sses from you." I told her why her aunt gave me
the two reals, and we separated. I delivered the note to Donna Emilia,
who in the afternoon put an answer into my hand; but I would not act
without Donna Teresa knowing what took place, and it occurred to me,
that it would be very possible to repair the mischief, which my mistake
had occasioned. I therefore took the answers of Donna Emilia to her
lover to Donna Teresa, and told her what I thought, "My dear Pedro, you
are indeed a treasure to me," replied Teresa.

She opened Emilia's note, which ran as follows:--"You accuse me of
unkindness, which I do not deserve. Heaven knows my heart is but too
yielding. I will arrange a meeting as soon as I possibly can; but as I
before said, my aunt is suspicious, and I cannot make up my mind, like
Teresa, to run the risk of discovery."

Teresa tore up this note, and wrote as follows:--"If a woman has the
misfortune to yield too much to the solicitations of her lover, he
becomes arrogant, and claims as a right, what only can be received as a
favour. I consider that what passes in darkness should remain as secret
in the breast, and as silent in the tongue. I now tell you candidly,
that I shall consider it as an insult, if ever you refer to the meeting
of last night; and to punish you for your arrogant request of another,
shall treat you with the same reserve as before. Recollect that the
least intimation of it, however private we may be, will be the signal of
your dismissal. At the same time, expecting implicit obedience to this
command, I shall punish you no further, if you offend not again. When I
feel inclined to see you, I will let you know. Till then, Yours, etc."

I took this note to Don Perez, whom I found at his lodgings drinking in
company with Don Florez, for they had no secrets from each other. Perez
opened the note, and appeared a little astonished.--"Read this, Florez,"
said he, "and tell me if woman is not a riddle."

"Well, now I like her spirit," replied Florez, "some women would have
been dying with apprehension at your leaving them: she, on the contrary,
considers that you are under greater obligations than before; and
assumes her dominion over you. I recommend you to comply with her
injunctions, if you wish to retain her love."

"I don't know but what you are right, Florez; and as we are lords and
masters after marriage, it is but fair, that they should hold their
uninterrupted sway before. I feel more attached to