The soldier found himself next to young Peralta, and directly opposite Señora Valentino. "I have a budding magnolia by my plate," burst out Lolita Hernandez. "My partner shall wear it for a button-hole bouquet. He lacks only that. Come, I'll put it on you." The youth by her side was nothing loth. "Señorita Doña," spoke her dueña, who was on the other side, "what can you mean? A nosegay so large emulates the cabbage. Why not use this Castilian rose? Behold, it blushes for you," laughing. "Señora Doña, even a cabbage in Señorita Hernandez's hands would thereby become beautiful," from the youth. "How easily young men's tongues frame compliments!" from the dueña. "They have worthy subjects here," from another youth, waving his hand toward the señoritas. The dueña laughed again. "Young people are unmanageable these days," she concluded. "Señor the Capitan Morando did not enjoy the egg-breaking?" inquired young Peralta. "We enjoyed it," laughed Lolita without waiting for Morando's reply. "I broke an egg on your hair, señorita. I see the gold and silver adornment still," rallied Peralta. "I broke three on your vest, Señor Peralta. I'm sorry you could not have preserved the pattern," returned Lolita. "But the Señor Capitan and the egg-breaking--was it new to you?" continued Don Abelardo. "It was unexpected to me here, but not new," from Morando. "Spain observes it on such occasions as this." "Ask the Señor Capitan about heart-breaking," laughed the ungovernable Lolita. "Perhaps he has practiced that too in Spain." "Señorita Doña Hernandez!" warningly from her dueña. "Well, I am as curious to know about that as was Don Abelardo about egg-breaking." "Practice makes perfect, is that your meaning?" smiled Señora Valentino at her. "Yes--no. I simply asked for information." "Is the Señorita Hernandez still heart-whole?" inquired the soldier. "If she is not, it is not the fault of my sex, I know." "Do you speak from the fullness of experience, Señor Capitan?" asked Señorita Mendoza. Those in hearing laughed gayly at the quip, as did Morando. Nevertheless, an arctic breath seemed to touch him. The elders gave themselves to other subjects--the grain and the vineyard prospects for the year, the return of their herds from the San Joaquin, and the like. Colonel Barcelo's voice was heard talking over his contest at cribbage with Moraga. The serving peons finished their work and were standing idly by the door. The guests had eaten their fill. The room rang with merriment. Many of the señoritas had woven flowers from the tables into wreaths and were wearing them on the head or around the neck. Lolita Hernandez wished to crown her partner with roses, but the youth, with mock humility, demurred. "Thrice did even the great Cæsar refuse a crown," he exclaimed. "Listen to the lore of the traveler," laughed Peralta. The other had just returned from a year at college in Honolulu. "The fourth offer I might accept," he said.