Round a bright fire burning in the centre of the street several men were lying, wrapped in their cloaks. Don Estevan roughly shook one of the sleepers.
"Wake, Tonillo!" he said; "Get up, muchacho: you must be off for the Hacienda de las Norias."
"But I only came thence a quarter of an hour ago!" replied the lepero, rubbing his eyes, and still half asleep.
"I know it; and that is the reason why I send you; you ought to know the road well. Besides, it is for Doña Hermosa's sake."
"For Doña Hermosa's sake!" cried the lepero, whom the sound of the name seemed to awaken thoroughly; "What are her orders?"
"Now you are as you should be," said the mayor domo. "Mount directly, and carry this letter to Don Pedro: to say it is from his daughter, is to tell you it is of importance."
"Very well; I will go this minute."
"I have no need to tell you that no one must take this paper from you."
"I can see that, canarios."
"You will let yourself be killed sooner than give it up?"