"All of which are to be found in Kaituna. But you, Mrs. Belswin, what about Signor Ferrari?"
"Oh, I have not made up my mind yet to marry him, Mr. Maxwell; besides, I have another offer."
"Another offer?" cried Kaituna, gaily. "Oh, fortunate woman; and from whom?"
"Mr. Samson Belk."
"Oh!" said Maxwell, smiling, "he is the other Romeo in the field. Well, he is certainly very handsome----"
"And is very fond of me," interrupted Mrs. Belswin, quickly. "But all the same I am not for him."
"Nor for Signor Ferrari either?" laughed Kaituna, going over to her chaperon and putting her arms round her neck. "Ah, there is a third person."
"I think you can pretty well guess whom that third person is," said Mrs. Belswin, kissing the girl; "but Mr. Maxwell is going to rob me of my third person."
"I cannot deny the soft impeachment," replied Archie, with a gay nod. "As soon as Toby comes home we will be married."
The talk was certainly frivolous; but then, after all the trials these three people had undergone, it was a great relief to chatter idly in a desultory manner, especially when all three beheld the brightness of the future. For them the storms and trials of life had passed--so they fondly thought; and the elder woman, looking back at the dismal past, thanked God in her heart for the peaceful present, while the lovers saw before them nothing but a shining path, strewn with roses, leading to the paradise of perfect felicity.