Then this Mr. Chester's departure from Lacville had been a _fausse
sortie_--a _ruse_ to get rid of the Comte de Virieu, who was also in love
with the lovely young English widow?

Ah! Ah! M. Polperro felt very much amused. Never had he heard of anything
so droll! But the Englishman's tale of love was not to run smooth after
all, for now another complication had arisen, and the very last one any
sensible man would have expected!

"Yes, M'sieur," said M. Polperro demurely, "it is all right! I had
forgotten! As you say, the Comte de Virieu's room is now empty, but"--he
hesitated, and with a sly look added, "indeed we have another room empty
to-night--a far finer room, with a view over the lake--the room Madame
Bailey occupied."

"The room Mrs. Bailey occupied?" echoed Chester. "Has Mrs. Bailey changed
her room to-day?"

"Oh, no, M'sieur! She left Lacville this very evening. I have but just
now received a letter from her."

The little man could hardly keep serious. Oh! those Englishmen, who are
said to be so cold! When in love they behave just like other people.

For Chester was staring at him with puzzled, wrathful eyes.

"Ah! what a charming lady, M'sieur; Madame Polperro and I shall miss her
greatly. We hoped to keep Madame Bailey all the summer. But perhaps she
will come back--now that M'sieur has returned." He really could not