"Perhaps she does not like a home where there are endless prayers," he said, briefly; "but, such as it is, it is for you, madama. You would light up even the shadows there. As for the Doña Maria, she is--ah, well, she is old, and forgets many things. She has had her own romances, and they should teach her charity! The plans she makes in San Diego and on the road are all right for those places, but when we reach San Juan you all go to my home. I sent word ahead."
"She does not know what night, or what day, but she will expect you."
"She does not care at all for people, does she?" and Angela's eyes were turned from him to the sea. "All this wonderful principality of a place, and a home like a ruined castle, and the boxes of jewels they say she never looks at! She must be a marvellous woman,--the Doña Raquel Arteaga. I shall feel a little afraid, I think, of the magnificence she disdains."
"A finer castle will go up on those bluffs when you say the word, madama mia; and the jewels--one can always find more pearls in the sea!"
"How often shall I have to tell you that you must not make those foolish promises to me? You, a married man!"
"Just so often as you make me forget the marriage--and that--"
"Adam!" she laughed. "Of course it is to be the woman's fault,--'She tempted me!'"
She sprang to her feet and ran to her horse as the carriage came in sight over the mesa. He was by her side in an instant.
"And that, madama, is every time I hear your voice, or look in your eyes, or feel the touch of your hand! Ah, beloved!"
"If you kiss me, Don Rafael, remember I cannot go to the house of your wife!"
He released her with a groan, and stared at her as she leaned panting against her horse.
"You put a man in purgatory, madama," he said, between shut teeth. "But it must end--only Christ knows how! It must end one of these days."
He lifted her to the saddle and kept his arms about her, looking up into her face.
"Was that about the boat all a jest? Once before you spoke of a boat--and us two. Perhaps it was only your woman's way to torture a man by helping him to think of that sort of heaven! But, after all, what is all this life here to you? You care nothing for the people; you will go away somewhere, some day, and no one will ever hear of you again. What better way, after all, than the boat? It leaves no tracks; there would be all the world before us."
