Shedeclaredthatthiswasanunexpectedpleasure。Hadhearrangedtocomeonthetenthasshewished?Howstrangethattheyshouldmeetthus!——andyetnotstrange——theworldwassosmall。
Somersetsaidthathewascomingontheverydayshementioned——thattheappointmentgavehiminfinitegratification，whichwasquitewithinthetruth。
\'Comeintothisshopwithme，\'saidPaula，withgood-humouredauthoritativeness。
Theyenteredtheshopandtalkedonwhileshemadeasmallpurchase。ButnotaworddidPaulasayofhersuddenerrandtotown。
\'Iamhavinganexcitingmorning，\'shesaid。\'Iamgoingfromheretocatchtheone-o\'clocktraintoMarkton。\'
\'Itisimportantthatyougettherethisafternoon，I
suppose?\'
\'Yes。Youknowwhy?\'
\'Notatall。\'
\'TheHuntBall。Itwasfixedforthesixth，andthisisthesixth。Ithoughttheymighthaveaskedyou。\'
\'No，\'saidSomerset，atriflegloomily。\'No，Iamnotasked。
Butitisagreattaskforyou——alongjourneyandaballallinoneday。\'
\'Yes:Charlottesaidthat。ButIdon\'tmindit。\'
\'Youaregladyouaregoing。Areyouglad?\'hesaidsoftly。
Herairconfessedmorethanherwords。\'IamnotsoverygladthatIamgoingtotheHuntBall，\'sherepliedconfidentially。
\'Thanksforthat，\'saidhe。
Sheliftedhereyestohisforamoment。Hermannerhadsuddenlybecomesonearlythecounterpartofthatinthetea-
housethattosuspectanydeteriorationofaffectioninherwasnolongergenerous。Itwasonlyasifathinlayerofrecenteventshadoverlaidhermemoriesofhim，untilhispresencesweptthemaway。
Somersetlookedup，andfindingtheshopmantobestillsomewayoff，headded，\'WhenwillyouassuremeofsomethinginreturnforwhatIassuredyouthateveningintherain?\'
\'Notbeforeyouhavebuiltthecastle。Myauntdoesnotknowaboutityet，noranybody。\'
\'Ioughttotellher。\'
\'No，notyet。Idon\'twishit。\'
\'Theneverythingstandsasusual?\'
Shelightlynodded。
\'Thatis，Imayloveyou:butyoustillwillnotsayyouloveme。\'
Shenoddedagain，anddirectinghisattentiontotheadvancingshopman，said，\'Pleasenotawordmore。\'
Soonafterthis，theyleftthejeweller\'s，andparted，PauladrivingstraightofftothestationandSomersetgoingonhiswayuncertainlyhappy。Hisre-impressionafterafewminuteswasthataspecialjourneytotowntofetchthatmagnificentnecklacewhichshehadnotoncementionedtohim，butwhichwasplainlytobethemediumofsomeproudpurposewithherthisevening，washardlyinharmonywithherassertionsofindifferencetotheattractionsoftheHuntBall。
Hegotintoacabanddrovetohisclub，wherehelunched，andmopinglyspentagreatpartoftheafternooninmakingcalculationsforthefoundationsofthecastleworks。Laterintheafternoonhereturnedtohischambers，wishingthathecouldannihilatethethreedaysremainingbeforethetenth，particularlythiscomingevening。Onhistablewasaletterinastrangewriting，andindifferentlyturningitoverhefoundfromthesuperscriptionthatithadbeenaddressedtohimdaysbeforeattheLord-Quantock-ArmsHotel，Markton，whereithadlaineversince，thelandlordprobablyexpectinghimtoreturn。Openingthemissive，hefoundtohissurprisethatitwas，afterall，aninvitationtotheHuntBall。
\'Toolate!\'saidSomerset。\'TothinkIshouldbeservedthistrickasecondtime!\'
Afteramoment\'spause，however，helookedtoseethetimeofday。Itwasfiveminutespastfive——justaboutthehourwhenPaulawouldbedrivingfromMarktonStationtoStancyCastletorestandprepareherselfforhereveningtriumph。Therewasatrainatsixo\'clock，timedtoreachMarktonbetweenelevenandtwelve，whichbygreatexertionhemightsaveevennow，ifitwereworthwhiletoundertakesuchascrambleforthepleasureofdroppingintotheballatalatehour。A
moment\'svisionofPaulamovingtoswifttunesonthearmofapersonorpersonsunknownwasenoughtoimparttheimpetusrequired。Hejumpedup，flunghisdressclothesintoaportmanteau，sentdowntocallacab，andinafewminuteswasrattlingofftotherailwaywhichhadbornePaulaawayfromLondonjustfivehoursearlier。
Onceinthetrain，hebegantoconsiderwhereandhowhecouldmostconvenientlydressforthedance。Thetrainwouldcertainlybehalf-an-hourlate；half-an-hourwouldbespentingettingtothetown-hall，andthatwastheutmostdelaytolerableifhewouldsecurethehandofPaulaforonespin，orbemorethanameredummybehindtheearlierarrivals。Helookedforanemptycompartmentatthenextstoppage，andfindingtheonenexthisownunoccupied，heentereditandchangedhisraimentforthatinhisportmanteauduringtheensuingrunoftwentymiles。
ThuspreparedheawaitedtheMarktonplatform，whichwasreachedastheclockstrucktwelve。Somersetcalledaflyanddroveatoncetothetown-hall。
Theboroughnativeshadascendedtotheirupperfloors，andwereputtingouttheircandlesonebyoneashepassedalongthestreets；butthelivelystrainsthatproceededfromthecentraledificerevealeddistinctlyenoughwhatwasgoingonamongthetemporaryvisitorsfromtheneighbouringmanors。
Thedoorswereopenedforhim，andenteringthevestibulelinedwithflags，flowers，evergreens，andescutcheons，hestoodlookingintothefurnaceofgaietybeyond。
Itwassometimebeforehecouldgatherhisimpressionsofthescene，soperplexingwerethelights，themotions，thetoilets，thefull-dressuniformsofofficersandtheharmoniesofsound。Yetlight，sound，andmovementwerenotsomuchtheessenceofthatgiddysceneasanintenseaimatobliviousnessinthebeingscomposingit。Fortwoorthreehoursatleastthosewhirlingyoungpeoplemeantnottoknowthattheyweremortal。Theroomwasbeatinglikeaheart，andthepulsewasregulatedbythetremblingstringsofthemostpopularquadrillebandinWessex。Butatlasthiseyesgrewsettledenoughtolookcriticallyaround。
Theroomwascrowded——toocrowded。Everyvarietyoffairone，beautiesprimary，secondary，andtertiary，appearedamongthepersonagescomposingthethrong。Thereweresunsandmoons；
alsopaleplanetsoflittleaccount。Broadlyspeaking，thesedaughtersofthecountyfellintotwoclasses:onethepink-
facedunsophisticatedgirlsfromneighbouringrectoriesandsmallcountry-houses，whoknewnottownexceptforanoccasionalfortnight，andwhospenttheirtimefromEastertoLammasDaymuchastheyspentitduringtheremainingninemonthsoftheyear:theotherclasswerethechildrenofthewealthylandownerswhomigratedeachseasontothetown-house；
thesewerepaleandcollected，showedlessenjoymentintheircountenances，andworeingeneralanapproximationtothelanguidmannersofthecapital。
Aquadrillewasinprogress，andSomersetscannedeachset。
Hismindhadrunsolonguponthenecklace，thathisglanceinvoluntarilysoughtoutthatgleamingobjectratherthanthepersonalityofitswearer。Atthetopoftheroomtherehebeheldit；butitwasontheneckofCharlotteDeStancy。
Thewholelucidexplanationbrokeacrosshisunderstandinginasecond。HisdearPaulahadfetchedthenecklacethatCharlotteshouldnotappeartodisadvantageamongthecountypeoplebyreasonofherpoverty。Itwasgenerouslydone——adisinterestedactofsisterlykindness；theirswasthefriendshipofHermiaandHelena。Beforehehadgotfurtherthantorealizethis，therewheeledroundamongstthedancersaladywhosetournureherecognizedwell。ShewasPaula；andtotheyoungman\'svisionasuperlativesomethingdistinguishedherfromalltherest。Thiswasnotdressorornament，forshehadhardlyagemuponher，herattirebeingamodelofeffectivesimplicity。HerpartnerwasCaptainDeStancy。
Thediscoveryofthislatterfactslightlyobscuredhisappreciationofwhathehaddiscoveredjustbefore。ItwaswithratheraloweringbrowthatheaskedhimselfwhetherPaula\'spredilectiond\'artiste，asshecalledit，fortheDeStancylinemightnotleadtoapredilectionofadifferentsortforitslastrepresentativewhichwouldbenotatallsatisfactory。
Thearchitectremainedinthebackgroundtillthedancedrewtoaconclusion，andthenhewentforward。ThecircumstanceofhavingmethimbyaccidentoncealreadythatdayseemedtoquenchanysurpriseinMissPower\'sbosomatseeinghimnow。
TherewasnothinginherpartingfromCaptainDeStancy，whenheledhertoaseat，calculatedtomakeSomersetuneasyafterhislongabsence。Though，forthatmatter，thisprovednothing；for，likeallwisemaidens，Paulaneverventuredonthegameoftheeyeswithaloverinpublic；wellknowingthateverymomentofsuchindulgenceovernightmightmeananhour\'ssneeratherexpensebytheindulgedgentlemannextday，whenweighingwomankindbytheaidofacoldmorninglightandabadheadache。
WhileSomersetwasexplainingtoPaulaandherauntthereasonofhissuddenappearance，theirattentionwasdrawntoaseatashortwayoffbyaflutteringofladiesroundthespot。Inamomentitwaswhisperedthatsomebodyhadfallenill，andinanotherthatthesuffererwasMissDeStancy。Paula，Mrs。
Goodman，andSomersetatoncejoinedthegroupoffriendswhowereassistingher。NeitherofthemimaginedforaninstantthattheunexpectedadventofSomersetonthescenehadanythingtodowiththepoorgirl\'sindisposition。
Shewasassistedoutoftheroom，andherbrother，whonowcameup，preparedtotakeherhome，Somersetexchangingafewcivilwordswithhim，whichthehurryofthemomentpreventedthemfromcontinuing；thoughontakinghisleavewithCharlotte，whowasnowbetter，DeStancyinformedSomersetinanswertoacursoryinquiry，thathehopedtobebackagainattheballinhalf-an-hour。
WhentheyweregoneSomerset，feelingthatnowanotherdogmighthavehisday，soundedPaulaonthedelightfulquestionofadance。
Paularepliedinthenegative。
\'Howisthat?\'askedSomersetwithreproachfuldisappointment。
\'Icannotdanceagain，\'shesaidinasomewhatdepressedtone；
\'Imustbereleasedfromeveryengagementtodoso，onaccountofCharlotte\'sillness。IshouldhavegonehomewithherifI
hadnotbeenparticularlyrequestedtostayalittlelonger，sinceitisasyetsoearly，andCharlotte\'sillnessisnotveryserious。\'
IfCharlotte\'sillnesswasnotveryserious，Somersetthought，Paulamighthavestretchedapoint；butnotwishingtohinderherinshowingrespecttoafriendsowelllikedbyhimself，hedidnotaskit。DeStancyhadpromisedtobebackagaininhalf-an-hour，andPaulahadheardthepromise。Butattheendoftwentyminutes，stillseemingindifferenttowhatwasgoingonaroundher，shesaidshewouldstaynolonger，andremindingSomersetthattheyweresoontomeetandtalkovertherebuilding，droveoffwithheraunttoStancyCastle。
Somersetstoodlookingaftertheretreatingcarriagetillitwasenvelopedinshadesthatthelampscouldnotdisperse。
Theball-roomwasnowvirtuallyemptyforhim，andfeelingnogreatanxietytoreturnthitherhestoodonthestepsforsomeminuteslonger，lookingintothecalmmildnight，andatthedarkhousesbehindwhoseblindslaytheburgherswiththeireyessealedupinsleep。HecouldnotbutthinkthatitwasrathertoobadofPaulatospoilhiseveningforasentimentaldevotiontoCharlottewhichcoulddothelatternoappreciablegood；andhewouldhavefeltseriouslyhurtathermoveifithadnotbeenequallysevereuponCaptainDeStancy，whowasdoubtlesshasteningback，fullofabeliefthatshewouldstillbefoundthere。
Thestarofgas-jetsovertheentrancethrewitslightuponthewallsontheoppositesideofthestreet，wheretherewerenotice-boardsofforthcomingevents。Inglancingovertheseforthefifthtime，hiseyewasattractedbythefirstwordsofaplacardinblueletters，ofasizelargerthantherest，andmovingonwardafewstepsheread:——
STANCYCASTLE。
BythekindpermissionofMissPower，APLAY
WillshortlybeperformedattheaboveCASTLE，INAIDOFTHEFUNDSOFTHE
COUNTYHOSPITAL，BytheOfficersoftheROYALHORSEARTILLERY，MARKTONBARRACKS，ASSISTEDBYSEVERAL
LADIESOFTHENEIGHBOURHOOD。
Thecastandotherparticularswillbedulyannouncedinsmallbills。PlaceswillbereservedonapplicationtoMr。
Clangham，HighStreet，Markton，whereaplanoftheroommaybeseen。
N。B——TheCastleisabouttwentyminutes\'drivefromMarktonStation，towhichtherearenumerousconvenienttrainsfromallpartsofthecounty。
InaprofoundstudySomersetturnedandre-enteredtheball-
room，whereheremainedgloomilystandinghereandthereforaboutfiveminutes，attheendofwhichheobservedCaptainDeStancy，whohadreturnedpunctuallytohisword，crossingthehallinhisdirection。
Thegallantofficerdartedglancesoflivelysearchovereverygroupofdancersandsitters；andthenwithratherablanklookinhisface，hecameontoSomerset。Replyingtothelatter\'sinquiryforhissisterthatshehadnearlyrecovered，hesaid，\'Idon\'tseemyfather\'sneighboursanywhere。\'
\'Theyhavegonehome，\'repliedSomerset，atrifledrily。
\'Theyaskedmetomaketheirapologiestoyouforleadingyoutoexpecttheywouldremain。MissPowerwastooanxiousaboutMissDeStancytocaretostaylonger。\'
TheeyesofDeStancyandthespeakermetforaninstant。
Thatcuriousguardedunderstanding，orinimicalconfederacy，whicharisesatmomentsbetweentwomeninlovewiththesamewoman，waspresenthere；andintheirmutualglanceseachsaidasplainlyasbywordsthatherdeparturehadruinedhisevening\'shope。
Theywerenowaboutasmuchinonemoodasitwaspossiblefortwosuchdifferingnaturestobe。Neithercaredfurtherforelaboratinggiddycurvesonthattown-hallfloor。Theystoodtalkinglanguidlyaboutthisandthatlocaltopic，tillDeStancyturnedasideforashorttimetospeaktoadapperlittleladywhohadbeckonedtohim。InafewminuteshecamebacktoSomerset。
\'Mrs。Camperton，thewifeofMajorCampertonofmybattery，wouldverymuchlikemetointroduceyoutoher。Sheisanoldfriendofyourfather\'s，andhaswantedtoknowyouforalongtime。\'
DeStancyandSomersetcrossedovertothelady，andinafewminutes，thankstoherflowofspirits，sheandSomersetwerechattingwithremarkablefreedom。
\'Itisahappycoincidence，\'continuedMrs。Camperton，\'thatI
shouldhavemetyouhere，immediatelyafterreceivingaletterfromyourfather:indeeditreachedmeonlythismorning。Hehasbeensokind!Wearegettingupsometheatricals，asyouknow，Isuppose，tohelpthefundsoftheCountyHospital，whichisindebt。\'
\'Ihavejustseentheannouncement——nothingmore。\'
\'Yes，suchanestimablepurpose；andaswewishedtodoitthoroughlywell，IaskedMr。Somersettodesignusthecostumes，andhehasnowsentmethesketches。Itisquiteasecretatpresent，butwearegoingtoplayShakespeare\'sromanticdrama，\'Love\'sLabour\'sLost，\'andwehopetogetMissPowertotaketheleadingpart。Yousee，beingsuchahandsomegirl，andsowealthy，andratheranundiscoverednoveltyinthecountyasyet，shewoulddrawacrowdedroom，andgreatlybenefitthefunds。\'
\'MissPowergoingtoplayherself?——Iamrathersurprised，\'
saidSomerset。\'Whoseideaisallthis?\'
\'O，CaptainDeStancy\'s——he\'stheoriginatorentirely。Youseeheissointerestedintheneighbourhood，hisfamilyhavingbeenconnectedwithitforsomanycenturies，thatnaturallyacharitableobjectofthislocalnatureappealstohisfeelings。\'
\'Naturally!\'herlistenerlaconicallyrepeated。\'Andhaveyousettledwhoistoplaythejuniorgentleman\'spart，leadinglover，hero，orwhateverheiscalled?\'
\'Notabsolutely；thoughIthinkCaptainDeStancywillnotrefuseit；andheisaverygoodfigure。AtpresentitliesbetweenhimandMr。Mild，oneofouryounglieutenants。Myhusband，ofcourse，takestheheavyline；andIamtobethesecondlady，thoughIamrathertoooldforthepartreally。
IfwecanonlysecureMissPowerforheroinethecastwillbeexcellent。\'
\'Excellent!\'saidSomerset，withaspectralsmile。
VII。
WhenheawokethenextmorningattheLord-Quantock-ArmsHotelSomersetfeltquitemorbidonrecallingtheintelligencehehadreceivedfromMrs。Camperton。Butasthedayforseriouspracticalconsultationaboutthecastleworks，towhichPaulahadplayfullyalluded，wasnowcloseathand，hedeterminedtobanishsentimentalreflectionsonthefrailtiesthatwerebesieginghernature，byactivepreparationforhisprofessionalundertaking。Tobeherhigh-priestinart，toelaborateastructurewhosecunningworkmanshipwouldbemeetinghereyeeverydaytilltheendofhernaturallife，andsayingtoher，\'Heinventedit，\'withalltheeloquenceofaninanimatethinglongregarded——thiswasnomeansatisfaction，comewhatelsewould。
Hereturnedtotownthenextdaytosetmattersthereinsuchtrimthatnoinconvenienceshouldresultfromhisprolongedabsenceatthecastle；forhavingnoothercommissionhedetermined(withaneyerathertoheart-intereststhantoincreasinghisprofessionalpractice)tomake，asbefore，thecastleitselfhisoffice，studio，andchiefabiding-placetilltheworkswerefairlyinprogress。
OnthetenthhereappearedatMarkton。Passingthroughthetown，ontheroadtoStancyCastle，hiseyeswereagainarrestedbythenotice-boardwhichhadconveyedsuchstartlinginformationtohimonthenightoftheball。Thesmallbillsnowappearedthereon；butwhenheanxiouslylookedthemovertolearnhowthepartsweretobeallotted，hefoundthatintelligencestillwithheld。Yettheytoldenough；thelistoflady-playerswasgiven，andMissPower\'snamewasone。
Thatayoungladywho，sixmonthsago，wouldscarcelyjoinforconscientiousreasonsinasimpledanceonherownlawn，shouldnowbewillingtoexhibitherselfonapublicstage，simulatinglove-passageswithastranger，arguedarateofdevelopmentwhichunderanycircumstanceswouldhavesurprisedhim，butwhich，withtheparticularaddition，asleadingcolleague，ofCaptainDeStancy，inflamedhimalmosttoanger。
Whatclandestinearrangementshadbeengoingoninhisabsencetoproducesuchafull-blownintentionitwerefutiletoguess。Paula\'scoursewasaraceratherthanamarch，andeachsuccessiveheatwasstartlinginitseclipseofthatwhichwentbefore。
Somersetwas，however，introspectiveenoughtoknowthathismoralswouldhavetakennosuchvirtuousalarmhadhebeenthechiefmaleplayerinsteadofCaptainDeStancy。
Hepassedunderthecastle-archandentered。ThereseemedalittleturninthetideofaffairswhenitwasannouncedtohimthatMissPowerexpectedhim，andwasalone。
Thewell-knownante-chambersthroughwhichhewalked，filledwithtwilight，draughts，andthinechoesthatseemedtoreverberatefromtwohundredyearsago，didnotdelayhiseyeastheyhaddonewhenhehadbeenignorantthathisdestinylaybeyond；andhefollowedonthroughallthisancientnesstowherethemodernPaulasattoreceivehim。
Heforgoteverythinginthepleasureofbeingaloneinaroomwithher。Shemethiseyewiththatinherownwhichcheeredhim。Itwasalightexpressingthatsomethingwasunderstoodbetweenthem。Shesaidquietlyintwoorthreewordsthatshehadexpectedhimintheforenoon。
SomersetexplainedthathehadcomeonlythatmorningfromLondon。
Afteralittlemoretalk，inwhichshesaidthatherauntwouldjointheminafewminutes，andMissDeStancywasstillindisposedatherfather\'shouse，sherangforteaandsatdownbesidealittletable。
\'Shallweproceedtobusinessatonce?\'sheaskedhim。
\'Isupposeso。\'
\'Firstthen，whenwilltheworkingdrawingsbeready，whichI
thinkyousaidmustbemadeoutbeforetheworkcouldbegin?\'
WhileSomersetinformedheronthisandothermatters，Mrs。
Goodmanenteredandjoinedinthediscussion，afterwhichtheyfounditwouldbenecessarytoadjourntotheroomwheretheplanswerehanging。OntheirwalkthitherPaulaaskedifhestayedlateattheball。
\'Ileftsoonafteryou。\'
\'Thatwasveryearly，seeinghowlateyouarrived。\'
\'Yes……Ididnotdance。\'
\'Whatdidyoudothen?\'
\'Imoped，andwalkedtothedoor；andsawanannouncement。\'
\'Iknow——theplaythatistobeperformed。\'
\'InwhichyouaretobethePrincess。\'
\'That\'snotsettled，——Ihavenotagreedyet。IshallnotplaythePrincessofFranceunlessMr。MildplaystheKingofNavarre。\'
Thissoundedratherwell。ThePrincesswastheladybelovedbytheKing；andMr。Mild，theyounglieutenantofartillery，wasadiffident，inexperienced，ratherplain-lookingfellow，whosesoleinterestintheatricalslayintheconsiderationofhiscostumeandthesoundofhisownvoiceintheearsoftheaudience。Withsuchanunobjectionablepersontoenactthepartoflover，theprominentcharacterofleadingyoungladyorheroine，whichPaulawastopersonate，wasreallythemostsatisfactoryinthewholelistforher。Foralthoughshewastobewooedhard，therewasjustasmuchlove-makingamongtheremainingpersonages；while，asSomersethadunderstoodtheplay，therecouldoccurnoflingingsofherpersonuponherlover\'sneck，oragonizeddownfallsuponthestage，inherwholeperformance，astherewereinthepartschosenbyMrs。
Camperton，themajor\'swife，andsomeoftheotherladies。
\'Whydoyouplayatall!\'hemurmured。
\'Whataquestion!HowcouldIrefuseforsuchanexcellentpurpose?Theysaythatmytakingapartwillbeworthahundredpoundstothecharity。Myfatheralwayssupportedthehospital，whichisquiteundenominational；andhesaidIwastodothesame。\'
\'Doyouthinkthepeculiarmeansyouhaveadoptedforsupportingitenteredintohisview?\'inquiredSomerset，regardingherwithcriticaldryness。\'FormypartIdon\'t。\'
\'Itisaninterestingway，\'shereturnedpersuasively，thoughapparentlyinastateofmentalequipoiseonthepointraisedbyhisquestion。\'AndIshallnotplaythePrincess，asI
said，toanyotherthanthatquietyoungman。NowIassureyouofthis，sodon\'tbeangryandabsurd!Besides，theKingdoesn\'tmarrymeattheendoftheplay，asinShakespeare\'sothercomedies。AndifMissDeStancycontinuesseriouslyunwellIshallnotplayatall。\'
Theyoungmanpressedherhand，butshegentlyslippeditaway。
\'Arewenotengaged，Paula!\'heasked。Sheevasivelyshookherhead。
\'Come——yesweare!Shallwetellyouraunt?\'hecontinued。
UnluckilyatthatmomentMrs。Goodman，whohadfollowedthemtothestudioataslowerpace，appearedroundthedoorway。
\'No，——tothelast，\'repliedPaulahastily。Thenherauntentered，andtheconversationwasnolongerpersonal。
Somersettookhisdepartureinaserenermoodthoughnotcompletelyassured。
VIII。
Hisserenitycontinuedduringtwoorthreefollowingdays，when，continuingatthecastle，hegotpleasantglimpsesofPaulanowandthen。Herstrongdesirethathisloveforhershouldbekeptsecret，perplexedhim；buthisaffectionwasgenerous，andheacquiescedinthatdesire。
Meanwhilenewsoftheforthcomingdramaticperformanceradiatedineverydirection。Andinthenextnumberofthecountypaperitwasannounced，toSomerset\'scomparativesatisfaction，thatthecastwasdefinitelysettled，Mr。MildhavingagreedtobetheKingandMissPowertheFrenchPrincess。CaptainDeStancy，withbecomingmodestyforonewhowastheleadingspirit，figuredquitelowdown，inthesecondarycharacterofSirNathaniel。
Somersetrememberedthat，byahappychance，thecostumehehaddesignedforSirNathanielwasnotatallpicturesque；
moreoverSirNathanielscarcelycamenearthePrincessthroughthewholeplay。
Everydayafterthistherewascomingandgoingtoandfromthecastleofrailwayvansladenwithcanvascolumns，pasteboardtrees，limphouse-fronts，woollenlawns，andlathbalustrades。Therewerealsofrequentarrivalsofyoungladiesfromneighbouringcountryhouses，andwarriorsfromtheXandYbatteriesofartillery，distinguishablebytheirregulationshaving。
ButitwasuponCaptainDeStancyandMrs。Campertonthattheweightofpreparationfell。Somerset，throughbeingmuchoccupiedinthedrawing-office，wasseldompresentduringtheconsultationsandrehearsals:untiloneday，teabeingservedinthedrawing-roomattheusualhour，hedroppedinwiththeresttoreceiveacupfromPaula\'stable。Thechatterwastremendous，andSomersetwasatonceconsultedaboutsomenecessarycarpentrywhichwastobespeciallymadeatMarkton。
Afterthathewaslookedonasoneoftheband，whichresultedinalargeadditiontothenumberofhisacquaintanceinthispartofEngland。
Buthisownfeelingwasthatofbeinganoutsiderstill。Thisvagaryhadbeenoriginated，theplaychosen，thepartsallotted，allinhisabsence，andcallinghiminatthelastmomentmight，ifflirtationwerepossibleinPaula，bebutasoptopacifyhim。Whatwouldhehavegiventoimpersonateherloverinthepiece!ButneitherPaulanoranyoneelsehadaskedhim。
Theeventfuleveningcame。SomersethadbeenengagedduringthedaywiththedifferentpeoplebywhomtheworksweretobecarriedoutandintheeveningwenttohisroomsattheLord-
Quantock-Arms，Markton，wherehedined。Hedidnotreturntothecastletillthehourfixedfortheperformance，andhavingbeenreceivedbyMrs。Goodman，enteredthelargeapartment，nowtransfiguredintoatheatre，likeanyotherspectator。
Rumoursoftheprojectedrepresentationhadspreadfarandwide。Sixtimesthenumberofticketsissuedmighthavebeenreadilysold。Friendsandacquaintancesoftheactorscamefromcuriositytoseehowtheywouldacquitthemselves；whileotherclassesofpeoplecamebecausetheywereeagertoseewell-knownnotabilitiesinunwontedsituations。Whenladies，hithertoonlybeheldinfrigid，impenetrablepositionsbehindtheircoachmeninMarktonHighStreet，wereabouttorevealtheirhiddentraits，homeattitudes，intimatesmiles，nods，andperhapskisses，tothepubliceye，itwasathrowingopenoffascinatingsocialsecretsnottobemissedformoney。
Theperformanceopenedwithnofurtherdelaythanwasoccasionedbythecustomaryrefusalofthecurtainatthesetimestorisemorethantwofeetsixinches；butthishitchwasremedied，andtheplaybegan。ItwaswithnoenviableemotionthatSomerset，whowaswatchingintently，saw，notMr。
Mild，butCaptainDeStancy，enterastheKingofNavarre。
SomersetasafriendofthefamilyhadhadaseatreservedforhimnexttothatofMrs。Goodman，andturningtoherhesaidwithsomeexcitement，\'IunderstoodthatMr。Mildhadagreedtotakethatpart?\'
\'Yes，\'shesaidinawhisper，\'sohehad；buthebrokedown。
LuckilyCaptainDeStancywasfamiliarwiththepart，throughhavingcoachedtheotherssopersistently，andheundertookitoff-hand。BeingaboutthesamefigureasLieutenantMildthesamedressfitshim，withalittlealterationbythetailor。\'
Itdidfithimindeed；andofthemalecostumesitwasthatonwhichSomersethadbestowedmostpainswhendesigningthem。
ItshrewdlyburstuponhismindthattheremighthavebeencollusionbetweenMildandDeStancy，theformeragreeingtotakethecaptain\'splaceandactasblindtillthelastmoment。Agreaterquestionwas，couldPaulahavebeenawareofthis，andwouldsheperformasthePrincessofFrancenowDeStancywastobeherlover?
\'DoesMissPowerknowofthischange?\'heinquired。
\'Shedidnottillquiteashorttimeago。\'
Hecontrolledhisimpatiencetillthebeginningofthesecondact。ThePrincessentered；itwasPaula。Butwhethertheslightembarrassmentwithwhichshepronouncedheropeningwords，\'GoodLordBoyet，mybeauty，thoughbutmean，Needsnotthepaintedflourishofyourpraise，\'
wasduetothenewnessofhersituation，ortoherknowledgethatDeStancyhadusurpedMild\'spartofherlover，hecouldnotguess。DeStancyappeared，andSomersetfeltgrimashelistenedtothegallantcaptain\'ssalutationofthePrincess，andherresponse。
DeS。FairPrincess，welcometothecourtofNavarre。
Paula。Fair，Igiveyoubackagain:andwelcome，Ihavenotyet。
Somersetlistenedtothisandtoallthatwhichfollowedofthesamesort，withthereflectionthat，afterall，thePrincessneverthroughoutthepiececompromisedherdignitybyshowingherlovefortheKing；andthatthelatterneveraddressedherinwordsinwhichpassiongotthebetterofcourtesy。Moreover，asPaulahadherselfobserved，theydidnotmarryattheendofthepiece，asinShakespeare\'sothercomedies。Somewhatcalminthisassurance，hewaitedonwhiletheothercouplesrespectivelyindulgedintheirlove-making，andbanter，includingMrs。CampertonasthesprightlyRosaline。Buthewasdoomedtobesurprisedoutofhishumourwhentheendoftheactcameon。Inabridgingtheplayfortheconvenienceofrepresentation，thefavoursorgiftsfromthegentlementotheladieswerepersonallypresented:andnowSomersetsawDeStancyadvancewiththenecklacefetchedbyPaulafromLondon，andclaspitonherneck。
Thisseemedtothrowalesspleasantlightonherhastyjourney。Tofetchavaluableornamenttolendittoapoorerfriendwasestimable；buttofetchitthatthefriend\'sbrothershouldhavesomethingmagnificenttouseasalover\'sofferingtoherselfinpublic，thatworeadifferentcomplexion。AndifthearticlewererecognizedbythespectatorsasthesamethatCharlottehadwornattheball，thepresentationbyDeStancyofwhatmustseemtobeanheirloomofhishousewouldbereadassymbolizingaunionofthefamilies。
DeStancy\'smodeofpresentingthenecklace，thoughunauthorizedbyShakespeare，hadthefullapprovalofthecompany，andsetthemingoodhumourtoreceiveMajorCampertonasArmadothebraggart。Nothingcalculatedtostimulatejealousyoccurredagaintillthefifthact；andthentherearosefullcauseforit。
ThescenewastheoutsideofthePrincess\'spavilion。DeStancy，astheKingofNavarre，stoodwithhisgroupofattendantsawaitingthePrincess，whopresentlyenteredfromherdoor。Thetwobegantoconverseastheplayappointed，DeStancyturningtoherwiththisreply——
\'Rebukemenotforthatwhichyouprovoke；
Thevirtueofyoureyemustbreakmyoath。\'
Sofarallwaswell；andPaulaopenedherlipsforthesetrejoinder。ButbeforeshehadspokenDeStancycontinued——
\'IfIprofanewithmyunworthyhand(Takingherhand)
Thisholyshrine，thegentlefineisthis——
Mylips，twoblushingpilgrims，readystandTosmooththatroughtouchwithatenderkiss。\'
Somersetstared。SurelyinthiscomedytheKingneveraddressedthePrincessinsuchwarmwords；andyettheywereShakespeare\'s，fortheywerequitefamiliartohim。Adimsuspicioncrossedhismind。Mrs。GoodmanhadbroughtacopyofShakespearewithher，whichshekeptinherlapandneverlookedat:borrowingit，Somersetturnedto\'RomeoandJuliet，\'andtherehesawthewordswhichDeStancyhadintroducedasgag，tointensifythemildlove-makingoftheotherplay。MeanwhileDeStancycontinued——
\'Othen，dearSaint，letlipsdowhathandsdo；
Theypray，grantthou，lestfaithturntodespair。
Thenmovenot，whilemyprayer\'seffectItake。
Thusfrommylips，byyours，mysinispurg\'d!\'
CoulditbethatDeStancywasgoingtodowhatcamenextinthestagedirection——kissher?Beforetherewastimeforconjectureonthatpointthesoundofaverysweetandlong-
drawnosculationspreadthroughtheroom，followedbyloudapplausefromthepeopleinthecheapseats。DeStancywithdrewfrombendingoverPaula，andshewasveryredintheface。Nothingseemedclearerthanthathehadactuallydonethedeed。Theapplausecontinuing，Somersetturnedhishead。
Fivehundredfaceshadregardedtheact，withoutaconsciousnessthatitwasaninterpolation；andfourhundredandfiftymouthsinthosefacesweresmiling。Aboutonehalfofthemweretendersmiles；thesecamefromthewomen。Theotherhalfwereatbesthumorous，andmainlysatirical；thesecamefromthemen。Itwasaprofanationwithoutparallel，andhisfaceblazedlikeacoal。
Theplaywasnownearlyatanend，andSomersetsaton，feelingwhathecouldnotexpress。Morethaneverwasheassuredthattherehadbeencollusionbetweenthetwoartilleryofficerstobringaboutthisend。Thatheshouldhavebeentheunhappymantodesignthosepicturesquedressesinwhichhisrivalsoaudaciouslyplayedthelovertohis，Somerset\'s，mistress，wasanaddedpointtothesatire。HecouldhardlygosofarastoassumethatPaulawasaconsentingpartytothisstartlinginterlude；butherotherwiseunaccountablewishthathisownloveshouldbeclandestinelyshownlentimmenseforcetoadoubtofhersincerity。Theghastlythoughtthatshehadmerelybeenkeepinghimon，likeapetspaniel，toamuseherleisuremomentstillsheshouldhavefoundappropriateopportunityforanopenengagementwithsomeoneelse，trustingtohissenseofchivalrytokeepsecrettheirlittleepisode，filledhimwithagrimheat。
IX。
Atthebackoftheroomtheapplausehadbeenloudatthemomentofthekiss，realorcounterfeit。Thecausewaspartlyowingtoanexceptionalcircumstancewhichhadoccurredinthatquarterearlyintheplay。
Thepeoplehadallseatedthemselves，andthefirstacthadbegun，whenthetapestrythatscreenedthedoorwasliftedgentlyandafigureappearedintheopening。Thegeneralattentionwasatthismomentabsorbedbythenewlydisclosedstage，andscarcelyasoulnoticedthestranger。Hadanyoneoftheaudienceturnedhishead，therewouldhavebeensufficientinthecountenancetodetainhisgaze，notwithstandingthecounter-attractionforward。
Hewasobviouslyamanwhohadcomefromafar。TherewasnotasquareinchabouthimthathadanythingtodowithmodernEnglishlife。Hisvisage，whichwasofthecolouroflightporphyry，hadlittleofitsoriginalsurfaceleft；itwasafacewhichhadbeentheplaythingofstrangefiresorpestilences，thathadmouldedtowhatevershapetheychosehisoriginallysuppleskin，andleftitpitted，puckered，andseamedlikeadriedwater-course。Butthoughdirecatastrophesorthetreacherousairsofremoteclimateshaddonetheirworstuponhisexterior，theyseemedtohaveaffectedhimbutlittlewithin，tojudgefromacertainrobustnesswhichshoweditselfinhismannerofstanding。
Theface-markshadameaning，foranyonewhocouldreadthem，beyondthemeresuggestionoftheirorigin:theysignifiedthatthismanhadeitherbeenthevictimofsometerriblenecessityasregardedtheoccupationtowhichhehaddevotedhimself，orthathewasamanofdoggedobstinacy，fromsheersangfroidholdinghisgroundamidmalignforceswhenotherswouldhavefledaffrightedaway。
Asnobodynoticedhim，hedroppedthedoorhangingsafterawhile，walkedsilentlyalongthemattedalley，andsatdowninoneofthebackchairs。Hismannerofentrywasenoughtoshowthatthestrengthofcharacterwhichheseemedtopossesshadphlegmforitsbaseandnotardour。Onemighthavesaidthatperhapstheshockshehadpassedthroughhadtakenallhisoriginalwarmthoutofhim。Hisbeaverhat，whichhehadretainedonhisheadtillthismoment，henowplacedundertheseat，wherehesatabsolutelymotionlesstilltheendofthefirstact，asifhewereindulginginamonologuewhichdidnotquitereachhislips。
WhenPaulaenteredatthebeginningofthesecondactheshowedasmuchexcitementaswasexpressedbyaslightmovementoftheeyes。Whenshespokeheturnedtohisnextneighbour，andaskedhimincoldlevelwordswhichhadoncebeenEnglish，butwhichseemedtohavelosttheaccentofnationality:\'Isthattheyoungwomanwhoisthepossessorofthiscastle——Powerbyname?\'
HisneighbourhappenedtobethelandlordatSleeping-Green，andheinformedthestrangerthatshewaswhathesupposed。
\'AndwhoisthatgentlemanwhoselineofbusinessseemstobetomakelovetoPower?\'
\'He\'sCaptainDeStancy，SirWilliamDeStancy\'sson，whousedtoownthisproperty。\'
\'Baronetorknight?\'
\'Baronet——averyold-establishedfamilyabouthere。\'
Thestrangernodded，andtheplaywenton，nofurtherwordbeingspokentillthefourthactwasreached，whenthestrangeragainsaid，withouttakinghisnarrowblackeyesfromthestage:\'There\'ssomethinginthatlove-makingbetweenStancyandPowerthat\'snotallsham!\'
\'Well，\'saidthelandlord，\'Ihavehearddifferentstoriesaboutthat，andwouldn\'tbethemantozaywhatIcouldn\'tswearto。ThestoryisthatCaptainDeStancy，whoisaspoorasagallicrow，isinfullcrya\'terher，andthathison\'ychanceliesinhisbeingheirtoatitleandthewoldname。
Butshehasnotshownagenuinehankerforanybodyyet。\'
\'Ifshefindsthemoney，andthisStancyfindsthenameandblood，\'twouldbeaveryneatmatchbetween\'em，——hey?\'
\'That\'stheargument。\'
Nothingmorewassaidagainforalongtime，butthestranger\'seyesshowedmoreinterestinthepassesbetweenPaulaandDeStancythantheyhadshownbefore。Atlengththecrisiscame，asdescribedinthelastchapter，DeStancysalutingherwiththatsemblanceofakisswhichgavesuchumbragetoSomerset。Thestranger\'sthinlipslengthenedacoupleofincheswithsatisfaction；heputhishandintohispocket，drewouttwohalf-crownswhichhehandedtothelandlord，saying，\'Justapplaudthat，willyou，andgetyourcomradestodothesame。\'
Thelandlord，thoughalittlesurprised，tookthemoney，andbegantoclaphishandsasdesired。Theexamplewascontagious，andspreadallovertheroom；fortheaudience，gentleandsimple，thoughtheymightnothavefollowedtheblankverseinallitsbearings，couldatleastappreciateakiss。ItwastheunusualacclamationraisedbythismeanswhichhadledSomersettoturnhishead。
Whentheplayhadendedthestrangerwasthefirsttorise，andgoingdownstairsattheheadofthecrowdhepassedoutofdoors，andwaslosttoview。Somequestionswereaskedbythelandlordastothestranger\'sindividuality；butfewhadseenhim；fewerhadnoticedhim，singularashewas；andnoneknewhisname。
Whilethesethingshadbeengoingoninthequarterallottedtothecommonalty，Somersetinfronthadwaitedthefallofthecurtainwiththosesickandsorryfeelingswhichshouldbecombatedbytheaidofphilosophyandagoodconscience，butwhichreallyareonlysubduedbytimeandtheabradingrushofaffairs。Hewas，however，stoicalenough，whenitwasallover，toacceptMrs。Goodman\'sinvitationtoaccompanyhertothedrawing-room，fullyexpectingtofindtherealargecompany，includingCaptainDeStancy。
Butnoneoftheactingladiesandgentlemenhademergedfromtheirdressing-roomsasyet。Feelingthathedidnotcaretomeetanyofthemthatnight，hebadefarewelltoMrs。Goodmanafterafewminutesofconversation，andlefther。Whilehewaspassingalongthecorridor，atthesideofthegallerywhichhadbeenusedasthetheatre，Paulacrosseditfromthelatterapartmenttowardsanoppositedoor。ShewasstillinthedressofthePrincess，andthediamondandpearlnecklacestillhungoverherbosomasplacedtherebyCaptainDeStancy。
HereyecaughtSomerset\'s，andshestopped。Probablytherewassomethinginhisfacewhichtoldhismind，forsheinvitedhimbyasmileintotheroomshewasentering。
\'Icongratulateyouonyourperformance，\'hesaidmechanically，whenshepushedtothedoor。
\'Doyoureallythinkitwaswelldone?\'Shedrewnearhimwithasociableair。
\'Itwasstartlinglydone——thepartfrom\"RomeoandJuliet\"
pre-eminentlyso。\'
\'DoyouthinkIknewhewasgoingtointroduceit，ordoyouthinkIdidn\'tknow?\'shesaid，withthatgentlesaucinesswhichshowsitselfinthelovedone\'smannerwhenshehashadatriumphanteveningwithoutthelover\'sassistance。
\'Ithinkyoumayhaveknown。\'
\'No，\'sheaverred，decisivelyshakingherhead。\'Ittookmeasmuchbysurpriseasitprobablydidyou。ButwhyshouldI
havetold!\'
WithoutansweringthatquestionSomersetwenton。\'Thenwhathedidattheendofhisgagwasofcourseasurprisealso。\'
\'Hedidn\'treallydowhatheseemedtodo，\'sheserenelyanswered。
