"I didn't want you to call, young man. Meg would have asked the reason of your visit, and I do not wish her to know what I have to say."
"Indeed! Does it then concern her?" said Dan, anxiously.
"No! It has nothing to do with her," retorted Merle, querulously; "why should it? I wish to speak of myself, and of Miss Linisfarne, and of you."
"Well, and what have you to say?" asked Dan, guessing from this speech that the errand had something to do with the rumours pervading Farbis.
"You must not be offended, young man."
"I can safely promise you that," said Dan, with veiled contempt; "nothing you could say would offend me. Pray proceed, Dr. Merle! I am all attention."
"It is said that you are in love with Miss Linisfarne!"
"So I have heard before."
"Is it true?" demanded Merle, eagerly, putting out one shaking hand--"is it true?"
Dan did not answer at once. That two such different individuals as Tinker Tim and Dr. Merle should display emotion in regard to Miss Linisfarne astonished him greatly. He could not conceive what influence that faded old woman could exercise over the recluse and the gipsy; the more so as neither, so far as he knew, had ever set eyes on the lady. It had been impossible to get the truth out of Tim; but there was a possibility of forcing a weak creature like Merle to explain himself. This Dan determined to do, and so spoke with forethought and deliberation.