ship and approval.

"We were somewhat taken aback at the first mo-
ment," Luis admitted. "But--well, we are both in
love--Santiago no less than I, although I have had
these six long years of waiting and am likely to
have another. And we love Concha as few men
love their sisters, for there is no one like her--is
it not so, Rezanov? And we quite understand why
she has chosen you, and why she stands firm, for
we know the strength of her character. We would
that you were a Catholic, but even so, we will not sit
by and see her life ruined, and we have called to
assure you that we shall use all our influence, every
adroit argument, to bring our parents to a more
reasonable frame of mind. They have already risen
above the first natural impulse of selfishness, and
would consent to the inevitable separation were you
only a Catholic. I have also talked with the Gov-
ernor--we arrived at midnight--and he flew into a
terrible temper--the poor man is already like a mad
bull at bay--but if my father yielded, he would--
on all points. This morning I shall ride over and
talk with Father Abella, who, I fancy, needs only
a little extra pressure--you may be sure Concha has
not been idle--to yield; and for more reasons than
one. I shall enlist Father Uria and Father de la
Cueva as well. They also have great influence
with my parents, and as they return to San Jose in
two days to prepare for the visit of the most estim-