ssian
cigarettes.

"There are other things to consider besides the happiness of your
daughter and myself," he remarked. "This alliance would mean the
consolidation of Spanish and Russian interests on the Pacific coast.
It would mean the protection of California in the almost certain event
of 'American' aggression. And I hear that a courier brought word again
yesterday that the Russian and the Spanish fleets had sailed for these
waters. I do not believe a word of it; but should it be true, I would
remind you of two things: that I have the powers of the Tsar himself in
this part of the world, and that the Russian fleet is likely to arrive
first."

Again the Commandante moved uneasily. The news from Mexico had kept
himself and the Governor awake the better part of the night. He fully
appreciated the importance of this powerful Russian's friendship.
Nothing would bind and commit him like taking a Californian to wife.
If only he had fallen in love with Carolina Xime'no or Delfina Rivera!
Don Jose had an uneasy suspicion that his scruples as a Catholic might
have gone down before his sense of duty to this poor California. But a
heretic in his own family! He was justly renowned for his piety.
Aside from the wrath of the church, the mere thought of one of his
offspring in matrimonial community beyond its pale made him sick with
repugnance. And yet--California! And he would have selected Rezanov
for his daughter out of all men had he been of their faith. And he was
deeply conscious of the honor that had descended, however unfruitfully,
upon his house. Madre de Dios! How would it end? Suddenly he felt
himself inspired. In blissful ignorance of her subtle feminine rule,
he reminded himself that Concha's mind was the child of his own. When
she saw his embarrassment, filial duty and woman's wit would extricate
them both with grace and avert the enmity of the Russian even though
the latter's more personal interest in California must die in his
disappointment. He would make her feel the weight of the stern
paternal hand, and then indicate the part she had to play.

He rang a bell and directed the servant to summon his daughter, drew
himself up to his full height, and set his rugged face in hard lines.
As Concha entered he looked the Commandante, the stern disciplinarian,
every inch of him.

There was no trace of the siesta in Concha's cheeks. They were very
white, but her eyes were steady and her mouth indomitabl