‘Of course; but nothing more will be agreed to.’ Then, and only then, came the desired reply:-- ‘Miss Bell starts by the twelve o’clock train.’ This business being finished, Paula left the chamber and descended into the inclosure called the Pleasance, a spot grassed down like a lawn. Here stood Somerset, who, having come down from the tower, was looking on while a man searched for old foundations under the sod with a crowbar. He was glad to see her at last, and noticed that she looked serene and relieved; but could not for the moment divine the cause. Paula came nearer, returned his salutation, and regarded the man’s operations in silence awhile till his work led him to a distance from them. ‘Do you still wish to consult me?’ asked Somerset. ‘About the building perhaps,’ said she. ‘Not about the play.’ ‘But you said so?’ ‘Yes; but it will be unnecessary.’ Somerset thought this meant skittishness, and merely bowed. ‘You mistake me as usual,’ she said, in a low tone. ‘I am not going to consult you on that matter, because I have done all you could have asked for without consulting you. I take no part in the play to-night.’ ‘Forgive my momentary doubt!’ ‘Somebody else will play for me--an actress from London. But on no account must the substitution be known beforehand or the performance to-night will never come off: and that I should much regret.’ ‘Captain De Stancy will not play his part if he knows you will not play yours--that’s what you mean?’ ‘You may suppose it is,’ she said, smiling. ‘And to guard against this you must help me to keep the secret by being my confederate.’ To be Paula’s confederate; to-day, indeed, time had brought him something worth waiting for. ‘In anything!’ cried Somerset. ‘Only in this!’ said she, with soft severity. ‘And you know what you have promised, George! And you remember there is to be no--what we talked about! Now will you go in the one-horse brougham to Markton Station this afternoon, and meet the four o’clock train? Inquire for a lady for Stancy Castle--a Miss Bell; see her safely into the carriage, and send her straight on here. I am particularly anxious that she should not enter the town, for I think she once came to Markton in a starring company, and she might be recognized, and my plan be defeated.’