district have closed this month. Others will follow . . . You 'we closed Wheal Spinster. But I have other sources of income.'
'I would like to hear them.'
'I don't think this a suitable matter to disclose in open court, if you follow me.'
'Illegal, you mean. I urge you to take care.'
'I did not say they were illegal, Father. But sometimes I indulge in a little gamble, with satisfactory results.'
'Have a care that you do not get involved with John Permewan. Or with the United Copper & Zinc Company. Or Wheal Seton. Their investors are upcountry people who know nothing of mining and less of finance.'
'Of course not,' said Valentine, who in fact was already doing business with two of the names mentioned. 'But in my view few ventures that make money are made without an element of risk.' Then, feeling the words hanging in the air, he added: 'The smaller the risk naturally the better.'
George grunted. 'If you are bent on having some interest in mining, avoid tin. Copper's doing well. If you meddle in tin you'll get into a mess like the Gundry family have at Wheal Vor. Bankrupt after three years!'
Valentine said: 'I have a notion that was mismanagement, Father. From reports, there is nothing amiss with the mine.'
George looked up. 'You are well informed.'
'I do my best. But of course you know so very much more. I doubt if there is anyone who knows more about the mercantile prospects of Cornwall.'
Silence fell. George said: 'How d'you get on with your neighbours?'
'Which neighbours?'
'The Poldarks, of course.'
Valentine stretched his legs. 'I see very little of 'em. Geoffrey Charles is up and down to London. It is said he is reading law. His little Spanish wife keeps much to herself. I don't think she feels quite safe among the Cornish folk when Geoffrey Charles is away.'
'I was referring to the Ross Poldarks.'
'You said neighbours, Father. It is at least five miles between us. I see nothing of them. The loss of Jeremy has hit them hard. I prefer more cheerful company.'
'Are you to have a big christening?'
'I told you. Very quiet. Just a few of the household. Would you care to come?'
'No, thank you.'
Valentine let out a slow breath, which George did not notice.
'Well, I must not take up more of your time. May we call your first grandson George?'
'I cannot stop you.'
'You can deter me.'
George hesitated. 'Give it him as his second name if you wish.'
'I could give him a second name so that if he chooses when he grows up he may use it instead. I do not see why he should wish to do that, though. George Warleggan is a name to conjure with.'
George picked up his pen and looked at the quill. Some fool had not sharpened it this morning.
'I have three daughters. All their dowries must be secured. I have no money to leave to a grandson.'
Valentine got up. 'I should prefer my son to make his own way.'
'By marrying money,' said George, with a slight sneer.
'Just so, Father. We all have different ways.'
'Then call him George,' said George, 'if it pleases you.'
And be damned, he added, but under his breath.
Chapter Five
It was more than three years since Demelza had been in London, and she had rather hoped she would never see it again. She liked the great city, but twice had been terribly unhappy in it. On her very first visit there had been the enmity and then the duel between Ross and Monk Adder ley. Never a more anxious time in her life. Then on her last visit she had had to leave Ross in France, where he was being illegally held as a prisoner-of-war, and no knowing how long before they saw each other again - if ever. Before he came back he had had to send her the news of Jeremy. This time she had Caroline and Bella for company on the tedious coach trip, and this time, which was to be a short stay, they would stop with Mrs Pelham, Caroline's aunt, who insisted they should do this. The little house where Dr Fredericks lived was just off Chancery Lane, three-storeyed, and leaning to one side as if receiving support
'I would like to hear them.'
'I don't think this a suitable matter to disclose in open court, if you follow me.'
'Illegal, you mean. I urge you to take care.'
'I did not say they were illegal, Father. But sometimes I indulge in a little gamble, with satisfactory results.'
'Have a care that you do not get involved with John Permewan. Or with the United Copper & Zinc Company. Or Wheal Seton. Their investors are upcountry people who know nothing of mining and less of finance.'
'Of course not,' said Valentine, who in fact was already doing business with two of the names mentioned. 'But in my view few ventures that make money are made without an element of risk.' Then, feeling the words hanging in the air, he added: 'The smaller the risk naturally the better.'
George grunted. 'If you are bent on having some interest in mining, avoid tin. Copper's doing well. If you meddle in tin you'll get into a mess like the Gundry family have at Wheal Vor. Bankrupt after three years!'
Valentine said: 'I have a notion that was mismanagement, Father. From reports, there is nothing amiss with the mine.'
George looked up. 'You are well informed.'
'I do my best. But of course you know so very much more. I doubt if there is anyone who knows more about the mercantile prospects of Cornwall.'
Silence fell. George said: 'How d'you get on with your neighbours?'
'Which neighbours?'
'The Poldarks, of course.'
Valentine stretched his legs. 'I see very little of 'em. Geoffrey Charles is up and down to London. It is said he is reading law. His little Spanish wife keeps much to herself. I don't think she feels quite safe among the Cornish folk when Geoffrey Charles is away.'
'I was referring to the Ross Poldarks.'
'You said neighbours, Father. It is at least five miles between us. I see nothing of them. The loss of Jeremy has hit them hard. I prefer more cheerful company.'
'Are you to have a big christening?'
'I told you. Very quiet. Just a few of the household. Would you care to come?'
'No, thank you.'
Valentine let out a slow breath, which George did not notice.
'Well, I must not take up more of your time. May we call your first grandson George?'
'I cannot stop you.'
'You can deter me.'
George hesitated. 'Give it him as his second name if you wish.'
'I could give him a second name so that if he chooses when he grows up he may use it instead. I do not see why he should wish to do that, though. George Warleggan is a name to conjure with.'
George picked up his pen and looked at the quill. Some fool had not sharpened it this morning.
'I have three daughters. All their dowries must be secured. I have no money to leave to a grandson.'
Valentine got up. 'I should prefer my son to make his own way.'
'By marrying money,' said George, with a slight sneer.
'Just so, Father. We all have different ways.'
'Then call him George,' said George, 'if it pleases you.'
And be damned, he added, but under his breath.
Chapter Five
It was more than three years since Demelza had been in London, and she had rather hoped she would never see it again. She liked the great city, but twice had been terribly unhappy in it. On her very first visit there had been the enmity and then the duel between Ross and Monk Adder ley. Never a more anxious time in her life. Then on her last visit she had had to leave Ross in France, where he was being illegally held as a prisoner-of-war, and no knowing how long before they saw each other again - if ever. Before he came back he had had to send her the news of Jeremy. This time she had Caroline and Bella for company on the tedious coach trip, and this time, which was to be a short stay, they would stop with Mrs Pelham, Caroline's aunt, who insisted they should do this. The little house where Dr Fredericks lived was just off Chancery Lane, three-storeyed, and leaning to one side as if receiving support
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