"Yes, it is getting late," said Maurice. "The fireworks will soon be beginning, I suppose."
"Not till ten, signorino. I have asked. There will be dancing first. But—are we going to stay?"
Maurice hesitated, but only for a second.
"Yes," he said. "Even if we went now the signora would be in bed and asleep long before we got home. We will stay to the end, the very end."
"Then we can say 'Good-morning' to the signora when we get home," said Gaspare.
He was quite happy now that he had this marvellous present to take back with him. He felt that it would make all things right, would sweep away all lingering disappointment at their absence and the want of welcome.
Salvatore did not appear at the meal. He had gone off to stable his new purchase with the other donkeys, and now, having got a further sum of money out of the Inglese, was drinking and playing cards with the fishermen of Catania. But he knew where his girl and Maurice were, and that Gaspare and Amedeo were with them. And he knew, too, that the Inglese's signora had come back. He told the news to the fishermen.
"To-night, when he gets home, his 'cristiana' will be waiting for him. Per Dio! it is over for him now. We shall see little more of him."
"And get little more from him!" said one of the fishermen, who was jealous of Salvatore's good-fortune.
Salvatore laughed loudly. He had drunk a good deal of wine and he had had a great deal of money given to him.