After a time, Banyaba took his departure for one of the distant cities of Neuroomia, and left me with the young ladies. Of course it was understood, as he would probably be absent for some time, and that I may be gone before his return. I enjoyed the company of Arizenda, and gave her an account of some of my travels. She laughed and sympathised in turn, and I felt myself fairly carried away by her charms.
“You must never think of leaving our continent, Captain Periwinkle,” she said. “How foolish of you it would be to return, perhaps to greater dangers than those you have already experienced! Have you seen our beautiful harbour?” she continued.
I answered that I had only obtained a glimpse of it from a distance, and suggested that we should pay it a visit. She agreed, and we set out together. The harbour was indeed lovely, and more than realized my anticipations. We wandered by grottos and pebbly shores, meeting many people on our way, among whom it appeared Arizenda had numerous acquaintances.
We had a long chat with a very beautiful brunette named Louva, who was a friend of ’Zenda’s. She reminded me of her father’s invitation to visit their home, and I again
