ed of His Most Catholic Majesty's subjects in New Spain, but
a man so beloved and influential that he could create a revolution were
he so minded--indeed, Jose, no one knows better than I how incapable
you are of treason"--as the Commandante gave a loud exclamation of
horror--"I merely illustrate and emphasize. My sands are nearly run,
Excellency; it is to the estimable mind and strong paternal hand of my
friend that this miserable colony must look before long, would she
continue even this hand to mouth existence--a fact well known to our
king and natural lord. When he hears of this projected alliance--"

"Projected?" exclaimed Rezanov. "I wish to marry at once."

Father Abella shook his head vigorously, but he spoke with great
kindness. "That, Excellency, alas, is the one point upon which we are
forced to disappoint you. Indeed, our own submission to your wishes is
contingent. This marriage cannot take place without a dispensation
from Rome and the consent of the King."

Rezanov looked at Don Jose. "You, too?" he asked curtly.

The Commandante stirred uneasily, heaved a deep sigh; he thought of the
long impatience of his Concha. "It is true," he said. "Not only would
it be impossible for my conscience to resign itself to the marriage of
my daughter with a heretic--pardon, Excellency--without the blessing of
the Pope; not only would no priest in California perform the ceremony
until it arrived, but it would mean the degradation of Governor
Arrillaga and myself, and the ruin of all your other hopes. We should
be ordered summarily to Mexico, perhaps worse, and no Russian would
ever be permitted to set foot in the Californias again. I would it
were otherwise. I know--I know--but it is inevitable. Your excellency
must see it. Even were you a Catholic, Governor Arrillaga and the
President of the Missions, at least, would not dare to countenance this
marriage without the consent of the King."

Rezanov was silent for a few minutes. In spite of the emotions of the
past few days he was astonished at the depth and keenness of his
disappointment. But never yet had he failed to realize when he was
beaten, nor to trim his sails without loss of precious time.

"Very well," he said. "I will go to St. Petersburg at the earliest
possible moment, obtain personal letters from the Tsar and proceed post
haste to Rome and Madrid. At the same time I shall arrange for the
treaty with full authority from the Tsar. Then I