'AGreekcolonnadeallround，yousaid，Paula，'continuedherlessreticentcompanion。'Aperistyleyoucalledit——yousawitinabook，don'tyouremember?——andthenyouweregoingtohaveafountaininthemiddle，andstatueslikethoseintheBritishMuseum。'
　　'Ididsayso，'remarkedPaula，pullingtheleavesfromayoungsycamore-treethathadsprungupbetweenthejointsofthepaving。
　　FromthespotwheretheysattheycouldseeovertheroofstheupperpartofthegreattowerwhereinSomersethadmetwithhismisadventure。Thetowerstoodboldlyupinthesun，andfromoneoftheslitsinthecornersomethingwhitewavedinthebreeze。
　　'Whatcanthatbe?'saidCharlotte。'Isitthefluffofowls，orahandkerchief?'
　　'Itismyhandkerchief，'Somersetanswered。'Ifixedittherewithastonetoattractattention，andforgottotakeitaway。'
　　Allthreelookedupatthehandkerchiefwithinterest。'Whydidyouwanttoattractattention?'saidPaula。
　　'O，Ifellintotheturret；butIgotoutveryeasily。'
　　'OPaula，'saidCharlotte，turningtoherfriend，'thatmustbetheplacewherethemanfellin，yearsago，andwasstarvedtodeath!'
　　'Starvedtodeath?'saidPaula。
　　'Theysayso。OMr。Somerset，whatanescape!'AndCharlotteDeStancywalkedawaytoapointfromwhichshecouldgetabetterviewofthetreacherousturret。
　　'Whomdidyouthinktoattract?'askedPaula，afterapause。
　　'Ithoughtyoumightseeit。'
　　'Mepersonally?'And，blushingfaintly，hereyesresteduponhim。
　　'Ihopedforanybody。Ithoughtofyou，'saidSomerset。
　　Shedidnotcontinue。InamomentshearoseandwentacrosstoMissDeStancy。'Don'tYOUgofallingdownandbecomingaskeleton，'shesaid——Somersetoverheardthewords，thoughPaulawasunawareofit——afterwhichsheclaspedherfingersbehindCharlotte'sneck，andsmiledtenderlyinherface。
　　Itseemedtobequiteunconsciouslydone，andSomersetthoughtitaverybeautifulaction。PresentlyPaulareturnedtohimandsaid，'Mr。Somerset，Ithinkwehavehadenougharchitectureforto-day。'
　　Thetwowomenthenwishedhimgood-morningandwentaway。
　　Somerset，feelingthathehadnoweveryreasonforprowlingaboutthecastle，remainednearthespot，endeavouringtoevolvesomeplanofprocedurefortheprojectentertainedbythebeautifulownerofthoseweather-scathedwalls。Butforalongtimethementalperspectiveofhisnewpositionsoexcitedtheemotionalsideofhisnaturethathecouldnotconcentrateitonfeetandinches。AsPaula'sarchitectsupposingHavillnottobeadmittedasacompetitor，hemustofnecessitybeinconstantcommunicationwithherforaspaceoftwoorthreeyearstocome；andparticularlyduringthenextfewmonths。She，doubtless，cherishedfartooambitiousviewsofhercareertofeelanypersonalinterestinthisenforcedrelationshipwithhim；buthewouldbeatlibertytofeelwhathechose:andtobethevictimofanunrequitedpassion，whileaffordedsuchsplendidopportunitiesofcommunionwiththeonebeloved，deprivedthatpassionofitsmostdeplorablefeatures。Accessibilityisagreatpointinmattersoflove，andperhapsofthetwothereislessmiseryinlovingwithoutreturnagoddesswhoistobeseenandspokentoeveryday，thaninhavinganaffectiontenderlyreciprocatedbyonealwayshopelesslyremoved。
　　WiththisviewofhavingtospendaconsiderabletimeintheneighbourhoodSomersetshiftedhisquartersthatafternoonfromthelittleinnatSleeping-GreentoalargeroneatMarkton。HerequiredmoreroomsinwhichtocarryoutPaula'sinstructionsthantheformerplaceafforded，andamorecentralposition。HavingreachedanddinedatMarktonhefoundtheeveningtedious，andagainstrolledoutinthedirectionofthecastle。
　　Whenhereacheditthelightwasdeclining，andasolemnstillnessoverspreadthepile。Thegreattowerwasinfullview。Thatspotofwhitewhichlookedlikeapigeonflutteringfromtheloopholewashishandkerchief，stillhangingintheplacewherehehadleftit。Hiseyesyetlingeredonthewallswhenhenoticed，withsurprise，thatthehandkerchiefsuddenlyvanished。
　　Believingthatthebreezes，thoughweakbelow，mighthavebeenstrongenoughatthatheighttoblowitintotheturret，andinnohurrytogetoffthepremises，heleisurelyclimbeduptofindit，ascendingbythesecondstaircase，crossingtheroof，andgoingtothetopofthetreacherousturret。Theladderbywhichhehadescapedstillstoodwithinit，andbesidetheladderhebeheldthedimoutlineofawoman，inameditativeattitude，holdinghishandkerchiefinherhand。
　　Somersetsoftlywithdrew。Whenhehadreachedthegroundhelookedup。Agirlishformwasstandingatthetopofthetowerlookingovertheparapetuponhim——possiblynotseeinghim，foritwasdarkonthelawn。ItwaseitherMissDeStancyorPaula；oneofthemhadgonetherealoneforhishandkerchiefandhadremainedawhile，ponderingonhisescape。
　　Butwhich?'IfIwerenotafaint-heartIshouldrunallriskandwavemyhatorkissmyhandtoher，whoeversheis，'hethought。Buthedidnotdoeither。
　　Sohelingeredaboutsilentlyintheshades，andthenthoughtofstrollingtohisroomsatMarkton。Justatleaving，ashepassedundertheinhabitedwing，whenceoneortwolightsnowblinked，heheardapiano，andavoicesinging'TheMistletoeBough。'Thesonghadprobablybeensuggestedtotheromanticfancyofthesingerbyhervisittothesceneofhiscaptivity。
　　XI。
　　Theidentityoftheladywhomhehadseenonthetowerandafterwardsheardsingingwasestablishedthenextday。
　　'Ihavebeenthinking，'saidMissPower，onmeetinghim，'thatyoumayrequireastudioonthepremises。Ifso，theroomI
　　showedyouyesterdayisatyourservice。IfIemployMr。
　　HavilltocompetewithyouIwillofferhimasimilarone。'
　　Somersetdidnotdecline；andsheadded，'Inthesameroomyouwillfindthehandkerchiefthatwasleftonthetower。'
　　'Ah，Isawthatitwasgone。Somebodybroughtitdown?'
　　'Idid，'sheshylyremarked，lookingupforasecondunderhershadyhat-brim。
　　'Iammuchobligedtoyou。'
　　'Ono。Iwentuplastnighttoseewheretheaccidenthappened，andthereIfoundit。Whenyoucameupwereyouinsearchofit，ordidyouwantme?'
　　'Thenshesawme，'hethought。'Iwentforthehandkerchiefonly；Iwasnotawarethatyouwerethere，'heansweredsimply。Andheinvoluntarilysighed。
　　Itwasverysoft，butshemighthaveheardhim，fortherewasinterestinhervoiceasshecontinued，'Didyouseemebeforeyouwentback?'
　　'Ididnotknowitwasyou；Isawthatsomeladywasthere，andIwouldnotdisturbher。Iwonderedalltheeveningifitwereyou。'
　　Paulahastenedtoexplain:'Weunderstoodthatyouwouldstaytodinner，andasyoudidnotcomeinwewonderedwhereyouwere。Thatmademethinkofyouraccident，andafterdinnerI
　　wentuptotheplacewhereithappened。'
　　Somersetalmostwishedshehadnotexplainedsolucidly。
　　Andnowfollowedthepiquantdaystowhichhispositionasherarchitect，or，atworst，asoneofhertwoarchitects，naturallyled。Hisanticipationswereforoncesurpassedbythereality。PerhapsSomerset'sinherentunfitnessforaprofessionallifeunderordinarycircumstanceswasonlyprovedbyhisgreatzestforitnow。Hadhebeeninregularpractice，withnumerousotherclients，insteadofhavingmerelymadeastartwiththisone，hewouldhavetotallyneglectedtheirbusinessinhisexclusiveattentiontoPaula's。
　　TheideaofacompetitionbetweenSomersetandHavillhadbeenhighlyapprovedbyPaula'ssolicitor，butshewouldnotassenttoitasyet，seemingquitevexedthatSomersetshouldnothavetakenthegoodthegodsprovidedwithoutquestioningherjusticetoHavill。Theroomshehadofferedhimwaspreparedasastudio。Drawing-boardsandWhatman'spaperweresentfor，andinafewdaysSomersetbeganseriouslabour。Hisfirstrequirementwasaclerkortwo，todothedrudgeryofmeasuringandfiguring；butforthepresenthepreferredtosketchalone。Sometimes，inmeasuringtheoutworksofthecastle，heranagainstHavillstrollingaboutwithnoapparentobject，whobestowedonhimanenviousnod，andpassedby。
　　'Ihopeyouwillnotmakeyoursketches，'shesaid，lookinginuponhimoneday，'andthengoawaytoyourstudioinLondonandthinkofyourotherbuildingsandforgetmine。Iaminhastetobegin，andwishyounottoneglectme。'
　　'Ihavenootherbuildingtothinkof，'saidSomerset，risingandplacingachairforher。'Ihadnotbegunpractice，asyoumayknow。Ihavenothingelseinhandbutyourcastle。'
　　'IsupposeIoughtnottosayIamgladofit；butitisanadvantagetohaveanarchitectalltoone'sself。ThearchitectwhomIatfirstthoughtoftoldmebeforeIknewyouthatifIplacedthecastleinhishandshewouldundertakenoothercommissiontillitscompletion。'
　　'Iagreetothesame，'saidSomerset。
　　'Idon'twishtobindyou。ButIhinderyounow——dopraygoonwithoutreferencetome。Whenwilltherebesomedrawingformetosee?'
　　'Iwilltakecarethatitshallbesoon。'
　　Hehadametallictapeinhishand，andwentoutoftheroomtotakesomedimensioninthecorridor。Theassistantforwhomhehadadvertisedhadnotarrived，andheattemptedtofixtheendofthetapebystickinghispenknifethroughtheringintothewall。Paulalookedonatadistance。
　　'Iwillholdit，'shesaid。
　　Shewenttotherequiredcornerandheldtheendinitsplace。
　　Shehadtakenitthewrongway，andSomersetwentoverandplaceditproperlyinherfingers，carefullyavoidingtotouchthem。Sheobedientlyraisedherhandtothecorneragain，andstoodtillhehadfinished，whensheasked，'Isthatall?'
　　'Thatisall，'saidSomerset。'Thankyou。'Withoutfurtherspeechshelookedathissketch-book，whilehemarkeddownthelinesjustacquired。
　　'Yousaidtheotherday，'sheobserved，'thatearlyGothicworkmightbeknownbytheunder-cutting，orsomethingtothateffect。IhavelookedinRickmanandtheOxfordGlossary，butIcannotquiteunderstandwhatyoumeant。'
　　Itwasonlytooprobabletoherlover，fromthewayinwhichsheturnedtohim，thatsheHADlookedinRickmanandtheGlossary，andwasthinkingofnothingintheworldbutofthesubjectofherinquiry。
　　'Icanshowyou，byactualexample，ifyouwillcometothechapel?'hereturnedhesitatingly。
　　'Don'tgoonpurposetoshowme——whenyouarethereonyourownaccountIwillcomein。'
　　'Ishallbethereinhalf-an-hour。'
　　'Verywell，'saidPaula。Shelookedoutofawindow，and，seeingMissDeStancyontheterrace，lefthim。
　　Somersetstoodthinkingofwhathehadsaid。Hehadnooccasionwhatevertogointothechapelofthecastlethatday。Hehadbeentemptedbyherwordstosayhewouldbethere，and'half-an-hour'hadcometohislipsalmostwithouthisknowledge。Thiscommunityofinterest——ifitwerenotanythingmoretender——wasgrowingserious。Whathadpassedbetweenthemamountedtoanappointment；theyweregoingtomeetinthemostsolitarychamberofthewholesolitarypile。
　　CoulditbethatPaulahadwellconsideredthisinreplyingwithherfriendly'Verywell?'Probablynot。
　　Somersetproceededtothechapelandwaited。Withtheprogressofthesecondstowardsthehalf-hourhebegantodiscoverthatadangerousadmirationforthisgirlhadrisenwithinhim。Yetsoimaginativewashispassionthathehardlyknewasinglefeatureofhercountenancewellenoughtorememberitinherabsence。ThemeditativejudgmentofthingsandmenwhichhadbeenhishabituptothemomentofseeingherintheBaptistchapelseemedtohavelefthim——nothingremainedbutadistractingwishtobealwaysnearher，anditwasquitewithdismaythatherecognizedwhatimmenseimportancehewasattachingtothequestionwhethershewouldkeepthetriflingengagementornot。
　　ThechapelofStancyCastlewasasilentplace，heapedupincornerswithalumberofoldpanels，framework，andbrokencolouredglass。Herenoclockcouldbeheardbeatingoutthehoursoftheday——herenovoiceofpriestordeaconhadforgenerationsutteredthedailyservicedenotinghowtheyearrollson。ThestagnationofthespotwassufficienttodrawSomerset'smindforamomentfromthesubjectwhichabsorbedit，andhethought，'So，too，willtimetriumphoverallthisfervourwithinme。'
　　Liftinghiseyesfromtheflooronwhichhisfoothadbeentappingnervously，hesawPaulastandingattheotherend。ItwasnotsopleasantwhenhealsosawthatMrs。Goodmanaccompaniedher。Thelatterlady，however，obliginglyremainedwhereshewasresting，whilePaulacameforward，and，asusual，pausedwithoutspeaking。
　　'Itisinthislittlearcadethattheexampleoccurs，'saidSomerset。
　　'Oyes，'sheanswered，turningtolookatit。
　　'Earlypiers，capitals，andmouldings，generallyalternatedwithdeephollows，soastoformstrongshadows。Nowlookundertheabacusofthiscapital；youwillfindthestonehollowedoutwonderfully；andalsointhisarch-mould。Itisoftendifficulttounderstandhowitcouldbedonewithoutcrackingoffthestone。Thedifferencebetweenthisandlateworkcanbefeltbythehandevenbetterthanitcanbeseen。'
　　Hesuitedtheactiontothewordandplacedhishandinthehollow。
　　Shelistenedattentively，thenstretchedupherownhandtotestthecuttingashehaddone；shewasnotquitetallenough；shewouldstepuponthispieceofwood。Havingdonesoshetriedagain，andsucceededinputtingherfingeronthespot。No；shecouldnotunderstanditthroughhergloveevennow。Shepulledoffherglove，and，herhandrestinginthestonechannel，hereyesbecameabstractedintheeffortofrealization，theideasderivedthroughherhandpassingintoherface。
　　'No，Iamnotsurenow，'shesaid。
　　Somersetplacedhisownhandinthecavity。Nowtheirtwohandswereclosetogetheragain。Theyhadbeenclosetogetherhalf-an-hourearlier，andhehadsedulouslyavoidedtouchinghers。Hedarednotletsuchanaccidenthappennow。Andyet——
　　surelyshesawthesituation!Wastheinscrutableseriousnesswithwhichsheappliedherselftohislessonamockery?Therewassuchabottomlessdepthinhereyesthatitwasimpossibletoguesstruly。Letitbethatdestinyalonehadruledthattheirhandsshouldbetogetherasecondtime。
　　Allruminationwascutshortbyanimpulse。Heseizedherforefingerbetweenhisownfingerandthumb，anddrewitalongthehollow，saying，'ThatisthecurveImean。'
　　Somerset'shandwashotandtrembling；Paula's，onthecontrary，wascoolandsoftasaninfant's。
　　'Nowthearch-mould，'continuedhe。'There——thedepthofthatcavityistremendous，anditisnotgeometrical，asinlaterwork。'Hedrewherunresistingfingersfromthecapitaltothearch，andlaidtheminthelittletrenchasbefore。
　　Sheallowedthemtorestquietlytheretillherelinquishedthem。'Thankyou，'shethensaid，withdrawingherhand，brushingthedustfromherfinger-tips，andputtingonherglove。
　　Herimperceptionofhisfeelingwastheverysublimityofmaideninnocenceifitwerereal；ifnot，well，thecoquetrywasnogreatsin。
　　'Mr。Somerset，willyouallowmetohavetheGreekcourtI
　　mentioned?'sheaskedtentatively，afteralongbreakintheirdiscourse，asshescannedthegreenstonesalongthebaseofthearcade，withaconjecturalcountenanceastohisreply。
　　'Willyourownfeelingforthegeniusoftheplaceallowyou?'
　　'Iamnotamediaevalist:Iamaneclectic。'
　　'Youdon'tdislikeyourownhouseonthataccount。'
　　'Ididatfirst——Idon'tsomuchnow……Ishouldloveit，andadoreeverystone，andthinkfeudalismtheonlytrueromanceoflife，if——'
　　'What?'
　　'IfIwereaDeStancy，andthecastlethelonghomeofmyforefathers。'
　　Somersetwasalittlesurprisedattheavowal:theminister'swordsontheeffectsofhernewenvironmentrecurredtohismind。'MissDeStancydoesn'tthinkso，'hesaid。'Shecaresnothingaboutthosethings。'
　　Paulanowturnedtohim:hithertoherremarkshadbeensparinglyspoken，hereyesbeingdirectedelsewhere:'Yes，thatisverystrange，isitnot?'shesaid。'Butitisowingtothejoyousfreshnessofhernaturewhichprecludesherfromdwellingonthepast——indeed，thepastisnomoretoherthanitistoasparroworrobin。Sheisscarcelyaninstanceofthewearingoutofoldfamilies，forayoungermentalconstitutionthanhersIneverknew。'
　　'Unlessthatverysimplicityrepresentsthesecondchildhoodofherline，ratherthanherownexclusivecharacter。'
　　Paulashookherhead。'InspiteoftheGreekcourt，sheismoreGreekthanI。'
　　'Yourepresentscienceratherthanart，perhaps。'
　　'How?'sheasked，glancingupunderherhat。
　　'Imean，'repliedSomerset，'thatyourepresentthemarchofmind——thesteamship，andtherailway，andthethoughtsthatshakemankind。'
　　Sheweighedhiswords，andsaid:'Ah，yes:youalludetomyfather。Myfatherwasagreatman；butIammoreandmoreforgettinghisgreatness:thatkindofgreatnessiswhatawomancannevertrulyenterinto。Iamlessandlesshisdaughtereverydaythatgoesby。'
　　ShewalkedawayafewstepstorejointheexcellentMrs。
　　Goodman，who，asSomersetstillperceived，waswaitingforPaulaatthediscreetestofdistancesintheshadowsatthefartherendofthebuilding。SurelyPaula'svoicehadfaltered，andshehadturnedtohideatear?
　　Shecamebackagain。'DidyouknowthatmyfathermadehalftherailwaysinEurope，includingthatoneoverthere?'shesaid，wavingherlittleglovedhandinthedirectionwhencelowrumbleswereoccasionallyheardduringtheday。
　　'Yes。'
　　'Howdidyouknow?'
　　'MissDeStancytoldmealittle；andIthenfoundhisnameanddoingswerequitefamiliartome。'
　　Curiouslyenough，withhiswordstherecamethroughthebrokenwindowsthemurmurofatraininthedistance，soundingclearerandmoreclear。Itwasnothingtolistento，yettheybothlistened；tilltheincreasingnoisesuddenlybrokeoffintodeadsilence。
　　'Ithasgoneintothetunnel，'saidPaula。'Haveyouseenthetunnelmyfathermade?thecurvesaresaidtobeatriumphofscience。ThereisnothingelselikeitinthispartofEngland。'
　　'Thereisnot:Ihaveheardso。ButIhavenotseenit。'
　　'Doyouthinkitathingmoretobeproudofthatone'sfathershouldhavemadeagreattunnelandrailwaylikethat，thanthatone'sremoteancestorshouldhavebuiltagreatcastlelikethis?'
　　WhatcouldSomersetsay?Itwouldhaverequiredacasuisttodecidewhetherhisanswershoulddependuponhisconviction，oruponthefamilytiesofsuchaquestioner。'Fromamodernpointofview，railwaysare，nodoubt，thingsmoretobeproudofthancastles，'hesaid；'thoughperhapsImyself，frommereassociation，shoulddecideinfavouroftheancestorwhobuiltthecastle。'TheseriousanxietytobetruthfulthatSomersetthrewintohisobservation，wasmorethanthecircumstancerequired。'Todesigngreatengineeringworks，'headdedmusingly，andwithouttheleasteyetothedisparagementofherparent，'requiresnodoubtaleadingmind。Buttoexecutethem，ashedid，requires，ofcourse，onlyafollowingmind。'
　　Hisreplyhadnotaltogetherpleasedher；andtherewasadistinctreproachconveyedbyherslightmovementtowardsMrs。
　　Goodman。Hesawit，andwasgrievedthatheshouldhavespokenso。'Iamgoingtowalkoverandinspectthatfamoustunnelofyourfather's，'headdedgently。'Itwillbeapleasantstudyforthisafternoon。'
　　Shewentaway。'Iamnomanoftheworld，'hethought。'I
　　oughttohavepraisedthatfatherofhersstraightoff。I
　　shallnotwinherrespect；muchlessherlove!'
　　XII。
　　Somersetdidnotforgetwhathehadplanned，andwhenlunchwasoverhewalkedawaythroughthetrees。Thetunnelwasmoredifficultofdiscoverythanhehadanticipated，anditwasonlyafterconsiderablewindingamonggreenlanes，whosedeeprutswerelikecanyonsofColoradoinminiature，thathereachedtheslopeinthedistantuplandwherethetunnelbegan。Aroadstretchedoveritscrest，andthencealongonesideoftherailway-cutting。
　　HethereunexpectedlysawstandingMissPower'scarriage；andondrawingnearerhefoundittocontainPaulaherself，MissDeStancy，andMrs。Goodman。
　　'Howsingular!'exclaimedMissDeStancygaily。
　　'Itismostnatural，'saidPaulainstantly。'Inthemorningtwopeoplediscussafeatureinthelandscape，andintheafternooneachhasadesiretoseeitfromwhattheotherhassaidofit。Thereforetheyaccidentallymeet。'
　　NowPaulahaddistinctlyheardSomersetdeclarethathewasgoingtowalkthere；howthencouldshesaythissocoolly?
　　Itwaswithapangathisheartthathereturnedtohisoldthoughtofherbeingpossiblyafinishedcoquetteanddissembler。Whatevershemightbe，shewasnotacreaturestarchedverystifflybyPuritanism。
　　Somersetlookeddownonthemouthofthetunnel。Thepopularcommonplacethatscience，steam，andtravelmustalwaysbeunromanticandhideous，wasnotprovenatthisspot。Oneitherslopeofthedeepcutting，greenwithlonggrass，grewdroopingyoungtreesofash，beech，andotherflexiblevarieties，theirfoliagealmostconcealingtheactualrailwaywhichranalongthebottom，itsthinsteelrailsgleaminglikesilverthreadsinthedepths。Theverticalfrontofthetunnel，facedwithbrickthathadoncebeenred，wasnowweather-stained，lichened，andmossedoverinharmoniousrusty-browns，pearlygreys，andneutralgreens，attheverybaseappearingalittleblue-blackspotlikeamouse-hole——thetunnel'smouth。
　　Thecarriagewasdrawnupquiteclosetothewoodrailing，andPaulawaslookingdownatthesametimewithhim；buthemadenoremarktoher。
　　Mrs。Goodmanbrokethesilencebysaying，'Ifitwerenotarailwayweshouldcallitalovelydell。'
　　Somersetagreedwithher，addingthatitwassocharmingthathefeltinclinedtogodown。
　　'Ifyoudo，perhapsMissPowerwillorderyouupagain，asatrespasser，'saidCharlotteDeStancy。'Youareoneofthelargestshareholdersintherailway，areyounot，Paula?'
　　MissPowerdidnotreply。
　　'IsupposeastheroadispartlyyoursyoumightwalkallthewaytoLondonalongtherails，ifyouwished，mightyounot，dear?'Charlottecontinued。
　　Paulasmiled，andsaid，'No，ofcoursenot。'
　　Somerset，feelinghimselfsuperfluous，raisedhishattohiscompanionsasifhemeantnottoseethemagainforawhile，andbegantodescendbysomestepscutintheearth；MissDeStancyaskedMrs。Goodmantoaccompanyhertoabarrowoverthetopofthetunnel；andtheyleftthecarriage，Paularemainingalone。
　　DownSomersetplungedthroughthelonggrass，bushes，latesummerflowers，moths，andcaterpillars，vexedwithhimselfthathehadcomethere，sincePaulawassoinscrutable，andhummingthenotesofsomesonghedidnotknow。Thetunnelthathadseemedsosmallfromthesurfacewasavastarchwaywhenhereacheditsmouth，whichemitted，asacontrasttothesultryheatontheslopesofthecutting，acoolbreeze，thathadtravelledamileundergroundfromtheotherend。Farawayinthedarknessofthissilentsubterraneancorridorhecouldseethatotherendasamerespeckoflight。
　　Whenhehadconscientiouslyadmiredtheconstructionofthemassivearchivault，andthemajestyofitsnudeungarnishedwalls，helookeduptheslopeatthecarriage；itwassosmalltotheeyethatitmighthavebeenmadeforaperformancebycanaries；Paula'sfacebeingstillsmaller，assheleanedbackinherseat，idlylookingdownathim。Thereseemedsomethingroguishinherattitudeofcriticism，andtobenolongerthesubjectofhercontemplationheenteredthetunneloutofhersight。
　　Inthemiddleofthespeckoflightbeforehimappearedaspeckofblack；andthenashrillwhistle，dulledbymillionsoftonsofearth，reachedhisearsfromthence。Itwaswhathehadbeenonhisguardagainstallthetime，——apassingtrain；andinsteadoftakingthetroubletocomeoutofthetunnelhesteppedintoarecess，tillthetrainhadrattledpastandvanishedonwardroundacurve。
　　Somersetstillremainedwherehehadplacedhimself，mentallybalancingscienceagainstart，thegrandeurofthisfinepieceofconstructionagainstthatofthecastle，andthinkingwhetherPaula'sfatherhadnot，afterall，thebestofit，whenallatoncehesawPaula'sformconfrontinghimattheentranceofthetunnel。Heinstantlywentforwardintothelight；tohissurpriseshewasaspaleasalily。
　　'O，Mr。Somerset!'sheexclaimed。'Yououghtnottofrightenmeso——indeedyououghtnot!Thetraincameoutalmostassoonasyouhadgonein，andasyoudidnotreturn——anaccidentwaspossible!'
　　Somersetatonceperceivedthathehadbeentoblameinnotthinkingofthis。
　　'Pleasedoforgivemythoughtlessnessinnotreflectinghowitwouldstrikeyou!'hepleaded。'I——IseeIhavealarmedyou。'
　　Heralarmwas，indeed，muchgreaterthanhehadatfirstthought:shetrembledsomuchthatshewasobligedtositdown，atwhichhewentuptoherfullofsolicitousness。
　　'Yououghtnottohavedoneit!'shesaid。'Inaturallythought——anypersonwould——'
　　Somerset，perhapswisely，saidnothingatthisoutburst；thecauseofhervexationwas，plainlyenough，hisperceptionofherdiscomposure。Hestoodlookinginanotherdirection，tillinafewmomentsshehadrisentoherfeetagain，quitecalm。
　　'Itwouldhavebeendreadful，'shesaidwithfaintgaiety，asthecolourreturnedtoherface；'ifIhadlostmyarchitect，andbeenobligedtoengageMr。Havillwithoutanalternative。'
　　'Iwasreallyinnodanger；butofcourseIoughttohaveconsidered，'hesaid。
　　'Iforgiveyou，'shereturnedgood-naturedly。'IknewtherewasnoGREATdangertoapersonexercisingordinarydiscretion；butartistsandthinkerslikeyouareindiscreetforamomentsometimes。Iamnowgoingupagain。Whatdoyouthinkofthetunnel?'
　　Theywerecrossingtherailwaytoascendbytheoppositepath，Somersetkeepinghiseyeontheinteriorofthetunnelforsafety，whensuddenlytherearoseanoiseandshriekfromthecontrarydirectionbehindthetrees。Bothknewinamomentwhatitmeant，andeachseizedtheotherastheyrushedoffthepermanentway。Theideasofbothhadbeensocentredonthetunnelasthesourceofdanger，thattheprobabilityofatrainfromtheoppositequarterhadbeenforgotten。Itrushedpastthem，causingPaula'sdress，hair，andribbonstoflutterviolently，andblowingupthefallenleavesinashowerovertheirshoulders。
　　Neitherspoke，andtheywentupseveralsteps，holdingeachotherbythehand，till，becomingconsciousofthefact，shewithdrewhers；whereuponSomersetstoppedandlookedearnestlyather；buthereyeswereavertedtowardsthetunnelwall。
　　'Whatanescape!'hesaid。
　　'Wewerenotsoverynear，Ithink，werewe?'sheaskedquickly。'Ifwewere，Ithinkyouwere——verygoodtotakemyhand。'
　　Theyreachedthetopatlast，andthenewlevelandopenairseemedtogiveheranewmind。'Idon'tseethecarriageanywhere，'shesaid，inthecommontonesofcivilization。
　　Hethoughtithadgoneoverthecrestofthehill；hewouldaccompanyhertilltheyreachedit。
　　'No——please——Iwouldrathernot——Icanfinditverywell。'
　　Beforehecouldsaymoreshehadinclinedherheadandsmiledandwasonherwayalone。
　　Thetunnel-cuttingappearedadrearygulfenoughnowtotheyoungman，ashestoodleaningovertherailsaboveit，beatingtheherbagewithhisstick。Forsomeminuteshecouldnotcriticizeorweighherconduct；thewarmthofherpresencestillencircledhim。Herecalledherfaceasithadlookedoutathimfromunderthewhitesilkpuffingofherblackhat，andthespeakingpowerofhereyesatthemomentofdanger。
　　Thebreadthofthatclear-complexionedforehead——almostconcealedbythemassesofbrownhairbundleduparoundit——
　　signifiedthatifherdispositionwereobliqueandinsincereenoughfortrifling，coquetting，orinanywaymakingafoolofhim，shehadtheintellecttodoitcruellywell。
　　Butitwasungeneroustoruminatesosuspiciously。Agirlnotanactressbyprofessioncouldhardlyturnpaleartificiallyasshehaddone，thoughperhapsmerefrightmeantnothing，andwouldhaveariseninherjustasreadilyhadhebeenoneofthelabourersonherestate。
　　Thereflectionthatsuchfeelingasshehadexhibitedcouldhavenotendermeaningreturneduponhimwithmasterfulforcewhenhethoughtofherwealthandthesocialpositionintowhichshehaddrifted。Somerset，beingofasolitaryandstudiousnature，wasnotquitecompetenttoestimatepreciselythedisqualifyingeffect，ifany，ofhernonconformity，hernewnessofblood，andotherthings，amongtheoldcountyfamiliesestablishedroundher；butthetoughestprejudices，hethought，werenotlikelytobelonginvulnerabletosuchcheerfulbeautyandbrightnessofintellectasPaula's。Whensheemerged，asshewasplainlyabouttodo，fromtheseclusioninwhichshehadbeenlivingsinceherfather'sdeath，shewouldinevitablywinherwayamongherneighbours。
　　Shewouldbecomethelocaltopic。Fortune-hunterswouldlearnofherexistenceanddrawnearinshoals。Whatchancewouldtherethenbeforhim?
　　Thepointsinhisfavourwereindeedfew，buttheywerejustenoughtokeepatantalizinghopealive。Modestlyleavingoutofcounthispersonalandintellectualqualifications，hethoughtofhisfamily。Itwasanoldstockenough，thoughnotarichone。Hisgreat-unclehadbeenthewell-knownVice-
　　admiralSirArmstrongSomerset，whoservedhiscountrywellintheBaltic，theIndies，China，andtheCaribbeanSea。Hisgrandfatherhadbeenanotablemetaphysician。Hisfather，theRoyalAcademician，waspopular。Butperhapsthiswasnotthesortofreasoninglikelytooccupythemindofayoungwoman；
　　thepersonalaspectofthesituationwasinsuchcircumstancesoffarmoreimport。Hehadcomeasawanderingstranger——thatpossiblylentsomeinteresttohiminhereyes。Hewasinstalledinanofficewhichwouldnecessitatefreecommunionwithherforsometimetocome；thatwasanotheradvantage，andwouldbeastillgreateroneifsheshowed，asPaulaseemeddisposedtodo，suchartisticsympathywithhisworkastofollowupwithinterestthedetailsofitsprogress。
　　Thecarriagedidnotreappear，andhewentontowardsMarkton，disinclinedtoreturnagainthatdaytothestudiowhichhadbeenpreparedforhimatthecastle。Heheardfeetbrushingthegrassbehindhim，and，lookinground，sawtheBaptistminister。
　　'Ihavejustcomefromthevillage，'saidMr。Woodwell，wholookedwornandweary，hisbootsbeingcoveredwithdust；'andIhavelearntthatwhichconfirmsmyfearsforher。'
　　'ForMissPower?'
　　'Mostassuredly。'
　　'Whatdangeristhere?'saidSomerset。
　　'Thetemptationsofherpositionhavebecometoomuchforher!
　　Sheisgoingoutofmourningnextweek，andwillgivealargedinner-partyontheoccasion；forthoughtheinvitationsarepartlyinthenameofherrelativeMrs。Goodman，theymustcomefromher。Theguestsaretoincludepeopleofoldcavalierfamilieswhowouldhavetreatedhergrandfather，sir，andevenherfather，withscornfortheirreligionandconnections；alsotheparsonandcurate——yes，actuallypeoplewhobelieveintheApostolicSuccession；andwhat'smore，they'recoming。Myopinionis，thatithasallarisenfromherfriendshipwithMissDeStancy。'
　　'Well，'criedSomersetwarmly，'thisonlyshowsliberalityoffeelingonbothsides!Isupposeshehasinvitedyouaswell?'
　　'Shehasnotinvitedme!……Mr。Somerset，notwithstandingyourerroneousopinionsonimportantmatters，Ispeaktoyouasafriend，andItellyouthatshehasneverinhersecretheartforgiventhatsermonofmine，inwhichIlikenedhertothechurchatLaodicea。Iadmitthewordswereharsh，butI
　　wasdoingmyduty，andifthecasearoseto-morrowIwoulddoitagain。Herdispleasureisadeepgrieftome；butIserveOnegreaterthanshe……You，ofcourse，areinvitedtothisdinner?'
　　'Ihaveheardnothingofit，'murmuredtheyoungman。
　　Theirpathsdiverged；andwhenSomersetreachedthehotelhewasinformedthatsomebodywaswaitingtoseehim。
　　'Manorwoman?'heasked。
　　Thelandlady，whoalwayslikedtoreplyinpersontoSomerset'sinquiries，apparentlythinkinghim，byvirtueofhisdrawingimplementsandliberalityofpayment，apossiblelordofBurleigh，cameforwardandsaiditwascertainlynotawoman，butwhethermanorboyshecouldnotsay。'HisnameisMr。Dare，'sheadded。
　　'O——thatyouth，'hesaid。
　　Somersetwentupstairs，alongthepassage，downtwosteps，roundtheangle，andsoontotheroomsreservedforhiminthisramblingedificeofstage-coachmemories，wherehefoundDarewaiting。Darecameforward，pullingoutthecuttingofanadvertisement。
　　'Mr。Somerset，thisisyours，Ibelieve，fromtheArchitecturalWorld?'
　　Somersetsaidthathehadinsertedit。
　　'IthinkIshouldsuityourpurposeasassistantverywell。'
　　'Areyouanarchitect'sdraughtsman?'
　　'Notspecially。Ihavesomeknowledgeofthesame，andwanttoincreaseit。'
　　'Ithoughtyouwereaphotographer。'
　　'Alsoofphotography，'saidDarewithabow。'ThoughbutanamateurinthatartIcanchallengecomparisonwithRegentStreetorBroadway。'
　　Somersetlookeduponhistable。Twolettersonly，addressedininitials，werelyingthereasanswerstohisadvertisement。
　　HeaskedDaretowait，andlookedthemover。Neitherwassatisfactory。OnthisaccountheovercamehisslightfeelingagainstMr。Dare，andputaquestiontotestthatgentleman'scapacities。'Howwouldyoumeasurethefrontofabuilding，includingwindows，doors，mouldings，andeveryotherfeature，foragroundplan，soastocombinethegreatestaccuracywiththegreatestdespatch?'
　　'Inrunningdimensions，'saidDare。
　　Asthiswastheparticularkindofworkhewanteddone，Somersetthoughttheanswerpromising。ComingtotermswithDare，herequestedthewould-bestudentofarchitecturetowaitatthecastlethenextday，anddismissedhim。
　　Aquarterofanhourlater，whenDarewastakingawalkinthecountry，hedrewfromhispocketeightotherlettersaddressedtoSomersetininitials，which，tojudgebytheirstyleandstationery，werefrommenfarsuperiortothosetwowhosecommunicationsaloneSomersethadseen。Darelookedthemoverforafewsecondsashestrolledon，thentorethemintominutefragments，and，buryingthemundertheleavesintheditch，wentonhiswayagain。
　　XIII。
　　Thoughexhibitingindifference，SomersethadfeltapangofdisappointmentwhenheheardthenewsofPaula'sapproachingdinner-party。Itseemedalittleunkindofhertopasshimover，seeinghowmuchtheywerethrowntogetherjustnow。
　　Thatdinnermeantmorethanitsounded。Notwithstandingtheroominessofhercastle，shewasatpresentlivingsomewhatincommodiously，owingpartlytothestagnationcausedbyherrecentbereavement，andpartlytothenecessityforoverhaulingtheDeStancylumberpiledinthosevastandgloomychambersbeforetheycouldbemadetolerabletonineteenth-centuryfastidiousness。
　　TogivedinnersonanylargescalebeforeSomersethadatleastsetafewoftheseroomsinorderforher，showed，tohisthinking，anoverpoweringdesireforsociety。
　　Duringtheweekhesawlessofherthanusual，hertimebeingtoallappearancemuchtakenupwithdrivingouttomakecallsonherneighboursandreceivingreturnvisits。Allthisheobservedfromthewindowsofhisstudiooverlookingthecastleward，inwhichroomhenowspentagreatdealofhistime，bendingoverdrawing-boardsandinstructingDare，whoworkedaswellascouldbeexpectedofayouthofsuchvariedattainments。
　　NearercametheWednesdayoftheparty，andnohintofthateventreachedSomerset，butsuchashadbeencommunicatedbytheBaptistminister。Atlast，ontheveryafternoon，aninvitationwashandedintohisstudio——notakindnoteinPaula'shandwriting，butaformalprintedcardinthejointnamesofMrs。GoodmanandMissPower。Itreachedhimjustfourhoursbeforethedinner-time。Hewasplainlytobeusedasastop-gapatthelastmomentbecausesomebodycouldnotcome。
　　HavingpreviouslyarrangedtopassaquieteveninginhisroomsattheLordQuantockArms，inreadingupchroniclesofthecastlefromthecountyhistory，withtheviewofgatheringsomeideasastothedistributionofroomsthereinbeforethedemolitionofaportionofthestructure，hedecidedoff-handthatPaula'sdinnerwasnotofsufficientimportancetohimasaprofessionalmanandstudentofarttojustifyawasteoftheeveningbygoing。HeaccordinglydeclinedMrs。Goodman'sandMissPower'sinvitation；andatfiveo'clockleftthecastleandwalkedacrossthefieldstothelittletown。
　　Hedinedearly，and，clearingawayheavinesswithacupofcoffee，appliedhimselftothatvolumeofthecountyhistorywhichcontainedtherecordofStancyCastle。
　　Herehereadthat'whenthispicturesqueandancientstructurewasfounded，orbywhom，isextremelyuncertain。Butthatacastlestoodonthesiteinveryearlytimesappearsfrommanyoldbooksofcharters。Initsprimeitwassuchamasterpieceoffortificationastobethewonderoftheworld，anditwasthought，beforetheinventionofgunpowder，thatitnevercouldbetakenbyanyforcelessthandivine。'
　　Hereadontothetimeswhenitfirstpassedintothehandsof'DeStancy，Chivaler，'andreceivedthefamilyname，andsoonfromDeStancytoDeStancytillhewaslostinthereflectionwhetherPaulawouldorwouldnothavethoughtmorehighlyofhimifhehadacceptedtheinvitationtodinner。Applyinghimselfagaintothetome，helearnedthatintheyear1504
　　Stephenthecarpenterwas'paidelevenpencefornecessaryerepayrs，'andWilliamthemastermasoneightshillings'forwhytlymingofthekitchen，andthelymetodoitwith，'
　　including'anewropeforthefyerbell；'alsothesundrychargesfor'vijcrockes，xiijlytyllpans，apareofpothookes，afyerpane，alanterne，achafyngedyshe，andxijcandyllstychs。'
　　Bangwenteightstrokesoftheclock:itwasthedinner-hour。
　　'There，nowIcan'tgo，anyhow!'hesaidbitterly，jumpingup，andpicturingherreceivinghercompany。Howwouldshelook；
　　whatwouldshewear?Profoundlyindifferenttotheearlyhistoryofthenoblefabric，hefeltaviolentreactiontowardsmodernism，eclecticism，newaristocracies，everything，inshort，thatPaularepresented。HeevengavehimselfuptoconsidertheGreekcourtthatshehadwishedfor，andpassedtheremainderoftheeveninginmakingaperspectiveviewofthesame。
　　Thenextmorningheawokeearly，and，resolvingtobeatworkbetimes，startedpromptly。Itwasafinecalmhourofday；
　　thegrassslopesweresilverywithexcessofdew，andthebluemistshunginthedepthsofeachtreeforwantofwindtoblowthemout。Somersetenteredthedriveonfoot，andwhennearthecastleheobservedinthegravelthewheel-marksofthecarriagesthathadconveyedthegueststhitherthenightbefore。Thereseemedtohavebeenalargenumber，fortheroadwherenewlyrepairedwasquitecutup。BeforegoingindoorshewastemptedtowalkroundtothewinginwhichPaulaslept。
　　Rookswerecawing，sparrowswerechatteringthere；buttheblindofherwindowwasascloselydrawnasifitweremidnight。Probablyshewassoundasleep，dreamingofthecomplimentswhichhadbeenpaidherbyherguests，andofthefuturetriumphantpleasuresthatwouldfollowintheirtrain。
　　Reachingtheouterstonestairsleadingtothegreathallhefoundthemshadowedbyanawningbrilliantlystripedwithredandblue，withinwhichrowsoffloweringplantsinpotsborderedthepathway。Shecouldnothavemademorepreparationhadthegatheringbeenaball。Hepassedalongthegalleryinwhichhisstudiowassituated，enteredtheroom，andseizedadrawing-boardtoputintocorrectdrawingthesketchfortheGreekcourtthathehadstruckoutthenightbefore，therebyabandoninghisartprinciplestopleasethewhimofagirl。Darehadnotyetarrived，andafteratimeSomersetthrewdownhispencilandleantback。
　　Hiseyefelluponsomethingthatmoved。Itwaswhite，andlayinthefoldingchairontheoppositesideoftheroom。Onnearapproachhefoundittobeafragmentofswan's-downfannedintomotionbyhisownmovements，andpartiallysqueezedintothechinkofthechairasthoughbysomepersonsittingonit。
　　Nonebutawomanwouldhavewornorbroughtthatswan's-downintohisstudio，anditmadehimreflectonthepossibleone。
　　Nothinginterruptedhisconjecturestillteno'clock，whenDarecame。ThenoneoftheservantstappedatthedoortoknowifMr。Somersethadarrived。SomersetaskedifMissPowerwishedtoseehim，andwasinformedthatshehadonlywishedtoknowifhehadcome。Somersetsentareturnmessagethathehadadesignontheboardwhichheshouldsoonbegladtosubmittoher，andthemessengerdeparted。
　　'Finedoingsherelastnight，sir，'saidDare，ashedustedhisT-square。