He did not imagine the truth, that this romantic contemplation was only the result of Mary's conviction that Susy was utterly unworthy of his love.

It so chanced one morning that the vacquero who brought the post from Santa Inez arrived earlier than usual, and so anticipated the two girls, who usually made a youthful point of meeting him first as he passed the garden wall.

The letter bag was consequently delivered to Mrs.Peyton in the presence of the others, and a look of consternation passed between the young girls.

But Mary quickly seized upon the bag as if with girlish and mischievous impatience, opened it, and glanced within it.
"There are only three letters for you," she said, handing them to Clarence, with a quick look of significance, which he failed to comprehend, "and nothing for me or Susy." "But," began the innocent Clarence, as his first glance at the letters showed him that one was directed to Susy, "here is"-- A wicked pinch on his arm that was nearest Mary stopped his speech, and he quickly put the letters in his pocket.
"Didn't you understand that Susy don't want her mother to see that letter ?" asked Mary impatiently, when they were alone a moment later.
"No," said Clarence simply, handing her the missive.
Mary took it and turned it over in her hands.
"It's in a man's handwriting," she said innocently.
"I hadn't noticed it," returned Clarence with invincible naivete, "but perhaps it is." "And you hand it over for me to give to Susy, and ain't a bit curious to know who it's from ?" "No," returned Clarence, opening his big eyes in smiling and apologetic wonder.
"Well," responded the young lady, with a long breath of melancholy astonishment, "certainly, of all things you are--you really ARE!" With which incoherency--apparently perfectly intelligible to herself--she left him.

She had not herself the slightest idea who the letter was from; she only knew that Susy wanted it concealed.
The incident made little impression on Clarence, except as part of the general uneasiness he felt in regard to his old playmate.