A boat was placed entirely at their
disposal. Sometimes they loitered whole days along the shore;
sometimes made trips to the lovely islands in the bay.
One evening they were sailing near Sorrento, with a light wind.
The beauty of the coast tempted them to keep the boat close
inshore. A short time before sunset, they rounded the most
picturesque headland they had yet passed; and a little bay, with
a white-sand beach, opened on their view. They noticed first a
villa surrounded by orange and olive trees on the rocky heights
inland; then a path in the cliff-side leading down to the sands;
then a little family party on the beach, enjoying the fragrant
evening air.
The elders of the group were a lady and gentleman, sitting
together on the sand. The lady had a guitar in her lap and was
playing a simple dance melody. Close at her side a young child
was rolling on the beach in high glee; in front of her a little
girl was dancing to the music, with a very extraordinary partner
in the shape of a dog, who was capering on his hind legs in the
most grotesque manner. The merry laughter of the girl, and the
lively notes of the guitar were heard distinctly across the still
water.
"Edge a little nearer in shore," said D'Arbino to his friend, who
was steering; "and keep as I do in the shadow of the sail. I want
to see the faces of those persons on the beach without being
seen by them.
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