"Wouldn't it be better to see whether I'm worth anything more than my board and lodging before we speak of salary, senora ?" "We will consider," rejoined the Donna Elvira; then she looked straight before her again, with an impassive countenance, with so vacant a gaze that Derrick felt that she had forgotten him once more.

While he was waiting to be further addressed or dismissed, he studied the pale and still beautiful face.

He was so lost in conjecturing the past of this stately lady, living in solitude in this vast house, mistress of a great estate and enormous wealth, that he almost started when, waking from her reverie, she said:-- "I will talk with you further, senor.

Meanwhile, will you go to my major-domo ?" Derrick bowed and turned away; but as he was descending the steps she spoke again, and in a voice that, as it seemed to him, quavered slightly.
"You will be good enough to return to me in an hour, senor ?" Derrick bowed again, and went in search of the major-domo.

A servant led him through the hall of the house to a small room, where sat the individual of whom he was in quest; but, before he had begun to try to explain his presence in broken Spanish, a servant came hurrying in and, with a muttered apology, the major-domo sprang up and hastened off.