u up. Now tell me, can you keep a
secret?"--"Yes, madam," replied I, "I can keep yours, for it is my
duty."

"That's a good child; well then, I have an idea that my two nieces are
followed by some of the gay cavaliers, who saw them at Madrid, and I
wish you to find out if it is true.--Do you understand?"

"Oh, yes, madam," replied I; "I do perfectly."

"Well then, do you watch,--and Pedro, here are two reals for you, to buy
sugar-plums."

Thus did I enter in one day into the real occupation of a page. I added
the two reals to the gold, and, as you may suppose, meant to serve as I
was paid. But, as I found out afterwards, I had made a terrible mistake
with the two billets-doux. That of Donna Emilia I had given to Don
Florez, who was Donna Teresa's admirer; that of Donna Teresa I had given
to Don Perez, who was the lover of Donna Emilia; but I had better
explain to you, before I go on, what did not come to my knowledge until
the _denouement_ took place. Don Perez, the lover of Emilia, was a young
man who was entitled to large property, at the death of an uncle, to
whom he was heir by entail. Don Florez, on the contrary, was in
possession of a splendid fortune, and able to choose for himself. From
fear of discovery, the notes were both in a disguised hand, and not
signed by the respective Christian names of the ladies. Donna Emilia's
ran thus:--"I found your note in the spot agreed, but my aunt has taken
away the key of the shrubbery, and is I believe suspicious.--Why are you
so urgent?--I trust your affection, like mine, will but increase from
delay. It will be impossible to meet you to-night; but I have entered
the page in my service, and will write soon." That of Donna Teresa,
which I put in the hands of Don Perez, ran as follows:--"I can no longer
refuse your solicitations for an interview. My aunt has locked up the
shrubbery, but if you have courage enough to scale the garden-wall, I
will meet you in the saloon which opens upon the garden; but not a word
must be said, as the servants are continually passing the door--neither
can we have a light--I must trust to your honour."

Don Perez was delighted at Donna Emilia's having at last yielded to his
entreaties for a meeting; and Don Florez, as much annoyed at the
reserved conduct of his mistress, went home accusing her of coquetry. At
the appointed hour, Don Perez met his supposed mistress in the saloon.
The two sisters were confidantes, and as I was in their secret