"It seems a great folly," he thought. "He is a stranger, an adventurer, and yet his first venture brings me wealth. There," he said to himself, at last, "I'm rich enough, and I'm getting old very fast; let me see her happy if I can." There was something so frank and friendly in his way of speaking to Geoffrey afterwards that, without a word, Rhoda came to him, laid her hands upon his shoulders and her cheek upon his breast. She let it lie there for a minute or two, and then, with a glance at him full of affection, she left his side, and, half-timidly, in a way so very different to her usual self, she crossed to Geoffrey and placed her hands in his. "This is going on fast, Trethick," said Mr Penwynn, smiling, and looking half-perplexed; "but we have only a hint of success yet. I am a man of the world, recollect, and I want to see a big banking balance to the credit of the mine." "Never fear, sir, that shall follow. Only give me time." "Well, Trethick," said Mr Penwynn, after a struggle with self, in which, after sordidness and avarice had nearly won the victory, a look from Rhoda's transformed, happy face turned the scale, "what am I to say to you about a share in the prosperity?" "Let's get the big balance in the bank first, sir," said Geoffrey, laughing. "We will not divide a castle in the air." "But it would be more business-like and careful if you made your bargain now." "So I should have thought a month ago, Mr Penwynn," said Geoffrey, holding out his hand. "Our interests ran together then. Now--I think-- I hope--they are one, and I cannot strike bargains with the father of the woman!--" He stopped and looked at Rhoda, who slowly raised her eyes to his, and then her hands, which he took softly, reverently, and kissed. Then he turned to Mr Penwynn and finished his sentence--"most dearly love." The banker watched them very thoughtfully, for it seemed hardly real to him. In fact, at times he asked himself if it were not a dream. He was roused from recollections of his own career, some five-and-twenty years before, by Geoffrey turning to him abruptly. "Mr Penwynn," he said, "I leave myself in your hands. I am working in our mutual interests." "And suppose I play false?" said Mr Penwynn. "You can't, sir," cried Geoffrey, "with Rhoda here. If you treated me hard, you would be behaving ill to your daughter, and that you will not do. Now, good-morning. When will you come down and see the lode?" "I'm not fond of going down mines," said Mr Penwynn. "But in this case you will, I think," said Geoffrey.--"I'll answer for your safety. Miss Penwynn--Rhoda?" "Yes," she cried, answering his unspoken question, "I will come down too. I shall not be afraid, and I want to christen the Rhoda vein." "To be sure," cried Geoffrey, "the vein that is to bring us all wealth and happiness."