As yet, however, the latter had made no proposal of the kind to him, which caused him to feel a little uneasy as to his intentions.
One morning Jack Ryan was descending through a shaft which led from the surface to the lower regions of the pit.

He did so by means of one of those ladders which, continually revolving by machinery, enabled persons to ascend and descend without fatigue.

This apparatus had lowered him about a hundred and fifty feet, when at a narrow landing-place he perceived Harry, who was coming up to his labors for the day.
"Well met, my friend!" cried Jack, recognizing his comrade by the light of the electric lamps.
"Ah, Jack!" replied Harry, "I am glad to see you.

I've got something to propose." "I can listen to nothing till you tell me how Nell is," interrupted Jack Ryan.
"Nell is all right, Jack--so much so, in fact, that I hope in a month or six weeks--" "To marry her, Harry ?" "Jack, you don't know what you are talking about!" "Ah, that's very likely; but I know quite well what I shall do." "What will you do ?" "Marry her myself, if you don't; so look sharp," laughed Jack.

"By Saint Mungo! I think an immense deal of bonny Nell! A fine young creature like that, who has been brought up in the mine, is just the very wife for a miner.