The Captain signaled a passing peona who removed the emptied goblets. "Señorita Carmelita, pray take my words seriously. I think of you, and I dream of you. Your image is enshrined in my heart. Before it I do homage. O, Señorita Doña, I offer you the best devotion of a soldier whose greatest hope is to love and to cherish you, and to make you happy. Will you not listen?" She blushed and her hands trembled slightly. "Speak to me, Doña. Bid me hope, even ever so little. The endeavor of my life shall be to become worthy of you. Will you not say there is hope for me?" Intensity blazed in the eyes of the handsome soldier, and gave resonance to his voice. He took the girl's hand. She but half resisted. The settee which they occupied was partly screened by palms from the rest of the ballroom. A bevy of señoritas, passing through during the intermission, exchanged knowing glances as they came in sight of the two, and went on. The man and woman did not notice them. "O, Carmelita, will you not answer me when I say I love you? and tell me in return that you love me? Will you not, Carmelita mia?" She did not try to withdraw her hand. Her eyelids drooped, and the color of the rose swam anew in her cheeks. "O, Carmelita, beloved of my heart, say you love me," rapturously. "Sorry to interrupt you, but music for the waltz has begun, and I have the honor to be your partner." It was Patricio Martinez, who bore Carmelita away with him to the waiting dance. Morando spoke in a low tone to her: "I'll see you again presently. May I not?" It was not easy for him to see her again soon. The young gallants crowded around her begging for dances, or pressing their favors on her during the rest times. Morando danced several times, then left the ballroom and wandered through the reception rooms, joining a group of men who were discussing the possibilities of wheat-raising in the Santa Clara Valley; then, another coterie who debated the relative merits of Alta California and Baja California. Finally, he became one of a company gathered around Señora Valentino. "We change location, but not scenes," she said to him. "One might well fancy himself in Madrid to-night instead of Mission San José." "It is so, señora." After a little Morando continued wandering, until he came to the conservatory where he sat down. "I'll remain here till Carmelita is disengaged," was his thought. "She almost listened to me. If she accepts me, I'll be the happiest man in the world." He spoke half aloud. "Your voice, Señor Capitan, tells me you are here. Otherwise, I might have missed you. What a cozy retreat you have amid these branching ferns!" It was Señora Valentino. The Captain's full height bowed to the lady. "Will you not be seated, señora? Pardon me for not seeing you sooner." "The pardon is yours. Will you not, also, be seated?" making room for him at her side. "I thank you. The favor of your company honors me greatly."