Dareassented，andthepistolswereputaway。
'Thenwedonothingatall，eitherside；butletthecourseoftrueloverunontomarriage——that'stheunderstanding，I
think?'saidDareasherose。
'Itis，'saidPower；andturningonhisheel，heleftthevestry。
Dareretiredtothechurchandthencetotheoutside，whereheidledawayafewminutesinlookingattheworkmen，whowerenowloweringintoitsplacealargestoneslab，bearingthewords'DESTANCY，'whichcoveredtheentrancetothevault。
WhenthefootwayofthechurchyardwasrestoredtoitsnormalconditionDarepursuedhiswaytoMarkton。
AbnerPowerwalkedbacktothecastleataslowandequalpace，asthoughhecarriedanover-brimmingvesselonhishead。Hesilentlylethimselfin，enteredthelonggallery，andsatdown。Thelengthoftimethathesattherewassoremarkableastoraisethatintervalofinanitiontotherankofafeat。
Power'seyesglancedthroughoneofthewindow-casements:
fromaholewithouthesawtheheadofatomtitprotruding。
Helistlesslywatchedthebirdduringthesuccessiveepochsofhisthought，tillnightcame，withoutanyperceptiblechangeoccurringinhim。Suchfixitywouldhavemeantnothingelsethansuddendeathinanyotherman，butinMr。Poweritmerelysignifiedthathewasengagedinruminationswhichnecessitatedamoreextensivesurveythanusual。Atlast，athalf-pasteight，afterhavingsatforfivehourswithhiseyesontheresidenceofthetomtits，towhomnighthadbroughtcessationofthought，ifnottohimwhohadobservedthem，heroseamidtheshadesofthefurniture，andrangthebell。
Therewereonlyaservantortwointhecastle，oneofwhompresentlycamewithalightinherhandandastartledlookuponherface，whichwasnotreducedwhensherecognizedhim；
forintheopinionofthathouseholdtherewassomethingghoul-likeinMr。Power，whichmadehimnodesirableguest。
Heatealatemeal，andretiredtobed，whereheseemedtosleepnotunsoundly。Thenextmorninghereceivedaletterwhichaffordedhiminfinitesatisfactionandgavehisstagnantimpulsesanewmomentum。Heenteredthelibrary，andamidobjectsswathedinbrownhollandsatdownandwroteanotetohisnieceatAmiens。Thereinhestatedthat，findingthattheAnglo-South-AmericanhousewithwhichhehadrecentlyconnectedhimselfrequiredhispresenceinPeru，itobligedhimtoleavewithoutwaitingforherreturn。Hefeltthelessuneasyatgoing，sincehehadlearntthatCaptainDeStancywouldreturnatoncetoAmienstohissicksister，andseethemsafelyhomewhensheimproved。Heafterwardsleftthecastle，disappearingtowardsarailwaystationsomemilesaboveMarkton，theroadtowhichlayacrossanunfrequenteddown。
XII。
Itwasafineafternoonoflatesummer，nearlythreemonthssubsequenttothedeathofSirWilliamDeStancyandPaula'sengagementtomarryhissuccessorinthetitle。GeorgeSomersethadstartedonaprofessionaljourneythattookhimthroughthecharmingdistrictwhichlayaroundStancyCastle。
Havingresignedhisappointmentasarchitecttothatimportantstructure——aresignationwhichhadbeenacceptedbyPaulathroughhersolicitor——hehadbiddenfarewelltothelocalityafterputtingmattersinsuchorderthathissuccessor，whoeverhemightbe，shouldhavenodifficultyinobtainingtheparticularsnecessarytothecompletionoftheworkinhand。HardlytohissurprisethissuccessorwasHavill。
Somerset'sresignationhadbeentenderedinnohastymood。OnreturningtoEngland，andinduecoursetothecastle，everythingboreinuponhismindtheexceedingsorrowfulness——
hewouldnotsayhumiliation——ofcontinuingtoactinhisformercapacityforawomanwho，fromseemingmorethanadearfriend，hadbecomelessthananacquaintance。
Soheresigned；butnow，asthetraindrewonintothatoncebelovedtractofcountry，theimageswhichmethiseyethrewhimbackinpointofemotiontoverynearwherehehadbeenbeforemakinghimselfastrangerhere。ThetrainenteredthecuttingonwhosebrinkhehadwalkedwhenthecarriagecontainingPaulaandherfriendssurprisedhimtheprevioussummer。Helookedoutofthewindow:theywerepassingthewell-knowncurvethatleduptothetunnelconstructedbyherfather，intowhichhehadgonewhenthetraincamebyandPaulahadbeenalarmedforhislife。Therewasthepaththeyhadbothclimbedafterwards，involuntarilyseizingeachother'shand；thebushes，thegrass，theflowers，everythingjustthesame:
'——Herewasthepleasantplace，Andnothingwantingwas，saveShe，alas!'
Whentheycameoutofthetunnelattheotherendhecaughtaglimpseofthedistantcastle-keep，andthewell-rememberedwallsbeneathit。Theexperiencesofartranscendedtheintensityofwhatiscalledmournfulpleasureastomakehimwonderhowhecouldhavemiscalculatedhimselftotheextentofsupposingthathemightpassthespotwithcontrollableemotion。
OnenteringMarktonstationhewithdrewintoaremotecornerofthecarriage，andclosedhiseyeswitharesolvenottoopenthemtilltheembitteringscenesshouldbepassedby。Hehadnotlongtowaitforthisevent。Whenagaininmotionhiseyefellupontheskirtofalady'sdressopposite，theownerofwhichhadenteredandseatedherselfsosoftlyasnottoattracthisattention。
'Ahindeed!'heexclaimedashelookeduptoherface。'Ihadnotanotionthatitwasyou!'HewentoverandshookhandswithCharlotteDeStancy。
'Iamnotgoingfar，'shesaid；'onlytothenextstation。Weoftenrundowninsummertime。Areyougoingfar?'
'Iamgoingtoabuildingfurtheron；thencetoNormandybywayofCherbourg，tofinishoutmyholiday。'
MissDeStancythoughtthatwouldbeverynice。
'Well，Ihopeso。ButIfearitwon't。'
AftersayingthatSomersetaskedhimselfwhyheshouldmincematterswithsogenuineandsympatheticagirlasCharlotteDeStancy?Shecouldtellhimparticularswhichheburnedtoknow。Hemightneveragainhaveanopportunityofknowingthem，sincesheandhewouldprobablynotmeetforyearstocome，ifatall。
'Havethecastleworksprogressedprettyrapidlyunderthenewarchitect?'heaccordinglyasked。
'Yes，'saidCharlotteinherhaste——thenaddingthatshewasnotquitesureiftheyhadprogressedsorapidlyasbefore；
blushinglycorrectingherselfatthispointandthat，inthetinkeringmannerofanervousorganizationaimingatnicetywhereitwasnotrequired。
'Well，Ishouldhavelikedtocarryouttheundertakingtoitsend，'saidSomerset。'ButIfeltIcouldnotconsistentlydoso。MissPower——'herealumpcameintoSomerset'sthroat——
soresponsivewasheyettoherimage——'seemedtohavelostconfidenceinme，and——itwasbestthattheconnectionshouldbesevered。'
Therewasalongpause。'Shewasverysorryaboutit，'saidCharlottegently。
'Whatmadeheralterso?——Inevercanthink!'
Charlottewaitedagainasiftoaccumulatethenecessaryforceforhonestspeakingattheexpenseofpleasantness。'Itwasthetelegramthatbeganitofcourse，'sheanswered。
'Telegram?'
Shelookedupathiminquiteafrightenedway——littleastherewastobefrightenedatinaquietfellowlikehiminthissadtimeofhislife——andsaid，'Yes:sometelegram——I
think——whenyouwereintrouble?Forgivemyalludingtoit；
butyouaskedmethequestion。'
SomersetbeganreflectingonwhatmessageshehadsentPaula，troublousorotherwise。Allhehadsenthadbeensentfromthecastle，andwereasgentleandmellifluousassentenceswellcouldbewhichhadneitherarticlesnorpronouns。'I
don'tunderstand，'hesaid。'Willyouexplainalittlemore——
asplainlyasyoulike——withoutmindingmyfeelings?'
'AtelegramfromNice，Ithink?'
'Ineversentone。'
'O!TheoneImeantwasaboutmoney。'
Somersetshookhishead。'No，'hemurmured，withthecomposureofamanwho，knowinghehaddonenothingofthesorthimself，wasblindedbyhisownhonestytothepossibilitythatanothermighthavedoneitforhim。'ThatmustbesomeotheraffairwithwhichIhadnothingtodo。O
no，itwasnothinglikethat；thereasonforherchangeofmannerwasquitedifferent!'
SotimidwasCharlotteinSomerset'spresence，thathertimidityatthisjunctureamountedtoblameworthiness。Thedistressingscenewhichmusthavefollowedaclearingupthereandthenofanypossiblemisunderstanding，terrifiedherimagination；andquiteconfoundedbycontradictionsthatshecouldnotreconcile，sheheldhertongue，andnervouslylookedoutofthewindow。
'IhaveheardthatMissPowerissoontobemarried，'
continuedSomerset。
'Yes，'Charlottemurmured。'Itissoonerthanitoughttobebyrights，consideringhowrecentlymydearfatherdied；buttherearereasonsinconnectionwithmybrother'spositionagainstputtingitoff:anditistobeabsolutelysimpleandprivate。'
Therewasanotherinterval。'MayIaskwhenitistobe?'hesaid。
'Almostatonce——thisweek。'
Somersetstartedbackasifsomestonehadhithisface。
Stilltherewasnothingwonderfulinsuchpromptitude:
engagementsbrokeninuponbythedeathofanearrelativeofoneofthepartieshadbeenoftencarriedoutinasubduedformwithnolongerdelay。
Charlotte'sstationwasnowathand。Shebadehimfarewell；
andherattledontothebuildinghehadcometoinspect，andnexttoBudmouth，whenceheintendedtocrosstheChannelbysteamboatthatnight。
Hehardlyknewhowtheeveningpassedaway。Hehadtakenuphisquartersataninnnearthequay，andasthenightdrewonhestoodgazingfromthecoffee-roomwindowatthesteameroutside，whichnearlythrustitssparsthroughthebedroomcasements，andatthegoodsthatwerebeingtumbledonboardasonlyshipperscantumblethem。Allthegoodswereladen，alampwasputoneachsidethegangway，theenginesbrokeintoacracklingroar，andpeoplebegantoenter。Theywereonlywaitingforthelasttrain:thentheywouldbeoff。StillSomersetdidnotmove；hewasthinkingofthatcurioushalf-
toldstoryofCharlotte's，aboutatelegramtoPaulaformoneyfromNice。Notoncetillwithinthelasthalf-hourhaditrecurredtohismindthathehadmetDarebothatNiceandatMonteCarlo；thatatthelatterplacehehadbeenabsolutelyoutofmoneyandwishedtoborrow，showingconsiderablesinisterfeelingwhenSomersetdeclinedtolend:thatononeortwopreviousoccasionshehadreasonsfordoubtingDare'sprobity；andthatinspiteoftheyoungman'simpoverishmentatMonteCarlohehad，afewdayslater，beheldhiminshiningraimentatCarlsruhe。Somerset，thoughmistyinhisconjectures，wasseizedwithagrowingconvictionthattherewassomethinginMissDeStancy'sallusiontothetelegramwhichoughttobeexplained。
Hefeltaninsurmountableobjectiontocrossthewaterthatnight，ortillhehadbeenabletoseeCharlotteagain，andlearnmoreofhermeaning。Hecountermandedtheordertoputhisluggageonboard，watchedthesteameroutoftheharbour，andwenttobed。Hemightaswellhavegonetobattle，foranyrestthathegot。Onrisingthenextmorninghefeltratherblank，thoughnonethelessconvincedthatamatterrequiredinvestigation。HeleftBudmouthbyamorningtrain，andabouteleveno'clockfoundhimselfinMarkton。
Themomentumofapracticalinquirytookhimthroughthatancientboroughwithoutleavinghimmuchleisureforthosereverieswhichhadyesterdaylentanunutterablesadnesstoeveryobjectthere。Itwasjustbeforenoonthathestartedforthecastle，intendingtoarriveatatimeofthemorningwhen，asheknewfromexperience，hecouldspeaktoCharlottewithoutdifficulty。Therisinggroundsoonrevealedtheoldtowerstohim，and，juttingoutbehindthem，thescaffoldingsforthenewwing。
Whilehaltinghereontheknollinsomedoubtabouthismovementshebeheldamancomingalongtheroad，andwassoonconfrontedbyhisformercompetitor，Havill。Thefirstinstinctofeachwastopasswithanod，butasecondinstinctforintercoursewassufficienttobringthemtoahalt。AfterafewsuperficialwordshadbeenspokenSomersetsaid，'Youhavesucceededme。'
'Ihave，'saidHavill；'butlittletomyadvantage。Ihavejustheardthatmycommissionistoextendnofurtherthanroofinginthewingthatyoubegan，andhadIknownthatbefore，IwouldhaveseenthecastlefallflatasJerichobeforeIwouldhaveacceptedthesuperintendence。ButIknowwhoIhavetothankforthat——DeStancy。'
Somersetstilllookedtowardsthedistantbattlements。Onthescaffolding，amongthewhite-jacketedworkmen，hecoulddiscernonefigureinadarksuit。
'Youhaveaclerkoftheworks，Isee，'heobserved。
'NominallyIhave，butpracticallyIhaven't。'
'Thenwhydoyoukeephim?'
'Ican'thelpmyself。HeisMr。Dare；andhavingbeenrecommendedbyahigherpowerthanI，therehemuststayinspiteofme。'
'Whorecommendedhim?'
'Thesame——DeStancy。'
'Itisveryodd，'murmuredSomerset，'butthatyoungmanistheobjectofmyvisit。'
'Youhadbetterleavehimalone，'saidHavilldrily。
Somersetaskedwhy。
'SinceIcallnomanmasteroverthatwayIwillinformyou。'
Havillthenrelatedinsplenetictones，towhichSomersetdidnotcaretolistentillthestorybegantoadvanceitself，howhehadpassedthenightwithDareattheinn，andtheincidentsofthatnight，relatinghowhehadseensomelettersontheyoungman'sbreastwhichlonghadpuzzledhim。'TheywereanE，aT，anN，andaC。Ithoughtoverthemlong，tilliteventuallyoccurredtomethatthewordwhenfilledoutwas"DeStancy，"andthatkinshipexplainstheoffensiveanddefensivealliancebetweenthem。'
'But，goodheavens，man!'saidSomerset，moreandmoredisturbed。'Doessheknowofit?'
'Youmaydependshedoesnotyet；butshewillsoonenough。
Hark——thereitis!'Thenotesofthecastleclockwereheardstrikingnoon。'Thenitisallover。'
'What?——nottheirmarriage!'
'Yes。Didn'tyouknowitwastheweddingday?Theyweretobeatthechurchathalf-pasteleven。Ishouldhavewaitedtoseehergo，butitwasnosighttohinderbusinessfor，asshewasonlygoingtodriveoverinherbroughamwithMissDeStancy。'
'Myerrandhasfailed!'saidSomerset，turningonhisheel。
'I'llwalkbacktothetownwithyou。'
HoweverhedidnotwalkfarwithHavill；societywastoomuchatthatmoment。Assoonasopportunityofferedhebranchedfromtheroadbyapath，andavoidingthetownwentbyrailwaytoBudmouth，whenceheresumed，bythenightsteamer，hisjourneytoNormandyXIII。
ToreturntoCharlotteDeStancy。WhenthetrainhadborneSomersetfromherside，andshehadregainedherself-
possession，shebecameconsciousofthetrueproportionsofthefacthehadasserted。And，further，ifthetelegramhadnotbeenhis，whyshouldthephotographicdistortionbetrustedasaphaseofhisexistence?ButafterawhileitseemedsoimprobabletoherthatGod'ssunshouldbearfalsewitness，thatinsteadofdoubtingbothevidencesshewasinclinedtoreadmitthefirst。Still，uponthewhole，shecouldnotquestionforlongthehonestyofSomerset'sdenialandifthatmessagehadindeedbeensentbyhim，itmusthavebeendonewhilehewasinanothersuchanunhappystateasthatexemplifiedbytheportrait。Thesuppositionreconciledalldifferences；andyetshecouldnotbutfightagainstitwithallthestrengthofagenerousaffection。
Alltheafternoonherpoorlittleheadwasbusyonthisperturbingquestion，tillsheinquiredofherselfwhetherafterallitmightnotbepossibleforphotographstorepresentpeopleastheyhadneverbeen。Beforerejectingthehypothesisshedeterminedtohavethewordofaprofessoronthepoint，whichwouldbebetterthanallhersurmises。
ReturningtoMarktonearly，shetoldthecoachmanwhomPaulahadsent，todrivehertotheshopofMr。Ray，anobscurephotographicartistinthattown，insteadofstraighthome。
Ray'sestablishmentconsistedoftwodivisions，therespectableandtheshabby。If，onenteringthedoor，thevisitorturnedtotheleft，hefoundhimselfinamagazineofoldclothes，oldfurniture，china，umbrellas，guns，fishing-
rods，dirtyfiddles，andsplitflutes。Enteringtheright-
handroom，whichhadoriginallybeenthatofanindependenthouse，hewasinanordinaryphotographer'sandprint-
collector'sdepository，towhichacertainartisticsoliditywasimpartedbyafewoilpaintingsinthebackground。
Charlottemadeforthelatterdepartment，andwhenshewasinsideMr。Rayappearedinpersonfromthelumber-shopadjoining，which，despiteitsmanginess，contributedbyfarthegreatersharetohisincome。
Charlotteputherquestionsimplyenough。Themandidnotanswerherdirectly，butsoonfoundthatshemeantnoharmtohim。Hetoldherthatsuchmisrepresentationswerequitepossible，andthattheyembodiedaformofhumourwhichwasgettingmoreandmoreintovogueamongcertainfacetiouspersonsofsociety。
Charlottewascomingawaywhensheasked，asonsecondthoughts，ifhehadanyspecimensofsuchworktoshowher。
'Noneofmyownpreparation，'saidMr。Ray，withunimpeachableprobityoftone。'Iconsiderthemlibellousmyself。Still，I
haveoneortwosamplesbyme，whichIkeepmerelyascuriosities——There'sone，'hesaid，throwingoutaportraitcardfromadrawer。'ThatrepresentstheGermanEmperorinaviolentpassion:thisoneshowsthePrimeMinisteroutofhismind；thisthePopeofRometheworseforliquor。'
Sheinquiredifhehadanylocalspecimens。
'Yes，'hesaid，'butIprefernottoexhibitthemunlessyoureallyaskforaparticularonethatyoumeantobuy。'
'Idon'twantany。'
'O，Ibegpardon，miss。Well，Ishouldn'tmyselfownsuchthingswereproduced，iftherehadnotbeenayoungmanhereatonetimewhowasveryingeniousinthesematters——aMr。
Dare。Hewasquiteagent，andonlydiditasanamusement，andnotforthesakeofgettingaliving。'
Charlottehadnowishtohearmore。Onherwayhomesheburstintotears:theentanglementwasaltogethertoomuchforhertotearasunder，evenhadnotherowninstinctsbeenurginghertwoways，astheywere。
ToimmediatelyrightSomerset'swrongwasherimpetuousdesireasanhonestwomanwholovedhim；butsuchrectificationwouldbethejeopardizingofallelsethatgratifiedher——themarriageofherbrotherwithherdearestfriend——nowontheverypointofaccomplishment。Itwasamarriagewhichseemedtopromisehappiness，oratleastcomfort，iftheoldflutterthathadtransientlydisturbedPaula'sbosomcouldbekeptfromreviving，towhichenditbecameimperativetohidefromherthediscoveryofinjusticetoSomerset。ItinvolvedtheadvantageofleavingSomersetfree；andthoughherowntenderinterestinhimhadbeentoowellschooledbyhabitualself-
denialtorunaheadonvainpersonalhopes，therewasnothingmorethanhumaninherfeelingpleasureinprolongingSomerset'ssingleness。Paulamightevenbeallowedtodiscoverhiswrongswhenhermarriagehadputhimoutofherpower。Buttoletherdiscoverhisill-treatmentnowmightupsettheimpendingunionofthefamilies，andwringherownheartwiththesightofSomersetmarriedinherbrother'splace。
WhyDare，oranyotherperson，shouldhavesethimselftoadvanceherbrother'scausebysuchunscrupulousblackeningofSomerset'scharacterwasmorethanhersagacitycouldfathom。
Herbrotherwas，asfarasshecouldsee，theonlymanwhocoulddirectlyprofitbythemachination，andwasthereforethenaturalonetosuspectofhavingsetitgoing。Butshewouldnotbesodisloyalastoentertainthethoughtlong；andwhoorwhathadinstigatedDare，whowasundoubtedlytheproximatecauseofthemischief，remainedtoheraninscrutablemystery。
ThecontentionofinterestsanddesireswithhonourinherheartshookCharlotteallthatnight；butgoodprincipleprevailed。Theweddingwastobesolemnizedtheverynextmorning，thoughforbefore-mentionedreasonsthiswashardlyknownoutsidethetwohousesinterested；andtherewerenovisiblepreparationseitheratvillaorcastle。DeStancyandhisgroomsman——abrotherofficer——sleptattheformerresidence。
DeStancywasasorryspecimenofabridegroomwhenhemethissisterinthemorning。Thick-comingfancies，forwhichtherewasmorethangoodreason，haddisturbedhimonlytoosuccessfully，andhewasasfullofapprehensionasonewhohasaleaguewithMephistopheles。Charlottetoldhimnothingofwhatmadeherlikewisesowanandanxious，butdroveofftothecastle，ashadbeenplanned，aboutnineo'clock，leavingherbrotherandhisfriendatthebreakfast-table。
ThatclearingSomerset'sreputationfromthestainwhichhadbeenthrownonitwouldcauseasufficientreactioninPaula'smindtodislocatepresentarrangementsshedidnotsoseriouslyanticipate，nowthatmorninghadalittlecalmedher。SincetherupturewithherformerarchitectPaulahadsedulouslykeptherowncounsel，butCharlotteassumedfromtheeasewithwhichsheseemedtodoitthatherfeelingstowardshimhadneverbeeninconvenientlywarm；andshehopedthatPaulawouldlearnofSomerset'spuritywithmerelythegenerouspleasureofafriend，coupledwithafriend'sindignationagainsthistraducer。
Still，thepossibilityexistedofstrongeremotions，anditwasonlytooevidenttopoorCharlottethat，knowingthis，shehadstilllessexcusefordelayingtheintelligencetillthestrongestemotionwouldbepurposeless。
OnapproachingthecastlethefirstobjectthatcaughthereyewasDare，standingbesideHavillonthescaffoldingofthenewwing。Hewaslookingdownuponthedriveandcourt，asifinanticipationoftheevent。Hiscontiguityflurriedher，andinsteadofgoingstraighttoPaulashesoughtoutMrs。
Goodman。
'Youarecomeearly；that'sright!'saidthelatter。'Youmightaswellhavesleptherelastnight。WehaveonlyMr。
Wardlaw，theLondonlawyeryouhaveheardof，inthehouse。
Yourbrother'ssolicitorwashereyesterday；buthereturnedtoMarktonforthenight。WemissMr。Powersomuch——itissounfortunatethatheshouldhavebeenobligedtogoabroad，andleaveusunprotectedwomenwithsomuchresponsibility。'
'Yes，Iknow，'saidCharlottequickly，havingashydistasteforthedetailsofwhattroubledhersomuchinthegross。
'Paulahasinquiredforyou。'
'Whatisshedoing?'
'Sheisinherroom:shehasnotbeguntodressyet。Willyougotoher?'
Charlotteassented。'Ihavetotellhersomething，'shesaid，'whichwillmakenodifference，butwhichIshouldlikehertoknowthismorning——atonce。IhavediscoveredthatwehavebeenentirelymistakenaboutMr。Somerset。'Shenervedherselftorelatesuccinctlywhathadcometoherknowledgethedaybefore。
Mrs。Goodmanwasmuchimpressed。ShehadneverclearlyheardbeforewhatcircumstanceshadattendedtheresignationofPaula'sarchitect。'Wehadbetternottellhertilltheweddingisover，'shepresentlysaid；'itwouldonlydisturbher，anddonogood。'
'Butwillitberight?'askedMissDeStancy。
'Yes，itwillberightifwetellherafterwards。Oyes——itmustberight，'sherepeatedinatonewhichshowedthatheropinionwasunstableenoughtorequirealittlefortificationbythevoice。'Shelovesyourbrother；shemust，sincesheisgoingtomarryhim；anditcanmakelittledifferencewhetherwerehabilitatethecharacterofafriendnow，orsomefewhourshence。TheauthorofthosewickedtricksonMr。
Somersetoughtnottogoamomentunpunished。'
'That'swhatIthink；andwhatrighthavewetoholdourtonguesevenforafewhours?'
CharlottefoundthatbytellingMrs。Goodmanshehadsimplymadetwoirresolutepeopleoutofone，andasPaulawasnowinquiringforher，shewentupstairswithouthavingcometoanydecision。
XIV。
Paulawasinherboudoir，writingdownsomenotesprevioustobeginningherweddingtoilet，whichwasdesignedtoharmonizewiththesimplicitythatcharacterizedtheotherarrangements。
Sheownedthatitwasdeprivingtheneighbourhoodofapageantwhichithadarighttoexpectofher；butthecircumstancewasinexorable。
Mrs。GoodmanenteredPaula'sroomimmediatelybehindCharlotte。PerhapstheonlydifferencebetweenthePaulaofto-dayandthePaulaoflastyearwasanaccessionofthoughtfulness，naturaltothecircumstancesinanycase，andmoreparticularlywhen，asnow，thebride'sisolationmadeself-dependenceanecessity。Shewassittinginalightdressing-gown，andherface，whichwasratherpale，flushedattheentranceofCharlotteandheraunt。
'Iknewyouwerecome，'shesaid，whenCharlottestoopedandkissedher。'Iheardyou。Ihavedonenothingthismorning，andfeeldreadfullyunsettled。Isallwell?'
Thequestionwasputwithoutthought，butitsaptnessseemedalmosttoimplyanintuitiveknowledgeoftheirpreviousconversation。'Yes，'saidCharlottetardily。
'Well，now，Clementineshalldressyou，andIcandowithMilly，'continuedPaula。'Comealong。Well，aunt——what'sthematter?——andyou，Charlotte?Youlookharassed。'
'Ihavenotsleptwell，'saidCharlotte。
'Andhavenotyousleptwelleither，aunt?Yousaidnothingaboutitatbreakfast。'
'O，itisnothing，'saidMrs。Goodmanquickly。'Ihavebeendisturbedbylearningofsomebody'svillainy。Iamgoingtotellyouallsometimeto-day，butitisnotimportantenoughtodisturbyouwithnow。'
'Nomystery!'arguedPaula。'Come!itisnotfair。'
'Idon'tthinkitisquitefair，'saidMissDeStancy，lookingfromonetotheotherinsomedistress。'Mrs。Goodman——Imusttellher!Paula，Mr。Som——'
'He'sdead!'criedPaula，sinkingintoachairandturningaspaleasmarble。'Ishedead?——tellme!'shewhispered。
'No，no——he'snotdead——heisverywell，andgonetoNormandyforaholiday!'
'O——Iamgladtohearit，'answeredPaula，withasuddencoolmannerliness。
'Hehasbeenmisrepresented，'saidMrs。Goodman。'That'sall。'
'Well?'saidPaula，withhereyesbentonthefloor。
'IhavebeenfeelingthatIoughttotellyouclearly，dearPaula，'declaredherfriend。'Itisabsolutelyfalseabouthistelegraphingtoyouformoney——itisabsolutelyfalsethathischaracterissuchasthatdreadfulpicturerepresentedit。
There——that'sthesubstanceofit，andIcantellyouparticularsatanytime。'
ButPaulawouldnotbetoldatanytime。Adreadfulsorrowsatinherface；sheinsisteduponlearningeverythingaboutthematterthereandthen，andtherewasnowithstandingher。
Whenitwasallexplainedshesaidinalowtone:'Itisthatpernicious，evilmanDare——yetwhyisithe?——whatcanhehavemeantbyit!Justicebeforegenerosity，evenonone'swedding-day。BeforeIbecomeanyman'swifethismorningI'llseethatwretchinjail!Theaffairmustbesifted……O，itwasawickedthingtoserveanybodyso!——I'llsendforCunninghamHazethismoment——theculpritisevennowonthepremises，Ibelieve——actingasclerkoftheworks!'Theusuallywell-balancedPaulawasexcited，andscarcelyknowingwhatshedidwenttothebell-pull。
'Don'tacthastily，Paula，'saidheraunt。'HadyounotbetterconsultSirWilliam?Hewillactforyouinthis。'
'Yes——Heiscomingroundinafewminutes，'saidCharlotte，jumpingatthishappythoughtofMrs。Goodman's。'He'sgoingtorunacrosstoseehowyouaregettingon。Hewillbeherebyten。'
'Yes——hepromisedlastnight。'
Shehadscarcelydonespeakingwhentheprancingofahorsewasheardinthewardbelow，andinafewminutesaservantannouncedSirWilliamDeStancy。
DeStancyenteredsaying，'Ihaveriddenacrossfortenminutes，asIsaidIwoulddo，toknowifeverythingiseasyandstraightforwardforyou。TherewillbetimeenoughformetogetbackandprepareifIstartshortly。Well?'
'Iamruffled，'saidPaula，allowinghimtotakeherhand。
'Whatisit?'saidherbetrothed。
AsPauladidnotimmediatelyanswerMrs。GoodmanbeckonedtoCharlotte，andtheylefttheroomtogether。
'Amanhastobegivenincharge，oraboy，orademon，'shereplied。'Iwasgoingtodoit，butyoucandoitbetterthanI。Hewillrunawayifwedon'tmind。'
'But，mydearPaula，whoisit?——whathashedone?'
'ItisDare——thatyoungmanyouseeoutthereagainstthesky。'Shelookedfromthewindowsidewaystowardsthenewwing，ontheroofofwhichDarewaswalkingprominentlyabout，afterhavingassistedtwooftheworkmeninputtingaredstreameronthetallestscaffold-pole。'YoumustsendinstantlyforMr。CunninghamHaze!'
'MydearestPaula，'repeatedDeStancyfaintly，hiscomplexionchangingtothatofamanwhohaddied。
'PleasesendforMr。Hazeatonce，'returnedPaula，withgracefulfirmness。'IsaidIwouldbejusttoawrongedmanbeforeIwasgeneroustoyou——andIwill。ThatladDare——totakeapracticalviewofit——hasattemptedtodefraudmeofonehundredpoundssterling，andheshallsuffer。Iwon'ttellyouwhathehasdonebesides，forthoughitisworse，itislesstangible。WhenheishandcuffedandsentofftojailI'llproceedwithmydressing。Willyouringthebell?'
'Hadyounotbetterconsider?'beganDeStancy。
'Consider!'saidPaula，withindignation。'Ihaveconsidered。
Willyoukindlyring，SirWilliam，andgetThomastorideatoncetoMr。Haze?OrmustIrisefromthischairanddoitmyself?'
'Youareveryhastyandabruptthismorning，Ithink，'hefaltered。
Paularosedeterminedlyfromthechair。'Sinceyouwon'tdoit，Imust，'shesaid。
'No，dearest!——Letmebegyounotto!'
'SirWilliamDeStancy!'
Shemovedtowardsthebell-pull；buthesteppedbeforeandinterceptedher。
'Youmustnotringthebellforthatpurpose，'hesaidwithhuskydeliberateness，lookingintothedepthsofherface。
'Itwantstwohourstothetimewhenyoumighthavearighttoexpresssuchacommandasthat，'shesaidhaughtily。
'Icertainlyhavenotthehonourtobeyourhusbandyet，'hesadlyreplied，'butsurelyyoucanlisten?ThereexistreasonsagainstgivingthisboyinchargewhichIcouldeasilygetyoutoadmitbyexplanation；butIwouldrather，withoutexplanation，haveyoutakemyword，whenIsaythatbydoingsoyouarestrikingablowagainstbothyourselfandme。'
Paula，however，hadrungthebell。
'Youarejealousofsomebodyorsomethingperhaps!'shesaid，intoneswhichshowedhowfatallyallthiswastellingagainsttheintentionofthatday。'Iwillnotbeapartytobaseness，ifitistosaveallmyfortune!'
Thebellwasansweredquickly。ButDeStancy，thoughplainlyingreatmisery，didnotgiveuphispoint。Meetingtheservantatthedoorbeforehecouldentertheroomhesaid。
'Itisnothing；youcangoagain。'
Paulalookedattheunhappybaronetinamazement；thenturningtotheservant，whostoodwiththedoorinhishand，said，'TellThomastosaddlethechestnut，and——'
'It'sallamistake，'insistedDeStancy。'Leavetheroom，James!'
Jameslookedathismistress。
'Yes，James，leavetheroom，'shecalmlysaid，sittingdown。
'Nowwhathaveyoutosay?'sheasked，whentheywereagainalone。'WhymustInotissueordersinmyownhouse?Whoisthisyoungcriminal，thatyouvaluehisinterestshigherthanmyhonour?Ihavedelayedforonemomentsendingmymessengertothechiefconstabletohearyourexplanation——onlyforthat。'
'Youwillstillpersevere?'
'Certainly。Whoishe?'
'Paula……heismyson。'
Sheremainedstillasdeathwhileonemightcountten；thenturnedherbackuponhim。'Ithinkyouhadbettergoaway，'
shewhispered。'Youneednotcomeagain。'
Hedidnotmove。'Paula——doyouindeedmeanthis?'heasked。
'Ido。'
DeStancywalkedafewpaces，thensaidinalowvoice:'MissPower，Iknew——Iguessedjustnow，assoonasitbegan——thatweweregoingtosplitonthisrock。Well——letitbe——itcannotbehelped；destinyissupreme。Theboywastobemyruin；heismyruin，andrightly。ButbeforeIgograntmeonerequest。Donotprosecutehim。Believeme，IwilldoeverythingIcantogethimoutofyourway。Heshallannoyyounomore……Doyoupromise?'
'Ido，'shesaid。'Nowpleaseleaveme。'
'Oncemore——amItounderstandthatnomarriageistotakeplaceto-daybetweenyouandme?'
'Youare。'
SirWilliamDeStancylefttheroom。Itwasnoticeablethroughouttheinterviewthathismannerhadnotbeenthemannerofamanaltogethertakenbysurprise。Duringthefewprecedingdayshismoodhadbeenthatofthegamblerseasonedinill-luck，whoadoptspessimistsurmisesasasafebackgroundtohismostsanguinehopes。
Sheremainedaloneforsometime。Thensherang，andrequestedthatMr。Wardlaw，herfather'ssolicitorandfriend，wouldcomeuptoher。Amessengerwasdespatched，nottoMr。
CunninghamHaze，buttotheparsonoftheparish，whoinhisturnsenttotheclerkandclerk'swife，thenbusyinthechurch。Onreceiptoftheintelligencethetwolatterfunctionariesproceededtorollupthecarpetwhichhadbeenlaidfromthedoortothegate，putawaythekneeling-
cushions，lockedthedoors，andwentofftoinquirethereasonofsostrangeacountermand。ItwassoonproclaimedinMarktonthatthemarriagehadbeenpostponedforafortnightinconsequenceofthebride'ssuddenindisposition:andlesspublicemotionwasfeltthanthecasemighthavedrawnforth，fromtheignoranceofthemajorityofthepopulacethataweddinghadbeengoingtotakeplaceatall。
MeanwhileMissDeStancyhadbeenclosetedwithPaulaformorethananhour。Itwasadifficultmeeting，andaseveretesttoanyfriendshipbutthatofthemoststerlingsort。IntheturmoilofherdistractionCharlottehadtheconsolationofknowingthatifheractofjusticetoSomersetatsuchamomentweretheactofasimpleton，itwastheonlycourseopentohonesty。ButPaula'scheerfulserenityinsomemeasurelaidherowntroublestorest，tilltheywerereawakenedbyarumour——whichgotwindsomeweekslater，andquitedrownedallothersurprises——ofthetruerelationbetweenthevanishedclerkofworks，Mr。Dare，andthefallenfamilyofDeStancy。
BOOKTHESIXTH。PAULA。
I。
'IhavedecidedthatIcannotseeSirWilliamagain:Ishallgoaway，'saidPaulaontheeveningofthenextday，asshelayonherbedinaflushedandhighly-strungcondition，thoughapersonwhohadheardherwordswithoutseeingherfacewouldhaveassumedperfectequanimitytobethemoodwhichexpresseditselfwithsuchquietness。Thiswasthecasewithheraunt，whowaslookingoutofthewindowatsomeidlersfromMarktonwalkingroundthecastlewiththeireyesbentuponitswindows，andshemadenohastetoreply。
'Thosepeoplehavecometoseeme，astheyhavearighttodowhenapersonactssostrangely，'Paulacontinued。'AndhenceIambetteraway。'
'Wheredoyouthinktogoto?'
Paularepliedinthetoneofonewhowasactuatedentirelybypracticalconsiderations:'OutofEnglandcertainly。AndasNormandyliesnearest，IthinkIshallgothere。Itisaverynicecountrytoramblein。'