Thereplywasunexpected。Thereporterinformedhisquestionerthatinreturningfromthetheatricals，atwhichhewaspresent，hesharedaflywithagentlemanwhoassuredhimthatsuchanalliancewascertain，soobviouslydiditrecommenditselftoallconcerned，asameansofstrengtheningbothfamilies。Thegentleman'sknowledgeofthePowerswassoprecisethatthereporterdidnothesitatetoaccepthisassertion。Hewasamanwhohadseenagreatdealoftheworld，andhisfacewasnoticeablefortheseamsandscarsonit。
　　SomersetrecognizedPaula'suncleintheportrait。
　　Hostilities，then，werebeginning。Theparagraphhadbeenmeantasthefirstslap。Takingherabroadwasthesecond。
　　BOOKTHEFOURTH。SOMERSET，DAREANDDESTANCY。
　　I。
　　TherewasnopartofPaula'sjourneyinwhichSomersetdidnotthinkofher。HeimaginedherinthehotelatHavre，inherbriefrestatParis；herdrivepastthePlacedelaBastilletotheBoulevartMazastotakethetrainforLyons；hertediousprogressthroughthedarkofawinternighttillshecrossedtheisothermallinewhichtoldofthebeginningofasouthernatmosphere，andonwardstotheancientbluesea。
　　Thus，betweenthehoursdevotedtoarchitecture，hepassedthenextthreedays。Onemorninghesethimself，bythehelpofJohn，topractiseonthetelegraphinstrument，expectingamessage。Butthoughhewatchedthemachineateveryopportunity，orkeptsomeotherpersononthealertinitsneighbourhood，nomessagearrivedtogratifyhimtillafterthelapseofnearlyafortnight。Thenshespokefromhernewhabitationninehundredmilesaway，inthesemeagrewords:——
　　'Aresettledattheaddressgiven。Cannowattendtoanyinquiryaboutthebuilding。'
　　Thepointedimplicationthatshecouldattendtoinquiriesaboutnothingelse，breathedoftheveritablePaulasodistinctlythathecouldforgiveitssauciness。Hisreplywassoondespatched:——
　　'Willwriteparticularsofourprogress。Alwaysthesame。'
　　Thelastthreewordsformedthesentimentalappendagewhichshehadassuredhimshecouldtolerate，andwhichhehopedshemightdesire。
　　Hespenttheremainderofthedayinmakingalittlesketchtoshowwhathadbeendoneinthecastlesinceherdeparture。
　　Thishedespatchedwithaletterofexplanationendinginaparagraphofadifferenttenor:——
　　'IhavedemonstratedourprogressaswellasIcould；butanothersubjecthasbeeninmymind，evenwhilstwritingtheformer。Askyourselfifyouusemewellinkeepingmeafortnightbeforeyousomuchassaythatyouhavearrived?
　　TheonethingthatreconciledmetoyourdeparturewasthethoughtthatIshouldhearearlyfromyou:myideaofbeingabletosubmittoyourabsencewasbasedentirelyuponthat。
　　'ButIhaveresolvednottobeoutofhumour，andtobelievethatyourschemeofreserveisnotunreasonable；neitherdoI
　　quarrelwithyourinjunctiontokeepsilencetoallrelatives。
　　IdonotknowanythingIcansaytoshowyoumoreplainlymyacquiescenceinyourwish"nottogotoofar"inshort，tokeepyourselfdear——bydearImeannotcheap——youhavebeendearintheothersensealongtime，asyouknow，thanbynoturgingyoutogoasingledegreefurtherinwarmththanyouplease。'
　　Whenthiswaspostedheagainturnedhisattentiontoherwallsandtowers，whichindeedwereadumbconsolationinmanywaysforthelackofherself。Therewasnonookinthecastletowhichhehadnotaccessorcouldnoteasilyobtainaccessbyapplyingforthekeys，andthispropinquityofthingsbelongingtoherservedtokeepherimagebeforehimevenmoreconstantlythanhismemorieswouldhavedone。
　　Threedaysandahalfafterthedespatchofhissubduedeffusionthetelegraphcalledtotellhimthegoodnewsthat'Yourletteranddrawingarejustreceived。Thanksforthelatter。Willreplytotheformerbypostthisafternoon。'
　　Itwaswithcheerfulpatiencethatheattendedtohisthreedraughtsmeninthestudio，orwalkedabouttheenvironsofthefortressduringthefiftyhoursspentbyherpresumablytendermissiveontheroad。Alightfleeceofsnowfellduringthesecondnightofwaiting，invertingthepositionoflong-
　　establishedlightsandshades，andloweringtoadingygreytheapproximatelywhitewallsofotherweathers；hecouldtracethepostman'sfootmarksasheenteredoverthebridge，knowingthembythedotofhiswalking-stick:onenteringtheexpectedletterwaswaitinguponhistable。Helookedatitsdirectionwithgladcuriosity；itwasthefirstletterhehadeverreceivedfromher。
　　'HOTEL——，NICE，Feb。14。
　　'MYDEARMR。SOMERSET'the'George，'then，towhichshehadsokindlytreatedhiminherlastconversation，wasnottobecontinuedinblackandwhite，——
　　'Yourletterexplainingtheprogressofthework，aidedbythesketchenclosed，gavemeasclearanideaoftheadvancemadesincemydepartureasIcouldhavegainedbybeingpresent。I
　　feeleveryconfidenceinyou，andamquitesuretherestorationisingoodhands。Inthisopinionbothmyauntandmyunclecoincide。Pleaseactentirelyonyourownjudgmentineverything，andassoonasyougiveacertificatetothebuildersforthefirstinstalmentoftheirmoneyitwillbepromptlysentbymysolicitors。
　　'YoubidmeaskmyselfifIhaveusedyouwellinnotsendingintelligenceofmyselftillafortnightafterIhadleftyou。
　　Now，George，don'tbeunreasonable!Letmeremindyouthat，asacertainapostlesaid，thereareathousandthingslawfulwhicharenotexpedient。Isaythis，notfromprideinmyownconduct，buttoofferyouaveryfairexplanationofit。Yourresolvenottobeoutofhumourwithmesuggeststhatyouhavebeensorelytemptedthatway，elsewhyshouldsucharesolvehavebeennecessary?
　　'Ifyouonlyknewwhatpassesinmymindsometimesyouwouldperhapsnotbesoreadytoblame。ShallItellyou?No。
　　For，ifitisagreatemotion，itmayaffordyouacruelsatisfactionatfindingIsufferthroughseparation；andifitbeagrowingindifferencetoyou，itwillbeinflictinggratuitousunhappinessuponyoutosayso，ifyoucareforme；
　　asISOMETIMESthinkyoumaydoALITTLE。'
　　'O，Paula!'saidSomerset。
　　'Pleasewhichwaywouldyouhaveit?ButitisbetterthatyoushouldguessatwhatIfeelthanthatyoushoulddistinctlyknowit。Notwithstandingthisassertionyouwill，Iknow，adheretoyourfirstprepossessioninfavourofpromptconfessions。Inspiteofthat，Ifearthatupontrialsuchpromptnesswouldnotproducethathappinesswhichyourfancyleadsyoutoexpect。Yourheartwouldwearyintime，andwhenoncethathappens，good-byetotheemotionyouhavetoldmeof。Imaginesuchacaseclearly，andyouwillperceivetheprobabilityofwhatIsay。AtthesametimeIadmitthatawomanwhoisONLYacreatureofevasionsanddisguisesisverydisagreeable。
　　'DonotwriteVERYfrequently，andneverwriteatallunlessyouhavesomerealinformationaboutthecastleworkstocommunicate。IwillexplaintoyouonanotheroccasionwhyI
　　makethisrequest。Youwillpossiblysetitdownasadditionalevidenceofmycold-heartedness。Ifsoyoumust。
　　Wouldyoualsomindwritingthebusinessletteronanindependentsheet，withaproperbeginningandending?
　　Whetheryouincloseanothersheetisofcourseoptional——
　　Sincerelyyours，PAULAPOWER。'
　　Somersethadasuspicionthatherordertohimnottoneglectthebusinessletterwastoescapeanyinvidiousremarksfromheruncle。Hewishedshewouldbemoreexplicit，sothathemightknowexactlyhowmattersstoodwiththem，andwhetherAbnerPowerhadeverventuredtoexpressdisapprovalofhimasherlover。
　　Butnotknowing，hewaitedanxiouslyforanewarchitecturaleventonwhichhemightlegitimatelysendheranotherline。
　　Thisoccurredaboutaweeklater，whenthemenengagedindiggingfoundationsdiscoveredremainsofoldoneswhichwarrantedamodificationoftheoriginalplan。Heaccordinglysentoffhisprofessionaladviceonthepoint，requestingherassentorotherwisetotheamendment，windinguptheinquirywith'Yoursfaithfully。'Onanothersheethewrote:-
　　'Doyousufferfromanyunpleasantnessinthemannerofothersonaccountofme?Ifso，informme，Paula。Icannototherwiseinterpretyourrequestfortheseparatesheets。
　　WhileonthispointIwilltellyouwhatIhavelearntrelativetotheauthorshipofthatfalseparagraphaboutyourengagement。Itwascommunicatedtothepaperbyyouruncle。
　　Wasthewishfathertothethought，orcouldhehavebeenmisled，asmanywere，byappearancesatthetheatricals?
　　'IfIamnottowritetoyouwithoutaprofessionalreason，surelyyoucanwritetomewithoutsuchanexcuse?Whenyouwritetellmeofyourself。ThereisnothingIsomuchwishtohearof。Writeagreatdealaboutyourdailydoings，formymind'seyekeepsthosesweetoperationsmoredistinctlybeforemethanmybodilysightdoesmyown。
　　'Yousaynothingofhavingbeentolookatthechapel-of-easeItoldyouof，theplansofwhichImadewhenanarchitect'spupil，workinginmetresinsteadoffeetandinches，tomyimmenseperplexity，thatthedrawingsmightbeunderstoodbytheforeignworkmen。Gothereandtellmewhatyouthinkofitsdesign。Icanassureyouthateverycurvethereofismyown。
　　'HowIwishyouwouldinvitemetorunoverandseeyou，ifonlyforadayortwo，formyheartrunsafteryouinamostdistractedmanner。Dearest，youentirelyfillmylife!ButI
　　forget；wehaveresolvednottogoVERYFAR。ButthefactisIamhalfafraidlest，withsuchreticence，youshouldnotrememberhowverymuchIamyours，andwithwhatadoggedconstancyIshallalwaysrememberyou。Paula，sometimesI
　　havehorriblemisgivingsthatsomethingwilldivideus，especiallyifwedonotmakeamoredistinctshowofourtruerelationship。TruedoIsay?ImeantherelationshipwhichI
　　thinkexistsbetweenus，butwhichyoudonotaffirmtooclearly——Yoursalways。'
　　Awaysouthwardliketheswallowwentthetenderlines。Hewonderedifshewouldnoticehishintofbeingreadytopayheraflyingvisit，ifpermittedtodoso。HisfancydweltonthatfurthersideofFrance，theverycontoursofwhoseshorewerenowlinesofbeautyforhim。Heprowledinthelibrary，andfoundinterestinthemustiestfactsrelatingtothatplace，learningwithaestheticpleasurethatthenumberofitspopulationwasfiftythousand，thatthemeantemperatureofitsatmospherewas60degreesFahrenheit，andthatthepeculiaritiesofamistralwerefarfromagreeable。
　　Hewaitedoverlongforherreply；butitultimatelycame。
　　Aftertheusualbusinesspreliminary，shesaid:——
　　'Asrequested，Ihavevisitedthelittlechurchyoudesigned。
　　Itgavemegreatpleasuretostandbeforeabuildingwhoseoutlineanddetailshadcomefromthebrainofsuchavaluedfriendandadviser。'
　　'Valuedfriendandadviser，'repeatedSomersetcritically。
　　'Ilikethestylemuch，especiallythatofthewindows——EarlyEnglisharetheynot?IamgoingtoattendservicetherenextSunday，BECAUSEYOUWERETHEARCHITECT，ANDFORNOGODLY
　　REASONATALL。Doesthatcontentyou?Fieforyourdespondency!RememberM。Aurelius:"Thisisthechiefthing:
　　Benotperturbed；forallthingsareofthenatureoftheUniversal。"IndeedIamalittlesurprisedatyourhavingforebodings，aftermyassurancetoyoubeforeIleft。Ihavenone。Myopinionisthat，tobehappy，itisbesttothinkthat，aswearetheproductofevents，eventswillcontinuetoproducethatwhichisinharmonywithus……Youaretoofaint-hearted，andthat'sthetruthofit。Iadviseyounottoabandonyourselftoidolatrytooreadily；youknowwhatI
　　mean。ItfillsmewithremorsewhenIthinkhowveryfarbelowsuchapositionmyactualworthremovesme。
　　'Ishouldliketoreceiveanotherletterfromyouassoonasyouhavegotoverthemisgivingyouspeakof，butdon'twritetoosoon。IwishIcouldwriteanythingtoraiseyourspirits，butyoumaybesoperversethatif，inordertodothis，Itellyouoftheraces，routs，scenery，gaieties，andgamblinggoingoninthisplaceandneighbourhoodintowhichofcourseIcannothelpbeingalittledrawn，youmaydeclarethatmywordsmakeyouworsethanever。Don'tpassthelineI
　　havesetdowninthewayyouweretemptedtodoinyourlast；
　　andnottoomanyDearests——atleastasyet。Thisisnotatimeforeffusion。Youhavemyverywarmaffection，andthat'senoughforthepresent。'
　　Asalove-letterthismissivewastantalizingenough，butsinceitsformwassimplyacontinuationofwhatshehadpractisedbeforesheleft，itproducednounduemisgivinginhim。Farmorewasheimpressedbyheromittingtoanswerthetwoimportantquestionshehadputtoher。First，concerningheruncle'sattitudetowardsthem，andhisconductingivingsuchstrangeinformationtothereporter。Second，onhis，Somerset's，payingheraflyingvisitsometimeduringthespring。Sinceshehadrequestedit，hemadenohasteinhisreply。Whenpenned，itraninthewordssubjoined，which，incommonwitheverylineoftheircorrespondence，acquiredfromthestrangenessofsubsequentcircumstancesaninterestandaforcethatperhapstheydidnotintrinsicallypossess。
　　'Peoplecannot'hewrote'beforeveringoodspiritsonthisgloomysideoftheChannel，eventhoughyouseemtobesoonyours。However，thatIcanabstainfromlettingyouknowwhethermyspiritsaregoodorotherwise，Iwillproveinourfuturecorrespondence。Iadmireyoumoreandmore，bothforthewarmfeelingtowardsmewhichIfirmlybelieveyouhave，andforyourabilitytomaintainsidebysidewithitsomuchdignityandresolutionwithregardtofoolishsentiment。
　　SometimesIthinkIcouldhaveputupwithalittlemoreweaknessifithadbroughtwithitalittlemoretenderness，butIdismissallthatwhenImentallysurveyyourotherqualities。IhavethoughtoffiftythingstosaytoyouoftheTOOFARsort，notoneofanyother；sothatyourprohibitionisveryunfortunate，forbyitIamdoomedtosaythingsthatdonotrisespontaneouslytomylips。Yousaythatourshut-upfeelingsarenottobementionedyet。Howlongistheyettolast?
　　'But，tospeakmoresolemnly，mattersgrowveryseriouswithus，Paula——atleastwithme:andtherearetimeswhenthisrestraintisreallyunbearable。Itispossibletoputupwithreservewhenthereservedbeingisbyone'sside，fortheeyesmayrevealwhatthelipsdonot。Butwhensheisabsent，whatwaspiquancybecomesharshness，tenderrailleriesbecomecruelsarcasm，andtacitunderstandingsmisunderstandings。Howeverthatmaybe，youshallneverbeabletoreproachmefortouchiness。Istillesteemyouasafriend；Iadmireyouandloveyouasawoman。ThisIshallalwaysdo，howeverunconfidingyouprove。'
　　II。
　　Withoutknowingit，Somersetwasdrawingneartoacrisisinthissoftcorrespondencewhichwouldspeedilyputhisassertionstothetest；buttheknowledgecameuponhimsoonenoughforhispeace。
　　Hernextletter，datedMarch9th，wastheshortestofallhehadreceived，andbeyondtheportiondevotedtothebuilding-
　　worksitcontainedonlythefollowingsentences:——
　　'Iamalmostangrywithyou，George，forbeingvexedbecauseI
　　amnotmoreeffusive。WhyshouldtheverbalILOVEYOUbeeverutteredbetweentwobeingsofoppositesexwhohaveeyestoseesigns?Duringthesevenoreightmonthsthatwehaveknowneachother，youhavediscoveredmyregardforyou，andwhatmorecanyoudesire?Wouldareiteratedassertionofpassionreallydoanygood?Rememberitisanaturalinstinctwithuswomentoretainthepowerofobligingamantohope，fear，pray，andbeseechaslongaswethinkfit，beforeweconfesstoareciprocalaffection。
　　'IamnowgoingtoowntoaweaknessaboutwhichIhadintendedtokeepsilent。Itwillnotperhapsaddtoyourrespectforme。Myuncle，whominmanywaysIlike，isdispleasedwithmeforkeepingupthiscorrespondencesoregularly。Iamquiteperverseenoughtoventuretodisregardhisfeelings；butconsideringtherelationship，andhiskindnessinotherrespects，Ishouldprefernottodosoatpresent。Honestlyspeaking，Iwantthecouragetoresisthiminsomethings。HesaidtometheotherdaythathewasverymuchsurprisedthatIdidnotdependuponhisjudgmentformyfuturehappiness。Whetherthatmeantmuchorlittle，Ihaveresolvedtocommunicatewithyouonlybytelegramsfortheremainderofthetimewearehere。Pleasereplybythesamemeansonly。There，now，don'tflushandcallmenames!Itisforthebest，andwewantnononsense，youandI。DearGeorge，IfeelmorethanIsay，andifIdonotspeakmoreplainly，youwillunderstandwhatisbehindafterallIhavehinted。Icanpromiseyouthatyouwillnotlikemelessuponknowingmebetter。Hopeever。Iwouldgiveupagooddealforyou。Good-bye!'
　　ThisbroughtSomersetsomecheerfulnessandagooddealofgloom。Hesilentlyreproachedher，whowasapparentlysoindependent，forlackingindependenceinsuchavitalmatter。
　　Perhapsitwasmeresex，perhapsitwaspeculiartoafew，thatherindependenceandcourage，likeCleopatra's，failedheroccasionallyatthelastmoment。
　　Onecuriousimpressionwhichhadoftenhauntedhimnowreturnedwithredoubledforce。HecouldnotseehimselfasthehusbandofPaulaPowerinanylikelyfuture。Hecouldnotimagineherhiswife。Peoplewereapttorunintomistakesintheirpresentiments；butthoughhecouldpictureherasqueeningitoverhim，asavowingherloveforhimunreservedly，evenascompromisingherselfforhim，hecouldnotseeherinastateofdomesticitywithhim。
　　Telegramsbeingcommanded，tothetelegraphherepaired，when，aftertwodays，animmediatewishtocommunicatewithherledhimtodismissvagueconjectureonthefuturesituation。Hisfirsttelegramtookthefollowingform:——
　　'Igiveuptheletterwriting。Iwillpartwithanythingtopleaseyoubutyourself。Yourcomfortwithyourrelativeisthefirstthingtobeconsidered:notfortheworlddoIwishyoutomakedivisionswithindoors。Yours。'
　　Tuesday，Wednesday，Thursdaypassed，andonSaturdayatelegramcameinreply:——
　　'Icanfear，grieveat，andcomplainofnothing，havingyournicepromisetoconsidermycomfortalways。'
　　Thiswasverypretty；butitadmittedlittle。Suchshortmessageswereinthemselvespoorsubstitutesforletters，buttheirspeedandeasyfrequencyweregoodqualitieswhichthelettersdidnotpossess。Threedayslaterhereplied:——
　　'Youdonotoncesaytome"Come。"Wouldsuchastrangeaccidentasmyarrivaldisturbyoumuch?'
　　Sherepliedratherquickly:——
　　'Iamindisposedtoansweryoutooclearly。Keepyourheartstrong:'tisacensoriousworld。'
　　ThevaguenessthereshownmadeSomersetperemptory，andhecouldnothelpreplyingsomewhatmoreimpetuouslythanusual:——
　　'Whydoyougivemesomuchcauseforanxiety!Whytreatmetosomuchmystification!Sayonce，distinctly，thatwhatI
　　haveaskedisgiven。'
　　Heawaitedfortheanswer，oneday，twodays，aweek；butnonecame。ItwasnowtheendofMarch，andwhenSomersetwalkedofanafternoonbytheriverandpoolinthelowerpartofthegrounds，hisearnewlygreetedbythesmallvoicesoffrogsandtoadsandothercreatureswhohadbeentorpidthroughthewinter，hebecamedoubtfulanduneasythatshealoneshouldbesilentintheawakeningyear。
　　Hewaitedthroughasecondweek，andtherewasstillnoreply。
　　Itwaspossiblethattheurgencyofhisrequesthadtemptedhertopunishhim，andhecontinuedhiswalks，to，fro，andaround，withascloseaneartotheundertonesofnature，andasattentiveaneyetothecharmsofhisownart，asthegrandpassionwouldallow。Nowcamethedaysofbattlebetweenwinterandspring。Ontheseexcursions，thoughspringwastotheforwardduringthedaylight，winterwouldreassertitselfatnight，andnotunfrequentlyatothermoments。Tepidairsandnippingbreezesmetontheconfinesofsunshineandshade；
　　tremblingraindropsthatwerestillakintofrostcrystalsdashedthemselvesfromthebushesashepursuedhiswayfromtowntocastle；thebirdswerelikeanorchestrawaitingforthesignaltostrikeup，andcolourbegantoenterintothecountryround。
　　Buthegaveonlyamodicumofthoughttotheseproceedings。
　　Heratherthoughtsuchthingsas，'Shecanaffordtobesaucy，andtofindasourceofblithenessinmylove，consideringthepowerthatwealthgiveshertopickandchoosealmostwhereshewill。'Hewasboundtoown，however，thatoneofthecharmsofherconversationwasthecompleteabsenceofthenoteoftheheiressfromitsaccents。That，otherthingsequal，herinterestwouldnaturallyinclinetoapersonbearingthenameofDeStancy，wasevidentfromheravowedpredilections。Hisoriginalassumption，thatshewasapersonificationofthemodernspirit，whohadbeendropped，likeaseedfromthebillofabird，intoachinkofmediaevalism，requiredsomequalification。Romanticism，whichwillexistineveryhumanbreastaslongashumannatureitselfexists，hadasserteditselfinher。Venerationforthingsold，notbecauseofanymeritinthem，butbecauseoftheirlongcontinuance，haddevelopedinher；andhermodernspiritwastakingtoitselfwingsandflyingaway。Whetherhisimagewasflyingwiththeotherwasaquestionwhichmovedhimallthemoredeeplynowthathersilencegavehimdreadofanaffirmativeanswer。
　　Foranothersevendayshestoicallyleftinsuspensionallforecastsofhispossiblygrimfateinbeingtheemployedandnotthebeloved。Theweekpassed:hetelegraphed:therewasnoreply:hehadsuddenfearsforherpersonalsafetyandresolvedtobreakhercommandbywriting。
　　'STANCYCASTLE，April13。
　　'DEARPAULA，——Areyouillorintrouble?ItisimpossibleintheveryunquietstateyouhaveputmeintobyyoursilencethatIshouldabstainfromwriting。Withoutaffectation，yousorelydistressme，andIthinkyouwouldhardlyhavedoneitcouldyouknowwhatadegreeofanxietyyoucause。Why，Paula，doyounotwriteorsendtome?WhathaveIdonethatyoushouldtreatmelikethis?Dowrite，ifitisonlytoreproachme。Iamcompelledtopassthegreaterpartofthedayinthiscastle，whichremindsmeconstantlyofyou，andyeteternallylacksyourpresence。Iamunfortunateindeedthatyouhavenotbeenabletofindhalf-an-hourduringthelastmonthtotellmeatleastthatyouarealive。
　　'Youhavealwaysbeenambiguous，itistrue；butIthoughtI
　　sawencouragementinyoureyes；encouragementcertainlywasinyoureyes，andwhowouldnothavebeendeludedbythemandhavebelievedthemsincere?Yetwhattendernesscantherebeinaheartthatcancausemepainsowilfully!
　　'Theremay，ofcourse，besomedeliberateschemingonthepartofyourrelationstointerceptourletters；butIcannotthinkit。Iknowthatthehousekeeperhasreceivedaletterfromyourauntthisveryweek，inwhichsheincidentallymentionsthatallarewell，andinthesameplaceasbefore。HowthencanIexcuseyou?
　　'Thenwrite，Paula，oratleasttelegraph，asyouproposed。
　　OtherwiseIamresolvedtotakeyoursilenceasasignaltotreatyourfairwordsaswind，andtowritetoyounomore。'
　　III。
　　Hedespatchedtheletter，andhalf-an-hourafterwardsfeltsurethatitwouldmortallyoffendher。Buthehadnowreachedastateoftemporaryindifference，andcouldcontemplatethelossofsuchatantalizingpropertywithreasonablecalm。
　　IntheinterimofwaitingforareplyhewasonedaywalkingtoMarkton，when，passingMyrtleVilla，hesawSirWilliamDeStancyamblingabouthisgarden-pathandexaminingthecrocusesthatpalisadeditsedge。SirWilliamsawhimandaskedhimtocomein。Somersetwasinthemoodforanydiversionfromhisownaffairs，andtheyseatedthemselvesbythedrawing-roomfire。
　　'Iammuchalonenow，'saidSirWilliam，'andiftheweatherwerenotverymild，sothatIcangetoutintothegardeneveryday，Ishouldfeelitagreatdeal。'
　　'Youalludetoyourdaughter'sabsence?'
　　'Andmyson's。Strangetosay，IdonotmisshersomuchasI
　　misshim。Sheofferstoreturnatanymoment；butIdonotwishtodepriveheroftheadvantagesofalittleforeigntravelwithherfriend。Always，Mr。Somerset，giveyoursparetimetoforeigncountries，especiallythosewhichcontrastwithyourownintopography，language，andart。That'smyadvicetoallyoungpeopleofyourage。Don'twasteyourmoneyonexpensiveamusementsathome。Practisethestrictesteconomyathome，tohaveamarginforgoingabroad。'
　　Economy，whichSirWilliamhadneverpractised，buttowhich，afterexhaustingallotherpractices，henowraisedanaltar，astheAtheniansdidtotheunknownGod，wasatopiclikelytoprolongitselfonthebaronet'slips，andSomersetcontrivedtointerrupthimbyasking——
　　'CaptainDeStancy，too，hasgone?Hastheartillery，then，leftthebarracks?'
　　'No，'saidSirWilliam。'ButmysonhasmadeuseofhisleaveinrunningovertoseehissisteratNice。'
　　ThecurrentofquietmeditationinSomersetchangedtoabusywhirlatthisreply。ThatPaulashouldbecomeindifferenttohisexistencefromasenseofsuperiority，physical，spiritual，orsocial，wasasufficientlyironicalthing；butthatsheshouldhaverelinquishedhimbecauseofthepresenceofarivallentcommonplacedrearinesstohercruelty。
　　SirWilliam，notingnothing，continuedinthetoneofcleverchildishnesswhichcharacterizedhim:'Itisverysingularhowthepresentsituationhasbeenleduptobyme。Policy，andpolicyalone，hasbeentheruleofmyconductformanyyearspast；andwhenIsaythatIhavesavedmyfamilybyit，IbelievetimewillshowthatIamwithinthetruth。Ihopeyoudon'tletyourpassionsoutrunyourpolicy，assomanyyoungmenareapttodo。Betterbepoorandpolitic，thanrichandheadstrong:that'stheopinionofanoldman。
　　However，IwasgoingtosaythatitwaspurelyfrompolicythatIallowedafriendshiptodevelopbetweenmydaughterandMissPower，andnoweventsareprovingthewisdomofmycourse。Strawsshowhowthewindblows，andtherearelittlesignsthatmysonCaptainDeStancywillreturntoStancyCastlebythefortunatestepofmarryingitsowner。Isaynothingtoeitherofthem，andtheysaynothingtome；butmywisdomliesindoingnothingtohindersuchaconsummation，despiteinheritedprejudices。'
　　Somersethadquitetimeenoughtoreinhimselfinduringtheoldgentleman'slocution，andthevoiceinwhichheansweredwassocoldandrecklessthatitdidnotseemhisown:'ButhowwilltheylivehappilytogetherwhensheisaDissenter，andaRadical，andaNew-light，andaNeo-Greek，andapersonofredblood；whileCaptainDeStancyisthereverseofthemall!'
　　'Ianticipatenodifficultyonthatscore，'saidthebaronet。
　　'Myson'sstarliesinthatdirection，and，liketheMagi，heisfollowingitwithouttriflingwithhisopportunity。Youhaveskillinarchitecture，thereforeyoufollowit。Mysonhasskillingallantry，andnowheisabouttoexerciseitprofitably。'
　　'MaynobodywishhimmoreharminthatexercisethanIdo!'
　　saidSomersetfervently。
　　AstagnantmoodinessofseveralhourswhichfollowedhisvisittoMyrtleVillaresultedinaresolvetojourneyovertoPaulatheverynextday。HenowfeltperfectlyconvincedthattheinvitingofCaptainDeStancytovisitthematNicewasasecondstageintheschemeofPaula'suncle，theprematureannouncementofhermarriagehavingbeenthefirst。Theroundnessandneatnessofthewholeplancouldnotfailtorecommendittothemindwhichdelightedinputtinginvolvedthingsstraight，andsuchamindAbnerPower'sseemedtobe。
　　Infact，thefelicity，inapoliticsense，ofpairingthecaptainwiththeheiressfurnishednolittleexcuseformanoeuvringtobringitabout，solongasthatmanoeuvringfellshortofunfairness，whichMr。Power'scouldscarcelybesaidtodo。
　　Thenextdaywasspentinfurnishingthebuilderswithsuchinstructionsastheymightrequireforacomingweekortendays，andindroppingashortnotetoPaula；endingasfollows:——
　　'Iamcomingtoseeyou。Possiblyyouwillrefusemeaninterview。Nevermind，Iamcoming——Yours，G。
　　SOMERSET。'
　　Themorningafterthathewasupandaway。BetweenhimandPaulastretchedninehundredmilesbythelineofjourneythathefounditnecessarytoadopt，namely，thewayofLondon，inordertoinformhisfatherofhismovementsandtomakeoneortwobusinesscalls。Theafternoonwaspassedinattendingtothesematters，thenightinspeedingonward，andbythetimethatnineo'clocksoundednextmorningthroughthesunlessandleadenairoftheEnglishChannelcoasts，hehadreducedthenumberofmilesonhislistbytwohundred，andcutofftheseafromtheimpedimentsbetweenhimandPaula。
　　OnawakeningfromafitfulsleepinthegreydawnofthemorningfollowinghelookedoutuponLyons，quietenoughnow，thecitizensunarousedtothedailyroundofbread-winning，andenvelopedinahazeoffog。
　　Sixhundredandfiftymilesofhisjourneyhadbeengotover；
　　therestillintervenedtwohundredandfiftybetweenhimandtheendofsuspense。Whenhethoughtofthathewasdisinclinedtopause；andpressedonbythesametrain，whichsethimdownatMarseillesatmid-day。
　　Hereheconsidered。BygoingontoNicethatafternoonhewouldarriveattoolateanhourtocalluponherthesameevening:itwouldthereforebeadvisabletosleepinMarseillesandproceedthenextmorningtohisjourney'send，soastomeetherinabrighterconditionthanhecouldboastofto-day。Thisheaccordinglydid，andleavingMarseillesthenextmorningabouteight，foundhimselfatNiceearlyintheafternoon。
　　NowthathewasactuallyatthecentreofhisgravitationheseemedevenfurtherawayfromafeasiblemeetingwithherthaninEngland。Whileafaroff，hispresenceatNicehadappearedtobetheonethingneedfulforthesolutionofhistrouble，buttheveryhousefrontsseemednowtoaskhimwhatrighthehadthere。Unluckily，inwritingfromEngland，hehadnotallowedhertimetoreplybeforehisdeparture，sothathedidnotknowwhatdifficultiesmightlieinthewayofherseeinghimprivately。Beforedecidingwhattodo，hewalkeddowntheAvenuedelaGaretothepromenadebetweentheshoreandtheJardinPublic，andsatdowntothink。
　　Thehotelwhichshehadgivenhimasheraddresslookedrightoutuponhimandtheseabeyond，andherestedtherewiththepleasinghopethathereyesmightglancefromawindowanddiscoverhisform。Everythinginthescenewassunnyandgay。
　　Behindhiminthegardensabandwasplaying；beforehimwasthesea，theGreatsea，thehistoricalandoriginalMediterranean；theseaofinnumerablecharactersinhistoryandlegendthatarrangedthemselvesbeforehiminalongfriezeofmemoriessodiverseastoincludebothAEneasandSt。Paul。
　　Northerneyesarenotpreparedonasuddenfortheimpactofsuchimagesofwarmthandcolourasmeetthemsouthward，orforthevigorouslightthatfallsfromtheskyofthisfavouredshore。Inanyothercircumstancesthetransparencyandserenityoftheair，theperfumeofthesea，theradianthouses，thepalmsandflowers，wouldhaveacteduponSomersetasanenchantment，andwrappedhiminareverie；butatpresentheonlysawandfeltthesethingsasthroughathickglasswhichkeptouthalftheiratmosphere。
　　Atlasthemadeuphismind。Hewouldtakeuphisquartersatherhotel，andcatchechoesofherandherpeople，tolearnsomehowiftheirattitudetowardshimasaloverwereactuallyhostile，beforeformallyencounteringthem。Underthiscrystallinelight，fullofgaieties，sentiment，languor，seductiveness，andready-maderomance，thememoryofasolitaryunimportantmaninthelugubriousNorthmighthavefadedfromhermind。Hewasonlyherhireddesigner。Hewasanartist；buthehadbeenengagedbyher，andwasnotavolunteer；andshedidnotasyetknowthathemeanttoacceptnoreturnforhislaboursbutthepleasureofpresentingthemtoherasalove-offering。
　　Sooffhewentatoncetowardstheimposingbuildingwhitherhislettershadprecededhim。Owingtoapressofvisitorstherewasamoment'sdelaybeforehecouldbeattendedtoatthebureau，andheturnedtothelargestaircasethatconfrontedhim，momentarilyhopingthatherfiguremightdescend。Herskirtsmustindeedhavebrushedthecarpetingofthosestepsscoresoftimes。Heengagedhisroom，orderedhisluggagetobesentfor，andfinallyinquiredforthepartyhesought。
　　'TheyleftNiceyesterday，monsieur，'repliedmadame。
　　Wasshequitesure，Somersetaskedher?
　　Yes，shewasquitesure。Twoofthehotelcarriageshaddriventhemtothestation。
　　Didsheknowwheretheyhadgoneto?
　　ThisandotherinquiriesresultedintheinformationthattheyhadgonetothehotelatMonteCarlo；thathowlongtheyweregoingtostaythere，andwhethertheywerecomingbackagain，wasnotknown。HisfinalquestionwhetherMissPowerhadreceivedaletterfromEnglandwhichmusthavearrivedthedaypreviouswasansweredintheaffirmative。
　　Somerset'sfirstandsuddenresolvewastofollowonafterthemtothehotelnamed；buthefinallydecidedtomakehisimmediatevisittoMonteCarloonlyacautiousreconnoitre，returningtoNicetosleep。
　　Accordingly，afteranearlydinner，heagainsetforththroughthebroadAvenuedelaGare，andanhouronthecoastrailwaybroughthimtothebeautifulandsinisterlittlespottowhichthePowerandDeStancypartyhadstrayedincommonwiththerestofthefrivolousthrong。
　　Heassumedthattheirvisitthitherwouldbechieflyoneofcuriosity，andthereforenotprolonged。Thisprovedtobethecaseinevengreatermeasurethanhehadanticipated。Oninquiryatthehotelhelearntthattheyhadstayedonlyonenight，leavingashorttimebeforehisarrival，thoughitwasbelievedthatsomeofthepartywerestillinthetown。
　　InastateofindecisionSomersetstrolledintothegardensoftheCasino，andlookedoutuponthesea。Thereitstilllay，calmyetlively；ofanunmixedblue，yetvariegated；hushed，butarticulateeventomelodiousness。Everythingaboutandaroundthiscoastappearedindeedjaunty，tuneful，andatease，reciprocatingwithheartinesstheraysofthesplendidsun；everything，excepthimself。Thepalmsandflowersontheterracesbeforehimwereundisturbedbyasinglecoldbreath。
　　Themarbleworkofparapetsandstepswasunsplinteredbyfrosts。Thewholewaslikeaconservatorywiththeskyforitsdome。
　　ForwantofotheroccupationhewentroundtowardsthepublicentrancetotheCasino，andascendedthegreatstaircaseintothepillaredhall。Itwaspossible，afterall，thatuponleavingthehotelandsendingontheirluggagetheyhadtakenanotherturnthroughtherooms，tofollowbyalatertrain。
　　Withmorethancuriosityhescannedfirstthereading-rooms，onlyhowevertoseenotafacethatheknew。Hethencrossedthevestibuletothegaming-tables。
　　IV。
　　Herehewasconfrontedbyaheatedphantasmagoriaofsplendourandahighpressureofsuspensethatseemedtomaketheairquiver。Alowwhisperofconversationprevailed，whichmightprobablyhavebeennotwronglydefinedasthelowestnoteofsocialharmony。
　　Thepeoplegatheredatthisnegativepoleofindustryhadcomefromallcivilizedcountries；theirtongueswerefamiliarwithmanyformsofutterance，thatofeachracialgrouportypebeingunintelligibleinitssubtlervariations，ifnotentirely，totherest。Butthelanguageofmeumandtuumtheycollectivelycomprehendedwithouttranslation。Inahalf-
　　charmedspell-boundstatetheyhadcongregatedinknots，standing，orsittinginhollowcirclesroundthenotoriousovaltablesmarkedwithfiguresandlines。TheeyesofallthesesetsofpeoplewerewatchingtheRoulette。Somersetwentfromtabletotable，lookingamongtheloungersratherthanamongtheregularplayers，forfaces，oratleastforoneface，whichdidnotmeethisgaze。
　　Thesuggestivecharmwhichthecenturies-oldimpersonalityGaming，ratherthangamesandgamesters，hadforSomerset，ledhimtoloiteronevenwhenhishopeofmeetinganyofthePowerandDeStancypartyhadvanished。Asanon-participantinitsprofitsandlosses，feversandfrenzies，ithadthatstageeffectuponhisimaginationwhichisusuallyexercisedoverthosewhobeholdChancepresentedtothemwithspectacularpiquancywithoutadvancingfarenoughinitsacquaintancetosufferfromitsghastlyreprisalsandimpishtricks。Hebeheldahundreddiametricallyopposedwishesissuingfromthemurkyintelligencesaroundatable，andspreadingdownacrosseachotheruponthefigureddiagramintheirmidst，eachtoitsownnumber。Itwasanetworkofhopes；whichattheannouncement，'Sept，Rouge，Impair，etManque，'disappearedlikemagicgossamer，tobereplacedinamomentbynew。Thatallthepeoplethere，includinghimself，couldbeinterestedinwhattotheeyeofperfectreasonwasasomewhatmonotonousthing——thepropertyofnumberstorecuratcertainlongerorshorterintervalsinamachinecontainingthem——inotherwords，theblindgropingafterfractionsofaresultthewholeofwhichwaswellknown——wasonetestimonyamongmanyofthepowerlessnessoflogicwhenconfrontedwithimagination。
　　Atthisjunctureourloungerdiscernedatoneofthetablesaboutthelastpersonintheworldhecouldhavewishedtoencounterthere。ItwasDare，whomhehadsupposedtobeathousandmilesoff，hangingaboutthepurlieusofMarkton。
　　Darewasseatedbesideatableinanattitudeofapplicationwhichseemedtoimplythathehadcomeearlyandengagedinthispursuitinasystematicmanner。SomersethadneverwitnessedDareandDeStancytogether，neitherhadheheardofanyengagementofDarebythetravellingpartyasartist，courier，orotherwise；andyetitcrossedhismindthatDaremighthavehadsomethingtodowiththem，oratleasthaveseenthem。ThispossibilitywasenoughtoovermasterSomerset'sreluctancetospeaktotheyoungman，andhedidsoassoonasanopportunityoccurred。
　　Dare'sfacewasasrigidanddryasifithadbeenencrustedwithplaster，andhewaslikeoneturnedintoacomputingmachinewhichnolongerhadthepoweroffeeling。HerecognizedSomersetasindifferentlyasifhehadmethiminthewardofStancyCastle，andreplyingtohisremarksbyawordortwo，concentratedonthegameanew。
　　'Areyouherealone?'saidSomersetpresently。
　　'Quitealone。'Therewasasilence，tillDareadded，'ButI
　　haveseensomefriendsofyours。'Heagainbecameabsorbedintheeventsofthetable。Somersetretreatedafewsteps，andponderedthequestionwhetherDarecouldknowwheretheyhadgone。HedislikedtobebeholdentoDareforinformation，buthewouldgiveagreatdealtoknow。WhilepausinghewatchedDare'splay。Hestakedonlyfive-francpieces，butitwasdonewithanassiduityworthyoflargercoin。Ateveryhalf-
　　minuteorsoheplacedhismoneyonacertainspot，andasregularlyhadthemortificationofseeingitsweptawaybythecroupier'srake。Afterawhilehevariedhisprocedure。Heriskedhismoney，whichfromthelookofhisfaceseemedrathertohavedwindledthanincreased，lessrecklesslyagainstlongoddsthanbefore。Leavingoffbackingnumbersenplein，helaidhisventureacheval；thentriedituponthedozens；thenupontwonumbers；thenuponasquare；and，apparentlygettingnearerandnearerdefeat，atlastuponthesimplechancesofevenorodd，overorunder，redorblack。
　　Yetwithafewfluctuationsinhisfavourfortuneboresteadilyagainsthim，tillhecouldbreastherblowsnolonger。HerosefromthetableandcametowardsSomerset，andtheybothmovedontogetherintotheentrance-hall。
　　Darewasatthatmomentthevictimofanoverpoweringmaniaformoremoney。HispresenceintheSouthofEuropehaditsorigin，asmaybeguessed，inCaptainDeStancy'sjourneyinthesamedirection，whomhehadfollowed，andtroubledwithpersistentrequestformorefunds，carefullykeepingoutofsightofPaulaandtherest。HisdreamofinvolvingPaulaintheDeStancypedigreeknewnoabatement。ButSomersethadlighteduponhimataninstantwhenthatidea，thoughnotdisplaced，wasoverwhelmedbyarageforplay。InhopeofbeingabletocontinueitbySomerset'saidhewaspreparedtodoalmostanythingtopleasethearchitect。
　　'Youaskedme，'saidDare，strokinghisimpassivebrow，'ifI
　　hadseenanythingofthePowers。Ihaveseenthem；andifI
　　canbeofanyusetoyouingivinginformationaboutthemI
　　shallonlybetooglad。'
　　'Whatinformationcanyougive?'
　　'Icantellyouwheretheyaregoneto。'
　　'Where?'
　　'TotheGrandHotel，Genoa。Theywentontherethisafternoon。'
　　'Whomdoyourefertobythey?'
　　'Mrs。Goodman，Mr。Power，MissPower，MissDeStancy，andtheworthycaptain。Heleavesthemtomorrow:hecomesbackhereforadayonhiswaytoEngland。'
　　Somersetwassilent。Darecontinued:'NowIhavedoneyouafavour，willyoudomeoneinreturn?'
　　Somersetlookedtowardsthegaming-rooms，andsaiddubiously，'Well?'
　　'Lendmetwohundredfrancs。'
　　'Yes，'saidSomerset；'butononecondition:thatIdon'tgivethemtoyoutillyouareinsidethehotelyouarestayingat。'
　　'Thatcan'tbe；it'satNice。'
　　'WellIamgoingbacktoNice，andI'lllendyouthemoneytheinstantwegetthere。'
　　'ButIwantithere，now，instantly!'criedDare；andforthefirsttimetherewasawiryunreasonablenessinhisvoicethatfortifiedhiscompanionmorefirmlythaneverinhisdeterminationtolendtheyoungmannomoneywhilstheremainedinsidethatbuilding。