"Señor the Commodore, you go to conference with Mendoza, of Mission San José. Is it not so?"
He started to reply, but checked himself.
"Think on what you do. We of this province—Mendoza and a handful of others excepted—desire not to be ruled by your nation."
"Señora Valentino, I am but a student of conditions here."
She moved closer toward him. He still held her hand.
"You do not come with prejudged verdict?" In her earnestness she placed her disengaged hand on his shoulder.
"Assuredly not. Of course I know the general desire of my government. Further than that I do what seems wisest."
"Then consult the people of California. See Padre Osuna, that saintly Chrysostom of this Western world. Meet Colonel Barcelo, the acting-governor. Interview Pio Pico, and his brother Andreas. See the Peraltas, the Carillos. Señor Mendoza represents but few besides himself."
She moved away from him. "As to this O'Donnell—O'Donnell! He is a man with a price on his head, placed there by the English government. What wonder he intrigues against England!"
"Some political offense, of course."