"To-morrow," she said. She raised her eyes and looked at him wistfully.

"If you are to go, it is better for me--for you--for affairs, that you

go at once."

As she spoke, she opened a despatch-box lying on the table beside her

and took out two packets. She held one out to him.

"In this you will find some money; sufficient, I hope, to pay all

expenses; if it is not, if you should need more, you will address

yourself to the branch of the Bank of Spain in England, where I shall

place some to your credit. Do not hesitate to use the money; I do not

mean for the machinery only, but for any purpose for which you may want

Advertisement..

it. It is at your entire disposal. You will write to me----"

"Of course," said Derrick. "I shall send your Excellency a regular

report at frequent intervals."

"The carriage is ordered, and you will be driven to the station

to-morrow. Write to me as soon as you arrive."

Derrick rose to bid her good-bye; but she stayed him with a slight,

hesitating gesture and held out the second packet.

"Take this," she said. "It contains instructions for your conduct in--in

certain events."

"Sealed instructions," said Derrick, with a smile, as he noticed that

the package was thus secured.

"Yes," she said. "You will break the seals and read the enclosed

instructions if, at any time, during your absence, you should

be in any great difficulty or danger. Do you think this is very

strange--mysterious?" she asked, her eyes fixed upon him with a

half-apprehensive regard.

"I've not the least doubt you have good reasons for giving me this,"

said Derrick; "I will not open it unless, as you say, I am in a fix."

"That is well," she said. "You have good reason--a reason I cannot

explain," she added hurriedly, and with some agitation, "for trusting

me."

"I'd trust you with my life," said Derrick, impelled to the burst of

fervour by something in her manner and voice.

She held out her hand, and Derrick took it and pressed it; there was

something so melting in the tenderness of her gaze that again he was

impelled by a strange influence, and he bent and kissed the hand. As he

did so, she laid her other one upon his bent head; it was a touch soft

as thistle-down, as caressing as that of a mother; and as he felt it,

something tugged at Derrick's heart-strings. He turned away and left the

room quickly.




Most Popular