that he had twice saved the Indian girl's
life; that he had tried with earnest devotion to help and amuse her in
all their journeyings together, and that to be totally indifferent about
final separation in these circumstances argued the absence of even
ordinary gratitude, which is clearly one of the Christian virtues!

"But, after all," he muttered, indignantly, "would not any young fellow
have done the same for any woman in the circumstances? And why should
she care about parting from _me_? I wouldn't care much about parting
from myself just now, if I could. There, now, that's an end o' the
matter. She'll go back to the wigwam of her father, and I'll go and
have a jolly good splitting gallop across the Pampas with Pedro and
Quashy."

"Dat's just de bery best t'ing what you can do, massa."

Lawrence turned round abruptly, and found that his faithful servant was
hurrying after him, and grinning tremendously.

"Why, you're always laughing, Quash," said the youth, a little sharply.

"O massa!" exclaimed the negro, turning his mouth the other way. "I's
nebber laugh no more if you don' like it."

"Like it, my good fellow!" exclaimed Lawrence, himself giving way to a
short laugh to conceal his feelings, "of course I like it, only you came
on me unexpectedly, and, to say truth, I am--"

"Still out ob sorts, massa?"

"Yes, that's it--exactly."

"Well, for a man out ob sorts, you walk most awrful irriglar--one time
slow, noder time so quick. I was 'bleeged to run to obertake you."

Further converse was checked by their arrival in the town. On reaching
the hotel they found the place in considerable confusion and bustle
owing to preparations for the governor's ball, about to take place that
evening.

They met Pedro at the door.

"You'll go, I suppose?" he said to Lawrence, referring to the ball.

"Indeed I will not. I've had no invitation, and have no evening dress."

"Why, Senhor Armstrong forgets he is not now in England," said Pedro.
"We require neither invitation nor evening dress in an out-o'-the-way
place like this. You'll find all sorts of people there. Indeed, a few
are likely to be of the class who prefer to dance with their coats off."

"No matter, I'll not go. Nothing will induce me to go," returned
Lawrence, firmly--almost testily.

"Don't say that," rejoined Pedro, regarding his companion with a
peculiar smile. "You may perhaps meet friends there."

"You know that I have no friends here