flattery I detest, for it must needs be insincere. A man of ninety
cannot, in the nature of things, have many years of life before him. What
are even ten years to one who has already lived nearly a century? This is
a solemn moment for both of us, and I want to be sincere with you. You
were sincere just now when you said Quipai would perish with me. And it
will--unless I can find a successor who will continue the work which I
have begun. My people are good and faithful, but they require a prescient
and capable chief, and there is not one among them who is fitted either by
nature or education to take the place of leader. Will you be my successor,
Monsieur Nigel?"

This was a startling proposal. To stay in Quipai for a few weeks or even a
few months might be very delightful. But to settle for life in an Andean
desert! On the other hand, to leave Quipai were to lose Angela.

"You hesitate. But reflect well, my friend, before denying my request.
True, you are loath to renounce the great world with its excitements,
ambitions, and pleasures. But you would renounce them for a life free from
care, an honorable position, and a career full of promise. It will take
years to complete the work I have begun, and make Quipai a nation. As I
said when you first came, Providence sent you here, as it sent Angela, for
some good end. It sent the one for the other. Stay with us, Monsieur
Nigel, and marry Angela! If you search the world through you could find no
sweeter wife."

My hesitation vanished like the morning mist before the rising sun.

"If Angela will be my wife," I said, "I will be your successor."

"It is the answer I expected, Monsieur Nigel. I am content to let Angela
be the arbiter of your fate and the fate of Quipai. She will be here
presently. Put the question yourself. She knows nothing of this; but I
have watched you both, and though my eyes are growing dim I am not blind."

And with that the abbe left me to my thoughts. It was not the first time
that the idea of asking Angela to be my wife had entered my mind. I loved
her from the moment I first set eyes on her, and my love has become a
passion. But I had not been able to see my way. How could I ask a
beautiful, gently nurtured girl to share the lot of a penniless wanderer,
even if she could consent to leave Quipai, which I greatly doubted. But
now! Compared with Angela, the excitements and ambitions of which the abbe
had spoken did not weigh as a feather in the balanc