Mendoza signaled the musicians. The opening notes of the grand march sounded. The egg-breaking ceased. Señor Mendoza and his daughter led the march. Dance after dance followed in quick succession. "The merriment tempts not my son of late," said Señora Zelaya. "He is over in that corner talking politics with men a decade his senior. It is politics, always politics, with him now." "Relations strain between Mexico and the United States of America. If there comes a break, California must be affected. Your son, Señora Zelaya, and all good Californians, each day are searching carefully the political horizon." Colonel Barcelo came to them with heavy step. "I hear, Moraga, you play a clever hand at cribbage. I haven't met my match at that since I've been in California. Come to the card room with me and try this thing out. What say?" "I'm at your disposal, Colonel, but distrust comes to me when I think of contesting my small knowledge of the game against your undoubted excellence." "I'll tell you over the cards of the players I've bested in Europe. Let us go now." "Colonel Barcelo," from Señora Moraga, "are we likely to have war?" "Señora, you are not the tenth, nor even the twentieth, who has come up and asked me that question this evening." The portly Colonel extended his chest. "Now, I cannot, of course, speak of private or official information. No man, no real man, you understand, in my position would do so. But I will say that the combined position of comandante and acting governor-general gives me rare opportunities to become acquainted with the exact state of affairs. You understand me, of course, señora. "Yes," rather faintly from Señora Moraga. "Well, where was I when interrupted? O yes. This question of war. I'll simply say no force--no force, mind you--could ever take Monterey, the capital. Our swivel guns at the castle rake sea- and land-approach. We are absolutely impregnable." "But the rest of us--of the country outside the capital?" again ventured Señora Moraga. "No enemy of sense would care a feather for a country if the capital could not be taken. In other words, we are another Gibraltar. Come, Moraga, I always make it a practice to say as little as possible on these subjects to the señoras. They are easily alarmed. To the card room let us go, Moraga." The men departed. "May I serve you a mint lemonade?" asked Morando of Carmelita when the music had stopped. She was willing. A peon brought the refreshing drink. He bent over the girl, carefully anticipating her each want. "Señorita Doña, the sugar? and more lemon juice? Good! Now a spoon." "Forget not yourself, Señor Comandante." Soon he too was served. "Señorita Doña, may I speak to you? I cannot refrain." She smiled at him over the edge of her glass. "It seems to me you have been speaking to me for some time. The thoughts are bubbling up which the dance set free, as you said in the garden a while ago. Is it not so?" She laughed.