But there is a more southern route, lately discovered, that can be travelled at any season.

Perhaps I may try that.

In any case, I shall write you by the trains leaving the States in the spring, so that you may know when to expect me.

And if, Colonel Miranda," he added, after a short reflective pause, in which his countenance assumed a new and graver form of expression, "if any political trouble, such as you speak of, should occur, and you may find it necessary to flee from your own land, I need not tell you that in mine you will find a friend and a home.

After what has happened here, you may depend upon the first being true, and the second hospitable, however humble." On that subject there was no further exchange of speech.