I told the girl she was too good; that I could not rob her of the gift just made; but she insisted, and I saw that her pride would be hurt if I refused. So I accepted, while a way of benefitting myself and rewarding her occurred to my mind.
[pg 185] “You see how it is with me.” I said, with a confidential air. “You have been very generous. Will you be helpful too?”
“You may trust me,” she answered. “I love a love affair, especially if there is difficulty. I shall have an acknowledged novio myself soon, I hope. He is a bull-fighter—only a beginner, but he will be great one day, and though my father made a long face at first, now he shrugs his shoulders; and when that is done, there is always hope. Her Majesty the mother makes the long face, does she not?”
I nodded.
“She will shrug the shoulders by and by.”
“I doubt it. But meanwhile, I've written a letter. Will you try to give it to the young lady?”
“Yes,” said Mariquita. “I will try my best. I think I can do it. Not to-night, for she has gone to bed, and there would be no excuse to get back to her room, since I must pass through Her Majesty's. But to-morrow morning I will take the ladies' hot water, with oh, such an innocent face! And I will take the letter too.”
“Thank you many times,” said I.
“The thing isn't done yet.”
“It's for your goodwill I thank you in advance. And this is for your bull-fighter, as a present from his novia.”