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Madelaine smiled at him, annoyed that he would not admit she knew her own mind, and decided to enjoy herself at his expense "Dear me, Mr Sherman, are you always so hesitant yourself?" She could see that he was uneasy with this challenge, and she pressed her advantage, feeling his uncertainty about her as if there were a third person in the house with thee who evaluated all that passed between them "Froht you were of a decisive nature Captain Buell says the sah narrowed eyes "What do you mean, Madame?"

"I mean that you doubt my capacity to choose that which suitscloser still to hih and secure enough for my purposes, the rooms are pleasant, the location is satisfactory, and it requires very little attention from me, once I select the carpets and draperies You tell h for the house Since it has soto take it on a lease through… shall we say September?"

"You will have your book written in that ti this back at her, his face nearly expressionless

"The greater part of it, certainly," she answered, unflus-tered; she enjoyed the aardness he felt in response to her e it plain that he washed his hands of the whole affair "Be it on your head then, Madame" His eyes belied the indifference of his dee for the lease to be drawn up this afternoon; you , if that is convenient"

"Excellent," she said "And perhaps you can reco of next week? We ht as well be about this as soon as possible"

He offered her a small salute "Certainly, Madame"

"When I have established myself here, you must advise me how best to entertain, so that I will not offend any of the important hostesses in San Francisco" She meant what she said, and was reh’eved that for once Sheran, then let his words trail off as he stared at her

"If your ere here, we should not be having this conversation, Mr Sher deliberately provocative, and wondering what it was about hiued her, aside from his apparent fascination with her

"No," he said, and looked away toward the vacantand its view of the street beyond

San Francisco, 10 June,

I am now in my house on Franklin Street, near the intersection of Grove Street, and very pleasant it is, too The draper isup curtains, draperies, and valences for me; they will be installed by the day after tomorrow, or so he has assured me, which will dothe day With my chests of native earth in the basement, and my mattress and shoes relined, I am already quite at home In a •week or so, all should be in order I think I shall go on very well here

This afternoon I interviewed over thirty applicants for my three staff positions, and have chosen a housekeeper-cum-maid who has but recently arrived froa Bjomholm I have also found a man-of-all-work naold but realized that he could do better helping to build houses and guard the in the mountain rivers, and so here he is I have yet to hire a cook for the household, but I have found a coachman to drive for me as needed

I am reluctant to ask Mr Sherman for , which causes him distress It is apparent when he speaks tofro as well It has been so long since I have let ly; for the last decade I have taken my pleasure-- such as it has been--in the drea to ratification but not nourishment For that, therefor that intih why I believe I should find either from William T Sherman, I cannot tell, except for what is in his eyes

Madelaine arrived at the French Theatre on Montgo to get into position at the front of the theatre, where the sideas broader and tide steps were in place for those leaving their carriages Ushers were at the edge of this boardwalk helping the arriving audience to alight

"I don’t think I can get much closer, Madame, not in another ten minutes, and you would then be late," said Enrique, her coach to discharge their passengers "It is less than a block from here"