Like the ostrich which thinks itself unseen because its head is thrust into the sand, Miss Linisfarne never deemed that her passion was patent to all Farbis. The villagers saw it, and made remarks on her age and folly; Mr. Jarner noticed it and frowned, and a rumour even reached Dr. Merle in the seclusion of his house. Only Meg was ignorant, for no one dared to say a word about Miss Linisfarne in her hearing. She was too mindful of former benefits to hear her benefactress blamed in the smallest degree. The last to hear of it was Mother Jericho, and she mentioned it to Tinker Tim as a good joke. Instead of looking on it as such, the gipsy scowled and swore, and finally went to the dell in search of Dan. Why he should trouble himself about Miss Linisfarne and her follies it is impossible to say; but he certainly spoke freely to Dan on the subject. "Morning, rye," said he, striding into the dell like Hercules. "What's all this about the old woman?" Ardleigh looked up in surprise. He was astonished to hear the tone in which Tim spoke, and resented the scowl with which the gipsy greeted him. "What do you mean, Tim?" he asked coldly. "She told me," said the Tinker, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, "that the old lady at the Court wants t' marry ye." "That is news to me! And how did she, by whom you no doubt mean Mother Jericho, learn this?" "It's all over the place. Miss Linisfarne wants to become your wife." Dan did not know whether to laugh or to frown. Although he was aware that there was some truth in the rumour, he was by no means inclined to admit as much to Tim; the more so as the attitude of the gipsy was distinctly hostile, and he eyed Dan in a gloomy and threatening manner. "Is it true, rye?" he demanded savagely. "What business is it of yours, even if it is true?" said Dan, wrathfully, springing to his feet. "It's every business," retorted the tinker, scowling; "it is--it is---- By Heaven!" he cried, his passion breaking loose, "I'll twist her neck!" "Twist Miss Linisfarne's neck?" "Ay! That I shall!" Dan advanced, and, laying his hand on the giant's shoulder, looked at him curiously. The man was strongly moved, though by what Dan could not conjecture. Such an unexpected display of anger was all of a piece with the other mysteries connected with Miss Linisfarne. "See here, my man," said Dan, deliberately; "we had better understand one another. I allow no man to speak to me as you have done. You are keeping something from me." "It's a lie!" said Tim, hoarsely. Dan, in nowise moved by the insult, persisted in his questioning. "It's the truth. How did you know my name?" "That's my business." "And mine also. I was directed to Farbis by your kinsfolk. I was met here by Mother Jericho, and a few weeks ago you called me by my name. Now you are angry because my name is connected with Miss Linisfarne's by lying gossip." "Is it lying gossip?" asked Tim, eagerly ignoring the rest of the speech.