"You have always stood between the Padrona and trouble whenever you could. You always will--I am sure of that."
"Do you think there is any danger to the Signora's happiness here?"
Gaspare's emphasis seemed to imply where they were just then standing. Artois was surprised, then for a moment almost relieved. Apparently Gaspare had no thought in common with the strange, the perhaps fantastic thought that had been in his own mind.
"Here--no!" he said, with a smile. "Only you and I are here, and we shall not make the Signora unhappy."
And again that ironical expression was in his eyes.
"By here I meant here in Naples, where we all are--or on the island, for instance."
"Signore, in this life there is trouble for all."
"But some troubles, some disasters can be avoided."
"Gaspare"--Artois looked at him steadily, searchingly even, and spoke very gravely--"I respect you for your discretion of many years. But if you know of any trouble, any danger that is near to the Signora, and against which I could help you to protect her, I hope you will trust me and tell me. I think you ought to do that."
"Are you quite sure, Gaspare? Are you quite sure that no one comes to the island who might make the Signora very unhappy?"
Gaspare had dropped his eyes. Now he lifted them, and looked Artois straight in the face.
"No, Signore, I am not sure of that," he said.
There was nothing rude in his voice, but there was something stern. Artois felt as if a strong, determined man stood in his path and blocked the way. But why? Surely they were at cross purposes. The working of Gaspare's mind was not clear to him.
"What I mean is this. Do you think it would be a good thing if the Signora left the island?"
"Yes, and went away from Naples altogether."
"The Signorina would never let the Padrona go. The Signorina loves the island and my Padrona loves the Signorina."
"But the Signorina would not be selfish. If it was best for her mother to go--"
"The Signorina would not think it was best; she would never think it was best to leave the island."
"But what I want to know, Gaspare, is whether you think it would be best for them to leave the island. That's what I want to know--and you haven't told me."
"I am a servant, Signore. I cannot tell such things."