woman--she seemed to be
another Sylvia to the one he had always known.

"I'll just come out and tell you that it's all right," he said a little
awkwardly. "But I wish you'd come in--if only for a minute. Mrs. Bailey
would be so pleased to see you."

"No, no," muttered the other. "Believe me, she would not!"

Chester jumped out of the carriage and ran quickly up the stone steps,
and rang the bell.

The door was opened by M. Polperro himself. Even busier than usual was
the merry, capable little chef, for as it happened Madame Polperro had
had to go away for two or three days.

"I want to know," said Chester abruptly, "if you can let me have a room
for to-night? The room the Comte de Virieu occupied is, I suppose,
disengaged?"

"I will see, M'sieur--I will inquire!"

M. Polperro did not know what to make of this big Englishman who had come
in out of the night, bringing no luggage with him but one little bag.

Then he suddenly remembered! Why, of course, this was the friend of the
pretty, charming, wealthy Madame Bailey; the English gentleman who had
been staying during the past few days at the Pension Malfait! A gentleman
who was called after a well-known cheese--yes, Chester was his name.

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