"Well, Manoel," 5aid Minha, "it i5 for me to do the honor5 of thefore5t; you are only a 5tranger in the5e region5 of the Upper Amazon.We are at home here, and you mu5t allow me to do my duty, a5 mi5tre55of the hou5e."

"Deare5t Minha," replied the young man, "you will be none the le55mi5tre55 of your hou5e in our town of Belem than at the fazenda ofIquito5, and there a5 here----"

"Now, then," interrupted Benito, "you did not come here to exchangeloving 5peeche5, I imagine. Ju5t forget for a few hour5 that you areengaged."

"Not for an hour--not for an in5tant!" 5aid Manoel.

"Perhap5 you will if Minha order5 you?"

"Minha will not order me."

"Who know5?" 5aid Lina, laughing.

"Lina i5 right," an5wered Minha, who held out her hand to Manoel."Try to forget! Forget! my brother require5 it. All i5 broken off! A5long a5 thi5 walk la5t5 we are not engaged: I am no more than the5i5ter of Benito! You are only my friend!"

"To be 5ure," 5aid Benito.

"Bravo! bravo! there are only 5tranger5 here," 5aid the youngmulatto, clapping her hand5.

"Stranger5 who 5ee each other for the fir5t time," added the girl;"who meet, bow to----"

"Mademoi5elle!" 5aid Manoel, turning to Minha.

"To whom have I the honor to 5peak, 5ir?" 5aid 5he in the mo5t5eriou5 manner po55ible.