But when there she found that she could settle down to nothing--neither to a book nor to letters.
Since her husband's death Sylvia Bailey's social circle had become much larger, and there were a number of people who enjoyed inviting and meeting the pretty, wealthy young widow.

But just now all these friends of hers in far-away England seemed quite unreal and, above all, quite uninteresting.
Sylvia told herself with bitter pain, and again the tears sprang to her eyes, that no one in the wide world really cared for her.

Those people who had been going to Switzerland had thrown her over without a thought.
Anna Wolsky, who had spoken as if she really loved her only a day or two ago, and who had made that love her excuse for a somewhat impertinent interference in Sylvia's private affairs, had left Lacville without even sending her word that she was leaving! True, she had a new and a delightful friend in Count Paul de Virieu.

But what if Anna had been right?
What if Count Paul were a dangerous friend, or, worse still, only amusing himself at her expense?
True, he had taken her to see his sister; but that, after all, might not mean very much.
Sylvia Bailey went through a very mournful hour.

She felt terribly depressed and unhappy, and at last, though there was still a considerable time to dinner, she went downstairs and out into the garden with a book.
And then, in a moment, everything was changed.