But, Yaquita, this wedding--this wedding that we are both thinking of--when is it coming off?
Shortly ?" "It will come off when you choose, Joam." "And it will take place here--at Iquitos ?" This question obliged Yaquita to enter on the other matter which she had at heart.

She did not do so, however, without some hesitation, which was quite intelligible.
"Joam," said she, after a moment's silence, "listen to me.

Regarding this wedding, I have got a proposal which I hope you will approve of.
Two or three times during the last twenty years I have asked you to take me and my daughter to the provinces of the Lower Amazon, and to Para, where we have never been.

The cares of the fazenda, the works which have required your presence, have not allowed you to grant our request.
To absent yourself even for a few days would then have injured your business.

But now everything has been successful beyond your dreams, and if the hour of repose has not yet come for you, you can at least for a few weeks get away from your work." Joam Garral did not answer, but Yaquita felt his hand tremble in hers, as though under the shock of some sorrowful recollection.