Some time after he had reached his own quarters, and had pondered over

the singular emotion which had been aroused in him during the scene, he

opened the first packet. It contained a large sum of money, greatly in

excess of his possible needs. The generosity of this great lady was

amazing. He stowed the notes in his belt and then turned to the other

packet. This he sewed up inside his waistcoat; it was too precious to be

committed to so commonplace a depository as the purse of a belt.

The following morning, as he stepped into the carriage--Donna Elvira's

own carriage of state!--he looked round on the chance and in the hope of

seeing her. She was nowhere in sight as the carriage started; but when

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it was turning the bend of the road, still looking back earnestly, he

saw the tall figure standing on the steps of the patio. From the black

mantilla which shrouded her, she waved a hand.




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