"You must not talk like that, Miss Linisfarne," said Meg, soothingly; "you are only excited and feverish. Lie down again. Please do." "Why are you here?" asked Miss Linisfarne, taking no notice of the gentle request. "I came to say how sorry I am that----" "There, there, child--say no more about it." "You forgive me?" "Yes. I forgive you. See, I kiss you. Of course I forgive you." She pressed a Judas kiss on Meg's brow, where her lips seared like fire. Glancing hurriedly round the room, she wondered how she could harm the girl. Here, it was useless; the servants were within call, they would hear here. She must get the girl to some other part of the house, and there---- Yes. In that moment she formed a plan, and proceeded to carry it out. No fox was so cunning as she, at that moment. "So you are to marry Lord Ardleigh, child?" "Yes. You know him, then." "I was told--I was told. Ha! ha! No wonder he was like the picture of Sir Alurde." "Sir Alurde is his ancestor," said Meg, wondering at the strange manner of her hostess. "Yes, yes! And you are to be Lady Ardleigh! I am glad he means well, child. Yes, I thought his doings were evil. Poor man! Ha, ha!" "Dear Miss Linisfarne, lie down, and let me call the housekeeper." "No, no! I shall be better presently. Let me get up! I am quite strong. Hush, child; not a word! Let me whisper in your ear! I have a wedding present for you." "A present for me!" "Yes, I am going to give you the portrait of Sir Alurde. I asked Lord Ardleigh, and he said I could do so." "Have you seen him?" asked Meg, rather astonished that Dan had said nothing to her about it. "Yes, yes! The other day! Did he not tell you? I have had the portrait taken from the gallery and placed in a room. It looks splendid, child! Sir Alurde is a king among men. Come and see him." She sprang up from the couch, and seized a candle from one of the sconces. Meg tried to restrain her; but Miss Linisfarne insisted in going. In order to humour her, and in the hope that she might afterwards be more amenable to reason, Meg agreed to accompany her; and, with Miss Linisfarne leading the way, and bearing the candle, they left the drawing-room. Meg had no idea that the woman was mad, as she had no experience of lunacy. She certainly thought her conduct strange, but felt no fear, and humoured her as she would a child. Had she only guessed the truth, what horrors might have been averted! Up the stairs went Miss Linisfarne, chuckling over the success of her strategy. She led Meg far away from the inhabited portion of the house to the west wing, which was shut up and barred. Evidently she had been there lately, for a bunch of keys hung at her girdle, and with one of these she unlocked the doors. In the darkness only made more profound by the glimmer of that one candle, Meg began to feel a little afraid. "Where are you taking me to, Miss Linisfarne?" she said, shrinking back.