'Yes，itisaverynicecountrytoramblein，'echoedheraunt，inmoderatetones。'Whendoyouintendtostart?'
　　'Ishouldliketocrossto-night。Youmustgowithme，aunt；
　　willyounot?'
　　Mrs。Goodmanexpostulatedagainstsuchsuddenness。'Itwillredoubletherumoursthatareafloat，if，afterbeingsupposedill，youareseengoingoffbyrailwayperfectlywell。'
　　'That'sacontingencywhichIamquitewillingtoruntheriskof。Well，itwouldberathersudden，asyousay，togoto-
　　night。Butwe'llgoto-morrownightatlatest。'Undertheinfluenceofthedecisionsheboundeduplikeanelasticballandwenttotheglass，whichshowedalightinhereyethathadnotbeentherebeforethisresolutiontotravelinNormandyhadbeentaken。
　　TheeveningandthenextmorningwerepassedinwritingafinalandkindlynoteofdismissaltoSirWilliamDeStancy，inmakingarrangementsforthejourney，andincommissioningHavilltotakeadvantageoftheirabsencebyemptyingcertainroomsoftheirfurniture，andrepairingtheirdilapidations——aworkwhich，withthatinhand，wouldcompletethesectionforwhichhehadbeenengaged。Mr。Wardlawhadleftthecastle；
　　soalsohadCharlotte，byherownwish，herresidencetherehavingbeenfoundtoooppressivetoherselftobecontinuedforthepresent。AccompaniedbyMrs。Goodman，Milly，andClementine，theelderlyFrenchmaid，whostillremainedwiththem，PauladroveintoMarktoninthetwilightandtookthetraintoBudmouth。
　　Whentheygottheretheyfoundthatanunpleasantbreezewasblowingoutatsea，thoughinlandithadbeencalmenough。
　　Mrs。GoodmanproposedtostayatBudmouthtillthenextday，inhopethattheremightbesmoothwater；butanEnglishseaportinnbeingathingthatPauladislikedmorethanaroughpassage，shewouldnotlistentothiscounsel。Otherimpatientreasons，too，mighthaveweighedwithher。Whennightcametheirloomingmiseriesbegan。Paulafoundthatinadditiontoherowntroublesshehadthoseofthreeotherpeopletosupport；butshedidnotaudiblycomplain。
　　'Paula，Paula，'saidMrs。Goodmanfrombeneathherloadofwretchedness，'whydidwethinkofundergoingthis?'
　　AslightgleamofhumourcrossedPaula'snotparticularlybloomingface，assheanswered，'Ah，whyindeed?'
　　'Whatistherealreason，mydear?ForGod'ssaketellme!'
　　'ItbeginswithS。'
　　'Well，Iwoulddoanythingforthatyoungmanshortofpersonalmartyrdom；butreallywhenitcomestothat——'
　　'Don'tcriticizeme，auntie，andIwon'tcriticizeyou。'
　　'Well，Iamopentocriticismjustnow，Iamsure，'saidheraunt，withagreensmile；andspeechwasagaindiscontinued。
　　Themorningwasbrightandbeautiful，anditcouldagainbeseeninPaula'slooksthatshewasgladshehadcome，though，intakingtheirrestatCherbourg，fateconsignedthemtoanhotelbreathinganatmospherethatseemedspeciallycompoundedfordepressingthespiritsofayoungwoman；indeednothinghadparticularlyencouragedherthusfarinhersomewhatpeculiarschemeofsearchingoutandexpressingsorrowtoagentlemanforhavingbelievedthosewhotraducedhim；andthiscoupd'audacetowhichshehadcommittedherselfbegantolooksomewhatformidable。WheninEnglandtheplanoffollowinghimtoNormandyhadsuggesteditselfasthequickest，sweetest，andmosthonestwayofmakingamends；buthavingarrivedtheresheseemedfurtherofffromhissphereofexistencethanwhenshehadbeenatStancyCastle。Virtuallyshewas，forifhethoughtofheratall，heprobablythoughtofherthere；ifhesoughtherhewouldseekherthere。
　　However，ashewouldprobablyneverdothelatter，itwasnecessarytogoon。Ithadbeenhersuddendreambeforestarting，tolightaccidentallyuponhiminsomeromanticoldtownofthisromanticoldprovince，butshehadbecomeawarethattherecordedfortuneofloversinthatrespectwasnottobetrustedtooimplicitly。
　　Somerset'ssearchforherinthesouthwasnowinverselyimitated。BydiligentinquiryinCherbourgduringthegloomofevening，inthedisguiseofahoodedcloak，shelearntouttheplaceofhisstaywhilethere，andthathehadgonethencetoLisieux。WhatsheknewofthearchitecturalcharacterofLisieuxhalfguaranteedthetruthoftheinformation。WithouttellingherauntofthisdiscoverysheannouncedtothatladythatitwashergreatwishtogoonandseethebeautiesofLisieux。
　　Butthoughherauntwassimple，therewereboundstohersimplicity。'Paula，'shesaid，withanundeceivableair，'I
　　don'tthinkyoushouldrunafterayoungmanlikethis。
　　Supposeheshouldn'tcareforyoubythistime。'
　　Itwasnooccasionforfurtheraffectation。'IamSUREhewill，'answeredhernieceflatly。'Ihavenottheleastfearaboutit——norwouldyou，ifyouknewhowheis。Hewillforgivemeanything。'
　　'Well，praydon'tshowyourselfforward。Somepeopleareapttoflyintoextremes。'
　　Paulablushedatrifle，andreflected，andmadenoanswer。
　　However，herpurposeseemednottobepermanentlyaffected，forthenextmorningshewasupbetimesandpreparingtodepart；andtheyproceededalmostwithoutstoppingtothearchitecturalcuriosity-townwhichhadsoquicklyinterestedher。Neverthelessherardentmannerofyesterdayunderwentaconsiderablechange，asifshehadafearthat，asherauntsuggested，inherendeavourtomakeamendsforcruelinjustice，shewasallowingherselftobecarriedtoofar。
　　Onnearingtheplaceshesaid，'Aunt，Ithinkyouhadbettercalluponhim；andyouneednottellhimwehavecomeonpurpose。Lethimthink，ifhewill，thatweheardhewashere，andwouldnotleavewithoutseeinghim。YoucanalsotellhimthatIamanxioustoclearupamisunderstanding，andaskhimtocallatourhotel。'
　　Butasshelookedoverthedrearysuburbanerectionswhichlinedtheroadfromtherailwaytotheoldquarterofthetown，itoccurredtoherthatSomersetwouldatthattimeofdaybeengagedinoneorotherofthemediaevalbuildingsthereabout，andthatitwouldbeamuchneaterthingtomeethimasifbychanceinoneoftheseedificesthantocalluponhimanywhere。Insteadofputtingupatanyhotel，theyleftthemaidsandbaggageatthestation；andhiringacarriage，Paulatoldthecoachmantodrivethemtosuchlikelyplacesasshecouldthinkof。
　　'He'llneverforgiveyou，'saidheraunt，astheyrumbledintothetown。
　　'Won'the?'saidPaula，withsoftfaith。'I'llseeaboutthat。'
　　'Whatareyougoingtodowhenyoufindhim?Tellhimpoint-
　　blankthatyouareinlovewithhim?'
　　'Actinsuchamannerthathemaytellmeheisinlovewithme。'
　　Theyfirstvisitedalargechurchattheupperendofasquarethatslopeditsgravelledsurfacetothewesternshine，andwasprickedoutwithlittleavenuesofyoungpollardlimes。
　　ThechurchwithinwasonetomakeanyGothicarchitecttakelodgingsinitsvicinityforafortnight，thoughitwasjustnowcrowdedwithaforestofscaffoldingforrepairsinprogress。Mrs。Goodmansatdownoutside，andPaula，entering，tookawalkintheformofahorse-shoe；thatis，upthesouthaisle，roundtheapse，anddownthenorthside；butnofigureofamelancholyyoungmansketchingmethereyeanywhere。Thesunthatblazedinatthewestdoorwaysmoteherfaceassheemergedfrombeneathitandrevealedrealsadnessthere。
　　'Thisisnotalltheoldarchitectureofthetownbyfar，'shesaidtoherauntwithanairofconfidence。'Coachman，drivetoSt。Jacques'。'
　　HewasnotatSt。Jacques'。Lookingfromthewestendofthatbuildingthegirlobservedtheendofasteepnarrowstreetofantiquecharacter，whichseemedalikelyhaunt。BeckoningtoheraunttofollowintheflyPaulawalkeddownthestreet。
　　ShewastransportedtotheMiddleAges。Itcontainedtheshopsoftinkers，braziers，bellows-menders，hollow-turners，andotherquaintesttrades，theirfrontsopentothestreetbeneathstoriesoftimberoverhangingsofaroneachsidethataslitofskywasleftatthetopforthelighttodescend，andnomore。Abluemistyobscuritypervadedtheatmosphere，intowhichthesunthrustobliquestavesoflight。Itwasastreetforamediaevalisttorevelin，tossuphishatandshouthurrahin，sendforhisluggage，comeandlivein，dieandbeburiedin。Shehadneversupposedsuchastreettoexistoutsidetheimaginationsofantiquarians。Smellsdirectfromthesixteenthcenturyhungintheairinalltheiroriginalintegrityandwithoutamoderntaint。ThefacesofthepeopleinthedoorwaysseemedthoseofindividualswhohabituallygazedonthegreatFrancis，andspokeofHenrytheEighthasthekingacrossthesea。
　　SheinquiredofacoppersmithifanEnglishartisthadbeenseenherelately。Withasuddennessthatalmostdiscomfitedherheannouncedthatsuchamanhadbeenseen，sketchingahousejustbelow——the'VieuxManoirdeFrancoispremier。'
　　Justturningtoseethatherauntwasfollowinginthefly，Paulaadvancedtothehouse。Thewoodframeworkofthelowerstorywasblackandvarnished；theupperstorywasbrownandnotvarnished；carvedfiguresofdragons，griffins，satyrs，andmermaidsswarmedoverthefront；anapestealingappleswasthesubjectofthiscantilever，amanundressingofthat。
　　Thesefigureswerecloakedwithlittlecobwebswhichwavedinthebreeze，sothateachfigureseemedalive。
　　Sheexaminedthewoodworkclosely；hereandthereshediscernedpencil-markswhichhadnodoubtbeenjottedthereonbySomersetaspointsofadmeasurement，inthewayshehadseenhimmarkthematthecastle。Somefragmentsofpaperlaybelow:therewerepencilledlinesonthem，andtheyboreastrongresemblancetoaspoiltleafofSomerset'ssketch-book。
　　Paulaglancedup，andfromawindowaboveprotrudedanoldwoman'shead，which，withtheexceptionofthewhitehandkerchieftiedroundit，wassonearlyofthecolourofthecarvingsthatshemighteasilyhavepassedasofapiecewiththem。Theagedwomancontinuedmotionless，theremainsofhereyesbeingbentuponPaula，whoaskedherinEnglishwoman'sFrenchwherethesketcherhadgone。Withoutreplying，thecroneproducedahandandextendedfingerfromherside，andpointedtowardsthelowerendofthestreet。
　　Paulawenton，thecarriagefollowingwithdifficulty，onaccountoftheobstructionsinthethoroughfare。Atbottom，thestreetabuttedonawideonewithcustomarymodernlifeflowingthroughit；andasshelooked，Somersetcrossedherfrontalongthisstreet，hurryingasifforawager。
　　BythetimethatPaulahadreachedthebottomSomersetwasalongwaytotheleft，andsherecognizedtoherdismaythatthebusytransversestreetwasonewhichledtotherailway。
　　Shequickenedherpacetoarun；hedidnotseeher；heevenwalkedfaster。Shelookedbehindforthecarriage。Thedriverinemergingfromthesixteenth-centurystreettothenineteenthhadapparentlyturnedtotheright，insteadoftotheleftasshehaddone，sothatheraunthadlostsightofher。However，shedarenotmindit，ifSomersetwouldbutlookback!Hepartlyturned，butnotfarenough，anditwasonlytohailapassingomnibusuponwhichshediscernedhisluggage。Somersetjumpedin，theomnibusdroveon，anddiminishedupthelongroad。Paulastoodhopelesslystill，andinafewminutespuffsofsteamshowedherthatthetrainhadgone。
　　Sheturnedandwaited，thetwoorthreechildrenwhohadgatheredroundherlookingupsympathizinglyinherface。Heraunt，havingnowdiscoveredthedirectionofherflight，droveupandbeckonedtoher。
　　'What'sthematter?'askedMrs。Goodmaninalarm。
　　'Why?'
　　'Thatyoushouldrunlikethat，andlooksowoebegone。'
　　'Nothing:onlyIhavedecidednottostayinthistown。'
　　'What!heisgone，Isuppose?'
　　'Yes!'exclaimedPaula，withtearsofvexationinhereyes。
　　'Itisn'teverymanwhogetsawomanofmypositiontorunafterhimonfoot，andalone，andheoughttohavelookedround!Drivetothestation；Iwanttomakeaninquiry。'
　　Onreachingthestationsheaskedthebooking-clerksomequestions，andreturnedtoherauntwithacheerfulcountenance。'Mr。SomersethasonlygonetoCaen，'shesaid。
　　'HeistheonlyEnglishmanwhowentbythistrain，sothereisnomistake。Thereisnoothertrainfortwohours。Wewillgoonthen——shallwe?'
　　'Iamindifferent，'saidMrs。Goodman。'But，Paula，doyouthinkthisquiteright?Perhapsheisnotsoanxiousforyourforgivenessasyouthink。Perhapshesawyou，andwouldn'tstay。'
　　Amomentarydismaycrossedherface，butitpassed，andsheanswered，'Aunt，that'snonsense。Iknowhimwellenough，andcanassureyouthatifhehadonlyknownIwasrunningafterhim，hewouldhavelookedroundsharplyenough，andwouldhavegivenhislittlefingerratherthanhavemissedme!Idon'tmakemyselfsosillyastorunafteragentlemanwithoutgoodgrounds，forIknowwellthatitisanundignifiedthingtodo。Indeed，Icouldneverhavethoughtofdoingit，ifIhadnotbeensomiserablyinthewrong!'
　　II。
　　ThateveningwhenthesunwasdroppingoutofsighttheystartedforthecityofSomerset'spilgrimage。Paulaseatedherselfwithherfacetowardthewesternsky，watchingfromherwindowthebroadredhorizon，acrosswhichmovedthinpoplarsloppedtohumanshapes，likethewalkingformsinNebuchadnezzar'sfurnace。ItwasdarkwhenthetravellersdroveintoCaen。
　　ShestillpersistedinherwishtocasuallyencounterSomersetinsomeaisle，lady-chapel，orcrypttowhichhemighthavebetakenhimselftocopyandlearnthesecretofthegreatartistswhohaderectedthosenooks。Mrs。Goodmanwasfordiscoveringhisinn，andcallinguponhiminastraightforwardway；butPaulaseemedafraidofit，andtheywentoutinthemorningonfoot。FirsttheysearchedthechurchofSt。
　　Sauveur；hewasnotthere；nextthechurchofSt。Jean；thenthechurchofSt。Pierre；buthedidnotrevealhimself，norhadanyvergerseenorheardofsuchaman。Outsidethelatterchurchwasapublicflower-garden，andshesatdowntoconsiderbesidearoundpoolinwhichwater-liliesgrewandgold-fishswam，nearbedsoffierygeraniums，dahlias，andverbenasjustpasttheirbloom。Herenterprisehadnotbeenjustifiedbyitsresultssofar；butmeditationstillurgedhertolistentothelittlevoicewithinandpushon。Sheaccordinglyrejoinedheraunt，andtheydroveupthehilltotheAbbayeauxDames，thedaybythistimehavinggrownhotandoppressive。
　　Thechurchseemedabsolutelyempty，thevoidbeingemphasizedbyitsgratefulcoolness。Butongoingtowardstheeastendtheyperceivedabaldgentlemanclosetothescreen，lookingtotherightandtotheleftasifmuchperplexed。Paulamerelyglancedoverhim，hisbackbeingtowardher，andturningtoherauntsaidsoftly，'Iwonderhowwegetintothechoir?'
　　'That'sjustwhatIamwondering，'saidtheoldgentleman，abruptlyfacinground，andPauladiscoveredthatthecountenancewasnotunfamiliartohereye。SinceknowingSomersetshehadaddedtohergalleryofcelebritiesaphotographofhisfather，theAcademician，andheitwasnowwhoconfrontedher。
　　Forthemomentembarrassment，duetocomplicatedfeelings，broughtaslightblushtohercheek，butbeingwellawarethathedidnotknowher，sheanswered，coollyenough，'Isupposewemustasksomeone。'
　　'Andwecertainlywouldiftherewereanyonetoask，'hesaid，stilllookingeastward，andnotmuchather。'Ihavebeenherealongtime，butnobodycomes。NotthatIwanttogetinonmyownaccount；forthoughitisthirtyyearssinceIlastsetfootinthisplace，Irememberitasifitwerebutyesterday。'
　　'Indeed。Ihaveneverbeenherebefore，'saidPaula。
　　'Naturally。ButIamlookingforayoungmanwhoismakingsketchesinsomeofthesebuildings，anditisaslikelyasnotthatheisinthecryptunderthischoir，foritisjustsuchout-of-the-waynooksthatheprefers。Itisveryprovokingthatheshouldnothavetoldmemoredistinctlyinhisletterwheretofindhim。'
　　Mrs。Goodman，whohadgonetomakeinquiries，nowcameback，andinformedthemthatshehadlearntthatitwasnecessarytopassthroughtheHotel-Dieutothechoir，todowhichtheymustgooutside。Thereupontheywalkedontogether，andMr。
　　Somerset，quiteignoringhistroubles，maderemarksuponthebeautyofthearchitecture；andinabsenceofmind，byreasoneitherofthesubject，orofhislistener，retainedhishatinhishandafteremergingfromthechurch，whiletheywalkedallthewayacrossthePlaceandintotheHospitalgardens。
　　'Averycivilman，'saidMrs。GoodmantoPaulaprivately。
　　'Yes，'saidPaula，whohadnottoldherauntthatsherecognizedhim。
　　OneoftheSistersnowprecededthemtowardsthechoirandcrypt，Mr。SomersetaskingherifayoungEnglishmanwasorhadbeensketchingthere。Onreceivingareplyinthenegative，Paulanearlybetrayedherselfbyturning，asifherbusinessthere，too，endedwiththeinformation。However，shewentonagain，andmadeapretenceoflookinground，Mr。
　　Somersetalsostayinginaspiritoffriendlyattentiontohiscountrywomen。Theydidnotpartfromhimtilltheyhadcomeoutfromthecrypt，andagainreachedthewestfront，ontheirwaytowhichheadditionallyexplainedthatitwashissonhewaslookingfor，whohadarrangedtomeethimhere，buthadmentionednoinnatwhichhemightbeexpected。
　　Whenhehadleftthem，Paulainformedherauntwhosecompanytheyhadbeensharing。HerauntbeganexpostulatingwithPaulafornottellingMr。Somersetwhattheyhadseenofhisson'smovements。'Itwouldhaveeasedhismindatleast，'shesaid。
　　'IwasnotboundtoeasehismindattheexpenseofshowingwhatIwouldratherconceal。Iamcontinuallyhamperedinsuchgenerosityasthatbythecircumstanceofbeingawoman!'
　　'Well，itisgettingtoolatetosearchfurthertonight。'
　　Itwasindeedalmosteveningtwilightinthestreets，thoughthegracefulfreestonespirestoadepthofabouttwentyfeetfromtheirsummitswerestilldyedwiththeorangetintsofavanishingsun。Thetworelativesdinedprivatelyasusual，afterwhichPaulalookedoutofthewindowofherroom，andreflectedupontheeventsoftheday。Atowerrisingintotheskyquitenearathandshowedherthatsomechurchorotherstoodwithinafewstepsofthehotelarchway，andsayingnothingtoMrs。Goodman，shequietlycloakedherself，andwentouttowardsit，apparentlywiththeviewofdisposingofaportionofadulldispiritingevening。Thechurchwasopen，andonenteringshefoundthatitwasonlylightedbysevencandlesburningbeforethealtarofachapelonthesouthside，themassofthebuildingbeingindeepshade。
　　Motionlessoutlines，whichresolvedthemselvesintotheformsofkneelingwomen，weredarklyvisibleamongthechairs，andinthetriforiumabovethearcadestherewasonehithertounnoticedradiance，dimasthatofaglow-worminthegrass。
　　Itwasseeminglytheeffectofasolitarytallow-candlebehindthemasonry。
　　Apriestcamein，unlockedthedoorofaconfessionalwithaclickwhichsoundedinthesilence，andenteredit；awomanfollowed，disappearedwithinthecurtainofthesame，emergingagaininaboutfiveminutes，followedbythepriest，wholockeduphisdoorwithanotherloudclick，likeatradesmanfullofbusiness，andcamedowntheaisletogoout。Inthelobbyhespoketoanotherwoman，whoreplied，'Ah，oui，Monsieurl'Abbe!'
　　Twowomenhavingspokentohim，therecouldbenoharminathirddoinglikewise。'Monsieurl'Abbe，'saidPaulainFrench，'couldyouindicatetomethestairsofthetriforium?'andshesignifiedherreasonforwishingtoknowbypointingtotheglimmeringlightabove。
　　'Ah，heisafriendofyours，theEnglishman?'pleasantlysaidthepriest，recognizinghernationality；andtakinghertoalittledoorheconductedherupastonestaircase，atthetopofwhichheshowedherthelongblindstoryovertheaislearcheswhichledroundtowherethelightwas。Cautioninghernottostumbleovertheunevenfloor，heleftheranddescended。HiswordshadsignifiedthatSomersetwashere。
　　Itwasagloomyplaceenoughthatshefoundherselfin，butthesevencandlesbelowontheoppositealtar，andafaintskylightfromtheclerestory，lentenoughraystoguideher。
　　Paulawalkedontothebendoftheapse:herewereafewchairs，andtheoriginofthelight。
　　Thiswasacandlestuckattheendofasharpenedstick，thelatterenteringajointinthestones。Ayoungmanwassketchingbytheglimmer。Buttherewasnoneedfortheblushwhichhadprepareditselfbeforehand；theyoungmanwasMr。
　　Cockton，Somerset'syoungestdraughtsman。
　　Paulacouldhavecriedaloudwithdisappointment。CocktonrecognizedMissPower，andappearingmuchsurprised，rosefromhisseatwithabow，andsaidhastily，'Mr。Somersetleftto-
　　day。'
　　'Ididnotaskforhim，'saidPaula。
　　'No，MissPower:butIthought——'
　　'Yes，yes——youknow，ofcourse，thathehasbeenmyarchitect。
　　Well，ithappensthatIshouldliketoseehim，ifhecancallonme。Whichwaydidhego?'
　　'He'sgonetoEtretat。'
　　'Whatfor?TherearenoabbeystosketchatEtretat。'
　　Cocktonlookedatthepointofhispencil，andwithahesitatingmotionofhislipanswered，'Mr。Somersetsaidhewastired。'
　　'Ofwhat?'
　　'Hesaidhewassickandtiredofholyplaces，andwouldgotosomewickedspotorother，togetthatconsolationwhichholinesscouldnotgive。ButheonlysaiditcasuallytoKnowles，andperhapshedidnotmeanit。'
　　'Knowlesisheretoo?'
　　'Yes，MissPower，andBowles。Mr。SomersethasbeenkindenoughtogiveusachanceofenlargingourknowledgeofFrenchEarly-pointed，andpayshalftheexpenses。'
　　Paulasaidafewotherthingstotheyoungman，walkedslowlyroundthetriforiumasifshehadcometoexamineit，andreturneddownthestaircase。Ongettingbacktothehotelshetoldheraunt，whohadjustbeenhavinganap，thatnextdaytheywouldgotoEtretatforachange。
　　'Why?TherearenooldchurchesatEtretat。'
　　'No。ButIamsickandtiredofholyplaces，andwanttogotosomewickedspotorothertofindthatconsolationwhichholinesscannotgive。'
　　'Forshame，Paula!NowIknowwhatitis；youhaveheardthathe'sgonethere!Youneedn'ttrytoblindme。'
　　'Idon'tcarewherehe'sgone!'criedPaulapetulantly。Inamoment，however，shesmiledatherself，andadded，'Youmusttakethatforwhatitisworth。Ihavemadeupmymindtolethimknowfrommyownlipshowthemisunderstandingarose。
　　Thatdone，Ishallleavehim，andprobablyneverseehimagain。Myconsciencewillbeclear。'
　　ThenextdaytheytookthesteamboatdowntheOrne，intendingtoreachEtretatbywayofHavre。Justastheyweremovingoffanelderlygentlemanunderalargewhitesunshade，andcarryinghishatinhishand，wasseenleisurelywalkingdownthewharfatsomedistance，butobviouslymakingfortheboat。
　　'Agentleman!'saidthemate。
　　'Whoishe?'saidthecaptain。
　　'AnEnglish，'saidClementine。
　　Nobodyknewmore，butasleisurewastheorderofthedaytheengineswerestopped，onthechanceofhisbeingapassenger，andalleyeswerebentuponhiminconjecture。Hedisappearedandreappearedfrombehindapileofmerchandiseandapproachedtheboatataneasypace，whereuponthegangwaywasreplaced，andhecameonboard，removinghishattoPaula，quietlythankingthecaptainforstopping，andsayingtoMrs。
　　Goodman，'Iamnicelyintime。'
　　ItwasMr。Somersettheelder，whobydegreesinformedourtravellers，assittingontheircamp-stoolstheyadvancedbetweenthegreenbanksborderedbyelms，thathewasgoingtoEtretat；thattheyoungmanhehadspokenofyesterdayhadgonetothatromanticwatering-placeinsteadofstudyingartatCaen，andthathewasgoingtojoinhimthere。
　　Paulapreservedanentiresilenceastoherownintentions，partlyfromnaturalreticence，andpartly，asitappeared，fromthedifficultyofexplainingacomplicationwhichwasnotverycleartoherself。AtHavretheypartedfromMr。
　　Somerset，anddidnotseehimagaintilltheyweredrivingoverthehillstowardsEtretatinacarriageandfour，whenthewhiteumbrellabecamevisiblefaraheadamongtheoutsidepassengersofthecoachtothesameplace。Inashorttimetheyhadpassedandcutinbeforethisvehicle，butsoonbecameawarethattheircarriage，likethecoach，wasoneofastragglingprocessionofconveyances，somemileandahalfinlength，allboundforthevillagebetweenthecliffs。
　　Indescendingthelonghillshadedbylime-treeswhichshelteredtheirplaceofdestination，thisprocessionclosedup，andtheyperceivedthatallthevisitorsandnativepopulationhadturnedouttowelcomethem，thedailyarrivalofnewsojournersatthishourbeingthechiefexcitementofEtretat。Thecoachwhichhadprecededthemalltheway，atmoreorlessremoteness，wasnowquiteclose，andinpassingalongthevillagestreettheysawMr。Somersetwavehishandtosomebodyinthecrowdbelow。Afelthatwaswavedintheairinresponse，thecoachsweptintotheinn-yard，followedbytheidlers，andalldisappeared。Paula'sfacewascrimsonastheirowncarriagesweptroundintheoppositedirectiontotherivalinn。
　　Onceinherroomshebreathedlikeapersonwhohadfinishedalongchase。Theydidnotgodownbeforedinner，butwhenitwasalmostdarkPaulabeggedheraunttowrapherselfupandcomewithhertotheshorehardby。Thebeachwasdeserted，everybodybeingattheCasino；thegatestoodinvitinglyopen，andtheywentin。Herethebrilliantlylitterracewascrowdedwithpromenaders，andoutsidetheyellowpalings，surmountedbyitsrowoflamps，rosethevoiceoftheinvisiblesea。Groupsofpeopleweresittingundertheverandah，thewomenmostlyinwraps，fortheairwasgrowingchilly。Throughthewindowsattheirbackananimatedscenediscloseditselfintheshapeofaroom-fullofwaltzers，thestrainsofthebandstrivingintheearformasteryoverthesoundsofthesea。Thedancerscameroundacoupleatatime，andwereindividuallyvisibletothosepeoplewithoutwhochosetolookthatway，whichwaswhatPauladid。
　　'Comeaway，comeaway!'shesuddenlysaid。'Itisnotrightforustobehere。'
　　Herexclamationhaditsorigininwhatshehadatthatmomentseenwithin，thespectacleofMr。GeorgeSomersetwhirlingroundtheroomwithayoungladyofuncertainnationalitybutpleasingfigure。Paulawasnotaccustomedtoshowthewhitefeathertooclearly，butshesoonhadpassedoutthroughthoseyellowgatesandretreated，tillthemixedmusicofseaandbandhadresolvedintothatoftheseaalone。
　　'Well!'saidheraunt，halfinsoliloquy，'doyouknowwhoI
　　sawdancingthere，Paula?OurMr。Somerset，ifIdon'tmakeagreatmistake!'
　　'Itwaslikelyenoughthatyoudid，'sedatelyrepliedherniece。'HeleftCaenwiththeintentionofseekingdistractionsofalighterkindthanthosefurnishedbyart，andhehasmerelysucceededinfindingthem。Buthehasmademydutyratheradifficultone。Still，itwasmyduty，forI
　　verygreatlywrongedhim。Perhaps，however，Ihavedoneenoughforhonour'ssake。IwouldhavehumiliatedmyselfbyanapologyifIhadfoundhiminanyothersituation；but，ofcourse，onecan'theexpectedtotakeMUCHtroublewhenheisseengoingonlikethat!'
　　Thecoolnesswithwhichshebeganherremarkshaddevelopedintosomethinglikewarmthassheconcluded。
　　'Heisonlydancingwithaladyheprobablyknowsverywell。'
　　'Hedoesn'tknowher!Theideaofhisdancingwithawomanofthatdescription!Wewillgoawaytomorrow。Thisplacehasbeengreatlyover-praised。'
　　'Theplaceiswellenough，asfarasIcansee。'
　　'Heiscarryingouthisprogrammetotheletter。Heplungesintoexcitementinthemostrecklessmanner，andItremblefortheconsequences!Icandonomore:Ihavehumiliatedmyselfintofollowinghim，believingthatingivingtooreadycredencetoappearancesIhadbeennarrowandinhuman，andhadcausedhimmuchmisery。Buthedoesnotmind，andhehasnomisery；heseemsjustaswellasever。Howmuchthisfindinghimhascostme!Afterall，Ididnotdeceivehim。Hemusthaveacquiredanaturalaversionforme。Ihaveallowedmyselftobeinterestedinamanofverycommonqualities，andamnowbitterlyalivetotheshameofhavingsoughthimout。
　　Iheartilydetesthim!Iwillgoback——aunt，youareright——I
　　hadnobusinesstocome……Hislightconducthasrenderedhimuninterestingtome!'
　　III。
　　Whensherosethenextmorningthebellwasclangingforthesecondbreakfast，andpeoplewerepouringinfromthebeachineveryvarietyofattire。Paula，whomarestlessnighthadleftwithaheadache，which，however，shesaidnothingabout，wasreluctanttoemergefromtheseclusionofherchamber，tillheraunt，discoveringwhatwasthematterwithher，suggestedthatafewminutesintheopenairwouldrefreshher；andtheywentdownstairsintothehotelgardens。
　　Theclatterofthebigbreakfastwithinwasaudiblefromthisspot，andthenoiseseemedsuddenlytoinspiritPaula，whoproposedtoenter。Herauntassented。Intheverandahunderwhichtheypassedwasarustichat-standintheformofatree，uponwhichhatsandotherbody-gearhunglikebunchesoffruit。Paula'seyefelluponafelthattowhichasmallblock-bookwasattachedbyastring。Sheknewthathatandblock-bookwell，andturningtoMrs。Goodmansaid，'Afterall，Idon'twantthebreakfasttheyarehaving:letusorderoneofourownasusual。Andwe'llhaveithere。'
　　Sheledontowheresomelittletableswereplacedunderthetallshrubs，followedbyheraunt，whowasinturnfollowedbytheproprietressofthehotel，thatladyhavingdiscoveredfromtheFrenchmaidthattherewasgoodreasonforpayingtheseladiesamplepersonalattention。
　　'Isthegentlemantowhomthatsketch-bookbelongsstayinghere?'Paulacarelesslyinquired，assheindicatedtheobjectonthehat-stand。
　　'Ah，no!'deploredtheproprietress。'TheHotelwasfullwhenMr。Somersetcame。HestaysatacottagebeyondtheRueAnicetBourgeois:heonlyhashismealshere。'
　　Paulahadtakenherseatunderthefuchsia-treesinsuchamannerthatshecouldobservealltheexitsfromthesalleamanger；butforthepresentnoneofthebreakfastersemerged，theonlymovingobjectsonthescenebeingthewaitresseswhoranhitherandthitheracrossthecourt，thecook'sassistantswithbasketsoflongbread，andthelaundresseswithbasketsofsun-bleachedlinen。Furtherbacktowardstheinn-yard，stablemenwereputtinginthehorsesforstartingtheflysandcoachestoLesIfs，thenearestrailway-station。
　　'SupposetheSomersetsshouldbegoingoffbyoneoftheseconveyances，'saidMrs。Goodmanasshesippedhertea。
　　'Well，aunt，thentheymust，'repliedtheyoungerladywithcomposure。
　　Neverthelessshelookedwithsomemisgivingattheneareststablemanasheledoutfourwhitehorses，harnessedthem，andleisurelybroughtabrushwithwhichhebeganblackingtheiryellowhoofs。Allthevehicleswerereadyatthedoorbythetimebreakfastwasover，andtheinmatessoonturnedout，sometomounttheomnibusesandcarriages，sometorambleontheadjacentbeach，sometoclimbtheverdantslopes，andsometomakeforthecliffsthatshutinthevale。Thefuchsia-treeswhichshelteredPaula'sbreakfast-tablefromtheblazeofthesun，alsoscreeneditfromtheeyesoftheoutpouringcompany，andshesatonwithherauntinperfectcomfort，tillamongthelastofthestreamcameSomersetandhisfather。Paulareddenedatbeingsoneartheformeratlast。Itwaswithsensiblereliefthatsheobservedthemturntowardsthecliffsandnottothecarriages，andthussignifythattheywerenotgoingoffthatday。
　　Neitherofthetwosawtheladies，andwhenthelatterhadfinishedtheirteaandcoffeetheyfollowedtotheshore，wheretheysatfornearlyanhour，readingandwatchingthebathers。Atlengthfootstepscrunchedamongthepebblesintheirvicinity，andlookingoutfromhersunshadePaulasawthetwoSomersetscloseathand。
　　Theelderrecognizedher，andtheyounger，observinghisfather'sactionofcourtesy，turnedhishead。ItwasarevelationtoPaula，forshewasshockedtoseethatheappearedwornandill。Theexpressionofhisfacechangedatsightofher，increasingitsshadeofpaleness；butheimmediatelywithdrewhiseyesandpassedby。
　　Somersetwasasmuchsurprisedatencounteringherthusasshehadbeendistressedtoseehim。Assoonastheywereoutofhearing，heaskedhisfatherquietly，'Whatstrangethingisthis，thatLadyDeStancyshouldbehereandherhusbandnotwithher?Didshebowtome，ortoyou?'
　　'LadyDeStancy——thatyounglady?'askedthepuzzledpainter。
　　Heproceededtoexplainallheknew；thatshewasayoungladyhehadmetonhisjourneyattwoorthreedifferenttimes；
　　moreover，thatifshewerehisson'sclient——thewomanwhowastohavebecomeLadyDeStancy——shewasMissPowerstill；forhehadseeninsomenewspapertwodaysbeforeleavingEnglandthattheweddinghadbeenpostponedonaccountofherillness。
　　Somersetwassogreatlymovedthathecouldhardlyspeakconnectedlytohisfatherastheypacedontogether。'Butsheisnotill，asfarasIcansee，'hesaid。'Theweddingpostponed?——Youaresurethewordwaspostponed?——Wasitbrokenoff?'
　　'No，itwaspostponed。Imeanttohavetoldyoubefore，knowingyouwouldbeinterestedasthecastlearchitect；butitslippedmymemoryinthebustleofarriving。'
　　'Iamnotthecastlearchitect。'
　　'Thedevilyouarenot——whatareyouthen?'
　　'Well，Iamnotthat。'
　　Somersettheelder，thoughnotofpenetratingnature，begantoseethatherelayanemotionalcomplicationofsomesort，andreservedfurtherinquirytillamoreconvenientoccasion。
　　Theyhadreachedtheendofthelevelbeachwherethecliffbegantorise，andasthisimpedimentnaturallystoppedtheirwalktheyretracedtheirsteps。OnagainnearingthespotwherePaulaandherauntweresitting，thepainterwouldhavedeviatedtothehotel；butashissonpersistedingoingstraighton，induecoursetheywereoppositetheladiesagain。BythistimeMissPower，whohadappearedanxiousduringtheirabsence，regainedherself-control。Goingtowardsheroldlovershesaid，withasmile，'Ihavebeenlookingforyou!'
　　'Whyhaveyoubeendoingthat?'saidSomerset，inavoicewhichhefailedtokeepassteadyashecouldwish。
　　'Because——Iwantsomearchitecttocontinuetherestoration。
　　Doyouwithdrawyourresignation?'
　　Somersetappearedunabletodecideforafewinstants。'Yes，'
　　hethenanswered。
　　ForthemomenttheyhadignoredthepresenceofthepainterandMrs。Goodman，butSomersetnowmadethemknowntooneanother，andtherewasfriendlyintercourseallround。
　　'Whenwillyoubeabletoresumeoperationsatthecastle?'
　　sheasked，assoonasshecouldagainspeakdirectlytoSomerset。
　　'AssoonasIcangetback。OfcourseIonlyresumeitatyourspecialrequest。'
　　'Ofcourse。'Toonewhohadknownallthecircumstancesitwouldhaveseemedathousandpitiesthat，afteragaingettingfacetofacewithhim，shedidnotexplain，withoutdelay，thewholemischiefthathadseparatedthem。Butshedidnotdoit——perhapsfromtheinherentawkwardnessofsuchatopicatthisidletime。Sheconfinedherselfsimplytotheabove-
　　mentionedbusiness-likerequest，andwhenthepartyhadwalkedafewstepstogethertheyseparated，withmutualpromisestomeetagain。
　　'Ihopeyouhaveexplainedyourmistaketohim，andhowitarose，andeverything?'saidherauntwhentheywerealone。
　　'No，Ididnot。'
　　'What，notexplainafterall?'saidheramazedrelative。
　　'Idecidedtoputitoff。'
　　'ThenIthinkyoudecidedverywrongly。Pooryoungman，helookedsoill!'
　　'Didyou，too，thinkhelookedill?Buthedancedlastnight。
　　Whydidhedance?'SheturnedandgazedregretfullyatthecornerroundwhichtheSomersetshaddisappeared。
　　'Idon'tknowwhyhedanced；butifIhadknownyouweregoingtobesosilent，Iwouldhaveexplainedthemistakemyself。'
　　'Iwishyouhad。Butno；IhavesaidIwould；andImust。'
　　Paula'savoidanceoftablesd'hotedidnotextendtothepresentone。Itwasquitewithalacritythatshewentdown；
　　andwithherentrytheantecedenthotelbeautywhohadreignedforthelastfivedaysatthatmeal，wasunceremoniouslydeposedbytheguests。Mr。Somersettheeldercamein，butnobodywithhim。HisseatwasonPaula'slefthand，Mrs。
　　GoodmanbeingonPaula'sright，sothatalltheconversationwasbetweentheAcademicianandtheyoungerlady。Whenthelatterhadagainretiredupstairswithheraunt，Mrs。GoodmanexpressedregretthatyoungMr。Somersetwasabsentfromthetable。'Whyhashekeptaway?'sheasked。
　　'Idon'tknow——Ididn'task，'saidPaulasadly。'Perhapshedoesn'tcaretomeetusagain。'
　　'That'sbecauseyoudidn'texplain。'
　　'Well——whydidn'ttheoldmangivemeanopportunity?'