Shedeclaredthatthiswasanunexpectedpleasure。Hadhearrangedtocomeonthetenthasshewished?Howstrangethattheyshouldmeetthus!——andyetnotstrange——theworldwassosmall。
　　Somersetsaidthathewascomingontheverydayshementioned——thattheappointmentgavehiminfinitegratification，whichwasquitewithinthetruth。
　　'Comeintothisshopwithme，'saidPaula，withgood-humouredauthoritativeness。
　　Theyenteredtheshopandtalkedonwhileshemadeasmallpurchase。ButnotaworddidPaulasayofhersuddenerrandtotown。
　　'Iamhavinganexcitingmorning，'shesaid。'Iamgoingfromheretocatchtheone-o'clocktraintoMarkton。'
　　'Itisimportantthatyougettherethisafternoon，I
　　suppose?'
　　'Yes。Youknowwhy?'
　　'Notatall。'
　　'TheHuntBall。Itwasfixedforthesixth，andthisisthesixth。Ithoughttheymighthaveaskedyou。'
　　'No，'saidSomerset，atriflegloomily。'No，Iamnotasked。
　　Butitisagreattaskforyou——alongjourneyandaballallinoneday。'
　　'Yes:Charlottesaidthat。ButIdon'tmindit。'
　　'Youaregladyouaregoing。Areyouglad?'hesaidsoftly。
　　Herairconfessedmorethanherwords。'IamnotsoverygladthatIamgoingtotheHuntBall，'sherepliedconfidentially。
　　'Thanksforthat，'saidhe。
　　Sheliftedhereyestohisforamoment。Hermannerhadsuddenlybecomesonearlythecounterpartofthatinthetea-
　　housethattosuspectanydeteriorationofaffectioninherwasnolongergenerous。Itwasonlyasifathinlayerofrecenteventshadoverlaidhermemoriesofhim，untilhispresencesweptthemaway。
　　Somersetlookedup，andfindingtheshopmantobestillsomewayoff，headded，'WhenwillyouassuremeofsomethinginreturnforwhatIassuredyouthateveningintherain?'
　　'Notbeforeyouhavebuiltthecastle。Myauntdoesnotknowaboutityet，noranybody。'
　　'Ioughttotellher。'
　　'No，notyet。Idon'twishit。'
　　'Theneverythingstandsasusual?'
　　Shelightlynodded。
　　'Thatis，Imayloveyou:butyoustillwillnotsayyouloveme。'
　　Shenoddedagain，anddirectinghisattentiontotheadvancingshopman，said，'Pleasenotawordmore。'
　　Soonafterthis，theyleftthejeweller's，andparted，PauladrivingstraightofftothestationandSomersetgoingonhiswayuncertainlyhappy。Hisre-impressionafterafewminuteswasthataspecialjourneytotowntofetchthatmagnificentnecklacewhichshehadnotoncementionedtohim，butwhichwasplainlytobethemediumofsomeproudpurposewithherthisevening，washardlyinharmonywithherassertionsofindifferencetotheattractionsoftheHuntBall。
　　Hegotintoacabanddrovetohisclub，wherehelunched，andmopinglyspentagreatpartoftheafternooninmakingcalculationsforthefoundationsofthecastleworks。Laterintheafternoonhereturnedtohischambers，wishingthathecouldannihilatethethreedaysremainingbeforethetenth，particularlythiscomingevening。Onhistablewasaletterinastrangewriting，andindifferentlyturningitoverhefoundfromthesuperscriptionthatithadbeenaddressedtohimdaysbeforeattheLord-Quantock-ArmsHotel，Markton，whereithadlaineversince，thelandlordprobablyexpectinghimtoreturn。Openingthemissive，hefoundtohissurprisethatitwas，afterall，aninvitationtotheHuntBall。
　　'Toolate!'saidSomerset。'TothinkIshouldbeservedthistrickasecondtime!'
　　Afteramoment'spause，however，helookedtoseethetimeofday。Itwasfiveminutespastfive——justaboutthehourwhenPaulawouldbedrivingfromMarktonStationtoStancyCastletorestandprepareherselfforhereveningtriumph。Therewasatrainatsixo'clock，timedtoreachMarktonbetweenelevenandtwelve，whichbygreatexertionhemightsaveevennow，ifitwereworthwhiletoundertakesuchascrambleforthepleasureofdroppingintotheballatalatehour。A
　　moment'svisionofPaulamovingtoswifttunesonthearmofapersonorpersonsunknownwasenoughtoimparttheimpetusrequired。Hejumpedup，flunghisdressclothesintoaportmanteau，sentdowntocallacab，andinafewminuteswasrattlingofftotherailwaywhichhadbornePaulaawayfromLondonjustfivehoursearlier。
　　Onceinthetrain，hebegantoconsiderwhereandhowhecouldmostconvenientlydressforthedance。Thetrainwouldcertainlybehalf-an-hourlate；half-an-hourwouldbespentingettingtothetown-hall，andthatwastheutmostdelaytolerableifhewouldsecurethehandofPaulaforonespin，orbemorethanameredummybehindtheearlierarrivals。Helookedforanemptycompartmentatthenextstoppage，andfindingtheonenexthisownunoccupied，heentereditandchangedhisraimentforthatinhisportmanteauduringtheensuingrunoftwentymiles。
　　ThuspreparedheawaitedtheMarktonplatform，whichwasreachedastheclockstrucktwelve。Somersetcalledaflyanddroveatoncetothetown-hall。
　　Theboroughnativeshadascendedtotheirupperfloors，andwereputtingouttheircandlesonebyoneashepassedalongthestreets；butthelivelystrainsthatproceededfromthecentraledificerevealeddistinctlyenoughwhatwasgoingonamongthetemporaryvisitorsfromtheneighbouringmanors。
　　Thedoorswereopenedforhim，andenteringthevestibulelinedwithflags，flowers，evergreens，andescutcheons，hestoodlookingintothefurnaceofgaietybeyond。
　　Itwassometimebeforehecouldgatherhisimpressionsofthescene，soperplexingwerethelights，themotions，thetoilets，thefull-dressuniformsofofficersandtheharmoniesofsound。Yetlight，sound，andmovementwerenotsomuchtheessenceofthatgiddysceneasanintenseaimatobliviousnessinthebeingscomposingit。Fortwoorthreehoursatleastthosewhirlingyoungpeoplemeantnottoknowthattheyweremortal。Theroomwasbeatinglikeaheart，andthepulsewasregulatedbythetremblingstringsofthemostpopularquadrillebandinWessex。Butatlasthiseyesgrewsettledenoughtolookcriticallyaround。
　　Theroomwascrowded——toocrowded。Everyvarietyoffairone，beautiesprimary，secondary，andtertiary，appearedamongthepersonagescomposingthethrong。Thereweresunsandmoons；
　　alsopaleplanetsoflittleaccount。Broadlyspeaking，thesedaughtersofthecountyfellintotwoclasses:onethepink-
　　facedunsophisticatedgirlsfromneighbouringrectoriesandsmallcountry-houses，whoknewnottownexceptforanoccasionalfortnight，andwhospenttheirtimefromEastertoLammasDaymuchastheyspentitduringtheremainingninemonthsoftheyear:theotherclasswerethechildrenofthewealthylandownerswhomigratedeachseasontothetown-house；
　　thesewerepaleandcollected，showedlessenjoymentintheircountenances，andworeingeneralanapproximationtothelanguidmannersofthecapital。
　　Aquadrillewasinprogress，andSomersetscannedeachset。
　　Hismindhadrunsolonguponthenecklace，thathisglanceinvoluntarilysoughtoutthatgleamingobjectratherthanthepersonalityofitswearer。Atthetopoftheroomtherehebeheldit；butitwasontheneckofCharlotteDeStancy。
　　Thewholelucidexplanationbrokeacrosshisunderstandinginasecond。HisdearPaulahadfetchedthenecklacethatCharlotteshouldnotappeartodisadvantageamongthecountypeoplebyreasonofherpoverty。Itwasgenerouslydone——adisinterestedactofsisterlykindness；theirswasthefriendshipofHermiaandHelena。Beforehehadgotfurtherthantorealizethis，therewheeledroundamongstthedancersaladywhosetournureherecognizedwell。ShewasPaula；andtotheyoungman'svisionasuperlativesomethingdistinguishedherfromalltherest。Thiswasnotdressorornament，forshehadhardlyagemuponher，herattirebeingamodelofeffectivesimplicity。HerpartnerwasCaptainDeStancy。
　　Thediscoveryofthislatterfactslightlyobscuredhisappreciationofwhathehaddiscoveredjustbefore。ItwaswithratheraloweringbrowthatheaskedhimselfwhetherPaula'spredilectiond'artiste，asshecalledit，fortheDeStancylinemightnotleadtoapredilectionofadifferentsortforitslastrepresentativewhichwouldbenotatallsatisfactory。
　　Thearchitectremainedinthebackgroundtillthedancedrewtoaconclusion，andthenhewentforward。ThecircumstanceofhavingmethimbyaccidentoncealreadythatdayseemedtoquenchanysurpriseinMissPower'sbosomatseeinghimnow。
　　TherewasnothinginherpartingfromCaptainDeStancy，whenheledhertoaseat，calculatedtomakeSomersetuneasyafterhislongabsence。Though，forthatmatter，thisprovednothing；for，likeallwisemaidens，Paulaneverventuredonthegameoftheeyeswithaloverinpublic；wellknowingthateverymomentofsuchindulgenceovernightmightmeananhour'ssneeratherexpensebytheindulgedgentlemannextday，whenweighingwomankindbytheaidofacoldmorninglightandabadheadache。
　　WhileSomersetwasexplainingtoPaulaandherauntthereasonofhissuddenappearance，theirattentionwasdrawntoaseatashortwayoffbyaflutteringofladiesroundthespot。Inamomentitwaswhisperedthatsomebodyhadfallenill，andinanotherthatthesuffererwasMissDeStancy。Paula，Mrs。
　　Goodman，andSomersetatoncejoinedthegroupoffriendswhowereassistingher。NeitherofthemimaginedforaninstantthattheunexpectedadventofSomersetonthescenehadanythingtodowiththepoorgirl'sindisposition。
　　Shewasassistedoutoftheroom，andherbrother，whonowcameup，preparedtotakeherhome，Somersetexchangingafewcivilwordswithhim，whichthehurryofthemomentpreventedthemfromcontinuing；thoughontakinghisleavewithCharlotte，whowasnowbetter，DeStancyinformedSomersetinanswertoacursoryinquiry，thathehopedtobebackagainattheballinhalf-an-hour。
　　WhentheyweregoneSomerset，feelingthatnowanotherdogmighthavehisday，soundedPaulaonthedelightfulquestionofadance。
　　Paularepliedinthenegative。
　　'Howisthat?'askedSomersetwithreproachfuldisappointment。
　　'Icannotdanceagain，'shesaidinasomewhatdepressedtone；
　　'Imustbereleasedfromeveryengagementtodoso，onaccountofCharlotte'sillness。IshouldhavegonehomewithherifI
　　hadnotbeenparticularlyrequestedtostayalittlelonger，sinceitisasyetsoearly，andCharlotte'sillnessisnotveryserious。'
　　IfCharlotte'sillnesswasnotveryserious，Somersetthought，Paulamighthavestretchedapoint；butnotwishingtohinderherinshowingrespecttoafriendsowelllikedbyhimself，hedidnotaskit。DeStancyhadpromisedtobebackagaininhalf-an-hour，andPaulahadheardthepromise。Butattheendoftwentyminutes，stillseemingindifferenttowhatwasgoingonaroundher，shesaidshewouldstaynolonger，andremindingSomersetthattheyweresoontomeetandtalkovertherebuilding，droveoffwithheraunttoStancyCastle。
　　Somersetstoodlookingaftertheretreatingcarriagetillitwasenvelopedinshadesthatthelampscouldnotdisperse。
　　Theball-roomwasnowvirtuallyemptyforhim，andfeelingnogreatanxietytoreturnthitherhestoodonthestepsforsomeminuteslonger，lookingintothecalmmildnight，andatthedarkhousesbehindwhoseblindslaytheburgherswiththeireyessealedupinsleep。HecouldnotbutthinkthatitwasrathertoobadofPaulatospoilhiseveningforasentimentaldevotiontoCharlottewhichcoulddothelatternoappreciablegood；andhewouldhavefeltseriouslyhurtathermoveifithadnotbeenequallysevereuponCaptainDeStancy，whowasdoubtlesshasteningback，fullofabeliefthatshewouldstillbefoundthere。
　　Thestarofgas-jetsovertheentrancethrewitslightuponthewallsontheoppositesideofthestreet，wheretherewerenotice-boardsofforthcomingevents。Inglancingovertheseforthefifthtime，hiseyewasattractedbythefirstwordsofaplacardinblueletters，ofasizelargerthantherest，andmovingonwardafewstepsheread:——
　　STANCYCASTLE。
　　BythekindpermissionofMissPower，APLAY
　　WillshortlybeperformedattheaboveCASTLE，INAIDOFTHEFUNDSOFTHE
　　COUNTYHOSPITAL，BytheOfficersoftheROYALHORSEARTILLERY，MARKTONBARRACKS，ASSISTEDBYSEVERAL
　　LADIESOFTHENEIGHBOURHOOD。
　　Thecastandotherparticularswillbedulyannouncedinsmallbills。PlaceswillbereservedonapplicationtoMr。
　　Clangham，HighStreet，Markton，whereaplanoftheroommaybeseen。
　　N。B——TheCastleisabouttwentyminutes'drivefromMarktonStation，towhichtherearenumerousconvenienttrainsfromallpartsofthecounty。
　　InaprofoundstudySomersetturnedandre-enteredtheball-
　　room，whereheremainedgloomilystandinghereandthereforaboutfiveminutes，attheendofwhichheobservedCaptainDeStancy，whohadreturnedpunctuallytohisword，crossingthehallinhisdirection。
　　Thegallantofficerdartedglancesoflivelysearchovereverygroupofdancersandsitters；andthenwithratherablanklookinhisface，hecameontoSomerset。Replyingtothelatter'sinquiryforhissisterthatshehadnearlyrecovered，hesaid，'Idon'tseemyfather'sneighboursanywhere。'
　　'Theyhavegonehome，'repliedSomerset，atrifledrily。
　　'Theyaskedmetomaketheirapologiestoyouforleadingyoutoexpecttheywouldremain。MissPowerwastooanxiousaboutMissDeStancytocaretostaylonger。'
　　TheeyesofDeStancyandthespeakermetforaninstant。
　　Thatcuriousguardedunderstanding，orinimicalconfederacy，whicharisesatmomentsbetweentwomeninlovewiththesamewoman，waspresenthere；andintheirmutualglanceseachsaidasplainlyasbywordsthatherdeparturehadruinedhisevening'shope。
　　Theywerenowaboutasmuchinonemoodasitwaspossiblefortwosuchdifferingnaturestobe。Neithercaredfurtherforelaboratinggiddycurvesonthattown-hallfloor。Theystoodtalkinglanguidlyaboutthisandthatlocaltopic，tillDeStancyturnedasideforashorttimetospeaktoadapperlittleladywhohadbeckonedtohim。InafewminuteshecamebacktoSomerset。
　　'Mrs。Camperton，thewifeofMajorCampertonofmybattery，wouldverymuchlikemetointroduceyoutoher。Sheisanoldfriendofyourfather's，andhaswantedtoknowyouforalongtime。'
　　DeStancyandSomersetcrossedovertothelady，andinafewminutes，thankstoherflowofspirits，sheandSomersetwerechattingwithremarkablefreedom。
　　'Itisahappycoincidence，'continuedMrs。Camperton，'thatI
　　shouldhavemetyouhere，immediatelyafterreceivingaletterfromyourfather:indeeditreachedmeonlythismorning。Hehasbeensokind!Wearegettingupsometheatricals，asyouknow，Isuppose，tohelpthefundsoftheCountyHospital，whichisindebt。'
　　'Ihavejustseentheannouncement——nothingmore。'
　　'Yes，suchanestimablepurpose；andaswewishedtodoitthoroughlywell，IaskedMr。Somersettodesignusthecostumes，andhehasnowsentmethesketches。Itisquiteasecretatpresent，butwearegoingtoplayShakespeare'sromanticdrama，'Love'sLabour'sLost，'andwehopetogetMissPowertotaketheleadingpart。Yousee，beingsuchahandsomegirl，andsowealthy，andratheranundiscoverednoveltyinthecountyasyet，shewoulddrawacrowdedroom，andgreatlybenefitthefunds。'
　　'MissPowergoingtoplayherself?——Iamrathersurprised，'
　　saidSomerset。'Whoseideaisallthis?'
　　'O，CaptainDeStancy's——he'stheoriginatorentirely。Youseeheissointerestedintheneighbourhood，hisfamilyhavingbeenconnectedwithitforsomanycenturies，thatnaturallyacharitableobjectofthislocalnatureappealstohisfeelings。'
　　'Naturally!'herlistenerlaconicallyrepeated。'Andhaveyousettledwhoistoplaythejuniorgentleman'spart，leadinglover，hero，orwhateverheiscalled?'
　　'Notabsolutely；thoughIthinkCaptainDeStancywillnotrefuseit；andheisaverygoodfigure。AtpresentitliesbetweenhimandMr。Mild，oneofouryounglieutenants。Myhusband，ofcourse，takestheheavyline；andIamtobethesecondlady，thoughIamrathertoooldforthepartreally。
　　IfwecanonlysecureMissPowerforheroinethecastwillbeexcellent。'
　　'Excellent!'saidSomerset，withaspectralsmile。
　　VII。
　　WhenheawokethenextmorningattheLord-Quantock-ArmsHotelSomersetfeltquitemorbidonrecallingtheintelligencehehadreceivedfromMrs。Camperton。Butasthedayforseriouspracticalconsultationaboutthecastleworks，towhichPaulahadplayfullyalluded，wasnowcloseathand，hedeterminedtobanishsentimentalreflectionsonthefrailtiesthatwerebesieginghernature，byactivepreparationforhisprofessionalundertaking。Tobeherhigh-priestinart，toelaborateastructurewhosecunningworkmanshipwouldbemeetinghereyeeverydaytilltheendofhernaturallife，andsayingtoher，'Heinventedit，'withalltheeloquenceofaninanimatethinglongregarded——thiswasnomeansatisfaction，comewhatelsewould。
　　Hereturnedtotownthenextdaytosetmattersthereinsuchtrimthatnoinconvenienceshouldresultfromhisprolongedabsenceatthecastle；forhavingnoothercommissionhedeterminedwithaneyerathertoheart-intereststhantoincreasinghisprofessionalpracticetomake，asbefore，thecastleitselfhisoffice，studio，andchiefabiding-placetilltheworkswerefairlyinprogress。
　　OnthetenthhereappearedatMarkton。Passingthroughthetown，ontheroadtoStancyCastle，hiseyeswereagainarrestedbythenotice-boardwhichhadconveyedsuchstartlinginformationtohimonthenightoftheball。Thesmallbillsnowappearedthereon；butwhenheanxiouslylookedthemovertolearnhowthepartsweretobeallotted，hefoundthatintelligencestillwithheld。Yettheytoldenough；thelistoflady-playerswasgiven，andMissPower'snamewasone。
　　Thatayoungladywho，sixmonthsago，wouldscarcelyjoinforconscientiousreasonsinasimpledanceonherownlawn，shouldnowbewillingtoexhibitherselfonapublicstage，simulatinglove-passageswithastranger，arguedarateofdevelopmentwhichunderanycircumstanceswouldhavesurprisedhim，butwhich，withtheparticularaddition，asleadingcolleague，ofCaptainDeStancy，inflamedhimalmosttoanger。
　　Whatclandestinearrangementshadbeengoingoninhisabsencetoproducesuchafull-blownintentionitwerefutiletoguess。Paula'scoursewasaraceratherthanamarch，andeachsuccessiveheatwasstartlinginitseclipseofthatwhichwentbefore。
　　Somersetwas，however，introspectiveenoughtoknowthathismoralswouldhavetakennosuchvirtuousalarmhadhebeenthechiefmaleplayerinsteadofCaptainDeStancy。
　　Hepassedunderthecastle-archandentered。ThereseemedalittleturninthetideofaffairswhenitwasannouncedtohimthatMissPowerexpectedhim，andwasalone。
　　Thewell-knownante-chambersthroughwhichhewalked，filledwithtwilight，draughts，andthinechoesthatseemedtoreverberatefromtwohundredyearsago，didnotdelayhiseyeastheyhaddonewhenhehadbeenignorantthathisdestinylaybeyond；andhefollowedonthroughallthisancientnesstowherethemodernPaulasattoreceivehim。
　　Heforgoteverythinginthepleasureofbeingaloneinaroomwithher。Shemethiseyewiththatinherownwhichcheeredhim。Itwasalightexpressingthatsomethingwasunderstoodbetweenthem。Shesaidquietlyintwoorthreewordsthatshehadexpectedhimintheforenoon。
　　SomersetexplainedthathehadcomeonlythatmorningfromLondon。
　　Afteralittlemoretalk，inwhichshesaidthatherauntwouldjointheminafewminutes，andMissDeStancywasstillindisposedatherfather'shouse，sherangforteaandsatdownbesidealittletable。
　　'Shallweproceedtobusinessatonce?'sheaskedhim。
　　'Isupposeso。'
　　'Firstthen，whenwilltheworkingdrawingsbeready，whichI
　　thinkyousaidmustbemadeoutbeforetheworkcouldbegin?'
　　WhileSomersetinformedheronthisandothermatters，Mrs。
　　Goodmanenteredandjoinedinthediscussion，afterwhichtheyfounditwouldbenecessarytoadjourntotheroomwheretheplanswerehanging。OntheirwalkthitherPaulaaskedifhestayedlateattheball。
　　'Ileftsoonafteryou。'
　　'Thatwasveryearly，seeinghowlateyouarrived。'
　　'Yes……Ididnotdance。'
　　'Whatdidyoudothen?'
　　'Imoped，andwalkedtothedoor；andsawanannouncement。'
　　'Iknow——theplaythatistobeperformed。'
　　'InwhichyouaretobethePrincess。'
　　'That'snotsettled，——Ihavenotagreedyet。IshallnotplaythePrincessofFranceunlessMr。MildplaystheKingofNavarre。'
　　Thissoundedratherwell。ThePrincesswastheladybelovedbytheKing；andMr。Mild，theyounglieutenantofartillery，wasadiffident，inexperienced，ratherplain-lookingfellow，whosesoleinterestintheatricalslayintheconsiderationofhiscostumeandthesoundofhisownvoiceintheearsoftheaudience。Withsuchanunobjectionablepersontoenactthepartoflover，theprominentcharacterofleadingyoungladyorheroine，whichPaulawastopersonate，wasreallythemostsatisfactoryinthewholelistforher。Foralthoughshewastobewooedhard，therewasjustasmuchlove-makingamongtheremainingpersonages；while，asSomersethadunderstoodtheplay，therecouldoccurnoflingingsofherpersonuponherlover'sneck，oragonizeddownfallsuponthestage，inherwholeperformance，astherewereinthepartschosenbyMrs。
　　Camperton，themajor'swife，andsomeoftheotherladies。
　　'Whydoyouplayatall!'hemurmured。
　　'Whataquestion!HowcouldIrefuseforsuchanexcellentpurpose?Theysaythatmytakingapartwillbeworthahundredpoundstothecharity。Myfatheralwayssupportedthehospital，whichisquiteundenominational；andhesaidIwastodothesame。'
　　'Doyouthinkthepeculiarmeansyouhaveadoptedforsupportingitenteredintohisview?'inquiredSomerset，regardingherwithcriticaldryness。'FormypartIdon't。'
　　'Itisaninterestingway，'shereturnedpersuasively，thoughapparentlyinastateofmentalequipoiseonthepointraisedbyhisquestion。'AndIshallnotplaythePrincess，asI
　　said，toanyotherthanthatquietyoungman。NowIassureyouofthis，sodon'tbeangryandabsurd!Besides，theKingdoesn'tmarrymeattheendoftheplay，asinShakespeare'sothercomedies。AndifMissDeStancycontinuesseriouslyunwellIshallnotplayatall。'
　　Theyoungmanpressedherhand，butshegentlyslippeditaway。
　　'Arewenotengaged，Paula!'heasked。Sheevasivelyshookherhead。
　　'Come——yesweare!Shallwetellyouraunt?'hecontinued。
　　UnluckilyatthatmomentMrs。Goodman，whohadfollowedthemtothestudioataslowerpace，appearedroundthedoorway。
　　'No，——tothelast，'repliedPaulahastily。Thenherauntentered，andtheconversationwasnolongerpersonal。
　　Somersettookhisdepartureinaserenermoodthoughnotcompletelyassured。
　　VIII。
　　Hisserenitycontinuedduringtwoorthreefollowingdays，when，continuingatthecastle，hegotpleasantglimpsesofPaulanowandthen。Herstrongdesirethathisloveforhershouldbekeptsecret，perplexedhim；buthisaffectionwasgenerous，andheacquiescedinthatdesire。
　　Meanwhilenewsoftheforthcomingdramaticperformanceradiatedineverydirection。Andinthenextnumberofthecountypaperitwasannounced，toSomerset'scomparativesatisfaction，thatthecastwasdefinitelysettled，Mr。MildhavingagreedtobetheKingandMissPowertheFrenchPrincess。CaptainDeStancy，withbecomingmodestyforonewhowastheleadingspirit，figuredquitelowdown，inthesecondarycharacterofSirNathaniel。
　　Somersetrememberedthat，byahappychance，thecostumehehaddesignedforSirNathanielwasnotatallpicturesque；
　　moreoverSirNathanielscarcelycamenearthePrincessthroughthewholeplay。
　　Everydayafterthistherewascomingandgoingtoandfromthecastleofrailwayvansladenwithcanvascolumns，pasteboardtrees，limphouse-fronts，woollenlawns，andlathbalustrades。Therewerealsofrequentarrivalsofyoungladiesfromneighbouringcountryhouses，andwarriorsfromtheXandYbatteriesofartillery，distinguishablebytheirregulationshaving。
　　ButitwasuponCaptainDeStancyandMrs。Campertonthattheweightofpreparationfell。Somerset，throughbeingmuchoccupiedinthedrawing-office，wasseldompresentduringtheconsultationsandrehearsals:untiloneday，teabeingservedinthedrawing-roomattheusualhour，hedroppedinwiththeresttoreceiveacupfromPaula'stable。Thechatterwastremendous，andSomersetwasatonceconsultedaboutsomenecessarycarpentrywhichwastobespeciallymadeatMarkton。
　　Afterthathewaslookedonasoneoftheband，whichresultedinalargeadditiontothenumberofhisacquaintanceinthispartofEngland。
　　Buthisownfeelingwasthatofbeinganoutsiderstill。Thisvagaryhadbeenoriginated，theplaychosen，thepartsallotted，allinhisabsence，andcallinghiminatthelastmomentmight，ifflirtationwerepossibleinPaula，bebutasoptopacifyhim。Whatwouldhehavegiventoimpersonateherloverinthepiece!ButneitherPaulanoranyoneelsehadaskedhim。
　　Theeventfuleveningcame。SomersethadbeenengagedduringthedaywiththedifferentpeoplebywhomtheworksweretobecarriedoutandintheeveningwenttohisroomsattheLord-
　　Quantock-Arms，Markton，wherehedined。Hedidnotreturntothecastletillthehourfixedfortheperformance，andhavingbeenreceivedbyMrs。Goodman，enteredthelargeapartment，nowtransfiguredintoatheatre，likeanyotherspectator。
　　Rumoursoftheprojectedrepresentationhadspreadfarandwide。Sixtimesthenumberofticketsissuedmighthavebeenreadilysold。Friendsandacquaintancesoftheactorscamefromcuriositytoseehowtheywouldacquitthemselves；whileotherclassesofpeoplecamebecausetheywereeagertoseewell-knownnotabilitiesinunwontedsituations。Whenladies，hithertoonlybeheldinfrigid，impenetrablepositionsbehindtheircoachmeninMarktonHighStreet，wereabouttorevealtheirhiddentraits，homeattitudes，intimatesmiles，nods，andperhapskisses，tothepubliceye，itwasathrowingopenoffascinatingsocialsecretsnottobemissedformoney。
　　Theperformanceopenedwithnofurtherdelaythanwasoccasionedbythecustomaryrefusalofthecurtainatthesetimestorisemorethantwofeetsixinches；butthishitchwasremedied，andtheplaybegan。ItwaswithnoenviableemotionthatSomerset，whowaswatchingintently，saw，notMr。
　　Mild，butCaptainDeStancy，enterastheKingofNavarre。
　　SomersetasafriendofthefamilyhadhadaseatreservedforhimnexttothatofMrs。Goodman，andturningtoherhesaidwithsomeexcitement，'IunderstoodthatMr。Mildhadagreedtotakethatpart?'
　　'Yes，'shesaidinawhisper，'sohehad；buthebrokedown。
　　LuckilyCaptainDeStancywasfamiliarwiththepart，throughhavingcoachedtheotherssopersistently，andheundertookitoff-hand。BeingaboutthesamefigureasLieutenantMildthesamedressfitshim，withalittlealterationbythetailor。'
　　Itdidfithimindeed；andofthemalecostumesitwasthatonwhichSomersethadbestowedmostpainswhendesigningthem。
　　ItshrewdlyburstuponhismindthattheremighthavebeencollusionbetweenMildandDeStancy，theformeragreeingtotakethecaptain'splaceandactasblindtillthelastmoment。Agreaterquestionwas，couldPaulahavebeenawareofthis，andwouldsheperformasthePrincessofFrancenowDeStancywastobeherlover?
　　'DoesMissPowerknowofthischange?'heinquired。
　　'Shedidnottillquiteashorttimeago。'
　　Hecontrolledhisimpatiencetillthebeginningofthesecondact。ThePrincessentered；itwasPaula。Butwhethertheslightembarrassmentwithwhichshepronouncedheropeningwords，'GoodLordBoyet，mybeauty，thoughbutmean，Needsnotthepaintedflourishofyourpraise，'
　　wasduetothenewnessofhersituation，ortoherknowledgethatDeStancyhadusurpedMild'spartofherlover，hecouldnotguess。DeStancyappeared，andSomersetfeltgrimashelistenedtothegallantcaptain'ssalutationofthePrincess，andherresponse。
　　DeS。FairPrincess，welcometothecourtofNavarre。
　　Paula。Fair，Igiveyoubackagain:andwelcome，Ihavenotyet。
　　Somersetlistenedtothisandtoallthatwhichfollowedofthesamesort，withthereflectionthat，afterall，thePrincessneverthroughoutthepiececompromisedherdignitybyshowingherlovefortheKing；andthatthelatterneveraddressedherinwordsinwhichpassiongotthebetterofcourtesy。Moreover，asPaulahadherselfobserved，theydidnotmarryattheendofthepiece，asinShakespeare'sothercomedies。Somewhatcalminthisassurance，hewaitedonwhiletheothercouplesrespectivelyindulgedintheirlove-making，andbanter，includingMrs。CampertonasthesprightlyRosaline。Buthewasdoomedtobesurprisedoutofhishumourwhentheendoftheactcameon。Inabridgingtheplayfortheconvenienceofrepresentation，thefavoursorgiftsfromthegentlementotheladieswerepersonallypresented:andnowSomersetsawDeStancyadvancewiththenecklacefetchedbyPaulafromLondon，andclaspitonherneck。
　　Thisseemedtothrowalesspleasantlightonherhastyjourney。Tofetchavaluableornamenttolendittoapoorerfriendwasestimable；buttofetchitthatthefriend'sbrothershouldhavesomethingmagnificenttouseasalover'sofferingtoherselfinpublic，thatworeadifferentcomplexion。AndifthearticlewererecognizedbythespectatorsasthesamethatCharlottehadwornattheball，thepresentationbyDeStancyofwhatmustseemtobeanheirloomofhishousewouldbereadassymbolizingaunionofthefamilies。
　　DeStancy'smodeofpresentingthenecklace，thoughunauthorizedbyShakespeare，hadthefullapprovalofthecompany，andsetthemingoodhumourtoreceiveMajorCampertonasArmadothebraggart。Nothingcalculatedtostimulatejealousyoccurredagaintillthefifthact；andthentherearosefullcauseforit。
　　ThescenewastheoutsideofthePrincess'spavilion。DeStancy，astheKingofNavarre，stoodwithhisgroupofattendantsawaitingthePrincess，whopresentlyenteredfromherdoor。Thetwobegantoconverseastheplayappointed，DeStancyturningtoherwiththisreply——
　　'Rebukemenotforthatwhichyouprovoke；
　　Thevirtueofyoureyemustbreakmyoath。'
　　Sofarallwaswell；andPaulaopenedherlipsforthesetrejoinder。ButbeforeshehadspokenDeStancycontinued——
　　'IfIprofanewithmyunworthyhandTakingherhand
　　Thisholyshrine，thegentlefineisthis——
　　Mylips，twoblushingpilgrims，readystandTosmooththatroughtouchwithatenderkiss。'
　　Somersetstared。SurelyinthiscomedytheKingneveraddressedthePrincessinsuchwarmwords；andyettheywereShakespeare's，fortheywerequitefamiliartohim。Adimsuspicioncrossedhismind。Mrs。GoodmanhadbroughtacopyofShakespearewithher，whichshekeptinherlapandneverlookedat:borrowingit，Somersetturnedto'RomeoandJuliet，'andtherehesawthewordswhichDeStancyhadintroducedasgag，tointensifythemildlove-makingoftheotherplay。MeanwhileDeStancycontinued——
　　'Othen，dearSaint，letlipsdowhathandsdo；
　　Theypray，grantthou，lestfaithturntodespair。
　　Thenmovenot，whilemyprayer'seffectItake。
　　Thusfrommylips，byyours，mysinispurg'd!'
　　CoulditbethatDeStancywasgoingtodowhatcamenextinthestagedirection——kissher?Beforetherewastimeforconjectureonthatpointthesoundofaverysweetandlong-
　　drawnosculationspreadthroughtheroom，followedbyloudapplausefromthepeopleinthecheapseats。DeStancywithdrewfrombendingoverPaula，andshewasveryredintheface。Nothingseemedclearerthanthathehadactuallydonethedeed。Theapplausecontinuing，Somersetturnedhishead。
　　Fivehundredfaceshadregardedtheact，withoutaconsciousnessthatitwasaninterpolation；andfourhundredandfiftymouthsinthosefacesweresmiling。Aboutonehalfofthemweretendersmiles；thesecamefromthewomen。Theotherhalfwereatbesthumorous，andmainlysatirical；thesecamefromthemen。Itwasaprofanationwithoutparallel，andhisfaceblazedlikeacoal。
　　Theplaywasnownearlyatanend，andSomersetsaton，feelingwhathecouldnotexpress。Morethaneverwasheassuredthattherehadbeencollusionbetweenthetwoartilleryofficerstobringaboutthisend。Thatheshouldhavebeentheunhappymantodesignthosepicturesquedressesinwhichhisrivalsoaudaciouslyplayedthelovertohis，Somerset's，mistress，wasanaddedpointtothesatire。HecouldhardlygosofarastoassumethatPaulawasaconsentingpartytothisstartlinginterlude；butherotherwiseunaccountablewishthathisownloveshouldbeclandestinelyshownlentimmenseforcetoadoubtofhersincerity。Theghastlythoughtthatshehadmerelybeenkeepinghimon，likeapetspaniel，toamuseherleisuremomentstillsheshouldhavefoundappropriateopportunityforanopenengagementwithsomeoneelse，trustingtohissenseofchivalrytokeepsecrettheirlittleepisode，filledhimwithagrimheat。
　　IX。
　　Atthebackoftheroomtheapplausehadbeenloudatthemomentofthekiss，realorcounterfeit。Thecausewaspartlyowingtoanexceptionalcircumstancewhichhadoccurredinthatquarterearlyintheplay。
　　Thepeoplehadallseatedthemselves，andthefirstacthadbegun，whenthetapestrythatscreenedthedoorwasliftedgentlyandafigureappearedintheopening。Thegeneralattentionwasatthismomentabsorbedbythenewlydisclosedstage，andscarcelyasoulnoticedthestranger。Hadanyoneoftheaudienceturnedhishead，therewouldhavebeensufficientinthecountenancetodetainhisgaze，notwithstandingthecounter-attractionforward。
　　Hewasobviouslyamanwhohadcomefromafar。TherewasnotasquareinchabouthimthathadanythingtodowithmodernEnglishlife。Hisvisage，whichwasofthecolouroflightporphyry，hadlittleofitsoriginalsurfaceleft；itwasafacewhichhadbeentheplaythingofstrangefiresorpestilences，thathadmouldedtowhatevershapetheychosehisoriginallysuppleskin，andleftitpitted，puckered，andseamedlikeadriedwater-course。Butthoughdirecatastrophesorthetreacherousairsofremoteclimateshaddonetheirworstuponhisexterior，theyseemedtohaveaffectedhimbutlittlewithin，tojudgefromacertainrobustnesswhichshoweditselfinhismannerofstanding。
　　Theface-markshadameaning，foranyonewhocouldreadthem，beyondthemeresuggestionoftheirorigin:theysignifiedthatthismanhadeitherbeenthevictimofsometerriblenecessityasregardedtheoccupationtowhichhehaddevotedhimself，orthathewasamanofdoggedobstinacy，fromsheersangfroidholdinghisgroundamidmalignforceswhenotherswouldhavefledaffrightedaway。
　　Asnobodynoticedhim，hedroppedthedoorhangingsafterawhile，walkedsilentlyalongthemattedalley，andsatdowninoneofthebackchairs。Hismannerofentrywasenoughtoshowthatthestrengthofcharacterwhichheseemedtopossesshadphlegmforitsbaseandnotardour。Onemighthavesaidthatperhapstheshockshehadpassedthroughhadtakenallhisoriginalwarmthoutofhim。Hisbeaverhat，whichhehadretainedonhisheadtillthismoment，henowplacedundertheseat，wherehesatabsolutelymotionlesstilltheendofthefirstact，asifhewereindulginginamonologuewhichdidnotquitereachhislips。
　　WhenPaulaenteredatthebeginningofthesecondactheshowedasmuchexcitementaswasexpressedbyaslightmovementoftheeyes。Whenshespokeheturnedtohisnextneighbour，andaskedhimincoldlevelwordswhichhadoncebeenEnglish，butwhichseemedtohavelosttheaccentofnationality:'Isthattheyoungwomanwhoisthepossessorofthiscastle——Powerbyname?'
　　HisneighbourhappenedtobethelandlordatSleeping-Green，andheinformedthestrangerthatshewaswhathesupposed。
　　'AndwhoisthatgentlemanwhoselineofbusinessseemstobetomakelovetoPower?'
　　'He'sCaptainDeStancy，SirWilliamDeStancy'sson，whousedtoownthisproperty。'
　　'Baronetorknight?'
　　'Baronet——averyold-establishedfamilyabouthere。'
　　Thestrangernodded，andtheplaywenton，nofurtherwordbeingspokentillthefourthactwasreached，whenthestrangeragainsaid，withouttakinghisnarrowblackeyesfromthestage:'There'ssomethinginthatlove-makingbetweenStancyandPowerthat'snotallsham!'
　　'Well，'saidthelandlord，'Ihavehearddifferentstoriesaboutthat，andwouldn'tbethemantozaywhatIcouldn'tswearto。ThestoryisthatCaptainDeStancy，whoisaspoorasagallicrow，isinfullcrya'terher，andthathison'ychanceliesinhisbeingheirtoatitleandthewoldname。
　　Butshehasnotshownagenuinehankerforanybodyyet。'
　　'Ifshefindsthemoney，andthisStancyfindsthenameandblood，'twouldbeaveryneatmatchbetween'em，——hey?'
　　'That'stheargument。'
　　Nothingmorewassaidagainforalongtime，butthestranger'seyesshowedmoreinterestinthepassesbetweenPaulaandDeStancythantheyhadshownbefore。Atlengththecrisiscame，asdescribedinthelastchapter，DeStancysalutingherwiththatsemblanceofakisswhichgavesuchumbragetoSomerset。Thestranger'sthinlipslengthenedacoupleofincheswithsatisfaction；heputhishandintohispocket，drewouttwohalf-crownswhichhehandedtothelandlord，saying，'Justapplaudthat，willyou，andgetyourcomradestodothesame。'
　　Thelandlord，thoughalittlesurprised，tookthemoney，andbegantoclaphishandsasdesired。Theexamplewascontagious，andspreadallovertheroom；fortheaudience，gentleandsimple，thoughtheymightnothavefollowedtheblankverseinallitsbearings，couldatleastappreciateakiss。ItwastheunusualacclamationraisedbythismeanswhichhadledSomersettoturnhishead。
　　Whentheplayhadendedthestrangerwasthefirsttorise，andgoingdownstairsattheheadofthecrowdhepassedoutofdoors，andwaslosttoview。Somequestionswereaskedbythelandlordastothestranger'sindividuality；butfewhadseenhim；fewerhadnoticedhim，singularashewas；andnoneknewhisname。
　　Whilethesethingshadbeengoingoninthequarterallottedtothecommonalty，Somersetinfronthadwaitedthefallofthecurtainwiththosesickandsorryfeelingswhichshouldbecombatedbytheaidofphilosophyandagoodconscience，butwhichreallyareonlysubduedbytimeandtheabradingrushofaffairs。Hewas，however，stoicalenough，whenitwasallover，toacceptMrs。Goodman'sinvitationtoaccompanyhertothedrawing-room，fullyexpectingtofindtherealargecompany，includingCaptainDeStancy。
　　Butnoneoftheactingladiesandgentlemenhademergedfromtheirdressing-roomsasyet。Feelingthathedidnotcaretomeetanyofthemthatnight，hebadefarewelltoMrs。Goodmanafterafewminutesofconversation，andlefther。Whilehewaspassingalongthecorridor，atthesideofthegallerywhichhadbeenusedasthetheatre，Paulacrosseditfromthelatterapartmenttowardsanoppositedoor。ShewasstillinthedressofthePrincess，andthediamondandpearlnecklacestillhungoverherbosomasplacedtherebyCaptainDeStancy。
　　HereyecaughtSomerset's，andshestopped。Probablytherewassomethinginhisfacewhichtoldhismind，forsheinvitedhimbyasmileintotheroomshewasentering。
　　'Icongratulateyouonyourperformance，'hesaidmechanically，whenshepushedtothedoor。
　　'Doyoureallythinkitwaswelldone?'Shedrewnearhimwithasociableair。
　　'Itwasstartlinglydone——thepartfrom"RomeoandJuliet"
　　pre-eminentlyso。'
　　'DoyouthinkIknewhewasgoingtointroduceit，ordoyouthinkIdidn'tknow?'shesaid，withthatgentlesaucinesswhichshowsitselfinthelovedone'smannerwhenshehashadatriumphanteveningwithoutthelover'sassistance。
　　'Ithinkyoumayhaveknown。'
　　'No，'sheaverred，decisivelyshakingherhead。'Ittookmeasmuchbysurpriseasitprobablydidyou。ButwhyshouldI
　　havetold!'
　　WithoutansweringthatquestionSomersetwenton。'Thenwhathedidattheendofhisgagwasofcourseasurprisealso。'
　　'Hedidn'treallydowhatheseemedtodo，'sheserenelyanswered。