Surely this is the first time you have done so ?" "Yes, this is the first time I have ever been tempted to take the Bank at Lacville.

But somehow I suddenly felt as if I should be lucky to-night.
You see, I've made a good deal of money the last day or two, and Madame Wachner persuaded me to try my luck." "I wish you had told me you were thinking of taking the Bank." "I would have told you," said Anna quietly, "if I had seen you to-day.
But I have been seeing very little of you lately, Sylvia.

Why, you are more with Madame Wachner than with me!" She did not speak unkindly, but Sylvia felt a pang of remorse.

She had indeed seen very little of Anna Wolsky during the last few days, but that was not because she had been with Madame Wachner.
"I will come and see you for a little while to-night," she said impetuously, "for I am going to spend to-morrow in Paris--with a friend who is there just now--" She hurried out the half-truth with a curious feeling of guilt.
"Yes, do come!" cried Anna eagerly.

"You can stay with me while the carriage takes the Wachners on home, and then it can call for you on the way back.