And then, as he saw, or fancied he saw, a satirical expression pass over
the Englishman's face, he added rather haughtily:

"Strange to say, my luck turned last night--I admit I did not deserve
it--and I left off with a good deal to the good. However, I feel I have
played enough for a while, and, as I have been telling Mrs. Bailey, I
think it would do me good to go away. In fact"--and then Count Paul gave
an odd little laugh--"I also am going to Switzerland! In old days I was a
member of our Alpine Club."

Chester made a sudden resolve, and, what was rare in one so
constitutionally prudent, acted on it at once.

"If you are really going to Switzerland," he said quietly, "then why
should we not travel together? I meant to go to-night, but if you prefer
to wait till to-morrow, Count, I can alter my arrangements."

The Comte de Virieu remained silent for what seemed to the two waiting
for his answer a very long time.

"This evening will suit me just as well as to-morrow," he said at last.

He did not look at Sylvia. He had not looked her way since Chester had
joined them. With a hand that shook a little he took his cigarette-case
out of his pocket, and held it out to the other man.

The die was cast. So be it. Chester, prig though he might be, was right
in his wish to remove Sylvia from his, Paul de Virieu's, company. The
Englishman was more right than he would ever know.