A grunt proceeding from the smoke showed that Mother Jericho did not put much faith in this assertion. After poking the fire, she spoke again.
"Company ye want, child! Haven't ye better company nor the poor gipsies?"
"No; I have no one to speak to."
"Tim said ye met her at the Gates of Dawn."
"Oh, the lady of your prophecy," said Dan, lightly. "Yes, I certainly did meet her; but I can hardly ask a young lady like Miss Merle to visit me."
"Ho!" croaked Mother Jericho, maliciously, "ye'll have enough of her some day."
"Pish! I don't believe in your prophecy. I choose my wife for myself, not at your bidding."
"Fate is stronger than either of us, rye! I read your fortune in your hand, in the stars, and by the cards----"
"Well?" said Dan, seeing she had not completed the sentence.
"Well," echoed the old woman, "they all agree. Two women shall love ye, and ye shall love one--the first you met."