fleet is likely to arrive first."

Again the Commandante moved uneasily. The
news from Mexico had kept himself and the Gov-
ernor awake the better part of the night. He fully
appreciated the importance of this powerful Rus-
sian's friendship. Nothing would bind and commit
him like taking a Californian to wife. If only he
had fallen in love with Carolina Xime'no or Delfina
Rivera! Don Jose had an uneasy suspicion that his
scruples as a Catholic might have gone down before
his sense of duty to this poor California. But a
heretic in his own family! He was justly renowned
for his piety. Aside from the wrath of the church,
the mere thought of one of his offspring in matri-
monial community beyond its pale made him sick
with repugnance. And yet--California! And he
would have selected Rezanov for his daughter out
of all men had he been of their faith. And he was
deeply conscious of the honor that had descended,
however unfruitfully, upon his house. Madre de
Dios! How would it end? Suddenly he felt him-
self inspired. In blissful ignorance of her subtle
feminine rule, he reminded himself that Concha's
mind was the child of his own. When she saw his
embarrassment, filial duty and woman's wit would
extricate them both with grace and avert the enmity
of the Russian even though the latter's more per-
sonal interest in California must die in his disap-
pointment. He would make her feel the weight of