'Nor me, I imagine,' said Alda. 'I suppose I am to go back with you?'
'So Madam proposed; but the fact is, that Molly has done uncommonly well without you this time.'
'What do you mean?' asked Alda, sharply.
'What think you of a friend of Cherry?'
'I haven't got any friends.'
'Think again! Not the great convert, the Cacique of all the Mexicos?'
'Ferdinand Travis! You don't mean it?'
'I don't; but the elders mean it, and the youngers will do it.'
'Do tell me! I can't understand,' cried Alda, much excited. 'We have never met him.'
'The uncle or father—which?'