The old man felt sore about it at the time, but on seeing what a lucrative position his son-in-law elect had taken in the mine, he soon got over his soreness, and was one of the first to congratulate Geoffrey upon his success, reaping, too, something for himself, while, by a private arrangement, Geoffrey was able to place Dr Rumsey's shares in a very different position, making that worthy, as he whipped the little streams, exclaim,-- "And only to think of it! I might have almost given those shares away." Mrs Mullion and her daughter left Carnac, but not to go far--the old man objected, for he did not care for long journeys to visit them, and he did not seem happy unless he had paid a visit once a month, showing as he did a very genuine attachment to his niece. The last chronicle to be recorded of the little Cornish town is that upon a certain morning Miss Pavey came blushing and simpering to Rhoda, while her father was down at his office, where, to Mr Chynoweth's great delight, there were business-matters to record once more upon the slate, and something of the old good times were beginning to return. Miss Pavey kissed Rhoda affectionately, congratulated her upon the near approach of her marriage, and ended by simpering a good deal, and saying that she had a boon that she wanted her to grant. "Do you mean a favour?" said Rhoda, smiling. "Yes, dearest Rhoda; but you are so dreadfully matter-of-fact," simpered Miss Pavey; and then she laughed, and covered her face with her hands. "I think I can tell you what you want to ask," said Rhoda, smiling. "Oh, no, no, no! Don't say it. It seems so shocking," cried Miss Pavey from behind her hands. "You want to be my bridesmaid," said Rhoda, "and I'm sure you shall, if it will make you happy." "Oh, no," said Miss Pavey blankly, as she dropped her hands into her lap. "It wasn't that, dear." "What was it, then?" said Rhoda wonderingly. "I thought--I hoped--I fancied," faltered Miss Pavey, "that you would not mind my--oh dear! I can hardly tell you." The hands went up over her face again. "Why surely, Martha, you are not going to be married?" said Rhoda. "Yes, dear. Isn't it shocking?" exclaimed Miss Pavey, more volubly now the murder was out. "I used to think that Mr Lee would have proposed to me, for no one knows what I have done for that man; and you know, dear, how much interest I have taken in the parish for his sake." "Yes, you have taken a great deal of interest in the parish, I know," replied Rhoda. "But I have long come to the conclusion, dear, that he is a man who will never marry. Oh dear no! I can read it in his countenance. Seriously though, to deal with the matter plainly, I do not think he would have done wrong; but, as I have said, dear, he is not a marrying man." "But you have not told me the name of the gentleman to whom you are going to be married."