tween whiles his eyes wandered
to Torres, but he acted his part more successfully than Benito in a
situation which, if it did not finish at Manaos, would certainly end at
Belem.

The dinner was jolly enough. Lina kept it going with her good humor,
Fragoso with his witty repartees.

The Padre Passanha looked gayly round on the little world he cherished,
and on the two young couples which his hands would shortly bless in the
waters of Para.

"Eat, padre," said Benito, who joined in the general conversation; "do
honor to this betrothal dinner. You will want some strength to celebrate
both marriages at once!"

"Well, my dear boy," replied Passanha, "seek out some lovely and gentle
girl who wishes you well, and you will see that I can marry you at the
same time!"

"Well answered, padre!" exclaimed Manoel. "Let us drink to the coming
marriage of Benito."

"We must look out for some nice young lady at Belem," said Minha. "He
should do what everybody else does."

"To the wedding of Mr. Benito!" said Fragoso, "who ought to wish all the
world to marry him!"

"They are right, sir," said Yaquita. "I also drink to your marriage, and
may you be as happy as Minha and Manoel, and as I and your father have
been!"

"As you always will be, it is to be hoped," said Torres, drinking a
glass of port without having pledged anybody. "All here have their
happiness in their own hands."

It was difficult to say, but this wish, coming from the adventurer, left
an unpleasant impression.

Manoel felt this, and wishing to destroy its effect, "Look here, padre,"
said he, "while we are on this subject, are there not any more couples
to betroth on the raft?"

"I do not know," answered Padre Passanha, "unless Torres--you are not
married, I believe?"

"No; I am, and always shall be, a bachelor."

Benito and Manoel thought that while thus speaking Torres looked toward
Minha.

"And what should prevent you marrying?" replied Padre Passanha; "at
Belem you could find a wife whose age would suit yours, and it would be
possible perhaps for you to settle in that town. That would be better
than this wandering life, of which, up to the present, you have not made
so very much."

"You are right, padre," answered Torres; "I do not say no. Besides the
example is contagious. Seeing all these young couples gives me rather
a longing for marriage. But I am quite a stranger in Belem, and, for
certain reasons, that would make my settlement more diffic