"Here," she said, drawing a small, carefully-sealed note from her bosom, "is a letter you will give that man. I describe in it the way in which I should like to have the skins prepared, and the price I am willing to give. Here is the money," she added, as she handed him a purse; "you will arrange the matter for me."
"There was no occasion to write," the capataz remarked.
"Pardon me, my friend, you have so many things to think of, that a trifle like this might easily slip your memory."
"Well, that is possible; so perhaps you have acted wisely."
"Well, then, it is agreed—you will perform my commission?"
"Can you doubt it?"
"No, my friend. But stay, one word more. Do not say anything to my father. You know how kind he is; he would want to make me a present of them, and I wish to pay for the skins out of my own purse."
The capataz began laughing at the joke. The worthy man was delighted at sharing a secret, however slight it might be, with his darling child, as he called his young mistress.
"It is settled," he said; "I will be dumb."
The girl gave him a friendly nod and withdrew. What was the meaning of the note? Why did she write it? We shall soon learn.