There were a good many people in the large room; parties of two, three, and four, talking merrily together, as is the way with French people at their meals. No one was alone save the Comte de Virieu and herself. Sylvia wondered if he felt as lonely as she did. Towards the end of dinner the host came in and beamed on his guests; then he walked across to where Mrs. Bailey sat by herself. "I hope Madame is satisfied with her dinner," he said pleasantly. "Madame must always tell me if there is anything she does not like." He called the youngest of the three waitresses. "Felicie! You must look very well after Madame," he said solemnly. "Make her comfortable, attend to her slightest wish"--and then he chuckled--"This is my niece," he said, "a very good girl! She is our adopted daughter. Madame will only have to ask her for anything she wants." Sylvia felt much happier, and no longer lonely. It was all rather absurd--but it was all very pleasant! She had never met an hotel keeper like little Polperro, one at once so familiar and so inoffensive in manner. "Thank you so much," she said, "but I am more than comfortable! And after dinner I shall go to the Casino to meet my friend, Madame Wolsky." After they had finished dinner most of M. Polperro's guests streamed out into the garden; and there coffee was served to them on little round iron tables dotted about on the broad green lawn and sanded paths. One or two of the ladies spoke a kindly word to Sylvia as they passed by her, but each had a friend or friends, and she was once more feeling lonely and deserted when suddenly Count Paul de Virieu walked across to where she was sitting by herself. Again he clicked his heels together, and again he bowed low. But already Sylvia was getting used to these strange foreign ways, and she no longer felt inclined to laugh; in fact, she rather liked the young Frenchman's grave, respectful manner. "If, as I suppose, Madame, seeing that you have come back to Lacville--" Sylvia looked up with surprise painted on her fair face, for the Count was speaking in English, and it was extremely good, almost perfect English. "--and you wish to join the Club at the Casino, I hope, Madame, that you will allow me to have the honour of proposing you as a member." He waited a moment, and then went on: "It is far better for a lady to be introduced by someone who is already a member, than for the affair to be managed"--he slightly lowered his voice--"by an hotel keeper. I am well known to the Casino authorities. I have been a member of the Club for some time--" He stood still gazing thoughtfully down into her face. "But I am not yet sure that I shall join the Club," said Sylvia, hesitatingly. He looked--was it relieved or sorry? "I beg your pardon, Madame! I misunderstood. I thought you told M. Polperro just now in the dining-room that you were going to the Casino this evening."