For some seconds the Condesa let the question remain unanswered. Once more her hand had gone up to her head, the jewelled fingers met and clasped upon her brow--this time to quicken reflection; some scheme, already half conceived, needing further elaboration. Whatever the plan, it was soon worked out complete, as evinced by her words following. "_Amiga mia_; is there in your service one we can implicitly trust?" "Jose. You know we can trust him." "True. But he won't do for the first step to be taken: which is, indeed, only to deliver a letter. But it needs being adroitly done, and a woman will be the better for that. Besides, Jose will be wanted for something else, at the same time. There are two or three of my own female following could be relied on, so far as fidelity is concerned; but, unluckily, they're all known on the Calle de Plateros, as well as the street itself; and there isn't any of them particularly intelligent or dexterous. What we stand in need of now is one possessed of both these qualities--either woman or girl." "Would Pepita do?" "You mean the little _mestizo_, who was with you at New Orleans?" "The same. She's all that; and, besides, devoted to me." Don Ignacio's daughter had reason to know this, from experience in the Casa de Calvo, in which Pepita had played a part. "She'll do," said the Countess; "the very individual, from what I've seen of her. Get me pen, ink, and paper--quick! At the same time summon Pepita!" The Countess was now all action; and, responding to her roused energies, the other rushed towards the bell-pull, and gave it two or three vigorous jerks. As it chanced, there were writing materials in the room; and, while waiting for the bell to be answered, the Countess made use of them, hastily scribbling some words on a sheet of paper, which she folded without putting into an envelope; instead, twisted it between her finger, as if dissatisfied with what she had written, and designed cancelling it. Far from this her intention, as was soon made manifest. "_Muchacha_!" she said to Pepita, who, being lady's maid, had answered the bell herself. "Your mistress tells me you can be trusted on a matter which calls not only for confidence, but cleverness. Is that so?" "I can't promise the cleverness, your ladyship; but for the other, I think the Dona Luisa knows she can rely on me." "You'd be good at delivering a letter, without letting all the world into the secret, I suppose?" "I'll do my best, your ladyship, if Duena command it." "Yes, I wish it, Pepita," interposed Dona Luisa, herself the "Duena." "_Muy bien Senorita_. Into whose hands is it to be put?" Though speaking direct to her own mistress, the interrogatory was more meant for the Condesa, between whose fingers and thumb she saw the thing she was to take charge of. The answer to her query called for some consideration. The note was for Ruperto Rivas; but the girl knew him not; so how could she give it him?