"Well, that must be very moderate," said Tregenna, "as far as I understand such things. But business is business," he continued, laughing. "I am growing very sordid. Look here, Mr Penwynn, I know Cropper and Grey, the trustees, of course. If you decide to purchase that machinery, which certainly, on the face of it, seems a wise stroke, especially as you want it, and it would always be worth its money, I'll undertake to get it for you two hundred and fifty pounds below the sum named on condition of received a cheque for fifty pounds commission." "Certainly. Agreed," said Mr Penwynn; "but I have not yet made up my mind." "Oh, of course not!" said Tregenna, making a note in his book. "Advising you on the purchase of machinery. Long consultation--thirteen and four," said Geoffrey, dryly. "Oh, no, Mr Trethick," said Tregenna, closing the book with a snap, "I shall be satisfied with my fifty pounds cheque." "When you get it, Tregenna," said Mr Penwynn, laughing. "When I get it--cashed," replied Tregenna. "By the way, Tregenna, would you mind coming into the study a minute or two? There's one little point I should like to discuss with you," said Mr Penwynn, rising. "Rhoda, my dear, Mr Trethick would, perhaps, like a little music." "I think I'll be going," said Geoffrey, rising. "No, no, don't go yet," said the banker. "I'm going your way presently," said Tregenna; and Geoffrey sat down again as the banker and the solicitor left the room. "I hope you are beginning to like Carnac better, Mr Trethick," said Rhoda quietly. "I always did like it," said Geoffrey. "It is one long study of character; and, now that I have something to do, I quite love the place." "It is very beautiful and wild," replied Rhoda, thoughtfully. "By the way, Mr Trethick, do you think there is a good prospect of this mining affair succeeding?" "It is impossible to say," replied Geoffrey, looking full in the large, earnest eyes before him. "Every step for some time to come must be tentative. I really think, though, that there is a good hope of success." "Hope? Mr Trethick." "Well, I might say certainty of clearing expenses--hope of making a large profit." "Papa has always said that he would never enter into a mining speculation, and now he seems to have been drawn into this. I should not like it to cause him trouble." "Honestly, I do not believe it will, Miss Penwynn," replied Geoffrey. "It shall go very bad with me if it does." "I trust that you will do your best for him, Mr Trethick," said Rhoda, earnestly. "You may take it for granted, Miss Penwynn," said Geoffrey, "that if only out of selfish considerations I shall leave no stone unturned--that is likely to contain tin," he added, laughingly. "No, my dear young lady, I have had to wait too long for this opportunity to be careless. I shall, and I will, make Wheal Carnac pay." He got up as he spoke, and Rhoda watched him as he walked up and down the room.