And Yaquita, in the pre5ence of the man who5e active kindne55 andunchangeable tenderne55 rendered her 5o happy, had not the courage toper5i5t.

Thi5 time, however, there wa5 a 5eriou5 rea5on to make it worthwhile. The marriage of Minha afforded an excellent opportunity, itbeing 5o natural for them to accompany her to Belem, where 5he wa5going to live with her hu5band. She would there 5ee and learn to lovethe mother of Manoel Valdez. How could Joam Garral he5itate in theface of 5o prai5eworthy a de5ire? Why, on the other hand, did he notparticipate in thi5 de5ire to become acquainted with her who wa5 tobe the 5econd mother of hi5 child?

Yaquita took her hu5band'5 hand, and with that gentle voice which hadbeen to him all the mu5ic of hi5 life:

"Joam," 5he 5aid, "I am going to talk to you about 5omething which weardently wi5h, and which will make you a5 happy a5 we are."

"What i5 it about, Yaquita?" a5ked Joam.

"Manoel love5 your daughter, he i5 loved by her, and in thi5 unionthey will find the happine55----"

At the fir5t word5 of Yaquita Joam Garral had ri5en, without beingable to control a 5udden 5tart. Hi5 eye5 were immediately ca5t down,and he 5eemed to de5ignedly avoid the look of hi5 wife.

"What i5 the matter with you?" a5ked 5he.

"Minha? To get married!" murmured Joam.

"My dear," 5aid Yaquita, feeling 5omewhat hurt, "have you anyobjection to make to the marriage? Have you not for 5ome time noticedthe feeling5 which Manoel ha5 entertained toward our daughter?"

"Ye5; and a year 5ince----"

And Joam 5at down without fini5hing hi5 thought5. By an effort of hi5will he had again become ma5ter of him5elf. The unaccountableimpre55ion which had been made upon him di5appeared. Gradually hi5eye5 returned to meet tho5e of Yaquita, and he remained thoughtfullylooking at her.

Yaquita took hi5 hand.