Drayton owned that it might be advisable to hurry, and they set off for the business quarter of the city.
During the remainder of the day Vane was busy on board the sloop, but in the evening he walked over to Horsfield's house with Mrs. Nairn and found Jessy and her brother at home. Horsfield presently took Vane to his smoking-room.
"About that smelter," he began. "Haven't you made up your mind yet? The thing's been hanging fire a long while."
"Isn't it a matter for the board?" Vane asked suggestively. "There are several directors."
Horsfield laughed.
"We'll face the fact: they'll do what you decide on."
Vane did not reply to this.
"Well," he said, "at present we couldn't keep a smelter big enough to be economical going, and I'm doubtful whether we would get much ore from the other properties you were talking about to Nairn."
"Did he say it was my idea?"
"He didn't; I'd reasons for assuming it. Those properties, however, are of no account."