ounded by a shadowy group of men and women,
mourning the old Marquise who had left Count Paul the means to become
once more a self-respecting and respected member of the world to which he
belonged by right of birth....

Had it not been for the Wachners, these two days of dual solitude with
Chester would have been dreary indeed, but Madame Wachner was their
companion on more than one long excursion and wherever Madame Wachner
went there reigned a kind of jollity and sense of cheer.

Sylvia wondered if the Comte de Virieu was indeed coming back as he had
said he would do. And yet she knew that were he to return now, at once,
to his old ways, his family, those who loved him, would have the right to
think him incorrigible.

As is the way with a woman when she loves, Sylvia did not consider
herself as a factor affecting his return to Lacville. Nay, she was
bitterly hurt that he had not written her a line since he had left.

And now had come the evening of the day when Count Paul had meant to come
back. But M. Polperro said no word of his return. Still, it was quite
possible that he would arrive late, and Sylvia did not wish to see him
when in the company, not only of Bill Chester, but also of the Wachners.

Somehow or other, she had fallen into the habit each evening of asking
the Wachners to dinner. She did so to-day, but suggested dining at a
restaurant.

"Yes, if this time, dear Sylvia, the host is L'Ami Fritz!" said Madame
Wachner decidedly. And after a slight demur Sylvia consented.

They dined at the hotel which is just opposite the Casino. After the
pleasant meal was over, for it had been pleasant, and the cheerful
hostess had taken special pains over the menu, Sylvia weary at the
thought of another long, dull evening in the drawing-room of the Villa
du Lac, was secretly pleased to hear Madame Wachner exclaim coaxingly:

"And now, I do 'ope, Mr. Chester, that you will come over and spend this
evening at the Casino! I know you do not approve of the play that goes on
there, but still, believe me, it is the only thing to do at Lacville.
Lacville would be a very dull place were it not for the Casino!"

Chester smiled.

"You think me far more particular than I am really," he said, lightly.
"I don't in the least mind going to the Casino." Why should he be a
spoil-sport? "But I confess I cannot understand the kind of attraction
play has for some minds. For instance, I cannot understand the
extraordinary fascinatio