t believe that Edda Armytage could by any possibility be
guilty of such treachery: the very thought is dishonouring to her. Did
I think that such a union would tend to her happiness, I would release
her from her promise; but I feel sure it would not. No, no! wealth and
rank would not bribe her. She loves me. What pride and happiness to
know that I am loved for myself, and myself alone! Should I be
deceived, life in future will indeed be a blank."

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

LUNNASTING CASTLE--LAWRENCE BRINDISTER--LAWRENCE'S MYSTERIOUS SAYINGS--
UNPLEASANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO SIR MARCUS--ARRIVAL OF THE "SCORPION"--THE
PRIEST'S VISIT TO HILDA.

Hilda Wardhill, or rather Donna Hilda Escalante, was to be seen in her
turret chamber in the same spot, and almost in the same position, as
when first in her youth and glorious beauty she was introduced to the
reader. Years had dimmed and changed that beauty, but had not
altogether destroyed it; and as she now sat habited in black, her
complexion pure as alabaster, and her light hair braided over her
forehead, which was bowed down over a volume of huge dimensions, she
presented a subject which a painter would have delighted to portray.
She leaned back in her chair, and pressing her hand on her brow,
exclaimed, "In vain have I studied to ascertain how, or in what guise he
will return. I demand an answer, but the oracles cruelly refuse to
reply. O that I had the potent secret by which I could compel an
answer, and that the dark veil which hides the future might be torn
aside to disclose the view I long to see! Yet of one thing I am
certain--the time cannot be far distant; of this many significant events
have warned me. The return of Rolf Morton after so long an absence is
strange; my father's illness, and his strong desire to see my sister
Edda once more, and her daughter, who they tell me is as lovely as she
was. The old man's illness will, I doubt not, induce that stern English
colonel to come down, that he may secure some share of his wealth. He
dreams not that my Hernan will return some day to claim his own, and
prevent poor Edda's daughter from becoming the Lady of Lunnasting, as
they now believe she will be."

Her hand slowly dropped from her brow, and she gazed forth on the ocean.

"What--what is yonder object? Is it a phantom of the brain or a
reality?" she exclaimed, rising from her seat, and pointing towards the
south-west. "See, there--there at the very spot w