and I fear that Mercedes is too deeply interested already.”
“That is so. Have you spoken to papa about it?” Carlota asked.
“I mentioned it only once, knowing his partiality to Clarence,” Doña Josefa replied.
“He might be partial, but when it comes to the danger of his daughter's marrying a squatter I should think there would be a limit to partiality,” Carlota said, warmly.
“I fear your father views the matter differently. The one time I mentioned to him that Clarence seemed to be more and more in love with Mercedes, and my fear that she also liked him more than I care to believe. He said, ‘Has he made love or proposed to her?’ I told him I hoped he had not been so audacious as that. ‘Audacious!’ said he, and laughed. ‘I tell you, wife, if all that is necessary for Clarence to propose be courage, neither you nor I can stop him, for the boy is no coward. I reckon that it is Mercedes herself who gives him no encouragement; that is what deters him, but none of our sangre azul,’ and he laughed again. I said to him, you take very coolly a matter that might be a question of our child's fate for life, but he only appeared amused at my anxiety. He said: ‘Don't borrow trouble; Clarence is a most excellent young fellow—bright, energetic and honorable. Don't bother them or yourself; if they feel true love they have a right to it. Trust him, he is all right.’”
“But a squatter! The idea of an Alamar marrying a squatter! For squatters they are, though we dance with them,” Carlota said. “I am shocked at papa's partiality. I must say yes, mamma, send poor Mercita away.”
“Yes; with all due respect to papa, I fear I will not be reconciled to the idea of Mercedes being a daughter-in-law of old Darrell,” Rosario said, with a shudder.
“Neither could I,” added Carlota.
And thus felt and thus reasoned these proud ladies in those days. For although the shadows of black clouds were falling all around, they had not observed them, or suspected their proximity; they held up their heads proudly.
“And has Clarence the means of supporting a wife?” Rosario asked. “That is another question to be considered.”