lena to go early to bed that she might rise
and go forth at five in the evening of night. After four months of snow
and nipping winds and furnace heat, small wonder that he was as happy as
a boy out of school, and that he made Magdalena the most wonderingly
happy of women. He did little love-making; he treated her more as a
comrade upon whose constant companionship he was dependent for
happiness,--his other part, with which he was far better satisfied than
with the original measure.

"We will camp out up there during all of July and August," he said to
her one morning, as they stood on the edge of the woods and watched the
rising sun pick out the redwoods one by one from the black mass on the
mountain. "I can't imagine a more enchanting place for a honeymoon than
a redwood forest. We'll take a servant, and a lot of books; but I doubt
if we shall read much,--we'll shoot and fish all day. If we like it as
much as I am sure we shall, we'll build a house there. Do you think you
should like it?"

"Oh, I should! I should!"

"You are so sympathetic in your own particular way; not temperamentally
so, which is pleasant but means little, but with a slow, sure
understanding which goes forth to few people, but is unerring and
permanent."

"I love no one but you and Helena. I have never cared to understand
anyone else."

"We all have great weaknesses in us. I wonder if mine were ever revealed
to you--which God forbid!--if you have sympathy enough to cover those,
too."

"I am sure that I have. I am neither quick nor generally affectionate,
but I do nothing by halves."

"I believe you. You are the one person on whose mercy I would throw
myself. However,--it is a long time since we have spoken of another
subject. Do you think no further of writing?"

"I haven't lately. There has been no time. Some day--Oh, yes, I think I
should never wholly give it up. Should--should you object?"

"Not in the least. But I am afraid I sha'n't give you much time, either.
What were you writing,--your Old-California tales?"

"No,--an--an historical novel--English."

"Of course! And with fresh and fascinating material begging for its
turn. I arrived in the nick of time. When you have transcribed those
stories into correct and distinguished English, you will have taken your
place among the immortals. But style alone will give you a place in
letters worth having. Always remember that. The theme determines popular
success, the manner rank. Don't