'Oindeed!'
　　'Adinner-party，Ihear；eighteenguests。'
　　'Ah，'saidSomerset。
　　'Theyoungladywasmagnificent——sapphiresandopals——shecarriedasmuchasathousandpoundsuponherheadandshouldersduringthatthreeorfourhour。Ofcoursetheycallhercharming；Compuestanohaymugerfea，astheysayatMadrid。'
　　'Idon'tdoubtitforamoment，'saidSomerset，withreserve。
　　Daresaidnomore，andpresentlythedooropened，andtherestoodPaula。
　　SomersetnoddedtoDaretowithdrawintoanadjoiningroom，andofferedherachair。
　　'Youwishtoshowmethedesignyouhaveprepared?'sheasked，withouttakingtheseat。
　　'Yes；Ihavecomeroundtoyouropinion。IhavemadeaplanfortheGreekcourtyouwereanxioustobuild。'Andheelevatedthedrawing-boardagainstthewall。
　　Sheregardeditattentivelyforsomemoments，herfingerrestinglightlyagainstherchin，andsaid，'IhavegivenuptheideaofaGreekcourt。'
　　Heshowedhisastonishment，andwasalmostdisappointed。HehadbeengrindingupGreekarchitectureentirelyonheraccount；hadwrenchedhismindroundtothisstrangearrangement，allfornothing。
　　'Yes，'shecontinued；'onreconsiderationIperceivethewantofharmonythatwouldresultfrominsertingsuchapieceofmarble-workinamediaevalfortress；soinfuturewewilllimitourselvesstrictlytosynchronismofstyle——thatistosay，makegoodtheNormanworkbyNorman，thePerpendicularbyPerpendicular，andsoon。IhaveinformedMr。Havillofthesamething。'
　　SomersetpulledtheGreekdrawingofftheboard，andtoreitintwopieces。
　　Sheinvoluntarilyturnedtolookinhisface，butstoppedbeforeshehadquiteliftedhereyeshighenough。'Whydidyoudothat?'sheaskedwithsuavecuriosity。
　　'Itisofnofurtheruse，'saidSomerset，tearingthedrawingintheotherdirection，andthrowingthepiecesintothefireplace。'Youhavebeenreadingupordersandstylestosomepurpose，Iperceive。'Heregardedherwithafaintsmile。
　　'Ihavehadafewbooksdownfromtown。Itisdesirabletoknowalittleaboutthearchitectureofone'sownhouse。'
　　Sheremainedlookingatthetorndrawing，whenSomerset，observingonthetabletheparticleofswan's-downhehadfoundinthechair，gentlyblewitsothatitskimmedacrossthetableunderhereyes。
　　'Itlooksasifitcameoffalady'sdress，'hesaididly。
　　'Offalady'sfan，'shereplied。
　　'O，offafan?'
　　'Yes；offmine。'
　　AtherreplySomersetstretchedouthishandfortheswan's-
　　down，andputitcarefullyinhispocket-book；whereuponPaula，mouldinghercherry-redlowerlipbeneathherupperoneinarchself-consciousnessathisact，turnedawaytothewindow，andafterapausesaidsoftlyasshelookedout，'Whydidyounotacceptourinvitationtodinner?'
　　Itwasimpossibletoexplainwhy。Heimpulsivelydrewnearandconfrontedher，andsaid，'Ihopeyoupardonme?'
　　'Idon'tknowthatIcanquitedothat，'answeredshe，witheversolittlereproach。'Iknowwhyyoudidnotcome——youweremortifiedatnotbeingaskedsooner!Butitwaspurelybyanaccidentthatyoureceivedyourinvitationsolate。Myauntsenttheothersbypost，butasyourswastobedeliveredbyhanditwasleftonhertable，andwasoverlooked。'
　　Surelyhecouldnotdoubtherwords；thosenicefriendlyaccentsweretheembodimentoftruthitself。
　　'Idon'tmeantomakeaseriouscomplaint，'sheadded，ininjuredtones，showingthatshedid。'Onlywehadaskednearlyallofthemtomeetyou，asthesonofyourillustriousfather，whommanyofmyfriendsknowpersonally；and——theyweredisappointed。'
　　ItwasnowtimeforSomersettobegenuinelygrievedatwhathehaddone。Paulaseemedsogoodandhonourableatthatmomentthathecouldhavelaiddownhislifeforher。
　　'WhenIwasdressed，Icameinheretoaskyoutoreconsideryourdecision，'shecontinued；'ortomeetusinthedrawing-
　　roomifyoucouldnotpossiblybereadyfordinner。Butyouweregone。'
　　'Andyousatdowninthatchair，didn'tyou，darling，andremainedtherealongtimemusing!'hethought。Butthathedidnotsay。
　　'Iamverysorry，'hemurmured。
　　'Willyoumakeamendsbycomingtoourgardenparty?Iaskyoutheveryfirst。'
　　'Iwill，'repliedSomerset。Toaddthatitwouldgivehimgreatpleasure，etc。，seemedanabsurdlyweakwayofexpressinghisfeelings，andhesaidnomore。
　　'Itisonthenineteenth。Don'tforgettheday。'
　　Hemethereyesinsuchawaythat，ifshewerewoman，shemusthaveseenittomeanasplainlyaswords:'DoIlookasifIcouldforgetanythingyousay?'
　　Shemust，indeed，haveunderstoodmuchmorebythistime——thewholeofhisopensecret。Buthedidnotunderstandher。
　　Historyhasrevealedthatasupernumeraryloverortwoisrarelyconsideredadisadvantagebyawoman，fromqueentocottage-girl；andthethoughtmadehimpause。
　　XIV。
　　Whenshewasgonehewentonwiththedrawing，notcallinginDare，whoremainedintheroomadjoining。Presentlyaservantcameandlaidapaperonhistable，whichMissPowerhadsent。
　　Itwasoneofthemorningnewspapers，andwasfoldedsothathiseyefellimmediatelyonaletterheaded'RestorationorDemolition。'
　　Theletterwasprofessedlywrittenbyadispassionatepersonsolelyintheinterestsofart。ItdrewattentiontothecircumstancethattheancientandinterestingcastleoftheDeStancyshadunhappilypassedintothehandsofaniconoclastbyblood，who，withoutrespectforthetraditionofthecounty，oranyfeelingwhateverforhistoryinstone，wasabouttodemolishmuch，ifnotall，thatwasinterestinginthatancientpile，andinsertinitsmidstamonstroustravestyofsomeGreektemple。Inthenameofallloversofmediaevalart，conjuredthesimple-mindedwriter，letsomethingbedonetosaveabuildingwhich，injuredandbatteredintheCivilWars，wasnowtobemadeacompleteruinbythefreaksofanirresponsibleowner。Hersendinghimthepaperseemedtoimplythatsherequiredhisopiniononthecase；andintheafternoon，leavingDaretomeasureupawingaccordingtodirections，hewentoutinthehopeofmeetingher，havinglearntthatshehadgonetothevillage。OnreachingthechurchhesawhercrossingthechurchyardpathwithherauntandMissDeStancy。Somersetenteredtheenclosure，andassoonasshesawhimshecameacross。
　　'Whatistobedone?'sheasked。
　　'Youneednotbeconcernedaboutsuchaletterasthat。'
　　'Iamconcerned。'
　　'Ithinkitdreadfulimpertinence，'spokeupCharlotte，whohadjoinedthem。'Canyouthinkwhowroteit，Mr。Somerset?'
　　Somersetcouldnot。
　　'Well，whatamItodo?'repeatedPaula。
　　'Justasyouwouldhavedonebefore。'
　　'That'swhat_I_say，'observedMrs。Goodmanemphatically。
　　'ButIhavealreadyaltered——IhavegivenuptheGreekcourt。'
　　'O——youhadseenthepaperthismorningbeforeyoulookedatmydrawing?'
　　'Ihad，'sheanswered。
　　Somersetthoughtitaforcibleillustrationofhernaturalreticencethatsheshouldhaveabandonedthedesignwithouttellinghimthereason；buthewasgladshehadnotdoneitfrommerecaprice。
　　Sheturnedtohimandsaidquietly，'IwishYOUwouldanswerthatletter。'
　　'Itwouldbeill-advised，'saidSomerset。'Still，if，afterconsideration，youwishitmuch，Iwill。MeanwhileletmeimpressuponyouagaintheexpediencyofcallinginMr。
　　Havill——towhom，asyourfather'sarchitect，expectingthiscommission，somethingperhapsisowed——andgettinghimtofurnishanalternativeplantomine，andsubmittingthechoiceofdesignstosomemembersoftheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects。Thislettermakesitstillmoreadvisablethanbefore。'
　　'Verywell，'saidPaulareluctantly。
　　'Lethimhavealltheparticularsyouhavebeengoodenoughtoexplaintome——sothatwestartfairinthecompetition。'
　　Shelookednegligentlyonthegrass。'Iwilltellthebuildingstewardtowritethemoutforhim，'shesaid。
　　Thepartyseparatedandenteredthechurchbydifferentdoors。
　　Somersetwenttoanookofthebuildingthathehadoftenintendedtovisit。ItwascalledtheStancyaisle；andinitstoodthetombsofthatfamily。Somersetexaminedthem:theywereunusuallyrichandnumerous，beginningwithcross-leggedknightsinhauberksofchain-mail，theirladiesbesidetheminwimpleandcover-chief，allmoreorlesscoatedwiththegreenmouldanddirtofages:andcontinuingwithothersoflaterdate，infinealabaster，gildedandcoloured，someofthemwearingroundtheirneckstheYorkistcollarofsunsandroses，theliveryofEdwardtheFourth。InscrutinizingthetallestcanopyoverthesehebeheldPaulabehindit，asifincontemplationofthesameobjects。
　　'Youcametothechurchtosketchthesemonuments，Isuppose，Mr。Somerset?'sheasked，assoonasshesawhim。
　　'No。Icametospeaktoyouabouttheletter。'
　　Shesighed。'Yes:thatletter，'shesaid。'Iampersecuted!
　　IfIhadbeenoneoftheseitwouldneverhavebeenwritten。'
　　Shetappedthealabastereffigyofarecumbentladywithherparasol。
　　'Theyareinteresting，aretheynot?'hesaid。'Sheisbeautifullypreserved。Thegildingisnearlygone，butbeyondthatsheisperfect。'
　　'SheislikeCharlotte，'saidPaula。Andwhatwasmuchlikeanothersighescapedherlips。
　　Somersetadmittedthattherewasaresemblance，whilePauladrewherforefingeracrossthemarblefaceoftheeffigy，andatlengthtookoutherhandkerchief，andbeganwipingthedustfromthehollowsofthefeatures。Helookedon，wonderingwhathersighhadmeant，butguessingthatithadbeensomehowcausedbythesightofthesesculpturesinconnectionwiththenewspaperwriter'sdenunciationofherasanirresponsibleoutsider。
　　Thesecretwasoutwheninanswertohisquestion，idlyput，ifshewishedshewerelikeoneofthese，shesaid，withexceptionalvehemenceforoneofherdemeanour——
　　'Idon'twishIwaslikeoneofthem:IwishIWASoneofthem。'
　　'What——youwishyouwereaDeStancy?'
　　'Yes。Itisverydreadfultobedenouncedasabarbarian。I
　　wanttoberomanticandhistorical。'
　　'MissDeStancyseemsnottovaluetheprivilege，'hesaid，lookingroundatanotherpartofthechurchwhereCharlottewasinnocentlyprattlingtoMrs。Goodman，quiteheedlessofthetombsofherforefathers。
　　'IfIwereone，'shecontinued，'IshouldcomeherewhenI
　　feelaloneintheworld，asIdoto-day；andIwoulddefypeople，andsay，"Youcannotspoilwhathasbeen!"'
　　Theywalkedontilltheyreachedtheoldblackpewattachedtothecastle——avastsquareenclosureofoakpanellingoccupyinghalftheaisle，andsurmountedwithalittlebalustradeabovetheframework。Within，thebaizeliningthathadoncebeengreen，nowfadedtothecolourofacommoninAugust，wastorn，kickedandscrapedtoragsbythefeetandhandsoftheploughboyswhohadappropriatedthepewastheirownspecialplaceofworshipsinceithadceasedtobeusedbyanyresidentatthecastle，becauseitsheightaffordedconvenientshelterforplayingatmarblesandprickingwithpins。
　　CharlotteandMrs。Goodmanhadbythistimeleftthebuilding，andcouldbeseenlookingattheheadstonesoutside。
　　'IfyouwereaDeStancy，'saidSomerset，whohadponderedmoredeeplyuponthatnewwishofhersthanhehadseemedtodo，'youwouldbeachurchwoman，andsithere。'
　　'AndIshouldhavethepewdoneup，'shesaidreadily，assherestedherprettychinonthetoprailandlookedattheinterior，hercheekspressedintodeepdimples。Herquickreplytoldhimthattheideawasnonewonewithher，andhethoughtofpoorMr。Woodwell'sshrewdprophecyasheperceivedthatherdaysasaseparatistwerenumbered。
　　'Well，whycan'tyouhaveitdoneup，andsithere?'hesaidwarily。
　　Paulashookherhead。
　　'YouarenotatenmitywithAnglicanism，Iamsure?'
　　'Iwantnottobe。Iwanttobe——what——'
　　'WhattheDeStancyswere，andare，'hesaidinsidiously；andhersilencedbearingtoldhimthathehadhitthenail。
　　Itwasastrangeideatogetpossessionofsuchanatureashers，andforaminutehefelthimselfonthesideoftheminister。SostrongwasSomerset'sfeelingofwishinghertoshowthequalityoffidelitytopaternaldogmaandparty，thathecouldnothelpadding——
　　'Buthaveyouforgottenthatothernobility——thenobilityoftalentandenterprise?'
　　'No。ButIwishIhadawell-knownlineofancestors。'
　　'Youhave。Archimedes，Newcomen，Watt，Telford，Stephenson，thoseareyourfather'sdirectancestors。Haveyouforgottenthem?Haveyouforgottenyourfather，andtherailwayshemadeoverhalfEurope，andhisgreatenergyandskill，andallconnectedwithhimasifhehadneverlived?'
　　Shedidnotanswerforsometime。'No，Ihavenotforgottenit，'shesaid，stilllookingintothepew。'But，Ihaveapredilectiond'artisteforancestorsoftheothersort，liketheDeStancys。'
　　HerhandwasrestingonthelowpewnextthehighoneoftheDeStancys。Somersetlookedatthehand，orratherattheglovewhichcoveredit，thenatheravertedcheek，thenbeyonditintothepew，thenatherhandagain，untilbyanindescribableconsciousnessthathewasnotgoingtoofarhelaidhisownuponit。
　　'No，no，'saidPaulaquickly，withdrawingherhand。Buttherewasnothingresentfulorhaughtyinhertone——nothing，inshort，whichmakesamaninsuchcircumstancesfeelthathehasdoneaparticularlyfoolishaction。
　　Thefloweronherbosomroseandfellsomewhatmorethanusualassheadded，'Iamgoingawaynow——Iwillleaveyouhere。'
　　Withoutwaitingforareplysheadroitlysweptbackherskirtstofreeherfeetandwentoutofthechurchblushing。
　　Somersettookherhintanddidnotfollow；andwhenheknewthatshehadrejoinedherfriends，andheardthecarriagerollaway，hemadetowardstheoppositedoor。Pausingtoglanceoncemoreatthealabastereffigiesbeforeleavingthemtotheirsilenceandneglect，hebeheldDarebendingoverthem，toallappearanceintentlyoccupied。
　　Hemusthavebeeninthechurchsometime——certainlyduringthetenderepisodebetweenSomersetandPaula，andcouldnothavefailedtoperceiveit。Somersetblushed:itwasunpleasantthatDareshouldhaveseentheinteriorofhisheartsoplainly。Hewentacrossandsaid，'IthinkIleftyoutofinishthedrawingofthenorthwing，Mr。Dare?'
　　'Threehoursago，sir，'saidDare。'Havingfinishedthat，I
　　cametolookatthechurch——finebuilding——finemonuments——twointerestingpeoplelookingatthem。'
　　'What?'
　　'Istandcorrected。Pensamolto，parlapoco，astheItalianshaveit。'
　　'Well，now，Mr。Dare，supposeyougetbacktothecastle?'
　　'WhichhistorydubsCastleStancy……Certainly。'
　　'Howdoyougetonwiththemeasuring?'
　　Daresighedwhimsically。'Badlyinthemorning，whenIhavebeentemptedtoindulgeovernight，andworseintheafternoon，whenIhavebeentemptedinthemorning!'
　　Somersetlookedattheyouth，andsaid，'IfearIshallhavetodispensewithyourservices，Dare，forIthinkyouhavebeentemptedto-day。'
　　'Onmyhonourno。Mymannerisalittleagainstme，Mr。
　　Somerset。Butyouneednotfearformyabilitytodoyourwork。Iamayoungmanwasted，andamthoughtofslightaccount:itisthetruemenwhogetsnubbed，whiletraitorsareallowedtothrive!'
　　'Hangsentiment，Dare，andoffwithyou!'Alittleruffled，Somersethadturnedhisbackupontheinterestingspeaker，sothathedidnotobservetheslytwistDarethrewintohisrighteyeashespoke。ThelatterwentoffinonedirectionandSomersetintheother，pursuinghispensivewaytowardsMarktonwiththoughtsnotdifficulttodivine。
　　Fromonepointinhernaturehewenttoanother，tillheagainrecurredtoherromanticinterestintheDeStancyfamily。Towishshewasoneofthem:howveryinconsistentofher。Thatshereallydidwishitwasunquestionable。
　　Itwasthedayofthegarden-party。Theweatherwastoocloudytobecalledperfect，butitwasassultryasthemostthinly-cladyoungladycoulddesire。GreattroublehadbeentakenbyPaulatobringthelawntoafitconditionaftertheneglectofrecentyears，andSomersethadsuggestedthedesignforthetents。Asheapproachedtheprecinctsofthecastlehediscernedaflagofnewestfabricfloatingoverthekeep，andsoonhisflyfellinwiththestreamofcarriagesthatwerepassingoverthebridgeintotheouterward。
　　Mrs。GoodmanandPaulawerereceivingthepeopleinthedrawing-room。Somersetcameforwardinhisturn；butashewasimmediatelyfollowedbyotherstherewasnotmuchopportunity，evenhadshefeltthewish，foranyspecialmarkoffeelingintheyoungerlady'sgreetingofhim。
　　Hewentonthroughacanvaspassage，linedoneachsidewithfloweringplants，tillhereachedthetents；thence，afternoddingtooneortwoguestsslightlyknowntohim，heproceededtothegrounds，withasenseofbeingratherlonely。
　　Fewvisitorshadasyetgotsofarin，andashewalkedupanddownashadyalleyhisminddweltuponthenewaspectunderwhichPaulahadgreetedhiseyesthatafternoon。Herblack-
　　and-whitecostumehadfinallydisappeared，andinitsplaceshehadadoptedapicturesquedressofivorywhite，withsatinenrichmentsofthesamehue；whileuponherbosomsheworeablueflower。Herdaysofinfestivitywereplainlyended，andherdaysofgladnessweretobegin。
　　Hisreveriewasinterruptedbythesoundofhisname，andlookingroundhebeheldHavill，whoappearedtobeasmuchaloneashimself。
　　SomersetalreadyknewthatHavillhadbeenappointedtocompetewithhim，accordingtohisrecommendation。Inmeasuringadarkcorneradayortwobefore，hehadstumbleduponHavillengagedinthesamepursuitwithaviewtotherivaldesign。AfterwardshehadseenhimreceivingPaula'sinstructionspreciselyashehaddonehimself。Itwasashehadwished，forfairness'sake:andyethefeltaregret，forhewaslessPaula'sownarchitectnow。
　　'Well，Mr。Somerset，'saidHavill，'sincewefirstmetanunexpectedrivalryhasarisenbetweenus!ButIdaresayweshallsurvivethecontest，asitisnotonearisingoutoflove。Ha-ha-ha!'Hespokeinalevelvoiceoffiercepleasantry，anduncoveredhisregularwhiteteeth。
　　Somersetsupposedhimtoalludetothecastlecompetition?
　　'Yes，'saidHavill。'Herproposedundertakingbroughtoutsomeadversecriticismtillitwasknownthatsheintendedtohavemorethanonearchitecturalopinion。Anexcellentstrokeofherstodisarmcriticism。Yousawthesecondletterinthemorningpapers?'
　　'No，'saidtheother。
　　'Thewriterstatesthathehasdiscoveredthatthecompetentadviceoftwoarchitectsistobetaken，andwithdrawshisaccusations。'
　　Somersetsaidnothingforaminute。'Haveyoubeensuppliedwiththenecessarydataforyourdrawings?'heasked，showingbythequestionthetrackhisthoughtshadtaken。
　　Havillsaidthathehad。'Butpossiblynotsocompletelyasyouhave，'headded，againsmilingfiercely。Somersetdidnotquiteliketheinsinuation，andthetwospeakersparted，theyoungergoingtowardsthemusicians，whohadnowbeguntofilltheairwiththeirstrainsfromtheemboweredenclosureofadroopingash。Whenhegotbacktothemarqueestheywerequitecrowded，andtheguestsbegantopouroutuponthegrass，thetoiletsoftheladiespresentingabrilliantspectacle——herebeingcoloureddresseswithwhitedevices，therewhitedresseswithcoloureddevices，andyondertransparentdresseswithnodeviceatall。Alavenderhazehungintheair，thetreeswereasstillasthoseofasubmarineforest；whilethesun，incolourlikeabrassplaque，hadahairyoutlineinthelividsky。
　　Afterwatchingawhilesomeyoungpeoplewhoweresomadlydevotedtolawn-tennisthattheysetaboutitlikeday-
　　labourersatthemomentoftheirarrival，heturnedandsawapproachingagracefulfigureincream-colouredhues，whosegloveslostthemselvesbeneathherlaceruffles，evenwhensheliftedherhandtomakefirmthebluefloweratherbreast，andwhosehairhungunderherhatingreatknotssowellcompactedthatthesungildedtheconvexityofeachknotlikeaball。
　　'Youseemtobealone，'saidPaula，whohadatlastescapedfromthedutyofreceivingguests。
　　'Idon'tknowmanypeople。'
　　'Yes:IthoughtofthatwhileIwasinthedrawing-room。ButIcouldnotgetoutbefore。Iamnownolongeraresponsiblebeing:Mrs。Goodmanismistressfortheremainderoftheday。
　　Willyoubeintroducedtoanybody?Whomwouldyouliketoknow?'
　　'Iamnotparticularlyunhappyinmysolitude。'
　　'Butyoumustbemadetoknowafew。'
　　'Verywell——Isubmitreadily。'
　　Shelookedawayfromhim，andwhilehewasobservinguponhercheekthemovingshadowofleavescastbythedecliningsun，shesaid，'O，thereismyaunt，'andbeckonedwithherparasoltothatlady，whoapproachedinthecomparativelyyouthfulguiseofagreysilkdressthatwhistledateverytouch。
　　Paulaleftthemtogether，andMrs。Goodmanthenmadehimacquaintedwithafewofthebestpeople，describingwhattheywereinawhisperbeforetheycameup，amongthembeingtheRadicalmemberforMarkton，whohadsucceededtotheseatrenderedvacantbythedeathofPaula'sfather。Whiletalkingtothisgentlemanontheproposedenlargementofthecastle，Somersetraisedhiseyesandhandtowardsthewalls，thebettertopointouthismeaning；insodoinghesawafaceinthesquareofdarknessformedbyoneoftheopenwindows，theeffectbeingthatofahighlightportraitbyVandyckorRembrandt。
　　ItwashisassistantDare，leaningonthewindow-sillofthestudio，ashesmokedhiscigaretteandsurveyedthegaygroupspromenadingbeneath。
　　Afterholdingachatteringconversationwithsomeladiesfromaneighbouringcountryseatwhohadknownhisfatherinbygoneyears，andhandingthemicesandstrawberriestilltheyweresatisfied，hefoundanopportunityofleavingthegrounds，wishingtolearnwhatprogressDarehadmadeinthesurveyofthecastle。
　　Darewasstillinthestudiowhenheentered。Somersetinformedtheyouththattherewasnonecessityforhisworkinglaterthatday，unlesstopleasehimself，andproceededtoinspectDare'sachievementsthusfar。TohisvexationDarehadnotplottedthreedimensionsduringtheprevioustwodays。
　　ThiswasnotthefirsttimethatDare，eitherfromincompetenceorindolence，hadshownhisinutilityasahouse-
　　surveyoranddraughtsman。
　　'Mr。Dare，'saidSomerset，'Ifearyoudon'tsuitmewellenoughtomakeitnecessarythatyoushouldstayafterthisweek。'
　　Dareremovedthecigarettefromhislipsandbowed。'IfI
　　don'tsuit，thesoonerIgothebetter；whywaittheweek?'hesaid。
　　'Well，that'sasyoulike。'
　　Somersetdrewtheinkstandtowardshim，wroteoutachequeforDare'sservices，andhandeditacrossthetable。
　　'I'llnottroubleyouto-morrow，'saidDare，seeingthatthepaymentincludedtheweekinadvance。
　　'Verywell，'repliedSomerset。'Pleaselockthedoorwhenyouleave。'ShakinghandswithDareandwishinghimwell，helefttheroomanddescendedtothelawnbelow。
　　TherehecontrivedtogetnearMissPoweragain，andinquiredofherforMissDeStancy。
　　'O!didyounotknow?'saidPaula；'herfatherisunwell，andshepreferredstayingwithhimthisafternoon。'
　　'Ihopedhemighthavebeenhere。'
　　'Ono；henevercomesoutofhishousetoanypartyofthissort；itexciteshim，andhemustnotbeexcited。'
　　'PoorSirWilliam!'mutteredSomerset。
　　'No，'saidPaula，'heisgrandandhistorical。'
　　'ThatishardlyanorthodoxnotionforaPuritan，'saidSomersetmischievously。
　　'IamnotaPuritan，'insistedPaula。
　　Thedayturnedtodusk，andtheguestsbegangoinginrelaystothedining-hall。WhenSomersethadtakenintwoorthreeladiestowhomhehadbeenpresented，andattendedtotheirwants，whichoccupiedhimthree-quartersofanhour，hereturnedagaintothelargetent，withaviewtofindingPaulaandtakinghisleave。Itwasnowbrilliantlylightedup，andthemusicians，whoduringdaylighthadbeeninvisiblebehindtheash-tree，wereensconcedatoneendwiththeirharpsandviolins。Itremindedhimthattherewastobedancing。Thetenthadinthemeantimehalffilledwithanewsetofyoungpeoplewhohadcomeexpresslyforthatpastime。Behindthegirlsgatherednumbersofnewlyarrivedyoungmenwithlowshouldersanddiminutivemoustaches，whowereevidentlypreparedforoncetosacrificethemselvesaspartners。
　　Somersetfeltsomethingofathrillatthesight。Hewasaninfrequentdancer，andparticularlyunpreparedfordancingatpresent；buttodanceoncewithPaulaPowerhewouldgiveayearofhislife。Helookedround；butshewasnowheretobeseen。Thefirstsetbegan；oldandmiddle-agedpeoplegatheredfromthedifferentroomstolookonatthegyrationsoftheirchildren，butPauladidnotappear。Whenanotherdanceortwohadprogressed，andanincreaseintheaverageageofthedancerswasmakingitselfperceptible，especiallyonthemasculineside，Somersetwasarousedbyawhisperathiselbow——
　　'Youdance，Ithink?MissDeverellisdisengaged。Shehasnotbeenaskedoncethisevening。'ThespeakerwasPaula。
　　SomersetlookedatMissDeverell——asallowladywithblacktwinklingeyes，yellowcostume，andgaylaugh，whohadbeentherealltheafternoon——andsaidsomethingabouthavingthoughtofgoinghome。
　　'IsthatbecauseIaskedyoutodance?'shemurmured。'There——
　　sheisappropriated。'AyounggentlemanhadatthatmomentapproachedtheuninvitingMissDeverell，claimedherhandandledheroff。
　　'That'sright，'saidSomerset。'Ioughttoleaveroomforyoungermen。'
　　'Youneednotsayso。Thatbald-headedgentlemanisforty-
　　five。Hedoesnotthinkofyoungermen。'
　　'HaveYOUadancetospareforme?'
　　Herfacegrewstealthilyredderinthecandle-light。'O!——I
　　havenoengagementatall——Ihaverefused。Ihardlyfeelatlibertytodance；itwouldbeaswelltoleavethattomyvisitors。'
　　'Why?'
　　'Myfather，thoughheallowedmetobetaught，neverlikedtheideaofmydancing。'
　　'Didhemakeyoupromiseanythingonthepoint?'
　　'Hesaidhewasnotinfavourofsuchamusements——nomore。'
　　'Ithinkyouarenotboundbythat，onaninformaloccasionlikethepresent。'
　　Shewassilent。
　　'Youwilljustonce?'saidhe。
　　Anothersilence。'Ifyoulike，'sheventuresomelyansweredatlast。
　　Somersetclosedthehandwhichwashangingbyhisside，andsomehowherswasinit。Thedancewasnearlyformed，andheledherforward。Severalpersonslookedatthemsignificantly，buthedidnotnoticeitthen，andplungedintothemaze。
　　NeverhadMr。Somersetpassedthroughsuchanexperiencebefore。Hadhenotfeltheractualweightandwarmth，hemighthavefanciedthewholeepisodeafigmentoftheimagination。Itseemedasifthosemusicianshadthrownadoublesweetnessintotheirnotesonseeingthemistressofthecastleinthedance，thataperfumedsouthernatmospherehadbeguntopervadethemarquee，andthathumanbeingswereshakingthemselvesfreeofallinconvenientgravitation。
　　Somerset'sfeelingsburstfromhislips。'ThisisthehappiestmomentIhaveeverknown，'hesaid。'Doyouknowwhy?'
　　'IthinkIsawaflashoflightningthroughtheopeningofthetent，'saidPaula，withroguishabruptness。
　　Hedidnotpressforananswer。Withinafewminutesalonggrowlofthunderwasheard。ItwasasifJovecouldnotrefrainfromtestifyinghisjealousyofSomersetfortakingthiscovetablewomansopresumptuouslyinhisarms。
　　Thedancewasover，andhehadretiredwithPaulatothebackofthetent，whenanotherfaintflashoflightningwasvisiblethroughanopening。Sheliftedthecanvas，andlookedout，Somersetlookingoutbehindher。Anotherdancewasbegun，andbeingonthisaccountleftoutofnotice，SomersetdidnothastentoleavePaula'sside。
　　'Ithinktheybegintofeeltheheat，'shesaid。
　　'Alittleventilationwoulddonoharm。'Heflungbackthetentdoorwherehestood，andthelightshoneoutuponthegrass。
　　'Imustgotothedrawing-roomsoon，'sheadded。'Theywillbegintoleaveshortly。'
　　'Itisnotlate。Thethunder-cloudhasmadeitseemdark——seethere；alineofpaleyellowstretchesalongthehorizonfromwesttonorth。That'sevening——notgoneyet。Shallwegointothefreshairforaminute?'
　　Sheseemedtosignifyassent，andhesteppedoffthetent-
　　floorupontheground。Shesteppedoffalso。
　　Theairout-of-doorshadnotcooled，andwithoutdefinitelychoosingadirectiontheyfoundthemselvesapproachingalittlewoodentea-housethatstoodonthelawnafewyardsoff。Arrivedhere，theyturned，andregardedthetenttheyhadjustleft，andlistenedtothestrainsthatcamefromwithinit。
　　'Ifeelmoreateasenow，'saidPaula。
　　'SodoI，'saidSomerset。
　　'Imean，'sheaddedinanundeceivingtone，'becauseIsawMrs。Goodmanenterthetentagainjustaswecameouthere；soIhavenofurtherresponsibility。'
　　'Imeantsomethingquitedifferent。Trytoguesswhat。'
　　Sheteasinglydemurred，finallybreakingthesilencebysaying，'Therainiscomeatlast，'asgreatdropsbegantofalluponthegroundwithasmack，likepelletsofclay。
　　Inamomentthestormpoureddownwithsuddenviolence，andtheydrewfurtherbackintothesummer-house。Thesideofthetentfromwhichtheyhademergedstillremainedopen，therainstreamingdownbetweentheireyesandthelightedinteriorofthemarqueelikeatissueofglassthreads，thebrilliantformsofthedancerspassingandrepassingbehindthewateryscreen，asiftheywerepeopleinanenchantedsubmarinepalace。
　　'Howhappytheyare!'saidPaula。'Theydon'tevenknowthatitisraining。Iamsogladthatmyaunthadthetentlined；
　　otherwisesuchadownpourwouldhavegonecleanthroughit。'
　　Thethunder-stormshowednosymptomsofabatement，andthemusicanddancingwentonmoremerrilythanever。
　　'Wecannotgoin，'saidSomerset。'Andwecannotshoutforumbrellas。Wewillstaytillitisover，willwenot?'
　　'Yes，'shesaid，'ifyoucareto。Ah!'
　　'Whatisit?'
　　'Onlyabigdropcameuponmyhead。'
　　'Letusstandfurtherin。'
　　Herhandwashangingbyherside，andSomerset'swascloseby。
　　Hetookit，andshedidnotdrawitaway。Thustheystoodalongwhile，therainhissingdownuponthegrass-plot，andnotasoulbeingvisibleoutsidethedancing-tentsavethemselves。
　　'MayIcallyouPaula?'askedhe。
　　Therewasnoanswer。
　　'MayI?'herepeated。
　　'Yes，occasionally，'shemurmured。
　　'DearPaula!——mayIcallyouthat?'
　　'Ono——notyet。'
　　'ButyouknowIloveyou?'
　　'Yes，'shewhispered。
　　'AndshallIloveyoualways?'
　　'Ifyouwishto。'
　　'Andwillyouloveme?'
　　Pauladidnotreply。
　　'Willyou，Paula?'herepeated。
　　'Youmayloveme。'
　　'Butdon'tyoulovemeinreturn?'
　　'Iloveyoutoloveme。'