She talked quickly, rather
disconnectedly, of the many things appertaining to her life at home, in
Market Dalling, which she had in common with the English lawyer. She only
touched on the delightful time she had had in Paris, and she said nothing
of Lacville.
Long before the others had finished, Count Paul got up; before leaving
the dining-room, he turned and bowed ceremoniously to Sylvia and her
companion. With his disappearance it seemed to Chester that Sylvia at
once became her natural, simple, eager, happy self. She talked less, she
listened more, and at last Chester began to enjoy his holiday.
They went out again into the garden, and the wide lawn, with its shaded
spaces of deep green, was a delicious place in which to spend a quiet,
idle hour. They sat down and drank their coffee under one of the cedars
of Lebanon.
"This is a very delightful, curious kind of hotel," he said at last. "And
I confess that now I understand why you like Lacville. But I do wonder a
little, Sylvia"--he looked at her gravely--"that you enjoy going to that
Casino."
"You see, there's so very little else to do here!" she exclaimed,
deprecatingly.
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