understand Romanism. I must confess that I met
you to-night, but Father Abella is too discreet to
ask for more. It is such blessed memories that feed
the soul, and they would fly away on a whisper."



XX

The next morning Father Abella rode over to the
Presidio and was closeted for an hour with the
Commandante and the Governor. Then the three
rode down to the beach, entered a canoe, and paddled
out to the Juno. Rezanov met them on deck with a
gravity as significant as their own, but led them
at once to the cabin where wine, and the cigarettes
for which alone they would have counselled the
treaty, awaited them.

The quartette pledged each other in an embar-
rassed silence, disposed of a moment more with ob-
durate matches. Don Jose inhaled audibly, then
lifted his eyes and met the veiled and steady gaze of
the Russian.

"Senor," he said, "I have come to tell you that I
consent to your marriage with my daughter."

"Thank you," said Rezanov. And their hands
clasped across the table.