"Help you! and in what way? Has the little daughter been cruel? You wish me to speak as father to her."
"I wish you to do nothing of the sort. My daughter is quite well, and I was perfectly happy with her."
"And without me," cried Ferrari, jealously; upon which Mrs. Belswin made a gesture of irritation.
"We can settle that afterwards," she said, drawing off her gloves: "meanwhile let us talk sense. I shall be up in town for a fortnight."
"And you stay, cara?"
"At an hotel in the Strand. I'll give you the address before I leave."
"Bene! I will then have you to myself for two weeks."
"It all depends on whether you will help me in what I wish to do."
"Ebbene! Is it il marito?"
Mrs. Belswin nodded, and the Italian burst out laughing.