She went on: "When the British admiral opens in Monterey harbor his sealed advices, he will find a paper appointing as commander of the army and head of this province the man on whom the English consul, Captain Farquharson, and your humble servant have agreed as the right one for that office."
She paused in her remarks, as if expecting him to speak. He did not. She went on: "We have already made our choice." She spoke dispassionately. "Now, who do you think it is?"
"I can still form no idea, unless it be, indeed, Mendoza, or Carillo—or, possibly, one of the Picos."
"It is none other than Capitan Alfredo Morando."
He checked his horse.
She swung her mount to meet him. Neither spoke for several moments.
He bared his head. "Señora Valentino, words fail me to express my gratitude for your high opinion of me. I thank you most cordially and most humbly."
They rode on in silence.
At last they neared the Calderon hacienda house.
"Before long we salute you as 'Your Excellency.'"