"But she has commanded me to take you to her, señor, and--look at the men crowding about her--do you think I dare to disobey?" The stranger's dark gray eyes became less insensible. He was a handsome man, with a tall figure, and a smooth strong face; but about him hung the indolence of the Californian. "Very well," he said, "take me to her." He asked her to dance, and after a waltz Eulogia said she was tired, and they sat down within a proper distance of Doña Pomposa's eagle eye. "What do you think of the women of San Luis Obispo?" asked Eulogia, innocently. "Are not they handsome?" "They are not to be compared with the women of Monterey--since you ask me." "Because they find the men of San Luis more gallant than the Señor Don Pablo Ignestria!" "Do they? One, I believe, asked to have me introduced to her!" "True, señor. I wished to meet you that you might fall in love with me, and that the ladies of San Luis might have their vengeance." He stared at her. "Truly, señorita, but you do not hide your cards. And why, then, should I fall in love with you?" "Because I am different from the women of Monterey." "A good reason why I should not. I have been in every town in California, and I admire no women but those of my city." "And because you will hate me first." "And if I hate you, how can I love you?" "It is the same. You hate one woman and love another. Each is the same passion, only to a different person out goes a different side. Let the person loved or hated change his nature, and the passion will change." He looked at her with more interest. "In truth I think I shall begin with love and end with hate, señorita. But that wisdom was not born in your little head; for sixteen years, I think, have not sped over it, no? It went in, if I mistake not, through those bright eyes." "Yes, señor, that is true. I am not content to be just like other girls of sixteen. I want to _know_--_to know._ Have you ever read any books, señor?" "Many." He looked at her with a lively interest now. "What ones have you read?" "Only the beautiful romances of the Señor Dumas. I have seen no others, for there are not many books in San Luis. Have you read others?" "A great many others. Two wonderful Spanish books--'Don Quixote de la Mancha' and 'Gil Blas,' and the romances of Sir Waltere Scote--a man of England, and some lives of famous men, señorita. A great man lent them to me--the greatest of our Governors--Alvarado." "And you will lend them to me?" cried Eulogia, forgetting her coquetry, "I want to read them." "Aha! Those cool eyes can flash. That even little voice can break in two. By the holy Evangelists, señorita, thou shalt have every book I possess." "Will the Señorita Doña Eulogia favour us with a song?" Don Carmelo was bowing before her, a guitar in his hand, his wrathful eyes fixed upon Don Pablo. "Yes," said Eulogia.