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r so many centuries in the wide embrace of the hills。 Its jewel oasis alone made it acceptable to the Spaniard； but to Rezanov the sandy desert； with its close com… panionable silences； its cool night air sweet with the light chaste fragrance of the roses； the simple； almost primitive； conditions environing the girl； possessed a power to stir the depths of his emotions as no artful reinforcement to passion had ever done。 He forgot the wall。 His ego melted in a sense of complete union and happiness。 Even when they returned to earth and discussed the dubious future； he was conscious of an odd resignation； very alien in his nature； not only to the barrier but to all the strange conditions of his wooing。 He had felt something of this before； although less defi… nitely； and to…night he concluded that she had the gift of clothing the inevitable with the semblance and the sweetness of choice； and wondered how long it would be able to skirt the arid steppes of philosophy。
She told him that she had talked daily with Father Abella。 〃He will say nothing to admit he is weakening； but I feel sure he has realized not only that our marriage will be for the best interests of California； but that to forbid it would wreck my life； and from this responsibility he shrinks。 I can see it in his kind； shrewd； perplexed eyes； in the hesitating inflections of his voice； to say nothing of the poor arguments he advances to mine。 What of my father and mother？〃
〃They look troubled； almost ill； but nothing could exceed their kindness to me； although they have pointedly given me no opportunity to introduce the subject of our marriage again。 The Governor makes no sign that he knows of any aspiration of mine above corn； but he informed me to…day that California is doomed to abandonment； that the In… dians are hopeless； that Spain will withdraw troops before she will send others； and that the country will either revert to savagery or fall a prey to the first enterprising outsider。 As he was in compari… son cheerful before； I fancy he apprehends the irre… sistible appeal of your father's surrender。〃
Concha nodded。 〃If my father yields he will see that you have everything else that you wish。 He may have advocated meeting your wishes in other respects in order to leave you without excuse to lin… ger； but that argument is not strong enough for the Governor； whereas if he made up his mind to ac… cept you as a son he would throw the whole force of his character and will into the scale； and when he reaches that pitch he winswith men。 I must； must bring you good fortune；〃 she added anxiously。 〃Marriage with a little California girlare you sure it will not ruin your career？〃
〃I can think of nothing that would advantage it more。 What are you going to call me？〃
〃I cannot say Petrovich or Nicolaimy Spanish tongue rebels。 I shall call you Pedro。 That is a very pretty name with us。〃
〃My own harsh names suit my battered self rather better； but the more Californian you are and remain the happier I shall be。 When am I to see your ears？ Are they deformed； pointed and furry like a fawn's？ Do they stand out？ Were all the women of California tattooed in some Indian raid〃
Concha glanced about apprehensively； but not even Santiago was there to see the dreadful deed。 With a defiant sweep of her hands she lifted both loops of hair； and two little ears； rosy even in the moonlight； commanded amends and more from penitent lips。
〃No man has ever seen them beforesince I was a baby； not even my father and brothers；〃 said Concha； trembling between horror and rapture at the tremendous surrender。 〃You will never remind me of it。 Ay yi！ promisePedro mio！〃
〃On condition that you promise not to confess it。 I should like to be sure that your mind belonged as much to me and as little to others as possible。 I do not object to confessionwe have it in our church； but remember that there are other things as sacred as your religion。〃
She nodded。 〃I understandbetter than you understand Romanism。 I must confess that I met you to…night； but Father Abella is too discreet to ask for more。 It is such blessed memories that feed the soul； and they would fly away on a whisper。〃
XX
The next morning Father Abella rode over to the Presidio and was closeted for an hour with the Commandante and the Governor。 Then the three rode down to the beach； entered a canoe； and paddled out to the Juno。 Rezanov met them on deck with a gravity as significant as their own； but led them at once to the cabin where wine； and the cigarettes for which alone they would have counselled the treaty； awaited them。
The quartette pledged each other in an embar… rassed silence； disposed of a moment more with ob… durate matches。 Don Jose inhaled audibly； then lifted his eyes and met the veiled and steady gaze of the Russian。
〃Senor；〃 he said； 〃I have come to tell you that I consent to your marriage with my daughter。〃
〃Thank you；〃 said Rezanov。 And their hands clasped across the table。
But this was far too simple for the taste of a Governor。 So important an occasion demanded official dignity and many words。
〃Your excellency；〃 he said severely； sitting very erect； with one white hand on the table and the other on the hilt of his sword （yet full of courtesy； and longing to enjoy the cheer and conversation of his host）； 〃the peaceful monotony of our lives has been rudely shaken by a demand upon three fallible human beings to alter the course of history in two great nations。 That is a sufficient excuse for the suspense to which we have been forced to subject you。 The marriage of a Russian and a Spaniard is of no great moment in itself； but the marriage of the Plenipotentiary of the Tsar himself with the daughter of Jose Mario Arguello； not only one of the most eminent； respected； and distinguished of His Most Catholic Majesty's subjects in New Spain； but a man so beloved and influential that he could create a revolution were he so mindedindeed； Jose； no one knows better than I how incapable you are of treason〃as the Commandante gave a loud exclamation of horror〃I merely illustrate and emphasize。 My sands are nearly run； Excellency； it is to the estimable mind and strong paternal hand of my friend that this miserable colony must look before long； would she continue even this hand to mouth existencea fact well known to our king and natural lord。 When he hears of this projected alliance〃
〃Projected？〃 exclaimed Rezanov。 〃I wish to marry at once。〃
Father Abella shook his head vigorously； but he spoke with great kindness。 〃That； Excellency； alas； is the one point upon which we are forced to dis… appoint you。 Indeed； our own submission to your wishes is contingent。 This marriage cannot take place without a dispensation from Rome and the consent of the King。〃
Rezanov looked at Don Jose。 〃You； too？〃 he asked curtly。
The Commandante stirred uneasily； heaved a deep sigh； he thought of the long impatience of his Con… cha。 〃It is true；〃 he said。 〃Not only would it be impossible for my conscience to resign itself to the marriage of my daughter with a hereticpar… don； Excellencywithout the blessing of the Pope； not only would no priest in California perform th