'Thenhereitis。TheplanIhavearrangedforyouisofthenatureofamarriage。'
　　'Youareverykind!'saidDeStancy，agape。
　　'Thelady'snameisMissPaulaPower，who，asyoumayhaveheardsinceyourarrival，isinabsolutepossessionofherfather'spropertyandestates，includingStancyCastle。AssoonasIheardofherIsawwhatamarvellousmatchitwouldbeforyou，andyourfamily；itwouldmakeamanofyou，inshort，andIhavesetmyminduponyourputtingnoobjectioninthewayofitsaccomplishment。'
　　'But，Willy，itseemstomethat，ofustwo，itisyouwhoexercisepaternalauthority?'
　　'True，itisforyourgood。Letmedoit。'
　　'Well，onemustbeindulgentunderthecircumstances，I
　　suppose……But，'addedDeStancysimply，'Willy，I——don'twanttomarry，youknow。Ihavelatelythoughtthatsomedaywemaybeabletolivetogether，youandI:goofftoAmericaorNewZealand，wherewearenotknown，andthereleadaquiet，pastorallife，defyingsocialrulesandtroublesomeobservances。'
　　'Ican'thearofit，captain，'repliedDarereprovingly。'I
　　amwhateventshavemademe，andhavingfixedmymindupongettingyousettledinlifebythismarriage，Ihaveputthingsintrainforitatanimmensetroubletomyself。Ifyouhadthoughtoverito'nightsasmuchasIhave，youwouldnotsaynay。'
　　'ButIoughttohavemarriedyourmotherifanybody。AndasI
　　havenotmarriedher，theleastIcandoinrespecttoheristomarrynootherwoman。'
　　'Youhavesomesortofdutytome，haveyounot，CaptainDeStancy?'
　　'Yes，Willy，IadmitthatIhave，'theelderrepliedreflectively。'AndIdon'tthinkIhavefailedinitthusfar?'
　　'Thiswillbethecrowningproof。Paternalaffection，familypride，thenobleinstinctstoreinstateyourselfinthecastleofyourancestors，alldemandthestep。Andwhenyouhaveseenthelady!Shehasthefigureandmotionsofasylph，thefaceofanangel，theeyeofloveitself。Whatasightsheiscrossingthelawnonasunnyafternoon，orglidingairilyalongthecorridorsoftheoldplacetheDeStancysknewsowell!Herlipsarethesoftest，reddest，mostdistractingthingsyoueversaw。Herhairisassoftassilk，andoftherarest，tenderestbrown。'
　　Thecaptainmoveduneasily。'Don'ttakethetroubletosaymore，Willy，'heobserved。'YouknowhowIam。Mycursedsusceptibilitytothesemattershasalreadywastedyearsofmylife，andIdon'twanttomakemyselfafoolabouthertoo。'
　　'Youmustseeher。'
　　'No，don'tletmeseeher，'DeStancyexpostulated。'Ifsheisonlyhalfsogood-lookingasyousay，shewilldragmeatherheelslikeablindSamson。Youareamereyouthasyet，butImaytellyouthatthemisfortuneofneverhavingbeenmyownmasterwhereabeautifulfacewasconcernedobligesmetobecautiousifIwouldpreservemypeaceofmind。'
　　'Well，tomymind，CaptainDeStancy，yourobjectionsseemtrivial。Arethoseall?'
　　'TheyareallIcaretomentionjustnowtoyou。'
　　'Captain!cantherebesecretsbetweenus?'
　　DeStancypausedandlookedattheladasifhisheartwishedtoconfesswhathisjudgmentfearedtotell。'Thereshouldnotbe——onthispoint，'hemurmured。
　　'Thentellme——whydoyousomuchobjecttoher?'
　　'Ioncevowedavow。'
　　'Avow!'saidDare，ratherdisconcerted。
　　'Avowofinfinitesolemnity。Imusttellyoufromthebeginning；perhapsyouareoldenoughtohearitnow，thoughyouhavebeentooyoungbefore。Yourmother'slifeendedinmuchsorrow，anditwasoccasionedentirelybyme。InmyregretforthewrongdoneherIsworetoherthatthoughshehadnotbeenmywife，nootherwomanshouldstandinthatrelationshiptome；andthistoherwasasortofcomfort。
　　Whenshewasdeadmyknowledgeofmyownplaguyimpressionableness，whichseemedtobeineradicable——asitseemsstill——ledmetothinkwhatsafeguardsIcouldsetovermyselfwithaviewtokeepingmypromisetolivealifeofcelibacy；andamongotherthingsIdeterminedtoforswearthesociety，andifpossiblethesight，ofwomenyoungandattractive，asfarasIhadthepowertodo。'
　　'Itisnotsoeasytoavoidthesightofabeautifulwomanifshecrossesyourpath，Ishouldthink?'
　　'Itisnoteasy；butitispossible。'
　　'How?'
　　'Bydirectingyourattentionanotherway。'
　　'Butdoyoumeantosay，captain，thatyoucanbeinaroomwithaprettywomanwhospeakstoyou，andnotlookather?'
　　'Ido:thoughmerelookinghaslesstodowithitthanmentalattentiveness——allowingyourthoughtstoflowoutinherdirection——tocomprehendherimage。'
　　'Butitwouldbeconsideredveryimpolitenottolookatthewomanorcomprehendherimage?'
　　'Itwould，andis。Iamconsideredthemostimpoliteofficerintheservice。Ihavebeennicknamedthemanwiththeavertedeyes——themanwiththedetestablehabit——themanwhogreetsyouwithhisshoulder，andsoon。Ninety-and-ninefairwomenatthepresentmomenthatemelikepoisonanddeathforhavingpersistentlyrefusedtoplumbthedepthsoftheirofferedeyes。'
　　'Howcanyoudoit，whoarebynaturecourteous?'
　　'Icannotalways——Ibreakdownsometimes。But，uponthewhole，recollectionholdsmetoit:dreadofalapse。
　　Nothingissopotentasfearwellmaintained。'
　　DeStancynarratedthesedetailsinagravemeditativetonewithhiseyesonthewall，asifhewerescarcelyconsciousofalistener。
　　'Buthaven'tyourecklessmoments，captain?——whenyouhavetakenalittlemorewinethanusual，forinstance?'
　　'Idon'ttakewine。'
　　'O，youareateetotaller?'
　　'Notapledgedone——butIdon'ttouchalcoholunlessIgetwet，oranythingofthatsort。'
　　'Don'tyousometimesforgetthisvowofyourstomymother?'
　　'No，Iwearareminder。'
　　'Whatisthatlike?'
　　DeStancyhelduphislefthand，onthethirdfingerofwhichappearedanironring。
　　Daresurveyedit，saying，'Yes，Ihaveseenthatbefore，thoughIneverknewwhyyouworeit。Well，Iwearareminderalso，butofadifferentsort。'
　　Hethrewopenhisshirt-front，andrevealedtattooedonhisbreastthelettersDESTANCY；thesamemarkswhichHavillhadseeninthebedroombythelightofthemoon。
　　Thecaptainratherwincedatthesight。'Well，well，'hesaidhastily，'that'senough……Now，atanyrate，youunderstandmyobjectiontoknowMissPower。'
　　'But，captain，'saidtheladcoaxingly，ashefastenedhisshirt；'youforgetmeandthegoodyoumaydomebymarrying?
　　Surelythat'sasufficientreasonforachangeofsentiment。
　　Thisinexperiencedsweetcreatureownsthecastleandestatewhichbearsyourname，eventothefurnitureandpictures。
　　Sheisthepossessorofatleastfortythousandayear——howmuchmoreIcannotsay——while，buriedhereinOuterWessex，shelivesattherateoftwelvehundredinhersimplicity。'
　　'Itisverygoodofyoutosetthisbeforeme。ButIprefertogoonasIamgoing。'
　　'Well，Iwon'tboreyouanymorewithherto-day。Amonkinregimentals!——'tisstrange。'Darearoseandwasabouttoopenthedoor，when，lookingthroughthewindow，CaptainDeStancysaid，'Stop。'Hehadperceivedhisfather，SirWilliamDeStancy，walkingamongthetombstoneswithout。
　　'Yes，indeed，'saidDare，turningthekeyinthedoor。'Itwouldlookstrangeifheweretofindushere。'
　　Astheoldmanseemedindisposedtoleavethechurchyardjustyettheysatdownagain。
　　'Whatacapitalcard-tablethisgreenclothwouldmake，'saidDare，astheywaited。'Youplay，captain，Isuppose?'
　　'Veryseldom。'
　　'Thesamewithme。ButasIenjoyahandofcardswithafriend，Idon'tgounprovided。'Sayingwhich，Daredrewapackfromthetailofhiscoat。'Shallwewhileawaythisleisurewiththewitchingthings?'
　　'Really，I'drathernot。'
　　'But，'coaxedtheyoungman，'Iaminthehumourforit；sodon'tbeunkind!'
　　'But，Willy，whydoyoucareforthesethings?Cardsareharmlessenoughintheirway；butIdon'tliketoseeyoucarryingtheminyourpocket。Itisn'tgoodforyou。'
　　'ItwasbythemerestchanceIhadthem。Nowcome，justonehand，sinceweareprisoners。IwanttoshowyouhownicelyI
　　canplay。Iwon'tcorruptyou!'
　　'Ofcoursenot，'saidDeStancy，asifashamedofwhathisobjectionimplied。'Youarenotcorruptenoughyourselftodothat，Ishouldhope。'
　　Thecardsweredealtandtheybegantoplay——CaptainDeStancyabstractedly，andwithhiseyesmostlystrayingoutofthewindowuponthelargeyew，whoseboughsastheymovedweredistortedbytheoldgreenwindow-panes。
　　'Itisbetterthandoingnothing，'saidDarecheerfully，asthegamewenton。'Ihopeyoudon'tdislikeit?'
　　'Notifitpleasesyou，'saidDeStancylistlessly。
　　'Andtheconsecrationofthisplacedoesnotextendfurtherthantheaislewall。'
　　'Doesn'tit?'saidDeStancy，ashemechanicallyplayedouthiscards。'WhatbecameofthatboxofbooksIsentyouwithmylastcheque?'
　　'Well，asIhadn'ttimetoreadthem，andasIknewyouwouldnotlikethemtobewasted，Isoldthemtoablokewhoperusesthemfrommorningtillnight。Ah，nowyouhavelostafiveraltogether——howqueer!We'lldoublethestakes。So，asIwassaying，justatthetimethebookscameIgotaninklingofthisimportantbusiness，andliteraturewenttothewall。'
　　'Importantbusiness——what?'
　　'Thecaptureofthislady，tobesure。'
　　DeStancysighedimpatiently。'Iwishyouwerelesscalculating，andhadmoreoftheimpulsenaturaltoyouryears!'
　　'Game——byJove!Youhavelostagain，captain。Thatmakes——
　　letmesee——ninepoundsfifteentosquareus。'
　　'Ioweyouthat?'saidDeStancy，startled。'ItismorethanIhaveincash。Imustwriteanothercheque。'
　　'Nevermind。Makeitpayabletoyourself，andourconnectionwillbequiteunsuspected。'
　　CaptainDeStancydidasrequested，androsefromhisseat。
　　SirWilliam，thoughfurtheroff，wasstillinthechurchyard。
　　'Howcanyouhesitateforamomentaboutthisgirl?'saidDare，pointingtothebentfigureoftheoldman。'Thinkofthesatisfactionitwouldbetohimtoseehissonwithinthefamilywallsagain。Itshouldbeareligionwithyoutocompasssuchalegitimateendasthis。'
　　'Well，well，I'llthinkofit，'saidthecaptain，withanimpatientlaugh。'YouarequiteaMephistopheles，Will——Isayittomysorrow!'
　　'WouldthatIwereinyourplace。'
　　'Wouldthatyouwere!FifteenyearsagoImighthavecalledthechanceamagnificentone。'
　　'Butyouareayoungmanstill，andyoulookyoungerthanyouare。Nobodyknowsourrelationship，andIamnotsuchafoolastodivulgeit。Ofcourse，ifthroughmeyoureclaimthissplendidpossession，Ishouldleaveittoyourfeelingswhatyouwoulddoforme。'
　　SirWilliamhadbythistimeclearedoutofthechurchyard，andthepairemergedfromthevestryanddeparted。ProceedingtowardsMarktonbythesamebypath，theypresentlycametoaneminencecoveredwithbushesofblackthorn，andtuftsofyellowingfern。FromthispointagoodviewofthewoodsandgladesaboutStancyCastlecouldbeobtained。Darestoodstillonthetopandstretchedouthisfinger；thecaptain'seyefollowedthedirection，andhesawabovethemany-huedfoliageinthemiddledistancethetoweringkeepofPaula'scastle。
　　'That'sthegoalofyourambition，captain——ambitiondoI
　　say?——mostrighteousanddutifulendeavour!Howthehoaryshapecatchesthesunlight——itistheraisond'etreofthelandscape，anditspossessioniscovetedbyathousandhearts。
　　Surelyitisanhereditarydesireofyours?Youmustmakeapointofreturningtoit，andappearinginthemapofthefutureasinthatofthepast。Idelightinthisworkofencouragingyou，andpushingyouforwardtowardsyourown。
　　Youarereallyveryclever，youknow，but——Isayitwithrespect——howcomesitthatyouwantsomuchwakingup?'
　　'BecauseIknowthedayisnotsobrightasitseems，myboy。
　　However，youmakealittlemistake。IfIcareforanythingonearth，Idocareforthatoldfortressofmyforefathers。I
　　respectsolittleamongthelivingthatallmyreverenceisformyowndead。Butmanoeuvring，evenformyown，asyoucallit，isnotinmyline。Itisdistasteful——itispositivelyhatefultome。'
　　'Well，well，letitstandthusforthepresent。Butwillyourefusemeonelittlerequest——merelytoseeher?I'llcontriveitsothatshemaynotseeyou。Don'trefuseme，itistheonethingIask，andIshallthinkithardifyoudenyme。'
　　'OWill!'saidthecaptainwearily。'Whywillyoupleadso?
　　No——eventhoughyourmindisparticularlysetuponit，I
　　cannotseeher，orbestowathoughtuponher，muchasIshouldliketogratifyyou。'
　　VI。
　　WhentheyhadpartedDarewalkedalongtowardsMarktonwithresolveonhismouthandanunscrupulouslightinhisprominentblackeye。Couldanypersonwhohadheardthepreviousconversationhaveseenhimnow，hewouldhavefoundlittledifficultyindiviningthat，notwithstandingDeStancy'sobduracy，thereinstationofCaptainDeStancyinthecastle，andthepossiblelegitimationandenrichmentofhimself，wasstillthedreamofhisbrain。Evenshouldanylegalsettlementoroffspringintervenetoniptheextremedevelopmentofhisprojects，therewasabundantopportunityforhisglorification。Twoconditionswereimperative。DeStancymustseePaulabeforeSomerset'sreturn。AnditwasnecessarytohavehelpfromHavill，evenifitinvolvedlettinghimknowall。
　　WhetherHavillalreadyknewallwasanicequestionforMr。
　　Dare'sluminousmind。Havillhadhadopportunitiesofreadinghissecret，particularlyonthenighttheyoccupiedthesameroom。Ifso，byrevealingittoPaula，Havillmightutterlyblasthisprojectforthemarriage。Havill，then，wasatallriskstoberetainedasanally。
　　YetDarewouldhavepreferredastrongercheckuponhisconfederatethanwasaffordedbyhisownknowledgeofthatanonymousletterandthecompetitiontrick。Forwerethecompetitionlosttohim，HavillwouldhavenofurtherinterestinconciliatingMissPower；wouldassoonasnotletherknowthesecretofDeStancy'srelationtohim。
　　Fortuneasusualhelpedhiminhisdilemma。EnteringHavill'soffice，Darefoundhimsittingthere；butthedrawingshadalldisappearedfromtheboards。Thearchitectheldanopenletterinhishand。
　　'Well，whatnews?'saidDare。
　　'MissPowerhasreturnedtothecastle，SomersetisdetainedinLondon，andthecompetitionisdecided，'saidHavill，withaglanceofquietdubiousness。
　　'Andyouhavewonit?'
　　'No。Wearebracketed——it'satie。Thejudgessaythereisnochoicebetweenthedesigns——thattheyaresingularlyequalandsingularlygood。Thatshewoulddowelltoadopteither。
　　SignedSo-and-So，FellowsoftheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects。Theresultisthatshewillemploywhichshepersonallylikesbest。ItisasifIhadspunasovereignintheairandithadalightedonitsedge。Theleastfalsemovementwillmakeittails；theleastwisemovementheads。'
　　'Singularlyequal。Well，weowethattoournocturnalvisit，whichmustnotbeknown。'
　　'OLord，no!'saidHavillapprehensively。
　　Darefeltsecureofhimatthosewords。Havillhadmuchatstake；theslightestrumourofhistrickinbringingaboutthecompetition，wouldbefataltoHavill'sreputation。
　　'ThepermanentabsenceofSomersetthenisdesirablearchitecturallyonyouraccount，matrimoniallyonmine。'
　　'Matrimonially?Bytheway——whowasthatcaptainyoupointedouttomewhentheartilleryenteredthetown?'
　　'CaptainDeStancy——sonofSirWilliamDeStancy。He'sthehusband。O，youneedn'tlookincredulous:itispracticable；
　　butwewon'targuethat。InthefirstplaceIwanthimtoseeher，andtoseeherinthemostlove-kindling，passion-
　　begettingcircumstancesthatcanbethoughtof。Andhemustseehersurreptitiously，forherefusestomeether。'
　　'Lethimseehergoingtochurchorchapel?'
　　Dareshookhishead。
　　'Drivingout?'
　　'Common-place!'
　　'Walkinginthegardens?'
　　'Ditto。'
　　'Athertoilet?'
　　'Ah——ifitwerepossible!'
　　'Whichithardlyis。Well，youhadbetterthinkitoverandmakeinquiriesaboutherhabits，andastowhensheisinafavourableaspectforobservation，asthealmanacssay。'
　　ShortlyafterwardsDaretookhisleave。Intheeveninghemadeithisbusinesstositsmokingontheboleofatreewhichcommandedaviewoftheupperwardofthecastle，andalsooftheoldpostern-gate，nowenlargedandusedasatradesmen'sentrance。Itwashalf-pastsixo'clock；thedressing-bellrang，andDaresawalight-footedyoungwomanhastenatthesoundacrossthewardfromtheservants'
　　quarter。AlightappearedinachamberwhichheknewtobePaula'sdressing-room；andthereitremainedhalf-an-hour，ashadowpassingandrepassingontheblindinthestyleofhead-dresswornbythegirlhehadpreviouslyseen。Thedinner-bellsoundedandthelightwentout。
　　Asyetitwasscarcelydarkoutofdoors，andinafewminutesDarehadthesatisfactionofseeingthesamewomancrossthewardandemergeupontheslopewithout。Thistimeshewasbonneted，andcarriedalittlebasketinherhand。Anearerviewshowedhertobe，ashehadexpected，MillyBirch，Paula'smaid，whohadfriendslivinginMarkton，whomshewasinthehabitofvisitingalmosteveryeveningduringthethreehoursofleisurewhichintervenedbetweenPaula'sretirementfromthedressing-roomandreturnthitheratteno'clock。
　　Whentheyoungwomanhaddescendedtheroadandpassedintothelargedrive，Dareroseandfollowedher。
　　'O，itisyou，MissBirch，'saidDare，onovertakingher。'I
　　amgladtohavethepleasureofwalkingbyyourside。'
　　'Yes，sir。Oit'sMr。Dare。Wedon'tseeyouatthecastlenow，sir。'
　　'No。Anddoyougetawalklikethiseveryeveningwhentheothersareattheirbusiest?'
　　'Almosteveryevening；that'stheonereturntothepoorlady'smaidforlosingherleisurewhentheothersgetit——intheabsenceofthefamilyfromhome。'
　　'IsMissPowerahardmistress?'
　　'No。'
　　'Ratherfancifulthanhard，Ipresume?'
　　'Justso，sir。'
　　'Andshelikestoappeartoadvantage，nodoubt。'
　　'Isupposeso，'saidMilly，laughing。'Wealldo。'
　　'Whendoessheappeartothebestadvantage?Whenriding，ordriving，orreadingherbook?'
　　'Notaltogetherthen，ifyoumeantheverybest。'
　　'Perhapsitiswhenshesitslookingintheglassatherself，andyouletdownherhair。'
　　'Notparticularly，tomymind。'
　　'Whendoesshetoyourmind?Whendressedforadinner-partyorball?'
　　'She'smiddling，then。Butthereisonetimewhenshelooksnicerandclevererthanatany。Itiswhensheisinthegymnasium。'
　　'O——gymnasium?'
　　'Becausewhensheisthereshewearssuchaprettyboy'scostume，andissocharminginhermovements，thatyouthinksheisalovelyyoungyouthandnotagirlatall。'
　　'Whendoesshegotothisgymnasium?'
　　'Notsomuchassheusedto。Onlyonwetmorningsnow，whenshecan'tgetoutforwalksordrives。Butsheusedtodoiteveryday。'
　　'Ishouldliketoseeherthere。'
　　'Why，sir?'
　　'Iamapoorartist，andcan'taffordmodels。ToseeherattitudeswouldbeofgreatassistancetomeintheartIlovesowell。'
　　Millyshookherhead。'She'sverystrictaboutthedoorbeinglocked。IfIweretoleaveitopenshewoulddismissme，asI
　　shoulddeserve。'
　　'Butconsider，dearMissBirch，theadvantagetoapoorartistthesightofherwouldbe:ifyoucouldholdthedoorajaritwouldbeworthfivepoundstome，andagooddealtoyou。'
　　'No，'saidtheincorruptibleMilly，shakingherhead。
　　'Besides，Idon'talwaysgotherewithher。Ono，I
　　couldn't!'
　　MillyremainedsofirmatthispointthatDaresaidnomore。
　　Whenhehadleftherhereturnedtothecastlegrounds，andthoughtherewasnotmuchlighthehadnodifficultyindiscoveringthegymnasium，theoutsideofwhichhehadobservedbefore，withoutthinkingtoinquireitspurpose。
　　Liketheerectionsinotherpartsoftheshrubberiesitwasconstructedofwood，theintersticesbetweentheframingbeingfilledupwithshortbilletsoffirnaileddiagonally。Dare，evenwhenwithoutasettledplaninhishead，couldarrangeforprobabilities；andwrenchingoutoneofthebilletshelookedinside。Itseemedtobeasimpleoblongapartment，fittedupwithropes，withalittledressing-closetatoneend，andlightedbyaskylightorlanternintheroof。Darereplacedthewoodandwentonhisway。
　　HavillwassmokingonhisdoorstepwhenDarepassedupthestreet。Hehelduphishand。
　　'Sinceyouhavebeengone，'saidthearchitect，'I'vehituponsomethingthatmayhelpyouinexhibitingyourladytoyourgentleman。InthesummerIhadorderstodesignagymnasiumforher，whichIdid；andtheysaysheisverycleverontheropesandbars。Now——'
　　'I'vediscoveredit。Ishallcontriveforhimtoseeherthereonthefirstwetmorning，whichiswhenshepractises。
　　Whatmadeherthinkofit?'
　　'Asyoumayhaveheard，sheholdsadvancedviewsonsocialandothermatters；andinthoseonthehighereducationofwomensheisverystrong，talkingagooddealaboutthephysicaltrainingoftheGreeks，whomsheadores，ordid。Everyphilosopherandmanofsciencewhoventilateshistheoriesinthemonthlyreviewshasadevoutlistenerinher；andthissubjectofthephysicaldevelopmentofhersexhashaditsturnwithotherthingsinhermind。Soshehadtheplacebuiltonherveryfirstarrival，accordingtothelatestlightsonathletics，andinimitationofthoseatthenewcollegesforwomen。'
　　'Howdeucedcleverofthegirl!Shemeanstolivetobeahundred!'
　　VII。
　　Thewetdayarrivedwithallthepromptnessthatmighthavebeenexpectedofitinthislandofrainsandmists。Thealderbushesbehindthegymnasiumdrippedmonotonouslyleafuponleaf，addedtothisbeingthepurloftheshallowstreamalittlewayoff，producingasenseofsatietyinwaterysounds。Thoughtherewasdrizzleintheopenmeads，therainhereinthethicketwascomparativelyslight，andtwomenwithfishingtacklewhostoodbeneathoneofthelargerbushesfounditsboughsasufficientshelter。
　　'Wemayaswellwalkhomeagainasstudynaturehere，Willy，'
　　saidthetallerandelderofthetwain。'Ifeareditwouldcontinuewhenwestarted。Themagnificentsportyouspeakofmustrestforto-day。'
　　Theotherlookedathiswatch，butmadenoparticularreply。
　　'Come，letusmoveon。Idon'tlikeintrudingintootherpeople'sgroundslikethis，'DeStancycontinued。
　　'Wearenotintruding。Anybodywalksoutsidethisfence。'Heindicatedanironrailingnewlytarred，dividingthewilderunderwoodamidwhichtheystoodfromtheinnerandwell-keptpartsoftheshrubbery，andagainstwhichthebackofthegymnasiumwasbuilt。
　　Lightfootstepsuponagravelwalkcouldbeheardontheothersideofthefence，andatrioofcloakedandumbrella-screenedfigureswereforamomentdiscernible。Theyvanishedbehindthegymnasium；andagainnothingresoundedbuttherivermurmursandtheclock-likedrippingsoftheleafage。
　　'Hush!'saidDare。
　　'Nopranks，myboy，'saidDeStancysuspiciously。'Youshouldbeabovethem。'
　　'Andyoushouldtrusttomygoodsense，captain，'Dareremonstrated。'Ihavenotindulgedinapranksincethesixthyearofmypilgrimage。Ihavefoundthemtoodamagingtomyinterests。Well，itisnottoodryhere，anddampinjuresyourhealth，yousay。Haveapullforsafety'ssake。'HepresentedaflasktoDeStancy。
　　Theartilleryofficerlookeddownathisnethergarments。
　　'Idon'tbreakmyrulewithoutgoodreason，'heobserved。
　　'Iamafraidthatreasonexistsatpresent。'
　　'Iamafraiditdoes。Whathaveyougot?'
　　'Onlyalittlewine。'
　　'Whatwine?'
　　'Dotryit。Icallit"theblushfulHippocrene，"thatthepoetdescribesas"TastingofFloraandthecountrygreen；
　　Dance，andProvencalsong，andsun-burntmirth。"'
　　DeStancytooktheflask，anddrankalittle。
　　'Itwarms，doesitnot?'saidDare。
　　'Toomuch，'saidDeStancywithmisgiving。'Ihavebeentakenunawares。Why，itisthreepartsbrandy，tomytaste，youscamp!'
　　Dareputawaythewine。'Nowyouaretoseesomething，'hesaid。
　　'Something——whatisit?'CaptainDeStancyregardedhimwithapuzzledlook。
　　'Itisquiteacuriosity，andreallyworthseeing。Nowjustlookinhere。'
　　Thespeakeradvancedtothebackofthebuilding，andwithdrewthewoodbilletfromthewall。
　　'Will，Ibelieveyouareuptosometrick，'saidDeStancy，not，however，suspectingtheactualtruthintheseunsuggestivecircumstances，andwithacomfortableresignation，producedbythepotentliquor，whichwouldhavebeencomicaltoanoutsider，butwhich，toonewhohadknownthehistoryandrelationshipofthetwospeakers，wouldhavewornasaddersignificance。'IamtoobigafoolaboutyoutokeepyoudownasIought；that'sthefaultofme，worseluck。'
　　Hepressedtheyouth'shandwithasmile，wentforward，andlookedthroughtheholeintotheinteriorofthegymnasium。
　　Darewithdrewtosomelittledistance，andwatchedCaptainDeStancy'sface，whichpresentlybegantoassumeanexpressionofinterest。
　　Whatwasthecaptainseeing?Asortofopticalpoem。
　　Paula，inapinkflannelcostume，wasbending，wheelingandundulatingintheairlikeagold-fishinitsglobe，sometimesascendingbyherarmsnearlytothelantern，thenloweringherselftillsheswunglevelwiththefloor。HerauntMrs。
　　Goodman，andCharlotteDeStancy，weresittingoncamp-stoolsatoneend，watchinghergyrations，Paulaoccasionallyaddressingthemwithsuchanexpressionas——'Now，Aunt，lookatme——andyou，Charlotte——isnotthatshockingtoyourweaknerves，'whensomeadroitfeatwouldberepeated，which，however，seemedtogivemuchmorepleasuretoPaulaherselfinperformingitthantoMrs。Goodmaninlookingon，thelattersometimessaying，'O，itisterrific——donotrunsuchariskagain!'
　　ItwouldhavedemandedthepoeticpassionofsomejoyousElizabethanlyristlikeLodge，Nash，orConstable，tofitlyphrasePaula'spresentationofherselfatthismomentofabsoluteabandonmenttoeverymuscularwhimthatcouldtakepossessionofsuchasuppleform。Thewhitemanillaropesclungabouttheperformerlikesnakesasshetookherexercise，andthecolourinherfacedeepenedasshewenton。
　　CaptainDeStancyfeltthat，muchashehadseeninearlylifeofbeautyinwoman，hehadneverseenbeautyofsucharealandlivingsortasthis。Arecollectionofhisvow，togetherwithasensethattogazeonthefestivalofthisBonaDeawas，thoughsoinnocentandprettyasight，hardlyfairorgentlemanly，wouldhavecompelledhimtowithdrawhiseyes，hadnotthesportivefascinationofherappearancegluedthemthereinspiteofall。AndasiftocompletethepictureofGracepersonifiedandaddtheonethingwantingtothecharmwhichboundhim，theclouds，tillthattimethickinthesky，brokeawayfromtheupperheaven，andallowedthenoondaysuntopourdownthroughthelanternuponher，irradiatingherwithawarmlightthatwasincarnadinedbyherpinkdoubletandhose，andreflectedinuponherface。Sheonlyrequiredacloudtorestoninsteadofthegreensilknetwhichactuallysupportedherrecliningfigureforthemoment，tobequiteOlympian；saveindeedthatinplaceofhaughtyeffronterytheresatonhercountenanceonlythehealthfulsprightlinessofanEnglishgirl。
　　DarehadwithdrawntoapointatwhichanotherpathcrossedthepathoccupiedbyDeStancy。Lookinginasidedirection，hesawHavillidlingslowlyuptohimoverthesilentgrass。
　　Havill'sknowledgeoftheappointmenthadbroughthimouttoseewhatwouldcomeofit。WhenhenearedDare，butwasstillpartiallyhiddenbytheboughsfromthethirdoftheparty，theformersimplypointedtoDeStancyuponwhichHavillstoodandpeepedathim。'Isshewithinthere?'heinquired。
　　Darenodded，andwhispered，'Youneednothaveasked，ifyouhadexaminedhisface。'
　　'That'strue。'
　　'Afermentationisbeginninginhim，'saidDare，halfpitifully；'apurelychemicalprocess；andwhenitiscompletehewillprobablybeclear，andfiery，andsparkling，andquiteanothermanthanthegood，weak，easyfellowthathewas。'
　　TopreciselydescribeCaptainDeStancy'sadmirationwasimpossible。Asunseemedtoriseinhisface。Bywatchinghimtheycouldalmostseetheaspectofherwithinthewall，soaccuratelywereherchangingphasesreflectedinhim。Heseemedtoforgetthathewasnotalone。
　　'Andisthis，'hemurmured，inthemannerofoneonlyhalfapprehendinghimself，'andisthistheendofmyvow?'
　　Paulawassayingatthismoment，'Arielsleepsinthisposture，doeshenot，Auntie?'Suitingtheactiontothewordsheflungoutherarmsbehindherheadasshelayinthegreensilkhammock，idlyclosedherpinkeyelids，andswungherselftoandfro。
　　BOOKTHETHIRD。DESTANCY。
　　I。
　　CaptainDeStancywasachangedman。Ahithertowell-
　　repressedenergywasgivinghimmotiontowardslong-shunnedconsequences。Hisfeatureswere，indeed，thesameasbefore；
　　though，hadaphysiognomistchosentostudythemwiththeclosenessofanastronomerscanningtheuniverse，hewoulddoubtlesshavediscernedabundantnovelty。
　　InrecentyearsDeStancyhadbeenaneasy，melancholy，unaspiringofficer，enervatedanddepressedbyaparentalaffectionquitebeyondhiscontrolforthegracelessladDare——
　　theobtrusivemementoofashadowyperiodinDeStancy'syouth，whothreatenedtobethecurseofhisoldage。
　　Throughoutalongspacehehadperseveredinhissystemofrigidlyincarceratingwithinhimselfallinstinctstowardstheoppositesex，witharesolutionthatwouldnothavedisgracedamuchstrongerman。Bythishabit，maintainedwithfairsuccess，achamberofhisnaturehadbeenpreservedintactduringmanylateryears，liketheonesolitarysealed-upcelloccasionallyretainedbybeesinalobeofdrainedhoney-comb。
　　Andthus，thoughhehadirretrievablyexhaustedtherelishofsociety，ofambition，ofaction，andofhisprofession，thelove-forcethathehadkeptimmuredalivewasstillareproduciblething。
　　ThesightofPaulainhergracefulperformance，whichthejudiciousDarehadsocarefullyplanned，leduptoandheightenedbysubtleaccessories，operatedonDeStancy'ssurprisedsoulwithapromptnessalmostmagical。
　　Ontheeveningoftheself-sameday，havingdinedasusual，heretiredtohisrooms，wherehefoundahamperofwineawaitinghim。Ithadbeenanonymouslysent，andtheaccountwaspaid。
　　Hesmiledgrimly，butnolongerwithheaviness。InthisheinstantlyrecognizedthehandiworkofDare，who，havingatlastbrokendownthebarrierwhichDeStancyhaderectedroundhisheartforsomanyyears，actedlikeaskilledstrategist，andtookswiftmeasurestofollowuptheadvantagesotardilygained。
　　CaptainDeStancyknewhimselfconquered:heknewheshouldyieldtoPaula——hadindeedyielded；buttherewasnow，inhissolitude，anhourortwoofreaction。Hedidnotdrinkfromthebottlessent。Hewentearlytobed，andlaytossingthereontillfarintothenight，thinkingoverthecollapse。