list. They did live somewhere near the Antico
Giuseppone. And certainly Artois had no desire to bring about his--the
Marchesino's--acquaintance with them.

That this was so, neither surprised nor seriously vexed the Marchesino.
He knew a good deal of his friend's character, knew that Artois, despite
his geniality and friendliness, was often reserved--even with him.
During their short intimacy he had certainly told Artois a great deal
more about his affairs with women than had been told to him in return.
This fact was borne in upon him now. But he did not feel angry. A
careless good-nature was an essential part of his character. He did not
feel angry at his friend's secrecy, but he did feel mischievous. His
lively desire to know the girl with "the perfect little nose" was backed
up now by another desire--to teach "Caro Emilio" that it was better to
meet complete frankness with complete frankness.

He had strolled out of his friend's room pensively, acting the
melancholy youth who had lost all hope of succeeding in his desire; but
directly the door was shut his manner changed. Disregarding the lift, he
ran lightly down the stairs, made his way swiftly by the revolving door
into the street, crossed it, and walked towards the harbor of Santa
Lucia, where quantities of pleasure-boats lie waiting for hire, and the
boatmen are gathered in knots smoking and gossiping, or are strolling
singly up and down near the water's edge, keeping a sharp look-out for
possible customers.

As the Marchesino turned on the bridge that leads towards Castel dell'
Ovo one of these boatmen met him and saluted him.

"Good-day, Giuseppe," said the Marchesino, addressing him familiarly
with a broad Neapolitan accent.

"Good-day, Signorino Marchesino," replied the man. "Do you want a boat?
I will take you for--"

The Marchesino drew out his cigarette case.

"I don't want a boat. But perhaps you can tell me something."

"What is it, Signorino Marchesino?" said the man, looking eagerly at the
cigarette case which was now open, and which displayed two tempting rows
of fat Egyptian cigarettes reposing side by side.

"Do you know a boat--white with a green line--which sometimes comes into
the harbor from the direction of Posilipo? It was here this afternoon,
or it passed here. I don't know whether it went on to the Arsenal."

"White with a green line?" said the man. "That might be--who was there
in it, Signorino Marchesino?"

"Two ladies, one o