingherselfthemorewiththenotesandsketches；andhesaidagain，\'IstayedacoupleofdaysatGenoa，andsomedaysatSanRemo，andMentone。\'
\'Butitisnottheleastconcernofminewhereyoustayed，isit?\'shesaid，withacoldyetdisquietedlook。
\'Doyouspeakseriously?\'Somersetbrokenlywhispered。
Paulaconcludedherexaminationofthedrawingsandturnedfromhimwithsorrowfuldisregard。Hetriednofurther，but，whenshehadsignifiedherpleasureonthepointssubmitted，packeduphispapers，androsewiththebearingofamanaltogethersuperiortosuchaclassofmisfortuneasthis。
BeforegoingheturnedtospeakafewwordsofageneralkindtoMr。PowerandCharlotte。
\'Youwillstayanddinewithus?\'saidtheformer，ratherwiththeairofbeingunhappilyabletodonolessthanaskthequestion。\'Mychargesherewon\'tgodowntothetable-d\'hote，Ifear，butDeStancyandmyselfwillbethere。\'
Somersetexcusedhimself，andinafewminuteswithdrew。Atthedoorhelookedroundforaninstant，andhiseyesmetPaula\'s。Therewasthesamemiles-offexpressioninhersthattheyhadwornwhenheentered；buttherewasalsoalookofdistressfulinquiry，asifshewereearnestlyexpectinghimtosaysomethingmore。ThisofcourseSomersetdidnotcomprehend。Possiblyshewasclingingtoahopeofsomeexcuseforthemessagehewassupposedtohavesent，orfortheotherandmoredegradingmatter。Anyhow，Somersetonlybowedandwentaway。
Amomentafterhehadgone，Paula，impelledbysomethingorother，crossedtheroomtothewindow。Inashorttimeshesawhisforminthebroadstreetbelow，whichhetraversedobliquelytoanoppositecorner，hisheadsomewhatbent，andhiseyesontheground。BeforevanishingintotheRitterstrasseheturnedhisheadandglancedatthehotelwindows，asifheknewthatshewaswatchinghim。Thenhedisappeared；andtheonlyrealsignofemotionbetrayedbyPauladuringthewholeepisodeescapedheratthismoment。Itwasaslighttremblingofthelipandasighsoslowlybreathedthatscarceanybodycouldhear——scarcelyevenCharlotte，whowasrecliningonacouchherfaceonherhandandhereyesdowncast。
NotmorethantwominuteshadelapsedwhenMrs。Goodmancameinwithamannerofhaste。
\'Youhavereturned，\'saidMr。Power。\'Haveyoumadeyourpurchases?\'
Withoutanswering，sheasked，\'Whom，ofallpeopleonearth，doyouthinkIhavemet?Mr。Somerset!Hashebeenhere?——hepassedmealmostwithoutspeaking!\'
\'Yes，hehasbeenhere，\'saidPaula。\'HeisonthewayfromGenoahome，andcalledonbusiness。\'
\'Youwillhavehimheretodinner，ofcourse?\'
\'Iaskedhim，\'saidMr。Power，\'buthedeclined。\'
\'O，that\'sunfortunate!Surelywecouldgethimtocome。Youwouldliketohavehimhere，wouldyounot，Paula?\'
\'No，indeed。Idon\'twanthimhere，\'saidshe。
\'Youdon\'t?\'
\'No!\'shesaidsharply。
\'Youusedtolikehimwellenough，anyhow，\'bluntlyrejoinedMrs。Goodman。
Paulasedately:\'ItisamistaketosupposethatIeverparticularlylikedthegentlemanmentioned。\'
\'Thenyouarewrong，Mrs。Goodman，itseems，\'saidMr。Power。
Mrs。Goodman，whohadbeengrowingquietlyindignant，notwithstandingavigoroususeofherfan，atthissaid。
\'Fie，fie，Paula!youdidlikehim。Yousaidtomeonlyaweekortwoagothatyoushouldnotatallobjecttomarryhim。\'
\'Itisamistake，\'repeatedPaulacalmly。\'Imeanttheotheroneofthetwoweweretalkingabout。\'
\'What，CaptainDeStancy?\'
\'Yes。\'
Knowingthistobeafiction，Mrs。Goodmanmadenoremark，andhearingaslightnoisebehind，turnedherhead。Seeingheraunt\'saction，Paulaalsolookedround。Thedoorhadbeenleftajar，andDeStancywasstandingintheroom。ThelastwordsofMrs。Goodman，andPaula\'sreply，musthavebeenquiteaudibletohim。
Theylookedateachothermuchasiftheyhadunexpectedlymetatthealtar；butafteramomentarystartPauladidnotflinchfromthepositionintowhichhurtpridehadbetrayedher。DeStancybowedgracefully，andshemerelywalkedtothefurthestwindow，whitherhefollowedher。
\'IameternallygratefultoyouforavowingthatIhavewonfavourinyoursightatlast，\'hewhispered。
Sheacknowledgedtheremarkwithasomewhatreservedbearing。
\'ReallyIdon\'tdeserveyourgratitude，\'shesaid。\'Ididnotknowyouwerethere。\'
\'Iknowyoudidnot——that\'swhytheavowalissosweettome。
CanItakeyouatyourword?\'
\'Yes，Isuppose。\'
\'Thenyourpreferenceisthegreatesthonourthathaseverfallentomylot。Itisenough:youacceptme?\'
\'Asaloveronprobation——nomore。\'
Theconversationbeingcarriedoninlowtones，Paula\'suncleandaunttookitasahintthattheirpresencecouldbespared，andseverallylefttheroom——theformergladly，thelatterwithsomevexation。CharlotteDeStancyfollowed。
\'AndtowhatamIindebtedforthishappychange?\'inquiredDeStancy，assoonastheywerealone。
\'Youshouldn\'tlookagift-horseinthemouth，\'sherepliedbrusquely，andwithtearsinhereyesforonegone。
\'Youmistakemymotive。Iamlikeareprievedcriminal，andcanscarcelybelievethenews。\'
\'Youshouldn\'tsaythattome，orIshallbegintothinkI
havebeentookind，\'sheanswered，someofthearchnessofhermannerreturning。\'Now，Iknowwhatyoumeantosayinanswer；butIdon\'twanttohearmoreatpresent；andwhateveryoudo，don\'tfallintothemistakeofsupposingIhaveacceptedyouinanyothersensethanthewayIsay。Ifyoudon\'tlikesuchalimitationyoucangoaway。IdaresayI
shallgetoverit。\'
\'Goaway!CouldIgoaway?——Butyouarebeginningtotease，andwillsoonpunishmeseverely；soIwillmakemyescapewhilealliswell。Itwouldbepresumptuoustoexpectmoreinoneday。\'
\'Itwouldindeed，\'saidPaula，withhereyesonabunchofflowers。
VI。
Onleavingthehotel，Somerset\'sfirstimpulsewastogetoutofsightofitswindows，andhisglanceupwardhadperhapsnotthetendersignificancethatPaulaimagined，thelastlookimpelledbyanysuchwhiffofemotionhavingbeenthelingeringonehebestoweduponherinpassingoutoftheroom。
Unluckilyfortheprospectsofthisattachment，Paula\'sconducttowardshimnow，asaresultofmisrepresentation，hadenoughincommonwithherprevioussilenceatNicetomakeitnotunreasonableasafurtherdevelopmentofthatsilence。
Moreover，hersocialpositionasawomanofwealth，alwaysfeltbySomersetasaperceptiblebartothatfullandfreeeagernesswithwhichhewouldfainhaveapproachedher，rendereditimpossibleforhimtoreturntothecharge，ascertainthereasonofhercoldness，anddispelitbyanexplanation，withoutbeingsuspectedofmercenaryobjects。
Continuallydoesithappenthatagenialwillingnesstobottleupaffrontsissetdowntointerestedmotivesbythosewhodonotknowwhatgenerousconductmeans。HadsheoccupiedthefinancialpositionofMissDeStancyhewouldreadilyhavepersistedfurtherand，notimprobably，haveclearedupthecloud。
HavingnofurtherinterestinCarlsruhe，Somersetdecidedtoleavebyaneveningtrain。Theinterveninghourhespentinwanderingintothethickofthefair，wheresteamroundabouts，theproprietorsofwax-workshows，andfancy-stallkeepersmaintainedadeafeningdin。Theanimatedenvironmentwasbetterthansilence，foritfosteredinhimanartificialindifferencetotheeventsthathadjusthappened——anindifferencewhich，thoughhetoowellknewitwasonlydestinedtobetemporary，affordedapassiveperiodwhereintostoreupstrengththatshouldenablehimtowithstandthewearandtearofregretswhichwouldsurelysetinsoon。ItwasthecasewithSomersetaswithothersofhistemperament，thathedidnotfeelablowofthissortimmediately；andwhatoftenseemedlikestoicismaftermisfortunewasonlytheneutralnumbnessoftransitionfrompalpitatinghopetoassuredwretchedness。
Hewalkedroundandroundthefairtillalltheexhibitorsknewhimbysight，andwhenthesungotlowheturnedintotheErbprinzen-Strasse，nowrakedfromendtoendbyensaffronedraysoflevellight。Seekinghishotelhedinedthere，andleftbytheeveningtrainforHeidelberg。
HeidelbergwithitsromanticsurroundingswasnotpreciselytheplacecalculatedtohealSomerset\'swoundedheart。Hehadknownthetownofyore，andhisrecollectionsofthatperiod，when，unfetteredinfancy，hehadtransferredtohissketch-
bookthefineRenaissancedetailsoftheOtto-Heinrichs-Baucamebackwithunpleasantforce。Heknewofsomecarvedcask-
headsandothercuriouswood-workinthecastlecellars，copiesofwhich，beingunobtainablebyphotographs，hehadintendedtomakeifallwentwellbetweenPaulaandhimself。