search of the first wild
pansies. Rezanov and Concha looked under the sloping roof of brittle
leaves into dim falling vistas, arches, arbors, caverns, a forest in
miniature with natural terraces breaking the precipitous wall of the
island.

"I should like to live here," said Concha definitely.

"It would make a fine estate for summer life--or for a honeymoon." He
smiled down upon his companion, who stood very tall and straight and
proud beside him. "If you conclude to marry your little Bostonian no
doubt he will buy it for you," he said.

If he had hoped to see a look of blank dismay after his hours of
devotion he was disappointed. She made a little face.

"I do not think I could stand a desert island with the good Weeliam.
For that I should prefer one of my own sort--Ignacio, or Fernando.
Better still, I could come here and be a hermit."

"A hermit?"

"In some ways that would suit me very well. All human beings become
tiresome, I find. I shall have a little hut just below the crest where
I can look from my window right into the woods that are so quiet and
green and beautiful. That is a thought that has always fascinated me.
And when I walk on the crest I can see all the beauty of mountain and
bay. What more could I want? What more have you in your world when
you know it too well, senor?"

"Nothing; but you might tire, too, of this."

"What of it? It would be the gentle sad ennui of peace, not of
disillusion, senor. How I wish you would tell me all you know of life!"

"God forbid. And do not remind me of ennui and disillusions. I have
forgotten both in California. Perhaps, after all, I shall not return to
St. Petersburg. There is a vast empire here--"

"But it is not yours or Russia's to rule, Excellency," she interrupted
him softly.

He did not color nor start, but met her eyes with his deep amused
glance. "I, too, can dream, senorita. Of a great and wonderful
kingdom--that never will exist, perhaps. I have always been called a
dreamer, but the habit has grown since I came to this lovely unreal
land of yours."

"Have you the intention to take it from us, Excellency?" she asked
quietly.

"Would you betray me if you thought I had?"

Her eyes responded for a moment to the magnetism of his, and then she
drew herself up.

"No, senor, I could not betray a man who had been our guest, and Spain
needs no assistance from a weak girl to hold her own against Russia."

"Well said! I kiss your