The Splendid Idle Forties: Stories of Old California

h, Cyane, and Levant, and only Do?a Modeste Castro had declined. At ten o'clock the sala of his large house on the rise of the hill was thronged with robed

Montere?a ever left her little ones at home. The old men and the caballeros wore the black coats and white trousers which Monterey fashi

gular tramp of many feet turning from Alvarado Street up the little Primera del Este, facing Mr. Larkin's house, made dark eyes flash, lace and silken gowns flutter. Benicia and a group of girls were standing

girl who had grasped her arm. "I feel as if the war

ghtens thee! But, Mary! How many they are! They tramp as if t

any more. Ah! there is not one

had changed for ever; the blue and gol

es looking inquisitively over a snowdrift. The girls returned their glances with approval, for they were as fine and manly a

enicia admitted. True, his hair was golden, but it was cut short, and bore no resemblance to th

peak any English, se?or

earn the other langues. But Se?or Hartnell he say it no is easy at all for the Eenglish

do not, else would I not have the pleasure of hearing you spe

of her fingers and swayed her graceful b

. Ay! We need have one compliment for every tear that f

ds to express my admiration for them, se?orita.

g with pleasure. "Mother, you hear! You hear!" she cried

re smiles; it flashed over her strong dark face

e said, with slow precis

name of the wo

ican, but I would rather have thrown the flag under your feet than have seen you cry like that. And I assure you, dear se?ora, every man among us felt the same. As y

in, and she set her lips for a m

to our houses, and we cannot treat you like enemies. I will say with-how you say it-truth?-we did hate the thought that you come and take the count

taquia; he divined in part the mighty effort by which good breeding and philosop

ty men, se?ora. Each woul

er necklace!" cried

but Do?a Eustaquia shook her fa

Benicia, "so no be too curiosa. Y

t. But this is a plain waltz;

roaching caballeros, laid her hand on the offi

ad!" she said with surp

dance so

dance with a fa

ou say. I never been

" And then, in the whirl-waltz of

Eustaquia, he took the fan from Benicia's hand an

manded. "How queer are these Americanos! Why, I have

?or

no for long. It was at Sonoma two mont

lf; but it is no reflection upon your

ve the custom. You no look like a m

back the fan w

I suppose you would have a man lie in

that than take w

American

ed California out th

ted States with hostilities for a year, and attack a small

he do. Si she do wrong, that n

ng people fac

t, Madre de Dios! I like see General Castro take your little

, Miss Ortega, and no officer in the Uni

tter you lock

ussell! Benicia! w

to dance the waltz of peace? Benicia, your most humble admirer has a favour to crave of you. I would have my coun

an by dazzling him with her grace and beauty. Her eye's swift invitation brought Don Fernando, sco

nds behind him, and together they rattled their feet on the floor with dexterity and precision, whilst the girls sang the words of the dance. The officers gave genuine applause, delighted with this picturesque fragment of life on the edge of the Pacific. Don Fernando listened to their demonstrations with sombre contempt on his dark handsome face; Benicia indicated her pleasure by sundry