"If so, why did he ask you to be his wife?" said Meg, calmly, though her heart was beating wildly.
"Because he is a base and dishonourable man. He loved you for your looks, child, but he wished to marry me for my money."
"No, no!"
"I tell you it is true," resumed Miss Linisfarne, vehemently. "Why should I, who have been a mother to you, tell a falsehood? This man has insulted us both. Now that I have repelled him he will come to you with loving words, and you--what will you say?"
"If he has done what you say, I shall treat him with scorn."
"Do you not believe me?"
"No, Miss Linisfarne, I do not," replied Meg, facing round with great indignation. "I do not believe your story. If Dan proposed to you he does not love me. If he loves me as you say, he did not propose to you. I shall know the truth from his own lips."
"Will you ask him?" demanded Miss Linisfarne, rather alarmed at the turn affairs had taken.
"Of course I shall ask him. And, what is more, I shall believe his answer."
"You love him, girl--you love him!"