r the lee of the island it was
comparatively calm. But the rain was falling in torrents. There was
one fishing-boat in the pool, close to where we were, and as we were
standing and listening, Vere said, suddenly, 'Madre, that's Ruffo's
boat!' I asked her how she knew--because he has changed into another
boat lately--she had told me that. 'I saw his head,' she answered. 'He's
there and he's not asleep. Poor boy, in all this rain!' Ruffo has been
ill with fever, as I told you, and when Vere said that I remembered it
at once."

"Had you told Vere yet?" interposed Artois.

"No. But I did then. Emile, she showed an agitation that--well, it was
almost strange, I think. She begged me to make him come into the house
and spend the night there, safe from the wind and the rain."

"And you did, of course?"

"Yes. He was looking very pale and shaky. The men let him come. They
were nice and sympathetic. I think they are fond of the boy."

"Ruffo seems to know how to attract people to him."

"Yes."

"And so Vere played the mother to Ruffo?"

"Yes. I never saw that side of her before. She was a woman then.
Eventually Ruffo slept with Gaspare."

"And how did Gaspare accept the situation?"

"Better than I should have expected. I think he likes Ruffo personally,
though he is inclined to be suspicious and jealous of any strangers
who come into our lives. But I haven't had time to talk to him this
morning."

"Is Ruffo still in the house?"

"Oh no. He went off in the boat. They came for him about eight."

"Ah!"

Artois went to the window and looked out. But now he saw nothing,
although the three women were still talking and gesticulating on the
terrace of the bath-house, more fishing-boats were being towed or rowed
out into the Bay, carts were passing by, and people were strolling in
the sun.

"You say that Vere showed agitation last night?" he said, turning round
after a moment.

"About Ruffo's illness? It really almost amounted to that. But Vere was
certainly excited. Didn't you notice it?"

"I think she was."

"Emile," Hermione said, after an instant of hesitation, "you remember my
saying to you the other day that Vere was not a stranger to me?"

"Yes, quite well."

"You said nothing--I don't think you agreed. Well, since that day--only
since then--I have sometimes felt that there is much in Vere that I do
not understand, much that is hidden from me. Has she changed lately?"

"She is at an age when development