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 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."