nto a laugh, evidently at some
recollection.

"Doro made his eyes very round. I can see that," said Artois.

"Like this!" cried Vere.

And suddenly there appeared in her face a reminiscence of the face of
the Marchesino.

"Vere, you must not! Some day you will do it by accident when he is
here."

"Is he coming here?"

"In a launch to fetch me--us."

"Am I invited?" said Vere. "What fun!"

"I could not get out of it," Hermione said to Artois. "But now I insist
on your staying here till the Marchesino comes. Then he will ask you,
and we shall be a quartet."

"I will stay," said Artois, with a sudden return of his authoritative
manner.

"It seems that I am woefully ignorant of the Bay," continued Hermione.
"I have never dined at Frisio's. Everybody goes there at least once.
Everybody has been there. Emperors, kings, queens, writers, singers,
politicians, generals--they all eat fish at Frisio's."

"It's true."

"You have done it?"

"Yes. The Padrone is worth knowing. He--but to-night you will know him.
Yes, Frisio's is characteristic. Vere will be amused."

With a light tone he hid a faint chagrin.

"What fun!" repeated Vere. "If I had diamonds I should put them on."

She too was hiding something, one sentiment with another very different.
But her youth came to her aid, and very soon the second excitement
really took the place of the first, and she was joyously alive to the
prospect of a novel gayety.

"I must not eat anything more," said Hermione. "I believe the Marchesino
is ordering something marvellous for us, all the treasures of the sea.
We must be up to the mark. He really is a good fellow."

"Yes," said Artois. "He is. I have a genuine liking for him."

He said it with obvious sincerity.

"I am going," said Vere. "I must think about clothes. And I must undo
my hair again and get Maria to dry it thoroughly, or I shall look
frightening."

She went out quickly, her eyes sparkling.

"Vere is delighted," said Hermione.

"Yes, indeed she is."

"And you are not. Would you rather avoid the Marchesino to-night, Emile,
and not come with us? Perhaps I am selfish. I would so very much rather
have you with us."

"If Doro asks me I shall certainly come. It's true that I wish you were
not engaged to-night--I should have enjoyed a quiet evening here. But we
shall have many quiet, happy evenings together this summer, I hope."

"I wonder if we shall?" said Hermione, slowly.

"You--why?"

"I don