She found the scene strangely fascinating--the scene presented by this crowd of eager men and women, each and all absorbed in this mysterious game which looked anything but a child's game, though Anna had called it so.
But as they were trying to make their way through the now dense crowd of people, the middle-aged man who had been with Anna when Sylvia had first seen her just now hurried up to them.
"Everything is arranged, Madame!" he exclaimed.

"Here is your membership card.

May I have the pleasure of taking you myself to the Club?
Your friend can come too.

She does not want to play, does she ?" He looked inquisitively at Sylvia, and his hard face softened.

He had your true Frenchman's pleasure in charm and beauty.