'AndinthatONE!'hesaid，lookingdevotedlyather。'IfI
hadonlybeenfortunateenoughtoincludeitwiththerest，myalbumwouldindeedhavebeenatreasuretoporeoverbythebivouacfire!'
'O，CaptainDeStancy，thisisprovokingperseverance!'criedPaula，laughinghalfcrossly。'IexpectedthatafterexpressingmydecisionsoplainlythefirsttimeIshouldnothavebeenfurtherurgeduponthesubject。'Sayingwhichsheturnedandmoveddecisivelyaway。
Ithadnotbeenaproductivemeeting，thusfar。'Oneword!'
saidDeStancy，followingandalmostclaspingherhand。'I
havegivenoffence，Iknow:butdoletitallfallonmyownhead——don'ttellmysisterofmymisbehaviour!Shelovesyoudeeply，anditwouldwoundhertotheheart。'
'Youdeservetobetoldupon，'saidPaulaasshewithdrew，withjustenoughplayfulnesstoshowthatherangerwasnottooserious。
CharlottelookedatPaulauneasilywhenthelatterjoinedherinthedrawing-room。Shewantedtosay，'Whatisthematter?'
butguessingthatherbrotherhadsomethingtodowithit，forboretospeakatfirst。Shecouldnotcontainheranxietylong。'Wereyoutalkingwithmybrother?'shesaid。
'Yes，'returnedPaula，withreservation。However，shesoonadded，'Henotonlywantstophotographhisancestors，butMY
portraittoo。Theyareadreadfullyencroachingsex，andperhapsbeinginthearmymakesthemworse!'
'I'llgivehimahint，andtellhimtobecareful。'
'Don'tsayIhavedefinitelycomplainedofhim；itisnotworthwhiletodothat；thematteristootriflingforrepetition。Uponthewhole，Charlotte，Iwouldratheryousaidnothingatall。'
DeStancy'shobbyofphotographinghisancestorsseemedtobecomeaperfectmaniawithhim。Almosteverymorningdiscoveredhiminthelargerapartmentsofthecastle，takingdownandrehangingthedilapidatedpictures，withtheassistanceoftheindispensableDare；hisfingersstainedblackwithdust，andhisfaceexpressingabusyattentiontotheworkinhand，thoughalwaysreservingalookaskanceforthepresenceofPaula。
Thoughtherewassomethingofsubterfuge，therewasnodeepanddoublesubterfugeinallthis。DeStancytooknoparticularinterestinhisancestralportraits；buthewasenamouredofPaulatoweakness。Perhapsthecompositionofhislovewouldhardlybearlookinginto，butitwasrecklesslyfrankandnotquitemercenary。Hisphotographicschemewasnothingworsethanalover'snottooscrupulouscontrivance。
AftertherefusalofhisrequesttocopyherpicturehefumedandfrettedattheprospectofSomerset'sreturnbeforeanyimpressionhadbeenmadeonherheartbyhimself；hesworeatDare，andaskedhimhotlywhyhehaddraggedhimintosuchahopelessdilemmaasthis。
'Hopeless?Somersetmuststillbekeptaway，sothatitisnothopeless。Iwillconsiderhowtoprolonghisstay。'
ThereuponDareconsidered。
Thetimewascoming——hadindeedcome——whenitwasnecessaryforPaulatomakeuphermindaboutherarchitect，ifshemeanttobeginbuildinginthespring。Thetwosetsofplans，Somerset'sandHavill's，werehangingonthewallsoftheroomthathadbeenusedbySomersetashisstudio，andwereaccessiblebyanybody。Daretookoccasiontogoandstudybothsets，withaviewtofindingaflawinSomerset'swhichmighthavebeenpassedoverunnoticedbythecommitteeofarchitects，owingtotheirabsencefromtheactualsite。Butnotablundercouldhefind。
HenextwenttoHavill；andherehewasmetbyanamazingstateofaffairs。Havill'screditors，atlastsuspectingsomethingmythicalinHavill'sassurancethatthegrandcommissionwashis，hadlostallpatience；hishousewasturnedupside-down，andapostergleamedonthefrontwall，statingthattheexcellentmodernhouseholdfurniturewastobesoldbyauctiononFridaynext。Troubleshadapparentlycomeinbattalions，forDarewasinformedbyabystanderthatHavill'swifewasseriouslyillalso。
Withoutstayingforamomenttoenterhisfriend'shouse，backwentMr。Daretothecastle，andtoldCaptainDeStancyofthearchitect'sdesperatecircumstances，begginghimtoconveythenewsinsomewaytoMissPower。DeStancypromisedtomakerepresentationsintheproperquarterwithoutperceivingthathewasdoingthebestpossibledeedforhimselfthereby。
HetoldPaulaofHavill'smisfortunesinthepresenceofhissister，whoturnedpale。Shediscernedhowthismisfortunewouldbearupontheundecidedcompetition。
'Poorman，'murmuredPaula。'Hewasmyfather'sarchitect，andsomehowexpected，thoughIdidnotpromiseit，theworkofrebuildingthecastle。'
ThenDeStancysawDare'saiminsendinghimtoMissPowerwiththenews；and，seeingit，concurred:Somersetwashisrival，andallwasfair。'Andishenottohavetheworkofthecastleafterexpectingit?'heasked。
Paulawaslostinreflection。'Theotherarchitect'sdesignandMr。Havill'sareexactlyequalinmerit，andwecannotdecidehowtogiveittoeither，'explainedCharlotte。
'Thatisourdifficulty，'Paulamurmured。'Abankrupt，andhiswifeill——dearme!Iwonderwhat'sthecause。'
'Hehasborrowedontheexpectationofhavingtoexecutethecastleworks，andnowheisunabletomeethisliabilities。'
'Itisverysad，'saidPaula。
'Letmesuggestaremedyforthisdead-lock，'saidDeStancy。
'Do，'saidPaula。
'Dotheworkofbuildingintwohalvesorsections。GiveHavillthefirsthalf，sinceheisinneed；whenthatisfinishedthesecondhalfcanbegiventoyourLondonarchitect。If，asIunderstand，theplansareidentical，exceptinornamentaldetails，therewillbenodifficultyaboutitatall。'
Paulasighed——justalittleone；andyetthesuggestionseemedtosatisfyherbyitsreasonableness。Sheturnedsad，wayward，butwasimpressedbyDeStancy'smannerandwords。
Sheappearedindeedtohaveasmoulderingdesiretopleasehim。IntheafternoonshesaidtoCharlotte，'Imeantodoasyourbrothersays。'
AnotewasdespatchedtoHavillthatveryday，andinanhourthecrestfallenarchitectpresentedhimselfatthecastle。
Paulainstantlygavehimaudience，commiseratedhim，andcommissionedhimtocarryoutafirstsectionofthebuildings，comprisingworktotheextentofabouttwentythousandpoundsexpenditure；andthen，withaprematurenessquiteamazingamongarchitects'clients，shehandedhimoverachequeforfivehundredpoundsonaccount。
Whenhehadgone，Paula'sbearingshowedsomesignofbeingdisquietedatwhatshehaddone；butshecoveredhermoodunderacloakofsaucyserenity。PerhapsatenderremembranceofacertainthunderstormintheforegoingAugustwhenshestoodwithSomersetinthearbour，anddidnotownthatshelovedhim，waspressingonhermemoryandbewilderingher。
Shehadnotseenquiteclearly，inadoptingDeStancy'ssuggestion，thatSomersetwouldnowhavenoprofessionalreasonforbeingatthecastleforthenexttwelvemonths。
Butthecaptainhad，andwhenHavillenteredthecastleherejoicedwithgreatjoy。Dare，too，rejoicedinhiscoldway，andwentonwithhisphotography，saying，'Thegameprogresses，captain。'
'Game?CallitDivineComedy，rather!'saidthesoldierexultingly。
'Heispracticallybanishedforayearormore。Whatcan'tyoudoinayear，captain!'
Havill，inthemeantime，havingrespectfullywithdrawnfromthepresenceofPaula，passedbyDareandDeStancyinthegalleryashehaddoneinentering。HespokeafewwordstoDare，whocongratulatedhim。Whiletheyweretalkingsomebodywasheardinthehall，inquiringhastilyforMr。Havill。
'WhatshallItellhim?'demandedtheporter。
'Hiswifeisdead，'saidthemessenger。
Havilloverheardthewords，andhastenedaway。
'Anunluckyman!'saidDare。
'That，happilyforus，willnotaffecthisinstallationhere，'
saidDeStancy。'Nowholdyourtongueandkeepatadistance。
Shemaycomethisway。'
Surelyenoughinafewminutesshecame。DeStancy，tomakeconversation，toldherofthenewmisfortunewhichhadjustbefallenMr。Havill。
Paulawasverysorrytohearit，andremarkedthatitgavehergreatsatisfactiontohaveappointedhimasarchitectofthefirstwingbeforehelearntthebadnews。'Ioweyoubestthanks，CaptainDeStancy，forshowingmesuchanexpedient。'
'DoIreallydeservethanks?'askedDeStancy。'IwishI
deservedareward；butImustbearinmindthefableofthepriestandthejester。'
'Ineverheardit。'
'Thejesterimploredthepriestforalms，butthesmallestsumwasrefused，thoughtheholymanreadilyagreedtogivehimhisblessing。Query，itsvalue?'
'Howdoesitapply?'
'Yougivemeunlimitedthanks，butdenymethetiniestsubstantialtrifleIdesire。'
'Whatpersistence!'exclaimedPaula，colouring。'Verywell，ifyouWILLphotographmypictureyoumust。Itisreallynotworthyfurtherpleading。Takeitwhenyoulike。'
WhenPaulawasalonesheseemedvexedwithherselfforhavinggivenway；andrisingfromherseatshewentquietlytothedooroftheroomcontainingthepicture，intendingtolockituptillfurtherconsideration，whateverhemightthinkofher。
Butoncastinghereyesroundtheapartmentthepaintingwasgone。Thecaptain，wiselytakingthecurrentwhenitserved，alreadyhaditinthegallery，wherehewastobeseenbendingattentivelyoverit，arrangingthelightsanddirectingDarewiththeinstruments。Onleavinghethankedher，andsaidthathehadobtainedasplendidcopy。Wouldshelookatit?
Paulawassevereandicy。'Thankyou——Idon'twishtoseeit，'shesaid。
DeStancybowedanddepartedinaglowoftriumph；satisfied，notwithstandingherfrigidity，thathehadcompassedhisimmediateaim，whichwasthatshemightnotbeabletodismissfromherthoughtshimandhisperseveringdesirefortheshadowofherfaceduringthenextfour-and-twenty-hours。Andhisconfidencewaswellfounded:shecouldnot。
'IfearthisDivineComedywillbeslowbusinessforus，captain，'saidDare，whohadheardhercoldwords。
'Ono!'saidDeStancy，flushingalittle:hehadnotbeenperceivingthattheladhadthemeasureofhismindsoentirelyastogaugehispositionatanymoment。Buthewouldshownoshamefacedness。'Evenifitis，myboy，'heanswered，'there'splentyoftimebeforetheothercancome。'
AtthathourandminuteofDeStancy'sremark'theother，'tolookathim，seemedindeedsecurelyshelved。Hewassittinglonelyinhischambersfaraway，wonderingwhyshedidnotwrite，andyethopingtohear——wonderingifithadallbeenbutashort-livedstrainoftenderness。Heknewaswellasifithadbeenstatedinwordsthatherseriousacceptanceofhimasasuitorwouldbeheracceptanceofhimasanarchitect——
thatherschemesinlovewouldbeexpressedintermsofart；
andconverselythatherrefusalofhimasaloverwouldbeneatlyeffectedbyherchoosingHavill'splansforthecastle，andreturninghisownwiththanks。Thepositionwassoclear:
hewassowellwalledinbycircumstancesthathewasabsolutelyhelpless。
Towaitforthelinethatwouldnotcome——thelettersayingthat，asshehaddesired，hiswasthedesignthatpleasedher——
wasstilltheonlythingtodo。ThetoSomersetsurprisingaccidentthatthecommitteeofarchitectsshouldhavepronouncedthedesignsabsolutelyequalinpointofmerit，andthushavecausedthefinalchoicetorevertafteralltoPaula，hadbeenajoyousthingtohimwhenhefirstheardofit，fullofconfidenceinherfavour。Butthefactofherhavingagainbecomethearbitrator，thoughithadmadeacceptanceofhisplansallthemoreprobable，maderefusalofthem，shouldithappen，allthemorecrushing。HecouldhaveconceivedhimselffavouredbyPaulaasherlover，evenhadthecommitteedecidedinfavourofHavillasherarchitect。Butnottobechosenasarchitectnowwastoberejectedinbothkinds。
IV。
ItwastheSundayfollowingthefuneralofMrs。Havill，newsofwhosedeathhadbeensounexpectedlybroughttoherhusbandatthemomentofhisexitfromStancyCastle。Theminister，aswashiscustom，improvedtheoccasionbyacoupleofsermonsontheuncertaintyoflife。OnewaspreachedinthemorningintheoldchapelofMarkton；thesecondateveningserviceintheruralchapelnearStancyCastle，builtbyPaula'sfather，whichboretothefirstsomewhattherelationofanepiscopalchapel-of-easetothemotherchurch。
Theunscreenedlightsblazedthroughtheplate-glasswindowsofthesmallerbuildingandoutshonethesteelystarsoftheearlynight，justastheyhaddonewhenSomersetwasattractedbytheirglarefourmonthsbefore。Thefervidminister'srhetoricequalleditsforceonthatmoreromanticoccasion:
butPaulawasnotthere。Shewasnotafrequentattendantnowatherfather'svotivebuilding。Themysterioustank，whosedarkwatershadsorepelledheratthelastmoment，wasboardedover:atablestoodonitscentre，withanopenquartoBibleuponit，behindwhichHavill，inanewsuitofblack，satinalargechair。Havillheldtheofficeofdeacon:andhehadmechanicallytakenthedeacon'sseatasusualto-night，inthefaceofthecongregation，andunderthenoseofMr。Woodwell。
Mr。Woodwellwasalwaysgladofanopportunity。Hewasgiftedwithaburningnaturaleloquence，which，thoughperhapsalittletoofreelyemployedinexcitingthe'Wertherismoftheuncultivated，'hadinitgenuinepower。Hewasamasterofthatoratorywhichnolimitationofknowledgecanrepress，andwhichnotrainingcanimpart。TheneighbouringrectorcouldeclipseWoodwell'sscholarship，andthefreethinkeratthecornershopinMarktoncoulddemolishhislogic；buttheBaptistcoulddoinfiveminuteswhatneitherofthesehaddoneinalifetime；hecouldmovesomeofthehardestofmentotears。
Thusithappenedthat，whenthesermonwasfairlyunderway，Havillbegantofeelhimselfinatryingposition。Itwasnotthathehadbestowedmuchaffectionuponhisdeceasedwife，irreproachablewomanasshehadbeen；butthesuddennessofherdeathhadshakenhisnerves，andMr。Woodwell'saddressontheuncertaintyoflifeinvolvedconsiderationsofconductonearththatborewithsingulardirectnessuponHavill'sunprincipledmanoeuvreforvictoryinthecastlecompetition。
Hewishedhehadnotbeensoinadvertentastotakehiscustomarychairinthechapel。PeoplewhosawHavill'sagitationdidnotknowthatitwasmostlargelyowingtohissenseofthefraudwhichhadbeenpractisedontheunoffendingSomerset；andwhen，unablelongertoendurethetortureofWoodwell'swords，herosefromhisplaceandwentintothechapelvestry，thepreacherlittlethoughtthatremorseforacontemptiblyunfairact，ratherthangriefforadeadwife，wasthecauseofthearchitect'swithdrawal。
WhenHavillgotintotheopenairhismorbidexcitementcalmeddown，butasickeningself-abhorrencefortheproceedinginstigatedbyDaredidnotabate。Toappropriateanotherman'sdesignwasnomorenorlessthantoembezzlehismoneyorstealhisgoods。Theintensereactionfromhisconductofthepasttwoorthreemonthsdidnotleavehimwhenhereachedhisownhouseandobservedwherethehandbillsofthecountermandedsalehadbeentorndown，astheresultofthepaymentmadeinadvancebyPaulaofmoneywhichshouldreallyhavebeenSomerset's。
Themoodwentonintensifyingwhenhewasinbed。Helayawaketilltheclockreachedthosestill，small，ghastlyhourswhenthevitalfiresburnattheirlowestinthehumanframe，anddeathseizesmoreofhisvictimsthaninanyotherofthetwenty-four。Havillcouldbearitnolonger；hegotalight，wentdownintohisofficeandwrotethenotesubjoined。
'MADAM，——Therecentdeathofmywifenecessitatesaconsiderablechangeinmyprofessionalarrangementsandplanswithregardtothefuture。Oneofthechiefresultsofthechangeis，Iregrettostate，thatInolongerfindmyselfinapositiontocarryouttheenlargementofthecastlewhichyouhadsogenerouslyentrustedtomyhands。
'Ibegleavethereforetoresignallfurtherconnectionwiththesame，andtoexpress，ifyouwillallowme，ahopethatthecommissionmaybeplacedinthehandsoftheothercompetitor。Herewithisreturnedachequeforone-halfofthesumsokindlyadvancedinanticipationofthecommissionI
shouldreceive；theotherhalf，withwhichIhadclearedoffmyimmediateembarrassmentsbeforeperceivingthenecessityforthiscourse，shallbereturnedtoyouassoonassomepaymentsfromotherclientsdropin——Ibegtoremain，Madam，yourobedientservant，JAMESHAVILL。'
Havillwouldnottrusthimselftillthemorningtopostthisletter。Hesealeditup，wentoutwithitintothestreet，andwalkedthroughthesleepingtowntothepost-office。Atthemouthoftheboxheheldtheletterlong。Bydroppingit，hewasdroppingatleasttwothousandfivehundredpoundswhich，howeverobtained，werenowsecurelyhis。Itwasagreatdealtoletgo；andtherehestoodtillanotherwaveofconscienceboreinuponhissoultheabsolutenatureofthetheft，andmadehimshudder。Thefootstepsofasolitarypolicemancouldbeheardnearinghimalongthedesertedstreet；hesitationended，andheletthelettergo。
Whenheawokeinthemorninghethoughtoverthecircumstancesbythecheerfullightofaloweasternsun。Thehorrorsofthesituationseemedmuchlessformidable；yetitcannotbesaidthatheactuallyregrettedhisact。Lateronhewalkedout，withthestrangesenseofbeingamanwho，fromonehavingalargeprofessionalundertakinginhand，had，byhisownact，suddenlyreducedhimselftoanunoccupiednondescript。FromtheupperendofthetownhesawinthedistancethegrandgreytowersofStancyCastleloomingovertheleaflesstrees；hefeltstupefiedatwhathehaddone，andsaidtohimselfwithbitterdiscontent:'Well，well，whatismorecontemptiblethanahalf-heartedrogue!'
Thatmorningthepost-baghadbeenbroughttoPaulaandMrs。
Goodmanintheusualway，andMissPowerreadtheletter。Hisresignationwasasurprise；thequestionwhetherhewouldorwouldnotrepaythemoneywaspassedover；thenecessityofinstallingSomersetafterallassolearchitectwasanagitation，oremotion，theprecisenatureofwhichitisimpossibletoaccuratelydefine。
However，shewentaboutthehouseafterbreakfastwithverymuchthemannerofonewhohadhadaweightremovedeitherfromherheartorfromherconscience；moreover，herfacewasalittleflushedwhen，inpassingbySomerset'slatestudio，shesawtheplansbearinghismotto，andknewthathisandnotHavill'swouldbethepresidingpresenceinthecomingarchitecturalturmoil。Shewentonfurther，andcalledtoCharlotte，whowasnowregularlysleepinginthecastle，toaccompanyher，andtogethertheyascendedtothetelegraph-
roominthedonjontower。
'Whomareyougoingtotelegraphto?'saidMissDeStancywhentheystoodbytheinstrument。
'Myarchitect。'
'O——Mr。Havill。'
'Mr。Somerset。'
MissDeStancyhadschooledheremotionsonthatsidecruellywell，andsheaskedcalmly，'What，haveyouchosenhimafterall?'
'Thereisnochoiceinit——readthat，'saidPaula，handingHavill'sletter，asifshefeltthatProvidencehadsteppedintoshapeendsthatshewastooundecidedorunpractisedtoshapeforherself。
'Itisverystrange，'murmuredCharlotte；whilePaulaappliedherselftothemachineanddespatchedthewords:——
'MissPower，StancyCastle，toG。Somerset，Esq。，F。S。A。，F。R。I。B。A。，QueenAnne'sChambers，St。James's。
'Yourdesignisacceptedinitsentirety。Itwillbenecessarytobeginsoon。Ishallwishtoseeandconsultyouonthematteraboutthe10thinstant。'
WhenthemessagewasfairlygoneoutofthewindowPaulaseemedstillfurthertoexpand。Thestrangespellcastoverherbysomethingorother——probablythepresenceofDeStancy，andtheweirdromanticismofhismannertowardsher，whichwasasifthehistoricpasthadtouchedherwithayetlivinghand——inagreatmeasurebecamedissipated，leavingherthearchandserenemaidenthatshehadbeenbefore。
AboutthistimeCaptainDeStancyandhisAchateswereapproachingthecastle，andhadarrivedaboutfiftypacesfromthespotatwhichitwasDare'scustomtodropbehindhiscompanion，inorderthattheirappearanceatthelodgeshouldbethatofmasterandman。
Darewassaying，ashehadsaidbefore:'Ican'thelpfancying，captain，thatyourapproachtothiscastleanditsmistressisbyaverytedioussystem。Yourtrenches，zigzags，counterscarps，andravelinsmaybeallverywell，andaverysuresystemofattackinthelongrun；butuponmysoultheyarealmostasslowinmaturingasthoseofUncleTobyhimself。
FormypartIshouldbeinclinedtotryanassault。'
'Don'tpretendtogiveadvice，Willy，onmattersbeyondyouryears。'
'Ionlymeantitforyourgood，andyourproperadvancementintheworld，'saidDareinwoundedtones。
'Differentcharacters，differentsystems，'returnedthesoldier。'Thisladyisofareticent，independent，complicateddisposition，andanysuddenproceedingwouldputheronhermettle。Youdon'tdreamwhatmyimpatienceis，myboy。Itisathingtranscendingyourutmostconceptions!ButIproceedslowly；Iknowbetterthantodootherwise。ThankGodthereisplentyoftime。AslongasthereisnoriskofSomerset'sreturnmysituationissure。'
'Andprofessionaletiquettewillpreventhimcomingyet。
Havillandhewillchangelikethemeninasentry-box；whenHavillwalksout，he'llwalkin，andnotamomentbefore。'
'Thatwillnotbetilleighteenmonthshavepassed。AndastheJesuitsaid，"TimeandIagainstanytwo。"……Nowdroptotherear，'addedCaptainDeStancyauthoritatively。Andtheypassedunderthewallsofthecastle。
Thegravefrontsandbastionswerewrappedinsilence；somuchso，that，standingawhileintheinnerward，theycouldhearthroughanopenwindowafaintlyclickingsoundfromwithin。
'She'satthetelegraph，'saidDare，throwingforwardhisvoicesoftlytothecaptain。'Whatcanthatbeforsoearly?
Thatwireisanuisance，tomymind；suchconstantintercoursewiththeouterworldisbadforourromance。'
Thespeakerenteredtoarrangehisphotographicapparatus，ofwhich，intruth，hewasgettingweary；andDeStancysmokedontheterracetillDareshouldbeready。Whilehewaitedhissisterlookedoutuponhimfromanuppercasement，havingcaughtsightofhimasshecamefromPaulainthetelegraph-
room。
'Well，Lottie，whatnewsthismorning?'hesaidgaily。
'Nothingofimportance。Wearequitewell。'……Sheaddedwithhesitation，'Thereisonepieceofnews；Mr。Havill——butperhapsyouhavehearditinMarkton?'
'Nothing。'
'Mr。Havillhasresignedhisappointmentasarchitecttothecastle。'
'What?——whohasit，then?'
'Mr。Somerset。'
'Appointed?'
'Yes——bytelegraph。'
'Whenishecoming?'saidDeStancyinconsternation。
'Aboutthetenth，wethink。'
Charlottewasconcernedtoseeherbrother'sface，andwithdrewfromthewindowthathemightnotquestionherfurther。DeStancywentintothehall，andontothegallery，whereDarewasstandingasstillasacaryatid。
'Ihaveheardeveryword，'saidDare。
'Well，whatdoesitmean?HasthatfoolHavilldoneitonpurposetoannoyme?Whatconceivablereasoncanthemanhaveforthrowingupanappointmenthehasworkedsohardfor，atthemomenthehasgotit，andinthetimeofhisgreatestneed?'
Dareguessed，forhehadseenalittlewayintoHavill'ssoulduringthebriefperiodoftheirconfederacy。Buthewasveryfarfromsayingwhatheguessed。Yetheunconsciouslyrevealedbyotherwordsthenocturnalshadesinhischaracterwhichhadmadethatconfederacypossible。
'Somersetcomingafterall!'hereplied。'ByGod!thatlittlesix-barrelledfriendofmine，andagoodresolution，andhewouldneverarrive!'
'What!'saidCaptainDeStancy，palingwithhorrorashegatheredtheother'ssinistermeaning。
Dareinstantlyrecollectedhimself。'Oneistemptedtosayanythingatsuchamoment，'herepliedhastily。
'Sinceheistocome，lethimcome，forme，'continuedDeStancy，withreactionarydistinctness，andstillgazinggravelyintotheyoungman'sface。'Thebattleshallbefairlyfoughtout。Fairplay，eventoarival——rememberthat，boy……Whyareyouhere?——unnaturallyconcerningyourselfwiththepassionsofamanofmyage，asifyouweretheparent，andItheson?Wouldtoheaven，Willy，youhaddoneasIwishedyoutodo，andledthelifeofasteady，thoughtfulyoungman!Insteadofmeddlinghere，youshouldnowhavebeeninsomestudio，college，orprofessionalman'schambers，engagedinausefulpursuitwhichmighthavemadeoneproudtoownyou。Butyouweresoprecociousandheadstrong；andthisiswhatyouhavecometo:youpromisetobeworthless!'
'IthinkIshallgotomylodgingsto-dayinsteadofstayinghereoverthesepictures，'saidDare，afterasilenceduringwhichCaptainDeStancyendeavouredtocalmhimself。'Iwasgoingtotellyouthatmydinnerto-daywillunfortunatelybeoneofherbs，forwantoftheneedful。Ihavecometomylaststiver——Youdineatthemess，Isuppose，captain?'
DeStancyhadwalkedaway；butDareknewthatheplayedaprettysurecardinthatspeech。DeStancy'sheartcouldnotwithstandthesuggestedcontrastbetweenalonelymealofbread-and-cheeseandawell-ordereddinneramidcheerfulcompanions。'Here，'hesaid，emptyinghispocketandreturningtothelad'sside。'Takethis，andorderyourselfagoodmeal。Youkeepmeaspoorasacrow。Thereshallbemoreto-morrow。'
ThepeculiarlybifoldnatureofCaptainDeStancy，asshowninhisconductatdifferenttimes，wassomethingrareinlife，andperhapshappilyso。Thatmechanicaladmixtureofblackandwhitequalitieswithoutcoalescence，onwhichthetheoryofmen'scharacterswasbasedbymoralanalysisbeforetheriseofmodernethicalschools，fictitiousasitwasingeneralapplication，wouldhavealmosthitoffthetruthasregardsCaptainDeStancy。Removedtosomehalf-knowncentury，hisdeedswouldhavewonapicturesquenessoflightandshadethatmighthavemadehimafascinatingsubjectforsomegalleryofillustrioushistoricalpersonages。Itwasthistendencytomoralchequer-workwhichaccountedforhisvariedbearingstowardsDare。
Darewithdrewtotakehisdeparture。Whenhehadgoneafewsteps，despondent，hesuddenlyturned，andranbackwithsomeexcitement。
'Captain——he'scomingonthetenth，don'ttheysay?Well，fourdaysbeforethetenthcomesthesixth。Haveyouforgottenwhat'sfixedforthesixth?'
'Ihadquiteforgotten!'
'Thatdaywillbeworththreemonthsofquietattentions:
withluck，skill，andaboldheart，whatmayn'tyoudo?'
CaptainDeStancy'sfacesoftenedwithsatisfaction。
'Thereissomethinginthat；thegameisnotupafterall。
Thesixth——ithadgonecleanoutofmyhead，bygad!'
V。
ThecheeringmessagefromPaulatoSomersetspedthroughtheloopholeofStancyCastlekeep，overthetrees，alongtherailway，underbridges，acrossfourcounties——fromextremeantiquityofenvironmenttosheermodernism——andfinallylandeditselfonatableinSomerset'schambersinthemidstofacloudoffog。Hereaditand，inthemomentofreactionfromthedepressionofhispastdays，clappedhishandslikeachild。
Thenheconsideredthedateatwhichshewantedtoseehim。
Hadshesowordedherdespatchhewouldhavegonethatveryday；buttherewasnothingtocomplainofinhergivinghimaweek'snotice。Puremaidenmodestymighthavecheckedherindulgenceinatooardentrecall。
Time，however，draggedsomewhatheavilyalongintheinterim，andontheseconddayhethoughthewouldcallonhisfatherandtellhimofhissuccessinobtainingtheappointment。
TheelderMr。Somersetlivedinadetachedhouseinthenorth-
westpartoffashionableLondon；andascendingthechiefstaircasetheyoungmanbranchedofffromthefirstlandingandenteredhisfather'spainting-room。Itwasanhourwhenhewasprettysureoffindingthewell-knownpainteratwork，andonliftingthetapestryhewasnotdisappointed，Mr。
Somersetbeingbusilyengagedwithhisbacktowardsthedoor。
Artandvitiatednaturewerestrugglinglikewrestlersinthatapartment，andartwasgettingtheworstofit。Theoverpoweringgloompervadingtheclammyair，renderedstillmoreintensebytheheightofthewindowfromthefloor，reducedallthepicturesthatwerestandingaroundtothewizenedfeeblenessofcorpsesonend。Theshadowypartsoftheroombehindthedifferenteaselswereveiledinabrownvapour，precludingallestimateoftheextentofthestudio，andonlysubduedintheforegroundbytheruddyglarefromanopenstoveofDutchtiles。Somerset'sfootstepshadbeensonoiselessoverthecarpetingofthestairsandlanding，thathisfatherwasunawareofhispresence；hecontinuedathisworkasbefore，whichheperformedbythehelpofacomplicatedapparatusoflamps，candles，andreflectors，soarrangedastoekeoutthemiserabledaylight，toapowerapparentlysufficientfortheneutraltouchesonwhichhewasatthatmomentengaged。
Thefirstthoughtofanunsophisticatedstrangeronenteringthatroomcouldonlybetheamazedinquirywhyaprofessoroftheartofcolour，whichbeyondallotherartsrequirespuredaylightforitsexercise，shouldfixhimselfonthesinglesquareleagueinhabitableEuropetowhichlightisdeniedatnoondayforweeksinsuccession。
'O!it'syou，George，isit?'saidtheAcademician，turningfromthelamps，whichshoneoverhisbaldcrownatsuchaslantastorevealeverycranialirregularity。'Howareyouthismorning?Stilladeadsilenceaboutyourgrandcastlecompetition?'
Somersettoldthenews。Hisfatherdulycongratulatedhim，andaddedgenially，'Itiswelltobeyou，George。Onelargecommissiontoattendto，andnothingtodistractyoufromit。
Iambotheredbyhavingadozenironsinthefireatonce。
Andpeoplearesounreasonable——Onlythismorning，amongotherthings，whenyougotyourordertogoonwithyoursinglestudy，Ireceivedaletterfromawoman，anoldfriendwhomIcanscarcelyrefuse，beggingmeasagreatfavourtodesignherasetoftheatricalcostumes，inwhichsheandherfriendscanperformforsomecharity。Itwouldoccupymeagoodweektogointothesubjectanddothethingproperly。
SucharethesortoflettersIget。Iwish，George，youcouldknockoutsomethingforherbeforeyouleavetown。Itispositivelyimpossibleformetodoitwithallthisworkinhand，andtheseeternalfogstocontendagainst。'
'Ifearcostumesareratheroutofmyline，'saidtheson。
'However，I'lldowhatIcan。Whatperiodandcountryaretheytorepresent?'
Hisfatherdidn'tknow。Hehadneverlookedattheplayoflateyears。Itwas'Love'sLabour'sLost。''Youhadbetterreaditforyourself，'hesaid，'anddothebestyoucan。'
DuringthemorningSomersetjuniorfoundtimetorefreshhismemoryoftheplay，andafterwardswentandhuntedupmaterialsfordesignstosuitthesame，whichoccupiedhissparehoursforthenextthreedays。AstheseoccupationsmadenogreatdemandsuponhisreasoningfacultieshemostlyfoundhismindwanderingofftoimaginaryscenesatStancyCastle:particularlydidhedwellatthistimeuponPaula'slivelyinterestinthehistory，relics，tombs，architecture，——
nay，theveryChristiannamesoftheDeStancyline，andher'artistic'preferenceforCharlotte'sancestorsinsteadofherown。Yetwhatmorenaturalthanthataclevermeditativegirl，encasedinthefeudallumberofthatfamily，shouldimbibeatleastanantiquarianinterestinit?Humannatureatbottomisromanticratherthanascetic，andthelocalhabitationwhichaccidenthadprovidedforPaulawasperhapsactingasasolventofthehard，morbidlyintrospectiveviewsthrustuponherinearlylife。
SomersetwonderedifhisownpossessionofasubstantialgenealogylikeCaptainDeStancy'swouldhavehadanyappreciableeffectuponherregardforhim。HissuggestiontoPaulaofherbelongingtoaworthystrainofengineershadbeenbasedonhiscontentwithhisownintellectuallineofdescentthroughPheidias，IctinusandCallicrates，Chersiphron，Vitruvius，WilarsofCambray，WilliamofWykeham，andtherestofthatlongandillustriousroll；butMissPower'smarkedpreferenceforananimalpedigreeledhimtomuseonwhathecouldshowforhimselfinthatkind。
Thesethoughtssofaroccupiedhimthatwhenhetookthesketchestohisfather，onthemorningofthefifth，hewasledtoask:'Hasanyoneeversiftedoutourfamilypedigree?'
'Familypedigree?'
'Yes。Haveweanypedigreeworthytobecomparedwiththatofprofessedlyoldfamilies?Ineverrememberhearingofanyancestorfurtherbackthanmygreat-grandfather。'
Somersettheelderreflectedandsaidthathebelievedtherewasagenealogicaltreeaboutthehousesomewhere，reachingbacktoaveryrespectabledistance。'NotthatIevertookmuchinterestinit，'hecontinued，withoutlookingupfromhiscanvas；'butyourgreatuncleJohnwasamanwithatasteforthosesubjects，andhedrewupsuchasheet:hemadeseveralcopiesonparchment，andgaveonetoeachofhisbrothersandsisters。Theonehegavetomyfatherisstillinmypossession，Ithink。'
Somersetsaidthatheshouldliketoseeit；buthalf-an-
hour'ssearchaboutthehousefailedtodiscoverthedocument；
andtheAcademicianthenrememberedthatitwasinanironboxathisbanker's。Hehaduseditasawrapperforsometitle-
deedsandothervaluablewritingswhichweredepositedthereforsafety。'Whydoyouwantit?'heinquired。
Theyoungmanconfessedhiswhimtoknowifhisownantiquitywouldbearcomparisonwiththatofanotherperson，whosenamehedidnotmention；whereuponhisfathergavehimakeythatwouldfitthesaidchest，ifhemeanttopursuethesubjectfurther。Somerset，however，didnothinginthematterthatday，butthenextmorning，havingtocallatthebankonotherbusiness，herememberedhisnewfancy。
Itwasabouteleveno'clock。Thefog，thoughnotsobrownasithadbeenonpreviousdays，wasstilldenseenoughtonecessitatelightsintheshopsandoffices。WhenSomersethadfinishedhisbusinessintheouterofficeofthebankhewenttothemanager'sroom。Thehourbeingsomewhatearlytheonlypersonspresentinthatsanctuaryofbalances，besidesthemanagerwhowelcomedhim，weretwogentlemen，apparentlylawyers，whosattalkingearnestlyoveraboxofpapers。Themanager，onlearningwhatSomersetwanted，unlockedadoorfromwhichaflightofstonestepsledtothevaults，andsentdownaclerkandaporterforthesafe。
Before，however，theyhaddescendedfaragentletapcametothedoor，andinresponsetoaninvitationtoenteraladyappeared，wrappedupinfurstoherverynose。
Themanagerseemedtorecognizeher，forhewentacrosstheroominamoment，andsetherachairatthemiddletable，replyingtosomeobservationofherswiththewords，'Oyes，certainly，'inadeferentialtone。
'Ishouldlikeitbroughtupatonce，'saidthelady。
Somerset，whohadseatedhimselfatatableinasomewhatobscurecorner，screenedbythelawyers，startedatthewords。
ThevoicewasMissPower's，andsoplainlyenoughwasthefigureassoonasheexaminedit。Herbackwastowardshim，andeitherbecausetheroomwasonlylightedintwoplaces，orbecauseshewasabsorbedinherownconcerns，sheseemedtobeunconsciousofanyone'spresenceonthesceneexceptthebankerandherself。Theformercalledbacktheclerk，andtwootherportershavingbeensummonedtheydisappearedtogetwhateversherequired。
Somerset，somewhatexcited，satwonderingwhatcouldhavebroughtPaulatoLondonatthisjuncture，andwasinsomedoubtiftheoccasionwereasuitableoneforrevealinghimself，hererrandtoherbankerbeingpossiblyofaveryprivatenature。Nothinghelpedhimtoadecision。Paulaneveronceturnedherhead，andtheprogressoftimewasmarkedonlybythemurmursofthetwolawyers，andtheceaselessclashofgoldandrattleofscalesfromtheouterroom，wherethebusyheadsofcashierscouldbeseenthroughthepartitionmovingaboutundertheglobesofthegas-lamps。
Footstepswerehearduponthecellar-steps，andthethreemenpreviouslysentbelowstaggeredfromthedoorway，bearingahugesafewhichnearlybrokethemdown。Somersetknewthathisfather'sbox，orboxes，couldboastofnosuchdimensions，andhewasnotsurprisedtoseethechestdepositedinfrontofMissPower。Whentheimmenseaccumulationofdusthadbeenclearedoffthelid，andthechestconvenientlyplacedforher，Somersetwasattendedto，hismodestboxbeingbroughtupbyonemanunassisted，andwithoutmuchexpenditureofbreath。
HisinterestinPaulawasofsoemotionalacastthathisattentiontohisownerrandwasofthemostperfunctorykind。
Shewasclosetoagas-standard，andthelawyers，whoseseatshadintervened，havingfinishedtheirbusinessandgoneaway，allheractionswerevisibletohim。Whilehewasopeninghisfather'sboxthemanagerassistedPaulatounsealandunlockhers，andhenowsawherliftfromitamoroccocase，whichsheplacedonthetablebeforeher，andunfastened。Outofitshetookadazzlingobjectthatfelllikeacascadeoverherfingers。Itwasanecklaceofdiamondsandpearls，apparentlyoflargesizeandmanystrands，thoughhewasnotnearenoughtoseedistinctly。Whensatisfiedbyherexaminationthatshehadgottherightarticlesheshutitintoitscase。
Themanagerclosedthechestforher；andwhenitwasagainsecuredPaulaarose，tossedthenecklaceintoherhand-bag，bowedtothemanager，andwasabouttobidhimgoodmorning。
Thereuponhesaidwithsomehesitation:'Pardononequestion，MissPower。Doyouintendtotakethosejewelsfar?'
'Yes，'shesaidsimply，'toStancyCastle。'
'Youaregoingstraightthere?'
'Ihaveoneortwoplacestocallatfirst。'
'Iwouldsuggestthatyoucarrytheminsomeotherway——byfasteningthemintothepocketofyourdress，forinstance。'
'ButIamgoingtoholdthebaginmyhandandneveronceletitgo。'
Thebankerslightlyshookhishead。'Supposeyourcarriagegetsoverturned:youwouldletitgothen。'
'Perhapsso。'
'Orifyousawachildunderthewheelsjustasyouweresteppingin；orifyouaccidentallystumbledingettingout；
oriftherewasacollisionontherailway——youmightletitgo。'
'Yes；IseeIwastoocareless。Ithankyou。'
Paularemovedthenecklacefromthebag，turnedherbacktothemanager，andspentseveralminutesinplacinghertreasureinherbosom，pinningitandotherwisemakingitabsolutelysecure。
'That'sit，'saidthegrey-hairedmanofcaution，withevidentsatisfaction。'Thereisnotmuchdangernow:youarenottravellingalone?'
Paularepliedthatshewasnotalone，andwenttothedoor。
TherewasonemomentduringwhichSomersetmighthaveconvenientlymadehispresenceknown；butthejuxtapositionofthebank-manager，andhisowndisarrangedboxofsecurities，embarrassedhim:themomentslippedby，andshewasgone。
Inthemeantimehehadmechanicallyunearthedthepedigree，and，lockinguphisfather'schest，SomersetalsotookhisdepartureattheheelsofPaula。
Hewalkedalongthemistystreet，sodeeplymusingastobequiteunconsciousofthedirectionofhiswalk。What，heinquiredofhimself，couldshewantthatnecklaceforsosuddenly?HerecollectedaremarkofDare'stotheeffectthatherappearanceonaparticularoccasionatStancyCastlehadbeenmagnificentbyreasonofthejewelsshewore；whichprovedthatshehadretainedasufficientquantityofthosevaluablesatthecastleforordinaryrequirements。Whatexceptionaloccasion，then，wasimpendingonwhichshewishedtoglorifyherselfbeyondallpreviousexperience?Hecouldnotguess。HewasinterruptedintheseconjecturesbyacarriagenearlypassingoverhistoesatacrossinginBondStreet:lookinguphesawbetweenthetwowindowsofthevehicletheprofileofathicklymantledbosom，onwhichacamelliaroseandfell。Alltheremainderpartofthelady'spersonwashidden；butherememberedthatflowerofconvenientseasonasonewhichhadfiguredinthebankparlourhalf-an-hourearlierto-day。
Somersethastenedafterthecarriage，andinaminutesawitstopoppositeajeweller'sshop。OutcamePaula，andthenanotherwoman，inwhomherecognizedMrs。Birch，oneofthelady'smaidsatStancyCastle。TheyoungmanwasatPaula'ssidebeforeshehadcrossedthepavement。
VI。
Aquickarrestedexpressioninhertwosapphirineeyes，accompaniedbyalittle，averylittle，blushwhichloiteredlong，wasalltheoutwarddisturbancethatthesightofherlovercaused。Thehabitofself-repressionatanynewemotionalimpactwasinstinctivewithheralways。Somersetcouldnotsaymorethanaword；helookedhisintensesolicitude，andPaulaspoke。