And then they became silent, for close by where they now stood, a little
apart from the table, an angry altercation was going on between Monsieur
and Madame Wachner. It was the first time Sylvia had ever heard the
worthy couple quarrelling in public the one with the other.

"I tell you I will _not_ go away!" L'Ami Fritz was saying between his
teeth. "I feel that to-night I am in luck, in great luck! What I ask you
to do, Sophie, is to go away yourself, and leave me alone. I have made a
thousand francs this evening, and at last I have an opportunity of trying
my new system. I am determined to try it now, to-night! No--it is no use
your speaking to me, no use reminding me of any promise I made to you. If
I made such a promise, I mean to break it!"

Sylvia looked round, a good deal concerned. Madame Wachner's face was
red, and she was plainly very angry and put out. But when she saw that
she and her husband had attracted the attention of their English friends,
she made a great effort to regain her self-control and good humour.

"Very well," she said, "Very well, Fritz! Do not speak to me as if I were
an ogress or a dragon. I am your wife; it is my duty to obey you. But I
will not stay to see you lose the good money you have made with the help
of our kind friend, Madame Sylvia. Yes, I will go away and leave you, my
poor Fritz."

And suiting her action to her words, she put her arm familiarly through
Sylvia's and together they walked out of the Baccarat Room, followed by
Chester.

When they were in the vestibule Madame Wachner turned to him with a