When they were not at the Casino the Comte de Virieu very seldom alluded
to his play, or to the good or ill fortune which might have befallen him
that day. When with her he tried, so much was clear to Sylvia, to forget
his passion for gambling.
But this curious friendship of hers with Count Paul only occupied, in a
material sense, a small part of Sylvia's daily life at Lacville; and the
people with whom she spent most of her time were still Anna Wolsky and
Monsieur and Madame Wachner, or perhaps it should be said Madame Wachner.
It was not wonderful that Mrs. Bailey liked the cheerful woman, who was
so bright and jovial in manner, and who knew, too, how to flatter so
cleverly. When with Madame Wachner Sylvia was made to feel that she was
not only very pretty, but also immensely attractive, and just now she was
very anxious to think herself both.
* * * * *
Late one afternoon--and they all four always met each afternoon at the
Casino--Madame Wachner suddenly invited Sylvia and Anna to come back to
supper at the Chalet des Muguets.
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