"Signorino, what is the matter?"
Maddalena pulled his sleeve. She was looking almost alarmed.
"Matter? Nothing."
Maurice got up. He could not remain still. It was all over now. The fair was at an end for him. Gaspare would reach the station before the train went on, would explain matters. Hermione would get out. Already Maurice seemed to see her coming down to the watercourse, walking with her characteristic slow vigor. It did not occur to him at first that Hermione might refuse to leave Artois. Something in him knew that she was coming. Fate had interfered now imperiously. Once he had cheated fate. That was when he came to the fair despite Hermione's letter. Now fate was going to have her revenge upon him. He looked at Maddalena. Was fate working for her, to protect her? Would his loss be her gain? He did not know, for he did not know what would have been the course of his own conduct if fate had not interfered. He had been trifling, letting the current take him. It might have taken him far, but—now Hermione was coming. It was all over and the sun was still up, still shining upon the sea.
"Let us go into the fair. It is cooler now."
He tried to speak lightly.
"Si, signore."
Maddalena shook out her skirt and began to smile. She was thinking of the blue dress and the ear-rings. They went down into the watercourse.
"Signorino, what can have been the matter with Gaspare?"
"I don't know."