then burst into a merry ripple of laughter.

"Senor!" she said, "if you make love to me, I
shall have to compare you with many others, and I
might not like the Russian fashion. You are much
better as you are--very grand seigneur, iron-
handed and absolute, haughty and arrogant, but the
most charming person in the world, with ends to
gain, even from such humble folk as a handful of
stranded Californians. But to sigh! to languish
with the eye! to sing at the grating! I fear that
the lightest headed of the caballeros you despise
could transcend you in all."

"Very likely! I have not the least intention of
sighing or languishing or singing at gratings. But
if we were alone I certainly should kiss you."

But her eyes did not melt again at the vision.
She flushed hotly with annoyance. "I am a child
to you! Were it not that I have read a few books,
you would find me but a year older than Ana
Paula. Well! Regard me as a child and do not
attempt to flirt with me again. Shall it be so?"

"As you wish!" Rezanov looked at her half in
resentment, half wistfully, then shrugged his
shoulders, and called to Davidov to steer for the
anchorage. She was quite right; and on the whole
he was grateful to her.