"There is no reason to doubt it," said Mrs. Lethbridge. "But it is as well to be prepared when you go to see Mr. Farebrother." "To be prepared for what?--for his refusal? Well, in that case I shall have reason to rejoice that I spoke to Phoebe first, and learnt from her dear lips that her heart is mine. With her father's refusal staring me in the face I might have hesitated, but I should have spoken all the same. It isn't likely that I should have stood tamely aside and seen the happiness of our lives destroyed. But what is done, is done, Aunt Leth, and nothing can undo it. Phoebe is mine, and I am hers. Nothing in the world shall part us." "Let us hope for the best," said Mrs. Lethbridge. "We thought it our duty to give you a word of warning. Phoebe's father is a strange man, and you must be careful in dealing with him." "I will be. Phoebe remains here four or five days, she tells me." "Yes; her father consented that she should stop with us till Tuesday or Wednesday next." Fred rubbed his hands joyously. "Let it be Wednesday, Aunt Leth." "I shall be only too happy, Fred. When will you go to Parksides?" "Not before Wednesday next. I want time, you see, to think of what I shall say to Mr. Farebrother. There is no immediate hurry, because everything is as good as settled. Good-night dear Aunt Leth. I am the happiest man in the world!" CHAPTER X. HIDDEN TREASURE. "Mother," said Jeremiah Pamflett, the next day, when he reached Parksides, "I am going to make a move; I am getting tired of playing a waiting game." "Something has occurred, then, Jeremiah?" asked Mrs. Pamflett, her keen eyes on her son's face. "Well, I went to the theatre last night, and sat in the pit, while Phoebe--_my_ Phoebe, mother--and her precious set were in a private box, dressed up to the nines, with flowers and all sorts of things." "The Lethbridges, Jeremiah?" "Yes, the Lethbridges, and that lawyer chap." "I told you there was danger in that quarter, Jeremiah." "And I told _you_ to mind your own business. Do you think this Phoebe affair is the only one I've got to look after? There are other schemes, mother, with heaps of money hanging to them, which will land me in a carriage as sure as guns. I'm going to take in the sharpers; I'm going to prove that I'm the sharpest fellow _they_ ever had to deal with; I'll have thousands out of them! They think they know a lot, but they don't know everything. Why, with my head for figures and calculations, I ought to be as rich as the Rothschilds! I'll tell you all about it by-and-by." "You are always keeping things from me, Jeremiah," said Mrs. Pamflett, in an injured tone. "Why not tell me now?" "Because I don't choose. Still tongue, wise head." "I might keep things from you, Jeremiah," said Mrs. Pamflett; and there was now a sly note in her voice which caused Jeremiah to bristle up.