this Morton had no
objection, especially as the priest interfered with no one, and made
himself a very agreeable companion. Ronald was doubting how to dispose
of Pedro Alvarez, for whom he had begun to feel much regard. He was
very unwilling to send him on shore, where he would have been committed
to prison. While he was thus uncertain how to act, he received orders
to fill up with provisions and stores, and proceed to the north seas for
a summer cruise. For this he was not sorry, for though he would have
preferred being more actively engaged in the Channel, it gave him the
prospect of visiting Shetland. He had written to his father as soon as
he reached England, and told him everything that occurred. It would now
be impossible for him to know what steps he might think fit to take till
he could meet him in Shetland. He thought over the matter with regard
to Pedro Alvarez, and thinking it probable that he would not be inquired
for, he offered to allow him to remain on board as his guest, on
receiving his parole that he would not escape. This he of course at
once gave, as he was himself very anxious to visit Shetland, that he
might communicate with Sir Marcus Wardhill and Hilda, in order to
arrange the proofs necessary for Hernan to establish his claims.

The marquis, as he lay on his sick bed, little dreamed of the probable
result of his plots and contrivances, and of the reverse of fortune
preparing for him.

Pedro Alvarez had clearly explained all his plans to Ronald.

"I will, my friend, help you to the utmost to do justice to the wronged;
and scarcely any event will give me greater satisfaction than seeing
Donna Hilda Escalante recover her son," said Morton; "but I fear that by
so doing I shall make a mortal enemy of Colonel Armytage, who would
otherwise succeed to the Lunnasting property; and I shall deprive his
daughter of the fortune which would fall to her."

Pedro Alvarez looked at him hard.

"Should Hernan Escalante ever succeed to the Lunnasting property, I can
answer for it that Miss Armytage will not be the sufferer," he answered.

The remark shot a pang through Ronald's heart. "Should Hernan become
owner of Lunnasting, and a Spanish marquis, what pressure will Colonel
Armytage bring to bear to compel Edda to break her promises to me, and
to unite herself to him. It was of that the Spaniard was thinking. But
no; I have heard and read of the falsehood and faithlessness of women,
but I will no