"You knew she was coming," cried Geoffrey, in a low voice. "Not I, boy. I knew that, like the good angel she is, she comes to see poor Madge; and if you won't have her, I think I shall propose for her myself." As he spoke the old man got up and went to meet the visitor, taking her hand, drawing it through his arm, and leading her into the summer-house, where she stood, pale as ashes, on seeing it occupied by Geoffrey Trethick. "This is no doing of mine, Miss Penwynn," said Geoffrey, sternly, making a movement towards the door. "Stop a minute, Trethick," said the old man. "I must go in first and find whether Madge can see Miss Penwynn." They heard his step upon the gravel, and the stones flying; as he stamped down his cane, and then they stood in silence looking in each other's eyes. Geoffrey was the first to speak, and it was in a bitter, angry voice that he exclaimed,-- "I never thought to have stood face to face with you again; but as we have met, Rhoda Penwynn, ask my pardon." Rhoda's eyes flashed angrily, but the look was subdued on the instant by one that was full of emotion, and, with half-closed eyes, she joined her hands together, and was about to sink upon her knees, but Geoffrey caught her arms and stopped her. "No," he said, sharply; "I do not ask you to degrade yourself. Ask my pardon." "Forgive me, Geoffrey; my love for you had made me mad." Anger, bitterness, determination, promises never to speak, all were gone like a flash of light as Geoffrey Trethick heard those words; and Rhoda Penwynn was clasped tightly to his breast. The next moment--minute--hour--it might have been either for aught the occupants of the little look-out knew--they became aware of the presence of Mr Paul, who stood in the open doorway, leaning upon his cane. "Well, Trethick," he said, mockingly, "when are you going away?" "Heaven knows," cried Geoffrey. "When I have turned Cornwall upside down, I think." "Hah!" ejaculated the old man, quietly, as he looked from one to the other. "It's a wonderful thing this love. It's all right, then, now?" As he spoke he took Rhoda's hand, and patted it. "I'm very glad, my dear," he said, tenderly, "very glad, for he's a good, true fellow, though he has got a devil of a temper of his own. Now go in and see poor Madge, and I wish you could put some of the happiness I can read in those eyes into her poor dark breast." He kissed her hand as he led her to the house with all the courtly delicacy of a gentleman of the old school; while, unable to believe in the change, Geoffrey walked up and down the little summer-house like a wild beast in a cage: He was interrupted by the return of Uncle Paul, who took his seat and looked at the young man in a half-smiling, half-contemptuous fashion. "Laugh away," cried Geoffrey. "I don't mind it a bit." "I'm not laughing at you, boy. But there, light your cigar again, or take a fresh one. I want to talk to you."