r which gave access, as he
knew, to the big kitchen-garden of the villa, he saw Mrs. Bailey's
graceful figure; a few steps behind her walked Count Paul.

Chester hurried towards them. How odd they both looked--and how ill at
ease! The Comte de Virieu looked wretched, preoccupied, and gloomy--as
well he might do, considering the large sum of money he had lost last
night. As for Sylvia--yes, there could be no doubt about it--she had been
crying! When she saw Chester coming towards her, she instinctively tilted
her garden hat over her face to hide her reddened eyelids. He felt at
once sorry for, and angry with, her.

"I came early in order to tell you," he said abruptly, "that I find I
must leave Lacville to-day! The man whom I am expecting to join me in
Switzerland is getting impatient, so I've given notice to the Pension
Malfait--in fact, I've already packed."

Sylvia gave him a listless glance, and made no comment on his news.

Chester felt rather nettled. "You, I suppose, will be staying on here for
some time?" he said.

"I don't know," she answered in a low voice. "I haven't made up my mind
how long I shall stay here."

"I also am leaving Lacville," said the Comte de Virieu.

And then, as he saw, or fancied he saw, a satirical expression pass over
the Englishman's face, he added rather haughtily:

"Strange to say, my luck turned last night--I admit I did not deserve
it--and I left off with a good deal to the good. However, I feel I have
played enough for a while, and, as I have been telling Mrs. Bailey, I
think it would do me good to go away. In fact"--and then Count Paul gave
an odd little laugh--"I also am going to Switzerland! In old days I was a
member of our Alpine Club."

Chester made a sudden resolve, and, what was rare in one so
constitutionally prudent, acted on it at once.

"If you are really going to Switzerland," he said quietly, "then why
should we not travel together? I meant to go to-night, but if you prefer
to wait till to-morrow, Count, I can alter my arrangements."

The Comte de Virieu remained silent for what seemed to the two waiting
for his answer a very long time.

"This evening will suit me just as well as to-morrow," he said at last.

He did not look at Sylvia. He had not looked her way since Chester had
joined them. With a hand that shook a little he took his cigarette-case
out of his pocket, and held it out to the other man.

The die was cast. So be it. Chester, prig though he