Histeetotalismhad，withthelapseofyears，unconsciouslybecometheoutwardandvisiblesigntohimselfofhissecretvows；andareturntoitsopposite，howevermildlydone，signifiedwithceremoniousdistinctnesstheformalacceptanceofdelectationslongforsworn。
ButtheexceedingfreshnessofhisfeelingforPaula，whichbyreasonofitslongarrestwasthatofamanfarunderthirty，andwasawondertohimselfeveryinstant，wouldnotlongbrookweighinginbalances。Hewishedsuddenlytocommithimself；toremovethequestionofretreatoutoftheregionofdebate。Theclockstrucktwo:andthewishbecamedetermination。Hearose，andwrappinghimselfinhisdressing-gownwenttothenextroom，wherehetookfromashelfinthepantryseverallargebottles，whichhecarriedtothewindow，tilltheystoodonthesillagoodlyrow。Therehadbeensufficientlightintheroomforhimtodothiswithoutacandle。Nowhesoftlyopenedthesash，andtheradianceofagibbousmoonridingintheoppositeskyfloodedtheapartment。Itfellonthelabelsofthecaptain'sbottles，revealingtheircontentstobesimpleaeratedwatersfordrinking。
DeStancylookedoutandlistened。Thegunsthatstooddrawnupwithintheyardglistenedinthemoonlightreachingthemfromoverthebarrack-wall:therewasanoccasionalstampofhorsesinthestables；alsoameasuredtreadofsentinels——oneormoreatthegates，oneatthehospital，onebetweenthewings，twoatthemagazine，andothersfurtheroff。Recurringtohisintentionhedrewthecorksofthemineralwaters，andinvertingeachbottleonebyoneoverthewindow-sill，hearditscontentsdribbleinasmallstreamontothegravelbelow。
HethenopenedthehamperwhichDarehadsent。Uncorkingoneofthebottleshemurmured，'ToPaula!'anddrankaglassoftherubyliquor。
'Amanagainaftereighteenyears，'hesaid，shuttingthesashandreturningtohisbedroom。
ThefirstovertresultofhiskindledinterestinMissPowerwashissayingtohissisterthedayafterthesurreptitioussightofPaula:'Iamsorry，Charlotte，forawordortwoI
saidtheotherday。'
'Well?'
'IwasratherdisrespectfultoyourfriendMissPower。'
'Idon'tthinkso——wereyou?'
'Yes。Whenwewerewalkinginthewood，Imadeastupidjokeabouther……Whatdoessheknowaboutme——doyoueverspeakofmetoher?'
'Onlyingeneralterms。'
'Whatgeneralterms?'
'Youknowwellenough，William；ofyouridiosyncrasiesandsoon——thatyouareabitofawoman-hater，oratleastaconfirmedbachelor，andhavebutlittlerespectforyourownfamily。'
'Iwishyouhadnottoldherthat，'saidDeStancywithdissatisfaction。
'ButIthoughtyoualwayslikedwomentoknowyourprinciples!'saidCharlotte，ininjuredtones；'andwouldparticularlylikehertoknowthem，livingsonear。'
'Yes，yes，'repliedherbrotherhastily。'Well，Ioughttoseeher，justtoshowherthatIamnotquiteabrute。'
'Thatwouldbeverynice!'sheanswered，puttingherhandstogetherinagreeableastonishment。'ItisjustwhatIhavewished，thoughIdidnotdreamofsuggestingitafterwhatI
haveheardyousay。Iamgoingtostaywithheragainto-
morrow，andIwillletherknowaboutthis。'
'Don'ttellheranythingplainly，forheaven'ssake。Ireallywanttoseetheinteriorofthecastle；Ihaveneverentereditswallssincemybabyhood。'Heraisedhiseyesashespoketowherethewallsinquestionshowedtheirashlarfacesoverthetrees。
'Youmighthavegoneoveritatanytime。'
'Oyes。ItisonlyrecentlythatIhavethoughtmuchoftheplace:IfeelnowthatIshouldliketoexaminetheoldbuildingthoroughly，sinceitwasforsomanygenerationsassociatedwithourfortunes，especiallyasmostoftheoldfurnitureisstillthere。Mysedulousavoidancehithertoofallrelatingtoourfamilyvicissitudeshasbeen，Iown，stupidconductforanintelligentbeing；butimpossiblegrapesarealwayssour，andIhaveunconsciouslyadoptedRadicalnotionstoobliteratedisappointedhereditaryinstincts。Butthesehaveatrickofre-establishingthemselvesasonegetsolder，andthecastleandwhatitcontainshaveakeeninterestformenow。'
'ItcontainsPaula。'
DeStancy'spulse，whichhadbeenbeatinglanguidlyformanyyears，beatdoubleatthesoundofthatname。
'Imeantfurnitureandpicturesforthemoment，'hesaid；'butIdon'tmindextendingthemeaningtoher，ifyouwishit。'
'Sheistherarestthingthere。'
'Soyouhavesaidbefore。'
'Thecastleandourfamilyhistoryhaveasmuchromanticinterestforherastheyhaveforyou，'Charlottewenton。
'Shedelightsinvisitingourtombsandeffigiesandpondersoverthemforhours。'
'Indeed!'saidDeStancy，allowinghissurprisetohidethesatisfactionwhichaccompaniedit。'Thatshouldmakeusfriendly……Doessheseemanypeople?'
'Notmanyasyet。Andshecannothavemanystayingthereduringthealterations。'
'Ah!yes——thealterations。Didn'tyousaythatshehashadaLondonarchitectstoppingthereonthataccount?Whatwashe——
oldoryoung?'
'Heisayoungman:hehasbeentoourhouse。Don'tyourememberyoumethimthere?'
'Whatwashisname?'
'Mr。Somerset。'
'O，thatman!Yes，yes，Iremember……Hullo，Lottie!'
'What?'
'Yourfaceisasredasapeony。NowIknowasecret!'
Charlottevainlyendeavouredtohideherconfusion。'Verywell——notaword!Iwon'tsaymore，'continuedDeStancygood-humouredly，'exceptthatheseemstobeaverynicefellow。'
DeStancyhadturnedthedialogueontothislittlewell-
preservedsecretofhissister'swithsufficientoutwardlightness；butithadbeendoneininstinctiveconcealmentofthedisquietingstartwithwhichhehadrecognizedthatSomerset，Dare'senemy，whomhehadinterceptedinplacingDare'sportraitintothehandsofthechiefconstable，wasamanbelovedbyhissisterCharlotte。Thisnovelcircumstancemightleadtoacuriouscomplication。Buthewastohearmore。
'Hemaybeverynice，'repliedCharlotte，withaneffort，afterthissilence。'Butheisnothingtome，morethanaverygoodfriend。'
'There'snoengagement，orthoughtofonebetweenyou?'
'Certainlythere'snot!'saidCharlotte，withbraveemphasis。
'ItismorelikelytobebetweenPaulaandhimthanmeandhim。'
DeStancy'sbaremilitaryearsandcloselycroppedpollflushedhot。'MissPowerandhim?'
'Idon'tmeantosaythereis，becausePauladeniesit；butI
meanthathelovesPaula。ThatIdoknow。'
DeStancywasdumb。ThisitemofnewswhichDarehadkeptfromhim，notknowinghowfarDeStancy'ssenseofhonourmightextend，wasdecidedlygrave。Indeed，hewassogreatlyimpressedwiththefact，thathecouldnothelpsayingasmuchaloud:'Thisisveryserious!'
'Why!'shemurmuredtremblingly，forthefirstleakingoutofhertenderandswornsecrethaddisabledherquite。
'BecauseIlovePaulatoo。'
'Whatdoyousay，William，you?——awomanyouhaveneverseen?'
'Ihaveseenher——byaccident。Andnow，mydearlittlesis，youwillbemycloseally，won'tyou?asIwillbeyours，asbrotherandsistershouldbe。'HeplacedhisarmcoaxinglyroundCharlotte'sshoulder。
'O，William，howcanI?'atlastshestammered。
'Why，howcan'tyou，Ishouldsay?Wearebothinthesameship。IlovePaula，youloveMr。Somerset；itbehovesbothofustoseethatthisflirtationoftheirsendsinnothing。'
'Idon'tlikeyoutoputitlikethat——thatIlovehim——itfrightensme，'murmuredthegirl，visiblyagitated。'Idon'twanttodividehimfromPaula；Icouldn't，Iwouldn'tdoanythingtoseparatethem。Believeme，Will，Icouldnot!I
amsorryyoulovetherealso，thoughIshouldbegladifithappenedinthenaturalorderofeventsthatsheshouldcomeroundtoyou。ButIcannotdoanythingtopartthemandmakeMr。Somersetsuffer。ItwouldbeTOOwrongandblamable。'
'Now，yousillyCharlotte，that'sjusthowyouwomenflyoffatatangent。Imeannothingdishonourableintheleast。
HaveIeverpromptedyoutodoanythingdishonourable?FairfightingallieswasallIthoughtof。'
MissDeStancybreathedmorefreely。'Yes，wewillbethat，ofcourse；wearealwaysthat，William。ButIhopeIcanbeyourally，andbequiteneutral；Iwouldsomuchrather。'
'Well，Isupposeitwillnotbeabreachofyourpreciousneutralityifyougetmeinvitedtoseethecastle?'
'Ono!'shesaidbrightly；'Idon'tminddoingsuchathingasthat。Whynotcomewithmetomorrow?IwillsayIamgoingtobringyou。Therewillbenotroubleatall。'
DeStancyreadilyagreed。Theeffectuponhimoftheinformationnowacquiredwastointensifyhisardourtenfold，thestimulusbeingduetoaperceptionthatSomerset，withalittlemoreknowledge，wouldholdacardwhichcouldbeplayedwithdisastrouseffectagainsthimself——hisrelationshiptoDare。ItsdisclosuretoaladyofsuchPuritanantecedentsasPaula's，wouldprobablymeanherimmediateseverancefromhimselfasanuncleanthing。
'IsMissPoweraseverepietist，orprecisian；orissheacompromisinglady?'heaskedabruptly。
'Sheissevereanduncompromising——ifyoumeaninherjudgmentsonmorals，'saidCharlotte，notquitehearing。Theremarkwaspeculiarlyapposite，andDeStancywassilent。
Hespentsomefollowinghoursinaclosestudyofthecastlehistory，whichtillnowhadunutterablyboredhim。Moreparticularlydidhedwelloverdocumentsandnoteswhichreferredtothepedigreeofhisownfamily。Hewroteoutthenamesofall——andtheyweremany——whohadbeenbornwithinthosedomineeringwallssincetheirfirsterection；ofthoseamongthemwhohadbeenbroughtthitherbymarriagewiththeowner，andofstrangerknightsandgentlemenwhohadenteredthecastlebymarriagewithitsmistress。Herefreshedhismemoryonthestrangelovesandhatesthathadariseninthecourseofthefamilyhistory；onmemorableattacks，andthedatesofthesame，themostmemorableamongthembeingtheoccasiononwhichthepartyrepresentedbyPaulabattereddownthecastlewallsthatshewasnowabouttomend，and，ashehoped，returnintheiroriginalintactshapetothefamilydispossessed，bymarriagewithhimself，itslivingrepresentative。
InSirWilliam'svillaweresmallengravingsaftermanyoftheportraitsinthecastlegalleries，someofthemhanginginthedining-roominplainoakandmapleframes，andotherspreservedinportfolios。DeStancyspentmuchofhistimeoverthese，andingettinguptheromancesoftheiroriginals'
livesfrommemoirsandotherrecords，allwhichstorieswereasgreatnoveltiestohimastheycouldpossiblybetoanystranger。MostinterestingtohimwasthelifeofanEdwardDeStancy，whohadlivedjustbeforetheCivilWars，andtowhomCaptainDeStancyboreaverytraceablelikeness。Thisancestorhadamoleonhischeek，blackanddistinctasaflyincream；andasinthecaseofthefirstLordAmherst'swart，andBennetEarlofArlington'snose-scar，thepainterhadfaithfullyreproducedthedefectoncanvas。Itsohappenedthatthecaptainhadamole，thoughnotexactlyonthesamespotofhisface；andthismadetheresemblancestillgreater。
Hetookinfinitetroublewithhisdressthatday，showinganamountofanxietyonthematterwhichforhimwasquiteabnormal。Atlast，whenfullyequipped，hesetoutwithhissistertomakethecallproposed。Charlottewasratherunhappyatsightofherbrother'searnestattempttomakeanimpressiononPaula；butshecouldsaynothingagainstit，andtheyproceededontheirway。
ItwasthedarkestofNovemberweather，whenthedaysaresoshortthatmorningseemstojoinwitheveningwithouttheinterventionofnoon。Theskywaslinedwithlowcloud，withinwhosedensesubstancetempestswereslowlyfermentingforthecomingdays。Evennowawindyturbulencetroubledthehalf-nakedboughs，andalonelyleafwouldoccasionallyspindownwardstorejoinonthegrassthescathedmultitudeofitscomradeswhichhadprecededitinitsfall。Theriverbythepavilion，inthesummersoclearandpurling，nowslidonwardsbrownandthickandsilent，andenlargedtodoublesize。
II。
MeanwhilePaulawasalone。Ofanyoneelseitwouldhavebeensaidthatshemustbefindingtheafternoonratherdrearyinthequainthallsnotofherforefathers:butofMissPoweritwasunsafetopredicatesosurely。Shewalkedfromroomtoroominablackvelvetdresswhichgavedecisiontoheroutlinewithoutdeprivingitofsoftness。Sheoccasionallyclaspedherhandsbehindherheadandlookedoutofawindow；
butshemoreparticularlybentherfootstepsupanddowntheLongGallery，whereshehadcausedalargefireoflogstobekindled，inherendeavourtoextendcheerfulnesssomewhatbeyondtheprecinctsofthesitting-rooms。
ThefireglanceduponPaula，andPaulaglanceddownatthefire，andatthegnarledbeechfuel，andatthewood-licewhichranoutfrombeneaththebarktotheextremityofthelogsastheheatapproachedthem。Thelow-downruddylightspreadoverthedarkfloorlikethesettingsunoveramoor，flutteringonthegrotesquecountenancesofthebrightandirons，andtouchingallthefurnitureontheunderside。
Shenowandthencrossedtooneofthedeepembrasuresofthewindows，todeciphersomesentencefromalettersheheldinherhand。Thedaylightwouldhavebeenmorethansufficientforanybystandertodiscernthatthecapitalsinthatletterwereofthepeculiarsemi-gothictypeaffectedatthetimebySomersetandotheryoungarchitectsofhisschoolintheirepistolarycorrespondence。Shewasverypossiblythinkingofhim，evenwhennotreadinghisletter，fortheexpressionofsoftnesswithwhichsheperusedthepagewasmoreorlesswithherwhensheappearedtoexamineotherthings。
Shewalkedaboutforalittletimelonger，thenputawaytheletter，lookedattheclock，andthencereturnedtothewindows，straininghereyesoverthelandscapewithout，asshemurmured，'IwishCharlottewasnotsolongcoming!'
AsCharlottecontinuedtokeepaway，Paulabecamelessreasonableinherdesires，andproceededtowishthatSomersetwouldarrive；thenthatanybodywouldcome；then，walkingtowardstheportraitsonthewall，sheflippantlyaskedoneofthosecavalierstoobligeherfancyforcompanybysteppingdownfromhisframe。Thetemerityoftherequestledhertoprudentlywithdrawitalmostassoonasconceived:oldpaintingshadbeensaidtoplayqueertricksinextremecases，andtheshadowsthisafternoonwerefunerealenoughforanythingintheshapeofrevengeonanintruderwhoembodiedtheantagonisticmodernspirittosuchanextentasshe。
However，Paulastillstoodbeforethepicturewhichhadattractedher；andthis，byacoincidencecommonenoughinfact，thoughscarcelycreditedinchronicles，happenedtobethatoneoftheseventeenth-centuryportraitsofwhichDeStancyhadstudiedtheengravedcopyatMyrtleVillathesamemorning。
Whilstsheremainedbeforethepicture，wonderingherfavouritewonder，howwouldshefeelifthisanditsaccompanyingcanvaseswerepicturesofherownancestors，shewassurprisedbyalightfootstepuponthecarpetwhichcoveredpartoftheroom，andturningquicklyshebeheldthesmilinglittlefigureofCharlotteDeStancy。
'Whathasmadeyousolate?'saidPaula。'Youarecometostay，ofcourse?'
Charlottesaidshehadcometostay。'ButIhavebroughtsomebodywithme!'
'Ah——whom?'
'Mybrotherhappenedtobeathome，andIhavebroughthim。'
MissDeStancy'sbrotherhadbeensocontinuouslyabsentfromhomeinIndia，orelsewhere，solittlespokenof，and，whenspokenof，sotrulythoughunconsciouslyrepresentedasonewhoseinterestslaywhollyoutsidethisantiquatedneighbourhood，thattoPaulahehadbeenamerenebulositywhomshehadneverdistinctlyoutlined。Tohavehimthuscohereintosubstanceatamoment'snoticelenthimthenoveltyofanewcreation。
'Isheinthedrawing-room?'saidPaulainalowvoice。
'No，heishere。Hewouldfollowme。Ihopeyouwillforgivehim。'
AndthenPaulasawemergeintotheredbeamsofthedancingfire，frombehindahalf-drawnhangingwhichscreenedthedoor，themilitarygentlemanwhoseacquaintancethereaderhasalreadymade。
'Youknowthehouse，doubtless，CaptainDeStancy?'saidPaula，somewhatshyly，whenhehadbeenpresentedtoher。
'IhaveneverseentheinsidesinceIwasthreeweeksold，'
repliedtheartilleryofficergracefully；'andhencemyrecollectionsofitarenotremarkablydistinct。AyearortwobeforeIwasborntheentailwascutoffbymyfatherandgrandfather；sothatIsawthevenerableplaceonlytoloseit；atleast，Ibelievethat'sthetruthofthecase。Butmyknowledgeofthetransactionisnotprofound，anditisadelicatepointonwhichtoquestionone'sfather。'
Paulaassented，andlookedattheinterestingandnoblefigureofthemanwhoseparentshadseeminglyrightedthemselvesattheexpenseofwronginghim。
'Thepicturesandfurnitureweresoldaboutthesametime，I
think?'saidCharlotte。
'Yes，'murmuredDeStancy。'Theywentinamadbargainofmyfatherwithhisvisitor，astheysatovertheirwine。Myfathersatdownashostonthatoccasion，andaroseasguest。'
Heseemedtospeakwithsuchacourteousabsenceofregretforthealienation，thatPaula，whowasalwaysfearingthattherecollectionwouldriseasapainfulshadowbetweenherselfandtheDeStancys，feltreassuredbyhismagnanimity。
DeStancylookedwithinterestroundthegallery；seeingwhichPaulasaidshewouldhavelightsbroughtinamoment。
'No，pleasenot，'saidDeStancy。'Theroomandourselvesareofsomuchmoreinterestingacolourbythislight!'
Astheymovedhitherandthither，thevariousexpressionsofDeStancy'sfacemadethemselvespicturesquelyvisibleintheunsteadyshineoftheblaze。Inashorttimehehaddrawnneartothepaintingoftheancestorwhomhesogreatlyresembled。Whenherquickeyenotedthespeckontheface，indicativeofinheritedtraitsstronglypronounced，anewandromanticfeelingthattheDeStancyshadstretchedoutatentaclefromtheirgenealogicaltreetoseizeherbythehandanddrawherintotheirmasstookpossessionofPaula。Ashasbeensaid，theDeStancyswereafamilyonwhomthehall-
markofmembershipwasdeeplystamped，andbythepresentlighttherepresentativeundertheportraitandtherepresentativeintheportraitseemedbeingsnotfarremoved。
Paulawascontinuallystartingfromareverieandspeakingirrelevantly，asifsuchreflectionsasthoseseizedholdofherinspiteofhernaturalunconcern。
WhencandleswerebroughtinCaptainDeStancyardentlycontrivedtomakethepicturesthethemeofconversation。
Fromthenearesttheywenttothenext，whereuponPaulaashostesstookuponeofthecandlesticksandhelditalofttolightupthepainting。Thecandlestickbeingtallandheavy，DeStancyrelievedherofit，andtakinganothercandleintheotherhand，heimperceptiblyslidintothepositionofexhibitorratherthanspectator。Thushewalkedinadvanceholdingthetwocandlesonhigh，hisshadowformingagiganticfigureontheneighbouringwall，whileherecitedtheparticularsoffamilyhistorypertainingtoeachportrait，thathehadlearntupwithsucheagerpersistenceduringthepreviousfour-and-twenty-hours。'Ihaveoftenwonderedwhatcouldhavebeenthehistoryofthislady，butnobodyhaseverbeenabletotellme，'Paulaobserved，pointingtoaVandyckwhichrepresentedabeautifulwomanwearingcurlsacrossherforehead，asquare-cutbodice，andaheavypearlnecklaceuponthesmoothexpanseofherneck。
'Idon'tthinkanybodyknows，'Charlottesaid。
'Oyes，'repliedherbrotherpromptly，seeingwithenthusiasmthatitwasyetanotheropportunityformakingcapitalofhisacquiredknowledge，withwhichhefelthimselfasinconvenientlycrammedasacandidateforagovernmentexamination。'Thatladyhasbeenlargelycelebratedunderafancyname，thoughsheiscomparativelylittleknownbyherown。HerparentswerethechiefornamentsofthealmostirreproachablecourtofCharlestheFirst，andwerenotmoredistinguishedbytheirpolitenessandhonourthanbytheaffectionsandvirtueswhichconstitutethegreatcharmofprivatelife。'
Thestockverbiageofthefamilymemoirwassomewhatapparentinthiseffusion；butitmuchimpressedhislisteners；andhewentontopointoutthatfromthelady'snecklacewassuspendedaheart-shapedportrait——thatofthemanwhobrokehisheartbyherpersistentrefusaltoencouragehissuit。DeStancythenledthemalittlefurther，wherehungaportraitofthelover，oneofhisownfamily，whoappearedinfullpanoplyofplatemail，thepommelofhisswordstandingupunderhiselbow。Thegallantcaptainthenrelatedhowthispersonageofhislinewooedtheladyfruitlessly；how，afterhermarriagewithanother，sheandherhusbandvisitedtheparentsofthedisappointedlover，thethenoccupiersofthecastle；how，inafitofdesperationatthesightofher，heretiredtohisroom，wherehecomposedsomepassionateverses，whichhewrotewithhisblood，andafterdirectingthemtoherranhimselfthroughthebodywithhissword。Toolatethelady'sheartwastouchedbyhisdevotion；shewaseverafteramelancholywoman，andworehisportraitdespiteherhusband'sprohibition。'This，'continuedDeStancy，leadingthemthroughthedoorwayintothehallwherethecoatsofmailwerearrangedalongthewall，andstoppingoppositeasuitwhichboresomeresemblancetothatoftheportrait，'thisishisarmour，asyouwillperceivebycomparingitwiththepicture，andthisistheswordwithwhichhedidtherashdeed。'
'Whatunreasonabledevotion!'saidPaulapractically。'Itwastooromanticofhim。Shewasnotworthyofsuchasacrifice。'
'Healsoisonewhomtheysayyouresemblealittleinfeature，Ithink，'saidCharlotte。
'Dothey?'repliedDeStancy。'Iwonderifit'strue。'Hesetdownthecandles，andaskingthegirlstowithdrawforamoment，wasinsidetheupperpartofthesuitofarmourinincrediblyquicktime。Goingthenandplacinghimselfinfrontofalow-hangingpaintingneartheoriginal，soastobeenclosedbytheframewhilecoveringthefigure，arrangingtheswordasintheoneabove，andsettingthelightthatitmightfallintherightdirection，herecalledthem；whenheputthequestion，'Istheresemblancestrong?'
Helookedsomuchlikeamanofbygonetimesthatneitherofthemreplied，butremainedcuriouslygazingathim。Hismodernandcomparativelysallowcomplexion，asseenthroughtheopenvisor，lentanetherealidealitytohisappearancewhichthetime-stainedcountenanceoftheoriginalwarriortotallylacked。
AtlastPaulaspoke，sostillythatsheseemedastatueenunciating:'Aretheversesknownthathewrotewithhisblood?'
'Oyes，theyhavebeencarefullypreserved。'CaptainDeStancy，withtruewooer'sinstinct，hadcommittedsomeofthemtomemorythatmorningfromtheprintedcopytobefoundineverywell-orderedlibrary。'IfearIdon'trememberthemall，'hesaid，'buttheybegininthisway:——
"Fromonethatdyethinhisdiscontent，DearFaire，receivethisgreetingtotheesent；
Andstillasoftasitisreadbythee，Thenwithsomedeepsadsighremembermee!
O'twasmyfortune'serrortovowdutie，Toonethatbearsdefianceinherbeautie!
Sweetepoyson，pretiouswooe，infectiousjewell——
SuchisaLadiethatisfaireandcruell。
HowwellcouldIwithayre，camelion-like，Livehappie，andstillgazeingonthycheeke，Inwhich，forsakenman，methinkIseeHowgoodlielovedoththreatencarestomee。
Whydostthoufrownethusonakneelingesoule，Whosefaultsinlovethoumay'staswellcontroule?——
Inlove——butO，thatword；thatwordIfeareIshatefulstillbothtothyhartandeare!……
Ladie，inbreefe，myfatedothnowintendTheperiodofmydaiestohaveanend:
Wastenotonmethypittie，pretiousFaire:
Restyouinmuchcontent；I，indespaire!"'
Asolemnsilencefollowedthecloseoftherecital，whichDeStancyimprovedbyturningthepointoftheswordtohisbreast，restingthepommeluponthefloor，andsaying:——
'Afterwritingthatwemaypicturehimturningthissameswordinthissameway，andfallingonitthus。'Heinclinedhisbodyforwardashespoke。
'Don't，CaptainDeStancy，pleasedon't!'criedPaulainvoluntarily。
'No，don'tshowusanyfurther，William!'saidhissister。
'Itistootragic。'
DeStancyputawaythesword，himselfratherexcited——not，however，byhisownrecital，butbythedirectgazeofPaulaathim。
ThisProteanqualityofDeStancy's，bymeansofwhichhecouldassumetheshapeandsituationofalmostanyancestoratwill，hadimpressedher，andheperceiveditwithathroboffervour。Butithaddonenomorethanimpressher；forthoughindeliveringthelineshehadsofixedhislookuponherastosuggest，toanymaidenpractisedinthegameoftheeyes，apresentsignificanceinthewords，theideaofanysucharriere-penseehadbynomeanscommendeditselftohersoul。
AtthistimeamessengerfromMarktonbarracksarrivedatthecastleandwishedtospeaktoCaptainDeStancyinthehall。
Beggingthetwoladiestoexcusehimforamoment，hewentout。
WhileDeStancywastalkinginthetwilighttothemessengeratoneendoftheapartment，someotherarrivalwasshowninbythesidedoor，andinmakinghiswayaftertheconferenceacrossthehalltotheroomhehadpreviouslyquitted，DeStancyencounteredthenew-comer。TherewasjustenoughlighttorevealthecountenancetobeDare's；heboreaportfoliounderhisarm，andhadbeguntowearamoustache，incasethechiefconstableshouldmeethimanywhereinhisrambles，andbestruckbyhisresemblancetothemaninthestudio。
'Whatthedevilareyoudoinghere?'saidCaptainDeStancy，intoneshehadneverusedbeforetotheyoungman。
Darestartedbackinsurprise，andnaturallyso。DeStancy，havingadoptedanewsystemofliving，andrelinquishedthemeagredietandenervatingwatersofhispastyears，wasrapidlyrecoveringtone。Hisvoicewasfirmer，hischeekswerelesspallid；andaboveallhewasauthoritativetowardshispresentcompanion，whoseingenuityinvampingupabeingforhisambitiousexperimentsseemedabouttoberewarded，likeFrankenstein's，byhisdiscomfitureatthehandsofhisowncreature。
'Whatthedevilareyoudoinghere，Isay?'repeatedDeStancy。
'Youcantalktomelikethat，aftermyworkingsohardtogetyouoninlife，andmakearisingmanofyou!'expostulatedDare，asonewhofelthimselfnolongertheleaderinthisenterprise。
'But，'saidthecaptainlessharshly，'ifyouletthemdiscoveranyrelationsbetweenushere，youwillruinthefairestprospectsmaneverhad!'
'O，Ilikethat，captain——whenyouoweallofittome!'
'That'stoocool，Will。'
'No；whatIsayistrue。However，letthatgo。Sonowyouarehereonacall；buthowareyougoingtogethereoftenenoughtowinherbeforetheothermancomesback?Ifyoudon'tseehereveryday——twice，threetimesaday——youwillnotcaptureherinthetime。'
'Imustthinkofthat，'saidDeStancy。
'Thereisonlyonewayofbeingconstantlyhere:youmustcometocopythepicturesorfurniture，somethinginthewayhedid。'
'I'llthinkofit，'mutteredDeStancyhastily，asheheardthevoicesoftheladies，whomhehastenedtojoinastheywereappearingattheotherendoftheroom。Hiscountenancewasgloomyasherecrossedthehall，forDare'swordsontheshortnessofhisopportunitieshadimpressedhim。AlmostatonceheutteredahopetoPaulathathemighthavefurtherchanceofstudying，andifpossibleofcopying，someoftheancestralfaceswithwhichthebuildingabounded。
MeanwhileDarehadcomeforwardwithhisportfolio，whichprovedtobefullofphotographs。WhilePaulaandCharlottewereexaminingthemhesaidtoDeStancy，asastranger:
'Excusemyinterruption，sir，butifyoushouldthinkofcopyinganyoftheportraits，asyouwerestatingjustnowtotheladies，mypatentphotographicprocessisatyourservice，andis，Ibelieve，theonlyonewhichwouldbeeffectualinthedimindoorlights。'
'ItisjustwhatIwasthinkingof，'saidDeStancy，nowsofarcooleddownfromhisirritationastobequitereadytoacceptDare'sadroitlysuggestedscheme。
OnapplicationtoPaulasheimmediatelygaveDeStancypermissiontophotographtoanyextent，andtoldDarehemightbringhisinstrumentsassoonasCaptainDeStancyrequiredthem。
'Don'tstareatherinsuchabrazenway!'whisperedthelattertotheyoungman，whenPaulahadwithdrawnafewsteps。
'Say，"IshallhighlyvaluetheprivilegeofassistingCaptainDeStancyinsuchawork。"'
Dareobeyed，andbeforeleavingDeStancyarrangedtobeginperformingonhisveneratedforefathersthenextmorning，theyouthsoaccidentallyengagedagreeingtobethereatthesametimetoassistinthetechnicaloperations。
III。
Ashehadpromised，DeStancymadeusethenextdayofthecovetedpermissionthathadbeenbroughtaboutbytheingeniousDare。Dare'stimelysuggestionoftenderingassistancehadthepracticalresultofrelievingtheotherofallnecessityforoccupyinghistimewiththeproceeding，furtherthantobestowaperfunctorysuperintendencenowandthen，togiveacolourtohisregularpresenceinthefortress，theactualworkoftakingcopiesbeingcarriedonbytheyoungerman。
Theweatherwasfrequentlywetduringtheseoperations，andPaula，MissDeStancy，andherbrother，wereofteninthehousewholemorningstogether。Byconstanturgingandcoaxingthelatterwouldinducehisgentlesister，muchagainstherconscience，toleavehimopportunitiesforspeakingtoPaulaalone。Itwasmostlybeforesomeprintorpaintingthattheseconversationsoccurred，whileDeStancywasostensiblyoccupiedwithitsmerits，oringivingdirectionstohisphotographerhowtoproceed。Assoonasthedialoguebegan，thelatterwouldwithdrawoutofearshot，leavingPaulatoimaginehimthemostdeferentialyoungartistintheworld。
'Youwillsoonpossessduplicatesofthewholegallery，'shesaidononeoftheseoccasions，examiningsomecurledsheetswhichDarehadprintedofffromthenegatives。
'No，'saidthesoldier。'Ishallnothavepatiencetogoon。
Igetill-humouredandindifferent，andthenleaveoff。'
'Whyill-humoured?'
'Iscarcelyknow——morethanthatIacquireageneralsenseofmyownfamily'swantofmeritthroughseeinghowmeritoriousthepeoplearearoundme。Iseethemhappyandthrivingwithoutanynecessityformeatall；andthenIregardthesecanvasgrandfathersandgrandmothers，andask，"Whywasalinesoantiquatedandoutofdateprolongedtillnow?"'
Shechidhimgood-naturedlyforsuchviews。'Theywilldoyouaninjury，'shedeclared。'Dospareyourself，CaptainDeStancy!'
DeStancyshookhisheadasheturnedthepaintingbeforehimalittlefurthertothelight。
'But，doyouknow，'saidPaula，'thatnotionofyoursofbeingafamilyoutofdateisdelightfultosomepeople。ItalktoCharlotteaboutitoften。Iamneverwearyofexaminingthosecanopiedeffigiesinthechurch，andalmostwishtheywerethoseofmyrelations。'
'Iwilltrytoseethingsinthesamelightforyoursake，'
saidDeStancyfervently。
'Notformysake；foryourownwaswhatImeant，ofcourse，'
sherepliedwitharepressiveair。
CaptainDeStancybowed。
'Whatareyougoingtodowithyourphotographswhenyouhavethem?'sheasked，asifstillanxioustoobliteratetheprevioussentimentallapse。
'Ishallputthemintoalargealbum，andcarrythemwithmeinmycampaigns；andmayIask，nowIhaveanopportunity，thatyouwouldextendyourpermissiontocopyalittlefurther，andletmephotographoneotherpaintingthathangsinthecastle，tofittinglycompletemyset?'
'Which?'
'Thathalf-lengthofaladywhichhangsinthemorning-room。
IrememberseeingitintheAcademylastyear。'
Paulainvoluntarilyclosedherselfup。Thepicturewasherownportrait。'Itdoesnotbelongtoyourseries，'shesaidsomewhatcoldly。
DeStancy'ssecretthoughtwas，Ihopefrommysoulitwillbelongsomeday!Heansweredwithmildness:'Thereisasortofconnection——youaremysister'sfriend。'
Paulaassented。
'Andhence，mightnotyourfriend'sbrotherphotographyourpicture?'
Paulademurred。
AgentlesighrosefromthebosomofDeStancy。'Whatistobecomeofme?'hesaid，withalightdistressedlaugh。'Iamalwaysinconsiderateandinclinedtoasktoomuch。Forgiveme!WhatwasinmymindwhenIaskedIdarenotsay。'
'Iquiteunderstandyourinterestinyourfamilypictures——andallofit，'sheremarkedmoregently，willingnottohurtthesensitivefeelingsofamansofullofromance。