ast remembers California's existence
about as often as Europe remembers America's. They don't know what they
miss. When am I to see your Helena?"

"A week from to-night; she gives a ball then at Del Monte. She and her
father have already gone, because each thought the other needed rest."

"Monterey,--that is the scene of your Ysabel's tragedy. We will explore
the old part of the town together."

She moved closer to him, her eyes glistening. "That has been one of my
dreams,--to be there with you--for the first time. We can guess where
they all lived--and go to the cemetery on the hill where so many are
buried--and there is the Custom House on the rocks, where the ball was
and where Ysabel jumped off--it will be heaven!"

He laughed and caught her in his arms, kissing her fondly. "You dear
little Spanish maid," he said. "You don't belong to the present at all.
No wonder you bewitched me. I am beginning to feel quite out of place in
the present, myself. It is a novel and delightful sensation."

VIII

Mrs. Yorba decided that it would be wiser for them all to go to Fair
Oaks; no one would know whether Trennahan were their guest or not. This
was her first really gay winter, and could she have thought of a
plausible excuse she would have delayed the marriage for a year or two.
But both Don Roberto and Trennahan were determined that the wedding
should not take place later than June.

They were to spend five days at Fair Oaks. Then Don Roberto, Mrs. Yorba,
and Magdalena would go to Monterey, Trennahan to follow on the evening
of the ball.

The winter woods were wet and glistening. Thick in the brush were the
vivid red berries and the firm little snowballs. The air was of a
wonderful freshness and fragrance, cool on the cheek, but striking no
chill to the blood. The grass tips in the meadows were close and green.
There was no haze on the distant mountains: the redwoods stood out
sharply; one could almost see the sun baldes crossing in their gloomy
aisles. Close to the ground was a low, restless, continuous mutter,--the
voluntary of Spring.

Trennahan and Magdalena rode or strolled in the woods during most of the
hours of light. They could not sit on the damp ground, but they swung
hammocks by the path-side to sit in when tired. Trennahan would have
slept on the verandah had not his enthusiasm for outdoor delights been
controlled by his matter-of-fact brain, but he grudged the hours at
table, and persuaded Magda