"Thank you, Trethick," said Mr Penwynn, the next morning, and he looked
very calm and stern as he spoke, "I expected this, for my daughter told
me all last night. I might have known this would happen, though I
confess to having been very blind. Now go on, what have you further to
say? But, first of all, you are a man of sense and some experience in
the world. You do not, you cannot, expect me to sanction your
addresses?"
"No, sir, not now. I only ask you to put no pressure upon either of us,
but to let us be free."
"In other words, give you the run of my house, and ample time for
follies. You don't want to come and live upon me?"
"No, sir," said Geoffrey, sternly. "I am somewhat of a man of the
world. I tell you that my declaration to Miss Penwynn took me by
surprise; but there are times when we cannot command ourselves. All I
ask now is your indulgence towards me, knowing what I do, and time. I
shall come very rarely to your house, and our business relations I hope
will continue the same. I mean to succeed, sir," he cried, striding up
and down the banker's room--"here if you will let me stay, elsewhere if
you say to me go."
"If I say to you go?" said the banker, thoughtfully.
"Yes, I give you my word of honour, Mr Penwynn, that I will not attempt
to see Miss Penwynn again, and I will leave every thing at the mine so
that my successor can carry on without a hitch."
"And if I say stay," said the banker, coldly, "what then?"
"I am your manager, Mr Penwynn, and I shall remember that I am your
servant until you bid me come to your house as a friend. You may trust
me, sir," he said, gazing frankly in the banker's eyes. "I had ambition
to spur me on before; I have a far greater incentive now."