weather-beaten self was not yet insensible to the
rare visitation of winged darts tipped with honey.
But the situation was one of the most embarrassing
he had ever been called upon to face, and perhaps
for the first time in his direct and honest life his
resolution was shaken in a crisis.

"Believe me, your excellency, I appreciate the
honor you have done my house, and I will add with
all my heart that never have I liked a man more.
But--Mother of God! Mother of God!"

Rezanov took out his cigarette case, a superb bit
of Russian enamel, graven with the Imperial arms,
and a parting gift from his Tsar. He passed it to
his host, who had developed a preference for Rus-
sian cigarettes.

"There are other things to consider besides the
happiness of your daughter and myself," he re-
marked. "This alliance would mean the consolida-
tion of Spanish and Russian interests on the Pacific
coast. It would mean the protection of California
in the almost certain event of 'American' aggres-
sion. And I hear that a courier brought word again
yesterday that the Russian and the Spanish fleets
had sailed for these waters. I do not believe a word
of it; but should it be true, I would remind you of
two things: that I have the powers of the Tsar him-
self in this part of the world, and that the Russian