He could not help remembering now the kind of remarks that were made by
the more prosperous inhabitants of Market Dalling, his fellow citizens,
when they went off for a short holiday to the South, in January or
February. They would see this poor lady, this Mrs. Meeks, wandering round
the gaming tables, and the sight would amuse and shock them. Chester knew
that one of the first things said to him after the return of such people
would be, "Who d'you think I saw at Monte Carlo? Why, Mrs. Meeks, of
course! It's enough to make her husband turn in his grave."

And now he told himself ruefully that it would be enough to make honest
George Bailey turn in his grave could he see his pretty, sheltered Sylvia
sitting in the Casino at Lacville, surrounded by the riffraff collected
there last night, and actually taking an active part in the game as well
as risking her money with business-like intentness.

He wondered if he could persuade Sylvia to leave Lacville soon. In any
case he would himself stay on here three or four days--he had meant only
to stay twenty-four hours, for he was on his way to join a friend whose
Swiss holiday was limited. The sensible thing for Sylvia to do would be
to go back to England.

* * * * *

Chester reached the Villa du Lac at half-past eleven and as he went out
into the charming garden where he was told he would find Mrs. Bailey he
told himself that Lacville was not without some innocent attractions. But
Mrs. Bailey was not alone in this lovely garden. Sitting on the lawn by
her was the Frenchman who had been with her when Chester had first caught
sight of her at the Casino the night before.