"Gaspare!"
"Vengo!"
That cry--what did it recall to Hermione? Gaspare's cry from the inlet
beneath the Isle of the Sirens when he was bringing the body of
Maurice from the sea. As she had trembled then, she began to tremble
now. She felt exhausted, that she could bear no more, that she must
rest, be guarded, cared for, protected, loved. The boat touched shore.
Gaspare leaped out. He cast an eager, fiery look of scrutiny on his
Padrona. She returned it. Then, suddenly, he seized her hand, bent
down and kissed it.
She trembled more. He lifted his head, stared at her again. Then he
took her up in his strong arms, as if she were a child, and carried
her gently and carefully to the stern of the boat.
"Lei si riposi!" he whispered, as he set her down.
She shut her eyes, leaning back against the seat. She heard Artois get
in, the boat pushed off, the splash of the oars. But she did not open
her eyes, until presently an instinct told her there was something she
must see.
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