"Of course, dear; of course. We won't speak of Signor Keralio now. He's not worth discussing anyhow."
He watched her closely for a moment, as if trying to see if she were deceiving him, but her face was frank and serene. Suddenly, taking hold of her hand, which she abandoned willingly enough in his, he murmured:
"You mustn't mind what I say. I'll soon be all right. I'm a bit mixed up. My mind's been queer ever since that awful night."
"Perhaps you would prefer if we had no one to dinner. I could easily give some excuse and put them all off."
His first impulse was to promptly accept this suggestion, yet what was the good? If he did not meet them to-day he must do so to-morrow. It was best to get it over with. The quicker he got to know the people the easier it would be for him. If he seemed to avoid meeting them, it might only arouse suspicion. Shaking his head, he said:
"No, dear. That's all right. I'm glad they're coming. It will liven things up."
Helen's face brightened. It was the first cheerful remark he had made.
"That's what I think. You must forget what you have gone through. After all it's not so bad, but it might be a lot worse. Mr. Parker will feel badly about the stones, of course, because he had counted on making capital out of the advertising they would receive. But who knows? Perhaps it's all for the best. They may find other stones even more valuable."
A sudden knock at the door interrupted them.
"Come in," called out Helen.