The Casino? Why, of course, it was there that she must look for Anna
Wolsky. How stupid of her not to have thought of it! And so, after
waiting a moment, she also joined the little string of people who were
wending their way towards the great white building.

After having paid a franc for admission, Sylvia found herself in the hall
of the Casino of Lacville. An eager attendant rushed forward to relieve
her of the dust-cloak and parasol which she was carrying.

"Does Madame wish to go straight to the Room of the Games?" he inquired
eagerly.

Sylvia bent her head. It was there, or so she supposed, that Anna would
be.

Feeling a thrill of keen curiosity, she followed the man through a
prettily-decorated vestibule, and so into a large room, overlooking the
lake, where already a crowd of people were gathered round the green baize
tables.

The Salle des Jeux at Lacville is a charming, conservatory-like
apartment, looking, indeed, as if it were actually built out on the
water.

But none of the people were looking at the beautiful scene outside.
Instead, each group was intent on the table, and on the game being played
thereon--a game, it may be mentioned, which has a certain affinity with
Roulette and Petits Chevaux, though it is neither the one nor the other.

Sylvia looked about her timidly; but no one took the slightest notice of