presentiments. As I entered California I was elated with a sense of
coming happiness, of future victories; and I prefer to dwell upon that,
the more particularly as in a measure the prophetic hint has been
fulfilled. So make the most of the present. I shall see you daily
during this last precious fortnight, for I am determined this
arrangement shall cease; and you must exorcise coquetry and abet me
whenever there is a chance of a word alone."

She nodded, but she noted with a sigh that he said no more of sudden
flight. She would never have consented to jeopardize the least of his
interests, but she fain would have been besought. The experience she
had had of the vehemence and fire in Rezanov made her long for his
complete subjugation and the happiness it must bring to herself. But
as he smiled tenderly above her she saw that his practical brain had
silenced the irresponsible demands of love, and although she did not
withdraw from his arms she stiffened her head.

"I fancy I shall return home to-morrow," she said. "My mother tells me
that she can live without me no longer, and that Father Abella has
reminded her that if I stay in the house of Elena Castro I shall be as
free from gossip as here. I infer that he has rated my two parents for
making a martyr of me unnecessarily, and told them it was a duty to
enliven my life as much as possible before I enter upon this long
period of probation. The grating of my room at Elena's is above a
little strip of Garden, and faces the blank wall of the next house.
Sometimes--who knows?" She shrugged her shoulders and gave a gay
little laugh, then stood very erect and moved past him to the door.
She had recognized the shuffling step of Father Abella.

"Is supper ready, padre mio?" she asked sweetly. "His excellency and I
have talked so much that we are very hungry."

"There is no need to deceive me," said Father Abella dryly. "You are
not the first lovers I have known, although I will admit you are by far
the most interesting, and for that reason I have had the wickedness to
abet you. But I fancy the good God will forgive me. Come quickly.
They are scattered now, but will go to the refectory in a moment and
miss you. Excellency, will you give your arm to Dona Ignacia and take
the seat at the head of the table? Concha, my child, I am afraid you
must console our good Don Weeliam. He is having a wretched quarter of
an hour, but has loyally diverted the attention of you