"Of course it is. I am in love with Meg. Do you think I want to marry Miss Linisfarne, who is old enough to be my mother?" Tim drew his hand across his brow, and heaved a sigh of relief. The declaration was evidently a great relief to him. He tried to evade an answer to the other questions by talking about Meg. "It was for the girl's sake, rye," said he, hurriedly. "I know you love her, and that she loves you, so I didn't want ye to love the old woman." "That is untrue, Tim. I love Meg, but she does not love me." "She will some day, rye." "Mind your own business, my man," said Dan, sharply. "Meg has nothing to do with you, or you with her. What I wish to know is, why you threaten ill to Miss Linisfarne?" "I can't tell ye--I can't tell ye." "You must; and also how you came to know my name." "Ho! ho! rye! That's easy. A pal o' mine had a cart made at the place where your caravan was built. He saw it there, and asked whose it was, so, when they said Lord Ardleigh, he passed the word round our people that a rye was on the wing." "So you knew who I was from the first?" said Dan, in a vexed tone. "Ay, that I did, my lord, and Mother Jericho also." "Had such knowledge anything to do with her prophecy?" "No." In spite of this denial, Tim looked so uneasy that Dan felt sure he was not speaking the truth. Determined to know it at any cost, he was about to ask a leading question, when Tim caught his hand and clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't ask me any questions, rye. When the time comes, I'll tell ye all." "All what?" "All these things ye wish to know--about the old lady and Dr. Merle and the prophecy." "When will the time come?" "On the day ye take Meg to church," said Tim, and with a significant nod marched away. Dan did not attempt to stay him, but stood reflectively looking at the ground. "I'll speak to Jarner again," he said, thoughtfully; "in spite of what he says, there is some mystery about Meg. If Jarner doesn't know it, Dr. Merle does. I'll see him." He lifted up his eyes, and saw the very man of whom he spoke coming down the path. CHAPTER XXII. A DREAMER OF DREAMS. It was with considerable astonishment that Dan saw Dr. Merle approaching the dell. That so habitual a recluse should break through his customary rules, and visit a comparative stranger showed that he must be influenced by a powerful motive. What that motive might be Dan was unable to conjecture, but hurriedly fixed on the only reason likely to account for the unexpected presence of his guest. It might be, Dan thought, that Merle had heard rumours of his attentions to Meg; and, therefore, had come to demand an explanation. This Dan was quite prepared to give, and, indeed, rather congratulated himself on the opportunity thus afforded of placing matters on a proper footing. His expectation was vain, for it soon appeared from the ensuing conversation that Merle had sought an interview for an entirely different purpose.