Virgie looked up quickly at this, a lovely flush rising to her cheek. If only he would become its purchaser.
The eyes of the two young people met, and held each other in a glance that sent the blood coursing more rapidly than usual through their veins.
Mr. Abbot's face, brightened.
"Then you still think that you know some one who will purchase it?" he said, eagerly.
"Yes, sir—if—if it proves all that you have described it, I think I may like to buy it myself," Mr. Heath answered quietly, but with rising color.
"You! you don't look like a person who would care to take to mining for a living," returned his host, in a surprised tone.
"I might say the same of you, sir," said the young man, smiling.
Mr. Abbot flushed, and for a moment appeared considerably agitated and unable to speak.
Then he said, with something of hauteur in his manner:
"Sometimes a person is compelled by circumstances, over which he has no control, to adopt a pursuit, which under other conditions he would shun as both unfitting and obnoxious."