Previous to the rising of the curtain upon the beautiful mission garden the latter has met and fallen in love with the fascinating _Juanita_. Because of enmity toward all gringoes she refuses to treat him civilly, but she meets him by accident every day, unknown to her mother, who arranges (according to the custom) that _Juanita_ shall marry a young Spanish spark, from Monterey--_Don Luis de la Torre_. The girl’s father was an American, and there begins a struggle between her loyalty to her mother, her Spanish relatives and friends, on the one side, and the young American who comes with the offer of his love and aid, on the other. _Juanita_, given her first kiss, lets the blood of her father direct her actions. She gives the data necessary for a registration to _Kearney_, who has no authority to interfere with _Kinkaid_, but who sends his friend, _Lieutenant Larkin_, to Monterey to make the entry for the _Castros_. _Kearney_ remains behind to delay _Kinkaid_ as long as he can. _Larkin_ agrees to bring back the state militia for _Kearney’s_ protection. Meanwhile, the mother has learned that her daughter has tossed a geranium to a gringo (signifying, “I love you”), and _Juanita_ is locked in her room. The Second Act takes place in the patio-court of the old _Castro_ ranch house. In spite of the danger that threatens, the mother is giving the engagement party she has planned. _Juanita’s_ friends are present. There are Spanish dances and the throwing of cascarones, and _Don Luis_ appears to claim his bride. _Juanita_ is defiant, and when they are about to betroth her she declares herself to be a gringo and the promised wife of a gringo. For this her mother disowns her, and is about to turn her out of the house, when _Kinkaid_ and his men attack it and break in, and _Juanita_ is thunderstruck to find the man she has trusted among them. The crowd of riffraff insult the women, who are protected by _Kearney_. He, however, must pretend that he is upon _Kinkaid’s_ side. _Juanita_ appeals to him, and is rebuffed. _Kinkaid_ agrees to wait until dawn before taking possession--thereby giving _Kearney_ the time desired. The latter gets away from the land-jumper and finds _Juanita_ to explain. She lashes him with her tongue for his betrayal of her people, and when he tries to make her listen she strikes him. Nothing daunted, he forces her to listen to his explanation. She tells him that she thinks he is a liar, but--she will wait till morning to see if the militia comes.