’Good Lord! what a mésalliance! The Trampleasures are mushrooms—I had almost said toadstools. I suppose it is a case of money; the needy gentleman with centuries behind him takes the daughter of the wealthy founder of Ophir for the sake of the mountain of gold she brings. How is it that Trampleasure has not secured Trecarrel as a director? His name would carry weight.’ ’Exactly,’ answered Herring; ’that is what Tramplara wants—he has not got a name of importance on his list. Do you know anything of Arundell Golitho, Esq. of Trevorgan?’ ’Never heard his name before.’ ’Nor have I, nor has any one else.’ ’He must be some one of importance, or Tramplara would not have put him on the board?’ ’I do not believe in his existence. You were asking why Captain Trecarrel has not become a director. For the best of reasons. He does not care to cover an honourable name with disgrace.’ Mr. Battishill’s face changed colour. ’That is a strong expression, Herring, and ought to be justified.’ ’Dear Mr. Battishill, you know what Polpluggan did for you.’ ’Polpluggan was a disastrous venture, certainly.’ ’You told me yourself it was a swindle.’ ’Well, well, the word was too strong. I thought so at the time; but Tramplara has been frank with me about it. Since he has been here so much, engaged on Ophir, I have seen his books; he showed them me in the most open manner possible, he insists on my going over them myself. Polpluggan was a failure, not a swindle. I withdraw the expression.’ ’And Ophir, I believe, is nothing less than a swindle, and will cover every one who has to do with it with infamy. That is why Captain Trecarrel will not lend his name to the concern.’ ’Why then does he marry the daughter of Ophir?’ ’That is another affair. He has been engaged to her for some time, and cannot with honour break away.’ ’What leads him to suppose that Ophir is a—a——’ ’A swindle! Because he has been in Exeter consulting those who are likely to know; because he knows the antecedents of the man who has started it. I trust, sir, you have not given Tramplara grounds to hope that you will become a director?’ ’Well, he has been pressing, very pressing, I may say, and I have not positively said I will not. You see, my dear Herring, the mine is sure to be a success. The applications for shares increase instead of falling off; that is a pretty good proof of public confidence.’ ’That proves nothing, except that there are many fools in the world ready to part with their money.’ ’They would hardly take shares unless they had convinced themselves that the speculation was sound. Nothing, I understand, can be more above board than the proceedings of Mr. Trampleasure. The gold ore is crushed and washed before the eyes of the public. I cannot see where the fraud can be.’ ’There is roguery somewhere, I am convinced.’