thirty, and I have lived on into old age here by the
sea, watching, watching--"

She had dropped all pretence of coquetry and
was speaking with a passionate forlornness. But
before he could interrupt her, take advantage of the
retreating voices that left them alone at last, she
had drawn herself up and moved a step away. "Do
not think, however," she said proudly, "that I am
really as weak and silly as that. It was only a
mood. Should you not return I should grieve, yes;
and should I live as long as is common with my
race, still would my heart remain young with your
image, and with the fidelity that would be no less a
religion than that of my church. But I should not
live a selfish life, or I should be unworthy of my
election to experience a great and eternal passion.
Memory and the life of the imagination would be
my solace, possibly in time my happiness, but my
days I should give to this poor little world of ours;
and all that one mortal, and that a woman, has to
bestow upon a stranded and benighted people. It
may not be much, but I make you that promise,
senor, that you will not think me a foolish, romantic
girl, unworthy of the great responsibilities you have
offered me."

"Concha!" He was deeply moved, and at the
same time her words chilled him with subtle
prophecy, sank into some unexplored depth of his