“No. I have been expecting him all the morning, Mr Lee. May I ask why?”
The vicar hesitated, and the colour came into his pale cheeks.
“I want to see him particularly, Mr Penwynn.”
“May I ask why?”
“I think you know why, Mr Penwynn. There’s a terrible report about the mine. Is it true?”
“Too true,” said the banker, coldly. “And you have come to try and rise upon his fall,” he added to himself.
“Poor Trethick!” exclaimed the vicar; “and he was so elate and proud of his success. He is a brave fellow, Mr Penwynn.”
“Indeed,” said the banker, sarcastically. “Come, Mr Lee, suppose you are frank with me. What of that other report?”
“It is a scandal—a cruel invention,” exclaimed the vicar. “I cannot, I will not believe it. For heaven’s sake keep it from Miss Penwynn’s ears.”
The banker turned upon him sharply.