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keep his word so far as to abstain from allusion to her family or her past：
indeed； he had his own opinion of its futility。 But it would be strange if；
with his past experience； he could not find some other way to determine
her convictions or win her confidence during those two hours of
companionship。 He would accept her terms fairly； if she had any ulterior
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design in her advances； he would detect it； if she had the least concern for
him； she could not continue long an artificial friendship。 But he must not
think of that！
By absenting himself from the hotel he managed to keep clear of
Pendleton until the hour arrived。 He was gratified to find Yerba in the
simplest and most sensible of habits； as if she had already divined his
tastes and had wished to avoid attracting undue attention。 Nevertheless； it
very prettily accented her tall graceful figure； and Paul； albeit； like most
artistic admirers of the sex； not recognizing a woman on a horse as a
particularly harmonious spectacle； was forced to admire her。 Both rode
well； and naturallyhaving been brought up in the same Western school
the horses recognized it； and instinctively obeyed them； and their
conversation had the easy deliberation and inflection of a tete…a… tete。 Paul；
in view of her previous hint； talked to her of himself and his fortunes； of
which she appeared； however； to have some knowledge。 His health had
obliged him lately to abandon politics and office； he had been successful
in some ventures； and had become a junior partner in a bank with foreign
correspondence。 She listened to him for some time with interest and
attention； but at last her face became abstracted and thoughtful。 〃I wish I
were a man！〃 she said suddenly。
Paul looked at her quickly。 For the first time he detected in the ring of
her voice something of the passionate quality he fancied he had always
seen in her face。
〃Except that it might give you better control of your horse； I don't see
why；〃 said Paul。 〃And I don't entirely believe you。〃
〃Why？〃
〃Because no woman really wishes to be a man unless she is conscious
of her failure as a woman。〃
〃And how do you know I'm not？〃 she said； checking her horse and
looking in his face。 A quick conviction that she was on the point of some
confession sprang into his mind； but unfortunately showed in his face。 She
beat back his eager look with a short laugh。 〃There； don't speak； and don't
look like that。 That remark was worthy the usual artless maiden's
invitation to a compliment； wasn't it？ Let us keep to the subject of yourself。
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Why； with your political influence； don't you get yourself appointed to
some diplomatic position over here？〃
〃There are none in our service。 You wouldn't want me to sink myself
in some absurd social functions； which are called by that name； merely to
become the envy and hatred of a few rich republicans； like your friends
who haunt foreign courts？〃
〃That's not a pretty speechbut I suppose I invited THAT too。 Don't
apologize。 I'd rather see you flare out like that than pay compliments。 Yet I
fancy you're a diplomatist； for all that。〃
〃You did me the honor to believe I was one once； when I was simply
the most palpable ass and bungler living；〃 said Paul bitterly。
She was still sweetly silent； apparently preoccupied in smoothing out
the mane of her walking horse。 〃Did I？〃 she said softly。 He drew close
beside her。
〃How different the vegetation is here from what it is with us！〃 she said
with nervous quickness； directing his attention to the grass road beneath
them； without lifting her eyes。 〃I don't mean what is cultivated；for I
suppose it takes centuries to make the lawns they have in England；but
even here the blades of grass seem to press closer together； as if they were
crowded or overpopulated； like the country； and this forest； which has
been always wild and was a hunting park； has a blase look； as if it was
already tired of the unchanging traditions and monotony around it。 I think
over there Nature affects and influences us： here； I fancy； it is itself
affected by the people。〃
〃I think a good deal of Nature comes over from America for that
purpose；〃 he said dryly。
〃And I think you are breaking your promisebesides being a goose！〃
she retorted smartly。 Nevertheless； for some occult reason they both
seemed relieved by this exquisite witticism； and trotted on amicably
together。 When Paul lifted his eyes to hers he could see that they were
suffused with a tender mischief； as of a reproving yet secretly admiring
sister； and her strangely delicate complexion had taken on itself that faint
Alpine glow that was more of an illumination than a color。 〃There；〃 she
said gayly； pointing with her whip as the wood opened upon a glade
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through which the parted trees showed a long blue curvature of distant
hills； 〃you see that white thing lying like a snowdrift on the hills？〃
〃Or the family washing on a hedge。〃
〃As you please。 Well； that is the villa。〃
〃And you were very happy there？〃 said Paul； watching her girlishly
animated face。
〃Yes； and as you don't ask questions； I'll tell you why。 There is one of
the sweetest old ladies there that I ever metthe perfection of old…time
courtliness with all the motherishness of a German woman。 She was very
kind to me； and； as she had no daughter of her own； I think she treated me
as if I was one。 At least； I can imagine how one would feel to her； and
what a woman like that could make of any girl。 You laugh； Mr。 Hathaway；
you don't understandbut you don't know what an advantage it would be
to a girl to have a mother like that； and know that she could fall back on
her and hold her own against anybody。 She's equipped from the start；
instead of being handicapped。 It's all very well to talk about the value of
money。 It can g