"Si, Signora! Per dio, Signora, it was wonderful! It was just before
the fire-balloon went up, Signora, that I saw the Signorina with the
Neapolitan Signorino. And close behind them was Don Gaspare. I said to
my mamma, 'Mamma, ecco the beautiful Signorina of the island!' My
mamma was excited, Signora. She held on to my arm, and she said:
'Ruffino,' she said, 'show her to me. Where is she?' my mamma said,
Signora. 'And is the Signora Madre with her?' Just then, Signora, the
people moved, and all of a sudden there we were, my mamma and I, right
in front of Don Gaspare."
Ruffo stopped, and Hermione saw a change, a gravity, come into his
bright face.
"Well, Ruffo?" she said, wondering what was coming.
"I said to my mamma, Signora, 'Mamma, this is Don Gaspare of the
island.' Signora, my mamma looked at Don Gaspare for a minute. Her
face was quite funny. She looked white, Signora, my mamma looked
white, almost like the man at the circus who comes in with the dog to
make us laugh.
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