“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 whether I should deliver it or not.  She hastily tore it open—­it ran as follows:—­“How can I sufficiently express my gratitude to my adored Emilia, for her kindness to me last night?  Tell me, dearest angel, when am I to have the pleasure of meeting you again in the saloon?  Till you once more grant me the favour, life will be a blank.”

“Pedro,” said she, “you have indeed done me a service—­you have been my preserver.  How can I ever repay you?”

“Give me a double allowance of kisses, this time,” replied I.

“I will give you a thousand,” answered she, and she kissed and blessed me while tears ran down her cheeks; she then took some paper, and imitating the hand-writing, wrote as follows:—­“I must submit to your wishes, Donna Emilia; and while your sister blesses Don Florez, must yield to the severity of your disposition.  Still I hope that you will relent—­I am very miserable; write to me, if you have any love still remaining for your adorer.——­Perez.”

“Take this to Emilia, my sweet child.—­What can I do to reward you?”

“Why you must take care of my money,” said I, “for if my mistress finds it out, I shall never be able to tell how I came by it.”  She smiled mournfully as she received my doubloons, and locked them up in a trinket-box.  “I will add to your wealth, Pedro,” said she.

“No,” replied I, “only kisses 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.”