arry another. But this is more. She will not die, nor
even go to bed and weep for days, but it is more. I should not have
died, I know that now, and in time I should have married another, and
been as happy as a woman can be when the man is kind. Concha will love
but once, and she will suffer--suffer-- She may be more than I, but I
bore her and I know. And she cannot marry him. A heretic! I no
longer think of the terrible separation. Were he a Catholic I should
not think of myself again. But it cannot be. Oh, padre, what shall we
do?"

They talked for a long while, and after further consultation with Don
Jose and Father Landaeta, it was decided that Concha should remain for
the present in the house of Juan Moraga, where she could receive the
daily counsels of the priests, and be beyond the reach of Rezanov.
Meanwhile, all influence would be brought to bear upon the Governor
that the Russian might be placated even while made to realize that to
loiter longer in California waters would be but a waste of precious
time.

XVIII

There was no performance after all in the Presidio square that night,
for the bear brought in from the hills to do honor to the Russians died
of excitement, and it rained besides. Rezanov made the storm his
excuse for not dining and dancing as usual at the house of the
Commandante. But the relations between the Presidio and the Juno
during the next few days were by no means strained. Davidov and
Khostov were always with the Spanish officers, drinking and card
playing, or improving their dancing and Spanish with the girls, whose
guitars were tuned for the waltz day and night. The dignitaries met as
usual and conversed on all topics save those paramount in the minds of
each. Nevertheless, there were three significant facts as well known
to Rezanov as had they been aired to his liking.

He had sought an interview with Father Abella, and tactfully ignoring
the question of his marriage, had persuaded that astute and influential
priest to make the proposition regarding his cargo that Concha had
suggested. The priest, backed by his three coadjutors, had made it,
and been repulsed with fury. From another quarter Rezanov learned that
during his absence little else was discussed in the house of the
Commandante save his formidable matrimonial project, and the supposed
designs to his country. Troops had been ordered from the south to
reinforce the San Francisco garrisons, and were even n