as dressing. No doubt the launch will have a cabin."

A siren hooted.

"That is the Marchesino saluting us!" cried Vere. "Come along, Madre!
Maria! Maria!"

She ran out, calling for the cloaks.

"Do you like Vere's frock, Emile?" said Hermione, as they followed.

"Yes. She looks delicious--but quite like a little woman of the world."

"Ah, you like her best as the Island child. So do I. Oh, Emile!"

"What is it?"

"I can't help it. I hate Vere's growing up."

"Few things can remain unchanged for long. This sea will be
unrecognizable before we return."

Gaspare met them on the landing with solemn eyes.

"There is going to be a great storm, Signora," he said. "It is coming
from Ischia."

"So Don Emilio thinks. But we will take wraps, and we are going in a
launch. It will be all right, Gaspare."

"Shall I come with you, Signora?"

"Well, Gaspare, you see it is the Marchese's launch--"

"If you would like me to come, I will ask the Signore Marchese."

"We'll see how much room there is."

"Si, Signora."

He went down to receive the launch.

"Emile," Hermione said, as he disappeared, "can you understand what a
comfort to me Gaspare is? Ah, if people knew how women love those who
are ready to protect them! It's quite absurd, but just because Gaspare
said that, I'd fifty times rather have him with us than go without him."

"I understand. I love your watch-dog, too."

She touched his arm.

"No one could ever understand the merits of a watch-dog better than you.
That's right, Maria; we shall be safer with these."

The Marchesino stood at the foot of the cliff, bare-headed, to receive
them. He was in evening dress, what he called "smoking," with a flower
in his button-hole, and a straw hat, and held a pair of white kid gloves
in his hand. He looked in rapturous spirits, but ceremonial. When he
caught sight of Artois on the steps behind Hermione and Vere, however,
he could not repress an exclamation of "Emilio!"

He took Hermione's and Vere's hands, bowed over them and kissed them.
Then he turned to his friend.

"Caro Emilio! You are back! You must come with us! You must dine at
Frisio's."

"May I?" said Artois.

"You must. This is delightful. See, Madame," he added to Hermione,
suddenly breaking into awful French, "we have the English flag! Your
Jack! Voila, the great, the only Jack! I salute him! Let me help you!"

As Hermione stepped into the launch she said:

"I see there is plenty of room.