I am sure you would be delighted with her." If the portrait on the wall was anything of a faithful likeness, Hamersley could not have been otherwise.

This was his reflection, though, for certain reasons, he did not in speech declare it.
"It is to be hoped we shall meet again, Colonel Miranda," was his ingenious rejoinder.

"If I did not have this hope, I should now be parting from you with greater regret.

Indeed, I have more than a presentiment we shall meet again; since I've made up my mind on a certain thing." "On what, Don Francisco ?" "On returning to New Mexico." "To settle in the country ?" "Not exactly that; only for a time--long enough to enable me to dispose of a cargo of merchandise in exchange for a bag of your big Mexican dollars." "Ah! you intend to become one of the prairie merchants, then ?" "I do.

That intention has been the cause of my visiting your country.
I am old enough to think of some calling, and have always had a fancy for the adventurous life of the prairie trader.