up another apron.

"Gaspare!"

"One lira fifty? Madre mia, do you think I was born in a grotto on Etna
and have never----"

"Gaspare, listen to me!"

"Scusi, signorino! I----"

"I'm going over there to sit down in the shade for a minute. After that
wine I drank at dinner I'm a bit sleepy."

"Si, signore. Shall I come with you?"

For once there was reluctance in his voice, and he looked down at the
blue-and-white apron he had on with wistful eyes. It was a new joy to him
to be bargaining in the midst of an attentive throng of his compatriots.

"No, no. You stay here and spend the money. Bid for the clock when the
auction comes on."

"Oh, signore, but you must be here, too, then."

"All right. Come and fetch me if you like. I shall be over there under
the trees."

He waved his hand vaguely towards the lemon groves.

"Now, choose a good apron. Don't let them cheat you."

"Macche!"

The boy laughed loudly, and turned eagerly to the stall again.

"Come, Maddalena!"

Maurice drew her quickly, anxiously, out of the crowd, and they began to
walk across the watercourse towards the farther bank and the group of
olive-trees. Salvatore had forgotten them. So had Gaspare. Both father
and servant were taken by the fascination of the fair. At last! But how
late it must be! How many hours had already fled away! Maurice scarcely
dared to look at his watch. He feared to see the time. While they walked
he said nothing to Maddalena, but when they reached the bank he took her
arm and helped her up it, and when they were at the top he drew a long
breath.

"Are you tired, signorino?"

"Tired--yes, of all those people. Come and sit down, Maddalena, under the
olive-trees."

He took her by the hand. Her hand was warm and dry, pleasant to touch, to
hold. As he felt it in his the desire to strike at Salvatore revived
within him. Salvatore was laughing at him, was triumphing over him,
triumphing in the get-all and give-nothing policy which he thought he was
pursuing with such complete success. Would it be very difficult to turn
that success into failure? Maurice wondered for a moment, then ceased to
wonder. Something in the touch of Maddalena's hand told him that, if he
chose, he could have his revenge upon Salvatore, and he was assailed by a
double temptation. Both anger and love tempted him. If he stooped to do
evil he could gratify two of the strongest desires in humanity, the
desire to conquer in love and the desire t