The flower on her bosom rose and fell somewhat more than usual as she added, ‘I am going away now--I will leave you here.’ Without waiting for a reply she adroitly swept back her skirts to free her feet and went out of the church blushing. Somerset took her hint and did not follow; and when he knew that she had rejoined her friends, and heard the carriage roll away, he made towards the opposite door. Pausing to glance once more at the alabaster effigies before leaving them to their silence and neglect, he beheld Dare bending over them, to all appearance intently occupied. He must have been in the church some time--certainly during the tender episode between Somerset and Paula, and could not have failed to perceive it. Somerset blushed: it was unpleasant that Dare should have seen the interior of his heart so plainly. He went across and said, ‘I think I left you to finish the drawing of the north wing, Mr. Dare?’ ‘Three hours ago, sir,’ said Dare. ‘Having finished that, I came to look at the church--fine building--fine monuments--two interesting people looking at them.’ ‘What?’ ‘I stand corrected. Pensa molto, parla poco, as the Italians have it.’ ‘Well, now, Mr. Dare, suppose you get back to the castle?’ ‘Which history dubs Castle Stancy.... Certainly.’ ‘How do you get on with the measuring?’ Dare sighed whimsically. ‘Badly in the morning, when I have been tempted to indulge overnight, and worse in the afternoon, when I have been tempted in the morning!’ Somerset looked at the youth, and said, ‘I fear I shall have to dispense with your services, Dare, for I think you have been tempted to-day.’ ‘On my honour no. My manner is a little against me, Mr. Somerset. But you need not fear for my ability to do your work. I am a young man wasted, and am thought of slight account: it is the true men who get snubbed, while traitors are allowed to thrive!’ ‘Hang sentiment, Dare, and off with you!’ A little ruffled, Somerset had turned his back upon the interesting speaker, so that he did not observe the sly twist Dare threw into his right eye as he spoke. The latter went off in one direction and Somerset in the other, pursuing his pensive way towards Markton with thoughts not difficult to divine. From one point in her nature he went to another, till he again recurred to her romantic interest in the De Stancy family. To wish she was one of them: how very inconsistent of her. That she really did wish it was unquestionable. XV.