At length footsteps crunched among the pebbles in their vicinity, and looking out from her sunshade Paula saw the two Somersets close at hand.
The elder recognized her, and the younger, observing his father's action of courtesy, turned his head.

It was a revelation to Paula, for she was shocked to see that he appeared worn and ill.

The expression of his face changed at sight of her, increasing its shade of paleness; but he immediately withdrew his eyes and passed by.
Somerset was as much surprised at encountering her thus as she had been distressed to see him.

As soon as they were out of hearing, he asked his father quietly, 'What strange thing is this, that Lady De Stancy should be here and her husband not with her?
Did she bow to me, or to you ?' 'Lady De Stancy--that young lady ?' asked the puzzled painter.

He proceeded to explain all he knew; that she was a young lady he had met on his journey at two or three different times; moreover, that if she were his son's client--the woman who was to have become Lady De Stancy--she was Miss Power still; for he had seen in some newspaper two days before leaving England that the wedding had been postponed on account of her illness.
Somerset was so greatly moved that he could hardly speak connectedly to his father as they paced on together.