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The military form of the solitary lounger was recognizable as that of Sir William De Stancy, notwithstanding the failing light and his attitude of so resting his elbows on the gate that his hands enclosed the greater part of his face. The scene was inexpressibly cheerless.

But I suppose I shall witness that some day. 'You may, she gravely returned. 'You have no doubt chosen him already, cried the captain bitterly. 'No, Captain De Stancy, she said shortly, a faint involuntary blush coming into her face as she guessed his allusion. This, and a few glances round at the pictures and curiosities, completed their survey of the castle.

His presence in the South of Europe had its origin, as may be guessed, in Captain De Stancy's journey in the same direction, whom he had followed, and troubled with persistent request for more funds, carefully keeping out of sight of Paula and the rest. His dream of involving Paula in the De Stancy pedigree knew no abatement.

She was Paula; and to the young man's vision a superlative something distinguished her from all the rest. This was not dress or ornament, for she had hardly a gem upon her, her attire being a model of effective simplicity. Her partner was Captain De Stancy. The discovery of this latter fact slightly obscured his appreciation of what he had discovered just before.

It was not what he had supposed, but a new one the local rival to that which had contained the announcement, and was still damp from the press. She pointed, and he read 'We are authorized to state that there is no foundation whatever for the assertion of our contemporary that a marriage is likely to be arranged between Captain De Stancy and Miss Power of Stancy Castle. Somerset pressed her hand.

Never, never will I be reasoned out of my intention; and I say I won't answer you to-night! I should never have let you be so much with me but for pity of you; and now it is come to this! She had sunk into a chair, and now leaned upon her hand, and buried her face in her handkerchief. He had never caused her any such agitation as this before. 'You stab me with your words, continued De Stancy.

Therein he stated that, finding that the Anglo-South-American house with which he had recently connected himself required his presence in Peru, it obliged him to leave without waiting for her return. He felt the less uneasy at going, since he had learnt that Captain De Stancy would return at once to Amiens to his sick sister, and see them safely home when she improved.

De Stancy promised to make representations in the proper quarter without perceiving that he was doing the best possible deed for himself thereby. He told Paula of Havill's misfortunes in the presence of his sister, who turned pale. She discerned how this misfortune would bear upon the undecided competition. 'Poor man, murmured Paula.

'The Roundheads were your ancestors, and they knocked down my ancestors' castle, and broke the stained glass and statuary of the cathedral, said De Stancy slily; 'and now you go not only to a cathedral, but to a service of the unreformed Church in it.

After uttering it, the speaker turned away, and continued his previous conversation with Captain De Stancy. From this time till the group parted he never again spoke directly to Somerset, paying him barely so much attention as he might have expected as Paula's architect, and certainly less than he might have supposed his due as her accepted lover.