was far out of hearing of
Lawrence's voice. Hilda sank back in her husband's arms, and hid her
eyes while she was passing under the walls of the dwelling she believed
that she was leaving for ever. With shouts of welcome the Spanish crew
received their captain's bride. Scarcely had she stepped on board than
the anchor, which had been hove short, was run up to the bows, the sails
were let fall, and, with a light breeze from the westward, the corvette
stood out of Eastling Sound.

Rolf Morton was on board as pilot. He bowed to Hilda, but his duty in
attending to the steering of the ship prevented his speaking. As she
looked at him, she felt that he was the last link which yet united her
with the past, and she almost dreaded the moment that he would have to
leave the ship. "Yet, after all, from what do I sever myself?" she
thought. "From associations only. Begone all such recollections. Let
me enjoy the delightful present, and the no less happy future I trust."

No day could have been more beautiful in any latitude than that on which
the "Saint Cecilia" sailed from Shetland. The sea was smooth, just
broken with a slight ripple, which glittered brightly in the rays of the
sun as the ship slipped quickly through it with a gentle breeze abeam.
The arrangements, also, which Hilda's husband had made below for her
accommodation were perfect. He, too, was kind and courteous in the
extreme; and had she been a princess, the officers could not have
treated her with greater respect. Over and over again she said to
herself, "I should indeed be ungrateful if I am not happy."

Having given a good offing to the Out Skerries, so as to avoid the
dangers near Feltar, the corvette stood to the northward, it being the
intention of the captain to round the northern end of Shetland, and by
that course to enter the Atlantic. Rolf Morton's boat was towing
astern, and he agreed to remain on board to see the ship clear of the
land. The weather was beautiful, the sea was smooth, the wind was
light, and there was every prospect of a pleasant commencement of a
voyage, as he finally wished her God-speed.

Soon after Rolf Morton had left the corvette, the wind, after veering
about for a short time, had got round to the southward, so that she was
able to haul up to the southward of west. This appeared a great
advantage gained, as it enabled her to keep exactly on her proper
course. How short-sighted truly are mortals in discovering wha