In another moment he had stepped from the buoy into his own boat. He went to meet Andrea.
'I have been with Italia. If you like I will listen to anything you have to say to me. But not here. I will follow you to your house,' he said.
He followed at a little distance across the tranquil bay.
CHAPTER VIII.
A LAST CHANCE.
Drea did not speak until they stood all three in the shelter of the familiar low-ceilinged room. Then he said, 'I should like to be alone with Dino.'
He waited until Italia had closed the door of the inner chamber behind her. He waited, standing in the firelight, his powerful knotted hands hanging loosely beside him; his gray head bowed upon his breast. All the fire had gone out of the old man; he looked broken-down.
Presently he spoke.
'I did not expect to see you here again, but perhaps it's as well—it's as well.'