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Updated: July 21, 2025
But, knowing the mental habit of women, he thought it best to let Chonita free her mind, that there might be the less in it to protest for hearing while his heart and passion spoke to hers. "It seems absurd to argue the matter," he said, "but tell me the reasons again, if you choose, and we will dispose of them once for all.
"Go!" repeated Estenega, "lest she weep. With every tear a heart will cease to beat." The chief scrambled down from the altar and ran like a rat past Chonita, his swollen mouth dropping. The others crouched and followed, stumbling one over the other, their dark evil faces bloodless, their knees knocking together with superstitious terror.
She fairly sailed towards the library, wondering if any of the famous old-time California belles, Concha Argüello, Chonita Iturbe y Moncada, with their caballeros flinging gold and silver at their feet, Nina Randolph and Chonita Hathaway and Helena Belmont, with their pugnacious "courts," had ever felt as exultant as she.
The Indian servants brought the horses to the door, and they rode down the valley to Casa Grande. The guests of Casa Grande there were many besides Alvarado and his party; the house was full again were gathered with the family on the corridor as Estenega, Chonita, and Prudencia dismounted at the extreme end of the court-yard.
"Valencia and Adan!" I came out of the sala at that moment and watched them alight: Adan, that faithful, dog-like adorer, of whose kind every beautiful woman has a half-dozen or more, Valencia the bitter-hearted rival of Chonita.
When we had told our beads, Don Guillermo rose, put his rosary in his pocket, trotted out, and the dancing was resumed. As the contradanza and its ensuing waltz finished, Estenega went up to Chonita. "You are too tired to dance any more to-night," he said. "Let us sit here and talk. Besides, I do not like to see you whirling about the room in men's arms."
Chonita entered the sala at eleven o'clock, looking like a snow queen. Her gold hair, which always glittered like metal, was arranged to simulate a crown; she wore a gown of Spanish lace, and no jewels but the string of black pearls. I never had seen her look so cold and so regal. Estenega stepped out upon the corridor. "Play El Son," he said, peremptorily.
You will stay at Santa Barbara and play the grand seigneur, which suits you very well, or become a prisoner in your own house." And he left the room. An hour later they assembled in the plaza to start for the bear hunt. Reinaldo was not of the party. Estenega lifted Chonita to her horse and stood beside her for a moment while the others mounted.
The ceremony was a long one, for communion was given the bride and groom; and during the greater part of it I do not think Estenega removed his gaze from Chonita. I could not help observing her too, although I was deeply impressed with the solemnity of the occasion.
Between the two groups was a solitary figure, kneeling with hand pressed to the wall and face uplifted. When the voice ceased I struck a match, and five pairs of little hands applauded enthusiastically. He sang them another song, then galloped away. "It is Don Diego Estenega," said one of the girls. "He rarely sings, but I have heard him before." "An Estenega!" exclaimed Chonita.
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