ToCarlsruhetheywentnextday，afteranightofsoftrainwhichbroughtupawarmsteamfromtheSchwarzwaldvalleys，andcausedtheyoungtuftsandgrassestoswellvisiblyinafewhours。AftertheBadenslopestheflatthoroughfaresof'Charles'sRest'seemedsomewhatuninteresting，thoughabusyfairwhichwasproceedinginthestreetscreatedaquaintandunexpectedliveliness。Onreachingtheold-fashionedinnintheLange-Strassethattheyhadfixedon，thewomenofthepartybetookthemselvestotheirroomsandshowedlittleinclinationtoseemoreoftheworldthatdaythancouldbegleanedfromthehotelwindows。
　　III。
　　WhilethemalignanttongueshadbeenplayinghavocwithSomerset'sfameintheearsofPaulaandhercompanion，theyoungmanhimselfwasproceedingpartlybyrail，partlyonfoot，belowandamidtheolive-cladhills，vineyards，carobgroves，andlemongardensoftheMediterraneanshores。
　　ArrivedatSanRemohewrotetoNicetoinquireforletters，andsuchashadcomeweredulyforwarded；butnotoneofthemwasfromPaula。Thisbrokedownhisresolutiontoholdoff，andhehasteneddirectlytoGenoa，regrettingthathehadnottakenthisstepwhenhefirstheardthatshewasthere。
　　Somethingintheveryaspectofthemarblehallsofthatcity，whichatanyothertimehewouldhavelikedtolingerover，whisperedtohimthatthebirdhadflown；andinquiryconfirmedthefancy。Nevertheless，thearchitecturalbeautiesofthepalace-borderedstreet，lookingasifmountainsofmarblemusthavebeenlevelledtosupplythematerialsforconstructingit，detainedhimtheretwodays:orratherafeatofresolution，bywhichhesethimselftowithstandthedrag-chainofPaula'sinfluence，wasoperativeforthatspaceoftime。
　　Attheendofithemovedonward。Therewasnodifficultyindiscoveringtheirtracknorthwards；andfeelingthathemightaswellreturntoEnglandbytheRhinerouteasbyanyother，hefollowedinthecoursetheyhadchosen，gettingscentoftheminStrassburg，missingthematBadenbyaday，andfinallyovertakingthematCarlsruhe，whichtownhereachedonthemorningafterthePowerandDeStancypartyhadtakenuptheirquartersattheancientinnabovementioned。WhenSomersetwasabouttogetoutofthetrainatthisplace，littledreamingwhatameaningthewordCarlsruhewouldhaveforhiminsubsequentyears，hewasdisagreeablysurprisedtoseenootherthanDaresteppingoutoftheadjoiningcarriage。
　　Anewbrownleathervaliseinoneofhishands，anewumbrellaintheother，andanewsuitoffashionableclothesonhisback，seemedtodenoteconsiderableimprovementintheyoungman'sfortunes。Somersetwassostruckbythecircumstanceofhisbeingonthisspotthathealmostmissedhisopportunityforalighting。
　　Daremeanwhilehadmovedonwithoutseeinghisformeremployer，andSomersetresolvedtotakethechancethatoffered，andlethimgo。Therewassomethingsomysteriousintheircommonpresencesimultaneouslyatoneplace，fivehundredmilesfromwheretheyhadlastmet，thatheexhaustedconjectureonwhetherDare'serrandthiswaycouldhaveanythingtodowithhisown，orwhethertheirjuxtapositionasecondtimewastheresultofpureaccident。GreatlyashewouldhavelikedtogetthisansweredbyadirectquestiontoDarehimself，hedidnotcounteracthisfirstinstinct，andremainedunseen。
　　Theywentoutindifferentdirections，whenSomersetforthefirsttimerememberedthat，inlearningatBadenthatthepartyhadflittedtowardsCarlsruhe，hehadtakennocaretoascertainthenameofthehoteltheywereboundfor。
　　Carlsruhewasnotalargeplaceandthepointwasimmaterial，buttheomissionwouldnecessitatealittleinquiry。TofollowDareonthechanceofhishavingfixeduponthesamequarterswasacoursewhichdidnotcommenditself。Heresolvedtogetsomelunchbeforeproceedingwithhisbusiness——orfatuity——ofdiscoveringtheelusivelady，anddroveofftoaneighbouringtavern，whichdidnothappentobe，ashehopeditmight，theonechosenbythosewhohadprecededhim。
　　MeanwhileDare，previouslymasteroftheirplans，wentstraighttothehousewhichshelteredthem，andonenteringunderthearchwayfromtheLange-StrassewassavedthetroubleofinquiringforCaptainDeStancybyseeinghimdrinkingbittersatalittletableinthecourt。HadSomersetchosenthisinnforhisquartersinsteadoftheoneintheMarket-
　　Placewhichheactuallydidchoose，thethreemustinevitablyhavemethereatthismoment，withsomepossiblystrikingdramaticresults；thoughwhattheywouldhavebeenremainsforeverhiddeninthedarknessoftheunfulfilled。
　　DeStancyjumpedupfromhischair，andwentforwardtothenew-comer。'Youarenotlongbehindus，then，'hesaid，withlaconicdisquietude。'Ithoughtyouweregoingstraighthome?'
　　'Iwas，'saidDare，'butIhavebeenblessedwithwhatImaycallasmallcompetencysinceIsawyoulast。OfthetwohundredfrancsyougavemeIriskedfiftyatthetables，andI
　　havemultipliedthem，howmanytimesdoyouthink?Morethanfourhundredtimes。'
　　DeStancyimmediatelylookedgrave。'Iwishyouhadlostthem，'hesaid，withasmuchfeelingascouldbeshowninaplacewherestrangerswerehoveringnear。
　　'Nonsense，captain!Ihaveproceededpurelyonacalculationofchances；andmycalculationsprovedastrueasIexpected，notwithstandingalittlein-and-outluckatfirst。Witnessthisastheresult。'Hesmackedhisbagwithhisumbrella，andthechinkofmoneyresoundedfromwithin。'Justfeeltheweightofit!'
　　'Itisnotnecessary。Itakeyourword。'
　　'ShallIlendyoufivepounds?'
　　'Godforbid!Asifthatwouldrepaymeforwhatyouhavecostme!Butcome，let'sgetoutofthisplacetowherewecantalkmorefreely。'Heputhishandthroughtheyoungman'sarm，andledhimroundthecornerofthehoteltowardstheSchloss-Platz。
　　'Theserunsofluckwillbeyourruin，asIhavetoldyoubefore，'continuedCaptainDeStancy。'Youwillbeforrepeatingandrepeatingyourexperiments，andwillendbyblowingyourbrainsout，aswiserheadsthanyourshavedone。
　　Iamgladyouhavecomeaway，atanyrate。Whydidyoutravelthisway?'
　　'SimplybecauseIcouldaffordit，ofcourse——Butcome，captain，somethinghasruffledyouto-day。IthoughtyoudidnotlookinthebesttemperthemomentIsawyou。Everysipyoutookofyourpick-upasyousatthereshowedmesomethingwaswrong。Tellyourworry!'
　　'Pooh——Icantellyouintwowords，'saidthecaptainsatirically。'Yourarrangementformywealthandhappiness——
　　forIsupposeyoustillclaimittobeyours——hasfallenthrough。Theladyhasannouncedto-daythatshemeanstosendforSomersetinstantly。Sheiscomingtoapersonalexplanationwithhim。Sowoetome——andinanothersense，woetoyou，asIhavereasontofear。'
　　'Sendforhim!'saidDare，withthestillnessofcompleteabstraction。'Thenhe'llcome。'
　　'Well，'saidDeStancy，lookinghimintheface。'Anddoesitmakeyoufeelyouhadbetterbeoff?Howaboutthattelegram?
　　Didheaskyoutosendit，ordidhenot?'
　　'Oneminute，orIshallbeupsuchatreeasnobodyeversawthelikeof。'
　　'Thenwhatdidyoucomeherefor?'burstoutDeStancy。''Tismybeliefyouarenomorethana——ButIwon'tcallyounames；
　　I'lltellyouquiteplainlythatifthereisanythingwronginthatmessagetoher——whichIbelievethereis——no，Ican'tbelieve，thoughIfearit——youhavethechanceofappearingindrabclothesattheexpenseoftheGovernmentbeforetheyearisout，andIofbeingeternallydisgraced!'
　　'No，captain，youwon'tbedisgraced。Iambadtobeat，Icantellyou。Andcometheworstluck，Idon'tsayaword。'
　　'Butthoselettersprickedinyourskinwouldsayagooddeal，itstrikesme。'
　　'What!wouldtheystripme?——butitisnotcomingtothat。
　　Lookhere，now，I'lltellyouthetruthforonce；thoughyoudon'tbelievemecapableofit。IDIDconcoctthattelegram——
　　andsentit；justasapracticaljoke；andmanyaworseonehasbeenonlylaughedatbyhonestmenandofficers。Icouldshowyouabiggerjokestill——ajokeofjokes——onthesameindividual。'
　　Dareashespokeputhishandintohisbreast-pocket，asifthesaidjokelaythere；butafteramomenthewithdrewhishandempty，ashecontinued:
　　'HavinginventeditIhavedoneenough；Iwasgoingtoexplainittoyou，thatyoumightcarryitout。Butyouaresoserious，thatIwillleaveitalone。Mysecondjokeshalldiewithme。'
　　'Somuchthebetter，'saidDeStancy。'Idon'tlikeyourjokes，eventhoughtheyarenotdirectedagainstmyself。Theyexpressakindofhumourwhichdoesnotsuitme。'
　　'Youmayhavereasontoalteryourmind，'saidDarecarelessly。'Yoursuccesswithyourladymaydependonit。
　　Thetruthis，captain，wearistocratsmustnottaketoohighatone。Ourdaysasanindependentdivisionofsociety，whichholdsalooffromothersections，arepast。ThishasbeenmyargumentinspiteofmystrongNormanfeelingseversinceI
　　broachedthesubjectofyourmarryingthisgirl，whorepresentsbothintellectandwealth——all，infact，exceptthehistoricalprestigethatyourepresent。Andwemustn'tflinchatthings。Thecaseisevenmorepressingthanordinarycases——owingtotheoddfactthattherepresentativeofthenewbloodwhohascomeinourwayactuallylivesinyourownoldhouse，andownsyourownoldlands。Theordinaryreasonforsuchalliancesisquintupledinourcase。Dothenjustthinkandbereasonable，beforeyoutalktallaboutnotlikingmyjokes，andallthat。Beggarsmustn'tbechoosers。'
　　'There'sreallymuchreasoninyourargument，'saidDeStancy，withabitterlaugh:'andmyownheartarguesmuchthesameway。But，leavingmetotakecareofmyaristocraticself，I
　　adviseyouraristocraticselftoslipoffatoncetoEnglandlikeanyhang-gallowsdog；andifSomersetishere，andyouhavebeendoingwronginhisname，anditallcomesout，I'lltrytosaveyou，asfarasanhonestmancan。Ifyouhavedonenowrong，ofcoursethereisnofear；thoughIshouldbeobligedbyyourgoinghomewardasquicklyaspossible，asbeingbetterbothforyouandforme……Hullo——
　　Damnation!'
　　TheyhadreachedonesideoftheSchloss-Platz，nobodyapparentlybeingnearthemsaveasentinelwhowasondutybeforethePalace；butturningashespoke，DeStancybeheldagroupconsistingofhissister，Paula，andMr。Power，strollingacrossthesquaretowardsthem。
　　Itwasimpossibletoescapetheirobservation，andputtingaboldfrontuponit，DeStancyadvancedwithDareathisside，tillinafewmomentsthetwopartiesmet，PaulaandCharlotterecognizingDareatonceastheyoungmanwhoassistedatthecastle。
　　'Ihavemetmyyoungphotographer，'saidDeStancycheerily。
　　'Whatasmallworlditis，aseverybodytrulyobserves!Iamwishinghecouldtakesomeviewsforusaswegoon；butyouhavenoapparatuswithyou，Isuppose，Mr。Dare?'
　　'Ihavenot，sir，Iamsorrytosay，'repliedDarerespectfully。
　　'Youcouldgetsome，Isuppose?'askedPaulaoftheinterestingyoungphotographer。
　　Daredeclaredthatitwouldbenotimpossible:whereuponDeStancysaidthatitwasonlyapassingthoughtofhis；andinafewminutesthetwopartiesagainseparated，goingtheirseveralways。
　　'Thatwasawkward，'saidDeStancy，tremblingwithexcitement。
　　'Iwouldadviseyoutokeepfurtheroffinfuture。'
　　Daresaidthoughtfullythathewouldbecareful，adding，'Sheisaprizeforanyman，indeed，leavingalonethesubstantialpossessionsbehindher!NowwasItooenthusiastic?WasIafoolforurgingyouon?'
　　'Waittillsuccessjustifiestheundertaking。Incaseoffailureitwillhavebeenanythingbutwise。Itisnolightmattertohaveacarefullypreservedreposebrokeninuponfornothing——areposethatcouldneverberestored!'
　　TheywalkeddowntheCarl-Friedrichs-StrassetotheMargrave'sPyramid，andbacktothehotel，whereDarealsodecidedtotakeuphisstay。DeStancylefthimwiththebook-keeperatthedesk，andwentupstairstoseeiftheladieshadreturned。
　　IV。
　　Hefoundthemintheirsitting-roomwiththeirbonnetson，asiftheyhadjustcomein。Mr。Powerwasalsopresent，readinganewspaper，butMrs。Goodmanhadgoneouttoaneighbouringshop，inthewindowsofwhichshehadseensomethingwhichattractedherfancy。
　　WhenDeStancyentered，Paula'sthoughtsseemedtoreverttoDare，foralmostatoncesheaskedhiminwhatdirectiontheyouthwastravelling。WithsomehesitationDeStancyrepliedthathebelievedMr。DarewasreturningtoEnglandafteraspringtripfortheimprovementofhismind。
　　'Averypraiseworthythingtodo，'saidPaula。'Whatplaceshashevisited?'
　　'Thosewhichaffordopportunitiesforthestudyoftheoldmasters，Ibelieve，'saidDeStancyblandly。'HehasalsobeentoTurin，Genoa，Marseilles，andsoon。'Thecaptainspokethemorereadilytoherquestioninginthathedivinedherwordstobedictated，notbyanysuspicionsofhisrelationswithDare，butbyherknowledgeofDareasthedraughtsmanemployedbySomerset。
　　'HashebeentoNice?'shenextdemanded。'Didhegothereincompanywithmyarchitect?'
　　'Ithinknot。'
　　'Hasheseenanythingofhim?MyarchitectSomersetonceemployedhim。Theyknoweachother。'
　　'IthinkhesawSomersetforashorttime。'
　　Paulawassilent。'DoyouknowwherethisyoungmanDareisatthepresentmoment?'sheaskedquickly。
　　DeStancysaidthatDarewasstayingatthesamehotelwiththemselves，andthathebelievedhewasdownstairs。
　　'IthinkIcandonobetterthansendforhim，'saidshe。'Hemaybeabletothrowsomelightuponthematterofthattelegram。'
　　Sheranganddespatchedthewaiterfortheyoungmaninquestion，DeStancyalmostvisiblytremblingfortheresult。
　　Butheopenedthetowndirectorywhichwaslyingonatable，andaffectedtobeengrossedinthenames。
　　BeforeDarewasshowninshesaidtoheruncle，'Perhapsyouwillspeaktohimforme?'
　　Mr。Power，lookingupfromthepaperhewasreading，assentedtoherproposition。Dareappearedinthedoorway，andthewaiterretired。Dareseemedatriflestartledoutofhisusualcoolness，themessagehavingevidentlybeenunexpected，andhecameforwardsomewhatuneasily。
　　'Mr。Dare，weareanxioustoknowsomethingofMissPower'sarchitect；andCaptainDeStancytellsusyouhaveseenhimlately，'saidMr。Powersonorouslyovertheedgeofhisnewspaper。
　　Notknowingwhetherdangermenacedorno，or，ifitmenaced，fromwhatquarteritwastobeexpected，Darefeltthathonestywasasgoodasanythingelseforhim，andrepliedboldlythathehadseenMr。Somerset，DeStancycontinuingtocreamandmantlealmostvisibly，inanxietyatthesituationofthespeaker。
　　'Andwheredidyouseehim?'continuedMr。Power。
　　'IntheCasinoatMonteCarlo。'
　　'Howlongdidyouseehim?'
　　'Onlyforhalfanhour。Ilefthimthere。'
　　Paula'sinterestgotthebetterofherreserve，andshecutinuponheruncle:'Didheseeminanyunusualstate，orintrouble?'
　　'Hewasratherexcited，'saidDare。
　　'Andcanyourememberwhenthatwas?'
　　Dareconsidered，lookedathispocket-book，andsaidthatitwasontheeveningofAprilthetwenty-second。
　　TheanswerhadasignificanceforPaula，DeStancy，andCharlotte，towhichAbnerPowerwasastranger。Thetelegraphicrequestformoney，whichhadbeenkeptasecretfromhimbyhisniece，becauseofhisalreadyunfriendlytonetowardsSomerset，arrivedonthemorningofthetwenty-third——
　　adatewhichneighbouredwithpainfullysuggestivenicetyuponthatnowgivenbyDare。
　　Sheseemedtobesilenced，andaskednomorequestions。Darehavingfurbishedhimselfuptoagentlemanlyappearancewithsomeofhisrecentwinnings，wasinvitedtostayonawhilebyPaula'suncle，who，asbecameatravelledman，wasnotfastidiousastocompany。Beingayouthoftheworld，Daremadehimselfagreeabletothatgentleman，andafterwardstriedtodothesamewithMissDeStancy。Atthisthecaptain，towhomthesituationforsometimehadbeenamazinglyuncomfortable，pleadedsomeexcuseforgoingout，andlefttheroom。
　　DarecontinuedhisendeavourstosayafewpolitenothingstoCharlotteDeStancy，inthecourseofwhichhedrewfromhispockethisnewsilkhandkerchief。Bysomechanceacardcameoutwiththehandkerchief，andfluttereddownwards。Hismomentaryinstinctwastomakeagraspatthecardandconcealit:butithadalreadytumbledtothefloor，whereitlayfaceupwardbesideCharlotteDeStancy'schair。
　　Itwasneitheravisitingnoraplayingcard，butonebearingaphotographicportraitofapeculiarnature。ItwaswhatDarehadcharacterizedashisbestjokeinspeakingonthesubjecttoCaptainDeStancy:hehadinthemorningputitreadyinhispockettogivetothecaptain，andhadinfacthelditinwaitingbetweenhisfingerandthumbwhiletalkingtohiminthePlatz，meaningthatheshouldmakeuseofitagainsthisrivalwheneverconvenient。ButhissharpconversationwiththatsoldierhaddulledhiszestforthisfinaljokeatSomerset'sexpense，hadatleastshownhimthatDeStancywouldnotadoptthejokebyacceptingthephotographandusingithimself，anddeterminedhimtolayitasidetillamoreconvenienttime。Sofullyhadhemadeuphismindonthiscourse，thatwhenthephotographslippedouthedidnotatfirstperceivetheappositenessofthecircumstance，inputtingintohisownhandstherolehehadintendedforDeStancy；thoughitwasassertedafterwardsthatthewholescenewasdeliberatelyplanned。However，oncehavingseentheaccident，heresolvedtotakethecurrentasitserved。
　　Thecardhavingfallenbesideher，MissDeStancyglancedoverit，whichindeedshecouldnothelpdoing。Thesmilethathadpreviouslyhunguponherlipswasarrestedasifbyfrostandsheinvoluntarilyutteredalittledistressedcryof'O!'likeoneinbodilypain。
　　Paula，whohadbeentalkingtoheruncleduringthisinterlude，startedround，andwonderingwhathadhappened，inquiringlycrossedtheroomtopoorCharlotte'sside，askingherwhatwasthematter。Charlottehadregainedself-
　　possession，thoughnotenoughtoenablehertoreply，andPaulaaskedherasecondtimewhathadmadeherexclaimlikethat。MissDeStancystillseemedconfused，whereuponPaulanoticedthathereyeswerecontinuallydrawnasifbyfascinationtowardsthephotographonthefloor，which，contrarytohisfirstimpulse，Dare，ashasbeensaid，nowseemedinnohurrytoregain。Surmisingatlastthatthecard，whateveritwas，hadsomethingtodowiththeexclamation，Paulapickeditup。
　　ItwasaportraitofSomerset；butbyadeviceknowninphotographytheoperator，thoughcontrivingtoproducewhatseemedtobeaperfectlikeness，hadgivenitthedistortedfeaturesandwildattitudeofamanadvancedinintoxication。
　　Nowoman，unlessspeciallycognizantofsuchpossibilities，couldhavelookeduponitanddoubtedthatthephotographwasagenuineillustrationofacustomaryphaseintheyoungman'sprivatelife。
　　Paulaobservedit，thoroughlytookitin；buttheeffectuponherwasbynomeansclear。Charlotte'seyesatonceforsooktheportraittodwellonPaula'sface。Itpaledalittle，andthiswasfollowedbyahotblush——perceptiblyablushofshame。Thatwasall。Sheflungthepicturedownonthetable，andmovedaway。
　　ItwasnowMr。Power'sturn。AnticipatingDare，whowasadvancingwithadeprecatorylooktoseizethephotograph，healsograspedit。Whenhesawwhomitrepresentedheseemedbothamusedandstartled，andafterscanningitawhilehandedittotheyoungmanwithaqueersmile。
　　'Iamverysorry，'beganDareinalowvoicetoMr。Power。'I
　　fearIwastoblameforthoughtlessnessinnotdestroyingit。
　　ButIthoughtitwasratherfunnythatamanshouldpermitsuchathingtobedone，andthatthehumourwouldredeemtheoffence。'
　　'Inyou，forpurchasingit，'saidPaulawithhaughtyquicknessfromtheothersideoftheroom。'Thoughprobablyhisfriends，ifhehasany，wouldsaynotinhim。'
　　Therewassilenceintheroomafterthis，andDare，findinghimselfratherintheway，tookhisleaveasunostentatiouslyasacatthathasupsetthefamilychina，thoughhecontinuedtosayamonghisapologiesthathewasnotawareMr。Somersetwasapersonalfriendoftheladies。
　　OfallthethoughtswhichfilledthemindsofPaulaandCharlotteDeStancy，thethoughtthatthephotographmighthavebeenafabricationwasprobablythelast。TothemthatpictureofSomersethadallthecogencyofdirectvision。
　　Paula'sexperience，muchlessCharlotte's，hadneverlaininthefieldsofheliographicscience，andtheywouldassoonhavethoughtthatthesuncouldagainstandstilluponGibeon，asthatitcouldbemadetofalsifymen'scharactersindelineatingtheirfeatures。WhatAbnerPowerthoughthehimselfbestknew。Hemighthaveseensuchpicturesbefore；
　　orhemightneverhaveheardofthem。
　　WhilepretendingtoresumehisreadinghecloselyobservedPaula，asdidalsoCharlotteDeStancy；butthankstotheself-managementwhichwasMissPower'sasmuchbynatureasbyart，shedissembledwhateveremotionwasinher。
　　'Itisapityaprofessionalmanshouldmakehimselfsoludicrous，'shesaidwithsuchcarelessintonationthatitwasalmostimpossible，evenforCharlotte，whoknewhersowell，tobelieveherindifferencefeigned。
　　'Yes，'saidMr。Power，sinceCharlottedidnotspeak:'itiswhatIscarcelyshouldhaveexpected。'
　　'O，Iamnotsurprised!'saidPaulaquickly。'Youdon'tknowall。'Theinferencewas，indeed，inevitablethatifheruncleweremadeawareofthetelegramhewouldseenothingunlikelyinthepicture。'Well，youareverysilent!'continuedPaulapetulantly，whenshefoundthatnobodywentontalking。'Whatmadeyoucryout"O，"Charlotte，whenMr。Daredroppedthathorridphotograph?'
　　'Idon'tknow；Isupposeitfrightenedme，'stammeredthegirl。
　　'Itwasastupidfusstomakebeforesuchaperson。OnewouldthinkyouwereinlovewithMr。Somerset。'
　　'Whatdidyousay，Paula?'inquiredheruncle，lookingupfromthenewspaperwhichhehadagainresumed。
　　'Nothing，UncleAbner。'Shewalkedtothewindow，and，asiftotideoverwhatwasplainlypassingintheirmindsabouther，shebegantomakeremarksonobjectsinthestreet。
　　'Whataquaintbeing——look，Charlotte!'Itwasanoldwomansittingbyastallontheoppositesideoftheway，whichseemedsuddenlytohitPaula'ssenseofthehumorous，thoughbeyondthefactthatthedamewasoldandpoor，andworeawhitehandkerchiefoverherhead，therewasreallynothingnoteworthyabouther。
　　Paulaseemedtobemorehurtbywhatthesilenceofhercompanionsimplied——asuspicionthatthediscoveryofSomerset'sdepravitywaswoundingherheart——thanbythewounditself。Theostensibleeasewithwhichshedrewthemintoabyeconversationhadperhapsthedefectofprovingtoomuch:
　　thoughhertacitcontentionthatnolovewasinquestionwasnotincredibleonthesuppositionthataffrontedpridealonecausedherembarrassment。ThechiefsymptomofherheartbeingreallytendertowardsSomersetconsistedinherapparentblindnesstoCharlotte'ssecret，soobviouslysuggestedbyhermomentaryagitation。
　　V。
　　Andwherewasthesubjectoftheircondemnatoryopinionsallthiswhile?Havingsecuredaroomathisinn，hecameforthtocompletethediscoveryofhisdearmistress'shalting-placewithoutdelay。AfteroneortwoinquiriesheascertainedwheresuchapartyofEnglishwerestaying；andarrivingatthehotel，knewatoncethathehadtrackedthemtoearthbyseeingtheheavierportionofthePowerluggageconfrontinghiminthehall。Hesentupintelligenceofhispresence，andawaitedherreplywithabeatingheart。
　　InthemeanwhileDare，descendingfromhisperniciousinterviewwithPaulaandtherest，haddescriedCaptainDeStancyinthepublicdrawing-room，andenteredtohimforthwith。ItwaswhiletheywereheretogetherthatSomersetpassedthedoorandsentuphisnametoPaula。
　　Theincidentattherailwaystationwasnowreversed，SomersetbeingtheobservedofDare，asDarehadthenbeentheobservedofSomerset。ImmediatelyonsightofhimDareshowedrealalarm。HehadimaginedthatSomersetwouldeventuallyimpingeonPaula'sroute，buthehadscarcelyexpectedityet；andthearchitect'ssuddenappearanceledDaretoaskhimselftheominousquestionwhetherSomersethaddiscoveredhistelegraphictrick，andwasinthemoodforpromptmeasures。
　　'Thereisnomoreformetodohere，'saidtheboyhastilytoDeStancy。'MissPowerdoesnotwishtoaskmeanymorequestions。Imayaswellproceedonmyway，asyouadvised。'
　　DeStancy，whohadalsogazedwithdismayatSomerset'spassingfigure，thoughwithdismayofanothersort，wasrecalledfromhisvexationbyDare'sremarks，andturninguponhimhesaidsharply，'Wellmayyoubeinsuchahurryallofasudden!'
　　'True，Iamsuperfluousnow。'
　　'Youhavebeendoingafoolishthing，andyoumustsufferitsinconveniences——Will，Iamsorryforonething；IamsorryI
　　everownedyou；foryouarenotaladtomyheart。Youhavedisappointedme——disappointedmealmostbeyondendurance。'
　　'Ihaveactedaccordingtomyillumination。Whatcanyouexpectofamanborntodishonour?'
　　'That'smerespeciousness。Beforeyouknewanythingofme，andwhileyouthoughtyouwerethechildofpovertyonbothsides，youwerewellenough；buteversinceyouthoughtyouweremorethanthat，youhaveledalifewhichisintolerable。
　　WhathasbecomeofyourplanofalliancebetweentheDeStancysandthePowersnow?Themanisgoneupstairswhocanoverthrowitall。'
　　'Ifthemanhadnotgoneupstairs，youwouldn'thavecomplainedofmynatureormyplans，'saidDaredrily。'IfI
　　mistakenot，hewillcomedownagainwiththefleainhisear。
　　However，Ihavedone；myplayisplayedout。Alltherestremainswithyou。But，captain，grantmethis!IfwhenIamgonethisdifficultyshouldvanish，andthingsshouldgowellwithyou，andyoursuitshouldprosper，willyouthinkofhim，badasheis，whofirstputyouonthetrackofsuchhappiness，andlethimknowitwasnotdoneinvain?'
　　'Iwill，'saidDeStancy。'Promisemethatyouwillbeabetterboy?'
　　'Verywell——assoonaseverIcanaffordit。NowIamupandaway，whenIhaveexplainedtothemthatIshallnotrequiremyroom。'
　　Darefetchedhisbag，touchedhishatwithhisumbrellatothecaptainandwentoutofthehotelarchway。DeStancysatdowninthestuffydrawing-room，andwonderedwhatotherironiestimehadinstoreforhim。
　　AwaiterintheinterimhadannouncedSomersettothegroupupstairs。PaulastartedasmuchasCharlotteathearingthename，andAbnerPowerstaredatthemboth。
　　'IfMr。SomersetwishestoseemeONBUSINESS，showhimin，'
　　saidPaula。
　　InafewsecondsthedoorwasthrownopenforSomerset。Onreceiptofthepointedmessageheguessedthatachangehadcome。Time，absence，ambition，heruncle'sinfluence，andanewwooer，seemedtoaccountsufficientlywellforthatchange，andheacceptedhisfate。Butastoicalinstincttoshowherthathecouldregardvicissitudeswiththeequanimitythatbecameaman；adesiretoeasehermindofanyfearshemightentertainthathisconnectionwithherpastwouldrenderhimtroublesomeinfuture，inducedhimtoacceptherpermission，andseetheacttotheend。
　　'Howdoyoudo，Mr。Somerset?'saidAbnerPower，withsardonicgeniality:hehadbeenfarenoughabouttheworldnottobegreatlyconcernedatSomerset'sapparentfailing，particularlywhenithelpedtoreducehimfromtherankoflovertohisniecetothatofprofessionaladviser。
　　MissDeStancyfalteredawelcomeasweakasthatoftheMaidofNeidpath，andPaulasaidcoldly，'Wearerathersurprisedtoseeyou。Perhapsthereissomethingurgentatthecastlewhichmakesitnecessaryforyoutocall?'
　　'Thereissomethingalittleurgent，'saidSomersetslowly，asheapproachedher；'andyouhavejudgedrightlythatitisthecauseofmycall。'Hesatdownnearherchairashespoke，putdownhishat，anddrewanote-bookfromhispocketwithadespairingsangfroidthatwasfarmoreperfectthanhadbeenPaula'sdemeanourjustbefore。
　　'PerhapsyouwouldliketotalkoverthebusinesswithMr。
　　Somersetalone?'murmuredCharlottetoMissPower，hardlyknowingwhatshesaid。
　　'Ono，'saidPaula，'Ithinknot。Isitnecessary?'shesaid，turningtohim。
　　'Notintheleast，'repliedhe，bestowingapenetratingglanceuponhisquestioner'sface，whichseemedhowevertoproducenoeffect；andturningtowardsCharlotte，headded，'Youwillhavethegoodness，Iamsure，MissDeStancy，toexcusethejargonofprofessionaldetails。'
　　Hespreadsometracingsonthetable，andpointedoutcertainmodifiedfeaturestoPaula，commentingashewenton，andexchangingoccasionallyafewwordsonthesubjectwithMr。
　　AbnerPowerbythedistantwindow。
　　Inthisarchitecturaldialogueoverhissketches，Somerset'sheadandPaula'sbecameunavoidablyveryclose。Thetemptationwastoomuchfortheyoungman。Undercoveroftherustleofthetracings，hemurmured，'Paula，Icouldnotgetherebefore!'inalowvoiceinaudibletotheothertwo。
　　Shedidnotreply，onlybusyingherselfthemorewiththenotesandsketches；andhesaidagain，'IstayedacoupleofdaysatGenoa，andsomedaysatSanRemo，andMentone。'
　　'Butitisnottheleastconcernofminewhereyoustayed，isit?'shesaid，withacoldyetdisquietedlook。
　　'Doyouspeakseriously?'Somersetbrokenlywhispered。
　　Paulaconcludedherexaminationofthedrawingsandturnedfromhimwithsorrowfuldisregard。Hetriednofurther，but，whenshehadsignifiedherpleasureonthepointssubmitted，packeduphispapers，androsewiththebearingofamanaltogethersuperiortosuchaclassofmisfortuneasthis。
　　BeforegoingheturnedtospeakafewwordsofageneralkindtoMr。PowerandCharlotte。
　　'Youwillstayanddinewithus?'saidtheformer，ratherwiththeairofbeingunhappilyabletodonolessthanaskthequestion。'Mychargesherewon'tgodowntothetable-d'hote，Ifear，butDeStancyandmyselfwillbethere。'
　　Somersetexcusedhimself，andinafewminuteswithdrew。Atthedoorhelookedroundforaninstant，andhiseyesmetPaula's。Therewasthesamemiles-offexpressioninhersthattheyhadwornwhenheentered；buttherewasalsoalookofdistressfulinquiry，asifshewereearnestlyexpectinghimtosaysomethingmore。ThisofcourseSomersetdidnotcomprehend。Possiblyshewasclingingtoahopeofsomeexcuseforthemessagehewassupposedtohavesent，orfortheotherandmoredegradingmatter。Anyhow，Somersetonlybowedandwentaway。
　　Amomentafterhehadgone，Paula，impelledbysomethingorother，crossedtheroomtothewindow。Inashorttimeshesawhisforminthebroadstreetbelow，whichhetraversedobliquelytoanoppositecorner，hisheadsomewhatbent，andhiseyesontheground。BeforevanishingintotheRitterstrasseheturnedhisheadandglancedatthehotelwindows，asifheknewthatshewaswatchinghim。Thenhedisappeared；andtheonlyrealsignofemotionbetrayedbyPauladuringthewholeepisodeescapedheratthismoment。Itwasaslighttremblingofthelipandasighsoslowlybreathedthatscarceanybodycouldhear——scarcelyevenCharlotte，whowasrecliningonacouchherfaceonherhandandhereyesdowncast。
　　NotmorethantwominuteshadelapsedwhenMrs。Goodmancameinwithamannerofhaste。
　　'Youhavereturned，'saidMr。Power。'Haveyoumadeyourpurchases?'
　　Withoutanswering，sheasked，'Whom，ofallpeopleonearth，doyouthinkIhavemet?Mr。Somerset!Hashebeenhere?——hepassedmealmostwithoutspeaking!'
　　'Yes，hehasbeenhere，'saidPaula。'HeisonthewayfromGenoahome，andcalledonbusiness。'
　　'Youwillhavehimheretodinner，ofcourse?'
　　'Iaskedhim，'saidMr。Power，'buthedeclined。'
　　'O，that'sunfortunate!Surelywecouldgethimtocome。Youwouldliketohavehimhere，wouldyounot，Paula?'
　　'No，indeed。Idon'twanthimhere，'saidshe。
　　'Youdon't?'
　　'No!'shesaidsharply。
　　'Youusedtolikehimwellenough，anyhow，'bluntlyrejoinedMrs。Goodman。
　　Paulasedately:'ItisamistaketosupposethatIeverparticularlylikedthegentlemanmentioned。'
　　'Thenyouarewrong，Mrs。Goodman，itseems，'saidMr。Power。
　　Mrs。Goodman，whohadbeengrowingquietlyindignant，notwithstandingavigoroususeofherfan，atthissaid。
　　'Fie，fie，Paula!youdidlikehim。Yousaidtomeonlyaweekortwoagothatyoushouldnotatallobjecttomarryhim。'
　　'Itisamistake，'repeatedPaulacalmly。'Imeanttheotheroneofthetwoweweretalkingabout。'
　　'What，CaptainDeStancy?'
　　'Yes。'
　　Knowingthistobeafiction，Mrs。Goodmanmadenoremark，andhearingaslightnoisebehind，turnedherhead。Seeingheraunt'saction，Paulaalsolookedround。Thedoorhadbeenleftajar，andDeStancywasstandingintheroom。ThelastwordsofMrs。Goodman，andPaula'sreply，musthavebeenquiteaudibletohim。
　　Theylookedateachothermuchasiftheyhadunexpectedlymetatthealtar；butafteramomentarystartPauladidnotflinchfromthepositionintowhichhurtpridehadbetrayedher。DeStancybowedgracefully，andshemerelywalkedtothefurthestwindow，whitherhefollowedher。
　　'IameternallygratefultoyouforavowingthatIhavewonfavourinyoursightatlast，'hewhispered。
　　Sheacknowledgedtheremarkwithasomewhatreservedbearing。
　　'ReallyIdon'tdeserveyourgratitude，'shesaid。'Ididnotknowyouwerethere。'
　　'Iknowyoudidnot——that'swhytheavowalissosweettome。
　　CanItakeyouatyourword?'
　　'Yes，Isuppose。'
　　'Thenyourpreferenceisthegreatesthonourthathaseverfallentomylot。Itisenough:youacceptme?'
　　'Asaloveronprobation——nomore。'
　　Theconversationbeingcarriedoninlowtones，Paula'suncleandaunttookitasahintthattheirpresencecouldbespared，andseverallylefttheroom——theformergladly，thelatterwithsomevexation。CharlotteDeStancyfollowed。
　　'AndtowhatamIindebtedforthishappychange?'inquiredDeStancy，assoonastheywerealone。
　　'Youshouldn'tlookagift-horseinthemouth，'sherepliedbrusquely，andwithtearsinhereyesforonegone。
　　'Youmistakemymotive。Iamlikeareprievedcriminal，andcanscarcelybelievethenews。'
　　'Youshouldn'tsaythattome，orIshallbegintothinkI
　　havebeentookind，'sheanswered，someofthearchnessofhermannerreturning。'Now，Iknowwhatyoumeantosayinanswer；butIdon'twanttohearmoreatpresent；andwhateveryoudo，don'tfallintothemistakeofsupposingIhaveacceptedyouinanyothersensethanthewayIsay。Ifyoudon'tlikesuchalimitationyoucangoaway。IdaresayI
　　shallgetoverit。'
　　'Goaway!CouldIgoaway?——Butyouarebeginningtotease，andwillsoonpunishmeseverely；soIwillmakemyescapewhilealliswell。Itwouldbepresumptuoustoexpectmoreinoneday。'
　　'Itwouldindeed，'saidPaula，withhereyesonabunchofflowers。
　　VI。
　　Onleavingthehotel，Somerset'sfirstimpulsewastogetoutofsightofitswindows，andhisglanceupwardhadperhapsnotthetendersignificancethatPaulaimagined，thelastlookimpelledbyanysuchwhiffofemotionhavingbeenthelingeringonehebestoweduponherinpassingoutoftheroom。
　　Unluckilyfortheprospectsofthisattachment，Paula'sconducttowardshimnow，asaresultofmisrepresentation，hadenoughincommonwithherprevioussilenceatNicetomakeitnotunreasonableasafurtherdevelopmentofthatsilence。
　　Moreover，hersocialpositionasawomanofwealth，alwaysfeltbySomersetasaperceptiblebartothatfullandfreeeagernesswithwhichhewouldfainhaveapproachedher，rendereditimpossibleforhimtoreturntothecharge，ascertainthereasonofhercoldness，anddispelitbyanexplanation，withoutbeingsuspectedofmercenaryobjects。
　　Continuallydoesithappenthatagenialwillingnesstobottleupaffrontsissetdowntointerestedmotivesbythosewhodonotknowwhatgenerousconductmeans。HadsheoccupiedthefinancialpositionofMissDeStancyhewouldreadilyhavepersistedfurtherand，notimprobably，haveclearedupthecloud。
　　HavingnofurtherinterestinCarlsruhe，Somersetdecidedtoleavebyaneveningtrain。Theinterveninghourhespentinwanderingintothethickofthefair，wheresteamroundabouts，theproprietorsofwax-workshows，andfancy-stallkeepersmaintainedadeafeningdin。Theanimatedenvironmentwasbetterthansilence，foritfosteredinhimanartificialindifferencetotheeventsthathadjusthappened——anindifferencewhich，thoughhetoowellknewitwasonlydestinedtobetemporary，affordedapassiveperiodwhereintostoreupstrengththatshouldenablehimtowithstandthewearandtearofregretswhichwouldsurelysetinsoon。ItwasthecasewithSomersetaswithothersofhistemperament，thathedidnotfeelablowofthissortimmediately；andwhatoftenseemedlikestoicismaftermisfortunewasonlytheneutralnumbnessoftransitionfrompalpitatinghopetoassuredwretchedness。
　　Hewalkedroundandroundthefairtillalltheexhibitorsknewhimbysight，andwhenthesungotlowheturnedintotheErbprinzen-Strasse，nowrakedfromendtoendbyensaffronedraysoflevellight。Seekinghishotelhedinedthere，andleftbytheeveningtrainforHeidelberg。
　　HeidelbergwithitsromanticsurroundingswasnotpreciselytheplacecalculatedtohealSomerset'swoundedheart。Hehadknownthetownofyore，andhisrecollectionsofthatperiod，when，unfetteredinfancy，hehadtransferredtohissketch-
　　bookthefineRenaissancedetailsoftheOtto-Heinrichs-Baucamebackwithunpleasantforce。Heknewofsomecarvedcask-
　　headsandothercuriouswood-workinthecastlecellars，copiesofwhich，beingunobtainablebyphotographs，hehadintendedtomakeifallwentwellbetweenPaulaandhimself。