Miss Linisfarne smiled, but did not make any immediate reply to this ironic remark. The appearance of Dan and the evident mystery connected with his residence at Farbis piqued her curiosity, so she invented a pretext for getting Meg out of the way, in order to discover if possible who and what he was. "Meg, my dear," she said, turning to the girl, "perhaps your friend would like a cup of tea. Tell the housekeeper to get it ready in my room." Dan bowed his acceptance of this invitation, being as curious to talk with Miss Linisfarne as she was with him. The unusual hospitality added to Meg's perplexity, but, not daring to ask Miss Linisfarne's reasons, she tripped away to carry out the order. When her footsteps died away, Miss Linisfarne turned again towards Dan, and their eyes met. A duel of words was inevitable, as each wished to know the secret of the other. Conscious of this, Dan tried to gain the advantage by speaking first. "It is very kind of you to ask me to sit down with you, Miss Linisfarne. May I ask you a question?" She seated herself in the chair under Sir Alurde's picture, and signified her consent with a smiling nod. The coming war of words braced her nerves and aroused her from the lethargy of years. She felt like a new creature. "Is it your custom to entertain all vagrants who come here?" asked Dan, with feigned simplicity. "Yes, when they are vagrants like you, sir. Come, Dan--since it pleases you to call yourself by that hideous name,--let me know why you have come to Farbis." "To see the portrait of Sir Alurde." "You resemble it greatly," said Miss Linisfarne, annoyed at this evasion. "One would think you were connected with the Breels." "You flatter me," said he again, feeling that this chance observation was too near the mark to be pleasant. "Why will you not be candid with me?" asked Miss Linisfarne, in a vexed tone. Dan hesitated. He was astonished at the way in which she threw off all reserve and spoke to him. It was on the tip of his tongue to point out that it was not her business to ask questions about a stranger; but she guessed his thoughts, and commented on them frankly. "I see what is in your mind, sir. You think that I have no business to ask impertinent questions, but I assure you I have every right to do so." "I do not understand. I am afraid I am dull." "Not at all! You quite see my position. I am the chaperon, guardian, protectress--what you will--of Meg. She is an innocent girl, who knows nothing of the world, and it is my duty to look after her." "Why should you impute unworthy motives to me?" "I impute no motives," replied Miss Linisfarne, calmly; "but I ask myself, why is a gentleman philandering in this lonely place disguised as a vagrant? What reply can you make to that question, sir?" "Simply that I travel for my pleasure, and do not feel inclined to reveal my name." "Did you come down to Farbis with any purpose in your mind?"