-strewn fields of youth, recalling the immortal, fairy days of
childhood and with them their golden dreams, and experienced the
sweetness and bitterness of unfulfilled longings and aspirations of
later years. All felt that it was an event of a lifetime--one of those
hours that would never again return.

The company gave vent to its emotion in alternate exclamations of
enthusiasm or sighs as it was swept irresistibly along by the buoyancy
and captivating creation of the dancer. Two bright tears stood in
Padre Antonio's eyes as he gazed upon the object of his love and pride.
Don Felipe forgot his hatred for the moment and gazed enraptured,
drinking in with eyes and soul the enchanting vision before him. The
heart of Blanch grew cold as ice as she, like the rest, looked on
entranced in spite of herself by the witchery of her rival, for she
knew she had blundered again, that she had lost, that Chiquita was
transformed--irresistible. The blood seemed to freeze in her veins as
the truth was borne in upon her. She longed to scream, to rush forward
and stop her--anything to break the spell, but in vain. Helpless and
immovable she was forced to look on; see the prize of life slip slowly
from her grasp.

Again Captain Forest beheld the mighty expanse of mountain and plain,
heard the lashing of the sea and the myriad voices of the singing stars
as they whirled in their courses through space--listened to the chant of
life. Yes, she was the ideal, the living incarnation of nature, the
Golden Girl with the white starry flower on her breast who was awaiting
his coming, the woman of Jose's dream to whom he had been guided
unconsciously by the hand of the Unseen. No wonder he had failed to find
the place of his dreams; without knowing it, he had been waiting for
her. But now all was changed. The earth had become their footstool; the
old life had come to an end.

XXXI

A sigh of regret escaped the company as the dance ceased. Blanch turned
to speak to Don Felipe, but he was no longer by her side--he had
vanished. The musicians struck up a waltz. It was now the turn of the
guests to dance if they chose; a privilege of which they were not slow
to avail themselves.

Captain Forest crossed over to where Chiquita sat, resting after the
exertion of the dance.

"I'm sure you've had enough dancing this evening, Senorita," he said,
handing her her fan. "Let us go into the garden; it's quieter there."
His words filled her with a tu