Manchurian Books

"Bravo! bravo! there are only strangers here," said the young
mulatto, clapping her hands.
"Strangers who see each other for the first time," added the girl;
"who meet, bow to----"
"Mademoiselle!" said Manoel, turning to Minha.
"To whom have I the honor to speak, sir?" said she in the most
serious manner possible.
"To Manoel Valdez, who will be glad if your brother will introduce
me."
"Oh, away with your nonsense!" cried Benito. "Stupid idea that I had!
Be engaged, my friends--be it as much as you like! Be it always!"
"Always!" said Minha, from whom the word escaped so naturally that
Lina's peals of laughter redoubled.
A grateful glance from Manoel repaid Minha for the imprudence of her
tongue.
"Come along," said Benito, so as to get his sister out of her
embarrassment; "if we walk on we shall not talk so much."
"One moment, brother," she said. "You have seen how ready I am to
obey you. You wished to oblige Manoel and me to forget each other, so
as not to spoil your walk. Very well; and now I am going to ask a
sacrifice from you so that you shall not spoil mine.


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