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'Ah, I begin to see your conception, she murmured; and the breath of her words fanned his ear. He finished the sketch, and held it up to her, saying 'I would suggest that you walk over the building with Mr. Havill and myself, and detail your ideas to us on each portion. 'Is it necessary? 'Clients mostly do it. 'I will, then. But it is too late for me this evening.
A clammy dew broke out upon the face and body of the architect when, stepping out of bed with the weapon in his hand, Dare looked under the bed, behind the curtains, out of the window, and into a closet, as if convinced that something had occurred, but in doubt as to what it was. He then came across to where Havill was lying and still keeping up the appearance of sleep.
Proceeding up a stone staircase he unlocked the door of a room in the dark, struck a light inside, and returning to the door called in a whisper to Havill, who had remained behind. 'This is Mr. Somerset's studio, he said. 'How did you get permission? inquired Havill, not knowing that Dare had seen no one. 'Anyhow, said Dare carelessly.
'Literally, just under your shirt-front; or figuratively, in your heart? asked Havill. 'Literally there. It is necessary that it should be recorded, for one's own memory is a treacherous book of reference, should verification be required at a time of delirium, disease, or death. Havill asked no further what he meant, and went to the door.
While they were talking somebody was heard in the hall, inquiring hastily for Mr. Havill. 'What shall I tell him? demanded the porter. 'His wife is dead, said the messenger. Havill overheard the words, and hastened away. 'An unlucky man! said Dare. 'That, happily for us, will not affect his installation here, said De Stancy. 'Now hold your tongue and keep at a distance. She may come this way.
Yet Dare would have preferred a stronger check upon his confederate than was afforded by his own knowledge of that anonymous letter and the competition trick. For were the competition lost to him, Havill would have no further interest in conciliating Miss Power; would as soon as not let her know the secret of De Stancy's relation to him. Fortune as usual helped him in his dilemma.
'Instead of committing the whole undertaking to my hands without better proof of my ability to carry it out than you have at present, let there be a competition between Mr. Havill and myself let our rival plans for the restoration and enlargement be submitted to a committee of the Royal Institute of British Architects and let the choice rest with them, subject of course to your approval.
It seemed to be a simple oblong apartment, fitted up with ropes, with a little dressing-closet at one end, and lighted by a skylight or lantern in the roof. Dare replaced the wood and went on his way. Havill was smoking on his doorstep when Dare passed up the street. He held up his hand.
Entering Havill's office, Dare found him sitting there; but the drawings had all disappeared from the boards. The architect held an open letter in his hand. 'Well, what news? said Dare. 'Miss Power has returned to the castle, Somerset is detained in London, and the competition is decided, said Havill, with a glance of quiet dubiousness. 'And you have won it? 'No. We are bracketed it's a tie.
The lad read the letter, smiled, and strolled about the grounds, only met by an occasional pair of individuals of opposite sex in deep conversation, the state of whose emotions led them to prefer the evening shade to the publicity and glare of the tents and rooms. At last he observed the white waistcoat of the man he sought. 'Mr. Havill, the architect, I believe? said Dare.
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