"Do you know Dr. Merle, madam?"
"Only by name. I have never seen him, though when ill I have frequently sent for him. I cannot understand his refusal to come, but put it down to the fact that he is as great an invalid as myself, and as rarely leaves his house."
"Have you met with Meg's friends, the gipsies?"
"No, sir. Do I not tell you that I never go beyond the park gates? I am dead to the world. As I asked you so many questions you have, perhaps, a right to retaliate, but I must request you to ask no more."
"I beg your pardon. As you observed, the strangeness of our meeting must excuse the absence of the convenances. Here is Meg returning."
"Who said you might call her Meg?"
"She did. I would not have done so without her permission."
"You should not have taken advantage of that permission, sir. She is a child, and knows no better; but you----"
"Will be more careful in the future. Do not let us quarrel again, Miss Linisfarne."
She was most unaccountably angry at his familiarity with her protégée, but his last remark, and the smile with which it was made, seemed to quieten her wrath. She controlled herself with a strong effort, and saluted Meg gaily--