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Stancy line might not lead to a predilection of a different
sort for its last representative which would be not at all
satisfactory。
The architect remained in the background till the dance drew
to a conclusion； and then he went forward。 The circumstance
of having met him by accident once already that day seemed to
quench any surprise in Miss Power's bosom at seeing him now。
There was nothing in her parting from Captain De Stancy； when
he led her to a seat； calculated to make Somerset uneasy after
his long absence。 Though； for that matter； this proved
nothing； for； like all wise maidens； Paula never ventured on
the game of the eyes with a lover in public； well knowing that
every moment of such indulgence overnight might mean an hour's
sneer at her expense by the indulged gentleman next day； when
weighing womankind by the aid of a cold morning light and a
bad headache。
While Somerset was explaining to Paula and her aunt the reason
of his sudden appearance； their attention was drawn to a seat
a short way off by a fluttering of ladies round the spot。 In
a moment it was whispered that somebody had fallen ill； and in
another that the sufferer was Miss De Stancy。 Paula； Mrs。
Goodman； and Somerset at once joined the group of friends who
were assisting her。 Neither of them imagined for an instant
that the unexpected advent of Somerset on the scene had
anything to do with the poor girl's indisposition。
She was assisted out of the room； and her brother； who now
came up； prepared to take her home； Somerset exchanging a few
civil words with him； which the hurry of the moment prevented
them from continuing； though on taking his leave with
Charlotte； who was now better； De Stancy informed Somerset in
answer to a cursory inquiry； that he hoped to be back again at
the ball in half…an…hour。
When they were gone Somerset； feeling that now another dog
might have his day； sounded Paula on the delightful question
of a dance。
Paula replied in the negative。
'How is that？' asked Somerset with reproachful disappointment。
'I cannot dance again；' she said in a somewhat depressed tone；
'I must be released from every engagement to do so； on account
of Charlotte's illness。 I should have gone home with her if I
had not been particularly requested to stay a little longer；
since it is as yet so early； and Charlotte's illness is not
very serious。'
If Charlotte's illness was not very serious； Somerset thought；
Paula might have stretched a point； but not wishing to hinder
her in showing respect to a friend so well liked by himself；
he did not ask it。 De Stancy had promised to be back again in
half…an…hour； and Paula had heard the promise。 But at the end
of twenty minutes； still seeming indifferent to what was going
on around her； she said she would stay no longer； and
reminding Somerset that they were soon to meet and talk over
the rebuilding； drove off with her aunt to Stancy Castle。
Somerset stood looking after the retreating carriage till it
was enveloped in shades that the lamps could not disperse。
The ball…room was now virtually empty for him； and feeling no
great anxiety to return thither he stood on the steps for some
minutes longer； looking into the calm mild night； and at the
dark houses behind whose blinds lay the burghers with their
eyes sealed up in sleep。 He could not but think that it was
rather too bad of Paula to spoil his evening for a sentimental
devotion to Charlotte which could do the latter no appreciable
good； and he would have felt seriously hurt at her move if it
had not been equally severe upon Captain De Stancy； who was
doubtless hastening back； full of a belief that she would
still be found there。
The star of gas…jets over the entrance threw its light upon
the walls on the opposite side of the street； where there were
notice…boards of forthcoming events。 In glancing over these
for the fifth time； his eye was attracted by the first words
of a placard in blue letters； of a size larger than the rest；
and moving onward a few steps he read：
STANCY CASTLE。
By the kind permission of Miss Power；
A PLAY
Will shortly be performed at the above CASTLE；
IN AID OF THE FUNDS OF THE
COUNTY HOSPITAL；
By the Officers of the
ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY；
MARKTON BARRACKS；
ASSISTED BY SEVERAL
LADIES OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD。
The cast and other particulars will be duly announced in
small
bills。 Places will be reserved on application to Mr。
Clangham；
High Street； Markton； where a plan of the room may be seen。
N。BThe Castle is about twenty minutes' drive from Markton
Station；
to which there are numerous convenient trains from all parts
of the
county。
In a profound study Somerset turned and re…entered the ball…
room； where he remained gloomily standing here and there for
about five minutes； at the end of which he observed Captain De
Stancy； who had returned punctually to his word； crossing the
hall in his direction。
The gallant officer darted glances of lively search over every
group of dancers and sitters； and then with rather a blank
look in his face； he came on to Somerset。 Replying to the
latter's inquiry for his sister that she had nearly recovered；
he said； 'I don't see my father's neighbours anywhere。'
'They have gone home；' replied Somerset； a trifle drily。
'They asked me to make their apologies to you for leading you
to expect they would remain。 Miss Power was too anxious about
Miss De Stancy to care to stay longer。'
The eyes of De Stancy and the speaker met for an instant。
That curious guarded understanding； or inimical confederacy；
which arises at moments between two men in love with the same
woman； was present here； and in their mutual glances each said
as plainly as by words that her departure had ruined his
evening's hope。
They were now about as much in one mood as it was possible for
two such differing natures to be。 Neither cared further for
elaborating giddy curves on that town…hall floor。 They stood
talking languidly about this and that local topic； till De
Stancy turned aside for a short time to speak to a dapper
little lady who had beckoned to him。 In a few minutes he came
back to Somerset。
'Mrs。 Camperton； the wife of Major Camperton of my battery；
would very much like me to introduce you to her。 She is an
old friend of your father's； and has wanted to know you for a
long time。'
De Stancy and Somerset crossed over to the lady； and in a few
minutes； thanks to her flow of spirits； she and Somerset were
chatting with remarkable freedom。
'It is a happy coincidence；' continued Mrs。 Camperton； 'that I
should have met you here； immediately after receiving a letter
from your father： indeed it reached me only this morning。 He
has been so kind！ We are getting up some theatricals； as you
know； I suppose； to help the funds of the County Hospital；
which is in debt。'
'I have just seen the announcementnothing more。'
'Yes； such an estimable purpose；