"I have plans for California." It was as if she had said, "Go to, we will make California in our own image." The young lady was satisfied.

Her strong-minded relative was a mighty mystery to her, just as men were mighty mysteries.

Whatever she or they said could be done and should be done, why of course it would be done, and that shortly.
By the time that Aunt Maria had announced her decision, another visitor was on the point of entrance.

Carlos Maria Munoz Garcia de Coronado was a nephew of Manuel Garcia, who was a cousin of Clara's grandfather; only, as Garcia was merely his uncle by marriage, Coronado and Clara were not related by blood, though calling each other cousin.

He was a man of medium stature, slender in build, agile and graceful in movement, complexion very dark, features high and aristocratic, short black hair and small black moustache, eyes black also, but veiled and dusky.