'It was in vain after this, that I begged my cruel husband to return me and my child to Havana, he was utterly deaf to all my entreaties, although about two months after our embarcation he landed me on this desolate, but beautiful island, where, in his hours of leisure, he had with the assistance of his companions, erected and furnished with his rich but ill gotten spoils, that building which has been signified by the name of the Pirate's Palace.'
'That must be the horrid place,' exclaimed Ellen, 'which I saw this morning, and in which I fear Mary Hamilton is—is—'
'Now confined,' interrupted Elvira.
'Is it not worse than that,' exclaimed Ellen, eagerly, 'has she not met with a cruel death?'
'Oh no, that is no part of the purpose of those who have detained her,' answered Elvira.
'Do you know their true purpose, then,' asked Ellen, 'relative to her, myself, and the rest of the prisoners?'
'With regard to Miss Hamilton,' replied Elvira, 'Rowland's purpose is to force her into a union with his son.'
'And who may his son be?' again inquired Ellen.
'No other,' answered Elvira, impressively, 'but Herbert Rowland otherwise called Blackbeard, the famous pirate of the Roanoke, who is besides your only brother.'
'And Captain Rowland?'