The grave priest returns in half an hour. Hardin ponders uneasily. The priest plays an unimpassioned part. "Madame de Santos will receive Judge Hardin on his terms, with the condition, that if there is any exciting difference, Judge Hardin will retire at once, and not renew his proposals." Hardin accepts. Now for work. Side by side, the new-made senator and the old priest walk across the plaza. Success smiles on Hardin. Local quid-nuncs mutter "Compromise," as they seek the spiritual consolation of the Magnolia Saloon and Palace Varieties. Is there to be no pistol practice after all? Alas, these degenerate days! The camp has lost its glory. Betting has been two to one that Colonel Joe Woods riddles the Judge before the trial is over. Now these bets will be off. A fraud on the innocent public. The decadence of Mariposa. Yet, Hardin is not easy. In the first struggle of his life with a priest, Hardin feels himself no match for his passionless antagonist. The waxen mask of the Church hides the inner soul of the man. Only when PŠre Fran‡ois turns his searching gaze on the Judge, parrying every move, does the lawyer feel how the immobility of the clergyman is proof against his wiles and professional ambushes. PŠre Fran‡ois conducts Hardin into the room whence Natalie dismissed him, in her roused but sadly wounded spirit. She is there, waiting. Her face is marble in pallor. With a grave bow, the old ecclesiastic retires to an adjoining room and leaves them alone. There is a writing table. "Madame, to spare you discussion," Hardin remarks seriously, "I will write on two sheets of paper what I ask and what I offer. You may confer with your adviser. I will retire. You can add to either anything you propose. We can then, at once, observe if we can approach each other." Natalie's stately head bows assent in silence. In five minutes Hardin hands her the two sheets. Natalie's face puzzles him. Calm and unmoved, she looks him quietly in the eyes, as if in a mute farewell. She has simply uttered monosyllables, in answer to his few explanations. Hardin walks up and down upon the veranda, while Natalie, the priest, and Colonel Joe scan the two sheets. His heart beats quickly while the trio read his proposals. They are simple enough. What he gets and what he gives. Madame de Santos is to absent herself from the trial. She is to leave Isabel Valois, her charge, with the priest. She is to be silent as to the entire past. Hardin's lawyers are to stipulate, in case of Isabel Valois being defeated in any of her rights, she shall be free to receive a fund equal to that settled on the absent child of Natalie. Her freedom comes with her majority in any case. Judge Hardin offers, on the other hand: To give a written recognition of the private marriage, and to fully legalize the absent Irene. To admit her to his succession, and to surrender all control to the mother.