es on the fire to prepare supper, which by the
time all the party were ready to partake of it, was placed on the table.

Bertha Eswick's position in the family fully entitled her to sit at
table with her mistress, and of course her daughter and son-in-law took
their seats at their own table, but nothing could induce Nanny so to
intrude herself, and she requested that she might be allowed to carry
her plate to a large chest at one side of the room where she might eat
her food by herself. Morton and Don Hernan could not help glancing a
look at each other, as they observed the similarity of feature, but the
tranquil, contented look which those of Bertha wore offered a strong
contrast to the agitated unsettled expression of Hilda's. Bertha and
her mother did their utmost to tranquillise her mind, and by lively
conversation to counteract the effect which the strange scene she had
just gone through had produced. The beating of the rain and the roaring
and howling of the wind were alone sufficient to baffle all their
efforts. The storm continued with unabated fury, and gave every sign of
being one of those which last for three or four days.

Hilda having expressed her annoyance at the surmises to which her
absence would give rise in the castle, Rolf volunteered to go and inform
the household that she had taken refuge in his house, and would return
as soon as the weather permitted her to do so, while Don Hernan further
commissioned him to proceed on along the shore of the Sound to ascertain
that the "Saint Cecilia" was in safety, and whether his officers and men
had escaped injury, and had returned on board.

"I ought to go myself, Mr Morton, I am well aware of that, but here is
my excuse," he observed, pointing to Hilda: "my officers are true
Spaniards, and will receive it as a valid one."

"An English officer would consider that his first duty was to look after
his ship, whatever else might interfere, and there lies the difference
between us," muttered Morton, as facing the pelting rain and furious
wind, he took his departure from his comfortable home.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

DON HERNAN AND HILDA AT THE CASTLE--THE SPANISH OFFICERS ON SHORE--DON
HERNAN ORDERED TO QUIT SHETLAND.

"To my mind it wad ha' been better for one and a' of us, if Miss Hilda
had gone and wed with a true, honest-hearted Shetlander, instead of this
new-found foreigner, for all his fine clothes, and fine airs, and silk
purse; it's few times I have