第6章

类别:其他 作者:Thomas Hardy字数:12764更新时间:18/12/13 16:29:45
\'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。\'