to-night?"

"Yes, just now. Why? What made you think so?"

"Well?"

"A man--a gentleman came. I told him he was trespassing."

Artois smiled. Ruffo stood by, his cap in his hand, looking
attentively at Vere, who had spoken in French. She glanced at him, and
suddenly broke into Italian.

"He was that absurd boy we saw in the sea, Madre, the other day, who
pretended to be a seal, and made me laugh. He reminded me of it, and
asked me if I didn't recognize him."

"What did you say?"

"I said 'No' and 'Good-night.' "

"And did he go?" asked Artois.

"No, he would not go. I don't know what he wanted. He looked quite
odd, as if he were feeling angry inside, and didn't wish to show it.
And he began trying to talk. But as I didn't really know him--after
all, laughing at a man because he pretends to be a seal is scarcely
knowing him, is it, Monsieur Emile?"

"No," he said, smiling at her smile.