Ah, Nest, what have you not made me do? It is past my time now.'

'But will he not know you?
1?'

'If you did not, who saw me but a few years ago, how is it possible he should, who can recollect me only as a boy of twelve? Besides, the fact that I come to him in the ordinary routine of business suffices to turn his thoughts in quite other directions.'

David, if he should discover you-and be angry-or violent you will not forget that-he-is

-Is my father. Nest, be sure of that.'

Late as David was, it was later still before they parted, and only after David had won from her the acknowledgment-faltering but sweet-that it was not their mothers only who had speculated on the theme that lay so near to both hearts.

CHAPTER XXXV.

FATHER AND SON.

DAVID could not but wish he might postpone till to-morrow his meeting with his father, since he was already so late. His converse with Nest had for the moment unfitted him for any other occupation than that of revelling in the recollection of every word she had uttered, every glance she had given him, and in framing out of them, and out of the picture of her form and features, an ideal being that became only too lovely, too spiritual for human life and needs.

But he had fixed a time to meet Israel; and it would obviously be unwise to allow his father to connect his first business visit to him with the idea of unpunctuality, and with the annoyance he might thus feel.

Just as he reached the house a boy met him, who asked if he was the gentleman from London expected by Mr. Mort.

'Yes,' was the reply.

'Oh, if you please, he's at the mine, and said you'd perhaps kindly go there to him.'

David was not sorry to be spared just yet the sight of the rooms where his mother had lived and died. He quickened his steps, and, accompanied by the boy, soon reached the little counting-house attached to the surface works; where, on the threshold stood a man, his face glowing in the light of the afternoon sun, from which, however, he did not seem to care to shade his eyes.

Israel advanced a step or two to meet the stranger, and said enquiringly—

'Mr. Knight?'

'Yes.'

They shook hands, David nervously wondering if his father would notice the trembling of his fingers; and entered the little office, where, after David had taken a seat on the only chair, and apologised for being so late, Israel set him thoroughly at his ease by begging him to let him finish a letter for the post, when he would be quite at his service.

David took care to sit with his back to the light, so that his father should not see clearly the play of his countenance; and, in consequence of this, he was able to see his father in just the opposite position, with the light full upon him.

What a powerful head and face it was, thought David, as he studied it; and what a manly form! It was more erect than he previously remembered it; more obviously accustomed to walk on-rather than, as of old, to burrow through the earth-it no longer seemed to glide sinuously, but rather to dominate-tower solidly, as self-respecting, and accustomed to the respect of others.

Strength of all kinds seemed to have combined in his father. David forgot, for the moment, in his instinctive admiration, Israel Mort's want of imagination-the very quality for lack of which David had so cruelly suffered in boyhood.

Israel was dressed better than David had ever before

seen him, but not as if he cared any more about such trifles than in old times.

In one thing he was greatly changed, David fancied. The hardness of the face might remain for others, but for him it had died out. Every line was softened, while the features as a whole had become so expressive that it was difficult to recall their old stony or metallic blank.

Yes, Israel looked softened and weary, David thought; and his heart warmed more and more towards his father as this conviction became strong.

'And now, sir, to business,' said Israel, as he sent away a letter by the boy. Of course you'll stay with me? Shall I send for your things to my house?'

'Well, no, thank you, for I have already settled as to my lodging. I was so charmed as I came along with a cottage I saw

'Rees Thomas's?' asked Israel, quickly.

'Yes, that was the name.'

You couldn't have done better,' responded Israel. They are people much esteemed. He is my Deputy.' Indeed,' said David, as if quite a stranger to the man spoken of. Then he added—

6

'My principals have already, I believe, informed you by letter that they have accepted the proposal made by your present agents to transfer your legal business to them ?'

'What was their motive in throwing me over?' demanded Israel; and it was wonderful how David felt all the old harshness of tone thrill through him.

'Well, they were alarmed about the litigation, and its being so apparently endless; and they were much annoyed about what the judge said when the last action was decided, that it was a case that ought never to have been brought into court, and that hundreds of pounds had been spent over a contest about a bit of wild land that was not in itself worth twenty shillings.'

6

That's true as regards my enemy, false as regards me; for that bit of land includes a slice of the mine, and must be maintained at all hazards.'

'Well, Mr. Mort, such were the reasons why your late advisers in London wished to resign the agency.'

'And not fear of the money advances I required for the improvement and development of the mine?' asked Israel, with obvious anxiety.

6

"Certainly not, sir,' said David. They told us they were quite prepared to meet your views that way, if you would meet theirs, by consenting to let them come to a final compromise with Mr. Griffith Williams.'

'Which I said plainly I would not,' said Israel, with increasing anger and irritation.

Precisely, sir; and therefore we took the matter up, and shall try to please you better.'

Israel looked for the moment as if this accommodating spirit came too abruptly for him to have faith in it. He gazed scrutinisingly in the young man's face, which, screened by the partial shade, bore the examination tolerably well, and gradually recovered his genial equanimity.

'We will talk the law quarrel over another time.' And then he added, 'Perhaps, Mr. Knight, like other men I have known, I may prove less obstinate when I am sure of having my own way.'

Just what I said, sir,' cried David with sudden. animation.

'Indeed! You have, then, been speculating about me, eh?' The words, and the penetrating look that accompanied them, confused the young man for the moment, who, however, managed to reply

"In business, you know, sir, one must try to understand the characters of people we may have to deal with in important matters."

6

True; and the remark shows you have got an old head on your young shoulders. How old may you be now?' Not yet thirty,' said David, trusting to his beard to conceal the difference between that which his words suggested and the truth.

Israel's look rested on his son's face for some moments, and when it was removed a half audible sigh escaped the strong man, the source of which David could not but venture to think and hope was himself.

'Your first business will be to examine the mine, I suppose?' remarked Israel.

Yes; and my second to make my report to my employers.'

Will you require assistance? Would you require me, or my Overman, or Deputy, to accompany you?'

"I am bound to say no. Mine must be an independent report.'

'Of course, of course,' said Israel, while looking, David fancied, rather blank.

David could not but notice the look, and strove to reassure his father, by saying these arrangements would be reported in London, and must tend to strengthen the case should circumstances warrant a favourable view.

'Have you had much experience in mining? You won't be offended, I hope, but I confess my surprise to find one so young sent on such a mission.'

'Early in life,' said David, steadying his voice as well as he could, I hated mines and everything about them, and left my home and friends, rather than be trained up to deal with them."

'Where did you go from?' interposed Israel, abruptly, and with his eye fixed, as David felt, on his face.

There was no help for it. He must play the Jesuit, and lie in what he meant to be a good cause.

'From Tynemouth,' he said, shocked as he heard his own words.

'Oh !' said Israel, his tone palpably relapsing into the state of comparative indifference out of which he had been suddenly roused.

David then went on--

'And I was a good deal knocked about the world in consequence, and more than once felt inclined to give up the ghost. But a little incident made a friend for me,

and

What might that have been?' again interrupted Israel.

'I was errand-boy to my first employers, and one day a sum of money was missing, and I was charged with the