rueful smile:

"It is a pity," she said, "that Fritz did not come away with us! 'E 'as
made a thousand francs. It is a great deal of money for us to make--or to
lose. I do not believe 'e will keep it, for, though you bring 'im luck,
my dear"--she turned to Sylvia--"that Count always brings 'im bad luck.
It 'as been proved to me again and again. Just before you arrived at
Lacville with poor Madame Wolsky, Fritz 'ad a 'eavy loss!--a very 'eavy
loss, and all because the Comte de Virieu 'eld the Bank!"

"Perhaps the Count will not hold the Bank again to-night," said Sylvia
slowly.

"Of course, 'e will do so!" the other spoke quite crossly, "Did I not
tell you, Sylvia, that our day servant heard from M. Polperro's wife,
whose sister is cook to the Duchesse d'Eglemont, that the Comte de Virieu
'as been left an immense fortune by 'is godmother? Well, it is a fortune
that will soon melt"--she chuckled, as if the thought was very pleasant
to her. "But I do not think that any of it is likely to melt into Fritz's
pocket--though, to be sure, we 'ave been very lucky, all of us,
to-night," she looked affectionately at Sylvia.

"Even you, Sir"--Madame Wachner turned to Chester with a broad
smile--"even you must be pleased that we came to the Casino to-night.
What a pity it is you did not risk something! Even one pound! You might
'ave made quite a nice lot of money to take back to England with you--"

"--Or to spend in Switzerland!" said Chester, laughing. "It is to
Switzerland I am going, Madame! I shall leave here the day after
to-morrow."