"We will talk of it some other time," she said, rising. "Good-night."

For several days Derrick saw Donna Elvira at a distance only; but,

somehow, he was conscious that she was watching him; for now and again,

when he was going to or from the shed, he caught sight of the pale face,

with its white hair, at a window, or saw her moving across the court;

but he did not venture to intrude upon her. While he was waiting for her

decision, respecting the new plant, he employed himself in making a kind

of survey of the house and the buildings; and he drew up a schedule of

the repairs that were necessary and made some suggestions for various

alterations. But though her Excellency did not grant him another

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interview, it was evident that she had not forgotten him, and he knew

that it was to her he owed several comfortable additions in and about

his rooms, and the increased respect and attention of the servants.

One evening, about a week later, his servant came to him with a message:

he was to attend her Excellency in the salon. With a sense of relief,

and of pleasure, Derrick hastened to obey the summons. The frail, yet

proudly-erect figure was seated in the big chair; she looked thinner and

more haggard; and Derrick, as he stood before her, feared that she was

still suffering from the shock of the overturned lamp. She held out her

hand, for the first time; and as Derrick took it, he felt it tremble

under the pressure of his.

"You sent for me, your Excellency?" he said.

"Yes," she answered in a low voice, as she waved him to a chair which

had been placed, either accidentally or by her orders, near her. "I have

arrived at a decision--about--the machinery. I wish you to go to England

for it."

Derrick could not repress a start, and he stared at her, somewhat

aghast.

"Want me to go----?" he said, changing colour. "But I'm afraid--have you

forgotten what I told you about--about the trouble of the cheque?"

"No, I have not forgotten," she said, in the same low voice. "I do not

think you have any need to fear. I think that you were unwise to fly

England. And yet I am glad; for--for, if you had not done so, I should

not--you would not have come here."

"I'm glad enough that I did come here, your Excellency," said Derrick,

warmly. "And I shall be very sorry to leave you, putting aside this

question of my safety."




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