As he did so, the white-haired lady came, with stately step, round the bend; she glanced at Derrick, but passed him and went to Don Jose.
"I want to speak to you," she said.

"But who is that man, and what is he doing with Pepito ?" Don Jose explained.

Donna Elvira spoke for a few minutes longer; then she turned and walked towards the house.

By this time Derrick had performed the surgical operation on Pepito, and was about to set him down, when the lady stopped and said: "What is the matter with my dog, senor ?" "It was,"-- began Derrick, in Spanish; then, as he did not know the Spanish word, he concluded, in English, "a thorn." Donna Elvira started, but so slightly that the involuntary movement of surprise was unnoticed by Derrick.

"You are English ?" she said, in his own language.
"Yes, my lady," replied Derrick.
Pepito's foot still hurt him, and, with extreme sorrow for himself, he turned over on his back.
"He is still in pain," said Donna Elvira.