“No; this is not it,” she exclaimed with an air of vexation.
“Then it has been thrown into the drain, Senhora.”
“Did you search well for it?”
“I have done so thoroughly.”
And Juliana added, in the greatest distress,—
“I would rather have lost ten tostões. If I could only have guessed it!”
“No matter, no matter,” murmured Luiza, with apparent tranquillity. But she was secretly terrified; a vague suspicion tormented her. She suddenly remembered the letter she had written to Bazilio the day before, and which she had crumpled up and put into the pocket of her gown. She returned to her room very much agitated. Donna Felicidade had taken off her hat, and was comfortably seated on the tête-à-tête.
“You must excuse my absence,” she said to her.
“Of course, of course, child. What was the matter?”
“I have lost a bill,” said Luiza.