Pere Francois smiles thoughtfully. He answers: "Be calm. You will
be protected. Trust to me. I will confer with our advisers. Not
a word to Isabel of impending trouble."
The little court-house at Mariposa is not large enough for the
crowd which pours in to see the Lady of Lagunitas when the fated
day approaches. It is the largest estate in the country. A number
of strangers have arrived. They are targets for wild rumors. Several
grave-looking arrivals are evidently advocates. There is "law" in
their very eyebrows.
Raoul Dauvray escorts Madame de Santos and the girl whose rumored
loveliness is famous already. Philip Hardin, with several noted
counsel, is in readiness. Pere Francois is absent. There is an
elderly invalid, with an Eastern party of strangers, who resembles
him wonderfully.
On the case being reached, there is a busy hum of preparation.
One or two professional-looking men of mysterious identity quietly
take their places at the bar. In the clerk's offices there is also
a bevy of strangers. By a fortuitous chance, the stalwart form of
Colonel Joe Woods illuminates the dingy court-room. His business
is not on the calendar, He sits idly playing with a huge diamond
ring until the "matter of the guardianship of Isabel Valois" is
reached.
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