With a deep, involuntary sigh, she rose from the table.

She looked at the green cloth, at the people standing round it, with an
odd feeling that neither the table nor the people round her were quite
real. Her heart and thoughts were far away, with the two men both of whom
loved her in their very different ways.

Then she turned with an unmirthful smile to her companions. It would not
be fair to let her private griefs sadden the kindly Wachners. It was
really good of them to have asked her to come back to supper at the
Châlet des Muguets. She would have found it terribly lonely this evening
at the Villa du Lac....

"I am quite ready," she said, addressing herself more particularly to
Madame Wachner; and the three walked out of the Club rooms.

"Shall we take a carriage?" Sylvia asked diffidently; she knew her stout
friend disliked walking.

"No, no," said Monsieur Wachner shortly. "There is no need to take a
carriage to-night; it is so fine, and, besides, it is not very far."

He so seldom interfered or negatived any suggestion that Sylvia felt a
little surprised, the more so that it was really a long walk from the
Casino to the lonely Châlet des Muguets. But as Madame Wachner had nodded
assent to her husband's words, their English guest said no more.

They started out into the moonlit night, Sylvia with her light, springing
step keeping pace with L'Ami Fritz, while his wife lagged a step behind.
But, as was usual with him, M. Wachner remained silent, while his