eld
De Stancy, and De Stancy's sister beyond him. It was one of those
gratuitous encounters which only happen to discarded lovers who have
shown commendable stoicism under disappointment, as if on purpose to
reopen and aggravate their wounds.

It seemed as if the intervening traveller had met the other party by
accident there and then. In a minute he turned and recognized Somerset,
and by degrees the young men's cursory remarks to each other developed
into a pretty regular conversation, interrupted only when he turned to
speak to Paula on his left hand.

'Your architectural adviser travels in your party: how very convenient,'
said the young tourist to her. 'Far pleasanter than having a medical
attendant in one's train!'

Somerset, who had no distractions on the other side of him, could
hear every word of this. He glanced at Paula. She had not known of his
presence in the room till now. Their eyes met for a second, and she
bowed sedately. Somerset returned her bow, and her eyes were quickly
withdrawn with scarcely visible confusion.

'Mr. Somerset is not travelling with us,' she said. 'We have met by
accident. Mr. Somerset came to me on business a little while ago.'

'I must congratulate you on having put the castle into good hands,'
continued the enthusiastic young man.

'I believe Mr. Somerset is quite competent,' said Paula stiffly.

To include Somerset in the conversation the young man turned to him and
added: 'You carry on your work at the castle con amore, no doubt?'

'There is work I should like better,' said Somerset.

'Indeed?'

The frigidity of his manner seemed to set her at ease by dispersing all
fear of a scene; and alternate dialogues of this sort with the gentleman
in their midst were more or less continued by both Paula and Somerset
till they rose from table.

In the bustle of moving out the two latter for one moment stood side by
side.

'Miss Power,' said Somerset, in a low voice that was obscured by the
rustle, 'you have nothing more to say to me?'

'I think there is nothing more?' said Paula, lifting her eyes with
longing reticence.

'Then I take leave of you; and tender my best wishes that you may have a
pleasant time before you!.... I set out for England to-night.'

'With a special photographer, no doubt?'

It was the first time that she had addressed Somerset with a meaning
distinctly bitter; and her remark, which had reference to the forged
photograph, fell of course without it