"No, signore."
"They will all be here this evening, signore," said Amedeo, "for the giuochi di fuoco."
"The giuochi di fuoco—they will be at the end?"
"Si, signore. After the giuochi di fuoco it is all finished."
Maurice stifled a sigh. "It is all finished," Amedeo had said. But for him? For him there would be the ride home up the mountain, the arrival upon the terrace before the house of the priest. At what hour would he be there? It would be very late, perhaps nearly at dawn, in the cold, still, sad hour when vitality is at its lowest. And Hermione? Would she be sleeping? How would they meet? How would he——?
"Andiamo! Andiamo!"
He cried out almost angrily.
"Which is the way?"
"All the auctions are held outside the town, signore," said Amedeo. "Follow me."
Proudly he took the lead, glad to be useful and important after the benefits that had been bestowed upon him, and hoping secretly that perhaps the rich Inglese would give him something to spend, too, since money was so plentiful for donkeys and clocks.