confides to each the various irregularities of their friends. It is
upon these sacred confidences that the firm foundations of marriage rest
unshaken.
Of course the objects of this comment, at least ONE of them, were quite
oblivious. "I trust," said Carmen, timidly, when they had for the fourth
time regarded in rapt admiration an abominable something by some
Dutch wood-chopper, "I trust I am not keeping you from your great
friends:"--her pretty eyelids were cast down in tremulous distress:--"I
should never forgive myself. Perhaps it is important business of the
State?"
"Oh, dear, no! THEY will come again,--it's THEIR business."
The Senator meant it kindly. It was as near the perilous edge of a
compliment as your average cultivated Boston man ever ventures, and
Carmen picked it up, femininely, by its sentimental end. "And I suppose
I shall not trouble you again?"
"I shall always be proud to place the portfolio at your disposal.
Command me at any time," said the Senator, with dignity.
"You are kind. You are good," said Carmen, "and I--I'm but,--look
you,--only a poor girl from California, that you know not."
"Pardon me, I know your country well." And indeed he could have told her
the exact number of bushels of wheat to the acre in her own county of
Monterey, its voting population, its political bias. Yet of the more
important product before him, after the manner of book-read men, he knew
nothing.
Carmen was astonished, but respectful. It transpired presently that she
was not aware of the rapid growth of the silk worm in her own district,
knew nothing of the Chinese question, and very little of the American
mining laws. Upon these questions the Senator enlightened her fully.
"Your name is historic, by the way," he said pleasantly. "There was a
Knight of Alcantara, a 'De Haro,' one of the emigrants with Las Casas."
Carmen nodded her head quickly, "Yes; my great-great-great-g-r-e-a-t
grandfather!"
The Senator stared.
"Oh, yes. I am the niece of Victor Castro, who married my father's
sister."
"The Victor Castro of the 'Blue Mass' mine?" asked the Senator abruptly.
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