Mr. Dumphy led the way, and the party followed with some celerity. Mrs. Sepulvida hung back a moment with Arthur, and whispered-- "Take me back as soon as you can!" "You are not seriously alarmed?" asked Arthur. "We are too near the sea here," she replied, looking toward the ocean with a slight shudder. "Don't ask questions now," she added, a little sharply. "Don't you see these Eastern people are frightened to death, and they may overhear." But Mrs. Sepulvida had not long to wait, for in spite of the pointed asseverations of Messrs. Pilcher, Dyce, and Dumphy, that earthquakes were not only harmless, but absolutely possessed a sanitary quality, the piazzas were found deserted by the usual pleasure-seekers, and even the eloquent advocates themselves betrayed some impatience to be once more on the open road. A brisk drive of an hour put the party again in the highest spirits, and Mr. and Mrs. Raynor again into the condition of chronic admiration and enthusiasm. Mrs. Sepulvida and Mr. Poinsett followed in an open buggy behind. When they were fairly upon their way, Arthur asked an explanation of his fair companion's fear of the sea. "There is an old story," said Donna Maria, "that the Point of Pines--you know where it is, Mr. Poinsett--was once covered by a great wave from the sea that followed an earthquake. But tell me, do you really think that letter of this man Conroy is true?" "I do," said Arthur, promptly. "And that--there--is--a--prospect--that--the--stock of this big mine may--de--pre--ciate in value?" "Well--possibly--yes!" "And if you knew that I had been foolish enough to put a good deal of money in it, you would still talk to me as you did the other day--down there?" "I should say," responded Arthur, changing the reins to his left hand that his right might be free for some purpose--goodness knows what!--"I should say that I am more than ever convinced that you ought to have some person to look after you."