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Late on this same evening, Mauri was seated at a table here, a lamp before her and writing materials at hand. Naia had gone to bed long since, and Raitua had retired to his own little house a quarter of a mile distant along the beach. Mauri, having looked into the girl's room to be certain that she was sleeping, returned to the kitchen and opened and read the letter her father had brought her.

To Mauri Vahiné, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Greetings and health to you, and to Raitua, your father, and to Naia, your daughter.

It is of our son, Maunga, that we speak, with his good will and in the name of our family. You know him well. You last saw him when you passed this way two years ago, on your voyage to Hao. He was then a youth. He is now a man of twenty-one. It is our wish that he be provided with a wife, and that in the children of this marriage the blood of two ancient families may be mingled. Your daughter, Naia, is his choice and ours, and if our son is pleasing to you little more need be said. He will have lands here, at Amanu, equal to those which will come to Naia, at Hao. If these two are united, our desire is that they should live at Amanu, but we will meet your wishes and those of your daughter in this matter.