"Certainly, Captain Morando, come in. My friends in the castle are variously occupying themselves till the great moment strikes. I," looking around, "chose to come off here by myself," her manner charmingly cordial. The señora was again in her chair. The comandante sat opposite. There was silence, each seeming to find nothing to say to the other. Under the firelight the doña appeared more beautiful than ever, her form unusually petite and girlish. To the soldier she had been a piece of exquisite workmanship, cameo-cut, a rare jewel to be admired. To-day she was this, plus woman's sweetness and gentleness. His heart gave an appreciative throb. "Silvia," abruptly, "will you be my wife?" She flashed her eyes at him. "Captain, it is curious, isn't it? about most people. They roll along in their groove, at about the same speed, and reach a certain point at a certain time, regularly enough. Have you ever thought of it?" "Well, no--or, perhaps, yes." "In the old stories the chapters end with the proposal, the puppets are disposed of, the book closed. You have, then, reached this point?" "But, Silvia, you and I have been so frank that nothing preliminary seemed left for me to say--if that is what you mean--so I asked the question as I did. I vow to you by my manhood----" She stood before him. "Captain Morando, it was love for an ideal man that really brought me to California." "Señora, I did not know----" also rising. "No. You did not know," her lips hardening ever so little. "Yes, an ideal. Him I love with my heart, my soul; every energy I have. Gladly would I live for him. Equally gladly would I die for him." "Then, señora, there is no room in your life for me? Another fills it? Why, I thought--I believed----" "You thought! you believed! O, Alfredo!" "You have never cared for me. You never can care. You----" "Do not trouble either of us with further questioning. I answer, No, I do not care for you--have never cared for you." "Señora, even but now I dared think----" "Dare think nothing!" "Then, Doña Silvia, I erred, that is all. My intentions were worthy. You never intimated to me anything of this--this affection. I step out of the way of this other whom you so fully love. May you be happy, and may he endow your life with all joy. I leave you now." "No, Alfredo, not yet," her voice shaking a little. "Do you not know who it is that has impersonated my ideal?" "No, I do not know." "And can you not even conjecture?" a little wistfully. "How could I?" "You are right. How could you?" with an enigmatic smile. She looked at him with a penetratingly appraising gaze. "I will enlighten you. It is you--you--Señor Captain Morando--you!" "I?"