thers, and I might not like the Russian fashion. You are
much better as you are--very grand seigneur, iron-handed and absolute,
haughty and arrogant, but the most charming person in the world, with
ends to gain, even from such humble folk as a handful of stranded
Californians. But to sigh! to languish with the eye! to sing at the
grating! I fear that the lightest headed of the caballeros you despise
could transcend you in all."

"Very likely! I have not the least intention of sighing or languishing
or singing at gratings. But if we were alone I certainly should kiss
you."

But her eyes did not melt again at the vision. She flushed hotly with
annoyance. "I am a child to you! Were it not that I have read a few
books, you would find me but a year older than Ana Paula. Well!
Regard me as a child and do not attempt to flirt with me again. Shall
it be so?"

"As you wish!" Rezanov looked at her half in resentment, half
wistfully, then shrugged his shoulders, and called to Davidov to steer
for the anchorage. She was quite right; and on the whole he was
grateful to her.

XIII

"Concha," said Sturgis abruptly, "will you marry me?"

Concha, who was sitting in the shade of the rose vines on the corridor
making a dress for Gertrudis Rudisinda, ran the needle into her finger.

"Madre de Dios!" she cried angrily. "Who would have expected such
foolish words from you? and now I have pricked my finger and stained my
little frock. It will have to be washed before worn, and is never so
pretty after."

"I am sorry," said Sturgis humbly. "But it seems to me that if a man
wishes to marry a maid he should ask her in a straightforward manner,
with no preliminary sighs and hints and serenades--and all sorts of
insincere stage play.

"He should at least address her parents first."

"True. I was wholly the American for the moment. May I speak to Don
Jose and Dona Ignacia, Concha?"

"How can I prevent? No, I will not coquet with you, Weeliam. But I am
angry that you have thought of such nonsense. Such friends as we were!
We have talked and read together by the hour, and my parents have
thought no more of it than if it had been Santiago. There! You have a
new book in your pocket. Why did you not read it to me instead of
making love? Let me see it."

"I brought it to read later if you wished, but I came to ask you to
marry me and to receive your answer. I never expected to ask
you--but--lately--things have