“Ah! I should like to see that country,” said Fragoso, who unconsciously played Torres’ game. “It seems to me I should finish by picking up a diamond worth something considerable.”
“And what would you do with this diamond worth something considerable, Fragoso?” queried Lina.
“Sell it!”
“Then you would get rich all of a sudden!”
“Very rich!”
“Well, if you had been rich three months ago you would never have had the idea of—that liana!”
“And if I had not had that,” exclaimed Fragoso, “I should not have found a charming little wife who—well, assuredly, all is for the best!”
“You see, Fragoso,” said Minha, “when you marry Lina, diamond takes the place of diamond, and you do not lose by the change!”
“To be sure, Miss Minha,” gallantly replied Fragoso; “rather I gain!”
There could be no doubt that Torres did not want the subject to drop, for he went on with: