"Because I'm so fond of preaching. Somehow it always sets me going if I come across a man with about two notions only in his head, which he jumps to the conclusion will do admirably for the north and south poles of the world, and that he has nothing else to do but set the world turning upon them; and gets cross if some one tells him the world is really turning the other way. But I'm preaching again. There, I frightened the parson away, and if I don't change my tone, or Mr Penwynn does not soon send for me, I shall scare you as well." "I am not so easily alarmed," said Rhoda, laughing; "but I hope you are meeting with success in your efforts, Mr Trethick?" "Success, my dear madam?" replied Geoffrey, laughing outright. "Why, I have been hammering away ever since I came down, months now, and have not succeeded in any thing but in making the people harder against me." "I am sorry to hear that." "Thank you. Sympathy's nice," said Geoffrey. "But I'm not beaten yet, Miss Penwynn, and now I think the sun is going to shine, for Mr Penwynn has sent me a line asking me to come and see him; and I have a shrewd suspicion that it means business." "Mr Penwynn will see you, sir, in the study," said a servant, opening the door; and, after a frank good-by, Geoffrey swung out of the room, Rhoda's eyes following him till the door closed. But she did not sigh, she did not go to the glass and look conscious, she did not begin to commune with her spirit, she only said, quietly,-- "There is a something about him that I like!" CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. A BUSINESS INTERVIEW. "Ah, Mr Trethick!" said the banker, quietly, as Geoffrey was ushered into his handsome study, crammed with books that he seldom read, "I hope I have not brought you up from any important engagement." "Well, yes, I was going to be very busy," said Geoffrey, "I had an appointment on the cliff." "I am very sorry," said the banker, "I thought--" "That I had nothing to do, and would come down directly. You were quite right, sir, and here I am." "But your engagement?" "Was with myself--to go and loaf about and stare down deserted mine shafts, and growl at the obstinacy of proprietors who refuse to be made rich." Mr Penwynn had begun to look disappointed; he now brightened a little. "You are quite at liberty then, Mr Trethick?" "Quite, sir." "And willing to earn a few guineas?" "Most willing, sir. When shall I begin? I'm growing rusty from disuse." Mr Penwynn sat thinking for a few moments, gazing at Geoffrey, and then he began,-- "Rundell and Sharp spoke most highly of you, Mr Trethick." "I thank them for their good opinion, sir." "They said that you were a man most thoroughly to be trusted, and that you were conscientious to a degree." "Indeed, sir," said Geoffrey, sharply. "When did they say that?" Mr Penwynn was a little taken aback, but he recovered himself, and said with a smile,-- "In a letter that I have received from them."