It was like a great resignation which conferred a great
responsibility.
Always Gaspare had been very jealous, very proud of his position of
authority as the confidential servant and protector of Hermione. And
now, suddenly, and very simply, he seemed to acknowledge his
helplessness with Hermione--to rely implicitly upon the power of
Artois.
Vere, too, in her way had performed a kindred action. She had summoned
"Monsieur Emile" in her great trouble. She had put herself in his
hands. And he--he had striven to delegate to others the burden he was
meant to bear. He had sent Vere to Hermione. He had sent Gaspare to
her. He had even sent Ruffo to her. Now he must go himself. Vere,
Gaspare, Ruffo--they were all looking to him. But Gaspare's eyes were
most expressive, held more of demand for him than the eyes of the girl
and boy. For the past was gathered in Gaspare, spoke to him in
Gaspare's voice, looked at him from Gaspare's eyes, and in Gaspare's
soul waited surely to know how it would be redeemed.
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