\'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。\'