"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.