Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 117: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

110 THE ARGOSY. ‘“When will he return?” I made bold to ask. “He is expected at any moment.” My triumph had been of short duration. My heart again sank within me, but I determined to make the most of my time, and of my opportunities. I thrust a coin into the fellow’s hand. It was a gold piece—one of those I had raked into my pocket when I threw down my hand at the gaming table. It served its purpose. He looked at it, saw the amount, and was so well pleased that he was quite thrown off his guard. “ Will sefior be so kind as to wait?” he inquired, bowing. “ ] will wait,” I said. ‘“‘ When he comes, bring him to me. Never mind my name. He will understand. I do not want it known that I am here. This room in front of me is——” ‘Is occupied by Sefiora Don Carlos de Ulloa.” “Yes, to be sure,” I said. ‘‘ I mean the one to the left.” “That is Don Carlos’ room. But you can wait in the reception room. There is no one there,” he explained. I did not dare to question him further for fear of awakening suspicion. _ He led the way to a room near at hand, opened the door for me, and stood aside for mé to enter. “ You are sure that I will not have long to wait?” I asked. “Don Carlos is expected to join his regiment. He has only gone to receive orders. He may be detained longer than he expected,” replied the fellow. “T understand,” I said, motioning for him to go. “I will wait.” He bowed and then retired. As soon as he had passed down the stairway I quietly slipped out of the door and along the gallery until I came to the corner room, the one I had taken to be Sefiorita Teresa’s. I hesitated. It seemed a desecration for me to enter her chamber. Yet, I must endeavor to see her, even at the risk of her denouncing me for my boldness, for at times like this a person does not stand on propriety and stop to argue points of etiquette. The door was unlatched, and I pushed it open silently and went in. The room was dimly lighted by a candle. It was plainly furnished, and in one corner was a bed. Before I could take in all my surroundings I was startled by a woman’s cry, and an old duenna rose from a chair. She was such a little woman, and being clad in black it was not strange that I did not at first see her. ‘“T beg pardon,” I said, endeavoring to calm her fears, ‘I have made a mistake.” “Then why do you not go?” she demanded, standing trembling before me. “ You must know that it is not becoming in a gentleman to enter un- bidden a lady’s chamber. ‘There is the door!” And she pointed to it. “ Yes,” I said, “I will go. But first, my business may be with you, if you will allow me a word.” I had closed the door, and seeing a bolt on the inside, shoved it in place. I believed that my greatest danger was from the outside. GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT