However, she went on again, and made a pretence of looking round, Mr.Somerset also staying in a spirit of friendly attention to his countrywomen.

They did not part from him till they had come out from the crypt, and again reached the west front, on their way to which he additionally explained that it was his son he was looking for, who had arranged to meet him here, but had mentioned no inn at which he might be expected.
When he had left them, Paula informed her aunt whose company they had been sharing.

Her aunt began expostulating with Paula for not telling Mr.Somerset what they had seen of his son's movements.

'It would have eased his mind at least,' she said.
'I was not bound to ease his mind at the expense of showing what I would rather conceal.

I am continually hampered in such generosity as that by the circumstance of being a woman!' 'Well, it is getting too late to search further tonight.' It was indeed almost evening twilight in the streets, though the graceful freestone spires to a depth of about twenty feet from their summits were still dyed with the orange tints of a vanishing sun.