SomersetbegantomuseontheprobabilityorotherwiseofthebackslidingBaptistandthisyoungladyresultinginoneandthesameperson；andalmostwithoutknowingithefoundhimselfdeeplyhopingforsuchaunity。Theobjectofhisinspectionwasidlyleaning，andthissomewhatdisguisedherfigure。Itmighthavebeentallorshort，curvilinearorangular。Shecarriedalightsunshadewhichshefitfullytwirleduntil，thrustingitbackoverhershoulder，herheadwasrevealedsufficientlytoshowthatsheworenohatorbonnet。Thistokenofherbeinganinmateofthecastle，andnotavisitor，ratherdampedhisexpectations:buthepersistedinbelievingherlooktowardsthechapelmusthaveameaninginit，tillshesuddenlystooderect，andrevealedherselfasshortinstature——almostdumpy——atthesametimegivinghimadistinctviewofherprofile。Shewasnotatallliketheheroineofthechapel。
　　HesawthedintednoseoftheDeStancysoutlinedwithHolbeinshadowlessnessagainsttheblue-greenofthedistantwood。ItwasnottheDeStancyfacewithallitsoriginalspecialities:itwas，sotospeak，adefectivereprintofthatface:forthenosetriedhardtoturnupanddealutterconfusiontothefamilyshape。
　　Asfortherestofthecountenance，Somersetwasobligedtoownthatitwasnotbeautiful:Naturehaddonetheremanythingsthatsheoughtnottohavedone，andleftundonemuchthatsheshouldhaveexecuted。Itwouldhavebeendecidedlyplainbutforapreciousqualitywhichnoperfectionofchisellingcangivewhenthetemperamentdeniesit，andwhichnofacialirregularitycantakeaway——atenderaffectionatenesswhichmightalmostbecalledyearning；suchasisoftenseeninthewomenofCorreggiowhentheyarepaintedinprofile。ButtheplainfeaturesofMissDeStancy——
　　whosheundoubtedlywas——wereratherseverelyhandledbySomerset'sjudgmentowingtohisimpressionofthepreviousnight。Abeautyofasortwouldhavebeenlentbytheflexuouscontoursofthemobilepartsbutforthatunfortunateconditionthepoorgirlwasburdenedwith，ofhavingtohandonatraditionalfeaturewithwhichshedidnotfindherselfotherwiseinharmony。
　　Sheglancedathimforamoment，andshowedbyanimperceptiblemovementthathehadmadehispresencefelt。
　　NottoembarrassherSomersethastenedtowithdraw，atthesametimethatshepassedroundtotheotherpartoftheterrace，followedbythecat，inwhomSomersetcouldimagineacertaindenominationalcastofcountenance，notwithstandinghercompany。Butaswhitecatsaremuchalikeeachotheratadistance，itwasreasonabletosupposethiscreaturewasnotthesameoneasthatpossessedbythebeauty。
　　IV。
　　Hedescendedthestonestairstoalowerstoryofthecastle，inwhichwasacrypt-likehallcoveredbyvaultingofexceptionalandmassiveingenuity:
　　'Builteretheartwasknown，BypointedaisleandshaftedstalkThearcadesofanalleyedwalkToemulateinstone。'
　　Ithappenedthatthecentralpillarwhereonthevaultsrested，reputedtoexhibitsomeofthemosthideousgrotesquesinEnglanduponitscapital，waswithinalockeddoor。Somersetwastemptedtoaskaservantforpermissiontoopenit，tillheheardthattheinnerroomwastemporarilyusedforplate，thekeybeingkeptbyMissDeStancy，atwhichhesaidnomore。Butafterwardstheactivehousemaidredescendedthestonesteps；sheenteredthecryptwithabunchofkeysinonehand，andintheotheracandle，followedbytheyoungladywhomSomersethadseenontheterrace。
　　'Ishallbeverygladtounlockanythingyoumaywanttosee。
　　Sofewpeopletakeanyrealinterestinwhatisherethatwedonotleaveitopen。'
　　Somersetexpressedhisthanks。
　　MissDeStancy，alittletohissurprise，hadatouchofrusticityinhermanner，andthatforcedabsenceofreservewhichseclusionfromsocietylendstoyoungwomenmorefrequentlythannot。Sheseemedgladtohavesomethingtodo；
　　thearrivalofSomersetwasplainlyaneventsufficienttosetsomelittlemarkuponherday。DeceptionhadbeenwrittenonthefacesofthosefrowningwallsintheirimplyingtheinsignificanceofSomerset，whenhefoundthemtenantedonlybythislittlewomanwhoselifewasnarrowerthanhisown。
　　'Wehavenotbeenherelong，'continuedMissDeStancy，'andthat'swhyeverythingisinsuchadilapidatedandconfusedcondition。'
　　Somersetenteredthedarkstore-closet，thinkinglessoftheancientpillarrevealedbythelightofthecandlethanwhatasingularremarkthelatterwastocomefromamemberofthefamilywhichappearedtohavebeentherefivecenturies。Heheldthecandleabovehishead，andwalkedround，andpresentlyMissDeStancycameback。
　　'Thereisanothervaultbelow，'shesaid，withtheseverefaceofayoungwomanwhospeaksonlybecauseitisabsolutelynecessary。'Perhapsyouarenotawareofit?Itwasthedungeon:ifyouwishtogodowntheretoo，theservantwillshowyoutheway。Itisnotatallornamental:rough，unhewnarchesandclumsypiers。'
　　Somersetthankedher，andwouldperhapstakeadvantageofherkindofferwhenhehadexaminedthespotwherehewas，ifitwerenotcausinginconvenience。
　　'No；IamsurePaulawillbegladtoknowthatanybodythinksitinterestingtogodownthere——whichismorethanshedoesherself。'
　　Someobviousinquiriesweresuggestedbythis，butSomersetsaid，'Ihaveseenthepictures，andhavebeenmuchstruckbythem；partly，'headded，withsomehesitation，'becauseoneortwoofthemremindedmeofaschoolfellow——IthinkhisnamewasJohnRavensbury?'
　　'Yes，'shesaid，almosteagerly。'Hewasmycousin!'
　　'Sothatwearenotquitestrangers?'
　　'Butheisdeadnow……Hewasunfortunate:hewasmostlyspokenofas"thatunluckyboy。"……Youknow，Isuppose，Mr。Somerset，whythepaintingsareinsuchadecayingstate!——
　　itisowingtothepeculiartreatmentofthecastleduringMr。Wilkins'stime。Hewasblind；soonecanimaginehedidnotappreciatesuchthingsastherearehere。'
　　'Thecastlehasbeenshutup，youmean?'
　　'Oyes，formanyyears。Butitwillnotbesoagain。Wearegoingtohavethepicturescleaned，andtheframesmended，andtheoldpiecesoffurnitureputintheirproperplaces。Itwillbeverynicethen。Didyouseethoseintheeastcloset?'
　　'Ihaveonlyseenthoseinthegallery。'
　　'Iwilljustshowyouthewaytotheothers，ifyouwouldliketoseethem?'
　　Theyascendedtotheroomdesignatedtheeastcloset。Thepaintingshere，mostlyofsmallersize，wereinabettercondition，owingtothefactthattheywerehungonaninnerwall，andhadhencebeenkeptfreefromdamp。Somersetinquiredthenamesandhistoriesofoneortwo。
　　'Ireallydon'tquiteknow，'MissDeStancyrepliedaftersomethought。'ButPaulaknows，Iamsure。Idon'tstudythemmuch——Idon'tseetheuseofit。'Sheswunghersunshade，sothatitfellopen，andturnedituptillitfellshut。'I
　　haveneverbeenabletogivemuchattentiontoancestors，'sheadded，withhereyesontheparasol。
　　'TheseAREyourancestors?'heasked，forherpositionandtonewerematterswhichperplexedhim。InspiteofthefamilylikenessandotherdetailshecouldscarcelybelievethisfrankandcommunicativecountrymaidentobethemodernrepresentativeoftheDeStancys。
　　'Oyes，theycertainlyare，'shesaid，laughing。'PeoplesayIamlikethem:Idon'tknowifIam——well，yes，IknowIam:
　　Icanseethat，ofcourse，anyday。Buttheyhavegonefrommyfamily，andperhapsitisjustaswellthattheyshouldhavegone……Theyareuseless，'sheadded，withsereneconclusiveness。
　　'Ah!theyhavegone，havethey?'
　　'Yes，castleandfurniturewenttogether:itwaslongago——
　　longbeforeIwasborn。Itdoesn'tseemtomeasiftheplaceeverbelongedtoarelativeofmine。'
　　Somersetcorrectedhissmilingmannertooneofsolicitude。
　　'Butyoulivehere，MissDeStancy?'
　　'Yes——agreatdealnow；thoughsometimesIgohometosleep。'
　　'Thisishometoyou，andnothome?'
　　'IliveherewithPaula——myfriend:Ihavenotbeenherelong，neitherhasshe。Forthefirstsixmonthsafterherfather'sdeathshedidnotcomehereatall。'
　　Theywalkedon，gazingatthewalls，tilltheyoungmansaid:
　　'IfearImaybemakingsomemistake:butIamsureyouwillpardonmyinquisitivenessthisonce。WHOisPaula?'
　　'Ah，youdon'tknow!Ofcourseyoudon't——localchangesdon'tgettalkedoffaraway。Sheistheownerofthiscastleandestate。Myfathersolditwhenhewasquiteayoungman，yearsbeforeIwasborn，andnotlongafterhisfather'sdeath。ItwaspurchasedbyamannamedWilkins，arichmanwhobecameblindsoonafterhehadboughtit，andneverlivedhere；soitwasleftuncaredfor。'
　　Shewentoutupontheterrace；andwithoutexactlyknowingwhy，Somersetfollowed。
　　'Yourfriend——'
　　'Hasonlycomeherequiterecently。Sheisawayfromhometo-
　　day……Itwasverysad，'murmuredtheyounggirlthoughtfully。'NosoonerhadMr。PowerboughtitoftherepresentativesofMr。Wilkins——almostimmediatelyindeed——
　　thanhediedfromachillcaughtafterawarmbath。Onaccountofthatshedidnottakepossessionforseveralmonths；andevennowshehasonlyhadafewroomspreparedasatemporaryresidencetillshecanthinkwhattodo。Poorthing，itissadtobeleftalone!'
　　SomersetheedfullyremarkedthathethoughtherecognizedthatnamePower，asonehehadseenlately，somewhereorother。
　　'Perhapsyouhavebeenhearingofherfather。Doyouknowwhathewas?'
　　Somersetdidnot。
　　Shelookedacrossthedistantcountry，whereundulationsofdark-greenfoliageformedaprospectextendingformiles。Andasshewatched，andSomerset'seyes，ledbyhers，watchedalso，awhitestreakofsteam，thinasacottonthread，couldbediscernedploughingthatgreenexpanse。'HerfathermadeTHAT，'MissDeStancysaid，directingherfingertowardstheobject。
　　'Thatwhat?'
　　'Thatrailway。HewasMr。JohnPower，thegreatrailwaycontractor。Anditwasthroughmakingtherailwaythathediscoveredthiscastle——therailwaywasdivertedalittleonitsaccount。'
　　'Aclashbetweenancientandmodern。'
　　'Yes，buthetookaninterestinthelocalitylongbeforehepurchasedtheestate。Andhebuiltthepeopleachapelonabitoffreeholdheboughtforthem。HewasagreatNonconformist，astaunchBaptistuptothedayofhisdeath——amuchstauncherone，'shesaidsignificantly，'thanhisdaughteris。'
　　'Ah，Ibegintospother!'
　　'Youhaveheardaboutthebaptism?'
　　'Iknowsomethingofit。'
　　'Herconducthasgivenmortaloffencetothescatteredpeopleofthedenominationthatherfatherwasatsuchpainstouniteintoabody。'
　　Somersetcouldguesstheremainder，andinthinkingoverthecircumstancesdidnotstatewhathehadseen。Sheadded，asifdisappointedathiswantofcuriosity——
　　'Shewouldnotsubmittotheritewhenitcametothepoint。
　　Thewaterlookedsocoldanddarkandfearful，shesaid，thatshecouldnotdoittosaveherlife。'
　　'Surelysheshouldhaveknownhermindbeforeshehadgonesofar?'Somerset'swordshadacondemnatoryform，butperhapshisactualfeelingwasthatifMissPowerhadknownherownmind，shewouldhavenotinterestedhimhalfsomuch。
　　'Paula'sownmindhadnothingtodowithit!'saidMissDeStancy，warminguptostaunchpartizanshipinamoment。'Itwasallundertakenbyherfromamistakensenseofduty。Itwasherfather'sdyingwishthatsheshouldmakepublicprofessionofher——whatdoyoucallit——ofthedenominationshebelongedto，assoonasshefeltherselffittodoit:sowhenhewasdeadshetriedandtried，anddidn'tgetanymorefit；andatlastshescrewedherselfuptothepitch，andthoughtshemustundergotheceremonyoutofpurereverenceforhismemory。
　　Itwasveryshort-sightedofherfathertoputherinsuchaposition:becausesheisnowverysad，asshefeelsshecannevertryagainaftersuchasermonaswasdeliveredagainsther。'
　　SomersetpresumedthatMissPowerneednothaveheardthisKnoxorBossuetofhersifshehadchosentogoaway?
　　'Shedidnothearitinthefaceofthecongregation；butfromthevestry。Shetoldmesomeofitwhenshereachedhome。
　　Wouldyoubelieveit，themanwhopreachedsobitterlyisatenantofhers?Isaid，"Surelyyouwillturnhimoutofhishouse?"——Butsheanswered，inhercalm，deep，niceway，thatshesupposedhehadaperfectrighttopreachagainsther，thatshecouldnotinjusticemolesthimatall。Iwouldn'tlethimstayifthehouseweremine。Butshehasoftenbeforeallowedhimtoscoldherfromthepulpitinasmallerway——
　　onceitwasaboutanexpensivedressshehadworn——notmentioningherbyname，youknow；butallthepeoplearequiteawarethatitismeantforher，becauseonlyonepersonofherwealthorpositionbelongstotheBaptistbodyinthiscounty。'
　　Somersetwaslookingatthehomelyaffectionatefaceofthelittlespeaker。'Youarehergoodfriend，Iamsure，'heremarked。
　　Shelookedintothedistantairwithtacitadmissionoftheimpeachment。'Sowouldyoubeifyouknewher，'shesaid；andablushslowlyrosetohercheek，asifthepersonspokenofhadbeenaloverratherthanafriend。
　　'ButyouarenotaBaptistanymorethanI?'continuedSomerset。
　　'Ono。AndIneverknewonetillIknewPaula。Ithinktheyareverynice；thoughIsometimeswishPaulawasnotone，butthereligionofreasonablepersons。'
　　Theywalkedon，andcameoppositetowherethetelegraphemergedfromthetrees，leaptovertheparapet，andupthroughtheloopholeintotheinterior。
　　'Thatlooksstrangeinsuchabuilding，'saidhercompanion。
　　'MissPowerhaditputuptoknowthelatestnewsfromtown。
　　Itcostssixpoundsamile。Shecanworkitherself，beautifully:andsocanI，butnotsowell。Itwasagreatdelighttolearn。MissPowerwassointerestedatfirstthatshewassendingmessagesfrommorningtillnight。Anddidyouhearthenewclock?'
　　'Isitanewone?——Yes，Iheardit。'
　　'Theoldonewasquitewornout；soPaulahasputitinthecellar，andhadthisnewonemade，thoughitstillstrikesontheoldbell。Ittellstheseconds，buttheoldone，whichmyverygreatgrandfathererectedintheeighteenthcentury，onlytoldthehours。Paulasaysthattime，beingsomuchmorevaluablenow，mustofcoursebecutupintosmallerpieces。'
　　'Shedoesnotappeartobemuchimpressedbythespiritofthisancientpile。'
　　MissDeStancyshookherheadtooslightlytoexpressabsolutenegation。
　　'Doyouwishtocomethroughthisdoor?'sheasked。'Thereisasingularchimney-pieceinthekitchen，whichisconsideredauniqueexampleofitskind，thoughImyselfdon'tknowenoughaboutittohaveanopiniononthesubject。'
　　Whentheyhadlookedatthecorbelledchimney-piecetheyreturnedtothehall，wherehiseyewascaughtanewbyalargemapthathehadconnedforsometimewhenalone，withoutbeingabletodivinethelocalityrepresented。Itwascalled'GeneralPlanoftheTown，'andshowedstreetsandopenspacescorrespondingwithnothinghehadseeninthecounty。
　　'Isthattownhere?'heasked。
　　'ItisnotanywherebutinPaula'sbrain；shehaslaiditoutfromherowndesign。Thesiteissupposedtobenearourrailwaystation，justacrossthere，wherethelandbelongstoher。Sheisgoingtograntcheapbuildingleases，anddevelopthemanufactureofpottery。'
　　'Pottery——howverypracticalshemustbe!'
　　'Ono!no!'repliedMissDeStancy，intonesshowinghowsupremelyignoranthemustbeofMissPower'snatureifhecharacterizedherinthoseterms。'ItisGREEKpotteryshemeans——Hellenicpotteryshetellsmetocallit，onlyI
　　forget。Thereisbeautifulclayattheplace，herfathertoldher:hefounditinmakingtherailwaytunnel。ShehasvisitedtheBritishMuseum，continentalmuseums，andGreece，andSpain:andhopestoimitatetheoldfictileworkintime，especiallytheGreekofthebestperiod，fourhundredyearsafterChrist，orbeforeChrist——IforgetwhichitwasPaulasaid……Ono，sheisnotpracticalinthesenseyoumean，atall。'
　　'Amixedyounglady，rather。'
　　MissDeStancyappearedunabletosettlewhetherthisnewdefinitionofherdearfriendshouldbeacceptedaskindly，ordisallowedasdecidedlysarcastic。'Youwouldlikeherifyouknewher，'sheinsisted，inhalftonesofpique；afterwhichshewalkedonafewsteps。
　　'Ithinkveryhighlyofher，'saidSomerset。
　　'AndI!AndyetatonetimeIcouldneverhavebelievedthatIshouldhavebeenherfriend。Oneisprejudicedatfirstagainstpeoplewhoarereportedtohavesuchdifferencesinfeeling，associations，andhabit，assheseemedtohavefrommine。Butithasnotstoodintheleastinthewayofourlikingeachother。Ibelievethedifferencemakesusthemoreunited。'
　　'Itsaysagreatdealfortheliberalityofboth，'answeredSomersetwarmly。'Heavensendusmoreofthesamesortofpeople!Theyarenottoonumerousatpresent。'
　　AsthisremarkcalledfornoreplyfromMissDeStancy，shetookadvantageofanopportunitytoleavehimalone，firstrepeatingherpermissiontohimtowanderwherehewould。Hewalkedaboutforsometime，sketch-bookinhand，butwasconsciousthathisinterestdidnotliemuchinthearchitecture。Inpassingalongthecorridorofanupperfloorheobservedanopendoor，throughwhichwasvisiblearoomcontainingoneofthefinestRenaissancecabinetshehadeverseen。Itwasimpossible，oncloseexamination，todojusticetoitinahastysketch；itwouldbenecessarytomeasureeverylineifhewouldbringawayanythingofutilitytohimasadesigner。Decidingtoreservethisgemforanotheropportunityhecasthiseyesroundtheroomandblushedalittle。WithoutknowingithehadintrudedintotheabsentMissPaula'sownparticularsetofchambers，includingaboudoirandsleepingapartment。Onthetablesofthesitting-
　　roomweremostofthepopularpapersandperiodicalsthatheknew，notonlyEnglish，butfromParis，Italy，andAmerica。
　　Satiricalprints，thoughtheydidnotundulypreponderate，werenotwanting。BesidesthesetherewerebooksfromaLondoncirculatinglibrary，paper-coveredlightliteratureinFrenchandchoiceItalian，andthelatestmonthlyreviews；
　　whilebetweenthetwowindowsstoodthetelegraphapparatuswhosewirehadbeenthemeansofbringinghimhither。
　　Thesethings，ensconcedamidsomuchoftheoldandhoary，wereasifastrayhourfromthenineteenthcenturyhadwanderedlikeabutterflyintothethirteenth，andlostitselfthere。
　　Thedoorbetweenthisante-chamberandthesleeping-roomstoodopen。Withoutventuringtocrossthethreshold，forhefeltthathewouldbeabusinghospitalitytogosofar，Somersetlookedinforamoment。Itwasaprettyplace，andseemedtohavebeenhastilyfittedup。Inacorner，overhungbyablueandwhitecanopyofsilk，wasalittlecot，hardlylargeenoughtoimpressthecharacterofbedroomupontheoldplace。
　　Uponacounterpanelayaparasolandasilkneckerchief。Ontheothersideoftheroomwasatallmirrorofstartlingnewness，drapedlikethebedstead，inblueandwhite。ThrownatrandomuponthefloorwasapairofsatinslippersthatwouldhavefittedCinderella。Adressing-gownlayacrossasettee；andopposite，uponasmalleasy-chairinthesameblueandwhitelivery，wereaBible，theBaptistMagazine，WardlawonInfantBaptism，Walford'sCountyFamilies，andtheCourtJournal。Onandoverthemantelpiecewerenicknacksofvariousdescriptions，andphotographicportraitsoftheartistic，scientific，andliterarycelebritiesoftheday。
　　Adressing-roomlaybeyond；but，becomingconsciousthathisstudyofancientarchitecturewouldhardlybearstretchingfurtherinthatdirection，Mr。Somersetretreatedtotheoutside，obliviouslypassingbythegemofRenaissancethathadledhimin。
　　'Sheaffectsblue，'hewasthinking。'Thensheisfair。'
　　Onlookingup，sometimelater，atthenewclockthattoldtheseconds，hefoundthatthehoursathisdisposalforworkhadflownwithouthishavingtransferredasinglefeatureofthebuildingorfurnituretohissketch-book。Beforeleavinghesentinforpermissiontocomeagain，andthenwalkedacrossthefieldstotheinnatSleeping-Green，reflectinglessuponMissDeStancysolittleforceofpresencehadshepossessed
　　thanuponthemodernflowerinamediaevalflower-potwhomMissDeStancy'sinformationhadbroughtbeforehim，andupontheincongruitiesthatweredailyshapingthemselvesintheworldunderthegreatmodernfluctuationsofclassesandcreeds。
　　Somersetwasstillfullofthesubjectwhenhearrivedattheendofhiswalk，andhefanciedthatsomeloungersatthebaroftheinnwerediscussingtheheroineofthechapel-scenejustatthemomentofhisentry。Onthisaccount，whenthelandlordcametoclearawaythedinner，Somersetwasledtoinquireofhim，bywayofopeningaconversation，ifthereweremanyBaptistsintheneighbourhood。
　　Thelandlordwhowasaseriousmanonthesurface，thoughheoccasionallysmiledbeneathrepliedthattherewereagreatmany——farmorethantheaverageincountryparishes。'Evenhere，inmyhouse，now，'headded，'whenvolksgetadropofdrinkinto'em，andtheirfeelingsrisetoazong，somemanwillstrikeupahymnbypreference。ButIfindnofaultwiththat；forthough'tishardlyhumannaturetobesocalculatinginyercups，afellermayaswellsingtogainsomethingassingtowaste。'
　　'Howdoyouaccountfortherebeingsomany?'
　　'Well，youzee，sir，somesaysonething，andsomeanother；I
　　thinktheydoesittosavetheexpenseofaChristianburialfortherchildren。Nowthere'sapoorfamilyoutinLongLane——thehusbandusedtosmiteforJimmyMoretheblacksmithtill'ahurthisarm——they'dhavenolessthanelevenchildrenifthey'dnotbeenluckyt'otherway，andburiedfivewhentheywerethreeorfourmonthsold。Noweveryoneofthemchildrenwasgiventothesextoninalittleboxthatanyjourneymancouldnailtogetherinaquarterofanhour，andheburied'ematnightforashillingahead；whereas'twouldhavecostacoupleofpoundseachifthey'dbeenchristenedatchurch……Ofcoursethere'sthenewladyatthecastle，she'sachapelmember，andthatmaymakealittledifference；
　　butshe'snotbeenherelongenoughtoshowwhether'twillbeworthwhiletojoin'emfortheprofito'torwhether'twillnot。Nodoubtifitturnsoutthatshe'sofasorttorelievevolksintrouble，morewilljoinhersetthanbelongstoitalready。"Anyportinastorm，"ofcourse，asthesayingis。'
　　'Asforyourself，youareaChurchmanatpresent，Ipresume?'
　　'Yes；notbutIwasaMethodistonce——ay，foralengthoftime。'Twasowingtomytakingahousenextdoortoachapel；
　　sothatwhatwithhearingtheorganbizzlikeabeethroughthewall，andwhatwithfindingitsavedumbrellasonwetZundays，Iwentovertothatfaithfortwoyears——thoughI
　　believeIdroppedmoneybyit——Iwouldn'tbethemantosaysoifIhadn't。Howsomever，whenImovedintothishouseI
　　turnedbackagaintomyoldreligion。Faith，Idon'tzeemuchdifference:beyouone，orbeyout'other，you'vegottogetyourliving。'
　　'TheDeStancys，ofcourse，havenotmuchinfluenceherenow，forthat，oranyotherthing?'
　　'Ono，no；notanyatall。Theybeverylowuponground，andalwayswillbenow，Isuppose。Itwasthoughtedworthyofbeingrecordedinhistory——you'vereadit，sir，nodoubt?'
　　'Notaword。'
　　'O，then，youshall。I'vegotthehistoryzomewhere。'Twasgaymannersthatdidit。TheonlybitoflucktheyhavehadoflateyearsisMissPower'stakingtolittleMissDeStancy，andmakingherhercompany-keeper。Ihope'twillcontinue。'
　　ThatthetwodaughtersoftheseantipodeanfamiliesshouldbesuchintimatefriendswasasituationwhichpleasedSomersetasmuchasitdidthelandlord。Itwasanengaginginstanceofthathumanprogressonwhichhehadexpendedmanycharmingdreamsintheyearswhenpoetry，theology，andthereorganizationofsocietyhadseemedmattersofmoreimportancetohimthanaprofessionwhichshouldhelphimtoabighouseandincome，afairDeiopeia，andalovelyprogeny。
　　Whenhewasalonehepouredoutaglassofwine，andsilentlydrankthehealthsofthetwogenerous-mindedyoungwomenwho，inthislonelydistrict，hadfoundsweetcommunionanecessityoflife，andbypureandinstinctivegoodsensehadbrokendownabarrierwhichmenthricetheirageandreputewouldprobablyhavefeltitimperativetomaintain。Butperhapsthiswaspremature:theomnipotentMissPower'scharacter——
　　practicalorideal，politicorimpulsive——heasyetknewnothingof；andgivingoverreasoningfrominsufficientdatahelapsedintomereconjecture。
　　V。
　　ThenextmorningSomersetwasagainatthecastle。HepassedsomeintervalonthewallsbeforeencounteringMissDeStancy，whomatlastheobservedgoingtowardsapony-carriagethatwaitednearthedoor。
　　Asmilegainedstrengthuponherfaceathisapproach，andshewasthefirsttospeak。'IamsorryMissPowerhasnotreturned，'shesaid，andaccountedforthatlady'sabsencebyherdistressattheeventoftwoeveningsearlier。
　　'ButIhavedrivenovertomyfather's——SirWilliamDeStancy's——housethismorning，'shewenton。'Andonmentioningyournametohim，Ifoundheknewitquitewell。
　　Youwill，willyounot，forgivemyignoranceinhavingnobetterknowledgeoftheelderMr。Somerset'sworksthanadimsenseofhisfameasapainter?ButIwasgoingtosaythatmyfatherwouldmuchliketoincludeyouinhispersonalacquaintance，andwishesmetoaskifyouwillgivehimthepleasureoflunchingwithhimto-day。MycousinJohn，whomyouonceknew，wasagreatfavouriteofhis，andusedtospeakofyousometimes。Itwillbesokindifyoucancome。Myfatherisanoldman，outofsociety，andhewouldbegladtohearthenewsoftown。'
　　Somersetsaidhewasgladtofindhimselfamongfriendswherehehadonlyexpectedstrangers；andpromisedtocomethatday，ifshewouldtellhimtheway。
　　Thatshecouldeasilydo。Theshortwaywasacrossthatgladehesawthere——thenoverthestileintothewood，followingthepathtillitcameoutupontheturnpike-road。Hewouldthenbealmostclosetothehouse。Thedistancewasabouttwomilesandahalf。Butifhethoughtittoofarforawalk，shewoulddriveontothetown，whereshehadbeengoingwhenhecame，andinsteadofreturningstraighttoherfather'swouldcomebackandpickhimup。
　　Itwasnotatallnecessary，hethought。Hewasawalker，andcouldfindthepath。
　　AtthismomentaservantcametotellMissDeStancythatthetelegraphwascallingher。
　　'Ah——itisluckythatIwasnotgoneagain!'sheexclaimed。
　　'JohnseldomreadsitrightifIamaway。'
　　Itnowseemedquiteintheordinarycoursethat，asafriendofherfather's，heshouldaccompanyhertotheinstrument。
　　Souptheywenttogether，andimmediatelyonreachingitsheappliedhereartotheinstrument，andbegantogatherthemessage。Somersetfanciedhimselflikeapersonoverlookinganother'sletter，andmovedaside。
　　'Itisnosecret，'shesaid，smiling。'"PaulatoCharlotte，"
　　itbegins。'
　　'That'sverypretty。'
　　'O——anditisabout——you，'murmuredMissDeStancy。
　　'Me?'Thearchitectblushedalittle。
　　Shemadenoanswer，andthemachinewentonwithitsstory。
　　Therewassomethingcuriousinwatchingthisutteranceabouthimself，underhisverynose，inlanguageunintelligibletohim。Heconjecturedwhetheritwereinquiry，praise，orblame，withasensethatitmightreasonablybethelatter，astheresultofhissurreptitiouslookintothatbluebedroom，possiblyobservedandreportedbysomeservantofthehouse。
　　'"DirectthateveryfacilitybegiventoMr。Somersettovisitanypartofthecastlehemaywishtosee。OnmyreturnI
　　shallbegladtowelcomehimastheacquaintanceofyourrelatives。Ihavetwoofhisfather'spictures。"'
　　'Dearme，theplotthickens，'hesaid，asMissDeStancyannouncedthewords。'Howcouldsheknowaboutme?'
　　'IsentamessagetoherthismorningwhenIsawyoucrossingtheparkonyourwayhere——tellingherthatMr。Somerset，sonoftheAcademician，wasmakingsketchesofthecastle，andthatmyfatherknewsomethingofyou。That'sheranswer。'
　　'Wherearethepicturesbymyfatherthatshehaspurchased?'
　　'O，nothere——atleast，notunpacked。'
　　MissdeStancythenlefthimtoproceedonherjourneytoMarktonsothenearestlittletownwascalled，informinghimthatshewouldbeatherfather'shousetoreceivehimattwoo'clock。Justaboutoneheclosedhissketch-book，andsetoutinthedirectionshehadindicated。Attheentrancetothewoodamanwasatworkpullingdownarottengatethatboreonitsbatteredlocktheinitials'W。DeS。'anderectinganewonewhoseironmongeryexhibitedtheletters'P。P。'
　　Thewarmthofthesummernoondidnotinconvenientlypenetratethedensemassesoffoliagewhichnowbegantooverhangthepath，exceptinspotswherearuthlesstimber-fellinghadtakenplaceinpreviousyearsforthepurposeofsale。Itwasthatparticularhalf-hourofthedayinwhichthebirdsoftheforestpreferwalkingtoflying；andtherebeingnowind，thehoppingofthesmallestsongsteroverthedeadleavesreachedhisearfrombehindtheundergrowth。
　　Thetrackhadoriginallybeenawell-keptwindingdrive，butadeepcarpetofmossandleavesoverlaiditnow，thoughthegeneraloutlinestillremainedtoshowthatitscurveshadbeensetoutwithasmuchcareasthoseofalawnwalk，andthegradientmadeeasyforcarriageswherethenaturalslopesweregreat。Felledtrunksoccasionallylayacrossit，andalongsidewerethehollowandfungousbolesoftreessawndowninlongpastyears。
　　Afterawalkofthree-quartersofanhourhecametoanothergate，wheretheletters'P。P。'againsupplantedthehistorical'W。DeS。'Climbingoverthis，hefoundhimselfonahighwaywhichpresentlydippeddowntowardsthetownofMarkton，aplacehehadneveryetseen。Itappearedinthedistanceasaquietlittleboroughofafewthousandinhabitants；and，withoutthetownboundaryonthesidehewasapproaching，stoodhalf-a-dozengenteelandmodernhouses，ofthedetachedkindusuallyfoundinsuchsuburbs。Oninquiry，SirWilliamDeStancy'sresidencewasindicatedasoneofthese。
　　Itwasalmostnew，ofstreakedbrick，havingacentraldoor，andasmallbaywindowoneachsidetolightthetwofrontparlours。Alittlelawnspreaditsgreensurfaceinfront，dividedfromtheroadbyironrailings，thelowlineofshrubsimmediatelywithinthembeingcoatedwithpalliddustfromthehighway。Ontheneatpiersoftheneatentrancegatewerechiselledthewords'MyrtleVilla。'Genuineroadsiderespectabilitysatsmilingoneverybrickoftheeligibledwelling。
　　PerhapsthatwhichimpressedSomersetmorethanthemushroommodernismofSirWilliamDeStancy'shousewastheairofhealthfulcheerfulnesswhichpervadedit。Hewasshowninbyaneatmaidservantinblackgownandwhiteapron，acanarysingingawelcomefromacageintheshadowofthewindow，thevoicesofcrowingcockscomingoverthechimneysfromsomewherebehind，andthesunandairriddlingthehouseeverywhere。
　　Adwellingofthosewell-knownandpopulardimensionswhichallowtheproceedingsinthekitchentobedistinctlyheardintheparlours，itwassoplannedthatarakingviewmightbeobtainedthroughitfromthefrontdoortotheendofthebackgarden。Thedrawing-roomfurniturewascomfortable，inthewalnut-and-green-repstyleofsomeyearsago。Somersethadexpectedtofindhisfriendslivinginanoldhousewithremnantsoftheirownantiquefurniture，andhehardlyknewwhetherheoughttomeetthemwithasmileoragazeofcondolence。Hisdoubtwasterminated，however，bythecheerfulandtrippingentryofMissDeStancy，whohadreturnedfromherdrivetoMarkton；andinafewmoremomentsSirWilliamcameinfromthegarden。
　　Hewasanoldmanoftallandsparebuild，withaconsiderablestoop，hisglassesdanglingagainsthiswaistcoat-buttons，andthefrontcornersofhiscoat-tailshanginglowerthanthehinderparts，sothattheyswayedrightandleftashewalked。
　　Henervouslyapologizedtohisvisitorforhavingkepthimwaiting。
　　'Iamsogladtoseeyou，'hesaid，withamildbenevolenceoftone，asheretainedSomerset'shandforamomentortwo；
　　'partlyforyourfather'ssake，whomImetmorethanonceinmyyoungerdays，beforehebecamesowell-known；andalsobecauseIlearnthatyouwereafriendofmypoornephewJohnRavensbury。'Helookedoverhisshouldertoseeifhisdaughterwerewithinhearing，and，withtheimpulseofthesolitarytomakeaconfidence，continuedinalowtone:'She，poorgirl，wastohavemarriedJohn:hisdeathwasasadblowtoherandtoallofus——Praytakeaseat，Mr。Somerset。'
　　ThereversesoffortunewhichhadbroughtSirWilliamDeStancytothiscomfortablecottageawakenedinSomersetawarmeremotionthancuriosity，andhesatdownwithaheartasresponsivetoeachspeechutteredasifithadseriouslyconcernedhimself，whilehishostgavesomewordsofinformationtohisdaughteronthetriflingeventsthathadmarkedthemorningjustpassed；suchasthatthecowhadgotoutofthepaddockintoMissPower'sfield，thatthesmithwhohadpromisedtocomeandlookatthekitchenrangehadnotarrived，thattwowasps'nestshadbeendiscoveredinthegardenbank，andthatNickJones'sbabyhadfallendownstairs。
　　SirWilliamhadlargecavernousarchestohiseye-sockets，remindingthebeholderofthevaultsinthecastleheoncehadowned。Hishandswerelongandalmostfleshless，eachknuckleshowinglikeabamboo-jointfrombeneathhiscoat-sleeves，whichweresmallattheelbowandlargeatthewrist。Allthecolourhadgonefromhisbeardandlocks，exceptinthecaseofafewisolatedhairsoftheformer，whichretaineddashesoftheiroriginalshadeatsuddenpointsintheirlength，revealingthatallhadoncebeenravenblack。
　　Buttostudyamantohisfaceforlongisaspeciesofill-
　　naturewhichrequiresacoldertemperament，oratleastanolderheart，thanthearchitect'swasatthattime。Incuriousunobservanceisthetrueattitudeofcordiality，andSomersetblamedhimselfforhavingfallenintoanactofinspectionevenbriefly。Hewouldwaitforhishost'sconversation，whichwoulddoubtlessbeoftheessenceofhistoricalromance。
　　'ThefavourableBank-returnshavemadethemoney-marketmucheasierto-day，asIlearn?'saidSirWilliam。
　　'O，havethey?'saidSomerset。'Yes，Isupposetheyhave。'
　　'AndsomethingismeantbythisunusualquietnessinForeignstockssincethelateremarkablefluctuations，'insistedtheoldman。'Isthecurrentofspeculationquitearrested，orisitbutatemporarylull?'
　　Somersetsaidhewasafraidhecouldnotgiveanopinion，andenteredverylamelyintothesubject；butSirWilliamseemedtofindsufficientinterestinhisownthoughtstodoawaywiththenecessityofacquiringfreshimpressionsfromotherpeople'sreplies；foroftenafterputtingaquestionhelookedonthefloor，asifthesubjectwereatanend。Lunchwasnowready，andwhentheywereinthedining-roomMissDeStancy，tointroduceatopicofmoregeneralinterest，askedSomersetifhehadnoticedthemyrtleonthelawn?
　　Somersethadnoticedit，andthoughthehadneverseensuchafull-blownoneintheopenairbefore。Hiseyeswere，however，restingatthemomentontheonlyobjectsatalloutofthecommonthatthedining-roomcontained。Onewasasingularglasscaseoverthefireplace，withinwhichweresomelargemediaevaldoor-keys，blackwithrustandage；andtheothersweretwofull-lengthoilportraitsinthecostumeoftheendofthelastcentury——sooutofallproportiontothesizeoftheroomtheyoccupiedthattheyalmostreachedtothefloor。
　　'Thoseoriginallybelongedtothecastleyonder，'saidMissDeStancy，orCharlotte，asherfathercalledher，noticingSomerset'sglanceatthekeys。'Theyusedtounlocktheprincipalentrance-doors，whichwereknockedtopiecesinthecivilwars。Newdoorswereplacedafterwards，buttheoldkeyswerenevergivenup，andhavebeenpreservedbyuseversince。'
　　'Theyarequiteuseless——merelumber——particularlytome，'
　　saidSirWilliam。
　　'AndthosehugepaintingswereapresentfromPaula，'shecontinued。'Theyareportraitsofmygreat-grandfatherandmother。Paulawouldgivealltheoldfamilypicturesbacktomeifwehadroomforthem；buttheywouldfillthehousetotheceilings。'
　　SirWilliamwasimpatientofthesubject。'Whatistheutilityofsuchaccumulations?'heasked。'Theiroriginalsarebutclaynow——mereforgottendust，notworthyamoment'sinquiryorreflectionatthisdistanceoftime。Nothingcanretainthespirit，andwhyshouldwepreservetheshadowoftheform?——Londonhasbeenveryfullthisyear，sir，Ihavebeentold?'
　　'Ithas，'saidSomerset，andheaskediftheyhadbeenupthatseason。ItwasplainthatthematterwithwhichSirWilliamDeStancyleastcaredtooccupyhimselfbeforevisitorswasthehistoryofhisownfamily，inwhichhewasfollowedwithmoresimplicitybyhisdaughterCharlotte。
　　'No，'saidthebaronet。'Onemightbeledtothinkthereisafatalitywhichpreventsit。Wemakearrangementstogototownalmosteveryyear，tomeetsomeoldfriendwhocombinestherareconditionsofbeinginLondonwithbeingmindfulofme；buthehasalwaysdiedorgoneelsewherebeforetheeventhastakenplace……Butwithadispositiontobehappy，itisneitherthisplacenortheotherthatcanrenderusthereverse。Inshorteachman'shappinessdependsuponhimself，andhisabilityfordoingwithlittle。'HeturnedmoreparticularlytoSomerset，andaddedwithanimpressivesmile:
　　'Ihopeyoucultivatetheartofdoingwithlittle?'
　　Somersetsaidthathecertainlydidcultivatethatart，partlybecausehewasobligedto。
　　'Ah——youdon'tmeantotheextentthatImean。Theworldhasnotyetlearnedtherichesoffrugality，says，Ithink，Cicero，somewhere；andnobodycantestifytothetruthofthatremarkbetterthanI。Ifamanknowshowtospendlessthanhisincome，howeversmallthatmaybe，why——hehasthephilosopher'sstone。'AndSirWilliamlookedinSomerset'sfacewithfrugalitywrittenineveryporeofhisown，asmuchastosay，'Andhereyouseeonewhohasbeenalivinginstanceofthoseprinciplesfromhisyouthup。'
　　Somersetsoonfoundthatwhateverturntheconversationtook，SirWilliaminvariablyrevertedtothistopicoffrugality。