\'Yes，itisaverynicecountrytoramblein，\'echoedheraunt，inmoderatetones。\'Whendoyouintendtostart?\'
\'Ishouldliketocrossto-night。Youmustgowithme，aunt；
willyounot?\'
Mrs。Goodmanexpostulatedagainstsuchsuddenness。\'Itwillredoubletherumoursthatareafloat，if，afterbeingsupposedill，youareseengoingoffbyrailwayperfectlywell。\'
\'That\'sacontingencywhichIamquitewillingtoruntheriskof。Well，itwouldberathersudden，asyousay，togoto-
night。Butwe\'llgoto-morrownightatlatest。\'Undertheinfluenceofthedecisionsheboundeduplikeanelasticballandwenttotheglass，whichshowedalightinhereyethathadnotbeentherebeforethisresolutiontotravelinNormandyhadbeentaken。
TheeveningandthenextmorningwerepassedinwritingafinalandkindlynoteofdismissaltoSirWilliamDeStancy，inmakingarrangementsforthejourney，andincommissioningHavilltotakeadvantageoftheirabsencebyemptyingcertainroomsoftheirfurniture，andrepairingtheirdilapidations——aworkwhich，withthatinhand，wouldcompletethesectionforwhichhehadbeenengaged。Mr。Wardlawhadleftthecastle；
soalsohadCharlotte，byherownwish，herresidencetherehavingbeenfoundtoooppressivetoherselftobecontinuedforthepresent。AccompaniedbyMrs。Goodman，Milly，andClementine，theelderlyFrenchmaid，whostillremainedwiththem，PauladroveintoMarktoninthetwilightandtookthetraintoBudmouth。
Whentheygottheretheyfoundthatanunpleasantbreezewasblowingoutatsea，thoughinlandithadbeencalmenough。
Mrs。GoodmanproposedtostayatBudmouthtillthenextday，inhopethattheremightbesmoothwater；butanEnglishseaportinnbeingathingthatPauladislikedmorethanaroughpassage，shewouldnotlistentothiscounsel。Otherimpatientreasons，too，mighthaveweighedwithher。Whennightcametheirloomingmiseriesbegan。Paulafoundthatinadditiontoherowntroublesshehadthoseofthreeotherpeopletosupport；butshedidnotaudiblycomplain。
\'Paula，Paula，\'saidMrs。Goodmanfrombeneathherloadofwretchedness，\'whydidwethinkofundergoingthis?\'
AslightgleamofhumourcrossedPaula\'snotparticularlybloomingface，assheanswered，\'Ah，whyindeed?\'
\'Whatistherealreason，mydear?ForGod\'ssaketellme!\'
\'ItbeginswithS。\'
\'Well，Iwoulddoanythingforthatyoungmanshortofpersonalmartyrdom；butreallywhenitcomestothat——\'
\'Don\'tcriticizeme，auntie，andIwon\'tcriticizeyou。\'
\'Well，Iamopentocriticismjustnow，Iamsure，\'saidheraunt，withagreensmile；andspeechwasagaindiscontinued。
Themorningwasbrightandbeautiful，anditcouldagainbeseeninPaula\'slooksthatshewasgladshehadcome，though，intakingtheirrestatCherbourg，fateconsignedthemtoanhotelbreathinganatmospherethatseemedspeciallycompoundedfordepressingthespiritsofayoungwoman；indeednothinghadparticularlyencouragedherthusfarinhersomewhatpeculiarschemeofsearchingoutandexpressingsorrowtoagentlemanforhavingbelievedthosewhotraducedhim；andthiscoupd\'audacetowhichshehadcommittedherselfbegantolooksomewhatformidable。WheninEnglandtheplanoffollowinghimtoNormandyhadsuggesteditselfasthequickest，sweetest，andmosthonestwayofmakingamends；buthavingarrivedtheresheseemedfurtherofffromhissphereofexistencethanwhenshehadbeenatStancyCastle。Virtuallyshewas，forifhethoughtofheratall，heprobablythoughtofherthere；ifhesoughtherhewouldseekherthere。
However，ashewouldprobablyneverdothelatter，itwasnecessarytogoon。Ithadbeenhersuddendreambeforestarting，tolightaccidentallyuponhiminsomeromanticoldtownofthisromanticoldprovince，butshehadbecomeawarethattherecordedfortuneofloversinthatrespectwasnottobetrustedtooimplicitly。
Somerset\'ssearchforherinthesouthwasnowinverselyimitated。BydiligentinquiryinCherbourgduringthegloomofevening，inthedisguiseofahoodedcloak，shelearntouttheplaceofhisstaywhilethere，andthathehadgonethencetoLisieux。WhatsheknewofthearchitecturalcharacterofLisieuxhalfguaranteedthetruthoftheinformation。WithouttellingherauntofthisdiscoverysheannouncedtothatladythatitwashergreatwishtogoonandseethebeautiesofLisieux。
Butthoughherauntwassimple，therewereboundstohersimplicity。\'Paula，\'shesaid，withanundeceivableair，\'I
don\'tthinkyoushouldrunafterayoungmanlikethis。
Supposeheshouldn\'tcareforyoubythistime。\'
Itwasnooccasionforfurtheraffectation。\'IamSUREhewill，\'answeredhernieceflatly。\'Ihavenottheleastfearaboutit——norwouldyou，ifyouknewhowheis。Hewillforgivemeanything。\'
\'Well，praydon\'tshowyourselfforward。Somepeopleareapttoflyintoextremes。\'
Paulablushedatrifle，andreflected，andmadenoanswer。
However，herpurposeseemednottobepermanentlyaffected，forthenextmorningshewasupbetimesandpreparingtodepart；andtheyproceededalmostwithoutstoppingtothearchitecturalcuriosity-townwhichhadsoquicklyinterestedher。Neverthelessherardentmannerofyesterdayunderwentaconsiderablechange，asifshehadafearthat，asherauntsuggested，inherendeavourtomakeamendsforcruelinjustice，shewasallowingherselftobecarriedtoofar。
Onnearingtheplaceshesaid，\'Aunt，Ithinkyouhadbettercalluponhim；andyouneednottellhimwehavecomeonpurpose。Lethimthink，ifhewill，thatweheardhewashere，andwouldnotleavewithoutseeinghim。YoucanalsotellhimthatIamanxioustoclearupamisunderstanding，andaskhimtocallatourhotel。\'
Butasshelookedoverthedrearysuburbanerectionswhichlinedtheroadfromtherailwaytotheoldquarterofthetown，itoccurredtoherthatSomersetwouldatthattimeofdaybeengagedinoneorotherofthemediaevalbuildingsthereabout，andthatitwouldbeamuchneaterthingtomeethimasifbychanceinoneoftheseedificesthantocalluponhimanywhere。Insteadofputtingupatanyhotel，theyleftthemaidsandbaggageatthestation；andhiringacarriage，Paulatoldthecoachmantodrivethemtosuchlikelyplacesasshecouldthinkof。
\'He\'llneverforgiveyou，\'saidheraunt，astheyrumbledintothetown。
\'Won\'the?\'saidPaula，withsoftfaith。\'I\'llseeaboutthat。\'
\'Whatareyougoingtodowhenyoufindhim?Tellhimpoint-
blankthatyouareinlovewithhim?\'
\'Actinsuchamannerthathemaytellmeheisinlovewithme。\'
Theyfirstvisitedalargechurchattheupperendofasquarethatslopeditsgravelledsurfacetothewesternshine，andwasprickedoutwithlittleavenuesofyoungpollardlimes。
ThechurchwithinwasonetomakeanyGothicarchitecttakelodgingsinitsvicinityforafortnight，thoughitwasjustnowcrowdedwithaforestofscaffoldingforrepairsinprogress。Mrs。Goodmansatdownoutside，andPaula，entering，tookawalkintheformofahorse-shoe；thatis，upthesouthaisle，roundtheapse，anddownthenorthside；butnofigureofamelancholyyoungmansketchingmethereyeanywhere。Thesunthatblazedinatthewestdoorwaysmoteherfaceassheemergedfrombeneathitandrevealedrealsadnessthere。
\'Thisisnotalltheoldarchitectureofthetownbyfar，\'shesaidtoherauntwithanairofconfidence。\'Coachman，drivetoSt。Jacques\'。\'
HewasnotatSt。Jacques\'。Lookingfromthewestendofthatbuildingthegirlobservedtheendofasteepnarrowstreetofantiquecharacter，whichseemedalikelyhaunt。BeckoningtoheraunttofollowintheflyPaulawalkeddownthestreet。
ShewastransportedtotheMiddleAges。Itcontainedtheshopsoftinkers，braziers，bellows-menders，hollow-turners，andotherquaintesttrades，theirfrontsopentothestreetbeneathstoriesoftimberoverhangingsofaroneachsidethataslitofskywasleftatthetopforthelighttodescend，andnomore。Abluemistyobscuritypervadedtheatmosphere，intowhichthesunthrustobliquestavesoflight。Itwasastreetforamediaevalisttorevelin，tossuphishatandshouthurrahin，sendforhisluggage，comeandlivein，dieandbeburiedin。Shehadneversupposedsuchastreettoexistoutsidetheimaginationsofantiquarians。Smellsdirectfromthesixteenthcenturyhungintheairinalltheiroriginalintegrityandwithoutamoderntaint。ThefacesofthepeopleinthedoorwaysseemedthoseofindividualswhohabituallygazedonthegreatFrancis，andspokeofHenrytheEighthasthekingacrossthesea。
SheinquiredofacoppersmithifanEnglishartisthadbeenseenherelately。Withasuddennessthatalmostdiscomfitedherheannouncedthatsuchamanhadbeenseen，sketchingahousejustbelow——the\'VieuxManoirdeFrancoispremier。\'
Justturningtoseethatherauntwasfollowinginthefly，Paulaadvancedtothehouse。Thewoodframeworkofthelowerstorywasblackandvarnished；theupperstorywasbrownandnotvarnished；carvedfiguresofdragons，griffins，satyrs，andmermaidsswarmedoverthefront；anapestealingappleswasthesubjectofthiscantilever，amanundressingofthat。
Thesefigureswerecloakedwithlittlecobwebswhichwavedinthebreeze，sothateachfigureseemedalive。
Sheexaminedthewoodworkclosely；hereandthereshediscernedpencil-markswhichhadnodoubtbeenjottedthereonbySomersetaspointsofadmeasurement，inthewayshehadseenhimmarkthematthecastle。Somefragmentsofpaperlaybelow:therewerepencilledlinesonthem，andtheyboreastrongresemblancetoaspoiltleafofSomerset\'ssketch-book。
Paulaglancedup，andfromawindowaboveprotrudedanoldwoman\'shead，which，withtheexceptionofthewhitehandkerchieftiedroundit，wassonearlyofthecolourofthecarvingsthatshemighteasilyhavepassedasofapiecewiththem。Theagedwomancontinuedmotionless，theremainsofhereyesbeingbentuponPaula，whoaskedherinEnglishwoman\'sFrenchwherethesketcherhadgone。Withoutreplying，thecroneproducedahandandextendedfingerfromherside，andpointedtowardsthelowerendofthestreet。
Paulawenton，thecarriagefollowingwithdifficulty，onaccountoftheobstructionsinthethoroughfare。Atbottom，thestreetabuttedonawideonewithcustomarymodernlifeflowingthroughit；andasshelooked，Somersetcrossedherfrontalongthisstreet，hurryingasifforawager。
BythetimethatPaulahadreachedthebottomSomersetwasalongwaytotheleft，andsherecognizedtoherdismaythatthebusytransversestreetwasonewhichledtotherailway。
Shequickenedherpacetoarun；hedidnotseeher；heevenwalkedfaster。Shelookedbehindforthecarriage。Thedriverinemergingfromthesixteenth-centurystreettothenineteenthhadapparentlyturnedtotheright，insteadoftotheleftasshehaddone，sothatheraunthadlostsightofher。However，shedarenotmindit，ifSomersetwouldbutlookback!Hepartlyturned，butnotfarenough，anditwasonlytohailapassingomnibusuponwhichshediscernedhisluggage。Somersetjumpedin，theomnibusdroveon，anddiminishedupthelongroad。Paulastoodhopelesslystill，andinafewminutespuffsofsteamshowedherthatthetrainhadgone。
Sheturnedandwaited，thetwoorthreechildrenwhohadgatheredroundherlookingupsympathizinglyinherface。Heraunt，havingnowdiscoveredthedirectionofherflight，droveupandbeckonedtoher。
\'What\'sthematter?\'askedMrs。Goodmaninalarm。
\'Why?\'
\'Thatyoushouldrunlikethat，andlooksowoebegone。\'
\'Nothing:onlyIhavedecidednottostayinthistown。\'
\'What!heisgone，Isuppose?\'
\'Yes!\'exclaimedPaula，withtearsofvexationinhereyes。
\'Itisn\'teverymanwhogetsawomanofmypositiontorunafterhimonfoot，andalone，andheoughttohavelookedround!Drivetothestation；Iwanttomakeaninquiry。\'
Onreachingthestationsheaskedthebooking-clerksomequestions，andreturnedtoherauntwithacheerfulcountenance。\'Mr。SomersethasonlygonetoCaen，\'shesaid。
\'HeistheonlyEnglishmanwhowentbythistrain，sothereisnomistake。Thereisnoothertrainfortwohours。Wewillgoonthen——shallwe?\'
\'Iamindifferent，\'saidMrs。Goodman。\'But，Paula，doyouthinkthisquiteright?Perhapsheisnotsoanxiousforyourforgivenessasyouthink。Perhapshesawyou，andwouldn\'tstay。\'
Amomentarydismaycrossedherface，butitpassed，andsheanswered，\'Aunt，that\'snonsense。Iknowhimwellenough，andcanassureyouthatifhehadonlyknownIwasrunningafterhim，hewouldhavelookedroundsharplyenough，andwouldhavegivenhislittlefingerratherthanhavemissedme!Idon\'tmakemyselfsosillyastorunafteragentlemanwithoutgoodgrounds，forIknowwellthatitisanundignifiedthingtodo。Indeed，Icouldneverhavethoughtofdoingit，ifIhadnotbeensomiserablyinthewrong!\'
II。
ThateveningwhenthesunwasdroppingoutofsighttheystartedforthecityofSomerset\'spilgrimage。Paulaseatedherselfwithherfacetowardthewesternsky，watchingfromherwindowthebroadredhorizon，acrosswhichmovedthinpoplarsloppedtohumanshapes，likethewalkingformsinNebuchadnezzar\'sfurnace。ItwasdarkwhenthetravellersdroveintoCaen。
ShestillpersistedinherwishtocasuallyencounterSomersetinsomeaisle，lady-chapel，orcrypttowhichhemighthavebetakenhimselftocopyandlearnthesecretofthegreatartistswhohaderectedthosenooks。Mrs。Goodmanwasfordiscoveringhisinn，andcallinguponhiminastraightforwardway；butPaulaseemedafraidofit，andtheywentoutinthemorningonfoot。FirsttheysearchedthechurchofSt。
Sauveur；hewasnotthere；nextthechurchofSt。Jean；thenthechurchofSt。Pierre；buthedidnotrevealhimself，norhadanyvergerseenorheardofsuchaman。Outsidethelatterchurchwasapublicflower-garden，andshesatdowntoconsiderbesidearoundpoolinwhichwater-liliesgrewandgold-fishswam，nearbedsoffierygeraniums，dahlias，andverbenasjustpasttheirbloom。Herenterprisehadnotbeenjustifiedbyitsresultssofar；butmeditationstillurgedhertolistentothelittlevoicewithinandpushon。Sheaccordinglyrejoinedheraunt，andtheydroveupthehilltotheAbbayeauxDames，thedaybythistimehavinggrownhotandoppressive。
Thechurchseemedabsolutelyempty，thevoidbeingemphasizedbyitsgratefulcoolness。Butongoingtowardstheeastendtheyperceivedabaldgentlemanclosetothescreen，lookingtotherightandtotheleftasifmuchperplexed。Paulamerelyglancedoverhim，hisbackbeingtowardher，andturningtoherauntsaidsoftly，\'Iwonderhowwegetintothechoir?\'
\'That\'sjustwhatIamwondering，\'saidtheoldgentleman，abruptlyfacinground，andPauladiscoveredthatthecountenancewasnotunfamiliartohereye。SinceknowingSomersetshehadaddedtohergalleryofcelebritiesaphotographofhisfather，theAcademician，andheitwasnowwhoconfrontedher。
Forthemomentembarrassment，duetocomplicatedfeelings，broughtaslightblushtohercheek，butbeingwellawarethathedidnotknowher，sheanswered，coollyenough，\'Isupposewemustasksomeone。\'
\'Andwecertainlywouldiftherewereanyonetoask，\'hesaid，stilllookingeastward，andnotmuchather。\'Ihavebeenherealongtime，butnobodycomes。NotthatIwanttogetinonmyownaccount；forthoughitisthirtyyearssinceIlastsetfootinthisplace，Irememberitasifitwerebutyesterday。\'
\'Indeed。Ihaveneverbeenherebefore，\'saidPaula。
\'Naturally。ButIamlookingforayoungmanwhoismakingsketchesinsomeofthesebuildings，anditisaslikelyasnotthatheisinthecryptunderthischoir，foritisjustsuchout-of-the-waynooksthatheprefers。Itisveryprovokingthatheshouldnothavetoldmemoredistinctlyinhisletterwheretofindhim。\'
Mrs。Goodman，whohadgonetomakeinquiries，nowcameback，andinformedthemthatshehadlearntthatitwasnecessarytopassthroughtheHotel-Dieutothechoir，todowhichtheymustgooutside。Thereupontheywalkedontogether，andMr。
Somerset，quiteignoringhistroubles，maderemarksuponthebeautyofthearchitecture；andinabsenceofmind，byreasoneitherofthesubject，orofhislistener，retainedhishatinhishandafteremergingfromthechurch，whiletheywalkedallthewayacrossthePlaceandintotheHospitalgardens。
\'Averycivilman，\'saidMrs。GoodmantoPaulaprivately。
\'Yes，\'saidPaula，whohadnottoldherauntthatsherecognizedhim。
OneoftheSistersnowprecededthemtowardsthechoirandcrypt，Mr。SomersetaskingherifayoungEnglishmanwasorhadbeensketchingthere。Onreceivingareplyinthenegative，Paulanearlybetrayedherselfbyturning，asifherbusinessthere，too，endedwiththeinformation。However，shewentonagain，andmadeapretenceoflookinground，Mr。
Somersetalsostayinginaspiritoffriendlyattentiontohiscountrywomen。Theydidnotpartfromhimtilltheyhadcomeoutfromthecrypt，andagainreachedthewestfront，ontheirwaytowhichheadditionallyexplainedthatitwashissonhewaslookingfor，whohadarrangedtomeethimhere，buthadmentionednoinnatwhichhemightbeexpected。
Whenhehadleftthem，Paulainformedherauntwhosecompanytheyhadbeensharing。HerauntbeganexpostulatingwithPaulafornottellingMr。Somersetwhattheyhadseenofhisson\'smovements。\'Itwouldhaveeasedhismindatleast，\'shesaid。
\'IwasnotboundtoeasehismindattheexpenseofshowingwhatIwouldratherconceal。Iamcontinuallyhamperedinsuchgenerosityasthatbythecircumstanceofbeingawoman!\'
\'Well，itisgettingtoolatetosearchfurthertonight。\'
Itwasindeedalmosteveningtwilightinthestreets，thoughthegracefulfreestonespirestoadepthofabouttwentyfeetfromtheirsummitswerestilldyedwiththeorangetintsofavanishingsun。Thetworelativesdinedprivatelyasusual，afterwhichPaulalookedoutofthewindowofherroom，andreflectedupontheeventsoftheday。Atowerrisingintotheskyquitenearathandshowedherthatsomechurchorotherstoodwithinafewstepsofthehotelarchway，andsayingnothingtoMrs。Goodman，shequietlycloakedherself，andwentouttowardsit，apparentlywiththeviewofdisposingofaportionofadulldispiritingevening。Thechurchwasopen，andonenteringshefoundthatitwasonlylightedbysevencandlesburningbeforethealtarofachapelonthesouthside，themassofthebuildingbeingindeepshade。
Motionlessoutlines，whichresolvedthemselvesintotheformsofkneelingwomen，weredarklyvisibleamongthechairs，andinthetriforiumabovethearcadestherewasonehithertounnoticedradiance，dimasthatofaglow-worminthegrass。
Itwasseeminglytheeffectofasolitarytallow-candlebehindthemasonry。
Apriestcamein，unlockedthedoorofaconfessionalwithaclickwhichsoundedinthesilence，andenteredit；awomanfollowed，disappearedwithinthecurtainofthesame，emergingagaininaboutfiveminutes，followedbythepriest，wholockeduphisdoorwithanotherloudclick，likeatradesmanfullofbusiness，andcamedowntheaisletogoout。Inthelobbyhespoketoanotherwoman，whoreplied，\'Ah，oui，Monsieurl\'Abbe!\'
Twowomenhavingspokentohim，therecouldbenoharminathirddoinglikewise。\'Monsieurl\'Abbe，\'saidPaulainFrench，\'couldyouindicatetomethestairsofthetriforium?\'andshesignifiedherreasonforwishingtoknowbypointingtotheglimmeringlightabove。
\'Ah，heisafriendofyours，theEnglishman?\'pleasantlysaidthepriest，recognizinghernationality；andtakinghertoalittledoorheconductedherupastonestaircase，atthetopofwhichheshowedherthelongblindstoryovertheaislearcheswhichledroundtowherethelightwas。Cautioninghernottostumbleovertheunevenfloor，heleftheranddescended。HiswordshadsignifiedthatSomersetwashere。
Itwasagloomyplaceenoughthatshefoundherselfin，butthesevencandlesbelowontheoppositealtar，andafaintskylightfromtheclerestory，lentenoughraystoguideher。
Paulawalkedontothebendoftheapse:herewereafewchairs，andtheoriginofthelight。
Thiswasacandlestuckattheendofasharpenedstick，thelatterenteringajointinthestones。Ayoungmanwassketchingbytheglimmer。Buttherewasnoneedfortheblushwhichhadprepareditselfbeforehand；theyoungmanwasMr。
Cockton，Somerset\'syoungestdraughtsman。
Paulacouldhavecriedaloudwithdisappointment。CocktonrecognizedMissPower，andappearingmuchsurprised，rosefromhisseatwithabow，andsaidhastily，\'Mr。Somersetleftto-
day。\'
\'Ididnotaskforhim，\'saidPaula。
\'No，MissPower:butIthought——\'
\'Yes，yes——youknow，ofcourse，thathehasbeenmyarchitect。
Well，ithappensthatIshouldliketoseehim，ifhecancallonme。Whichwaydidhego?\'
\'He\'sgonetoEtretat。\'
\'Whatfor?TherearenoabbeystosketchatEtretat。\'
Cocktonlookedatthepointofhispencil，andwithahesitatingmotionofhislipanswered，\'Mr。Somersetsaidhewastired。\'
\'Ofwhat?\'
\'Hesaidhewassickandtiredofholyplaces，andwouldgotosomewickedspotorother，togetthatconsolationwhichholinesscouldnotgive。ButheonlysaiditcasuallytoKnowles，andperhapshedidnotmeanit。\'
\'Knowlesisheretoo?\'
\'Yes，MissPower，andBowles。Mr。SomersethasbeenkindenoughtogiveusachanceofenlargingourknowledgeofFrenchEarly-pointed，andpayshalftheexpenses。\'
Paulasaidafewotherthingstotheyoungman，walkedslowlyroundthetriforiumasifshehadcometoexamineit，andreturneddownthestaircase。Ongettingbacktothehotelshetoldheraunt，whohadjustbeenhavinganap，thatnextdaytheywouldgotoEtretatforachange。
\'Why?TherearenooldchurchesatEtretat。\'
\'No。ButIamsickandtiredofholyplaces，andwanttogotosomewickedspotorothertofindthatconsolationwhichholinesscannotgive。\'
\'Forshame，Paula!NowIknowwhatitis；youhaveheardthathe\'sgonethere!Youneedn\'ttrytoblindme。\'
\'Idon\'tcarewherehe\'sgone!\'criedPaulapetulantly。Inamoment，however，shesmiledatherself，andadded，\'Youmusttakethatforwhatitisworth。Ihavemadeupmymindtolethimknowfrommyownlipshowthemisunderstandingarose。
Thatdone，Ishallleavehim，andprobablyneverseehimagain。Myconsciencewillbeclear。\'
ThenextdaytheytookthesteamboatdowntheOrne，intendingtoreachEtretatbywayofHavre。Justastheyweremovingoffanelderlygentlemanunderalargewhitesunshade，andcarryinghishatinhishand，wasseenleisurelywalkingdownthewharfatsomedistance，butobviouslymakingfortheboat。
\'Agentleman!\'saidthemate。
\'Whoishe?\'saidthecaptain。
\'AnEnglish，\'saidClementine。
Nobodyknewmore，butasleisurewastheorderofthedaytheengineswerestopped，onthechanceofhisbeingapassenger，andalleyeswerebentuponhiminconjecture。Hedisappearedandreappearedfrombehindapileofmerchandiseandapproachedtheboatataneasypace，whereuponthegangwaywasreplaced，andhecameonboard，removinghishattoPaula，quietlythankingthecaptainforstopping，andsayingtoMrs。
Goodman，\'Iamnicelyintime。\'
ItwasMr。Somersettheelder，whobydegreesinformedourtravellers，assittingontheircamp-stoolstheyadvancedbetweenthegreenbanksborderedbyelms，thathewasgoingtoEtretat；thattheyoungmanhehadspokenofyesterdayhadgonetothatromanticwatering-placeinsteadofstudyingartatCaen，andthathewasgoingtojoinhimthere。
Paulapreservedanentiresilenceastoherownintentions，partlyfromnaturalreticence，andpartly，asitappeared，fromthedifficultyofexplainingacomplicationwhichwasnotverycleartoherself。AtHavretheypartedfromMr。
Somerset，anddidnotseehimagaintilltheyweredrivingoverthehillstowardsEtretatinacarriageandfour，whenthewhiteumbrellabecamevisiblefaraheadamongtheoutsidepassengersofthecoachtothesameplace。Inashorttimetheyhadpassedandcutinbeforethisvehicle，butsoonbecameawarethattheircarriage，likethecoach，wasoneofastragglingprocessionofconveyances，somemileandahalfinlength，allboundforthevillagebetweenthecliffs。
Indescendingthelonghillshadedbylime-treeswhichshelteredtheirplaceofdestination，thisprocessionclosedup，andtheyperceivedthatallthevisitorsandnativepopulationhadturnedouttowelcomethem，thedailyarrivalofnewsojournersatthishourbeingthechiefexcitementofEtretat。Thecoachwhichhadprecededthemalltheway，atmoreorlessremoteness，wasnowquiteclose，andinpassingalongthevillagestreettheysawMr。Somersetwavehishandtosomebodyinthecrowdbelow。Afelthatwaswavedintheairinresponse，thecoachsweptintotheinn-yard，followedbytheidlers，andalldisappeared。Paula\'sfacewascrimsonastheirowncarriagesweptroundintheoppositedirectiontotherivalinn。
Onceinherroomshebreathedlikeapersonwhohadfinishedalongchase。Theydidnotgodownbeforedinner，butwhenitwasalmostdarkPaulabeggedheraunttowrapherselfupandcomewithhertotheshorehardby。Thebeachwasdeserted，everybodybeingattheCasino；thegatestoodinvitinglyopen，andtheywentin。Herethebrilliantlylitterracewascrowdedwithpromenaders，andoutsidetheyellowpalings，surmountedbyitsrowoflamps，rosethevoiceoftheinvisiblesea。Groupsofpeopleweresittingundertheverandah，thewomenmostlyinwraps，fortheairwasgrowingchilly。Throughthewindowsattheirbackananimatedscenediscloseditselfintheshapeofaroom-fullofwaltzers，thestrainsofthebandstrivingintheearformasteryoverthesoundsofthesea。Thedancerscameroundacoupleatatime，andwereindividuallyvisibletothosepeoplewithoutwhochosetolookthatway，whichwaswhatPauladid。
\'Comeaway，comeaway!\'shesuddenlysaid。\'Itisnotrightforustobehere。\'
Herexclamationhaditsorigininwhatshehadatthatmomentseenwithin，thespectacleofMr。GeorgeSomersetwhirlingroundtheroomwithayoungladyofuncertainnationalitybutpleasingfigure。Paulawasnotaccustomedtoshowthewhitefeathertooclearly，butshesoonhadpassedoutthroughthoseyellowgatesandretreated，tillthemixedmusicofseaandbandhadresolvedintothatoftheseaalone。
\'Well!\'saidheraunt，halfinsoliloquy，\'doyouknowwhoI
sawdancingthere，Paula?OurMr。Somerset，ifIdon\'tmakeagreatmistake!\'
\'Itwaslikelyenoughthatyoudid，\'sedatelyrepliedherniece。\'HeleftCaenwiththeintentionofseekingdistractionsofalighterkindthanthosefurnishedbyart，andhehasmerelysucceededinfindingthem。Buthehasmademydutyratheradifficultone。Still，itwasmyduty，forI
verygreatlywrongedhim。Perhaps，however，Ihavedoneenoughforhonour\'ssake。IwouldhavehumiliatedmyselfbyanapologyifIhadfoundhiminanyothersituation；but，ofcourse，onecan\'theexpectedtotakeMUCHtroublewhenheisseengoingonlikethat!\'
Thecoolnesswithwhichshebeganherremarkshaddevelopedintosomethinglikewarmthassheconcluded。
\'Heisonlydancingwithaladyheprobablyknowsverywell。\'
\'Hedoesn\'tknowher!Theideaofhisdancingwithawomanofthatdescription!Wewillgoawaytomorrow。Thisplacehasbeengreatlyover-praised。\'
\'Theplaceiswellenough，asfarasIcansee。\'
\'Heiscarryingouthisprogrammetotheletter。Heplungesintoexcitementinthemostrecklessmanner，andItremblefortheconsequences!Icandonomore:Ihavehumiliatedmyselfintofollowinghim，believingthatingivingtooreadycredencetoappearancesIhadbeennarrowandinhuman，andhadcausedhimmuchmisery。Buthedoesnotmind，andhehasnomisery；heseemsjustaswellasever。Howmuchthisfindinghimhascostme!Afterall，Ididnotdeceivehim。Hemusthaveacquiredanaturalaversionforme。Ihaveallowedmyselftobeinterestedinamanofverycommonqualities，andamnowbitterlyalivetotheshameofhavingsoughthimout。
Iheartilydetesthim!Iwillgoback——aunt，youareright——I
hadnobusinesstocome……Hislightconducthasrenderedhimuninterestingtome!\'
III。
Whensherosethenextmorningthebellwasclangingforthesecondbreakfast，andpeoplewerepouringinfromthebeachineveryvarietyofattire。Paula，whomarestlessnighthadleftwithaheadache，which，however，shesaidnothingabout，wasreluctanttoemergefromtheseclusionofherchamber，tillheraunt，discoveringwhatwasthematterwithher，suggestedthatafewminutesintheopenairwouldrefreshher；andtheywentdownstairsintothehotelgardens。
Theclatterofthebigbreakfastwithinwasaudiblefromthisspot，andthenoiseseemedsuddenlytoinspiritPaula，whoproposedtoenter。Herauntassented。Intheverandahunderwhichtheypassedwasarustichat-standintheformofatree，uponwhichhatsandotherbody-gearhunglikebunchesoffruit。Paula\'seyefelluponafelthattowhichasmallblock-bookwasattachedbyastring。Sheknewthathatandblock-bookwell，andturningtoMrs。Goodmansaid，\'Afterall，Idon\'twantthebreakfasttheyarehaving:letusorderoneofourownasusual。Andwe\'llhaveithere。\'
Sheledontowheresomelittletableswereplacedunderthetallshrubs，followedbyheraunt，whowasinturnfollowedbytheproprietressofthehotel，thatladyhavingdiscoveredfromtheFrenchmaidthattherewasgoodreasonforpayingtheseladiesamplepersonalattention。
\'Isthegentlemantowhomthatsketch-bookbelongsstayinghere?\'Paulacarelesslyinquired，assheindicatedtheobjectonthehat-stand。
\'Ah，no!\'deploredtheproprietress。\'TheHotelwasfullwhenMr。Somersetcame。HestaysatacottagebeyondtheRueAnicetBourgeois:heonlyhashismealshere。\'
Paulahadtakenherseatunderthefuchsia-treesinsuchamannerthatshecouldobservealltheexitsfromthesalleamanger；butforthepresentnoneofthebreakfastersemerged，theonlymovingobjectsonthescenebeingthewaitresseswhoranhitherandthitheracrossthecourt，thecook\'sassistantswithbasketsoflongbread，andthelaundresseswithbasketsofsun-bleachedlinen。Furtherbacktowardstheinn-yard，stablemenwereputtinginthehorsesforstartingtheflysandcoachestoLesIfs，thenearestrailway-station。
\'SupposetheSomersetsshouldbegoingoffbyoneoftheseconveyances，\'saidMrs。Goodmanasshesippedhertea。
\'Well，aunt，thentheymust，\'repliedtheyoungerladywithcomposure。
Neverthelessshelookedwithsomemisgivingattheneareststablemanasheledoutfourwhitehorses，harnessedthem，andleisurelybroughtabrushwithwhichhebeganblackingtheiryellowhoofs。Allthevehicleswerereadyatthedoorbythetimebreakfastwasover，andtheinmatessoonturnedout，sometomounttheomnibusesandcarriages，sometorambleontheadjacentbeach，sometoclimbtheverdantslopes，andsometomakeforthecliffsthatshutinthevale。Thefuchsia-treeswhichshelteredPaula\'sbreakfast-tablefromtheblazeofthesun，alsoscreeneditfromtheeyesoftheoutpouringcompany，andshesatonwithherauntinperfectcomfort，tillamongthelastofthestreamcameSomersetandhisfather。Paulareddenedatbeingsoneartheformeratlast。Itwaswithsensiblereliefthatsheobservedthemturntowardsthecliffsandnottothecarriages，andthussignifythattheywerenotgoingoffthatday。
Neitherofthetwosawtheladies，andwhenthelatterhadfinishedtheirteaandcoffeetheyfollowedtotheshore，wheretheysatfornearlyanhour，readingandwatchingthebathers。Atlengthfootstepscrunchedamongthepebblesintheirvicinity，andlookingoutfromhersunshadePaulasawthetwoSomersetscloseathand。
Theelderrecognizedher，andtheyounger，observinghisfather\'sactionofcourtesy，turnedhishead。ItwasarevelationtoPaula，forshewasshockedtoseethatheappearedwornandill。Theexpressionofhisfacechangedatsightofher，increasingitsshadeofpaleness；butheimmediatelywithdrewhiseyesandpassedby。
Somersetwasasmuchsurprisedatencounteringherthusasshehadbeendistressedtoseehim。Assoonastheywereoutofhearing，heaskedhisfatherquietly，\'Whatstrangethingisthis，thatLadyDeStancyshouldbehereandherhusbandnotwithher?Didshebowtome，ortoyou?\'
\'LadyDeStancy——thatyounglady?\'askedthepuzzledpainter。
Heproceededtoexplainallheknew；thatshewasayoungladyhehadmetonhisjourneyattwoorthreedifferenttimes；
moreover，thatifshewerehisson\'sclient——thewomanwhowastohavebecomeLadyDeStancy——shewasMissPowerstill；forhehadseeninsomenewspapertwodaysbeforeleavingEnglandthattheweddinghadbeenpostponedonaccountofherillness。
Somersetwassogreatlymovedthathecouldhardlyspeakconnectedlytohisfatherastheypacedontogether。\'Butsheisnotill，asfarasIcansee，\'hesaid。\'Theweddingpostponed?——Youaresurethewordwaspostponed?——Wasitbrokenoff?\'
\'No，itwaspostponed。Imeanttohavetoldyoubefore，knowingyouwouldbeinterestedasthecastlearchitect；butitslippedmymemoryinthebustleofarriving。\'
\'Iamnotthecastlearchitect。\'
\'Thedevilyouarenot——whatareyouthen?\'
\'Well，Iamnotthat。\'
Somersettheelder，thoughnotofpenetratingnature，begantoseethatherelayanemotionalcomplicationofsomesort，andreservedfurtherinquirytillamoreconvenientoccasion。
Theyhadreachedtheendofthelevelbeachwherethecliffbegantorise，andasthisimpedimentnaturallystoppedtheirwalktheyretracedtheirsteps。OnagainnearingthespotwherePaulaandherauntweresitting，thepainterwouldhavedeviatedtothehotel；butashissonpersistedingoingstraighton，induecoursetheywereoppositetheladiesagain。BythistimeMissPower，whohadappearedanxiousduringtheirabsence，regainedherself-control。Goingtowardsheroldlovershesaid，withasmile，\'Ihavebeenlookingforyou!\'
\'Whyhaveyoubeendoingthat?\'saidSomerset，inavoicewhichhefailedtokeepassteadyashecouldwish。
\'Because——Iwantsomearchitecttocontinuetherestoration。
Doyouwithdrawyourresignation?\'
Somersetappearedunabletodecideforafewinstants。\'Yes，\'
hethenanswered。
ForthemomenttheyhadignoredthepresenceofthepainterandMrs。Goodman，butSomersetnowmadethemknowntooneanother，andtherewasfriendlyintercourseallround。
\'Whenwillyoubeabletoresumeoperationsatthecastle?\'
sheasked，assoonasshecouldagainspeakdirectlytoSomerset。
\'AssoonasIcangetback。OfcourseIonlyresumeitatyourspecialrequest。\'
\'Ofcourse。\'Toonewhohadknownallthecircumstancesitwouldhaveseemedathousandpitiesthat，afteragaingettingfacetofacewithhim，shedidnotexplain，withoutdelay，thewholemischiefthathadseparatedthem。Butshedidnotdoit——perhapsfromtheinherentawkwardnessofsuchatopicatthisidletime。Sheconfinedherselfsimplytotheabove-
mentionedbusiness-likerequest，andwhenthepartyhadwalkedafewstepstogethertheyseparated，withmutualpromisestomeetagain。
\'Ihopeyouhaveexplainedyourmistaketohim，andhowitarose，andeverything?\'saidherauntwhentheywerealone。
\'No，Ididnot。\'
\'What，notexplainafterall?\'saidheramazedrelative。
\'Idecidedtoputitoff。\'
\'ThenIthinkyoudecidedverywrongly。Pooryoungman，helookedsoill!\'
\'Didyou，too，thinkhelookedill?Buthedancedlastnight。
Whydidhedance?\'SheturnedandgazedregretfullyatthecornerroundwhichtheSomersetshaddisappeared。
\'Idon\'tknowwhyhedanced；butifIhadknownyouweregoingtobesosilent，Iwouldhaveexplainedthemistakemyself。\'
\'Iwishyouhad。Butno；IhavesaidIwould；andImust。\'
Paula\'savoidanceoftablesd\'hotedidnotextendtothepresentone。Itwasquitewithalacritythatshewentdown；
andwithherentrytheantecedenthotelbeautywhohadreignedforthelastfivedaysatthatmeal，wasunceremoniouslydeposedbytheguests。Mr。Somersettheeldercamein，butnobodywithhim。HisseatwasonPaula\'slefthand，Mrs。
GoodmanbeingonPaula\'sright，sothatalltheconversationwasbetweentheAcademicianandtheyoungerlady。Whenthelatterhadagainretiredupstairswithheraunt，Mrs。GoodmanexpressedregretthatyoungMr。Somersetwasabsentfromthetable。\'Whyhashekeptaway?\'sheasked。
\'Idon\'tknow——Ididn\'task，\'saidPaulasadly。\'Perhapshedoesn\'tcaretomeetusagain。\'
\'That\'sbecauseyoudidn\'texplain。\'
\'Well——whydidn\'ttheoldmangivemeanopportunity?\'
