like, when I see what I have to do so clearly before me? That
woman, for instance--I must begin by making her my friend. Bah! she
is that already; I saw it in her eyes, which she can't control as
she does her face. Yes, I must make her my friend; my very dear
friend--and then--well, to my mind, the world-pivot is a woman. I
will spare no one in order to attain my ends--I will make myself my
own God, and consider no one but myself, and those who stand in my
path must get out of it or run the chance of being crushed. This,'
with a cynical smile, 'is what some would call the devil's
philosophy; at all events, it is good enough for me.'

He was near the mine by this time, and hearing someone calling to
him he looked up, and saw McIntosh walking towards him. There was a
stir in the men's quarters now, and he could see the door was open
and several figures were moving briskly about, while a number of
others were crossing the fields. The regular beat of the machinery
still continued, and the smoke was pouring out thick and black from
the tall red chimney, while the wheels were spinning round in the
poppet-heads as the mine slowly disgorged the men who had been
working all night.

McIntosh came slowly along with his hands in his pockets and a
puzzled look on his severe face. He could not make up his mind
whether to like or dislike this young man, but Madame Midas had
seemed so impressed that he had half made up his mind to dislike him
out of a spirit of contradiction.

'Weemen are sae easy pleased, puir feckless bodies,' he said to
himself, 'a bonny face is a' they fash their heads aboot, though the
same may be already in the grip of auld Nickyben. Weel, weel, if