an was again called in, who prescribed certain draughts, and
recommended that some one should sit up with her that night. If Paula
allowed demonstrations of love to escape her towards anybody it
was towards Charlotte, and her instinct was at once to watch by the
invalid's couch herself, at least for some hours, it being deemed
unnecessary to call in a regular nurse unless she should sicken further.

'But I will sit with her,' said De Stancy. 'Surely you had better go to
bed?' Paula would not be persuaded; and thereupon De Stancy, saying he
was going into the town for a short time before retiring, left the room.

The last omnibus returned from the last train, and the inmates of the
hotel retired to rest. Meanwhile a telegram had arrived for Captain De
Stancy; but as he had not yet returned it was put in his bedroom, with
directions to the night-porter to remind him of its arrival.

Paula sat on with the sleeping Charlotte. Presently she retired into the
adjacent sitting-room with a book, and flung herself on a couch, leaving
the door open between her and her charge, in case the latter should
awake. While she sat a new breathing seemed to mingle with the regular
sound of Charlotte's that reached her through the doorway: she turned
quickly, and saw her uncle standing behind her.

'O--I thought you were in Paris!' said Paula.

'I have just come from there--I could not stay. Something has occurred
to my mind about this affair.' His strangely marked visage, now more
noticeable from being worn with fatigue, had a spectral effect by the
night-light.

'What affair?'

'This marriage.... Paula, De Stancy is a good fellow enough, but you
must not accept him just yet.'

Paula did not answer.

'Do you hear? You must not accept him,' repeated her uncle, 'till I have
been to England and examined into matters. I start in an hour's time--by
the ten-minutes-past-two train.'

'This is something very new!'

'Yes--'tis new,' he murmured, relapsing into his Dutch manner. 'You must
not accept him till something is made clear to me--something about a
queer relationship. I have come from Paris to say so.'

'Uncle, I don't understand this. I am my own mistress in all matters,
and though I don't mind telling you I have by no means resolved to
accept him, the question of her marriage is especially a woman's own
affair.'

Her uncle stood irresolute for a moment, as if his convictions were
more than his proofs. 'I say no more at prese