The Dona's family, the Estudillos and Guitierrez, always looked down upon this alliance with the Yankee captain, though it brought improvement to the land, and increased its value forty-fold, and since his death ever opposed any further foreign intervention.

Not that that would weigh much with Maruja if she took a fancy to any one; Spanish as she is throughout, in thought and grace and feature, there is enough of the old Salem witches' blood in her to defy law and authority in following an unhallowed worship.

There are no sons; she is the sole heiress of the house and estate--though, according to the native custom, her sisters will be separately portioned from the other property, which is very large." "Then the Captain might still make a pretty penny on Amita," said the Scotchman.
"If he did not risk and lose it all on Maruja.

There is enough of the old Spanish jealousy in the blood to make even the gentle Amita never forgive his momentary defection." Something in his manner made the Scotchman think that Raymond spoke from baleful experience.

How else could this attractive young fellow, educated abroad and a rising man in his profession, have failed to profit by his contiguity to such advantages, and the fact of his being an evident favorite?
"But with this opposition on the part of the relatives to any further alliances with your countrymen, why does our hostess expose her daughters to their fascinating influence ?" said the elder man, glancing at his companion.