Part 16 (1/2)
The Countess was now all action; and, responding to her roused energies, the other rushed towards the bell-pull, and gave it two or three vigorous jerks
As it chanced, there ritingfor the bell to be answered, the Countessso into an envelope; instead, twisted it between her finger, as if dissatisfied hat she had written, and designed cancelling it Far from this her intention, as was soon madelady's maid, had answered the bell herself ”Your mistress tells me you can be trusted on a matter which calls not only for confidence, but cleverness Is that so?”
”I can't promise the cleverness, your ladyshi+p; but for the other, I think the Dona Luisa knows she can rely ona letter, without letting all the world into the secret, I suppose?”
”I'll do my best, your ladyshi+p, if Duena command it”
”Yes, I wish it, Pepita,” interposed Dona Luisa, herself the ”Duena”
”_Muy bien Senorita_ Into whose hands is it to be put?”
Though speaking direct to her own atory was ers and thue of
The answer to her query called for soirl knew hiive it hiht of, for a ti both the ladies In this case Dona Luisa was the first to see a way out of it, saying in a whisper:--
”Let her give it to Florencio; she knows him, and he can--”
”_Carra ”Hoonderfully wise you are, _a! And it never occurred to me!
No, _you_ tell her what to do”
”This, Pepita,” said herthe cru it to her entleman you've seen, and should know”
”Where have I seen him, senorita?”
”In New Orleans”
”Do you ative accompanied with a dissatisfied look
”Who then, senorita?”
”Don Florencio”
”_Ay Dios_! Is he here? I did not know it But where aue as continued Suffice it that, before leaving the room, Pepita received full instructions where to find Don Florencio, and when found what she was to do and say to hih More difficult the coerous too But it washis ready assent to its execution--though it should cost hio the danger was devotion to his young mistress; another to stand ith Pepita, who had a power over him, and as he knew had entered upon her part with an ardent alacrity But there was a third sti--this having to do with the Condesa Drawing out her grand gold watch--good value for a hundred _dollores_, and holding it up before his eyes, she said:
”That's your reward, Jose; that or its worth in money”
No need saying more For the commission he was to execute much preparation was to beit--determined to win the watch