"Wouldn't you really?" said the old man, with an aggravating sneer, as he threw himself back in his chair. "Ha-ha-ha! There, I'm better now. Look here, Master Geoffrey Trethick, I mean some day to buy Wheal Carnac for a building plot, and to turn the engine-house into a cottage, where I can live in peace, and not be aggravated to death by seeing that jade of a niece of mine running after every good-looking, or ill-looking, fellow she sees. I've got a bit of money, but before I'd put a penny in a mine, I'd cash the lot, and go and sit on a rock and make ducks-and-drakes with it at high water. As for you, my lad, I don't like you, for you're the most confoundedly impudent fellow I ever met; but I'll give you this bit of advice: if you can find any fools to venture their money in an adventure, fix your salary and have it paid. No percentage. There, now I'll give you one of my best cigars." He got up and unlocked a desk, out of whose drawer he took a couple, and relocked the holder, when, just as he was in the act of offering one to Geoffrey, the door opened, and Madge came in, looking flushed and pleased. "What the dev--" "It's a letter for Mr Trethick," cried the girl, hastily, "from Mr Penwynn, and it says `important.'" "Then you should have sent it in," cried the old man, shaking his fist at her. "Penwynn--to see me this morning--important business," read Geoffrey, flushing with pleasure. "Then," he said aloud, "the tide has turned." "Oh, Mr Trethick! I'm so glad," cried Madge; but her uncle made as if to throw something at her, and she ran out of the room, while Geoffrey hastily re-read the letter. "Do you see that?" cried the old gentleman. "You've been talking nonsense to her, and you promised not." "I? no! Hang the girl!" cried Geoffrey, joyously. "Uncle Paul, old man, the tree's going to bear fruit at last?" CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. THE VICAR IS SHOCKED. Geoffrey read it that he was to go up to. An Morlock, where he was informed that Mr Penwynn was engaged, but would be at liberty in a few minutes, and he was shown into the drawing-room, where he found the young vicar and Rhoda, who rose eagerly, but the next moment seemed rather constrained. "The vicar has been discoursing of spiritual love," said Geoffrey to himself, as he declined to notice, either Rhoda's constraint or the young clergyman's stiffness, but chatted away in his free-and-easy manner. "By the way, Miss Penwynn," he said, after a few moments' conversation, during which he felt that he was in the way, "I saw you were at church last Sunday." "I was very glad to see you there, Mr Trethick," interposed the vicar, hastily. "Thanks," said Geoffrey, bluffly. "I shall come--sometimes. Don't you set me down as a heathen. I went to the chapel in the evening." "Indeed!" said the vicar, gazing at him in a horrified way, his looks plainly saying--"You a University man, and go to that chapel!" "Yes," said Geoffrey, "and heard a capital sermon."