The guests had not yet come into the ballroom. The reception rooms, dressing rooms, and the wide grounds still held them. The señoritas, with hair flowing over their shoulders, and clad in silken skirt and train, with bodice, also silken, close-fitting and high-necked, were not yet ready for the dance. The señoras, near their charges, were chatting away the time. The men strolled about smoking their cigaritos, passing a word here, a jest there, until the music should call them. Their dress was that of the Spanish cavalier of the time. From their shoulders fell the poncho--long cape--made of beaver from Peru. Later in the evening this garment would be removed, showing old and young in velvet knee-pants, deer-skin leggins beautifully stamped and broidered, and with shoes of polished leather held by golden clasps. The coat, likewise of imported beaver, reached only to the girth, and was ornamented on arms and shoulders with silver and gold thread. Around their waists were draped bright-colored silken sashes, the ends long and sweeping. A white linen shirt, elaborately fluted and sparkling with diamonds, completed their evening dress. Men and women were lavish in their display of jewels. Glorious, splendid California was worthily represented by her sons and daughters the night of Señor Mendoza's fiesta. In the garden a young man in the uniform of an army officer was speaking with a girl. "Señorita Doña Carmelita, a dance with you on the ballroom floor; another sit I with you in the open. Is it not so?" "Señor, the Captain Morando, I promised you a mazurka, nothing more." "Truly, señorita, but when sitting one finds words to speak the thoughts that rise in the heart while flying feet are pursuing the spirit of the dance." "As hostess I may not deny the petition of a guest." "O, Señorita Doña! I speak not as a guest to a hostess. I am at your feet ever, as a subject to a queen. May I not pay a vassal's homage to you? With many caballeros you tread the dance, never granting further favor. May I not be the exception?" The señorita and the Captain were standing under a big palm. Seeing her cross the courtyard he had hastened to intercept her. She drew away. "Since the Señor Captain frees me from my obligation as hostess I will tell him he is well stocked in presumption." In a moment the shadows lost the girl. The young man was disconsolate. He buckled his sword-belt tightly, then loosened it. Pulling his laced cap lower on his forehead he moved aimlessly about. A laugh called him to himself. In the semilight near the ballroom entrance stood the Señorita Mendoza. Mischief sparkled in her eyes. "Señor the Captain, are you playing blind-man's-buff with yourself?" "O, señorita mia, only a game of solitaire." "A game of solitaire!" rippled Carmelita. "What a diversion for a ball! Señor Comandante, it is not permitted here." A bevy of laughing young women came to the door.