She broke off and motioned to the third finger of the señora's left hand, and simulated placing a ring thereon. She turned to Morando and laughed again. The señora arose to her feet. "Come, Capitan, let us thank the peona for her kindness and for her suggestion of prophecy, and go on our journey. I trust my strength will not fail again." Morando offered money to the woman, but she would not accept it. "The gold is for the ring," she replied with another queer laugh. "Why should I withhold kindnesses?" she asked. "God gives them to me. I should not keep them selfishly." They thanked her for her good offices and went their way. Señora Valentino was her buoyant self once more, while Morando, though all courtesy and attention, seemed in a quiet mood. "Come, soldier mine," she suggested, "let us rejoice with the landscape and sing with the spring." She waited, then laughed gayly. "Perhaps the spirits of the future gave you an unhappy horoscope." Again she gave way to merriment. His answering laugh had a forced note, as he said: "What a pity the spirits are no longer free to speak without hindrance! In so far, my lady, as the peona spoke for them their message flattered me." He doffed his cap sweepingly. "Gallant soldier! But I was speaking a while ago of this province of California. Do you realize, Captain, that here is a country exceeding Spain in area and equaling her soil in fertility?" "I do realize it, indeed, señora. What we see here," indicating the waving valley, "and even after a winter of drought, is a demonstration of most wonderful fertility." "Under the English flag all old customs will flourish here; the civilization developed will be along Spanish lines. Colonists will come in numbers and a mighty principality will grow--still it will be, in essentials, Spanish. A viceroy will be in power, combining the office of a general with that of governor. These vast haciendas will be fruitful farms supporting more hundreds than they do individuals now." "What you say, señora, is not impossible." "What power, what patronage, what opportunity would belong to such a viceroy! It would be well-nigh that of a king." Her companion made no response. "My good soldier, of all the men in California who do you think would be chosen to this high office of civil and military leader?" "Señor Mendoza I believe to be the ablest man in the province. After him, I would say, comes Carillo, in the South." She smiled into his face. "The first governor under English rule here will be chosen on recommendation of three people. I am one of those three." "What can you mean, Señora Valentino?" asked the amazed man. "I mean this. It is my belief that English governing will be the one most acceptable to the Californians. I have become Great Britain's special representative, and I am laboring to bring about a judicious consummation."