nto them an expression that was
almost severely ironical. It vanished at once as Gaspare said:

"No, Signore."

Artois felt the iron of this faithful servant's impenetrable reserve,
but he continued very quietly and composedly:

"You have always stood between the Padrona and trouble whenever you
could. You always will--I am sure of that."

"Si, Signore."

"Do you think there is any danger to the Signora's happiness here?"

"Here, Signore?"

Gaspare's emphasis seemed to imply where they were just then standing.
Artois was surprised, then for a moment almost relieved. Apparently
Gaspare had no thought in common with the strange, the perhaps fantastic
thought that had been in his own mind.

"Here--no!" he said, with a smile. "Only you and I are here, and we
shall not make the Signora unhappy."

"Chi lo sa?" returned Gaspare.

And again that ironical expression was in his eyes.

"By here I meant here in Naples, where we all are--or on the island, for
instance."

"Signore, in this life there is trouble for all."

"But some troubles, some disasters can be avoided."

"It's possible."

"Gaspare"--Artois looked at him steadily, searchingly even, and spoke
very gravely--"I respect you for your discretion of many years. But if
you know of any trouble, any danger that is near to the Signora, and
against which I could help you to protect her, I hope you will trust me
and tell me. I think you ought to do that."

"I don't know what you mean, Signore."

"Are you quite sure, Gaspare? Are you quite sure that no one comes to
the island who might make the Signora very unhappy?"

Gaspare had dropped his eyes. Now he lifted them, and looked Artois
straight in the face.

"No, Signore, I am not sure of that," he said.

There was nothing rude in his voice, but there was something stern.
Artois felt as if a strong, determined man stood in his path and blocked
the way. But why? Surely they were at cross purposes. The working of
Gaspare's mind was not clear to him.

After a moment of silence, he said:

"What I mean is this. Do you think it would be a good thing if the
Signora left the island?"

"Left the island, Signore?"

"Yes, and went away from Naples altogether."

"The Signorina would never let the Padrona go. The Signorina loves the
island and my Padrona loves the Signorina."

"But the Signorina would not be selfish. If it was best for her mother
to go--"

"The Signorina would not think it was best; she wo