from the Nadeshda--anchored at Falmouth--three
years ago. Davidov, who, you may observe, is
steering, oblivious to the charms of even Dona Caro-
lina, knows every sounding by heart."

"Oh!" Concha shrugged her shoulders. "The
Governor, too, is very clever. It will be a drawn
battle. Perhaps I shall remain neutral after all. It
would be more amusing." The ship was turning,
and she waved her hand to the island between the
deep arc of the hilly coast. "I have heard so much
of the beauty of that island," she said, "that I have
called it La Bellissima, but I never hoped to see
anything but the back of its head, from which the
wind has blown all the hair. And now I shall. How
kind of you, senor!"

"How easily you are made happy!" he said, with
a sigh. "You look like a child."

"To-day I shall be one; and you the kind fairy
god-father," she added, with some malice. "How
old are you, senor?"

"Forty-two."

"That is twenty-six years older than myself. But
your excellency might pass for thirty-five," she
added politely. "We have all said it. And now
that you are not so pale you will soon look younger