ard them with glances of ardent
admiration. If they have been but smitten before, they are getting fast
fixed now; and both will soon be seriously in love. The _paseo de
caballo_ promises to terminate in a proposal for a longer journey in
companionship--through life, in pairs.

They are thus grouped: Crozier alongside Carmen--Cadwallader with Inez.
The officers are in their uniforms--a costume for equestrian exercise
not quite shipshape as they would phrase it. On horseback in a naval
uniform! It would not do riding thus on an English road; there the
veriest country lout would criticise it. But different in California,
where all ride, gentle or simple, in dresses of every conceivable cut
and fashion, with no fear of being ridiculed therefor. None need attach
to the dress worn by Edward Crozier. His rank has furnished him with a
frock-coat, which, well-fitting, gives a handsome contour to his person.
Besides, he is a splendid horseman--has followed hounds before he ever
set foot aboard a ship. Carmen Montijo perceives this; can tell it with
half a glance; and it pleases her to reflect that her escorting cavalier
is equal to the occasion. She believes him equal to anything.

With the other pair the circumstances are slightly different. Will
Cadwallader is no horseman, having had but scant practice--a fact patent
to all--Inez as the others. Besides, the mid is dressed in a
pea-jacket; which, although becoming enough aboard ship, looks a little
_outre_ in the saddle, especially upon a prancing Californian steed.
Does it make the young Welshman feel ashamed of himself? Not a bit. He
is not the stuff to be humiliated on the score of an inappropriate
costume. Nor yet by his inferiority in horsemanship, of which he is
himself well aware. He but laughs as his steed prances about--the
louder when it comes near pitching him.

How does he appear in the eyes of Inez Alvarez? Does she think him
ridiculous? No. On the contrary, she seems charmed, and laughs along
with him--delighted by his _naivete_, and the courage he displays in not
caring for consequences. She knows he is out of his own element--the
sea. She believes that on it he would be brave, heroic; among ropes the
most skilled of reefers; and if he cannot gracefully sit a home, he
could ride big billows, breasting them like an albatross.

Thus mutually taking each other's measure, the four equestrians canter
on, and soon arrive at the mission.

But th