Here was a difficulty not before thought of, for a time perplexing both the ladies. In this case Dona Luisa was the first to see a way out of it, saying in a whisper:-- "Let her give it to Florencio; she knows him, and he can--" "_Carramba_!" exclaimed the Countess interrupting. "How wonderfully wise you are, _amiga_! The very thing! And it never occurred to me! No, _you_ tell her what to do." "This, Pepita," said her mistress, taking the crumpled sheet from the Condesa, and passing it to her maid, "this is to be delivered to a gentleman you've seen, and should know." "Where have I seen him, senorita?" "In New Orleans." "Do you mean Don Carlos, my lady?" "No;" the abrupt negative accompanied with a dissatisfied look. "Who then, senorita?" "Don Florencio." "_Ay Dios_! Is he here? I did not know it. But where am I to find him?" No need to repeat the dialogue as continued. Suffice it that, before leaving the room, Pepita received full instructions where to find Don Florencio, and when found what she was to do and say to him. So far all this was easy enough. More difficult the commission to be entrusted to Jose--more dangerous too. But it was made known to him in less than twenty minutes after; receiving his ready assent to its execution--though it should cost him his life, as he said. One motive for his agreeing to undergo the danger was devotion to his young mistress; another to stand well with Pepita, who had a power over him, and as he knew had entered upon her part with an ardent alacrity. But there was a third stimulus to keep up his courage, should it feel like failing--this having to do with the Condesa. Drawing out her grand gold watch--good value for a hundred _dollores_, and holding it up before his eyes, she said: "That's your reward, Jose; that or its worth in money." No need saying more. For the commission he was to execute much preparation was to be made, in all haste too. And in all haste he set to making it--determined to win the watch. CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. THE PLAY OF EYES. The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone had been brief and it was yet only an early hour of the afternoon when the procession passed back along the Calle de Plateros. The scavengers were still at work, and it is scarcely necessary to say that two of their number were earnestly on the lookout for a certain carriage. Sorry plight as they were in, neither felt ashamed or reluctant to come again under those eyes, after the expression they had observed in them. Rivas had hopes that in another exchange of glances with the Condesa, he might see something still further to instruct him; while Kearney, not so confident about his interpretation of those given to himself, longed to have a second reading of them.