"Why, Marion, is that you!" said she quite calmly. "How did you come here?"
Now was the time for Marion to have shown that calmness and presence of mind which the heiress of McGregor had just been exercising, under circumstances of the utmost danger. But somehow the calmness and presence of mind were not at hand just then, and she could not think of anything to say, except, in a scared tone,—
"Hush, Therese! you must not speak a word; go to sleep again."
"Why, what is the matter?" said Therese, in a wondering tone and looking about her. "This is not my room. Where am I?" Then, as memory began to come back, "Oh, what has happened? I am sure there is something dreadful; what is it?"
"There is nothing dreadful at all," answered Marion, in a tone of authority, "and nothing has happened. You must not say a word."
"But I am sure something is the matter," said Therese, raising her hand to her head. "It was something about mother. They said she had gone away; or was it that she was burned up in the house? Marion, why don't you answer me?"
"You will know all about it when you are better," said Marion, a good deal alarmed, but maintaining her ground; "you must not ask any questions now. Lie down and try to go to sleep again; your mother is here all right."
"Then call her, do call her, and let me see her!" cried Therese. "Mother, mother, why don't you come?"
Thoroughly frightened, Marion did at last what she ought to have done at first; she called her uncle.
Doctor Duncan entered the room and went to the bedside.