"Jere--!" But a warning look from her son prevented her from getting farther with his name. Then she wrung her hands, and cried, "Oh! what are you doing--what are you doing?" From fever-heat he went down to zero. "What do you think I am doing?" "I don't know what to think, Jeremiah. You frighten me!" He did not speak for a moment or two, and in her agony of impatience she cried, "Why don't you answer me?" "I am puzzling my head to find out," he said, frigidly, "why I have frightened you." He suddenly changed his tone, and spoke with warmth. "Just you mind what I say, mother. What I choose to tell you, I'll tell you; what I choose to keep to myself, I'll keep to myself. I'm on the road to a great fortune--a glorious fortune; and I'm not going to miss it. I've made a discovery, and if I'm idiot enough to blurt it out, everything will be spoiled. Besides, you wouldn't understand it. Can't you be satisfied? I'm working for you as well as for myself. Do you want to go on slaving here all your life, instead of being mistress of a fine house of your own, with servants and horses and carriages, and the best people in the country bowing down to you? Take your choice. But mind, if anything's got to be done to bring this all about--I don't care whether it is you or I who's got to do it--done it must be. If I'm lucky, you shall share my luck. If I'm unlucky--Well, now, what have you got to say to that?" "Jeremiah," she answered, and he did not reprove her, because he was too intent upon her response, "there's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for you." "Nothing?" "Nothing. What should I be but for you? What would the world be to me but for you? If you were in danger, and I could save you by--" He put his fingers upon her lips, and looked fearsomely around. "That will do," he said. Then he kissed her, and she threw her arms passionately around his neck, and pressed him close to her breast. Half an hour afterward she went up to Miser Farebrother's room. "Are you any better? Do you feel any stronger?" "No. Why do you ask? Why do you intrude when you're not wanted?" "Your daughter has come home." "What of that?" "Her aunt is with her." "Send her away. I will not see her. Tell her I am too ill to see anybody." "Mr. Cornwall is with her." His fretfulness vanished; he became calm and cool and collected. "Mr. Cornwall the lawyer?" "Yes." "Has he asked to see me?" "He has come for that purpose." "And Phoebe's aunt too?" "Yes." "Did you tell them I am ill?" "Yes." "And they insist upon seeing me?" "Yes." It was not the truth, but she did not hesitate. She had said nothing to Mrs. Lethbridge and Fred Cornwall about Miser Farebrother's illness. He considered awhile before he spoke again. "Your son knew that my daughter was coming home to-day?" "Yes, he did; and he is here to see her, as you wished. He obeys your lightest word." "Send him to me; and five minutes afterward show my daughter and her fine friends into the room."