“You forget yourself, doctor,” he said sharply.

“Send some one in your place,” advised the doctor, who liked the little minister.

“He must come himself and alone,” said the Egyptian.  “You must both give me your promise not to mention who is Nanny’s friend, and she must promise too.”

“Well,” said the doctor, buttoning up his coat, “I cannot keep my horse freezing any longer.  Remember, Mr. Dishart, you take the sole responsibility of this.”

“I do,” said Gavin, “and with the utmost confidence.”

“Give him the ring then, lassie,” said McQueen.

She handed the minister the ring, but he would not take it.

“I have your word,” he said; “that is sufficient.”

Then the Egyptian gave him the first look that he could think of afterwards without misgivings.

“So be it,” said the doctor.  “Get the money, and I will say nothing about it, unless I have reason to think that it has been dishonestly come by.  Don’t look so frightened at me, Nanny.  I hope for your sake that her stocking-foot is full of gold.”

“Surely it’s worth risking,” Nanny said, not very brightly, “when the minister’s on her side.”

“Ay, but on whose side, Nanny?” asked the doctor.  “Lassie, I bear you no grudge; will you not tell me who you are?”

“Only a puir gypsy, your honour,” said the girl, becoming mischievous now that she had gained her point; “only a wandering hallen-shaker, and will I tell you your fortune, my pretty gentleman?”

“No, you shan’t,” replied the doctor, plunging his hands so hastily into his pockets that Gavin laughed.

“I don’t need to look at your hand,” said the gypsy, “I can read your fortune in your face.”

She looked at him fixedly, so that he fidgeted.

“I see you,” said the Egyptian in a sepulchral voice, and speaking slowly, “become very frail.  Your eyesight has almost gone.  You are sitting alone in a cauld room, cooking your ain dinner ower a feeble fire.  The soot is falling down the lum.  Your bearish manners towards women have driven the servant lassie frae your house, and your wife beats you.”

“Ay, you spoil your prophecy there,” the doctor said, considerably relieved, “for I’m not married; my pipe’s the only wife I ever had.”

“You will be married by that time,” continued the Egyptian, frowning at this interruption, “for I see your wife.  She is a shrew.  She marries you in your dotage.  She lauchs at you in company.  She doesna allow you to smoke.”

“Away with you, you jade,” cried the doctor in a fury, and feeling nervously for his pipe, “Mr. Dishart, you had better stay and arrange this matter as you choose, but I want a word with you outside.”

“And you’re no angry wi’ me, doctor, are you?” asked Nanny wistfully.  “You’ve been richt good to me, but I canna thole the thocht o’ that place.  And, oh, doctor, you winna tell naebody that I was so near taen to it?”