"Why, it is Sylla Chipchase!" exclaimed Lady Mary. "I cannot see who is her victim; but of course she would never neglect such a golden opportunity as to-day's."
"Hush!" replied Cottrell, drily; "the companion of her delinquency, remember, is Jim."
"Why, you surely don't mean to tell me——" exclaimed Lady Mary.
"Very much so," rejoined Cottrell; "and the sooner you make up your mind to take it au serieux the better."
Poor Lady Mary! Mr. Cottrell's dramatic disclosures were getting a little too much for her.
Before they had reached Westminster Bridge Blanche and Sylla knew that they were to be sisters, and there had been much quiet laughter amongst the four whom it chiefly concerned about the story of the cigar-case.
"I still don't understand," said Beauchamp, "why you should have so resented my keeping Sylla's commission secret?"
"And never will, Lionel, until you comprehend of what a jealous woman's imagination is capable."
"I can't see," whispered Jim, "why I was kept so long out of my cigar-case?"
It was in his possession at last.