xclaimed Lawrence, turning round suddenly,
and encountering Colonel Armytage's gaze fixed on him.

"Why is it fortunate?" asked the colonel.

"Because he is, I opine, a very brave officer, as your daughter says,
good sir," answered Lawrence. And away he shuffled down the steps.

There was a pause of some duration.

"Remember, Edda," said her father, at last, "if your conjecture is
right, and yonder vessel is commanded by Captain Morton, should he
venture here, I command you to have no communication with him. He is a
mere adventurer; you are heiress of Lunnasting, and the lands
appertaining to it. Listen, girl! you will drive me mad if you look so
melancholy, instead of rejoicing at your good fortune."

Hilda had been watching the corvette from her own tower, and seeing a
boat leave the ship and approach the landing-place, she descended to the
hall to learn who the strangers were, and to receive them, should they
visit the castle. A note was soon afterwards put into her hands,
informing her that two old acquaintances had arrived, and craved leave
to see her.

She desired that they might be admitted, and in a short time the stout,
well-knit figure of Pedro Alvarez was seen entering the hall, while by
his side glided the attenuated form of the priest, Father Mendez.

Changed as they were by years, Hilda knew them at once. She trembled
violently, and it was with difficulty she could rise to receive them.

"You are welcome, old friends," she exclaimed; "but speak--tell me by
what wonderful means have you reached Lunnasting once more? What event
do you come to announce?"

"The father, lady, is a more fitting person than I am to tell you,"
answered Pedro Alvarez. "He has more command of the language necessary
to convey to you the information we possess."

Hilda again started from the chair into which she had sunk, and seizing
the priest's arm, she exclaimed, "Speak without delay! You come to tell
me of my son: yes, is it not so? He is found! Speak--speak! where is
he? Why did you not bring him? Oh! do not mock me!"

"Lady, we come not to mock you," said the priest, quietly. "You speak
of your son; he is, we believe, alive, and more, that he can be found."

Hilda clasped her hands in speechless eagerness, fixing her eyes
intently on the countenance of the priest.

"He can be found, I say; but at once to save you from disappointment, I
must tell you that he is not here. By a wonderful chain of
circum