She had assumed an air of such pretty earnestness and passion; her
satin face was illuminated as by some softly sensuous light within
more bewildering than mere color, that Garnier, all devoted eyes
and courteous blandishment, broke out: "But this curse must fall
harmlessly before the incarnation of blessing; Miss Saltonstall has
no more to fear than the angels. She is the one predestined
through her charm, through her goodness, to lift it forever."

Carroll could not have helped echoing the aspirations of his rival,
had not the next words of his mistress thrilled him with
superstitious terror.

"A thousand thanks, Senor. Who knows? But I shall have warning
when it falls. A day or two before the awful invader arrives, a
coyote suddenly appears in broad daylight, mysteriously, near the
casa. This midnight marauder, now banished to the thickest canyon,
comes again to prowl around the home of his ancestors. Caramba!
Senor Captain, what are you staring at? You frighten me! Stop it,
I say!"

She had turned upon him, stamping her little foot in quite a
frightened, childlike way.

"Nothing," laughed Carroll, the quick blood returning to his cheek.
"But you must not be angry with one for being quite carried away
with your dramatic intensity. By Jove! I thought I could see the
WHOLE thing while you were speaking--the old Indian, the priest,
and the coyote!" His eyes sparkled. The wild thought had occurred
to him that perhaps, in spite of himself, he was the young woman's