Although I had not been trusted by either, I had an idea of what was going on; but with more prudence than most boys of my age, I made no remarks either to my mistress or to the young ladies. We had returned to Seville about a month, when Donna Emilia called me aside, and said, "Pedro, can you keep a secret?" I told her--"Yes, if I was paid for it." "And what do you want to induce you to keep it, you little miser?" 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 before hand, I consented. At the time mentioned I looked out of the gate, and perceiving a cavalier under the window, I accosted him, "What ho, Senor, 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 mannikin--I'll give you twenty;" and she did so, until she almost took away my breath. "And now," said she, "there is a senor 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, Senor," said I, "what are you waiting for, is it a billet-doux from a sweet lady?" "It is, my pretty boy," answered he. "Perhaps this will interest you," replied I, handing him the note. He snatched it from me, and would have departed. "Senor," said I, "I cannot allow my mistress to be affronted. Her favours are beyond all price, but still they are always coupled with gold. Since you are so poor, and gold must pass, here is a piece for you," and I offered him the doubloon which I had received from the other cavalier. "You are a witty boy," replied he, "and have corrected my negligence, for it was nothing more, I assure you. Add this to the other,"--and he put a quarter-doubloon in my hand and disappeared. I returned to the house, and as I had been some time away from my mistress I went into the saloon--where she was sitting alone. "Pedro, come hither, child, you know how good I have been to you, and how carefully I have brought you up. Now tell me, can you keep a secret?"--"Yes, madam," replied I, "I can keep yours, for it is my duty."