They hastened as quickly as possible round to the terrace, and found Miss Linisfarne in the centre of the crowd. She was terribly burnt, but conscious. The villagers welcomed Dan and Meg with cheers of delight, and Jarner hastened forward. Before he could reach Meg, however, Tim had passed him. With an ejaculation of thankfulness, he seized the astonished girl in his arms and kissed her.
"Tim!" cried Dan, thoroughly enraged; "what right have you to----"
"The right of a father," said Tim, in a deep voice. "I am the husband of yonder wretched woman, who tried to kill her own child."
Both Dan and Meg looked at Jarner for an explanation. They were taken by surprise at Tim's speech, and could say nothing.
"It is true," said Jarner, taking Meg tenderly in his arms. "I did not know it till now. Nor did Miss Linisfarne dream that you were her child, Meg. Had she known, this terrible catastrophe would not have taken place."
"Is she my mother?" faltered Meg; "but my father----"
"I am your father," said Tim, quietly. "Dr. Merle is only your guardian. It is a long story, Meg. I acted for the best, but it has turned out ill."
"Meg, my child!" cried a feeble voice.
"Come," said Dan, leading the girl towards the dying woman; "you must see and forgive your mother."
Miss Linisfarne was dying. Her body was terribly burnt, and she was lying on the terrace wrapped in a blanket. The villagers were all in the house saving the furniture, so only those intimately concerned were present. The shock had driven the insanity out of Miss Linisfarne's brain, and she was now quite rational. As Meg knelt beside her, she put out a feeble hand.