"Miss Linisfarne told me all," she said, with great dignity. "All what?" "Can you ask me?" replied Meg, reproachfully. "Does not your memory recall your words and acts?" "I really do not understand you," said Dan, much bewildered by this speech. "What have I said or done to you that you should thus reproach me?" "It is not what you said to me, Dan. I have no fault to find with you in any way, as I told Miss Linisfarne. But she says you called at Farbis Court, and----" "Go on," said Dan, seeing she hesitated. "I admit I called at the Court." "And there you asked Miss Linisfarne to be your wife." "I!" It was all he could say, being dumbfounded by the accusation, which he guessed was made by Miss Linisfarne. With her face suffused with blushes, Meg continued to speak in a low, nervous tone. Since she had discovered that she loved Dan, she felt ill at ease in his presence, and the subject on which she was forced to speak was uncongenial. The situation was most trying to a modest girl like Meg; but her brave spirit did not falter in fulfilling what she considered to be her duty. Therefore, much as she disliked the task, she did not shrink from the performance. Dan guessed all this, and admired her nerve. "Yes. Miss Linisfarne told me how you wished to marry her for the sake of her fortune. She said you were poor and nameless, and that you wished to improve your condition by marriage. Oh, Dan, I never thought you were so base!" "Nor am I," he replied, frankly. "It is quite untrue that I wish to marry Miss Linisfarne. On the contrary---- But that is neither here nor there. Though she has attempted to blacken my character in your eyes, I shall say nothing against her. Do you believe this story, Meg?" "I told her I did not; but----" She faltered, and looked away. Angered at the opinion she held of him, which was so galling to his proud nature, Dan caught her hands. "Look me in the eyes, Meg, and say if you believe me to be so base." "I don't think you are base; but you might be tempted----" "True; but not by Miss Linisfarne. You know better than that, Meg, I'll swear. Look me in the eyes, and tell me if you believe this story." In the steady eyes which met hers, Meg read the truth. All the lies of Miss Linisfarne faded from her memory. With the instinct of a true and loving heart, she recognized that Dan spoke the truth. "I believe you, Dan," she said, frankly. "Miss Linisfarne made a mistake." "Miss Linisfarne is---- Well, well! never mind her at present. No, you need not try to get away, Meg. I have to ask you a question. Can you not guess what it is?" "No. I--that is----" "I see you can. Yes, Meg. Poor and friendless and nameless and homeless as I am, I wish you to be my wife." "Your wife!" "My loved and honoured wife. It is you that have kept me so long at Farbis. I care nothing for Miss Linisfarne or her money, and a great deal for you. Dearest, can you accept my love?" "But I am poor, and----"