he answered, in a gentle tone. "But be assured
that I cannot return them. To be frank with you, my heart is given to
another. To you I can only be a cousin, a friend, and well-wisher. You
will, I feel sure, find many girls whose hearts are disengaged, who will
love you for yourself, and not for the wealth and rank which I hope may
be yours."

"My friend and well-wisher!" he exclaimed, starting up and walking about
the cabin. "Those are cold words to address to one who loves you as I
have done. You tell me that you love another. He shall pay the penalty
of interfering with me. I knew that he was my rival. He has escaped me
often, but the next time we meet we will not part till one has fallen."

He continued pacing up and down before her; and stamping furiously on
the deck, he exclaimed--"Thus will I trample all my enemies under my
feet! Ay, little does that usurping kinsman of mine dream what I
prepared for him. I have him in my power, and I will take good care to
exercise that power. He lives on under the belief that he is the owner
of broad lands and wealth unbounded, and it is a pleasure to watch him
as he paces the deck, and to know that I, all the time, am the true
marquis, and that he is the impostor. Ah, cousin Edda! you supposed me
a quiet, gentlemanly young lieutenant of marine. You now know who I am
and what I am. I am one not to be trifled with--not to be opposed with
impunity. You would have thought me a person of importance if I were
simply the inheritor of the castle and the estates of Lunnasting--those
estates which would have been yours had I not appeared. Without them,
remember, you will be reduced to poverty--the most complete poverty--
your father confesses as much. Let that weigh with you. Your love I
shall gain ere long. I fear not on that point. Come, cousin, be mine--
be mine. Neither heaven nor earth shall keep you from me!"

He rushed towards her and endeavoured to grasp her hand. She shrunk
from him with dread, for there was a glare in his eye, and a wildness in
his look which suggested the horrible idea that he was attacked with
insanity. She looked round with the intention of escaping from the
cabin, when the door opened and Donna Julia entered. Hernan was calm in
an instant, and bowing to the Spanish lady, he said in English--"Cousin,
soothe that poor girl. The blow that I have to strike will be terrible
indeed to her."

He disappeared as he spoke. He hurried on