I replied—“From her, only a kiss.”
She called me a little rogue, gave me the kiss, and then told me, that a cavalier would be under the window a little after vesper bell, and that I must give him a billet, which she put into my hand. Of course, having received my payment beforehand, I consented. At the time mentioned I looked out of the gate, and perceiving a cavalier under the window, I accosted him, “What ho, senhor, what is it you expect from a fair lady?”
“A billet, my little page,” replied he.
“Then here you have it,” replied I, pulling it out of my vest. He put a doubloon in my hand, and immediately disappeared.
I liked the gold very much, but I preferred the other payment more. I put the money into my pocket, and returned into the house. I had hardly come into the hall, when Donna Teresa, the other young lady, accosted me. “Pedro, I have been looking for you—can you keep a secret?”
“Yes, if I am paid for it,” replied I, as before.
“And what must it be that will keep that little tongue of yours from chattering?”
“From you,” replied I, “it must be a kiss.”
“Oh! you little manikin—I’ll give you twenty;” and she did so, until she almost took away my breath. “And now,” said she, “there is a senhor waiting below for a note, which you must take him.” I took the note, and when I came to the gate, found a cavalier there, as she had mentioned. “Oh, senhor,” said I, “what are you waiting for, is it a billet-doux from a sweet lady?”
“It is, my pretty boy,” answered he.