Company I is at Fort Yuma on the Colorado.

It is the first post in California." "California!" And Clara could not help brightening up in cheeks and eyes with fine tints and flashes.

"Why, I am going to California." "We will see," said Aunt Maria, still holding the fates in her fist.
Then came the story of Grandfather Munoz's letter, with a hint or two concerning the decay of the Van Diemen fortune, for Clara was not worldly wise enough to hide her poverty.
Thurstane's face turned as red with pleasure as if it had been dipped in the sun.

If this young lady was going to California, he might perhaps be her knight-errant across the desert, guard her from privations and hardships, and crown himself with her smiles.

If she was poor, he might--well, he would not speculate upon that; it was too dizzying.
We must say a word as to his history in order to show why he was so shy and sensitive.