e sick who go there get well without the
doctor's help. And, furthermore, that all disputes are settled by the
fists, the bowie-knife, or the revolver, without the help of lawyer,
judge or jury! So, you see, if all that is told of it is true, it is a
bad place for lawyers and doctors."

"'If all that is told of it is true?' There is not a word of it true! It
is all an unpardonable fabrication," said Victor Hartman, so indignantly
and solemnly that Alden burst out laughing as he answered:

"Oh, of course I know it is an exaggeration! I did think of trying my
fortune in the Gold State; but upon reflection I have decided to devote
my poor talents to my mother state, Virginia. And not until she
practically disowns me will I desert her."

"Well said, my dear bo--I mean Mr. Lytton!" assented the Californian.

He had begun heartily, but ended by correcting himself with some
embarrassment.

Alden looked up for an instant, a little surprised by his disturbance;
but ascribed it to the awkwardness of a man long debarred from ladies'
society, as this miner seemed to have been.

Gradually Victor Hartman recovered his composure and talked
intelligently and fluently upon the subject of gold mining, Chinese
emigration, and so forth.

Only when he would chance to meet the full gaze of Electra's "wild
eyes," or catch the tones of Emma's mellifluous voice, then, indeed, he
would show signs of disturbance. He would look or listen, and put his
hand to his forehead with an expression of painful perplexity.

At ten o'clock the gentlemen arose to bid the young ladies good-night.

It was then arranged that the whole party should visit the University
the next day and go through all the buildings on a tour of inspection.

When the visitors had gone, Electra suddenly inquired:

"Well, what do you think of the Californian?"

"I think him very handsome," said Laura, "but decidedly the most awkward
man I ever saw in all the days of my life. Except in the matter of his
awkwardness he seems to be a gentleman."

"Oh, that is nothing! One of the most distinguished men I ever met in my
father's house--a gentleman by birth, education and position, a
statesman of world-wide renown--was unquestionably the most awkward
human being I ever saw in my life. He knew very well how to manage men
and nations, but he never knew what to do with his feet and hands: he
kept shuffling them about in the most nervous and distracting manner,"
said Emma Cavendi