She gasped slightly. “I cannot believe it,” she said. “That I can love you as passionately as a man ever loved a woman, and yet leave you to complete a record which means a good deal to me? If I were going to live in California I would put it off for a year--with scarcely a regret; but it is now or never. Surely you will be reasonable.” “You can go if you like, but you need not come back!” and she made a rush for the door. He caught her in his arms, and held her so closely that she could not move. “I shall go, and I shall come back, and I shall marry you on the first of July. And believe this--I cannot get back quickly enough.” “I can’t bear the thought of having you go, and I can’t bear the thought of being put aside for a bear,” sobbed Lee. “Console yourself with the thought that you will never be able to get rid of me for more than two weeks at a time. I do not believe in matrimonial vacations.” “You will never make another long sporting tour round the world?” “Never! I have had that. I want a home more than anything on earth.” “I wish I had more influence over you.” “You mean that I was your blind besotted slave. When you have forgotten your false ideas of the relations of men and women, and accepted the right one, you will not bother yourself about trifles; and there is no reason why any one on earth should be happier than we.” “After I have adapted myself!” He gave her a little shake. “When you have swung round to the old world, and the only logical point of view. A state of society is all wrong where women rule--that is to say, it is in a semi-chaotic transition period. When your greatest country on the face of the earth has shaken down, men and women will occupy exactly the same relative positions that they do in older countries. And there will be fewer divorces.” “How can you stand up here and lecture me?” “I don’t want to lecture you. I want to kiss you.” “I can’t help being an American. I was made one, and I have grown up one. How can I make myself over?” “Think less about it. You Americans--particularly you Californians-- carry your individuality round like a chip on your shoulder. You are as self-conscious about it as a little boy with his first pair of trousers. I hear Trennahan’s voice. I must leave you in five minutes, and I may not see you alone again. We have talked enough.” And as they were both people who did nothing by halves, they parted with fervour, and mutual assurance of the other’s impeccability. CHAPTER XXXII The next evening, Lee rose abruptly from her seat between Mrs. Yorba and Mrs. Trennahan, who had dined with them, and walked hastily over to Randolph who sat alone in a corner of the verandah. “Did you send Cecil to the Santa Lucia Mountains hoping that he would be killed?” she demanded.