"That will do, and I warn you that if you get speculating in any way over the shares of this company, it will be on your own knowledge. Take my advice, Jessop: leave me and my affairs alone, and, above all, leave this place to-morrow. If you do not, I shall be compelled to tell Major Gurdon that he is harbouring a treacherous scoundrel beneath his roof." "Two can play at that game, Master Clive. What if I give the Major a few words of warning concerning his daughter?" "As many as you please, sir. He will choose between us," said Clive sternly. "Not gammoning the poor old man into taking shares, are you?" Clive, gave so sudden a look that his brother laughed. "All right! I thought as much, my lad. Then you won't shake hands?" Clive turned his back and walked into the cottage, gazing at Dinah with a newly awakened interest aroused by his brother's words. Yes, she was very beautiful--it was the sad, pensive beauty of one who had known trouble, and a curious sensation attacked Clive as he listened to the Major, and then felt angry and ready to oppose. For the Major said-- "Go and talk to our visitor, my dear. Show him the garden while Mr Clive Reed and I settle a little business." Dinah smiled and went out. The next minute she walked by the window with Jessop, making the blood flush up into Clive's face, as he now felt a shrinking regarding the taking of the money for the shares. It was all like a dream. The Major kept on talking, and Clive took the cheque given to him and placed it dreamily in his pocket, wondering the while whether his brother would try to depreciate the mine in his new friend's eyes. And all the time he was listening for voices in the garden, and suffering agony at his brother's presence near Dinah, till, making a savage effort over self, he forced himself to finish the business, and mastered the intense desire to go and watch the pair. "From what?" he asked himself. "Her father can protect her, and she is nothing to me." Then he was seated, as if in a continuance of his dream, at the pleasant evening meal, noting his brother's conversation as he tried to make himself agreeable, Dinah listening the while. But she met his eyes from time to time with a sweet, pleasant look of innocency; and it was only after making a fresh effort that he said good-night, and then suffered from a fresh pang. For the Major said he would walk half a mile with him, and did. "Dinah alone with my brother!" thought Clive, as he tried to grasp what the Major said, but did not comprehend a word. Then at parting-- "I have been very rude to your brother," said the Major. "Let me have my shares as soon as you can." "Yes; he shall have his shares, and they shall double his income," thought Clive. Walking as swiftly as he could, he soon reached the mine, and found Sturgess standing by the new cottage he occupied in his capacity of foreman and guardian of the place.