“I wish you had, for that would have saved us many anxious thoughts. But let us not regret the past too much, only enough to cause us to appreciate the present. I understand how you felt, not wishing to seem disrespectful to your father, and yet not agreeing with him.”
“It has been the source of very painful feelings to me to see my father so misled, but I have found very great comfort in the fact that my mother agrees with me. She told me she would never come down if I did not pay for the land.”
“Yes; Mariano told me this, and I beg of you to convey to her my regrets at having been in error about this matter. Will you do so, please?”
“Certainly, madam; with great pleasure.”
“I trust that her good influence will be of great assistance to you in persuading your father to change his views.”
“Yes, I hope so; in fact, I feel pretty sure that, more or less warmly, all of my brothers and sisters will agree with me, especially Everett and Alice. Another fact, also, is in my favor, that my father promised to Don Mariano, when he first took up the land, that he would pay for it if the Courts decided against the settlers. That promise, I think, will have a good effect, for he always keeps his word. When the appeal is dismissed I shall remind him of it. In the meantime I shall watch my opportunities to conciliate him, for I feel sure he will resent my having paid for the land without his consent.”
“That is a pity. I am very sorry for that.”
“It is unpleasant that he should take so decided a view of so clear a subject, but I feel perfectly justified in acting as I did. What I do regret sincerely is that you and—and Miss Mercedes should not have known the truth sooner,” said Clarence, reddening to the roots of his hair, for he felt that he was touching on most delicate ground; with anxious, beating heart he waited for her reply.
Her face flushed a little. Was it pride, or was it because the heart of woman must always flutter when in her presence the subject of love is approached, in which ever direction it may be, and no matter if the snows of eighty winters rest placidly on her brow? Love is woman's special province—she has, or has had, or will have, power there. Man might take, and absolutely appropriate, monopolize and exclude her from money-making, from politics and from many other pursuits, made difficult to her by man's tyranny, man's hindrances, man's objections—but in the realms of love he is not the absolute dictator, not the master. He must sue, he must wait, he must be patient. Yes, the lord of creation often has to take snubbing quite meekly, for he can't help it.
Clarence knew all this, but he saw Doña Josefa smile, and grew brave.