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Updated: May 19, 2025
He had no right to look as angry, as as disgusted as he was now doing. Then there came to both a welcome diversion. "Ma jolie Sylvie! Will you not introduce me to your friend?" Madame Wachner had elbowed her way through the crowd to where Chester and Mrs. Bailey were standing. Her husband lagged a little way behind, his eyes still following the play.
After the pleasant meal was over, for it had been pleasant, and the cheerful hostess had taken special pains over the menu, Sylvia weary at the thought of another long, dull evening in the drawing-room of the Villa du Lac, was secretly pleased to hear Madame Wachner exclaim coaxingly: "And now, I do 'ope, Mr. Chester, that you will come over and spend this evening at the Casino!
By the way, I forgot to tell you my name. That was very rude of me! My name is Wachner Sophie Wachner, at your service." "And my name is Bailey Sylvia Bailey." "Ah, I thought so you are a Mees!" "No," said Sylvia gravely, "I am a widow." Madame Wachner's face became very serious. "Ah," she said, sympathetically, "that is sad very sad for one so young and so beautiful!" Sylvia smiled.
Was it possible that this Comte de Virieu, this man of whom that nice Madame Wachner had spoken with such scorn as a confirmed gambler, was "making up" to Sylvia? It was a monstrous idea but Chester, being a solicitor, knew only too well that in the matter of marriage the most monstrous and disastrous things are not only always possible but sometimes probable.
It would be a crime for you not to get married again!" Madame Wachner persisted; and then, "I love beauty," she cried enthusiastically. "You did not see me, Madame, last week, but I saw you, and I said to my 'usband, 'There is a very beautiful person come to Lacville, Fritz! 'E laughed at me. 'Now you will be satisfied now you will 'ave something to look at, 'e says. And it is quite true!
"But it is inconceivable that Anna could have left Lacville without telling me or, for the matter of that, without telling you, too " "She 'as taken what you in England call 'French leave," said Madame Wachner drily. "It was not very considerate of 'er. She might 'ave sent us word last night. We would not then 'ave waited to 'ave our nice supper."
"Shall we take a carriage?" Sylvia asked diffidently; she knew her stout friend disliked walking. "No, no," said Monsieur Wachner shortly. "There is no need to take a carriage to-night; it is so fine, and, besides, it is not very far."
Even as she spoke, Anna slightly inclined her head, and the woman at whom they were both looking smiled broadly, showing her strong white teeth as she did so; and then, as her eyes travelled from Anna Wolsky to Anna's companion, they became intent and questioning. Madame Wachner, in spite of her unwieldy form, and common, showy clothes, was fond of beautiful things, and especially fond of jewels.
"I ask you to come and 'ave tea with me," said Madame Wachner turning to Sylvia. "We are not very far from the Châlet des Muguets, and I 'ave some excellent tea there. We will 'ave a rest, and tell the man to come back for us in one hour. What do you think of that, Madame?" "It is very kind of you," said Sylvia gratefully; and, indeed, she did think it very kind.
"You know she may have sent you a letter or a message which miscarried. They are rather careless people at the Pension Malfait." "Yes, of course, that is always possible," said the other rather coldly. And then, as they came within sight of the Pension Malfait, Madame Wachner suddenly placed her large, powerful, bare hand on Sylvia's small gloved one.
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