"That's enough, sir," said Crampton, climbing on to a high stool in front of a well-polished desk, "now for business. The _Saint Aubyn_ has taken in all her cargo, and will sail to-morrow. We ought soon to have news of the _Madelaine_. By the way, I hope Miss Madelaine's quite well, sir. Haven't seen her for a day and a half." "Quite well, Crampton." "That's right, sir," said the old man, smiling and rubbing his hands. "Bless her! I've only one thing against her. Why wasn't she a boy?" Van Heldre smiled at his old confidential man, who still rubbed his hands softly, and gazed over his silver-rimmed spectacles at a file of bills of lading hanging from the wall. "What a boy she would have made, and what a man I could have made of him! Van Heldre and Son once more, as it ought to be. I'd have made just such a man of business of him as I made of you. Going, sir?" "Yes, I'm going up to Tolzarn. By the way, send Mr Henry Vine up to me about twelve." "Yes," said Crampton, beginning to write away very busily. "I suppose he'll come?" "Of course, of course," said Van Heldre hastily, and leaving the office he went into the house just as Mrs Van Heldre had made her way into the hall to cover up her bullfinch's cage; and her hand was upon the bird organ when she heard her husband's step, when, colouring like a girl, she hurried up-stairs. Van Heldre crossed the hall and entered the morning-room, where Madelaine was busy with her needle. She looked at him in an inquiring way, to which he had become accustomed during the past month, and in accordance with an unwritten contract. "No, my dear, not come yet." Madelaine's countenance changed as she saw her father glance at his watch, and she involuntarily darted a quick look at the clock on the chimney-piece. "I'm going up to the works," continued Van Heldre. "Back before one. Morning." Madelaine resumed her work for a few minutes, and then rose to stand where, unseen, she could watch the road. She saw her father go by up the valley, but her attention was turned toward the sea, from which direction Harry Vine would have to come. She stood watching for nearly a quarter of an hour before she heard a familiar step, and then the young man passed smoking the end of a cigar, which he threw away before turning in at the way which led to Van Heldre's offices. Directly after, as Madelaine sat looking very thoughtful over her work, there was the quick patter of Mrs Van Heldre's feet. "Madelaine, my dear," she said as she entered; "I thought you said that Mr Pradelle had gone away a fortnight ago." "I did, mamma." "Well, then, he has come back again." "Back again?" said Madelaine, letting her work fall in her lap. "Yes, I was at the up-stairs window just now, and I saw him pass as I was looking out for Harry Vine. He's very late this morning, and it does make papa so vexed."