His resignation was a surprise; the question whether he would or would not repay the money was passed over; the necessity of installing Somerset after all as sole architect was an agitation, or emotion, the precise nature of which it is impossible to accurately define.
However, she went about the house after breakfast with very much the manner of one who had had a weight removed either from her heart or from her conscience; moreover, her face was a little flushed when, in passing by Somerset's late studio, she saw the plans bearing his motto, and knew that his and not Havill's would be the presiding presence in the coming architectural turmoil.

She went on further, and called to Charlotte, who was now regularly sleeping in the castle, to accompany her, and together they ascended to the telegraph-room in the donjon tower.
'Whom are you going to telegraph to ?' said Miss De Stancy when they stood by the instrument.
'My architect.' 'O--Mr.Havill.' 'Mr.Somerset.' Miss De Stancy had schooled her emotions on that side cruelly well, and she asked calmly, 'What, have you chosen him after all ?' 'There is no choice in it--read that,' said Paula, handing Havill's letter, as if she felt that Providence had stepped in to shape ends that she was too undecided or unpractised to shape for herself.
'It is very strange,' murmured Charlotte; while Paula applied herself to the machine and despatched the words:-- 'Miss Power, Stancy Castle, to G.Somerset, Esq., F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., Queen Anne's Chambers, St.James's.
'Your design is accepted in its entirety.

It will be necessary to begin soon.

I shall wish to see and consult you on the matter about the 10th instant.' When the message was fairly gone out of the window Paula seemed still further to expand.

The strange spell cast over her by something or other--probably the presence of De Stancy, and the weird romanticism of his manner towards her, which was as if the historic past had touched her with a yet living hand--in a great measure became dissipated, leaving her the arch and serene maiden that she had been before.
About this time Captain De Stancy and his Achates were approaching the castle, and had arrived about fifty paces from the spot at which it was Dare's custom to drop behind his companion, in order that their appearance at the lodge should be that of master and man.
Dare was saying, as he had said before: 'I can't help fancying, captain, that your approach to this castle and its mistress is by a very tedious system.