'There, there, I do not want to anger you,' said Trecarrel. 'I have a proposal to make to you, father-in-law in nubibus! Let me go with you into the mine. You shall indicate to me the auriferous vein, and I will pick out pieces and submit them to you. Those about which you are doubtful shall be cast aside; those you approve I will retain. I will pound them myself, and wash them myself.'
'Where—in our works?'
'By no means. Anywhere that suits my convenience and pleasure. At John Herring's lead mine, if I choose. Then, if I find gold, you shall have my name on your list of directors, and I will go heartily with you in the concern.'
'I do not care to have you as a director.'
'That is not true. You have several times urged me to be one. You want some respectable names on your list, which is sadly deficient in them. Will you oblige me with some particulars about Arundell Golitho, Esq. of Trevorgan? By some strange omission he has not been made a Justice of the Peace and a Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Cornwall.'
'I will answer no questions. You want to force a quarrel on me.'
'On the contrary, I want to dispel my doubts. I am, what I think you call in your chapel, an earnest inquirer. I can tell you one thing for certain, father-in-law that may, might, would, could, and should be, I am not going to be married to your Orange without the fulfilment of one of two conditions.'
'What are they?' asked Tramplara, sulkily.
'One is, that I may make the proposed investigation into the qualities of Ophir.'
'I refuse it,' said Trampleasure, hastily.