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.
It was in the hall, when they were in the bustle of leave-taking, that there occurred the only opportunity for the two or three private words with Paula to which his star treated him on that last day.