He had stepped back erect when she opened her eyes.  They were sleepy, yet surprised until she saw him.  Then she was wide awake in a second, bewildered, uncertain.

“Why—­you here?” she asked, slowly.

“Large as life!” replied Dick, with unusual gayety.

“How long have you been here?”

“Just got here this fraction of a second,” he replied, lying shamelessly.

It was evident that she did not know whether or not to believe him, and as she studied him a slow blush dyed her cheek.

“You are absolutely truthful when you say you just stepped there?”

“Why, of course,” answered Dick, right glad he did not have to lie about that.

“I thought—­I was—­dreaming,” she said, and evidently the sound of her voice reassured her.

“Yes, you looked as if you were having pleasant dreams,” replied Dick.  “So sorry to wake you.  I can’t see how I came to do it, I was so quiet.  Mercedes didn’t wake.  Well, I’ll go and let you have your siesta and dreams.”

But he did not move to go.  Nell regarded him with curious, speculative eyes.

“Isn’t it a lovely day?” queried Dick.

“I think it’s hot.”

“Only ninety in the shade.  And you’ve told me the mercury goes to one hundred and thirty in midsummer.  This is just a glorious golden day.”

“Yesterday was finer, but you didn’t notice it.”

“Oh, yesterday was somewhere back in the past—­the inconsequential past.”

Nell’s sleepy blue eyes opened a little wider.  She did not know what to make of this changed young man.  Dick felt gleeful and tried hard to keep the fact from becoming manifest.

“What’s the inconsequential past?  You seem remarkably happy to-day.”

“I certainly am happy.  Adios.  Pleasant dreams.”

Dick turned away then and left the patio by the opening into the yard.  Nell was really sleepy, and when she had fallen asleep again he would return.  He walked around for a while.  Belding and the rangers were shoeing a broncho.  Yaqui was in the field with the horses.  Blanco Sol grazed contently, and now and then lifted his head to watch.  His long ears went up at sight of his master, and he whistled.  Presently Dick, as if magnet-drawn, retraced his steps to the patio and entered noiselessly.

Nell was now deep in her siesta.  She was inert, relaxed, untroubled by dreams.  Her hair was damp on her brow.

Again Nell stirred, and gradually awakened.  Her eyes unclosed, humid, shadowy, unconscious.  They rested upon Dick for a moment before they became clear and comprehensive.  He stood back fully ten feet from her, and to all outside appearances regarded her calmly.

“I’ve interrupted your siesta again,” he said.  “Please forgive me.  I’ll take myself off.”

He wandered away, and when it became impossible for him to stay away any longer he returned to the patio.