I now felt more consoled, though still uncomfortable enough.
"This is a lovely trip!" she remarked. "I always enjoy it so much."
"There appear to be many on board who do so," I observed.
"Yes," she answered; "the proportion of sad ones is indeed very small."
"Alvarez seems to be exceptionally happy," I remarked. "Did you notice her in the dance?"
"Yes," she said meditatively; "I think she is always happy, and why should she not be so?" she continued. "Time will pass just the same if she were otherwise."
"Are you acquainted with her companion?" I inquired.
"Yes," was the reply. His name is Omalonzi, and he is well known in Atazatlan. They have been acquainted since they were children."
"Do you think she loves him?" I asked.
"No; not with a view to matrimony," she said. "That she likes him I have no doubt, and very probably he has a regard for her; but still they are not lovers."
"They are not engaged, then?" I observed.
