“I always did like it,” said Geoffrey. “It is one long study of character; and, now that I have something to do, I quite love the place.”
“It is very beautiful and wild,” replied Rhoda, thoughtfully. “By the way, Mr Trethick, do you think there is a good prospect of this mining affair succeeding?”
“It is impossible to say,” replied Geoffrey, looking full in the large, earnest eyes before him. “Every step for some time to come must be tentative. I really think, though, that there is a good hope of success.”
“Hope? Mr Trethick.”
“Well, I might say certainty of clearing expenses—hope of making a large profit.”
“Papa has always said that he would never enter into a mining speculation, and now he seems to have been drawn into this. I should not like it to cause him trouble.”
“Honestly, I do not believe it will, Miss Penwynn,” replied Geoffrey. “It shall go very bad with me if it does.”
“I trust that you will do your best for him, Mr Trethick,” said Rhoda, earnestly.
“You may take it for granted, Miss Penwynn,” said Geoffrey, “that if only out of selfish considerations I shall leave no stone unturned—that is likely to contain tin,” he added, laughingly. “No, my dear young lady, I have had to wait too long for this opportunity to be careless. I shall, and I will, make Wheal Carnac pay.”
He got up as he spoke, and Rhoda watched him as he walked up and down the room.