She had seen him long before Sylvia had done so, and had
watched him with some attention, guessing almost at once that he must
be the man for whom Mrs. Bailey had waited dinner.
"I suppose that this is your first visit to Lacville?" she observed
smiling. "Very few of your countrymen come 'ere, sir, but it is an
interesting and curious place--more really curious than is Monte Carlo."
She lowered her voice a little, but Chester heard her next words very
clearly.
"It is not a proper place for our pretty friend, but--ah! she loves
play now! The Polish lady, Madame Wolsky, was also a great lover of
baccarat; but now she 'as gone away. And so, when Mrs. Bailey come 'ere,
like this, at night, my 'usband and I--we are what you English people
call old-fashioned folk--we come, too. Not to play--oh, no, but, _you_
understand, just to look after 'er. She is so innocent, so young, so
beautiful!"
Chester looked kindly at Madame Wachner. It was very decent of
her--really good-natured and motherly--to take such an interest in poor
Sylvia and her delinquencies. Yes, that was the way to take this--this
matter which so shocked him.
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