human
Right! she quavered,
gpt
What do you mean by 'Tiger-mark?'
human
I mean, young master wi' your golden curls,--I mean as, sitting here day in, and day out, staring down into my fire, I has my dreams,--leastways, I calls 'em my dreams, though there's them as calls it the 'second sight.' But pray sit down, tall sir, on the stool there; and you, my tender maid, my dark lady, come you here--upon my right, and, if you wish, I'll look into the ink, or read your pretty hand, or tell you what I see down there in the fire. But no,--first, show what you have brought for Old Nannie in the blessed basket,--the fine, strong basket as holds so much. Yes, set it down here--where I can open it myself, tall sir. Eh,--what's this?--Tea! God bless you for the tea, my dear! And eggs, and butter,--and a cold chicken!--the Lord bless your kind heart, Miss Anthea! Ah, my proud lady, happy the man who shall win ye! Happy the man who shall wed ye, my dark, beautiful maid. And strong must he be, aye, and masterful he who shall wake the love-light in those dark, great, passionate eyes of yours. And there is no man in all this world can do it but he must be a golden man--wi' the Tiger-mark upon him.
gpt
Why--oh Nannie--!
human
Aye,--blush if ye will, my dark lady, but Mother Dibbin knows she's seen it in the fire, dreamed it in her dreams, and read it in the ink. The path lies very dark afore ye, my lady,--aye very dark it be, and full o' cares, and troubles, but there's the sun shining beyond,--bright, and golden. You be proud, and high, and scornful, my lady,--'tis in your blood,--you'll need a strong hand to guide ye,--and the strong hand shall come. By force you shall be wooed, and by force you shall be wed,--and there be no man strong enough to woo, and wed ye, but him as I've told ye of--him as bears the Tiger-mark.
gpt
But Nannie, said Anthea again, gently interrupting her, and patting the old woman's shrivelled hand,
human
Aye, aye! nodded old Nannie,
gpt
A pound of your favourite tobacco!
human
Oh the good weed! The blessed weed! cried the old woman, clutching the package with trembling fingers.
gpt
Ah! who can tell the comfort it has been to me in the long, long days, and the long, long nights,--the blessed weed! when I've sat here a looking and a looking into the fire. God bless you, my sweet maid, for your kindly thought!
human
And now, tall sir, can I do ought for ye? Shall I look into the fire for ye, or the ink, or read your hand?
gpt
Why yes, answered Bellew, stretching out his hand to her,
human
Oh, but I don't need to look into your hand to tell you that, tall sir, nor yet in the ink, or in the fire, for I've dreamed it all in my dreams. And now, see you, 'tis a strong place, this Castle,--wi' thick doors, and great locks, and bars. But I have seen those doors broke' down,--those great locks, and bars burst asunder,--but--there is none can do this but him as bears the Tiger-Mark. So much for the first. And, for the second,--Happiness shall come a riding to you on the full moon,--but you must reach up--and take it for yourself,--if you be tall enough.
gpt
And--even you are not tall enough to do that, Mr. Bellew! laughed Anthea, as she rose to bid Old Nannie
human
Good-night,