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46 his arm round the waist of the young lady, as they were sitting together on a cliff overlooking the water. I thought o£ what I had recently suffered for similar behaviour, and was almost speechless. Louva noticed my consternation, and hastened to my side. I pointed towards the guilty couple, but she only smiled, and said the only explanation that she could offer was that they had been acquainted for a very long time, and believed they were betrothed.

Here we decided to return to our lines and see about the fish; but there was none, the baits being untouched, so we came to the conclusion they were not going to bite, and made preparations for returning home. We did not have to wait long for Fontin and the young lady, who came leisurely along; but while they were still some distance away, a glance convinced us that as far as capturing fish was concerned, they had been as unsuccessful as ourselves.

The young ladies, who sang like sirens, pulled the boat, and at the same time entertained us with many beautiful songs on the way back, Fontin occasionally initiating me into the mysteries of fishing expeditions in Neuroomia.

On arriving at the steps, we saw Ilaclatella standing above. He called out to us that we need not