CHAPTER XVIII.
BY MOONLIGHT.
Richard sat over the fire, revolving his late conversation with Trevethick in his mind, and picturing to himself what would probably come of it.

Although the declaration of his love for Harry had been thus suddenly made, it had not been made unadvisedly.

Though he had not expected the opportunity for stating it would have offered itself so soon, he had planned his whole argument out beforehand, with Wheal Danes for its pivot.

And, upon the whole, he felt satisfied with its effect upon his host.

The latter had not surprised him (except by his frankness) in his disclosure respecting the rich promise of the mine.
Richard's own observation, aided by the clew which Parson Whymper's few chance sentences had given him, had convinced him that Wheal Danes was a most coveted object in the landlord's eyes; and had it happened to have fallen into his own hands, he did really suspect enough to have had it searched for ore from top to bottom.