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