The question took her utterly by surprise. But
the Comte de Virieu's next words at once relieved, and yes, it must be
admitted, chagrined her.
"I ask you, Madame, to leave Lacville! I ask permission to tell you
frankly and plainly that it is not a place to which you ought to have
been brought."
He spoke with great emphasis.
Sylvia looked up at him. She was bewildered, and though not exactly
offended, rather hurt.
"But why?" she asked plaintively. "Why should I not stay at Lacville?"
"Oh, well, there can be no harm in your staying on a few days if you
are desirous of doing so. But Lacville is not a place where I should
care for my own sister to come and stay." He went on, speaking much
quicker--"Indeed, I will say more! I will tell you that Lacville may
seem a paradise to you, but that it is a paradise full of snakes."
"Snakes?" repeated Sylvia slowly. "You mean, of course, human snakes?"
He bowed gravely.
"Every town where reigns the Goddess of play attracts reptiles, Madame,
as the sun attracts lizards! It is not the game that does so, or even the
love of play in the Goddess's victims; no, it is the love of gold!"
Sylvia noticed that he had grown curiously pale.
Pages:
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115