"This is a new frock, and my very smartest," she said; "and you dared to abuse Paris!"
"Being a man. I must retract now. You are right, we cannot do without it. But--have you an umbrella?"
"An umbrella?"
She moved and laughed again, much more gayly.
"I am serious. Come here and look at Ischia."
She went with him quickly to the window.
"That blackness does look wicked. But it"s a long way off."
"I think it is coming this way."
"Oh, but"--and she went to the opposite window--"the sky is perfectly clear towards Naples. And look how still the sea is."
"Too still. It is like steel."
"Hush! Listen!"
She held up her hand. They both heard a far-off sound of busy panting on the sea.
"That must be the launch!" she said.
Her eyes were gay and expectant. It was evident that she was in high spirits, that she was looking forward to this unusual gayety.
"Yes."
"Doesn"t it sound in a hurry, as if the Marchesino was terribly afraid of being late?"
"Get your umbrella, Vere, and a waterproof. You will want them both."
At that moment Hermione came in.
"Madre, the launch is coming in a frightful hurry, and Monsieur Emile says we must take umbrellas."
"Surely it isn"t going to rain?"
"There is a thunder-storm coming up from Ischia, I believe," said Artois.
"Then we will take our cloaks in case. It is fearfully hot. I thought so when I was 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 b.u.t.ton-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.