Havill's creditors, at last suspecting something mythical in Havill's assurance that the grand commission was his, had lost all patience; his house was turned upside-down, and a poster gleamed on the front wall, stating that the excellent modern household furniture was to be sold by auction on Friday next.

Troubles had apparently come in battalions, for Dare was informed by a bystander that Havill's wife was seriously ill also.
Without staying for a moment to enter his friend's house, back went Mr.Dare to the castle, and told Captain De Stancy of the architect's desperate circumstances, begging him to convey the news in some way to Miss Power.

De Stancy promised to make representations in the proper quarter without perceiving that he was doing the best possible deed for himself thereby.
He told Paula of Havill's misfortunes in the presence of his sister, who turned pale.

She discerned how this misfortune would bear upon the undecided competition.
'Poor man,' murmured Paula.

'He was my father's architect, and somehow expected, though I did not promise it, the work of rebuilding the castle.' Then De Stancy saw Dare's aim in sending him to Miss Power with the news; and, seeing it, concurred: Somerset was his rival, and all was fair.