perhaps, and dinner at the usual time. Still,
if she has had no lunch--Hark, what do I hear?'

She ran to an arrow-slit, and Somerset, who had also heard something,
looked out of an adjoining one. They could see from their elevated
position a great way along the white road, stretching like a tape amid
the green expanses on each side. There had arisen a cloud of dust,
accompanied by a noise of wheels.

'It is she,' said Charlotte. 'O yes--it is past four--the telegram has
been delayed.'

'How would she be likely to come?'

'She has doubtless hired a carriage at the inn: she said it would be
useless to send to meet her, as she couldn't name a time.... Where is
she now?'

'Just where the boughs of those beeches overhang the road--there she is
again!'

Miss De Stancy went away to give directions, and Somerset continued to
watch. The vehicle, which was of no great pretension, soon crossed the
bridge and stopped: there was a ring at the bell; and Miss De Stancy
reappeared.

'Did you see her as she drove up--is she not interesting?'

'I could not see her.'

'Ah, no--of course you could not from this window because of the trees.
Mr. Somerset, will you come downstairs? You will have to meet her, you
know.'

Somerset felt an indescribable backwardness. 'I will go on with my
sketching,' he said. 'Perhaps she will not be--'

'O, but it would be quite natural, would it not? Our manners are easier
here, you know, than they are in town, and Miss Power has adapted
herself to them.'

A compromise was effected by Somerset declaring that he would hold
himself in readiness to be discovered on the landing at any convenient
time.

A servant entered. 'Miss Power?' said Miss De Stancy, before he could
speak.

The man advanced with a card: Miss De Stancy took it up, and read
thereon: 'Mr. William Dare.'

'It is not Miss Power who has come, then?' she asked, with a
disappointed face.

'No, ma'am.'

She looked again at the card. 'This is some man of business, I
suppose--does he want to see me?'

'Yes, miss. Leastwise, he would be glad to see you if Miss Power is not
at home.'

Miss De Stancy left the room, and soon returned, saying, 'Mr. Somerset,
can you give me your counsel in this matter? This Mr. Dare says he is a
photographic amateur, and it seems that he wrote some time ago to Miss
Power, who gave him permission to take views of the castle, and promised
to show him the best points. But I have heard nothing of i