I know--I know--but it is inevitable. Your excel-
lency must see it. Even were you a Catholic, Gov-
ernor Arrillaga and the President of the Missions,
at least, would not dare to countenance this mar-
riage without the consent of the King."

Rezanov was silent for a few minutes. In spite
of the emotions of the past few days he was aston-
ished at the depth and keenness of his disappoint-
ment. But never yet had he failed to realize when
he was beaten, nor to trim his sails without loss
of precious time.

"Very well," he said. "I will go to St. Peters-
burg at the earliest possible moment, obtain personal
letters from the Tsar and proceed post haste to
Rome and Madrid. At the same time I shall
arrange for the treaty with full authority from the
Tsar. Then I shall sail from Spain to Mexico and
reach here as soon as may be. It will take a long
while, the best part of two years; but I have your
word--"

"You have," the three asserted with solemn em-
phasis.

"Very well. But there is one thing more. I am
not in a diplomatic humor. My Sitkans are starv-
ing. I must leave here with a shipload of bread-
stuffs."