Helena groaned. "You are hopeless. Thank Heaven, I was born without a conscience,—that kind, anyhow. I intend to be a law all to myself. I'm Californian clear through into my backbone."
The hack stopped. The girls alighted and walked slowly forward. Mr. Belmont's house was the first of the three.
"Well," said Helena, "here we are. I'm going to climb up the pillar and walk along the ledge. How are you going in?"
"Through the front door."
"Well, if you will, you will, I suppose. Kiss me good-night."
Magdaléna kissed her and walked on. A half-moment later Helena called after her in a loud whisper,—
"Take off that shawl!"
Magdaléna lifted her hand to her chin, then dropped it. When she reached her own home, she rang the bell firmly. The Chinaman who opened the door stared at her, the dawn of an expression on his face.
"Where is Don Roberto?" she asked.
"In loffice, missee."