dded a few directions
as to the management of the estate, but generally wound up by saying,
that as he felt sure everything necessary would be done, he would not
interfere with any arrangements she might have seen fit to make.
Hitherto all had gone well. Hilda had, by a wonderful exertion of
resolution, so successfully combated the dreadful malady which, like
some monster bird of prey, hung hovering above her, ready to pounce down
and dethrone her intellect from its sway, that few, although in constant
communication with her, had any suspicion of the real state of the case.
Probably at that time only two people in the world had discovered the
unstable character of Hilda's mind, and they themselves were the two
most opposite in all respects connected with her--her nurse Bertha and
her cousin Lawrence; but while the latter had more than once betrayed
his knowledge to her, the former had never by word or look allowed her
to suspect that she had an idea of the truth.

The Spanish corvette had been nearly a week at anchor in Eastling Sound,
and on each day her captain had appeared at Lunnasting, his visits
increasing gradually in length as he found them more and more
acceptable. Hilda had at first received him in the great hall, into
which, as not only the members of the household, but all visitors, had
access, their intercourse was too public and restrained to suit the
feelings which were springing up in their hearts.

"Lady, the view from the summit of the tower where I first beheld you
must be lovely," said Don Hernan, adding in a lower tone some words
which made the colour mantle into Hilda's cheeks. An invitation to
visit the tower was the consequence of the remark; but before going
there a ramble was taken over the chief part of the castle, to which Don
Hernan had not yet been introduced. There was a private entrance to the
highest floor of the tower; but as that led through the lady's
apartments, they had to descend to mount the more public stair. That
was, however, narrow and winding, and somewhat inconvenient; at the foot
of it they encountered Lawrence.

"Ah, my brave Don Hernan, so our cousin Hilda is about to show you the
secrets of her prison tower," he exclaimed, in a facetious tone. "Take
care that she does not shut you up, as enchantresses of old were wont to
do their captive knights, and never again set you free. However, to
prevent such a catastrophe, I'll accompany you. Let me mount first, and
s