'AndinthatONE!'hesaid，lookingdevotedlyather。'IfI
　　hadonlybeenfortunateenoughtoincludeitwiththerest，myalbumwouldindeedhavebeenatreasuretoporeoverbythebivouacfire!'
　　'O，CaptainDeStancy，thisisprovokingperseverance!'criedPaula，laughinghalfcrossly。'IexpectedthatafterexpressingmydecisionsoplainlythefirsttimeIshouldnothavebeenfurtherurgeduponthesubject。'Sayingwhichsheturnedandmoveddecisivelyaway。
　　Ithadnotbeenaproductivemeeting，thusfar。'Oneword!'
　　saidDeStancy，followingandalmostclaspingherhand。'I
　　havegivenoffence，Iknow:butdoletitallfallonmyownhead——don'ttellmysisterofmymisbehaviour!Shelovesyoudeeply，anditwouldwoundhertotheheart。'
　　'Youdeservetobetoldupon，'saidPaulaasshewithdrew，withjustenoughplayfulnesstoshowthatherangerwasnottooserious。
　　CharlottelookedatPaulauneasilywhenthelatterjoinedherinthedrawing-room。Shewantedtosay，'Whatisthematter?'
　　butguessingthatherbrotherhadsomethingtodowithit，forboretospeakatfirst。Shecouldnotcontainheranxietylong。'Wereyoutalkingwithmybrother?'shesaid。
　　'Yes，'returnedPaula，withreservation。However，shesoonadded，'Henotonlywantstophotographhisancestors，butMY
　　portraittoo。Theyareadreadfullyencroachingsex，andperhapsbeinginthearmymakesthemworse!'
　　'I'llgivehimahint，andtellhimtobecareful。'
　　'Don'tsayIhavedefinitelycomplainedofhim；itisnotworthwhiletodothat；thematteristootriflingforrepetition。Uponthewhole，Charlotte，Iwouldratheryousaidnothingatall。'
　　DeStancy'shobbyofphotographinghisancestorsseemedtobecomeaperfectmaniawithhim。Almosteverymorningdiscoveredhiminthelargerapartmentsofthecastle，takingdownandrehangingthedilapidatedpictures，withtheassistanceoftheindispensableDare；hisfingersstainedblackwithdust，andhisfaceexpressingabusyattentiontotheworkinhand，thoughalwaysreservingalookaskanceforthepresenceofPaula。
　　Thoughtherewassomethingofsubterfuge，therewasnodeepanddoublesubterfugeinallthis。DeStancytooknoparticularinterestinhisancestralportraits；buthewasenamouredofPaulatoweakness。Perhapsthecompositionofhislovewouldhardlybearlookinginto，butitwasrecklesslyfrankandnotquitemercenary。Hisphotographicschemewasnothingworsethanalover'snottooscrupulouscontrivance。
　　AftertherefusalofhisrequesttocopyherpicturehefumedandfrettedattheprospectofSomerset'sreturnbeforeanyimpressionhadbeenmadeonherheartbyhimself；hesworeatDare，andaskedhimhotlywhyhehaddraggedhimintosuchahopelessdilemmaasthis。
　　'Hopeless?Somersetmuststillbekeptaway，sothatitisnothopeless。Iwillconsiderhowtoprolonghisstay。'
　　ThereuponDareconsidered。
　　Thetimewascoming——hadindeedcome——whenitwasnecessaryforPaulatomakeuphermindaboutherarchitect，ifshemeanttobeginbuildinginthespring。Thetwosetsofplans，Somerset'sandHavill's，werehangingonthewallsoftheroomthathadbeenusedbySomersetashisstudio，andwereaccessiblebyanybody。Daretookoccasiontogoandstudybothsets，withaviewtofindingaflawinSomerset'swhichmighthavebeenpassedoverunnoticedbythecommitteeofarchitects，owingtotheirabsencefromtheactualsite。Butnotablundercouldhefind。
　　HenextwenttoHavill；andherehewasmetbyanamazingstateofaffairs。Havill'screditors，atlastsuspectingsomethingmythicalinHavill'sassurancethatthegrandcommissionwashis，hadlostallpatience；hishousewasturnedupside-down，andapostergleamedonthefrontwall，statingthattheexcellentmodernhouseholdfurniturewastobesoldbyauctiononFridaynext。Troubleshadapparentlycomeinbattalions，forDarewasinformedbyabystanderthatHavill'swifewasseriouslyillalso。
　　Withoutstayingforamomenttoenterhisfriend'shouse，backwentMr。Daretothecastle，andtoldCaptainDeStancyofthearchitect'sdesperatecircumstances，begginghimtoconveythenewsinsomewaytoMissPower。DeStancypromisedtomakerepresentationsintheproperquarterwithoutperceivingthathewasdoingthebestpossibledeedforhimselfthereby。
　　HetoldPaulaofHavill'smisfortunesinthepresenceofhissister，whoturnedpale。Shediscernedhowthismisfortunewouldbearupontheundecidedcompetition。
　　'Poorman，'murmuredPaula。'Hewasmyfather'sarchitect，andsomehowexpected，thoughIdidnotpromiseit，theworkofrebuildingthecastle。'
　　ThenDeStancysawDare'saiminsendinghimtoMissPowerwiththenews；and，seeingit，concurred:Somersetwashisrival，andallwasfair。'Andishenottohavetheworkofthecastleafterexpectingit?'heasked。
　　Paulawaslostinreflection。'Theotherarchitect'sdesignandMr。Havill'sareexactlyequalinmerit，andwecannotdecidehowtogiveittoeither，'explainedCharlotte。
　　'Thatisourdifficulty，'Paulamurmured。'Abankrupt，andhiswifeill——dearme!Iwonderwhat'sthecause。'
　　'Hehasborrowedontheexpectationofhavingtoexecutethecastleworks，andnowheisunabletomeethisliabilities。'
　　'Itisverysad，'saidPaula。
　　'Letmesuggestaremedyforthisdead-lock，'saidDeStancy。
　　'Do，'saidPaula。
　　'Dotheworkofbuildingintwohalvesorsections。GiveHavillthefirsthalf，sinceheisinneed；whenthatisfinishedthesecondhalfcanbegiventoyourLondonarchitect。If，asIunderstand，theplansareidentical，exceptinornamentaldetails，therewillbenodifficultyaboutitatall。'
　　Paulasighed——justalittleone；andyetthesuggestionseemedtosatisfyherbyitsreasonableness。Sheturnedsad，wayward，butwasimpressedbyDeStancy'smannerandwords。
　　Sheappearedindeedtohaveasmoulderingdesiretopleasehim。IntheafternoonshesaidtoCharlotte，'Imeantodoasyourbrothersays。'
　　AnotewasdespatchedtoHavillthatveryday，andinanhourthecrestfallenarchitectpresentedhimselfatthecastle。
　　Paulainstantlygavehimaudience，commiseratedhim，andcommissionedhimtocarryoutafirstsectionofthebuildings，comprisingworktotheextentofabouttwentythousandpoundsexpenditure；andthen，withaprematurenessquiteamazingamongarchitects'clients，shehandedhimoverachequeforfivehundredpoundsonaccount。
　　Whenhehadgone，Paula'sbearingshowedsomesignofbeingdisquietedatwhatshehaddone；butshecoveredhermoodunderacloakofsaucyserenity。PerhapsatenderremembranceofacertainthunderstormintheforegoingAugustwhenshestoodwithSomersetinthearbour，anddidnotownthatshelovedhim，waspressingonhermemoryandbewilderingher。
　　Shehadnotseenquiteclearly，inadoptingDeStancy'ssuggestion，thatSomersetwouldnowhavenoprofessionalreasonforbeingatthecastleforthenexttwelvemonths。
　　Butthecaptainhad，andwhenHavillenteredthecastleherejoicedwithgreatjoy。Dare，too，rejoicedinhiscoldway，andwentonwithhisphotography，saying，'Thegameprogresses，captain。'
　　'Game?CallitDivineComedy，rather!'saidthesoldierexultingly。
　　'Heispracticallybanishedforayearormore。Whatcan'tyoudoinayear，captain!'
　　Havill，inthemeantime，havingrespectfullywithdrawnfromthepresenceofPaula，passedbyDareandDeStancyinthegalleryashehaddoneinentering。HespokeafewwordstoDare，whocongratulatedhim。Whiletheyweretalkingsomebodywasheardinthehall，inquiringhastilyforMr。Havill。
　　'WhatshallItellhim?'demandedtheporter。
　　'Hiswifeisdead，'saidthemessenger。
　　Havilloverheardthewords，andhastenedaway。
　　'Anunluckyman!'saidDare。
　　'That，happilyforus，willnotaffecthisinstallationhere，'
　　saidDeStancy。'Nowholdyourtongueandkeepatadistance。
　　Shemaycomethisway。'
　　Surelyenoughinafewminutesshecame。DeStancy，tomakeconversation，toldherofthenewmisfortunewhichhadjustbefallenMr。Havill。
　　Paulawasverysorrytohearit，andremarkedthatitgavehergreatsatisfactiontohaveappointedhimasarchitectofthefirstwingbeforehelearntthebadnews。'Ioweyoubestthanks，CaptainDeStancy，forshowingmesuchanexpedient。'
　　'DoIreallydeservethanks?'askedDeStancy。'IwishI
　　deservedareward；butImustbearinmindthefableofthepriestandthejester。'
　　'Ineverheardit。'
　　'Thejesterimploredthepriestforalms，butthesmallestsumwasrefused，thoughtheholymanreadilyagreedtogivehimhisblessing。Query，itsvalue?'
　　'Howdoesitapply?'
　　'Yougivemeunlimitedthanks，butdenymethetiniestsubstantialtrifleIdesire。'
　　'Whatpersistence!'exclaimedPaula，colouring。'Verywell，ifyouWILLphotographmypictureyoumust。Itisreallynotworthyfurtherpleading。Takeitwhenyoulike。'
　　WhenPaulawasalonesheseemedvexedwithherselfforhavinggivenway；andrisingfromherseatshewentquietlytothedooroftheroomcontainingthepicture，intendingtolockituptillfurtherconsideration，whateverhemightthinkofher。
　　Butoncastinghereyesroundtheapartmentthepaintingwasgone。Thecaptain，wiselytakingthecurrentwhenitserved，alreadyhaditinthegallery，wherehewastobeseenbendingattentivelyoverit，arrangingthelightsanddirectingDarewiththeinstruments。Onleavinghethankedher，andsaidthathehadobtainedasplendidcopy。Wouldshelookatit?
　　Paulawassevereandicy。'Thankyou——Idon'twishtoseeit，'shesaid。
　　DeStancybowedanddepartedinaglowoftriumph；satisfied，notwithstandingherfrigidity，thathehadcompassedhisimmediateaim，whichwasthatshemightnotbeabletodismissfromherthoughtshimandhisperseveringdesirefortheshadowofherfaceduringthenextfour-and-twenty-hours。Andhisconfidencewaswellfounded:shecouldnot。
　　'IfearthisDivineComedywillbeslowbusinessforus，captain，'saidDare，whohadheardhercoldwords。
　　'Ono!'saidDeStancy，flushingalittle:hehadnotbeenperceivingthattheladhadthemeasureofhismindsoentirelyastogaugehispositionatanymoment。Buthewouldshownoshamefacedness。'Evenifitis，myboy，'heanswered，'there'splentyoftimebeforetheothercancome。'
　　AtthathourandminuteofDeStancy'sremark'theother，'tolookathim，seemedindeedsecurelyshelved。Hewassittinglonelyinhischambersfaraway，wonderingwhyshedidnotwrite，andyethopingtohear——wonderingifithadallbeenbutashort-livedstrainoftenderness。Heknewaswellasifithadbeenstatedinwordsthatherseriousacceptanceofhimasasuitorwouldbeheracceptanceofhimasanarchitect——
　　thatherschemesinlovewouldbeexpressedintermsofart；
　　andconverselythatherrefusalofhimasaloverwouldbeneatlyeffectedbyherchoosingHavill'splansforthecastle，andreturninghisownwiththanks。Thepositionwassoclear:
　　hewassowellwalledinbycircumstancesthathewasabsolutelyhelpless。
　　Towaitforthelinethatwouldnotcome——thelettersayingthat，asshehaddesired，hiswasthedesignthatpleasedher——
　　wasstilltheonlythingtodo。ThetoSomersetsurprisingaccidentthatthecommitteeofarchitectsshouldhavepronouncedthedesignsabsolutelyequalinpointofmerit，andthushavecausedthefinalchoicetorevertafteralltoPaula，hadbeenajoyousthingtohimwhenhefirstheardofit，fullofconfidenceinherfavour。Butthefactofherhavingagainbecomethearbitrator，thoughithadmadeacceptanceofhisplansallthemoreprobable，maderefusalofthem，shouldithappen，allthemorecrushing。HecouldhaveconceivedhimselffavouredbyPaulaasherlover，evenhadthecommitteedecidedinfavourofHavillasherarchitect。Butnottobechosenasarchitectnowwastoberejectedinbothkinds。
　　IV。
　　ItwastheSundayfollowingthefuneralofMrs。Havill，newsofwhosedeathhadbeensounexpectedlybroughttoherhusbandatthemomentofhisexitfromStancyCastle。Theminister，aswashiscustom，improvedtheoccasionbyacoupleofsermonsontheuncertaintyoflife。OnewaspreachedinthemorningintheoldchapelofMarkton；thesecondateveningserviceintheruralchapelnearStancyCastle，builtbyPaula'sfather，whichboretothefirstsomewhattherelationofanepiscopalchapel-of-easetothemotherchurch。
　　Theunscreenedlightsblazedthroughtheplate-glasswindowsofthesmallerbuildingandoutshonethesteelystarsoftheearlynight，justastheyhaddonewhenSomersetwasattractedbytheirglarefourmonthsbefore。Thefervidminister'srhetoricequalleditsforceonthatmoreromanticoccasion:
　　butPaulawasnotthere。Shewasnotafrequentattendantnowatherfather'svotivebuilding。Themysterioustank，whosedarkwatershadsorepelledheratthelastmoment，wasboardedover:atablestoodonitscentre，withanopenquartoBibleuponit，behindwhichHavill，inanewsuitofblack，satinalargechair。Havillheldtheofficeofdeacon:andhehadmechanicallytakenthedeacon'sseatasusualto-night，inthefaceofthecongregation，andunderthenoseofMr。Woodwell。
　　Mr。Woodwellwasalwaysgladofanopportunity。Hewasgiftedwithaburningnaturaleloquence，which，thoughperhapsalittletoofreelyemployedinexcitingthe'Wertherismoftheuncultivated，'hadinitgenuinepower。Hewasamasterofthatoratorywhichnolimitationofknowledgecanrepress，andwhichnotrainingcanimpart。TheneighbouringrectorcouldeclipseWoodwell'sscholarship，andthefreethinkeratthecornershopinMarktoncoulddemolishhislogic；buttheBaptistcoulddoinfiveminuteswhatneitherofthesehaddoneinalifetime；hecouldmovesomeofthehardestofmentotears。
　　Thusithappenedthat，whenthesermonwasfairlyunderway，Havillbegantofeelhimselfinatryingposition。Itwasnotthathehadbestowedmuchaffectionuponhisdeceasedwife，irreproachablewomanasshehadbeen；butthesuddennessofherdeathhadshakenhisnerves，andMr。Woodwell'saddressontheuncertaintyoflifeinvolvedconsiderationsofconductonearththatborewithsingulardirectnessuponHavill'sunprincipledmanoeuvreforvictoryinthecastlecompetition。
　　Hewishedhehadnotbeensoinadvertentastotakehiscustomarychairinthechapel。PeoplewhosawHavill'sagitationdidnotknowthatitwasmostlargelyowingtohissenseofthefraudwhichhadbeenpractisedontheunoffendingSomerset；andwhen，unablelongertoendurethetortureofWoodwell'swords，herosefromhisplaceandwentintothechapelvestry，thepreacherlittlethoughtthatremorseforacontemptiblyunfairact，ratherthangriefforadeadwife，wasthecauseofthearchitect'swithdrawal。
　　WhenHavillgotintotheopenairhismorbidexcitementcalmeddown，butasickeningself-abhorrencefortheproceedinginstigatedbyDaredidnotabate。Toappropriateanotherman'sdesignwasnomorenorlessthantoembezzlehismoneyorstealhisgoods。Theintensereactionfromhisconductofthepasttwoorthreemonthsdidnotleavehimwhenhereachedhisownhouseandobservedwherethehandbillsofthecountermandedsalehadbeentorndown，astheresultofthepaymentmadeinadvancebyPaulaofmoneywhichshouldreallyhavebeenSomerset's。
　　Themoodwentonintensifyingwhenhewasinbed。Helayawaketilltheclockreachedthosestill，small，ghastlyhourswhenthevitalfiresburnattheirlowestinthehumanframe，anddeathseizesmoreofhisvictimsthaninanyotherofthetwenty-four。Havillcouldbearitnolonger；hegotalight，wentdownintohisofficeandwrotethenotesubjoined。
　　'MADAM，——Therecentdeathofmywifenecessitatesaconsiderablechangeinmyprofessionalarrangementsandplanswithregardtothefuture。Oneofthechiefresultsofthechangeis，Iregrettostate，thatInolongerfindmyselfinapositiontocarryouttheenlargementofthecastlewhichyouhadsogenerouslyentrustedtomyhands。
　　'Ibegleavethereforetoresignallfurtherconnectionwiththesame，andtoexpress，ifyouwillallowme，ahopethatthecommissionmaybeplacedinthehandsoftheothercompetitor。Herewithisreturnedachequeforone-halfofthesumsokindlyadvancedinanticipationofthecommissionI
　　shouldreceive；theotherhalf，withwhichIhadclearedoffmyimmediateembarrassmentsbeforeperceivingthenecessityforthiscourse，shallbereturnedtoyouassoonassomepaymentsfromotherclientsdropin——Ibegtoremain，Madam，yourobedientservant，JAMESHAVILL。'
　　Havillwouldnottrusthimselftillthemorningtopostthisletter。Hesealeditup，wentoutwithitintothestreet，andwalkedthroughthesleepingtowntothepost-office。Atthemouthoftheboxheheldtheletterlong。Bydroppingit，hewasdroppingatleasttwothousandfivehundredpoundswhich，howeverobtained，werenowsecurelyhis。Itwasagreatdealtoletgo；andtherehestoodtillanotherwaveofconscienceboreinuponhissoultheabsolutenatureofthetheft，andmadehimshudder。Thefootstepsofasolitarypolicemancouldbeheardnearinghimalongthedesertedstreet；hesitationended，andheletthelettergo。
　　Whenheawokeinthemorninghethoughtoverthecircumstancesbythecheerfullightofaloweasternsun。Thehorrorsofthesituationseemedmuchlessformidable；yetitcannotbesaidthatheactuallyregrettedhisact。Lateronhewalkedout，withthestrangesenseofbeingamanwho，fromonehavingalargeprofessionalundertakinginhand，had，byhisownact，suddenlyreducedhimselftoanunoccupiednondescript。FromtheupperendofthetownhesawinthedistancethegrandgreytowersofStancyCastleloomingovertheleaflesstrees；hefeltstupefiedatwhathehaddone，andsaidtohimselfwithbitterdiscontent:'Well，well，whatismorecontemptiblethanahalf-heartedrogue!'
　　Thatmorningthepost-baghadbeenbroughttoPaulaandMrs。
　　Goodmanintheusualway，andMissPowerreadtheletter。Hisresignationwasasurprise；thequestionwhetherhewouldorwouldnotrepaythemoneywaspassedover；thenecessityofinstallingSomersetafterallassolearchitectwasanagitation，oremotion，theprecisenatureofwhichitisimpossibletoaccuratelydefine。
　　However，shewentaboutthehouseafterbreakfastwithverymuchthemannerofonewhohadhadaweightremovedeitherfromherheartorfromherconscience；moreover，herfacewasalittleflushedwhen，inpassingbySomerset'slatestudio，shesawtheplansbearinghismotto，andknewthathisandnotHavill'swouldbethepresidingpresenceinthecomingarchitecturalturmoil。Shewentonfurther，andcalledtoCharlotte，whowasnowregularlysleepinginthecastle，toaccompanyher，andtogethertheyascendedtothetelegraph-
　　roominthedonjontower。
　　'Whomareyougoingtotelegraphto?'saidMissDeStancywhentheystoodbytheinstrument。
　　'Myarchitect。'
　　'O——Mr。Havill。'
　　'Mr。Somerset。'
　　MissDeStancyhadschooledheremotionsonthatsidecruellywell，andsheaskedcalmly，'What，haveyouchosenhimafterall?'
　　'Thereisnochoiceinit——readthat，'saidPaula，handingHavill'sletter，asifshefeltthatProvidencehadsteppedintoshapeendsthatshewastooundecidedorunpractisedtoshapeforherself。
　　'Itisverystrange，'murmuredCharlotte；whilePaulaappliedherselftothemachineanddespatchedthewords:——
　　'MissPower，StancyCastle，toG。Somerset，Esq。，F。S。A。，F。R。I。B。A。，QueenAnne'sChambers，St。James's。
　　'Yourdesignisacceptedinitsentirety。Itwillbenecessarytobeginsoon。Ishallwishtoseeandconsultyouonthematteraboutthe10thinstant。'
　　WhenthemessagewasfairlygoneoutofthewindowPaulaseemedstillfurthertoexpand。Thestrangespellcastoverherbysomethingorother——probablythepresenceofDeStancy，andtheweirdromanticismofhismannertowardsher，whichwasasifthehistoricpasthadtouchedherwithayetlivinghand——inagreatmeasurebecamedissipated，leavingherthearchandserenemaidenthatshehadbeenbefore。
　　AboutthistimeCaptainDeStancyandhisAchateswereapproachingthecastle，andhadarrivedaboutfiftypacesfromthespotatwhichitwasDare'scustomtodropbehindhiscompanion，inorderthattheirappearanceatthelodgeshouldbethatofmasterandman。
　　Darewassaying，ashehadsaidbefore:'Ican'thelpfancying，captain，thatyourapproachtothiscastleanditsmistressisbyaverytedioussystem。Yourtrenches，zigzags，counterscarps，andravelinsmaybeallverywell，andaverysuresystemofattackinthelongrun；butuponmysoultheyarealmostasslowinmaturingasthoseofUncleTobyhimself。
　　FormypartIshouldbeinclinedtotryanassault。'
　　'Don'tpretendtogiveadvice，Willy，onmattersbeyondyouryears。'
　　'Ionlymeantitforyourgood，andyourproperadvancementintheworld，'saidDareinwoundedtones。
　　'Differentcharacters，differentsystems，'returnedthesoldier。'Thisladyisofareticent，independent，complicateddisposition，andanysuddenproceedingwouldputheronhermettle。Youdon'tdreamwhatmyimpatienceis，myboy。Itisathingtranscendingyourutmostconceptions!ButIproceedslowly；Iknowbetterthantodootherwise。ThankGodthereisplentyoftime。AslongasthereisnoriskofSomerset'sreturnmysituationissure。'
　　'Andprofessionaletiquettewillpreventhimcomingyet。
　　Havillandhewillchangelikethemeninasentry-box；whenHavillwalksout，he'llwalkin，andnotamomentbefore。'
　　'Thatwillnotbetilleighteenmonthshavepassed。AndastheJesuitsaid，"TimeandIagainstanytwo。"……Nowdroptotherear，'addedCaptainDeStancyauthoritatively。Andtheypassedunderthewallsofthecastle。
　　Thegravefrontsandbastionswerewrappedinsilence；somuchso，that，standingawhileintheinnerward，theycouldhearthroughanopenwindowafaintlyclickingsoundfromwithin。
　　'She'satthetelegraph，'saidDare，throwingforwardhisvoicesoftlytothecaptain。'Whatcanthatbeforsoearly?
　　Thatwireisanuisance，tomymind；suchconstantintercoursewiththeouterworldisbadforourromance。'
　　Thespeakerenteredtoarrangehisphotographicapparatus，ofwhich，intruth，hewasgettingweary；andDeStancysmokedontheterracetillDareshouldbeready。Whilehewaitedhissisterlookedoutuponhimfromanuppercasement，havingcaughtsightofhimasshecamefromPaulainthetelegraph-
　　room。
　　'Well，Lottie，whatnewsthismorning?'hesaidgaily。
　　'Nothingofimportance。Wearequitewell。'……Sheaddedwithhesitation，'Thereisonepieceofnews；Mr。Havill——butperhapsyouhavehearditinMarkton?'
　　'Nothing。'
　　'Mr。Havillhasresignedhisappointmentasarchitecttothecastle。'
　　'What?——whohasit，then?'
　　'Mr。Somerset。'
　　'Appointed?'
　　'Yes——bytelegraph。'
　　'Whenishecoming?'saidDeStancyinconsternation。
　　'Aboutthetenth，wethink。'
　　Charlottewasconcernedtoseeherbrother'sface，andwithdrewfromthewindowthathemightnotquestionherfurther。DeStancywentintothehall，andontothegallery，whereDarewasstandingasstillasacaryatid。
　　'Ihaveheardeveryword，'saidDare。
　　'Well，whatdoesitmean?HasthatfoolHavilldoneitonpurposetoannoyme?Whatconceivablereasoncanthemanhaveforthrowingupanappointmenthehasworkedsohardfor，atthemomenthehasgotit，andinthetimeofhisgreatestneed?'
　　Dareguessed，forhehadseenalittlewayintoHavill'ssoulduringthebriefperiodoftheirconfederacy。Buthewasveryfarfromsayingwhatheguessed。Yetheunconsciouslyrevealedbyotherwordsthenocturnalshadesinhischaracterwhichhadmadethatconfederacypossible。
　　'Somersetcomingafterall!'hereplied。'ByGod!thatlittlesix-barrelledfriendofmine，andagoodresolution，andhewouldneverarrive!'
　　'What!'saidCaptainDeStancy，palingwithhorrorashegatheredtheother'ssinistermeaning。
　　Dareinstantlyrecollectedhimself。'Oneistemptedtosayanythingatsuchamoment，'herepliedhastily。
　　'Sinceheistocome，lethimcome，forme，'continuedDeStancy，withreactionarydistinctness，andstillgazinggravelyintotheyoungman'sface。'Thebattleshallbefairlyfoughtout。Fairplay，eventoarival——rememberthat，boy……Whyareyouhere?——unnaturallyconcerningyourselfwiththepassionsofamanofmyage，asifyouweretheparent，andItheson?Wouldtoheaven，Willy，youhaddoneasIwishedyoutodo，andledthelifeofasteady，thoughtfulyoungman!Insteadofmeddlinghere，youshouldnowhavebeeninsomestudio，college，orprofessionalman'schambers，engagedinausefulpursuitwhichmighthavemadeoneproudtoownyou。Butyouweresoprecociousandheadstrong；andthisiswhatyouhavecometo:youpromisetobeworthless!'
　　'IthinkIshallgotomylodgingsto-dayinsteadofstayinghereoverthesepictures，'saidDare，afterasilenceduringwhichCaptainDeStancyendeavouredtocalmhimself。'Iwasgoingtotellyouthatmydinnerto-daywillunfortunatelybeoneofherbs，forwantoftheneedful。Ihavecometomylaststiver——Youdineatthemess，Isuppose，captain?'
　　DeStancyhadwalkedaway；butDareknewthatheplayedaprettysurecardinthatspeech。DeStancy'sheartcouldnotwithstandthesuggestedcontrastbetweenalonelymealofbread-and-cheeseandawell-ordereddinneramidcheerfulcompanions。'Here，'hesaid，emptyinghispocketandreturningtothelad'sside。'Takethis，andorderyourselfagoodmeal。Youkeepmeaspoorasacrow。Thereshallbemoreto-morrow。'
　　ThepeculiarlybifoldnatureofCaptainDeStancy，asshowninhisconductatdifferenttimes，wassomethingrareinlife，andperhapshappilyso。Thatmechanicaladmixtureofblackandwhitequalitieswithoutcoalescence，onwhichthetheoryofmen'scharacterswasbasedbymoralanalysisbeforetheriseofmodernethicalschools，fictitiousasitwasingeneralapplication，wouldhavealmosthitoffthetruthasregardsCaptainDeStancy。Removedtosomehalf-knowncentury，hisdeedswouldhavewonapicturesquenessoflightandshadethatmighthavemadehimafascinatingsubjectforsomegalleryofillustrioushistoricalpersonages。Itwasthistendencytomoralchequer-workwhichaccountedforhisvariedbearingstowardsDare。
　　Darewithdrewtotakehisdeparture。Whenhehadgoneafewsteps，despondent，hesuddenlyturned，andranbackwithsomeexcitement。
　　'Captain——he'scomingonthetenth，don'ttheysay?Well，fourdaysbeforethetenthcomesthesixth。Haveyouforgottenwhat'sfixedforthesixth?'
　　'Ihadquiteforgotten!'
　　'Thatdaywillbeworththreemonthsofquietattentions:
　　withluck，skill，andaboldheart，whatmayn'tyoudo?'
　　CaptainDeStancy'sfacesoftenedwithsatisfaction。
　　'Thereissomethinginthat；thegameisnotupafterall。
　　Thesixth——ithadgonecleanoutofmyhead，bygad!'
　　V。
　　ThecheeringmessagefromPaulatoSomersetspedthroughtheloopholeofStancyCastlekeep，overthetrees，alongtherailway，underbridges，acrossfourcounties——fromextremeantiquityofenvironmenttosheermodernism——andfinallylandeditselfonatableinSomerset'schambersinthemidstofacloudoffog。Hereaditand，inthemomentofreactionfromthedepressionofhispastdays，clappedhishandslikeachild。
　　Thenheconsideredthedateatwhichshewantedtoseehim。
　　Hadshesowordedherdespatchhewouldhavegonethatveryday；buttherewasnothingtocomplainofinhergivinghimaweek'snotice。Puremaidenmodestymighthavecheckedherindulgenceinatooardentrecall。
　　Time，however，draggedsomewhatheavilyalongintheinterim，andontheseconddayhethoughthewouldcallonhisfatherandtellhimofhissuccessinobtainingtheappointment。
　　TheelderMr。Somersetlivedinadetachedhouseinthenorth-
　　westpartoffashionableLondon；andascendingthechiefstaircasetheyoungmanbranchedofffromthefirstlandingandenteredhisfather'spainting-room。Itwasanhourwhenhewasprettysureoffindingthewell-knownpainteratwork，andonliftingthetapestryhewasnotdisappointed，Mr。
　　Somersetbeingbusilyengagedwithhisbacktowardsthedoor。
　　Artandvitiatednaturewerestrugglinglikewrestlersinthatapartment，andartwasgettingtheworstofit。Theoverpoweringgloompervadingtheclammyair，renderedstillmoreintensebytheheightofthewindowfromthefloor，reducedallthepicturesthatwerestandingaroundtothewizenedfeeblenessofcorpsesonend。Theshadowypartsoftheroombehindthedifferenteaselswereveiledinabrownvapour，precludingallestimateoftheextentofthestudio，andonlysubduedintheforegroundbytheruddyglarefromanopenstoveofDutchtiles。Somerset'sfootstepshadbeensonoiselessoverthecarpetingofthestairsandlanding，thathisfatherwasunawareofhispresence；hecontinuedathisworkasbefore，whichheperformedbythehelpofacomplicatedapparatusoflamps，candles，andreflectors，soarrangedastoekeoutthemiserabledaylight，toapowerapparentlysufficientfortheneutraltouchesonwhichhewasatthatmomentengaged。
　　Thefirstthoughtofanunsophisticatedstrangeronenteringthatroomcouldonlybetheamazedinquirywhyaprofessoroftheartofcolour，whichbeyondallotherartsrequirespuredaylightforitsexercise，shouldfixhimselfonthesinglesquareleagueinhabitableEuropetowhichlightisdeniedatnoondayforweeksinsuccession。
　　'O!it'syou，George，isit?'saidtheAcademician，turningfromthelamps，whichshoneoverhisbaldcrownatsuchaslantastorevealeverycranialirregularity。'Howareyouthismorning?Stilladeadsilenceaboutyourgrandcastlecompetition?'
　　Somersettoldthenews。Hisfatherdulycongratulatedhim，andaddedgenially，'Itiswelltobeyou，George。Onelargecommissiontoattendto，andnothingtodistractyoufromit。
　　Iambotheredbyhavingadozenironsinthefireatonce。
　　Andpeoplearesounreasonable——Onlythismorning，amongotherthings，whenyougotyourordertogoonwithyoursinglestudy，Ireceivedaletterfromawoman，anoldfriendwhomIcanscarcelyrefuse，beggingmeasagreatfavourtodesignherasetoftheatricalcostumes，inwhichsheandherfriendscanperformforsomecharity。Itwouldoccupymeagoodweektogointothesubjectanddothethingproperly。
　　SucharethesortoflettersIget。Iwish，George，youcouldknockoutsomethingforherbeforeyouleavetown。Itispositivelyimpossibleformetodoitwithallthisworkinhand，andtheseeternalfogstocontendagainst。'
　　'Ifearcostumesareratheroutofmyline，'saidtheson。
　　'However，I'lldowhatIcan。Whatperiodandcountryaretheytorepresent?'
　　Hisfatherdidn'tknow。Hehadneverlookedattheplayoflateyears。Itwas'Love'sLabour'sLost。''Youhadbetterreaditforyourself，'hesaid，'anddothebestyoucan。'
　　DuringthemorningSomersetjuniorfoundtimetorefreshhismemoryoftheplay，andafterwardswentandhuntedupmaterialsfordesignstosuitthesame，whichoccupiedhissparehoursforthenextthreedays。AstheseoccupationsmadenogreatdemandsuponhisreasoningfacultieshemostlyfoundhismindwanderingofftoimaginaryscenesatStancyCastle:particularlydidhedwellatthistimeuponPaula'slivelyinterestinthehistory，relics，tombs，architecture，——
　　nay，theveryChristiannamesoftheDeStancyline，andher'artistic'preferenceforCharlotte'sancestorsinsteadofherown。Yetwhatmorenaturalthanthataclevermeditativegirl，encasedinthefeudallumberofthatfamily，shouldimbibeatleastanantiquarianinterestinit?Humannatureatbottomisromanticratherthanascetic，andthelocalhabitationwhichaccidenthadprovidedforPaulawasperhapsactingasasolventofthehard，morbidlyintrospectiveviewsthrustuponherinearlylife。
　　SomersetwonderedifhisownpossessionofasubstantialgenealogylikeCaptainDeStancy'swouldhavehadanyappreciableeffectuponherregardforhim。HissuggestiontoPaulaofherbelongingtoaworthystrainofengineershadbeenbasedonhiscontentwithhisownintellectuallineofdescentthroughPheidias，IctinusandCallicrates，Chersiphron，Vitruvius，WilarsofCambray，WilliamofWykeham，andtherestofthatlongandillustriousroll；butMissPower'smarkedpreferenceforananimalpedigreeledhimtomuseonwhathecouldshowforhimselfinthatkind。
　　Thesethoughtssofaroccupiedhimthatwhenhetookthesketchestohisfather，onthemorningofthefifth，hewasledtoask:'Hasanyoneeversiftedoutourfamilypedigree?'
　　'Familypedigree?'
　　'Yes。Haveweanypedigreeworthytobecomparedwiththatofprofessedlyoldfamilies?Ineverrememberhearingofanyancestorfurtherbackthanmygreat-grandfather。'
　　Somersettheelderreflectedandsaidthathebelievedtherewasagenealogicaltreeaboutthehousesomewhere，reachingbacktoaveryrespectabledistance。'NotthatIevertookmuchinterestinit，'hecontinued，withoutlookingupfromhiscanvas；'butyourgreatuncleJohnwasamanwithatasteforthosesubjects，andhedrewupsuchasheet:hemadeseveralcopiesonparchment，andgaveonetoeachofhisbrothersandsisters。Theonehegavetomyfatherisstillinmypossession，Ithink。'
　　Somersetsaidthatheshouldliketoseeit；buthalf-an-
　　hour'ssearchaboutthehousefailedtodiscoverthedocument；
　　andtheAcademicianthenrememberedthatitwasinanironboxathisbanker's。Hehaduseditasawrapperforsometitle-
　　deedsandothervaluablewritingswhichweredepositedthereforsafety。'Whydoyouwantit?'heinquired。
　　Theyoungmanconfessedhiswhimtoknowifhisownantiquitywouldbearcomparisonwiththatofanotherperson，whosenamehedidnotmention；whereuponhisfathergavehimakeythatwouldfitthesaidchest，ifhemeanttopursuethesubjectfurther。Somerset，however，didnothinginthematterthatday，butthenextmorning，havingtocallatthebankonotherbusiness，herememberedhisnewfancy。
　　Itwasabouteleveno'clock。Thefog，thoughnotsobrownasithadbeenonpreviousdays，wasstilldenseenoughtonecessitatelightsintheshopsandoffices。WhenSomersethadfinishedhisbusinessintheouterofficeofthebankhewenttothemanager'sroom。Thehourbeingsomewhatearlytheonlypersonspresentinthatsanctuaryofbalances，besidesthemanagerwhowelcomedhim，weretwogentlemen，apparentlylawyers，whosattalkingearnestlyoveraboxofpapers。Themanager，onlearningwhatSomersetwanted，unlockedadoorfromwhichaflightofstonestepsledtothevaults，andsentdownaclerkandaporterforthesafe。
　　Before，however，theyhaddescendedfaragentletapcametothedoor，andinresponsetoaninvitationtoenteraladyappeared，wrappedupinfurstoherverynose。
　　Themanagerseemedtorecognizeher，forhewentacrosstheroominamoment，andsetherachairatthemiddletable，replyingtosomeobservationofherswiththewords，'Oyes，certainly，'inadeferentialtone。
　　'Ishouldlikeitbroughtupatonce，'saidthelady。
　　Somerset，whohadseatedhimselfatatableinasomewhatobscurecorner，screenedbythelawyers，startedatthewords。
　　ThevoicewasMissPower's，andsoplainlyenoughwasthefigureassoonasheexaminedit。Herbackwastowardshim，andeitherbecausetheroomwasonlylightedintwoplaces，orbecauseshewasabsorbedinherownconcerns，sheseemedtobeunconsciousofanyone'spresenceonthesceneexceptthebankerandherself。Theformercalledbacktheclerk，andtwootherportershavingbeensummonedtheydisappearedtogetwhateversherequired。
　　Somerset，somewhatexcited，satwonderingwhatcouldhavebroughtPaulatoLondonatthisjuncture，andwasinsomedoubtiftheoccasionwereasuitableoneforrevealinghimself，hererrandtoherbankerbeingpossiblyofaveryprivatenature。Nothinghelpedhimtoadecision。Paulaneveronceturnedherhead，andtheprogressoftimewasmarkedonlybythemurmursofthetwolawyers，andtheceaselessclashofgoldandrattleofscalesfromtheouterroom，wherethebusyheadsofcashierscouldbeseenthroughthepartitionmovingaboutundertheglobesofthegas-lamps。
　　Footstepswerehearduponthecellar-steps，andthethreemenpreviouslysentbelowstaggeredfromthedoorway，bearingahugesafewhichnearlybrokethemdown。Somersetknewthathisfather'sbox，orboxes，couldboastofnosuchdimensions，andhewasnotsurprisedtoseethechestdepositedinfrontofMissPower。Whentheimmenseaccumulationofdusthadbeenclearedoffthelid，andthechestconvenientlyplacedforher，Somersetwasattendedto，hismodestboxbeingbroughtupbyonemanunassisted，andwithoutmuchexpenditureofbreath。
　　HisinterestinPaulawasofsoemotionalacastthathisattentiontohisownerrandwasofthemostperfunctorykind。
　　Shewasclosetoagas-standard，andthelawyers，whoseseatshadintervened，havingfinishedtheirbusinessandgoneaway，allheractionswerevisibletohim。Whilehewasopeninghisfather'sboxthemanagerassistedPaulatounsealandunlockhers，andhenowsawherliftfromitamoroccocase，whichsheplacedonthetablebeforeher，andunfastened。Outofitshetookadazzlingobjectthatfelllikeacascadeoverherfingers。Itwasanecklaceofdiamondsandpearls，apparentlyoflargesizeandmanystrands，thoughhewasnotnearenoughtoseedistinctly。Whensatisfiedbyherexaminationthatshehadgottherightarticlesheshutitintoitscase。
　　Themanagerclosedthechestforher；andwhenitwasagainsecuredPaulaarose，tossedthenecklaceintoherhand-bag，bowedtothemanager，andwasabouttobidhimgoodmorning。
　　Thereuponhesaidwithsomehesitation:'Pardononequestion，MissPower。Doyouintendtotakethosejewelsfar?'
　　'Yes，'shesaidsimply，'toStancyCastle。'
　　'Youaregoingstraightthere?'
　　'Ihaveoneortwoplacestocallatfirst。'
　　'Iwouldsuggestthatyoucarrytheminsomeotherway——byfasteningthemintothepocketofyourdress，forinstance。'
　　'ButIamgoingtoholdthebaginmyhandandneveronceletitgo。'
　　Thebankerslightlyshookhishead。'Supposeyourcarriagegetsoverturned:youwouldletitgothen。'
　　'Perhapsso。'
　　'Orifyousawachildunderthewheelsjustasyouweresteppingin；orifyouaccidentallystumbledingettingout；
　　oriftherewasacollisionontherailway——youmightletitgo。'
　　'Yes；IseeIwastoocareless。Ithankyou。'
　　Paularemovedthenecklacefromthebag，turnedherbacktothemanager，andspentseveralminutesinplacinghertreasureinherbosom，pinningitandotherwisemakingitabsolutelysecure。
　　'That'sit，'saidthegrey-hairedmanofcaution，withevidentsatisfaction。'Thereisnotmuchdangernow:youarenottravellingalone?'
　　Paularepliedthatshewasnotalone，andwenttothedoor。
　　TherewasonemomentduringwhichSomersetmighthaveconvenientlymadehispresenceknown；butthejuxtapositionofthebank-manager，andhisowndisarrangedboxofsecurities，embarrassedhim:themomentslippedby，andshewasgone。
　　Inthemeantimehehadmechanicallyunearthedthepedigree，and，lockinguphisfather'schest，SomersetalsotookhisdepartureattheheelsofPaula。
　　Hewalkedalongthemistystreet，sodeeplymusingastobequiteunconsciousofthedirectionofhiswalk。What，heinquiredofhimself，couldshewantthatnecklaceforsosuddenly?HerecollectedaremarkofDare'stotheeffectthatherappearanceonaparticularoccasionatStancyCastlehadbeenmagnificentbyreasonofthejewelsshewore；whichprovedthatshehadretainedasufficientquantityofthosevaluablesatthecastleforordinaryrequirements。Whatexceptionaloccasion，then，wasimpendingonwhichshewishedtoglorifyherselfbeyondallpreviousexperience?Hecouldnotguess。HewasinterruptedintheseconjecturesbyacarriagenearlypassingoverhistoesatacrossinginBondStreet:lookinguphesawbetweenthetwowindowsofthevehicletheprofileofathicklymantledbosom，onwhichacamelliaroseandfell。Alltheremainderpartofthelady'spersonwashidden；butherememberedthatflowerofconvenientseasonasonewhichhadfiguredinthebankparlourhalf-an-hourearlierto-day。
　　Somersethastenedafterthecarriage，andinaminutesawitstopoppositeajeweller'sshop。OutcamePaula，andthenanotherwoman，inwhomherecognizedMrs。Birch，oneofthelady'smaidsatStancyCastle。TheyoungmanwasatPaula'ssidebeforeshehadcrossedthepavement。
　　VI。
　　Aquickarrestedexpressioninhertwosapphirineeyes，accompaniedbyalittle，averylittle，blushwhichloiteredlong，wasalltheoutwarddisturbancethatthesightofherlovercaused。Thehabitofself-repressionatanynewemotionalimpactwasinstinctivewithheralways。Somersetcouldnotsaymorethanaword；helookedhisintensesolicitude，andPaulaspoke。