“Well, he scored after all.  Yes, and mother too; but God help me!”

Then he reckoned up what the timber and the fortune together would have been worth, and what further sum could have been raised on the property, the value of the cement-bed being taken into consideration.  He understood his father better than his mother.  What a fortune, what power, what magnificence, what a life!

At the parsonage he carried every one with him.

The Dean, because he saw at once what this was worth.  “You are a rich man now,” he said.  The Dean’s wife, because she felt attracted by his ability and enthusiasm.  Helene?  Helene was silent and frightened.  He turned towards her and asked if she would come with him in the boat to see it.  She really must see how extensive the bed was.

“Yes, dear, go with him,” said her father.

Rafael wished to sit behind her in the boat and hastened towards the bow; but, without a word, she passed him, sat down, and took her oars; so, after all, he had to sit in front of her.

They thus began at cross purposes.  His back was towards her, he saw how the water foamed under her oars, there was a secret struggle, a tacit fear, which was heard in the few words which they exchanged, and which merely increased their constraint.

When they drew near to their destination they were flushed and hot.  Now he was obliged to turn round to look for the place of landing.  To begin with, they went slowly along the whole cement-bed as far as it was visible.  He was now turned so as to face her, and he explained it all to her.  She kept her eyes fixed on the cliff, and only glanced at him, or did not look at him all.  They turned the boat again, in order to land at the place where he intended the factory to stand.  A portion of the rock would have to be blasted to make room, the harbour too must be made safer so that vessels might lie close in, and all this would cost money.

He landed first in order to help her, but she jumped on shore without his assistance; then they climbed upwards, he leading the way, explaining everything as he went; she following with eyes and ears intent.

All for which, from her childhood, she had worked so hard at Hellebergene, and all which she had dreamed of for the estate, had become so little now.  It would be many years before the trees yielded any return.  But here was promise of immediate prosperity and future wealth if, as she never doubted, he proved to be correct.  She felt that this humbled her, made her of no account, but ah! how great it made him seem!

The rowing, the climbing, the excitement, gave animation to Rafael’s explanations; face and figure showed his state of tension.  She felt almost giddy:  should she return to the boat and row away alone?  But she was too proud thus to betray herself.