"I thank you greatly, Sir Charles Grandison," she answered gravely, accepting the offer; and in such formal fashion was conducted to the log, where she sat down, and laughed.
"Are you surprised to see me, Dan?"
"Not at all! You promised to pay me a visit."
"So I did; but I nearly changed my mind for lack of a chaperon."
"What do you know of chaperons?" said Dan, with an amused smile. "We don't require such spoil-sports here."
"Miss Linisfarne said it was wrong for me to visit you without an elderly lady to take charge of me," said the visitor, demurely.
"Indeed!" replied Dan, feeling unaccountably nettled at this uncalled-for interference. "Then why did she not come herself?"
"She never goes anywhere--poor soul," said Meg, with a sigh; "you must not be angry at her. I was only joking about a chaperon; I rather think I can look after myself."
"I rather think so too," answered her host, glancing at the proud face of the young girl; "but, to quieten your scruples, let us call this dell Arcady. In Arcady chaperons are unneeded and unknown."
"I hope tea and bread-and-butter are not unknown," said Meg, quaintly; "for I have been on the moors all day, and came here for the selfish purpose of begging a meal."