The Californians

  V

  Magdalena, although much interested in Helena's performances, felt attimes as if dream-walking, half expecting to awaken at the foot of herlittle altar. In the days when she had prayed, full of faith, for beautyand its triumphs, although ignorance had handled the brush of herimagination, yet the vigorous outline sketch had closely resembled allthat was now the portion of her friend. She pondered on the fancy shehad had as a child that Helena realised all her own little ambitions.She certainly had realised all her larger, but one. She dreaded to askHelena if she had ever cared to write, fearing to surprise a confessionto the authorship of the novel of the day. This, she concluded, afterdue reflection, was exaggeration; for if Helena had written, evenwithout publication, she certainly would have talked about it, reticencebeing no vice of hers. But the suggestion might prick a latent talentinto action. This was just the one thing Magdalena could not endure, andshe decided to let the talent sleep. The rest mattered little, asidefrom the sense of failure which the vicarious accomplishment of ambitionmust always induce; for she had her advantage of Helena, the greatestone woman can have of another. She was happy, but Helena was onlysatisfied for the moment; so restless and passionate a heart would notlong remain content with the husks. It was true that Trennahan had notgone mad over herself as other men over Helena; but what of that? It wasa question of years alone.

  It was now three months since he had left California. He had found hismother's affairs in a serious condition, but had managed to gather upthe threads, and the knot would be tied before long. There was no doubtabout his desire to return. In fact, as the time waned, his ardourwaxed. Sometimes Magdalena was driven to wonder if his yearning forCalifornia or herself were the greater; but on the whole she wassatisfied, for she liked to accept his fancy that the two wereindissoluble. He wrote delightful letters, witty and graceful, full ofinteresting gossip, and with many personal and tender pages. But thenovelty of his absence had worn off some time since, and she longedimpatiently for his return. She was caught in the whirl of socialactivity, and was the restless Helena's constant companion;nevertheless, there were lonely hours, when the future with itsimperious demands routed the past.

  The engagement was still a profound secret; Magdalena had told Helena atonce, but it was unguessed by anyone else. Mrs. Yorba had insisted thather daughter should have one brilliant girl season. The truth was thatshe was delighted at Don Roberto's sudden interest in the world offashion, and was determined to make the most of it. He developed,indeed, into an untiring seeker after the innocent amusements of hiswife's exclusive kingdom, and had given a fashionable tailor permissionto bring his wardrobe down to date; he had hitherto worn clothes of thesame cut for twenty years. The girls always gave him a square dance;during the round dances he stood against the wall with Mr. Polk andColonel Belmont, and fairly beamed with good-will. The Yorbas seldomspent an evening at home unless their own doors were open, and DonRoberto consented to two parties and several large dinners. Mrs. Yorbashuddered sometimes at the weakening of her inborn and long-nurturedeconomical faculty, but thoroughly enjoyed herself--forming an importantitem of the dado--and hoped that her husband's enthusiasm would endure.