"You see it's like this," said Pradelle; "I know I'm not much of a catch, but I like her, and that ought to make up for a great deal." "Yes." "She don't know her own mind, that's about it," continued Pradelle; "and a word from you might do a deal." "Got any money, Vic?" "Now there's a mean sort of a question to ask a friend! Have I got any money? As if a man must be made of money before he may look at his old chum's sister." "I wasn't thinking about her, but of something else," said Harry hastily. "Ah, well, I wasn't; but look there!" "What at?" said Harry, whose eyes were shut, and his thoughts far away. "Them. They're going for a walk. Why. Hal, old chap, they saw us come down here." Harry started into wakefulness, and realised the fact that his sister and Madelaine Van Heldre were passing before them, but down by the water's edge. "Let's follow them," said Pradelle eagerly. "Wait a moment." Harry waited to think, and scraps of his aunt's remarks floated through his brain respecting the fair daughters of France, who would fall at the feet of the young count. Harry cogitated. The daughters of France were no doubt very lovely, but they were imaginative: and though Madelaine Van Heldre might, as his aunt said, not be of the pure Huguenot blood, still that fact did not seem to matter to him. For that was not imagination before him, but the bright, natural, clever girl whom he had known from childhood, his old playfellow, who had always seemed to supply a something wanting in his mental organisation, the girl who had led him and influenced his career. "Bother Aunt Marguerite!" he said to himself, and then aloud, "Come along!" Volume 1, Chapter VI. HARRY VINE SPEAKS PLAINLY; SO DOES HIS FRIEND. Louise and Madelaine went on down by the water's edge, in profound ignorance of the fact that they were followed at a distance of about a couple of hundred yards. The two friends female were then in profound ignorance of the fact that they were watched, so were the two friends male. For some time past the owner of the mine high up on the cliff had been a thoroughly energetic man of business, but after the first introduction to the Vine family his business energy seemed to receive an impetus. He was working for her, everything might be for her. Then came Pradelle upon the scene, and the young Scot was not long in seeing that the brother's London friend was also impressed, and that his advances found favour with Harry. Whether they did with the sister he could not tell. The consequence was that there was a good deal of indecision on Duncan Leslie's part, some neglect of his busy mine, and a good deal of use of a double glass, which was supposed to be kept in a room, half office, half study and laboratory, for the purpose of scanning the shipping coming into port.