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She handed him a slip of paper； and flitted away。
Though he saw her again after this； it was during the bustle
of preparation； when there was always a third person present；
usually in the shape of that breathing refrigerator； her
uncle。 Hence the few words that passed between them were of
the most formal description； and chiefly concerned the
restoration of the castle； and a church at Nice designed by
him； which he wanted her to inspect。
They were to leave by an early afternoon train； and Somerset
was invited to lunch on that day。 The morning was occupied by
a long business consultation in the studio with Mr。 Power and
Mrs。 Goodman on what rooms were to be left locked up； what
left in charge of the servants； and what thrown open to the
builders and workmen under the surveillance of Somerset。 At
present the work consisted mostly of repairs to existing
rooms； so as to render those habitable which had long been
used only as stores for lumber。 Paula did not appear during
this discussion； but when they were all seated in the dining…
hall she came in dressed for the journey； and； to outward
appearance； with blithe anticipation at its prospect blooming
from every feature。 Next to her came Charlotte De Stancy；
still with some of the pallor of an invalid； but wonderfully
brightened up； as Somerset thought； by the prospect of a visit
to a delightful shore。 It might have been this； and it might
have been that Somerset's presence had a share in the change。
It was in the hall； when they were in the bustle of leave…
taking； that there occurred the only opportunity for the two
or three private words with Paula to which his star treated
him on that last day。 His took the hasty form of； 'You will
write soon？'
'Telegraphing will be quicker；' she answered in the same low
tone； and whispering 'Be true to me！' turned away。
How unreasonable he was！ In addition to those words； warm as
they were； he would have preferred a little paleness of cheek；
or trembling of lip； instead of the bloom and the beauty which
sat upon her undisturbed maidenhood； to tell him that in some
slight way she suffered at his loss。
Immediately after this they went to the carriages waiting at
the door。 Somerset； who had in a measure taken charge of the
castle； accompanied them and saw them off； much as if they
were his visitors。 She stepped in； a general adieu was
spoken； and she was gone。
While the carriages rolled away； he ascended to the top of the
tower； where he saw them lessen to spots on the road； and turn
the corner out of sight。 The chances of a rival seemed to
grow in proportion as Paula receded from his side； but he
could not have answered why。 He had bidden her and her
relatives adieu on her own doorstep； like a privileged friend
of the family； while De Stancy had scarcely seen her since the
play…night。 That the silence into which the captain appeared
to have sunk was the placidity of conscious power； was
scarcely probable； yet that adventitious aids existed for De
Stancy he could not deny。 The link formed by Charlotte
between De Stancy and Paula； much as he liked the ingenuous
girl； was one that he could have wished away。 It constituted
a bridge of access to Paula's inner life and feelings which
nothing could rival； except that one fact which； as he firmly
believed； did actually rival it； giving him faith and hope；
his own primary occupation of Paula's heart。 Moreover； Mrs。
Goodman would be an influence favourable to himself and his
cause during the journey； though； to be sure； to set against
her there was the phlegmatic and obstinate Abner Power； in
whom； apprised by those subtle media of intelligence which
lovers possess； he fancied he saw no friend。
Somerset remained but a short time at the castle that day。
The light of its chambers had fled； the gross grandeur of the
dictatorial towers oppressed him； and the studio was hateful。
He remembered a promise made long ago to Mr。 Woodwell of
calling upon him some afternoon； and a visit which had not
much attractiveness in it at other times recommended itself
now； through being the one possible way open to him of hearing
Paula named and her doings talked of。 Hence in walking back
to Markton； instead of going up the High Street； he turned
aside into the unfrequented footway that led to the minister's
cottage。
Mr。 Woodwell was not indoors at the moment of his call； and
Somerset lingered at the doorway； and cast his eyes around。
It was a house which typified the drearier tenets of its
occupier with great exactness。 It stood upon its spot of
earth without any natural union with it： no mosses disguised
the stiff straight line where wall met earth； not a creeper
softened the aspect of the bare front。 The garden walk was
strewn with loose clinkers from the neighbouring foundry；
which rolled under the pedestrian's foot and jolted his soul
out of him before he reached the porchless door。 But all was
clean； and clear； and dry。
Whether Mr。 Woodwell was personally responsible for this
condition of things there was not time to closely consider；
for Somerset perceived the minister coming up the walk towards
him。 Mr。 Woodwell welcomed him heartily； and yet with the
mien of a man whose mind has scarcely dismissed some scene
which has preceded the one that confronts him。 What that
scene was soon transpired。
'I have had a busy afternoon；' said the minister； as they
walked indoors； 'or rather an exciting afternoon。 Your client
at Stancy Castle； whose uncle； as I imagine you know； has so
unexpectedly returned； has left with him to…day for the south
of France； and I wished to ask her before her departure some
questions as to how a charity organized by her father was to
be administered in her absence。 But I have been very
unfortunate。 She could not find time to see me at her own
house； and I awaited her at the station； all to no purpose；
owing to the presence of her friends。 Well； well； I must see
if a letter will find her。'
Somerset asked if anybody of the neighbourhood was there to
see them off。
'Yes； that was the trouble of it。 Captain De Stancy was
there； and quite monopolized her。 I don't know what 'tis
coming to； and perhaps I have no business to inquire； since
she is scarcely a member of our church now。 Who could have
anticipated the daughter of my old friend John Power
developing into the ordinary gay woman of the world as she has
done？ Who could have expected her to associate with people
who show contempt for their Maker's intentions by flippantly
assuming other characters than those in which He created
them？'
'You mistake her；' murmured Somerset； in a voice which he
vainly endeavoured to attune to philosophy。 'Miss Power has
some very rare and beautiful qualities in her nature； though I
confess I tremblefear lest the De Stancy influence should be
too strong。'
'Sir； it is already！ Do you remember my telling you that I
thought the force of her surroundings would obscure the pure
daylight of her spirit； as a monkish window of coloured images
attenuates the rays of God's sun？ I do not wish to indulge in
rash surmises； but her oscillation from her fami