go
down that she might meet the boat at the landing-place, but her strength
failed, and she sunk back in her chair near the window, whence she could
watch the boat as it glided rapidly by.

Her sister found her thus.

"Hilda, nerve yourself for a great trial," she said, as she took her
hand to lead her to the door, where Rolf Morton stood ready to conduct
her down the steps.

A group was collected round a couch in the great hall. As Hilda
entered, they opened out, and a young man in the naval uniform of France
was seen extended upon it. Pedro Alvarez stood by him, holding one
hand, while the surgeon of the "Scorpion" was feeling the wrist of the
other, and administering a restorative. Hilda tottered forward.

"Who is that?" she asked in a hollow voice, as she gazed eagerly at the
countenance of the wounded man.

"Madam," said Pedro Alvarez, looking up, "that is Hernan Escalante, your
son."

"Mother!" whispered the young officer, and the light returned to his
eyes, which had appeared so lustreless.

"My son, my son, have I indeed found you, and thus sorely wounded!"
cried Hilda, kneeling down to impress a kiss on his brow, while she cast
her arms around him.

"I shall soon recover now that I know I have you to live for," he
answered, in a faint voice.

"Oh, will he live! Can you cure him?" she exclaimed, turning to the
surgeon. "Gold, any amount you can name, shall be your reward if he
recovers."

"I will do my best, madam," said the surgeon, bowing; "he is young and
strong, and I have seen those who have received worse hurts survive."

Young Hernan was by Hilda's directions carried to her room. Day and
night she watched over him, jealous of the interference of all others.

Though he long hung between life and death, her constant care was
rewarded, and the surgeon pronounced him at length out of danger. He
remained, however, too weak to be moved.

The only person besides the surgeon whom Hilda would allow to come near
him was the faithful pastor of Lunnasting. He knew well how to minister
to a soul diseased; and Hilda herself, while listening to the words of
Truth which were addressed to her son, had her own mind enlightened, and
was brought to trust to the loving mercy of Him who had restored to her
her long-lost child. Hernan, too, awakened to a sense of the sinfulness
of the designs which his own evil passions had induced him to entertain,
sought for pardon through the only means by which par