"I am afraid we couldn't. Nobody does such things, you know--except Helena. Someone would be sure to see us, and it would be all over town before night. Then we should have to announce--I'd rather not do that until just before--I should hate being discussed." "Well, but I must have you to myself in my own way. I wonder if your mother would bring you down to my house for a few days. Don Roberto and Mr. Polk could come down every evening." "I think they would like it." "And you?" "Oh, I should like it. The woods must be lovely in winter." "Who has been teaching you coquetry? Who has fallen in love with you since I left?" "With me? No one. No one would ever think of such a thing but you--" "I love you with an unerring instinct." "They are all in love with Helena. I suppose you heard of her in New York." "It certainly was not your fault if I did not." "But surely you must have heard otherwise. She is a great, great belle." "My dearest girl, you do not hear California mentioned in New York once a month. It might be on Mars. The East remembers California's existence about as often as Europe remembers America's. They don't know what they miss. When am I to see your Helena?" "A week from to-night; she gives a ball then at Del Monte. She and her father have already gone, because each thought the other needed rest." "Monterey,--that is the scene of your Ysabel's tragedy. We will explore the old part of the town together." She moved closer to him, her eyes glistening. "That has been one of my dreams,--to be there with you--for the first time. We can guess where they all lived--and go to the cemetery on the hill where so many are buried--and there is the Custom House on the rocks, where the ball was and where Ysabel jumped off--it will be heaven!" He laughed and caught her in his arms, kissing her fondly. "You dear little Spanish maid," he said. "You don't belong to the present at all. No wonder you bewitched me. I am beginning to feel quite out of place in the present, myself. It is a novel and delightful sensation." VIII Mrs. Yorba decided that it would be wiser for them all to go to Fair Oaks; no one would know whether Trennahan were their guest or not. This was her first really gay winter, and could she have thought of a plausible excuse she would have delayed the marriage for a year or two. But both Don Roberto and Trennahan were determined that the wedding should not take place later than June. They were to spend five days at Fair Oaks. Then Don Roberto, Mrs. Yorba, and Magdalena would go to Monterey, Trennahan to follow on the evening of the ball.