"I know," repeated the young man; "but still I—"
Just then the shrill whistle of the postman was heard, and a sharp ring at the bell.
The girl jumped up, and went to the door. As she opened it there came in the faint melody of distant sleigh-bells, and the roar of the street already muffled by the snow.
She returned to the parlor with a long blue envelope in her hand.
"Here is the letter at last," she said.
"What letter?" asked Suydam.
"The letter the old ladies are waiting for," she answered, handing it to him.
He held it up nearer the single gas-jet of the parlor and read the address aloud, "'Marquisa de los Rios,' and it's registered."
"Yes," the girl returned, "and the postman is waiting to have the receipt signed. He said he guessed it was money or a Christmas present of some sort, since it had so many seals on it. I wanted you to know about it; but I'll take it right up now."
She tripped lightly up-stairs, and John Suydam heard her knocking at the door of the room the two old ladies occupied. After an interval she rapped again, apparently without response. Then he heard her try the door gently.