She longed for
some expression of affection from some one. She felt that she was
starving for it. And this feeling made her say:
"How do you mean, Gaspare?"
"Signora, it is for you to say whether we shall go away or stay here."
"You--you put me first, Gaspare?"
She was ashamed of herself for saying it. But she had to say it.
"First, Signora? Of course you are first."
He looked genuinely surprised.
"Are you not the Padrona?" he added. "It is for you to command."
"Yes. But I don't quite mean that."
She stopped. But she had to go on:
"I mean, would you rather do what I wanted than what any one else
wanted?"
"Si, Signora--much rather."
There was more in his voice than in his words.
"Thank you, Gaspare," she said.
"Signora," he said, "if you think we had better leave the island, let
us leave it. Let us go away."
"Well, but I have never said I wished to go. I am--" she paused. "I
have been very contented to be here."
"Va bene, Signora."
When they reached the island Hermione felt nervous--almost as if she
were to meet strangers who were critical, who would appraise her and
be ready to despise her.
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