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A long week went by, and still no news, no explanation of her abrupt departure from Lacville, was received from Anna Wolsky; and the owners of the Pension Malfait were still waiting for instructions as to what was to be done with Madame Wolsky's luggage, and with the various little personal possessions she had left scattered about her room.
She unpacked her trunks, and as she put her things away it suddenly struck her that she meant to stay at Lacville for some time. It was an interesting, a new, even a striking experience, this of hers; and though she felt rather lost without Anna Wolsky's constant presence and companionship, she was beginning to find it pleasant to be once more her own mistress.
We have been perfectly open about the whole matter. We are respectable people, and have absolutely nothing to hide. Madame Wolsky's boxes are there, in her bed-room; I might have let the room twice over since she left, but no, I prefer to wait, hoping that the lady the very charming lady will come back."
And those who belong to the Club 'mean business, as they say in your dear country. They come, that is, to play in the way that I understand and that I enjoy play!" A little colour rose to Anna Wolsky's sallow cheeks; she looked exhilarated, excited at the thoughts and memories her words conjured up. Sylvia also felt curiously excited.
"No," said Madame Cagliostra dully. "I must have the other lady here, too. You must both be present to hear what I have to say." Anna went to the door and called out, "Come up Sylvia! She wants to see us both together." There was a thrill of excitement, of eager expectancy in Madame Wolsky's voice; and Sylvia, surprised, ran up again into the little room, now full of light, sun, and air.
But when Sylvia Bailey sat down he did not come and sit by her, instead he so placed himself that he looked across at her slender, rounded figure, and happy smiling face. "Are you thinking of staying long at Lacville, Madame?" he asked abruptly. "I don't know," she answered hesitatingly. "It will depend on my friend Madame Wolsky's plans.
Whatever the reason for Madame Wolsky's abrupt departure, it would not have taken her a moment to have sent Sylvia Bailey a line if only to say that she could give no explanation of her extraordinary conduct. Fortunately there were many things to distract Sylvia's thoughts from Anna Wolsky. She now began each morning with a two hours' ride with Paul de Virieu.
Madame Wachner left the two friends standing in the hall while she went to look for her husband in the public gambling room, and as they stood there Sylvia became conscious that they were being stared at with a great deal of interest and curiosity. The news of Anna Wolsky's extraordinary good luck had evidently spread. "I wish I had come in a little earlier," said Sylvia presently.
For some moments the soothsayer stood staring into Anna Wolsky's astonished face. "I know I've disappointed you, Mesdames, but I hope this will not prevent your telling your friends of my powers. Allow me to assure you that it is not often that I am taken in this way!" Her voice had dropped to a whisper.
"I have had Madame Wolsky's room beautifully prepared for the English gentleman," went on Madame Malfait amiably. She was pleased that Mrs. Bailey was giving her a new guest, and it also amused her to observe what prudes Englishwomen could be. Fancy putting a man who had come all the way from England to see one, in a pension situated at the other end of the town to where one was living oneself!
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