"Clarinda, my dear," sententiously, "I've labored for position and power, not for my own sake, but that you should receive what is worthy of you. That has been my great ambition," pompously.
"How exceedingly nice of you!" half sarcastically from the señora, not yet quite mollified after her husband's reference to the princesses.
"I had climbed to a place where high honor was almost mine. Mexico goes out of California and England comes in. I had aimed to gain for myself governorship of the province, as well as the commandership-in-chief of all the land forces. Under England such a position should satisfy anyone. It would have satisfied me—at least, for the present; that is, my love, when you would be at my side sharing the honors."
"Where else would I be?" her wide-open eyes darkening a little.
"Nowhere else; nowhere else, my love—not with my consent."
"Nor mine either," firmly.
The Colonel floundered a moment. "Where was I when interrupted? O yes. At last I had attained a place proper and fitting for me—and for you, too, Clarinda. When I say 'I' I mean you also."
"Crisostimo, why didn't you say that at first?"
"First! Say it first! Well, I meant it first. Now, comes this Morando, this villainous Morando——"
"Crisostimo, he is no such thing," defended the señora with indignation.