interests. He was put at Clay's elbow, and Clay made him learn
in spite of himself, for he ruled him and MacWilliams of both
of whom he was very fond, as though, so they complained, they
were the laziest and the most rebellious members of his entire
staff. The second event of importance was the announcement made
one day by young Langham that his father's physician had ordered
rest in a mild climate, and that he and his daughters were coming
in a month to spend the winter in Valencia, and to see how the
son and heir had developed as a man of business.

The idea of Mr. Langham's coming to visit Olancho to inspect his
new possessions was not a surprise to Clay. It had occurred to
him as possible before, especially after the son had come to join
them there. The place was interesting and beautiful enough in
itself to justify a visit, and it was only a ten days' voyage
from New York. But he had never considered the chance of Miss
Langham's coming, and when that was now not only possible but a
certainty, he dreamed of little else. He lived as earnestly and
toiled as indefatigably as before, but the place was utterly
transformed for him. He saw it now as she would see it when she
came, even while at the same time his own eyes retained their
point of view. It was as though he had lengthened the focus of a
glass, and looked beyond at what was beautiful and picturesque,
instead of what was near at hand and practicable. He found
himself smiling with anticipation of her pleasure in the orchids
hanging from the dead trees, high above the opening of the mine,
and in the parrots hurling themselves like gayly colored missiles
among the vines; and he considered the harbor at night with its
colored lamps floating on the black water as a scene set for her
eyes. He planned the dinners that he would give in her honor on