Bedient was regarded with something akin to awe for his activity at The Pleiad, and on board the Savonarola.  Jaffier could readily perceive how large were the pecuniary interests of Carreras’ heir in the complete demolition of the Spaniard’s power, but such single-handed effectiveness had a supermasculine voltage about it, despite Bedient’s laughing explanations.  The Carreras interests became, in Jaffier’s mind, second only to the interests of the government.  A handsome present and a rich grant of land were privately conferred upon Miss Mallory, at Bedient’s suggestion, for her brilliant services to the government....  But these are dry externals.  A careful resume of happy adjustments from Jaffier down to Monkhouse following the last sail of the Spaniard, would weary....  Three days after the spent and silent six rode up to the hacienda, Bedient was left with but two guests, Miss Mallory and Jim Framtree, who were awaiting the New York steamer....  In effect, the parable of the horses had been retold to Framtree.  Bedient took him for a night-walk over the hills for this.

“But Beth showed me very clearly—­where I wouldn’t do at all,” the big man said intensely.  “And clearly, I saw it, too,—­raw and unfinished beside her, I was.”

“Did she ever show you that little picture of you she painted?” Bedient asked.

“No.  All she had of me were a few kodak prints——­”

“She probably painted the picture from them,” Bedient said.  “I saw it on her mantle one day, and instantly our little talk in Coral City recurred to me.  I knew you.  Beth Truba didn’t mention your name....  The portrait is exquisitely done....  Why, Jim Framtree, that portrait meant more to her than my comings and goings in the flesh——­”

“I can’t quite understand that, Bedient!”

“I knew there was some power in her heart that I did not affect.  I related it to the picture, and when she told me the parable, I asked her outright if the picture and her heart’s knight were one.  She answered ’Yes.’...  And so, Jim, I stand in awe of you.  You’ve won and held what is to me the greatest woman of our time.  I don’t know anything I wouldn’t do for you—­with that light upon you——­”

“You’ve got me thinking faster than is safe, Bedient.  Do men turn this sort of trick very often for each other?”

“It was glad tidings,” Bedient said.  “The fact is, I have no better thing to give, than services for such a woman.  It’s clear and simple, that my business is to make her as happy as I can from the outside....  And, Jim, she must not know I told you, nor that I hunted you up.  It wouldn’t be best....  Just go back to New York, ask to see her, and try again.  She’ll be glad——­”

“You’re sure of that?”

“Well, I shouldn’t be sure.  It’s her province....  I want her to have the chance.”

“...You ought to know how I feel about all this, Bedient,” Framtree said unsteadily, “since you know her.”