t. Rezanov, at the
end of a week was not only infuriated but alarmed. He knew the
imagination of woman, and guessed that Concha, in her brooding
solitude, distorted all that was unfortunate in the present and dwelt
morbidly on the future. He knew that she must resent his part in the
long separation, no doubt his lack of impulsiveness in not proposing
elopement. There was a priest in his company who, although he ate
below the salt and found his associates among the sailors, could have
performed the ceremony of marriage when the Juno, under full sail in
the night, was scudding for the Russian north. It is not to be denied
that this romantic alternative appealed to Rezanov, and had it not been
for the starving wretches so eagerly awaiting his coming he might have
been tempted to throw commercial relations to the winds and flee with
his bride while San Francisco, secure in the knowledge of the Juno's
empty hold, was in its first heavy sleep. It is doubtful if he would
have advanced beyond impulse, for Rezanov was not the man to lose sight
of a purpose to which he had set the full strength of his talents, and
life had tempered his impetuous nature with much philosophy. Moreover,
while his conscience might ignore the double dealing necessary to the
accomplishment of patriotic or political acts, it revolted at the idea
of outwitting, possibly wrecking, his trusting and hospitable host.
But the mere fact that his imagination could dwell upon such an issue
as reckless flight, inflamed his impatience, and his desire to see
Concha daily during these last few weeks of propinquity. Finally, he
sought the co-operation of Father Abella--Santiago was in Monterey--and
that wise student of maids and men gave him cheer.

On Thursday afternoon there was to take place the long delayed Indian
dance and bull-bear fight; not in the Presidio, but at the Mission, the
pride of the friars inciting them to succeed where the military
authorities had failed. All the little world of San Francisco had been
invited, and it would be strange if in the confusion between
performance and supper a lover could not find a moment alone with his
lady.

The elements were kind to the padres. The afternoon was not too hot,
although the sun flooded the plain and there was not a cloud on the
dazzling blue of the sky. Never had the Mission and the mansions
looked so white, their tiles so red. The trees were blossoming pink
and white in the orchards, the l