roubled about
her mother, if she had fulfilled her intention and asked Gaspare what
he thought. And he longed to ask her, to know what Gaspare had said. The
remembrance of Gaspare made him say to Hermione:

"I gave orders that Gaspare was to have a meal here. Did they tell you?"

"Yes. He has gone to the servants' room."

The Marchesino's face changed.

"Your Gaspare seems indispensable, Signora," he said to Hermione in his
lightest, most boyish manner--a manner that the determination in his
eyes contradicted rather crudely. "Do you take him everywhere, like a
little dog?"

"I often take him,--but not like a little dog, Marchese," Hermione said,
quietly.

"Signora, I did not mean--Here in Naples, we use that expression for
anything, or any one, we like to have always with us."

"I see. Well, call Gaspare a watch-dog if you like," she answered, with
a smile; "he watches over me carefully."

"A watch-dog, Signora! But do you like to be watched? Is it not
unpleasant?"

He was speaking now to get rid of the impression his first remark had
evidently made upon her.

"I think it depends how," she replied. "If Gaspare watches me it is only
to protect me--I am sure of that."

"But, Signora, do you not trust Don Emilio, do you not trust me, to be
your watch-dogs to-night at the festa?"

There was a little pressure in his voice, but he still preserved his
light and boyish manner. And now he turned to Vere.

"Speak for us, Signorina! Tell the Signora that we will take care of her
to-night, that there is no need of the faithful Gaspare."

Vere looked at him gravely. She had wondered a little why her mother
had brought Gaspare, why, at least, she had not left him free till they
returned to the boat at Santa Lucia. But her mother wanted him to come
with them, and that was enough for her. She opened her lips, and Artois
thought she was going to snub her companion. But perhaps she suddenly
changed her mind, for she only said:

"Who would trust you, Marchese?"

She met his eyes with a sort of child's impertinence. She had abruptly
become the Vere of the Scoglio di Frisio.

"Who would take you for a watch-dog?"

"Ma--Signorina!"

"As a seal--yes, you are all very well! But--"

The young man was immediately in the seventh Heaven. The Signorina
remembered his feats in the water. All his self-confidence returned, all
his former certainty that the Signorina was secretly devoted to him. His
days of doubt and fury wer