'Youwantittothrowitaway。Idon'tapproveofit；socomewithme。'
　　'But，'saidDare，'Iarrivedherewithahundrednapoleonsandmore，expresslytoworkoutmytheoryofchancesandrecurrences，whichissound；Ihavestudiedithundredsoftimesbythehelpofthis。'Hepartiallydrewfromhispocketthelittlevolumethatwehavebeforeseeninhishands。'IfIonlypersevereinmysystem，thecertaintythatImustwinisalmostmathematical。Ihavestakedandlosttwohundredandthirty-threetimes。Allowingoutofthatonechanceineverythirty-six，whichistheaverageofzerobeingmarked，andtwohundredandfourtimesforthebackersoftheothernumbers，Ihavethemathematicalexpectationofsixtimesatleast，whichwouldnearlyrecoupme。AndshallI，then，sacrificethatvastfoundationofwastechancesthatIhavelaiddown，andpaidfor，merelyforwantofalittlereadymoney?'
　　'Youmightpersevereforatwelvemonth，andstillnotgetthebetterofyourreverses。Timetellsinfavourofthebank。
　　Justimagineforthesakeofargumentthatallthepeoplewhohaveeverplacedastakeuponacertainnumbertobeonepersonplayingcontinuously。Hasthatimaginarypersonwon?
　　Theexistenceofthebankisasufficientanswer。'
　　'Butaparticularplayerhastheoptionofleavingoffatanypointfavourabletohimself，whichthebankhasnot；andthere'smyopportunity。'
　　'Whichfromyourmoodyouwillbesurenottotakeadvantageof。'
　　'Ishallgoonplaying，'saidDaredoggedly。
　　'Notwithmymoney。'
　　'Verywell；wewon'tpartasenemies，'repliedDare，withtheflawlesspolitenessofamanwhosespeechhasnolongeranykinshipwithhisfeelings。'Shallweshareabottleofwine?
　　Youwillnot?Well，Ihopeyourluckwithyourladywillbemoremagnificentthanminehasbeenhere；but——mindCaptainDeStancy!he'safearfulwildfowlforyou。'
　　'He'saharmlessinoffensivesoldier，asfarasIknow。Ifheisnot——lethimbewhathemayforme。'
　　'Anddohisworsttocutyouout，Isuppose?'
　　'Ay——ifyouwill。'Somerset，muchagainsthisjudgment，wasbeingstimulatedbythesepricksintowordsofirritation。
　　'CaptainDeStancymight，Ithink，bebetteremployedthanindanglingattheheelsofaladywhocanwelldispensewithhiscompany。Andyoumightbebetteremployedthaninwastingyourwageshere。'
　　'Wages——afitwordformymoney。MayIaskyouatwhatstageintheappearanceofamanwhosewayofexistenceisunknown，hismoneyceasestobecalledwagesandbeginstobecalledmeans?'
　　Somersetturnedandlefthimwithoutreplying，Darefollowinghisrecedingfigurewithalookofriperesentment，notlesslikelytoventitselfinmischieffromthewantofmoralballastinhimwhoemittedit。Hethenfixedanettledandunsatisfiedgazeuponthegaming-rooms，andinanotherminuteortwolefttheCasinoalso。
　　DareandSomersetmetnomorethatday。ThelatterreturnedtoNicebytheeveningtrainandwentstraighttothehotel。
　　Henowthankedhisfortunethathehadnotprecipitatelygivenuphisroomthere，foratelegramfromPaulaawaitedhim。Hishandalmosttrembledasheopenedit，toreadthefollowingfewshortwords，datedfromtheGrandHotel，Genoa:——
　　'Letterreceived。Amgladtohearofyourjourney。WearenotreturningtoNice，butstayhereaweek。Idirectthisataventure。'
　　Thistantalizingmessage——thefirstbreakingofherrecentsilence——wassaucy，almostcruel，initsdryfrigidity。ItledhimtogiveuphisideaoffollowingatoncetoGenoa。
　　Thatwaswhatsheobviouslyexpectedhimtodo，anditwaspossiblethathisnon-arrivalmightdrawaletterormessagefromherofasweetercompositionthanthis。Thatwouldatleastbetheeffectofhistardinessifshecaredintheleastforhim；ifshedidnothecouldbeartheworst。Theargumentwasgoodenoughasfarasitwent，but，likemanymore，failedfromthenarrownessofitspremises，thecontingentinterventionofDarebeingentirelyundreamtof。Itwasaltogetherafatalmiscalculation，whichcosthimdear。
　　Passingbythetelegraph-officeintheRuePont-NeufatanearlyhourthenextmorninghesawDarecomingoutfromthedoor。ItwasSomerset'smomentaryimpulsetothankDarefortheinformationgivenastoPaula'swhereabouts，informationwhichhadnowprovedtrue。ButDaredidnotseemtoappreciatehisfriendliness，andafterafewwordsofstudiedcivilitytheyoungmanmovedon。
　　Andwellhemight。Fiveminutesbeforethattimehehadthrownopenagulfoftreacherybetweenhimselfandthearchitectwhichnothinginlifecouldeverclose。Beforeleavingthetelegraph-officeDarehaddespatchedthefollowingmessagetoPauladirect，asaset-offagainstwhathecalledSomerset'singratitudeforvaluableinformation，thoughitwasreallythefruitofmanypassions，motives，anddesires:——
　　'G。Somerset，Nice，toMissPower，GrandHotel，Genoa。
　　'HavelostallatMonteCarlo。HavelearntthatCaptainD。S。
　　returnshereto-morrow。Pleasesendmeonehundredpoundsbyhim，andsavemefromdisgrace。Willawaithimateleveno'clockandfour，onthePont-Neuf。'
　　V。
　　FivehoursafterthedespatchofthattelegramCaptainDeStancywasrattlingalongthecoastrailwayoftheRivierafromGenoatoNice。HewasreturningtoEnglandbywayofMarseilles；butbeforeturningnorthwardshehadengagedtoperformonMissPower'saccountapeculiarandsomewhatdisagreeableduty。ThiswastoplaceinSomerset'shandsahundredandtwenty-fivenapoleonswhichhadbeendemandedfromherbyamessageinSomerset'sname。Themoneywasinhispocket——allingold，inacanvasbag，tiedupbyPaula'sownhands，whichhehadobservedtotrembleasshetiedit。
　　Asheleanedinthecornerofthecarriagehewasthinkingovertheeventsofthemorningwhichhadculminatedinthatliberalresponse。Atteno'clock，beforehehadgoneoutfromthehotelwherehehadtakenuphisquarters，whichwasnotthesameastheonepatronizedbyPaulaandherfriends，hehadbeensummonedtoherpresenceinamannersounexpectedastoimplythatsomethingseriouswasinquestion。Onenteringherroomhehadbeenstruckbytheabsenceofthatsaucyindependenceusuallyapparentinherbearingtowardshim，notwithstandingthepersistencywithwhichhehadhoverednearherforthepreviousmonth，andgradually，bythepositionofhissister，andthefavourofPaula'suncleininterceptingoneofSomerset'slettersandseveralofhistelegrams，establishedhimselfasanintimatememberofthetravellingparty。Hisentry，however，thistimeasalways，hadhadtheeffectofatonic，anditwasquitewithhercustomaryself-
　　possessionthatshehadtoldhimoftheobjectofhermessage。
　　'YouthinkofreturningtoNicethisafternoon?'sheinquired。
　　DeStancyinformedherthatsuchwashisintention，andaskedifhecoulddoanythingforherthere。
　　Then，heremembered，shehadhesitated。'Ihavereceivedatelegram，'shesaidatlength；andsosheallowedtoescapeherbitbybittheinformationthatherarchitect，whosenamesheseemedreluctanttoutter，hadtravelledfromEnglandtoNicethatweek，partlytoconsulther，partlyforaholidaytrip；thathehadgoneontoMonteCarlo，hadtherelosthismoneyandgotintodifficulties，andhadappealedtohertohelphimoutofthembytheimmediateadvanceofsomereadycash。Itwasasadcase，anunexpectedcase，shemurmured，withhereyesfixedonthewindow。Indeedshecouldnotcomprehendit。
　　ToDeStancythereappearednothingsoveryextraordinaryinSomerset'sapparentfiasco，exceptinsofarasthatheshouldhaveappliedtoPaulaforrelieffromhisdistressesinsteadofelsewhere。Itwasaself-humiliationwhichaloverwouldhaveavoidedatallcosts，hethought。YetafteramomentaryreflectiononhistheoryofSomerset'scharacter，itseemedsufficientlynaturalthatheshouldleanpersistentlyonPaula，ifonlywithaviewofkeepinghimselflinkedtohermemory，withoutthinkingtooprofoundlyofhisowndignity。
　　ThattheesteeminwhichshehadheldSomersetuptothathoursufferedatremendousblowbyhisapparentscrapewasclearlyvisibleinher，reticentasshewas；andDeStancy，whilepityingSomerset，thankedhiminhismindforhavinggratuitouslygivenarivalanadvantagewhichthatrival'sattentionshadneverbeenabletogainofthemselves。
　　Afteralittlefurtherconversationshehadsaid:'Sinceyouaretobemymessenger，ImusttellyouthatIhavedecidedtosendthehundredpoundsaskedfor，andyouwillpleasetodeliverthemintonohandsbuthisown。'Acuriouslittleblushcreptoverhersoberedface——perhapsitwasablushofshameattheconductoftheyoungmaninwhomshehadoflatebeensuspiciouslyinterested——assheadded，'HewillbeonthePont-Neufatfourthisafternoonandagainateleventomorrow。
　　Canyoumeethimthere?'
　　'Certainly，'DeStancyreplied。
　　Shethenaskedhim，ratheranxiously，howhecouldaccountforMr。Somersetknowingthathe，CaptainDeStancy，wasabouttoreturntoNice?
　　DeStancyinformedherthatheleftwordatthehotelofhisintentiontoreturn，whichwasquitetrue；moreover，theredidnotlurkinhismindatthemomentofspeakingthefaintestsuspicionthatSomersethadseenDare。
　　Shethentiedthebagandhandedittohim，leavinghimwithasereneandimpenetrablebearing，whichhehopedforhisownsakemeantanacquiredindifferencetoSomersetandhisfortunes。Hersendingthearchitectasumofmoneywhichshecouldeasilysparemightbesetdowntonaturalgenerositytowardsamanwithwhomshewasartisticallyco-operatingfortheimprovementofherhome。
　　Shecamebacktohimagainforamoment。'Couldyoupossiblygettherebeforefourthisafternoon?'sheasked，andheinformedherthathecouldjustdosobyleavingalmostatonce，whichhewasverywillingtodo，thoughbysoforestallinghistimehewouldlosetheprojectedmorningwithherandtherestatthePalazzoDoria。
　　'ImaytellyouthatIshallnotgotothePalazzoDoriaeither，ifitisanyconsolationtoyoutoknowit，'washerreply。'Ishallsitindoorsandthinkofyouonyourjourney。'
　　Theansweradmittedoftwotranslations，andconjecturesthereonfilledthegallantsoldier'smindduringthegreaterpartofthejourney。HearrivedatthehoteltheyhadallstayedatinsuccessionaboutsixhoursafterSomersethadleftitforalittleexcursiontoSanRemoanditsneighbourhood，asameansofpassingafewdaystillPaulashouldwriteagaintoinquirewhyhehadnotcomeon。DeStancysawnooneheknew，andinobediencetoPaula'scommandshepromptlysetoffonfootforthePont-Neuf。
　　Thoughopposedtothearchitectasalover，DeStancyfeltforhimasapoordevilinneedofmoney，havinghadexperiencesofthatsorthimself，andhewasreallyanxiousthattheneedfulsupplyentrustedtohimshouldreachSomerset'shands。
　　Hewasonthebridgefiveminutesbeforethehour，andwhentheclockstruckahandwaslaidonhisshoulder:turninghebeheldDare。
　　Knowingthattheyouthwasloiteringsomewherealongthecoast，fortheyhadfrequentlymettogetheronDeStancy'spreviousvisit，thelattermerelysaid，'Don'tbothermeforthepresent，Willy，Ihaveanengagement。Youcanseemeatthehotelthisevening。'
　　'WhenyouhavegivenmethehundredpoundsIwillflylikearocket，captain，'saidtheyounggentleman。'Ikeeptheappointmentinsteadoftheotherman。'
　　DeStancylookedhardathim。'How——doyouknowaboutthis?'
　　heaskedbreathlessly。
　　'Ihaveseenhim。'
　　DeStancytooktheyoungmanbythetwoshouldersandgazedintohiseyes。Thescrutinyseemednotaltogethertoremovethesuspicionwhichhadsuddenlystartedupinhismind。'Mysoul，'hesaid，droppinghisarms，'canthisbetrue?'
　　'What?'
　　'Youknow。'
　　Dareshruggedhisshoulders；'Areyougoingtohandoverthemoneyorno?'hesaid。
　　'Iamgoingtomakeinquiries，'saidDeStancy，walkingawaywithavehementtread。
　　'Captain，youarewithoutnaturalaffection，'saidDare，walkingbyhisside，inatonewhichshowedhisfearthathehadover-estimatedthatemotion。'SeewhatIhavedoneforyou。YouhavebeenmyconstantcareandanxietyforIcan'ttellhowlong。IhavestayedawakeatnightthinkinghowI
　　mightbestgiveyouagoodstartintheworldbyarrangingthisjudiciousmarriage，whenyouhavebeensleepingassoundasatopwithnocaresuponyourmindatall，andnowIhavegotintoascrape——asthemostthoughtfulofusmaysometimes——
　　yougotomakeinquiries。'
　　'Ihavepromisedtheladytowhomthismoneybelongs——whosegenerosityhasbeenshamefullyabusedinsomeway——thatIwilldeliveritintonohandsbutthoseofoneman，andhehasnotyetappeared。Ithereforegotofindhim。'
　　DarelaidhishanduponDeStancy'sarm。'Captain，wearebothwarm，andpunctiliousonpointsofhonour；thiswillcometoasplitbetweenusifwedon'tmind。So，nottobringmatterstoacrisis，lendmetenpoundsheretoenablemetogethome，andI'lldisappear。'
　　Inastateborderingondistraction，eagertogettheyoungmanoutofhissightbeforeworserevelationsshouldriseupbetweenthem，DeStancywithoutpausinginhiswalkgavehimthesumdemanded。Hesoonreachedthepost-office，whereheinquiredifaMr。Somersethadleftanydirectionsforforwardingletters。
　　ItwasjustwhatSomersethaddone。DeStancywastoldthatMr。SomersethadcommandedthatanylettersshouldbesentontohimattheHotelVictoria，SanRemo。
　　ItwasnowevidentthattheschemeofgettingmoneyfromPaulawaseitherofDare'sinvention，orthatSomerset，ashamedofhisfirstimpulse，hadabandoneditasspeedilyasithadbeenformed。DeStancyturnedandwentout。Dare，inkeepingwithhispromise，hadvanished。CaptainDeStancyresolvedtodonothinginthecasetillfurthereventsshouldenlightenhim，beyondsendingalinetoMissPowertoinformherthatSomersethadnotappeared，andthathethereforeretainedthemoneyforfurtherinstructions。
　　BOOKTHEFIFTH。DESTANCYANDPAULA。
　　I。
　　MissPowerwasrecliningonaredvelvetcouchinthebedroomofanold-fashionedredhotelatStrassburg，andherfriendMissDeStancywassittingbyawindowofthesameapartment。
　　Theywerebothratherweariedbyalongjourneyofthepreviousday。ThehoteloverlookedthelargeopenKleberPlatz，erectinthemidstofwhichthebronzestatueofGeneralKleberreceivedtheraysofawarmsunthatwaspowerlesstobrightenhim。Thewholesquare，withitspeopleandvehiclesgoingtoandfroasiftheyhadplentyoftime，wasvisibletoCharlotteinherchair；butPaulafromherhorizontalpositioncouldseenothingbelowthelevelofthemanydormeredhouse-topsontheoppositesideofthePlatz。
　　Afterwatchingthisupperstoreyofthecityforsometimeinsilence，sheaskedCharlottetohandherabinocularlyingonthetable，throughwhichinstrumentshequietlyregardedthedistantroofs。
　　'Whatstrangeandphilosophicalcreaturesstorksare，'shesaid。'Theygiveataciturn，ghostlycharactertothewholetown。'
　　ThebirdswerecrossingandrecrossingthefieldoftheglassintheirflighthitherandthitherbetweentheStrassburgchimneys，theirsadgreyformssharplyoutlinedagainstthesky，andtheirskinnylegsshowingbeneathlikethelimbsofdeadmartyrsinCrivelli'semaciatedimaginings。Theindifferenceofthesebirdstoallthatwasgoingonbeneaththemimpressedher:toharmonizewiththeirsolemnandsilentmovementsthehousesbeneathshouldhavebeendeserted，andgrassgrowinginthestreets。
　　BehindthelongroofsthusvisibletoPaulaoverthewindow-
　　sill，withtheirtiersofdormer-windows，rosethecathedralspireinairyopenwork，formingthehighestobjectinthescene；itsuggestedsomethingwhichforalongtimesheappearedunwillingtoutter；butnaturalinstincthaditsway。
　　'Aplacelikethis，'shesaid，'wherehecanstudyGothicarchitecture，would，Ishouldhavethought，beaspotmorecongenialtohimthanMonaco。'
　　ThepersonreferredtowasthemisrepresentedSomerset，whomthetwohadbeengingerlydiscussingfromtimetotime，allowinganycasualsubject，suchasthatofthestorks，tointerruptthepersonaloneateverytwoorthreesentences。
　　'Itwouldbemorelikehimtobehere，'repliedMissDeStancy，trustinghertonguewithonlythebarestgeneralitiesonthismatter。
　　Somersetwasagaindismissedforthestorktopic，butPaulacouldnotlethimalone；andshepresentlyresumed，asifanirresistiblefascinationcompelledwhatjudgmenthadforbidden:'Thestrongest-mindedpersonsaresometimescaughtunawaresatthatplace，iftheyoncethinktheywillretrievetheirfirstlosses；andIamnotawarethatheisparticularlystrong-minded。'
　　ForamomentCharlottelookedatherwithamixedexpression，inwhichtherewasdeprecationthatawomanwithanyfeelingshouldcriticizeSomersetsofrigidly，andreliefthatitwasPaulawhodidso。For，notwithstandingherassumptionthatSomersetcouldneverbeanythingmoretoherthanhewasalready，Charlotte'sheartwouldoccasionallystepdownandtroubleherviewssoexpressed。
　　WhetherlookingthroughaglassatdistantobjectsenabledPaulatobottleupheraffectionfortheabsentone，orwhetherherfriendCharlottehadsolittlepersonalityinPaula'sregardthatshecouldcommunewithheraswithalayfigure，itwascertainthatsheevincedremarkableeaseinspeakingofSomerset，resumingherwordsabouthiminthetoneofonetowhomhewasatmostanordinaryprofessionaladviser。'Itwouldbeveryawkwardfortheworksatthecastleifhehasgotintoascrape。Isupposethebuilderswerewellpostedwithinstructionsbeforeheleft:butheoughtcertainlytoreturnsoon。WhydidheleaveEnglandatalljustnow?'
　　'Perhapsitwastoseeyou。'
　　'Heshouldhavewaited；itwouldnothavebeensodreadfullylongtoMayorJune。Charlotte，howcanamanwhodoessuchahare-brainedthingasthisbedeemedtrustworthyinanimportantworklikethatofrebuildingStancyCastle?'
　　Therewassuchstressintheinquirythat，whateverfactitiousnesshadgonebefore，CharlotteperceivedPaulatobeatlastspeakinghermind；anditseemedasifSomersetmusthaveconsiderablylostgroundinheropinion，orshewouldnothavecriticizedhimthus。
　　'Mybrotherwilltellusfullparticularswhenhecomes:
　　perhapsitisnotatallaswesuppose，'saidCharlotte。ShestrainedhereyesacrossthePlatzandadded，'Heoughttohavebeenherebeforethistime。'
　　Whiletheywaitedandtalked，Paulastillobservingthestorks，thehotelomnibuscameroundthecornerfromthestation。'Ibelievehehasarrived，'resumedMissDeStancy；
　　'Iseesomethingthatlookslikehisportmanteauonthetopoftheomnibus……Yes；itishisbaggage。I'llrundowntohim。'
　　DeStancyhadobtainedsixweeks'additionalleaveonaccountofhishealth，whichhadsomewhatsufferedinIndia。ThefirstusehemadeofhisextratimewasinhasteningbacktomeetthetravellingladieshereatStrassburg。Mr。PowerandMrs。Goodmanwerealsoatthehotel，andwhenCharlottegotdownstairs，theformerwaswelcomingDeStancyatthedoor。
　　PaulahadnotseenhimsincehesetoutfromGenoaforNice，commissionedbyhertodeliverthehundredpoundstoSomerset。
　　Hisnote，statingthathehadfailedtomeetSomerset，containednodetails，andsheguessedthathewouldsoonappearbeforehernowtoansweranyquestionaboutthatpeculiarerrand。
　　Heranticipationswerejustifiedbytheevent；shehadnosoonergoneintothenextsitting-roomthanCharlotteDeStancyappearedandaskedifherbrothermightcomeup。TheclosestobserverwouldhavebeenindoubtwhetherPaula'sreadyreplyintheaffirmativewaspromptedbypersonalconsiderationforDeStancy，orbyahopetohearmoreofhismissiontoNice。Assoonasshehadwelcomedhimsherevertedatoncetothesubject。
　　'Yes，asItoldyou，hewasnotattheplaceofmeeting，'DeStancyreplied。Andtakingfromhispocketthebagofreadymoneyheplaceditintactuponthetable。
　　DeStancydidthiswithahandthatshooksomewhatmorethanalongrailwayjourneywasadequatetoaccountfor；andintruthitwasthevisionofDare'spositionwhichagitatedtheunhappycaptain:forhadthatyoungman，asDeStancyfeared，beentamperingwithSomerset'sname，hisfatenowtrembledinthebalance；Paulawouldunquestionablyandnaturallyinvoketheaidofthelawagainsthimifshediscoveredsuchanimposition。
　　'Wereyoupunctualtothetimementioned?'sheaskedcuriously。
　　DeStancyrepliedintheaffirmative。
　　'Didyouwaitlong?'shecontinued。
　　'Notverylong，'heanswered，hisinstincttoscreenthepossiblyguiltyoneconfininghimtoguardedstatements，whilestilladheringtotheliteraltruth。
　　'Whywasthat?'
　　'Somebodycameandtoldmethathewouldnotappear。'
　　'Who?'
　　'Ayoungmanwhohasbeenactingashisclerk。HisnameisDare。HeinformedmethatMr。Somersetcouldnotkeeptheappointment。'
　　'Why?'
　　'HehadgoneontoSanRemo。'
　　'HashebeentravellingwithMr。Somerset?'
　　'Hehadbeenwithhim。Theyknoweachotherverywell。ButasyoucommissionedmetodeliverthemoneyintonohandsbutMr。Somerset's，Iadheredstrictlytoyourinstructions。'
　　'Butperhapsmyinstructionswerenotwise。Shoulditinyouropinionhavebeensentbythisyoungman?Washecommissionedtoaskyouforit?'
　　DeStancymurmuredthatDarewasnotcommissionedtoaskforit；thatuponthewholehedeemedherinstructionswise；andwasstillofopinionthatthebestthinghadbeendone。
　　AlthoughDeStancywasdistractedbetweenhisdesiretopreserveDarefromtheconsequencesoffolly，andagentlemanlywishtokeepasclosetothetruthaswascompatiblewiththatcondition，hisanswershadnotappearedtoPaulatobeparticularlyevasive，theconjuncturebeingoneinwhichahandsomeheiress'sshrewdnesswaspronetooverleapitselfbysettingdownembarrassmentonthepartofthemanshequestionedtoamerelover'sdifficultyinsteeringbetweenhonourandrivalry。
　　Sheputbutoneotherquestion。'Diditappearasifhe，Mr。
　　Somerset，aftertelegraphing，had——had——regretteddoingso，andevadedtheresultbynotkeepingtheappointment?'
　　'That'sjusthowitappears。'Thewords，whichsavedDarefromignominy，costDeStancyagooddeal。HewassorryforSomerset，sorryforhimself，andverysorryforPaula。ButDarewastoDeStancywhatSomersetcouldneverbe:and'forhiskinthatisnearuntohimshallamanbedefiled。'
　　AfterthatinterviewCharlottesawwithwarringimpulsesthatSomersetslowlydiminishedinPaula'sestimate；slowlyasthemoonwanes，butascertainly。Charlotte'sownlovewasofaclinging，uncriticalsort，andthoughtheshadowyintelligenceofSomerset'sdoingsweigheddownhersoulwithregret，itseemedtomakenottheleastdifferenceinheraffectionforhim。
　　Intheafternoonthewholeparty，includingDeStancy，droveaboutthestreets。HeretheylookedatthehouseinwhichGoethehadlived，andafterwardsenteredthecathedral。
　　Observinginthesouthtranseptacrowdofpeoplewaitingpatiently，theywereremindedthattheyunwittinglystoodinthepresenceofthepopularclock-workofSchwilgue。
　　Mr。PowerandMrs。Goodmandecidedthattheywouldwaitwiththerestoftheidlersandseethepuppetsperformatthestriking。Charlottealsowaitedwiththem；butasitwantedeightminutestothehour，andasPaulahadseentheshowbefore，shemovedonintothenave。
　　PresentlyshefoundthatDeStancyhadfollowed。Hedidnotcomeclosetillshe，seeinghimstandsilent，said，'Ifitwerenotforthiscathedral，Ishouldnotlikethecityatall；andIhaveevenseencathedralsIlikebetter。LuckilywearegoingontoBadento-morrow。'
　　'Yourunclehasjusttoldme。Hehasaskedmetokeepyoucompany。'
　　'Areyouintendingto?'saidPaula，probingthebase-mouldingofapierwithherparasol。
　　'Ihavenothingbettertodo，norindeedhalfsogood，'saidDeStancy。'Iamabroadformyhealth，youknow，andwhat'sliketheRhineanditsneighbourhoodinearlysummer，beforethecrowdcomes?Itisdelightfultowanderaboutthere，oranywhere，likeachild，influencedbynofixedmotivemorethanthatofkeepingnearsomefriend，orfriends，includingtheonewemostadmireintheworld。'
　　'Thatsoundsperilouslylikelove-making。'
　　''Tisloveindeed。'
　　'Well，loveisnaturaltomen，Isuppose，'rejoinedtheyounglady。'Butyoumustlovewithinbounds；oryouwillbeenervated，andceasetobeusefulasaheavyarmoftheservice。'
　　'MydearMissPower，yourdidacticandrespectableruleswon'tdoforme。Ifyouexpectstrawstostopcurrents，youaresadlymistaken!Butno——letmattersbe:Iamahappycontentedmortalatpresent，saywhatyouwill……Youdon'taskwhy?Perhapsyouknow。ItisbecauseallIcareforintheworldisnearme，andthatIshallneverbemorethanahundredyardsfromheraslongasthepresentarrangementcontinues。'
　　'Weareinacathedral，remember，CaptainDeStancy，andshouldnotkeepupasecularconversation。'
　　'IfIhadneversaidworseinacathedralthanwhatIhavesaidhere，Ishouldbecontenttomeetmyeternaljudgewithoutabsolution。YouruncleaskedmethismorninghowI
　　likedyou。'
　　'Well，therewasnoharminthat。'
　　'HowIlikeyou!Harm，no；butyoushouldhaveseenhowsillyIlooked。Fancytheinadequacyoftheexpressionwhenmywholesenseisabsorbedbyyou。'
　　'Menallowthemselvestobemaderidiculousbytheirownfeelingsinaninconceivableway。'
　　'True，Iamafool；butforgiveme，'herejoined，observinghergaze，whichwanderedcriticallyfromrooftoclerestory，andthentothepillars，withoutoncelightingonhim。'Don'tmindsayingYes——Youlookatthisthingandthatthing，butyouneverlookatme，thoughIstandhereandseenothingbutyou。'
　　'There，theclockisstriking——andthecockcrows。Pleasegoacrosstothetranseptandtellthemtocomeoutthisway。'
　　DeStancywent。Whenhehadgoneafewstepsheturnedhishead。Shehadatlastceasedtostudythearchitecture，andwaslookingathim。Perhapshiswordshadstruckher，foritseemedatthatmomentasifhereadinherbrighteyesagenuineinterestinhimandhisfortunes。
　　II。
　　NextdaytheywentontoBaden。DeStancywasbeginningtocultivatethepassionofloveevenmoreasanescapefromthegloomyrelationsofhislifethanasmatrimonialstrategy。
　　Paula'sjuxtapositionhadtheattributeofmakinghimforgeteverythinginhisownhistory。Shewasamagicalterative；
　　andthemostfoolishboyishshapeintowhichhecouldthrowhisfeelingsforherwasinthisrespecttobeaimedatastheactofhighestwisdom。
　　Hesupplementedthenaturalwarmthoffeelingthatshehadwroughtinhimbyeveryartificialmeansinhispower，tomakethedistractionthemorecomplete。Hehadnotknownanythinglikethisself-obscurationforadozenyears，andwhenheconjecturedthatshemightreallylearntolovehimhefeltexaltedinhisowneyesandpurifiedfromthedrossofhisformerlife。SuchuneasinessofconscienceasarosewhenhesuddenlyrememberedDare，andthepossibilitythatSomersetwasgettingoustedunfairly，haditsweightindepressinghim；
　　buthewasinclinedtoaccepthisfortunewithoutmuchquestion。
　　ThejourneytoBaden，thoughshort，wasnotwithoutincidentsonwhichhecouldworkoutthiscurioushobbyofcultivatingtosuperlativepoweranalreadypositivepassion。Handingherinandoutofthecarriage，accidentallygettingbrushedbyherclothes，ofallsuchasthishemadeavailablefuel。
　　Paula，thoughshemighthaveguessedthegeneralnatureofwhatwasgoingon，seemedunconsciousoftherefinementshewastryingtothrowintoit，andsometimes，wheninsteppingintoorfromarailwaycarriagesheunavoidablyputherhanduponhisarm，theobviousinsignificancesheattachedtotheactionstruckhimwithmisgiving。
　　OneofthefirstthingstheydidatBadenwastostrollintotheTrink-halle，wherePaulasippedthewater。Shewasabouttoputdowntheglass，whenDeStancyquicklytookitfromherhandsasthoughtomakeuseofithimself。
　　'O，ifthatiswhatyoumean，'shesaidmischievously，'youshouldhavenoticedtheexactspot。Itwasthere。'Sheputherfingeronaparticularportionofitsedge。
　　'Yououghtnottoactlikethat，unlessyoumeansomething，MissPower，'herepliedgravely。
　　'Tellmemoreplainly。'
　　'Imean，youshouldnotdothingswhichexciteinmethehopethatyoucaresomethingforme，unlessyoureallydo。'
　　'Iputmyfingerontheedgeandsaiditwasthere。'
　　'Meaning，"Itwastheremylipstouched；letyoursdothesame。"'
　　'ThelatterpartIwhollydeny，'sheanswered，withdisregard，afterwhichshewentaway，andkeptbetweenCharlotteandherauntfortherestoftheafternoon。
　　SincethereceiptofthetelegramPaulahadbeenfrequentlysilent；shefrequentlystayedinalone，andsometimesshebecamequitegloomy——analtogetherunprecedentedphaseforher。ThiswasthecaseonthemorningaftertheincidentintheTrink-halle。Nottointrudeonher，Charlottewalkedaboutthelandingsofthesunnywhitehotelinwhichtheyhadtakenuptheirquarters，wentdownintothecourt，andpettedthetortoisesthatwerecreepingaboutthereamongtheflowersandplants；tillatlast，ongoingtoherfriend，shecaughtherreadingsomeoldlettersofSomerset's。
　　Paulamadenosecretofthem，andMissDeStancycouldseethatmorethanhalfwerewrittenonbluepaper，withdiagramsamidthewriting:theywere，infact，simplythosesheetsofhisletterswhichrelatedtotherebuilding。Nevertheless，CharlottefanciedshehadcaughtPaulainasentimentalmood；
　　anddoubtlesscouldSomersethavewalkedinatthismomentinsteadofCharlotteitmighthavefaredwellwithhim，soinsidiouslydotendermemoriesreassertthemselvesinthefaceofoutwardmishaps。
　　TheytookadrivedowntheLichtenthalroadandthenintotheforest，DeStancyandAbnerPowerridingonhorsebackalongside。Thesunstreamedyellowbehindtheirbacksastheywoundupthelonginclines，lightingtheredtrunks，andeventheblue-blackfoliageitself。Thesummerhadalreadymadeimpressionuponthatmassofuniformcolourbytippingeverytwigwithatinysproutofvirescentyellow；whiletheminutesoundswhichissuedfromtheforestrevealedthattheapparentlystillplacewasbecomingaperfectreservoirofinsectlife。
　　AbnerPowerwasquitesentimentalthatday。'Insuchplacesasthese，'hesaid，asherodealongsideMrs。Goodman，'nature'spowersinthemultiplicationofonetypestrikemeasmuchasthegrandeurofthemass。'
　　Mrs。Goodmanagreedwithhim，andPaulasaid，'Thefoliageformstheroofofaninterminablegreencrypt，thepillarsbeingthetrunks，andthevaulttheinterlacingboughs。'
　　'Itisafineplaceinathunderstorm，'saidDeStancy。'Iamnotanenthusiast，buttoseethelightningspringhitherandthither，likelazy-tongs，bristling，andstriking，andvanishing，isratherimpressive。'
　　'Itmustbeindeed，'saidPaula。
　　'Andinthewinterwindsthesepinessighliketenthousandspiritsintrouble。'
　　'Indeedtheymust，'saidPaula。
　　'AtthesametimeIknowalittlefir-plantationaboutamilesquarenotfarfromMarkton，'saidDeStancy，'whichispreciselylikethisinminiature，——stems，colours，slopes，winds，andall。Ifweweretogothereanytimewithahighlymagnifyingpairofspectaclesitwouldlookasfineasthis——
　　andsaveadealoftravelling。'
　　'Iknowtheplace，andIagreewithyou，'saidPaula。
　　'Youagreewithmeonallsubjectsbutone，'hepresentlyobserved，inavoicenotintendedtoreachtheothers。
　　Paulalookedathim，butwassilent。
　　Onwardandupwardtheywent，thesamepatternandcolouroftreerepeatingthemselvesendlessly，tillinacoupleofhourstheyreachedthecastlehillwhichwastobetheendoftheirjourney，andbeheldstretchedbeneaththemthevalleyoftheMurg。Theyalightedandenteredthefortress。
　　'Whatdidyoumeanbythatlookofkindnessyoubestoweduponmejustnow，whenIsaidyouagreedwithmeonallsubjectsbutone?'askedDeStancyhalfhumorously，asheheldopenalittledoorforher，theothershavinggoneahead。
　　'Imeant，Isuppose，thatIwasmuchobligedtoyoufornotrequiringagreementonthatonesubject，'shesaid，passingon。
　　'Notmorethanthat?'saidDeStancy，ashefollowedher。
　　'ButwheneverIinvoluntarilyexpresstowardsyousentimentsthattherecanbenomistaking，youseemtrulycompassionate。'
　　'IfIseemso，Ifeelso。'
　　'Ifyoumeannomorethanmerecompassion，Iwishyouwouldshownothingatall，foryourmistakenkindnessisonlypreparingmoremiseryformethanIshouldhaveifletalonetosufferwithoutmercy。'
　　'Iimploreyoutobequiet，CaptainDeStancy!Leaveme，andlookoutofthewindowattheviewhere，oratthepictures，oratthearmour，orwhateveritiswearecometosee。'
　　'Verywell。Butpraydon'textractamusementfrommyharmlessremarks。SuchastheyareImeanthem。'
　　Shestoppedhimbychangingthesubject，fortheyhadenteredanoctagonalchamberonthefirstfloor，presumablyfullofpicturesandcuriosities；buttheshutterswereclosed，andonlystraybeamsoflightgleamedintosuggestwhatwasthere。
　　'Can'tsomebodyopenthewindows?'saidPaula。
　　'Theattendantisabouttodoit，'saidheruncle；andashespoketheshutterstotheeastwereflungback，andoneoftheloveliestviewsintheforestdiscloseditselfoutside。
　　Someofthemsteppedoutuponthebalcony。Theriverlayalongthebottomofthevalley，irradiatedwithasilvershine。Littleraftsofpinewoodfloatedonitssurfaceliketinysplinters，themenwhosteeredthemnotappearinglargerthanants。
　　Paulastoodonthebalcony，lookingforafewminutesuponthesight，andthencameintotheshadowyroom，whereDeStancyhadremained。Whiletherestwerestilloutsidesheresumed:
　　'YoumustnotsupposethatIshrinkfromthesubjectyousopersistentlybringbeforeme。Irespectdeepaffection——youknowIdo；butformetosaythatIhaveanysuchforyou，oftheparticularsortyouonlywillbesatisfiedwith，wouldbeabsurd。Idon'tfeelit，andthereforetherecanbenothingbetweenus。Onewouldthinkitwouldbebettertofeelkindlytowardsyouthantofeelnothingatall。ButifyouobjecttothatI'lltrytofeelnothing。'
　　'Idon'treallyobjecttoyoursympathy，'saidDeStancy，ratherstruckbyherseriousness。'Butitisverysaddeningtothinkyoucanfeelnothingmore。'
　　'Itmustbeso，sinceICANfeelnomore，'shedecisivelyreplied，adding，asshestoppedherseriousness:'Youmustprayforstrengthtogetoverit。'
　　'OnethingIshallneverprayfor；toseeyougiveyourselftoanotherman。ButIsupposeIshallwitnessthatsomeday。'
　　'Youmay，'shegravelyreturned。
　　'Youhavenodoubtchosenhimalready，'criedthecaptainbitterly。
　　'No，CaptainDeStancy，'shesaidshortly，afaintinvoluntaryblushcomingintoherfaceassheguessedhisallusion。
　　This，andafewglancesroundatthepicturesandcuriosities，completedtheirsurveyofthecastle。DeStancyknewbetterthantotroubleherfurtherthatdaywithspecialremarks。
　　DuringthereturnjourneyherodeaheadwithMr。Powerandshesawnomoreofhim。
　　Shewouldhavebeenastonishedhadsheheardtheconversationofthetwogentlemenastheywoundgentlydownwardsthroughthetrees。
　　'AsfarasIamconcerned，'CaptainDeStancy'scompanionwassaying，'nothingwouldgivememoreunfeigneddelightthanthatyoushouldpersevereandwinher。ButyoumustunderstandthatIhavenoauthorityoverher——nothingmorethanthenaturalinfluencethatarisesfrommybeingherfather'sbrother。'
　　'Andforexercisingthatmuch，whateveritmaybe，inmyfavourIthankyouheartily，'saidDeStancy。'ButIamcomingtotheconclusionthatitisuselesstopressherfurther。Sheisright!Iamnotthemanforher。Iamtooold，andtoopoor；andImustputupaswellasIcanwithherloss——drownherimageinoldFalerniantillIembarkinCharon'sboatforgood!——Really，ifIhadtheindustryIcouldwritesomegoodHoratianversesonmyinauspicioussituation!……Ah，well；——inthiswayIaffectlevityovermytroubles；
　　butinplaintruthmylifewillnotbethebrightestwithouther。'
　　'Don'tbedown-hearted!youaretoo——toogentlemanly，DeStancy，inthismatter——youaretoosoonputoff——youshouldhaveatouchofthecanvasseraboutyouinapproachingher；
　　andnotstickatthings。YouhavemyheartyinvitationtotravelwithusallthewaytillwecrosstoEngland，andtherewillbeheapsofopportunitiesaswewanderon。I'llkeepaslowpacetogiveyoutime。'
　　'Youareverygood，myfriend!Well，Iwilltryagain。Iamfullofdoubtandindecision，mind，butatpresentIfeelthatIwilltryagain。Thereis，Isuppose，aslightpossibilityofsomethingorotherturningupinmyfavour，ifitistruethattheunexpectedalwayshappens——forIforeseenochancewhatever……Whichwaydowegowhenweleavehereto-
　　morrow?'
　　'ToCarlsruhe，shesays，iftherestofushavenoobjection。'
　　'Carlsruhe，then，letitbe，withallmyheart；oranywhere。'