Then there will be the long sail across
the blue water, and Capri coming nearer and nearer; then the landing and
the donkeys and the steep climb up and up. Where shall we go, Leo?--to
the Hotel Pagano or the Tiberio? The Pagano?--very well, for there is
the long balcony shaded from the sun, and after luncheon we shall have
chairs taken out--yes, and you can smoke there--and you will laugh to
see Andrea go to the front of the railings and sing, '_Al ben de tuoi
qual vittima,_' with his arms stretched out like a windmill, and Carmela
very angry with him that he is so ridiculous. But then no one
hears--what matter?--no one except those perhaps in the small
garden-house for the billiard. Will there be moonlight to-night before
we get back? To-morrow Pandiani will grumble. Well, let him grumble; I
am not afraid of him--no!"
So she would carelessly talk him back into quietude again; and then she
would stealthily withdraw from the room, and perhaps go to the piano and
begin to play some Neapolitan air--but so softly that the notes must
have come to him like music in a dream.
Lord Rockminster called that afternoon and was shown up-stairs.
"I am going down to Scotland to-night," said he to Maurice, "and I have
just got a telegram from Miss Cunyngham--you may have heard of her from
Mr.
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