a laodicean-第60章
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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 family creed of
Calvinistic truth towards the traditions of the De Stancys has
been so decided； though so gradual； thatwell； I may be
wrong。'
'That what？' said the young man sharply。
'I sometimes think she will take to her as husband the present
representative of that impoverished lineCaptain De Stancy
which she may easily do； if she chooses； as his behaviour to…
day showed。'
'He was probably there on account of his sister；' said
Somerset； trying to escape the mental picture of farewell
gallantries bestowed on Paula。
'It was hinted at in the papers the other day。'
'And it was flatly contradicted。'
'Yes。 Well； we shall see in the Lord's good time； I can do no
more for her。 And now； Mr。 Somerset； pray take a cup of tea。'
The revelations of the minister depressed Somerset a little；
and he did not stay long。 As he went to the door Woodwell
said； 'There is a worthy manthe deacon of our chapel； Mr。
Havillwho would like to be friendly with you。 Poor man；
since the death of his wife he seems to have something on his
mindsome trouble which my words will not reach。 If ever you
are passing his door； please give him a look in。 He fears
that calling on you might be an intrusion。'
Somerset did not clearly promise； and went his way。 The
minister's allusion to the announcement of the marriage
reminded Somerset that she had expressed a wish to know how
the paragraph came to be inserted。 The wish had been
carelessly spoken； but he went to the newspaper office to make
inquiries on the point。
The reply was unexpected。 The reporter informed his
questioner that in returning from the theatricals； at which he
was present； he shared a fly with a gentleman who assured him
that such an alliance was certain； so obviously did it
recommend itself to all concerned； as a means of strengthening
both families。 The gentleman's knowledge of the Powers was so
precise that the reporter did not hesitate to accept his
assertion。 He was a man who had seen a great deal of the
world； and his face was noticeable for the seams and scars on
it。
Somerset recognized Paula's uncle in the portrait。
Hostilities； then； were beginning。 The paragraph had been
meant as the first slap。 Taking her abroad was the second。
BOOK THE FOURTH。 SOMERSET； DARE AND DE STANCY。
I。
There was no part of Paula's journey in which Somerset did not
think of her。 He imagined her in the hotel at Havre； in her
brief rest at Paris； her drive past the Place de la Bastille
to the Boulevart Mazas to take the train for Lyons； her
tedious progress through the dark of a winter night till she
crossed the isothermal line which told of the beginning of a
southern atmosphere； and onwards to the ancient blue sea。
Thus； between the hours devoted to architecture； he passed the
next three days。 One morning he set himself； by the help of
John； to practise on the telegraph instrument； expecting a
message。 But though he watched the machine at every
opportunity； or kept some other person on the alert in its
neighbourhood； no message arrived to gratify him till after
the lapse of nearly a fortnight。 Then she spoke from her new
habitation nine hundred miles away； in these meagre words：
'Are settled at the address given。 Can now attend to any
inquiry about the building。'
The pointed implication that she could attend to inquiries
about nothing else； breathed of the veritable Paula so
distinctly that he could forgive its sauciness。 His reply was
soon despatched：
'Will write particulars of our progress。 Always the same。'
The last three words formed the sentimental appendage which
she had assured him she could tolerate； and which he hoped she
might desire。
He spent the remainder of the day in making a little sketch to
show what had been done in the castle since her departure。
This he despatched with a letter of explanation ending in a
paragraph of a different tenor：
'I have demonstrated our progress as well as I could； but
another subject has been in my mind； even whilst writing the
former。 Ask yourself if you use me well in
