Again his ears were full of the sound of oars in water.
“Ruffo,” he said, “will you obey me?”
He laid his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“Si, Signore.”
“Go into the garden. Stay with the Signorina till I come.”
“Si, Signore.”
“If it is a long time, if the Signorina is afraid, if she wants to do anything, you are to say that Don Emilio said she was not to be afraid, and that she was to wait.”
“Si, Signore.”
The boy paused, looking steadily at Artois, then, seeing that he had finished, turned away and went softly into the house.
“Gaspare, come with me.”