Dick glanced once or twice in the direction of the object of their conversation, who, quite unconscious of their scrutiny, was still talking earnestly to Helen. The young man smiled, his chest expanded with satisfaction, and grimly he said:
"Leave him to me."
Quite unconscious of the attention he attracted, the Italian turned to Helen.
"You miss your husband very much?"
"Yes—terribly."
"It must be lonely for you."
"It is," she sighed.
"Yet you have your sister."
"Can a sister replace a husband?"
He gave a low, musical laugh.