Elena's babies, which is well enough."

Rezanov listened to this innocent revelation with
the utmost gravity, but for the first time in many
years he was conscious of a novel fascination in a
sex to which he had paid no niggard's tribute. In
his world the married woman reigned; it was doubt-
ful if he had ever had ten minutes' conversation
with a young girl before, never with one whose face
and form were as arresting as her crystal purity.
He was fascinated, but more than ever on his guard.
As he rode over the sand hills to the Mission she
clung fast to his thoughts and he speculated upon
the woman hidden away in the depths of that lovely
shell like the deep color within the tight Castilian
buds that opened so slowly. He recalled the per-
sonalities of the young officers that surrounded her.
They were charming fellows, gay, kindly, honest;
but he felt sure that not one of them was fit to hold
the cup of life to the exquisite young lips of Concha
Arguello. The very thought disposed him to twist
their necks.



VI

The Mission San Francisco de Assisi stood at the
head of a great valley about a league from the
Presidio and facing the eastern hills. Behind it,