“Si, Signora.”
She took her hand from the boy’s shoulder. He bent to kiss her hand, and again, as he was lifting up his head, she saw the melting look in his eyes. This time it was unmingled with amazement, and it startled her.
“Oh, Ruffo!” she said, and stopped, staring at him in the darkness.
“Signora! What is it? What have you?”
“Nothing. Good-night, Ruffo.”
“Good-night, Signora.”
He took off his cap and ran down to the boat. Hermione leaned over the railing, bending down to see the boy reappear below. When he came he looked like a shadow. From this shadow there rose a voice singing very softly.
“Oh, dolce luna bianca de l’ Estate—”
The shadow went over to the boat, and the voice died away.
“Gli occhi di Rosa e il mar di Mergellina.”