she had been
mistaken.

The brig-of-war stood on towards Lunnasting till she neared the south
end of Eastling Island, when, as she hauled her wind to stand up the
Sound, Hilda saw with a thrill that the flag of Spain was flying from
her peak. She brought to, at the very spot at which the "Saint Cecilia"
had anchored. Before her sails were furled a boat was lowered, and
pulled towards the castle. Hilda watched it through the telescope, and,
as it passed under the walls, she recognised, in the officer who sat in
the stern-sheets, the first-lieutenant of the "Saint Cecilia," Pedro
Alvarez. Though eager to learn what cause had brought him to
Lunnasting, she was afraid of going down to meet him, lest it should
excite suspicion in her father's mind. Trembling with agitation, she
sat still, waiting for his appearance, with the hope, though it was full
of doubt, that he might bring her tidings of her son.

Meantime, Lawrence Brindister had espied him, and hurrying to the
landing-place, welcomed him cordially. "But I say, old friend," he
continued, holding his finger to his nose, "the cat has come back, and
the mice mustn't play any more; you understand--mum's the word; don't
talk of anything that has occurred: let old Grimalkin find out what he
can; I delight in teasing him."

Although the worthy Pedro did not comprehend all Lawrence said, he
understood that he was not to allude to past events in the presence of
the lord of the castle. Lawrence hurried him on, talking in his usual
rambling way, so that before he had time to make any inquiries, he found
himself in the presence of Sir Marcus Wardhill. The baronet received
him with all due courtesy, and he was invited to stop and dine at the
castle--an invitation he at once accepted. Hilda had no opportunity of
seeing him till they met before dinner. It was not even then, without
great exertion, that she obtained sufficient self-command to speak to
him with ordinary calmness.

During the meal little Ronald Morton toddled into the room, having
escaped from the arms of his nurse. Captain Alvarez gave an inquiring
glance at the child, and at first looked puzzled, and then well
satisfied. Hilda was able to converse with him in Spanish, and with his
broken English and French he managed to make himself very agreeable to
Sir Marcus and Edda; Sir Marcus, indeed, begged that when he could live
on shore that he would make his castle his home; he declined, on the
plea that h