since ceased to impose upon a girl who had little
else but her liberties, the conventional restrictions
of the Spanish maiden. Concha had already re-
ceived many offers of marriage and regarded men
as mere swingers of incense. Moreover, her cul-
tivated mind was filled with ideals and ideas far
beyond anything California would yield in her day.

As Rezanov, upon Dona Ignacia's retreat,
walked directly over to her, she smilingly seated
herself on a sofa and swept aside her voluminous
white skirts. She was not sure that she liked him,
but in no doubt whatever of her delight at his
advent.

Her manners were very simple and artless, as
are the manners of most women whom Nature has
gifted with complexity and depth.

"It is now two years and more that we have
been excited over the prospect of this visit," she
said. "But if you will tell me what you have been
doing all this time, I, at least, will forgive you;
for you will never be able to imagine, senor, how
I long to hear of the great world. I stare at the
map, then at the few pictures we have. I know
many books of travel by heart; but I am afraid
my imagination is a poor one, for I cannot con-
jure up great cities filled with people--thousands
of people! DIOS DE MI ALMA! A world where