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There were a few lines of postscript： 〃It seems to me that the
change would leave you more free to consult your own wishes in
regard to continuing your friendship with Susy； and upon such a
footing as may please you。 I judge from Mrs。 McClosky's
conversation that she believed you thought you were only doing your
duty in reporting to me； and that the circumstances had not altered
the good terms in which you all three formerly stood。〃
Clarence had dropped the letter with a burning indignation that
seemed to sting his eyes until a scalding moisture hid the words
before him。 What might not Susy have said？ What exaggeration of
his affection was she not capable of suggesting？ He recalled Mrs。
McClosky； and remembered her easy acceptance of him as Susy's lover。
What had they told Mrs。 Peyton？ What must be her opinion of his
deceit towards herself？ It was hard enough to bear this before he
knew he loved her。 It was intolerable now！ And this is what she
meant when she suggested that he should renew his old terms with
Susy； it was for HIM that this ill…disguised； scornful generosity in
regard to Susy's pecuniary expectations was intended。 What should
he do？ He would write to her； and indignantly deny any clandestine
affection for Susy。 But could he do that； in honor； in truthfulness？
Would it not be better to write and confess all？ Yes；EVERYTHING。
Fortunately for his still boyish impulsiveness； it was at this time
that the discovery of his own financial ruin came to him。 The
inquest on the body of Pedro Valdez and the confession of his
confidant had revealed the facts of the fraudulent title and forged
testamentary documents。 Although it was correctly believed that
Pedro had met his death in an escapade of gallantry or intrigue； the
coroner's jury had returned a verdict of 〃accidental death；〃 and the
lesser scandal was lost in the wider； far…spreading disclosure of
fraud。 When he had resolved to assume all the liabilities of his
purchase； he was obliged to write to Mrs。 Peyton and confess his
ruin。 But he was glad to remind her that it did not alter HER
status or security； he had only given her the possession； and she
would revert to her original and now uncontested title。 But as
there was now no reason for his continuing the stewardship； and as
he must adopt some profession and seek his fortune elsewhere； he
begged her to relieve him of his duty。 Albeit written with a
throbbing heart and suffused eyes； it was a plain； business…like；
and practical letter。 Her reply was equally cool and matter of
fact。 She was sorry to hear of his losses； although she could not
agree with him that they could logically sever his present
connection with the rancho； or that； placed upon another and
distinctly business footing； the occupation would not be as
remunerative to him as any other。 But； of course； if he had a
preference for some more independent position； that was another
question； although he would forgive her for using the privilege of
her years to remind him that his financial and business success had
not yet justified his independence。 She would also advise him not
to decide hastily； or； at least； to wait until she had again
thoroughly gone over her husband's papers with her lawyer； in
reference to the old purchase of the Sisters' title； and the
conditions under which it was bought。 She knew that Mr。 Brant would
not refuse this as a matter of business； nor would that friendship；
which she valued so highly； allow him to imperil the possession of
the rancho by leaving it at such a moment。 As soon as she had
finished the examination of the papers； she would write again。 Her
letter seemed to leave him no hope； if； indeed； he had ever indulged
in any。 It was the practical kindliness of a woman of business；
nothing more。 As to the examination of her husband's papers； that
was a natural precaution。 He alone knew that they would give no
record of a transaction which had never occurred。 He briefly
replied that his intention to seek another situation was unchanged；
but that he would cheerfully await the arrival of his successor。
Two weeks passed。 Then Mr。 Sanderson； Mrs。 Peyton's lawyer；
arrived； bringing an apologetic note from Mrs。 Peyton。 She was so
sorry her business was still delayed； but as she had felt that she
had no right to detain him entirely at Robles； she had sent to Mr。
Sanderson to TEMPORARILY relieve him； that he might be free to look
around him or visit San Francisco in reference to his own business；
only extracting a promise from him that he would return to Robles to
meet her at the end of the week； before settling upon anything。
The bitter smile with which Clarence had read thus far suddenly
changed。 Some mysterious touch of unbusiness…like but womanly
hesitation； that he had never noticed in her previous letters； gave
him a faint sense of pleasure； as if her note had been perfumed。 He
had availed himself of the offer。 It was on this visit to
Sacramento that he had accidentally discovered the marriage of Susy
and Hooker。
〃It's a great deal better business for her to have a husband in the
'profesh' if she's agoin' to stick to it；〃 said his informant； Mrs。
McClosky； 〃and she's nothing if she ain't business and profesh； Mr。
Brant。 I never see a girl that was born for the stageyes； you
might say jess cut out o' the boards of the stageas that girl Susy
is！ And that's jest what's the matter； and YOU know it； and I know
it； and there you are！〃
It was with these experiences that Clarence was to…day reentering
the wooded and rocky gateway of the rancho from the high road of the
canada； but as he cantered up the first slope； through the drift of
scarlet poppies that almost obliterated the track； and the blue and
yellow blooms of the terraces again broke upon his view； he thought
only of Mrs。 Peyton's pleasure in this changed aspect of her old
home。 She had told him of it once before； and of her delight in it；
and he had once thought how happy he should be to see it with her。
The servant who took his horse told him that the senora had arrived
that morning from Santa Inez； bringing with her the two Senoritas
Hernandez from the rancho of Los Canejos； and that other guests were
expected。 And there was the Senor Sanderson and his Reverence Padre
Esteban。 Truly an affair of hospitality； the first since the padron
died。 Whatever dream Clarence might have had of opportunities for
confidential interview was rudely dispelled。 Yet Mrs。 Peyton had
left orders to be informed at once of Don Clarencio's arrival。
As he crossed the patio and stepped upon the corridor he fancied he
already detected in the internal arrangements the subtle influence
of Mrs。 Peyton's taste and the indefinable domination of the
mistress。 For an instant he thought of anticipating the servant and
seeking her in the boudoir； but some instinct withheld him； and he
turned into the study which he had used a