"Rubbish!"
Not understanding a word of her meaning, he pulled his hand roughly away. The old woman broke into a peal of derisive laughter, and sucked at her pipe in silence. In the red glow of the fire she looked like some evil creature of the night. Dan resented her presence and prophecies, and spoke angrily.
"Why do you come here to tell me this nonsense?" he said, leaning forward. "I am not a superstitious fool, though, you take me for one. I don't love one woman, let alone two."
"You will love afore you leave Farbis, dearie."
"Indeed!" said he contemptuously. "Perhaps I will marry also!"
"Ay. But there is much to be done afore then."
Deeming it useless to argue against such obstinacy, Dan relapsed into silence and smoked his pipe. Yet, in spite of his apparent disbelief, he had an uneasy consciousness that the sibyl had read his mind and purpose clearer than he cared to think. He was a reticent young man, and hated to hear his private affairs discussed. But it was strange that this midnight hag should speak so truly. Dan was puzzled and displeased.
"Have you ever seen me before?" he asked, after a meditative pause.
"No, dearie, I never set eyes on you. I only read what Fate has written on your hand. It's print to me, dearie."
"I tell you I don't believe in palmistry."