"I am highly flattered to call on Señora Valentino. A delightful woodland ride is followed by this more than delightful meeting." The young man placed his hand on his breast and inclined gracefully to the lady. She acknowledged the compliment by a single movement of the head. "You do not forget that you have come this morning along El Camino Real--the King's Highway?" "It is fit, truly, to be the highway of a king." "Our Captain is appreciative. No?" "In the past months I have followed it from San Diego to Sonoma, and have seen something of the magnificent framework of which this highway is the vertebræ." The lustrous brown eyes smiled at him. "It has been traveled by vice-regal governor and Mexican envoy. This room received them. On that dais," pointing to a platform at the end of the apartment, "obeisance has been paid from the noblest the land held." "Ah! this, then, was the state reception room," looking about with interest. "Those straight-backed chairs along the wall held waiting grandees when California belonged to Spain; and governors for this province were sent from the homeland. Privy councils were held here. Agreements of state were formulated and signed here. Much of the history of California was made in this place. The house, from being the governmental palace, passed, in Mexican times, to private ownership." "O, I see, señora." "Captain, the old days must have been glorious, but, after all, they were but seeds of more significant times. The new governor will have vastly greater opportunity than the others ever dreamed of." "I cannot doubt it, señora." "Then, my Captain, be the first English governor in Monterey. The office will be yours for the taking." "You speak to me, señora, of high office endowed with great power ready to my hand. Mindful as I am of your consideration, I could not, if I would, accept a place for which I have had no training, and for which I feel no aptitude." "A modest captain! Your words do you credit, my soldier. But, you have not yet looked on all sides of the question. You would be the front of the incoming administration. Back of you would stand men who have had experience in applied statecraft, but who lack the unusual qualifications you possess successfully to represent English rule to the residents of this province." "Still, señora, I would be occupying a position in which I would be entirely inexperienced." "But think, Captain; consider. With time comes the experience." "Again I thank you, señora. But, when I feel free to do so I shall leave California and seek a career elsewhere." "California needs you. Castilian ideals and Castilian faith need you." "I shall fail no duty, señora." "But the governorship?" persistently. "Señora, my friend, may I ask you to believe me when I say I could not accept it." "Well, Captain, the formal offer, nevertheless, will come to you in a short time." She touched a bell. Her maid entered.