nd subtlest civilizations of earth. Within that
luminous shell of youth there were, no doubt, whispering memories of
men and women steeped in court intrigue from birth, of triumphant
beauties that had lived for love and their power over the passions of
men as ardent as himself. It was quite possible that she might be as
useful as she desired. But his impulses were in leash. He merely
looked and murmured his admiration.

"Better ask, what chance have I, a defenceless man, who has not seen a
charming woman for three years, against such practised art? If you can
hoodwink a Spanish priest, and manipulate a Governor who has won the
confidence of the most suspicious court in Europe, what fortune for a
barbarian of the north? Less than with Japan, I should think."

He divested the rose of its thorns and many tight little buds, and
thrust the stem underneath the star of St. Ann. She lifted her chin
again and tossed her head.

"You do not trust me, but you will. I fancy it will be before
long--for it is quite true that the Californians are not so easily
outwitted. And--even did I not help you, I would not--I vow,
senor!--betray you. Is it true that Russia is at war with Spain?"

"What?"

"Have you not heard? It was for that we were all so excited this
morning. We thought your ship might be the first of a fleet."

"I have heard no such rumor, and you may dismiss it. Russia is too
much occupied with Napoleon Bonaparte, who has had himself crowned
Emperor, and by this time is probably at war with half Europe--"

She interrupted him with flashing eye. The pink in her cheeks had
turned red. The thin nostrils of her pretty Roman nose fluttered like
paper. "Ah!" she exclaimed, again with that note of hoarseness in her
voice. "There is a great man, not a mere king on a throne his
ancestors made for him. Papa hates him because he has seized a throne.
AY YI! DIOS, but you should hear the words fly when we go to war
together. But I do not care that"--she snapped her firm white
fingers--"for all the Bourbons that are in Europe. Bonaparte! Do you
know him? Have you seen him?"

"I have seen him insult poor Markov, our ambassador to France, when I
can assure you that he looked like neither a demi-god nor a gentleman.
When you have improved my Spanish I will tell you many anecdotes of
him. Meanwhile, am I to assume that you reserve your admiration for
the man that carves his career in defiance of the rusty old ma