Demorest's dream of a few days' conjugal seclusion and confidences with his wife was quickly dispelled by that lady.

"I came down with Rosita Pico, whose father, you know, once owned this property," she said.
"She's gone on to her cousins at Los Osos Rancho to-night, but comes here to-morrow for a visit.

She knows the place well; in fact, she once had a romantic love affair here.

But she is very entertaining.

It will be a little change for us," she added, naively.
Demorest kept back a sigh, without changing his gentle smile.