Herring carried off with him some of the best specimens of pure ore, and, on his return to West Wyke, showed them to Mr. Battishill, and told him his opinion of the mine. He said that he was confident, if a respite could be obtained from Tramplara, and a company be formed to work the mine, that the royalties on the lead extracted would speedily clear the property of its burdens. The old man was elated. He talked over the prospect, offering many suggestions, some utterly unpractical, and his hollow cheek flushed with excitement. ’Ah!’ said he, ’if Tramplara knows about that lead he’ll not grant a respite, but be down on me at once if he sees profit to be got by it. I’ll have my bond: I will not hear thee speak: I’ll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield To Christian intercession.’ The old man shook his head. ’No, Herring, you will not prevail on him with prayers. "It is the most impenetrable cur that ever kept with men." No, you must attack his self-interest if you will bend him, and how you will manage that passes my conception.’ ’But suppose I say to Tramplara, Here is the money.’ Cicely looked sharply up from her work. ’Mr. Herring, you made me a promise.’ ’My dear,’ said Mr. Battishill, ’you have often let me see that you disapproved of my speculations, as if I must be blind. But see! here at last, in Upaver, I have hit on one that will succeed.’ ’You have hit on it, father, for others to make fortunes out of it. You have hit on it as West Wyke is slipping from us.’ *CHAPTER XVII.* *IN THE SUMMER-HOUSE.* As John Herring entered the gates of Dolbeare, he saw Mirelle go into the summer-house. This summer-house stood at the edge of the terrace between the garden-gate and the house. He desired to see her alone, and therefore, before going to the front door, he turned to the garden lodge and stood in the doorway. Mirelle saw him and bowed slightly. Herring went in, and up to her. Then, after a moment’s hesitation, she held out her hand. He took it, but he might as well have touched an icicle. No token of pleasurable recognition appeared in her face. ’You are surprised to see me,’ said Herring, ’I dare say.’ ’Not at all,’ she answered. ’Why should I be? I know nothing of your movements. If you had told me you were going to Moscow, and I had seen you start in that direction, I should be surprised to see you here now; but as I know neither where you live nor what places you frequent, there is nothing in your reappearance to justify surprise.’ ’I have come to-day from West Wyke.’ ’Indeed! I hope you left all well there.’ ’Only fairly so. You have not heard what happened to poor Joyce.’ ’I do not know who poor Joyce is.’ ’Joyce is that wild girl who helped you to West Wyke on the evening of the accident.’