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.
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