"That means Meg! She is beautiful enough to make any man love her, but as yet my heart is untouched."
"Ho, ho, young man! I'm not blind."
Not caring to argue the question, Dan shifted his ground.
"Who is the other woman?"
"You'll meet her at the hour. She ain't far off. Fire and flame and brave deeds," continued she, dreamily. "A fine skein Fate reels off for ye, my son."
"You seem to have arranged everything ahead," said Dan, pointedly.
"No, dearie, no! It is written."
"Indeed! Then what has Dr. Merle to do with it?"
The question evidently took the old creature somewhat aback, for she did not answer immediately. When she again took part in the conversation, it was to feign a stupidity for the purpose of evading a direct reply.
"Dearie me! How my head do swim! Was it Dr. Merle ye talked of just now, young man?"