I answered, "that I had, as I had already delivered Emilia's note to the
dark gentleman." Donna Teresa put her hands over her face, and wept
bitterly,--"Pedro, you must now keep this secret, for it is of the
greatest importance.--My God, what will become of me?" cried she; and
for some time she was in the greatest distress: at last she wiped her
eyes, and after much reflection, she took up paper and wrote a note.
"Pedro, take this note to the direction; recollect it is for the dark
cavalier that it is intended." Teresa had read the note of Emilia to
Don Perez, which had been received by Don Florez--in consequence her
present note ran thus:--"You may think me harsh for having refused to
see you last night, but I was afraid. Do not accuse me with trifling
with your feelings, I will meet you in the saloon that leads to the
garden, which was last night occupied; come at ten this evening."

I went out with the note and gave it into the hands of Don Florez. "My
dear boy, tell Donna Teresa I will not fail; I know now why she could
not receive me last night; I only hope I may be as fortunate as Don
Perez." He put a doubloon in my hand, and I went away. I had not
quitted the street when I met Don Perez.

"Ah! my little page, this is indeed lucky; just step to my rooms while I
write a note to Donna Emilia." I did so, and he gave me a
quarter-doubloon as before. "I thank you, senhor," replied I; "what
with the doubloons of Don Florez and your quarter-doubloons, I shall
soon be a rich man."

"How say you," replied he, "Don Florez give you doubloons--then he
spoils the market; but I must not allow him to pay you better than I do,
or I shall not be served so faithfully.--Here's a doubloon and a half,
which, with what you have already received, will make the accounts
square." I made my bow, and with many thanks withdrew.

Young as I was, I had an idea that something had occurred at the
mistaken meeting of last night, which seriously affected Donna Teresa.
As I was much more partial to her than to her sister, I resolved not to
deliver the note of Don Perez to Emilia, until I had consulted Donna
Teresa. On my return, I beckoned her into her chamber, and told her the
answer of Don Florez, with his observation, "that he hoped he should be
as fortunate as Don Perez was last night." She coloured with shame and
vexation; and I then told her how I had met Don Perez, and what had
passed. I then gave her the note, and asked wh