'Yes', said Somerset, 'I remember it. But no harm came of it to you.... And perhaps no good will come of it to me.'
'Do not be premature in your conclusions, sir,' she said archly. 'If you really do feel for me only half what you say, we shall--you will make good come of it--in some way or other.'
'Dear Paula--now I believe you, and can bear anything.'
'Then we will say no more; because, as you recollect, we agreed not to go too far. No expostulations, for we are going to be practical young people; besides, I won't listen if you utter them. I simply echo your words, and say I, too, believe you. Now I must go. Have faith in me, and don't magnify trifles light as air.'
'I THINK I understand you. And if I do, it will make a great difference in my conduct. You will have no cause to complain.'
'Then you must not understand me so much as to make much difference; for your conduct as my architect is perfect. But I must not linger longer, though I wished you to know this news from my very own lips.'
'Bless you for it! When do you leave?'
'The day after to-morrow.'
'So early? Does your uncle guess anything? Do you wish him to be told just yet?'
'Yes, to the first; no, to the second.'
'I may write to you?'
'On business, yes. It will be necessary.'
'How can you speak so at a time of parting?'
'Now, George--you see I say George, and not Mr. Somerset, and you may draw your own inference--don't be so morbid in your reproaches! I have informed you that you may write, or still better, telegraph, since the wire is so handy--on business. Well, of course, it is for you to judge whether you will add postscripts of another sort. There, you make me say more than a woman ought, because you are so obtuse and literal. Good afternoon--good-bye! This will be my address.'
She handed him a slip of paper, and flitted away.
Though he saw her again after this, it was during the bustle of preparation, when there was always a third person present, usually in the shape of that breathing refrigerator, her uncle. Hence the few words that passed between them were of the most formal description, and chiefly concerned the restoration of the castle, and a church at Nice designed by him, which he wanted her to inspect.
They were to leave by an early afternoon train, and Somerset was invited to lunch on that day. The morning was occupied by a long business consultation in the studio with Mr. Power and Mrs. Goodman on what rooms were to be left locked up, what left in charge of the servants, and what thrown open to the builders and workmen under the surveillance of Somerset. At present the work consisted mostly of repairs to existing rooms, so as to render those habitable which had long been used only as stores for lumber. Paula did not appear during this discussion; but when they were all seated in the dining-hall she came in dressed for the journey, and, to outward appearance, with blithe anticipation at its prospect blooming from every feature. Next to her came Charlotte De Stancy, still with some of the pallor of an invalid, but wonderfully brightened up, as Somerset thought, by the prospect of a visit to a delightful shore. It might have been this; and it might have been that Somerset's presence had a share in the change.