Shedeclaredthatthiswasanunexpectedpleasure。Hadhearrangedtocomeonthetenthasshewished?Howstrangethattheyshouldmeetthus!——andyetnotstrange——theworldwassosmall。
Somersetsaidthathewascomingontheverydayshementioned——thattheappointmentgavehiminfinitegratification，whichwasquitewithinthetruth。
'Comeintothisshopwithme，'saidPaula，withgood-humouredauthoritativeness。
Theyenteredtheshopandtalkedonwhileshemadeasmallpurchase。ButnotaworddidPaulasayofhersuddenerrandtotown。
'Iamhavinganexcitingmorning，'shesaid。'Iamgoingfromheretocatchtheone-o'clocktraintoMarkton。'
'Itisimportantthatyougettherethisafternoon，I
suppose?'
'Yes。Youknowwhy?'
'Notatall。'
'TheHuntBall。Itwasfixedforthesixth，andthisisthesixth。Ithoughttheymighthaveaskedyou。'
'No，'saidSomerset，atriflegloomily。'No，Iamnotasked。
Butitisagreattaskforyou——alongjourneyandaballallinoneday。'
'Yes:Charlottesaidthat。ButIdon'tmindit。'
'Youaregladyouaregoing。Areyouglad?'hesaidsoftly。
Herairconfessedmorethanherwords。'IamnotsoverygladthatIamgoingtotheHuntBall，'sherepliedconfidentially。
'Thanksforthat，'saidhe。
Sheliftedhereyestohisforamoment。Hermannerhadsuddenlybecomesonearlythecounterpartofthatinthetea-
housethattosuspectanydeteriorationofaffectioninherwasnolongergenerous。Itwasonlyasifathinlayerofrecenteventshadoverlaidhermemoriesofhim，untilhispresencesweptthemaway。
Somersetlookedup，andfindingtheshopmantobestillsomewayoff，headded，'WhenwillyouassuremeofsomethinginreturnforwhatIassuredyouthateveningintherain?'
'Notbeforeyouhavebuiltthecastle。Myauntdoesnotknowaboutityet，noranybody。'
'Ioughttotellher。'
'No，notyet。Idon'twishit。'
'Theneverythingstandsasusual?'
Shelightlynodded。
'Thatis，Imayloveyou:butyoustillwillnotsayyouloveme。'
Shenoddedagain，anddirectinghisattentiontotheadvancingshopman，said，'Pleasenotawordmore。'
Soonafterthis，theyleftthejeweller's，andparted，PauladrivingstraightofftothestationandSomersetgoingonhiswayuncertainlyhappy。Hisre-impressionafterafewminuteswasthataspecialjourneytotowntofetchthatmagnificentnecklacewhichshehadnotoncementionedtohim，butwhichwasplainlytobethemediumofsomeproudpurposewithherthisevening，washardlyinharmonywithherassertionsofindifferencetotheattractionsoftheHuntBall。
Hegotintoacabanddrovetohisclub，wherehelunched，andmopinglyspentagreatpartoftheafternooninmakingcalculationsforthefoundationsofthecastleworks。Laterintheafternoonhereturnedtohischambers，wishingthathecouldannihilatethethreedaysremainingbeforethetenth，particularlythiscomingevening。Onhistablewasaletterinastrangewriting，andindifferentlyturningitoverhefoundfromthesuperscriptionthatithadbeenaddressedtohimdaysbeforeattheLord-Quantock-ArmsHotel，Markton，whereithadlaineversince，thelandlordprobablyexpectinghimtoreturn。Openingthemissive，hefoundtohissurprisethatitwas，afterall，aninvitationtotheHuntBall。
'Toolate!'saidSomerset。'TothinkIshouldbeservedthistrickasecondtime!'
Afteramoment'spause，however，helookedtoseethetimeofday。Itwasfiveminutespastfive——justaboutthehourwhenPaulawouldbedrivingfromMarktonStationtoStancyCastletorestandprepareherselfforhereveningtriumph。Therewasatrainatsixo'clock，timedtoreachMarktonbetweenelevenandtwelve，whichbygreatexertionhemightsaveevennow，ifitwereworthwhiletoundertakesuchascrambleforthepleasureofdroppingintotheballatalatehour。A
moment'svisionofPaulamovingtoswifttunesonthearmofapersonorpersonsunknownwasenoughtoimparttheimpetusrequired。Hejumpedup，flunghisdressclothesintoaportmanteau，sentdowntocallacab，andinafewminuteswasrattlingofftotherailwaywhichhadbornePaulaawayfromLondonjustfivehoursearlier。
Onceinthetrain，hebegantoconsiderwhereandhowhecouldmostconvenientlydressforthedance。Thetrainwouldcertainlybehalf-an-hourlate；half-an-hourwouldbespentingettingtothetown-hall，andthatwastheutmostdelaytolerableifhewouldsecurethehandofPaulaforonespin，orbemorethanameredummybehindtheearlierarrivals。Helookedforanemptycompartmentatthenextstoppage，andfindingtheonenexthisownunoccupied，heentereditandchangedhisraimentforthatinhisportmanteauduringtheensuingrunoftwentymiles。
ThuspreparedheawaitedtheMarktonplatform，whichwasreachedastheclockstrucktwelve。Somersetcalledaflyanddroveatoncetothetown-hall。
Theboroughnativeshadascendedtotheirupperfloors，andwereputtingouttheircandlesonebyoneashepassedalongthestreets；butthelivelystrainsthatproceededfromthecentraledificerevealeddistinctlyenoughwhatwasgoingonamongthetemporaryvisitorsfromtheneighbouringmanors。
Thedoorswereopenedforhim，andenteringthevestibulelinedwithflags，flowers，evergreens，andescutcheons，hestoodlookingintothefurnaceofgaietybeyond。
Itwassometimebeforehecouldgatherhisimpressionsofthescene，soperplexingwerethelights，themotions，thetoilets，thefull-dressuniformsofofficersandtheharmoniesofsound。Yetlight，sound，andmovementwerenotsomuchtheessenceofthatgiddysceneasanintenseaimatobliviousnessinthebeingscomposingit。Fortwoorthreehoursatleastthosewhirlingyoungpeoplemeantnottoknowthattheyweremortal。Theroomwasbeatinglikeaheart，andthepulsewasregulatedbythetremblingstringsofthemostpopularquadrillebandinWessex。Butatlasthiseyesgrewsettledenoughtolookcriticallyaround。
Theroomwascrowded——toocrowded。Everyvarietyoffairone，beautiesprimary，secondary，andtertiary，appearedamongthepersonagescomposingthethrong。Thereweresunsandmoons；
alsopaleplanetsoflittleaccount。Broadlyspeaking，thesedaughtersofthecountyfellintotwoclasses:onethepink-
facedunsophisticatedgirlsfromneighbouringrectoriesandsmallcountry-houses，whoknewnottownexceptforanoccasionalfortnight，andwhospenttheirtimefromEastertoLammasDaymuchastheyspentitduringtheremainingninemonthsoftheyear:theotherclasswerethechildrenofthewealthylandownerswhomigratedeachseasontothetown-house；
thesewerepaleandcollected，showedlessenjoymentintheircountenances，andworeingeneralanapproximationtothelanguidmannersofthecapital。
Aquadrillewasinprogress，andSomersetscannedeachset。
Hismindhadrunsolonguponthenecklace，thathisglanceinvoluntarilysoughtoutthatgleamingobjectratherthanthepersonalityofitswearer。Atthetopoftheroomtherehebeheldit；butitwasontheneckofCharlotteDeStancy。
Thewholelucidexplanationbrokeacrosshisunderstandinginasecond。HisdearPaulahadfetchedthenecklacethatCharlotteshouldnotappeartodisadvantageamongthecountypeoplebyreasonofherpoverty。Itwasgenerouslydone——adisinterestedactofsisterlykindness；theirswasthefriendshipofHermiaandHelena。Beforehehadgotfurtherthantorealizethis，therewheeledroundamongstthedancersaladywhosetournureherecognizedwell。ShewasPaula；andtotheyoungman'svisionasuperlativesomethingdistinguishedherfromalltherest。Thiswasnotdressorornament，forshehadhardlyagemuponher，herattirebeingamodelofeffectivesimplicity。HerpartnerwasCaptainDeStancy。
Thediscoveryofthislatterfactslightlyobscuredhisappreciationofwhathehaddiscoveredjustbefore。ItwaswithratheraloweringbrowthatheaskedhimselfwhetherPaula'spredilectiond'artiste，asshecalledit，fortheDeStancylinemightnotleadtoapredilectionofadifferentsortforitslastrepresentativewhichwouldbenotatallsatisfactory。
Thearchitectremainedinthebackgroundtillthedancedrewtoaconclusion，andthenhewentforward。ThecircumstanceofhavingmethimbyaccidentoncealreadythatdayseemedtoquenchanysurpriseinMissPower'sbosomatseeinghimnow。
TherewasnothinginherpartingfromCaptainDeStancy，whenheledhertoaseat，calculatedtomakeSomersetuneasyafterhislongabsence。Though，forthatmatter，thisprovednothing；for，likeallwisemaidens，Paulaneverventuredonthegameoftheeyeswithaloverinpublic；wellknowingthateverymomentofsuchindulgenceovernightmightmeananhour'ssneeratherexpensebytheindulgedgentlemannextday，whenweighingwomankindbytheaidofacoldmorninglightandabadheadache。
WhileSomersetwasexplainingtoPaulaandherauntthereasonofhissuddenappearance，theirattentionwasdrawntoaseatashortwayoffbyaflutteringofladiesroundthespot。Inamomentitwaswhisperedthatsomebodyhadfallenill，andinanotherthatthesuffererwasMissDeStancy。Paula，Mrs。
Goodman，andSomersetatoncejoinedthegroupoffriendswhowereassistingher。NeitherofthemimaginedforaninstantthattheunexpectedadventofSomersetonthescenehadanythingtodowiththepoorgirl'sindisposition。
Shewasassistedoutoftheroom，andherbrother，whonowcameup，preparedtotakeherhome，Somersetexchangingafewcivilwordswithhim，whichthehurryofthemomentpreventedthemfromcontinuing；thoughontakinghisleavewithCharlotte，whowasnowbetter，DeStancyinformedSomersetinanswertoacursoryinquiry，thathehopedtobebackagainattheballinhalf-an-hour。
WhentheyweregoneSomerset，feelingthatnowanotherdogmighthavehisday，soundedPaulaonthedelightfulquestionofadance。
Paularepliedinthenegative。
'Howisthat?'askedSomersetwithreproachfuldisappointment。
'Icannotdanceagain，'shesaidinasomewhatdepressedtone；
'Imustbereleasedfromeveryengagementtodoso，onaccountofCharlotte'sillness。IshouldhavegonehomewithherifI
hadnotbeenparticularlyrequestedtostayalittlelonger，sinceitisasyetsoearly，andCharlotte'sillnessisnotveryserious。'
IfCharlotte'sillnesswasnotveryserious，Somersetthought，Paulamighthavestretchedapoint；butnotwishingtohinderherinshowingrespecttoafriendsowelllikedbyhimself，hedidnotaskit。DeStancyhadpromisedtobebackagaininhalf-an-hour，andPaulahadheardthepromise。Butattheendoftwentyminutes，stillseemingindifferenttowhatwasgoingonaroundher，shesaidshewouldstaynolonger，andremindingSomersetthattheyweresoontomeetandtalkovertherebuilding，droveoffwithheraunttoStancyCastle。
Somersetstoodlookingaftertheretreatingcarriagetillitwasenvelopedinshadesthatthelampscouldnotdisperse。
Theball-roomwasnowvirtuallyemptyforhim，andfeelingnogreatanxietytoreturnthitherhestoodonthestepsforsomeminuteslonger，lookingintothecalmmildnight，andatthedarkhousesbehindwhoseblindslaytheburgherswiththeireyessealedupinsleep。HecouldnotbutthinkthatitwasrathertoobadofPaulatospoilhiseveningforasentimentaldevotiontoCharlottewhichcoulddothelatternoappreciablegood；andhewouldhavefeltseriouslyhurtathermoveifithadnotbeenequallysevereuponCaptainDeStancy，whowasdoubtlesshasteningback，fullofabeliefthatshewouldstillbefoundthere。
Thestarofgas-jetsovertheentrancethrewitslightuponthewallsontheoppositesideofthestreet，wheretherewerenotice-boardsofforthcomingevents。Inglancingovertheseforthefifthtime，hiseyewasattractedbythefirstwordsofaplacardinblueletters，ofasizelargerthantherest，andmovingonwardafewstepsheread:——
STANCYCASTLE。
BythekindpermissionofMissPower，APLAY
WillshortlybeperformedattheaboveCASTLE，INAIDOFTHEFUNDSOFTHE
COUNTYHOSPITAL，BytheOfficersoftheROYALHORSEARTILLERY，MARKTONBARRACKS，ASSISTEDBYSEVERAL
LADIESOFTHENEIGHBOURHOOD。
Thecastandotherparticularswillbedulyannouncedinsmallbills。PlaceswillbereservedonapplicationtoMr。
Clangham，HighStreet，Markton，whereaplanoftheroommaybeseen。
N。B——TheCastleisabouttwentyminutes'drivefromMarktonStation，towhichtherearenumerousconvenienttrainsfromallpartsofthecounty。
InaprofoundstudySomersetturnedandre-enteredtheball-
room，whereheremainedgloomilystandinghereandthereforaboutfiveminutes，attheendofwhichheobservedCaptainDeStancy，whohadreturnedpunctuallytohisword，crossingthehallinhisdirection。
Thegallantofficerdartedglancesoflivelysearchovereverygroupofdancersandsitters；andthenwithratherablanklookinhisface，hecameontoSomerset。Replyingtothelatter'sinquiryforhissisterthatshehadnearlyrecovered，hesaid，'Idon'tseemyfather'sneighboursanywhere。'
'Theyhavegonehome，'repliedSomerset，atrifledrily。
'Theyaskedmetomaketheirapologiestoyouforleadingyoutoexpecttheywouldremain。MissPowerwastooanxiousaboutMissDeStancytocaretostaylonger。'
TheeyesofDeStancyandthespeakermetforaninstant。
Thatcuriousguardedunderstanding，orinimicalconfederacy，whicharisesatmomentsbetweentwomeninlovewiththesamewoman，waspresenthere；andintheirmutualglanceseachsaidasplainlyasbywordsthatherdeparturehadruinedhisevening'shope。
Theywerenowaboutasmuchinonemoodasitwaspossiblefortwosuchdifferingnaturestobe。Neithercaredfurtherforelaboratinggiddycurvesonthattown-hallfloor。Theystoodtalkinglanguidlyaboutthisandthatlocaltopic，tillDeStancyturnedasideforashorttimetospeaktoadapperlittleladywhohadbeckonedtohim。InafewminuteshecamebacktoSomerset。
'Mrs。Camperton，thewifeofMajorCampertonofmybattery，wouldverymuchlikemetointroduceyoutoher。Sheisanoldfriendofyourfather's，andhaswantedtoknowyouforalongtime。'
DeStancyandSomersetcrossedovertothelady，andinafewminutes，thankstoherflowofspirits，sheandSomersetwerechattingwithremarkablefreedom。
'Itisahappycoincidence，'continuedMrs。Camperton，'thatI
shouldhavemetyouhere，immediatelyafterreceivingaletterfromyourfather:indeeditreachedmeonlythismorning。Hehasbeensokind!Wearegettingupsometheatricals，asyouknow，Isuppose，tohelpthefundsoftheCountyHospital，whichisindebt。'
'Ihavejustseentheannouncement——nothingmore。'
'Yes，suchanestimablepurpose；andaswewishedtodoitthoroughlywell，IaskedMr。Somersettodesignusthecostumes，andhehasnowsentmethesketches。Itisquiteasecretatpresent，butwearegoingtoplayShakespeare'sromanticdrama，'Love'sLabour'sLost，'andwehopetogetMissPowertotaketheleadingpart。Yousee，beingsuchahandsomegirl，andsowealthy，andratheranundiscoverednoveltyinthecountyasyet，shewoulddrawacrowdedroom，andgreatlybenefitthefunds。'
'MissPowergoingtoplayherself?——Iamrathersurprised，'
saidSomerset。'Whoseideaisallthis?'
'O，CaptainDeStancy's——he'stheoriginatorentirely。Youseeheissointerestedintheneighbourhood，hisfamilyhavingbeenconnectedwithitforsomanycenturies，thatnaturallyacharitableobjectofthislocalnatureappealstohisfeelings。'
'Naturally!'herlistenerlaconicallyrepeated。'Andhaveyousettledwhoistoplaythejuniorgentleman'spart，leadinglover，hero，orwhateverheiscalled?'
'Notabsolutely；thoughIthinkCaptainDeStancywillnotrefuseit；andheisaverygoodfigure。AtpresentitliesbetweenhimandMr。Mild，oneofouryounglieutenants。Myhusband，ofcourse，takestheheavyline；andIamtobethesecondlady，thoughIamrathertoooldforthepartreally。
IfwecanonlysecureMissPowerforheroinethecastwillbeexcellent。'
'Excellent!'saidSomerset，withaspectralsmile。
VII。
WhenheawokethenextmorningattheLord-Quantock-ArmsHotelSomersetfeltquitemorbidonrecallingtheintelligencehehadreceivedfromMrs。Camperton。Butasthedayforseriouspracticalconsultationaboutthecastleworks，towhichPaulahadplayfullyalluded，wasnowcloseathand，hedeterminedtobanishsentimentalreflectionsonthefrailtiesthatwerebesieginghernature，byactivepreparationforhisprofessionalundertaking。Tobeherhigh-priestinart，toelaborateastructurewhosecunningworkmanshipwouldbemeetinghereyeeverydaytilltheendofhernaturallife，andsayingtoher，'Heinventedit，'withalltheeloquenceofaninanimatethinglongregarded——thiswasnomeansatisfaction，comewhatelsewould。
Hereturnedtotownthenextdaytosetmattersthereinsuchtrimthatnoinconvenienceshouldresultfromhisprolongedabsenceatthecastle；forhavingnoothercommissionhedeterminedwithaneyerathertoheart-intereststhantoincreasinghisprofessionalpracticetomake，asbefore，thecastleitselfhisoffice，studio，andchiefabiding-placetilltheworkswerefairlyinprogress。
OnthetenthhereappearedatMarkton。Passingthroughthetown，ontheroadtoStancyCastle，hiseyeswereagainarrestedbythenotice-boardwhichhadconveyedsuchstartlinginformationtohimonthenightoftheball。Thesmallbillsnowappearedthereon；butwhenheanxiouslylookedthemovertolearnhowthepartsweretobeallotted，hefoundthatintelligencestillwithheld。Yettheytoldenough；thelistoflady-playerswasgiven，andMissPower'snamewasone。
Thatayoungladywho，sixmonthsago，wouldscarcelyjoinforconscientiousreasonsinasimpledanceonherownlawn，shouldnowbewillingtoexhibitherselfonapublicstage，simulatinglove-passageswithastranger，arguedarateofdevelopmentwhichunderanycircumstanceswouldhavesurprisedhim，butwhich，withtheparticularaddition，asleadingcolleague，ofCaptainDeStancy，inflamedhimalmosttoanger。
Whatclandestinearrangementshadbeengoingoninhisabsencetoproducesuchafull-blownintentionitwerefutiletoguess。Paula'scoursewasaraceratherthanamarch，andeachsuccessiveheatwasstartlinginitseclipseofthatwhichwentbefore。
Somersetwas，however，introspectiveenoughtoknowthathismoralswouldhavetakennosuchvirtuousalarmhadhebeenthechiefmaleplayerinsteadofCaptainDeStancy。
Hepassedunderthecastle-archandentered。ThereseemedalittleturninthetideofaffairswhenitwasannouncedtohimthatMissPowerexpectedhim，andwasalone。
Thewell-knownante-chambersthroughwhichhewalked，filledwithtwilight，draughts，andthinechoesthatseemedtoreverberatefromtwohundredyearsago，didnotdelayhiseyeastheyhaddonewhenhehadbeenignorantthathisdestinylaybeyond；andhefollowedonthroughallthisancientnesstowherethemodernPaulasattoreceivehim。
Heforgoteverythinginthepleasureofbeingaloneinaroomwithher。Shemethiseyewiththatinherownwhichcheeredhim。Itwasalightexpressingthatsomethingwasunderstoodbetweenthem。Shesaidquietlyintwoorthreewordsthatshehadexpectedhimintheforenoon。
SomersetexplainedthathehadcomeonlythatmorningfromLondon。
Afteralittlemoretalk，inwhichshesaidthatherauntwouldjointheminafewminutes，andMissDeStancywasstillindisposedatherfather'shouse，sherangforteaandsatdownbesidealittletable。
'Shallweproceedtobusinessatonce?'sheaskedhim。
'Isupposeso。'
'Firstthen，whenwilltheworkingdrawingsbeready，whichI
thinkyousaidmustbemadeoutbeforetheworkcouldbegin?'
WhileSomersetinformedheronthisandothermatters，Mrs。
Goodmanenteredandjoinedinthediscussion，afterwhichtheyfounditwouldbenecessarytoadjourntotheroomwheretheplanswerehanging。OntheirwalkthitherPaulaaskedifhestayedlateattheball。
'Ileftsoonafteryou。'
'Thatwasveryearly，seeinghowlateyouarrived。'
'Yes……Ididnotdance。'
'Whatdidyoudothen?'
'Imoped，andwalkedtothedoor；andsawanannouncement。'
'Iknow——theplaythatistobeperformed。'
'InwhichyouaretobethePrincess。'
'That'snotsettled，——Ihavenotagreedyet。IshallnotplaythePrincessofFranceunlessMr。MildplaystheKingofNavarre。'
Thissoundedratherwell。ThePrincesswastheladybelovedbytheKing；andMr。Mild，theyounglieutenantofartillery，wasadiffident，inexperienced，ratherplain-lookingfellow，whosesoleinterestintheatricalslayintheconsiderationofhiscostumeandthesoundofhisownvoiceintheearsoftheaudience。Withsuchanunobjectionablepersontoenactthepartoflover，theprominentcharacterofleadingyoungladyorheroine，whichPaulawastopersonate，wasreallythemostsatisfactoryinthewholelistforher。Foralthoughshewastobewooedhard，therewasjustasmuchlove-makingamongtheremainingpersonages；while，asSomersethadunderstoodtheplay，therecouldoccurnoflingingsofherpersonuponherlover'sneck，oragonizeddownfallsuponthestage，inherwholeperformance，astherewereinthepartschosenbyMrs。
Camperton，themajor'swife，andsomeoftheotherladies。
'Whydoyouplayatall!'hemurmured。
'Whataquestion!HowcouldIrefuseforsuchanexcellentpurpose?Theysaythatmytakingapartwillbeworthahundredpoundstothecharity。Myfatheralwayssupportedthehospital，whichisquiteundenominational；andhesaidIwastodothesame。'
'Doyouthinkthepeculiarmeansyouhaveadoptedforsupportingitenteredintohisview?'inquiredSomerset，regardingherwithcriticaldryness。'FormypartIdon't。'
'Itisaninterestingway，'shereturnedpersuasively，thoughapparentlyinastateofmentalequipoiseonthepointraisedbyhisquestion。'AndIshallnotplaythePrincess，asI
said，toanyotherthanthatquietyoungman。NowIassureyouofthis，sodon'tbeangryandabsurd!Besides，theKingdoesn'tmarrymeattheendoftheplay，asinShakespeare'sothercomedies。AndifMissDeStancycontinuesseriouslyunwellIshallnotplayatall。'
Theyoungmanpressedherhand，butshegentlyslippeditaway。
'Arewenotengaged，Paula!'heasked。Sheevasivelyshookherhead。
'Come——yesweare!Shallwetellyouraunt?'hecontinued。
UnluckilyatthatmomentMrs。Goodman，whohadfollowedthemtothestudioataslowerpace，appearedroundthedoorway。
'No，——tothelast，'repliedPaulahastily。Thenherauntentered，andtheconversationwasnolongerpersonal。
Somersettookhisdepartureinaserenermoodthoughnotcompletelyassured。
VIII。
Hisserenitycontinuedduringtwoorthreefollowingdays，when，continuingatthecastle，hegotpleasantglimpsesofPaulanowandthen。Herstrongdesirethathisloveforhershouldbekeptsecret，perplexedhim；buthisaffectionwasgenerous，andheacquiescedinthatdesire。
Meanwhilenewsoftheforthcomingdramaticperformanceradiatedineverydirection。Andinthenextnumberofthecountypaperitwasannounced，toSomerset'scomparativesatisfaction，thatthecastwasdefinitelysettled，Mr。MildhavingagreedtobetheKingandMissPowertheFrenchPrincess。CaptainDeStancy，withbecomingmodestyforonewhowastheleadingspirit，figuredquitelowdown，inthesecondarycharacterofSirNathaniel。
Somersetrememberedthat，byahappychance，thecostumehehaddesignedforSirNathanielwasnotatallpicturesque；
moreoverSirNathanielscarcelycamenearthePrincessthroughthewholeplay。
Everydayafterthistherewascomingandgoingtoandfromthecastleofrailwayvansladenwithcanvascolumns，pasteboardtrees，limphouse-fronts，woollenlawns，andlathbalustrades。Therewerealsofrequentarrivalsofyoungladiesfromneighbouringcountryhouses，andwarriorsfromtheXandYbatteriesofartillery，distinguishablebytheirregulationshaving。
ButitwasuponCaptainDeStancyandMrs。Campertonthattheweightofpreparationfell。Somerset，throughbeingmuchoccupiedinthedrawing-office，wasseldompresentduringtheconsultationsandrehearsals:untiloneday，teabeingservedinthedrawing-roomattheusualhour，hedroppedinwiththeresttoreceiveacupfromPaula'stable。Thechatterwastremendous，andSomersetwasatonceconsultedaboutsomenecessarycarpentrywhichwastobespeciallymadeatMarkton。
Afterthathewaslookedonasoneoftheband，whichresultedinalargeadditiontothenumberofhisacquaintanceinthispartofEngland。
Buthisownfeelingwasthatofbeinganoutsiderstill。Thisvagaryhadbeenoriginated，theplaychosen，thepartsallotted，allinhisabsence，andcallinghiminatthelastmomentmight，ifflirtationwerepossibleinPaula，bebutasoptopacifyhim。Whatwouldhehavegiventoimpersonateherloverinthepiece!ButneitherPaulanoranyoneelsehadaskedhim。
Theeventfuleveningcame。SomersethadbeenengagedduringthedaywiththedifferentpeoplebywhomtheworksweretobecarriedoutandintheeveningwenttohisroomsattheLord-
Quantock-Arms，Markton，wherehedined。Hedidnotreturntothecastletillthehourfixedfortheperformance，andhavingbeenreceivedbyMrs。Goodman，enteredthelargeapartment，nowtransfiguredintoatheatre，likeanyotherspectator。
Rumoursoftheprojectedrepresentationhadspreadfarandwide。Sixtimesthenumberofticketsissuedmighthavebeenreadilysold。Friendsandacquaintancesoftheactorscamefromcuriositytoseehowtheywouldacquitthemselves；whileotherclassesofpeoplecamebecausetheywereeagertoseewell-knownnotabilitiesinunwontedsituations。Whenladies，hithertoonlybeheldinfrigid，impenetrablepositionsbehindtheircoachmeninMarktonHighStreet，wereabouttorevealtheirhiddentraits，homeattitudes，intimatesmiles，nods，andperhapskisses，tothepubliceye，itwasathrowingopenoffascinatingsocialsecretsnottobemissedformoney。
Theperformanceopenedwithnofurtherdelaythanwasoccasionedbythecustomaryrefusalofthecurtainatthesetimestorisemorethantwofeetsixinches；butthishitchwasremedied，andtheplaybegan。ItwaswithnoenviableemotionthatSomerset，whowaswatchingintently，saw，notMr。
Mild，butCaptainDeStancy，enterastheKingofNavarre。
SomersetasafriendofthefamilyhadhadaseatreservedforhimnexttothatofMrs。Goodman，andturningtoherhesaidwithsomeexcitement，'IunderstoodthatMr。Mildhadagreedtotakethatpart?'
'Yes，'shesaidinawhisper，'sohehad；buthebrokedown。
LuckilyCaptainDeStancywasfamiliarwiththepart，throughhavingcoachedtheotherssopersistently，andheundertookitoff-hand。BeingaboutthesamefigureasLieutenantMildthesamedressfitshim，withalittlealterationbythetailor。'
Itdidfithimindeed；andofthemalecostumesitwasthatonwhichSomersethadbestowedmostpainswhendesigningthem。
ItshrewdlyburstuponhismindthattheremighthavebeencollusionbetweenMildandDeStancy，theformeragreeingtotakethecaptain'splaceandactasblindtillthelastmoment。Agreaterquestionwas，couldPaulahavebeenawareofthis，andwouldsheperformasthePrincessofFrancenowDeStancywastobeherlover?
'DoesMissPowerknowofthischange?'heinquired。
'Shedidnottillquiteashorttimeago。'
Hecontrolledhisimpatiencetillthebeginningofthesecondact。ThePrincessentered；itwasPaula。Butwhethertheslightembarrassmentwithwhichshepronouncedheropeningwords，'GoodLordBoyet，mybeauty，thoughbutmean，Needsnotthepaintedflourishofyourpraise，'
wasduetothenewnessofhersituation，ortoherknowledgethatDeStancyhadusurpedMild'spartofherlover，hecouldnotguess。DeStancyappeared，andSomersetfeltgrimashelistenedtothegallantcaptain'ssalutationofthePrincess，andherresponse。
DeS。FairPrincess，welcometothecourtofNavarre。
Paula。Fair，Igiveyoubackagain:andwelcome，Ihavenotyet。
Somersetlistenedtothisandtoallthatwhichfollowedofthesamesort，withthereflectionthat，afterall，thePrincessneverthroughoutthepiececompromisedherdignitybyshowingherlovefortheKing；andthatthelatterneveraddressedherinwordsinwhichpassiongotthebetterofcourtesy。Moreover，asPaulahadherselfobserved，theydidnotmarryattheendofthepiece，asinShakespeare'sothercomedies。Somewhatcalminthisassurance，hewaitedonwhiletheothercouplesrespectivelyindulgedintheirlove-making，andbanter，includingMrs。CampertonasthesprightlyRosaline。Buthewasdoomedtobesurprisedoutofhishumourwhentheendoftheactcameon。Inabridgingtheplayfortheconvenienceofrepresentation，thefavoursorgiftsfromthegentlementotheladieswerepersonallypresented:andnowSomersetsawDeStancyadvancewiththenecklacefetchedbyPaulafromLondon，andclaspitonherneck。
Thisseemedtothrowalesspleasantlightonherhastyjourney。Tofetchavaluableornamenttolendittoapoorerfriendwasestimable；buttofetchitthatthefriend'sbrothershouldhavesomethingmagnificenttouseasalover'sofferingtoherselfinpublic，thatworeadifferentcomplexion。AndifthearticlewererecognizedbythespectatorsasthesamethatCharlottehadwornattheball，thepresentationbyDeStancyofwhatmustseemtobeanheirloomofhishousewouldbereadassymbolizingaunionofthefamilies。
DeStancy'smodeofpresentingthenecklace，thoughunauthorizedbyShakespeare，hadthefullapprovalofthecompany，andsetthemingoodhumourtoreceiveMajorCampertonasArmadothebraggart。Nothingcalculatedtostimulatejealousyoccurredagaintillthefifthact；andthentherearosefullcauseforit。
ThescenewastheoutsideofthePrincess'spavilion。DeStancy，astheKingofNavarre，stoodwithhisgroupofattendantsawaitingthePrincess，whopresentlyenteredfromherdoor。Thetwobegantoconverseastheplayappointed，DeStancyturningtoherwiththisreply——
'Rebukemenotforthatwhichyouprovoke；
Thevirtueofyoureyemustbreakmyoath。'
Sofarallwaswell；andPaulaopenedherlipsforthesetrejoinder。ButbeforeshehadspokenDeStancycontinued——
'IfIprofanewithmyunworthyhandTakingherhand
Thisholyshrine，thegentlefineisthis——
Mylips，twoblushingpilgrims，readystandTosmooththatroughtouchwithatenderkiss。'
Somersetstared。SurelyinthiscomedytheKingneveraddressedthePrincessinsuchwarmwords；andyettheywereShakespeare's，fortheywerequitefamiliartohim。Adimsuspicioncrossedhismind。Mrs。GoodmanhadbroughtacopyofShakespearewithher，whichshekeptinherlapandneverlookedat:borrowingit，Somersetturnedto'RomeoandJuliet，'andtherehesawthewordswhichDeStancyhadintroducedasgag，tointensifythemildlove-makingoftheotherplay。MeanwhileDeStancycontinued——
'Othen，dearSaint，letlipsdowhathandsdo；
Theypray，grantthou，lestfaithturntodespair。
Thenmovenot，whilemyprayer'seffectItake。
Thusfrommylips，byyours，mysinispurg'd!'
CoulditbethatDeStancywasgoingtodowhatcamenextinthestagedirection——kissher?Beforetherewastimeforconjectureonthatpointthesoundofaverysweetandlong-
drawnosculationspreadthroughtheroom，followedbyloudapplausefromthepeopleinthecheapseats。DeStancywithdrewfrombendingoverPaula，andshewasveryredintheface。Nothingseemedclearerthanthathehadactuallydonethedeed。Theapplausecontinuing，Somersetturnedhishead。
Fivehundredfaceshadregardedtheact，withoutaconsciousnessthatitwasaninterpolation；andfourhundredandfiftymouthsinthosefacesweresmiling。Aboutonehalfofthemweretendersmiles；thesecamefromthewomen。Theotherhalfwereatbesthumorous，andmainlysatirical；thesecamefromthemen。Itwasaprofanationwithoutparallel，andhisfaceblazedlikeacoal。
Theplaywasnownearlyatanend，andSomersetsaton，feelingwhathecouldnotexpress。Morethaneverwasheassuredthattherehadbeencollusionbetweenthetwoartilleryofficerstobringaboutthisend。Thatheshouldhavebeentheunhappymantodesignthosepicturesquedressesinwhichhisrivalsoaudaciouslyplayedthelovertohis，Somerset's，mistress，wasanaddedpointtothesatire。HecouldhardlygosofarastoassumethatPaulawasaconsentingpartytothisstartlinginterlude；butherotherwiseunaccountablewishthathisownloveshouldbeclandestinelyshownlentimmenseforcetoadoubtofhersincerity。Theghastlythoughtthatshehadmerelybeenkeepinghimon，likeapetspaniel，toamuseherleisuremomentstillsheshouldhavefoundappropriateopportunityforanopenengagementwithsomeoneelse，trustingtohissenseofchivalrytokeepsecrettheirlittleepisode，filledhimwithagrimheat。
IX。
Atthebackoftheroomtheapplausehadbeenloudatthemomentofthekiss，realorcounterfeit。Thecausewaspartlyowingtoanexceptionalcircumstancewhichhadoccurredinthatquarterearlyintheplay。
Thepeoplehadallseatedthemselves，andthefirstacthadbegun，whenthetapestrythatscreenedthedoorwasliftedgentlyandafigureappearedintheopening。Thegeneralattentionwasatthismomentabsorbedbythenewlydisclosedstage，andscarcelyasoulnoticedthestranger。Hadanyoneoftheaudienceturnedhishead，therewouldhavebeensufficientinthecountenancetodetainhisgaze，notwithstandingthecounter-attractionforward。
Hewasobviouslyamanwhohadcomefromafar。TherewasnotasquareinchabouthimthathadanythingtodowithmodernEnglishlife。Hisvisage，whichwasofthecolouroflightporphyry，hadlittleofitsoriginalsurfaceleft；itwasafacewhichhadbeentheplaythingofstrangefiresorpestilences，thathadmouldedtowhatevershapetheychosehisoriginallysuppleskin，andleftitpitted，puckered，andseamedlikeadriedwater-course。Butthoughdirecatastrophesorthetreacherousairsofremoteclimateshaddonetheirworstuponhisexterior，theyseemedtohaveaffectedhimbutlittlewithin，tojudgefromacertainrobustnesswhichshoweditselfinhismannerofstanding。
Theface-markshadameaning，foranyonewhocouldreadthem，beyondthemeresuggestionoftheirorigin:theysignifiedthatthismanhadeitherbeenthevictimofsometerriblenecessityasregardedtheoccupationtowhichhehaddevotedhimself，orthathewasamanofdoggedobstinacy，fromsheersangfroidholdinghisgroundamidmalignforceswhenotherswouldhavefledaffrightedaway。
Asnobodynoticedhim，hedroppedthedoorhangingsafterawhile，walkedsilentlyalongthemattedalley，andsatdowninoneofthebackchairs。Hismannerofentrywasenoughtoshowthatthestrengthofcharacterwhichheseemedtopossesshadphlegmforitsbaseandnotardour。Onemighthavesaidthatperhapstheshockshehadpassedthroughhadtakenallhisoriginalwarmthoutofhim。Hisbeaverhat，whichhehadretainedonhisheadtillthismoment，henowplacedundertheseat，wherehesatabsolutelymotionlesstilltheendofthefirstact，asifhewereindulginginamonologuewhichdidnotquitereachhislips。
WhenPaulaenteredatthebeginningofthesecondactheshowedasmuchexcitementaswasexpressedbyaslightmovementoftheeyes。Whenshespokeheturnedtohisnextneighbour，andaskedhimincoldlevelwordswhichhadoncebeenEnglish，butwhichseemedtohavelosttheaccentofnationality:'Isthattheyoungwomanwhoisthepossessorofthiscastle——Powerbyname?'
HisneighbourhappenedtobethelandlordatSleeping-Green，andheinformedthestrangerthatshewaswhathesupposed。
'AndwhoisthatgentlemanwhoselineofbusinessseemstobetomakelovetoPower?'
'He'sCaptainDeStancy，SirWilliamDeStancy'sson，whousedtoownthisproperty。'
'Baronetorknight?'
'Baronet——averyold-establishedfamilyabouthere。'
Thestrangernodded，andtheplaywenton，nofurtherwordbeingspokentillthefourthactwasreached，whenthestrangeragainsaid，withouttakinghisnarrowblackeyesfromthestage:'There'ssomethinginthatlove-makingbetweenStancyandPowerthat'snotallsham!'
'Well，'saidthelandlord，'Ihavehearddifferentstoriesaboutthat，andwouldn'tbethemantozaywhatIcouldn'tswearto。ThestoryisthatCaptainDeStancy，whoisaspoorasagallicrow，isinfullcrya'terher，andthathison'ychanceliesinhisbeingheirtoatitleandthewoldname。
Butshehasnotshownagenuinehankerforanybodyyet。'
'Ifshefindsthemoney，andthisStancyfindsthenameandblood，'twouldbeaveryneatmatchbetween'em，——hey?'
'That'stheargument。'
Nothingmorewassaidagainforalongtime，butthestranger'seyesshowedmoreinterestinthepassesbetweenPaulaandDeStancythantheyhadshownbefore。Atlengththecrisiscame，asdescribedinthelastchapter，DeStancysalutingherwiththatsemblanceofakisswhichgavesuchumbragetoSomerset。Thestranger'sthinlipslengthenedacoupleofincheswithsatisfaction；heputhishandintohispocket，drewouttwohalf-crownswhichhehandedtothelandlord，saying，'Justapplaudthat，willyou，andgetyourcomradestodothesame。'
Thelandlord，thoughalittlesurprised，tookthemoney，andbegantoclaphishandsasdesired。Theexamplewascontagious，andspreadallovertheroom；fortheaudience，gentleandsimple，thoughtheymightnothavefollowedtheblankverseinallitsbearings，couldatleastappreciateakiss。ItwastheunusualacclamationraisedbythismeanswhichhadledSomersettoturnhishead。
Whentheplayhadendedthestrangerwasthefirsttorise，andgoingdownstairsattheheadofthecrowdhepassedoutofdoors，andwaslosttoview。Somequestionswereaskedbythelandlordastothestranger'sindividuality；butfewhadseenhim；fewerhadnoticedhim，singularashewas；andnoneknewhisname。
Whilethesethingshadbeengoingoninthequarterallottedtothecommonalty，Somersetinfronthadwaitedthefallofthecurtainwiththosesickandsorryfeelingswhichshouldbecombatedbytheaidofphilosophyandagoodconscience，butwhichreallyareonlysubduedbytimeandtheabradingrushofaffairs。Hewas，however，stoicalenough，whenitwasallover，toacceptMrs。Goodman'sinvitationtoaccompanyhertothedrawing-room，fullyexpectingtofindtherealargecompany，includingCaptainDeStancy。
Butnoneoftheactingladiesandgentlemenhademergedfromtheirdressing-roomsasyet。Feelingthathedidnotcaretomeetanyofthemthatnight，hebadefarewelltoMrs。Goodmanafterafewminutesofconversation，andlefther。Whilehewaspassingalongthecorridor，atthesideofthegallerywhichhadbeenusedasthetheatre，Paulacrosseditfromthelatterapartmenttowardsanoppositedoor。ShewasstillinthedressofthePrincess，andthediamondandpearlnecklacestillhungoverherbosomasplacedtherebyCaptainDeStancy。
HereyecaughtSomerset's，andshestopped。Probablytherewassomethinginhisfacewhichtoldhismind，forsheinvitedhimbyasmileintotheroomshewasentering。
'Icongratulateyouonyourperformance，'hesaidmechanically，whenshepushedtothedoor。
'Doyoureallythinkitwaswelldone?'Shedrewnearhimwithasociableair。
'Itwasstartlinglydone——thepartfrom"RomeoandJuliet"
pre-eminentlyso。'
'DoyouthinkIknewhewasgoingtointroduceit，ordoyouthinkIdidn'tknow?'shesaid，withthatgentlesaucinesswhichshowsitselfinthelovedone'smannerwhenshehashadatriumphanteveningwithoutthelover'sassistance。
'Ithinkyoumayhaveknown。'
'No，'sheaverred，decisivelyshakingherhead。'Ittookmeasmuchbysurpriseasitprobablydidyou。ButwhyshouldI
havetold!'
WithoutansweringthatquestionSomersetwenton。'Thenwhathedidattheendofhisgagwasofcourseasurprisealso。'
'Hedidn'treallydowhatheseemedtodo，'sheserenelyanswered。