He heard a faint movement as if the woman within came nearer to the casement.
"If you loved the dead signore, if you care for his memory, do not talk of your grief for him to others. Pray for him, and be silent for him. If you are silent the Holy Mother will hear your prayers."
As he said the last words Artois made his deep voice sound mysterious, mystical.
Then he went away softly among the thickly growing trees.
When he saw Salvatore again, still standing upon the plateau, he beckoned to him without coming into the open.
"Bring the boat round to the inlet," he said. "I will cross from there."
"Si, signore."
"And as we cross we can speak a little more about America."
The fisherman stared at him, with a faint smile that showed a gleam of sharp, white teeth.