I felt very miserable, and I happened to be at the moment idle. A friend
persuaded me to go to Monte Carlo. That fortnight, Madame, changed my
life--made me what the English call 'an idle good-for-nothing.' Can you
wonder that I warn you against staying at Lacville?"
Sylvia was touched, as well as surprised, by his confidences. His words
breathed sincerity, and the look of humiliation and pain on his face had
deepened. He looked white and drawn.
"It is very kind of you to tell me this, and I am very much obliged to
you for your warning," she said in a low tone.
But the Comte de Virieu went on as if he hardly heard her words.
"The lady with whom you first came to Lacville--I mean the Polish
lady--is well known to me by sight. For the last three years I have
seen her at Monte Carlo in the winter, and at Spa and Aix-les-Bains in
the summer. Of course I was not at all surprised to see her turn up here,
but I confess, Madame, that I was very much astonished to see with her
a"--he hesitated a moment--"a young English lady. You would, perhaps, be
offended if I were to tell you exactly what I felt when I saw you at the
Casino!"
"I do not suppose I should be offended," said Sylvia softly.
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