was a difficult meeting, and a severe test to any friendship
but that of the most sterling sort. In the turmoil of her distraction
Charlotte had the consolation of knowing that if her act of justice to
Somerset at such a moment were the act of a simpleton, it was the only
course open to honesty. But Paula's cheerful serenity in some
measure laid her own troubles to rest, till they were reawakened by a
rumour--which got wind some weeks later, and quite drowned all other
surprises--of the true relation between the vanished clerk of works, Mr.
Dare, and the fallen family of De Stancy.

BOOK THE SIXTH. PAULA.

I.

'I have decided that I cannot see Sir William again: I shall go away,'
said Paula on the evening of the next day, as she lay on her bed in a
flushed and highly-strung condition, though a person who had heard her
words without seeing her face would have assumed perfect equanimity to
be the mood which expressed itself with such quietness. This was the
case with her aunt, who was looking out of the window at some idlers
from Markton walking round the castle with their eyes bent upon its
windows, and she made no haste to reply.

'Those people have come to see me, as they have a right to do when
a person acts so strangely,' Paula continued. 'And hence I am better
away.'

'Where do you think to go to?'

Paula replied in the tone of one who was actuated entirely by practical
considerations: 'Out of England certainly. And as Normandy lies nearest,
I think I shall go there. It is a very nice country to ramble in.'

'Yes, it is a very nice country to ramble in,' echoed her aunt, in
moderate tones. 'When do you intend to start?'

'I should like to cross to-night. You must go with me, aunt; will you
not?'

Mrs. Goodman expostulated against such suddenness. 'It will redouble
the rumours that are afloat, if, after being supposed ill, you are seen
going off by railway perfectly well.'

'That's a contingency which I am quite willing to run the risk of. Well,
it would be rather sudden, as you say, to go to-night. But we'll go
to-morrow night at latest.' Under the influence of the decision she
bounded up like an elastic ball and went to the glass, which showed
a light in her eye that had not been there before this resolution to
travel in Normandy had been taken.

The evening and the next morning were passed in writing a final
and kindly note of dismissal to Sir William De Stancy, in making
arrangements for th