"You--seen--Miss--Linisfarne!" said he, with a pause between each word. Dan nodded thrice to assure him that such was the case. Whereat the vicar picked up his pipe again, and proceeded to proclaim his wonderment. "It is the first time she has seen a stranger for years. How did you chance on her, may I ask?" "Meg took me to the Court to see the picture of Sir Alurde Breel, and, while we were looking at it, Miss Linisfarne made her appearance." "Ay?" "She was most agreeable, and very curious to know who I was." "Did you gratify her curiosity, Dan?" demanded the vicar, with a twinkle in his eye. His short acquaintance with Lord Ardleigh had shown him something of the young man's character. "No, sir. I managed to keep my secret with some difficulty, so she made another attempt to find it out, and asked me to tea." "Preserve us!" cried Jarner, breaking his pipe in his astonishment; "if this is not the most remarkable thing I have heard. Tea at Farbis Court, and you a stranger! In all the years I have known Miss Linisfarne, I have never broken bread under her roof. Look after yourself, lad. There's woman's guile at work. If you don't take care of yourself, the old lady will marry you. You'll be mated, my lord, before you know where you are. There is no trusting Eve's daughters," finished the vicar, rising to get a fresh pipe. "I'll be married soon, no doubt, Mr. Jarner, but not to Miss Linisfarne." In the glow of the match, with which the vicar was lighting his new pipe, Dan saw that his face had suddenly grown serious. "Are you talking of Meg, my lord?" "Yes. Of whom else should I talk? I am in love with Meg, sir, and, with your assistance, hope to make her my wife." "Is this a joke, my lord?" demanded Mr. Jarner, sternly. "I was never more serious in my life." "Then you're a lunatic, sir--a crazy person! What?--what? To love a woman you've seen but twice--to----" "Pardon me! I've seen her four times." "When, and where?" "First, at the Gates of Dawn. Second, on the crest of the ridge. Third, at afternoon tea, in my dell, yesterday. Fourth, to-day at Farbis Court." "My lord--my lord, you----" "Don't call me 'my lord'!" "Ay, but I shall, my lord. This is a serious matter, and it behoves you to talk with me in your true colours. As a priest, my Lord Ardleigh, I tell you that it is wrong for you to behave so!" "I don't understand you, sir," said Dan, placidly. He was not at all put out by the vicar's anger, which he considered just enough, in the parson's present state of misapprehension. "She has been to your dell, sir--alone." "Don't go too far, sir! You have no right to judge me without a hearing!" "The Lord forgive me if I am harsh!" said Jarner, wiping his forehead; "but the girl is dear to me, and I would not have a hair of her head harmed for all the gold of Ophir. I listen, my lord." "There is not much to tell, Mr. Jarner. Meg had tea with me in the dell; and it was there I fell in love with her."