"Not I, dearie, nor Tim, nor the Gorgio. It's Fate, my rover."
"I don't believe in Fate."
"So ye said before, my blade. But the day will come when ye'll think of the poor gipsy-woman and her wise words."
"Pshaw! You are trying to evade an answer. Who is Meg Merle?"
"Hey? Speak up, young man; I'm deaf."
"You obstinate old creature!" muttered Dan, savagely. "Who is Meg Merle?"
"Not so loud, dearie--not so loud! I hates such hollering. The young gentlewoman is a child of the Gentile doctor."
"I know that, but----"
"Then why d'ye ask? You have forgot your manners."
She was evidently determined to say nothing, yet Dan felt convinced from her manner that she knew more than he did about Merle and Meg. All else failing, he tried bribery, and slipped half a crown into her hand.