Casa de Calvo, in which Pepita had played a part.

"She'll do," said the Countess; "the very individual, from what I've
seen of her. Get me pen, ink, and paper--quick! At the same time
summon Pepita!"

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 were writing materials in the room; and, while
waiting for the bell to be answered, the Countess made use of them,
hastily scribbling some words on a sheet of paper, which she folded
without putting into an envelope; instead, twisted it between her
finger, as if dissatisfied with what she had written, and designed
cancelling it. Far from this her intention, as was soon made manifest.

"_Muchacha_!" she said to Pepita, who, being lady'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 ladyship; but for the other, I
think the Dona Luisa knows she can rely on me."

"You'd be good at delivering a letter, without letting all the world
into the secret, I suppose?"

"I'll do my best, your ladyship, 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 mistress, the interrogatory was more
meant for the Condesa, between whose fingers and thumb she saw the thing
she was to take charge of.

The answer to her query called for some consideration. The note was for
Ruperto Rivas; but the girl knew him not; so how could she give it him?

Here was a difficulty not before thought of, for a time perplexing 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--"

"_Carramba_!" exclaimed the Countess interrupting. "How wonderfully
wise you are, _amiga_! The very thing! And it never occurred to me!
No, _you_ tell her what to do."

"This, Pepita," said her mistress, taking the crumpled sheet from the
Condesa, and passing it to her maid, "this is to be delivered to a
gentleman you've seen, and should know."

"Where have I seen him, senorita?"

"In New Orleans."

"Do you mean Don Carlos, my lady?"

"No;" the abrupt negative accompanied with a dissatisfied loo